The Australian Science Fiction Bullsheet #159 – January 5 2001
A paltering 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
CHRIS LAWSON SCORES FILM OPTION
Chris Lawson notes "Phew! It's finally official. The contracts
are signed. My short story "Unborn Again" has been optioned for
feature film development by producer Louise Smith of Igloo
Films and director Derin Seale. "Unborn Again" first appeared
in Jack and Janeen's anthology Dreaming Down-Under and was
reprinted in Gardner Dozois' Year's Best Science Fiction #16.
Most of you will already be aware, but I can't resist
announcing that my story "Written in Blood" just won the 2000
Ditmar (for work in 1999) for best short fiction. Although the
award was mired in controversy this year (not unusual in the
history of the Ditmars!) and the award was cancelled and re-run
later in the year, and despite the fact that Greg Egan declined
his award for Best Novel, I am delighted to win the award.
Thanks to all the fans who voted for my story, and to the
Ditmar committee which ran the award under very difficult
circumstances.
THE ALLAN BRAY SCIENCE FICTION COLLECTION
Lesley Bray sent a cutting from the Flinders University Library
Newsletter from September 2000, describing the setting up of
the Allan Bray Science Fiction Collection. It is housed in
Special Collections at the University and is available to
researchers in the Special Collections reading room. More
information is available by contacting the Special Collections
Librarian on (08) 8201-5238 or via e-mail
Gillian.Dooley@Flinders.edu.au
BULLSHEET MEDIA WATCH
Sophie Masson's The Green Prince receives a solid write-up in
The Australian Review of Books December 2000. Jack Dann lists
his "Ten Gems of Speculative Fiction" in Nova Express #20. In
the same issue, Lucy Sussex reviews George Turner's Down There
in Darkness, Russell Blackford reviews Jamil Nasir's Distance
Haze, Norman Talbot reviews Joan Slonczewski's Brain Plague and
Stephen Dedman reviews Terry Dowling's Blackwater Days. Lucy
Sussex will be taking over the paperback review column in the
Saturday Age for a few months and has promised to try and sneak
in some genre stuff. Given that it's 2001, every newspaper and
its dog has featured a piece on Arthur C Clarke. At least he's
lived to see it, unlike poor old Eric Blair, whose accolades
were all posthumous in 1984.
IN ELECTRONS
Ion Newcombe notes re AntipodeanSF issue 34
http://www.antisf.com "This month we have no less than six
speculative flash fiction stories for your enjoyment,
featuring: "Cigarettes Not Included" Peter Cook, "Counting The
Days" Graham Bensley, "Inheritance" Carol Ryles, "Error of
Judgement" Simon Wood, "Forgiveness" Rob Bleckly, "The Company
You Keep" James Spence. Four of these stories are by certified
Antipodeans, and two from Anti-Antipodeans. Why not drop by,
read their stories, and see if you can figure out who is from
where?"
NOT IN PRINT
"Eidolon magazine, last seen in print in April 2000 with Issue
29/30, will close officially during the ongoing development of
the eidolon.net website."
DITMARS 2000
"The Ditmar 2000 awards were presented on the evening of
Saturday 18th December, 2000 in the leafy suburb of Nedlands in
Perth, Western Australia. About 50 people attended, including
the glitterazi of Perth fandom. The awards themselves were
presented by Grant Watson and Simon Oxwell of the Ditmar 2000
subcommittee.
Best Novel: Greg Egan, Teranesia
Best Short Fiction: Chris Lawson, "Written In Blood" in
Asimov's June 1999.
Best Collected Work: Sean Williams, New Adventures in Sci-Fi
Best Artwork: Shaun Tan, cover to The Coode Street Review of
Science Fiction
Best Fan Writer: Robin Pen
Best Fan Artist: Catronia Sparks
Best Fan Production: Danny Heap, 'AussieCon 3 Opening Ceremony
Video'
William Atheling Jr Award for Criticism or Review: Russell
Blackford, Van Ikin, Sean McMullen, Strange Constellations: A
History of Australian Science Fiction
Tied With
Tess Williams, Helen Merrick, Women of Other Worlds
Simon Oxwell notes " I'd like to take this opportunity to thank
Rohan Wallace and Mark Bivens for helping to count the votes.
I'd also like to thank everyone who took part in the nomination
and voting process for these awards and I'd like to thank all
those who drafted the new Ditmar rules at the Natcon business
meeting at Swancon 2000 in April, particularly Chris Lawson.
