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Apex Magazine #122
Apex Magazine Issue 122
Strange. Beautiful. Shocking. Surreal.
APEX MAGAZINE is a digital dark science fiction and fantasy genre zine that features award-winning short fiction, essays, and interviews. Established in 2009, our fiction has won several Hugo and Nebula Awards.
We publish every other month.
Issue 122 contains the
EDITORIAL
Editorial by Jason Sizemore
ORIGINAL FICTION
Barefoot and Midnight by Sheree Renée Thomas
The Amazing Exploding Women of the Early Twentieth Century by A.C. Wise
Black Box of the Terraworms by Barton Aikman
If Those Ragged Feet Won't Run by Annie Neugebauer
A Love That Burns Hot Enough to Deleted Scenes from a Documentary by Sam J. Miller
Las Girlfriends Guide to Subversive Eating by Sabrina Vourvoulias
REPRINTED FICTION
She Searches for God in the Storm Within by Khaalidah Muhammad-Ali
The Eight-Thousanders by Jason Sanford
INTERVIEWS
Interview with Author Sabrina Vourvoulias by Andrea Johnson
Interview with Author Annie Neugebauer by Andrea Johnson
Interview with Cover Artist Thomas Tan by Russell Dickerson
NONFICTION
Jimi Hendrix Sang It by ZZ Claybourne
Telling Stories of Ghosts by Wendy N. Wagner
Words for Short Fiction Reviews by A.C. Wise
APEX MAGAZINE is a digital dark science fiction and fantasy genre zine that features award-winning short fiction, essays, and interviews. Established in 2009, our fiction has won several Hugo and Nebula Awards.
We publish every other month.
Issue 122 contains the
EDITORIAL
Editorial by Jason Sizemore
ORIGINAL FICTION
Barefoot and Midnight by Sheree Renée Thomas
The Amazing Exploding Women of the Early Twentieth Century by A.C. Wise
Black Box of the Terraworms by Barton Aikman
If Those Ragged Feet Won't Run by Annie Neugebauer
A Love That Burns Hot Enough to Deleted Scenes from a Documentary by Sam J. Miller
Las Girlfriends Guide to Subversive Eating by Sabrina Vourvoulias
REPRINTED FICTION
She Searches for God in the Storm Within by Khaalidah Muhammad-Ali
The Eight-Thousanders by Jason Sanford
INTERVIEWS
Interview with Author Sabrina Vourvoulias by Andrea Johnson
Interview with Author Annie Neugebauer by Andrea Johnson
Interview with Cover Artist Thomas Tan by Russell Dickerson
NONFICTION
Jimi Hendrix Sang It by ZZ Claybourne
Telling Stories of Ghosts by Wendy N. Wagner
Words for Short Fiction Reviews by A.C. Wise
About the author
Jason Sizemore
123 books112 followersI was born the son of an unemployed coal miner in a tiny Kentucky Appalachian villa named Big Creek (population 400). It’s an isolated area with beautiful rolling hills, thick forests, and country folk. I lived in Big Creek until I went to college, spending my weekends cruising the Winn Dixie parking lot of ladies, partying in my cousin’s run-down three room trailer, and being a member of the bad-ass Clay County High School Academic Team.
College was quite a shock for me. Girls! Minorities! Strip clubs! And it didn’t help that I attended Transylvania University, a fairly snotty (but excellent) private college in Lexington, KY (on scholarship… no way my family could have sent me otherwise). I graduated in the standard four years with a degree in Computer Science.
Since 1996, I’ve worked for evil corporations (IBM), dot com dreamers (eCampus.com), The Man (both city and state government), and for The Kids (KY Dept. of Education), and assholes (lots and lots of assholes).
In 2004, I decided my life was boring, that I no longer needed disposable income, and I needed to increase my stress levels. I started Apex Publications, a small press publisher of science fiction, fantasy, and horror. At first it was just a small print zine, then a pro-level online zine, then books, and then ebooks.
I edit anthologies, mostly for Apex (because I’m a control freak). I occasionally do copy editing (when pressed) and have done plenty of acquisition editing over the years.
I also write. I don’t really write enough to leave a mark, but it seems to go well when I do put pen to paper.
