The Australian Science Fiction Bullsheet 96 – March 2010

The Australian Science Fiction Bullsheet 96 MARCH 2010 ISSN 1445-4319 (print version), ISSN 1445-4327 (online version)

WHO's IN THE MONEY?: An auction of props from Dr Who by Bonhams auctioneers, London saw David Tennant's pale blue shirt sell for A$53,841, Kylie Minogue's waitress outfit fetched A$57,016. A cream coloured Mk II dalek manufactured in 1988 sold for A$54 3,311, while a black painted Mk 1 Dalek manufactured in 1983 only sold for A$551,575. (Reported in Daily Telegraph, Sydney 26/2/10)

THE VICTORIAN WRITERS CENTRE, 176 Little Lonsdale St, Melbourne, <http://vwc.org.au/what-s-on> offers the following in March: Thursday 4th March: From Published to Publisher with PAUL COLLINS, EUAN MITCHELL & Host, ALI LEMER. Guests discuss their transition from writer to publisher and what it takes to adopt dual roles from the creative to the entrepreneur. This session will pr ovide valuable information on how to market yourself as a writer. 4th March, 6.30-8pm Cost: $15, Members $12/$10 (Bookings may now e closed. EH)

Wednesday 17th March: The Writer's Road with STEVEN CONTE, BRENDAN GULLIFER & Host, Joel Becker. Writers tell about their road to success in the literary arena. 17 March, 6.30-8pm Cost: $15, Members $12/$10

Thursday 18th March, Let's Network! @ The Wheeler Centre : An opportunity for like-minded writers to get together, exchange ideas & form new networks, 18 March, 6.30-8pm FREE

THE YEAR OF SF & FANTASY with PAUL COLLINS: Course. Join Paul, author of over 120 novels and 140 short stories, editor and publisher (Ford Street Publishing) as he guides you through the process of writing your own novel. Participants will benefit fro m brainstorming ideas with others through the year and the outcome should be a completed, polished novel ready to submit to publishers. Saturdays 27 March, 22 May, 24 July, 25 September, 27 November, 10am – 4pm Cost: $600, Members $540/$500 Victori a Writers Centre, 176 Little Lonsdalel St, Melbourne

RHONDA ROBERTS is this month's guest blogger at the ROR website where she talks about the path she travelled to have her new SF comedy book published by Harper Collins. You also have a chance to win a copy of her book through the ROR website. See:
<http://ripping- ozzie-reads. blogspot. com/2010/ 02/getting- my-first- book-published-rhonda.html> (Reported by Rowena Cory Lindquist in the Visions list)

CONGRATULATIONS to DEBORAH BIANCOTTI whose book, A Book of Endings made the 2010 William L. Crawford Award shortlist for best first fantasy book. The award is presented annually at the International Conference on the Fantastic in the Arts. See: <ht tp://www.locusmag.com/News/2010/01/jedediah-berry-wins-crawford-award.html> for more details.

SYDNEY BOOK LAUNCH: Solace & Grief, recently published by Ford Street Publishing, will be launched by Scott Westerfeld from 12,30pm at Books Kinokuniya, Level 2, Galeries Victoria, 500 George St, Sydney on March 7 RSVP info@fordstreetpublishing.com .

INKSPILLERS - The Australian Speculative Writers Website managed by the esteemed Tony Plank, is now online with a new presentation incorporating the Ditmar Awards Website. If you're a writer wanting to know Where to send it, how to send it, who to sen d it to and much, much more, check out < www.inkspillers.com>

The KATHERINE SUSANNAH PRICHARD Speculative Fiction Awards are now open for short stories between 1500 and 3500 words from anywhere across the genre. Prizes $600.00 for first, $300.00 for second and $175.00 for third plus 5 commended of $10.00. The c ompetition closes on Friday, May 28, 2010. Entry forms and Conditions of Entry are available from Katharine Susannah Prichard Writers Centre, 11 Old York Road, Greenmount WA 6056 or can be downloaded from the website.

The BLACKWOOD WRITERS GROUP for spec fic authors was formed in 1996 and meets every Monday at 7pm for 2-3 hrs in the Blackwood Recreation Centre - 1 Northcote Road Eden Hills SA 5050 ( $3 per attendance ) For more info see http://www.blackwoodwrit ersgroup.com/ or phone Rob Bleckly 08 8536 3975 or Robert N Stephenson 08 8278 8995

Gen Con™ Australia 23rd-26th September. Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre. Electronic gaming, anime, card games, board gamesm celebrity appearances, clothing manufacturers, comic and alternate stores for enthusiasts. anime, cos play, board g ames, card games, war gaming, computer games, guest appearances from sci-fi/fantasy authors. Currently seeking businesses & organizations to book exhibition spaces (attendances expected to be over 10,000 over 4 days) Two new booth options being offered include Intermediate Booths (perfect for small businesses) and Gallery Booths (perfect for artists, authors and community groups). Discount rates to return stall holders, and early rates open until 29th March. Ph sales manager on 0400 201 4 44 or (07) 349 1 7155 for more details.