And lastly, I'd like to congratulate all those who were
nominated. Without your contributions Australian Science
Fiction would be in a terrible state indeed.
The actual trophies will be presented at Swancon 2001 at Easter
next year. For more information see http://www.swancon.com"
In the meantime, Greg Egan noted "I've recently learnt that my
novel Teranesia was awarded the Ditmar for Best Novel of 1999.
I'm writing to you to formally decline this award.
In 1996, in protest over the lack of permanent rules governing
the Ditmars from year to year, I requested that my work no
longer be considered for the awards. While I accept that the
voters and organisers are entitled to disregard my wishes on
this matter, having won the award I am now declining it.
I understand that a set of rules has recently been enacted to
govern the awards, which is a very welcome development.
However, my withdrawal from the Ditmars is permanent."
CONGRATULATIONS
Simon Oxwell notes "Anna Hepworth, aka mouse, gave birth to
healthy baby boy. Official message follows:
'Anna, Art and Isaac would like to announce the birth of a son
(3.95kg) at 8:25pm Dec 21 2000. Mother and child are both very
well (so is the father)."
Messages of congratulations and whotnot can be sent to
adiggle@agric.wa.gov.au. A picture of mother and baby can be
found at:
http://megabyte.murdoch.edu.au/anna/anna_and_baby.jpg'"
PERIPATETIC FANS
Murray & Natalie MacLachlan are moving into the Latrobe Valley.
They can now be contacted via snail-mail at P O Box 869,
Morwell, Vic 3841 or electronically at planthard@bigpond.com
CONVENTION NEWS
My supporting member's copy of the Chicon 2000 Souvenir
Book/Programme Book etc arrived this week. It's very
impressive, though a little cluttered and a handy reminder of
why being a supporting member of a Worldcon is a good idea. The
package included a Bob Eggleton Sketch Book, stories by Ben
Bova and Harry Turtledove and even Anne Passavoy's recipe for
Huevos Rancheros. An impressive little collection that had me
thinking "Jees, Worldcons look like fun..." for about thirty
seconds.
UPCOMING CONVENTIONS
ARCANACON 2001
January 25-28 Role-Playing Convention Collingwood Education
Centre, Collingwood Victoria $5 registration plus a pay by the
game rate that peaks at $45 for the whole weekend. P.O. Box 125
Parkville Vic 3052 http://arcanacon.vurt.net/
arcanacon@vurt.net
BOBW 11
2-4 February 2001 (STARGATE SG1) Guests: Teryl Rothery
Christopher Judge Don S. Davis http://www.bobw.com.au (02)
9453 0290.The Southern Cross, corner Elizabeth & Goulburn
streets Sydney.
ARMAGEDDON PULP CULTURE EXPO
10-11 February 2001 Auckland New Zealand Special guests include
Kevin Smith, Virginia Hey, Teryl Rothery, Colin Baker, Walter &
Louise Simonson, Diana Schutz, Brian Michael Bendis . Entry
only $NZ10 http://www.pulpexpo.com
WHOVENTION 2001
16-18 February 2001 Rydges North Sydney 54 McLaren St North
Sydney Guest: Colin Baker Katy Manning Fan GoH Louis Scholten
Membership DWCA members: $105 until Jan 15. Non DWCA members:
$120 until Jan 15 Children under 16: $10 discount Children
under 5 free Banquet $45 ({must be a member) PO Box 4 Epping
NSW 2121 http://www.dwca.org.au/whovention/
whovention@dwca.org.au
STUDIO HOLLYWOOD CONVENTION
February 24 2001 10am to 5pm Lidcombe Catholic Workers Club,
John Street Lidcombe NSW GsoH Lani Tupu & Claudia Black -
Farscape and Mark Allen - DS9 $66. After Party: same venue 6pm
- midnight $39 tel: 02 9344 3509 fax: 02 9349 6587 email:
tpace@bigpond.com
HIGHLANDER DOWNUNDER 4
April 6-8 2001 Mercure Hotel, Brisbane Confirmed Guests: Peter
Wingfield, Elizabeth Gracen (ocp) Other Guests tba $175
sonja@hldu.com http://www.hldu.org PO Box 198, Brisbane Albert
St Qld 4002
SWANCON 2001 THE MASQUERADE,
40th Australian National Science Fiction Convention April 12-16
2001. GsoH Robert Silverberg, Rosaleen Love, Marilyn Pride,
Lewis Morley, Kate Orman, Jonathan Blum and Sue Ackerman The
Rydges Hotel Perth. P.O. Box 162 Nedlands W.A. 6909.Attending
$80; $100 at the door. Supporting $20
http://www.sf.org.au/swancon2001 P.O. Box 162 Nedlands W.A.
