Black Cat Weekly 33

Welcome to Black Cat Weekly #33. The astute will notice that this issue is being released early—with the holidays nearly upon us (and relatives set to descend on our household), I thought it prudent to finish it up early, just to make sure there weren’t any unfortunately delays. I think you’ll find this issue particularly interesting. Darrell Schweitzer’s historic interview with C.J. Cherryh from 1978 is fascinating, since she talks about her writing process. (If you aren’t familiar with her work, you’ve missed some of the best science fiction of the last 50 years.). For mystery lovers, we have great tales from Greg Herren (courtesy of editor Barb Goffman) and Patricia Dusenbury (courtesy of editor Michael Bracken), plus a solve-it-yourself mystery from Hal Charles. Our novel, Mission of Revenge, by Edison Marshall mixes many genres—crime, romance, adventure…all set in the frozen north! Science fiction readers have an original from Nancy Jane Moore (courtesy of editor Cynthia Ward), plus classics by Lester del Rey and Larry Tritten. For fantasy, look no further than “The Goddess’ Legacy,” by Malcolm Jameson, and the second part of Mel Gilden’s serialized novel, The Case by Case Casebook of Emily Silverwood. Good stuff! Here’s the lineup: Non-Fiction: “Speaking with C.J. Cherryh,” conducted by Darrell Schweitzer [interview] Mysteries / Suspense / Adventure: “Nor Death Will Us Part,” by Patricia Dusenbury [Michael Bracken Presents short story] “An Eggceptional Solution,” by Hal Charles [solve-it-yourself mystery] “The Silky Veils of Ardor,” by Greg Herren [Barb Goffman Presents short story] Mission of Revenge, by Edison Marshall [novel] Science Fiction & Fantasy: “The Art of War,” by Nancy Jane Moore [Cynthia Ward Presents short story] “Playback,” by Larry Tritten [short story] “The One-eyed Man,” by Lester del Rey [short story] “The Goddess’ Legacy,” by Malcolm Jameson [short story] The Case by Case Casebook of Emily Silverwood, by Mel Gilden (Part 2 of 4) [Serial Novel]

Our 74th issue features an essay from Norman Spinrad, the sort of non-fiction feature I’d like to see more of here in the future. (In fact, we do have an interesting essay from Harlan Ellison coming up in an issue or two, too.) And I plan to resume running author interviews shortly as well. This issue features an original story by Neil Plakcy, plus more recent tales by James A. Heart and Phyllis Ann Karr, plus classics by Norbert Davis, Ray Bradbury, Frank Belknap Long, and Edmond Hamilton. And no issue would be complete without a Hal Charles solve-it-yourself mystery. Here’s this issue’s lineup: Mysteries / Suspense / Adventure: “Flaking Out in Wilton Manors,” by Neil Plakcy [Michael Bracken Presents short story] “A Conundrum In Winter,” by Hal Charles [Solve-It-Yourself Mystery] “Trip Among the Bluebonnets,” by James A. Hearn [short story] “A Knotty Problem,” by Hal Meredith [short story] “Dead Man’s Chest,” by Norbert Davis [novelet] Non-Fiction: “An SF Manifesto,” by Norman Spinrad [essay] Science Fiction & Fantasy: “Two Days Out of Sludgepocket,” by Phyllis Ann Karr [short story] “The Shape of Things,” by Ray Bradbury [short story] “Galactic Heritage,” by Frank Belknap Long [short story] “Regulations,” by Murray Leinster [short story] “Transuranic,” by Edmond Hamilton [novelet]

Our 75th issue has a pair of original tales for your reading pleasure, one mystery (“Troubled Water,” by donalee Moulton, thanks to acquiring editor Michael Bracken) and “The Forbidden Scroll,” by Phyllis Ann Karr (a solo adventure by Frostflower from Karr’s Frostflower & Thorn series—we had a solo Thorn adventure last issue.] Barb Goffman has selected a cat-themed mystery by Karen Cantwell, plus we have classic mysteries by Hal Meredeth (Sexton Blake) and Norbert Davis (a hardboiled novel). On the science fiction side, we have a great set of tales by George O. Smith, Ray Bradbury, Noel Loomis, and William Tenn…all favorites of mine. Here’s this issue’s lineup: Mysteries / Suspense / Adventure: “Troubled Water,” by donalee Moulton [Michael Bracken Presents short story] “A Death in the Department,” by Hal Charles [Solve-It-Yourself Mystery] “The Wizard of Paws,” by Karen Cantwell [Barb Goffman Presents short story] “A Confidential Report,” by Hal Meredith [Sexton Blake short story] Oh, Murderer Mine, by Norbert Davis [novel] Science Fiction & Fantasy: “The Forbidden Scroll,” by Phyllis Ann Karr [Frostflower short story] “The Cosmic Jackpot,” by George O. Smith [short story] “The Square Pegs,” by Ray Bradbury [short story] “Softie,” by Noel Loomis [short story] “Consulate,” by William Tenn [novelet]

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]

