OUR NEXT ISSUE will feature "Maze of Shadows," a novella in the series of stories Fred Chappell has given us about Falco, the student of the great shadow thief Astolfo. This time out, the thieves set a trap, only to find themselves caught in a web of intrigue. Don't miss it!
Also on tap for the May/June issue is "Liberty's Daughter," a sharp bit of speculation on the near future by Naomi Kritzer.
We've also got stories in inventory by Eleanor Arnason, Dale Bailey, Ken Liu, and Pat MacEwen, along with our usual columns and the results of the latest competition. Looking ahead, we've also got novellas and novelets in store by Andy Duncan, Robert Reed, and Kate Wilhelm. If you don't subscribe already, use the card in this issue or sign up for our Amazon Kindle edition.
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CURIOSITIES
By Frances Grimble | 236 words
THE FIXED PERIOD,
BY ANTHONY TROLLOPE (1882)
IN THE LATE twentieth century, the tiny, new country of Britanula wants to solve the problems of old age. Research has determined that supporting old people costs society far more labor and expense than is warranted by what old people produce. Adult children spend years caring for parents, while waiting to inherit. And surely, physical and mental deterioration must mean that enjoyment of life is diminished.
To the narrator and President of Britanula, the solution is obvious. After hot parliamentary debate, sixty-seven years is legally determined as the end of the Fixed Period. A "college" is built to receive everyone on his or her sixty-seventh birthday. After one year of residence, the throat of the "deposited" is to be ceremonially slit and the remains cremated.
The first inhabitant to reach sixty-seven is the President's best friend Crasweller. Crasweller is still hale, hearty, and active in business. As an ardent political supporter of the Fixed Period, he finds deposition difficult to refuse. Those who adhere to what the President sees as mere feelings—especially Crasweller's daughter Eva—oppose Crasweller's deposition by all means in their power.
Trollope's view of future womanhood is strictly Victorian. However, his view of future technology should delight steampunkers. It includes steam tricycles, steam cricket bowlers, and most telling of all, a 250-ton steam-swiveler.
Anthony Trollope (better known for Barchester Towers and the Palliser novels) died the same year The Fixed Period was published. His age? Sixty-seven.
—Frances Grimble
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Cartoon (Harris)
By S. Harris | 8 words
"Dr. Sykes is our expert in anti-matter."
—S. Harris
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Cartoon (Cheney-1)
By Tom Cheney | 13 words
"This can't be right — all I'm reading is 'bitch, bitch, bitch.'"
—Tom Cheney
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Cartoon (Cotham)
By Frank Cotham | 20 words
"I'll defrost this guy, but you're going to have to tell him that forty years ago he was misdiagnosed."
—Frank Cotham
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Cartoon (Long)
By Bill Long | 2 words
—Bill Long
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Cartoon (Jonik)
By John Jonik | 2 words
—John Jonik
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Cartoon (Nadler)
By M. Nadler | 2 words
—M. Nadler
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Cartoon (Rini)
By J.P. Rini | 2 words
—J.P. Rini
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Cartoon (Cheney-2)
By Tom Cheney | 2 words
—Tom Cheney
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FANTASY & SCIENCE FICTION MARKET PLACE
Classified Ads | 337 words
BOOKS-MAGAZINES
S-F FANZINES, pulps, books. 96 page Catalog. $5.00. Collections purchased. Robert Madle, 4406 Bestor Dr., Rockville, MD 20853.
Spiffy, jammy, deluxy, bouncy—subscribe to Lady Churchill's Rosebud Wristlet. $16/4 issues. Small Beer Press, 176 Prospect Ave., Northampton, MA 01060.
Welcome to the Greenhouse —sixteen stories about climate change. http://www.orbooks.com/our-books/greenhouse/
Anthopology 101: Reflections, Inspections and Dissections of SF Anthologies by Bud Webster is now available from Merry Blacksmith Press. $19.95, at http://tinyurl.com/2faa8sr
Buy The Digital Matte Painting Handbook by David B. Mattingly. http://tinyurl.com/3osrv3d
Dr. Death vs. the Vampire by Aaron Schutz—now a graphic novel! www.championcitycomics.com
RISE OF THE KEK: Download John Joseph Burhop's Groundbreaking Novel Today!
Dreams by Richard A. Lupoff from Mythos Books. Fourteen fantastic stories. www.mythosbooks.com
20-time Hugo nominee. The New York Review of Science Fiction. www.nyrsf.com Reviews and essays. $4.00 or $40 for 12 issues, checks only. Dragon Press, PO Box 78, Pleasantville, NY 10570.
Paradise Ladies & Others (Witches, NightMares, DayStuds and Thieves) $0.99: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/56776
DEATH ON THE PRAIRIE by Richard Mueller is now available on Kindle.
Five out of five people questioned at gunpoint agree: Black Tie is Awesome! www.btct.webs.com
SLAUGHTERHOUSE 5, CATTLE 0. The first 58 F&SF contests are collected in Oi, Robot, edited by Edward L. Ferman and illustrated with cartoons. $11.95 postpaid from F&SF, PO Box 3447, Hoboken, NJ 07030.
BACK ISSUES OF F&SF: Including some collector's items, such as the special Stephen King issue. Limited quantities of many issues going back to 1990 are available. Send for free list: F&SF, PO Box 3447, Hoboken, NJ 07030.
MISCELLANEOUS
Zhaoping Ho's Surfboards: We've got The Best. Forget what you read in F&SF! Catch a wave with us!
If stress can change the brain, all experience can change the brain. http://www.undoingstress.com
Space Studies Masters degree. Accredited University program. Campus and distance classes. For details visit www.space.edu .
Longtime professional editor will help you polish your manuscript for submittal/self-publication. Betsymitchelleditorial.com
F&SF classifieds work because the cost is low: only $2.00 per word (minimum of 10 words). 10% discount for 6 consecutive insertions, 15% for 12. You'll reach 100,000 high-income, highly educated readers each of whom spends hundreds of dollars a year on books, magazines, games, collectibles, audio and video tapes. Send copy and remittance to: F&SF Market Place, PO Box 3447, Hoboken, NJ 07030.
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Fantasy & Science Fiction, Extended Edition Page 29
