THE AUSTRALIAN SCIENCE FICTION BULLSHEET #123 – July 16 1999
An inchoate newszine produced for the Australian National Science
Fiction Association by Marc Ortlieb, P.O. Box 215, Forest Hill,
Vict, 3131, AUSTRALIA
(e-mail: mortlieb@vicnet.net.au).
Postal subscriptions $6-00 for ten.(Cheques made out to Marc
Ortlieb please. Stamps accepted). Available for items of gossip.
E-mailed direct, a once off $10 fee. Free copy from aus.sf on
Internet or at
http://www.vicnet.net.au/~sfoz/bullsheet.htm
MELBOURNE WRITERS' FESTIVAL
The Age Melbourne Writers' Festival August 20-29 features a
smattering of science fiction and fantasy writers, including Ben
Bova, Brian Caswell, Jack Dann, Kerry Greenwood, Robert Jordan,
Victor Kelleher and Lucy Sussex. Major events include Lucy Sussex
talking to Robert Jordan on August 28 and a panel chaired by Jack
Dann, featuring Jordan, Bova and Lawrence Schimel on August 29.
IN PRINT
George Ivanoff notes "My first book is now out. It's a
non-fiction children's book called "Real Sci-Fi" about the
realities in science fiction. It's part of an educational series
called "Phenomena". Published by Horwitz Martin this month, it is
only being marketed to schools and won't be available in book
stores.
My second book, "Life, Death and Detention", will be published in
August by Margaret Hamilton Book (A division of Scholastic Aust).
It's a collection of short stories about life in high school. It
has three genre related stories in it: "Ghosts", "Sugar" and
"Beam Me Up".
I'm currently working on a kids novelette which has been
tentatively accepted by Margaret Hamilton Books based on a
proposal. The working title is "Invasion Earth"."
Jane Routley notes "I have just signed a deal with Avon Books for
two more fantasy books. They are to be set in the same world as
the last one but about 400 years earlier."
IN ELECTRONS
Ion Newcombe notes "Issue 16 of Antipodean SF should have been
posted to the web by the time you read this e-mail. Please find
information below about the various Aussie-written stories that
appear in this issue: "Dishonourable Ancestor" Rob Bleckly;
"File No: AA626/913" Chris Cheetah; "Wings Of Light" Owen
Godfrey.
BULLSHEET MEDIA WATCH
Damien Broderick reviews Brian Greene's The Elegant Universe:
Superstrings, Hidden Dimensions, and the Quest for the Ultimate
Theory in The Australian Review 26-27/6/99. Eric Lindsay sent
clippings from The Proserpine Guardian and The Whitsunday Times
July 1 1999 featuring new Airlie Beach doctor Craig Hilton who
"is a cartoonist of considerable talent ... and has a particular
interest in science fiction." Jack Dann appeared on ABC's The
Arts Show on July 5th.
QUIZ ME THIS
Alan Stewart notes that Bathurst sf writer John Ezzy won $8,000
in Who Wants to be a Millionaire? shown on Tuesday 15/6/99.
aust.sf.startrek regular Warren "Chacmul" Tully appeared recently
on Sale of the Century and recounted his experiences in the
newsgroup. "Television is not as glamorous as it appears. The
coffee was free - I drank about 15 cups before I was on From the
two fame-game questions I answered, I won a dishwasher and
$400-odd dollars worth of hair-care products (rollers,
hair-dryers, hair straighteners, brushes etc), which I will give
to female friends of mine. The boardgame makes a fun party
drinking-game. I lost by an incredible $160, which I imagine must
be close to a record."
TALES EVEN GRIMOIRE
Kim Wilkins gets a feature article in the Sunday Age 20/6/99. It
mentions her new novel Grimoire. Kim's recent visit to the Nova
Mob resulted in the following incident, chronicled by Lucy Sussex
"Kim Wilkins, author of Grimoire, was addressing the Nova Mob
Discussion group on the joys of writing horror in Australia, when
she got upstaged by a (hitherto unsuspected) member of the
audience. In mid-speech a large spider waddled from under the
couch on which Kim and her boyfriend were sitting. It was
spotted by Elaine Cochrane who caught it, and considerately took
it outside. She later identified the spider as Hadronyche
modesta (yes, a shy and retiring critter),better known as the
Victorian funnelweb. Habitat of the spider is not normally inner
city Brunswick, but the outskirts of the Dandenong ranges, and it
probably hitched a ride on a passing pot plant. Not poisonous,
unlike its notorious Sydney relative, but a bite can cause
headaches and nausea.
The spider was later
a) trodden on
b) eaten by Lily the cat
c) in a daring midnight raid dropped over the fence of someone
really horrible
d)all or none of the above."
