R.B.RUSSELL has only recently started writing fiction seriously, having previously written lyrics, composed music, and drawn in pen and ink for his own amusement. He runs Tartarus Press with Rosalie Parker from their home in the Yorkshire Dales.

PUTTING THE PIECES IN PLACE: The tape came off the first reel, threaded its way through the guides and heads, and flapped uselessly, rhythmically, as the full spool con-tinued to turn.