In mid-2020, I stumbled upon a fellow author looking for beta readers. We agreed to swap manuscripts. And so began my introduction to Franklin in Paradise. I knew I had stumbled upon a gem. I read the draft and provided my feedback on things I thought could be tweaked or improved. The author and I wished one another well … and I didn't think anything more of it until I saw a publication announcement on the Queer Sci-Fi website.

My first thought was, 'Ooh, that sounds interesting.' And in the very next second, that thought was followed by, 'Hang on. I know that story.'

I raced out and bought a copy … and found myself sucked into Franklin's story all over again.

Franklin, a young autistic man, lives a routine, orderly life. When his parents go away on holiday without him, he carries on with his routine. And then the world ends – so to speak. A sudden pandemic wipes out approximately 99.9% of the population. Franklin meets another survivor, Patrick. The two of them set out to find their way in this strange new world. Together.

This is strongly reminiscent of The Earth Abides (minus the rampant sexism, racism, homophobia, and other-phobia) and The Stand (minus the weird supernatural elements and the rampant sexism). ( )