Prion: A Futuristic Fable of Parrots, Pandemics, and Promise-makers

by LoraKim Joyner

Prion takes us to a post-Covid-19 world in the not-so-distant future, where humans live daily with disease outbreaks and loss of biodiversity, but find a way to live with meaning, joy, and hope. A group of scientists and conservationists suddenly find themselves in the midst of a new, terrifying, pandemic that could end the human race. Using the latest technologies, they come together through hard work and growing bonds of friendship and solidarity with all life only to discover that parrots are the transmitters of the nicknamed, “Zealand Zombie Disease.” The story begins in New Zealand – then follows people’s and parrots’ lives in Australia, Honduras, and the USA – and dramatizes the frantic rush to find the cause, as well as how to prevent and cure, the disease. Using their scientific understanding of and experiences with parrots, promises are made to the parrots, and between humans. These might just save the day, until everything suddenly seems to slip away. Though the characters’ future is uncertain, ther relationships and commitments illustrate how we might live in hard times of any age.

180 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 11, 2020

About the author

Rev. LoraKim Joyner is both a wildlife veterinarian and Unitarian Universalist minister, having served in parish ministry for 10 years in North Carolina, Minnesota, Texas, and Florida. Currently she serves as a community minister in Multispecies Ministry and Compassionate Communication, affiliated with the Community Unitarian Universalist Congregation at White Plains. She draws on her training as a Certified Trainer in Nonviolent Communication and over 33 years as a conservationist and wildlife veterinarian to co-lead One Earth Conservation. With her team, they support others through their international Nurture Nature Program that seeks to empower the people saving the planet. She directs projects in Latin America to stand in solidarity and witness to the plight of the parrots of people there, and do what she can. One Earth's projects extend to Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Paraguay, Guyana, Brazil, French Guiana, Suriname, and El Salvador. She has written two books, “Conservation in Time of War,” and “Nurturing Discussions and Practices,” with another one In Press, “Prion.” Currently she serves as the Acting Secretary of the Parrot Researchers Group.