dark horse /ˈdärk ˈˌhôrs/ noun 1. a candidate or competitor about whom little is known but who unexpectedly wins or succeeds. "a dark-horse candidate" Join us for a monthly tour of writers who give as good as they get. From hard science-fiction to stark, melancholic apocalypses; from Lovecraftian horror to zombies and horror comedy; from whimsical interludes to tales of unlikely compassion--whatever it is, if it's weird, it's here. So grab a seat before the starting gun fires, pour yourself a glass of strange wine, and get ready for the running of the dark horses. In this issue: A RESPONSIBLE MAN Carol Willis BOTTLENECK Douglas Gwilym CORNPLANTER O'BAIL Gary Every INTO THE POT Ron J. Cruz PECK Wayne Kyle Spitzer PRETTY ON THE INSIDE Diana Olney WHERE FASNET MET SPACE NET Mary Jo Rabe SORRY, WRONG ARTIFACT Mark Mellon THE BURDEN OF DAMASCUS James B. Pepe THE TROUBLE WITH AI-Nine Chad Gayle

Parsec Ink presents the thirteenth volume in its celebrated speculative fiction anthology series. This year, twenty-one authors from around the world explore everything we hunger for, from our noblest desires to our darkest cravings. Robots and dragons contemplate their crimes of passion. An artist must decide if greatness is worth the terrible cost. Earth's finest chef finds the unlikely way to an alien overlord's heart. Revenge and romance bloom on the borders of reality. Satisfy your craving for great storytelling today. Featuring stories by: Blaize M. Kaye > N.G. Lancaster > Melissa Mead > Thomas Pask > Jason J. McCuiston > Jeffrey B. Burton > K.G. Anderson > Angus Cervantes > Belle Wong > C.R. Beideman > Rhonda Eikamp > Holly Schofield > Jack Lothian > Frances Pauli > Katherine Quevedo > Erica Ruppert > C.R. Hodges > Michael Robertson > Kevin M. Folliard > Alter S. Reiss > Tom Marcinko