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I know you’re switching focus to non-fiction essays in the near future but just wanted to let you know that there are still readers out there who appreciate the ability of good fiction to imagine alternate futures (alternate to the promises of modernity, control and human-centered progress).

I’m enjoying the story so far. And I agree with W McCrae’s thoughts about Part 1 having a great description of a mushroom trip—when used properly they can really help shift one’s understanding and focus on the world!

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thanks very much Amy! i'm so glad you're enjoying the story so far. i love writing stories like this, and am hoping to find a way to keep doing it in the future. in the meantime, i'm working on adjusting my expectations about what success looks like (probably not "a book") and challenging myself to approach imaginative storytelling in a different way. thank you for being on the journey with me!

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No problem! Just curious if you’ve thought about joining Dougald’s Regrowing a Living Culture series? The Tuesday sessions are midday for us East Coasters.

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An intriguing setting, where life is hard and people are people. Looking forward to part 3 🙂

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thank you very much! i'm glad you're enjoying it.

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the birdsong at the end of this section brings me the most joy. cheer up! one of those little bits of flair i would never have thought to add to my own writing, because i had never made the underlying observation about the consonantal flow of a robin's song. but there it is--i can hear it now, and probably always will. :)

Ray is still great, we love Ray. ("in this house...!") wonderful worldbuilding around Madison's barter economy as well. part of me yearns for that world where i could get by trading my blackberry jam and pickles for firewood and 80 proof hooch-- the part of me which secretly thinks i am immortal, and will never require services of worth not easily translated into homegoods and IOU slips. (on a totally unrelated note, i have outpatient surgery scheduled this coming friday in an extremely safe and modern medical facility! the procedure is preventative for an acute condition which would otherwise knock me out of commission for up to a month and be treatable only with pharmaceutical painkillers! oh man oh boy. this shit is how they keep you working a desk job your whole damn life, you know.)

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