Candlemark & Gleam followers may recall Leonard Richardson’s unique Constellation Games—a novel of first contact, video games, love and computer programming, equal parts Big Ideas, clever whimsy and genuine pathos—that won high praise from the entire range of the SFF community from Boing Boing to Strange Horizons.

Leonard is now back with Situation Normal, a satirical yet deeply kind space opera that fuses Serenity with Guardians of the Galaxy. Set in a wildly original universe, with a large, vividly drawn cast, a-swim with witty allusions and unforgettable leitmotifs, the work engages with issues achingly relevant to our times, as readers can discern from its synopsis:

The galaxy’s two multi-species superpowers stand on the brink of yet another pointless war. Soldiers, draft-dodgers, smugglers and spies from both sides are rushing towards Cedar Commons, an uninhabited forest planet near the border. Everyone has some plan for fighting, avoiding, or profiting from the conflict.

None of these plans are going to work out: war destroys plans as efficiently as it does lives. But as the visitors to this once-quiet planet discover each other, they’ll make new friends, new enemies, and new plans that have a chance to end the war before it causes the collapse of several civilizations.

Today I get to share the witty yet poignant cover of Situation Normal,, created by Brittany Hague whose inspired designs range across domains.

With luck on the side of our world, we expect to share Situation Normal on December 14, 2020. Keep both civilian and military frequencies open!