Letter From The Editor - Issue 41 - September 2014
Howdy, folks! I'm Scott M. Roberts, and I'm the special guest editor of this issue of Orson Scott
Card's InterGalactic Medicine Show. Lemme introduce you to our stories:
In H.G. Parry's "Until We Find Better Magic," a pretty good wizard rescues the world's finest
dancer from being dead. That's just the beginning of this charming tale of adventure, magic, life,
death, and maybe love, too.
"The Two Kingdoms Woman," by James Beamon, is a lyrical fantasy set in China's past. Sun
Renxian is a proud warrior, whose skills are only matched by her ambition for her family. Her
brother's ambition matches her own, and his machinations will lead her far from the life she
thought to have lived.
If mystical ancient China ain't exotic enough for you, how's about Prohibition-era rural
Kentucky? Get there with the help of Marie Vibbert's "The Time Mechanic," a tale of broken
time machines, stranded travelers, unexpected mechanics, and likker. Don't hog the jug, now . . .
It's not exactly time travel, but K.C. Norton's "The Far Side of Extinction" posits a world filled
with pteradactyls, pliosaurs, dodo, and other wondrous creatures. Pharmacant Tale de Kaant is
on the trail of the most wondrous creature of all - the dog.
If you're of a gastronomic bent, let me recommend you to Nick T. Chan and Jennifer
Campbell-Hicks's story of "The Temptation of Father Francis." You'll find some good,
wholesome nourishment therein - none of that pasty, corporate swill, all gene-modded and
guarded by patent police. The food comes with a price, though. Hope you're willing to pay.
Rounding out our IGMS originals is Alex Shvartsman's "The Fiddle Game," which is this issue's
audio selection. Maurice the Ghost, former art thief and con man, owns a diner in the
anonymous midwest, avoiding the attention of Freddy the Mace, a Mafia-type who has a
penchant for magic use and cement overcoats. But some cons are too good to pass up.
And don't miss Darrell Schweitzer's interview with Maurice Broaddus, and the reprint of "Voice
of the Martyrs" which first appeared in the Beyond the Sun anthology.
Returning from last issue's hiatus is the ever photogenic Chris Bellamy and his "At the Picture
Show: Extended Cut" column. This time, Chris addresses how hard it is to find a good bad guy
lately.
http://www.intergalacticmedicineshow.com/cgi-bin/mag.cgi?do=issue&vol=i41&article=_fromeditor
