What’s in Issue 118

Novels	Tala Bar brings the novel full circle as Dar’s sister-in-law, Rima emerges from the Shelter into the new world of the Valley: Gaia, conclusion; chapter 8: “The Valley,” part III. Bewildering Stories gives the novel a parting salute with a review in The Reading Room. Julian Lawler begins a new novel with a heroine locked in a wet dungeon. Her captor is her husband, who covets her untamed wild talent: Battle Seer, Prologue: the Anchoress of Corinn Ada.
Serials	Kris Barton ends Ziekiel’s trial on Layzaria with big surprises: nothing is as it seems, and Ziekiel’s prison guard is suddenly faced with a desperate quandary: Agent of Chaos, conclusion. Omar E. Vega brings Robert Fuchs before a planetary government hearing, where he faces spirited questioning. An interstellar Internet is a great idea, but the hard part will be laying cable: A Distant Island, conclusion. Can a hologram sent to observe Earth’s quarantine find happiness with a maiden from ancient India on the isle of Skye? Thomas R., Judy in Skye, part 1. New contributor A. D. Smith begins a mystery story. After this first episode, you will never look at your garbage in the same way again. Follow that truck! The IOD’s, part 1.
Short Stories	“In a comedy, you get married.” And euhal allen returns with the true comic story of his elusive pet cole-slaw container, George the Jar. New contributor Rick Badman joins euhal allen in the fast-food industry, only with the addition of some otherworldly ingredients. Once you find out what’s really reaching the top of the food chain, you’ll definitely prefer those yummy Ratburgers.
Poetry	New contributor Aryan Kaganof sends us two short poems dealing with various kinds of identity crises: Vita and Vanitas.
Articles	Byron Bailey pleads for reader interest in children’s literature and says what we’ve always thought about those notorious “Dick and Jane” readers: they’re dogbreath! Everymutt versus Bilbo. Rick Combs joins Byron Bailey on a common theme, but Rick approaches it from the opposite end: not reading as a child but writing as an adult. No need to trepidate at the title, the article is very upbeat: The Darker Side of Writing.

Departments

Welcome	Bewildering Stories welcomes Aryan Kaganof and A. D. Smith.
Challenge	Challenge 118 looks at Weading, Witing and Withmetic.
The Reading Room	Don Webb reviews Tala Bar’s Gaia. Jerry Wright reviews S. E. Hinton’s Hawkes Harbor and has some selected short reviews.
Editorial	Adult

In Times to Come

Issue 119 will bring some changes in the index. Julian Lawler’s Battle Seer moves to the top slot in the novels. Thomas R.’s “Judy in Skye” concludes and A. D. Smith’s “The IOD’s” continues in the serials. We’ll also have another story from Byron Bailey. At least one new contributor, R. D. Larson, will put in an appearance. Beyond that, the field is wide open, and filling it will be like solving a Rubik’s cube. Jerry and I have some scheduling to do, and we’re as curious as anybody to see what comes up next. Be ready to be surprised, as usual !

Readers’ reactions are always welcome.
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