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Home , Films about intersex, Gaylaxicon, Paladin of Souls, Sci Fiction, Writers of the Future

PO Box 656, Washington, DC 20044 - (202) 232-3141 - Issue #172 - July 2004 E-MAIL: [email protected] WEBSITE: http://www.lambdasf.org/

LSFer James various GLBT organizations including the Community Center, GLAA, Gay The LSF Book Crutchfield bowling groups, Lambda Sci-Fi, SMYAL, Discussion Honored Gay Pride, and RHP. He is a community Group info excerpted from the builder. He helps to strengthen the press release community through contributions to by Rob Gates various social, youth, veteran, and If you’re interested in lively neighborhood groups. Since the 1970s, discussions of F&SF books (with an Each year, the Capital Pride he has been a member of GLAA, serving emphasis on elements of interest to the Planning Committee selects a number of on education and police and crime LBGT community), we invite you to join individuals to honor as “Capital Pride committees and working as its office the LSF Book Discussion Group. Each Heroes.” These honorees have gone manager for more than two years. His month, we conduct fascinating round- above and beyond the call of duty in concern for gay youth led him to become table discussions of works by significant their efforts to bring full equality to the a founding member of SMYAL in 1984. F&SF authors. Gay, , Bisexual and As a gay veteran, he served two years as The LSF Book Discussion communities. This year, eight individu- president of the Capital Area Gay, Group generally meets on the 4th als were chosen in recognition of their Lesbian, and Bisexual Veterans of Thursday of every month, starting at outstanding efforts. These Heroes were America and earlier served as Secretary 7:00 PM, at Peter & Rob’s home: 1425 “S” recognized in the Capital Pride Parade on of the local Gay Veterans Group. He St., NW -- for directions or more details, Saturday, June 12th. Among the hon- served as president of the city’s second call 202-483-6369. The next meeting will orees was long-time LSFer, James Gay Community Center for more than be held on July 22nd. Crutchfield. five years. Most recently, James became Here’s the schedule for the next James arrived in Washington in a founding member of Rainbow History few months: 1976 after serving 12 years in the US Project in 2000. He continues to serve as July 22nd - by C.J. military. He worked at the FCC for 24 board treasurer and as organizer of Cherryh; moderator: Carl. (Ed. Note - To years before retiring. He has been an events chronicling the history of gay Carl's surprise & amazement!) active volunteer, leader and activist with youth and gay sports. ΛΨΦ Aug. 26th - The Curse of Chalion by Lois McMaster Bujold; Next LSF Meeting: Ye Olde Editorial Note: moderator: Michael M. Sept. 23rd - Red Thunder by July 11th There apparently aren’t any minutes for the June LSF meeting, which was held in John Varley; moderator: Carl. ΛΨΦ The next Lambda Sci-Fi meeting conjunction with the LSF Pre-Pride Party. will be held at James Crutchfield’s apart- However, one piece of LSF business was, in fact, completed during the very short ment (1414 17th St., NW, #413) on Sun- meeting just prior to the festivities – the following proposal was passed: day, July 11th. The business meeting will I propose that Lambda Sci Fi should establish an affiliate program account with begin at 1:30 PM; and the social meeting Lambda Rising’s online bookstore and that purchase links on LSF’s website be will begin at 2:00 PM. maintained to both Lambda Rising and Amazon.com wherever possible, and to Please bring some munchies or whichever retailer is available when products are not carried by both. LSF’s soft drinks, if you can. See you there! bylaws will be changed to reflect generic online retailer affiliate program funds.

