1988 _ 1989 _ 1990 _ 1991 _ 1992-3
Stratus SF SIG News #9---Monday, January 9, 1989
*******************************************************************************
NEWS
Movies: Victoria Tennent has been cast as Offred in Margaret
Atwood's "The Handmaid's Tale." It's being directed by
the man who directed "The Tin Drum."
The Batman Movie is being filmed in England. "Ghostbusters II"
is in production in New York City. "Leviathan," a $25 million
production will be out in the spring, and will be marketed
as "Aliens under wanter." John Varley's "Millenium," starring
Cheryl Ladd, Daniel Tranvati, and Kris Kristofferson, will be
out at Easter. Looks like 1989 may be an interesting year
for SF movies.
*******************************************************************************
INFORMATION
*******************************************************************************
REVIEWS
Readercon II (Lowell Hilton)
Nice convention, somewhere between 250-300 attendees.
This is as far from a mediacon as you can get. If you
like reading and books, you'd've loved Readercon.
The next Readercon will be in April of 1990.
Wolf Moon (Charles de Lint)
An interesting retelling of the wolfman story. In this book,
werewolves are not "evil maneaters" but are "shapechangers,"
misunderstood by society.
Vacuum Flowers (Michael Swanwick)
One of the "true" cyberpunk books. It's very graphic and a little
tough reading here and there, but it's an absorbing story
about identity.
Book Notes from Paul Ryan:
I recently read Stephen King's Tommyknockers, which I guess
could be called sci-fi. Too long and wordy, but could have been
great, with the help of an editor.
I tried to read James Dickey's Alinam (SP?), a book about a
secret NASA during WWII. I thought it was awful; didn't finish.
I also read Sphere, by I forget who. Interesting speculation
about communicating with extra-terrestrials, but cop-out
ending.
*******************************************************************************
INQUIRIES/OTHER/RUMORS
*******************************************************************************
UPCOMING CONVENTIONS
Codclave February 17-19 Andover
This is NESFA's relaxacon, featuring no programming but a nice con suite.
Call Laurie at X2610 for more info.
*******************************************************************************
Stratus SF SIG News #10---Friday, February 3, 1989
*******************************************************************************
NEWS
*******************************************************************************
INFORMATION
*******************************************************************************
REVIEWS
From Howard Ship:
"Queen of the Damned"
by Anne Rice
This is the third volume in what Mrs. Rice is calling "The
Vampire Chronicles." "Queen" continues the story developed
in "Interview with a Vampire" and "The Vampire Lestat".
These books rework the vampire myth in a new and seductive
light. "Queen" expands upon the events at the end of
"Lestat", going in to more detail and continuing on. To
fully appreciate this book, you should read "Lestat" first
-- "Queen" would be completely confusing without the
background from the earlier book.
Rather than attempt to describe the plot, I'd rather just
recommend the books, all of them, for anyone with the least
interest in vampire stories. These are strong, well written
books with a good style and an exciting storyline. "Queen"
has more obvious faults than "Interview" or "Lestat" -- too
many characters and subplots especially -- but that didn't
stop me from racing through the book. Don't pass "Queen of
the Damned" up.
From Joe Wirtz
Dean R. Koontz's LIGHTNING
This is another story about time travel - with a new twist. A man from the
past looks into the future, and is saddened by the death of a beautiful girl.
So he intervenes, and stops the death from happening. But all through this
girls life she is again and again faced with death, and her guardian angle
saves her, and even begins to fall in love with her.
This is not as good as Koontz's WATCHERS but it is still well worth reading.
The plot twists of the evils of time travel do make for some very interesting
subjects.
Boskone 26 (from Laurie---a committee member's point of view)
Boskone 26 ran last weekend in the Sheraton Tara and Springfield
Marriott. The con ran VERY smoothly---the main source of annoyance for
the attendees appeared to be the circuitous route between the hotels
due to the demolition of the Marriott's lobby. The guests, Tim Psowers,
James Gurney, and Tom Whitmore were all very amusing and did an
outstanding job for the con. The Art Show appeared to be even better
than last year's.