This issue, we have original mysteries from Janice Law (thanks to Acquiring Editor Michael Bracken) and our BCW’s very own Ron Miller (who moonlights as our Art Director), plus a modern masterpiece by Gina Nelson (thanks to Acquiring Editor Barb Goffman). Add a rare Golden Age mystery novel by James Hay, Jr. and we have quite a winning mix. But wait, there’s more! No issue is complete without a solve-it-yourself puzzler from Hal Charles. On the science fiction side, we have a great story by British master Philip E. High, as well as tales by Harlan Ellison, Henry Slesar, and Stephen Marlowe. Our novel is an early classic by Jack Williamson. Here’s the complete lineup— Cover Art: Ron Miller Mysteries / Suspense / Adventure: “The Lasker Circle,” by Janice Law [Michael Bracken Presents short story] “One Common Denominator,” by Hal Charles [Solve-It-Yourself Mystery] “Maggie McGrady’s Murder Mystery Cruise,” by Gina Nelson [Barb Goffman Presents short story] “I, Golem,”by Ron Miller [short story] No Clue! by James Hay, Jr. [novel] Science Fiction & Fantasy: “Infection,” by Philip E. High [short story] “Beauty Contest?” by Henry Slesar [short story] “The Passionate Pitchman,” by Stephen Marlowe [short story] “Biddy and the Silver Man,” by Harlan Ellison [novelet] The Alien Intelligence, by Jack Williamson [novel]

Black Cat Weekly #4 presents more tales of the mysterious and fantastic—4 mystery short stories (including a Derringer Award-winner), a mystery novel, 2 science fiction short stories, a fantasy story, plus a science fiction novel. Here are: THE HAMMERING MAN by Edwin Balmer and William MacHarg [mystery short] [Luther Trant series] FLOORED, by Hal Charles [solve-it-yourself mystery short] TWILIGHT LADIES, by Meg Opperman [mystery short] [Derringer Award Winner] WEST OF QUARANTINE, by Todhunter Ballard [western/mystery novel] THE BROTHERS OF THE LEFT HAND PATH, by Frank Lovell Nelson [mystery short] [Carlton Clarke series] THE HERPLE IS A HAPPY BEAST, by Paul Di Filippo [science fiction short] THE POWER OF WAKING, by Nina Kiriki Hoffman [fantasy short] THE KEEPERS OF THE HOUSE, by Lester del Rey [science fiction short] ANDROMEDA GUN, by John Boyd [science fiction novel]

Our mystery selections kick off with “A Matter of Trust,” N.M. Cedeño’s tale of a genetic genealogy detective trying to prove an illegitimate child’s claim to a family trust. Thanks to Acquiring Editor Michael Bracken for this one. And Acquiring Editor Barb Goffman has a Halloween-appropriate tale in “Grimalkin,” by Mark Thielman, in which a cat may be more than it seems. We also have fantasist Phyllis Ann Karr’s first sale—which turns out to be a mystery!—and a novel by British master J.S. Fletcher. And, of course, no issue is complete without a solve-it-yourself puzzler from Hal Charles. Continueing our seasonal celebration of all things Halloween, we have a pair of dark delights—tales by Adrian Cole and me. Have some ghoulish shivers on us! For lovers of science fiction, we have a terrific recent tale by Norman Spinrad, plus classics by Charles V. De Vet and Lester del Rey. Great stuff. Here’s the complete lineup: Mysteries / Suspense / Adventure: “A Matter of Trust,” by N.M. Cedeño [Michael Bracken Presents short story] “The Case of the Munificent Musketeer,” by Hal Charles [Solve-It-Yourself Mystery] “Grimalkin,” by Mark Thielman [Barb Goffman Presents short story] “An Economical Means of Murder,” by Phyllis Ann Karr [short story] The Herapath Property, by J.S. Fletcher [novel] Science Fiction & Fantasy: “In the Court of the Pumpkin King,” by Adrian Cole [short story, Nick Nightmare series] “Sand,” by John Gregory Betancourt [short story, SCP series] “Quarantine,” by Norman Spinrad [short story] “Survival Factor,” by Charles V. De Vet [short story] “The Band Played On,” by Lester del Rey [novelet]

In our 89th issue, Michael Bracken pulls double duty to bring a pair of original mysteires to readers: great tales by Steve Liskow and Welsh-Huggins. Plus we have a crime novel by Johnston McCulley (who also created Zorro—but he tried his hand at a bunch of other heroes and antiheroes, among them The Scarlet Scourge, The Avenging Twins, and a ton of others). There’s also a novel by Western author B.M. Bower. Plus a solve-it-yourself mystery by Hal Charles. On the science fiction & fantasy side, we have classic tales by Randall Garrett and Murray Leinster, two favorites. Robert E. Howard (much on my mind since returning from our trip to Robert E. Howard Days in Cross Plains, Texas) has a Solomon Kane adventure. And last (but far from least) we begin the serialization of Darrell Schweitzer’s amazing Sekenre: The Book of the Sorcerer, a series of linked short stories that come together to form a novel…though each tale also manages to stand on its own. The first 3 stories are in this issue. Here’s this issue’s complete lineup: Mysteries / Suspense / Adventure: “Nose for News,” by Steve Liskow [Michael Bracken Presents short story] “The Case of the Burgled Bushels,” by Hal Charles [Solve-It-Yourself Mystery] “Supply Chains,” by Andrew Welsh-Huggins [Michael Bracken Presents short story] The Voice at Johnnywater, by B.M. Bower [novel] The Scarlet Scourge, by Johnston McCulley [novel] Science Fiction & Fantasy: “Needler,” by Randall Garrett [novella] “Rattle of Bones,” by Robert E. Howard [short story] “Ribbon in the Sky,” by Murray Leinster [novella] Sekenre: The Book of the Sorcerer, by Darrell Schwetizer [serial book, part 1 of 4]