The Australian Science Fiction Bullsheet 51 – June 2006
The Australian Science Fiction Bullsheet 51
June 2006
ISSN 1445-4319 (print version), ISSN 1445-4327 (online version)
GENERAL NEWS
UNDER THE HAMMER. More than 1000 items from Star Trek, including 2
bridge consoles from the 1st season , will be sold by CBS Paramount
Television archives through Christies auction house, USA. The auction
to commemorate 40 years since the beginning of Star Trek. The Auction
is set to start on 5th October, and is expected to run for 3 days
(reported on news.com.au on 19/5/06)
Sir David Jason will star in a TV adaptationi of Terry Pratchett's
discworld novel. The Hogfather. The mini-series will be shown (in the
UK on Sky One) in Christmas 06.
Pauline Collins (The leading actress in the Shirley Valentine movie)
will play Queen Victoria in the new Dr Who series. (relayed by Julie
Townsend from the TV Mag, UK. Feb 18-24)
WHO LISTENS TO THE RADIO?
NEIL GAIMAN and LINDA JAIVIN were interviewed by Richard Fidler on
Sydney radio statioin 702 on Mon 22. The interview can be found on
http://abc.net.au/sydney/conversations (Reported by Ted Scribner)
ELLEN DATLOW was interviewed for ABC's Articulate, speaking about the
horror genre and offering advice for emerging writers. You can hear
the interview on
http://www.abc.net.au/news/arts/articulate/200605/s1649418.htm
(reported by Gary Kemble on the Visions list.)
CONFLUX III (q.v. conventions) is set to go off with a bang in a
few weeks. They are looking to get coverage in Canberra City News.
Traders going to Conflux have the chance to cross promote themselves
and Conflux by advertising with City News.
GALAXY BOOKSHOP (York St, Sydney) has ELLEN DATLOW instore for a
book signing from 6.30 pm on 1st June, and CHARLES STROSS on Thursday
27th July from 5pm.
SEEKING STORY: A Bullsheet reader was seeking help to find the title
and author of a short story (possibly for children or young adults? -
Edwina) "about urban overcrowding and the city only has one park on
its roof with just one tree and the story is about a child who sees
the tree for the first time because most people can only visit the
tree once a year." If anyone knows more details about this story,
can you drop a line to edwinafan@yahoo.com? (Many thanks, Edwina.)
AUREALIS AWARDS PANELS: Ben Payne recently announced the reading
panels for this year's Aurealis Awards: SF: Alisa Krasnostein
(Convenor), Sue Isle, Robert N. Stephenson. FANTASY Tansy Rayner
Roberts (Convenor), Lilla Smee, Damien Warman. HORROR: Cat Sparks
(Convenor), Stephanie Gunn, Chuck McKenzie, Sean Williams. YOUNG
ADULT: Dianne DeBellis (Convenor), Katherine Phelps, Gillian Polack.
CHILDRENS: Anna Hepworth (Convenor), Heidi Kneale, Alice Mills
Cynthia Rohner. The Aurealis Awards are officially open for
submissions. For more details either email
director@aurealisawards.com, or visit http://www.aurealisawards.com/
The Third SPECULATIVE LITERATURE FOUNDATION FOUNTAIN AWARD WINNER was
Stephanie Harrell for the story, "Girl Reporter" published in /One
Story/. Nine other stories received honorable mentions. Full details
are available on the SLF web site:
http://speculativeliterature.org/Awards/SLFFountainAward/2005.php.
Young Writers short story competition. (under 2500 words) for
writers aged 18-25 closing on the 11th of August.
http://www.slq.qld.gov.au/news/whatson/events/ywa Reported by Ben
Perrett on the Visions List.
FFANZ (Fan Fund for Australia and New Zealand) Race for 2007 is now
on. Nominations are now open for the 2007 FFANZ trip, from Australia
to New Zealand for Conspiracy 2, the NZ Natcon run over the New
Zealand Queen's Birthday in June 2007. Nominations open for residents
of Australia and New Zealand who have been active in fandom prior to
31 March 06. Nominations must be signed by the nominee and
accompanied by a donation of AUD$10.00 to FFANZ. Each nomination must
also have the signed support of one fan currently residing in NZ and
two fans currently residing in Australia (these can be sent
separately). The nominee should provide a written platform of 100
words or less for the ballot and a photo if possible. Nominations
should be sent to Rose Mitchell, GPO Box 1212K, Melbourne,Vic, 3001.