I ran Programming for the con. We ran about 100 Program
items---panels, art demos, readings, and movies, over the weekend.
Some of the most successful items included "Magic and History,"
"Conventionholics Anonymous," "Books into Movies," and "Why Not
Charlemagne?". Parties were much more plentiful this year,
particularly on Satuday night. The hotels were both very helpful
to the con, particularly the Marriott (the Sheraton has had
chronic management changes and, as a result, their people aren't quite
as on the ball as the Marriott's are). Both the Meet-the-VIPs and
the Banquet were well-attended and very enjoyable.
Fellow Stratus employees Jim Mann and Andy Cowan ran the Film Program
for the con, which featured a George Pal festival and the showing
of "Fire and Ice," a rarely-seen Raph Bakshi cartoon with backgrounds
by James Gurney. Andy also did most of the work on this year's Boskone
book, a corrected edition of Tim Power's "Epitaph in Rust."
So, were any of the rest of you at Boskone this year? What did
you think? Dissenting opinions on what worked/what didn't work at
the con are STRONGLY encouraged.
*******************************************************************************
Stratus SF SIG News #11--February 28, 1989
AHA! I fooled you all with an EARLY issue. That's because there's
some interesting news this time, at least for those of you who care
about SF awards. Read on!
*******************************************************************************
NEWS
Each year, the Science Fiction Writers of America give out awards for
works of fiction. These awards are called the Nebula awards. The
Nebula nominations have just been announced:
Nebula Nominations (for works published in 1988)
(Information Supplied by Chuq Von Rospach, Editor, OtherRealms)
NOVELS
DESERTED CITIES OF THE HEART, Lewis Shiner, Doubleday/Foundation.
DROWNING TOWERS, George Turner, Arbor House.
FALLING FREE, Lois McMaster Bujold, Baen Books and Analog.
GREAT SKY RIVER, Greg Benford, Bantam/Spectra.
MONA LISA OVERDRIVE, William Gibson, Bantam/Spectra.
RED PROPHET, Orson Scott Card, Tor.
THE URTH OF THE NEW SUN, Gene Wolfe, Tor.
NOVELLAS
"The Calvin Coolidge Home for Dead Comedians," Bradley Denton, F&SF June.
"The Devil's Arithmetic," Jane Yolen, Viking Kestrel (book).
"Journals of the Plague Years," Norman Spinrad, FULL SPECTRUM (Bantam/Spect
ra).
"The Last of the Winnebagos," Connie Willis, Asimov's July.
"The Scalehunter's Beautiful Daughter," Lucius Shepard, Asimov's
September, Zeising Books.
"Surfacing," Walter Jon Williams, Asimov's April.
NOVELETTES
"Do Ya, Do Ya Wanna Dance," Howard Waldrop, Asimov's August.
"Ginny Sweethips' Flying Circus," Neil Barret, Jr., Asimov's February.
"The Hob," Judith Moffett, Asimov's May.
"Kirinyaga," Mike Resnick, F&SF November.
"Peaches for Mad Molly," Steven Gould, Analog February.
"Schroedinger's Kitten," George Alec Effinger, Omni September.
"Unfinished Portrait of the King of Pain by Van Gogh," by Ian McDonald,
EMPIRE DREAMS (by Ian McDonald, Bantam/Spectra).
SHORT STORIES
"Bible Stories for Adults No. 17: The Deluge," James Morrow, FULL SPECTRUM.
"The Color Winter," Steven Popkes, Asimov's August.
"Dead Men on TV," Pat Murphy, FULL SPECTRUM.
"The Fort Moxie Branch," Jack McDevitt, FULL SPECTRUM.
"Mrs. Schummel Exits a Winner," John Kessel, Asimov's June.
"Voices of the Kill," Thomas M. Disch, FULL SPECTRUM.