FOR JAZZ ENTHUSIASTS: Rowena Cory Lindquist's daughter, Raphael, recent graduate from the Brisbane Conservatorium, appears on an album with other graduates which you can listen to at: <www.conversationscd .com> (Reported by Proud Mum, Rowena)

CHRONOS AWARD WINNERS for 2009 (presented at Continuum 6): Best Long Fiction: Slice of Life, Paul Haines (The Mayne Press) Best Short Fiction: Gamer's Quest, George Ivanoff (Ford Street Publishing) Best Artwork: My Extraordinary Life and Death, Grant Gittus (Ford Street Publishing) Best Fan Writer: Felicity Dowker Best Fan Artist: Ditmar Jenssen Best Fan Publication: Ethel the Aardvark, edited by Murray and Natalie MacLachlan, and Sam Rooney (Melbourne Science Fiction Club) Best Achievement: The Halloween Clive Barker Chat, Felicity Dowker (AHWA).(Reported by Thomas Bull)

The SIR JULIUS VOGEL sub-committee of SFFANZ is currently accepting nominations for science fiction and fantasy works by NZ nationals or residents first published or released in the 2009 calendar year. Nominations close 31 March 2010 at 8pm (NZ time) . Anyone can nominate. For more information about SFFANZ and the SJV Awards, please go to the SFFANZ web-site <http://sffanz.sf.org.nz/> You can find full details about the nomination procedures and rules, including eligibility criteria at : <htt p://sffanz.sf.org.nz/sjv/sjvAwardsRules_2010.shtml> Voting for the SJV's will occur at Au Contraire, http://www.aucontraire.org.nz/

NOMINATIONS FOR THE 2010 HUGO AWARDS are now open. To be eligible to nominate, you must have purchased a membership to the 2010 World Science Fiction Convention (Aussiecon 4) by 31st January, or have been a member of the 2009 World Science Fiction Conv ention (Anticipation) Nominations must be received by 13 March 2010. For further information please contact Hugo Awards Administrator Vincent Docherty at hugoadmin@aussiecon4.org.au or visit our web site at www.aussiecon4.org.au.Hugo Award Categories: Bes t Novel , Best Novella, Best Novelette, Best Short Story, Best Related Work, Best Graphic Story, Best Dramatic Presentation, Long Form, Best Dramatic Presentation, Short Form, Best Editor, Short Form, Best Editor, Long Form, Best Professional Artist, Best Semiprozine, Best Fanzine, Best Fan Writer, Best Fan Artist, John W. Campbell Award

HUGO HINT: Ted and I would be really chuffed if the Australian Science Fiction Bullsheet got nominated for a Hugo. (Edwina, subtle as ever : - ))

The PETER McNAMARA Achievement Award – the "Mac'- has announced that WA SF reader, writer, fan and critic, HELEN MERRICK will be judge for 2009 and that the Award will be presented at Aussiecon 4, 2-4 September, (q.v. conventions) Helen is the au thor of The Secret Feminist Cabal: A cultural history of sf feminisms (2009) and co-editor of Women of Other Worlds: Excursions through science fiction and feminism (1999) and serves on the editorial boards of Extrapolation, Transformative Works and Cultu res, and Paradoxa. Announced by Mariann R McNamara, Patron and Manager `Mac' Award

THE GOLD COAST WRITER'S ASSOCIATION CHILDREN's WRITING COMPETITION for children aged 7-17 is now open to young Australian residents. There are three age sections: 7-10 yr olds, 11-13 yr olds and 14-17 yr olds. The theme is "Wishful Thinking" and short stories and poems can be submitted. Entry is free. First Prize $100, Second Prize $50, Third Prize $25. All entries must be received by 16 April 2010. Please see the entry form for competition entry conditions. More Info: <http://www.goldcoas twriters. org.au/gcwa_ competitions. html> Entry form: <http://www.goldcoas twriters. org.au/docs/ GCWA_Childrens_ Comp_2010_ Form.pdf> Reported by Kathleen Jennings on the Visions list

AUSSIECON 4 Short Story Competition. To celebrate the return of the Worldcon to Australia, Aussiecon 4 is holding a short story competition. Entries must be unpublished works of science fiction, fantasy, speculative fiction, or horror of 1500 words or less, include mention of an Australian landmark or town, and feature the phrase "make ready".Prize of $200 Entries close 30 April. See <http://www.facebook.com/l/8cb0b;is.gd/8nNUz> for details.

