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Alternitech
Alternitech sends prospectors into alternate but similar timelines where tiny differences yield significant changes: a world where the Beatles never broke up, or where Lee Harvey Oswald wasn’t gunned down after the Kennedy assassination, where an accidental medical breakthrough offers the cure to a certain disease, where a struggling author really did write the great American novel, or where a freak accident reveals the existence of a serial killer. Alternitech finds those differences—and profits from them.
iPad Edition 2013
WordFire Press
{www.wordfire.com}
eBook ISBN 978-161475-013-0
“Music Played on the Strings of Time”
Copyright 1993 by WordFire, Inc.
First published in Analog magazine, Jan 1993
“Tide Pools”
Copyright 1993 by WordFire, Inc.
First published in Analog magazine, Dec 1993
“An Innocent Presumption”
Copyright 2003 by WordFire, Inc.
First published in The Silver Gryphon,
ed. Gary Turner and Marty Halpern, Golden Gryphon, 2003
“The Bistro of Alternate Realities”
Copyright 2004 by WordFire, Inc.
First published in Analog magazine, June 2004
“Rough Draft”
Copyright 2005 by WordFire, Inc.
First published in Analog magazine, Jan/Feb 2005
iPad Edition 2013
WordFire Press
{www.wordfire.com}
eBook ISBN 978-161475-013-0
“Music Played on the Strings of Time”
Copyright 1993 by WordFire, Inc.
First published in Analog magazine, Jan 1993
“Tide Pools”
Copyright 1993 by WordFire, Inc.
First published in Analog magazine, Dec 1993
“An Innocent Presumption”
Copyright 2003 by WordFire, Inc.
First published in The Silver Gryphon,
ed. Gary Turner and Marty Halpern, Golden Gryphon, 2003
“The Bistro of Alternate Realities”
Copyright 2004 by WordFire, Inc.
First published in Analog magazine, June 2004
“Rough Draft”
Copyright 2005 by WordFire, Inc.
First published in Analog magazine, Jan/Feb 2005
- GenresScience Fiction
ebook
First published July 1, 2011
3 people are currently reading
104 people want to read
About the author
Kevin J. Anderson
1,036 books3,111 followersYes, I have a lot of books, and if this is your first visit to my amazon author page, it can be a little overwhelming. If you are new to my work, let me recommend a few titles as good places to start. I love my Dan Shamble, Zombie P.I. series, humorous horror/mysteries, which begin with DEATH WARMED OVER. My steampunk fantasy adventures, CLOCKWORK ANGELS and CLOCKWORK LIVES, written with Neil Peart, legendary drummer from Rush, are two of my very favorite novels ever. And my magnum opus, the science fiction epic The Saga of Seven Suns, begins with HIDDEN EMPIRE. After you've tried those, I hope you'll check out some of my other series.
I have written spin-off novels for Star Wars, StarCraft, Titan A.E., and The X-Files, and I'm the co-author of the Dune prequels. My original works include the Saga of Seven Suns series and the Nebula Award-nominated Assemblers of Infinity. I have also written several comic books including the Dark Horse Star Wars collection Tales of the Jedi written in collaboration with Tom Veitch, Predator titles (also for Dark Horse), and X-Files titles for Topps.
I serve as a judge in the Writers of the Future contest.
My wife is author Rebecca Moesta. We currently reside near Monument, Colorado.
I have written spin-off novels for Star Wars, StarCraft, Titan A.E., and The X-Files, and I'm the co-author of the Dune prequels. My original works include the Saga of Seven Suns series and the Nebula Award-nominated Assemblers of Infinity. I have also written several comic books including the Dark Horse Star Wars collection Tales of the Jedi written in collaboration with Tom Veitch, Predator titles (also for Dark Horse), and X-Files titles for Topps.
I serve as a judge in the Writers of the Future contest.
My wife is author Rebecca Moesta. We currently reside near Monument, Colorado.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
March 29, 2016
Interesting premise, but doesn't really do much with it. Particularly the story in which two versions of the same person from alternate universes switch places, but instead of seeing what happens to them we follow another version who just sort of thinks it sounds like a bad idea and doesn't have anything to do with it, and never finds out how it turned out.
The concept of finding out that an alternate universe version of yourself was more successful than you in your chosen field is covered in two separate stories, but they're both very short and don't really go into much depth with the characters. And the whole book's like that, really. Not much depth, just decent ideas that aren't really allowed to play out. Disappointing.
The concept of finding out that an alternate universe version of yourself was more successful than you in your chosen field is covered in two separate stories, but they're both very short and don't really go into much depth with the characters. And the whole book's like that, really. Not much depth, just decent ideas that aren't really allowed to play out. Disappointing.
July 1, 2015
A fairly short read, set on a familiar present-day Earth where travel to parallel universes is possible - and the smaller the differences the easier the trip. Kevin J Anderson spends very little time setting up the premise, avoids getting bogged down in how the physics works, and then gets down to business with 4 stories about the information hunters set to the parallel worlds. For example one finds a 2nd novel by an author, who in the home universe retired after the brilliant 1st novel. This author is at first angry about this intrusion into his quiet life, and then starts to ruminate on why he hadn't produced a follow up novel himself. Very thoughtful.
