Kalvin M. Madsen

Upcoming Short Story Collection By Kalvin M. Madsen

Platforms and Stations by is a collection of speculative short stories that delve into the ethical, emotional, and societal impacts of technology in dystopian landscapes. Madsen crafts immersive worlds and thought-provoking narratives that reflect on humanity’s resilience, adaptability, and fraught relationship with innovation. Among The 17 stories included in this collection are:

Bad Impact explores the lives of workers on an isolated oil platform, where the ever-present threat of drone strikes creates a constant atmosphere of tension and fear. The story delves into the psychological toll of living under the shadow of violence and the fragile camaraderie that holds their world together.

Breathe envisions a future where breathable air becomes a commodified resource, forcing individuals into dependency on personal air supply devices. Through this lens, Madsen examines the societal consequences of privatizing basic necessities and the addictive grip of manufactured survival.

Home is Where The Machines Are follows scavengers navigating a snow-covered post-apocalyptic world. In this harsh and eerie setting, Madsen explores human ingenuity, the remnants of technological marvels, and the pursuit of normalcy in a fractured world.

Lucy’s Tether explores a post-apocalyptic world where tethered consciousnesses can take over human bodies. Set against a backdrop of landmine-ridden landscapes, the narrative questions agency and responsibility in a fractured, war-torn future.

Hologram Sibling introduces a haunting relationship between two brothers separated by distance but connected through a holographic device. As the technology becomes invasive, it raises chilling questions about identity and digital presence.

The Grotesque Mass follows a man’s surreal and unsettling discovery of a mass of flesh in his apartment. The grotesque encounter blurs the line between the mundane and the inexplicable, offering a visceral exploration of fear and curiosity.

Platforms and Stations offers a compelling speculative lens on current and future societal challenges, making it a thought-provoking choice for book clubs and academic discussions centered on technology, ethics, and humanity. Its imaginative storytelling caters to readers seeking concise, impactful narratives, reminiscent of acclaimed short fiction anthologies. With stories exploring privatized breathable air (“Breathe”) and a scavenger’s journey in a post-apocalyptic world (“Home is Where the Machines Are”), Calvin Madsen delivers a diverse collection of speculative futures that push the boundaries of the genre. Nuanced explorations of human emotion and ethical conflict make this collection both intellectually stimulating and emotionally resonant, offering something for every speculative fiction fan—from psychological tension to social commentary and vivid, dystopian landscapes.