Author's Note
The inspiration for this climate fiction novel emerged during my time as a Peace Corps Response volunteer in Liberia in 2024. I am grateful to my fellow volunteers Charlene Ewart and Veronica Ledoux for their encouragement in helping bring this work to life.
At the heart of this story lies the collapse of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC), a critical ocean current system, and its profound effects on the people of Liberia. Told through multiple perspectives across various counties in Liberia, the narrative explores the intersection of environmental upheaval and human resilience.
Climate change is the central theme of this fiction, the unfortunate genre of the times—and a snapshot of where our planet has arrived. But humanity functions on hope—hope for better days ahead, faith in our ability to solve problems, and optimism that our children have a future. The story endeavors to reach those objectives.
I’ve woven elements of the Guinea Equatorial Rainforest and its rich ecological heritage into the fabric of this tale, alongside diffuse cultural threads drawn from Liberia’s diverse communities. In crafting this historical fiction, I intentionally used non-specific and broad cultural references, and they do not represent any real-world ethnicity, events, or rituals. I sometimes use Liberian Koloqua for my main characters’ speech to provide a basis for respect and authenticity in this novel. Any shortcomings in my use or representation of the language are solely my responsibility. I also want to note that this work is written with full respect for, and adherence to, the cultural sensitivities of the country.
The legacy of war is present as an influence—significant, but secondary. Its inclusion acknowledges the tragedy of Liberia’s turbulent history without attempting to replicate or minimize real-world experiences. This story includes a completely fictional version of a group called the Leopard Society, and bears no relation to any historical Leopard Society groups, traditions, or cultural institutions.
In this story, I reference the U.S. Peace Corps, an organization that works as a partner in development—people collaborating with people. Further, this novel strives to honor the country of Liberia, its communities, and its environment, acknowledging both the challenges they confront and the beauty they embody.
For the drifters and wayfarers of the world, this is your story; the chapters of this book leap from place to place, like the restless mind of the author. Most of the characters in this book are on the move, and in a single stroke, the setting can shift across the length of the country. This book is entirely my creation, though I welcomed feedback throughout the writing process. All characters, communities, and events are fictional or used fictitiously. The prose, research, and editing are solely my responsibility.
Thank you for reading!
