The Gate to Futures Past

The Finest in DAW Science Fiction and Fantasy by JULIE E. CZERNEDA:

THE CLAN CHRONICLES:

Stratification:

REAP THE WILD WIND (#1)

RIDERS OF THE STORM (#2)

RIFT IN THE SKY (#3)

The Trade Pact:

A THOUSAND WORDS FOR STRANGER (#1)

TIES OF POWER (#2)

TO TRADE THE STARS (#3)

Reunification:

THIS GULF OF TIME AND STARS (#1)

THE GATE TO FUTURES PAST (#2)

TO GUARD AGAINST THE DARK (#3)*

NIGHT'S EDGE:

A TURN OF LIGHT (#1)

A PLAY OF SHADOW (#2)

SPECIES IMPERATIVE:

SURVIVAL (#1)

MIGRATION (#2)

REGENERATION (#3)

WEB SHIFTERS:

BEHOLDER'S EYE (#1)

CHANGING VISION (#2)

HIDDEN IN SIGHT (#3)

IN THE COMPANY OF OTHERS

 

*Coming soon from DAW Books

Copyright © 2016 by Julie E. Czerneda.

All Rights Reserved.

Jacket art by Matt Stawicki.

Jacket designed by G-Force Design.

Jacket photograph by Roger Czerneda.

DAW Book Collectors No. 1732.

Published by DAW Books, Inc.

375 Hudson Street, New York, NY 10014.

All characters and events in this book are fictitious.

Any resemblance to persons living or dead is strictly coincidental.

The scanning, uploading, and distribution of this book via the Internet or via any other means without the permission of the publisher is illegal, and punishable by law. Please purchase only authorized electronic editions, and do not participate in or encourage the electronic piracy of copyrighted materials. Your support of the author's rights is appreciated.

To Lili Pasternak, Mentor, Friend, and Colleague, and to the Biology Department of the University of Waterloo.

Looking back, my career's been shaped most by tiny dynamos. While I'm hardly tall, and may have been compared to a power generator myself, each time I've been with any of these three women? In the company of giants, plain and simple. I've talked about my fiction editor-dear and publisher, Sheila Gilbert of DAW. In the final book of this trilogy, I'll introduce you to my non-fiction editor and publisher. Today?

It's time you learned of Lili Pasternak. (Unless you attended the University of Waterloo in the almost thirty years she was there.) To me, Lili was the face and voice of biology. Literally. I walked into my first lab, breathless with excitement and some trepidation—after all, this was UNIVERSITY—to be confronted by rows of television screens, each filled the image of a dapper, dark-haired woman in an immaculate lab coat.

Busy staring, I tripped over a stool. Understand, this was 1973. Not even science fiction had prepared me for a virtual teacher.

Lili was far more than that. Yes, her videos introduced every lab, from procedure to her expectations, but I grew convinced she lived in the hall where the labs were taking place, ever-available, ever-ready to help. I'd spot her approaching—didn't matter that her students were taller—and feel awe. That glorious white lab coat. That efficient calm.

Here was Science.

As Lili's husband Jack will tell you (Dr. Jack Pasternak, Professor Emeritus), of course Lili didn't live in Biology II; she simply was there when her students needed her. Later, when I came back to U. of W. as staff (stepping into Lili's shoes, in fact, though I never dared the videos), we became great friends. Lili hosted a baby shower for our first child. She even helped arrange the Octoberfest reunion with staff for our “Bunch” of graduates.

As for my career? Lili showed me the joy that is teaching science and was responsible for my first work as a non-fiction author: I revised and updated the lab manuals. The ones from which she'd originally taught me, a privilege indeed.

I'd like to thank the University of Waterloo and all who've shared and share their love of science and learning there. You let me romp in what I love best, under the guidance of extraordinary professors such as Drs. Hynes, Morton, Thompson, and Hawthorn, to name but a few. Bonus? You've given me friends for life, including that chemistry partner I married, Roger.

And you gave me, and so many, Lili Pasternak.

Missed, but never forgotten.

How about that cover? Matt Stawicki, you are a genius! Thank you. My thanks also to the fine folks at DAW. Josh, you never cease to amaze with your dedication to quality and how you find ways to answer my authorly whims. Sheila, we'll be down to celebrate.