Miscellaneous facts about me: left-handed, blue eyes, super geeky, hillbilly accent, near-sighted, and typically in a goofy mood.
Also, and most importantly, I’m not the drunkard all those Facebook photos makes me out to be. It just happens that cameras are always around when I… have libations. Honest!
College was quite a shock for me. Girls! Minorities! Strip clubs! And it didn’t help that I attended Transylvania University, a fairly snotty (but excellent) private college in Lexington, KY (on scholarship… no way my family could have sent me otherwise). I graduated in the standard four years with a degree in Computer Science.
Since 1996, I’ve worked for evil corporations (IBM), dot com dreamers (eCampus.com), The Man (both city and state government), and for The Kids (KY Dept. of Education), and assholes (lots and lots of assholes).
In 2004, I decided my life was boring, that I no longer needed disposable income, and I needed to increase my stress levels. I started Apex Publications, a small press publisher of science fiction, fantasy, and horror. At first it was just a small print zine, then a pro-level online zine, then books, and then ebooks.
I edit anthologies, mostly for Apex (because I’m a control freak). I occasionally do copy editing (when pressed) and have done plenty of acquisition editing over the years.
I also write. I don’t really write enough to leave a mark, but it seems to go well when I do put pen to paper.
Miscellaneous facts about me: left-handed, blue eyes, super geeky, hillbilly accent, near-sighted, and typically in a goofy mood.
Also, and most importantly, I’m not the drunkard all those Facebook photos makes me out to be. It just happens that cameras are always around when I… have libations. Honest!
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
February 14, 2023
I liked the previous issue much more. This one has an overall old-America feel to it that I wasn't too thrilled about, as it made the themes of racism/sexism/homophobia etc. too real-life and overt. My favorites were Black Box of the Terraworms and If Those Ragged Feet Won’t Run. The writing in Barefoot and Midnight was also quite remarkable.
April 29, 2021
This rating and review is only for the short story Barefoot and Midnight by Sheree Renee Thomas found in this volume.
This was a story I chose when I was looking for diverse authors to read for my shorts. I was immersed in this story until the very end and was very captivated by Ms. Thomas's writing and craft. It has a dark folktale-like quality to it and is very rich in cultural significance and dark history. It is a beautiful fantastical literary reaction to all of the social and racial injustice that, despite it being 2021, still persists. It tells the story of Dusa, a young woman striving to make a difference, to highlight the perverseness of hatred and bigotry. A horrible crime is committed and Dusa decides to fight back against those responsible, against those who still, despite her freedom, strive to shackle and enslave her and those she cares about. But in order to be heard, she must unleash a darkness. A darkness that is not to be taken lightly or underestimated. A darkness that must be controlled very carefully, for it also has the power to consume.
A haunting tale with delicious licks of voodoo, it is one of my favorite shorts of the year.
You can read this story for FREE here:
https://apex-magazine.com/barefoot-an...
Dusa rose on one knee, flask in hand, praying that she had the strength to turn her back on the Lynching Tree, but a fire burned in her soul. The faith she once had was replaced with an unholy rage, an anger so hot, it incinerated all forgiveness. She willed her body to move. But the scent of roses, overpowering in the night, strengthened her resolve, holding her there.
This was a story I chose when I was looking for diverse authors to read for my shorts. I was immersed in this story until the very end and was very captivated by Ms. Thomas's writing and craft. It has a dark folktale-like quality to it and is very rich in cultural significance and dark history. It is a beautiful fantastical literary reaction to all of the social and racial injustice that, despite it being 2021, still persists. It tells the story of Dusa, a young woman striving to make a difference, to highlight the perverseness of hatred and bigotry. A horrible crime is committed and Dusa decides to fight back against those responsible, against those who still, despite her freedom, strive to shackle and enslave her and those she cares about. But in order to be heard, she must unleash a darkness. A darkness that is not to be taken lightly or underestimated. A darkness that must be controlled very carefully, for it also has the power to consume.
A haunting tale with delicious licks of voodoo, it is one of my favorite shorts of the year.
You can read this story for FREE here:
https://apex-magazine.com/barefoot-an...
August 1, 2021
‘Strange. Beautiful. Shocking. Surreal.’
