Issue 31

NewMyths.com

A quarterly ezine by a community of writers, poets and artists.

Issue 31, June, 2015

Dear Readers,

I'm extremely pleased to introduce Deborah Cher as our Issue Editor this month. Deborah is a poet, writer, editor, and "creator of cinematic electro rock." All of which makes her sublimely qualified to edit this quarter's issue.

Enjoy,

Scott T. Barnes, Editor

What draws me to science fiction and fantasy, as a reader and writer, is being transported to a far away place, and discovering there things that are familiar—treasures and wastes that also exist in our own world. A good story is like a magic mirror, reflecting our lives, gently urging us to recognize what’s wonderful, and to reshape what isn’t.

Putting together this issue of New Myths has been quite an adventure, and I am grateful Scott gave me the opportunity to get to know the worlds of the writers featured. The stories I chose are diverse in their themes, yet they all share characters that moved me, and each has a special message of its own.

Issue #31 is for science fiction and fantasy fans of all stripes— from "Edgar," which speculates on Poe’s first alien love, to "Far Gone," which delivers a good, hard science fiction punch. There’s the sea-adventure, "Transatlantic," with a tantalizing element of horror, and "Special Ingredient," with a delicious horror twist of its own. "The Leaf" is a unique tale about a woman’s ability to transform into other objects, while "Music and Poetry" tells of an autistic boy’s relationship to music. "Mountain Boy" brings a comic book to life in a narrative, with some of the lovable tropes, but none of the clichés, and "Stroppy Cow" introduces a free-thinking teenager sent by the British Secret Service to spy on an alien— with a good dose of British slang. Also check out the essay “What’s Next” for a glimpse into humankind’s biological future, and the stunning art and the poetry section, where you will find much of our beloved fantasy element.

I am looking forward to hearing from you, our avid readers, about the issue, the stories, or life in general.

Feel free to Tweet me @DebzMic or email me at debzmic@gmail.com

Enjoy the ride,

Deborah Cher, Editor

Table of Contents

Fiction

The Leaf by Erin Ashby

When I say I am a woman and also I am a leaf, I don’t mean it in some Zen way.

Transatlantic by M. Bennardo

Both steam engines of the Mackay-Bennett roared as the heavy grapple clattered from her bow into the cold, rough waters of the north Atlantic. The first lengths of cable unspooled from the huge drum on the deck, seaman straining alongside the winch to keep the line from twisting or tangling as the ship rocked unevenly in the weather.

Edgar by Robert Dawson

Eighteen years old, drowning-deep in first love, he stood on the wet foreshore, his body shadowed from the moon by his borrowed horse. She faced him, pale, resolute, beautiful in the moonlight.

Stroppy Cow by T.D. Edge

The ball stopped, hovering a few feet from Kylie, then rapidly expanded into a three dimensional image: a black disc falling from the sky, setting down gently on a lawn before a large mansion. The disc broke into two and a figure walked out of it, towards the building.

Far Gone by Timothy Gwyn

I was half asleep when it finally registered. I had been staring blindly at it for some time — five or six years, perhaps. It was green. Green!

Mountain Boy by Mike Loniewski

Simon had trouble with words. Something pushed back when he spoke, like concrete hurdles in his mouth blocking the sentences that moved forward.

Flash Fiction

Special Ingredient by Jason Lairamore

Grammy Zola died, and that sucked. Now it was my turn.

Music and Poetry by Brent C. Smith

Aidan sits at the piano. His head hangs inches from the keys, face hidden behind long, golden curls. His father’s curls. His slender fingers pound the dissonant chords. Head. Pain. Head. Pain.

NonFiction

What's Next? (an exploration of mankind's future) by Peter Jekel

In 2003, it was declared complete: The Human Genome Project was one of the most ambitious projects in the history of science.

Poetry

Morte d'Arthur by David Barber

Leaf Dragon by Beth Cato

Cold-Blooded Amphitrite by Joanna Parypinski