What's the word?

Many genres have their own periodicals. There are magazines that review mysteries, romances, and historical fiction. For those who enjoy science fiction and fantasy, that magazine is Locus. Whether you prefer Larry Niven or Tad Williams, Connie Willis or Alistair Reynolds, this magazine covers it. Locus covers information in the publishing world, news about authors and publishers, rights sold, books delivered, awards received, births and deaths, and so on.

Locus magazine was founded in 1968. It was Published and edited by Charles N Brown until his death in 2009. Its current editor in chief is Liza Groen Tombi. Since 1971, it has presented the Locus Award, given to winners of its annual readers’ poll. Also at the beginning of each year is a “year in review” issue which provides recommended reading lists from books published in the previous year.

Not only is it a good source of reviews for books and magazines, it’s a good way to find out what is being published in the near future. Four times a year a “forthcoming books” issue is done that gives a general schedule for books due to be published in the near future.

In addition to reviews, Locus also interviews popular authors and editors as well as those that are up and coming. Typically two authors are interviewed per issue. Conventions are also covered, often with a photo gallery.

Issues of Locus can be found in the Periodicals department. It also has a website, which contains an index to the reviews and interviews it has done, at locusmag.com

-JK