[Illustration: New illustration created for the archive; the original artwork, “Dancing Flame” © 2005 by Steve Cartwright, has been lost.] Five black candles were set on the points of a pentagram, in the center of which stood a lonely, desperate young man obsessed by the occult and the black arts. In his mind, necromancy seemed … Continue reading “The Magic Crystal” by Joe Vadalma
There were twelve of us. Just twelve, and no more. We lived in the box, only let out once every 365 days. The fresh air revived us, barely enough to sustain our life throughout the long year. One year, we were put away on a damp spot on the cellar floor. Toward May, Number 5 … Continue reading “Just Twelve, and No More” by Danielle Ste. Just
[Illustration: New illustration created for the archive; the original artwork, “War Machine” © 2005 by Robert Sorensen, has been lost.] U, Robot sat in a room. (As will be learned later, it is here that U stopped reading) It was a big room, not that size was important, which it wasn’t. After all, the size … Continue reading “U, Robot, and The Totally Unremarkable Paper” by NoMan (A.L. Schuhart)
[Illustration: New illustration created for the archive; the original artwork, “ET Kid Gets Rocket” © 2005 by Steve Cartwright, has been lost.] When the Solinarians asked me to save their planet, I told them it would cost at least $10,000,000,000,000 credits. “Plus expenses,” I added. We’d met for lunch at Hammerhead Hank’s Intergalactic Multi-Ethnic Bar … Continue reading “If You Don’t Help Us, We’re Doomed” by Cole Haddon
Dear Editor: I am the administrator for the Odyssey Writing Workshop, an internationally known program for writers of science fiction, fantasy, and horror, held annually at Saint Anselm College in Manchester, NH. Applications for early admission are due January 31, 2005. More information can be found on our web site: http://www.sff.net/odyssey . Sincerely, Susan Sielinski … Continue reading Workshop: Odyssey Writing Workshop (deadline)
Dear Editor: I am wondering whether you can review my new art book in your publication -- the book is titled Daydreaming. Thanks! Slawek P.S. My online art gallery can be visited at: http://www.slawcio.com/myart.html Editor's Note: As we told Slawek, we don't do reviews. However, we think his online gallery is definitely worth a visit!
[Illustration: New illustration created for the archive; the original artwork, “Parent” © 2005 by Robert Sorensen, has been lost.] Cursing the Guardian, Jerrine glanced at the digits counting down the release cycle for airlock CX2. It served no purpose. Nothing she could do would speed up the replacement of argon with nothingness. The other transcendentals … Continue reading “Virtual Parenting” by Tim C. Taylor
That's right, you saw me on "Oprah" and "Donahue." And I'll betcha my last beer you're wondering what kind of chucklehead would've done it. Well, let me explain by telling you that only one word describes the Ultimate Joyride: totally awesome. And that's what it was, a joyride. If it wasn't, you think I'd be … Continue reading 10 Years Ago in Planet… “Stealth” by Andrew G. McCann
The boy settled down on the bench under the skydome. The long night was drawing to a close as his father began the story. “Well son, it all started with SKALO, the Society for Kindness to All Living Organisms. SKALO was a group that made your garden-variety vegetarian look positively carnivorous. Not only did its … Continue reading “Going Green” by Rachel Dunstan Muller
Just before midnight on a Saturday, a young astronomer in Puerto Rico became the first to spot the small object sputtering toward the sun. It came in past Pluto, riding a spark that moved clearly against the millions of hard, bright stars behind it. Within two hours of e-mailing his colleagues at various universities and … Continue reading 10 Years Ago in Planet… “Astrobeast” by Andrew G. McCann
