Liam Hogan is a self-described short story writer with an underused physics degree who avoids work in London, England. Please note these are his words, not ours. After all with appearances in hundreds of short anthologies including NewCon “Best of British” honours in 2016 and 2018 (for Science Fiction and Fantasy respectfully).

“‘I’ve dabbled in drabbles, as they say, but rarely go sub-100,” Hogan tells AE  — His entry “Star Little, Twinkle, Twinkle” clocks in at a swift 38 — “Each different length format is less similar than people might think. A drabble is less like a short story than a short story is like a novel. Or certainly no more similar – I’ll leave some space for being equivalently different! So a microfiction has its own rules. If only I knew what they were…”

Hogan’s efforts to adhere to – or break –  the rules of microfiction resulted in a contemplative and dazzling flash in “Star Little, Twinkle, Twinkle” a thought experiment meant to propel the reader’s thoughts along the path of a tiny photon as it traverses time’s arrow.

“I wanted to, if not tell a story, at least throw something out that doesn’t just vanish without a trace after reading.”

Growing up, Hogan’s love for science fiction was cemented while  paging through Vonnegut’s “The Sirens of Titan”, with notable stops in the company of greats ranging such as Herbert, Le Quin, Clarke, Silverberg and Asimov.

“As with any speculative fiction form, the delight is in following a ‘What If?’ through to its conclusion. The idea alone is not enough,” Hogan adds “Though I do love an interesting one.”

Like many contributors to Stargazers, the collection’s theme struck the right balance needed of complexity and simple wonder to inspire his focus and put pen to paper.

“Who isn’t awed by the idea of a star?”