TEHANI WESSELY's SNAPSHOT series features 5 quick questions with Edwina Harvey at
http://editormum.livejournal.com/227147.html

IAN McKELLEN will be appearing in WAITING FOR GODOT at the Sydney Opera House from 15th June Tickets start at $115.

THE MELBOURNE INTERNATIONAL COMEDY FESTIVAL runs from 24 March to 18th April. Highlights include Andrew O Neill, Occult Comedian, Tripod Versus the Dragon, The Kransky Sisters, and heaps more. See <www.comedyfestival.com.au>

BOOKS AND PUBLICATIONS "Outside a dog, a book is man's best friend. Inside a dog it's too dark to read"- Groucho Marx

COEUR de LION Publishing is now open for submissions for its new Science Fiction anthology Anywhere But Earth edited by Keith Stevenson. For all the information see: <www.coeurdelion.com.au>

WINTERBOURNE PUBLISHING is a new Australian ebook and print-on-demand publisher seeking character-driven speculative fiction novels from new or unknown Australian writers. They pay a $500 advance and 50% royalties. Find out more at http://winterbournep ublishing.com.au/

TROLL SCROLL: In the first quarter of 2011 Troll Scroll Publishing will produce an anthology of speculative fiction, fact, poetry and art. Submissions are invited in a contest to choose a theme for the anthology.See <http://trollscrollpublishing.fr ee0host.com/> (Reported by David Boffinger)

BASTARD'S GRACE is a new fantasy novel by Australian author WENDY PALMER. A virus spreads across Aspermonde, transforming women into creatures called Mosaics and stealing their minds, souls, and voices. Mosaics are alien, eerie…and collectable. Li eutenant Simon Cant collects Mosaics for the king but his latest acquisition, Augusta, hasn't yet lost her mind and willpower to the virus. Maybe it's a miracle. Or maybe it's just a sackful of trouble for Simon. Winterbourne Publishing. RRP $8.95 (digita l) but buy direct for $5.95. Also available in print. See: http://winterbournepublishing.com.au/

THE PEREGRINE BESSET OMNIBUS collects all of the time-travelling Ancient Egyptian dwarf's published adventures (except the "Demonskin" cross-over) and features 8 complete stories written by L P MORLEY with art by him, MARILYN PRIDE and LOUSE GRABER. R ed World Komics 216 pgs. The CD-Rom "Escape from Bureaucratz" is printed for the first time in red/blue anaglyph, with the cover featuring a special pair of 3D specs to read it with! Text articles include commentary on the original story, the abortive fi lm project and a written introduction by Anna Tambour. A Mature readers Komic, it is recommended for a 15+ readership and features nudity and adult situations. Currently available online at www.jimmyds.com.au for a RRP of $40 plus shipping

THE OVERMAN's FOLLY is a new hard SF/ time travel novel set in New Zealand and Australia by LISA AGNEW. Details of the novel should be available at <www.writingrealm.com>

HORNS is a new novel by JOE HILL. It's the story of Ignatius Perrish who spends the night drunk doing terrible things, and wakes up with a hangover and a pair of horns growing from his temples.Now Ig has a terrible new power to go with his new look. Go llancz. $32.99

ZOMBIE is an anthology of the Undead edited by Christopher Golden and featuring 19 stories from JOE HILL, KELLEY ARMSTRONG, STEPHEN BISSETTE and many more. Piatkus, $22.99

LOVE BITES is the first novel in thr Argenuai vampire series by LYNSAY SANDS, Etienne Argeneua can turn only one human into a vampire in his lifetime. Beautiful coroner, Rachel Garrett has just saved his life but is about to lose hers. This series offe rs a chaotic romance you can really sink your teeth into. Gollancz. RRP $22.99

NAAMAH's KISS is a new novel by JACQUELINE CAREY. Decades ago when a sacred path was broken, the oldest tribe in Alba lost their power over the natural world, and fortune telling.Naamah's Gift is a sensual, historical fantasy. Gollancz. RRP $35

THE WAR OF THE DWARVES is the second instalment in a spectacular fantasy epic from MAEKUS HEITZ. Orbit Books.

