Asimov's Science Fiction

Nobody else on Mars can brew beer quite like Paul Hopper. He’s an Earther who’s been forced into servitude by a surly brewery owner. But he’s the type who’d rather press on and drink his beer rather than cry in it. Despite his resignation to this situation, Paul soon finds himself on an uncharacteristic adventure. Find out Paul’s future as James Van Pelt reads his story “The Waylost Café.”

In the wake of a near-fatal accident, Emma struggles to readjust to home life. But it’s not the nagging sling or her son’s new habit that she can’t stop thinking about. Instead, Emma obsesses over the improbably nature of her rescue: a quirk of the universe may have changed the lives of her and her family forever. This is “The Magpie Stacks Probabilities” from our March/April issue, read and written by Arie Coleman.

Theresa moved into her new smarthome with healthy skepticism. Here was a house with everything she could ever need or want—and more—for an affordable price on her nail stylist’s salary. To her, the artificial intelligence inside was little more than a shiny gimmick, but one she’d gladly deal with to give her daughter Niyah a better life. There had to be a catch. Theresa’s misgivings begin to fade with the smarthome’s increasingly thoughtful gestures. But is their new home getting to know Niyah a little too well? Here is Jendayi Brooks-Flemister reading her story “Welcome Home.”

The Greatbread 2X is no ordinary toaster. It’s sleek; it knows countless recipes; it happens to be sentient. And one just showed up on Nadia’s doorstep. Enjoy “Bread and Circuits,” from our November/December issue, read and written by Misha Lenau.

“Filaments,” read and written by Mercurio D. Rivera, explores a tragic accident, a troubled relationship, and the terrifying mystery that lies at the heart of an abandoned alien planet. Enjoy our appropriately September/October selection: “Filaments.”

Minor edits here and there; that’s all Amin’s doing at the clinic, tweaking painful recollections until they hurt less. If only Laura understood how much he needs those changes. Journey with Amin down a series of memory lanes in “Tweak,” written and read by Taimur Ahmad, from our July/August issue.

Paul does everything he can to love Rebecca and make her happy. Still, he knows it’s not enough; his processor just isn’t sufficiently advanced for meeting all of a human companion’s needs. But that will change tomorrow, when he has his upgrade. . . . Join Paul on his journey of self-improvement in “My Heart Is at Capacity,” from our May/June issue, written and read by TJ Berry.

Willow has a Grandma problem . . . sure she comes with some cool gadgets from a prosperous past, but she also comes with the heat of the rangers. And eventually they’ll find her. Willow and Grandma both reckon with the past in “Grandma Plus Five Degrees Celcius” from our March/April issue, read and written by James Patrick Kelly.

Victor is used to having gigs like “driver,” “teacher,” or “administrative assistant,” so when his GigTime App shows “Mayor” for a duration of only “twenty-four hours,” he is a little skeptical. What should have been a quick job turns into something else altogether…. Enjoy “Mayor for Today,” read and written by Fran Wilde.

Victor is used to having gigs like “driver,” “teacher,” or “administrative assistant,” so when his GigTime App shows “Mayor” for a duration of only “twenty-four hours,” he is a little skeptical. What should have been a quick job turns into something else altogether. . . . Enjoy “Mayor for Today,” read and written by Fran Wilde.