George R. R. Martin

Lester del Rey

Nalo Hopkinson

Richard Wilson

Day Keene

Steve Liskow

Hal Charles

Larry Tritten

Cathy Wiley

This issue features a welcome return by acquiring editor Darrell Schweitzer. He contributes a rare interview with best-selling Game of Thrones author George R.R. Martin. It originally appeared in Science Fiction Review in 1976—and as Darrell says, “this is somewhere between oral history and paleontology.” Martin discusses such things as the market for fantasy fiction (not much of one...at least in 1976!) and the way he works on stories. Fascinating stuff. For this issue’s mysteries, we have an original story by Steve Liskow, who is one of the best short-story writers currently working in the field, courtesy of editor Michael Bracken. Barb Goffman has selected “The Maine Attraction” (a New England murder mystery) by Cathy Wiley. And there are classics by Day Keene and Mildred Davis. Plus, of course, a solve-it-yourself tale by Hal Charles (the writing team of Hal Sweet and Charlie Blythe). For the fantastic tales, this issue features Nalo Hopkinson’s brilliant “Greedy Choke Puppy,” selected by Cynthia Ward. Simply terrific. Larry Tritten’s SF humor piece, “The Science Fiction Book of Lists” will earn more than a few chuckles. Plus there are classic SF tales by James E. Gunn and Lester del Rey. Plus a ghost story by Richard Wilson. And a story from Weird Tales by Day Keene (which also does double-duty as a mystery!) Here’s the complete lineup: Non-Fiction Speaking with George R.R. Martin, an interview by Darrell Schweitzer [interview] “The Science Fiction Book of Lists,” by Larry Tritten [non-fact article, humor] Mysteries / Suspense / Adventure “The Bridesmaid’s Tale” by Steve Liskow. [short story] “A Robber’s Craft” by Hal Charles [solve-it-yourself mystery] The Suicide Hours, by Mildred Davis [novel] “The Maine Attraction” by Cathy Wiley [short story] “Dead Man’s Shoes,” by Day Keene [short story] Science Fiction & Fantasy “The Science Fiction Book of Lists,” by Larry Tritten [non-fact article, humor] “Dead Man’s Shoes,” by Day Keene [short story] “Greedy Choke Puppy,” by Nalo Hopkinson [short story] “Stilled Patter,” by James E. Gunn [short story] “See Me Safely Home,” by Richard Wilson [short story] “Kindness,” by Lester del Rey [short story]

Black Cat Weekly #27

John M. Floyd

Todhunter Ballard

Janice Law

Eleanor Cawood Jones

Welcome to Black Cat Weekly #15—enjoy our holiday cat cover! The magazine is coming more sharply into focus, as our acquiring editors spread out through the mystery and science fiction fields and bring new stories to our lineup. This issue, we officially welcome Cynthia M. Ward to the editorial staff. She comes bearing a gift—Nancy Kress’s excellent science fiction story, “The Art of War.” Darrell Schweitzer was supposed to be back with his second acquisition this week (a comical Esther Friesner tale) but there were problems with the text and I’ve made a last-minute executive decision to push it back an issue or two, while it’s being fixed. I’ll slip in a replacement from my own backlist, another entry in my “Slab’s Tavern” series of fantasy bar stories. Barb Goffman and Michael Bracken have acquired a pair of original tales for us. First, Barb presents “The Importance of Being Urnest,” by Eleanor Cawood Jones. Then Michael selects “Romeo and Isabella” by John M. Floyd. Great stories, both. Thanks, everyone! Here’s the complete lineup: Mysteries / Suspense / Westerns “The Writing Workshop,” by Janice Law [short story] “Romeo and Isabelle,” by John M. Floyd [short story] “Secret Santa,” by Hal Charles [Solve-It-Yourself mystery] West of Quarantine, by Todhunter Ballard [novel] “The Importance of Being Urnest,” by Eleanor Cawood Jones [short story] “Dr. Kreener’s Last Experiment,” by Sax Rohmer [short story] Science Fiction & Fantasy “Serendipity,” by Larry Tritten [short story] “The Art of War,” by Nancy Kress [short story] “Well Bottled at Slab’s,” by John Gregory Betancourt [short story] Forever We Die! by Stephen Marlowe [short novel]

Black Cat Weekly #15

Larry Tritten

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