Mark Bilsborough

Thirteen stories of the near future-set in our world and beyond. Optimistic. Unsettling. Imaginative. Dangerous. Follow Valentine as he chooses whether to abandon his broken world or stay and rebuild. Travel Sideways through exotic dimensions. Fight the seductive pull of the Immersion tanks. Spend years travelling between systems to be with the true love you've never met. Fight to the death in VR hell. Play Shakespeare to miners on Pluto. Make first contact in unexpected places. And ponder the wisdom of philosopher cats. These stories outline a future which is sometimes challenging, sometimes hopeful but always changing. Are we alone? Will artificial intelligence be our salvation or our nemesis? Can we avoid blowing ourselves up or poisoning our planet? Can we find our place in the stars? And when we get there, most importantly, will there be fish? Thoughtful science fiction stories of apocalypse, dystopia, climate change, virtual reality, artificial intelligence, space exploration, first contact and life after death.

ISSUE 6 (August 2017) Superbly crafted tales of science fiction and fantasy from around the world. Previously unpublished stories that will take you to new realms, experience mystic sorcery, meet strange creatures, travel through time and visit distant galaxies Turn the pages and let your journey begin today. In this issue: FOR HANNAH-Mark Bilsborough If a virtual copy of a person falls in love with you, does that mean the real human will do so as well? PLAYMATES-Arlen Feldman Imagine, for a moment, a world where anything that you 3D print can come to life. And then imagine that ability being wielded by a child. EVENS AND ODDS-Vanessa Kittle All of us keep a darker side buried deep within. Siman was given the chance to experience his darker side when he accidentally met his clone. THE SHIP OF THESEUS-Philip Brian Hall If every piece of your body was to be replaced with a new one, would you still be the same person? AN INFERNAL MALADY-Michael Haynes There are times when a poison for some is actually a cure for another. Beware of accepting aid from those who are too eager to help... THE HOME SECRETARY IS SAFE-C. R. Berry One can never know what to expect when they are caught up in a secret government endeavour, especially if reality seems to bend in on itself... DAUGHTER OF THE WESTERN WINDS-Jenni Wood For most people, controlling their primal tendencies is rather easy when comparing it to half-breeds, because for half-breeds, controlling their animal side is the only thing that keeps them human and everyone else alive. THE WHEEL OF FORTUNE-Matencera Wolf The road to a new world is usually paved with the blood of others. F-BOMBS-Allen Kuzara As the world changes, both the laws and personal rights will change, sometimes to the point where they become unrecognizable. URGENT CARE-Dale T. Phillips If you believe medical care is tough today, wait 'til you experience it in the future A GUY WALKS INTO A BAR-Russ Watrous & Mike McHone A fantasy tale that every person has experienced at least once in their life... If not, here's your chance.