I think I started writing this story some time in the 1990s, though the earliest text I've found was dated 2003.

The title was in place right from the beginning. I thought I was quoting something, most likely an Anglican hymn, but I've been unable to track it down, so I probably misremembered something.

Anyway, I finally finished the first draft in 2023, but really couldn't decide on the best market for it.

Then in February 2025 I got the invitation to submit a story to Grimoire. I offered them a choice of three stories I had available, and from my descriptions they chose the non-series one: "To See the New Jerusalem." And there we are.

As for what inspired the story, it was long enough ago I'm not sure I remember. I think it was partly a response to time travel stories all the way back to Wells' The Time Machine presenting the future a either utopias or dystopias, but also looking at what had changed and what hadn't in my own lifetime.

Not much more to say about it, except that there's an in-joke for Princeton alumni in it -- the names of the characters are all old Princeton families. There are even dormitories named Foulke and Joline.

The anthology came out on schedule, and sold out the 750-copy first edition by Friday at Worldcon. I assume it will eventually be available in paperback or ebook eventually, but Grim Oak says there won't be any more hardcovers.