1988 _ 1989 _ 1990 _ 1991 _ 1992-3
*******************************************************************************
Stratus SF SIG News #17--January 8, 1990
*******************************************************************************
NEWS
Robert Adams, author of the Horse Clans books, died of cancer
in Florida last week. He was in his early 60s.
Harold (Doc) Edgerton, inventor of the strobe light and a favorite
speaker at MIT and Boskones, died in the MIT Faculty Club last
week of a heart attack. He was 87.
The TV show Beauty and the Beast has been cancelled, effective 1/24/90.
*******************************************************************************
INFORMATION
It's time to start thinking about the Hugos again. NESFA will hold a
discussion group on the Hugos for 1989 at Laurie & Jim Mann's house in
Northboro on Monday, January 15, starting at about 8:00pm. All are
welcome. If you're interested in attending, send me mail and I'll send
you a map.
Your editor has just become a real fan editor, having assumed
editorship of NESFA's Proper Boskonian. The next issue will be out
SOONER that "Real Soon Now"---namely May 1. If you are interested in
contributing an article or review, just send me something and I'll let
you know if we can use it. We're also looking for people's lists of
the 10 SF books they'd most recommend, and the 10 non-SF books they'd
most recommend. Proper Boskonian will have a kickoff party
on the Friday night of Boskone in the Fan Lounge.
CODCLAVE
Codclave is a little relaxacon that will be held in Newport
Marriott from January 19-21. No films, no program, no dealers'
room, just a nice cozy con suite, informal gaming and
lots of gabbing. I think the rate is $20, and memberships can
be bought in the con suite at any time.
BOSKONE
Yes, there still are hotel rooms left for Boskone at the Sheraton Tara
in Springfield. The rates are $79 for a single, $84 for a double, $89
for a triple, and $94 for a quad. We'll be accepting preregs
for about another week. The prereg rate is $26. If you want to
attend, send $26 (check or charge welcomed) to:
Boskone 27
Box G
MIT Branch PO
Cambridge, MA 02139
If you want a hotel room, specify the size of room
you want, and include your MasterCard or VISA
number to hold the reservation.
ARISIA
A new con being held for the first time in Boston on February 23-25 at
the Lafayette Hotel. Rich Bowker and AC Farley are the guests. Write
to PO Box 2334, Pittsfield, MA 01202-2334 for more information.
READERCON
Readercon ``puts the focus squarely on literature,'' and ``gives it the
kind of treatment that a significant art form deserves.'' It has a
serious, intelligent program. Readercon 3 will be held in April, 1990,
in Lowell, MA. Write to P.O. Box 6138, Boston, MA 02209 for more
information.
*******************************************************************************
REVIEWS
From Laurie:
PHILCON
It was one of the most boring conventions I've ever been to
in my life. WHY do I keep going back? I didn't wind up going
to a single panel. I spent a lot of time talking quietly
to friends in the hallway---a nice change from the frenzy of
Worldcon. The art show was pretty dull, though it featured
nice works by a few artists I'd never heard of before.
*******************************************************************************
QUESTIONS
From Laurie:
Does anyone remember if I ever sent out issue 16? It was mostly
the Boskone Progress Report.
*******************************************************************************
Stratus SF SIG News 18--February 1990
*******************************************************************************
NEWS
Dull-dull-dull.
For the Trekkies in the audience, George Takei reports that Paramount
is considering filming a Star Trek prequel (to the TV series), hiring
younger actors to fill the boots of Kirk, Spock, Bones, etc. Some fans
are sending protest letters.
IMHO, it's only a movie...
*******************************************************************************
INFORMATION
Time to nominate for the 1989 Hugo awards. If you were a member of
Noreascon, you are eligible to nominate, though you must be a member of
ConFiction to vote for the final awards. If you're interested in
nominating, let me me know and I'll dig up a ballot for you.
Boskone, February 16-18, at the Springfield Tara and Marriot,
Springfield, MA. Memberships: $42, available at the Tara.
Arisia, Feburary 23-25 at the Hotel Lafayette in downtown Boston.
Rich Bowker and AC Farley are the guests. At the door
rate is $35.
From the Boston Globe, February 9, 1990
A Cambridge scientist who is considered a founder of
the field of artificial intelligence has won the prestigious
1990 Japan Prize...
Minsky founded MIT's Artificial Intelligence Laboratory and more
recently helped establish Thinking Machines, a Cambridge company
that builds computers using large numbers of parallel
processors.
The Japan Prize, administered by a nonprofit foundation...was
established in 1985 to recognize scientists who contribute to the
"peace and prosperity of mankind" through original and outstanding
achievements in science and technology.
Minsky has been a speaker at a number of SF conventions over the years.
*******************************************************************************
REVIEWS
From: Amy McNulty
For those of you who have never read Analog magazine, I highly recommend
the January 1990 issue. And for those of you who regularly read and enjoy
Analog, don't miss this one!
This month is the sixtieth anniversary of Analog, and the double-sized
anniversary issue is fabulous. I've been an Analog subscriber for a couple
of years now, and I always enjoy every issue. However, the anniversary
issue is definitely one of the best ever. It contains a wide variety of
innovative stories, including several wonderful stories from years past.
However, even if you aren't a big fan of Analog's stories, and even if you
don't like SF stories (but then what are you doing on the mailing list for
this newsletter?!) this issue has one additional feature that I highly
recommend to everyone -- "Sixty Astounding Years." This article by Michael
F. Flynn explores the path of science fiction and scientific development
during the past century or so. In addition to highlighting "predictions"
in a variety of science fiction stories of the past that have since been
realized (some in ways that the authors never dreamed of), the article also
includes numerous quotations and anecdotes about famous scientists and
politicians describing future scientific discoveries as "impossible" or
"useless." One of my favorites was this one about the future of air flight:
"We hope that Professor Langley will not put his substantial greatness
as a scientist in further peril by continuing to waste his time, and
the money involved, in further airship experiments. Life is short,
and he is capable of services to humanity incomparably greater than
can be expected to result from trying to fly.... For students and
investigators of the Langley type there are more useful employments."
(The New York Times, December 10, 1903)
[Footnote: Better that they should spend all that money here on
Earth, right? By the way, why don't you quickly go and check the date
of the Wright Bros. flight. I'll wait.]
(By the way, I did check; for those of you who don't keep lots of
historical facts and dates in your heads, the date of the first Wright
Brothers flight was December 17, 1903 -- one week after this discouraging
statement in The New York Times!)
