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February 2008

We had three great new flashes this issue, and one classic flash—and a nice balance of literary and science fiction, to boot. Dave Hoing used his incredible voice to show us “The Souls of the Harvest”, Jeff Soesbe gave us a quirky and fun story about a robot that serves mankind in an unusual way in “Apologies All Around”, and Ann Pino showed us life in a TB ward with “Masquerade at Well Country Camp”. (These are Ann and Jeff’s first professional sales, too, so when they’re famous, remember this site.) Our Classic Flash is a sci fi treat from E.M. Clinton—completely done in telegrams.

Flash 2/2008, #1: Dave Hoing

Souls of the Harvest

You can’t harvest a crop without killing something. A combine ain’t particular, it cuts whatever’s in its path. There’s no malice in it, just a part of the season, like rain and heat. Food or nesting draws critters in, but come harvest the combine keeps rolling. Some run and live. Others don’t, and don’t. Read more: HTML PDF

Flash 2/2008, #2: Jeff Soesbe

Apologies All Around

“Daddy!” Rachel shouted. “There’s a robot at the door.”

Winston Sinclair hoped it wasn’t one of those sales bots. They were danged near impossible to get rid of. He picked up Rachel and raised the viewport she had used. The robot was three feet tall, grey, squat, plain-looking.

“Robot, what do you want?” Read more: HTML PDF

Flash 2/2008, #3: Ann Pino

Masquerade at Well Country Camp

I lie on my cot, staring at the pine rafters. They treat us like children here, keeping us to a schedule, always requiring an afternoon nap.

A few cots over, Olive is coughing. Anyone would, with every window open and the dust blowing in. I wonder how much the doctors really know about our ailment. Dust makes us cough more, but still the windows must be kept open. Read more: HTML PDF

Classic Flash #3: E. M. Clinton

Untechnological Employment

This story is from the November 1962 edition of Analog Science Fact - Science Fiction.

It was written at a time when communication required much more effort, and this story is, as a result, a little bit difficult to read. Be prepared. But it pulled me along, and I hope it does you as well. Enjoy! —Ed.
Read more: HTML PDF