‘APEX MAGAZINE is a digital dark science fiction and fantasy genre zine that features award-winning short fiction, essays, and interviews. Established in 2009, our fiction has won several Hugo and Nebula Awards.’
APEX EMAGAZINE ISSUE 122 – Highly Recommend!
Original Fiction:
‘Barefoot and Midnight’ – by Sheree Renée Thomas
‘The faith she once had was replaced with an unholy rage, an anger so hot, it incinerated all forgiveness. She willed her body to move. But the scent of roses, overpowering in the night, strengthened her resolve, holding her there.’
‘The Amazing Exploding Women of the Early Twentieth Century’ — by A.C. Wise
‘“Think of Georges Méliès,” the old woman says. “Moon men appearing in puffs of smoke. Only these were like fairy tales, the old kind meant to assure the world that women were empty-headed, foolish, and vain. I’ll give Don Leaming this, he thought up dozens of clever ways to make us die.”’
‘Black Box of the Terraworms’ —by Barton Aikman
‘“We begin to make the planet a place that one day can be called yours. We do this for you because this is what you created us to do. This is our purpose. But we don’t call you gods.
You are not gods.
That is the first thing you coded us to know, which was wise.
If you were gods, we would want to eat you too.”’
‘If Those Ragged Feet Won’t Run’ —by Annie Neugebauer
‘The night comes. It can’t yet be seen, felt, tasted, or smelled, but you can hear it. You can hear all things fall quiet as the dusk draws near. It is a fearful silence, waiting.’
‘Las Girlfriends Guide to Subversive Eating’ —by Sabrina Vourvoulias
‘Philadelphia is a food city.’
‘If you don’t believe us, believe Travel + Leisure, which last year wrote that our city has a "vibrant culinary landscape" and named us "one of the most exciting food destinations in the nation."’
‘A second site lauded our cheesesteaks, meatballs in red gravy, and innovative vegan eateries. Yet another reminded us that top restaurateurs like Marc Vetri, Stephen Starr, Michael Solomonov and José Garcés have all left their imprint on how, and what, we eat in the city.’
‘FWIW, all of that is true.’
‘But we know how you are.’
‘You want to know the hidden.’
‘You want to know the real.’
‘A Love That Burns Hot Enough to Last: Deleted Scenes from a Documentary’ — by Sam J. Miller
‘Listening to her on the radio, watching clips, you feel it, a little, you know this is something special, something (supernatural) different, and if you really listen hard and let your guard down maybe it will start to stir up something you can’t explain—give you something you didn’t have before—a faint smell in the air, a memory that’s not yours, a shadow shaped like her in your dreams that night.’
Classic Fiction:
‘She Searches for God in the Storm Within’ — by Khaalidah Muhammad-Ali
‘For a time I left my grandmother’s home far below, as well as the indecision and uncertainty. I left behind the jittering bone-deep ache of the coming storm. Then I became the storm. I shed the tempting brown flesh in favor of that which cannot be possessed and obscured.’
‘One cannot rope a cloud and keep it for their own. Can they?’
‘The Eight-Thousanders’ –by Jason Sanford
‘[I]t wasn’t good enough to want to climb. You had to have the means to climb. And that’s what working for Ronnie gave me. Not that I hated Ronnie. Working for him was like aiming for Everest—it didn’t matter what we created, only that we reached the top.’
Also, In This Issue –
Interviews with Authors:
Sabrina Vourvoulias
Annie Neugebauer
Interview with Cover Artist:
Thomas Tan
Nonfiction:
Jimi Hendrix Sang It’ – by ZZ Claybourne
‘Telling Stories of Ghosts’ – by Wendy N. Wagner
‘Words for Thought: Short Fiction Review’ – by A.C. Wise
Thank you, Editor Jason Sizemore, for providing me with an Emagazine of Apex Publications Issue 122 at the request of an honest review.
‘APEX MAGAZINE is a digital dark science fiction and fantasy genre zine that features award-winning short fiction, essays, and interviews. Established in 2009, our fiction has won several Hugo and Nebula Awards.’
APEX EMAGAZINE ISSUE 122 – Highly Recommend!
Original Fiction:
‘Barefoot and Midnight’ – by Sheree Renée Thomas
‘The faith she once had was replaced with an unholy rage, an anger so hot, it incinerated all forgiveness. She willed her body to move. But the scent of roses, overpowering in the night, strengthened her resolve, holding her there.’
