Sept. 2024 (Issue 172)

We have original science fiction by Gabriela Santiago (“Reconstructing ‘The Goldenrod Conspiracy,’ Edina Room, Saturday 2:30-3:30”) and Sagan Yee (“Two Motes in the Zeugma Dark”). We also have two terrific flash pieces: “GaaS” from Meg Elison and “The Mote in Bird’s Eye; or, Note Attached to a Frozen Corpse Retrieved from Deep Space” by Jon Lasser. Plus, we have original fantasy by Osahon Ize-Iyamu (“We the People Excluding I”) and Jae Steinbacher (“The Ex Hex”).We also have a flash story (“The Terrible Secret of The Immortal Bards”) from Adam-Troy Castro, and another (“A Superior Knot”) from Ash Huang. All that, and of course we also have our usual assortment of author spotlights, along with book reviews from our terrific review team.

Cover art by Tithi Luadthong (aka Grandfailure) / Shutterstock

Sept. 2024 (Issue 172)

Editorial

Editorial: September 2024

by John Joseph Adams

Be sure to read the editorial for a rundown of this month’s terrific content.

Fantasy

The Terrible Secret of the Immortal Bards

by Adam-Troy Castro

The great writer had lived well past his appointed lifespan, not by years but decades, and now existed less as an ongoing contributor to the literate zeitgeist but as an icon of a past age. He was a super-centenarian, just topping an unbelievable 110 and still appearing at literary conferences.

Science Fiction

Reconstructing “The Goldenrod Conspiracy,” Edina Room, Saturday 2:30-3:30

by Gabriela Santiago

Can someone get the doors? Thanks. Please remember we’re on an honor system for chairs—if you’ve eaten today, please leave them for someone who hasn’t. We don’t need another fainting incident. First of all, if you’re looking for a technical look at restoring and reconstructing lost Backwards Man episodes, that’s Greg Bakun’s panel tomorrow morning at 9:30, which I really recommend checking out if you’re not too hungover. This panel is about the recent recovery of clips of “The Goldenrod Conspiracy,” the changes to the story that arise from them, and what it means that every single surviving frame of “The Goldenrod Conspiracy” comes from censorship board clips.

Author Spotlight

Author Spotlight: Gabriela Santiago

by Mayookh Barua

The germ of this story was born in the 2021 stage of the pandemic, while watching a panel on lost Doctor Who episodes during a virtual version of our local Doctor Who convention, CONsole Room. I wanted to write about the way that seemingly frivolous things like fandom still persist.

Fantasy

We the People Excluding I

by Osahon Ize-Iyamu

Author spotlight

We were in the mines when the world was falling apart. I remember, the earth was cracking, and the plants were going limp, and the world looked dark blue, less full of life. Everyone tried to group together—Nan, Chim, even old Robert who mostly kept to himself—but it didn’t do much.

Author Spotlight

Author Spotlight: Osahon Ize-Iyamu

by Mayookh Barua

At the beginning of the pandemic, I found myself writing a lot of stories that focused on the theme of sacrifice. In speculative media, particularly, there are a lot of stories that portray martyrdom or sacrifice as a noble or necessary cause.

Nonfiction

Book Review: Daydreamer by Rob Cameron

by Melissa A Watkins

Reviewer Melissa A. Watkins says of Daydreamer by Rob Cameron: “If you were a kid who loved the film The Neverending Story and how it turned a shy bullied child into a fantastic hero, you’ll love this book.” Find out what else there is to love about this novel in her full review!

Science Fiction

GaaS

by Meg Elison

“How long do I have to have my membership with Juno before he proposes?”

“Well, is he subscribed, too?”

“Lifetime with Venus.”

“Girl.”

Fantasy

A Superior Knot

by Ash Huang

Do it. The last words she spoke before we cinched the green ribbon around her neck, a stark line bisecting her head from her body, a scrap we’d buried to gather magic under the mother tree. We tied the final knot. She took up her sword, a girl become death, the edge of her blade fine enough to cleave three dimensions into one.

Nonfiction

Book Review: The Mercy of Gods by James S.A. Corey

by Chris Kluwe

James S.A. Corey is back with a new series, launching with The Mercy of Gods. Chris Kluwe is here to tell you why it’s worth checking out.

Science Fiction

Two Motes in the Zeugma Dark

by Sagan Yee

Author spotlight

Every date followed the same pattern. After the dinner and drinks, and the long moonlit walk along the canal, Jules would casually remark that the hangar was not far from here, and would they like to come see? Once outside the heavy metal door, he would pause with his hand above the security scanner,

Author Spotlight

Author Spotlight: Sagan Yee

by Mayookh Barua

Almost as soon as I sat down to start writing, I realized what mecha stories from Gundam to Pacific Rim have already demonstrated—the only reason a civilization would have to create a superweapon in the shape of an enormous humanoid figure is shock and awe.

Fantasy

The Ex Hex

by Jae Steinbacher

Author spotlight

Talis had a problem. They’d copied the spell incorrectly, in a fury, after seeing photos of their ex with a new date in “their” spot. Adelite was supposed to have experienced a night of terrible dreams leading to a remorseful morning after. Instead, he just hadn’t woken up.

Author Spotlight

Author Spotlight: Jae Steinbacher

by Mayookh Barua

So, that closure thing I mentioned—what I’ve always needed to heal, in my experience, is the community of my friends. In some ways this story is a love/thank-you note to some friends who’ve gotten me through some rough times.

Nonfiction

Book Review: The Year’s Best Fantasy: Volume Three, Paula Guran, editor

by Arley Sorg

Arley Sorg wondered if the new The Year’s Best Fantasy: Volume 3 (edited by Paula Guran) was a good read–and he’s happy to report, it is!

Fantasy

The Mote in Bird’s Eye; or, Note Attached to a Frozen Corpse Retrieved from Deep Space

by Jon Lasser

Dear Aunt Harriet, If you’re reading this note it means you survived. That’s wonderful news: I always loved you the most. The notes I sent out with Aunt Anita and the cousins are friendly letters, I promise, us being kin and all, and I surely hope they survive too. But I’m happiest about you.