The Australian Science Fiction Bullsheet 18 – September 2003
The Australian Science Fiction Bullsheet 18
SEPTEMBER 2003
ISSN 1445-4319 (print version), ISSN 1445-4327 (online version)
GENERAL NEWS
DR WHO RETURNS: ABC-TV will screen the entire Dr Who series Mondays to
Thursdays at 6pm, starting from September 15. Head of ABC programming,
Ms Marena Manzoufas, noted that the rescreening coincided with the 40th
anniversary of the show, and that ABC had decided to rescreen the
entire series from the beginning for those who missed them, or were too
young to see how the adventure began. (Originally announced by James
O'Brien on Statewide Drive, ABC Local Radio, NSW,
http://www.abc.net.au/nsw/jamesobrien. Relayed to the Bullsheet by
Alison Barton via the Eidolist, and Dallas Jones.)
A SUPERMAN costume made of wool and polyester, worn by the original TV
Superman, George Reeves over 50 years ago, sold for $(US)200,000 at a
memorabilia auction in Los Angeles recently. Jim Carrey's Riddler
costume from Batman Forever sold for $16,000 and Mel Brooks handwritten
lyrics for "Springtime for Hitler" sold for $41,000 (Sunday Herald Sun,
Pg 20, 3rd August. Spotted by David L. Russell.)
BEAM ME UP SOME RATINGS is an article looking at how the Star Trek
producers are under legal attack for letting the Star Trek franchise
stagnate, by Charlie McCollum in the TV Guide Pg 8, The Standard,
August 1. Activision, the company that makes Star Trek video games,
recently filed a suit against Viacom, which owns the rights to Star
Trek, claiming that Viacom had allowed the franchise to "stagnate and
decay." (Spotted by David L. Russell)
David L. Russell also notes that there were many articles regarding the
final episode of Buffy The Vampire Slayer (which screened on August 12)
noting that some articles even gave the ending away before the episode
was aired. One of the articles about the final Buffy show appeared in
"Stuff", the children's pull out supplement in the Sunday Herald Sun
...which begs the question: Why would a show regularly screening at 10.30
pm appeal to young children???? - Edwina.
KATE CONSTABLE and MARIA (M.J.) HYLAND were interviewed by Claire
Heaney in the "Weekend" section of the Herald Sun, August 9th. The
article, called "In Fantasy Land" looks at Hyland's work, "How the
Light Gets In" and Constable's books, "The Song of All Songs" and "The
Waterless Sea" which is due to be released this month. (Spotted by
David L. Russell)
JULIET MARILLIER was interviewed promoting her new novel, Foxmask
(Macmillan press.) – a sequel to her first book, Wolfskin on page 90,
The Sunday Telegraph, 24 August. (Spotted by Edwina.)
SF ARTIST, SHAUN TAN's artwork has been the inspiration behind a CD
called "The Lost Thing" released by Australian band, Lo-tel on 11th
August. (Reported on the Coode St Review.)
BOFINGER BOUNCES BACK: Sydney-based fan, David Bofinger recently
announced his return to Australia after a 12 month sabbatical in
England. He can be contacted through his work e-mail:
David.Bofinger@dsto.defence.gov.au
CHUCK'S CONNEXUS CORRECTION: Chuck McKenzie's homepage is
http://home.connexus.net.au/~chuck , (not
http://connexus.net.au/`chuck as previously published. ) Chuck still
has a couple of issues of AustrAlien Absurdities for sale.
Congratulations to LEE BATTERSBY for winning the first prize in this
year's Katherine Suzannah Pritchard writing competition.
LYN TRIFFITT also received a "Commended" for her story "When The Bough
Breaks" in the open section of the same awards and her daughter CASI
TRIFFITT received a "Commended" for her story "A Common Problem" in the
youth section of the same awards.