‘The Amazing Exploding Women of the Early Twentieth Century’ — by A.C. Wise
‘“Think of Georges Méliès,” the old woman says. “Moon men appearing in puffs of smoke. Only these were like fairy tales, the old kind meant to assure the world that women were empty-headed, foolish, and vain. I’ll give Don Leaming this, he thought up dozens of clever ways to make us die.”’
‘Black Box of the Terraworms’ —by Barton Aikman
‘“We begin to make the planet a place that one day can be called yours. We do this for you because this is what you created us to do. This is our purpose. But we don’t call you gods.
You are not gods.
That is the first thing you coded us to know, which was wise.
If you were gods, we would want to eat you too.”’
‘If Those Ragged Feet Won’t Run’ —by Annie Neugebauer
‘The night comes. It can’t yet be seen, felt, tasted, or smelled, but you can hear it. You can hear all things fall quiet as the dusk draws near. It is a fearful silence, waiting.’
‘Las Girlfriends Guide to Subversive Eating’ —by Sabrina Vourvoulias
‘Philadelphia is a food city.’
‘If you don’t believe us, believe Travel + Leisure, which last year wrote that our city has a "vibrant culinary landscape" and named us "one of the most exciting food destinations in the nation."’
‘A second site lauded our cheesesteaks, meatballs in red gravy, and innovative vegan eateries. Yet another reminded us that top restaurateurs like Marc Vetri, Stephen Starr, Michael Solomonov and José Garcés have all left their imprint on how, and what, we eat in the city.’
‘FWIW, all of that is true.’
‘But we know how you are.’
‘You want to know the hidden.’
‘You want to know the real.’
‘A Love That Burns Hot Enough to Last: Deleted Scenes from a Documentary’ — by Sam J. Miller
‘Listening to her on the radio, watching clips, you feel it, a little, you know this is something special, something (supernatural) different, and if you really listen hard and let your guard down maybe it will start to stir up something you can’t explain—give you something you didn’t have before—a faint smell in the air, a memory that’s not yours, a shadow shaped like her in your dreams that night.’
Classic Fiction:
‘She Searches for God in the Storm Within’ — by Khaalidah Muhammad-Ali
‘For a time I left my grandmother’s home far below, as well as the indecision and uncertainty. I left behind the jittering bone-deep ache of the coming storm. Then I became the storm. I shed the tempting brown flesh in favor of that which cannot be possessed and obscured.’
‘One cannot rope a cloud and keep it for their own. Can they?’
‘The Eight-Thousanders’ –by Jason Sanford
‘[I]t wasn’t good enough to want to climb. You had to have the means to climb. And that’s what working for Ronnie gave me. Not that I hated Ronnie. Working for him was like aiming for Everest—it didn’t matter what we created, only that we reached the top.’
Also, In This Issue –
Interviews with Authors:
Sabrina Vourvoulias
Annie Neugebauer
Interview with Cover Artist:
Thomas Tan
Nonfiction:
Jimi Hendrix Sang It’ – by ZZ Claybourne
‘Telling Stories of Ghosts’ – by Wendy N. Wagner
‘Words for Thought: Short Fiction Review’ – by A.C. Wise
Thank you, Editor Jason Sizemore, for providing me with an Emagazine of Apex Publications Issue 122 at the request of an honest review.
March 30, 2021
A very good collection of stories in this one. Not a single bad one between all of them.
March 12, 2021
Issues like this make me so glad Apex is back. "Black Box of the Terraworms" by Barton Aikman was an excellent poetic, mind-bending story. "Barefoot and Midnight" by Sheree Renée Thomas was vivid and beautiful and hard-hitting. Not a bad story in the bunch, really!
April 13, 2021
A really stellar issue from Apex again for these two months. Aside from the interactive story I had no interest in (so cannot speak on) there is not one disappointing story here.