6909 swancon2001committee@egroups.com
ODYSSEY CON
Easter 2001 (13th-16th April) Hotel Grand Chancellor Auckland
Literary GsoH Mercedes Lackey, Larry Dixon, Lyn McConchie Fan
GoH Brian Howell. $NZ70 until 12th April 2001, $NZ80 at the
door P.O. Box 74-013 Market Rd, Auckland New Zealand
enquiries@odysseycon.sf.org.nz http://www.odysseycon.sf.org.nz
FRIENDS OF SCIENCE FICTION
May 20, 2001 GoH James Marsters (Spike, Buffy the Vampire
Slayer) ocp Lidcombe Catholic Club Sydney.FSF Members $50
Non-members $70. email bookings@fsf.com.au or
http://www.fsf.com.au
ARMAGEDDON INVITATIONAL
May 26 NZI convention centre Aotea centre2001 Auckland. Special
guests James Marsters and Brian Thompson $60.00
www.pulpexpo.com
STUDIO HOLLYWOOD
June 2 2001 Guests Emma Caulfield & Brian Thompson Sydney
(venue to be advised) tpace@bigpond.com $75.00
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.
Attending $145 Supporting $US40 Millennium Philcon Post Office
Box 310 Huntingdon Valley, PA 19006-0310 U.S.A.
phil2001@unix3.netaxs.com http://www.netaxs.com/~phil2001
COSTUME CON 20
February 15-18 2002 Melbourne Exhibition and Convention Centre
$A130 Jan 1st 2001 - Dec 31st 2001 $160 Jan 1st 2002 - Feb 15th
2002 $A50Daily Admission The Australian Costumers' Guild PO Box
322 Bentleigh Vic 3204 stilskin@netspace.net.au
http://www.vicnet.net.au/~costume/
CONVERGENCE
41st Australian National Science Fiction Convention June 7 -
10 2002 GsoH Joe Haldeman, Sean Williams Lucy Sussex, Gay
Haldeman and Race Mathews Toastmaster Jack Dann Cato Conference
Centre Melbourne. Full Membership until June 2001 $130. Student
(13-16 years) $80. Child (5-12) $25. Supporting $25. GPO Box
1212k Melbourne Vic 3001 Web:-
http://www.vicnet.net.au/~converge/ email:-
contact-convergence@egroups.com.
CON JOSE
The 60th World Science Fiction Convention August 29 to
September 2, 2002 San Jos McEnery Convention Centre GsoH
Vernor Vinge, David Cherry, Bjo & John Trimble, Ferdinand
Feghoot Toastmaster Tad Williams. P.O. Box 61363 Sunnyvale CA
94088-1363 U.S.A. ConJose@sfsfc.org http://www.conjose.org/
Attending membership rate goes up to A$205 (Supporting A$60).
Australian agent: Terry Frost, 4/8 Walker St, West Brunswick,
VIC 3055. Cheques payable to "60th World Science Fiction
Convention."
TORCON III
The 61st World Science Fiction Convention August 28-September
1, 2003 Metro Toronto Convention Centre GsoH George R. R.
Martin Frank Kelly Freas Mike Glyer with Toastmaster: Spider
Robinson and GoHst of Honour:Robert Bloch the spirit of Toronto
Worldcons P.O. Box 3, Station A, Toronto, Ontario Canada M5W
1A2 Supporting Membership $US40; Attending Membership $US115.
Email: info@torcon3.on.ca Website: http://www.torcon3.on.ca
GoH = Guest of Honour
O.C.P. = Other Commitments Permitting
tba= to be announced.
EVENTS
There is an annual calendar available on the Vicnet SF web site
at http://www.vicnet.net.au/~sfoz/2001cal.htm
A.C.T.
CANBERRA SPECULATIVE FICTION GUILD January 17 ACT Writers
Centre, Gorman House, Braddon ACT. les.petersen@detya.gov.au
NEW SOUTH WALES
SOUTHERN SCIENCE FICTION AND FANTASY GROUP February 10 2001
Contact Bradley Row bradrow@netspace.net.au
QUEENSLAND
HIGHLANDER DOWNUNDER March 19 10am-4pm Metro Arts Centre,
Edward St Brisbane. PO Box 198, Brisbane Albert St QLD 4002
http://www.hldu.org sonja@hldu.org
VICTORIA
MSFC January 19 2001 Coffee, Cake & Conversation , January 26
2001 Aust.SF panel and discussion 8:00 pm St. David's Uniting
Church Hall, 74 Melville Road, West Brunswick P.O. Box 212
World Trade Centre Melbourne 3005
http://www.vicnet.net.au/~msfc/ MSFC@eGroups.com
FRIDAY NIGHT MOB January 5, January 12, January 19
6:00-7.30pm. Informal eating and nattering. Myers Cafeteria
Melbourne
SKYFORCE January 13 12:00 noon Beach Day Sandringham Beach
February 10 1:00 to 5:00pm Charles Pearson Theatre Education
Resource Centre University of Melbourne P.O. Box 427 Northcote
Vic 3070 starwalking@starwalking.net http://www.starwalking.net
AUSTRALIAN SCIENCE FICTION FOUNDATION January 21 2001 2:00 pm
A.G.M. For more details, contact Cath Ortlieb (03) 9803-9480 or
mortlieb@vicnet.net.au
ENTERPRISE January 27 2001 Beach Day P.O. Box 466 World Trade
Centre Melbourne 3005 http://www.vicnet.net.au/~enterprise/
enterprs@vicnet.net.au Phone: (03) 9515 3226 (7pm to 10pm
only)
W.A.
GAMERS' GUILD PREVIEW SCREENING OF DUNGEONS AND DRAGONS January
10, 7:00pm, Hoytes Carousal. $10 each, from the Guild or on
the night.Michael Fineberg fruchle@crosswinds.net
SWANCON 2001 QUIZ DAY Febuary(sic) 11 2001 2:00pm Sandringham
Hotel Belmont WA $7:00 Contact Swancon 2001.
ELECTRONIC STUFF
John Foyster writes "Erika Lacey has just set up a web page
from which you can access all issues of my PDF fanzine eFNAC.
John August's report on SWANCON 2000,and Zara Baxter's on
FREECON 2200 appear in the latest issue. The address is
http://efnac.virtualave.net
Robert Jan notes "Zero-G has been dragged kicking and screaming
into the 20th Century, just in time for the 21st!
eMail address is now:
zerog_robjan@hotmail.com
Have to get myself one of those newfangled website doo-hickies
one of these days!"
FANZINES
ETHEL THE AARDVARK 94 20pp Sean-Paul Smith P.O. Box 212 World
Trade Centre Melbourne Vic 3005 Australia
MSFC_Ethel@eGroups.com http://www.vicnet.net.au/~msfc/
THE INSTRUMENTALITY December 2000 5pp Cath Ortlieb P.O. Box 215
Forest Hill Vic 3131 Australia mortlieb@vicnet.net.au
http://www.vicnet.net.au/~asff/
THE RUBBISH BIN(NS) 8 20pp Merv Binns P.O. Box 315 Carnegie Vic
3163 Australia
NOVA EXPRESS 20 38pp Lawrence Person P.O. Box 27231 Austin TX
78755-2231 USA lawrenceperson@jump.net
http://www.delphi.com/sflit/novaexpress/
LANGFORD MEETS SWAMP THING TROPICON/FANHISTORICON 4pp Dave
Langford 94 London Road Reading Berkshire RG1 5AU U.K.
ansible@cix.co.uk
CLOUD CHAMBER 2pp Dave Langford as above
CONJOSE OFFLINE 1 4pp P.O. Box 61363 Sunnyvale CA 94088-1363
USA pubs@conjose.org http://www.conjose.org
THE FORCE 38 32pp Peter Roberts P.O. Box 427 Northcote Vic
3070 Australia starwalking@starwalking.net
http://www.starwalking.net
ELECTRONIC FANZINES
EMERALD CITY 64 Cheryl Morgan cmorgan@ceres.wallis.com
http://www.emcit.com
OTHER WEB STUFF
Erika Lacey kindly scanned the Vicnet SF Site for dead
links etc and I've run through most of them now and so that
should by up to date. (I haven't had any luck connecting to the
Aurealis Website of late. Anyone know what's happening with
it?) Erika obviously has far too much time on her hands. She
needs some sort of project, like running the 2003 Natcon...
DEADLINES
Bullsheet #160 January 16 2001.
DUFF 2001 January 20 2001
ANZAPA 199 February 9 2001
This Fanzine Supports The Minneapolis in '73 WorldCon Bid and
may support another Australian WorldCon Bid if it hears
anything about it. It has no preference in the current DUFF
Race but recommends that you donate money anyway.