Four Short Stories In One Future History Series

 

When an sf writer has created a future history timeline, he is then free to add new instalments of any length and type and at any point along that timeline. The history can be enhanced by the addition of stories written for different markets. Asked for a story on the theme of redemption, Poul Anderson wrote "The Sharing of Flesh"/"The Dipteroid Phenomenon," set during the Long Night/Allied Planets period of his Technic History.

"How To Be Ethnic in One Easy Lesson," about Adzel's student days on Earth, and "Rescue on Avalon," set during the colonization of the Coronan continent on Avalon, were each first published in a different anthology of juvenile short stories edited by Roger Elwood. "Wingless (on Avalon)," set during the colonization of the Hesperian Islands on Avalon, was first published in Boy's Life. Adzel will become a member of Nicholas van Rijn's first trade pioneer crew led by David Falkayn and "Wingless" features Falkayn's grandson.

The three juvenile stories enhanced the Technic History further when they were incorporated into The Earth Book Of Stormgate and therefore acquired informative introductions fictitiously written by the Earth Book editor, Hloch of Stormgate Choth on Avalon.

We are glad that Anderson took these opportunities to enlarge his Technic History rather than to write unrelated stories.