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Publication History

These stories were originally published as follows:

“The Naturalist” Subterranean Online, spring 2010

“Special Economics,” The Del Rey Book of Science Fiction and Fantasy, May 2008

“Useless Things,” Eclipse Three: New Science Fiction and Fantasy, October 2009

“The Lost Boy: A Reporter at Large,” Eclipse One, October 2007

“The Kingdom of the Blind,” Plugged In, May 2008

“Going to France,” Lady Churchill’s Rosebud Wristlet 22, June 2008

“Honeymoon,” “After the Apocalypse,” and “The Effect of Centrifugal Forces” appear here for the first time.

About the Author

Maureen F. McHugh has lived in NYC; Shijiazhuang, China; Ohio; and Austin, Texas; and now lives in Los Angeles. She is the author of a collection, Mothers & Other Monsters (Story Prize finalist), and four novels, including China Mountain Zhang (Tiptree Award winner) and Nekropolis (a New York Times Editor’s Choice). McHugh has also worked on alternate-reality games for Halo 2, The Watchmen, and Nine Inch Nails, among others.

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Copyright

This is a work of fiction. All characters and events portrayed in this book are either fictitious or used fictitiously.

After the Apocalypse copyright © 2011 by Maureen F. McHugh. All rights reserved.

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

McHugh, Maureen F.

After the apocalypse : stories / Maureen F. McHugh. -- 1st ed.

p. cm.

isbn 978-1-931520-29-4 (trade pbk. : alk. paper) -- isbn 978-1-931520-35-5 (ebook)

i. Title.

ps3563.c3687a69 2011

813’.54--dc22

2011006769

First edition 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Text set in Minion 12 pt.

Paper edition printed on 50# 30% PCR recycled Natures Natural paper by C-M Books in the USA.

Cover by fonografiks (fonografiks.com).