Andromeda Spaceways Inflight Magazine Issue 50

Edited by ‘ASIM Hivemind’

Andromeda Spaceways Publishing Co-op (2011)

ISSN: 1446-781X

Reviewed by Jason Nahrung

It has been nine years since ASIM blasted off, helmed by a co-op of editors drawing on a pool of readers filtering the anonymous slush, and this issue – the 50th – marks considerable achievement both in terms of longevity and recognition. The milestone also coincides with a change in the print cycle, with future issues to come out quarterly rather than bimonthly and increase from 100 pages to 160, with a resulting rise in cover price.

So how has the big five-oh been marked within the magazine? Firstly, the cover art harks back to that of the first issue by Les Petersen, rather than highlighting a story as is usual, and some of the co-op’s editorial board have each selected a story for inclusion, with a note detailing the reason why, rather than the regular procedure of having one editor responsible for each issue. The issue is also a precursor to the new direction, boasting 164 pages, containing 13 short stories, two poems and assorted features including a retrospective of previous co-op members: a lot of talent has passed through the doors.

Andromeda Spaceways Inflight Magazine Issue 43

Edited by David Kernot

Andromeda Spaceways Cooperative (2010)

Reviewed by George Ivanoff, July 2010

I’ll be brutally honest here and say that the last time I picked up a copy of ASIM, I was extremely underwhelmed. Mind you, that was a few years back. Anyway, I didn’t have high expectations for this issue. Happily, this issue surprised me. I loved it! It has a terrific mix of excellent stories — from science fiction to horror to fantasy.

For me there were three stand-out stories. First off, there’s Felicity Dowker’s “From Little Things” – a story about a man and a dragon and revenge. How can you resist a story that begins with: “There’s a dragon in my pantry.” Then there’s David I Russell’s “By the Banks of the Nabarra” – a wonderfully atmospheric horror with an Australian feel. Dark, chilling stuff! And finally, there’s David Tallerman’s “The Painted City” – an intriguing science fiction story about the discovery of a new planet and the rather unusual city on its surface.

I’ve singled out three stories, my favourites, but they are all good in this issue. There is no weak link in this chain.

ASIM is an interesting magazine in that it is run by a co-operative and has a different editor from issue to issue. So my previous experience with the mag may simple be put down to having different literary tastes to the editor of that particular issue. The changing editors approach can be seen as either a strength or a weakness, depending on how you look at it. A strength, in that it keeps things fresh from issue to issue. A weakness, in that each editor will have different biases, and so there may be a lack of consistency over the issues. Either way, this issue has convinced me that I should give ASIM a further go. I look forward to reading another issue.

Andromeda Spaceways Inflight Magazine Issue 43

Edited by David Kernot

Andromeda Spaceways Cooperative (2010)

Reviewed by Joanne Kasper, June 2010

The Andromeda Spaceways Inflight Magazine always represents good value for money. Full of stories, mostly good, some quirky and at times just downright weird. But that’s good too! Issue 43 contains the following:

“Thief of Tears”by Jason Crowe – When a woman wants to exact revenge on a cheating lover, or simply give him a timely reminder, someone needs to collect the essential ingredients for the appropriate spell. Not a nice job, but it has to be done – and it isn’t always tears that are required. An old story of how far we can fall from an innocuous beginning, but given a twist of fantasy.

Andromeda Spaceways Inflight Magazine Issue 42

ASIM Issue 42

Edited by Edwina Harvey

Andromeda Spaceways Publishing Co-op (2010)

ISSN: 1446-781X

Reviewed by Lorraine Cormack,  March 2010

I often find stories that appear in Andromeda Spaceways Inflight Magazine (ASIM) a little disappointing; they so often seem to stop just short of their full potential.  Either they are quite a lot of words leading up to what often seems to me to be a slight punchline; or they seem to be just a draft or two short of turning a really good idea into a really brilliant story.  In the case of the first problem, that may just mean I don’t really have the right sense of humor for ASIM.  In the case of the second, well, it’s a matter of opinion.  ASIM certainly consistently attracts and publishes some very good writers with very good ideas.

Those familiar with ASIM will know that the editorship of each issue rotates; Edwina Harvey helmed Issue 42.  Although I had my usual reservations about some of the stories that appear here, the issue is on the whole one of the better ones I’ve read.  The magazine is also becoming more readable; behind the scenes areas such as layout and proofreading seem to have improved so that you’re less distracted by small hiccups.  It overall seems slightly higher quality than some of the early issues.