The Nebula awards are given out at SFWA's annual meeting in April.
It should not be any suprise but Roger Rabbit, one of the most
inventive movies to emerge from Hollywood in years, has not been
nominated for an Oscar for Best Picture of 1988. Roger Rabbit
has been nominated for 6 Academy Awards, all technical ones.
*******************************************************************************
INFORMATION
This is almost your last chance to make nominations for the 1989 Hugo
awards. The Hugo awards are given by fandom at the World Science
Fiction Convention (to be held in Boston over Labor Day weekend).
Nominations close on March 15, 1989. If you want to vote, pick up a
ballot from me, send $20 for a supporting membership, or $70 for an
attending membership to Noreascon III, Box 46, MIT Branch PO,
Cambridge, MA 02139. Note that if you were a member of Nolacon II (the
1988 Worldcon), you ARE eligible to nominate.
Due to a minor printer's error, I have extra copies of the Program Book
from this year's Boskone. If you'd like a copy, they are in my office.
*******************************************************************************
REVIEWS
Read FULL SPECTRUM. It's a terrific anthology edited by Lou Aronica
and Shawna McCarthy. A number of stories from it appear on this year's
Nebula Award ballot.
*******************************************************************************
Stratus SF SIG News #12--April 1989
*******************************************************************************
NEWS
THE WASHINGTON IN 1992 WORLDCON BID FOLDS!
The Washington in '92 Worldcon bid folded after the hotels they were bidding
with signed a firm contract with another group. Barring anything REALLY
weird, this means that the 1992 Worldcon will be held in Orlando, Florida,
site of the other '92 bid. The site of the '92 Worldcon will be formally
determined by the site selection vote of the members of this year's
Worldcon.
1988 HUGO NOMINATIONS ANNOUNCED
BEST NOVEL OF 1988:
Cyteen, by C.J. Cherryh (Warner; Popular Library/Questar)
Falling Free, by Lois McMaster Bujold (Analog, Dec 87-Feb 88: Baen)
Islands in the Net, by Bruce Sterling (Morrow; Ace)
Mona Lisa Overdrive, by William Gibson (Gollancz; Bantam Spectra)
Red Prophet, by Orson Scott Card (Tor)
No Award
BEST NOVELLA OF 1988:
"The Calvin Coolidge Home for Dead Comedians", by Bradely Denton
(F&SF, Jun 88)
"Journals of the Plague Years", by Norman Spinrad (Full Spectrum)
"The Last of the Winnebagos", by Connie Willis (IASFM, Jul 88)
"The Scalehunter's Beautiful Daughter", by Lucius Shepard (Ziesing;
IASFM, Sep 88)
"Surfacing", by Walter Jon Williams (IASFM, Apr 88)
No Award
BEST NOVELETTE OF 1988:
"Do Ya, Do Ya, Wanna Dance", by Howard Waldrop (IASFM, Aug 88)
"The Function of Dream Sleep", by Harlan Ellison (Midnight Graffiti 1;
IASFM, Mid-Dec 88; Angry Candy)
"Ginny Sweethips' Flying Circus", by Neal Barrett, Jr. (IASFM, Feb 88)
"Peaches for Mad Molly", by Steven Gould (Analog, Feb 88)
"Schrodinger's Kitten", by George Alec Effinger (Omni, Sep 88)
No Award
BEST SHORT STORY OF 1988:
"The Fort Moxie Branch", by Jack McDevitt (Full Spectrum, where
it was mistitled "The Fourth Moxie Branch")
"The Giving Plague", by David Brin (Interzone 23; Full Spectrum 2)
"Kirinyaga", by Mike Resnick (F&SF, Nov 88)
"Our Neural Chernobyl", by Bruce Sterling (F&SF, Jun 88)
"Ripples in the Dirac Sea", by Geoffrey A. Landis (IASFM, Oct 88)
"Stable Strategies for Middle Management", by Eileen Gunn (IASFM,
Jun 88)
No Award
BEST NON-FICTION BOOK OF 1988:
A Biographical Dictionary of Science Fiction and Fantasy Artists,
