A message from the editors:

        Welcome to another issue of Electric Spec. As we look around the Web and the blogosphere, we notice that we're being noticed. Readers and writers are saying great things about our little zine, which is both gratifying and inspiring. This issue continues our tradition of excellent stories and interviews. We begin by speaking with science fiction novelist Barth Anderson. Not only does Barth share his insights on writing, he also shares a great little story called "Season of the Beasts." Barth's story features a birth, of sorts, and ties in nicely with several of our other offerings that explore the lifecycle. Another type of birth is beautifully portrayed in "The Chrysalis." On the other end of the continuum, "Dying Light" is a fascinating examination of death and the nature of the soul. Discovering 'life' is explored from a different angle in our Editor's Corner story, "My Mind's Eye." And because we would not stop for death (sorry Miss Dickenson), we include "Rendezvous," a touching ghost story you may wish to read instead of your morning paper. Lest you think we are all gloom and doom, "Seven-Ten Split" should have you rolling in the aisles, er, lanes with its off-beat(nik) world. We explore another strange world in the "Ambiguity Broker," which is about this . . . uh patch thing. (Looks like we forgot to take ours off!). Finally, "The First Casualty" is a classic fantasy story that strikes at the heart of the nature of war and its consequences. We hope you enjoy this issue--and if you like what you're reading, please drop us a line: editors [at] electricspec [dot] com.

--The Editors