E-mail Mitchell@vicnet.net.au for further information, or NZ
representatives Barbara and Peter Clendon
reading@barbarasbooks.co.nz Read all about the FFANZ Fan Fund at
http://ffanz.sf.org.nz/index.htm
BOOKS AND PUBLICATIONS
"Outside a dog, a book is man's best friend. Inside a dog it's too
dark to read"- Groucho Marx
ALLEN & UNWIN's monthly new books catalogue will be going online. If
you want to register to receive their catalogue by e-mail
write "Email New Books catalogue" in the subject line of a blank e-
mail addressed to publicity@allenandunwin.com
ORBIT PUBLISHING TO LAUNCH IN AUSTRALIA AND USA. The UK's leading SF
& Fantasy publishers are looking to launch their new US and AUS
imprints, to be overseen and developed by Tim Holman, in the next 12-
18 months. Current Senior editor, Darren Nash will become Editorial
Director for Orbit UK. Tim Holman was quoted as saying "...many SF and
Fantasy writers have truly international appeal." (Relayed by Robbie
Matthews via the ASIM admin list.)
HOWZAT! A celebration of cricket by Max Fatchen and Dave Luckett,
with illustrations by David Cox, Don Hatcher and David Kennett, has
been published by Omnibus Books. ISBN 1862915792. Available in all
good book shops. (Apologies to Dave for not running this information
earlier.)
Apologies to TERRI DARTNALL for misspelling her name in last month's
Bullsheet when mentioning her short story collection, The Ladder at
the Bottom of the World.
ANDREW BORG has a new Australian fantasy book called, "The
Wyvernstone - a Tale of Dalraida" published through Equilibrium Books
in June. ISBN 139781920764807. The book is being sold through
sales@wyvernstone.com for the introductory price of $19.95 + postage
& handling. For more details see www.wyvernstone.com.
ANDROMEDA SPACEWAYS issues 23 & 24 will be available to subscribers,
and to purchase at Conflux in Canberra in June (q.v.). Issue 22 will
be available to buy as a PDF until 13th June (Print issue will be
available until sold out). See www.andromedaspaceways.com for more
details.
ANTIPODEAN SF 96 features short, short stories (500 words) by Adam
Carson, Brenda Steedman, Jason Fischer, Mark Aird, Shaun A Saunders,
Mark Tremble, Angus Glashier, Shei Tanner, Marty Young, Lynton
Haggett can be viewed at http://www.antisf.com or
http://purl.nla.gov.au/NET/antisf/
SPECUSPHERE: This month's Specusphere features an interview with
Terry Dartnall, fiction by Stephen Thompson & Jeff Perkins, book
reviews and a games press release. Specusphere are still happy to
hear from anyone interested in learning the editing trade. See
www.specusphere.com/files/mag.asp
THE WORKERS' PARADISE is a new spec-fic anthology with the theme of
work/workplace relations, to be edited by Russell B. Farr and Nick
Evans. Open to submissions of original stories of 1-7,000 words from
Australian residents until 1 Aug 2006. E-mail subs to
comradefarr@ticonderogaonline.org with the words "Submission
Workers" in the subject line. Pays 2 copies and Aus 1.5 c/word on
publication. See http://ticonderogaonline.org/publications/ for full
details.
FLASHSPEC is a new anthology project for Flash Speculative Fiction
stories, to be published in the second half of 2006. If the project
is sufficiently supported, it may also become a regular magazine. The
collection will be edited by Western Australian author Neil
Cladingboel and published by Equilibrium Books as a trade softcover
sold through their online book store. Iinitially, payments to authors
will be an author bio included with each accepted story and a
contributors copy of the anthology. Contributers will also be able to
purchase additional copies at a discount. Full submission guidelines
available from: www.flashspec.com
PHILIP K DICK ANTHOLOGY CALL FOR ARTISTS: 2007 will be the 25th
anniversary of Philip K Dick's death and a commemorative volume is
being produced by Rob Ensor. Fiction has been selected, but artists
who can replicate the style of PKD's contemporaries (Virgil Finlay,
Emsh, Kelly Freas, et al.) are invited to submit work to
robensor@tiscali.co.uk, 134 Hollybank Road, Kings Heath, Birmingham,
B13 0RL,England. Payment is in contributors copies only.
