Morris was immediately enticed by Keevor, the mysterious, odoriferous gourmand. There had to be more story there. Allen is from the Pacific Northwest, so slugs quickly found their way into the story. They don’t really smell, but there’s all that slime to work with . . .
Nathan Azinger, “Rainbow Connection”
Nathan lives in the Pacific Northwest with his beautiful wife and spastic cat. He practices martial arts (a hobby he shares with his wife), watches birds (a hobby he shares with his cat), and writes science fiction and fantasy (a hobby he’d like to make into a career). He is of the opinion that the quintessential Czerneda story contains three elements: a plot that is driven by legitimate conflicts of interest, interesting (and often messy) biology, and characters named after hockey players. That’s the sort of story he set out to write.
Paul Baughman, “Jilly”
Paul Baughman has been a lifelong reader. He was introduced to SF by his best friend, who had pointed out Heinlein’s Have Spacesuit, Will Travel on the school library’s shelf in fourth grade, but he fell in love with the genre when he read Andre Norton’s Catseye in seventh.
Paul has a BS degree in Computer Science and has worked in the field in various positions including documentation, tech support, programming, and systems and network administration. With his wife and daughter, he shares quarters with a varying number of varying species of pets. He writes from the realm of Hostigos (AKA the center of Pennsylvania). The universe of the Clan Chronicles has such a rich and detailed background that it reminded Paul of the space adventures of Andre Norton. He is honored to add to that background, in the form of a youthful Thel Masim. “Jilly” is Paul’s first sale.
Marie Bilodeau, “An Elaborate Scheme”
Marie Bilodeau is an Ottawa-based author and storyteller, with eight published books to her name. Her speculative fiction has won several awards and has been translated into French (Les Éditions Alire) and Chinese (SF World). Her short stories have appeared in various anthologies. Marie is also a storyteller and has told stories across Canada in theaters, tea shops, at festivals, and under disco balls. She’s won story slams with personal stories, has participated in epic tellings at the National Arts Center, and has adapted classical material.
Marie fell in love with Julie’s words from scene one of A Thousand Words for Stranger, when her love for ’Whix and Terk was forged. That love only deepened by writing this story (so much love! And I love you, too, Bowman! <3). When not gushing about books she loves, Marie is cohost of the Archivos Podcast Network with Dave Robison, cochair of Ottawa’s speculative fiction literary convention CAN-CON with Derek Künsken, cochair of Ottawa ChiSeries with Nicole Lavigne and Matt Moore, and is a casual blogger at Black Gate Magazine. More at www.mariebilodeau.com.
Chris Butler, “The Restaurant Trade”
Chris Butler’s published fiction includes the novel Any Time Now, and the novella The Flight of the Ravens, which was shortlisted for the BSFA Award for short fiction. His short stories have been published in Asimov’s Science Fiction, Interzone, and The Best British Fantasy 2014. He is currently working on a new novel, as well as more short fiction. Chris lives in Brighton & Hove in the UK. You can find further information at www.chris-butler.co.uk and on twitter at @cbutlerwrites.
With so many vivid alien species to be found within the pages of the Clan Chronicles, Chris wasted no more than a few nanoseconds before choosing Huido Maarmatoo’kk to feature at the heart of his story. Huido is the strangest of alien life-forms, and yet easy to relate to, dynamic and fun.
Wayne Carey, “Enigmatic Little Monster”
Two decades ago, A Thousand Words for Stranger caught Wayne’s eye with its wonderful cover art, and then his heart and mind when he read it. Julie’s wonderful universe of the Clan and the Trade Pact, so reminiscent of Andre Norton’s work, excited his imagination and brought a sense of nostalgia . . . that Sense of Wonder. When the opportunity arose to contribute to Julie’s Clan Chronicles in Tales from Plexis, he leaped at it at warp speed. Among all the fantastic characters, both alien and Human, he found Bowman one of the most fascinating, changing in the reader’s eyes throughout the series, but always remaining her own steadfast self. How interesting would it be to see her in her capacity as an enforcer investing other aspects of the Trade Pact . . .