WHAT'S INSIDE? Richard Biggs(obituary - pg. 2); Nominations(pg. 2); Julia and the Dream Maker (book review - pg. 3); 2005 Update (pg. 3);OUTer Film Festival Call for Entries (pg. 4);Lambda Literary Awards - SF/ Category (pg. 5); Tolkien in Bloemfontein (pg. 5); About Lambda Sci-Fi: DC Area Gaylaxians &Con Calendar (pg. 6) 1 Hugo Award BEST Nominations “Paying It Forward” by Michael A. info relayed by Rob Burstein (Analog, Sept. 2003) “A Study in Emerald” by (Shadows over Baker Street, Del The Hugo nominations have Rey) been announced. “Four Short ” by Noreascon Four has an- (F&SF, Nov. 2003) nounced the nominees for the 2004 Hugo “The Tale of the Golden Eagle” by David Awards, which will be awarded during D. Levine (F&SF, June 2003) the 62nd World Conven- “ Don’t Cry” by Mike Resnick tion in , , Septem- (Asimov’s, July 2003) RIP: Richard Biggs ber 2-6, 2004. Final voting will begin in May. The nominees are: 1960 - 2004 BEST RELATED BOOK Scores: Reviews 1993-2003 by info passed along by Rob Gates BEST (Beccon Publications) News from J Michael Straczynski: Paladin of Souls by Lois McMaster Spectrum 10: The Best in Fantastic Con- Richard Biggs played Dr. Bujold (Eos) temporary Art by Cathy & Arnie Franklin on B5. He was 43. Humans by Robert Sawyer (Tor) Fenner (Underwood Books) I was awakened today with Ilium by (Eos) The for SF & Fantasy several phone calls from cast mem- Singularity Sky by (Ace) Art: A Retrospective by John bers and Doug to pass along the Blind Lake by Robert Charles Wilson Grant, Elizabeth L. Humphrey, & terrible news that this morning (May (Tor) Pamela D. Scoville (Artist’s & 22nd), Richard Biggs passed away. Photographer’s Press Ltd.) We’re still gathering infor- BEST Dreamer of : The Biography of Frank mation, so take none of this as firm “Walk in Silence” by Catherine Asaro Herbert by Brian Herbert (Tor) word, but what seems to have (Analog, April 2003) The Thackery T. Lambshead Guide to happened, happened quickly. He “Empress of Mars” by Kage Baker Eccentric & Discredited Dis- woke up, got up out of bed...and went (Asimov’s, July 2003) eases by Jeff Vandermeer & Mark down. The paramedics who showed “The Green Leopard Plague” by Walter Roberts (Night Shade Books) up suggested it was either an Jon Williams (Asimov’s, Master Storyteller: An Illustrated Tour of aneurysm or a massive stroke. Oct.-Nov. 2003) the Fiction of L. Ron Hubbard His family members have “Just Like the Ones We Used to Know” by William J. Widder (Bridge) been informed, and all of the cast by (Asimov’s, have, as far as we can determine, also Dec. 2003) BEST DRAMATIC PRESENTATION, been informed. “The Cookie Monster” by LONG FORM This is a terrible loss for all of (Analog, Oct. 2003) 28 Days Later (DNA Films/Fox Search- us. Richard was a consummate light); directed by Danny Boyle; professional but more than that he BEST NOVELETTE written by Alex Garland was an honorable, stand-up guy. If he “Empire of Ice Cream’ by Finding Nemo (Pixar/Walt Disney Pic- gave you his word on something, you (Sci Fiction, scifi.com, Feb. 26, tures); directed by Andrew never had to wonder about it 2003) Stanton & Lee Unkrich; screen- afterward. He was always helpful and “Bernardo’s House” by James Patrick play by Andrew Stanton, Bob supportive of all the cast, even those Kelly (Asimov’s, June 2003) Peterson & David Reynolds; who only came in for one episode, “Into the Gardens of Sweet Night” by Jay story by Andrew Stanton always with a ready smile and Lake (Writers of the XIX, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the determined to do whatever it took to Bridge) King (New Line Cinema); directed make the scene work. He was, quite “Hexagons” by (Asimov’s, by Peter Jackson; screenplay by simply, a terrific guy, and everyone July 2003) Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens & here is just devastated at the news. “Nightfall” by Charles Stross (Asimov’s, Peter Jackson; based on the More word as this develops. April 2003) novel by J.R.R. Tolkien We may try to have some kind of fund “Legions in Time” by Michael Swanwick raiser to help give whatever assis- (Asimov’s, April 2003) (continued on page 4) tance may be helpful for his kids. We all miss him terribly. – jms 2 Julia and the Dream Maker Gaylaxicon 2005 Update by P.J. Fischer from (Traitor Dachschund Books, 2003) Wayne Wilkening a