NEXT MONTH MARKS the return of Ysabeau Wilce, who made a big impression with "Metal More Attractive" back in 2004. In "The Lineaments of Gratified Desire," we'll be immersed again in the rich and imaginative world of Hardhands, the Pontifexa, and Tiny Doom (along with her pig). This one's a treat.

And speaking of other worlds, Robert Onopa takes us across the stars in "Republic" with a new science fiction story of a sort we haven't seen around here often enough.

The months ahead will also include new stories by Chris Willrich, Matthew Hughes, Terry Bisson, and Carolyn Ives Gilman, to name but a few. Christmas might be months away but any time of the year is a good time to give a friend a gift subscription of F&SF.