Another draw to Julie’s work as a whole is a mutual background in biology. Because of a love of science fiction, Wayne turned to a career in science with degrees in biology and education, and always had the desire to write from an early age. His stories have appeared in a variety of anthologies such as Legends of New Pulp Fiction. His novels include The Nanon Factor, a young adult contemporary science fiction thriller that blends a murder mystery with cutting edge technology, and Allan Quartermain and the Beast Men, a sequel to H. Rider Haggard’s King Solomon’s Mines.
Janet Elizabeth Chase, “A Song for Plexis”
Janet Elizabeth Chase lives in rural northern Nevada along with her family and numerous freeloading animals. Janet found her way to writing speculative fiction due to well-placed nudges from a good friend. She has stories in two previous anthologies edited by Julie; Misspelled, and Fantastic Companions. When she was asked to write for an anthology set in Julie’s Trade Pact universe, she was beyond excited since this was the setting that initially introduced Janet to Julie’s incredible stories and wonderful characters. This story is about one of those characters that we could have done with just a little bit more of. Isn’t that always the way?
Julie E. Czerneda, “A Hold Full of Truffles”
What started as a series of small introductions per story blossomed into a new story of Sira and Morgan. Julie blames her fellow authors for being so inspiring she couldn’t help but join the fun. www.czerneda.com
Elizabeth A. Farley-Dawson, “Chicken”
Elizabeth A. Farley-Dawson grew up on the west coast of Florida, watched space shuttle launches from her driveway, and wanted to be an astronaut. Or maybe an artist or a writer. But she also loved nature and discovering new things (thanks to family camping trips, National Geographic, and documentaries), and thought maybe she should be a scientist, and sketch and write on the side. So she became an avian ecologist, married a fellow wildlife biologist, and moved where jobs and graduate school took her and her husband, spending an extended time in Texas. She recently earned her PhD in Biology and currently lives in North Carolina with partner-in-exploration Dan, their two cats Sage and Merlin, and soon, a small human. Just when Elizabeth needed her “fun” creativity rekindled after completing the dissertation, the Tales from Plexis contest presented the longtime fan of the Clan Chronicles a rare opportunity to write for a favorite author. Being fond enough of feathered beings and obscure ecological trivia to make it her career, it was inevitable she write about the Tolian P’tr wit ’Whix. She is elated to have sold her first work of fiction and unexpectedly realize her dream of becoming an author.
Doranna Durgin, “Finding Parker”
Doranna Durgin is an award-winning author (the Compton Crook for Best First SF/F/H novel) whose quirky spirit has led to an extensive publishing journey across genres, publishers, and publishing lines. Beyond that, she hangs around outside her Southwest mountain home with her highly accomplished competition dogs. Aside from being a long-time super fan of Julie’s work (A Thousand Words for Stranger being a particular favorite!), Doranna could hardly resist the chance to work with a Hoveny-sniffing bio’face dog, as she does indeed track with her Beagles—a Champion Tracker, an up-and-coming youngster, and a middle dog who is so excited about it all that he might just do with a bio’face of his own. Look closely and you’ll see glimpses of him in Cory!
Doranna’s most recent releases encompass the three books of the Reckoners trilogy—a powerful ghostbuster raised by a spirit, her brilliantly eccentric backup team, a cat who isn’t a cat, and a fiercely driven bounty hunter from a different dimension who brings them
together when worlds collide. More at www.changespell.com.
Tanya Huff, “The End of Days”
Born in Halifax, NS, raised in Ontario, educated at Ryerson Polytechnic (it’s a university now, but polytechnic sounds cooler) Tanya Huff is the author of thirty-three books, roughly a hundred short stories, the occasional magazine/newspaper piece, and one television episode (S1E9, Stone Cold, Blood Ties, based on her Vicki Nelson contemporary fantasy/vampire series). Her story for Plexis touches on two themes she returns to again and again in both her fictional and her nonfictional life, self-awareness and competence. Interestingly enough, competence is one of the many things she admires about our Plexis host, Julie Czerneda.
