New issue: 2026.76

“I can’t pay no doctor bills
But Whitey’s on the moon
Ten years from now I’ll be paying still
While Whitey’s on the moon”

—Gil Scott-Heron, “Whitey On The Moon” (1970)

Issue 2026.76

Flash fiction

• “Believe Me”, Christine Amsden - art by Toeken

Short stories

• “Titanium Chef”, Crystal Koo - art by Joel Bisaillon
• “The Protector of the Forest”, Katie Conrad - art by Barbara Candiotti
• “Break Free This Ground”, Merc Fenn Wolfmoor - art by Sebastian Timpe
• “The Trident-Tailed Water Monster”, Rae Zalopany - art by Toeken

Poetry

• “Why Would I Be a Woman”, L.A. Hyland - art by Barbara Candiotti
• “In Our Nature”, Colleen Anderson - art by Joel Bisaillon
• “Salt as a Second Language”, Abigail Dereje - art by Sebastian Timpe

Download e-book version: PDF | EPUB

Micro-interview with Colleen Anderson

This week we welcome to the press page Colleen Anderson, author of the poem “The Fungal Force: A History” in The Future Fire #66.

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Art © 2023 Melkorka

TFF: What does “The Fungal Force: A History” mean to you?

Colleen Anderson: We’ve learned so much about the mycelial network that links trees and root systems, an alien not-animal lifeform that is part of our world. And of course, there is the destructive controlling fungus that uses insects like zombies to meet its needs. My fiction story, “Sins of the Father” (in On Spec #105) explores that aspect. I work in Vancouver’s DTES (Downtown East Side) and see people being destroyed and physically altered by drugs every day. There is much dehumanization that starts with traumatic abuse in childhood and continues with othering in adulthood. We may see one city or country being particularly abusive of people, but in the end, we are all susceptible to our base natures if we choose to see groups of people as not human or less than.

TFF: You use the names of different mushrooms in a very evocative way. Were these scientific names part of your inspiration for this poem?

CA: No. I chose the names that work in rhythm and potency to the content of the poem.

TFF: What are you working on next?

CA: I’m writing a book of poems on Rapunzel. As is shown, most fairy tales have dark cores. I look at how a hostage in a tower grows and changes, and what happens after the not so happily ever after. Of the fairy tales, Rapunzel may not have died like Snow White but goes through extreme trials and tribulations, giving birth to twins when exiled to the desert.

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Extract:

It began with the men in blue
plus a few other people in government succumbed
when each breath they drew labored with hate

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Reminder: You can comment on any of the writing or art in this issue at http://press.futurefire.net/2023/07/new-issue-202366.html.

New Issue 2023.66

“This unrestrained exploitation of the common goods of nature does not generate wealth, but wears down and impoverishes the planet. It is time to fight for the good of humanity and for a new story.”

—Sônia Guajajara

Issue 2023.66

Short stories

• ‘One Day’, Frances Koziar - art by Sebastian Timpe
• ‘Boxes Full of Memories’, Sean R. Robinson - art by Fluffgar
• ‘Out of Bounds’, Anna Ziegelhof - art by Cécile Matthey
• ‘Between the Shadow and the Soul’, Davian Aw - art by Toeken

Poetry

• ‘The Fungal Force: A History’, Colleen Anderson - art by Melkorka
• ‘Mycelial’, Lisa Timpf - art by Dr T. Eratopo
• ‘Smells of Brine, Witching’, Devin Miller - art by Dr T. Eratopo

Download e-book version: PDF | EPUB

New issue: 2018.45

“Révolutionnaires, nous l’étions, hommes et femmes, animés par une telle force de volonté, et une telle volonté de force.”

—Maya Jribi

Issue 2018.45

Flash fiction

• ‘The Good Wife’, Rebecca Buchanan (illustrated by Pear Nuallak)

Short stories

• ‘Where Thorns Can Grow’, Meryl Stenhouse (illustrated by Katharine A. Viola)
• ‘Bite’, A. Poythress (illustrated by Laura-Anca Adascalitei)
• ‘They Built the New Jerusalem on the Ruins of the Old’, William Squirrell (illustrated by Rachel Linn)
• ‘An Argument in a World Full of Wonders’, Omi Wilde (illustrated by Toeken)
• ‘When Dessa Danced’, Donyae Coles (illustrated by Saleha Chowdury)

Poetry

• ‘Mermaid's Comb’, Colleen Anderson (illustrated by Cécile Matthey)

Download e-book version: EPUB | Mobi

Full issue and editorial

New Issue: 2017.42

“Toute ma vie, j’ai continué d’associer la musique avec l’émancipation des femmes.”

—Angélique Kidjo

Issue 2017.42

Flash fiction

• ‘Lady of the Court of Black Wings’, Richard R. Blake (illustrated by Laura-Anca Adascalitei)

Short stories

• ‘Building the Arcology’, Laura Gullveig (illustrated by Rachel Linn)
• ‘Taiya’, Vanessa Fogg (illustrated by Eric Asaris)
• ‘Tidal Waves’, Melanie Rees (illustrated by Martin Hanford)
• ‘There Are No Echoes’, Davian Aw (illustrated by Miranda Jean)

Poetry

• ‘How Will They Judge Us’, Lisa Timpf (illustrated by Cécile Matthey)
• ‘Witch Moon’, Colleen Anderson (illustrated by Cécile Matthey—cover art)

Full issue and editorial

Download e-book version: EPUB | Mobi

New Issue 2016.37

“Oui dehors il pleut mais cette pluie est délicieuse.
Dehors la vie est belle, que diable est-elle dangereuse.”

—HK et les Saltimbanks

Issue 2016.37

• ‘The Wave’, Vanessa Fogg, illustrated by Toeken
• ‘A Distant Glimpse’, Simon Kewin, illustrated by Eric Asaris
• ‘Patchwork Girl’, Colleen Anderson (poem), illustrated by Dr. T. Eratopo
• ‘Porphyria: Dazzle Con Debut’, Priya Sridhar, illustrated by L.E. Badillo
• ‘Glow in the Dark’, Rachel Linn, illustrated by Cécile Matthey
• ‘Cinder-Elver’, Mary Alexandra Agner, illustrated by Laura-Anca Adascalitei

E-book versions coming soon

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