And how about this gem:
"While theoretically and technically television may be feasible,
commercially and financially I consider it an impossibility,
a development of which we need waste little time dreaming."
(Lee DeForest, "Father of the Radio," 1926)
(Lee, ya shoulda known better!)
Or this one:
"There is no plea which will justify the use of high tension and
alternating currents, either in a scientific or a commercial sense."
(Thomas A. Edison, 1889)
And, finally:
"The popular mind often pictures gigantic flying machines speeding
across the Atlantic and carrying innumerable passengers.... [E]ven if
a machine could get across with one or two passengers the expense
would be prohibitive.... Another popular fallacy is to expect
enormous speed.... The resistance of the air increases as the square
of the speed and the work as the cube.... It is clear that with our
present devices there is no hope of competing for racing speed with
either our locomotives or our automobiles."
(William H. Pickering, US Astronomer, c. 1910)
Don't miss it!
-- Amy McNulty
From Howard Ship:
Too bad about Beauty and the Beast. I caught a few episodes last
year that were very good, and I've caught all the episodes this
year, since its in a new spot that I'm around to watch. Anyway,
the show has a great look, and the scripts (after a rough start
this season) have been getting better -- I look forward to B&TB at
least as much as, say, ST-TNG. Lance Henrickson (The Terminator,
Aliens, Near Dark, Johnny Handsome) had a really terrific guest
spot.
CREATION, a convention review by Howard Ship
Creation really wasn't much. Huckster's room, some autograph signing:
Yvonne Craig (Batgirl, also a green skinned girl in
one episode of Star Trek).
George Takei (Sulu)
Jonathan Harris (Dr. Smith, Lost in Space)
I generally don't go to conventions. I did get George to sign a
really nifty Star Trek poster. I was only there for a few hours
on Sunday, so I missed any saturday events. I have my doubts
whether I'll be headed to the next one (there's one coming up
with Michael Dorn -- Worf of ST-TNG).
I find the circus side-show atmosphere at these type of
conventions very disturbing. Much of the goings on is quite
mindless, especially the adoration of the 'celebrities'. For
the most part, these people are 'one hit wonders'. Unlike
Leonard Nimoy, whose participation in Star Trek has (only
recently) become a spring board to directing non-Star Trek
films, the other guests I've seen have had little visible work
outside of Star Trek (or Batman, or Lost in Space). Although
they are well paid for their appearences, and really seem
pleased to be at the show, it still feels like we (the mass, the
crowd) are rubbing their faces in it.
Its very different I suppose for an author at a convention,
since s/he is undoubtedly working on something, and is at the
con for the attention and support of the fans (and the money).
Actors can't lock themselves in their rooms and act -- they need
a stage or a film set. I think that's what bothers me, the
sense (especially from George Takei) that he wants to do more
(acting and writing) but is locked out. And appearing at a con
reinforces his identification with the 'Star Trek Phenomenon'
and further isolates him from outside work.
*******************************************************************************
Stratus SF SIG News #19--March 1990
*******************************************************************************
NEWS
Isaac Asimov is recovering from recent heart surgery. Isaac, who
turned 70 in January, has had heart trouble for a number of years now.
ATom (Arthur Thompson), a well-known artist, has died.
Mebula Nominations Announed (from Chuq Von Rospach (Usenet))
1989 Nebula Award final ballot
Here is the official list of nominees for the 1989 Nebula Award, given by the
Science Fiction Writers of America. Congratulations to all the nominees!
Novels: Poul Anderson, Boat of a Million Years (Tor)
Orson Scott Card, Prentice Alvin (Tor)
John Kessel, Good News From Outer Space (Tor)
Mike Resnick, Ivory: A Legend of Past and Future (Tor)
Elizabeth Ann Scarborough, The Healer's War (Doubleday/Foundation)
Jane Yolen, Sister Light, Sister Dark.
Novellas: Lois McMaster Bujold, The Mountains of Mourning
(Analog, Borders of Infinity)
John Crowley, Great Works of Time (Novelty)
George Alec Effinger, Marid Changes his Mind (Asimov's)
Megan Lindholm, A Touch of Lavender (Asimov's)
Judith Moffett, Tiny Tango (Asimov's)
Howard Waldrop, A Dozen Tough Jobs (Zeising Brothers)
Novelettes: Greg Bear, Sisters (Tangents)
Megan Lindholm, Silver Lady and the Fortyish Man (Asimov's)
Mike Resnick, For I have touched the sky (F&SF);
Kristine Kathyrn Rusch, Fast Cars (Asimov's)
Robert Silverberg, Enter A Soldier. Later: Enter Another
(Asimov's, Timegate)
Connie Willis, At the Rialto (Omni, The Microverse)
Short Stories: Mary Aldridge, The Adinkra Cloth
(Marion Zimmer Bradley's Fantasy Magazine)
Michael Bishop, The Ommatidium Miniatures (The Microverse)
Orson Scott Card, Lost Boys (F&SF)
Suzy McKee Charnas, Boobs (Asimov's)
Geoffrey A. Landis, Ripples in the Dirac Sea (Asimov's)
Bruce Sterling, Dori Bangs (Asimov's)
Special congratulations to the multiple nominees, Isaac Asimov's SF Magazine
(nine nominations), Tor Books (five of six novels -- four edited by Beth
Meacham, one by David Hartwell) and Mary Aldridge: this is evidently her first
major sale (not a bad way to start!).
chuq (SFWA Nebula Awards Editor)
*******************************************************************************
INFORMATION
Time to vote for the 1990 Hugo Awards!
Nominations close on March 10, 1990.
If you were member of the 1989 Worldcon (Noreascon 3), or are a member
of the 1990 Worldcon (ConFiction), you are eligible to nominate. If
you are interested in voting, send me E-mail and I'll get you a
ballot.
The Hugo awards are voted by SF fans for best fiction of the previous
years. There are also awards honoring artists, movies, fan writers,
and fan editors. There are two special categories this year---one for
best piece of art (published or unpublished) and the other for best
foreign language SF.
-----
Readercon 3
Lowell Hilton
Lowell, MA
March 29-April 1, 1990
Guests of Honor: John Crowley and Thomas M. Disch
THE con for the serious reader. No costumes, no weapons, no movies, just
loads of book talk. HIGHLY reccomended.
Rates: $25 until 3/20/90
?? (probably $25 at the door, but not explicitly stated on their flyer)
Readercon
PO Box 6138
Boston, MA 02209
Readercon in '91 and '92 will take place at the Worcester Marriott
in July.
