Editor’s note

Bethlehem Writers Group, LLC released the first issue of Roundtable in September 2011. Which means this issue marks our 24th 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” 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 250th 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!

Welcome to the autumn issue of the Bethlehem Writers Roundtable!
Featured story
“Legend of the Four Winds” by D.T. Krippene
1905
Two prospectors tied their mules to a bush at the base of a tall butte perched on top of a desert mountain.
“Hey, Sammy,” Jack asked, out of breath. “Can I bum some of your tobacco?”
Sam finished wiping his brow from the high-elevation sun and tossed him a palm-sized leather pouch. “All I got. Nearest provision is several days’ ride from here.”
Jack rolled a cigarette the length of his pinky finger and went into a coughing fit after the first drag. He took in the valley floor thousands of feet below. “Why are we here again?”
Also in this issue
The Fish Man of Mahoney Creek by Jess Sims
Peaches by Avery Other
The Singer from Akrotiri by Larry Ivkovich
Delivering A New Perspective by Mounir Durdak
Interview with author Christopher D. Abbott
Literary Learnings by Dianna Sinivoc
Betty’s Tips and Mixed-Up Words
Meet our 2026 Short Story Award Guest Judge, Susan Kaye Quinn