As a scientist with a serious addiction to the arts, Claire McCague's first novel, The Rosetta Man (EDGE, 2016), is in the sci-fi genre. The protagonist, Estlin Hume loves squirrels and is constantly followed by them. This "talent" results in chronic unemployment and occasional homelessness until two aliens adopt him as their translator. Caught in this 'first contact' crisis, Estlin hopes that the military forces converging in the South Pacific don't kill the messenger.

The Rosetta Mind (EDGE, 2022), Book Two of the "Rosetta Series," finds Estlin Hume awakening to find himself surrounded by aliens, soldiers, scientists, spies, bureaucrats and a horde of affectionate squirrels. That’s nothing new. But now there’s a giant saltwater tank full of cuttlefish suspended above his house! WTF. Estlin’s unique ability to translate for a pair of newly arrived aliens has brought the first contact crisis to his doorstep in rural Alberta. Unfortunately, the aliens have silently climbed the nearest tree, leaving him to contend with the cuttlefish, as well as ill-advised directives from government and military officials, and random acts of violence from unknown nefarious agents—all of whom are determined to find out for themselves what the aliens really want. No matter the cost!

McCague holds a doctorate in chemistry, works in the high tech industry, and her plays have been have been featured in festivals across Canada.

She lives in Delta and Sechelt.

BOOKS:

The Rosetta Man (EDGE Science Fiction & Fantasy Publishing, 2016) $20.50 9781770531246

The Receiver of Wrecks in Brave New Girls #5: Tales of Girls Who Tech and Tinker anthology (Brave New Girls, 2020)

[BCBW 2022]