CLARION SOUTH 2007, an intensive 6 week spec-fic workshop held at
Brisbane's Griffith Uni in Jan/Feb 07 will have Lee Battersby, Simon
Brown, Gardiner Dozois, Rob Hood, Kelly Link & Janeen Webb as tutors.
See www.clarionsouth.org for full details. Applications close June
06. (Reported by Robert Hoge on the Vision Writers list)
LEIGH BLACKMORE's Raven books, specialising in dark and horror
fiction also includes Sequence comics. For the February catalogue e-
mail lvxnox@iinet.net.au.
GRAHAM STONE has a catalogue of SF books and pulp SF magazines
(Amazing Stories, Analog, Galaxy SF) for sale. For a copy of the
catalogue send a sase to 205/24 Victoria St, Burwood, NSW, 2134.
MERV BINNS perzine, Out of the Bin is available from PO Box 315,
Carnegie, Vic, 3163.
FRIENDS OF LINDA COX CHAN (FOLCC) raise money to donate to Juvenile
Diabetes Research, Australia by selling donated books etc. (Tally
$64.60) Books looking for new homes: "The Truth About Magic" by Dave
Luckett (new and autographed by the author!), World's Apart by Chuck
McKenzie.(Autographed by the author!) Audiobook: "Journey to the
Centre of the Earth" by Jules Verne featuring John de Lancie and
Leonard Nimoy, also a Dukes of Hazard Play and Read record, and A-
Team colouring and activity books: Art cards autographed by Marianne
Plumridge and Bob Eggleton are also for sale. See images of the
available cards on the Bullsheet website. To buy items e-mail Edwina
Harvey at edwinafan@yahoo.com or snail mail Edwina, c/- 12 Flinders
St, Matraville, NSW 2036. *Make cheques payable to Edwina Harvey
please, FOLCC is an informal entity.) You can also pay via direct
deposit and paypal.
HATCH, MATCH AND DISPATCH
GRAVELY ILL:
Writer Kurt Von Trojan, author of The Atrocity Shop and the Transing
novels, as well as many short stories, suffering from bone and kidney
cancer.
DEATHS:
US Actor and writer, Frankie Thomas Jr, who was to be a special guest
at LACON IV, passed away on 11th May As an actor, Frankie played Tom
Corbett, Space Cadet in a TV show of the same name aired in the USA
in 1950. As such he was responsible for the words "Blast off"
entering into popular language. After acting, Frank taught bridge, a
card game for which he had a great passion. He also wrote a dozen
Sherlock Holmes novels, including "Sherlock Holmes, Bridge
Detective." (Reported by Ted Scribner)
CLUBS & MEETINGS
MELBOURNE SCIENCE FICTION CLUB, Meet most Friday nights at 74
Melville Road, West Brunswick 3055.Membership to the MSFC is $25
single, or $35 family p.a. For further details on the MSFC see
www.vicnet.net.au/~msfc. Meetings for June 2: Food & Trivia night;
Soup, June 9th Coffee, Cake and Conversation (about how those lucky
buggers who got to go to Conflux are enjoying themselves) June 16th
Book Club reviews Ray Bradbury's Farenheite 491 & Orscon Scott Card's
Ender's Game, Sat 17th June; Minicon with Melbourne SF clubs &
conventions Austrek, MSFC, Starwalking, First Contact Conventions,
Convergence etc. 10am-4.30pm. The club magazine, Ethel the Aardvark
is inviting SF contributions for its June issue.
AUSTREK, the Star Trek fan club in Victoria will be celebrating its
30th anniversary this year and is still going strong.
SPACED OUT: a science fiction club for gays, lesbians and associated
communities. $5 joining fee, then $20 annual membership. ($15
concession.) to Spaced Out Inc. PO Box 363, Preston, Vic. 3072.Non-
profit SF club offering monthly meetings, "Diverse Universe"
newsletter and "Solar Spectrum" annual anthology.
