Sam J. Miller‘s “
Tyrannosaurus Hex” posits a future in which alternative realities can be all too real. The story is particularly chilling (and resonates as true) with children as the “early adaptors.” “
A House Full of Voices Is Never Empty” by
Miyuki Jane Pinckard also deals with reality of a sort. Two sisters flee the chaos of Vietnam as the US withdraws. The elder is consoled by familiar objects that speak to her; the younger does not have that comfort but is also “free to imagine a new life.” As time passes, Pinckard offers a beautiful perspective on the solace and burden of memories. The children in
Fall 2020 brought a new online magazine, a new print periodical, and the return of a digital magazine.
Baffling launched October 1, 2020 with four “unapologetically queer and unashamedly weird” stories of under 1,200 words. (Going forward they will publish one flash story a month on Patreon, compile the offerings quarterly, then publish that for free online.)
Baffling #1 offers a welcome glimpse of
Jewelle Gomez‘s vampire Gilda in the future with “
Merida, Yucatan: 2060” and a terrifying tale of suburban wildlife in “
Velvet” by
From the Deep, the Music Rises” by
Izzy Wasserstein and
Cellars, Caskets, and Closets“, a story of madness.
Weird Horror #1 also debuted in October. It is a handsome new print periodical featuring “pulpy dark fiction in the weird fiction and horror genres” with plans to publish twice yearly. The inaugural issue is something of a mixed bag. “