September 2023 (Issue 160)

We have original science fiction by John Kessel & Bruce Sterling (“Money in the Bank”) and Gene Doucette (“The Hole in the Garden”). We also have two terrific flash pieces: “Eve’s Prayer” by Victor Forna and “Death by Water” from Maria Haskins. Plus, we have original fantasy by Jo Miles (“Simmered in Their Wealth Like the Richest of Sauces”) and Yvette Lisa Ndlovu (“His Thing”). We also have a flash story (“Instructions for the Broken Hearted”) from Jordan Kurella, and another (“Remains”) from N.R. Lambert. 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 of Tlotlo Tsamaase’s debut novel Womb City.

Cover art by Warmtail / Adobe Stock

September 2023 (Issue 160)

Editorial

Editorial: September 2023

by John Joseph Adams

Be sure to check out the editorial for a discussion of this month’s terrific content.

Science Fiction

Money in the Bank

by John Kessel and Bruce Sterling

Author spotlight

“I lined up a new gig for you,” said the Glovemaster. “All you have to do is protect one special guy.” I sat in my trailer with my Bluetooth headphones on and my laptop perched on an Amazon box. I wore a boonie hat with a militia logo.

Author Spotlight

Author Spotlight: John Kessel and Bruce Sterling

by Laurel Amberdine

As drivers, Bruce is always flooring the accelerator to beat the next light while I try to keep the passengers alive. There was a bit of tug-of-war over the steering wheel, and some questions about when the story was finished, but we eventually arrived at a mutually agreeable destination.

Fantasy

Instructions for the Broken Hearted

by Jordan Kurella

You Will Need: – a Heart in a jar; – a Knife (sharp); – a Tarp. Prep: Lay down tarp on clean surface. Place prybar and knife within reach. Place self on tarp. Instructions: Think of your most recent ex. Now, take the knife in your dominant hand.

Science Fiction

Eve’s Prayer

by Victor Forna

Lord, I am here; I have taken off my helmet. Peyeala’s air is breathable, clean, better than anything on Earth. Its double-star system has not burned my flesh. Its gravity, three times ours, has not crushed my bones.

Fantasy

Simmered in Their Wealth Like the Richest of Sauces

by Jo Miles

Author spotlight

Listen, my vicious darlings, for this world is strange and full of promise, and when you awake, there is much you’ll need to know. Long ages after humans last encountered a real, waking dragon, there was a man called Dennis Knight.

Author Spotlight

Author Spotlight: Jo Miles

by Laurel Amberdine

I was thinking about dragons and capitalism (as one does) and wondering why dragons—at least European dragons—are always depicted as greedy and hoarders of treasure. They can’t use it, after all, no matter how shiny.

Nonfiction

Book Review: Forged by Blood by Ehigbor Okosun

by Aigner Loren Wilson

Looking for your next fast-paced fantasy read? Aigner Loren Wilson recommends Forged by Blood by Ehigbor Okosun.

Science Fiction

The Hole in the Garden

by Gene Doucette

Author spotlight

“She waited up for you.” Bhara’s voice gave Pyrish a start. He should have known she was there, in the doorway, as she was whenever he returned late. Which was . . . every night now. Since the latest incident, all he’d had time to do was change his clothing.

Fantasy

Remains

by N.R. Lambert

When it happens, you’re unprepared. Everyone is. You were never as safe as you believed. Normal ends here, in this moment. But you don’t know it at first. At first, you run. Run. Don’t look down, don’t look up.

Author Spotlight

Author Spotlight: Gene Doucette

by Laurel Amberdine

loved the idea of a civilization that deliberately nurtured a singularity for the short-term gain of clean energy, knowing they were handing an inescapable nightmare scenario down to their descendants.

Nonfiction

Book Review: Unspeakable Horror 3 edited by Vince A. Liaguno

by Arley Sorg

If you, like reviewer Arley Sorg, are always looking for another great anthology to devour, here’s our next recommendation: Unspeakable Horror 3 edited by Vince A. Liaguno.

Science Fiction

Death by Water

by Maria Haskins

After the world ended, Marie boarded the last functional vessel at the port and set out from Vancouver, heading across the strait toward the cloud-shrouded spine of Vancouver Island and the open ocean beyond.

Fantasy

His Thing

by Yvette Lisa Ndlovu

Author spotlight

The house was on the same street as a bakery whose only offering was penis-shaped waffles. Rufaro didn’t like American houses very much. They looked paper thin like doll houses that would lift off into the clouds if a strong wind came by.

Author Spotlight

Author Spotlight: Yvette Lisa Ndlovu

by Laurel Amberdine

I’m excited by all the books by African writers that have come out in recent years, we need more of that. I would love to see more work drawing on African story forms and indigenous knowledge systems, especially from southern African countries.