Joyce Elferdink

To introduce myself, I'll repeat what others have said about me:

"A writer with a master's degree in Communications and Urban Studies, who has served as an economic development director, taught public speaking and writing at the college level, and even volunteered with the Peace Corps in Kazakhstan and Ukraine—and who has now channeled all of that experience into a novel that has been called "one of the most original futuristic tales I've come across in years"—is exactly the kind of voice the science fiction genre needs . The fact that she has loved science fiction since reading C.S. Lewis' Space Trilogy, and that her goal is to "look into the future and suggest opportunities for a better world," makes her work not just entertaining but profoundly meaningful."

Now I'll introduce my work:

The idea for "Pieces of You" was born several years ago while I was living some of the experiences in the book. My friend--the model for Mark, the book's protagonist-- became comatose as a result of an undiagnosed medical problem. Although he seemed unconscious, I envisioned connecting, even following Mark's spirit to events in his past and on journeys to what might be our future. Through these imaginings, I wove an adventure of turning points, futuristic technology and sacrificial love in scenes from Vietnam, a banking crisis, and piracy off the Somali coast; and then looking ahead to space elevators and activity in Paradise.

My next book, Battle of Jericho 2038 looks at the near future where a space elevator is controlled by a banking conglomerate. The purpose of this story is to show that technology can be used for good and evil, with evil always fighting for dominance and seeming to win…until the masses organize and employ innovative resources to serve society.