The other stand out "episode" concerns an information hunter who shares the hunting with themselves - the home world is not the only one with the ability to travel like this. The multiple versions meet regularly in their favourite coffee shop, like a celebrity look-a-like fanclub, and have nicknamed for each other with obvious characteristics, Sneezy, Bashful, etc. Can Indecisive ever make a decision without consulting the others or seeing how their lives turn out first?
The other stand out "episode" concerns an information hunter who shares the hunting with themselves - the home world is not the only one with the ability to travel like this. The multiple versions meet regularly in their favourite coffee shop, like a celebrity look-a-like fanclub, and have nicknamed for each other with obvious characteristics, Sneezy, Bashful, etc. Can Indecisive ever make a decision without consulting the others or seeing how their lives turn out first?
March 1, 2021
“Alternitech” by Kevin J. Anderson. ⭐️⭐️⭐️ Genre: SciFi Short Stories. Location: Mostly unnamed cities in our timeline and in alternative timelines. Time: Future-
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These short stories were written about the worlds of alternative timelines. The exploration company Alternitech employs time agents who briefly travel to alternative timelines hoping to discover new Beatles songs, new books by famous authors, cures for diseases, etc. The premise is that slight differences in the timelines create important and valuable alternative works and research that Alternitech will then own and sell in its own timeline. It’s all about chasing the money.-
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The author states the most important part of each story is not the discoveries, but how each protagonist reacted to and was changed by it. It’s a great premise! I’m not so sure short stories were the best genre for it- the reactions and changes part of each story felt rushed and kind of simplistic.-
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My favorite story concerns time agent Heather, who regularly meets up with time agent Heathers from other timelines so they can share notes. But mostly they discuss their relationships with their similar but not identical lovers. Unfortunately (for me), there were several major issues left hanging as the short story ended.-
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Kevin J. Anderson is a writer worth exploring. He’s clever and imaginative, and has written about 150 books. Some I totally love, some (like this book) I like. And that’s why it’s 3 stars from me. 🌵📚👩🏼🦳.”
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These short stories were written about the worlds of alternative timelines. The exploration company Alternitech employs time agents who briefly travel to alternative timelines hoping to discover new Beatles songs, new books by famous authors, cures for diseases, etc. The premise is that slight differences in the timelines create important and valuable alternative works and research that Alternitech will then own and sell in its own timeline. It’s all about chasing the money.-
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The author states the most important part of each story is not the discoveries, but how each protagonist reacted to and was changed by it. It’s a great premise! I’m not so sure short stories were the best genre for it- the reactions and changes part of each story felt rushed and kind of simplistic.-
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My favorite story concerns time agent Heather, who regularly meets up with time agent Heathers from other timelines so they can share notes. But mostly they discuss their relationships with their similar but not identical lovers. Unfortunately (for me), there were several major issues left hanging as the short story ended.-
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Kevin J. Anderson is a writer worth exploring. He’s clever and imaginative, and has written about 150 books. Some I totally love, some (like this book) I like. And that’s why it’s 3 stars from me. 🌵📚👩🏼🦳.”
September 24, 2022
It was short, it was a quick read, and I enjoyed it. I'm sure Mr Anderson could have written more, or longer stories about alternatitech and I would be interested to read them. But I liked this small volume of short stories as it was.
August 18, 2022
Very short book, wish it was longer. Also wish the stories tied together, kind of seemed mostly random. Enjoyable though and good for my <2 hour flight.
April 22, 2020
This is a collection of short stories, each tale about the employees that work for Alternitech, a company that sends people to alternate timelines to discover new medical technologies, art, music or whatever useful, profitable things they can find, bring back, and copyright... (It's a little like the movie, Yesterday, if you saw that! You'll know what I mean.)
This collection of 5 stories is written by Kevin J Anderson, and they appear to have been a career mainstay, as they contain a theme that he has revisited throughout his writing stent. These were shorts that were sold to different SF zines, and now they've been collected in one book!
I loved listening to each and every story, and listening to Starla Huchton's narration is always plus in my book!
This collection of 5 stories is written by Kevin J Anderson, and they appear to have been a career mainstay, as they contain a theme that he has revisited throughout his writing stent. These were shorts that were sold to different SF zines, and now they've been collected in one book!
I loved listening to each and every story, and listening to Starla Huchton's narration is always plus in my book!
December 19, 2012
This is a solid outing by a great author--I wouldn't call it his best work, but it's certainly a good read.
The real treasure of this collection of short stories is the overall premise--Alternitech is a company that has developed a way to enter parallel universes with subtle differences from our own--and uses their discoveries for financial gain (for example finding new Beatles albums from a timeline where they never broke up). This is incredibly fertile ground for short stories--the possibilities are literally infininte. Anderson has a gold mine here, and I hope he continues to publish stories in this vein.
The stories themselves are great. By turns charming, thought provoking and filled with pathos, they're all well written pieces that not only explore the concept of stealing from other universes, but ask if they should be doing so. Each of the stories is able to explore the issues in a different way, so they're all fresh and exciting. A few of the characters appear in various stories, so there's a nice synchronicity between them without having a clunky arc shoehorned in.