----
Westercon 43
Red Lion Inn, Jantzen Beach
Portland, Oregon
July 5-8, 1990
Guests of Honor: Ursula K. LeGuin, Vonda McIntyre, Kate Wilhelm
rates: $40 until 6/20/90
$50 at the door
Address: Westercon 43
PO Box 43
Portland, OR 97228
Westercon is the big annual west coast con.
----
From Chuq von Rospach, Usenet
An Internations SF Convention On the Volga
Volgograd, USSR, September 8-14, 1991
SF Club "The Wind of Time" and the Youth Association ATOM announce the
establishing of the "Volga-con" Organizing Committee.
Volga-Con has in store for you:
o Seven unforgettable days on the Volga.
o Meeting old and new friends. Conversations from morning till night and
all night long.
o Talks, discussions, lectures and meetings with
Cyberpunks on the Volga
The Young Wave in the Soviet SF
The Concisce History of the Soviet SF and Fandom
o A mini-con for SF Clubs of the Volga Region
o Various Poetry Rounds, Folk-song performances, Story-telling contests, SF
Stories Competition, an Auction and a Fancy-Dress Ball with a great
Universe Banquet to crown it all.
We are inviting 300 official guests to the Volga-Con, including Guests of
Honour from many lands.
We also welcome SF fans, writers, painters, critics, journalists, editors
and publishers -- all people who love SF and Fantasy.
We do believe that your participation will make the Volga-con brighter and
more fascinating.
Please, do not hesitate to contact us for further unformation. Our address
for applications and inquiries is:
Boris A. Zavgorodny
Volgograd-66, Poste Restante,
USSR, Volga-con
Phones: 34-74-62, 34-74-64, 34-44-09, 34-86-56
-----
*******************************************************************************
REVIEWS
from Laurie Mann:
Boskone XXVII
Boskone went pretty well, though I didn't see much of the con. I was
running kids' activities (DragonsLair), so I was pretty restricted during
the day.
Professionals in attendence included Esther Friesner, Susan Shwartz, Judith
Tarr, Joan Vinge, Larry Niven, Hal Clement, Jane Yolen, Don Maitz, Glen
Cook, David Cherry, Charles Ryan, and Ron Walotsky. The art show looked good,
the huckster rooms seemed busy whenever I glanced into them, Many parties
this year, and the con suite was busy most of the time. We had about 1,000
people at Boskone.
*******************************************************************************
QUESTIONS
So, how did Arisia go? I know Jack Chalker will be the GoH guest, an
appropriate guest given the type of audience they are going for...
*******************************************************************************
Stratus SF SIG News #20--almost April 1990 (March 30, 1990)
*******************************************************************************
NEWS
1990 Hugo Nominations
ConFiction, the 1990 World Science Fiction Convention, announces the Hugo
nominees for 1990:
Best Novel
The Boat of a Million Years Poul Anderson (Tor)
Prentice Alvin Orson Scott Card (Tor)
A Fire in the Sun George Alec Effinger (Doubleday/Foundation)
Hyperion Dan Simmons (Doubleday/Foundation)
Grass Sheri S. Tepper (Doubleday/Foundation)
Best Novella
"The Mountains of Mourning" Lois McMaster Bujold (Analog, May 89; Borders
of Infinity, Baen)
"A Touch of Lavender" Megan Lindholm (IASFM, Nov 89)
"Tiny Tango" Judith Moffett (IASFM, Feb 89)
"The Father of Stones" Lucius Shepard (IASFM, Sep 89; The Father of
Stones, WSFA Press)
"Time-Out" Connie Willis (IASFM, Jul 89)
Best Novelette
"Dogwalker" Orson Scott Card (IASFM, Nov 89)
"Everything but Honor" George Alec Effinger (IASFM, Feb 89; What Might
Have Been, Vol. 1, Bantam Spectra)
"The Price of Oranges" Nancy Kress (IASFM, Apr 89)
"For I Have Touched the Sky" Mike Resnick (F& SF, Dec 89)
"Enter a Soldier. Later: Enter Another" Robert Silverberg (IASFM, Jun 89;
Time Gate, Baen)
"At the Rialto" Connie Willis (Omni, Oct 89; The Microverse, Bantam
Spectra)
Best Short Story
"Lost Boys" Orson Scott Card (F&SF, Oct 89)
"Boobs" Suzy McKee Charnas (IASFM, Jul 89)
"Computer Friendly" Eileen Gunn (IASFM, Jun 89)
"The Return of William Proxmire" Larry Niven What Might Have Been, Vol. 1,
Bantam Spectra)
"Dori Bangs" Bruce Sterling (IASFM, Sep 89)
"The Edge of the World" Michael Swanwick (Full Spectrum II,
Doubleday/Foundation)
Best Dramatic Presentation
The Abyss
The Adventures of Baron von Munchausen
Batman
Field of Dreams
Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
Best Non-Fiction Book
Astounding Days Arthur C. Clarke (Gollancz, Bantam Spectra)
Harlan Ellison's Watching Harlan Ellison (Underwood-Miller)
Grumbles from the Grave Virginia Heinlein, ed. (Del Rey)
Dancing at the Edge of the World Ursula K. Le Guin (Grove)
The World Beyond the Hill Alexei & Cory Panshin (Tarcher)
The Noreascon Three Souvenir Book Greg Thokar, ed. (MCFI Press)
Best Professional Editor Best Professional Artist
Ellen Datlow Jim Burns
Gardner Dozois Thomas Canty
Edward L. Ferman David A. Cherry
David G. Hartwell James Gurney
Beth Meacham Tom Kidd
Charles C. Ryan Don Maitz
Stanley Schmidt Michael Whelan
Best Semiprozine Best Fanzine
Locus File 770
New York Review Of Science Fiction Foxfax
Thrust Lan's Lantern
Science Fiction Chronicle Pirate Jenny
Interzone Mad 3 Party
Best Fan Writer Best Fan Artist
Mike Glyer Steve Fox
Arthur Hlavaty Teddy Harvia
Dave Langford Merle Insinga
Evelyn Leeper Joe Mayhew
Leslie Turek Stu Shiffman
Taral Wayne
John W. Campbell Award (Not a Hugo) Best Original Artwork (Not a Hugo)
John Cramer^1 Quozl cover by James Gurney (Ace)
Nancy Collins^1 The Stress of Her Regard cover by
Katherine Neville^1 James Gurney (Ace)
Kristine Kathryn Rusch^2 Rimrunners cover by Don Maitz
Allen Steele^2 (Warner/Questar)
Hyperion cover by Gary Ruddell
(Doubleday/Foundation, Bantam Spectra)
^1 First year of eligibility Paradise cover by Michael Whelan (Tor)
^2 Second year of eligibility Renagades of Pern cover by Michael
Whelan (Del Rey)
Note: No Award is an option for each category.