PERIPATETIC FANS
Damien Warman from Adelaide and Mark Loney from Canberra and Nick
Stathopoulos from Sydney passed through Melbourne recently,
dropping in at Myers Cafeteria. Meanwhile Jean Weber reports from
Airlie Beach in FNQ "Craig Hilton's been getting lots of coverage
in the local Proserpine and Whitsunday papers (with photos taken
by me), letting the community know of the new doctor in town.
Eric Lindsay and I (with a bit of assistance from Craig) helped
entertain Judith Buckrich and her daughter Laura during their
visit to Airlie Beach in early July. The elusive Lee Harding
phoned from somewhere in Queensland to say he would be passing by
on his way to Cairns, but wouldn't have time to stop and visit;
perhaps on his way back? We await further news."
Jean adds "A few weeks earlier, Robin Johnson was greeted at
Midwestcon by dozens of US fans clamoring to learn more about
Tasmanian camels. Robin quickly deduced that Eric Lindsay had
told the fans about the truckload of Tasmanian camels which
visited Airlie Beach and other nearby towns recently. Eric feigns
innocence."
EDICARIAN AUSTRALIAN FANDOM
Launceston's Chris Nelson has been looking up old Sydney fans,
and notes the following "I guess you know that Bill Veney passed
away late last year. A great pity; he had been there from the
start, was central to many events and would have been a wonderful
speaker at the con.
Other news: Earlier this year, another founding Futurian, Eric
Russell, was laid up in hospital after being assaulted. What
provoked the attack is unknown.
I caught up with Stirling Macoboy in January. How many fans know
that Australia's most popular horticulture expert was a prominent
figure in Sydney fandom in the '50s? His health is declining now
-- diabetes and Parkinson's disease, but he still enjoys talking
about things fannish: working with Rod Serling, meeting with
Hannes Bok and various authors."
FAN FUNDS
The 1999 FFANZ Race, to bring a New Zealander to Aussiecon Three,
has been belatedly launched, with a deadline of July 30. In
keeping with recent traditions, there is one candidate - Linnette
Horne. 1995 American DUFF winner and ANZAPA member Roger Sims has
had heart surgery, but is recovering well according to reports
from Bill Bowers.
URGENT:-AUSSIECON THREE
For assorted reasons, the Aussiecon Three Committee was planning
to drop the Masquerade from the program. A few of us felt that it
would be a pity if this happened, and Mitch and I have offered to
run an "It's the End of The World As We Know it, Y2K,
Fin-de-Siecle Blues" Costume Parade on the Sunday night in the
main function room. This will feature costumes and entertainment
from an assortment of fans and would be co-hosted by Nick
Stathopoulos and Danny Heap.
In order to convince the committee that this is a goer and not a
fizzer, we need a preliminary commitment from those willing to
present costumes or to perform on the evening, some numbers that
we can take to the committee and say that it's worth continuing
with. While realizing that this is short notice, we'd really
appreciate a commitment if you'd like to see it go ahead. Contact
me at the Bullsheet address above, either snailmail or e-mail,
preferably within the next week or so, as the committee has to
confirm the booking of the function space at the World Trade
Centre.
A detailed costume parade entry form will be made available on
the Aussiecon Three Web Site Real Soon Now and at the Convention
itself.
Usually reliable sources suggest that the long delayed Aussiecon
Three PR #4 with Hugo Ballots etc should be with Australian
members at about the time that this issue of the Bullsheet is
out.
UPCOMING CONVENTIONS
AUSSIECON THREE
The 57th World Science Fiction Convention. September 2-6 1999
World Congress Centre, Melbourne GsoH George Turner, Greg Benford
and Bruce Gillespie. Special Guest J.M Straczynski. Aussiecon
Three, GPO Box 1212K, Melbourne, 3001, Australia Attending $250
Supporting $45 Child in tow $45 email
info@aussiecon3.worldcon.org http://www.aussiecon3.worldcon.org.
SPAWNCON TWO
The 38th Australian National Science Fiction Convention.
