INTERACTION

That cover is fantastic! I look forward to this in the new year. Is this approach a bit more like the way black static covers work -- more unique to each issue?

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Jon Dowland

I'll answer your question in the next day or so if that's OK jon, sorry to leave you hanging.

Meanwhile, a quick note to say that IZ220 is out now and that all subscriber and contributor copies have been posted.

Arrived this morning in London. Fantastic cover. Cheers!

Got mine too. Seriously, how pretty is that?

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Neil Williamson
www.neilwilliamson.org.uk

By hook or by crook, I'll get mine.

Arrived in Bristol this morning, and that cover looks even better in the flesh!

Arrived yesterday in Bethesda, safe and sound.

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The future's going to be just like the present, but with more LEDs.

Me blog: http://dylan-fox.blogspot.com/
And if that's not enough, I'm on Twitter, too: Foxie299

Arrived today .Brilliant cover

Received yesterday or the day before. The cover is gorgeous. I'd love a digital wallpaper to match I might even have to use a portrait orientation on my monitor to suit it better.

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Jon Dowland

Arrived in Bentley yesterday...

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Jo Thomas
http://www.journeymouse.net/

Having enjoyed reading the issue this afternoon, myself and my cat would like to nominate Eugie Foster's story as the highlight of the issue, closely followed by Jason Stoddard and Neil Williamson's pieces.

Now I just have to see if my poor brain cells can remember enough from the last 12 months to actually vote in the yearly poll!

Stumbled across this blog review:

http://lawrenceconquest.blogspot.com/20 ... -2009.html

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http://www.garethlpowell.com

I agree with Dave Bowman that the best story in the issue was Eugie Foster’s – I’ll be voting for it when the best stories of 2009 poll is run. I also enjoyed the Neil Williamson.

I didn’t like the Rudy Rucker at all – very soppy (I usually enjoy his work, so it was a big disappointment).

The Jason Stoddard – despite sporting one of my least favourite heroic types (the poor little rich kid) – got me interested because of the fascinating background detail: but the story never grabbed me - I never felt the protagonist was really in any danger (at one time he’s threatened … by being offered lots of money, and he finds his girlfriend really loves him); the villains were pretty two dimensional. A pity, as (and this is why I’m being over-critical) the world the story inhabited is something I’d like to read more of.

I enjoyed the intensity and paranoia of the Leah Bobet story (though when I’d finished I was going “Hold it, they stole a nuclear bomb, stole a truck and drove it hundreds of miles and the authorities couldn’t stop them?” – at least a ring can be easily hidden in your pocket!).

The Gareth L Powell reminded me of Clark Ashton Smith’s SF – but since Powell hasn’t yet got Smith’s gift with words it suffered a bit in comparison. Nevertheless it was interesting, though I think the story should have moved slower when on the alien planet.

Despite my quibbles, a good issue.

Incidentally, I can’t find the online readers poll for 2008, mentioned in this issue.

Yep, have to agree best story for me was the one by Eugie Foster. Would definitely like to read more of her stuff !

She has a collection coming out later this year -- don't know if she has anything coming up in Black Static. I'm sure Andy will say if she has.

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http://www.colin-harvey.com

Novels:
Winter Song -- US launch May 2010
Damage Time -- UK launch May 2010
-- US launch June 2010