SCIENCE FICTION EXPERIENCE will be a hyper-museum devoted to science
fiction with a focus on authors, filmmakers, ideas, artefacts and
interactive exhibits. It will be housed in the Experience Music Project
in Seattle, USA, in the shadow of the famed Space Needle. The museum is
expected to open in (Northern Hemisphere) Summer, 2004. Greg Bear will
chair the museum board. Full details can be found at
http://www.sciencefiction.experience.com, (Reported by Jean Weber)
BOOKS & PERIODICALS
"Outside a dog, a book is man's best friend. Inside a dog it's too dark
to read"- Groucho Marx
TERRY DOWLING's novel, "The Man Who Lost Red," has been recently
reprinted by MirrorDanse Books. Details at
www.tabula-rasa.info/MirrorDanse/ (Reported by Bill Congreve on the
Eidolist)
CHRIS LAWSON has published a collection of essays and hard SF called
"Written in Blood" through MirrorDanse Books. Details at
www.tabula-rasa.info/MirrorDanse/ (Reported by Bill Congreve on the
Eidolist)
PAUL COLLINS' book, "The Earthborn" (Tor, ISBN 0-785-3037-8) receives a
glowing review from Donna Jones in the August issue of the SF Crowsnest
(http://www.computercrowsnest.com) (Spotted by Edwina.)
GARTH NIX's childrens' novel, Mister Monday (First in the "Keys to the
Kingdom" series) will be published by Allen & Unwin in September. ISBN
174114213X (Reported on Coode St Review.)
MOONS DREAMING (ISBN 1-59414062-6) & MOONS DANCING,( ISBN
1-5941-4063-4). an epic fantasy novel in two volumes by Susan Sizemore
and Marguerite Krause are due to be released by Five Star (a Gale
imprint) on November 10 and December 10 respectively. For more
information see http://www.susansizemore.com (Reported by Anne
Devrell.)
SEVEN SEASONS OF BUFFY: a "collection of irreverent and surprising
essays about the popular television series, Buffy the Vampire Slayer."
Includes essays by David Brin, Sherrilyn Kenyon, Scott Westerfeld,
Chelsea Quinn Yarbro, Laura Resnick, Justine Larbalestier, Jennifer
Cruise, Marguerute Krause, Sarah Zettel, Charlaine Harris, Jacqueline
Lichtenberg, Christie Golden, Jean Lorrah, Margaret L. Carter, Lawrence
Watt-Evans and Nancy Holder. ISBN 1932100083. $15.95 (US).To be
released on October 1.Can be ordered through your local bookseller, or
purchased through Amazon.com. (Reported by Anne Devrell.)
US author, KATYA REIMANN has been contacted to complete the fourth book
in the "Hylor" series by Cherry Wilder. The novel had been sold to Tor
books prior to Wilder's death, and is scheduled to be published in May
2004 (Reported on the Coode St Review).
ANTIPODEAN SF ISSUE 63 at http://www.antisf.com. Features short-short
stories, (500 words) by Chris Andrews, Nathan Burrage, Trent Jamieson,
Freya Ashman, Chris Jones, Robin Hillard, James Hansen, GL Schmitt,
William I Lengeman III and Michael Barry.
FOLCC BOOK SALES. The "Friends of Linda Cox Chan" aim to raise money to
donate to Juvenile Diabetes Research, Australia by selling donated
books. Many thanks to Geoff Allshorn who recently donated $20 to the
FOLCC fund in Linda's memory. Our tally for the year is currently $28.
Anyone wanting to donate directly to JDRF- Juvenile Diabetes
Research Foundation can do so via PO Box 2038, South Melbourne, VIC
3205.Their web site is www.jdrf.org.au.
Books looking for new homes: "Honor Harrington: The Honor of the
Queen," by David Weber, "Harm's Way" by Colin Greenland, "Virtual Girl"
by Amy Thomson, "The Magic and the Healing" by Nick O'Donohoe,
"Grunts" by Mary Gentle, "Arthur" and "Merlin" by Stephen Lawhead, "Gun
with Occasional Music" by Jonathan Lethem, "Hell on High" by Holly
Lisle, "Daggerspell" and "Darkspell" by Katharine Kerr, "Phule's
Company", "Phule's Paradise" and "The Cold Cash War" by Robert Asprin,
"Echoes of the Great Song" (Lg Trade Paperback), "An Echo In Time" and
"The Ancient Future" by Traci Harding, "Alien Earth" by Megan Lindholm,
"Silver Wolf" by Alice Borchardt, "This is the Way the World Ends" by
James Morrow, and "Buck Alice and the Actor Robot" by Walter Koenig. $6
each, including postage within Australia. Discounts for buying more
than one book.. Thanks to Anne Devrell, Julie Townsend, James Allen and
David L. Russell for donating the above books. To buy books e-mail
Edwina Harvey at edwinafan@yahoo.com or snail mail Edwina, c/- 12
Flinders St, Matraville, NSW 2036.
