Only Human: Deus Ex Humana

We are seeking submissions for an exciting new anthology of short stories set in the shared science fiction universe established by Only Human and The Girl and the Alien.

Only Human: Deus Ex Humana invites creators to imagine stories in a near-future circa 2175, where humanity has expanded beyond Earth and grapples with the integration of advanced technology, mechanized life, and newly encountered alien civilizations.

The Shared Universe Setting

The world of Only Human: Deus Ex Humana is technologically advanced and defined by the complex, often fraught, coexistence of multiple intelligent species and artificial beings. This is humanity's first contact era—a time of wonder, tension, and profound change as humans discover they are not alone in the universe.

Key Locations

Stories may take place on Earth, high-tech worlds like Neuropa, alien homeworlds like Cranarr, frontier colonies on Remus, or entirely new locations within the established universe. Writers are encouraged to explore how different environments and planetary cultures shape the relationship between humans, enhanced individuals, artificial intelligence, and alien species.

Earth remains humanity's ancestral home but has been transformed by centuries of technological advancement. Megacities blend organic and synthetic architecture, while rural areas experiment with various levels of automation and enhancement. Earth is also humanity's diplomatic center, where the first meetings with alien species take place—often with mixed results.

Neuropa represents the pinnacle of human technological achievement—a world where the lines between biological and artificial intelligence blur. Here, neural interfaces are as common as smartphones once were, and entire cities operate with hive-mind efficiency. Neuropa serves as humanity's tech hub and is often the first human world to adopt alien technologies.

Cranarr and Other Alien Worlds: Humanity's encounters with alien species like the Cranans represent watershed moments in human history. Alien worlds feature unique environments, from exotic geological phenomena to dangerous weather systems, and host civilizations with their own complex cultures, languages, and social structures. Human colonies on some of these worlds create complex dynamics of coexistence, territorial negotiation, and cultural exchange. Each alien civilization challenges human assumptions about identity, progress, and what it means to be sentient.

Remus and other frontier colonies showcase humanity's expansion into space, often serving as testing grounds for new technologies and as contact zones where different species meet for trade, diplomacy, or conflict.

First Contact Era: The New Galactic Reality

A central element of this universe is that humanity is in the early stages of encountering alien life. The discovery of species like the Cranans has fundamentally altered human civilization in ways both obvious and subtle:

• Diplomatic Uncertainty: No established protocols exist for interspecies communication. Every interaction is a potential breakthrough or disaster. Ambassadors and translators become crucial figures as humanity learns to navigate relationships with beings who think, communicate, and experience reality differently.
• Biological and Physical Differences: Alien species may have different biology (different blood chemistry, lifespans, physical capabilities), requiring humans to reconsider what "normal" means. Some aliens possess abilities that surpass human or even robotic capabilities.
• Cultural Exchange and Conflict: What happens when human values collide with alien ethics? How do different species overcome prejudice, stereotypes, and fear of the unknown? Stories of friendship, misunderstanding, and eventual cooperation across species lines are central to this universe.
• Technological Integration: What happens when alien and human technologies meet? Are they compatible? Do alien civilizations have capabilities humans lack—or vice versa? How do robots and AI fit into a galaxy with multiple organic species?
• Identity Crisis: First contact forces humans to reconsider their place in the universe and what makes them unique. When robots outperform humans and aliens possess their own advantages, what does it mean to be "only human"?
• Economic and Political Upheaval: New resources, technologies, and trade opportunities create winners and losers in human society. Colonial relationships with alien worlds raise questions about exploitation, cooperation, and shared futures.

What We're Looking For

We are looking for stories that flesh out and fit within this future universe. We encourage writers to leverage the dramatic tension inherent in a world where technology constantly reframes what it means to be (only) human—now complicated by the arrival of alien species who may have entirely different answers to those same questions.

Strong submissions will explore themes such as:

• The struggle to maintain human relevance in an increasingly automated world
• First contact scenarios, cultural exchange, and diplomatic challenges with alien species
• Life in human colonies on alien worlds and the complexities of coexistence
• Overcoming prejudice and xenophobia through shared experience
• Ethical dilemmas surrounding enhancement, augmentation, and artificial intelligence
• The psychological and social impact of living alongside superior artificial beings and alien civilizations
• Questions of identity, consciousness, and what defines humanity—especially when confronted with non-human intelligence
• The costs and benefits of technological progress and interspecies cooperation
• Cultural conflicts between enhanced and unenhanced humans, and between humans and aliens
• Humanity's place in a galaxy of diverse civilizations
• Language barriers, translation technologies, and the challenge of truly understanding an alien mind
• Economic and political upheaval caused by first contact
• How different species define maturity, rights, and personhood

Submission Guidelines

Submissions must be original short fiction and adhere strictly to the established world-building elements and technological constraints outlined above. Stories should respect the fact that humanity is in its first contact era—this is not a universe with a long-established galactic federation. Contact with alien species is recent, surprising, and still being navigated.

Content Considerations

We welcome diverse perspectives and storytelling approaches. Stories may be character-driven, plot-focused, or explore philosophical questions. Action, drama, mystery, thriller, and even romance elements are all welcome as long as they fit within the science fiction framework of the universe.

We especially encourage stories that explore multiple perspectives: What does an alien think of human technology and culture? How does a robot view the arrival of organic aliens? What does a cyborg caught between human and machine make of a species that evolved differently? How do unenhanced humans respond to yet another group that might outcompete them? What happens when beings from different worlds must work together to survive?

We encourage submissions from writers of all backgrounds. The Only Human universe is vast and diverse—your unique voice and perspective will help bring it to life.

How to Submit

Please prepare your submission with the following:

1. Your story in standard manuscript format
2. A cover letter including your name, contact information, story title, and word count
3. A brief author bio (100 words or less)
4. Any previous publication credits (if applicable)

Submit all materials via email to: submissions@onlyhumanthebook.com

Use the subject line: SUBMISSION: [Your Story Title]

Selection Process

All submissions will be reviewed by the editorial team. We will respond to all submissions within 90 days of the submission deadline. Selected authors will be notified and provided with publication details, timelines, and contributor agreements.

Stories will be chosen based on quality of writing, adherence to the universe's established rules, originality of concept, and how well they contribute to the broader tapestry of the Only Human universe.