BBR is a growing, flowering oasis in a desert of dull SF fiction zines. The production is (reasonably) slick without loss of heart and soul. I'm continually impressed with the stories, the columns, and the reviews section. Another thing I find really special about BBR is the number of women involved, both as contributors and in the magazine's production.
BBR is a member of the New Science Fiction Alliance, a loose alliance of British and American SF and Fantasy magazines. The magazines associated with NSFA include (from the UK) "Auguries," "Dream," "New Visions," "The Scanner," "Works," "The Edge," "Nova SF," and (from the Americas) "Edge Detector," "Ellipsis," "Ice River," "New Pathways," "SF Eye," and "Space & Time." You can order the UK mags from BBR's representative in the US, Anne Marsden (see address below). A catalog of available titles from NSFA is currently in production.
All in all, BBR is a steal of a deal at $18/4 issues ($5/each).
(G. Branwyn)
Links:
ACCESS:
Back Brain Recluse
c/o Anne Marsden
31468 Calle la Purisima
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675-2547
$18/4 issues or $5 for a sample copy.
Here is the TEXT POPUP for Back Brain Recluse:
He's dead, Jim?
The Philip K. Dick Society Newsletter #25
A4, 20pp, 3/$16 from PKDS, Box 611, Glen Ellen, CA 95442, 3/£3.50 surface (£6 airmail) from Keith Bowden, 47 Park Avenue, Barking, Essex IG11 8QU. (Payable to "The Philip K. Dick Society")
This issue of the "PKDS Newsletter" sees co-editor Andy Watson departing to concentrate on a revamped "Journal Wired," leaving the society in the capable hands of Paul Williams.
By far the biggest article in #25 is by Williams, concerning the "I Ching" and Phil's copy in particular with the notes he left in it. There's also a reprint of a "L.A. Weekly" article by Steve Erickson on the man, a bizarre dream episode from Robin Rule, and a review of "Total Recall" by John Shirley. On top of that you have the usual news column with publishing updates and other pieces of info (there's always a surprisingly large amount of it). The only reservation that I have about this issue is that the rare PKD material is not as potent as it has been in previous issues.
The PKDS is not an uncritical fan club - but it is essential reading for anyone interested in one of SF's leading writers. It must also have one of the best mailing lists about. Amongst the people who have had contributions or letters in previous issues are Tim Powers, Luke McGuff, K.W. Jeter, Thomas M. Disch, James Blaylock, Ferret, Robert Crumb, Ted White, Terry Carr, Rudy Rucker...need I continue? Luckily all back issues are kept in print.
Jim Steel
