“As climate movements, we’re often almost bullied into this belief that as soon as we talk about anything but emissions we’re losing sight of our actual issues. But as climate activists we need to stand up for democracy, we need to stand up for the truth.”

—Luisa Neubauer

Issue 2025.72

Short stories

• ‘Minotaur’, Jaime Gill - art by Toeken
• ‘Featured Exhibit: Drop in a Bucket’, Ziggy Schutz
• ‘Safe in a Malachite Storm’, Devin Miller - art by Carmen Moran
• ‘All That Water’, Eris Young - art by Barbara Candiotti
• ‘Turnabout’, Ana Wesley - art by Joel Bisaillon

Novelettes

• ‘Cupernicity’, B. Morris Allen - art by Katharine A. Viola

Poetry

• ‘Unformed’, Veda Villiers - art by Melkorka
• ‘Raised’, Deborah Harford - art by Melkorka

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For as long as I can remember we’ve been insisting that—while recognising that all art is political, and socio-political justice should be the end goal of all we do—this magazine is not interested in partisan political messaging, satire or allegory. It can be hard to make this distinction, especially when some are so dedicated to “culture wars,” to being as regressive, reactionary and discriminatory as possible in the name of their partisanship. For now let us only say that it is becoming ever more clear that the very existence of billionaires is an injustice, a commitment to radical inequality, inegality and corruption that our world cannot afford.

As always, these stories are better told in fiction and art than by this well-meaning but privileged small press editor whose words are not what you’re here to read anyway—and our contributors are telling all of these stories and more. They ask us if we really can change the world in the face of all this. Maybe small hopes, small kindnesses matter, even if they’re all we have. Sometimes we need to know when to give up, but sometimes we also need to know when to stop giving up, when to allow ourselves some small joys and victories. They remind us that we are formed by our world (but that we also shape the world and those around us, so how we react matters too). Community, diversity, collective action and collaboration can help us find ourselves, as well as achieve more than any one of us can alone. Even more important is the recognition of found family and other alternative relationships; finding safety is more important than blood, or faith in tradition, or doing what is expected of us.

And for all the direct and literal harm caused by imperialism, exploitation, dehumanisation and cheap commodification, colonialism also brings its own monsters and horrors, its own cruelties and mythological hells. The identity of the villains is not always obvious or one-dimensional (although looking at who’s getting rich is probably a good start). Finding the problem can be as important as knowing the solution. Art helps us to identify the ills around us; art helps us to imagine a better world; art gives us the community and hope to work together to find a way there.

We don’t have all the answers, but this month’s lovely stories, poems and art from Ana, Barbara, Carmen, Deborah, Devin, Elis, Fluffgar, Jaime, Joel, Katharine, Melkorka, Morris, Toeken, Veda and Ziggy are our contribution to a world that still has a bit of beauty, a bit of hope and, just maybe, a future.

Djibril al-Ayad, February 2025

Comment on the stories in this issue on the TFF Press blog.