Author Archives: Editor

The Child

Michelle Koubek The Child From far away, rings circling a gentle lemon sphere, smooth and crisp like a record, cuts the empty air. A flat sanctuary out of shadow, flawless pond frozen so the beauty remains, begs for the footsteps … Continue reading

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Song of Water

Song of Water by Anna Madden The cave was a prison cell and a nightmare. Inside, Nikal faced an opponent he couldn’t see. Cuts from talons and fangs laced his flesh. Nikal dared not wash them clean in the pool, … Continue reading

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Navigating the White Elephant Exchange at the Secure Drop Site on NE 44th and Mackenzie

“Navigating the White Elephant Exchange at the Secure Drop Site on NE 44th and Mackenzie” R.E. Dukalsky   Dear Valued Employees, It is time again for The Organizing and Facilitation Group’s Annual Holiday White Elephant Gift Exchange! The following message … Continue reading

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A&A reviews Trigger Point by Russ Colchamiro

Trigger Point (Crazy 8 Press) by Russ Colchamiro This book is a wild ride through the underbelly and high-tech sides of a far-future metropolis and society. Angela Hardwike is an independent private eye, down on her luck and on probation … Continue reading

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A&A reviews Broken Stars by Jeremy Szal

. Broken Stars: Collected Stories by Jeremy Szal The blurb on the cover says, “Szal is adept at interweaving big SF ideas and fast-paced action to craft a compelling story.” That’s incredibly accurate, but I’d add that he is even … Continue reading

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A&A reviews Dead to Rites by Patrick Thomas

Dead to Rites (Padwolf Publishing) by Patrick Thomas (with C.J. Henderson and John L. French) I devoured this book. Devoured it. And I kept laughing out loud as I did so because of the dark humor and the cop banter … Continue reading

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My Journey to Abyss & Apex

As incoming editor of Abyss & Apex, let me take this opportunity to introduce myself as I look back on the journey that brought me here. I was born in Palo Alto, California. My father was a Biochemist with a … Continue reading

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“It’s Been a Great 20 Years”

This is my last edition at the helm of Abyss & Apex. I’ll still be around, as its book reviewer and publicist, but it’s time to hang up my Magazine Editor hat and put on my Writer hat. I’m not … Continue reading

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Introduction to October 2024 Poetry (Q4)

Please enjoy the variety of poetry this quarter, final of the year. You’ll find creepy mythological, and fantastical poems, some are inspired by Biblical stories and classic fairytales, others are nuanced with existential or mysterious elements. Some of the poem’s … Continue reading

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Naamah

  ______________ Elizabeth Kirkpatrick-Vrenios’ award-winning chapbook, Special Delivery, was published in 2016, her second, Empty the Ocean with a Thimble in 2021, and her third, Concerto for an Empty Frame by Kelsay Books in 2023. Nominated four times for a Pushcart Prize, twice for Best of Net, she … Continue reading

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