Ever since I started wanting to be a professional SF writer, I'd been reading The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction, one of the standards of the industry. But when I received a copy of the Postscripts anthology, a sort of FSF across the pond, I was taken aback.

Where has this publication been all my life?

In recent days, the stories featured in FSF have been lackluster, leading eventually to my ceasing procuring copies (though still sending them submissions, in a hope to liven up things for them). Postscripts, on the other hand, is a breath of fresh air to those who are sick of the stagnant breath of stories about robots, by robots, and for robots, as well as pseudo-avant-garde stories that are more accurately described as "lazy-author-didn't-want-to-write-an-ending."

But, I digress. Postscripts is amazing, and this being a PS issue, it, too, is amazing. The run-down:

Balfour and Meriwether in The Adventure of the Emperor's Vengeance by Daniel Abraham

This is a steampunk story that involves quite an alternate history of Egypt, and the secret order of Jews sworn to protect against what happened in Cairo. I'm not sure if it's part of a larger series, but it could very well be such. Balfour and Meriwether bring to mind a Victorian-era Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser. (4/5)

The Famous Cave Paintings on Isolus 9 by Chris Beckett

I wasn't big on this tale, about an adventuring travel writer of an uncle in the future who likes to take stabs at present-day organized religion, both directly and metaphorically. In the end, the story felt like it was written just to down-talk said religion(s), and felt quite empty aside from that. (3/5)

The Portrayed Man by Justin Cartaginese

Cartaginese has proven that Gaiman is not the only writer capable of writing believable, yet bizarre stories about neighboring worlds and a duo of strange gentlemen who bridge it with less-than-admirable intentions. As such, our hero in this story is uninterested in life, and as such, gets a body double to take care of his job, his relationship, and pretty much his entire life. The double does it just like he would, only better. (4/5)

A Life Clichéd by David N. Drake

If I'm not mistaken, this is Drake's first piece of published fiction. At least, it's the first I've found recorded. It's essentially a two-page joke, but funny, nonetheless. (3.5/5)

The World Breaks by Scott Edelman

The World Breaks is a dark epistolary in which some unknown event happens, sending the world into chaos. A small midwesternish town doesn't want to evacuate their precious home, and as such stands up to authority. Each letter is written as a "If you're reading this, I'm dead," sort of letter. I'm not sure what to take away from the fact that I was reading them. (3.5/5)

The Warlock and the Man of the World by M. K. Hobson

Some authors write Steampunk, which takes place in a 19th century-style world that has achieved an industrial revolution. Hobson, though, has taken the same era, only shifted hemispheres and replaces steaming with demons. Warlock is a wild-west story about a town inhabited by men and demons alike. When there's a demon murder, a warlock (who presides over demonic affairs) and a lawyer/minister (who presides over human affairs) must determine the guilt and punishment of the murderer. But she's a little more than meets the eye. Hobson has written or will write more in this world, which is a rather interesting take on the old west style of writing. (4/5)

Bigger than the Beetles by Andrew Hook

A story set in Japan with toy frogs that expand in water. Not a literary masterpiece, but otherwise enjoyable. (3.5/5)

Enemy of the Good by Matthew Hughes

Set in Hughes' Old Earth universe (is there anything of his that isn't?), in which professional thief and troublemaker Luff Imbry is stranded in the middle of nowhere, and must deal with the demands of an ascetic religious order, during which he meets the perfect Imbry, who attempts to challenge his self worth. I like Hughes' stories, as they are complex and witty, and do a nice job of holistically connecting the aspects of the story in the end, leaving you satiated with one tale, but later craving another. (4.5/5)

Meeting Mr Tony by Tim Lees

This story is part of a larger series involving a Doctor Who-ish uncle who tries to use science and reason to solve all of his problems, including his desire to spend less time with his wife. In the midst of discovering a way to move through space without actually moving through space, he also discovers his wife is falling in love with the man he set her up with. But, is he not human? If you chop him with an axe, does he not bleed? Find out... (4/5)

Famous People by Ron Savage

This story didn't really have too much of an SFF element to it, other than a mother of a character whose diary another character of the story is reading having the ability to "breathe life" into stillborn children. It's a realistic tale, though, about celebrity and the cost thereof. (3/5)

The Cacto Skeleton by David T. Wilbanks

A reminder to take your meds! Otherwise, you'll have to chase down that skeleton that was once buried in your yard. (3.5/5)

The Red King's Sleep by Marly Youmans

Inspired by a dream, and reads like a dream. Like Finnegans Wake Lite, as written by a fantasy author. (3/5)

Best in Show: Enemy of the Good - The more I read of Mr. Hughes, the more I like his stuff. ( )