Authentic Science Fiction Monthly No. 85

About this issue

This October 1957 issue of Authentic Science Fiction contains three novelettes and four short stories alongside an article. Robert Presslie's "Star Tober" opens the issue: Considine's Circus prepares to depart a miserable three-day stand in rainy England. As the wagons begin rolling toward their next town, something extraordinary occurs—the entire circus, its animals, equipment, and ten feet of muddy field instantaneously jump forty light-years to an alien planet orbiting a large orange star (apparently Arcturus). Doc Jordan, a knowledgeable freak-wagon inhabitant, explains the phenomenon while Big John Considine grapples with the impossible situation. The novelettes include Jon J. Deegan's "The Lights of Anker-Mo" and Robert J. Tilley's "Rolling Stone." Short stories feature work by H. Philip Stratford ("Vale!"), Ron Lowam ("Pride of Possession"), D. Wilcox ("The Wall"), and newcomer G. W. Locke ("The Human Seed"). Kenneth Johns contributes the article "Quest for Tomorrow."