Since not enough voters nominated non-English works, this category will
not appear on the final ballot.
ConFiction received 281 ballots and there were two three-way ties for
fifth place.
Hugo ballots will be in the mail to all members of ConFiction this spring.
Completed ballots must be postmarked by 7/13/90.
*******************************************************************************
INFORMATION
Readercon is this weekend in the Lowell Hilton. The at-the-door rate is
over $20, but I'm not sure how far over. This con is VERY worthwhile
if you are a serious reader, and like to talk or listen to other
people talk about books. It's also a great place to meet professional
writers without seeing them in mobs of people.
*******************************************************************************
REVIEWS
Nobody's read ANYTHING this month????
*******************************************************************************
QUESTIONS
from Chiu Ngan Chan
Is there anybody who lent out books that they have read already? I buy mostly
paperbacks. Most of my reading materials come from the library (who carries
most of the good ones).
*******************************************************************************
Stratus SF SIG News #21---April 30, 1990
*******************************************************************************
NEWS
Nebula Winners Announced (from Chuq von Rospach, Usenet)
Novel: Elizabeth Ann Scarborough, The Healer's War (Doubleday)
Novella: Lois McMaster Bujold, Mountains of Mourning (Analog)
Novelette: Connie Willis, At the Rialto (Omni)
Short: Geoffrey A. Landis, Ripples in the Dirac Sea (Asimov's)
---
Turtles Boffo Box Office
What can you say about a movie that's about 4 adolescent shelled critters
who live in a sewer? Kids are saying "Take me to see this movie!" and
their parents are doing so in droves. Turtles raked in over $85 MILLION
dollars in four weeks. Awesome!
*******************************************************************************
INFORMATION
Gaylaxicon 2
Gaylaxicon '90, PO Box 1052, Lowell, MA 01853
Gaylaxicon is a Science Fiction and Fantasy Convention for gay people and
their friends. It will be held from July 20-22 at the Tewksbury/Andover
Holiday Inn, Tewksbury, MA. Melissa Scott is the GoH, Hannah M.G. Shapero
is the Art GoH. Memberships are $20 until June 30, and $25 at the door.
Lexicon
c/o NESFA, Box G, MIT Branch PO, Cambridge, MA 02139
Lexicon is a small relaxacon held by NESFA each summer. It will be held in
late July in Keene, New Hampshire. This is a small, very laid-back con.
The "structured" activities include a Saturday night BBQ in nearby Marlow
(just up the hill from PC Connection), and a con suite open for many hours.
NECon
Box 3251, Darlington Branch, Pawtucket, RI 02861
NECon is a fantasy \&\ horror sercon held each July.
NotJustAnotherCon
RSO 352, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003
Annual fall con held on the UMass campus. An extensive film program is
the highlight of the con.
****
Contraption is sponsoring the Charlie Card Fund for United Cerebral Palsy.
To raise money, they've produced the Fan/tasy Art Calendar. The calendar
runs from April 1, 1990 to March 31, 1991 and features the art of Sheryl
Birkhead, Heather Bruton, Kevin Davies, Tom Dow, Tim Eldred, Giovanna
Fregni, Mary Hanson-Roberts, Linda Leach Hardy, Teddy Harvia, Peggy Ranson,
Bill Ware, Robin Wood and Diana Stein. It features convention dates and
addresses as well as other useful or amusing information. It will be
available at Contraption for $5.00 or by mail for $6.00 including postage
and handling. Make checks to Contraption and mail to P.O. Box 2285, Ann
Arbor, MI 48106.
The Charlie Card Fund is named for the son of Orson Scott Card, who was
Contraption's very first Professional GoH. Charlie has cerebral palsy. The
fund is Contraption's way of saying ``thank you'' to a great writer and his
family for supporting our convention. United Cerebral Palsy offers many
kinds of assistance to people like Charlie, through the generous
assistance of people like you.
For every calendar sold, about $3.40 will be given to UCP. Only printing
and postage costs are being deducted. After April 30, I will have calendars
for sale, so if you want to see one and buy one, stop on by.
****
Online version of Proper Boskonian available!
Proper Boskonian, NESFA's ressurrected fanzine, is now available online.
PB 27 (May 1990) features:
The Kurt Baty Roast Laurie & Jim Mann
Sushi-Chefs I've Known and Loved Jon Singer
Neglected Authors
James H. Schmitz Mark L. Olson
John W. Campbell (Don A. Stuart) Ben Yalow
Bits and Pieces of Noreascon III
Richard Newsome
Evelyn C. Leeper
Joe Rico
My Life as a Faned Leslie Turek
Star Trek: The LOST Generation Quantum Buc
Bits and Pieces of Boskone XXVII
Mary Sughrue-Yacino
Evelyn C. Leeper & Mark R. Leeper
Luau in North Hawaii (a/k/a New York) Pam Fremon
If you want to read the online version, send me E-mail and I'll forward
it to you. If you are a contributor, you'll receive the hardcopy
version of the fanzine in early May.
*****
From Laurie Mann
Recently, the American Booksellers Association and Walden Book took out
full-page ads in many major newspapers, decrying censorship. The incidents
of censorship include groups that:
o Wage war on our libraries and schools to remove such titles
as Huckleberry Finn, Catcher in the Rye, and the Grapes of Wrath.
o Work to expand censorship laws in virtually every state in
the country.
o Fight to keep Constitutionally-protected publications, such as
Glamour, Sports Illustrated, Life, Playboy, and Vogue off
the library and store shelves.
o Challenge textbooks which don't fit their view of the world.
o Harass and threaten booksellers in an attempt to force
the removal of certain titles.
o Attempt boycotts of advertisers who sponsor television shows
such as ALF and Golden Girls.
If you are opposed to censorship, you can show your support by clipping the
following ballot and sending it to the ABA. Thanks.