“The Amazing Exploding Women of the Early Twentieth Century” by A.C. Wise — Two actresses in the early silent era of film find they share pyrokinetic abilities that enable them to set themselves on fire without harm. A useful talent for an era where many did their own stunts; also a talent that can be turned against abusive powers in the industry. The main story is bookended by short sections set in the recent present, with one of the women relating things to a granddaughter (if my memory serves in details). I always get appreciation/enjoyment from stories about film, including the silent era, which I love. The only downside to this story is the length: longer than I felt it needed. The framing scenes add some extra themes, but not sure they were essential or needed.
“Las Girlfriends Guide to Subversive Eating” by Sabrina Vourvoulias — An ‘interactive’ story with which I chose to not interact.
“Barefoot and Midnight” by Sheree Renée Thomas — A standout story of the issue due to its subject matter and power, but above all because it is written so amazingly well, horrific and melancholic and beautiful all at once. Like a lamentation the story surges with righteous wailing against injustices. It shows how pain and sacrifice can continue even amid processes of healing, and suggests that sometimes revenge is just as damaging as an original hurt.
“Black Box of the Terraworms” by Barton Aikman — Terraforming machines sent by humans to an alien planet consume some of the native organisms and through it learn from the creature’s memories of the planet’s previous inhabitants that worshiped the creatures. An inventive story of biotechnology and ecological themes, but which then also takes of mythical tones. Fascinating grand-scale fiction.
“A Love That Burns Hot Enough to Last: Deleted Scenes from a Documentary” by Sam J. Miller — A series of interviews about a pop singer and a Christian parent who campaigns against her music, being convinced she is in reality a witch. Almost always enjoy Miller’s work, and this was no exception. I feared that the stereotypically bigoted Christian would make me sour, but Miller actually handles it well. (I still wish more authors would introduce Christians who AREN’T this way at all.) The story more speaks to themes of hero worship and unreasonable expectations that fans place on talent.
“If Those Ragged Feet Won’t Run” by Annie Neugebauer — A fantasy where a mother and newborn try and escape from bird-like monsters that kill those who stray from the village. Great atmosphere and tense plotting here. It recalled to my mind the thoughts I’ll sometimes have watching nature programs where I see a predator about to strike down prey, a cute little juvenile who’s just trying to survive. But then after the predator fail and I celebrate continued life, the camera cuts to the starving offspring of the predator that now have no food.
“She Searches for God in the Storm Within” by Khaalidah Muhammad-Ali — A reprint originally published in Sword and Sonnet, edited by Aiden Doyle, Rachael K. Jones, and E. Catherine Tobler. It features a powerful female protagonist surviving against harsh unjust treatment. The theme of the anthology where it appeared was “women and non-binary battle poets”. I’m not a fan of the poet aspect, but this is another story of righteous anger, but taken in a more positive way, speaking to the unleashing of a ‘storm’ of suppressed rage that women (and women of color in particular) become told to endure.
“The Eight-Thousanders” by Jason Sanford — I never expected to like a story about climbing Mount Everest so much. Turning it into a horror featuring a vampire who ‘prey’s on those who succumb to the mountain is brilliant, and Sandford uses that plot to explore familiar vampire tale themes in novel ways, as well as cultural aspects of the mountain climbers and the natives who make a living catering to them. The story originally appeared in Asimov’s Science Fiction Magazine at the end of last year.
With editorial by Jason Sizemore, nonfiction articles “Jimi Hendrix Sang It” by ZZ Claybourne and “Telling Stories of Ghosts” by Wendy N. Wagner, book reviews by A.C. Wise, and interviews with Sabrina Vourvoulias and Annie Neugebauer by Andrea Johnson, and of cover artist Thomas Tan by Russell Dickerson. Cover design by Justin Stewart.
“The Amazing Exploding Women of the Early Twentieth Century” by A.C. Wise — Two actresses in the early silent era of film find they share pyrokinetic abilities that enable them to set themselves on fire without harm. A useful talent for an era where many did their own stunts; also a talent that can be turned against abusive powers in the industry. The main story is bookended by short sections set in the recent present, with one of the women relating things to a granddaughter (if my memory serves in details). I always get appreciation/enjoyment from stories about film, including the silent era, which I love. The only downside to this story is the length: longer than I felt it needed. The framing scenes add some extra themes, but not sure they were essential or needed.
“Las Girlfriends Guide to Subversive Eating” by Sabrina Vourvoulias — An ‘interactive’ story with which I chose to not interact.
