Chemical Affair

By: Karianne Hutchinson

Narrated by: Karianne Hutchinson, C.S. Madsen

Chemical Affair is a near-future sci-fi novella that takes place in a world grappling with the ethics of biotechnology. The story follows Cassia Vincent, a grieving, middle-aged bio-lab technician working in the isolated depths of Primia, a research facility that engineers Homo delineae, a newly fabricated, “delineated” species of human. Primia’s work is too classified, deline research too controversial, and Cassia’s heart too conflicted for what happens next.

Jude, a prototypical deline, reaches out for her. The line between custodian and companion blurs as they detect hidden depths to their shared humanity. Their forbidden bond is discovered, then exploited.

As sabotage, abduction, and betrayal rip through the facility, Cassia must measure her own morals, motives, and maternal instincts. From clandestine escapes to ethical reckoning, Chemical Affair is a high-stakes exploration of love, control, and what it means to be, or to become, human.

The author, Karianne Hutchinson writes with the vivid sensory awareness of a synesthete—someone whose sensory world naturally intertwines—allowing emotions, sounds, tastes, smells, and touch to overlap as color, texture, shape, and movement.

Growing up with the rare but very real neurological trait, synesthesia, she developed a deep connection to the nuanced ways humans experience the world. Karianne's storytelling blends her heightened, complex, and nearly indescribable sensory perspective with unfiltered creativity and philosophical debate.

In addition to writing, Karianne is also an illustrator and designer, channeling her neurodivergence into layered, emotionally resonant art.

©2025 Karianne Hutchinson (P)2025 Karianne Hutchinson

She paints with her words

The author paints such a beautiful exploration the human animal in this story. She uniquely portrays the lack of clarity between where we stop and others begin. I was taken by her descriptions as she melds her own synesthetic lens and voice into the characters and their story. The narration was fabulous. She nailed it.

A beautiful portrayal of what it means to grow

From follies and perceived inadequacies to growth and progression, Karianne's heartfelt story captures a deep level of character development that stories five times as long have never scratched the surface of. From the seemingly shallow thoughts of one left in ignorance to the beautiful insight into their profoundly stunning view of the world they perceive. Or the heart breaking devastation of loss on so many levels to the healing and love that blossom from a heart willing to take each next step even as the blows keep coming. Karianne's story gives us an insight into all of these and more.

This is more than a distopian sci-fi novel, it is a personal journey that I would invite all to take. Take it in and explore your own growth.

Amazing Novella

Chemical Affair is an absolute must read! I honestly didn't want to put the book down until I finished it. Every main character has characteristics that I think everyone can relate to, and honestly some that will make you take look inward yourself. Happily I will admit that I bawled my eyes at the end, smiled with the characters, and will recommend this to everyone