authorial-origin

This chapter serves as the front matter and introduction to Dan Simmons' novel Carrion Comfort, including acknowledgments and a detailed authorial introduction for the twentieth anniversary edition. Simmons explains the concept of 'mind vampires'—psychic predators who feed on the will and souls of others—and recounts the dream that inspired the novel's creation, as well as his early writing career struggles and breakthroughs. The introduction blends personal history with thematic exposition, framing the novel as both a work of fiction and a metaphor for real psychological and social power dynamics.

This chapter serves as the author's note to the first edition of 'Numbers Don’t Lie,' explaining the origins and development of the story inspired by a real-life friendship and a unique setting. Terry Bisson discusses the collaborative efforts involved in ensuring technical accuracy, the challenges of publishing a short novel, and his enthusiasm for the digital format as an ideal medium for this work. The note also hints at ongoing creative engagement with the character Wilson Wu.