As we get ready for May, with summer just around the corner, we have another exciting issue of Gamut to read. We have four amazing, original stories—“Red Snowdrop” by Diana Dima, which explores the disorienting loss of a loved one, and a garden with buried secrets; “The Unraveling” by Sheila Massie, where an alien message gets misunderstood, leading to surreal results; “To Hurt a Haunted House” by Stephanie M. Wytovich, a visceral tale that flips the usual haunted house story upside down; and “Be Glad, O Children” by Cormack Baldwin, a terrifying story of religion, belief, and creepy folk horror. Add to that two reprints—“Welcome to the Organ Extraction Emporium” by Alicia Hilton, a hilarious and unsettling story about body parts, fate, and desire as well as “Girl in Glass, Brightly” by Elou Carroll, an immersive dark period piece about longing and possession. I’m thrilled to announce a powerful new original essay by Poppy Z. Brite—“Redefining the Borders: My Experience of Queerness in Horror Fiction.” Such a moving essay by one of the masters of horror. We have two nonfiction reprints as well—Lindy Ryan’s fascinating article, “The Unapology of Baba Yaga,” as well as the thoroughly entertaining essay, “Alice in Wonderland is Horror, Actually” by Alex Woodroe. And finally, two intense, lyrical poems by Whittney Jones—“Wildcat Hills” and “The First Year of Marriage.” We also have amazing cover art by Orion Zangara. Something for everyone, right? I hope you enjoy this issue—tell your friends, and come back for more!
—Richard Thomas
Editor-in-Chief / Creative Director