Issue #9

This is issue #9 of Salon Futura. As noted last month, this will be our last issue for a while as we need to secure new funding if we are to stay in business. The website will remain up in the meantime. See the Editorial for more details.

In the meantime we have plenty of good material for you. Alex Preston looks at Joe Abercrombie’s The Heroes in the light of the recent “nihilism” controversy. Sam Jordison examines one of this year’s Orange Prize nominees, from Serbian writer Téa Obreht. Our podcast looks at the often controversial subject of book covers.

Here is the full contents list:

  • Cover: Futureshocks: "Futureshocks" by John Picacio

  • The Bankrupt Nihilism of Leo Grin: Alex Preston dives into the Nilhilism in Fantasy debate.

  • The Tiger’s Wife: Sam Jordison finds much fantastical in an Orange Prize nominee.

  • Eclipse 4: Karen Burnham looks at the latest book in the acclaimed anthology series.

  • Swords, Gold and Needlework: Cheryl Morgan looks at the opening volumes of two new fantasy series, and a postscript to an old SF series.

  • The Salon: Making A Book Cover: This month on The Salon Cheryl Morgan and her guests discuss how book covers are designed. With Cheryl in The Salon are artist, John Picacio, art director Irene Gallo, and former Barnes & Noble buyer, Joe Monti.

  • Interview: Liz Williams: Cheryl Morgan talks to author Liz Williams during the 2011 Eastercon in Birmingham.

  • Interview: John Clute: Cheryl Morgan talks to critic John Clute at his home in North London.

  • Pipeline: May 2011: Alvaro Zinos-Amaro presents some of the books due out in the coming month, as selected by our staff.

  • New In Store: May 2011: Books added to the Wizard's Tower store this month.

  • Editorial: May 2011: Let’s start with the good news. Working on Salon Futura appears to be good for fertility. When we launched Anne had just given birth to her daughter, Rosie. A couple of months ago Karen announced that she was pregnant. And last week Jonathan’s wife, Kati, gave birth to a son. Congratulations to all. The world needs new book readers, and

To purchase this and other issues in ebook format, visit the Wizard’s Tower Bookstore.