+----------------------------------------------------------------+
| Censorship cannot eliminate evil. It can only kill freedom. |
| |
| [ ] I agree: Americans have the right to buy, stores |
| have the right to sell, authors have the right to |
| write and publishers have the right to publish |
| Constitutionally-protected material. Period. |
| |
| Name________________________________________________ |
| |
| Address_____________________________________________ |
| |
| _____________________________________________ |
| |
| Signature___________________________________________ |
| |
| Return to: American Booksellers Association |
| PO Box 672, NY, NY 10113 |
+----------------------------------------------------------------+
*******************************************************************************
REVIEWS
Necroscope (review by Sean Powers)
For anyone who enjoys a good scary horror story I just finished reading
the Necroscope trilogy by Brian Lumley. I like the kind of horror
books that make me get on my knees and pray before I can go to sleep,
and these did the trick for me. I don't recommend reading them when
you're home alone.
Thomas the Rhymer (review by Laurie Mann)
A few years ago, Ellen Kushner burst on the fantasy scene (having spent
a few years as an editor, then a short story writer) with a superb
novel called Swordspoint. Swordspoint was a marvellous novel of
manners in a mythical city. There weren't any quests, dwarves, or
magic anywhere in the novel. For those of us sick to death of that
brand of fantasy, it was a welcome change!
Thomas the Rhymer is a good novel, a little more grounded in
traditional fantasy, but it never wallows in the genre. It follows a
young minstrel named Thomas, who disappears from a small village one
night. He has been kidnapped into elfland, to serve as the lover of
the elf queen and the singer for elfland court for seven years.
The major weakness of the book is that Kusher spends almost 60 pages
describing the people surrounding Thomas in the village before his
disappearence. I think a brief introduction would have been better.
The book almost reads like the first chapter was added later, because
the material after Thomas' kidnapping holds up nicely on its own.
I recommend this novel, another one in the series of fantasy novels
being edited by Terry Windling and illustrated by Thomas Canty. It's
currently just available in hardback.
*******************************************************************************
Stratus SF SIG News #22--May 29
*******************************************************************************
NEWS
Marion Zimmer Bradley is in the hospital with pneumonia. Bradley is the
author of many works, and is probably best-known for her Darkover books.
She has been in ill-health recently, having suffered a stroke a few years
ago.
*******************************************************************************
INFORMATION
An Invitation
The NESFA Other Meeting & Cookout will be held on Sunday, June 3 starting at
2 at Laurie & Jim Mann's place in Northboro. This is a purely social
occasion, with volleyball, bocce, and talk about books. We'll get the
grills going at about 5. If you'd like to meet some local SF fans, here's a
good place to do it. We live just off of Route 20.
*******************************************************************************
REVIEWS
Chiu Ngan Chan
"VOYAGERS III, Star Brothers" by Ben Bova, 1990
Expanding on the idea of bio-chips, is the concept of
nano-technology, which involved machines that are the size of of a
virus that is semi-sentient. Nano-technological devices can repair
its host's body (presumably by decoding the DNA sequences and even
eliminate the bad sequences), thus resulting in virtual
immortality. Also these devices expand it's hosts brain and
dormant psychic abilities.
The last continuation (maybe the last, can't never tell
anymore) of the VOYAGERS novel from the last decade. This novel
finally explains that the purpose of the alien craft is to help
human kind into it's next evolutionary step- expanded brain power,
and a community of human beings that are linked virtually mind to
mind.
The conflict is that every civilization that has gain the
knowledge of nano-machines inevitably over-run its planet and
destroys itself by running out of resources or used it wrongly as a
weapon and destroys all life on the planet. Therefore Keith Stoner
(the main character in all three novels) goes on a crusade to
prepare the world for the use of nano-technology, while power
hungry man who had access to the technology tries to use it to
control the world. On the side is another man who use the
technology to destroy the unwanted population of the world by
introducing it as a contagious disease.
The plot is fairly straight forward and the final resolution
had been seen in other novels before. but readers of VOYAGERS I
and VOYAGERS II will find that this finally wraps up the series in
a fairly satisfactory manner. By itself it is readable as well,
but the novel does make explicit references to events that have
happened in the past, so I suggest that you read all three in
sequence, as each deals with a different human issue (the first
being first contact with an alien craft, the second I haven't read).
Jim Mann
Out of the Silent Planet, Perelandra, That Hideous Strength by C.S. Lewis
Lewis's space trilogy is too comlicated to do justice to in a short
review. It is a complex philosophical work that also is, at least in
the first and third books, a good adventure story. The books can be
viewed as an examination of good vs. evil or of Lewis's traditional
Christian philosophy vs. a philosophy of progress at all costs.
Either of these views are over-simplifications.
The three books are quite different from one another. Out of the
Silent Planet is a Wellsian space adventure, reminiscent (on the
surface, not in philosophy) similar to The First Men in the Moon.
Perelandra is perhaps the weakest story in the group, though is
fascinating reading none-the-less. That Hideous Strength, by far the
greatest of the trilogy, is what would today be classed as an "urban
fantasy."
A number of people seem to avoid these books because they have heard
they are "Christian" (they are, though it is only Peralandra that
concentrates on one element of Christian lore, namely the temptation
and fall) or because they disagree with his philosophy. Neither of
these are valid. Dante can be read and appreciated by non-Christians.
And how many of us agree with every writer we read. Lewis's space
trilogy is something you should read even if you disagree with Lewis.
He is worth coming to terms with. (I found myself almost carrying on
an internal debate with the points he was raising as I read.) If
nothing else, read That Hideous Strength (which can be read on its own).
Boat of a Million Years by Poul Anderson.
Some have billed this as the major Anderson novel. It isn't. It's
quite good, especially the first two thirds, but in the end it leaves
the reader wishing for more. The historicial sections are marvelous:
several of them could have contended for short fiction awards if they
had been released separately (one was, though I don't think it did get
nominated). However, the present day section and the future section
seem to be more outlines of what should have been novels in their own
right (at least the future section should have). Overall, good, but
not his best.
By the way, Card's review of this book in F&SF raised an interesting
criticism. Much of what could have been the most powerful parts of
the novel happened "off-stage," between the short stories if you will.
Namely, the main characters are immortals in a world of mortals and
often think about the pain of parting from those they know. Yet only
once do we really get even a partial glimpse of them dealing with this
parting. It would perhaps, as Card notes, been a more powerful book
had Anderson met this head-on.
Hyperion by Dan Simmons.
This book has echos of Cordwainer Smith, Frank Herbert, and Geoffrey
Chaucher. Overall, it is a very nicely put together novel but... But
it's not a novel, only the first half of one. The Fall of Hyperion is
also quite good--perhaps better than Hyperion. Together (as the Book
Club published them as The Hyperion Cantos) this is a Hugo-calliber
novel. Each part on its own power is not enough to be worth a Hugo
(except in a weak year, which this seems to be).
