Hi, and welcome back! This is issue number 99! One more issue and we will reach the twenty-five year mark for Black
Petals. When Editor D. M. Yorton started this thing, printing it in her basement in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, I know she never
figured it would last nearly as long as it has. She was publishing magazines to get herself and her family through the winter.
Called her venture "Basement Insanities Group." I got my first story published there and within a year she passed the magazine
on to me.
We've got
a heck of a lineup for you, Constant Readers. We've got Coyotes and Werewolves and trees that are sentient. Kim Bonner introduces
us to THE DREAD in her story, Buy Here, Pay Here.
Lamont Turner takes us
on a trip down into the sewer in Hearts in the Gutter, and David Starobin takes us to a strange little coffee shop where there
is a secret ingredient in the Midnight Espresso.
Once again this issue, we're a little heavy on poetry, but I know you don't
really mind.
One thing I do want to
call to your attention and I'm taking a serious turn here, readers. Be sure to read Woodshop for Werewolves. After
I accepted Mark Jabaut's story, I'm sad to say he passed away and I was unaware of it until I sent an email asking for bio
information. Mark's wife graciously let us run the story and I'm hoping she may submit more later in Mark's memory.
Remember, if you have comments (or complaints) or you want to submit
a story or poem for our consideration, we're still at blkptls@cox.net . Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoy our issue.