Short Story Symposium

The Commons: Third Space (Hayes Valley) Event Link Note: while there are many guests listed in the RSVP, most of these are carried over from previous events in this series. We don't expect much more than 30 to attend. I'm interested in having some laid-back yet stimulating conversations about some of my favorite pieces of short fiction. A general aim of the stories will be to explore alternative possible worlds through fiction with the hope of gaining more insight into our own. To that end, many of the short stories will include an element of futurism, speculation, and social commentary. We’ll feature authors like Ted Chiang, Ursula K Le Guin, Greg Egan, and others. Readings for 2026: • January 14: To Outlive Eternity, by Poul Anderson (Read) • February 25: The Lifecycle of Software Objects, by Ted Chiang (Read) • April 1: From The New World, by Yusuke Kishi - parts I and II (PDF / EPUB) • Season of New Leaves and Summer Darkness • Can alternatively watch episodes 1-7 (Email me for access) • April 15: From the New World, by Yusuke Kishi - parts III and IV (PDF / EPUB) • Deep Autumn and Winter's Distant Thunder • Can alternatively watch episodes 8-16 (Email me for access) • May 6: From the New World, by Yusuke Kishi - parts V and VI (PDF / EPUB) • Fires of the Apocalypse and Beacon in the Dark • Can alternatively watch episodes 17-25 (Email me for access) • June 3: The Metamorphosis, by Franz Kafka (Read) • June 17: Nine Lives, by Ursula K Le Guin (Read) • July 8: Yeyuka, by Greg Egan (Read) • Also recommend reading these short articles (Read, Read) • July 22: Death Note, by Tsugumi Ohba (Watch Ep. 1) • Our discussion will be based only on episode 1 Readings for 2025: • January 22: The Manamouki, by Mike Resnick (Read) • Sequel to Kirinyaga, recommended but not required (Read) • February 5: Story of Your Life, by Ted Chiang (Read / Listen) • February 19: Houston, Houston, Do You Read, by James Tiptree Jr (Read) • March 12: The People of Sand and Slag, by Paolo Bacigalupi (Read) • April 2: A Word for Heathens, by Peter Watts (Read) • April 23: A Little Knowledge, by Mike Resnick (Read) • Sequel to The Manamouki, recommended but not required (Read) • May 28: Black Mirror - San Junipero (Watch) • June 25: When the Old Gods Die, by Mike Resnick (Read) • Sequel to A Little Knowledge, recommended but not required (Read) • July 16: Jerry was a Man, by Robert Heinlein (Read) • August 13: A Short Stay in Hell, by Steven L Peck (Read) • September 3: The Land of Nod, by Mike Resnick (Read) • Sequel to When the Old Gods Die, highly recommended (Read) • October 13: The Fable of the Dragon-Tyrant, by Nick Bostrom (Read) • Also available in video form (Watch) • October 27: Oceanic, by Greg Egan (Read) • November 17: The Matrix (Watch) • Also recommend reading this article (Read) • December 15: The Country of the Kind, by Damon Knight (Read) Readings for 2024: • January 24: The Ones Who Walk Away From Omelas, by Ursula K Le Guin (Read) • February 7: Liking What You See: A Documentary, by Ted Chiang (Read / Listen) • February 21: Learning to be Me, by Greg Egan (Read) • March 6: Exhalation, by Ted Chiang (Read / Listen) • March 20: Nine Lives, by Ursula K Le Guin (Read) • April 3: The Merchant and The Alchemist's Gate, by Ted Chiang (Read / Listen) • April 17: Bloodchild, by Octavia Butler (Read) • May 15: Omphalos, by Ted Chiang (Read) • June 5: Chrysalis, by Mary Robinette Kowal (