Paying It Forward (story)

"Paying It Forward"
Author	Michael A. Burstein
Language	English
Genre(s)	Science fiction short story
Published in	Analog Science Fiction and Fact
Publication type	Magazine
Publication date	September 2003

"Paying It Forward" is a science fiction short story published in 2003 by Michael A. Burstein. It was nominated for the 2004 Hugo Award for Best Short Story.

The story is told from an unnamed narrator's point of view, who describes his relationship with a famous science fiction author via a series of email correspondences. The strange thing is that the correspondences don't begin until after the author's death. Throughout many years the narrator receives great wisdom from the deceased author, only learning the truth when he himself is about to die.

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