CANBERRA SCIENCE FICTION SOCIETY meets on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays
of the month. It's a relaxed social society for the discussion of SF
and fantasy. Membership $24 p.a. For more info write to CSFS PO Box
47, Civic Square, ACT 2608, or e-mail canberrascifi@hotmail.com.
SFSA (South Australian Dr Who fan club) Two regular meetings each
month. Annual membership $15. The regular club meeting is held at the
Adelaide High School from 3pm-10pm on the 3rd Saturday of the month.
See http://www.sfsa.org.au/ for full details or write to PO Box 3227,
Rundle Mall, SA 5000.(Reported by Martin Dunne.)
The Doctor Who Club of Australia (DWCA) Membership $16 within Aust.
provides 6 issues of Data Extract, membership pack, access to the
club's member-only internet mailing list, discount prices on a range
of merchandise, admission prices to club functions (including
Whovention, discounts at selected retail outlets for Doctor Who
merchandise. For more information contact Dwayne Bunney -
corporate@doctorwhoaustralia.org or 0416 269 726 or check
www.doctorwhoaustralia.org
QUEST Queensland Star Trek club. Contact the club at PO BOX 2084,
Brisbane, QLD. 4001, or check www.conquestforever.com (Reported by
Kevin Sheehan.)
The Brisbane Babylon 5ers website is at www.geocities.com/bb5ers
(Reported by Erica Sharp, president of the Brisbane Babylon5ers )
VISIONS WRITERS GROUP offers meeting and critiquing for SF, Fantasy
and Horror writers in QLD Monthly meetings from 11am –2 pm, first
Sunday of the month (except Jan and Dec) at Dymocks City Store, Queen
St, Brisbane. $10 joining fee, and $4 per meeting. (reported by Nigel
Stone)
INFINITAS BOOKSHOP/Blokey Stuff, Shop 22 Civic Arcade, 48 - 50 George
Street Parramatta NSW. has 2 groups regularly meeting at its
premises. The SF Discussion Group meets at 6:30pm on the first
Thursday of each month except January. A SF Writers Group also meets
at the shop once a month on Saturdays See
http://www.infinitas.com.au/WritersGroup.php for 2006 meeting dates.
(Reported by Tim Martin via Ted Scribner).
SYDNEY MECHANICS' SCHOOL OF ARTS at 280 Pitt St, Sydney, regularly
holds a members reading group for Mystery and Crime, Romance and
Science Fiction and Fantasy. The groups start with Mystery and Crime
at 10am and meander into SF (and sometimes Romance, depending on
demand) from 12 noon. Attendance at the first meeting is free, but if
you're interested in attending more meetings, you are asked to join
the Sydney Mechanics' School of Arts. (Annual fee $15.50 ?) This also
entitles you to borrowing rights at the School of Arts library.
Meetings held every 3 weeks. Upcoming meetings: Sat June 3, Sat June 24th.
SYDNEY FANS IN THE PUB. Meet on the first Tuesday of the month at the
Civic Hotel, Saloon Bar, Crn Pitt & Goulburn Sts, Sydney. From
6.30pm. (Reported by Zara Baxter.)
SYDNEY FUTURIANS now affiliated with the Student Assoc of UTS.
Meetings in room 510C (5th floor) of The University of Technology,
Broadway, Sydney, at 7 pm on June 16th, July 21, Aug 18th, Sept 15th,
Oct 20th, Nov 17th, Dec 20th. Check
http://users.secsme.org.au/~futurians, or e-mail John.Fox@uts.edu.au
for full details.
STARWALKING: http://sydskyforce.starwalking.net holds meetings af the
Lidcombe Catholic Workers Club, 24 John St, Lidcombe, opposite
Lidcombe Railway station on the third Sunday of some months.
Attendance costs $8 members, $10 nonmembers.
EVENTS
VORTEX: SF Events happening in Brisbane, can be found at
www.vortexevents.com
STARS AND PLANETS, a selection of musical pieces from the Sydney
Symphony Orchestra starring Japanese violinist Akiko Suwanai, will be
performed at the Sydney Opera House on Wed 7th, Fri 9th and Sat 10th
June at 8pm. Book via the Sydney Opera House (02) 9250 7777
NEWCASTLE SPACE FRONTIER SOCIETY (NSW) has a Bowling tournament at
the Gosford City Bowl, Brook St, Wyoming from 1pm on Sunday 3rd June.
