Editor’s note
Greetings, readers, for the very last time.
Well, that was dramatic, wasn’t it? But autumn is a dramatic time, with its changes in the weather, the turning of the leaves, and, of course, Halloween with all its spookiness. It’s a time of endings, which means it is just right to make the announcement that will be stepping down as chief editor of the Bethlehem Writers Roundtable. After five years, I’m ready to pass the torch to the very capable Dianna Sinovic, who happens to be the author of a very delightful seasonal story contained in this issue.
One of the great delights of being chief editor was getting to read the interviews of celebrity authors, and occasionally conducting them myself, so I am particularly pleased that for this issue, I got to interview speculative fiction master Adrian Tchaikovsky, author of over fifty books, winner of too many awards to name—although I will give a mention to the 2016 Arthur C. Clark award for his science fiction novel Children of Time—and fellow invertebrate enthusiast. Tchaikovsky has recently been inducted into the European Science Fiction Society’s Hall of Fame as Best Writer, and is currently adapting Stanislaw Lem’s novella, The Inquest, for the screen. Needless to say, this is a man with some serious writing chops, and he will be serving as the judge for the Bethlehem Writers Group’s 2025 writing competition for our next anthology. The theme is speculative fiction and the prize is publication, so crack those knuckles and start writing! See our contest page for further details.
Most of our stories this issue come from the minds and pens (or, more likely, keyboards) of BWG members. Our own Paula Gail Benson starts us off on the front page with a story about a haunted Al Capone in “A Duty to Mrs. Doody.” Her friend S. Phillip Lenski continues the criminal theme in “The Chicago Typewriter.” BWG author Pete J. Barbour will make you laugh with his tale of, ahem, sisterly affection, “Henrietta and Lucinda.” Dianna Sinovic and Debra H. Goldstein balance the dark and sweet with their respective tales, “Turning Point” and “Wuv and Marriage.” In addition to our stories, Janet Roberton brings you musings on the art of writing and inspiration in this season’s Literary Learnings, while Betty’s Tips offers useful links for putting that inspiration to work for you.
Thanks for reading. It’s been an enjoyable five years. And, sorry for the over-dramatic opening! It’s also something of a lie. While I will no longer be chief editor, I remain a member of the BWG and will continue to contribute stories and essays that you can read in future issues of the Roundtable.
Hope you enjoy this one.
Our 2025 Short Story Judge Announced!
The judge for our 2025 short story award will be award-winning author Adrian Tchaikovsky. He is a British science-fiction and fantasy writer known for a wide variety of work, including Children of Time, Dogs of War, Tyrant Philosophers, and Shadows of the Apt series. You can read more about Adrian in the featured interview in this issue.
Featured story
“A Duty to Mrs. Doody” by Paula Gail Benson
From inside his home office, Al Capone’s voice cried out, “Get away from me, Jimmy. Leave me alone.” Then, after a break, he yelled again, “You got no beef with me, Jimmy. Ain’t my hit that killed you.”
Also in this issue
A story by Dianna Sinovic
A story by S. Phillip Lenski
A story by Peter J. Barbour
A story by Debra H. Goldstein
Interview with 2025 short story judge Adrian Tchaikovsky
Literary Learnings by Kidd Wadsworth
Betty’s Tips and Mixed-Up Words