FANZINES
SFSA 13 (South Australian Doctor Who Fan Club) on the theme " B-Movies:
Best and Worst" is out now and currently being distributed. Features
":Schemes and Intrigues" ( a Blackadder/Voyager crossover story) by
Jude Webster. The magazine is available through membership to the SFSA,
swap, or $2. Contact Martin Dunne, secretary@sfsa.org , website
http://www.sfsa.org.au/news.phb?code=39 or PO BOX 3227, Rundle Mall,
Adelaide. SA 5000. (Reported by Martin Dunne.).
CHAMELEON FACTOR 78. Celebrating 21 years of the fanzine's publication
and 40 years of Dr Who. Currently looking for submissions until 4th
October. Submit to cf@sfsa.org.au.
OUT OF THE BIN is produced monthly by Merv Binns. PO Box 315, Carnegie,
Vic. 3163, or e-mail mervbinns@optusnet.com.au
GEGENSCHEIN 96, Eric Lindsay's zine containing short SF book reviews
and Letters of Comment is available at
http://www.ericlindsay.com/sf/geg96.htm. Gegenschein 97 is half
completed and available at http://www.ericlindsay.com/sf/geg97.htm
BOOKSHOP NEWS
COLLINS SUPERSTORE. Level 2, Broadway Shopping Centre, Cnr Broadway and
Bay St, Sydney.
Leigh Blackmore, who runs the SF section of this store recently
called for any small press publishers, or authors with small press
editions, who do not currently have stock with Collins, Superstore
Broadway to contact him as Collins wants to support titles produced
locally.
GALAXY BOOKSHOP: 143 York St Sydney. http://www.galaxybooks.com.au.
INFINITAS BOOKSHOP (Shop 5 No. 1 Horwood Place Parramatta,
infinitas@bigpond.com):
Infinitas has a discussion group which meets at 7pm on the first
Thursday of the month. Infinitas also has a writers' group lead by Bill
Congreve.
FARENHEIT SF & Fantasy Bookshop cnr Bourke & William St, Melbourne.Ph
03 9600 4674, email anthologybooks@bigpond.com. Books freighted in from
America weekly, happy to mail order requests.
CRIME INK: 150 William St (Crn Bourke &William, presumably sharing the
same premises at Farenheit?)Ph 03 9600 4674, e-mail
crimeink@bigpond.com Offer a monthly catalogue, happy to do mail order
requests.
KNOWN SPACE BOOKS: First Floor, 108 Gawler Place, Adelaide, SA 5000.
Tel: (08) 8223-4304
Open: 12:00-6:00 Wednesday-Thursday; 12:00-10:00 Friday; 12:00-6:00
Saturday New and used books related to science fiction, film and TV.
Also comics and magazines. Now receiving American imports weekly.
SLOW GLASS BOOKS: a SF mail order catalogue. To join the mailing list
write to GPO Box 2708X , Melbourne Vic 3001 or see
www.slowglass.com.au. Email: justin@slowglass.com.au Phone: (03) 9639
1511 Fax: (03) 9639 1511.
RAVEN BOOKS: Second hand book service specialising in supernatural &
occult books. "From the Vault" catalogues are issued irregularly. If
you'd like to be added to this mailing list, write to Leigh Blackmore,
Raven Books, PO Box A281, Sydney South NSW 1235.
COMPETITIONS, FAN FUNDS & AWARDS
"SCIENCE FICTION WRITERS OF EARTH" The 2003 competition is now open to
any SF writer who has yet to sell a piece of work.
www.flashnet/~sfwoe/ (closes 30 October?)
MANNA - BREAD OF HEAVEN writing competition for Christian authors.
$1000 first prize. Entries close 15 October, 2003. Send a SASE to PO
BOX 844 Warners Bay NSW 2282 for entry form.
