December 2023 (Issue 163)

We have original science fiction by D. Thomas Minton (“Carbon Zero”) and Adam-Troy Castro (“Seed”). We also have two terrific flash pieces: “Dandelions” from Martin Cahill and “Do the Right Thing and Ride the Bomb the Roundabout Way to Hell” by Andrea Kriz. Plus, we have original fantasy by Carlie St. George (“We’ll Never Die in the Woods”) and A.T. Greenblatt (“Mindfulness and the Machine”). We also have a flash story (“Whispers From the Sea”) from Oyedotun Damilola Muees, and another (“To the Waters and the Wild”) from Izzy Wasserstein. All that, and of course we also have our usual assortment of author spotlights, along with book reviews from our terrific review team. Our ebook readers will also enjoy an excerpt from Victor Manibo’s forthcoming novel Escape Velocity.

Cover art by Warmtail / Adobe Stock Images

December 2023 (Issue 163)

Editorial

Editorial: December 2023

by John Joseph Adams

Here’s to another terrific year of speculative fiction! Don’t miss the Editorial for a rundown of this month’s content.

Science Fiction

Carbon Zero

by D. Thomas Minton

Author spotlight

“Is there a problem, officer?” “We’re not the police.” My partner, Enrico, places his palm against the door, ready to test the old man’s resolve. I tap my finger against my thumb and SNAPbeam the warrant to the old man’s synaptic cache. “We’re EPF.”

Author Spotlight

Author Spotlight: D. Thomas Minton

by Laurel Amberdine

If we are to have any chance at averting a climate disaster, we must do more than just reduce our carbon output—we need to get to carbon zero or better. “Carbon Zero” explores the human cost of what may become humanity’s last chance.

Fantasy

Whispers From the Sea

by Oyedotun Damilola Muees

On the cold dreary night, we were set to leave the water’s depth for good, do you remember what you asked me? Well, if you have forgotten, I haven’t. An avalanche of fright shrouded my insides, blocking any question knocking at the lid of my heart.

Science Fiction

Dandelions

by Martin Cahill

We lost because we fought. In the beginning, everyone thought it was irresistible, the violence. No research had been done yet; no autopsies undergone. The news about these strangers from the stars didn’t even break nationally.

Fantasy

We’ll Never Die in the Woods

by Carlie St. George

Author spotlight

The unkind witch in Hook Tree Woods has little use for people. Mothers and sisters, obviously, will only disappoint you, and friends—well. She never had many of those. Her only friends now are snakes and toads, who are far preferable to humans.

Author Spotlight

Author Spotlight: Carlie St. George

by Laurel Amberdine

“Diamonds & Toads” was one of my favorite fairy tales when I was young. I think I just liked the visual of roses and snakes falling out of people’s mouths. (Still do, TBH.) When I reread it as an adult, though, I was struck by how sorry I felt for the oldest daughter.

Nonfiction

Book Review: Skin Thief by Suzan Palumbo

by Arley Sorg

Do we love Suzan Palumbo’s new short story collection Skin Thief? Yes! Let Arley Sorg tell you why.

Science Fiction

Seed

by Adam-Troy Castro

The two of us, myself and this man I did not know, sat at a table in a windowless white cell with an indefinite light source. I was afraid, as afraid as a human being can be. I remembered every step that had brought me here and I did not consider this a place of safety.

Fantasy

To the Waters and the Wild

by Izzy Wasserstein

Author spotlight

To hear us sing is to know /your/ desire. The one you call captain, ruled by many longings, orders himself bound to the mast. Salt-cracked hands secure him. The prow’s a wedge to split the sea, carrying you toward /your/ fate: a role in /his/ story.

Author Spotlight

Author Spotlight: Izzy Wasserstein

by Laurel Amberdine

If you’re a writer reading this, you’re probably invested in speculative fiction. I suspect you share with me the sense that our world could be—and should be—much better than it is! I believe fiction can make space for imagining better worlds and how we might get to them. And I believe your work—yes, you, personally—matters.

Nonfiction

Book Review: The Dead Take the A Train by Richard Kadrey and Cassandra Khaw

by Aigner Loren Wilson

What happens when Cass Khaw and Richard Kadrey team up to write their first novel together? You get a The Dead Take the A Train, and Aigner Loren Wilson recommends it.

Science Fiction

Do the Right Thing and Ride the Bomb the Roundabout Way to Hell

by Andrea Kriz

Ever since I was little, I wanted to be the bomb. Not a bomb. The. It wasn’t enough for my smile to light up every room, to be loved by my family, my friends. The day I was born, two planes crashed into New York City, killing thousands. The adults tried to hide it.

Fantasy

Mindfulness and the Machine

by A.T. Greenblatt

Author spotlight

The first time you can’t answer the question, you are already within the Great Dragon. Any bad decisions today? Mindy’s text reads. Around you, the Great Dragon’s pistons squeal, stutter, while the crew’s stressed voices echo above and below you.

Author Spotlight

Author Spotlight: A.T. Greenblatt

by Laurel Amberdine

I told myself that I wouldn’t be one of those writers who would move to NYC and then write a short story about moving to NYC. I’ve read too many of those over the years and they start to be repetitive. But then, I discovered I wanted to use all the newness I was experiencing.