review by Colleen R. Cahill Conchair, Gaylaxicon 2005 We are told: never judge a book Now that everyone is back from by its cover. That should also go for its San Diego – or sad that they didn’t go title. When I heard of Julia and the – here’s an update on what the crew in Dream Maker, my first thought was the Boston is preparing for you for next book was a young adult novel, on the year’s Gaylaxicon. level with the Harry Potter books. My We’re proud to announce that second thought was it was a romance Lois McMaster Bujold has agreed to be tion, with all the traditional Gaylaxicon fantasy: wrong again. It is science fic- our Guest of Honor. Lois is an award- trimmings – including the Chocolate Sym- tion, for how else can you describe a winning author with (to date) 4 Hugos, 2 posium and Gaylactic Jeopardy. We’re book that starts with trial overseen by a Nebulas, and 2 Locus Awards. Her cur- also going to continue some of the new holographic judge, with an AI defense rent novel, Paladin of Souls, is nomi- traditions from Gaylaxicon 2004 San Di- lawyer, and a case determining if a new nated for this year’s Best Novel Hugo. ego, including a drive-in movie night and species has been created? LSF members and those who read prefer- organizing activities before and after the Steven is a Ph.D. student in entially off the LSF Recommends list will convention. biology getting ready to defend his know her of her novel Ethan of Athos. So, plan to join us next year. dissertation. Graduate students are of- Gaylaxicon 2005 will be held July Come a few days early and stay a few days ten short of cash, as is Steven, who is 1-4, 2005 at the Hyatt Regency Cambridge. afterwards. The room rate is $104. There’s living with Eli (his girlfriend) and Bennie The hotel is located right on the Charles lots to see and do in Boston around the 4th (another graduate student). Even River and offers a great view of Boston of July. But hurry, and sign up now! The though they pool their resources, and the 4th of July fireworks display. membership rate for Gaylaxicon 2005 is research is costly and soon they need Hotel information is available at: presently $40 – but this only lasts until the money to finish the school year. Using www.hyattregencycambridge.com end of June! For more information, go to Bennie’s previous success with a virtual We’re planning a great conven- our newly updated website at: computer toy, the trio decides to create a www.gaylaxians.org/gaylaxicon.org/ virtual rabbit but this time uses holo- Lois 2005 graphic technology and also make the McMaster We’ll save you toy touchable. And as all seeds do, this Bjold a front row seat for the idea grows and grows ... and grows, until fireworks display! it is no longer a toy, but something both photo credit: David Dyer- wonderful and frightening. Bennet This plot is no more straightfor- ward than the title. Steven is more than your average graduate student. He is although how they fit in is not always be available in bookstores. No matter recognized by his peers as a genius, but perfectly . This adds mystery to the how you get it, give this new writer a try; one that is erratic and noted for his story and an aura of the supernatural. you will find Julia and the Dream Maker willingness to argue and break the rules. The story is authentic in its academic more than the title implies. ΛΨΦ This reputation, combined with the vast setting, with all the bickering and computer resources he is using to create jealousy you would expect. Emotions the virtual toy, attracts the attention of are key, making this is not just a story of When childhood dies, its various people — from fellow students science, but of relationships — those corpses are called adults and to others who had this new tech- between father and son, between they enter society, one of the nology. Eli already has her Ph.D. in friends, and between lovers. This makes politer names of hell. That is biology; and while she trusts Steven and the characters not only believable but Bennie, she is not sure what is hap- well rounded. While it is easy to see why we dread children, even pening with the experiments, which seem Steven, Eli, or Bennie in a sympathetic if we love them. They show us to be gaining independence from their light, their flaws show through; and the state of our decay. makers. none, not