Headhunting

Rich Larson’s collection Headhunting compiles twenty-three stories that blend elements of body horror, nanotechnology, and cybernetic modification. The narratives often center on the physical reality of living in a future where biology is malleable. Characters navigate derelict space stations, survive in sprawling urban slums, and interface with parasitic intelligences. These stories focus on the gritty logistical details of survival, such as how black-market organ grafting works or the psychological fallout of digitizing a human consciousness into a synthetic frame. The writing prioritizes tactile descriptions of metal, flesh, and code.

This book is for readers of speculative fiction who prefer visceral details and high-tech cynicism over hopeful futurism. It appeals to those interested in the intersections of transhumanism and socioeconomic inequality. Readers walk away with a specific vision of how emerging technologies might impact the human anatomy and social hierarchies. The collection provides an unsentimental look at how humans adapt their instincts and bodies to stay relevant in increasingly artificial and corporate-dominated environments.