The accessions department considered any new Ann Leckie a non-negotiable acquisition, given the institution’s response to previous volumes by the same author.

Tchaikovsky is actually a newcomer to the institutional collection, which is somewhat surprising given the author’s astonishing productivity and sterling reputation. That this volume collects novellas rather than being part of an extended series may explain the decision to dabble.

Also pictured: a bundle of card-based creative tools from the Artefact collection, being the merchandising wing of the allied UK-based institution Smithery.