Broadswords and Blasters Issue 11: Pulp Magazine with Modern Sensibilities

by Matthew X. Gomez, J.C. Pillard, C.J. Casey

In our 11th issue we're excited to bring you: Aaron Emmel's story “A Protector on the Road," his follow up to the story “Irini," which we originally published in issue five. James Kane graces us with a story where sword and sorcery literally collide in the hardboiled fantasy “The Red Star Assassin.” A young woman is pursued into an antique shop filled with curiosities in Benjamin Chandler’s “The Living Texts of Sildeen,” but what can the proprietor do against a hardened killer? Our cover story is “Frail Memorials” by J.C. Pillard where a young man discovers that not only are ghosts real, they are an integral part of his new job. E.K. Wagner’s “See You in the Next Regime” is a sci-fi tale of love and war and betrayal. C.J. Casey gives us a Western world that ended in 1859 in “Fire and Wool,” featuring an investigation into a different kind of livestock raid. “Dust Claims Dust” by Erica Ruppert is a fantasy tale of war and forbidden love (yes, we’re seeing a sort of pattern here, aren’t you?) that left us with a bit of dust in our eyes. A band of desperadoes get their comeuppance when they fall prey to a killing curse in “A Touch of Shade” by Gary Robbe. Finally, “Dreaming of Chester” by Kevin M. Folliard is a great intersection of crime, horror, and science-fiction set on the Australian coast.

112 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 14, 2019

Reviews

[Steve DuBois · Rating 4 out of 5]

DISCLOSURE: This periodical has purchased and published my work in the past.

The mad scientists of modern pulp triumph once again. BS&B is all about variety, and here they offer everything from bug-stomping medieval princesses to an evil Aussie Aquaman. There are more polished periodicals associated with the New Pulp movement, but none more imaginative and none more unpredictable. You just never know what Broadswords and Blasters is going to throw at you next.

The clear highlight of this issue, for me, was Benjamin Chandler's THE LIVING TEXTS OF SILDEEN. The story's excuse for existing is an antique retailer's encounter with a vulnerable fugitive, but what Chandler's really about is jamming every corner of his narrative with exquisite world-building. Herein dwarf emus serve as bloodhounds for unscrupulous bounty hunters, liberationist underground movements signal their intent through exotic statuary, and magic lurks in everything from grooming accessories to body art. Chandler's protagonist delights in compiling an encyclopedia of his world's wonders, and that's no surprise; I'd be interested in reading more about this world myself.

Also noteworthy are J.C. Pillard's FRAIL MEMORIALS, a quiet, subtle, and insightful story in which a landscaper engages in a most unusual job interview, and FIRE AND WOOL by C.J. Casey, set in a ogre-and-dragon-infected Old West, where a ranch hand fights through a particularly rough day at the office.

[Benjamin Chandler]

I have a story in this issue, so I am resistant to give the magazine a star rating, however, I will say I was pleased to read the stories surrounding mine. J. C. Pillard's "Frail Memorials" and C. J. Casey's "Fire and Wool" were my favorites. "Frail" involves a young man interviewing for a job at a haunted cemetery. "Fire" takes place in an alternate Earth where the world was invaded by supernatural beings seemingly in the 1800s, and a ranch hand has to do his best to protect a flock from a mythical beast. "Dust Claims Dust" by Erica Ruppert, a fantasy war story, was nicely written, too—lovely prose.

I have to say, B&B is a pretty eclectic neo-pulp. Each writer strikes their own, unique tone and voice, and there's multiple genres in each issue. I don't normally read horror or weird westerns—and there are two of each in this issue!—so the magazine gave me a chance to broaden my genre horizons a bit.

[CJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

DISCLAIMER -- I wrote one of the stories in this issue.

Regardless, I first submitted to B&B because of their excellent reputation for publishing great stories, and this issue is no different. Some particular standouts for me were "Dust Claims Dust" by Erica Rupert, "Frail Memorials" by J.C. Pillard, "The Living Texts of Sildeen" by Benjamin Chandler, though there isn't a bad story among the group. I think I'm still haunted by the last images of "A Touch of Shade" (Gary Robbe), and "Dreaming of Chester" had an excellent ending. The openers, "A Protector on the Road" (Aaron Emmel) and "Red Star Assassin" (James Kane) were well-written and compelling adventure stories, and "See You in the Next Regime" (Erin K. Wagner) is an intricate tale of rebellion and treachery. As usual, I'm looking forward to the next issue.

[Matt Spencer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another solid collection.

The B&B team continues to knock it out of the park again, with another solid collection of fantasy, sci-fi and horror, including one of the gnarliest, meanest Weird Westerns I've read in a while.