by Robert Weinberg (Greenwood)
First Maitz, by Don Maitz (Ursus)
The Motion of Light in Water, by Samuel R. Delany (Morrow)
The New Encyclopedia of Science Fiction, edited by James Gunn
(Viking)
Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror: 1987, by Charles N. Brown
and William G. Contento (Locus)
No Award
BEST DRAMATIC PRESENTATION OF 1988:
Alien Nation
Beetlejuice
Big
Who Framed Roger Rabbit
Willow
No Awared
BEST PROFESSIONAL EDITOR OF 1988:
Gardner Dozois
Edward L. Ferman
David G. Hartwell
Charles C. Ryan
Stanley Schmidt
No Award
BEST PROFESSIONAL ARTIST OF 1988:
Thomas Canty
David Cherry
Bob Eggleton
Don Maitz
Michael Whelan
No Award
BEST SEMIPROZINE OF 1988:
Interzone, (ed. David Pringle)
Locus (ed. Charles N. Brown)
The New York Review of Science Fiction (ed. Kathryn Cramer, David
G. Hartwell, Patrick Nielsen Hayden, Teresa Nielsen Hayden,
and Susan Palwick)
Science Fiction Chronicle (ed. Andrew I. Porter)
Thrust (ed. D. Douglas Fratz)
No Award
BEST FANZINE OF 1988:
File 770 (ed. Mike Glyer)
FOSFAX (ed. Timothy Lane)
Lan's Lantern (ed. George "Lan" Laskowski)
Niekas (ed. Edmund R. Meskys, Mike Bastraw, and Anne Braude)
OtherRealms (ed. Chuq Von Rospach)
No Award
BEST FAN WRITER of 1988:
Avedon Carol
Mike Glyer
Arthur D. Hlavaty
Dave Langford
Guy Lillian, III
Chuq Von Rospach
No Award
BEST FAN ARTIST OF 1988:
Brad W. Foster
Teddy Harvia
Merle Insinga
Stu Shiffman
Taral Wayne
Diana Gallagher Wu
No Award
JOHN W. CAMPBELL AWARD FOR BEST NEW WRITER OF 1987-1988:
(not a Hugo: sponsored by Davis Publications)
P.J. Beese and Todd Cameron Hamilton (1)
Christopher Hinz (2)
Melanie Rawn (1)
Michaela Roessner (1)
Kristine Kathryn Rusch (1)
William Sanders (1)
Delia Sherman (2)
No Award
(1) First year of eligibility
(2) Second and final year of eligibility
REVIEWS
from Joe Wirtz
Robin Cook - Mutation
Its another medical story from Robin Cook (Coma) in which a father
implants his wife with an altered embryo to heighten intelligence. All
goes well, too well. The child becomes smarter than his parents, and
begins doing his own genetic experiments...
I found this book to be rather dry, and very predictable. All in all
it was interesting reading.
from Laurie Mann
If any of you are voting for the Hugos, I can loan you copies of most
of the fanzines nominated. I also have samples of art in my office
of 4 of the 6 nominated fan artists (can I pick my friends, or
can I pick my friends?), and art from 1 of the 6 nominated pro artists.
*******************************************************************************
Stratus SF SIG News #13--June 27, 1989
*******************************************************************************
NEWS
*******************************************************************************
INFORMATION
Noreascon Announces Current and At-the-door Rates
Preregistration for Noreascon III closes on July 15, 1989.
The prereg rates are:
Attending membership $80
Supporting membershgip $20
Children's admission $50
Conversion from
Supporting to Attending $60
No memberships will be sold between July 15 and August 31, the first day
of the con. At the con, the rates will be:
Children's
Attending One-day Children's One-day
Thursday 8/31 $110 $30 $90 $25
Friday 9/1 $110 $40 $90 $35
Saturday 9/2 $100 $40 $80 $35
Sunday 9/3 $65 $40 $50 $35
Monday 9/4 $30 $25 $25 $25
Note that children's memberships include babysitting and other special
activities. These memberships may only be bought in conjunction with adult
memberships, and do not include publications or voting rights.