NAFF: The fourth National Australian Fan Fund to assist fans travelling
across Australia to attend the National SF Convention is now open to
assist the winning fan's travelling expenses to Conflux, the Natcon in
Canberra in 2004. To be on the NAFF ballot, each interested fan must be
nominated by 3 other fans from their state/territory and provide a bond
of $20. Each nominated fan is required to provide a 100 word
description of what they could bring to interstate fans and their
fannish history. Nominations can be sent to NAFF at PO Box 241,
Flinders Lane Post Boxes, Melbourne Vic. 8009, or given in person to
Sue Ann Barber or Alison Burton (Vic) or Emma Hawkes (WA). They can
also be contacted via e-mail albarton27@hotmail.com. Nominations must
be received by Friday 28th November, 2003. Voting will be open from the
following Friday until 29 February, 2004. Please make cheques payable
to NAFF, National Australian Fan Fund. You must provide contact details
for the nominee and at least one nominator.
GUFF: (The Going Under Fan Fund, or alternatively the Get Up- Over Fan
Fund, depending on what year it's being run.) The two contenders for
the 2004 GUFF race from the UK to Australia are Doug Bell and Pat
McMurray. You can find out more information and download voting forms
from http://www.ericlindsay.com/guff/index.htm.
HATCH, MATCH & DISPATCH
There are of course many problems connected with life, of which some of
the most popular are Why are people born? Why do they die? Why do they
want to spend so much of the intervening time wearing digital watches?-
Douglas Adams
BIRTHS: Elizabeth Mary Anne Cooper (Libby) born to Jane and David
Cooper (Sometime early August? )
WEDDINGS: SF writer Lee Battersby, and writer/editor Lyn Triffitt
recently announced they plan to wed at Swancon 2005 (qv "Conventions.")
with the reception to follow in conjunction with the Masquerade Ball.
The couple are currently looking for a registered marriage celebrant
willing to conduct the ceremony at the con. You can contact
Lynette.Triffitt@qbe.com or Lee, slbatt@starwon.com.au
DEATHS: Pamela Ogden Sparks, of Holland, Michigan, USA. Passed away on
Thurs 21 August, 2003 from multiple sclerosis. Pam networked with her
friends via a Delphi Internet forum called "Ogden's Bistro." Plans are
being made to posthumously publish the SF book she'd written.
AILING: Peter McNamara has a brain tumour.
CLUBS & MEETINGS
MELBOURNE SCIENCE FICTION CLUB, 74 Melville Road, West Brunswick 3055.
New committee elected on 28th August. September meetings pending.
SPACED OUT: a science fiction club for gays, lesbians and associated
communities. $5 joining fee, then $20 annual membership. ($15
concession.) payed to Space Out Inc. PO Box 363, Preston, Vic. 3072.
Non-profit SF club offering monthly meetings, "Diverse Universe"
newsletter and "Solar Spectrum" annual anthology.
SFSA (South Australian Dr Who fan club) is also a generic science
fiction club with two regular meetings each month. The regular club
meeting is held at the Adelaide High School from 3pm-10pm on the 3rd
Saturday of the month. Sept 20 meeting theme is "Musicals.", the 18 th
October meeting theme is "Halloween." Costs $3 members, $4 non-members.
A social gathering is held on the first Saturday of each month at the
Buckingham Arms Hotel, Walkerville, from 5pm-10pm see
http://www.sfsa.org.au/ for full details.(Reported by Martin Dunne.)
SYDNEY FUTURIANS: Meetings in room 1615 (floor 16) of the Tower Block,
The University of Technology, Broadway, Sydney, at 7 pm, usually on the
third Friday of the month. Check
http://members.optushome.com.au/aussff/Futurians.html or phone Garry
Dalrymple after 7 pm on (02) 9718 5827 for updates.
SYDNEY SOUTHERN SF&F GROUP: Convenor Brad Row will be absent from
September to December. New meeting arrangements will be posted to the
web site in mid September.
http://members.optushome.com.au/aussff/Southern_SF&F.html.
EVENTS
MULTIVERSE EVENTS: Upcoming Multiverse movie premiers are Sept 4th, "28
Days Later.", Sept 11th "Pirates of the Caribbean." You can reserve
tickets by emailing tickets@multiverse.org.au then check
http://www.multiverse.org.au.
