This week we’re joined by Katie Conrad, author of “Protector of the Forest” in The Future Fire #76, for a microinterview about writing, environmental scifi and optimism.
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| Art © 2026 Barbara Candiotti |
Katie Conrad: “Protector of the Forest” is a story about second chances—a second chance for humanity on a new planet, and a second chance for the protagonist, Gabrielle, to find love and community after a mistake. Gabrielle’s story is also about finding the strength to give yourself a second chance even when you don’t quite believe you deserve it.
TFF: Do you think it would be possible to learn from our mistakes on earth and do better on another planet?
KC: I do think it’s possible. Despite everything, I remain optimistic that we will learn from our mistakes and do better here on earth before it’s too late.
TFF: What are you working on next?
KC: I’m currently working on a sci-fi novel. It’s a space opera about a group of super-powered female friends who steal a powerful artifact and end up on a quest to save the galaxy. I’m on draft four and hoping to finally get the plot wrangled into shape.
Extract
We’d been living on Toivoa for a year when the trees began to die.
“What, all of them?” Captain Harris’ dark eyebrows furrowed above her wire-rimmed glasses. I sat on the visitors’ side of her desk in her office. It was a small place with bare walls and bare shelves. None of us had much in the way of personal effects, but the Captain took it to the extreme.
Reminder: You can comment on any of the writing or art in this issue at http://press.futurefire.net/2026/05/new-issue-202676.html.
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