TERMINAL WORLD is part steampunk, part western, part planetary romance abd far-future SF by ALASTAIR REYNOLDS, Following an infiltration mission that went tragically wrong, Quillon has been living incognito working as a pathologist. When a near-dead an gel – a winged post-human- drops onto Quillon's table from Spearpoint's Celestial levels , Quillon must journey into the lands beyond Spearpoint's base. Gollancz. RRP $32.99

BLACKOUT is the first volume of CONNIE WILLIS' two volume Oxford time travel novel. Set in 2060, historians jockey for plum assignments to carry out first=person research in their specialty era. But no historian can possibly change the past…or can they? Allen & Unwin. RRP $32.99

ANDROMEDA SPACEWAYS INFLIGHT MAGAZINE issue 43 is currently at the printers and should be available in the next few weeks.(Edwina)

ANTIPODEAN SF 140 offers short, short (500 words or less) SF from the following authors: Kevin J, Phyland, Jan Napier, Gregor MacNamara, James Clar, Shaun A. Saunders, Robert Moran, Eob Bleckly, Maek McAuliffe, & David Scholes at www.antisf.com

SPECUSPHERE #12 is available at www.specusphere.com: Reviewers give their opinion about what they thought were the best books of 2009, Brendan Carson gives more other-worldly cogitation, Alan Baxter wonders about the iPad, Damien Kane speculates on the imagination, Astrid Cooper with chats with Sue Bursztynski, Malcolm Walker, Erica Hayes and Edwina Harvey. Damien Kane talks about what makes his writing tick, and Stephen Turner leads the Hero's Journey. There's also two editions of the humorous flash fiction series by Yusuf Martin & Satima's reviews section

TERRA INCOGNITA PODCAST #16 is up now free for streaming or download at www.tisf.com.au and on iTunes. MATTHEW CHRULEW reads 'Beast Machine Fableaux' and KEITH STEVENSON reviews Ian Irvine's The Terminator Gene.

STEAM ENGINE TIME #11, a fanzine produced by Bruce Gillespie and Janine Stinson is now available is the special women's issue featuring cpntributions from Pamela Sargent, Jaaron Warren, Liz de Jager, Lyn McConchie, Gillian Pollack Terry Morris and cove r art by Carol Kewley.

STEAM ENGINE TIME 12, a fanzine produced by BRUCE GILLESPIE and JAN STINSON featuring Bruce's review of his favourite books, films and music for 2009, reflecting on the decade, and a special discussion of Christopher Priest's "It Came From Outer Space " among others, available in PDF version at: <http://efanzines.com/SFC/SteamEngineTime/SET12.pdf>. The print version will be available in a couple of weeks time.

LEIGH BLACKMORE's Raven books, specialising in dark and horror fiction also includes Sequence comics. For a catalogue e-mail lvxnox@gmail.com. Leigh also occasionally sells on e-bay as seller ID Quoth Raven Books.

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. (Current tally $40) CHEAP Books looking for homes: Panglor by Jeffrey A.Carver ($1 + postage), Hell on High by Ted Nolan and Holly Lisle ($1+ postage). Sherlock Holmes Mystery book ($1 + post), Life signs, the Biology of Star Trek ($5 + post), John Rockham, Alien Sea ($5 +post), Kung-fu, Supergirl, Terrahawks annuals, Bill – the Inside Story (Annuals & Bill book $5 ea + post), (Thanks to John Tipper for donating the latest influx of books.).

HATCH, MATCH & DISPATCH: DEATHS:
American fan and member of the Faire community, KAGE BAKER, who with her mother, Kathleen, ran the GreenMan Inn, passed away from cancer on 31 January, 2010.

American short story author and popular culture historian, JAMES JUDSON aka"Jim" Harmon (who sometimes wrote under the pseudonym Judson Grey) (1933–2010) was an American short story author and popular culture historian who has written extensively about the Golden Age of Radio. He sometimes wrote under the pseudonym Judson Grey, passed away from a heart attack on 16th February. Harmon wrote more than 50 short stories and novelettes for Amazing Stories, Future Science Fiction, Galaxy Science Fictio n, If, The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction, Venture Science Fiction Magazine and other magazines. The best of Harmon's science fiction stories were recently reprinted in Harmon's Galaxy (Cosmos Books, 2004). (Reported by Andy Porter)

US Actor, JOSH ANDREW KOENIG, son of actor WALTER KOENIG, was found dead by friends in Stanley Park, Vancouver on February 26. He had been reported as depressed prior to his death, and his father, Walter, confirmed that it appeared he had taken his own life. Andrew had appeared in TV shows such as Growing Pains, 21 Jump Street. He increasingly worked "behind the scenes", writing, directing and producing short films.(Wilipedia, after a post from Starship Mawson)

AWARDS: & FAN FUNDS:

THE NORMA K. HEMMING AWARD is open until 31st July 2010, the award to be presented at Aussiecon 4. For full details of this award see the main website <http;//home.vicnet.net.au/ or go to http://home.vicnet.net.au/~asff/hemming.htm> (Reported by Bill Wright)

