Bewildering Challenge 63

The challenge in issue 62 is not exactly a set of short-answer questions, and issue 63 became quite large early on. I’ve been tempted to give readers a brief respite, but here are three challenges: the first tests your literary history; the other two, your imagination.

In Thomas R.’s “Screening,” Ellen orders that the unorthodox film writers be sent to a “gulag.” What writers do you think she could have in mind?
They’ll probably be writers of science fiction or, certainly, alternate history. They need not be strictly science-fiction writers, and anachronism is no restriction. For example, Ellen might well have named Sinclair Lewis, in light of his novel It Can’t Happen Here. Who else?
Why is Ellen so sad at the end of “Screening”?

In Thomas R.’s poem “Samarkand,” we get a glimpse of a mysterious science fiction story. What shape might that story take? Can you give us a brief outline?

Now, e-mail your ideas to Bewildering Stories!

Meanwhile, NewB has sent us a very colorful challenge for issue 64; you don’t want to miss it!

And please remember: once open, all challenges remain open. And you’re invited to send us your own.