Ann Leckie

So, Strange Horizons. It’s been running since 2000. It is, I think, one of the longest running internet venues for short science fiction and fantasy. And not just fiction, but also poetry, essays, and reviews!

They’ve run some amazing stories–I’d be hard-pressed to narrow it down to just a few, but recent events suggest I point out that World Fantasy Award winning writer Sofia Samatar’s Hugo and Nebula nominated story “Selkie Stories Are for Losers” appeared at SH.

That’s just the merest beginning. And it’s all available for free.

Strange Horizons not only pays writers, they pay SFWA pro rates. They do this by asking for donations once a year. And right now, we’re most of the way through the annual SH fund drive. And they’ve raised just a touch more than half of their goal.

Now, like last year, they’re offering a special bonus issue. Bits of that issue become available as more money is raised. We’ve already seen some pieces of it–most recently an interview with Iain Banks and Cassandra Khaw’s review of Apocalypse Now Now and Kill Baxter by Charlie Human.

Next up? Is part one of a story called “She Commands Me And I Obey.” It’s by…me! And not only is it set in the Ancillary-verse, I actually wrote it while I was working on Ancillary Justice. You can see a preview of the fab illustration by Tory Hoke over at i09. And yes, AJ fans, elements of that illustration might look familiar, and might suggest why I felt I needed to write that story before finishing AJ.

So, if you’re able to, please consider donating to Strange Horizons, and help them continue to bring us amazing fiction, poetry, and essays. If you’re in the US, I’m given to understand a donation would be tax-deductible, by the way. And whether you’re able to contribute financially or not, if you find something at Strange Horizons that really resonates with you, or that you really love, let people know! Tweet, blog, whatever. Money isn’t the only way to support the venues that you love. But support is essential.