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A Web of Ideas

interview with Ion Newcombe

Ion Newcombe has been a fairly quiet achiever in Australian SF, yet recently became the first editor to publish 100 issues of a genre fiction publication in Australia. His flash fiction webzine, Antipodean SF, doesn't always seem to attract the attention it deserves, yet this webzine is, through its achievements and longevity, is a flagship publication of Australian SF and an inspriation to any editor in the field.

Many thanks for agreeing to be interviewed. What is it that first inspired you about sf, and what is it about sf that continues to inspire you?

My life-long interest in SF grew out of an initial sense of wonder in the achievements of science and technology. At the age of seven or eight this led to me the reading of Clarke, Asimov, Heinlein, Wyndham, and many other "hard" SF authors. I became a voracious reader of the so-called "Golden Age" SF, and that segued into a solid reading of "New Wave" SF in my teens. Nowadays, I'm inspired by the possibilities of SF in the exploration of new worlds, ideas, emotions, and in the subversive (but not negatively subversive) nature of speculative fiction.

Congratulations on reaching 100 issues of Antipodean SF, probably the first time any Australian genre publication has achieved this. What inspired you to start up this publication?

In the mid nineties I was involved in the IT industry and I was intrigued by the possibilities of publishing on the internet. I saw the net as a great leveller, making it possible for anybody to publish content easily. I also saw many publications appear for a single issue and disappear. I started AntipodeanSF with all of this in mind, but also with the realisation that good content needed good editing, and that most computer users would not want to read long works on-screen. Similarly, I believed that Aussie writers needed a voice on the net. AntiSF was never meant to achieve just one thing. It was born from a web of ideas.

Did you ever think you would make it to 100 issues?

I didn't think about it at the time I started the magazine. At the time I reached fifty issues I began to think I could do a hundred. By the time I reached issue 75 I was sure I could do a hundred. Not that it's all down to me. Aussie writers have been especially supportive of AntiSF, especially considering I don't offer monetary remuneration for their published works.

What have been your personal highlights and proudest achievements with Antipodean SF?

I'm proud of the quality of the stories we've published in AntiSF, and I'm especially proud that the magazine has given direction and inspiration to many new writers who have achieved first-time publication with us.

Do you have any plans to take Antipodean SF in other directions?

The short answer is no. AntipodeanSF will continue to do what it has proven to be good at - the publication of good flash fiction on the internet. I do, however, still have plans for more anthologies published using old-tech dead trees and ink. But don't hold your breath. The net is my focus.

Do you ever think of opening Antipodean SF to overseas writers?

AntipodeanSF has always been open to anti-antipodeans, and we usually publish a number of stories by overseas writers in each issue. Issue 100 is unusual in that it has only a single contribution from an anti-antipodean.

How many stories have you published in these 100 issues, and which stories stand out in your mind over time?

Now that's a good question. I really need an AntiSF statistician to trawl through the archives of the magazine at the National Library. I've published ten stories per issue since about issue 55, but the odd issue featured more. Issue 50, for example included sixteen stories. That's a lot of stories. I'd estimate about 750-800 or more.

With so many stories it's hard to pick one or two that stand out. I think I've published more than a few outstanding pieces of flash SF. If pushed to name names, I'd say that some of Brendan Carson's stories really worked for me in the early issues, and Shaun A Saunders has contributed many a fine yarn to the more recent issues.

One of the great things I've discovered as an editor, however, is that the stories I personally like aren't necessarily the ones the readers like. I've often accepted stories that read well but aren't to my personal taste. More often than not, these stories have topped the reader polls.

Do you think that the quality of submissions has improved, declined or remained an even quality over time?

I haven't seen a huge change in the quality of submissions over time, but if there is a slight trend it's towards better quality. I have, however, seen major improvements in the quality of submissions from individual writers as they've grown and learnt more about their writing craft.

Where to from here?

AntipodeanSF will continue to seek out and publish the best flash speculative fiction on the internet. Issue 200 is all that much closer now.

ION NEWCOMBE is the founder and editor of Antipodean SF.
Antipodean SF