GUFF candidates for the race to bring a fan from UK to Australia to attend Aussiecon 4 (q.v. conventions) are JAMES SHIELDS and DOUGLAS SPENCER. If you'd like to vote for either of these candidates, a PDF of the ballot is available here: <http://pcw ww.liv.ac.uk/~lister/guff/guff2009.pdf> or you can vote on line at <http://pcwww.liv.ac.uk/~lister/guff/guff_form.htm>. Payment can be made by cheque or Paypal (details on the ballot). Voting ends 5th April 2010. (Reported by Jean Weber)

CLUBS & MEETINGS

MELBOURNE SCIENCE FICTION CLUB, Meet most Friday nights at 74 Melville Road, West Brunswick 3055. Membership to the MSFC is $35 single, or $45 family/household or overseas, and $25 for interstate members. Meetings . 5 Mar: Trivia Quiz and hot dogs.12 Mar: Star Wars discussion, 19 Mar: Author Night - George Ivanoff on "Gamer's Quest"", 2 Apr: closed for Good Friday 5th Annual Melbourne All Club minicon will be held at MSFC premises on Saturday 22 May.

FEDERATION SQUARE (Melbourne) SF & Fantasy genres book reading group. Free to attend, Meet on the 2nd Saturday of every month from 11.30am at Café Beer Delux in Federation Square. E-mail<books@fedsquare.com>

DR WHO CLUB OF VICTORIA has been operating for over 30 years. Their newsletter - Sonic Screwdriver - publishes news, reviews & gossip on Dr Who as well as publishing fanfic & pictures 6 times a year. $35 for a family membership) which gets you 7 issues of the newsletter. Members receive discounts at ABC shops and Minotuar in Elizabeth St, Melbourne. See <http://www.vicnet.net.au/~dwcv>.

*SFFiG* SCIENCE FICTION & FANTASY in GEELONG http://au.groups. yahoo.com/ group/SFFiG/ Irregular meets announced via email. Discussions, trivia & games, news and more! (Reported by Ben Hughes)\

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 12033 A'Beckett St RP, Melbourne, Vic 8006. .Non-profit SF club offering monthly m eetings, "Diverse Universe" newsletter and "Solar Spectrum" annual anthology. (Thanks to Geoff Allshorn for the update.)

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 canberras cifi@ hotmail.com.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 (i ncluding Whovention, discounts at selected retail outlets for Doctor Who merchandise. For more information contact Dwayne Bunney: corporate@doctorwho australia. org, phone 0416 269 726 or check www.doctorwhoaustra lia.org

The DR WHO CLUB OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA meet on the first Saturday of each month 12.30-5pm at The Collins St Centre, Cnr Shaftesbury Ave and Collins St, South Perth. Club stalls, info, afternoon tea and entertainment. See <www.comedydownunder.com/westl odge/> or phone Aaron on (08) 0400 1957.

JAFWA is Perth's largest & oldest anime group. They offer screenings in the Jones lecture theatre, Curtin University from 5pm onall but the first Saturday of the month. See <http://jafwa. asn.au for full details>.

STARSHIP MAWSON (www.starshipmawson .com) is a South Australian Star Trek fan club, & chapter of Starfleet International, run by Stuart Blair. See <http://www.starshipmawson.com/join.html> (Reported by Stuart Blair.)

The BLACKWOOD WRITERS GROUP for spec fic authors was formed in 1996 and meets every Monday at 7pm for 2-3 hrs in the Blackwood Recreation Centre - 1 Northcote Road Eden Hills SA 5050 ( $3 per attendance ) For more info see http://www.blackwoodwrit ersgroup.com/ or phone Rob Bleckly 08 8536 3975 or Robert N Stephenson 08 8278 8995

QUEST Queensland Star Trekkers Fan Club usually meet at the PCYC Fortitude Valley on the second Sunday of the month (though this occasionally changes) . Contact Mary Kemp either by phone: 07 32904243 or by e-mail: jmkemp@bigpond. net.au. The club's sna il mail address is still PO BOX 2084, Brisbane, QLD. 4001. Quest's new website will be up and running in the near future. (Reported by Mary Kemp).

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 Queensland State Library, Rm 2D, 2nd Floor. Brisbane. $10 joining fee, and $4 per meeting. There website is <http://visionwriters,org.> You can also join their virtual group (great for writing tips and general SF info) at http://groups. yahoo.com/ group/vision- writers.

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 meeting dates.(Reported by Tim Martin via Ted Scribner).

A SPECULATIVE FICTION DISCUSSION GROUP discussing all forms of speculative fiction – SF, Fantasy, Horror, Paranormal etc. meets on the last Wednesday of every month at Sappho Books, 51 Glebe Point Rd, Glebe, (Sydney) at 7pm. The venue serves coffe e, wine and tappas. (Reported by Peter Eisler)

FRIENDS OF SCIENCE FICTION meet monthly at the Granville Youth & Community Centre (Sydney). Meeting from 10am-6pm $10 members, $15 non-members.

