November 1, 2014

In our Science Fiction Issue, guest-edited by Jeff Martin, Natasha Ball profiles Oklahoma’s most prolific sci-fi writer, R.A. Lafferty. His work transcended the genre and captivated an entire generation of devoted readers before quietly falling into oblivion. November 7 marks the centennial anniversary of Lafferty’s birth. Here’s what else is inside: IT’S HIP TO BE SQUARE: Jamie Pierson explains how comic conventions went from basement events to million-dollar businesses and brought nerd culture to the mainstream. NINE HUNDRED GRANDMOTHERS: In R.A. Lafferty’s masterpiece of short fiction, Ceran Swicegood goes on a quest to find out how it all began. Exclusively in the print magazine. FOUL WEATHER:  A former meteorologist finds himself on an airplane during an insidious storm. By Daniel H. Wilson. THE HOMESTEAD: A young man goes to visit his elderly grandmother on the red planet and is flooded by memories of red dirt. By Paige Duke. FOR RACHEL, WHO IS NOT LOST: New poetry by Rob Roensch. ORIGINAL OKIE: Ryan LaCroix, operations manager at KOSU Radio and co-host of the weekly radio program The Oklahoma Rock Show.