Clarkesworld is a Hugo and World Fantasy Award-winning science fiction and fantasy magazine. Each month we bring you a mix of fiction (new and classic works), articles, interviews and art. Our June 2017 issue (#129) contains: Original stories by Andy Dudak ("Fool''s Cap"), Julia K. Patt ("My Dear, Like the Sky and Stars and Sun"), Nina Allan ("Neptune''s Trident"), Sam J. Miller ("The Ways Out"), and A Que ("An Account of the Sky Whales"). Reprints by Jay Lake ("Human Error") and Aliette de Bodard ("The Waiting Stars"). Non-fiction by S. E. Jones, an interview with Greg Benford, an Another Word column by Jason Heller, and an editorial by Neil Clarke.

Sometimes one hero isn't enough - sometimes you need a full dozen. Mack's search for his dazzling dozen continues in the third instalment of this hilarious, action-packed fantasy series by the New York Times bestselling author of GONE. Time is short for Mack MacAvoy! He has less than 30 days to round up the rest of the magnifica and defeat the Pale Queen and her evil daughter Risky. It seems that the only way to do this is to learn the magical language of Vargran, and to do THAT they must travel to Europe to find the Key - an ancient engraved stone that will unlock its power. But can Mack, Jarrah, Xiao, Dietmar and Stephan locate the invisible castle of William "Blisterthong" MacGuffin, who guards the Key? And will The Key hold the power to save the world? The Magnificent 12: The Key is another fast-paced episode in bestselling Michael Grant's hysterical fantasy adventure.

The most enduring tales of fantasy are appreciated by readers of all ages, generation after generation. This trilogy of novellas by critically acclaimed author Mark Helprin will stand that test by time. The heroes of his imagined kingdom pit the power of their love and devotion against dark forces of greed and suppression. His themes resonate for readers of contemporary fantasy as well as those who cherish classic legends and tales. This Calla Edition presents Helprin's novellas -- Swan Lake , A City in Winter, and The Veil of Snows -- in a single volume, as he had always intended. Award-winning illustrator Chris Van Allsburg's 42 full-color plates complement Helprin's prose with sensitively wrought, finely nuanced images -- sometimes grand, sometimes fanciful, always evocative. This signed, numbered edition, limited to 300 copies, includes a deluxe slipcase.

"We never expected that inventing Star-Drive would lead to this! We were first! Humans invented star drive, bringing light and movement to the galaxy, forging a grand alliance with all races. (Well, most of them.) It seemed the galaxy was ours to lead and to share! Till we met demmies. Oh, they're not so bad. They mean well. Impulsive and exasperating, sure. Often brilliant, cheeky, moronic, volatile, always astonishing... did I mention exasperating? And lucky. Gradually, it dawned on humanity- Hey, that's what we wanted to be! In ancient sci-fi dreams, we pictured ourselves as the impulsive-lucky ones, not wise-patient elders. Only now... ... they reverently call Earthlings "the Ancient Ones." And demmies are having all the fun! Dr. Alvin Montessori is Human Advisor aboard the mostly demmie-crewed star cruiser Clever Gamble, orbiting Oxytocin 41, where something weird is going on. It starts when the crew unreels a humongous hose down to the surface... ... and their first contact team discovers a whole lot of 'something weird.'"--

Hand-picked authors and a literary legacy... You may want to read it in one quick bite... Or savor it slowly like fine Swiss chocolate... One delicious prose at a time! For 22 years, SF lovers from around the world have enjoyed the stories and poems of the Tesseracts series, ( Tesseracts One through Tesseracts Ten , and Tesseracts Q ). This unique collection of books has featured the work of some of Canada's finest speculative fiction writers, selected and edited by ever changing combinations of editors, hand-picked for each edition. For many science fiction writers, Tesseracts was a spring board to their fame. Tesseracts Eleven brings the series to a new height, with a tasty blend of past and present writers, with their own individual visions of the future. The literature of Tesseracts Eleven has been critically selected and shaped into the collection you see by this year's editors, two of Canada's finest writers - acclaimed authors Cory Doctorow and Holly Phillips. Together they have chosen a powerful combination of works by well-known writers, as well as newer authors whose futures you will want to follow. Some favorite Tesseracts ingredients are a featured part of this edition's literary blend: some very popular award winning names in Canada's SF scene, like Canada's grand dame of speculative fiction, Elisabeth Vonarburg, Claude Lalumiere, David Nickle and Candas Jane Dorsey, to name just a few. As well, readers will find some bright new stars in the science fiction world like Yukon's Jerome Stueart, or Calgary's Susan Forest - just 2 of the delicious authors featured in this fine offering. All told, Doctorow and Phillips have presented 22 pieces of literary delights to tantalize your imagination, and although you may want to consume the book in one sitting - take your time, and savor each exquisite morsel - delight in every bite. Grab your favorite beverage, settle down, and enjoy the latest in Canada's literary legacy - Tesseracts Eleven

