Letter from the Editors
Dear Reader,
Welcome to our first issue of 2023. As we publish this issue, we find ourselves contending with what was once a science fiction concept: AI-generated content.
Those of you who have seen the updated submission page or our blog will know that Electric Spec does not accept machine-generated or assisted content--meaning stories or artwork. We don't have space in this letter to review all the pros and cons of the various ways automated tools are impacting the creative landscape. Yet we can encapsulate our reasoning in two basic points:
1. As anyone who has read the recent news about Clarkesworld magazine knows, machine-generated stories can be produced in such quantity so quickly that they flood the submission process. We simply do not have the time to sift through so much material.
2. We believe the most critical function of creativity is about human connection. An artist reveals something of their inner self--their soul--with their creation and communicates their perspective, imagination, and uniqueness with each person they touch with their work. No matter how deftly it imitates human creativity, machine-generated content lacks that essential quality.
So as you read this issue's stories, think about how they allow you to touch the life of each author. And don't forget to check out our blog for more insights from each author. We are proud to share:
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"What the Buck!" by Zoë Blaylock--Discover what happens when the only thing worse than being abducted by aliens is not being abducted by aliens.
- "Hecesiiteihii" by Jim Genia--A young warrior encounters a legend from the pre-colonial past of North America in the modern world.
- "The Willingham Bay Witches" by Sarah Jackson--What's more dangerous than being a detective? Trying to solve mysteries in a town full of witches.
- "Duet for a Soloist" by Jameyanne Fuller--Music and magic intertwine as the rivalry between two sisters reaches its crescendo.
- "Galatea at the Circus" by Ana Gardner--When a virtual being enters a circus of the imagination, her freedom is on the line.
In our Editor's Corner, we have an SF tale about triplet trouble with "Huey, Dewey, and Lloyd" by Mary Jo Rabe.
Finally, we give thanks to our cover artist for this issue: Barbara Candiotti with "Strange Planet."
Thanks for reading,
Lesley, Grayson, Candi, and the Electric Spec Team