EXPERIMENTA HOUSE OF TOMORROW: Sept 5 – 3 October, 100 St Kilda Rd,
Melbourne. Open Mon-Fri 12 – 8pm, Sat & Sun 10am-6pm. Exhibits include
Zizi- The Affectionate Couch. Stroke this firry piece of furniture to
make it vibrate and purr like a cat, Flying Carpet – geometric patterns
swirl around as you walk or dance across an interactive carpet,
Saturation – Step into this tactile cubicle to be showered with sound
vibrations, Virsual – The Digital Rocking Horse – Explore vast
simulated terrains on an interactive rocking horse. $11 or $9
concession. Book by phoning 8663 2583 or at the ACMI box office, or
check out www.experimenta.org. School Group Bookings also offered at
heavily discounted rates by phoning 9281 8140.
GALACTIC JURISPRUDENCE: a workshop on the Law and Science Fiction/
Fantasy. Queensland College of Arts, Southbank, Brisbane. Sat 27th
Sept. Traci Harding will deliver the intergalactic keynote address.
Subthemes include "Ethics of the Intergalactic Good", "Android Rights
and Responsibilities.", and "The Thing as Legal Entity." (reported by
Robert Hoge.)
MAGIC CASEMENTS: A Festival of Speculative Fiction presented by The New
South Wales Writers' Centre in association with Krenon. (Ted Scribner
and Garry Dalrymple apparently.) New South Wales Writers' Centre,
Rozelle Sydney. Now on Sat 13 September 2003 only, not the full
weekend as previously advertised.
STAR WALKING (VIC) SF Trivia Night. Preston Club, 407 Bell St, Preston.
Also 20th Anniversary Return of the Jedi Banquet October 25th. Rydges
of Carlton, Swanston St, Carlton, Melbourne.from 6pm. Formal or costume
dress. $55 for 3 course meal (drinks excluded) Check
www.starwalking.net for ull details.
CONVENTIONS
GoH = Guest of Honour, OCP = Other Commitments Permitting, tba= to be
announced.
BOBW: LORD OF THE RINGS CONVENTION: 20-21 September. The Rydges
Lakeside Hotel, Canberra. GoH's Bruce Hopkins, Craig Parker, Sarah
McLeod & Brad Durif (OCP). Memberships from $135 Check Best of Both
Worlds web site, www.bobw.com.au
FRIENDS OF SCIENCE FICTION (FoSF) STAR WARS CON. 4-5 October. Lidcombe
Catholic Club. GoH's Peter Mayhew (Chewbacca) and David Prowse (Darth
Vader) (OCP) Costs: FoSF Members $60 per day, Non-members $75 a day.
Phone Bookings 02 9523-8385, on-line bookings: www.fsf.com.au
BOBW 20 (?) STARGATE CONVENTION. 14-16 November. The Rydges Lakeside
Hotel, Canberra. GoH's Michael Shanks, Dan Shea, Douglas Arthurs and
Peter Williams. (OCP) Memberships from $135 Check Best of Both Worlds
web site, www.bobw.com.au
FoSF LORD OF THE RINGS CON. Sat 22 November, Lidcombe Catholic Club.
GoH John Rhys-Davies.(Gimli/ Treebeard, LOTR) (OCP) Costs: FoSF Members
$80, Non-members $98. Phone Bookings 02 9523-8385, on-line bookings:
www.fsf.com.au
DAYCON: Proposed one day con to be held in the Sydney CBD, possibly in
November 2003. For more details, contact daycon@vile-temptress.org.
INTENSICON http://www.intensicon.tk/: a one day gaming con held at
Melbourne University sometime in December.
CHRONOPOLIS - Swancon 29 Perth, Western Australia. Easter weekend Thu 8
to Mon 12th April 2004
Venue: Parmelia Hilton. GoH's: Chris Dickinson, John Long. Fan GoH:
Emma Hawkes. Shay Telfer, Convenor, Lily Chrywenstrom recently stepped
down as secretary, having moved to Canberra. The position is now being
filled by Peter Lyons.
CONFLUX www.conflux.org.au 43rd Australian National Science Fiction
Convention, 23-26 April 2004.
Guests of Honour: Greg Benford and Sean McMullen. Special Guest, Harry
Turtledove. Fan GOH's Karen Herkes Cost: currently $143. Students
(including secondary school students) and Concession rates: $77.
