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IN THIS ISSUE

Welcome to our final issue of On Spec! We are so pleased to feature a cover by Janice Blaine–the first one we’ve had from her.

We have stories in abundance in this issue. Probably twice as many as in a regular issue, so when you buy a copy, you are getting a bonus.

This issue is packed with new and exciting works, and we hope that you, our readers, will enjoy them all. Stories are listed below.

Last Vacation of a Termite, by Michèle Laframboise  “When I asked for a ‘room with a view’, I never had in mind a transparent floor!”  The “termite” in this story is a retired worker from a harsh mining colony, getting accustomed to a luxury cruise, when what she really wants is her late husband, who was killed on the job.

Queen of the Sword by Fiona Heath  “Nobody expects anything of Maud these days.”  So when this nondescript old woman gets the magical prize of a lifetime, what will she do with the power?

Night Shift With the Demon Drive by Jarrett Poole “Engineers served and retired without issue. It had waited for Polina’s shift to  revoke the contract.”  The survival of the colony ship depends on a deal with a demon. Now it has decided to re-negotiate.

The Steady March of Progress by Andrea Bernard. “‘They tell me what they need.’ Abraham gestured to a fledgling yellow tulip near his feet.” Abraham has been caring for the garden for years, and watching sadly as the owner’s children carve it away. What will he tell the plants?

Title IX by Derryl Murphy “Another coach steps out from offstage, and a sustained OOOHH perforates the atmosphere. Coach McKinney is a woman.”  In this alternate history, we watch a sporting event where  the girls appear to be at a distinct disadvantage.

The Permission is All Mine by Melissa Ren “Companions switched to standby mode in the absence of their partners. This never bothered him before.” Mei is a cyborg designed to be a plaything to a wealthy man. But now she has learned who she really is.

Victim Impact Statement by Catherine Austen “It never stops completely. Even if you repent, there’s still one statement a day ’til the end of your sentence.” A chilling story of future crime and punishment.

Eris by Glenn Willmott  “Because being attacked is one thing. But being messed with, that’s another. It’s more personal.”  The Gems are aliens who can replace anyone they wish to. Finding out who is truly human when the need arises is a matter of life or death.

The Gift by Ruth E. Walker “Your duty is to be the link. To help the Seekers. Ease their pain.”  Marella has a gift to see the final moments of a loved one. How will she use it in this case?

A Need for Space by Marie Labrousse (Translation by Margaret Sankey) ” OK, Priya, time to come out of there. Stars are great and all, but they don’t fill your stomach.” Priya and Nuala have never seen a clear sky except by VR. But now there is an opportunity. 

Leto’s Demons by Colleen Anderson  “She told herself they were just teenagers and that’s the way they acted.”  Neoma wanted to protect her children at all costs. And now a threat has arrived.

The Dragon Sher Didn’t Want by Adrian Croft  “A wisp of smoke rose from the demon’s husk. The green dragon settled on the fridge, looking proud of itself.”  Myra knew that secrets needed to be kept from the dwellers on the surface. But Jacob was her friend.

Ribbons by Elis Montgomery “I scramble backward. The villain stalks me.” To make sure that the Paragon fulfils his duty, there must be a sacrifice.

Québec by Lorina Stephens  “You’ll try the shelter early tomorrow and get a hot breakfast. “ Christmas eve and the spirits are watching a homeless man seeking shelter.

The Girl With Candy-floss Pink Hair by Geoffrey Hart “Because I know what it’s like to be alone in this world.” Mabel finds herself talking with a customer she shouldn’t even be able to see.

Payment is Commensurate by Elizabeth Smith “Milo stared at the array of cards on the table in front of him.” Milo’s life has reached a turning point and he will try anything to be a success.

One Hand Washes the Other by Karl El-Koura “You’ve been infected, Pietr. You’re not yourself. You need to give us the code.” Who do you believe when your very survival depends on it?

Waking Up by D.G, Valdron “Kevin will not speak to him. He stares at his father with eyes full of reproach, and then he turns his head.”  All around, people are doing terrible things to their families and to them selves. Nobody can understand why. And now the unthinkable has happened to Parker’s family.

The Billy Goat’s Bluff by Stephen Kotowych “I hate serving you in life and I don’t want to serve you forever in death!”  The poor goat needs to find a new master before the old wizard dies and hauls him into the afterlife. But who needs a goat?

Forever Bound by KT Wagner  “He’d sulked for days when I ended it, acting like no female had ever spurned him before.” Life with a partner, scamming dupes with mostly fake séances is a power struggle, but there’s much to be learned.

Seven For a Secret by Chris Patrick Carolan “Symes had worked hard to get the ship under sail, Hallett knew, but he had not toiled to the point he ought to be looking like a corpse come alive.”  The captain of a pirate ship must depend on the entire crew for their loyalty. That also means no secrets.

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This issue’s poetry selections come from Thaddeus Cramer “My Skin is Slipping”; Ian Li “The Earth Needs Trees and I Need You”, and Colleen Anderson “To His Koi Mistress”.

Non Fiction is abundant in this issue, with the author and artist interviews by Roberta Laurie and Cat McDonald, as well as guest pieces from former On Spec General Editor Marianne O. Nielsen, former Production Editor, Jena Snyder, and a special visit from Ed Willett, publisher of Shadowpaw Books, and the upcoming On Spec 2026 anthology of short speculative fiction by Canadian authors.

We can’t have an issue without a new cartoon and ‘Bot from Lynne Taylor Fahnestalk with photography by Steve Fahnestalk.

All in all, a great read on a cold winter’s night!  Best wishes for a safe and healthy 2026!