The Folger Variation and Other Lies

The Folger Variation follows three interconnected lives throughout different strands of time.

Pancake: Pancake Patterson is a former jazz musician who spends all his time roaming the seedy underbelly of Los Angeles, frequenting abandoned factories and participating in Russian Roulette tournaments, but what exactly is Ol’ Pancake running away from?

The Folger Variation: Arthur Folger has it all. Since his grandfather gave him a time machine, Folger has been living the high life but he can’t find a time-line where his beloved girlfriend Deborah manages to survive a gas explosion.

Last Exit to Interzone: Kip Novikov is a Glasgow time detective who is sought out by William Burroughs to help clean up a little problem. Novikov seeks out the help of Hubert Selby Jr.

Chris Kelso is a Scottish writer, illustrator, editor and journalist. He has been frequently published in literary and university publications across the UK, US and Canada, has written several books, edited anthologies, and, with Garrett Cook, is the co-creator of The Imperial Youth Review.

What they say about Chris Kelso and the Folger Variation

“This is a joyfully dystopian, fascinating and challenging book. There is a distinct risk you will get to like it. It may well ruin books for you.”

– The British Fantasy Society

‘Kelso is a fearless and accomplished prose stylist’

—  Literary Orphans

‘Someday soon people are going to be naming him as one of their own influences. He’s worth checking out.’
– Interzone magazine

“Strong meat! Brilliant! It will wake you up — maybe all night –“

– Mary Turzillo, Nebula winner