Bits of Business

EarthCent Metaverse #4

by E.M. Foner

Every business deal is performance art when aliens trade for unique products.

As the first major ship to make regular trips between the galactic tunnel network and the Farling Empire, the Miklat is at the center of a new web of commerce and intrigue. The Zarents, with the cooperation of humans, are trying to raise their profile in the galactic community by starting a business incubator for alien entrepreneurs. But the status quo is challenged by a new group of immigrants from Earth, who now outnumber the expatriates from Bits (and Flower), resulting in a political showdown for Mayor Mouser, who would rather be running games.

289 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 1, 2025

About the author

I wrote Date Night on Union Station while taking a break from work on a science fiction epic I've been struggling with for years. The goal was to cheer myself up and to find out if there is still an audience for a science fiction comedy that gets its laughs from dialogue and funny situations rather than from gross-outs and shocks. As many readers have pointed out, the EarthCent series could be rated PG under the old fashioned system, no bloodshed, no graphic sex, no four letter words. And after years of imagining a galaxy for my epic in which multiple human civilizations are at war with each other, it did me a world of good to write about a galaxy where most people are just trying to make a living and find some joy in life. I received so many requests to extend the Date Night universe into a series that I put aside my epic for an extended period to write a sequel, Alien Night on Union Station. The events take place five years after the conclusion of Date Night, and the plot involves a mix of business, diplomacy, gaming and family relations. As a bonus, we finally get to meet Kelly's mother. After the positive response to Alien Night, I wrote a third book for the series, High Priest of Union Station, which is currently in the editing stage and due out in mid-October. I just started a book that extends the EarthCent galaxy with a different mission and cast of characters, though they may intersect at some point.

Reviews

[Diana T-C · Rating 5 out of 5]

These books are fun to read. There are always gems of unique and interesting ideas scattered through the stories, that make these series a cut above usual writing.

I've read science fiction for decades, since Asimov was still alive and would put out annual short story collections and write fun introductions sharing what happened when authors and editors would get together.

I think these connected series by E.M. Foner should be recognized as outstanding science fiction. The ideas alone in each book make these stories wonderful examples of science fiction.

The underlying humor and work ethic is bonus.

[Jim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 4 in the series

A very interesting and humorous mix of politics, economics, and interactions among diverse species. Life on the Miklat colony ship is expanding as new species come aboard. A great story.

[Julie Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Does not disappoint

A visit to spend some time on the Miklat and its passengers with a little peak on Flower.

Always enjoy an update on the people in the Earth Cent universe.

And what is that certain Farling up to now? 🤔

[Elaine Jackson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read

Almost too many characters to keep track but I persevered and had to back up a few times and made it. I've followed the story from the beginning and am not giving up on it now. Good job!

[stephanie huntington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent story, Interesting and entertaining. I love all of these books in each of the related series.