THE FUTURIAN SOCIETY OF SYDNEY's next meeting is Sun 28th Feb, 2 pm at the Gaellic Club, 64 Devonshire St, Sydney (A short walk from Central Station.) For details contact Graham Stone (02) 9715 7129

SYDNEY FUTURIANS: (Not to be confused with the Futurian Society of Sydney, listed above.) Contact address: P.O. Box 152 Bexley North, NSW, 2207. Usually meet on the 3rd Friday of the month (except for December) in the foyer of UTS building, Broadway .< BR>

STARWALKING (NSW) http://sydskyforce. starwalking. net holds meetings at 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 non-members.

TAG, TERRA AUSTRALIS GARRISON - a Starwars stormtrooper appreciation society. Details can be found at www.501tag.com (reported on Sci fi reporter.)

NEWCASTLE SPACE FRONTIER SOCIETY (NSFS) Regular meetings and social functions. Full details available at www.nssa.com. au/nsfs. (Reported by Jack Dwyer.)

SPOCKSOC: A SF group run by students at the University of NSW Kensington, Sydney. http://www.spocksoc .unsw.edu. au

EVENTS VORTEX SF. SF Events happening in Brisbane, can be found at <www.vortexevents.com>.

THE NATIONAL MARITIME MUSEUM, Darling Harbour, Sydney, has a Mythical Creatures (mermaids, unicorns, dragons etc) display free (after museum entry has been paid) until 23rd May.

RUSSELL BLACKFORD will be attending a book launch for the book he co-edited with Udo Schuklenk: "50 Voices of Disbelief" (which includes essays by sf writers Joe Haldeman, Greg Egan, Jack Dann, Gregory Benford, Damien Broderick and Sean Williams). This launch is planned to be held at the Nova Theatre on 11 March.

ANIMANIA FESTIVAL DATES 2010: 20 March - Sydney - Australian Technology Park (ATP), 10 April - Melbourne - Rydges Melbourne, 1 May - Brisbane - Mercure Brisbane, 11-12 September - Sydney - Australian Technology Park (ATP), 2 October - Adelaide - Adelaide Festival Centre (AFC), 30 October - Brisbane - Mercure Brisbane (See http://www.animania.net.au/2009/news/animania-festival-2010.) (Thanks to Thomas Bull for thi s info)

STAR TREK EVENT 11 April. Adelaide, Police Clib, 27 arrington St, Adelaide. 9am-6pm. Guests: Ethan Phillips and Denise Crosby with more tba. Day ticket: $70. (See http://www.thehubproductions.com/events/Star-Trek-2010 for more information.) (Reported by Thomas Bull)

SUPERNATURAL ALL HELL BREAKS LOOSE II, 8 May, Sir John Clancy Auditorium, UNSW Campus, Kensington, Sydney and 9 May, Melbourne (venue tba). 9am-6pm. GoH's: Jim Beaver, Misha Collins, Samantha Ferris, Rob Benedict, Julie McNiven. Day ticket:$120. (See h ttp://www.thehubproductions.com/events/supernatural-2010/ for more information.) Annual Melbourne All Club minicon. Saturday 22 May at the MSFC premises, St David's church hall, 74 Melville Road, West Brunswick 3055.

MAniFest 2010 (Melbourne ANIME Festival): 20-22 August 2010. Melbourne Showgrounds. (For more details see http://www.manifest.org.au/site/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=4&Itemid=40.) (Reported by Thomas Bull)

ARMAGEDDON celebrity collectible fair: SYDNEY: 21 March 2010, Sydney Town Hall,
10am - 5pm. GoH's: Paul McGann, Kane Hodder, Dominic Keating. See http://www.armageddonexpo.com/au/. Also Melbourne October 16 Venue TBA (Update from Thomas Bull)

CONVENTIONS: GoH = Guest of Honour, OCP = Other Commitments Permitting, tba= to be announced.

STARGATE 2010: 6 March, Sir John Clancy Auditorium, UNSW Campus, Kensington, Sydney, 7 March Melbourne Storey Hall, RMIT, Swanston St, Melbourne. GoHs: Richard Dean Anderson, David Nyki, Connor Trinnear, Dan Shea, Christopher Judge, Ben Browder, David Blue,Claudia Black, and (Sydney only) Gigi Edgely.See <http://www.thehubproductions.com/events/stargate-2010> for more information.

FREEDOM FROM RELIGION: ATHEISTS FOR INDIVIDUAL LIBERTY 2010 Global Atheist Convention 12 -14 March. Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. Speakers include Russell Blackford, Peter Singer, Phillip Adams and Catherine Deveny, and overseas speakers including Richard Dawkins, Taslima Nasrin and A.C.Grayling, See <http://www.atheistconvention.org.au/> for more information.