September 2-6 1999 World Congress Centre, Melbourne P.O. Box 215
Forest Hill Vic 3131 http://www.vicnet.net.au/~sfoz/spawncon.htm
THYLACON THREE
Just after Aussiecon 3.No GOH. No program. Group travels to
Launceston, Bicheno, and Hobart with our own bus, sightseeing and
relaxing www.southcom.com.au/~robinjohnson/thylacon3
CONQUEST 99
Reflections October 1-3 1999 Special Guests Richard Arnold and
Richard Hatch ocp $170 GPO Box 1376 Brisbane Qld 4001.
pbuddaaa@zip.com.au ph 0412-649-727
SWANCON 25
39th National Australian Science Fiction Convention April
20th-24th, 2000. Ascot Inn, Belmont, WA. GsoH Connie Willis and
Ian Nichols. Gratuitous interstate guest "Mitch" Other guests
include Stephen Dedman, Sue Isle, Jack Dann, Janeen Webb, Sean
Williams and Tess Williams swancon25@megabyte.murdoch.edu.au
CHICON 2000
The 58th World Science Fiction Convention August 31 to September
4, 2000 - Hyatt Regency Chicago IL GsoH Ben Bova, Bob Eggleton,
Jim Baen, Bob and Anne Passovoy, Toastmaster: Harry Turtledove
$US135.00 for residents of North America $US125.00 rate for bona
fide residents of other continents P. O. Box 642057, Chicago IL
60664, fax: 312-946-3779 http://www.chicon.org/
THE MILLENNIUM PHILCON
The 59th World Science Fiction Convention August 30 to September
3, 2001 The Pennsylvania Convention Center & Philadelphia
Marriott Hotel GsoH Greg Bear, Stephen Youll, Gardner Dozois,
George Scithers Toastmaster: Esther Friesner. $US 125 Attending
until April 5 1999. Supporting $US 40 Suite 2001, 402
Huntingdon Pike Rockledge, PA 19046 USA phil2001@unix3.netaxs.com
http://www.netaxs.com/~phil2001
GoH = Guest of Honour
O.C.P. = Other Commitments Permitting
tba= to be announced.
CLUB NEWS
EVENTS
Note that there is an annual calendar available on the Vicnet SF
web site at http://www.vicnet.net.au/~sfoz/1999cal.htm
N.S.W.
FRIENDS OF SCIENCE FICTION August 8 Lidcombe Catholic Club, 24
John St Lidcombe fsf@nlc.net.au P.O Box 797 Fairfield NSW 1860
Phone/ Fax (02)9523 8385
SOUTHERN SCIENCE FICTION GROUP August 14th 2:00pm 15 Shade Place
Lugarno Orson Scott Card Read one of his books and come and learn
all about him. Names drawn for book swap for November Postal
Address 15 Shade Place Lugarno (02) 9534-3595. elvey@mcme.com.au
QUEENSLAND
HIGHLANDER DOWN UNDER July 18 Red Cross Centre 409 Adelaide St
Brisbane PO Box 198 Brisbane Albert St Qld 4002
sonjav@powerup.com.au
CONQUEST August 1 Red Cross Centre 409 Adelaide St Brisbane GPO
Box 1376 Brisbane Qld 4001
NEW ALLIANCE August 1 PO Box 12083 Elizabeth St/BC Brisbane Qld
4002
VORTEX September 5 Red Cross Centre 409 Adelaide St Brisbane GPO
Box 2004 Brisbane Qld 4001
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
CRITICAL MASS August 4 Roman Orszanski tba Writers Centre
Adelaide PO Box 3355, Rundle Mall, Adelaide, SA 5000
dmw@pobox.com
VICTORIA
MSFC July 16 Author Night, Jack Dann, July 23 David Eddy Anime
Talk, July 30 Coffee, Cake and Conversation 8:00 pm St. David's
Uniting Church Hall, 74 Melville Road, West Brunswick P.O. Box
212 World Trade Centre Melbourne 3005
FRIDAY NIGHT MOB July 16, July 23, July 30 6-7.30pm. Informal
eating and nattering. Myers Cafeteria Melbourne
ENTERPRISE July 24 . 10 Pin Bowling vs DWCV.Postal Address P.O.
Box 466 World Trade Centre Melbourne 3005
enterprise@minerals.csiro.au
http://www.vicnet.net.au/~enterprise/(03) 9515 3226 (7pm to 10pm
only)
AUSTRALIAN COSTUMERS GUILD July 25 Ross House in Flinders' Lane
Melbourne PO Box 322 Bentleigh Vic 3204 stilskin@netspace.net.au
http://www.vicnet.net.au/~costume/
NOVA MOB August 4 Charlie Taylor and Alan Stewart on Gregory
Benford13 Frederick St Brunswick.
