Big Pulp Summer 2012: The Purloined Pearl
Big Pulp Summer 2012: The Purloined Pearl
Paperback: 218 pages
ISBN-10: 0983644934
ISSN: 2167-6046 (print)
ISSN: 2167-6054 (electronic)
Available in print direct from Exter Press.
Available in ebooks formats from Amazon
Available wholesale by Ingram Distribution.
An Indonesian fisherman steals a dragon’s pearl for his lover, but their avarice takes a grievous toll on all they hold dear, in James Penha’s “The Purloined Pearl,” the featured story in the Summer 2012 issue of Big Pulp. Author James Penha, a native New Yorker, has lived in Indonesia for two decades; his adaptations of classic folk tales from the archipelago have appeared in his book Snakes and Angels (Cervena Barva Press, 2010), and in several literary journals. Most recently, his tale “The Cinnamon Forest” appeared in the Winter 2011 issue of Big Pulp. As this issue’s featured story, “The Purloined Pearl” is matched by a striking cover illustration by Pete Schmitt.
In this issue’s fantasy section, readers will also meet a paranormal antique collector with “A Good Eye,” in Beth Cato's humorous short story; and “The Slaves of Cortagne,” in James F.W. Rowe's poem about an ancient market where all manner of goods can be found.
Mystery
A group of friends encounter a beautiful woman on a dark, deserted road, with disastrous results, in “There Was Something We Didn’t See in the Dark,” by Belgian writer Thomas Gunzig (Edward Gauvin, translator). What begins as a simple night out goes terribly awry in this blackly humorous crime thriller. Also in this issue’s mystery section, readers will join the hunt for “Aunt Anika’s Unicorn Horn,” in a whimsical mystery set in 17th century Amsterdam, by Anna Sykora, an expatriate New Yorker currently residing in Germany; meet a group of familiar teenage mystery hunters in “The Queer Quintet,” by David Cybulski, and find out what happened during "The Summer Mr. H Drove Alex Santillanas Around," a suburban crime tale by Jen Conley.
Adventure
Find out what's lurking in “A Box Full of Midnight,” a pulp thriller by Tony Haynes; discover the secrets held in a "Heart of a Pirate" by Shannon Schuren; and meet "Mercer's Ghost," in an eerie tale of old west vengeance, by Milo James Fowler.
Horror
Discover what waits for you in "The Panic Cell," John Davies' post apocalyptic horror tale. Meanwhile, Libby Cudmore introduces us to "The Devil's Cousin," while Chanté McCoy describes a "Career Calling" of a satanic sort. Joanna M. Weston describes what it's like to linger "In A Graveyard," and finally, you'll never look at sushi the same way after reading "Deep Flux," Jason Radak's tale of briny horror.
Science Fiction
Take heed of "Pluto's Lament" by Bruce Golden, the lead-off poem in our science fiction section. This issue also features Ian D. Smith's whimsical and inspirational "The Angelfish;" “Uvlechenie,” a tale of Russian asteroid miners by DeAnna Knippling; "Witness The Ice Maker," a new story of the future of criminal litigation, by Harri B. Cradoc; "Field Study," a humorous short in which humans are the subject of examination by alien biologists, by Jeffrey Caminsky; "Above Snakes," another weird western, this one with a SF twist, by John Medaille; and three SF poems by Elizabeth Barrette.
Romance
A young man learns to put his precognitive powers to good use in “First Up,” a science fiction romance by Aliya Whiteley. Also in this issue, meet “Jenny,” in a tale of lust and webcams by Andrew McLinden; and "Ayo 1," an android prostitute who causes trouble for her young patron, in this humorous short by Adam Miller. And finally, our issue comes to a conclusion with "Upon Reflection," a sweet tale with a look back at love from a unique point of view, by Wayne Scheer.
