New this month: an A.I. tale from Albert E. Cowdrey; the story of an unusual father/son relationship from new writer Trent Hergenrader (one of Gordon’s Clarion students from last year); an examination of the problems with publishing from Robert Reed; a Holy Grail tale from James L. Cambias; the account of a war with roaches by C. S. Friedman; a story that might remind you of your time in school from Mike Shultz; a far future tale of religion, enlightenment, and sexual expression from Gary W. Shockley; and another new slush survivor: Donald Mead, who makes his F&SF debut with a 15,000 word novelet of African historical fantasy, set in the days leading up to The Battle of Isandlwana in the late 19th Century.