Heather LaVonne Jensen, “Good With Numbers”
Heather LaVonne Jensen’s daily conundrum is whether to read science fiction or write it. She found The Martian Chronicles at age seven and has been hooked ever since. Tuesday, a calico cat who dabbles in theoretical physics (www.catsgrokspacetime.com) condescends to live with her, and she has three grown children. She’s married to the world’s funniest, kindest, most supportive man, although he’d prefer her to stop saying that and instead call him by his nickname, ‘D*** It Jim, You Evil B******,’ because he wants to be an Evil Overlord someday.
Heather couldn’t help but wonder why a humble, introverted person like Ansel would choose to hitch his star to the outgoing, outspoken Huido; how did such an unlikely pair of beings become lifelong friends?
Heather’s Twitter handle is @Heather_Listens, and her nonfiction writing website can be found at www.heatherlavonnejensen.com.
Ika Koeck, “Home is a Planet Away”
After spending fifteen years learning and honing her writing skills, the last thing Ika Koeck thought she would be was a butler for two very active, very needy cats. Humanitarian by day, fiction writer by night, Ika writes fantasy, science-fiction and the occasional horror story. Ika’s work has been published in several pro and semi-pro rated markets, including DAW Books, Cast of Wonders and Apex Publication. When she isn’t writing or working, Ika can be found slamming down heavy barbells at a crossfit gym, rescuing and re-homing cats, training for a running race somewhere, and sampling the best teh tarik in town as a tea connoisseur.
Mark Ladouceur, “The Sacrifice of Pawns”
When he was young Mark Ladouceur dreamed of being Captain Kirk, but is more likely to have been the red-shirt who dies before the intro to demonstrate how serious things are. He is a part-time writer and full-time father and husband. When not living in his daydreams, he resides in Southern Ontario with his excellent wife, two awesome daughters, and a prince of a dog. His story “Windigo” appeared the anthology Mythspring, and “The Company Car” appeared in Storyteller magazine. He feels privileged to have staked a small claim in Julie’s Trade Pact Universe and to have come to know a mostly unknown character.
Violette Malan, “A Thief By Any Other Name”
Violette Malan is published by DAW Books. She is the author of the Dhulyn and Parno sword-and-sorcery series (now available in omnibus editions) and The Mirror Lands series of primary world fantasies. As V.M. Escalada, she’s the author of the Faraman Prophecy series: Book One, Halls of Law, and Book Two, Gift of Griffins. Like her on Facebook, follow her on Twitter, and website-wise check either www.violettemalan.com or www.vmescalada.com.
She strongly urges you to remember that no one expects the Spanish Inquisition.
When asked why she wanted to write a story set on Plexis Station she said: “I like to write about con artists, and they flourish in a place where there’s people, and money—things that Plexis has in spades.”
Jessica McAdams, “The Materials at Hand”
Jessica McAdams lives in Los Angeles with her husband and their four children. (Also part of the household are an adoring dog and a disdainful cat.) After years of handing Julie Czerneda’s books to friends and saying, “Read this; she writes the best, most alien aliens ever,” Jessica is incredibly honored to get to write a story set in Plexis. (Jessica also thinks her fellow fans should read Julie’s Species Imperative trilogy, because anyone who loves Huido really needs to meet Brymn and Fourteen.) When Jessica’s not writing or editing, she enjoys knitting, hiking the local trails, and traveling up to the mountains whenever she can. You can find her online at jessicamcadams.com or follow her on Twitter at @JessMcAuthor, where she tweets about books, short stories, and the constant struggle to get more words on the page.
Sally McLennan, “Memory”
“Memory” is Sally McLennan’s first foray into science fiction. This is fitting because in 2009, when Julie was Guest of Honor at New Zealand’s Natcon, Sally exclusively read fantasy. To acquaint herself with Julie’s writing she read Beholder’s Eye. Worlds opened up, Sally fell in love with a blue blob, and inspiration followed. Sally joined classes run by Julie who became a dear friend and mentor. It has been a magical journey from New Zealand to Plexis. Julie Czerneda has been a role model, and the Clan Chronicles an example of what to aim for, throughout.
Sally McLennan has been steadily published since her first book, Deputy Dan and the Mysterious Midnight Marauder, in 2008. This children’s title won a Sir Julius Vogel award in 2009. Her short stories have been published in magazines and anthologies in New Zealand, America, England, and Australia. Sally has a young adult series of dark fantasy novels in development. She lives in an old church in rural New Zealand. On the land around it she breeds Clydesdales and milk goats. Sally enjoys sitting in local cafes and hugging a cup of tea, while stringing words into a story.
