What’s in Issue 110

Bewildering Stories News: Up to Date? Looking Good?

Novel	Tala Bar ends chapter 6 of Gaia with the story of Zik, his two companions, their fate on the island of the volcano, and the creatures from the land of fire: “The Volcano,” part IV, installment 1, conclusion of chapter 6.
Novellas	In euhal allen’s “The Bridge,” the Dream Singer experiences a crisis, Lockly and Gravely renew old suspicions, and the Bridge folk change their organization significantly: installment 2, conclusion of part V. Inspector Parker’s alien partner, Qezbek, has an unexpected trick up his sleeve, one that leads to Madelyn Dawes... and to the dread Masdok: Wallace W. Cass, Vessel, part 5.
Serials	Omar E. Vega gives his smuggling epic a dire technological twist: solving one case reveals that a whole Pandora’s box of trouble is now wide open: The Coke Maker, conclusion. Michael J A Tyzuk tells us to buckle down for a full-throttle escape. But we’ve already blasted off! Then it’s back to Xanadu for some serious stock-taking in Through a Glass, Darkly, part 2.
Short Stories	New contributor Kenneth Simpson spins a kind of dream sequence in which the narrator drives a strange and yet familiar shape-changing automobile speeding into the future and into symbolic memory at the same time: Clown Dust. Michael C. Hansen recounts the further adventures of Gnart. The newly-promoted imp is faced with a conundrum: can he really trust a smooth-talking, subversive and intellectual fiend who keeps choking on his fork? Remember, the object is to avoid getting Eaten by the Overlords.
Flash Fiction	Charles Richard Laing presumes you’ve seen the movie and proceeds to answer some frequently-asked questions: How did it all come out after the end? Did they all live happily ever after? Every movie should have such a Postscript. Or should it?
Poetry	New contributor Gillian Marshall weaves a quietly anguished dream sequence with street lights and shadows into a delicate prose poem: Devil’s Playground. And now, for a complete change of pace, euhal allen asks us to consider our picnics, our desserts, our tiny, busy wildlife... and the whole visible spectrum of color in If Ants Were Blue. Just don’t put down that tasty hot dog you’re holding...
Essay	Steven Utley is a firm, nay, devout believer in the power of staircase wit. He almost makes it a principle of historiography. Steven’s essay raises an awful thought: he may well be right. Aren’t we glad we came in late? Earwitness to History.

Departments

Welcome	Bewildering Stories welcomes Gillian Marshall and Kenneth Simpson.
Challenge	Challenge 110 discusses symbolism and such stuff As Dreams are Made of
Film Review	Mark Koerner reviews M. Night Shyamalan’s The Village.
The Reading Room	Jörn Grote reviews John C. Wright’s Golden Age trilogy Jerry Wright reviews F. Paul Wilson's Gateways.
Editorial	Letters and Such

In Times to Come

This issue is on the long side with a total of seven installments in five serials. Newcomers and veteran readers alike may find our title links will help refresh their memory about what’s been going on.

Our practice of moving new contributors to the front of the queue has paid off in achieving a certain balance in tone and reader interest. We’ve deliberately included some short works, as well, especially those that provide variety.

In issue 111 we’ll have several short stories, and we plan to welcome an old contributor and probably a couple of new ones. Serials? You bet; we have more coming up.

We’ve also received an announcement of the Darrell Award, given by the Memphis Science Fiction Association. If you think you may qualify, please see our News extra.