The only complaints I have are that each story reiterates the concept--if you're reading the stories back to back, it gets tiresome. But, as the stories were originally published individually, this is to be expected and Anderson can't be faulted for it.
The other thing that I found frustrating--and which permeates much of Anderson's work published through his own house, Wordfire Press--is that the end of the book is filled with excerpts and advertisements of his other stories. While marketing in this way is par for the course with eBooks now, this can sometimes take a significant part of the book--as much as nearly a quarter in one case. It just seems a bit much.
But, don't let that stop you from reading Anderson's work--it's really good, and this collection especially is something you don't want to miss out on.
The real treasure of this collection of short stories is the overall premise--Alternitech is a company that has developed a way to enter parallel universes with subtle differences from our own--and uses their discoveries for financial gain (for example finding new Beatles albums from a timeline where they never broke up). This is incredibly fertile ground for short stories--the possibilities are literally infininte. Anderson has a gold mine here, and I hope he continues to publish stories in this vein.
The stories themselves are great. By turns charming, thought provoking and filled with pathos, they're all well written pieces that not only explore the concept of stealing from other universes, but ask if they should be doing so. Each of the stories is able to explore the issues in a different way, so they're all fresh and exciting. A few of the characters appear in various stories, so there's a nice synchronicity between them without having a clunky arc shoehorned in.
The only complaints I have are that each story reiterates the concept--if you're reading the stories back to back, it gets tiresome. But, as the stories were originally published individually, this is to be expected and Anderson can't be faulted for it.
The other thing that I found frustrating--and which permeates much of Anderson's work published through his own house, Wordfire Press--is that the end of the book is filled with excerpts and advertisements of his other stories. While marketing in this way is par for the course with eBooks now, this can sometimes take a significant part of the book--as much as nearly a quarter in one case. It just seems a bit much.
But, don't let that stop you from reading Anderson's work--it's really good, and this collection especially is something you don't want to miss out on.
April 15, 2013
I've long been interested in stories about alternate realities, and was especially interested in the TV series Sliders. Kevin J. Anderson takes five different looks at "what *might* have happened" in this 2011 e-book collection available from his website at wordfire.com . Unfortunately he doesn't capitalize on the possibility of the Beatles not breaking up. (I've seen a meme that insists it was Basement Cat, *not* Yoko Ono, who was responsible.)
However, as always, KJA shows us how this technology would affect the lives of real people, and therein lies "the good stuff." An unknown musician finds a new song to play, a woman locates a cure (but not quite soon enough), and a vigilante discovers that her personal quest may not always be justified.
Thought-provoking but very human stories from an author who "adventures hard, so we don't have to."
Apr. 14, 2013.
However, as always, KJA shows us how this technology would affect the lives of real people, and therein lies "the good stuff." An unknown musician finds a new song to play, a woman locates a cure (but not quite soon enough), and a vigilante discovers that her personal quest may not always be justified.
Thought-provoking but very human stories from an author who "adventures hard, so we don't have to."
Apr. 14, 2013.
January 4, 2014
Interesting premise about a company that can send people into alternate timelines - and does so in order to collect cultural and scientific works that were not developed in our timeline (i.e., cure for MS, Beatles never break up) - and sells them to the highest bidder.
This is a series of short stories that starts to explore the concept.
Found it quite intriguing and see the basis for a full-length from this.
This is a series of short stories that starts to explore the concept.
Found it quite intriguing and see the basis for a full-length from this.
April 2, 2015
Meh. Full disclosure - I got this in a "time travel" bundle. This isn't time travel at all. It does explore some ideas surrounding the possibility of traveling to parallel universes. It's a book of loosely connected short stories. I'm not a big reader of short stories, but there is not much here that I can recommend. There are a couple of stories centered around a serial killer. It's the only memorable thing about the book, and not really all that enjoyable.
March 26, 2015
A collection of interrelated short stories where people use alternative reality travel technology to get items that can be exploited in the home world. I have just seen the movie Coherence and felt this was similar, but well done. I liked the stories a lot, but man, it was a short book. The last 20 pages was filler of other books available from the publisher. That was lame, but the stories present were good.
May 18, 2013
An interesting collection, though hardly overly worthwhile for those without an interest in the genre. An Innocent Presumption was pretty good, but Rough Draft propelled the collection to 4 stars for its sheer depth of sci-fi writerness and interesting inner reflection. Worth a couple of dollars? Yes, I think so, given my background. Not for everyone, but a thumbs up from me.
April 1, 2015
If you like time travel and alternate history stories--WHO DOESN'T?--then these are some brain-fun short stories for you. I especially liked the ones involving artists who stopped producing new material in this universe, but kept on going in another. Would you want to read a book by yourself that *you* didn't write? I sure would!
April 26, 2015
Enjoyable parallel universes book.
April 29, 2015
Shorter than I was expecting, but lots of fun.
May 20, 2015
A 'what if we could exploit alternate time lines' novels. I liked the restrictions (you can only bring back knowledge) and the different dilemmas presented.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews