AntipodeanSF Issue 122 is now available online with an interesting array of short stories for your enjoyment. Among them you will find offerings from a wide range of authors, some first timers stepping into the light of publication, some who have been penning tales for some time and many in between. Sci-Fi and dark fiction are catered for and some truly original ideas from writers who think outside the box. Strangely enough, there are also offerings in here from a few friends and associates which has caused me to hold back from offering a suggested winner to the voting. Congratulations David, Mark & Felicity.
Enjoy.
Off the bat you'll find cute and fun limericks about vampires by Jan Napier under the story index. She also reviews Dancing with Werewolves by Carole Nelson Douglas in the "Going Critical" column.
Then we move into the stories.
Firstly 50 worders from Mark McAuliffe & David Kernot. Both very amusing snippet's.
Continuing past the brief interlude of the 50 worders, we find a vast array of flash offerings. Don't forget to vote for your favorite. (I haven't linked to each story as you're better off starting at the story index and working your way through them using the handy "next story" link at the bottom of the page.)
Batting An Eye by Lucy Cohen Schmeidler
An interesting tale of a group of researchers who have gotten their hands on Alan. Alan dreams of transforming into a bat. The dream sequence is very nicely done with plenty of descriptive visuals.
I’m Too Loud by Laura Goodin
Fancy having a partner who is an alien and can hear your thoughts? Not sure I’d be as calm about it as Laura is.
The Long Green Goodbye by David Such
If you’re a private eye hired to investigate a cheating multi-sexual alien partner, be very careful of alluring blonds who may have other agendas. A strangely amusing tale.
Distant Fields by Stephen L. Thompson
A cute little tale of a kid enjoying himself with “online” VR games as his family zoom through the universe. I guess it doesn’t matter when the time is or where the place, a kid must have play-mates to help fill in the time before they go stir crazy.
The Ultimate Weapon by Shaun A. Saunders
What happens when the authorities, the governing bodies, have choked the life out of the population; has turned them into the submissive unthinking drones they originally wanted? Result = panic.
Why do drones require people above them to tell them what to do and what to think; when they don’t think, and they will do what they’ve always been told to do? They don’t. Result = more panic.
Peer Pressure by Mark Smith-Briggs
A vignette of dark proportions. A wonderful exposé on how peers can be a destructive influence on each other.
Windows To The Soul by Felicity Dowker
An enjoyable teasing out of a known phenomenon to become an all encompassing religious ideal that strikes terror into the hearts of those unfortunate enough to be targeted. With everyone at risk, it’s a scary thought that even the hunter could be next.
The Genocidal Villain of Mars by Shaune Lafferty Webb
The wrongly accused killer of the last native species on Mars tells his side of the story. Conglomerate cover-ups, bribes, and intrigue. Seems nothing changes in the future.
I Know by Emma Goninon
Ever wondered what it was like from the werewolf’s point of view. According to Emma, it’s very confusing but easily fixed.
Fate of Rulers by Nicole R. Murphy
Anyone or anything can rule the world, it all depends on your point of view. Of course if you only have a limited understanding of your surroundings and a very small stature then that point of view is likely to be challenged as soon as someone or something bigger than you comes along, as is very aptly pointed out in Nicole’s little tale.
Dinner Party Conversation by S.A. Harris
An interesting take on what the creator thinks of the diversification of humankind and the beliefs they hold. If nothing else, the dinner party depicted would be an interesting one to attend, at least until the big guy showed up and wrecked everyone’s evening. I’m guessing they shouldn’t have eaten the fish.
To finish off: Nuke has posted a note to request authors no longer send multiple submissions into AntipodeanSF. He's managed to fill the publishing schedule for the remainder of this year due to the amount of brilliant efforts he's receiving and so has implemented a fairness policy in an effort to have a wider range of authors represented in the future. Please respect this new rule. One submission at a time. Nuke has also posted a review of "The Red Wolf Conspiracy" by Robert V.S. Redick in the feature section.
Another great issue of the culturally significant publication.
Enjoy.
Off the bat you'll find cute and fun limericks about vampires by Jan Napier under the story index. She also reviews Dancing with Werewolves by Carole Nelson Douglas in the "Going Critical" column.
Then we move into the stories.
Firstly 50 worders from Mark McAuliffe & David Kernot. Both very amusing snippet's.
Continuing past the brief interlude of the 50 worders, we find a vast array of flash offerings. Don't forget to vote for your favorite. (I haven't linked to each story as you're better off starting at the story index and working your way through them using the handy "next story" link at the bottom of the page.)
Batting An Eye by Lucy Cohen Schmeidler
An interesting tale of a group of researchers who have gotten their hands on Alan. Alan dreams of transforming into a bat. The dream sequence is very nicely done with plenty of descriptive visuals.
I’m Too Loud by Laura Goodin
Fancy having a partner who is an alien and can hear your thoughts? Not sure I’d be as calm about it as Laura is.
The Long Green Goodbye by David Such
If you’re a private eye hired to investigate a cheating multi-sexual alien partner, be very careful of alluring blonds who may have other agendas. A strangely amusing tale.
Distant Fields by Stephen L. Thompson
A cute little tale of a kid enjoying himself with “online” VR games as his family zoom through the universe. I guess it doesn’t matter when the time is or where the place, a kid must have play-mates to help fill in the time before they go stir crazy.
The Ultimate Weapon by Shaun A. Saunders
What happens when the authorities, the governing bodies, have choked the life out of the population; has turned them into the submissive unthinking drones they originally wanted? Result = panic.
Why do drones require people above them to tell them what to do and what to think; when they don’t think, and they will do what they’ve always been told to do? They don’t. Result = more panic.
Peer Pressure by Mark Smith-Briggs
A vignette of dark proportions. A wonderful exposé on how peers can be a destructive influence on each other.
Windows To The Soul by Felicity Dowker
An enjoyable teasing out of a known phenomenon to become an all encompassing religious ideal that strikes terror into the hearts of those unfortunate enough to be targeted. With everyone at risk, it’s a scary thought that even the hunter could be next.
The Genocidal Villain of Mars by Shaune Lafferty Webb
The wrongly accused killer of the last native species on Mars tells his side of the story. Conglomerate cover-ups, bribes, and intrigue. Seems nothing changes in the future.
I Know by Emma Goninon
Ever wondered what it was like from the werewolf’s point of view. According to Emma, it’s very confusing but easily fixed.
Fate of Rulers by Nicole R. Murphy
Anyone or anything can rule the world, it all depends on your point of view. Of course if you only have a limited understanding of your surroundings and a very small stature then that point of view is likely to be challenged as soon as someone or something bigger than you comes along, as is very aptly pointed out in Nicole’s little tale.
Dinner Party Conversation by S.A. Harris
An interesting take on what the creator thinks of the diversification of humankind and the beliefs they hold. If nothing else, the dinner party depicted would be an interesting one to attend, at least until the big guy showed up and wrecked everyone’s evening. I’m guessing they shouldn’t have eaten the fish.
To finish off: Nuke has posted a note to request authors no longer send multiple submissions into AntipodeanSF. He's managed to fill the publishing schedule for the remainder of this year due to the amount of brilliant efforts he's receiving and so has implemented a fairness policy in an effort to have a wider range of authors represented in the future. Please respect this new rule. One submission at a time. Nuke has also posted a review of "The Red Wolf Conspiracy" by Robert V.S. Redick in the feature section.
Another great issue of the culturally significant publication.
Thanks for the kind words.
ReplyDeleteHope you enjoyed it.
Cheers,
D
Ah, a fellow AntiSF reviewer! It's enjoyable to read a detailed review of this zine that wasn't written by, well, me. Nice one, BT. And thanks for the kind words. :o)
ReplyDeleteFirstly - congratulations. You both deserve it. Secondly, I enjoyed both pieces and therefore refuse to vote as I'd hate to play frinds against each other. Lastly, Felicity, you're the reson I did this, and will continue to do this. I've been considering doing reviews on each issue of Anti for a while now but never got around to it. Then I saw your review on the last issue and coupled that with your acceptance into this issue, figured you may be in a bit of a tight spot to place a subjective review. So I thought I'd better start now. I've also put up the suggestion that I start doing the review for HorrorScope so future acceptances will be broadcast over a much wider audience. Stay tuned...
ReplyDelete