Always Blue is the first story in Radix Media's "Futures" series, which includes literary sci-fi and cli-fi stories that can be read in a single sitting. I read Always Blue in a single sitting myself, while sitting on the bleachers waiting for my son's soccer practice to end. I was completely immersed in this speculative world where the familiar is lightly dusted by the uncanny. So much climate fiction is unappealingly apocalyptic, but Woods' story is funny, readable, compelling, and funny (worth mentioning twice). I was reminded of Julie Schumacher's masterpiece Dear Committee Members, but in a climate-impacted world where the weather and wind has been finely tuned and academic infighting continues unabated. This story can be ordered directly from the publisher (link below), as can a subscription for all six stories, plus assorted goodies that come with the shipment of each story. If you're so moved, ask your local bookseller to check out the series and order some copies for the store: https://radixmedia.org/product/always-blue-chapbook/ and https://radixmedia.org/product/futures-science-fiction-subscription/

Another wonderful story and a pleasant discovery for me in John Dermot Woods. Full review coming to Three Crows Magazine soon.

*review pending*