The venue has a café for those who wish to meet earlier for lunch. On
1st July, movie viewing, "Superman Returns" at the Glendale Cinema.
For details see www.nssa.com.au/nsfs, or e-mail nsfs@nssa.com.au
CONVENTIONS
GoH = Guest of Honour, OCP = Other Commitments Permitting, tba= to be
announced.
CONCLAVE: NZ National SF & Fantasy con. 2-5 June, 2006. Allenby Park
Motor Inn, Manukau City - about 8 minutes from Auckland airport,
we're told. NZ.GoH's Joan Vinge, Jim Fenkel, Steve Jackson. Han GoH
Kevin MacLean. See http://conclave.sf.org.nz for full details. (And
thanks to Robin Johnson for passing on the change in motel
information)
LEGO IN MELBOURNE! The first Australian public Lego fan exhibition,
Bricvention, will be held in Melbourne, June 10-11. You need to pre-
register is you intend to display, participate in presentations, or
operate a trade table (at extra cost) See http://brickventures.com
for full details. (Reported by J. Gibbins.)
CONFLUX 3: Queens Birthday Weekend, 9-12 June 2006. National Museum.
GoHs Ellen Datlow, Kate Forsyth, Sara Douglass and Jackie French.
Also offering communication links with Sir Arthur C. Clarke, Ray
Bradbury, and Lloyd Alexander. Conflux will also feature a film
festival, a medieval feast and a gaming stream as well as an art show
offering $6,000 in prizes. If you refer someone who hasn't been to a
Conflux before, you will receive a $25 voucher to spend in the
dealers room. Attending m/ship $190, $130 concession and $35
supporting.. See http://www.conflux.org.au or e-mail
info@conflux.org.au .PO Box 903 Belconnen, ACT 2616 or phone
0421005511.
AUSTRALIAN SPACE DEVELOPMENT CONFERENCE. 19-21st July, Canberra. See
http://www.nssa.com.au/ for more details
CONTINUUM. 4-6 August, Victoria Hotel, Lt Collins St, Melbourne.
GoHs Shaun Tan, Charles Stross, Margo Lanagan, Bruce Gillespie.
Website: http://www.continuum.org.au
LA CON IV, the 64th Worldcon. 23-27 August, 2006. Anaheim Convention
Centre, Hilton & Marriott hotels, Anaheim. GoH's Connie Willis, James
Gurney, Howard De Vore, (Frankie Thomas will be remembered as a
special guest) Attending m/ship $225 ($au) Conversion from supporting
membership to attending, $165 (au) Kids/supporting memberships $65. e-
mail info@laconIV.org, Postal address LA Con c/- S.C.I.F.I. inc, PO
Box 8442, Van Nuys, CA, 91409. USA. Australians can buy memberships
to LaCon by sending a cheque or money order made payable to their
Australian Agent, Edwin A. Scribner c/- 12 Richmount St, Cronulla NSW
2230, preferably with a printout of
http://www.laconiv.org/2006/reg/signupaus.htm with personal details
filled in. Alternatively send your full name, address and email
address. Attending membership is currently $225 and supporting or
child (5 - 11) $65.
FIRST CONTACT con. 24th Sept. Roadshow Theatre, State Library,
LaTrobe St, Melbourne. $77 general. See
www.firstcontactconventions.com.au for full details.
ConQuest, 29th Sept - 1st Oct. Chifley at Lennons, Brisbane. GoHs:
Gary Lockwood, Keir Dullea, (2001: A Space Odyssey) Katy Manning (Dr
Who), Richard Arnold and Sonny Whitelaw. $270. See
www.conquestforever.com for full details.
RHODODENCON: A proposed relaxacon in Blackheath (Blue Mountains, NSW)
29th Sept- 2 Oct (Long weekend in NSW and some other states). Cost
$40, payable to Edwin A. Scribner, c/- 12 Richmount St, Cronulla,
2230, or 4 Prince Edward St, Blackheath. Full details can be viewed
at http://members.optusnet.com.au/rhododencon
TERRA NOVA 14th Oct. Mercure Grosvenor Hotel, Adelaide. See
novaevents.com for full details.
