Jason Wittman. On Bookstores, Burners and Origami. - read it here

A promising first published story from a 2001 Clarion graduate.

An alternate history, set in the USA in 1887 following a Civil War that doubtless differs in several ways from that which happened in our quantum reality.

The obvious difference is the Hornby Administration, a government which controls most of the printing presses, which are owned by Tobias N. N. Horby Inc. and consequently only publish reading matter of an upbeat nature.

Following an attack by 'The Burners', who object to the printed word, a bookshop with a hidden printing press in the basement - runs off copies of Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas.

A message comes by 'p-mail' (pneumatic mail), informing that Edgar Allan Poe is to visit to read one of his horror stories - he is welcome, despite his role in the civil war.

Slightly out of kilter with this interesting backdrop is the character of Hitomi, a calligrapher and origamist, who was taught by her grandfather back in Japan. She uses his special brush and ink, to use the power of the word to protect the books, in a fantastical element which I would suggest the author could have kept for another story!

Steven Popkes. Winters are Hard. - read it here

A man undergoes major genetic modification to enable him to live as one with the wolves in one of the few wildernesses left in the USA. A documentary-maker visits and films him, and his unique story captures the imagination in the media-obsessed society.

Sadly, the documentary causes a little too much interest, which finally leaves the wolf-person in a situation where he has to kill to defend his lupine family.

The story didn't quite do it for me - it didn't really go anywhere which hasn't been explored previously.

J.R. Dunn. Intruders. - read it here

First Contact is proving somewhat messy, as alien 'Intruders' make brief appearances on Earth, which are devastating to the eye-witnesses.

Somewhat X-Filesy, I suppose, but Dunn furnishes intriguing little bits and pieces, and glimpses, which makes for an enjoyable vignette.

Classic fiction

Reprints on SCI FICTION this month: Gerald Kersh's 'The Queen of Pig Island, published in Orbit 13 in 1974; Tom Reamy's 'Waiting for Billy Star', originally in Shayol#2, 1978.