There are many reasons that I love Bill Schafer and Subterranean Press.  As a book lover, I appreciate the well curated, sharply designed and beautifully produced books that they produce. As an editor who has worked with the press, I am staggered by their professionalism and generosity. Everything is done right, and if there’s a minor issue it’s resolved quickly and easily. And as a reader, I love what they choose to publish. Whether it’s Lucius Shepard’s The Dragon Graiule or the eight volumes of The Collected Stories of Robert Silverberg or their recent gorgeous Harlan Ellison reprints – they’re all essential.

And then there’s the magazine. I’ve guest edited an issue of Subterranean Magazine and appreciate the quality and variety of work featured by Bill in the magazine, as well as his excellent taste and careful curatorship.  The twenty eight issues published to date include some of the best short fiction published anywhere over the past five years. His support of K.J. Parker’s short fiction alone makes it essential reading.

The latest issue has just been published and it features:

• Doctor Helios by Lewis Shiner
• The Truth of Fact, the Truth of Feeling by Ted Chiang
• Hook Agonistes by Jay Lake and Seanan McGuire
• What Doctor Ivanovich Saw by Ian Tregillis

A major new novella by Lewis Shiner and a terrific novelette by Ted Chiang make it a stand out. I recommend the issue heartily and suggest you take a moment to let Bill and the gang know how much you appreciate what they do. I will be.

Tickets went sale this morning. Bruce in Perth!! I lucked out and got tickets for the Friday show, but plans went awry so no tickets for Saturday. I’m not really optimistic about fixing that. Both shows seem totally sold out. It means I am going, but only to one Perth show and Marianne won’t be joining me. This is really disappointing. I know she’s not the world’s biggest Bruce fan, but she wanted to go and I wanted her to be there. I hope there’ll be a third show and another chance.

In amongst the madness I bought tickets to the second Melbourne show as well. Suddenly I’m going to the other side of the country with my brother for Broadtrip 2: The Bruce Continues…  Should be fun. Just need that third Perth show and all will be well.

Between September 2011 and June 2012 Alisa Krasnostein and I produced four episodes of Live and Sassy, an informal discussion podcast about issues of interest to us surrounding the publishing business.

After some discussion we’ve decided to officially close the podcast. It was a lot of fun, but as with some other ventures, there just wasn’t the time to keep it going. We’d like to thank Alan Beatts, who guested on one episode, and all of our listeners. And I’d like to thank Alisa, who was a terrific co-host on the episodes.