FRIENDS OF SCIENCE FICTION STARGATE CON October 28th Sydney, (and
29th Oct Brisbane. Venue TBA) GoH Rachel Luttrell. Membership $120
FSF members, $130 non-members, $400 VIP. See www.fsf.
www.fsf.net.au, or phone 02 9523 8385
SUPANOVA Sydney, Comics/Pop culture. 27-29 October, Wharf 8, 53-59
Hickson Rd, Sydney.
ARMAGEDDON (NZ) 21-23 Oct. Aotea Centre, Auckland. GoH: JMS (Bab 5)
and others. (NZ)$15
Of $350 gold. See www.pulpexpo.com/info.html.
Entry cost - Adult one day $15
Child (12 and Under) - one day pass $10
Family pass (2 Adults and 2 Children) - one day only $42
Three Day Pass - $40.00
Special Gold Pass Ticket - Limited to only 20 tickets- $500.00 -
this includes Priority entry to the Expo on both days. One Autograph
from each guest attending the event, Special Gold pass card, entry
to the Opening night party and more to be announced.
Tickets will be on sale from September 1st 2006. Visit your local
Ticketek office or click on the Ticketek logo to go to their web site.
Service fees may apply
NULLUS ANXIETAS The First Australian Discworld Convention. Feb 9-11,
2007. Melbourne. Attending $160, (Gala dinner to cost an extra $90)
see www.ausdwcon.org for further details.
CONVERGENCE 2. Australian Natcon, 2007. Rydges Hotel, Melbourne.
Queens Birthday weekend, 8-11 June, 07. Theme:YA genre fiction. GoH
Isobelle Carmody. See http://www.natcon.org.au/2007. Attending
membership $153, concession $103 until 31.12.95. Student membership
$55, supporting membership $33 (Prices sourced from Convergence
promotional postcards). (Reported by Rose Mitchell.)
XIVAMC, Medieval re-enactment group. Easter 2007. Meeting at the
Danelaw property, Charley's Forest Rd, Wog Wog, NSW. (35 min drive
north of Braidwood, 3 hrs south of Sydney, 1.5 hrs east of Canberra.
Registration $150 fully catered for 4 days. See www.danelaw.org.au
for more details. (Reported by J. Gibbins.)
NIPPON 2007. Worldcon. Aug 30-Sept 3 2007. Pacifico Yokohama
convention centre, Japan. Gohs: David Brin and Sakyo Komatsu. Artist
Gohs: Yoshitaka Amano and Michael Whelan. Details at
www.nippon2007.org . Australian agent Craig McBride. Membership A$210
until Sept 30 2005. You can also join
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/nippon2007
Geneva Convention a civilised worldcon bid for Switzerland in 2008.
http://www.thegenevaconvention.org/
Australia 2010. Another Aussie Worldcon bid, apparently getting good
support from overseas. See http://world.std.com/~sbarsky/melbourne.
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.
The Inkspillers web site, http://www.inkspillers.com. is a great
source of market information that is always being updated by Tony
Plank.
For links to books, movies and television shows see John Tipper's
homepage: http://www.collecting books andmagazines.com
The Bullsheet is available as a FREE monthly e-mail through the
AUSSFBULL mailing list. To join send a blank e-mail to AUSSFBULL-
subscribe@yahoogroups.com. The latest version is also on the
Bullsheet web page
http://members.optusnet.com.au/aussfbull/bullsheet_or
http://www.geocities.com/edwinafan/bullsheetThe Bullsheet is also
available as a snail-mail subscription for 20x50 cent stamps (or $10)
sent to Edwina Harvey c/- 12 Flinders St, Matraville, 2036. Send your
news e-mail to edwinafan@yahoo.com
Visit Celestial Cobbler for ceramic craft with a SF & Fantasy bent.
http://members.optushome.com.au/guests/Cobbler.html.
For no sufficiently explained reason this Fanzine still supports The
Minneapolis in '73 Worldcon Bid