Julie Bailue's "Egg Sharing" (flash fiction, science fiction, free): Near future implications of sperm or egg donation

Two strangers uncomfortably share breakfast at a table in a restaurant; then go their separate ways. "They do not know they share a mother, Caroline, a woman so eager to have a baby she volunteered for the then-revolutionary egg-sharing scheme." One was naturally born; other through egg donation in a family unknown to genetic mother.

Scene of uncomfortable table sharing is so familiar to every Bombay suburban commuter who stops by at an Udupi joint!

Fact sheet.

First published: AntipodeanSF, #110 (July/August 2007).
Rating: A
Download full text.
Added to my best of the year 2007 list.

Andrew Leadbeatter's "All For An Orchidaceae" (flash fiction, science fiction, free): Extending MPAA "piracy" propaganda to seed companies

A world where companies selling genetically modified (GM) seeds are facing the "problem" of patent piracy - underground companies making the same seeds & selling at lower prices. And they've successfully lobbied with governments for very harsh penalties for those found in possession of these "pirated" seeds! Basis of scare-mongering is that pirated seeds are harmful to environment but identical originals are not!!!

Story is about an old retired man who wanted to win a local orchid competition - so brought cheap pirated orchid seeds. Now he faces extended incarceration.

I actually considered adding it to my best of the year 2007 list, though it didn't win in the end (I use somewhat arbitrary emotional criteria in the final pass). While there are many "piracy" propaganda stories around, this is the first one I've read that applies it to seeds. And very plausible.

Fact sheet.

First published: AntipodeanSF, #110 (July/August 2007).
Rating: A
Download full text.

J Alan Brown's "Fine Tuning" (flash fiction, science fiction, free, minor post)

An interstellar spaceship captain hires a super-"Tuner" - someone who can compute the parameters to program the ship's computer to minimize the number of jumps in & out of hyperspace.

Last line sounded like it packed some punch, but I missed the punch: "Hopper Nockity only tunes once." Hopper Nockity is the Tuner. I wonder if he planned to quit just after impressing the boss.

Lot of hand-wavy text related to travel via hyperspace, but it felt good:(

Fact sheet.

First published: AntipodeanSF, #110 (July/August 2007).
Rating: B
Download full text.

Rodney J Smith's "Framework" (flash fiction, fantasy, free, minor post)

If you like fantasy, you will probably like it much more than I did - it's very well told.

A thief entered a long abandoned home after breaking glass; signs indicate the place had already looted by other thieves multiple times over. He finds a mirror with fantastically etched art - must have much antique value, even if not yet claimed by previous looters.

Turns of the mirror is magical, & thief is on to an unwelcome adventure...

Fact sheet.

First published: AntipodeanSF, #110 (July/August 2007).
Rating: B
Download full text.

Shaun A Saunders' "A Fine Madness" (flash fiction, science fiction, free, minor post)

Shaun A Saunders's "A Fine Madness" (B); download; science fiction, humor: Second landing of aliens "from light-years thence" on White House lawns gets a rather cold reception & is generally not newsworthy, just like the first visit several decades ago!

Fact sheet.

First published: AntipodeanSF, #110 (July/August 2007).
Rating: B
Download full text.

Meika Loofs Samorzewski's "Lie Back And Think Of Efficiency" (flash fiction, science fiction, free, minor post)

A woman, to concentrate on her career, has got her eggs frozen for future use & then undergone a medical procedure so she won't find baby faces cute in a womanly sort of way & won't have reproductive urges. But while recuperating from procedure, she's already having regrets.

Fact sheet.

First published: AntipodeanSF, #110 (July/August 2007).
Rating: B
Download full text.

Angela Slatter's "Little Green Apples" (flash fiction, non-genre, free, minor post)

A woman model is pensive about her eating habits that are actually depriving the body of nutrition.

That's most of the story. But then there is the last para that is probably meant to give a twist, & that completely escaped me.

Fact sheet.

First published: AntipodeanSF, #110 (July/August 2007).
Rating: B
Download full text.

Chris Pavey's "Assassin's Sorrow" (flash fiction, non-genre, free, minor post)

Kara is sad but not regretful after killing her lover (?) Lukid because he is "a murderer, an abuser, my peoples' rapist."

Fact sheet.

First published: AntipodeanSF, #110 (July/August 2007).
Rating: C
Download full text.

Charles Richard Laing's "Yum Yum" (flash fiction, non-genre, free, minor post)

A cannibal of tenant, on the third day of renting the house, is contemplating eating his lady landlord!

Fact sheet.

First published: AntipodeanSF, #110 (July/August 2007).
Rating: C
Download full text.

Deven Kivioja's "Sweat" (flash fiction, non-genre, free, minor post)

Not sure I got the punchline. Looks like it's about a sex affair between mother & son!

Fact sheet.

First published: AntipodeanSF, #110 (July/August 2007).
Rating: C
Download full text.