“Barefoot and Midnight” by Sheree Renée Thomas — A standout story of the issue due to its subject matter and power, but above all because it is written so amazingly well, horrific and melancholic and beautiful all at once. Like a lamentation the story surges with righteous wailing against injustices. It shows how pain and sacrifice can continue even amid processes of healing, and suggests that sometimes revenge is just as damaging as an original hurt.
“Black Box of the Terraworms” by Barton Aikman — Terraforming machines sent by humans to an alien planet consume some of the native organisms and through it learn from the creature’s memories of the planet’s previous inhabitants that worshiped the creatures. An inventive story of biotechnology and ecological themes, but which then also takes of mythical tones. Fascinating grand-scale fiction.
“A Love That Burns Hot Enough to Last: Deleted Scenes from a Documentary” by Sam J. Miller — A series of interviews about a pop singer and a Christian parent who campaigns against her music, being convinced she is in reality a witch. Almost always enjoy Miller’s work, and this was no exception. I feared that the stereotypically bigoted Christian would make me sour, but Miller actually handles it well. (I still wish more authors would introduce Christians who AREN’T this way at all.) The story more speaks to themes of hero worship and unreasonable expectations that fans place on talent.
“If Those Ragged Feet Won’t Run” by Annie Neugebauer — A fantasy where a mother and newborn try and escape from bird-like monsters that kill those who stray from the village. Great atmosphere and tense plotting here. It recalled to my mind the thoughts I’ll sometimes have watching nature programs where I see a predator about to strike down prey, a cute little juvenile who’s just trying to survive. But then after the predator fail and I celebrate continued life, the camera cuts to the starving offspring of the predator that now have no food.
“She Searches for God in the Storm Within” by Khaalidah Muhammad-Ali — A reprint originally published in Sword and Sonnet, edited by Aiden Doyle, Rachael K. Jones, and E. Catherine Tobler. It features a powerful female protagonist surviving against harsh unjust treatment. The theme of the anthology where it appeared was “women and non-binary battle poets”. I’m not a fan of the poet aspect, but this is another story of righteous anger, but taken in a more positive way, speaking to the unleashing of a ‘storm’ of suppressed rage that women (and women of color in particular) become told to endure.
“The Eight-Thousanders” by Jason Sanford — I never expected to like a story about climbing Mount Everest so much. Turning it into a horror featuring a vampire who ‘prey’s on those who succumb to the mountain is brilliant, and Sandford uses that plot to explore familiar vampire tale themes in novel ways, as well as cultural aspects of the mountain climbers and the natives who make a living catering to them. The story originally appeared in Asimov’s Science Fiction Magazine at the end of last year.
With editorial by Jason Sizemore, nonfiction articles “Jimi Hendrix Sang It” by ZZ Claybourne and “Telling Stories of Ghosts” by Wendy N. Wagner, book reviews by A.C. Wise, and interviews with Sabrina Vourvoulias and Annie Neugebauer by Andrea Johnson, and of cover artist Thomas Tan by Russell Dickerson. Cover design by Justin Stewart.
July 25, 2021
The Amazing Exploding Women of the Early Twentieth Century by A.C. Wise is a short story published in Apex Magazine issue #122 (March-April, 2021). I listened to the podcast, narrated by Alyson Grauer.
Marie Grace (Gracie) and Marie Catherine (Cat) finding each other seems like fate. Both work for silent movie boss Don Leaming who likes to diminish women and kill them on screen in silly and cruel ways in his trick films. Cat wants out, Gracie wants to be a star in his new movie.
“I knew it!” Reflected light dances in Gracie’s wide-pupiled gaze, but she isn’t the one burning, not anymore.
Cat looks down. Silver flames sheathe her arms like elbow-length gloves. She watches, entranced. It doesn’t hurt. It should hurt. The wicked should be punished for their sins. Gracie’s smile lights the night, brighter than the Ballroom above and all of Coney Island blazing.
“Cat, you’re burning.”
I love A.C. Wise and was very happy to find this one in Apex Magazine. So many great short stories waiting!
The podcast was a nice production with added sound effects to enhance your listening experience (run time: 52 minutes).
You can read and listen to the podcast on https://apex-magazine.com/the-amazing... Consider supporting them on Patreon.