Primary school students and younger admitted free. Supporting
memberships $44. rates. Please note the previously advertised voting
only membership of $5 is no longer offered due to changes passed at the
last Natcon business meeting (Swancon 2003). All enquiries should be
directed to: info@conflux.org.au. Postal Address: PO Box 903,
Belconnen, ACT 2616.
(Please note that the Anzac Day weekend has been declared a long
weekend –i.e. Holiday Monday – in all states of Australia except
Victoria and Tasmania. - Edwina, who's been scouring 2004 calendars
recently for relevant information.)
CONTOUR 2004 New Zealand's 25th National Science Fiction Convention.
REVISED DATES: Easter 2004, not May 31 to June 3 2004 as previously
published. GoH's Harry Turtledove & Greg Benford. Princes Gate Hotel &
Rotorua Convention Centre, Rotorua. Attending membership $70(NZ$) or
$40 (NZ) supporting. Web site http://contour.sf.org.nz. Email:
enquiries@contour.sf.org.nz. PO Box 74-93 Market Rd, Auckland, New
Zealand.
CONSENSUALITY – Swancon XXX. Perth, WA. Easter 2005. Conveners Stephen
Dedman and Elaine Kemp.
THYLACON IV. National SF con for 2005. Hobart, Tasmania. 10-13 June,
2005 (Queens Birthday Long weekend in many states.) Supporting
membership currently available for $25 until 30 July, rising to $35
after then. (Supporting memberships can be upgraded to attending
memberships at any time for the price of attending membership when the
supporting membership was purchased.) Attending membership $95
(Children under 12 $35) For membership forms e-mail
afinch@tassie.net.au, or write to Thylacon PO Box 345 Kingston TAS,
7051 To join the Thylacon e-mail list send a subscribe message to:
Thylacon-subscribe@yahoogroups.com. Their web site is
http://www.thylacon.com.
NB the first issue of "TIGER TRACKS," the Thylacon newsletter was sent
out to members on 9th August
INTERACTION: 63rd WORLD SCIENCE FICTION CONVENTION, GLASGOW, 2005.
Interaction, the 2005 Worldcon will be held at the Scottish Exhibition
and Conference Centre in Glasgow over the weekend of 4-8 August
2005.GoHs Christopher Priest, Robert Sheckley and Jane Yolen, critic
and fanzine editor Greg Pickersgill and veteran Scandinavian fan
Lars-Olov Strandberg.
NB: TED SCRIBNER has taken over the role of Australian Agent. He can be
contacted at krenon@optushome.com.au or 12 Richmount St, Cronulla, NSW
2230.
*
OTHER INFORMATION RESOURCES:
Ted Scribner's Australian SF&F home page is:
http://members.optushome.com.au/aussff/
and his list of SF oriented groups in NSW is at
http://members.optushome.com.au/aussff/SFNSW.html.
Coode St Review lists Australian publishing news and achievements by
Australian writers http://www.sf.org.au/coodestreetnews.
AUSTRALIAN WRITERS WEB, www.splints.customer.netspace.net.au, lists
Australian and overseas markets and resources for Australian writers.
Maintained and updated by Tony Plank. (Great graphics, and a great
resource.)
The Bullsheet is available as a FREE e-mail subscription, (Send a
request to edwinafan@yahoo.com) and we're happy to trade with other
e-mail zines. If you want to receive the Bullsheet snail mail, we ask
that you forward 20x50 cent stamps (for subs within Australia) to help
cover printing and postage costs of an annual subscription.
NEXT BULLSHEET: The deadline for submission of material for inclusion
in theOctober Bullsheet (19) is 25th September. Send your news e-mail
to edwinafan@yahoo.com, or snail mail to Edwina Harvey c/- 12
Flinders St, Matraville NSW, 2036.
Visit Celestial Cobbler for custom made ceramic craft with a SF &
Fantasy bent. Special events: Birthdays, New Babies, Anniversaries,
Special messages, etc commemorated on a hand crafted mug or plate.
http://members.optushome.com.au/guests/Cobbler.html.
For no sufficiently explained reason this Fanzine still supports The
Minneapolis in '73 Worldcon Bid