even the genius Steven, are Earlier I called this a science without their doubts or foibles. , Guardian (1971) fiction work, and it does have many of This is the first book in a series, the hallmarks of that genre. Fischer uses with the second title due out later in (excerpted from The Cynic’s Lexicon, science set in the near future; but there 2004. Currently you will have to search a compiled by Jonathon Green are also elements of something more, bit for the title; but in September, it will - St. Martin’s Press, 1984) 3 Hugo Award OUTer Film Festival Nominations BEST PROFESSIONAL ARTIST Call for Entries continued from page 2 Jim Burns e-mailed from Tim Caswell Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (Walt Disney Frank The 1st Annual OUTer Gay and Pictures); directed by Gore Donato Giancola Lesbian SciFi / Fantasy Film Festival call Verbinski; screenplay by Ted for submissions! Elliott & Terry Rossio; screen BEST SEMI-PROZINE Submission Deadline: story by Ted Elliott, Terry , ed. Dave Langford Friday, August 20, 2004 Rossio, Stuart Beattie & Jay Interzone, ed. David Pringle Submission Fees: Wolpert Locus, ed. Charles N. Brown, Jennifer A. None X2: X-Men United (20th Century Fox/ Hall, and Kirsten Gong-Wong Festival Dates: Marvel); directed by Bryan The Review of Science Fiction, November 4, 2000 Singer; screenplay by Michael ed. Kathryn Cramer, David G. Email: Dougherty, Dan Harris & David Hartwell, and Kevin Maroney [email protected] Hayter; story by Zak Penn, David Third Alternative, ed. Andy Cox Hayter & Bryan Singer The OUTer Gay and Lesbian BEST FANZINE Sci Fi / Fantasy Film Festival in Austin, BEST DRAMATIC PRESENTATION, Challenger, ed. Guy H. Lillian III Texas is now seeking submissions for its SHORT FORM Emerald City, ed. Cheryl Morgan first year of presentation on November 4, “Chosen.”Buffy the Vampire Slayer (Mu- File 770, ed. Mike Glyer 2004. This is an exciting first year for this tant Enemy Inc./20th Century Mimosa, ed. Rich and Nicki Lynch festival where gay and lesbian science Fox); written and directed by Joss Plokta, ed. Alison Scott, Steve Davies, fiction and fantasy films and shorts Whedon and Mike Scott are exhibited. Gollum’s Acceptance Speech at the 2003 Submissions: The OUTer Film MTV Movie Awards (Wingnut BEST FAN WRITER Festival seeks entries in all categories in Films/New Line Cinema); writ- Jeff Berkwits the genre of science fiction and fantasy. ten and directed by Fran Walsh, Bob Devney We seek submissions that prominently Philippa Boyens & Peter Jack- John L. Flynn feature gay, lesbian, bisexual, son Dave Langford trasngendered or intrasexual characters “Heart of Gold,” Firefly (Mutant Enemy Cheryl Morgan and/r story lines. Submissions should Inc./20th Century Fox); directed be made via VHS screeners in an NTSC by Thomas J. Wright; written by BEST FAN ARTIST format. There is no submission fee this Brett Matthews Brad Foster year. Screening formats are limited to “Message,” Firefly (Mutant Enemy Inc./ Teddy Harvia VHS and DVD. For further information 20th Century Fox); directed by Sue Mason and submission form, please contact: Tim Minear; written by Joss Steve Stiles [email protected] Whedon & Tim Minear Frank Wu Exhibition: For its first year, “Rosetta,” Smallville (Tollin/Robbins OUTer Film Festival will exhibit features Productions/Warner Brothers); JOHN W. CAMPBELL AWARD FOR and shorts with no category or prize for directed by James Marshall; writ- BEST NEW WRITER BEST. The OUTer Film Festival is com- ten by Al Gough & Miles Millar (Not a Hugo Award; sponsored by Dell mitted to supporting gay filmmakers by Magazines.) exhibiting their films that have not yet BEST PROFESSIONAL EDITOR (2nd year of eligibility) secured a theatrical distributor before David D. Levine (2nd year of eligibility) the opening night of the festival. Karin Lowachee (2nd year of eligibility) Please send Completed Sub- David Hartwell Chris Moriarty (1st year of eligibility) mission Forms and Preview Tapes to: Stanley Schmidt Tim Pratt (2nd year of eligibility) OUTer Film Festival Gordon Van Gelder ΛΨΦ 2300 Village Way Dr. Austin, TX 78745 Attn: OUTer How inappropriate to call this planet Earth All my best! -- Tim Caswell, when it is clearly Ocean. Director, OUTer Gay and Lesbian Sci Fi/ -- Arthur C. Clarke, in Nature (8 March 1990) -- Fantasy Film Festival