TRIOCON, a one day convention bringing together Dr Who, Star Trek and Horror fans, Sat 20th March, 9am – 6pm State Library of Victoria, Village Roadshow Theatre, Entrance 3, Latrobe St. GoH's Paul McGann - The 8th Doctor, Dominic Keating & Malcol m Reed from Star Trek: Enterprise, Kane Hodder - Jason from Friday the 13th Parts 7-10. Discounts available for fan club members. Upgrade and have lunch with the guests at the con. See http://www.firstcontactconventions.com.au/Triocon%20Melbourne.htm) for all the details (Reported by Ben Hughes. Update by Thomas Bull)

WORLD HORROR CONVENTION 25-28th March, 2010 at the Royal Albion Hotel Brighton, England. This is the first time this con has been held outside America. LES EDWARDS (aka Edward Miller) and DAVE CARSON are Artist GoHs. Membership: Attending …. (Tick ets selling fast. "At the door" and day memberships may not be available.) See www.whc2010.org (Thanks to Thomas Bull for the update)

ODYSSEY 2010 UK national convention, traditional UK Eastercon and ESFS Euroconference (ESFS being the European SF Society). 2-5th April, 2010, Radison Edwardian Hotel, Heathrow, London, UK. GoH's Alastair Reynolds, Iain M. Banks, Liz Williams, Mike Car ey & artist Carlos Ezquerra. Five program streams, Dealers hall, art exhibition, fan rooms and 3 bars. See http://www.odyssey2010.org/ for more details. (Reported by Jonathan Cowie) (SF Travellers, please note you can attend the above 2 major Northern Hemisphere cons 1 week apart and in easy travelling distance from each other for the price of the one airfare.)

SWANCON 2010: CONTAGION, The 35th Annual Western Australian Speculative Fiction Convention, 1-5 April 2010, Venue: All Seasons Perth Hotel. GoHs: Scott Sigler, Ian Irvine Attending: $160 until 28 Mar 2010. (cheques can be made out to Swancon 2010 and sent to GPO Box G429 Perth WA 6948) Contact: Linda Deegan, secretary-2010@swancon.com Website: 2010.swancon.com.au.(Update from Thomas Bull.)

TWILIGHT event. 24 April, Sir John Clancy Auditorium, UNSW Campus, Kensington (Sydney). 25 April, Melbourne (Venue TBA). 9am-6pm. GoH Gil Birmingham Ashley Greene, Daniel Cudmore, Christian Serratos and others tba. Day ticket: $95. For further details see <http://www.thehubproductions.com/events/twilight-2010/home.> (Reported by Thomas Bull).

BOOK BLOGGER CONVENTION to be held in New York (USA) on Friday 28 April. A team of blogsphere literati including GalleyCat, Galleysmith, My Friend Amy and others will launch what will hopefully be the first annual con.

AU CONTRAIRE, NZ Natcon, Fri 27-Sun 29th August, 2010 (the week before Aussiecon 4 for those northern hemisphere fans looking to extend their antipodean SF experience) Quality Hotel, Wellington. Full attending membership currently NZ $60. Day & support ing memberships also available. See http://aucontraire.org.nz/ for full details. Snail mail address is PO Box 10104, Wellington NZ.

CHANGING THE CLIMATE: Utopia, Dystopia and Catastrophe, The Fourth Australian Conference on Utopia, Dystopia and Science Fiction.30 Aug – 1 Sept 2010. Monash Conference Centre, Level 7, 30 Collins St, Melbourne. (See http://www.arts.monash.edu.au/ cclcs/conferences/utopias/4/ for more information.)(Thanks to Thomas Bull for this.)

AUSSIECON 4. Worldcon in Melbourne. 2-6 September 2010, Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, Southbank. GoH's: Kim Stanley Robinson, Shaun Tan, Robin Johnson. Attending membership Aus$275, Children's membership $50 payable by cheque, or online via paypal or some credit cards. Aussiecon 4 is now taking bookings for the Art Show <http://www.facebook.com/l/14896;www.aussiecon4.org.au/index.php?page=56)>and the Dealers Room <http://www.facebook.com/l/14896;www.aussiecon4.org.au/index.php?p age=57)>Please see the relative pages under the Exhibits section at http://www.facebook.com/l/14896;www.aussiecon4.org.au. Queries can be directed to Steve Francis (Dealers Room Manager) or Emma (Art Show Curator). NOMINATIONS FOR THE 2010 HUGO AWARDS are now open to people who were members of Anticipation, Canada, 2009 or who have purchased a membership to Aussiecon 4 by 31 January 2010. (People who join Aussiecon 4 after 31st January can vote for the Hugos but cannot nominate) Nominations must be r eceived by 13 March 2010. For further information please contact Hugo Awards Administrator Vincent Docherty at hugoadmin@aussiecon4.org.aut site at www.aussiecon4.org.au

