Welcome to Lightspeed’s 104th issue!

This month, our cover art comes from Reiko Murakami, illustrating a brand-new short story set in Merc Fenn Wolfmoor’s Sun Lords of the Principality series: “With Teeth Unmake the Sun.” Our other original science fiction story, “Midway,” by Tony Ballantyne, is about living life as an intergalactic wanderer. We also have SF reprints by Roger Zelazny (“The Engine at Heartspring’s Center”) and Sarah Micklem (“The Book Collector”).

Our original fantasy stories include the second installment of Ashok K. Banker’s Legends of the Burnt Empire series—and if family sagas are for you, you definitely won’t want to miss this new story, “Son of Water and Fire.” Meg Elison digs into family drama, too, in our second fantasy original, “Endor House,” which is one witchy reporter’s attempt to tell the story of a family of magical innovators. We also have fantasy reprints by Emily B. Cataneo (“The Emerald Coat and Other Wishes”) and E. Lily Yu (“The Pilgrim and the Angel”).

Our nonfiction lovers will enjoy our usual assortment of author spotlights, along with our book and media review columns. We’re also excited to bring you a feature interview with Henry Lien, who is not only creating inspiring fantasy fiction for younger readers, but who once served as Lightspeed’s art director. We couldn’t be happier for his success!

For our ebook readers, we have an ebook-exclusive reprint of the fantasy novella “What There Was to See,” by Maria Dahvana Headley, and an excerpt from Charlie Jane Anders’ new novel, The City in the Middle of the Night.