HELP!
Noreascon III needs your help! If you have any spare time, and are willing
to do some volunteer work for the Worldcon, please call X2610, or call
617-776-3243 for more information.
*******************************************************************************
REVIEWS
from Laurie Mann
Oh, let's see, there was Disclave, a DC-area convention, which was
OK, if you like tripping over drunk teenagers in the lobby.
It did have the feature of showing Roger Rabbit twice during the weekend.
Batman---if you love interesting-looking movies with good performances,
you'll like it. However, it's not really strong on plot.
Indy Jones---as much fun as Raiders, with a wonderful performance
by Sean Connery.
Ghostbusters II---less fun that the original, but the characters are
enjoyable and Sigourney Weaver adds some class to the picture.
Star Trek V---the most mediocre of the group (Wrath of Khan was my
favorite, and the Motionless Picture was my least favorite).
I haven't had much time to read lately, but hope to do some
over the upcoming holiday weekend.
*******************************************************************************
Stratus SF SIG News #14---July 28, 1989 (August 14, 1989)
What, late AGAIN???? TSK-TSK-TSK
*******************************************************************************
NEWS
All's pretty quiet.
*******************************************************************************
INFORMATION
Harlan Ellison "promises" The Last Dangerous Visions will be published
NEXT year. (Of course, he's been saying that since 1972!)
*******************************************************************************
REVIEWS
The Cardinal of the Kremlin by Tom Clancy
This is an espionage novel, with borderline SF elements (an
almost-functioning SDI, for one). It features Jack Ryan
as the non-traditional CIA agent. While Clancy is not
a particularly good stylist, I enjoyed the book even though
I really dislike spy books.
*******************************************************************************
Stratus SF SIG News #15--September 15, 1989
*******************************************************************************
NEWS
Hugo Awards Given out at Noreascon III
Best Novel: Cyteen, by C.J. Cherryh (Warner; Popular
Library/Questar)
Best Novella: "The Last of the Winnebagos", by Connie Willis
(IASFM, Jul 88)
Best Novellette: "Schrodinger's Kitten", by George Alec Effinger
(Omni, Sep 88)
Best Short Story: "Kirinyaga", by Mike Resnick (F&SF, Nov 88)
Best Non Fiction: The Motion of Light in Water, Samuel R. Delaney
(Morrow)
Best Dramatic Pres: Who Framed Roger Rabbit? Disney/Ambin
Best Professional Editor: Gardner Dozois (Isaac Asimov's SF Magazine)
Best Professional Artist: Michael Whelan
Best Semi-Prozine: Locus (ed. Charles N. Brown)
Best Fanzine: File 770 (ed. Mike Glyer)
Best Fan Writer: Dave Langford
Best Fan Artist: (a tie) Brad W. Foster and Diana Gallagher Wu
John W. Campbell Award: Michaela Roessner
From: Laurie Mann
Noreascon III attracted 7200 fans, pros, artists, and assorted hangers-on,
making it the second largest Worldcon ever. It went VERY well, but I admit
to a strong predjudice here, since I was one of the organizers. I'll
eventually finish writing my long, excruitiatingly-detailed report. It's
already about 280 lines long and I'm only on Wednesday!
$150,000 of art was sold by art show sales. I think this is a new record.
Andre Norton was a very busy GoH, signing autographs and appearing on a
few panels.
We had some problems with the projectors we'd rented, and were rescued by
Frank Marshall of Amblin Entertainment who arranged to get us replacements.
We also had to completely rewire the art show lighting Thursday night and
Friday morning so the fire marshall would approve the wiring plan.
