Norwescon 34 Fantasy of the Mind

P.O. Box 68547 Seattle, WA 98168-0547 norwescon.org

Alpha Report February 2011

Shawn Marier Norwescon 34 Chairman SunnyJim Morgan Programming Director Doug and Pat Booze Art Show Managers Kathi Pickett Scheduled Gaming Lead

Felice Nightengale Publications Director Tim Nightengale Editor dQniel Kaufman Lead Graphic Designer Gayle MacArthur Layout Designer

NORWESCON 34 Fantasy of the Mind Apr il 21 - 24, 2011 SeaTac Washington NORWESCON norwescon.org P.O. Box 68547 Seattle WA 98168-0547 norwescon.org

dedicated group of volunteers who another for the Northwest School of are very passionate about their Art in Poulsbo. Art will be displayed convention. in our art show and judged at Norwescon is always looking for Norwescon for the awarding of the more people to join us on putting on scholarships. We are pleased that one of the best conventions around. If we are able to support the up-and- Norwescon has improved your life in coming science fiction and fantasy someway, I am asking you to consider artists of the future, and hope we can volunteering a bit of your time to help continue this program for years to keep Norwescon a strong healthy come. convention. This could be as little as News for artists: All of the volunteering for a couple of hours at information that you need to sign the convention, to joining us on the up for the art show is on our website convention committee to help plan at norwescon.org/exhibitors. If you each year’s convention. have any questions always feel free to One of things we were very contact us directly. You can reach us at [email protected]. Chairman’s Corner excited about last year was the use of Maxi’s Bar at the top of the tower The art show is looking for more I wanted to let you all know how for night time events. We had hoped great volunteers. Become part of excited I am to be chairman of that we would be able to continue the team who through their hard Norwescon again. It has been 4 this in future years, but the cost for work make the art show fun and years since I was last chair. Many Norwescon to use this space for the 2 Norwescon 34 Art Show successful. If you are interested in things have changed since then, but nights turned out to be much higher joining us, we would love to hear one thing has remained consistent; than anticipated. In today’s tight We are planning another amazing art from you. Norwescon is put on a by a very economy the executive team and show for you again for Norwescon myself felt that the cost was too high 34. We are once again bringing you Doug and Pat Booze for an age-restricted venue that only a great local talent, as well as new Art Show Managers small portion of the membership used artists, which we hope will create an last year. exciting art show for you this year. We will continue to work with We are thrilled to feature this year’s the hotel, to see what we can do Artist Guest of Honor, Kinuko Y. on improving the relationship Craft. Ms. Craft has won numerous between the Maxi’s patrons and national awards, including 4 our membership, as we know this Chesleys, gold and silver medals from is a concern for a number of you. I the Society of Illustrators, and is a would love to hear back from our Spectrum Grand Master. She is also membership if they felt we made the the illustrator for many of the books right choice regarding the Maxi’s by this year’s writer guest of honor, Patricia A. McKellip. We are excited Would you like to Bar; please send me any comments you might have on this or any other and honored to have Ms. Craft as our promote your club? Norwescon issue to chair@norwescon. Artist Guest of Honor this year. Then reserve space to run a social org Something new and exciting For Artshow sign up in Hospitality. You can have 1 or 2 is happening this year at the information go to: hours or more. Just contact I hope to see you all at the convention this coming April. Norwescon art show: students. norwescon.org/exhibitors/ [email protected] Norwescon is sponsoring scholarship and let us know more about your programs this year; one for Tyee or email: group and how we can help you. Shawn Marier High School, which is located less [email protected] Norwescon 34 Chairman than a mile from our location, and Fantasy of the Mind Norwescon 34

