This issue came out while I was in New Zealand and consequently I wasn’t able to write much about it at the time, or indeed read it. I’m finally remedying that omission.
The fiction is my Nick Mamatas (who manages to use the phrase “Singularity with tentacles” in the first paragraph) and Corie Ralston.
The non-fiction article is a historical one about what we actually know about “Celtic” peoples, and I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone in the USA who thinks they are a fan of things “Celtic”. Not that this will stop the modern-day disciples of Iolo Morganwg, but it may give others pause for thought.
Also in non-fiction are two articles about the short fiction business. Jeremy L. C. Jones conducts an interview with many of the top magazine editors in the field, and my crotchety old friend Steve was rather impressed with it. In addition an editorial by Neil looks at the sales stats of the major magazines, and at the “births” and “deaths” stats of less well known publications. As usual, rumors of the imminent demise of short fiction have far more to do with the Internet’s insatiable appetite for apocalyptic drama than actual facts, but the decline in readership of the big magazine is as relentless as ever.
I had just finished taping the series “Celts” and bought the associated book when I heard the news that I am not a celt. I was gutted.
I am now reconciled to it and quite happy thanks but I am always left with one problem. I know where my people may have originated from and how the whole celt thing came about but if I am not celtic and can’t be called that what DO I call myself these days (when not using irish as a descriptor).. Basque? African? Mad?
Kate:
Given that “Celtic” is largely a 19th Century invention, I see nothing wrong with 21st Century people claiming to be Celtic if they happen to come from a country that identifies as such. The things that sometimes rub me up the wrong way are:
1. People claiming deep historical precedent for their Celtishness; and
2. Cultural appropriation of Celtishness by people from other countries (specifically the USA).
Or, to put it more simply, I object to being told how I should behave by people from other countries on the basis of spurious historical “evidence”. And I suspect I would object much more strongly if I was Irish or Scottish rather than Welsh, and the Irish and Scots seem to bear the brunt of the American fascination with things “Celtic”.
To which I can add:
1) Tolkien’s annoyance at having his Silmarillion stories called Celtic – he said he was aiming at “the fair elusive beauty that some call Celtic (though it is rarely found in genuine ancient Celtic things),” and came to use “pseudo-Celtic” or “Celtic” in quotation marks to describe it.
2) Scholar Alexei Kondratiev, addressing searchers for Celtic spirituality, pointing out that severe Welsh Methodism, Scottish Presbyterianism, and Irish Catholicism are just as much a part of those nations’ traditions and collective personalities as any wild bards or dancing around the wicker man.
I like the arts and music that are generally called Celtic, but I like them for themselves and not because of their origin. Aside from some Welsh relatives I have no connection with these countries; I am just a friendly tourist.
When you walk around Ireland no matter what season the people are inappropriately dressed for the climate. In winter we wear short sleeves and no coats and claim to be annoyed that we are cold and wet. I say this is because the people came here from north africa over 10,000 years ago and we aren’t used to the weather yet. – It is partly why we talk about it so much.
But this observation is ruined in summer when the sun does shine and we all complain about the terrible heat. So much for my african heritage. But I am no central european celt either. One look at my hair gives that away (unless it is dyed again)..
“I object to being told how I should behave” – This is pretty much a given (with us). I think I like NOT being celtic these days because so many people in other countries use it as a catchall to describe us, when saying we are Irish (or welsh or scottish) is much more accurate and accepts the people who joined us here less than a millennium ago..
Kate:
Irish people are from Mars (a fact well chronicled in the Book of Invasions, and proven by the fact that they have red hair). They thought that living in a place that had plentiful rain might be a pleasant change from a desert, but sadly they have never got the clothing thing right.