ΛΨΦ (from Musings on Science, Jude Patterson, ed. - Barnes & Noble, 2003) 4 Lambda Literary Awards Tolkien in Bloemfontein (SF/Fantasy Category) by Barrett L. Brick info passed along J. R. R. Tolkien, though identified by Susanna J. Sturgis with England [and, of course, Middle Earth], was born in South Africa, in Bloemfontein, and spent the first three years of his life there. Antonio and I spent a few days in Bloemfontein in June and A special issue of Books to found that one can spend a nice few hours Watch Out For just announced the Lam- tracking down some sites associated with bda Literary Awards, which were pre- Tolkien’s years there. We were helped by sented last night [June 3rd] at a banquet the efforts of Jake Uys, the enterprising held in conjunction with Book Expo manager of Hobbit House, a B&B in African Bank/Bradlow’s Building America/the American Booksellers As- Bloemfontein where the rooms are each photo courtesy of Barrett Brick sociation convention in Chicago. named for a character from Tolkien’s The winner for the SF/Fantasy works, and where Tolkien’s daughter, Tolkien. Tolkien’s mother took him and category was: Priscilla, stayed a few years ago while on his brother to England for reasons of Necrologue a visit from England. Uys has also health in 1895. His father died suddenly ed. by Helen Sandler (Diva) produced a brochure for a self guided the following February; and, having no “Tolkien Trail” tour of Bloemfontein, reason to return to South Africa, Mabel Other nominees in the SF/Fan- which is a most useful guide. Hobbit Tolkien and her children remained in tasy category were: House is on the pricey side, however; and England. we stayed at a different B&B, Cherry Tree One should not expect someone Elf Child, by David M. Pierce Cottage, run by a very nice lesbian couple, in the first three years of his life to leave (Southern Tier Editions) whose beautiful rooms and grounds many footprints on history, and that is seemed quite Hobbit-like anyway. true of Tolkien as well. One wonders what The Red Line of Yarmald his memories of the city may have been by Diana Rivers (Bella Books) and whether they influenced his writing. Some have suggested that memories of The Substance of God the area as “hot, dry, and barren” may by Perry Brass (Belhue Press) J.R.R. have influenced Tolkien’s descriptions of Tolkien Mordor. Others have suggested that early Vampire Thrall memories of events leading to the Anglo- by Michael Schiefelbein Boer War may have formed part of the (Alyson Books) background for Tolkien’s understanding of war. And one wag in Cape Town, as the Full info is, or will shortly be, on Lonely Planet guide to South Africa notes, the Lambda Literary Foundation website: J. R. R. Tolkien’s parents, Mabel has described Tolkien as “just another www.lambdalit.org and Arthur, both emigrated from Bloemfontein boy on acid.” But the Books to Watch Out For comes Birmingham, England to Bloemfontein, National Museum does allow one to see out bimonthly and is available by e-mail where Arthur found a job as a clerk at the what life in Bloemfontein was like during or in print. Carol Seajay edits the lesbian African Bank, and met and married Mabel. those years of Tolkien’s infancy. And, edition, and Richard Labonté edits the They lived in a house next door, where even today, Bloemfontein is a beautiful gay men’s edition. Good stuff. I think Tolkien was born on January 3, 1892. city to walk through, open and friendly the URL is: www.btwof.com ΛΨΦ Tolkien’s birth home no longer stands, and slow-paced. In doing so, Antonio but the African Bank building – now the and I stumbled across a crafts fair in the Bradlow’s Building – can be seen at the lakefront park, a monthly affair that we had corner of West Burger and Maitland serendipitously timed our visit for. Streets. Walking among the stalls of food and Near the bank building is the crafts in that bucolic village-like setting, Anglican Cathedral, where Tolkien was one could almost expect a hobbit to baptized on January 31, 1892, as was his appear, to relax over a mid-day meal and brother Hilary, born two years later. One cool drink. ΛΨΦ can also see the grave of Tolkien’s father, in the President Brand Cemetery, which identifies Arthur as the father of J. R. R. 5 * * INFORMATION ABOUT LAMBDA SCI-FI: DC AREA GAYLAXIANS * *