*******************************************************************************
Stratus SF SIG News #23--August 27, 1990
Sorry for the two-month delay on this issue. I hope to resume a
monthly schedule (more or less) with this issue.
*******************************************************************************
NEWS
Hugo Award Winners Announced at the 1990 Worldcon at The Hague!
The Hugo awards, voted each year by members of the current World
Science Fiction Convention, were awarded Saturday, August 25th in
The Hague at ConFiction. About 480 people voted for this year's awards.
And the winners are:
Best Novel Hyperion Dan Simmons (Doubleday/Foundation)
Best Novella "The Mountains of Mourning" Lois McMaster Bujold
(Analog, May 89; Borders of Infinity, Baen)
Best Novelette "Enter a Soldier. Later: Enter Another" Robert Silverberg
(IASFM, Jun 89; Time Gate, Baen)
Best Short Story "Boobs" Suzy McKee Charnas (IASFM, Jul 89)
Best Dramatic Presentation Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
Best Non-Fiction Book The World Beyond the Hill
Alexei & Cory Panshin (Tarcher)
Best Professional Editor Gardner Dozois
Best Professional Artist Don Maitz
Best Semiprozine Locus
Best Fanzine Mad 3 Party
Best Fan Writer Dave Langford
Best Fan Artist Stu Shiffman
The following are awards voted with the Hugos, but they are not Hugos:
John W. Campbell Award Kristine Kathryn Rusch
Best Original Artwork Rimrunners cover by Don Maitz (Warner/Questar)
News About Local Nominees
Over the last few years, people with connections to Southern
New England have been well-represented in the Hugo nominations.
Leslie Turek, an employee of XEROX in Cambridge, and the chair of
Noreascon II (held in Boston in 1980), was nominated for Best Fan
Writer, and her fanzine, The Mad 3 Party, won the award for Best
Fanzine. Congratulations, Leslie!
Stu Shiffman, a twelve-time nominee for Best Fan Artist, FINALLY won,
so he can throw away his "Remember, it's an honor just to be nominated"
pin. Stu, a long time New York fan, has lived in the Boston area for
the last two years, and plans a move to Seattle real-soon-now.
Congratulations, Stu!
Greg Thokar, an employee of a Marlboro high-tech firm (the name of
which eludes me just now), edited the Noreascon Three Souvenir Book,
which was nominated for Best Non-Fiction Book.
Charles C. Ryan was nominated for Best Professional Editor. He edits
Aboriginal SF in Woburn. Abo is the only large-size, full-color SF
magazine being published.
Thomas Canty, known for his fine covers for the "fairy tale" books,
such as Ellen Kushner's Thomas the Rhymer, placed second in the
ballotting for Best Professional Artist. Tom lives on the South Shore,
and has shown his work in local galleries.
Merle Insinga, a former Marlboro resident, was nominated for Best Fan
Artist. Her husband, Aron, is a DEC employee, and they live in Nashua.
Allen Steele, a nominee for the John W. Campbell Award, used to be a
writer for Worcester Magazine, and published his first short story in
Worcester Monthly two years ago. Allen placed second in the voting for
the Campbell, and his first novel, Orbital Decay, has received rave
reviews. Allen's wife, Linda, is a radio personality for a small
station in southern New Hampshire.
Site of the 1993 Worldcon Announced
Members of the 1990 World Science Fiction Convention selected San
Francisco as the site of the 1993 Worldcon. Hawaii placed second in
the voting, the first time a write-in vote made such a strong showing.
Zagreb, No Preference, and Phoenix rounded out the field of sites.
Ed Emshwiller, SF Artist and Video Creator, Dead
Ed Emshwiller, also known as Ed Emsh, died on August 1st of cancer. He
was in his early 60s. He was well-known in the SF community as a
Galaxy artist in the '50s and '60s. Recently, he was an active video
artist. Ed had been selected as the Artist Guest at the 1991 Boskone.
The next Boskone will feature a retrospective on Ed's work.
*******************************************************************************
INFORMATION
A cross between "rumor" and information---the local Star
Trek society is planning some sort of a social event for
fans some time this fall. When I get more information, I'll
let you know.
*******************************************************************************
REVIEWS
Phil Kramer
Scions of Shanarra by Terry Brooks
Like many authors, Terry Brooks wrote a good first Tolkien-like epic novel,
the 'Sword of Shanarra', some years back. It is about the adventures of
the Ohmsford family to find and use the magical powers left to them by
their elven ancestors, naturally against something Wicked and Evil. In
typical fashion, Brooks followed it up with two more books about later
generations of Ohmsfords, combating other similar evils.
Now that he had a trilogy (albeit the books were only loosely connected), and
unable to let a good thing go to waste, Brooks decided to do another trilogy,
this time a single story spread over 3 books. When I said these were
Tolkien-esque, I wasn't kidding. They are long (450 pages each). The good
part is that the new book (Scions) is generally not as tedious as some of his
earlier books. You know - less plodding through the desert for seemingly
endless chapters.
The premise of Scions is that we are now 300 years after the last Shanarra
book. A group called the Federation has taken over government of the Four
Lands. The Federation is wicked (why am I not surprised?), and is sworn to
wipe out magic. At the same time, the ghost of Allanon (from earlier books)
warns of impending doom from a new kind of nasty magic called the Shadowen.
Allanon gets three new members of the Ohmsfords to fight this new magic and
the Federation, and tasks each of them with a seemingly impossible mission.
The books ends with one of the characters having completed his task, and
there are still two more to go (not surprising, since there are two
books to go) You feel a little disappointed, since the next book is
probably a year or so away, but Brooks DOES have a good way with words and
creates likeable, generally believable characters, as well as doing a good
job with the magical elements of the story.
by Laurie Mann
Grass by Sherri S. Tepper
Sherri Tepper created a rich world filled with fascinating characters and
political intrigue in Grass. While many have likened the novel to Dune,
Tepper does not fall into the common trap of making her novel too similar.
Grass is the name of a planet engulfed by grass. A few towns exist, but
most inhabitants live on isolated ranches. The locals spend much of their
time engaged in hunts, the complete with indigenous foxes, hounds, and
mounts. A new ambassador is named to Grass by the federation, and his
job is to see why the plague, which is decimating other planets in
the federation, hasn't affected Grass.
This novel is very strong, and is filled with well-drawn characters
trapped in a series of difficult situations. I highly recommend this novel.