Fantasy of the Mind of systems translated well to the whatsoever interacting with the writing of plots. Norwescon 34 invites you to explore hotel! More information about Fantasy of the Mind. First, PSIence In addition to our wonderful reserving suites is available on the Guest of Honor Marie D. Jones helps guests, a huge crew of pros and Hotel page at Norwescon.org. There us explore paranormal phenomenon. panelists will be serving up a ton are still parlor suites and family With her help, we can delve deeper of great panel programming. Also rooms available at the DoubleTree. into the Time Prompt Phenomenon, this year, Studio Foglio will be Finally, to pass the time, you look at various psychic possibilities, presenting a Girl Genius radio play, can write a limerick about the find out what might happen in our popular “Let’s Make A Movie!” DoubleTree and send it to hotels@ 2013, and examine Déjà-vu. Marie’s work shop is back, and we have some norwescon.org. If it’s funny, we will books explore these ideas, and more, fantastic musical performances lined giggle! through anecdotes, research, and up. Prepare to be mesmerized, by history. Marie is also co-host on Fantasy of the Mind. Kevin Black & Scott Surber the popular Dreamland radio show SunnyJim Morgan Hotel Liaisons interviewing luminaries in the fields of the paranormal, science, unknown Programming Director anomalies, and alternative history. Next, Author Guest of Honor Hotel Corner Patricia A. McKillip guides us on a fantastical journey to the realms Hotel rooms sold out faster than of fairyland. Behind the world we Spotlight Publisher PYR books, ever for Norwescon 34! Norwescon see, there are other worlds, and with just five years under their belts, officially exceeded its contracted Patricia McKillip takes us there. has a firm handle on Fantasy. The room block on October 4, and over Her novels have been winners of the Science Fiction and Fantasy arm of 2000 room nights have been booked. World Fantasy Award, Locus Award, Prometheus Books, PYR encourages We have arranged an alternate room and Mythopoeic Award, and have you to “ignite your imagination.” block and special Norwescon rate received numerous nominations for a Finally, Special Guests of Honor with the DoubleTree’s sister hotel variety of awards; in 2008, she was a Jim and Shannon Butcher. Jim down the street. Using the code recipient of the World Fantasy Award Butcher takes you on a walk down NOR will garner you a $129.00 for Life Achievement. In addition to the wild and fantastical streets of . . . per night rate at the Hilton. her well-know Riddlemaster trilogy, Chicago. The Dresden Files, Jim’s Other area hotels also offer special she has published more than 20 other gritty Urban Fantasy series, brings Norwescon rates, but it is important novels and a number of short stories. the supernatural right into the middle to book early. Check the website for Artist Kinuko Y. Craft will of a major American city. These more information. Also, if you’ve show us those worlds, and more, novels, along with the Codex Alera reserved a room that you know through her stunning paintings. series and Jim’s other books, take us you won’t need, consider offering Her work can be found on book through a variety of fantasy realms. your reservation on the Norwescon covers, opera posters, fairy tale Perhaps, when we see him in April, Forum so that other members can books, covers for many national we can convince him to tell us about benefit. magazines such as Time, Newsweek the strange and wondrous land of Reservations for suites, party and The National Geographic, and Missouri, where he lives. Shannon rooms, and family rooms have begun has been added to the collection of K. Butcher has two series in print being distributed on a first come the National Portrait Gallery. She the romantic suspense Delta Force first serve basis as of 12:01 AM on is internationally recognized for Trilogy and an ongoing paranormal November 1, 2010, to members who her work and was inducted into the romance series “The Sentinel Wars.” wrote to [email protected]. This Society of Illustrators Hall of Fame Ms. Butcher entered the world of is also the address you should write in 2008. authorship after discovering her love to if you encounter any problems