All of Hall C of the Hynes became the ConCourse for the week. The ConCourse
was an amalgamation of an exhibit hall and a lounge. It worked very well.
The Hucksters Room was in Hall D, and consisted of some 220 tables. The Art
Show ran in the Grand and Republic Ballrooms of the Sheraton. Movies
included Roger Rabbit, Big, The Adventures of Baron von Munchausen, Batman,
and The Wizard of Oz.
Macs were the computer of choice for most areas, followed quickly by
PC clones of various flavors. Yes, there were even a few IBM selectrics...
*******************************************************************************
INFORMATION
*******************************************************************************
QUESTIONS
From: Chris Tavares
Would anyone have the October 1988 issue of IASFM? I would like to borrow it.
*******************************************************************************
REVIEWS
From Howard Ship
I've been reading a lot of Clive Barker (Horror) books lately, when I'm
reading at all. I'm also in the middle of 89 World's Best SF. If this
is the best SF has to offer, the genre is in deep trouble.
Basically, the genre is sliding backwards into the ghetto of the 40s
and 50s. Bad cyberpunk has replaced bad space opera. Ray guns have
been replaced with neon signs, spaceships with urban decay, outer space
with conceptual reality, and optimism with pessimism.
In the 40s, identical space opera stories were churned out in pulp
magazines and cheap paperbacks. Today, we get books with "tm" on the
front cover, designed and marketed as series. Immature readers like
these series, they're safe and predictible.
The stories I've read so far were mostly cyberpunk stories, without
appropriately morbid mood used by Brunner, Dick or Gibson. I'll know
more when I finish the collection, but what I see is "safe" SF. No
risks, limited imaginations, just high concept styling excerises. No
philosophy, just a little mysticism thrown in.
What I'm getting it is the myth of science fiction: That there's a
definition of what is and is not science fiction, a ghetto. The
"spaceships and ray guns" definition all but worked way back when, and
now, in the post New Wave era, the "computer nets and discos" defintion
is taking hold.
Response from Laurie
I don't completely agree with Howard. I agree that the last few years
have offerred few outstanding books but I don't think the genre is
stuck in a "computer net and disco" ghetto.
For one thing, it's possible to find some, shall we say, "grown up"
books if you look hard enough. Try Bruce Sterling's Islands in the
Net. Check out When Gravity Fails, which I review below. Or, if you
prefer subtlety, read Ellen Kushner's Swordspoint. Finally, if you
want to see how good speculative fiction can be, read Lou Aronica and
Shawna McCarthy's Full Spectrum collection. While not every story is a
gem in the collection, there are so many good stories that it's worth it.
From Sean Powers
I read mostly fantasy books as opposed to sci-fi, although I have read
the Foundation Series by Isaac Asimov. I also just finished a really
good sf book by L.Ron Hubbard. It was called Battlefield Earth, and
was very exciting.
My favorite authors are Piers Anthony, Steven R. Donaldson, Terry
Brooks, Anne Mcaffrey, and, of course, Tolkein.
from Laurie Mann
I've just finished reading George Alec Effinger's When Gravity Fails.
It is a well-written, exciting book of decadence and death in
a future Arab society, dominated by mayhem and drugs. Orson Scott
Card called the book "Cyberpunk when cyberpunk grows up." He
was right. It's about as hard-boiled cyberpunk as you're going to
find. But it's VERY well done (and I'm NOT much of a cyperpunk fan!).
*******************************************************************************
Stratus SF SIG News #16--October 13, 1989
*******************************************************************************
NEWS
Everyone seems to be recovering from Noreascon III. No real
news to report.
The Sheraton decided (for the THIRD time) that SF cons are really OK.
******************************************************************************
INFORMATION (yes, this is one long plug for Boskone)
Boskone XXVII Progress Report
February 16-18, 1990
Springfield, Massachusetts
Guest of Honor Official Artist Special Guest
Glen Cook David A. Cherry Charles Ryan
[[[Deleted]]]