*******************************************************************************
Stratus SF SIG News #23.5--September 10, 1990
A short issue with three things I foregot the last time.
*******************************************************************************
NEWS
Guests of Honor for Con Francisco, the 1993 Worldcon:
Pro GoH: Larry Niven
Art GoH: Alicia Austin
Fan GoH: jan howard finder
Tom Digby
TM: Guy Gavriel Kay
Dead GoH: Mark Twain
*******************************************************************************
MEETING
Tonight (Monday, September 10), starting at about 8pm, there will be a
discussion group at my house in Northboro. The topic will be
"Historical Figures in Fantasy and Science Fiction," but you
can also expect conversation about the recent Worldcon and
NASFiC. All are welcome.
******************************************************************************
NEWS from the 1992 Worldcon:
MagiCon PO Box 621992 Orlando, FL 32862-1992 USA
The Fiftieth World Science Fiction Convention
September 10, 1990
Price Increases
Effective September 30, 1990, the price for an Attending Membership
for MagiCon rises to $75 from the present $65. A Child's Membership
(for children born after September 3, 1980) is still $35.00. Supporting
Memberships remain at $20.00, and Kids-in-Tow Memberships (for children
born after September 3, 1986) are free. These rates remain in effect
through March 31, 1991.
Membership Statistics
MagiCon had 2200 Attending Memberships, 217 Supporting Memberships, and
75 Children's Memberships as of August 20, 1990. In addition, MagiCon has
issued 7 Guest Memberships, and 14 Kids-in-Tow Memberships.
Progress Report 2
MagiCon will be releasing Progress Report 2 in October. It will be mailed
to all Attending and Supporting members.
New Appointments
MagiCon announces the following appointments:
Administration Office Staff Robin Douglas
Events Hugo Ceremonies Jill Eastlake
Masquerade Marty Gear
Exhibits Exhibits Division Head Mark Olson
History Exhibits Peggy Rae Pavlat
Program NASA Liaison Joseph Green
Program Staff Jerry Kaufman
Program Staff Priscilla Olson
Publications Pre-con Publications Subdivision Tom Hanlon
Publicity Press Relations Laurie Mann
******************************************************************************
Stratus SF SIG News #24--October 1990
*******************************************************************************
NEWS
Not much. General consensus is that the Worldcon was fun and made
a little money, and the NASFiC (held in San Diego the following
weekend) was not-so-hot.
*******************************************************************************
INFORMATION
(Reposted from GEnie)
*******************************************************************************
* Send Books to the Troops *
* *
* The Science Fiction Writers of America (SFWA) has launched a campaign to *
* collect paperback novels to be sent to our military forces in
* Saudi Arabia. SFWA is a non-profit organization of 1000 members whose *
* purpose is to encourage public interest in Science Fiction literature. *
* Preliminary arrangements have been made to have these books sent in bulk *
* shipments free of charge on a space-available basis on military aircraft. *
* *
* Several publishing companies have been contacted and literally all of them *
* will be donating novels for this effort. Individuals are also encouraged *
* to join in and send some books. Any novels of nearly any genre are *
* acceptable with the exception of romance novels. If any cover art is *
* found to be unacceptable by Saudi authorities, the cover will be removed *
* prior to shipment to avoid problems. Anti-Islamic literature is not *
* acceptable. *
* *
* We currently have over 160,000 military personnel deployed in Saudi Arabia. *
* There is a distinct lack of entertainment and ways to pass the time. Your *
* books will be sent to various units and passed from person to person, *
* giving much-needed relief and a morale boost for our soldiers, marines, *
* pilots, and sailors. Now is your chance to show your support for our *
* military men and women in Saudi Arabia. This will be a continuing *
* effort on our part until it is no longer needed. *
* *
* Please send all paperback books to the following address. They *
* will be sent to our deployed armed forces: *
* *
* Thomas A. Zelinski *
* G.I. Paperback Campaign *
* 516 26th Road South *
* Arlington, VA 22202-2506 *
* *
* Both SFWA and our troops thank you for caring and participating. *
*******************************************************************************
Upcoming Local Events:
NotJustAnotherCon, UMass, Amherst, Friday, October 19-Sunday, October 21.
Based at the Student Union, this con emphasizes an extensive
film program. Many local professionals (such as Hal Clement
and Jane Yolen) attend. For more information, write to
RSO 352, UMass, Amherst, MA 01003
When Worlds Collide, a Halloween party for local SF fans, sponsored by
the Boston Star Trek Association, Friday, November 2 at the VFW on
Arsenal St. in Watertown. Admission: $2.00. There will be
food, a DJ playing music that fans will appreciate, exhibits from
the local clubs, a cash bar, door prizes, and games. BSTA is
organizing this party for local fans to get together and
socialize, and other local clubs (like NESFA and the Gaylaxians)
are helping out. I'll have flyers in my office later this month.
Reposted from USENET
Russell Galen, the agent for the estate of Philip K. Dick,
recently joined the Literary Forum on CompuServe. At the
same time, an interesting discussion of the works of Philip
K. Dick appeared in SF-Lovers Digest. Since I thought Russ
might find the discussion interesting, I forwarded it to
him. He asked me to forward the following message to SFLD:
******************
MESSAGE FROM RUSSELL GALEN (SCOTT MEREDITH LITERARY AGENCY):
I'm the literary agent for the Estate of Philip K. Dick, and would be very
grateful to anyone who can help me with a major decision involving his works.
As all of you know, many of his best novels have been hard to find, available
(if at all) in mass-market editions which appear on the racks for a few weeks
and then disappear for years. I've spent several years trying to correct this
by convincing a mainstream trade paperback imprint to reissue several of his
books, since trade paperbacks tend to stay in print and available less
erratically, and for longer periods of time, than mass-market. Recently
Vintage, one of the most prestigious of such imprints, agreed to reissue six
out of print Dick novels beginning in late 1991. It was immediately agreed
that three of the six should be the so-called "VALIS Trilogy" (VALIS, THE
DIVINE INVASION, and TIMOTHY ARCHER). I have to name the other three by the
end of October
Which 3 Dick novels would you choose? Bear in mind that there are three things
at stake. One, not much Dick is in print now, so these six books will become
the vehicle by which new readers discover Dick, or don't discover him, for
years to come. So they have to be his best books; they have to be the ones
which will best carry the message to the outside world. Two, they have to be
as commercially viable as possible, otherwise Vintage will cancel the program.
