Black Cat Weekly #28 features another interview by acquiring editor Darrell Schweitzer—this time with Larry Niven.. It originally appeared in Thrust, a review and critical essay magazine published by Doug Fratz in the 1970s. As Darrell has observed, these old interviews fall “somewhere between oral history and paleontology.” It’s always interesting to compare where at author was in his career almost 50 years ago to where he is today.

For this issue’s mysteries, we have an original story by Bruce Arthurs, thanks to editor Michael Bracken. Barb Goffman has selected “The Chess Room” by Elizabeth Elwood. And we have a second classic novel from Mildred Davis. Plus, of course, a solve-it-yourself tale by Hal Charles (the writing team of Hal Sweet and Charlie Blythe)—no issue would be complete without one.

Editor Cynthia Ward has selected “Miles to Go” by Linda D. Addison for this issue. Great stuff, especially if you like music. (Who doesn’t?) Leslie Perri’s “Under the Skin,” Randall Garrett’s “Stroke of Genius,” and Lester del Rey’s “Mine Host, Mine Adversary” round out the classic reprints. Great reading.

Here’s the complete lineup:

Non-Fiction:

“Speaking with Larry Niven,” an interview by Darrell Schweitzer [interview]

Mysteries / Suspense / Adventure:

“The Return of Dodge Tombstone, Outlaw,” by Bruce Arthurs [short story]
“A Secret Admirer,” by Hal Charles [solve-it-yourself mystery]
“The Dark Place,” by Mildred Davis [novel]
“The Chess Room,” by Elizabeth Elwood [short story]

Science Fiction & Fantasy:

“Milez To Go,” by Linda D. Addison [short story]
“Under The Skin,” by Leslie Perri [short story]
“Stroke Of Genius,” by Randall Garrett [short story]
“Mine Host, Mine Adversary,” by Lester del Rey [short story]

Writers of the Future Volume 31