Thank you for choosing to read Infinite Space, Infinite God II! When we first started writing "Catholic sci-fi," we laughed that it seemed an oxymoron similar to "jumbo shrimp," but in the few years since we first imagined our own stories about nuns living and working in space, we've seen the interest in faith-filled genre fiction grow. We're glad to be a part of this unique subgenre--and so glad you are, too! (If you're interested in finding more, please check out the appendix, where we list several other books, magazines and websites where you can find speculative fiction that not only respects but incorporates Christian, and specifically Catholic, beliefs.)

If you're expecting to find an anthology similar to Infinite Space, Infinite God I, you are going to be pleasantly surprised! Pleasantly, because once again, we've found some exciting and thought-provoking stories by fantastic writers. Surprised, because this book is taking a very different angle from its predecessor.

...which is funny, because we used the same guidelines as we did for ISIG I: Excellent storytelling, believable science within the story, and Catholic beliefs accurately portrayed. Faith had to be shown as a positive force and science as a process rather than a threat. We had some fantastic stories we nonetheless rejected on these grounds. In fact, we hope you'll be seeing them in other publications with a more general focus.

Nonetheless, just as one sonnet can differ radically from another even though they share strict requirements of form, so this anthology took on its own identity. In ISIG I, the stories examined the Catholic faith of the future--its challenges, its institutions, its people. It was very easy to use the stories as a foundation for a study of the Church, past, present and future, and we capitalized on that with introductory articles about where we as Catholics have been and where we may go.

This time, however, we received stories that focused more on individuals. Institutions had let humankind down overall, so it was up to the individual, with God's help, to make a difference. Perhaps we are seeing a reflection of a post-9-11 world; a more dystopic, darker attitude--one that Rob and I don't share, incidentally. Nonetheless, these are well-written, exciting, sometimes touching enough to bring tears to Karina's eyes, and not without hope. They are the kind of stories we will want to read again and again, and we think you will, too.

Following the path the writers have forged for us, we introduce each story individually, and we'll share a little about the story and writer as well. Of course, we'll also have an appendix with author biographies--if you like a particular story, look up the author and see what else he or she has to offer!

In ISIG II, you'll find stories where the Catholic teachings inform the characters, and faith gives them the strength to act upon their convictions. We hope that these stories will inspire you to act according to your faith. God bless you--and happy reading!