Beyond the Boundaries
Entry updated 20 December 2019. Tagged: Publication.
UK A4-size quarterly Semiprozine, first issue titled Mab Sêr ["Son of the Stars"]. Published with the support of the Arts Council of Wales; described itself as "A collection of stories, articles, poems and cartoons of science fact and fiction, fantasy and horror"; its bookshop circulation was mainly in the Cardiff area. Twelve issues Autumn 1994 to Summer 1997, first four issues also numbered "Volume 1". Published by the Welsh Speculative Writers' Foundation, Chairman Peter Grehan, Editor John Sheppard with "Sub-Editor" Gerry Moreton and Poetry Editor Vanessa L Self, assisted by others. Diminishment of the group through ill-health and pressures of work forced closure.
The initial homespun quality of words and art improved throughout the run. Beyond the Boundaries soon featured published genre writers such as Bryn Fortey, D F Lewis and David Redd, and later evolved towards the general Welsh literary scene with work from Alison Bielski, Phil Carradice and Raymond Humphreys. Sf poets present (see Poetry) included Lionel Fanthorpe and Steve Sneyd. Gwyneth Hughes was the Paris-based writer. Some other contributors are more recognized now than then: a Celtic poet, a writer for the Commando picture library, a noted linocut artist, and two much-published professors of English (in Wisconsin and Romania.) The magazine never quite shook off its writing-group origins in appearance, but started gaining an international reach and could be seen as a worthwhile variation on importing literary values to genre fiction. [DR]
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