Lambda Sci-Fi: DC Area Gaylaxians (LSF) is an organization for gay men, , bisexuals, and trans- gendered (GLBT) people, and their friends who are interested in science fiction, fantasy, horror and related genres in all forms (SF/F/H). LSF’s primary goals are to have fun, to provide a community, and to: • promote SF/F/H, with particular attention to materials of interest to GLBT people and their friends; • provide forums for GLBT people and their friends to share their interest in SF/F/H; • promote the presence of GLBT elements within SF/F/H and within fandom; and • promote SF/F/H within the GLBT community. Annual membership fees are $10, for which you will receive an e-mailed this monthly newsletter and a membership directory. (Hard copies of the newsletter cost an additional $15 per year.) Newsletter submissions are always welcome. Meetings are usually held on the second Sunday of each month at a private residence. The next Lambda Sci-Fi meeting will be held on the Sunday, July 11th, at James Crutchfield’s home: 1414 17th St., NW, #413 (near DuPont Circle) - 1:30 PM for business meeting; 2:00 PM for social meeting. Please bring some munchies or soft drinks, if you can. Hope to see you there! Lambda Sci-Fi: DC Area Gaylaxians is an affiliate ofthe , an international organization for gay people and their friends who are interested in science-fiction and fantasy.

Con Calendar by Carl, Peter, and Rob

July 9-11, 2004 SHORE LEAVE 26. Marriott's Hunt Valley Inn (Hunt Valley, MD). Guest include: Cirroc ("Jake Sisko") Lofton, Thom ("Hawk") Christopher, Brian ("Lt. Klag") Thompson. Membership: $50 (higher at the door). Make checks payable to "Shore Leave" (and enclosed 2 SASE's) and send to: Shore Leave 26, PO Box 6809, Towson, MD 21285-6809 Email: [email protected] Website: www.shore-leave.com

Sept. 2-6, 2004 NOREASCON 4 (62nd World Science Fiction Convention). Hynes Convention Center, Sheraton Marriott Hotel, Mariott Hotel Copley Place (Boston, MA). Pro Guests of Honor: , William Tenn. Membership: $180 thru 7/31/04 (will go UP!). Make checks payable to “Noreascon 4” and send to: Noreascon 4, PO Box 1010, Framingham, MA 01701 Website: www.noreascon.org Info: [email protected]

Oct. 15-17, 2004 CAPCLAVE '04. Tyson's Corner Marriot (Vienna, VA). GoH: Nick Pollota; Artist GoH: Butch Honeck. Membership: $37 until 5/31/04. Make checks payable to "Capclave '04" and send to: Alexis Gilliland, 4030 8th St. South, Arlington, VA 22204.

Nov. 26-28, 2004DARKOVER GRAND COUNCIL MEETING XXVII. Holiday Inn Timonium (Timonium, MD). Guest of Honor: Tamora Pierce; Special Guest: Katherine Kurtz; Musical Guests: Clam Chowder. Membership: $40 until 11/1; $45 after that & at the door. Make checks payable to "Armida Council" and send to: Armida Council, PO Box 7203, Silver Spring, MD 20907. Contact: [email protected] or [email protected] or [email protected]

December 10-12, 2004 PHILCON 2004. Marriott City Center (Phila., PA). Principal Speaker: Brian Aldiss; Artist GoH: Joe DeVito; Special Guests: Kevin J. Anderson & Rebecca Moesta, Tom Purdom. Membership: $40 "until at least 5/31/ 2004." Make checks payable to "Philadelphia Science Fiction Society" and send to: Philcon 2004 Registration, PO Box 3, Oreland, PA 19075 Website: www.philcon.org Email: [email protected]

July 1- 4, 2005 GAYLAXICON 2005. Hyatt Regency Cambridge (Boston, MA). Guest of Honor: Lois FEMcMaster Bujold. Membership: $40 until the end of June (will go up!). Make checks payable to "Gaylaxicon 2005" and send to: Gaylaxicon 2005, PO Box 1059, Boston, MA 02103. (More information as it becomes available.) Website: www.gaylaxicon.org/2005

Sept. 3-6, 2005CASCADIA CON (NASFiC 2005). SeaTac Airport Hilton (Seattle, WA). Author GoH: Fred Saberhagen; Artist GoH: Liz Danforth; Editor GoH: Toni Weisskopf. Membership: $75 until 4/30/04 (will go up after that). Make checks payable to "Seattle NASFiC" and send to: Seattle NASFiC, Box 1066, Seattle, WA 98111. URL: www.CascadiaCon.org

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