Book signing set for Nov. 7 at Dees Bookstore on Main Street



A local author has published a short work of science fiction in a science fiction anthology called “Satirica.”

Bill Housely has lived in Evanston for two years and said he’s always written stories.

“I’ve been writing since high school. I’ve been trying to write professionally for four to five years now,” Housely said.

He said Dee’s Bookstore and Boutique, on Main Street, will host a book signing on Nov. 7 at 7 p.m., where copies of the book will be available for purchase.

The story, “Another Man’s Terrorist,” is about two children who are war refugees involved in resistance work on their home planet. When their parents die, the eldest of the two decides to get out of the war and move to another planet.

But upon arriving at what was supposed to still be a peaceful planet, they find that the enemy has taken over and they are still in the thick of things.

“I was thinking of issues regarding terrorism that were not being covered by the popular media,” Housely said. “Child warriors, bombings, paid suicide bombings. These are things that need more attention.”

Housely defines his work as “cultural science fiction,” because it intends to restate the issues of war and terror without the framework of modern civilization, religion or politics.

“This strips away religion, culture and political baggage surrounding the issues,” he said. “This talks about just terrorism, without all the extra stuff.”

He said the rest of the anthology, with works from 19 different authors, is “not for children.”

“Some of these stories are frank, dark and twisted,” he said. “My story is more broad-based science fiction that a teen could pick up and read.”

Housely said he’s currently working on a full-length book, about a man who builds a spaceship. The working title, he said, is “Into the Dark: Escape of the Little Nomad,” and hopes to have it published and on bookstore shelves by the end of next year.