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Table of Contents
IN MEMORIAM: JOSEPH S. PULVER, SR.
AN AMERICAN STORY, by Darrell Schweitzer
IMPERVIOUS TO REASON, OBLIVIOUS TO FATE, by John R. Fultz
A SUM TOTAL, by Maxwell I. Gold
TAKING OUT THE TRASH, by D.C. Lozar
WHAT IS THE SEASON?, by Ashley Dioses
ARTHUR WARDROBE AND ASIA ANASTACIA: A LOVE STORY, by Andrew Darlington
SNACK TIME, by Franklyn Searight
EMPRESS OF VAMPIRES, by K.A. Opperman
GODLIKE, by Edward Morris and Konstantine Paradias
RONKONKOMA, by Glynn Owen Barrass
THE DRAGON’S GOLD, by Ngo Binh Anh Khoa
THE FURY OF ANGELS, by Adrian Cole
KEISHA’S DINOSAUR, by Nicole Givens Kurtz
WILL HOME REMEMBER ME?, by Joseph S. Pulver, Sr.
YOU’RE GONNA LOVE THIS SONG, by Michael S. Walker
THE PUMPKIN BOY ON SAMHAIN, by Chad Hensley
FROZEN TIME, by by Rivka Jacobs
GOL-GOROTH FANE, by Frederick J. Mayer
LUCIEN GREYSHIRE AND THE GHOST FROM APPLEBEE’S, by L.F. Falconer
DOOM OF THE SEASON, by Gregg Chamberlain
COPYRIGHT INFORMATION
Weirdbook #43 is copyright © 2020 by Wildside Press LLC. All rights reserved Published by Wildside Press LLC, 7945 MacArthur Blvd, Suite 215, Cabin John MD 20818 USA. Visit us online at wildsidepress.com and bcmystery.com.
STAFF
Publisher & Executive Editor
John Gregory Betancourt
Editor
Doug Draa
Consulting Editor
W. Paul Ganley
Wildside Press Subscription Services
Sam Hogan
Production Team
Sam Hogan
Karl Würf
FROM THE EDITOR’S TOWER
Here it is, Weirdbook #43. Our 13th regular issue since the relaunch.
I really can’t decide on whether calling this our “Baker’s Dozen” issue or our “Advent of the Apocalypse” issue. We’re not even halfway through 2020 and all of us have had to deal with Covid-19 and massive social unrest. Luckily it seems that the virus isn’t going to kill us all. This doesn’t do anything for the hundreds of thousands who lost their lives, but it still doesn’t seem as though it will reach the predicted/feared levels. I guess a small comfort is better than none. Now I have no idea as to how the global civil unrest will play out, but as far as I’m concerned, both sides better sit down and start talking and listening or we are all damned. No one will win if things escalate. ’Nuff said.
On a brighter note, we have a wonderful issue containing 13 stories and a fistful of wonderful poetry. Onboard are Sharon Cullars, Darrell Schweitzer, Ann K. Schwader, Adrian Cole, D.C. Lozar, Nicole Kurtz, Frank Searight, and many esteemed writers (and poets). All of them representing the very best in today’s weird fiction, horror, and dark fantasy.
I will close on a sad note though. This issue contains one of Joeseph Pulver, Sr.’s last stories, “Will Home Remember Me?” I say “last” because Joe passed away April 24th. It such an honor to receive the story last year. Joe was a genuine giant of weird fiction and a great man in his own right. He’ll be missed by his legions of fans and friends.
I want to believe that he’s giving them hell this very minute in not-so-Lost Carcosa and is enjoying himselv immensely while doing so!
Godspeed, Joe.
—Doug Draa,
Editor
IN MEMORIAM: JOSEPH S. PULVER, SR.
(July 5, 1955 – April 24, 2020)
Along the shore, the cloud waves break,
The twin suns sink behind the lake,
The shadows lengthen
In Carcosa.
Strange is the night where black stars rise,
And strange moons circle through the skies,
But stranger still is
Lost Carcosa.
Songs that the Hyades shall sing,
Where flap the tatters of the King,
Must die unheard in
Dim