Editor’s note

Bethlehem Writers Group, LLC released the first issue of Roundtable in September 2011. Which means this issue marks our 24^th year. We are proud to have published so many excellent stories, poems, interviews, and writing tips, which readers can access by poking about our extensive archives.

In this issue our Featured Story is by BWG member D. T. Krippene. “The Legend of Four Winds Butte” follows Mary Aguilera a Folkloric Psychology major, as she investigates the ghost stories and legends surrounding a cursed petroglyph located atop Four Binds Butte.

Also, in this issue of Roundtable we have the pleasure of publishing the Honorable Mentions from our 2025 Short Story Award. “The Fishman of Mahoney Creek” by Jess Simms tells the tale of how Larry Gaines finds happiness in Mahoney Creek.  Avery Other offers a clever retelling of the Spider and the Fly in her story “Peaches.”  “The Singer from Akrotiri” by Larry Ivkovich takes us from 1678 Venice to another magical place and time.  Mounir Durdak spins a tale of Alto, a young magician, delivering his magic by an app.

Author Christopher D. Abbot is interviewed by BWG member Christopher D. Ochs.

Literary Learnings by Dianna Sinovic explains how well Robert A. Heinlein’s The Moon is a Harsh Mistress holds up fifty-eight years after publication.

Betty’s Tips features research on the 250^th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

We are pleased to announce that our guest judge for the 2026 BWR Short Story Award will be Susan Kaye Quinn.  You can read more about Susan here. The Short Story Award will open for submissions on January 1, 2026.

We at the Roundtable hope you enjoy this issue. Here’s to a colorful autumn!