Orbital Bebop

A young black lesbian activist reclaims land from a greedy billionaire but struggles to hold peace against a rise of fear-based security culture and a toothache that seems whisper to her. An alien intelligence marvels at the human form, then horrifies at the ugly human condition underneath it. When two childhood friends reunite on different sides of a lunar corporate hierarchy, romance and possibly something more blooms. On Mars, a birthday party is ruined by an interstellar decree yet somehow saved by a tantric sexual experience. In Saturn's orbit a black lesbian scientist trains for interdimensional travel while yearning for a woman she's never met but half-remembers. On the cusp of the Year 3000 millennium a group of dirty clones find community and forgiveness, but at a cost. Orbital Bebop spans both the solar system and the human race in plotting out how societal ills on Earth travel with us while also offering the seeds for how humanity can redeem and heal itself.

Reuben " Tihi" Hayslett is a queer author, storyteller and activist. His first book, Dark Corners, was named Best Indie Fiction of 2019 by Kirkus. Tihi currently lives in Puerto Vallarta with his pet cat, Mengo.