Trapped in a child's body, a resourceful woman risks death by deletion from a simulated world. With her debut novella for adults, Mary G. Thompson (Wuftoom) has crafted a taut, ultimately hopeful story that deftly explores identity and autonomy.
"A perfectly executed gem of a book. Deeply satisfying and completely mesmerizing, it's full of depth, heart, and thought."
-Sarah Beth Durst, New York Times bestselling author of The Spellshop
Ella is the oldest five-year-old in the universe. For fifty-eight years, the founder of a simulated colony-planet has forced her to pretend to be his daughter. Her "Daddy" has absolute power over all elements of reality, which keeps the colonists in line even when their needs are not met. But his failing experiments and despotic need for absolute control are increasingly dangerous.
Ella's very life depends on her performance as a child. She has watched Daddy delete her stepmother and the loved ones of anyone who helps her.
But every sixty years, a Technician comes from the world above. Ella has been watching and working and biding her time. Because if she cannot get help, her only solution is a desperate measure that could lead to consequences for the entire universe. Mary G. Thompson is the author of science fiction, fantasy, and thrillers for children and young adult readers. Her contemporary thriller Amy Chelsea Stacie Dee was a winner of the Westchester Fiction Award and a finalist for the Missouri Gateway Award. Thompson's short fiction has appeared in Dark Matter Magazine, Apex Magazine, and others. She attended the University of Oregon School of Law, practiced law for seven years and now works as a law librarian. She also holds an MFA in Writing from The New School and completed the UCLA School of Theater, Film, and Television's professional program in Screenwriting. Thompson lives in Washington, DC. Find her on the web at http://marygthompson.com. One Level Down is her adult fiction debut.
• An inordinately wealthy man creates his own virtual planet in memory of his 5-year-old daughter. But his attempts to recreate her and maintain absolute power are becoming more dangerous. Now the woman who has been playacting as Ella for fifty-eight years is ready to escape to the next level: reality.
• As evidenced by certain real-world billionaires, this novel is a high-stakes look at the dangers of entitlement as enabled by technology
• National marketing plan to include endorsements from leading authors, reviewers, media, and general publications; online and print features; author events and book launch, Instagram and blog tour, Reddit AMA; ARC mailings and giveaways; and social media campaign Advance Praise for One Level Down
"Brilliant and beautiful. One Level Down is a perfectly executed gem of a book. Deeply satisfying and completely mesmerizing, it's full of depth, heart, and thought. A remarkable achievement."-Sarah Beth Durst, New York Times bestselling author of The Spellshop
"This small gem of a novella is many things: a simulation scenario that digs deeper than the Matrix movies ever did; a stark portrayal of the unmitigated evil that is the parental impulse; a rapture-of-the-nerds drive-by." -Peter Watts, Hugo Award winning author of The Freeze Frame Revolution
"A riveting existential and emotional rollercoaster, descending into the monstrous depths of patriarchy and rising into the dauntingly infinite possibilities of liberation-all while winding through the terrible cost, and moral necessity, of breaking ranks to stand against misused power." -Elly Bangs, author of Unity
"Like the best episodes of Black Mirror, One Level Down will have you pondering the questions it raises long after you've turned the last page." -Diana Peterfreund, author of the Clue Mysteries and For Darkness Shows the Stars
"A fascinating mix of mystery, thriller, and alternate futures. I had trouble putting it down." -S
