Ab Terra 2020

“Oh my God! Look at that picture over there! There’s the Earth coming up. Wow, is that pretty.”

—William Anders, December 24th, 1968, Moon


Astronaut William Anders took a photograph after remarking on the beauty of Earth from the moon. Called “Earthrise,” it introduced us to our home, to the vastness of humanity’s planet.


Ab Terra 2020 is a short story anthology that seeks to recreate the feeling of the moment when we first laid eyes on our world through stories of science fiction belonging to all, from Earth. Twelve stories from both emerging and recognized science fiction authors offer diverse cultural perspectives and provide readers with journeys that in one way or another are “from Earth,” even if home is far, far away.


About the Editor


Yen Ooi is a writer-researcher whose works explore cultural storytelling and its effects on identity. She is obsessed with science fiction, where she excavates stories to expose and explore the permutation of culture across the genre. Yen is narrative designer on Road to Guangdong, a narrative driving game, and author of Sun: Queens of Earth (novel) and A Suspicious Collection of Short Stories and Poetry (collection). Her short stories and poetry can be found in various publications. When she’s not writing, Yen is also a lecturer and mentor.


Ich-iri by Clare McNamee-Annett

Following a bereavement, an alien travels with a crew to Earth’s past to kidnap the human infant who will grow up to be responsible for the technology that brings humans to the alien world.


Come Water, Come Navigator by Elizabeth Kate Switaj

In a future that sees most of Earth underwater, a Navigator with traumas in her past travels with a small team to find out what happened to America.


Chronotope by Raul Ciannella, edited by Rachel Cordasco

A small team enslaved to data entry roles by an AI system manages to break out by combining their “alienating habits,” which allow them to work at super-fast speeds.


The Wisdom of Doubts by Soramimi Hanarejima

A thought-story explores the creative potential of doubts.


on either side of 1986 by Megan Russell

A sister’s recollections of living with a younger brother with special needs and an abusive parent are interwoven with the details of the 1986 Space Shuttle Challenger disaster.


Blip by Charlie Hill

A ship’s AI and its pilot collaborate to make a bad decision in a deep space near-contact scenario.


Michael by Ky Parker

A robot created in the vision of the inventor’s wife, memories and all, finds itself alone after the inventor dies.


Porch Light by Nels Challinor

A lonely journey in space prompts memories of home on Earth.


Compatibility by Alaina Symanovich

A matching service finds a near-perfect match for a debutante, which is impossible—horrifying the girl and delighting her parents.


Grapefruit Rug by Stephanie Boyter

An alien attempts to blend into life in a big city.



<egg, egg> by Elizabeth Wing

An alien encounter ends in an exchange of eggs.


Chinode-matsuri by Nyri Bakkalian

A protagonist reflects on the Moon’s Earth Festival and what it means to their connection with home and family.