What’s in Issue 140

Story Contest	*the First Bewildering* Story Contest** Authors and Titles The results of the contest will be announced when they become available.
Novels	Ivan Lustcrow must deliver a sealed letter from Palance, but someone or something has slipped him an identical-looking forgery and he can’t tell which letter is authentic. Meanwhile, zombies attack a village and threaten Ivan’s mission: Julian Lawler, Battle Seer, chapter 18: Mystery of the Two Notes, part 1; part 2. ‘Raymond gives Quo the key to the Visitors’ quest, and Toni, now supernumerary for a day, can hit the railroad again... It’s Toni’s first time in Holland, his first time at a Janis Ian concert, and his first time... all at the same time!’ Michael E. Lloyd, Observation One: Singing of promises... chapter 19: Brussels, Belgium, part 3; chapter 20: Amsterdam, Netherlands.
Novellas	Kzirth briefs Captain Blunt on their opponents, and the two conspirators plot the infiltration of Lziren’s lair: Danielle L. Parker, The Thief of Joy and Light, part 3. After young Jeb’s father dies, Jeb and his mother must give up their hardscrabble western farm. His mother moves back east, and he goes traveling with his uncle, a snake-oil peddler: Norman A. Rubin, Hallelujah, part 1.
Short Stories	Far-future scientists discuss the implications of astrology on ancient Earth: Deep Bora, Mars Accelerates, part 1; conclusion. New contributor Paul McManus has a technological superhero rush to save a damsel from a villain. Only, the hero has a sudden Change of Perspective. Conspiracy theories are the grist of mystery stories. Detective Thomas Smith investigates a conspiracy in an art museum. Insert “surrealistic” anywhere in that sentence: Thomas Lee Joseph Smith, The Da Vinci Cough and Code Formula.
Flash Fiction	How do you bring to justice a criminal who can cover his traces perfectly? As an old saying goes: Set a thief to catch a thief: Jörn Grote, Blind Justice.
Poetry	Orkeldors are not the only source of trouble: there are also silken trees, melodious birds and cute, sleepy creatures: C. Meton, The Orkeldor, part 2.

Departments

Welcome	Bewildering Stories welcomes Paul McManus.
The Critics’ Corner	Michael J A Tyzuk considers Gareth Jones’ “Fluctuations”. Don Webb espies Shadowy Forces at work in Paul McManus’ “Change of Perspective” and Julian Lawler’s Battle Seer.
Letters	C. Meton writes about poetry and illustrations.
Film Review	Michael J A Tyzuk reviews Alex Proyas’ Dark City.
The Reading Room	Jerry Wright reviews Jack Vance’s Lurulu.
Editorial	Jerry Wright, The Timesink.

In Times to Come

Issue 141 — Novels: Julian Lawler, Battle Seer, chapter 19 “Ghost Seeker”; Michael E. Lloyd, Observation One, chapter 21 “Empowerment Sphere.” Novellas: Danielle L. Parker, “The Thief of Joy and Light” part 4; Norman A. Rubin, “Hallelujah” part 2.

Short stories: Deep Bora, “Mars Connection”; D. A. Madigan, “Positive”; new contributor Frederick G. Soper, “Space Ranger.” Poetry: C. Meton, “The Orkeldor” part 3.

Title riddle: In spring, a young man’s fancy turns to thoughts of... baseball, of course! Jerry Wright and Mike Lloyd recognized the title of issue 139 as a play on Tinker to Evers to Chance. Mike wins, in addition, the title of grandmaster among British Empire Googlists for becoming the U.K.’s instant guru of baseball history in the dead-ball era. Congratulations on a golden-glove feat of research, Mike... I’m sure Mike will decipher this week’s title easily, but if the returns run true to form, I expect all our other readers will be completely and truly Bewildered.

Readers’ reactions are always welcome.
Please write!

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