Issue Four - September 1999

Fiction

"In the Service of the Shogarth" by Geoffrey Maloney

Sometimes that dream job has a price that is too hard to pay. But if one doesn't know the price, how will one guard against it?

"The Glamoured Girl" by Tansy Rayner Roberts

Lang is hired to do a babysitting job … or so she thinks. For in service as a bodyguard to Lady Abrienn, for starters, her charge dies …

"Strange Encounter" by Robert N. Stephenson

An encounter with aliens. In the middle of the deserted wastelands. A couple face themselves as well as the alien beings with whom they share the first encounter.

"Up On the Roof" by Edwina Harvey

A little too much wine and a little too much spare time, Stephanie finds, can lead to the most interesting of things ….

"The Driver" by Robin Mark Ford

Take care that your actions do not lead you down this road. On the road to Sheol, Paul encounters weird people and odd sights. Yet none of this leads him to expect who he is going to face at the end of the road.

"Escape from Stalingrad" by Kain Massin

In war, atrocities are committed. But what is the worst? To be torn away from one's family, to scar an empath horribly, or to force a healer to kill turn away those who are wounded? Or is it to lead an innocent into the arms of hell? [ nominated for Aurealis Award ]

"The Fisherman and the Cormorant" by Andrew Sullivan

Times are changing. No longer can we think that one's space will be the same forever, no matter how much one wishes that it were so. Chai Pan leads a simple life as a fisherman, but he has to face this inescapable fact of life.

Non-Fiction

"Australians in the Light: Simon Brown" by Jason Bleckly

Book Reviews by Jason Bleckly

Reviews of The Last T'En, by Cory Daniells, Fire Angels, by Jane Routley, and The Cursed Towers, by Kate Forsyth.

Writer Bios

Jason Bleckly is a grotty little cog in the whacking great machinery of government who wants to escape into the lands of fiction, where the hours are longer but the work more fun. His biggest claim to fame is dropping out of education. So far he has successfully dropped out of two high schools and two universities.

Edwina Harvey writes and creates ceramic art in her spare time. She wrote "Up on the Roof" on a whim and a dare, and admits she has had a long-standing fascination with men with wings.

Geoffrey Maloney began to write science fiction while completing his BSc at Sydney University in the late 1970s. Since then he has completed a BA in Indian History, travelled widely in India and Africa, and written a number of short stories which have appeared in magazines in Australia, the UK and the USA. More of his stories can be found on his website.

Kain Massin says: Having migrated to Australia when I was seven, I had the handicap of learning a new language and a new culture. I was pleased to find that I could compete in English, as I felt compelled to write fiction. Although high school, University studies and factory work interrupted my writing, I came back to it when I purchased my first computer. I am a secondary school teacher (Maths and Science) in Adelaide, and I write whenever I find spare time (which is almost never!). I live with my wife and teenage daughter, along with two cats and one beleaguered dog.

Tansy Rayner Roberts lives in Hobart, Tasmania where she spends half her time studying for degrees which people tell her are useless (currently doing Honours in Classics) and the other half writing fantasy and crime fiction. She is the author of Splashdance Silver and Liquid Gold, the first two installments of the Mocklore Chronicles, and has had stories published in Under Magellanic Clouds and Harbinger. Other than that, her life is fairly ordinary.

Robin Mark Ford says: I work as an electrician and live in Sydney. In my time I have worked as a key cutter, shoe repairer, motor rewinder, forklift mechanic, sales manager, door to door salesman, a submariner in the navy, installed toilets and lots of other little jobs. I was born in Aden (Yemen) and my mother was Irish and my father Scottish. I then lived in Iran, Iraq, England, America and here in Australia. I am divorced and my main hobbies are writing, reading and trying to get published. I also write and play music and have an extensive collection.

Robert N. Stephenson is a regular contributor to Harbinger. He writes poetry, short fiction, non-fiction and plays. He saus of his own work: 'excellent isn't the word I'm looking for'. His story "Strange Encounter" was a cliché designed to show that not all aliens are interested in the seats of power. He has had fiction in a number of small press publication throughout the world with his first professional sale going to Interzone this year. He says that he likes sex (a lot).

Artist Bios

Cover Artist

Vincent Watego is the Art Editor for Harbinger. He was a student up until the end of last year, and is now devoting his time to drawing.

Internal Artists

Vincent Watego [Escape from Stalingrad, Strange Encounters]

Andrew Mayocchi was born in Queensland in 1978. He is currently studying Zoology at the University of Queensland. He has been an amateur artist for many years. This is his first undertaking as a professional artist and he is interested in branching into various areas of illustration. [In the Service of the Shogarth]

Christopher C. Glen has always had a keen intent in science, science fiction, and art. He is currently studying Palaeontology and Zoology at the University of Queensland. Previous artwork includes scientific illustrations for the Queensland Museum. [The Glamoured Girl, The Driver]