Into the Fantastic (Editorial, NYRSF 318)

Welcome to our Special Epic Fantasy issue (or, more likely, welcome back from, given that this is the last thing in the issue). Stephen R. Donaldson and Steven Erikson have been saying for years, at the International Conference on the Fantastic in the Arts and many other places, that there is a lamentable gulf between the artistic and cultural ascent of epic fantasy and the critical attention given to them. As a (basically) lifelong reader of epic fantasy, I’m delighted to help advance the critical discourse to whatever degree we can. This issue has been percolating for a while, and special thanks go to Jen Gunnels for coordinating it.

Big congratulations also are due to Dr. Gunnels for landing as Tor Books’s newest assistant editor. As you know doubt know, Tor has been very good to NYRSF collectively over our 27 years of publication, and we’re delighted that Jen has found a home there.

Speaking (as I was) of the ICFA, this issue is going out a mere two weeks before the annual pilgrimage to Orlando. New York has taken a battering; we received not as much snow as Boston, with accumulations taller than Andre the Giant, and we were better equipped to handle the record snows than the American southeast was for its, but it has been a frigid, grinding ordeal and I cannot tell you how much I personally am looking forward to soaking in the warmth.

In the “so what else is new?” department, we are always looking for more contributions and more help with the magazine. Critical essays, short notes, interviews, and of course reviews are welcome from one and from all. We’d also, I think, benefit tremendously from another New York–area staffer who can reliably make it to our occasional mid-week meetings in Manhattan and to our monthly Work Weekends in Westchester County. We also are happy to receive copyediting and proofreading assistance, which can be done from the comfort of your own home, whatever time zone or paraspace bubble in which you happen to find yourself.

Finally, just a note: The Hugo nominations are due next weekend as I write this. I find that my own level of engagement with what I’ve read (seen, witnessed) increases as I look back over it, and award season provides a great opportunity for review. NYRSF is still eligible in the Best Semiprozine category for the Hugo Awards. I’m very proud of the work we’ve done in the past year and I would love another chance to lose in the final balloting. If you think we’re worthy, we’re happy to attract your vote.

Stay warm, and see you next time.

—Kevin J. Maroney
and the editors