TIME TREKKERS August 6 St Luke's Sternberg St Support Centre, 46
Sternberg St Bendigo P.O. Box 934 Bendigo Vic 3552
AUSTREK August 7 2:00pm Austrek's 3rd Annual Art Show St Mark's
Church Hall Cnr Canterbury & Burke Rds, Camberwell GPO Box 5206AA
Melbourne 3001 03 9489 8743 http://www.vicnet.net.au/~austrek/
austrek@vicnet.net.au
DANDENONG VALLEY SCIENCE FICTION GROUP August 11 Science Fiction
Show & Tell , Meeting Room Dandenong Library Stuart St Dandenong
Ann McGann P.O. Box 706 Frankston Vic 3199 Phone Daniel 9544 9775
e-mail luddite@hotmail.com
SKYFORCE August 14 Melbourne Uni, Copeland Theatre, Economics
and Commerce Building 1:00pm to 5:00pm P.O. Box 427 Northcote
3070 kryten@werple.net.au
http://www.imageworks.com.au/starwalking.htm
FANZINES
VANAMONDE 308-312 John Hertz 236 S. Coronado St No 49 Los Angeles
CA 90057 USA
ETHEL THE AARDVARK 85 Karen Pender-Gunn P.O. Box 212 World Trade
Centre Melbourne Vic 3005
ELECTRONIC ZINES
ANSIBLE 144 Dave Langford, 94 London Road, Reading, Berkshire,
RG1 5AU, UK. Fax 0118 966 9914. ISSN 0265-9816. E-mail
ansible@cix.co.uk. Available for SAE or second-hand
chronosynclastic infundibula.
EMERALD CITY Issue 46 Cheryl Morgan cmorgan@ceres.wallis.com or
http://www.emcit.com
FANS ACROSS THE WORLD NEWSLETTER 88 B. Wilkinson, Ground Floor
Flat, 8 West Avenue Road, Walthamstow, E17 9SE, Great Britain
bjw@cix.co.uk fax: 0181-925-7126
WEB PAGES
New
Dakhur Central (Star Trek)
http://users.dx.com.au/wormhole/fliss/index.html
Moved
Kate Orman's page
from
http://www.ocs.mq.edu.au:80/~korman
to
http://www.zip.com.au/~korman/
DEADLINES
Bullsheet #124 July 27 1999.
FFANZ Voting July 30 1999
ANZAPA 189 August 6 1998
Hugo Voting August 13 1999
SpawnCon Short Story August 13 1999
Ditmar Votes August 27 1999
This Fanzine Supports The Minneapolis in '73 WorldCon Bid The
Toronto in 2003 WorldCon bid and Aussiecon Three. Other
Allegiances are still for sale. Heading Art by Sheryl Birkhead
Other Art by Bill Rotsler
IS JUSTIN ACKROYD A BOOK PUSHER?
Last Issues Opinion Poll was Is Justin Ackroyd a Book Pusher? The
results showed that 95% of those polled agreed that he was.
Voters included vivain thabet, one of Justin's current employees
and one ex-employee, plus most of the people sitting around the
table in Myers Cafeteria one Friday night. Comments were
optional, but were added. James Allen noted "No, Justin is just a
nice man with a nice shop full of things to look through and
occasionally purchase."
Danny Heap noted "Justin contacted me when he found out I was
unemployed. Slowly he pulled a copy of PKD's Ubik from within his
voluminous coat pockets and asked 'Wanna sell these?'
What could be the harm, I thought, no-one is made to read them.
Pretty soon I was selling people books. Some of these people
have habits that mean they can't live without several new books a
week. My own habit meant that occasionally I'd end up giving
Justin hundreds of dollars in a hit. I even got a dear friend of
mine (Megan) involved in selling the Slow Glass 'Product'. Now
she's as trapped as I was.
And what did Justin (or Jason, or Justine, he has many
pseudonyms) give us in return? A regular paycheck and the
occasional freebie book. That's right, money and then yet
another hook to keep us addicted.
Justin is a book pusher. And like all of the best he knows just
what you want and where he can get it. God help us all."
BULLSHEET UNCLASSIFIEDS
Bill Bowers notes "I have now been unemployed
for over 14 months, and cumulative health conditions have made it
extremely unlikely I'll ever again be able to maintain full-time
employment. I have (belatedly) applied for U.S. Social Security
Disability benefits but, even assuming it is approved, the
process will take several months. In the meantime -- to survive
financially -- I am auctioning off an eclectic mix of fannish
memorabilia from my 40+ years in fandom. For the time being,
this will be conducted only via e-mail, and anyone interested in
taking a look should e-mail me at .
Despite all this, there will be an Outworlds 71 published fairly
soon. It has been "angeled" (unsolicited) by two very generous
fans. Fandom is truly a wonderful place to be.
-oOo-
THE LAST OF THE WINTER BULLSHEETS
The Bullsheet 124 will be the last issue until after Aussiecon
Three. What with the Costume Parade, SpawnCon Two, the Ditmars,
and the rigours of four weeks long service leave before the
convention, I won't have the time or facilities to put out an
issue until after the convention.
-oOo-