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About the book
This anthology was created as part of the Green Stories project. Most of the stories are from the ‘Microbes to the Rescue!’ short story competition, sponsored by the UKRI funded Environmental Biotechnology Network (EBNet) or the ‘Clean vs Green’ short story competition, supported by the University of Southampton.
The goal was to raise awareness of the environmental and health implications of over-cleaning. Many of us are now aware of the ‘beneficial bacteria’ in our gut. And yet we still scrub off all the friendly bacteria on our skin that have evolved to keep our skin healthy and clean.
Persuaded by misleading marketing blurbs claiming ‘this kills 99% of all germs’, we expose our lungs and environments to sometimes dangerous levels of volatile organic compounds. Indeed, most information reaching the public about cleaning has come from the advertising industry, not health professionals.
This collection of short stories invites you to enter the fascinating world of microorganisms. Microbes live on our skin, keep ecosystems healthy, fight pollution and turn waste into resources. Some of the plots unfold close to our everyday lives, some in the wonderland of tiny heroes, and some take us into an imaginative future.
Meet Willow as she is chased by a morphing pile of slime, and Mikey who stops showering.
Discover how Anna masters the appetite for shit at the sewage plant, and how Sophie turns into a tree.
Learn how Mike Robe arrives for his interview in a petri dish and Amanda survives a flood to find a world within our world instead of sorrows.
You can even find out why Tim changes careers on his friends’ toilet… and read many more winning stories.
We hope that these stories help to redress the balance as well as entertain.
What people have said about Stories from the Microbial World
“Their world is fascinating, and they have a massive impact on our lives and the environment. Microbes live on our skin, keep ecosystems healthy, fight pollution and turn waste into resources. In this collection of short stories, human and microbial characters take the stage to entertain, enlighten and provoke. Some of the plots unfold close to our everyday lives, some in the wonderland of tiny heroes, and some take us into an imaginative future. On this journey, meet Willow as she is chased by a morphing pile of slime, Mikey who stops showering, Anna who masters the appetite for shit at the sewage plant, Sophie who turns into a tree, Mike Robe who arrives for his interview in a petri dish, Amanda who survives a flood to find a world within our world instead of sorrows, Tim who changes careers on his friends’ toilet, and many more. This collection of short stories invites you to enter the fascinating world of microorganisms. It also invites you to team up with microbial populations for a brighter, greener future.”
Dr Sigrid Kusch-Brandt, Lecturer Circular Economy, Technische Hochschule Ulm
“This collection is a fantastic testament to the many ways Environmental Biotechnology contributes to a healthier planet. Through engaging narratives, the anthology highlights how innovative microbial solutions are transforming waste management, pollution remediation, and sustainability. It’s a refreshing reminder of the tangible benefits of environmental biotech in our daily lives.”
Prof. Frederic Coulon Professor of Environmental Chemistry & Microbiology, Cranfield University
“This is a must read….it opens the doorway to the hidden world of microbes and the incredible ‘things’ they produce, such as everyday products like detergents (aka biosurfactants). The unseen world of microbes and how they can be harnessed to do incredible things, is captivating, thrilling and entertaining.”
Prof. Tony Gutierrez, Professor in Environmental Microbiology and Biotechnology, Heriot-Watt University
admin –
If you’ve always wondered about the tiny microbes that form the bedrock of our soil and our bodies – this is the book for you. The stories are all very different in tone and genre but each one of them sheds a new light on the unseen life in the world around us. Some are comedies, some drama, some funny and a couple aimed at younger readers. This would make for good discussion for book clubs as there’s something for everyone.
loiscd –
I didn’t expect to love a book about microbes—but Stories from the Microbial World completely won me over. Each story is told from a microbe’s point of view, and somehow it’s funny, clever, and full of heart.
This blends science and storytelling in such an engaging way. I learned so much about the natural world without even realizing it. It’s playful, thought-provoking, and honestly kind of beautiful.
This book made me look at the tiniest forms of life with real appreciation—and wonder. A gem.
Chris –
An anthology centred on microbes and bacteria sounded intriguing and it didn’t disappoint. It gave me a new appreciation of the fact that many bacteria are friendly and are essential to our health and the health of the planet and shouldn’t all be wiped out with heavy-handed detergents and pesticides.