DUDCON, the 49th Australian National SF Convention (Natcon) that will be held in conjunction with Aussiecon 4, 3-5th September, 2010, and will be responsible for the serious natcon stuff of running the Ditmars and holding the business meeting for the n atcon Fan Guest of Honour: Jacob Blake. Other GoH's to be announced. Various memberships on offer starting with Cheapskate member for $10, Generous member $20, Friend of the Ditmars m/ship $30, Protector of Kittens m/ship $40, All around good bloke/blokes s m/ship $50, and Absolute Fucking Legend m/ship $100. Contact details, Paul Ewins, e-mail paulewins@optusnet.com.au, or PO Box 1126, North Melbourne. VIC 3132. (Reported by Bruce Gillespie.)

(Note to SF Travellers. You can attend the NZ Natcon, the Worldcon, Changing the Climate, Aussiecon 4, and Dudcon, the Australian Natcon for 2010 held within Aussiecon 4 all in one week. NZ is a 3 hour flight from Melbourne. Get more cons for your Ant ipodean buck!)

Gen Con™ Australia 23rd-26th September. Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre. Electronic gaming, anime, card games, board gamesm celebrity appearances, clothing manufacturers, comic and alternate stores for enthusiasts. anime, cos play, board g ames, card games, war gaming, computer games, guest appearances from sci-fi/fantasy authors. Currently seeking businesses & organizations to book exhibition spaces (attendances expected to be over 10,000 over 4 days) Two new booth options being offered include Intermediate Booths (perfect for small businesses) and Gallery Booths (perfect for artists, authors and community groups). Early rates open until 29th March, Return Rates offered to those who booked space last year revoking prior to 1 March. Ph s ales manager on 0400 201 444 or (07) 3491 7155 for more details.

RENOVATION is the Worldon in Reno, Nevada, USA August 17-21, 2011. GoH's: Tim Powers, Ellen Asher, fantasy artist Boris Vallejo/ Venue: Reno-Sparks Conventioin Centre & The Atlantis Hotel main venues. See <http://renovationsf.org/> for more detai ls. Australian Agent: Jean Weber

WORLD FANTASY CONVENTION 2010 will be held October 28-31 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, Columbus, Ohio (USA) Attending membership US $125. Snail mail WFC 2010, 3824 Patricia Dr, Upper Arlington, OH 43220, USA. Or see <www.contextsf.org/WFC> for more details. (Thanks to Thomas Bull for the update)

SFContario, Toronto, Canada. November 19-21, 2010. Ramada Plaza Hotel in Toronto. GoHs: Michael Swanwick, Hugo- and Nebula-award winning author of Bones of the Earth, Patrick and Teresa Nielsen Hayden, Tor Books editors, Geri Sullivan & Karen Linsl ey. Attending mshipCAN $45. Seet <http://sfcontario.ca

OTHER INFORMATION RESOURCES: The Inkspillers web site, < http://www.inkspill ers.com> is a great source of market information for SF writers that is always being updated by Tony Plank.

For links to books, movies and television shows see John Tipper's homepage <http://www.collectingbooksandmagazi nes.com>

Sci-fi REPORTER is a SF news service covering cons, fan clubs and media, edited by Stuart Blair. To subscribe to this list send an e-mail to scifireporter@ yahoo.com

SMW Editing & Proof reading services for academic (including theses), fiction & non-fiction. For more details or arrange a quote, e-mail s.murraywhite@gmail.com (Please note new e-mail address.)

KopperKat Manuscript Assessment and Editing service. Industry professional with many years' experience as an editor and best-selling author goes beyond the norm to assist you with your writing. Enquiries: kopperkat@gmail. com

If you want a great fanzine resource offering fanzines in PDF format, go to http://efanzines. com where Bill Burns hosts the electronic versions of a wide variety of the world's best fanzines, including many Australian fanzines.

The Bullsheet is available online at <www.bullsheet.sf.org.au>. and as a FREE monthly e-mail through the AUSSFBULL mailing list. To join send a blank e-mail to AUSSFBULL-subscribe@yahoogroups. com. The Bullsheet is also available as a snail-mail subscription for 24x55 cent stamps sent to Edwina Harvey c/- 12 Flinders St, Matraville, 2036. Send your news e-mail to edwinafan@yahoo.com.

Looking for hand-made original ceramics and silk with a SF or Fantasy (and increasingly horse and donkey) theme? Check Edwina's CELESTIAL COBBLER CERAMICS see www.celestialcobbler.com. Say you read the Bullsheet and get a "staff discount"

For no sufficiently explained reason this Fanzine still supports The Minneapolis in '73 Worldcon Bid