P.S. StorySouth will be accepting nominations for the 2007 Million Writer's Award until March 31st. The Million Writer's Award's goal is to give recognition to online publishing (started because, though StorySouth had professional standards and a broader readership than many print 'zines, their nominations wouldn't be considered by a mainstream "Best of". In their own words, "If you can't join them, beat them"). We'd be honored if you nominated your favorite Susurrus story from '07. There's also Atomjack Magazine and the I Am This Meat themed anthology. Reader nominations go here.

Sincerely,

       So we've got a pretty strict policy regarding reviews that we publish here. I've rejected off-hand review suggestions from my assistant editor James Maddox entirely too often, because we only publish reviews about small, independent, alternative, or online press stuff. We don't review CDs or video games or anything like that, but we also don't review mainstream books. Because there are lots of sites that review mainstream books. We try to wade through the quadrillions of books that don't get any press attention and point out the ones that are worth picking up.

       There are, however, a lot of mainstream books that we love and we think deserve all the attention that they get, and we try to name-drop. We've done so with Haruki Mirukami on more than one occasion, for example. Well, this time I'm going to do more than name drop, I'm going to flat-out recommend.

       I just finished a book that is, simply put, exactly what I'd choose to print if Susurrus Press started publishing novels. A Spot of Bother by Mark Haddon. It's got some of the best characterization I've read. Absolutely no speculative element, but, in the words of the back of the book, it "paints... a portrait of a dignified man trying to go insane politely." Yeah, it's British like that. So, before this becomes a review instead of a letter from the editor, check this one out at your local bookshop if you like the stuff we publish.

       This issue has great fiction by our feature contributor Ian Shoebridge, as well as Chris Chapman, Catherine Cheek, Deb Lewis, and our second story by Robert Masterson. We've also got a poem by Steve de France, art by (and an interview with) Holly Bynoe, and we review James Burr's collection Ugly Stories for Beautiful People (three times!)

       So there you have it. Five great stories, a poem, a review, and fantastic artwork. After you read the issue, pick up A Spot of Bother, and recommend a story (of ours, perhaps?) to StorySouth's MillionWriter's Award. I am fine. How are you?

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