Introduction 1
by L.E. Modesitt, Jr.
When Brad asked me to write an introduction to Racers of the Night, I was certainly surprised, but more than happy to do so. Not only because I appreciate and admire his work, but also because we both share one prominent similarity—each of us came comparatively late to our writing careers. If my calculations are correct, Brad published his first story when he was 28. I was 30 when I published my first story, and 39 when my first novel came out—while Brad will be 40 when his first novel, The Chaplain’s War, is published by Baen. Also, both of us continued working full-time (and more) for others, even after years of regular publication.
I wouldn’t go quite so far as to say that Brad burst upon the science fiction scene, but over the past five years he’s gone from virtual literary invisibility to being a winner of The Writers of the Future contest, a finalist for the 2012 John W. Campbell Award for Best New Writer, a Nebula award nomination, three Hugo nominations, and two AnLab readers’ choice awards from Analog Science Fiction and Fact magazine. Not only that, but he got all of those awards and nominations for his short fiction. Which is hard to do, and is especially impressive given the short time span in which Brad did it. He’s also known for an even-handed and considerably less-than-inflammatory web blog that discusses not only writing-related issues, but a range of other topics as well.
What makes Mr. Torgersen so well-rounded?
Like me, Brad’s had several careers, and still maintains three—as a medical technologist, as a United States Army Reserve Chief Warrant Officer (including a not insignificant amount of time on active duty orders), and as a writer. Brad’s stories are therefore edged in an often gritty, realistic manner; something that’s more than occasionally missing in much contemporary science fiction. What Brad’s learned from occupations (and life) suffuses his stories.
In “Peacekeepers,” Brad shows you all sides of the life of a professional soldier, including the impact of politics. In “The Flamingo Girl,” there’s the combination of success that only comes from relentless law enforcement-learned routine, and an understanding of all sides of human nature—even when one of those involved isn’t even considered truly human. Another and totally different riff on law enforcement comes via “Blood and Mirrors,” with a twist on what aspects of artificial intelligence become most marketable (and why) and where this leads. As for thrills, how about “The Curse of Sally Tincakes”—racing on the Moon on a track considered fatal for any woman who tries, because of another woman who is long-dead. Or what about “Life Flight,” an interstellar travelogue which explores the impact of unknown genetics on a young crew member bound for the stars?
Whatever story is your favorite—and you may find several—reading Brad R. Torgersen should not only entertain you, but make you think … and think again.
— L.E. Modesitt, Jr., May 2014
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