Interzone celebrates twenty five years of continuous publication with this, its two hundred and ninth issue. The fiction offering is supplied by a mix of old hands who owe a part of their current standing to the magazine (most notably M. John Harrison, whose work appeared in the first ever issue) and some new hot properties. Continue reading “Magazine Review: Interzone #209 (Silver Anniversary Issue)”
The second issue of Hub Magazine shows a marked improvement from the first, in terms of presentation - they’ve reigned in the images embedded in stories, which has made things a lot more readable. Some of the background images still make the text hard to follow, but there’s always a balance of compromise between impact and readability. What is plain is that they’re listening to their readers, which bodes well for the future.
Continue reading “Magazine Review: Hub, Issue #2 (Winter 2007)”
Before I get into looking at the fiction selection in the latest Interzone, I just want to mention the presentation and design. In fact, I just want to mention that I think they’ve got it nailed. The recent change in paper stock and binding enhanced the readability hugely, as has the move to having all the text as black print on white background - having great fiction is only of use if people can actually enjoy the reading of it. Furthermore, the artwork in the current issue is probably the best I’ve seen so far. The cover image by Kenn Brown is very contemporary and skilfully executed; Jim Burns’ work that accompanies The Star Necromancers is in a similar vein and fits well with the story. The other works, while perhaps not as striking as those two, contribute to a very slick finish. A visual treat, as far as this reader is concerned.
So, what of the stories, then? Continue reading “Magazine Review: Interzone #208″
It’s probably obvious to any regulars here that I’m trying hard to ‘raise my game’ with this whole reviewing/criticism gig. Luckily, a resource that may be of great use to me (and maybe to you too, if you’re of a like mind) has come to light. Continue reading “An incomplete bibliography of worthwhile science fiction and genre criticism”
It’s a brave move to launch a print magazine devoted to short genre fiction in a climate where everyone seems to be trumpeting the decline of the scene, and that is exactly what the producers of Hub magazine have decided to do - a paying market for both fiction and non-fiction, in glossy (if small-format) magazine quality (as opposed to small-press chapbook). I’ll leave the debate as to whether they can last the course without trimming back on writer’s fees or magazine quality for those who know the industry better than I, and report from the reader’s perspective. Continue reading “Magazine Review: Hub #1″
I’m still quite new to the small-press magazine scene, but one thing that as obvious from the outset is the differing characters of each publication. Electric Velocipede is no exception - if issue 11 is anything to go by, it veers between introspective and playful, with a tendency to detour through darkness. Continue reading “Magazine Review: Electric Velocipede #11″
Interzone #207 manages to sustain the high standard of fiction content that #206 set, despite having a very different collection of work between the covers.
OK, I’ll state the obvious right off the bat - I write reviews for Interzone, and therefore could possibly be accused of a certain conflict of interests by reviewing the magazine. My excuse is that I have absolutely nothing to do with the fiction section (apart from as a reader), and hence cannot see any problem with me discussing the stories in that context. Continue reading “Magazine Review: Interzone #206″
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