Drumroll, please, dear readers. It worked!

I refer to
This Gulf of Time and Stars,
my return to the story of Sira and Morgan begun so long ago, I've decided to call it “then.” Then, I'd no idea where it would go or that anyone else would read it. Now? Oh now, I do know, and you've come along with me. Thank you.

Especially those who dared be first to blurb, for this was a great deal to ask. Hey, read my novel, it's about stuff you haven't seen before or if you have, it was . . . “then!” My heartfelt gratitude to these fantastic authors whose work I love, for reading mine for me: Doranna Durgin, Kari Sperring, Violette Malan, Vonda McIntyre (who read
Gulf
while packing to be the Worldcon GOH!), Stephen Leigh, Marie Bilodeau, Ursula Pflug, Kristi Charish, Catherine Asaro, Tobias Buckell, and Rhondi Salsitz (as Jenna Rhodes). And, because time travel works in here, I'm able to thank Karina Sumner-Smith for crying (twice) over
Gate.
When you can do that to your friends? Life is good.

When a blog tour works, why not triple it? (Ask me one day.) I
was hosted around the world online for the 21 days of my #TimeAndStarsTour and, while I've no room to name all of my wonderful blog hosts here, please know how very much I appreciate your hard work, enthusiasm, and skill. We rocked the internet! I'm grateful to DAW Books, particularly Katie Hoffman, Sarah Guan, and Nita Basu, for prizes and support, as well as Audible books for theirs. Allyson Johnson? Fun, wasn't it? Thanks!

There's one host I must acknowledge. For years, SF Signal has been The Place to celebrate—and think—about genre work. You've been a mainstay for myself and so many. John, Kristin, and Paul, thank you from the bottom of my heart. It's been a honor. And Paul? What you've said about my work has inspired me and I won't forget.

There've been adventures in the real world too. Thanks, Coldwater Steampunk, for hosting me, and to Nicola and Saskatoon's Word on the Street for making me part of your excellent festival. The University of Saskatchewan Biology Department welcomed me back with open arms, giving me memories to treasure. Thank you all, especially Interim Dean Peta Bonham-Smith, Professor Jeanette Lynes, and Biology Department Head Ken Wilson. Thanks also to Betsy Rosenwald for publicity and Dot Clemens-Brown, who took excellent care of me. When I dedicated
Gulf
to Jan, I never imagined returning to USask or that we'd sit together at Timmies to talk about him again. My deepest thanks to Jean Smith and her family for their welcome.

As if 2015 wasn't great enough, (and it was, trust me) I'd SFContario and Canvention. Thank you, readers, for surprising me so utterly with the Prix Aurora Award for Best Novel (for
A Play of Shadow)
that I cried out, “WHaaaAT?!” Eloquent, that. (Thanks, Chris, for the after party and all else.)

The winner of the DUFF (Down Under Fan Fund) auction, Alex Lindsay, generously gave me his family to tuck into this book as characters. Hi Family! Surprise! Alison (
Alisi Di
), Paul the navy guy (
Pauvan Di
), and Emily (
Milly Su
). I hope you enjoy what I've done to you. Other character-namers continued into this book and I'd like to acknowledge them as well: Holly (
Holl
) and Lee (
Leesems
), as well as Ruth and Tim (
Ruti
). It's been a ride and I'm
thrilled you were part of it. Those who know me will guess the brothers-three now become planets (
Yont
,
Hilip
, and
Oger
). Welcome, Susan Bound and Lee Datzell (
Susibou Di
/
Susi di Annk
and
Lee di Annk
). Susan, thank you for so generously sharing your memories of Andre Norton with me. And my hearty congratulations to Agatha and Brad, fans of Sira and Morgan
.
Clear skies!

To our beloved Kate, Kevin, Josh, and Alfie. Here's to summer barbeques, gardens, wildlife, and the Bills. The path between's a bit longer now; it'll always be open.

To my family, wherever you may be when reading this. Stop and pinch yourselves every so often, because isn't life amazing? (By all means, say “WHaaaAT?” too.)

Last and never least, thank you, dear readers.

To quote Roger?

“Let the adventure
begin!”