This year is a momentous year for Strange Horizons. It turns 25!
As for me, I turned 50, half a century old, but still walking an ever-winding path. So, this essay will be a celebration for me and Strange Horizons, and how a science fiction magazine/collective has grown from strength to strength.
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In 2016/7, Vanessa (Ness) Phin invited me to be part of the non-fiction department. Around this time, I was just finding my feet as a science fiction writer and facing many challenges. Intrigued and touched, I said yes… and the next thing I knew, I was in a conference call with Ness and Niall Harrison. I still remember that day very well: a Sunday late afternoon, almost early evening, when we “met”.
So, my journey as a non-fiction editor began. And it was such an amazing start, because I was/am also an aca-fan too (aca = academic). I organized roundtables* (Australian Science Fiction, Domestic Space Opera and Water Is Life) as well as soliciting and editing columns, essays and articles from the slush pile. I have had amazing columnists (Trials By Whiteness (Jaymee Goh) and Stories From The Radio (Kuzhali Manickavel). I have met so many talented writers and creatives around from the world: Judith Tarr, Kate Elliot, Ann Leckie, Foz Meadows, Darcie Little Badger, Rebecca Roanhorse and Stephanie Soejono.
As I grew more confident, I managed more projects as the Southeast Asian and Wuxia specials, both near and dear to me, as I am committed to showcasing Asian voices (both in Asia and diaspora). Admittedly, the projects took a bit of energy out of us (because it was a team effort – Jaymee Goh, May Chong, Mia Tsai and Yilin Wang) – but the satisfaction came when the stories in the specials were loved by readers, longlisted and shortlisted for awards, and told us very clearly that people wanted Asian stories by Asians. Likewise, Harley Wu and Tan Shao Han broadened people’s perspectives with incisive analyses of The Untamed and danmei in China, and World War Two/the Japanese Occupation in Singapore via table-top role-playing games respectively.
My spouse would often question me, half-jokingly, if I get paid for all these. I don’t – it’s all volunteer work. I am doing this because I love all things sffnal. Strange Horizons is a collective of volunteers who love science fiction, fantasy and horror.
As paths always are, mine has begun to twist as I face my 50s. But I do not see it as a door closing: another door is opening. And for Strange Horizons, my same wish too: May more doors open and may more join us, because collectives shift, change and expand.
Yet, as all things go, I would eventually have to bow out. So, I am wholeheartedly putting out a call for individuals who would like to volunteer their time as articles editors. I would like to see more Southeast Asians (in Southeast Asia or diaspora). But that’s my 50th birthday wish (well, one of them, hehe).
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Happy birthday, Strange Horizons!
*We should have more roundtables. They offer so many diverse observations and perspectives!