The first review of the March/April Fantasy & Science Fiction is out.  Here’s what Lois Tilton in Locus Online  has to say about my story “The Mantis Tattoo”

There have been a number of stories concerning the meeting of modern humans and their predecessor species, a particularly favorite trope of mine. I’m not surprised to find that Berger has done it well; his story “Subduction” was my favorite F&SF piece from 2014, from the first Finlay-edited issue. This one combines the best of two genres: a neat trickster story from the folklore tradition, and paleontological speculation about the way modern humans might have prevailed in a contest between the species…

–RECOMMENDED

Which is a pretty good way to kick off a story release. But last time around it was fascinating to see that the critics’ very early stand-outs in the issue were not the stories that got the most  recognition over the long term; I am cautiously optimistic to see how this one holds up.

Also: I bet you were hoping now that this story is coming out I could finally quit talking about “Subduction” –- Alas, no such luck.  “Subduction” was included in the 2014 Locus Recommended Reading List!

Altered Fluid represented itself very well this year.  Here’s what those mad geniuses were noted for:

Novelettes:

  • “Subduction”, Paul M. Berger (F&SF 7-8/14)
  • “Sleep Walking Now and Then”, Richard Bowes (Tor.com 7/9/14)
  • “The Magician and Laplace’s Demon”, Tom Crosshill (Clarkesworld 12/14)
  • “A Guide to the Fruits of Hawai’i”, Alaya Dawn Johnson (F&SF 7-8/14)

Young Adult Books:

  • Love Is the Drug, Alaya Dawn Johnson (Levine)