When Buddy Stebbins stumbles onto the thirteenth floor of a shabby old building, he finds himself suddenly transported aboard a leaking pirate ship in a howling storm—three hundred years in the past! Cast adrift with Captain John Crack-stone, Buddy washes up in New England, where his plucky ancestor, Abigail, is caught up in the witchcraft mania. In an adventure filled with ghosts, witches, pirates, and razzle-dazzle treasure, Buddy might be able to save his wayward ancestors. But will he find his way back to the thirteenth floor—and home?

Here are thirteen stories to delight the fans who all know Robert Silverberg. He has acquired the status of an old master of science fiction. Eve and the Twenty-Three Adams (1958) Warm Man (1957) By the Seawall (1967) Dark Companion (1961) The Four (1958) Bride Ninety-One (1967) World of a Thousand Colors (1957) En Route to Earth (1957) The King of the Golden River (1967) Prime Commandment (1958) Halfway House (1966) Journey's End (1958) Solitary (1957)

A teenager and his mother embark on a whirlwind pleasure cruise, hoping to escape from their problems and searching for a little rest and relaxation. So they book passage on a no-frills excursion to the exotic Far East. Sounds like fun, huh? Too bad pleasure isn't on the ship's itinerary! Darren hears voices...in his head. Everyone thinks he's crazy. Even Darren begins to doubt his own sanity when a mysterious stranger pays him a late-night visit. Who is he? A time traveler, it turns out. A time traveler from 350 million years ago! A boy on his way back from a family holiday is annoyed when he picks up the wrong luggage at the airport. Well, he might as well try the clothes on for size, right? It's a perfect fit. Except for that weird third sleeve.... Like a spidery fracture in an otherwise unblemished pane of glass, there exists in the mind a place where reality is warped to expose a world of distortions. Each of these stories is an unforgettable glimpse into that mysterious world--a place called MindStorms .

Greek mythology has documented the nine Muses, the inspirational daughters of the almighty Zeus. But history forgot one - the tenth Muse. But how did ordinary Emma Sonnet become the mysterious 10th Muse?

"In Seiobo There Below we see the Japanese goddess Seiobo returning to mortal realms in search of perfection. An ancient Buddha being restored; the Italian renaissance painter Perugino managing his workshop; a Japanese Noh actor rehearsing; a fanatic of Baroque music lecturing to a handful of old villagers; tourists intruding into the rituals of Japan's most sacred shrine; a heron as it hunts its prey" --Publisher's desscription.

Mint condition! This book could pass as new!! Printed in the USA. First Printing March 1995. COLLECTOR'S EDITION

A rock 'n' roll band to die for.... When fourteen year old Callie McCallan scores a backstage pass to interview the lead singer of the famous band Brass Rat, she's thrilled. Peter Gringras is so cool. When he plays his flute, it's as if he has some kind of hypnotic power. But there is something strange about him, something Callie can't quite put her finger on. Then, on Halloween night, Callie's little brother Nicky disappears, along with all the other children in town. It's crazy, but Callie thinks she knows where the children have gone--and who took them. To prove it, and to rescue Nicky and the other children, Callie must journey to a mythical world filled with fantastical creatures. A world from which there may be no return....

In this collection of stories and poems about witches, wizards, and warlocks, readers will encounter Baba Yaga, Merlin, the witch from Hansel and Gretel, a Native American shape-shifter, and others. Here There Be Witches is beautifully illustrated by David Wilgus, and each piece is prefaced by an author's note from the ever-popular Jane Yolen. "An intriguing and entertaining compilation that will appeal to young adolescent readers with an interest in the scary and supernatural."-- Booklist

A stunning, operatic, epic drama, like no other. Meet Hel, an ordinary teenager -- and goddess of the Underworld. Why is life so unfair? Hel tries to make the best of it, creating gleaming halls in her dark kingdom and welcoming the dead who she is forced to host for eternity. Until eternity itself is threatened. Francesca's first and wonderful foray into teen.

Timebeam to danger Six hunters and two official guides are going on the trip of their lifetime. Their destination? Earth as it was 100 million years ago, long before human dominion, when the great hot-blooded dinosaurs ruled supreme. Each of the time travelers has a different motive. Some are on the strange safari for pay. Others are taking a psychological and sexual holiday from civilization. There are women who wanted to show themselves the equal of men—and men out to test and prove their manhood. But whatever their drives and desires, their strengths and weaknesses, the ultimate horror awaits them…deathbeast.