Fantasy of the Mind Norwescon 34

Thursday Good Bye Evergreen, table space for you, as well as post Hello Grand 3!!! information about your game in advance at the Norwescon web site. Special Events That’s right folks the Fannish Fetish If you want us to try to find someone Fashion show is taking over the to run a game for you, contact us as Potpourri grand ballroom! This year we plan to well. We’d happily hear from both make the show BIG BETTER and individuals and game companies even more BADASS! Let’s celebrate wishing to present their products the move with a costume contest! through demo or regular games. We want to see you in your grandest As always, if space allows, you’re fetish attire. Prizes will be awarded welcome to come in and play any to the grandest of the grand. Also of the pickup games in our Gaming keep an eye on the NWC website for Library, or start a game with your show and designer updates. friends. In addition to great games Sunday Event provided by dozens of game masters, we will have a Grand Prize drawing For the Sunday Event, Special Events for everyone who participates in or is looking to host a Paranormal Fair runs a scheduled game. Details and with a Psychic and Supernatural pictures will be provided at a later theme. We are hoping to locate date. people knowledgeable in palmistry, Come on up to our gaming tarot cards, runes, iChing, rooms and see what’s going on! numerology charts, horoscopes and Masquerade Come one. Come all. Let things of that nature, as well as ghost Kathi Pickett, us make this one of the Best hunters and paranormal or spiritual Scheduled Gaming Lead The Masquerade is looking for two Masquerades ever. consultants. If you have any contacts types of Volunteers: assistants and or know anyone willing to volunteer performers. their services, please forward their The assistants help make the Thursday Stargate Scavenger information to specialevents@ show go off without a problem. Hunt norwescon.org or have them contact There is a need for Stage Ninjas us via the website. (must be 16+ yrs.), Den Parents, For those of you that enjoy Stargate, Ushers, Door Guards, etc. If you and all of the spinoff series, have would like to help, please contact we got a game for you. Do you Scheduled Gaming the Masquerade Director. You will recognize all of the glyphs on the 3 become a part of Company Lumbo- Stargates? Could you pick them out Norwescon 34 Scheduled Gaming Tire for the weekend. of a picture? Well, you will get the returns with your favorite tabletop, chance with this game. card and miniature war games. The performers are up on stage We provide some of the earliest showing off the costumes that make Check back on the website closer scheduled events at the convention, up the meat of our show. If you have to the convention (con) for more and keep going until the con doors a costume you would like to present, information. At the con, please close! This year we will have longer Schedule a game one that will impress the audience check the program book for more hours to fill with even more games. and judges, then this option is for info on participating in the Stargate now contact: you. No experience required, there is Scavenger Hunt. If you want to schedule a game sepecialevents@ time to ask questions and practice in or three, contact us at specialevents@ norwescon.org advance of the event. norwescon.org and we’ll reserve

Fantasy of the Mind The Pacific Northwest’s Premier Thursday Dances Thursday – Thursday Night Science Fiction and Fantasy Convention Norwescon has an all-ages dance each Hoedown night of the convention (Thursday, Friday, Saturday) for those of you This ain’t your parents’ square dance! who like to plan your convention in Put on your best dancing shoes and advance here’s a brief description of help us kick off Norwescon with DJ what is planned for these dances at mc300baud and his eclectic mix of this time. tracks. Expect the unexpected as he spins rave, wave, goth, alternative, rock, electronica, and more late into the night. He won’t let up until the cows come home. Carnaval de Friday – Carnaval de Stardance Stardance Come celebrate Mardi Gras-style as DJ Request and DJ Rohkan spin the mixes deep into the night. Don’t forget to attend the mask making panel earlier in the day to create your very own mask for the ball . . . or be one of the first 150 people to the door and get a free Mardi Gras mask.

Saturday - it’s Saturday Night!!!! Join our new DJ Dancin’ Dan as he plays for you the best party hits of all time. You’ll hear it all from the rock & roll hits of the 50s, to the Motown sound of the 60s. Party to the disco era of the 70s and the new wave sound of the 80s. Show off your moves to the urban pop of the 90s and hip-hop sounds NORWESCON 34 Fantasy of the Mind that kicked off the millennium. Apr il 21 - 24, 2011 Dan will also live up to his name SeaTac Washington by joining in on some popular group dances too. norwescon.org Party on conventioneers!