Donald R. Montgomery, “A Traded Secret”
Donald R. Montgomery is a new author and A Traded Secret is his first professionally published story. A public servant by day, he spends most of his evenings and weekends (and sometimes lunches) writing science fiction. His debut novel is currently on submission.
Discovering Tales From Plexis was a happy accident, borne of a fan-type email and a question. It’s a rare opportunity to write for either a great author or an industry veteran, and Julie is both. Seriously, if you’ve finished The Clan Chronicles and haven’t yet read In the Company of Others, you must, must, must pick up a copy.
As for A Traded Secret, the idea tumbled out of one half-remembered description in A Thousand Words for Stranger and a lot of frantic rereading. Or at least a draft of it did—Don rewrote it three times (or was it four?) before finally gritting his teeth and letting Julie take a look. And he’s glad he did—who knew the chance for feedback would turn into jumping for joy?
And lastly, he’d like to thank you for reading his work. Travelers hungry for more can find it at donrmontgomery.com
Fiona Patton, “Anisoptera With a Side Order of Soft Blast”
Fiona Patton was born in Calgary, Alberta, and now lives in rural Ontario with her wife, Tanya Huff, two (perfect) little dogs, and a large collection of cats. She is the author of seven novels published by DAW Books and nearly forty short stories. She has always loved space stations, although, to be honest, her first experience in 2001: A Space Odyssey was more confusing than anything. (hey, I was six!) Especially when the station’s AI is trying to kill everyone. (As they are all clearly prone to do.) And there was never enough of the station in Star Trek: Deep Space 9 to suit her. (It should have been the main character. I’ll bet it would never have tried to throw Captain Sisko out an air lock.) So it was with (great) pleasure that she embarked (launched herself) on an exciting exploration of Plexis Supermarket; researching (combing though Julie’s books for even the tiniest detail and leaping down the Wikipedia rabbit hole for more), writing (rewriting), reading (and rereading), discussing (babbling incessantly), and wandering (running) with Daniel, Jack, and Warren through its ins, outs, corridors and concourses, restaurants, shops and public venues. She is (very much) looking forward to reading (diving into) the full anthology to see what other elements of this latest (favorite) space station may be r
evealed.
Natalie Reinelt, “Will of the Neblokan Fates”
Natalie Reinelt is a Canadian writer from Brantford, Ontario, with a deep-rooted love of storytelling. The production of her one-act children’s musical Lilian’s Dream recently performed at the Left of Center Kids’ Festival under her direction. Natalie makes her fiction writing debut with the story of a harsh Neblokan, briefly introduced in a garbage-strewn alleyway in Julie Czerneda’s A Thousand Words for Stranger, who goaded Natalie into sharing his tale. Building on her recent success, her hopes and aspirations are that the Young Adult fantasy novels she writes, and will continue to write for as long as The Fates allow, will someday be available to you in a galaxy—er, um—bookstore not too far away . . .
Rhondi Salsitz, “The Locksmith’s Dilemma”
Rhondi Salsitz rarely writes under her own name, claiming it’s too difficult to pronounce, spell, or remember, but this time is an exception. A long-time DAW author, she’s used a number of pen names in several genres such as suspense thriller, fantasy, science fiction, and romance, for audiences from ten to ninety. She writes regardless of various cat antics and family, travels whenever she can, and reads from dawn to midnight. Nothing is better than a good book. She is thrilled to be working in Julie Czerneda’s universe and hopes her tale of a humble locksmith pleases readers. Visit her at www.rhondiann.com.
Karina Sumner-Smith, “A Traitor’s Heart”
Karina Sumner-Smith never thought she’d get to play in one of Julie E. Czerneda’s rich, detailed universes—but here we are! When it came time to create a story, it was Manouya who stood out, though at the time he’d appeared in Julie’s books only briefly. A jovial-seeming Brill in charge of nearly every major smuggling ring in Human space? Surely, there was more to the story . . .
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