Introducing Superbloom, an original science fiction short

I’ve been writing fiction even longer than I’ve been reporting, but this short story in Metaphorosis is the first fiction I’ve ever published. Featuring lichen biology, a bit of glasswork jargon, and my signature, queer scientists who are obsessed with death.

The story has been live on the Metaphorosis blog and podcast for two months (oops) and was also recently highlighted by science fiction reviewer Austin Gragg of Space and Time. Gragg writes:

“Superbloom” by Lynne Peskoe-Yang is a vivid and engaging piece, albeit quiet and mostly calm. The story follows “K” and “D” – both involved in the observation of an ever-growing lichen in the ocean. The story starts with a phone call, revealing the phenomenon has grown across a great and concerning distance. The lichen’s intellect becomes a question as it takes on a way to communicate. Earth suffers because of its growth. In many ways, this story feels like a spiritual sibling to Chiang’s 1998 “Story of Your Life” (later adapted to film in Arrival,2016).

“Superbloom” is timely without trying. The themes: isolation during chaotic tragedy and failed communication between vastly different beings – are both deeply felt. Yet nothing is overstated. The prose here sits somewhere between pulp and purple in a delightful way.

Read or listen to the full story for free here.