If they succeed, Vintage will want 6 more, and 6 more after that, and I can
eventually get almost the whole corpus out in impressive editions. Three, they
should be representative, giving new readers a good overall picture of Dick's
breadth of interests and themes.
There's too much riding on making the best possible choices for me to do this
alone. I've been following the messages here about Dick and they've already
influenced my thinking on which books to choose. When I was given the
opportunity to put the question to all of you directly I seized it, and will be
tremendously grateful for any advice you can give.
___________________________________________________________________
END OF MESSAGE FROM RUSSELL GALEN
***********************
It is generally possible to send e-mail to CompuServe from
Internet. Russ's CIS user number is
72567,3253
which translates to
72567.3253(at)compuserve.com.
(From Stratus:
To: uucp
Subject: Phil Dick Books
72567.3253(at)compuserve.com.
)
He can also be reached by street mail:
Russell Galen
Scott Meredith Inc.
845 Third Avenue
New York City 10022
*******************************************************************************
Stratus SF SIG News #25--November 1990
*******************************************************************************
NEWS
Nothing to report.
*******************************************************************************
INFORMATION
When Worlds Collide, a Halloween party for local SF fans, sponsored by
the Boston Star Trek Association, Friday, November 2 at the VFW on
Arsenal St. in Watertown. Admission: $2.00. There will be
food, a DJ playing music that fans will appreciate, exhibits from
the local clubs, a cash bar, door prizes, and games. BSTA is
organizing this party for local fans to get together and
socialize, and other local clubs (like NESFA and the Gaylaxians)
are helping out. So be there, and try to identify your
fellow Stratus employees.
Now is a good time to register for Boskone! For $28, you get:
Mike Resnick, our GoH
Brian Thomsen, our special guest
Special tributes to Ed Emsh, our artist guest who died
over the summer
A huge art show
Varied and bizarre bazaar (huckster room)
Large, congenial con suite
No lines at registration
Lots of program items
Did you ever want to see how a writer pitches a novel
to a publisher, and how a book contract is developed?
Learn about how aspects of African tribal culture can be
used in science fiction?
Hear about neglected authors like Diana Wynne Jones,
E.E. Smith, and James Blish?
Find out about the current explosion in fairy tales
retold as adult fantasy?
Join a guided tour of the art show?
Experience the fannish inquisition?
These are just a few of the quasi-musical questions tackled
by our panelists this year.
Yes, there are plenty of surprises, too.
Boskone is from Friday, February 15-Sunday, February 17.
You can see me for a flyer, or you can send in $28 (please
make out the check to Boskone 28) to:
Boskone Prereg
NESFA
Box G
MIT Branch PO
Cambridge, MA 02139
*******************************************************************************
REVIEWS
*******************************************************************************
QUESTIONS
From Wayne Newbury
I've heard about, but not yet watched the sequel based on Logan's Run.
I'd like other peoples' impressions.
*******************************************************************************
Stratus SF SIG News #26--December 1990
*******************************************************************************
NEWS
I regret to report that Donald Wolheim died last month. He was the impetus
behind the first SF convention (held in 1936), one of the early fanzines,
and DAW books, a major SF/fantasy book line. Wolheim was the Guest of Honor
at the 1988 World Science Fiction Convention. Wolheim had been in poor
health for a number of years. He is survived by his wife, Elsie, his
daughter, Betsy (currently the president of DAW books), and a granddaughter.
I also regret to report that Isaac Asimov is in very poor health.
*******************************************************************************
INFORMATION
The following cities are bidding for Worldcons:
1994: Louisville and Edmonton. This race will
be decided at Chicon next Labor Day.
1995: Atlanta and Glasgow. This race will be
decided at Magicon (in Orlando) on Labor Day, 1992.
1996: Currently, Los Angeles is the only bid. This city will
ratified at ConFrancisco on Labor Day, 1993.
1997: San Antonio and New Orleans. This race will be voted
on at the 1994 Worldcon.
Rumor has it New Orleans may also be running for 2000.
The rates for Boskone go up on January 9. Boskone will be held in
Springfield over Presidents' Weekend. Confirmed program participants
include David Hartwell, Gordon Van Gelder, Roger MacBride Allen, Lisa
Barnett, Jeffrey Carver, Hal Clement, Bruce Coville, Tom Doherty, John
Douglas, Bob Eggleton, Moshe Feder, Esther M. Friesner, Greer Gilman, Steven
Gould, Jeff Hecht, Anne Jordan, Michael Kandel, Ellen Kushner, Laura
J. Mixon, J.F. Rivkin, Darrell Schweitzer, Melissa Scott, Susan Shwartz,
David A. Smith, Sarah Smith, Allen Steele, Judith Tarr, Michael Whelan,
Sheila Williams, and Jane Yolen.
If you're intersted in attending, please send $28 per membership
(and include the names and addresses of the people you're registering)
to Boskone, Box G, MIT Branch PO, Cambridge, MA 02139.
*******************************************************************************
REVIEWS
From Laurie Mann
Jim and I went to Tropicon and Smofcon during our week in Florida. Tropicon
was a generic SF con, and Smofcon was a small con aimed at convention
planners. Both were very enjoyable.
Local writer Hal Clement was the pro GoH at Tropicon. There was a surprising
amount of programming related to movies, because many movies are now made
in Florida, and some of the independent filmmakers have ties to fandom. The
art show was mostly prints, but most of them were pretty good. The con suite
looked out over a runway of the Ft. Lauderdale airport. About 220 people
attended, and most of them were Floridians.
Smofcon was held in the same place the following weekend (and, yes, used the
same room for the con suite). About 120 people from across America (and two
from England) attended. Panels focused on the relationship of conventions
to their audiences, their guests, and their facilities. People representing
upcoming worldcons and current worldcon bids put on presentations. Smofcon
is a fascinating little convention, and I hope to go to the next year's
in Portland. New Orleans will host the 1992 Smofcon (though it will be run
by "carpetbaggers" from Washington), and England will probably host the
1993 Smofcon.
*******************************************************************************
QUESTIONS
From Wayne Newberry
I would like some help in finding a sci-fi short story. It is by
Robert Silverberg, and is titled "The Man In The Maze".
It was originally published in 1968 in the April and May editions of IF
Science Fiction Magazine, so if someone among your readers/contacts has
both of those copies stashed away, that would be one possible
connection. The other chance would be in a collection of Robert's
works or some other short story collection.
1988 _ 1989 _ 1990 _ 1991 _ 1992-3