Themes: Coney Island, silent movies, come on baby light my fire, Cat’s pash for Gracie, one burns out of anger, one burns out of love.
5 Stars
Marie Grace (Gracie) and Marie Catherine (Cat) finding each other seems like fate. Both work for silent movie boss Don Leaming who likes to diminish women and kill them on screen in silly and cruel ways in his trick films. Cat wants out, Gracie wants to be a star in his new movie.
“I knew it!” Reflected light dances in Gracie’s wide-pupiled gaze, but she isn’t the one burning, not anymore.
Cat looks down. Silver flames sheathe her arms like elbow-length gloves. She watches, entranced. It doesn’t hurt. It should hurt. The wicked should be punished for their sins. Gracie’s smile lights the night, brighter than the Ballroom above and all of Coney Island blazing.
“Cat, you’re burning.”
I love A.C. Wise and was very happy to find this one in Apex Magazine. So many great short stories waiting!
The podcast was a nice production with added sound effects to enhance your listening experience (run time: 52 minutes).
You can read and listen to the podcast on https://apex-magazine.com/the-amazing... Consider supporting them on Patreon.
Themes: Coney Island, silent movies, come on baby light my fire, Cat’s pash for Gracie, one burns out of anger, one burns out of love.
5 Stars
May 2, 2021
Going to be something for everyone in this issue. Hard sci-fi that made me feel sad (Go Terra worms go!) to triumphant horror stories (Ragged Feet) to poignant, historical fiction ( The Amazing Exploding Women of the Early Twentieth Century)
March 11, 2021
I liked "If Those Ragged Feet Won't Run" by Annie Neugebauer and "The Eight-Thousanders" by Jason Sanford.
July 24, 2021
I recommend the audio/podcast for Neugebauer's story - atmospheric and visceral.
Want to read
August 2, 2021“Black Box of the Terraworms” by Barton Aikman so far is the stand out story. It has programmed machines that will make your heart melt. Can we have another episode of terraworms on a different planet? Maybe terraforming Earth after we destroy it? The last human command is to release the terraworms and hope that life will evolve better this time.
"Barefoot and Midnight" was good but I think maybe if the revenge came in the form of zombifying the men responsible for the fire to rebuild and work at the new school and that would lead to their redemption. Maybe a flashback or two of scenes from the school with the previous children.
"If Those Ragged Feet Won't Run" was good but now I want to know what happens to the mother and Keena after they finally return home. I thought that maybe Bethesda should have let the guards kill the mother nightbird in an act of mercy so it wouldn't have to live with the fact that it inadvertently killed its own child.
"She Searches for God in the Storm Within" was a very unique concept of anthropomorphizing storm clouds. Maybe the ending would be better suited if Bahiyaa and her mother and grandmother formed a superstorm together and got revenge on Reef and Jeremiah.
"Barefoot and Midnight" was good but I think maybe if the revenge came in the form of zombifying the men responsible for the fire to rebuild and work at the new school and that would lead to their redemption. Maybe a flashback or two of scenes from the school with the previous children.
"If Those Ragged Feet Won't Run" was good but now I want to know what happens to the mother and Keena after they finally return home. I thought that maybe Bethesda should have let the guards kill the mother nightbird in an act of mercy so it wouldn't have to live with the fact that it inadvertently killed its own child.
"She Searches for God in the Storm Within" was a very unique concept of anthropomorphizing storm clouds. Maybe the ending would be better suited if Bahiyaa and her mother and grandmother formed a superstorm together and got revenge on Reef and Jeremiah.
April 24, 2024
Actual rating - 4.5
My absolute favourite of the lot has to be If those ragged feet won't run. Reading this story was like watching a nature documentary where a mother and her newborn daughter have to escape an apex predator. Literally had me on the edge of my seat throughout the story.
(Full review to come)
My absolute favourite of the lot has to be If those ragged feet won't run. Reading this story was like watching a nature documentary where a mother and her newborn daughter have to escape an apex predator. Literally had me on the edge of my seat throughout the story.
(Full review to come)
June 5, 2021
Really loved "Black Box of the Terraworms", might be my favorite short story of the year so far. "The Eight Thousanders" was also quite good. Overall, a very strong issue.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews