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CoThe Bi-Monthly Sciencen Fiction,Nota Fantasy & Convention Newszinetions of the Central Arizona Speculative Fiction Society A Conversation with Featured Inside Regular Features Janeby Catherine Lindskol Book d Special Features Jane and I had been trying SF Tube Talk A Conversation with to connect for about a year and All the latest news about finally found our opportunity Jane Lindskold during the Tucson Book Festival Scienc Fiction TV shows by Catherine Book held on the UofA campus on by Lee Whiteside March 13th of this year. It was a lovely, warm afternoon sitting Hokey Smoke! in the shade of trees and brick Pro Notes It’s the very nearly 50th buildings and we started with the obvious – how long had she News about Anniversary of been writing and what was she genre authors and fans Rocky the Flying Squirrel and doing when she published her first story? Jane says her first Bullwinkle J. Moose short story was published in Costume Closet By Shane Shellenbarger the late 1980s while she was an Articles Covering Topics of Assistant Professor of English at

Lynchburg College. She related © 2010 photo by Jim Moore interest in the constuming field Voice 2010 how she was in a bookstore in by Shane Shellenbarger a mall when she first saw the published anthology, Dragon ConClusion Fantastic, in which her story News and Reviews An Amercan in New Zealand appeared. They didn’t send copies to authors back then. of SF/F conventions by Jeffrey Lu She remembered how she was walking through the mall with the book peeking at her story and 24 Frames A Quick Conversation with wondering why everyone else’s Jane Lindskold News of genre films Brooks Branch story looked so professional and her own looked so dumb. But by Bob LaPierre not so dumb, apparently, since week with weekends off…unless she’s Screening Room Dennis McKiernan recommended it for a really jazzed about something. She also Plus Nebula. gives herself limits based on production Reviews of current releases What influences still affect her – so if she has a good morning and writing? She loves mythology, legends produces enough pages, she might give FYI and folklore. And she’s intrigued by taking herself the rest of the day off. Of course, Videophile incongruous elements (like mahjong and if it’s not a productive day she’ll kick Reviews of genre releases News and tidbits of interest to fans the Chinese zodiac) and find out what her butt back into the chair. She tries to on DVD evolves from them. So, if there was an complete a novel a year with short stories Club Listings influence working on her it’s the idea of on the side. Can she write on more than taking improbable elements and seeing one story simultaneously? Yes, she’s done Musical Notes Convention List & them come together in an interesting that but tends to find that one of them will Generic Registration Form fashion. suck her in and the other will languish for News of Filk from Tom Tuerff So, how does Jane write? Does she a while. CHECK OUR WEB SITE AT have a schedule? She likes to stay flexible, For years she wrote in a spare In Our Book doesn’t want to be in a box that might bedroom with nothing to look at except a www.casfs.org/ConNotations/Index- contribute to writer’s block. On the other computer screen. So, when she got a little Reviews of New SF/F Books CN.html

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Volume 20 Issue 3 ConNotations Page 1 In This Issue Pick up your copy of ConNotations at the following locations News & Reviews Who is Who in this Issue BOOK STORES COMIC STORES SF Tube Talk 3 Bards Books All About Comics Pro Notes 3 Managing Editor: Stephanie Bannon Musical Notes 5 Assistant to the Editor: Gary Swaty 3508 N. 7th St,Ste. 145, Phoenix, AZ 5060 N. Central, Phoenix, AZ Graphics Editor: Craig L. Dyer 85014 (602)274-7530 (602) 277-0757 Costume Closet 6 Film Editors: Len Berger, Craig L Dyer Bent Cover Bookstore Ash Avenue Comics & Books ConClusion 6 Film Critic: Bob LaPierre 12428 N. 28th Drive, Phoenix, AZ 810 S. Ash, Tempe, AZ (480) 858-9447 Videophile 6 Promotions Directors: Len Berger, Rich- 85029 (602) 942-5932 Atomic Comics Screening Room 8 ard Bolinski, Craig L Dyer Book Gallery 1120 S. Country Club, Ste. 105, Mesa, FYI 9 Advertising: Catherine Book 24 Frames 11 Proof Readers: Catherine Book, Bob 3643 E. 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Page 2 ConNotations Volume 20 Issue 3 from the human world in the form of the Weapons Lab at Global Dynamics, mysterious Professor Jaggat and her cold- who quickly gets on Fargo’s nerves. SF Tube Talk hearted colleague Kemp, religious zealots Guesting in The Story of O2 will be Jamie Pro Notes TV News & Previews who have discovered the existence of Kennedy as Dr. Ramsey, the developer by Catherine Book By Lee Whiteside vampires, werewolves and ghosts, who are of a self-propagating oxygen technology determined to carry out brutal experiments intended to help colonize Mars begins Hi, Everyone! Thanks for reading We’ve got lots of new scifi TV over and destroy them. Meanwhile, George to form a cloud in the atmosphere above ConNotations and my column. One new the next couple of months thanks to both tries to live with Herrick’s blood on his Eureka threatening to blow the town up! face and old friends to welcome back. We BBC America and the SyFy channel and hands, Michael must find a way to bring All of this happens while the town is have a lighter return this month; I guess one new show from ABC, plus something the vampire world under control, and celebrating Space Week and Sheriff Carter everyone’s hard at work or just enjoying on Disney XD with a Doctor Who Annie is determined to stand up and be is visiting his daughter Zoe at Harvard. counted in the real world. Over on Warehouse 13, the guest star their Spring. connection. We’ll start with JULIE CZERNEDA up The BBC and BBC America are in Coming to Disney XD in July is the parade continues with Nolan Gerard the back half of the current season of new K-9 series featuring a regenerated Funk in a four episode arc as Todd, a in Canada. Julie is almost finished her Doctor Who. Picking things up in early K-9 Mark I following the adventures of local tech expert who takes a romantic first fantasy novel, “A Turn of Light” to June on BBC America will be the two- the robot dog without the Doctor. K-9 interest in Claudia (Allison Scagliotti) be published by DAW Books in 2011. parter The Hungry Earth/Cold Blood co-creator Bob Baker is involved with and their relationship is put to the test as She describes it as romantic and warmly where according to the BBC: “It’s 2015 the Australian/British co-production. It is they keep secrets from each other. Also light-hearted, the kind of story to cuddle and the most ambitious drilling project definitely aimed for a younger audience joining the cast in a recurring role is Paula up with on a cool night, although there in history has reached deeper beneath but is fun to watch. K-9 is set in London Garces as Kelly, a spunky headstrong is a dragon, a curse, and a horse who the Earth’s crust than man has ever gone in 2050, with 14-year-olds Starkey and veterinarian local to Univille who catches Jorjie, alongside a Professor Gryffen, Pete’s (Eddie McClintock) eye. Other eats rabbits. The setting is unusual before – but now the ground itself is for fantasy, being drawn from pioneer fighting back. In the latest episode of the who is experimenting with a Space- guest stars include Philip Winchester as time-traveling drama, written by Chris Time Manipulator, and a 15-year-old 1950’s matinee idol Raymond St. James, settlements in the Ottawa area of Ontario, Chibnall, the Doctor, Amy and Rory Darius who runs errands for Gryffen. K-9 who appears in increasingly dangerous as well as Balkan cities of the early arrive in a tiny mining village and find Mark I follows the villainous reptilian scenes transmitted from an artifact 1800s. Her research involved everything themselves plunged into a battle against warrior Jixen who came through a space- discovered in Univille, Lindsay Wagner from building scale models and reading a deadly danger from a bygone age.” In time portal created by the professor’s as Doctor Vanessa Calder, the warehouse’s biographies of early settlers, to tours of other words, the Silurians, or something experiments and saves the Londoners. doctor responsible for treating the team, gristmills and barns. Julie also notes that akin to them, are back! Reports that While protecting them, K-9 is forced to and Tia Carrere as Agent Katie Logan, her completely new website launched events from the Pertwee Silurian stories self-destruct, but is able to give Starkey an Agent from Pete’s past who reunites instructions to rebuild and regenerate with him on a new case. In the episode this past May at www.czerneda.com, are specifically mentioned and we’ll get filled with treats and information, so keep more insight into the Silurian society and himself into a more advanced form. K-9 Mild Mannered, Jewel Staite and Sean how it has evolved since those events. Up and the humans then form the front-line Maher guest star. Maher is Sheldon, a checking back. This fall, she returns to next is Vincent and the Doctor, written by defense against alien menaces from outer mild mannered guy who is exposed to THE CLAN CHRONICLES to complete Richard Curtis, which brings The Doctor space and other times. a dangerous object that brings about a the story of Sira, Morgan, and the Clan. and Amy face to face with Vincent Van Over on SyFy, we’ll see the first shocking physical change. Staite plays The REUNIFICATION trilogy, unlike “A Gogh and an Alien Menace. Tony Curran season finale of Stargate Universe the Loretta, the object of Sheldon’s unrequited Turn…”, will be the kind of story to read plays Van Gogh and Bill Nighy makes first two Fridays in June. New episodes love who is in mortal peril from the with all the lights on, and a pillow ready an appearance as Dr. Black, the Curator of Merlin will continue through the end changed Sheldon. in case. of the Musee D’Orsay. After that is The of June with the new seasons Eureka Also starting on Syfy in July on and Warehouse 13 starting up in early Friday nights will be Haven, based on Moving down to Washington state, Lodger, which appears to be an adaptation ROBIN HOBB reported that “Dragon of a comic strip of the same name by July. Syfy’s remake of Being Human the Stephen King novella The Colorado Gareth Roberts in Doctor Who Monthly. appears to not be appearing this summer Kid. Syfy describes the show as following Haven,” part two of the RAIN WILD Due to the TARDIS skipping a “time since there’s been no news on casting or “the shrewd and confident FBI agent CHRONICLES, will see publication from track”, The Doctor and Amy are stranded scheduling on the series but the Stephen Audrey Parker (Emily Rose) with a lost EOS books in the US. And that means a few days into the future and have to King series Haven will be starting up in past who arrives in the small town of she’ll be doing an author tour to promote wait for the TARDIS to reappear. To bide July. Haven, Maine on a routine case. Before the book. Readers can visit her website their time, the Doctor tries to pass himself Stargate Universe finishes off the long, her natural curiosity lands her in at www.Robinhobb.com for the freshest off as human and live a normal life. Of season with the two-parter Incursion the epicenter of activity in this curious updates and more details as to when and course, an alien menace is discovered and where the Lucian Alliance attacks enclave, which turns out to be a longtime and boards Destiny and takes several refuge for people that are affected by a where she’ll be signing books. In other all bets are off. The close out of the season news, Robin will be visiting Italy for will be the two-parter The Pandorica crewmembers hostage in an attempt to range of supernatural afflictions. As the Opens/The Big Bang which will tie gain control of the ship. According to townspeople’s dormant abilities begin to ten days in June as a guest at the Parma together some of the season’s ongoing producer Joseph Mallozzi “the second express themselves, Audrey helps keep Fantasy Festival. And, of course, she’s threads, especially the ominous “crack in script is a robust 53 pages (52 full) and these forces at bay while discovering hard at working writing The Next Book. time.” We’ll see reappearance by River contains what is, without a doubt, the the many secrets of Haven - including No definite title yet, but it’ll still be deep Song, a visit to Stonehenge, some sort biggest HOLY #%&@! ending I have ever one surrounding her own surprising in the Rain Wilds with the Kelsingra of museum or collection of The Doctor’s written. I mean, I knew what was going connections to this extraordinary place. expedition. foes and possibly a few flashbacks. The to happen but, as I was writing toward it Among the citizens who cross Audrey’s Down the coast in California, I heard Radio Times describes the finale as “A and the different pieces of the story were path along the way are local cop Nathan falling into place, I decided to go with a Wuornos (Lucas Bryant), who eventually from KIM STANLEY ROBINSON who told message on the oldest cliff-face in the me that this summer he had a short story universe, a puzzle box opening from the little something different in the lead-up becomes Audrey’s partner, and the inside and a love that lasts thousands and ... well, it’s quite the eyebrow-raiser. mysterious and charming Duke Crocker collection from Nightshade called THE of years… The fates are drawing close Actually, a double eyebrow-raiser. Hell, (Eric Balfour).” The debut episode is BEST OF KIM STANLEY ROBINSON, around the TARDIS – is this the day the the truth is, you don’t have enough being directed by Adam Kane and the edited by Jonathan Strahan, mostly reprint Doctor falls?” eyebrows to make it work. Trust me.” behind-the-scenes personnel include stories with one new one. He will be guest Also currently running on BBC Needless to say, the first season will be King veterans from the Dead Zone such of honor at the Worldcon in Melbourne in America on Tuesday nights is the second ending on a major cliffhanger that will as Scott Sheperd, Lloyd Segan, Shawn September. And he’s working on the first series of Ashes to Ashes. Detective have fans eagerly awaiting the return of Piller, Sam Ernst, and Jim Dunn (who book in a three-book contract with Orbit; Inspector Alex Drake (Keeley Hawes) the show in the fall. co-wrote the pilot with Ernst). Returning to SyFy on their respective Over on the broadcast networks, there not a trilogy but three unrelated novels. continues her fiery relationship with JACQUELINE LITCHTENBERG, here in Gene Hunt (Philip Glenister) and nights (Warehouse 13 on Tuesdays, isn’t much new this summer aside from though she’s no closer to returning to Eureka on Fridays), look for a truckload ABC’s The Gates, which will air on Arizona, contributed this: her Romantic the present day and reuniting with her of guest starts on both shows. It is almost Sunday nights. The setting is described Times Award Winning SF novel, daughter, she begins to really believe she a given on Warehouse 13 that has a as “nestled inside a private mountain “Dushau” and its two sequels, “Farfetch” is back in time and begins to accept her format that brings on a new character community are The Gates. The image and “Outreach” are now available on predicament. However, when news from each week, but Eureka seems to be doing of perpetual suburban bliss, each street Kindle, along with an omnibus edition the future starts appearing, she realizes more of it this year as well. Joining the is lined with perfectly manicured homes of the two novels ACE published under nothing is as it seems. She discovers a Eureka cast this season will be James protected by the massive iron gates, but her Daniel R. Kerns byline, “Hero” mysterious stranger who may be in the Callis (Baltar on Battlestar Galactica) a dark and delicious secret is buried just as Dr. Grant, a former Eureka resident beneath the surface of this picturesque and “Border Dispute.” More Kindle same predicament and she wonders if he availability to come for her Vampire is someone who can help her get home or who makes an unexpected return creating neighborhood.” The series focuses on the does he have a more menacing agenda? serious friction with Sheriff Jack Carter Monahan family, led by Nick Monahan SF Romances “Thos of My Blood” Returning to BBC America on (Colin Ferguson) and possibly a re- (Frank Grillo), who takes the job of and “Dreamspy.” For descriptions, free Saturday July 24th will be the second ignition of a romance with Allison Blake Police Chief in the suburb, and his chapters, and Kindle links see http:// series of Being Human. Russell Tovey, (Salli Richardson-Whitfield). Also wife, Sarah (Marisol Nichols) and their jacquelinelichtenberg.com Lenora Crichlow and Aidan Turner returning are Matt Frewer (Taggart), children Charlie and Dana all soon get From New Mexico, we have two return as George, Annie and Mitchell, the Jaime Ray Newman (Dr. Tess Fontana), swept up in the strange goings on which contributors this month. DAVID MORRELL three twenty-somethings trying to live Joe Morton (Henry Deacon), Erica reportedly included vampires, werewolves has a major announcement coming up; as normally as possible despite being a Cerra (Jo Lupo), Neil Grayston (Douglas and possibly other supernatural creatures. Fargo), Niall Matter (Zane Donovan) ABC is keeping things mysterious in perhaps in June, but at the moment he says werewolf, a vampire and a ghost. The new he can’t say anything about it. It involves season picks up after the death of vampire and Jordon Hinson (Zoe Carter). Guest the promos, though, trying to keep the leader Herrick, and the supernatural trio starring in the early episode All The Rage revelations a surprise. nine of his long out-of-print backlist titles are hoping they can now get on with their will be Wil Wheaton as the brilliant Dr. lives. However, there is a lurking danger Isaac Parrish, head of the Non-Lethal ( Cont’d on page 4 ) Volume 20 Issue 3 ConNotations Page 3 Pro Notes (Cont’d from page 3 ) A Conversation Zelazny and when she discovered that he is very selfish, but he had to do it in a ( Cont’d from page 1 ) would be a Guest at a local convention way that the audience still roots for him. money they build a glorious (her word) she went with some friends. She was Many actors would have had the audience and a new book “The Naked Edge.” The completely and utterly overwhelmed. hating Gabriel and the film wouldn’t announcement will raise eyebrows. And office onto the house – 400 square feet with bookcases and a big picture window However, in the year since, she has have worked. He was able to convey the STEPHEN DONALDSON (who will be a GoH to watch the birds and bunnies. Not come to appreciate the intelligence and sense of the bigger picture. Now actually at our local CopperCon this September) distracting, I asked? Nope, she said – it creativity of fans – as well as the amount Stockard Channing’s role was written with says that “Against All Things Ending,” was designed so that she wouldn’t have of social outreach and charity in which her in mind, the gravelly voice for the Book Three of “The Last Chronicles to dread walking into work each morning. many groups are involved. She’s heard agent. That was who I heard in the role of Thomas Covenant,” is scheduled for Her husband, Jim, works in there with her the whining about the ‘greying of fandom’ from the beginning. publication in mid-October (yes, 2010). twice a week; unlike a lot of writers, she and thinks fandom needs to be more One more book to go. And sometime in doesn’t mind the company. proactive about finding the fans without BL: How much influence did you exert She has gathered quite a fan following the grey. over casting? I noticed that you had the next year, Subterranean Press will Of all the stuff she’s written, what several names listed under casting. publish a “best of” anthology of his short for her Firekeeper series. But she’s decided to stop after six books; before is she most proud of? She loves them fiction. Until last year, everything that he the series got trite and dried up. She felt all…for different reasons. For her, she’s BB: Actually I was a pain. I had a very in- had ever published in the past 30+ years she’d left the characters in a good spot still growing as a writer and each book, your-face method of getting who I wanted was still in print, both in the US and in the to go ahead with their lives without her each story that she does usually ends up for these roles. UK. Alas, his two short story collections, recording it. Her newest series is the stretching her envelope in some way. They “Daughter of Regals and Other Tales,” Breaking the Wall – which is the first are all part of her life and she doesn’t play BL: A very hands-on approach? and “Reave the Just and Other Tales,” move in a mahjong game. So far she’s favorites. Is there anything she’d like to were dropped in the US last year; and published three books; the newest one just do-over now? There was one short story BB: Yes came out in May, Five Odd Honors. She’d that had some historical elements that she “Daughter of Regals” limped into the might like to revisit to make sure it was BL: It seems to have worked well. Why sunset in the UK. So Steve’s happy to like to do more but sounded sad when she said it depends on the market. accurate but other than that – no. was Gabriel so enamored of what we report that Orion/Gollancz will give new Jane has more than one series under So what’s in her future? A couple would today call “chick flicks”? life to “Daughter of Regals” in the UK her belt and quite a few standalone stories of projects that she can’t talk about just this year. And of course he’s pleased that not to mention scores of short stories. yet. But she’s also working on a project BB: A lot of guys were then. That was Subterranean will be restoring at least I asked her what she thought was best of the heart – a novel with a working the era when movies first started having some of his short stories to print in the – writing a series or a standalone story. No title of Sundial Ring which has various male leads that were more in touch with US. best, she answered, both have their appeal. plot lines in different times and the their feelings. Look at the stars from that JEAN LORRAH, Jacqueline A series has the appeal of being able to question is “Why?” She can’t say what era, Alan Alda, Robert Redford; these are develop more complex stories, more it’s really about until she finishes it. It’s the sort of men who would show their Litchtenberg’s long-time partner, writes the way she writes – she doesn’t know feelings. Kramer vs. Kramer, the first from Kentucky that “Coal For Christmas” complex relationships with the characters; but a standalone has this bright diamond- where she’s going until she gets there. movie to really deal with men as parents. by her and Lois Wickstrom placed in the hardness of focusing on one idea and no Anything else coming up? She’s sure He was just getting in touch with his top ten family screenplays in the 2009 intention of going beyond it. Funny thing there will be, and then she’ll do it. But, feelings through his choice of movies. TheMovieDeal contest. Last month she is, she related, the number one question she said emphatically, she won’t do a taught a two-day writing workshop in she gets about her standalone novel, Child project, whether it be a novel or a short BL: How difficult was it to make an Knoxville, Tennessee and her website is of a Rainless Year, is “when is the sequel story, if she can’t be passionate about it. independent movie in today’s market? still www.jeanlorrah.com. coming out?” There are no plans for one, That’s why she writes; she doesn’t write And I’m terribly happy to welcome some stories are meant to just be that story to make a living. If someone offered her BB: Extremely, it was nearly impossible. and other stories really do need the chance a million dollars to write something that The difficulties in finding an audience for a new name: CATHERINE ASARO, who she couldn’t be passionate about, she’d your vision. Just incredibly tough. lives in Maryland. In July 2010, her SF to be developed over greater time. I thought it was interesting to read turn it down. After all, we only have this novel “Diamond Star” will be released in in her bibliography that she’d written a one life and she doesn’t intend to waste BL: Having done it all yourself, how close paperback from Baen Books (hardcover, couple Honor Harrington short stories. one moment of it doing something she to your artistic vision did the finished May 2009). In the novel, Del, a rock star, How in the world did she fall into that? didn’t like. No money can buy her back movie come? prefers his music to his duties as a Ruby Well…it started with David Weber’s car a moment in time spent on a project that Dynasty heir. His family wants him to breaking down near her home and instead she can’t get passionate about. Her days BB: Remarkably close. Some parts better stop, his record label wants to own him, of directing him to a garage and motel, she are what she gets and she’s going to spend than others, but the changes were mostly and his enemies want to kill him. Del brought him home with her for a week. them doing what she loves… and she subtle and sometimes you just have to roll After that week, they were close friends really, really loves writing stories. Thank with the changes and do what you can. just wants to sing -- without starting an you for that, Jane. interstellar war. Using songs from the and the platonic friendship continued after each of them married. And Jane is BL: Ok, I am probably the only critic book, Catherine cut a CD with the rock the unintentional godmother of the Honor to admit to this: I sit and watch all the band Point Valid that is a soundtrack for Harrington anthologies after introducing credits. I figure if someone worked hard the book. Currently, she performs with Weber to S.M. Stirling. She thought that enough to get their name up on screen musician Donald Wolcott. She will be a two guys who both wrote military SF for A Quick Conversation someone should see it. Guest of Honor at ApolloCon in June, Baen and both made the most humongous with Brooks Branch a GoH of Fantasticon in Denmark in over-the-top salads she’d ever seen, BB: Bless you September 2010, and a GoH at Context, needed to know each other. So, she has by Bob LaPierre two stories already out and a third that BL: What was the deal with Mario the New Zealand national sf convention. Brooks Branch is the writer, director and dancing at the end of the credits? Donald will appear as a featured guest will appear in a new anthology from Baen that hasn’t yet been announced. producer of Multiple Sarcasms, the film at all three cons, and they will perform What does Jane think is the most stars Timothy Hutton, Dana Delany, Mira BB: Well, we have a couple of interns as well as doing panels, signings, and important element of a story: setting, plot Sorvino and Mario Van Peebles. The film filming everything we do with 8mm to other events. Recent reprints/reissues: or character? They all interrelate; they is set in the early seventies in New York. document the process. One day Mario was “The Night Bird,” Catherine’s latest can’t be separated in her mind. It’s really Hutton portrays a man dissatisfied with just fooling around getting into character fantasy (Luna Books), trade; “Alpha,” a how people interact in everyday life. They his life and driven by his dissatisfaction to and I saw it in the dailies. I thought that near future thriller (Baen), mass market interact within their setting. For example, write a play about it. was a great way to do our “That’s All paperback. Catherine’s work is also she illustrated: “today we are sitting in Folks” at the end of the movie. a beautiful sunny environment feeling Bob LaPierre: The film is set in the early available in audio book and ebook format. seventies, and deals with a man suffering BL: Well, that is all the time and space I And she loves to hear from her fans. You good; but if it were raining and we were crammed into small spaces with people from the classic symptoms of clinical have for this issue. I would like to thank can reach her at www.Facebook.com/ running around trying to fix things, our depression, how did you research for this you for your time and wish you well in the Catherine.Asaro (you don’t need to be on mood would be significantly different.” movie? future. Facebook to access the site). They all interweave for her. That’s it for this month. I hope you Does Jane use sex in any of her Brooks Branch: Well, I spent some BB: Thank you and I look forward to enjoyed yourselves. And, as always - if stories? She wouldn’t use sex in a story time in New York during that time and seeing this. anyone wants to contribute or knows just to sell it. She doesn’t think her readers remember much of it; also I read a lot someone who knows someone…please particularly want to go in the bedroom of books and saw a number of movies with her characters. But she did in Smoke set in and around New York during that write to ConNotations or email me at time. We also found pictures and sent our [email protected] Enjoy your summer, see and Mirrors from 1996 because it was intrinsic to the story line of a touch- location scouts everywhere looking for you in August. telepath prostitute/information broker. just the right places. Gabriel was written How about her experience with as a product of that time, self absorbed, Previous ProNotes columns and book fandom? It was rather strange that even selfish, and just getting in touch with his reviews are posted on our website at: though Jane grew up in Washington, DC feelings. http://casfs.org/ConNotations/ which has an active fan community and finished college in New York City while BL: When you wrote this did you have gaming, she never knew about any SF any stars in mind? related events. Which, she says, tells you that fandom needs to do more outreach. BB: Not specifically. However Tim In 1989, while in graduate school, she Hutton was the top person in my mind had a limited correspondence with Roger for this. He had to portray someone who Page 4 ConNotations Volume 20 Issue 3 Many Parts Make Up A “befuddled.” This impression by Butler Didn’t Steve “The Crocodile Hunter” eventually developed into the Quaker Oats An American in New Irwin die from its sting? Whole Or Twos Company, cereal commercial, Cap’n Crunch. Zealand Part 11: I stopped. Respectfully, I looked at Another side light to the main another sting ray as it glided past me. Its Threes Too Loud.” attraction was “Bullwinkle’s Corner” in Auckland- Sting Rays tail had a wicked barb. It’s the 50th Anniversary of which the knowledgeable moose recites More of these creatures swam past poetry which often ends with a wry twist. & Penguins me in their tank. I kept my distance and Rocky and Bullwinkle, Pt. 7 There were thirty-nine brief segments by Jeffrey Lu quietly exited. By Shane Shellenbarger and when the segment moved to The Bullwinkle Show, it was transmogrified I walked inside “Kelly Tarlton’s Next in An American in New Zealand Part While Rocky, Bullwinkle, and their into “Mr. Know-It-All” a fifty segment Antarctic Encounter and Underwater 12: Karaoke and Boris Karloff (August/ various friends and enemies were the main bit in which Bullwinkle delivers off-skew World.” I heard this was a unique Sept) attraction to the show, other elements lectures, and it finally changed into ten of aquarium. Well, it was more than that. I had been developed by Jay Ward and Bill the “The Rocky and Bullwinkle Fan Club” went there to see live penguins. Scott to explore a diversity of story lines. segments, one of which includes a cameo The difference from seeing penguins One of Ward’s favorites and often cited by Dudley Do-Right. in the wild and on an island is that in this as the most imaginative was “Fractured Lastly, there was “Peabody’s place, one actually can see an independent Fairy Tales.” A source of satire, parody, Improbable History” featuring the penguin walking/swimming within ten Musical Notes and lampooner of classic fairy tales, this adventures of Mr. Peabody, a brilliant, feet without it knowing you are there. The by Tom Tuerff supporting feature was Ward’s baby. bespeckled dog, and his pet boy, Sherman, problem was that I had to be in a mock When concern grew about the quality of who travel through time in the WABAC fully covered “snow mobile” with shaded the Mexican animation, Ward pulled back (pronounced Way-Back) Machine. In windows on a one-way conveyor belt. I Jeff and Maya Bohnhoff – Grated Hits several of his dearest “Fairy Tale” scripts addition to the novelty of an intelligent did not care. I just wanted to see this tux- (Mystic Fig Records) for production in the Hollywood studio. dog having a pet boy, “Peabody” was not feathered bird up close. The difference in animation style and merely an observer of historical events, What I had found out later was this Almost like clockwork, I’ve come quality is evident when compared to the but he had a direct hand in straightening whole colony of certain penguins were to expect a new CD from the Bohnhoffs endangered. They emigrated to Auckland about once every two years. And I’m out historical figures so that but had problems adapting to the heat never disappointed—either in the timing events transpired as they and to the new enemies- i.e. stray cats. or in the music. Back in full parody were recorded in the history One New Zealand businessman thought mode after Moebius Street, their last books. Originally developed of a great idea and proposed it to the excellent album of totally original tunes, by cartoonist Ted Key, the government. He was granted permission Grated Hits delivers the goods musically, concept of a boy-owning-dog to save these penguins in a public sonically and parodically (if that’s even a tentatively called “Danny aquarium. word, which Spell Check says it isn’t.) Day-Dream,” grew from Key’s A person with a huge parka covering See… Jeff Bohnhoff is kind of a rock observation of animals and his or her face will have a hose that gives parody perfectionist when it comes to determining that we all take 3 tons of snow daily for the penguins. The music. He tries to match, as closely as orders from our cats. The cat birds at first was startled but later found possible, the musical sound of the songs became a smart dog originally this “thing” was no threat to their colony. he and Maya are skewering. That way, called Beware. Ward suggested Also, the layout of the colony was similar you might really think you’re hearing the voice of actor Clifton to the movie “Happy Feet.” There was a “Baba O’Reilly” until Maya turns it into Webb as portrayed in the role pool where the penguins can swim. There “Baba McDonalds” (I love Mrs. Fields/I of “Mr. Belvedere.” Beware were one-way mirrors that humans can eat between meals/I get some snacks into was later named “Peabody” watch these creatures in private. There my living). after Bill Scott’s real-life dog. was even a location where the male Baby Boomers that they are, the He became a hyper-intelligent penguins guarded the eggs. Another, Bohnhoffs plumb the endless depths of beagle who had invented his the mock snowmobiles on the conveyor rock “classics” and come up with winners own time machine. The boy belt were for regular people like me to every time. You can guess that some of “Rocky and Bullwinkle” segments. became Sherman, named for a UPA be given a tour about this live penguin these songs are based on simply by the “Fractured Fairy Tales” were voiced technical director, Sherman Glas. One colony. title “Viva Mos Eisley” “Our Meds are by Rocky regulars, June Foray, Bill Scott of the hallmarks of “Peabody” were the By the way, these penguins are now Cheaper”, “I am the Walmart”, etc.) while along with the legendary Daws Butler. puns. One might call them “pun-tastic” out of danger. The tourists, including me, others don’t become obvious until you Joining them as narrator was Edward Peabody was voiced by Bill Scott who enjoyed the birds and their new home. I hear the song. Everett Horton, who was hired to lend an had some difficulty performing the exited the mock snow mobile. Hopeless Star Wars fans that they are, air of class, sophistication, and reverence precise, contemptuous Clifton Webb Afterwards, there was a window the movies get more parodies on here to predominantly irreverent stories. impression. He had to speak softly, very facing south. I’ve been told in a clear than any other genre or subject (including Horton’s delivery was clever, restrained, rapidly and tighten his lips. He often had day, one can see Antarctica at a distance. the extremely ambitious”Midichlorian and wry, but he never took himself too to repeat lines because the tautness of Unfortunately for me, I saw only fog. Rhapsody” which Jeff Bohnhoff says was seriously. He would often send up the his mouth would cause him to stumble Rats! nearly an album’s worth of work). versions of his 1930’s and 1940’s nervous over his words. Sherman was voiced by Frustrated, I walked through a hallway Grated Hits is just what you need for characters. 38-year-old Walter Tetley, an actor whose with a large tank of water that was about those times when you realize just how Daws Butler and his partner, Stan voice never broke due to a hormonal five feet high. Without thinking, I tried pompous most music is and you just want Freberg, were an early influence on condition. Tetley had been a radio-film to pass by the exhibit quickly. Instead, I to do your part at putting it in its proper “Fractured Fairy Tales.” The two men actor and had done several animated jumped. place. Pick it up! By the time this hits scripted an audio satire, “St. George cartoons and starring as Andy Panda from What the heck was that? I could have press, it should be available at CDBaby. and the Dragonet” and recorded it on 1945 to 1949. Injured in a motorcycle sworn I saw a flying... carpet? Oh, was com. Read more at www.mysticfig.com that a manta ray? No. What I saw was a August 26, 1953 for Capital Records. On accident during the late 1960s, Tetley sting ray. September 21, 1953 it was released as a suffered numerous health issues 45 rpm single (Capitol F2596). The spoof and died on September 4th, combined the tale of “St George and the 1975. Several of the “Peabody” Dragon” with the popular 1950s radio-TV episodes became a bone of series, Dragnet. It became a #1 hit, selling contention between Jay Ward over one million records in the first three and either the ad agency or weeks. The cast featured Freberg (doing the network. Louis Pasteur, a great Jack Webb take-off), Butler (as a Alfred Nobel, Ponce de Leon, Jerry Lewis-like knave and the dragon), George Washington, Confucius, June Foray (doing a superb Brooklyn Leonardo da Vinci, Robinson princess, grandmother, and Little Blue Crusoe, and Jim Bowie all were Riding Hood) and Hy Averback. Jay Ward subjects of scripts which came had also been a fan of Time for Beany, a under close scrutiny and were TV puppet show showcasing the talents modified in some way. of Freberg and Butler, and written by Bill Join us again next time Scott from 1949-50. when we ask the question, “If Ward had favorite character voices You Up Your Budget, Can I Up as performed by June Foray and Daws Mine?” Butler, and he demanded their return For more info go to: often. Foray’s battle-ax voice can be heard http://tinyurl.com/Shane-Info- coming forth from old hags, witches, Blog or fairy godmothers. Butler performed a fey, swishy nobleman/prince voice which can be heard often on the show, as well as absentminded elderly gentlemen and kings through his impression of Charles Butterworth, a 1930s character actor who gave new meaning to the term

Volume 20 Issue 3 ConNotations Page 5 Renaissance Festival. mashed these pieces flat against a sheet I needed shoes for a medieval jester of cardboard and traced around them costume I was building for Halloween. before the tape could shrink under its own ConClusion The costume was to be particolored in tension. Con-Nichiwa in Tucson alternating panels of black and white. I traced a half-inch seam allowance My inspiration for the shape of the around each of the pattern pieces, Con-Nichiwa was overflowing with boots was a pair of Minnetonka brand smoothing the curves as I went along, and energy, costumes, Japanese snacks, boot moccasins I had previously altered cut them out. The marked side is top for the anime merchandise and excited fen. Vic for renaissance faire use by removing the right boot. Mignogna packed the big tent and spoke fringed cuffs, increasing the number of entertainingly of his life and career for lace holes, and adding brass grommets to about 2 hours, and then did it again on reinforce the new holes. The basic boots a smaller scale during a signing session can be found in most western stores and the next day. All the guests of honor were many online sources. great – they signed virtually anything you brought to them, including portions of anatomy, and swapped anecdotes of voice- over acting and ad-libbing on the sets. The panels ranged from Lost Treasures of Like “The Anime to Tea House concerts. One hugely Leatherstocking popular event was the photographing of fans in costume. All weekend long, fen Tales,” but with lined up to get snapped professionally, Duct Tape and the results are on line at pichaus. com/+con+connichiwa/ for your viewing by Randall Whitlock pleasure. The “duct tape dummy” is a popular Fortunately, large chunks of the and useful item among costumers. The convention were also recorded and can concept is simple. Have a friend wrap your be visited at www.tradercurrencies. body in several layers of duct tape over an com/currency-trading-videos/index. old t-shirt or other expendable substrate, php?key=Con-Nichiwa Just because then cut an escape hatch through the back. you missed the weekend is no excuse for Tape the shell back together and stuff it missing the experience. See you at the with packing peanuts to create a custom- next Con-Nichiwa. ~~ Chris Paige shaped dresser dummy around which to fit your clothing projects. The Southwest Costumers Guild is planning a duct tape Since this costume was for Halloween dummy making session for this summer. parties and SCA courts, not serious outdoor Videophile Check www.southwestcostumersguild.org wear, I made the boot pieces out of craft for details. felt. Leather or sturdy canvas would be a better choice for longer-lasting boots. My Hi, I’m a Marvel ... and I’m a DC. one concession for durability was to attach www.youtube.com the rubber sole from a pair of dead house I started by pulling a dollar-store nylon slippers by hand stitching. The left boot Yet another series of funny stocking over my right leg in proper Joe was made by flipping the right boot pieces confrontations between toy action figures, Namath fashion (You’ll probably have over to form their mirror images. this time inspired by the TV ads of the to Wikipedia that joke if you’re under The pieces were sewn together around Mac versus PC computers. One Marvel forty). This was to protect my leg from the the sole, along the back of the leg, and over superhero stands next to one from DC tape’s adhesive without adding too much the top of the foot. The upper front was Comics, and the sarcastic banter flies. The thickness. I applied a couple of layers of left open. Eyelets were mounted and laces pair-ups will be identified in parentheses duct tape all around my foot and lower leg installed along this closure. Cross garters after the main title. I watched all the ones up to just below the knee. The tape was around the outside of the boot would have with characters from Watchmen paired off applied closely, but not too tight. I wanted worked as well. with Wolverine. Both sides took hits and to mimic the shape of my leg, not change got laughs from me. The voices match the it. characters well, proving that it’s not little kids who made this. Fun for fanboys and fangirls of all ages. Typical length is a few minutes. ~~ Mike Griffin

Trivia Questions

1. What novel won the first Nebula Award? 2. The only Discworld novel where Death never speaks? 3. What was the first year the Hugos were awarded? 4. The Land of Oz has attracted literally hundreds of authors but who wrote the most stories? 5. Who won the 2009 Hugo for his child- rens book? This pattern is really more of a sock 6. Who coined the term “robotics?” than a proper boot. A serious boot pattern 7. Who is the reigning Queen of the would have a more sophisticated cut with a tongue and heel. (Try www.yatahai.com for SFWA Musketeers? a variety of boot moccasin patterns.) This 8. When did the “Adventures of Super- pattern does have several potential uses for man” first air on TV? Excellent example of a duct tape dummy SF and fantasy costumes, including those built by Frances Burns, Diane Harris and close-fitting boots worn by old-school 9. Torchwood was founded by this royal Tasha Cady. Frances described how to comic book heroes. If the uppers were made individual in 1879. build the stand from plywood and common I marked out lines around the sole of of an adequately stretchy material, the front 10. Who was the third author of the Fuzz- plastic plumbing parts in Cactus Needles opening could be omitted. Foam insoles 12.3, March 2005. my foot, up the back of the leg, and down ies stories? the shin to the toe. I cut along these lines would help considerably against heel shock and other comfort issues. Reinforced A few years ago it occurred to me with medical scissors, as though removing bandages. outsoles might be made from thick leather, that this process could be applied further polymer sheeting, or prefabricated soles. south. I’d seen something similar done The result was three pieces – a sole, an Answers on page 16 by a custom boot maker at the Arizona outer leg, and an inner leg. I immediately Page 6 ConNotations Volume 20 Issue 3 RandomCon July 9-11, 2010 Arizona’s Gaming Convention

Memberships Also Available Windemere Hotel @ How Much ? 5750 East Main Street Imperial Outpost Games $20 til June 30, 2010 Mesa, AZ 85205 4920 W. Thunderbird Rd.#121 $25 @ Door Glendale, AZ 85306 Membership Capped @ 500 $59 Single through Quad 480-985-3600 Pay Online with 800-888-3561

RandomCon is pleased to announce that we will have the creator of Tunnels and Trolls, Ken Ste. Andre as our guest of honor this year. Ken Ste. Andre will be hosting a special charity event on Saturday night. He will run a special Tunnels and Trolls adventure and all proceeds will go to Children’s First Academy. Cost will be determined by June 1st. Watch our website for details.

* THE SHIELD Round the clock Open Gaming Presented by The Guise Knights * RPGA * Spycraft * Pathﬁnder * Dealers Room Special Deals * NORTH VALLEY GAMING GROUP * Consuite for Game Masters & * Magic * Movie Previews Gaming Groups * Yugi-Oh * Free Swag * Pokemon Preview Night for * STEVE JACKSON GAMES Game * Munchkin Pre-Reg * Widow’s * Thursday July 8th * Chez Geek Suite * Car Wars Special Deals for Game Groups & Game Masters www.randomcon.org * LARP * [email protected] * Surprises *

Volume 20 Issue 3 ConNotations Page 7 such as the witches’ trailer park seen early French castle. After lighting the gates on Screening Room in the film. Donkey is quoted as saying fire the main body of the army returns VOICE 2010: to his wife “Nice landing, now don’t eat to camp for food and relaxation. King The Disembodied Shrek Forever After the valet” as the Shrek family and friends Richard (Danny Huston), restless and Starring: Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, arrive at Far Far Away for the birthday curious, wanders hooded among them. Voice Takes Center Cameron Diaz, Antonio Banderas, Walt party. There are a couple of awesome 3D A chance blow knocks him down and Dohrn “chase” scenes. Sir Robert Loxley (Douglas Hodge) Stage Director: Mike Mitchell Shrek Forever After will be the final announces the King. When questioning by Shane Shellenbarger Runtime: 93 minutes film in the series. Shrek is showing in how the fight started Richard decides that Rated: PG 3D, 2D and IMAX. The 3D version was Robin Longstrides (Russell Crowe) is a The VoiceOver International Creative Release Date: May 21st, 2010 very entertaining and is the recommended bold and honest man. Richard then asks Experience started in Las Vegas, 2007 Reviewed by: Len Berger format to view the film. a question he says he wants answered as a gathering of approximately 500 (ConNotations Film Editor) voice-over professionals, followed in Los Rated PG. truthfully. We know how that goes, don’t Angeles 2008 with over 1,500 attendees, Shrek Forever After is rated B. we? So Robin and his friends are in stocks went on hiatus for 2009, and now it’s Shrek Forever After continues the during the next day’s battle and are freed returning like a juggernaut on June 2nd, Shrek saga. We join Shrek (voiced by Robin Hood by a scullery boy when Richard is killed. 2010 to the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza Mike Myers) as a father, a domesticated Starring: Russell Crowe, Cate They make for the coast and on the Hotel. Ogre and simply bored with his repetitive Blanchett, Mark Strong way they come across an ambush of VOICE was organized by the founders life. However, it’s the first birthday party Director: Ridley Scott Robert Loxley and the King’s guard. After of Voice Acting Academy in San Diego, for Shrek and Fiona’s (voiced by Cameron Rated: PG-13 chasing off the French brigands led by James Alburger, author of “The Art of Diaz) babies and that ought to cheer up Voice Acting,” and Penny Abshire, as a Running time: 140 minutes Godfrey (Mark Strong), a traitor to the means of bringing together the community Shrek, but does not. The townsfolk are no Produced: Universal Pictures, Imagine crown, they discover that Loxley is still of voice performers who are often heard longer afraid of Ogres and Shrek longs Entertainment, Relativity Media, alive. He asks Robin to return his father’s but rarely seen. The conference will host for the day he would scare everyone he Scott Free Productions sword to him in Nottingham. Robin agrees some of the biggest names in voice-over. encounters. Distributed by: Universal Pictures and they soon decide that the best way to Previous guests included Don LaFontaine Rumpelstilskin (voiced by Walt Release Date: May 14th, 2010 reach England is as knights returning the (known for his movie trailers which often Dohrn) overhears Shrek’s rants and Reviewed by Bob LaPierre, crown. So they strip the bodies and make began “In A World . . .”) , Eddie Carroll convinces Shrek he can help. All Shrek ConNotations Film Critic for the coast. Returning the crown they (the voice of Jiminy Cricket from 1973- has to do is sign a magical contract titled 2010), and Bill Farmer (the current voice see the new king crowned and Godfrey of Goofy.) Returning this year are Key “Ogre for a day” that will trade one This is the story of one of England’s sees them. Note Speaker, Marc Cashman (producer, day of Shrek’s past life with one day favorite fairy tales being placed in cold Godfrey vows to collect the taxes director, and working voice actor), Patrick of Rumpelstilskin’s life. What could be hard reality. In the tale of Robin Hood, owed by the northern barons and begins a Fraley (37-year veteran performer and simpler than that? Well, like all simple as seen previously, the story ends with campaign using French troops to discredit teacher), Bob Bergen (current voice of contracts created by evil doers there is in Richard returning from the crusades. In King John. The story is good, the history Porky Pig and numerous other Warner fact is a lot of complexity and many things reality, Richard died on his way back from solid and the acting was tremendous. Max Bros. characters), Scott Brick (narrator can go wrong. the crusades. In the tale, John usurped von Sydow was superlative as the blind of over 400 audio books), and Richard Shrek signs the contract and sure Horvitz (voice of Invader Zim.) his brother’s throne. In reality he was, as Sir Walter Loxley. There will be an Exhibitors Hall enough everyone screams when they poorly as he did it, legally the king. So Four stars out of five. where all manner of materials and see Shrek. Shrek couldn’t be happier. Of when you see this film you might want to equipment related to the voice-over field course Shrek’s friends do not recognize keep the truth in mind. will be available for purchase. Program him and that includes Donkey (voiced by Our story begins in Nottingham panels include audio books, commercial Eddie Murphy), Puss in Boots (voiced and there we see the poverty that King narration, medical mumbo-jumbo, by Antonio Banderas) and of course the Richard’s crusades begat upon the land. telephony trees, improvisation, promos lovely Fiona. The fun begins. After the introduction of Lady Marion and movie trailers, foreign language There is the usual mix of humor as (Cate Blanchett) we go to the siege of a voice-over, social networking, and well as some visually pleasing scenes (Cont’d on page 9 ) Westercon 63 and ConChord 23 have partnered to bring you: WesterChord Thursday, July 1 through Sunday, July 4, 2010 With our honored guests: Writer Guest of Honor: Rudy Rucker / Fan Guest of Honor: John D. Berry Artist Guest of Honor: Marc Schirmeister / Toastmaster: Paul Kwinn Music Guest of Honor: Seanan McGuire Interfilk Guest: Stone Dragons (Tom Jeffers & Sue Posteraro)

Since 1948 the Westercon has been the floating social feast where fans gather annually to celebrate Science Fiction & Fantasy this side of the Rockies. Join us in 2010 to reunite with old friends, meet new friends, and share in our corner of fandom. We’ve partnered with ConChord 23, Southern California’s home filk convention, to infuse a musical balloon that will lift the weekend. ConChord’s distinctive features include musical performances, one of which is the infamous Totally Tacky and Tasteless Revue, at which musicians perform songs they would not normally perform on stage.

WesterChord will be held at the Pasadena Hilton, 168 S. Los Robles Ave, Pasadena, CA 91101. The room rate is $129 a night for s/d/t/q occupancy and valet parking is $15 a day. Call (626) 584-3112 and tell them the convention code: WESTER to receive the reduced rate.

Attending Membership for all 4 days is $60 (it goes up after June 1).

For more information or to register view our websites: www.westercon63.org , www.conchord.org or email: [email protected].

Page 8 ConNotations Volume 20 Issue 3 GAMING EVENTS Junior Weather Forecasters program. Fall See the 3-ton blast doors, 8’ thick silo VOICE (Cont’d from page 8 ) dates TBA walls and an actual Titan II missile in equipment and technology. DRAWN TO COMICS Family-friendly talks about biology topics. the launch duct. Visit the launch control The convention opens on the Jun 5 “Mutiplicity: Human Cloning.” center, experience a simulated launch, and evening of June 2nd with a Red Carpet Star Wars Miniatures. Fridays 730p- Ongoing Exhibits: more. Top to Bottom Tours: Check web Reception, a meet-and-greet for program 11pm, Sundays, 1pm-4pm Dorrance Planetarium site for 2010 dates panelists and attendees. Thursday, Friday, Sit-and-Sketch with local artists. Evans Family Skycycle and Saturday will have panels and Saturdays, 4pm-8pm My Digital Worlds OTHER GENRE-RELATED EVENTS programming covering all areas of voice- HeroClix. Sat 2pm Forces of Nature Check FaceBook for other events New Rock Wall for climbers aged 8 and 13TH ANNUAL HIGHLAND CELTIC FESTIVAL, over. Saturday evening will wrap-up the above Jul 18-19, Foxglen Park, Flagstaff festivities with a banquet which includes GAME DEPOT Adults Night Out, 1st Fridays, check http://www.nachs.info/festival.shtml a special appearance by Rob (“Pinky”) Flames of War Tournament, June 19 11am website for topics & time Paulson and Maurice (“The Brain”) Magic 2011 Pre-Release Jul 10, noon BARNES & NOBLE TEMPE LaMarche, capping the night off with HeroClix. Wed, 530pm-8pm ASU MARKETPLACE music and dancing. Magic, The Gathering Thur 6pm. IFC Screenwriting Group, Wednesdays, Current attendee prices are as follows: Malifaux. Fri, 4pm-7pm Science lectures and news: http://asunews. 7pm $697 for a regular, full price tuition asu.edu/news/science through May 30, 2010. $797 for late and GAMER’S INN BOOKMANS, GRANT RD, TUCSON walk-in tuition May 31, June 1 & 2. $250 CHALLENGER SPACE CENTER, Pirates of the Sonoran Desert, interactive for a 1-Day-Pass for Thursday, Friday, Warmachine/Hordes Shattered Grounds PEORIA pirate adventure, Jun 3, 10am League. Jun 7, 2pm. Magic Phoenix PTQ. Jun 19, 10am. Stargazing. Starlab Planetarium. Check BOOKMANS, PHOENIX Magic Arch Enemy Release Event. Jun website for dates and times Across+ Anime Club meeting, 19, 5pm. “Understanding the Nature of Light”. Sundays,6pm Free RPG Day. Jun 20, 10am Fridays, 2pm. Browncoats Shindig, ﬁrst Sat, 7pm The Magic Gamer’s Inn $2K Standard Adventures in Space Summer Camp, Phoenix Astronomical Society - Free or Saturday. $50 for an Exhibits-Only Tournament. Jul 13, 10am ages K-garten thru 8th grade, June & July Telescope Training Workshop July 25, Pass is good all three days. The Celebrity Columbia Shuttle Memorial Display 3:30pm Banquet is $105 for the Closing night IMPERIAL OUTPOST GAMES ASU Meteorite Exhibit event which includes dinner & program Iridium Satellite Model BORDERS, CAMELBACK with preferred seating, or $65 for the Federation Commander. 2nd Saturday, Atlantis Space Shuttle Model Metaphysical Thursdays, 7pm Closing program only with no meal and noon Journey Thru the Space Program LOFT THEATRE, TUCSON side area seating. RPG. 1st & 3rd Sundays Lowell Observatory Display Screenings of movies, many SF genre. This is a conference for aspiring voice Boardgames & Demo Nite. Mondays & Check website for times and listings. actors as well as professionals, and every Thursdays, 6pm. MOON SOCIETY MEETING range of talent in between. Newcomers Magic Booster Drafts. Fridays, 7pm Check web sites or contact stores for more can test the waters to determine if this is War Machine. Wednesdays, 4pm 3:00 PM on the third Saturday at Denny’s info a ﬁeld in which they can compete. Old on the Southeast corner of US60 and Game Depot, 480-966-4727 timers can brush up old skills or learn SAMURAI COMICS Rural Road. For more info contact Craig http://www.azchallenger.org about the newest technologies and market (check website for correct store location) Porter at [email protected] http://www.azscience.org trends. In addition to all of that, this is a http://store-locator.barnesandnoble.com/ gathering of people who don’t see enough Independent Day. Jul 4, 10a-6p (Phx) PIMA AIR & SPACE MUSEUM, storelocator of the competition who might also be their Autographs, party with local comic TUCSON http://beyond.asu.edu friends. creators. http://www.bookmans.com http://voice-international.com Magic, The Gathering Tournament. Mon New Volunteer Orientation. Jun 12, Jul http://www.borders.com/online/store http://www.voiceacting.com/VOICE 6pm (Phx), Thurs 6p (Phx) Magic, The 10, Aug 14, Sep 11, Sep 18, 930am- http://www.cemeterydance.com Gathering. Friday, 6p at both locations, & 1030am. http://www.changinghands.com Tues, 6pm (west valley) & Sat 1pm (Phx) Science Saturdays. Jun 26, Jul 24, Aug http://www.conlanpress.com Yugioh Tournament. Sundays, noon (Phx) 28, 10am-330pm. Age 8 and up. http://www.dragonmoonpress.com FYI & Sat, noon (west valley) Night Wings. Jun 26, Jul 24, Aug 28, http://www.drawntocomics.com CASFS BOOK DISCUSSION Anime Club. Sundays, noon (west valley) 5pm-9pm.Space Gallery exhibit. See an http://www.gamersinnaz.com/ Pokemon. Sundays, 2pm (west valley) Apollo space capsule, moon rock, Phoenix http://www.imperialoutpost.com Bent Cover Books Mars Mission. http://www.library.pima.gov 12428 N. 28th Drive, Phoenix SCIENCE EVENTS http://www.loftcinema.com/showtimes 3rd Tuesdays, 7pm, in the Coffee Bar SETI Institute’s Weekly http://madcaptheaters.com/ Sponsored by Central Arizona ARIZONA SCIENCE CENTER http://www.pimaair.org Speculative Fiction Society (CASFS) Science Radio Program - Mondays, avail http://www.poisonedpen.com email questions to [email protected] Goose Bumps! The Science of Fear. as podcast -- http://radio.seti.org and http://store.pspublishing.co.uk/ Opened Jan 31, 2010 http://podcast.seti.org http://www.pyrsf.com/catalog.html Come do some face-to-face interaction Summer Science Camp at Biotechnology http://www.samuraicomics.com with your fellow readers and SF/Fantasy Medical Institute Jul 12-16 & Jul 19-23. Titan Missile Museum http://www.seti.org fans! Haven’t read the book? Don’t Summer Science Camp for all future http://www.spazdogcomics.com/ worry, there’s no quiz or anything. You engineers, pilots, doctors and astronomers, Titan Missile Museum Tours. http://www.subterraneanpress.com/ can use the rest of us as your personal ages 6 to 12, June thru July. Reservations only - The only publicly http://www.titanmissilemuseum.org/ book reviewers to see if it’s something Pre-school Science. Jun thru Sep, various accessible Titan II missile site in the http://tucsonfestivalofbooks.org/ you’d like. We start out with the book topics. nation. Tour the underground missile site. http://www.wildsidepress.com/ discussion, but the conversation can go anywhere. The get-together is held in the coffee shop of Bent Cover Books near 28th Drive and Cactus Road in Phoenix. We welcome potential new friends. June 21 - The Hitch-Hikers Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams July 20 - Burning Alive by Shannon Butcher August 17- On Basilisk Station by David Weber September 21 - Keeping It Real by Justina Robson October 19 - The Devil’s Eye by Jack McDevitt November 16 - Cordelia’s Honor by Lois McMaster-Bujold December 21 - A Game of Thrones by George RR Martin AUTHOR SIGNINGS Aprilynne Pike Poisoned Pen bookstore. Jun 8, 7pm Janni Lee Simner Barnes & Noble, Eastside, Tucson. Jun 19, 2pm Diana Gabaldon Poisoned Pen bookstore. Sep 21, 7pm

BOOK DISCUSSION GROUPS Oro Valley Library, Tucson Science Fiction Book Club, 4th Tuesdays SciFi Book Group Barnes & Noble, Eastside, Tucson. Jun 8, Jul 13, Aug 10, 730pm

Volume 20 Issue 3 ConNotations Page 9 Including: Memberships: Fantasy, Horror, Comics, Anime, $40 until Aug 15, 2010 Media, Robots & Hard Science $45 at the door Author Guest Of Author Author Author Honor Guest Guest Guest

Weston Yvonne David Lee Stephen R. Ochse Navarro Summers Bram Stoker Bram Stoker Writer, Editor, Donaldson award winner award winner Astronomer

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Modern Dance & Regency Dancing * * Gaming & Fighter Demos NASA Space Exploration Update * * Writing & Film Making Workshops Movie Previews, Posters & Swag * * Panel Discussions & Presentations World Famous Dealer’s Room * * Robot & Technology Demos Masquerade & Cosplay * * Art & Costuming Demos Hospitality Suite * * Charity Beneﬁt Auction Music & Filk * * Rock Band Tournament

Page 10 ConNotations Volume 20 Issue 3 The Karate Kid (action drama) 24 Frames Fri, June 18th- Jonah Hex- a DC anti-hero by Jeffrey Lu (Western) Toy Story 3 (animation) Comments: Wed, June 30th- The Twlight Saga: A funny story. About five years ago, Eclipse (romance) I had one day at my editor’s party asked Fri, July 2 The Last Airbender- a live what were these extra two boxes of unread action movie. Directed and written by M. books doing here next to the regular Night Shyamalan. book review box. She told me they were Fri, July 9 Predators (sci-fi horror) Warhammer and Warhammer 40,000 and Inception (sci-fi action) no one wanted to read them. So, I asked The Sorcerer’s Apprentice (fantasy) if I can try them. She graciously allowed me to try if I don’t return them back. In Rumors: hindsight if I knew what I know now, I Chris Pine (Captain Kirk in Star Trek should be screaming out the front door XI) is in talks about doing a friend spy and never come back. Yet, I’m still here comedy, “This Means War.” reading them (Some are actually quite There might be another superhero good) and doing book reviews. (By the movie from Marvel. They are considering way, I finally finished those two boxes. doing a Luke Cage movie. Whew!) The next Iron Man (III) may have the Another funny story. Recently, I was next supervillian, “The Mandarian.” This curious and asked Stephanie (Queen Bee, is confirmed by an interview with the editor, friend, former auction foe) about director of the two past Iron Man movies, who’s doing 24 Frames, now? She replied John Faureau. Yet, this is too soon after that the person who was doing it did not this May’s Iron Man II premiere. have enough time. He was too busy doing the other column. Being brave (or rather, Parting Shots: stupid), I asked if I can give it a shot. So, 2012 will be a very interesting year. here it is. Three major movies will be competing for Thanks to Craig Dryer, Bob LaPierre, the major super summer movie spot: Star Stephanie L. Bannon, and Lee Whiteside Trek XII (Release date: June 29, 2012), for their help and direction in this old Spider-man (IV? Rumors has it that this column. Cheers! will be a new cast and that Spider-man will be set in high school...) (Release date: In Production: July 3, 2012), and Batman (III? What’s the Thor. This is a beginning adventure new next name after “The Dark Knight?” of a Marvel superhero, Thor. “Partially Batman villain(s)?) (Release date: July 20, disabled medical student Dr. Donald 2012) (By the way, Christian Bale will be Blake discovers his heretofore unknown again Batman and Christopher Nolan will true form, Thor, the Norse God of also direct). Thunder” (http://www.imdb.com/title/ tt0800369/). In Our Book Release date: May 6, 2011. Currently filmed in New Mexico. Kenneth Branagh Dragon Keeper is directing. Chris Hemsworth is Thor. by Robin Hobb Natalie Portman will play Jane Foster. EOS/Harper Collins, $26.99, 474 pp Anthony Hopkins will be cast as Odin. Transformer 3. Release date: July 1, Ms. Hobb continues to deliver 2011. Sam’s boss will be John Malkovich. entertaining ideas; this time the action Mission Impossible IV. Brad Bird takes place in the Rain Wilds – a boggy (The Incredibles) is the director. The rainforest kind of environment. The movie release will be Dec. 16, 2011. events take place either at the same time Men In Black III. Will Smith and as her Live Ship trilogy or immediately Tommy Lee Jones will be back! Release thereafter. I can’t be sure as I skipped that date: May 25, 2012. trilogy – which I am now regretting. The Rise of the Apes. A Planet of the dragon Tintaglia had made a bargain to Apes prequel. “Peter Jackson’s WETA protect the Trader cities from incursions Digital will handle the visual effects on from their enemies. In return, she wanted the film (which will render photo-realistic the humans to nurture and care for the apes rather than using actors in monkey next generation of dragons. In previous suits). Here’s the film’s logline: ‘Rise of stories, it was illustrated that the dragon the Apes is an origins story set in present- species had all but disappeared until day San Francisco. The film is a reality- Tintaglia found a group of sea serpents (which metamorphose into dragons) based cautionary tale, where man’s own but endured a loveless marriage. Alise has some issues. The story idea is certainly experiments with genetic engineering lead and gave over their care to the humans. devoted herself to a scholarly study of all Once the dragons had hatched, Tintaglia entertaining and hints at a climax where to the development of intelligence in apes things draconian and announces that she humans discover they are not and have and the onset of a war for supremacy’ disappeared. is only person suited to accompany the Unfortunately, circumstances were never been the Dragons’ masters; but I “ (http://movies.ign.com/articles/108/ dragons as a resident expert to observe have to read the next book to determine 1088234p1.html). Release date: June much less than ideal and while many of and report on the success of the journey. the sea serpents died in their cases, never if I’ve wasted my time or if the second 2011. The first two-thirds of the book sets book is the payoff for time invested in Ice Age 4. Release date: July 2012. to emerge as dragons, others did emerge up the characters – the motley crew but were malformed or witless. So the this book. Fortunately, the second book is The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn. of Dragon Keepers and the dynamics already out. ~~ Catherine Book Release date: Nov. 2011. humans who had contracted to nurture the among that group, and Alise and her next glorious generation of dragons had, X-Men: First Class “Before Charles friend/chaperon Sedric who has his own A Drop of Red: Vampire Babylon Xavier and Erik Lensherr took the instead, a pitiful handful of dragons who nefarious agenda. The last third of the might not even live long. Before long, the by Chris Marie Green names Professor X and Magneto, they book has the dragons and their young, Ace Books; $15; 324pp were two young men discovering their handicapped dragons were, themselves, inexperienced Keepers finally beginning powers for the first time. Before they tired of living a hopeless existence and the journey. their human keepers were tired of having This is the beginning of a second were archenemies, they were closest of Ms. Hobb is a very capable and trilogy concerning the adventures of friends, working together, with other to hunt and care for them. Both dragons inspired author so I had the highest and humans had expected the dragons to Limpet and Associates, an organization Mutants (some familiar, some new,) to expectations for this story. I felt, however, of vampire hunters. They rooted out stop the greatest threat the world has ever be self-sufficient by this time. The dragons that the build-up was rather uninspired decide that they would rather take their a lavish vampire Underground in Los known. In the process, a rift between and way too long. It took too long to get Angeles in the previous three books and them opened, which began the eternal chances in a journey to find a long-lost the journey started and once it was, it was utopian city where dragons of yesteryear have now moved on to London. The group war between Magneto’s Brotherhood rather uneventful. The author told me that comprised of Dawn, Dawn’s vampire and Professor X’s X-Men. Written by lived in harmony with humans. They it was originally a single book but the manipulate the humans into believing it is dad, Frank, Kiko and various ethereal Twentieth Century Fox” (http://www. editor thought it too long and split it into “Friends” have been joined by a new imdb.com/title/tt1270798/plotsummary). their idea to move the dragons. two novels. Unfortunately, this book was To complete such a journey means member from Romania named Natalia Release Date: June 2011. Matthew rather abruptly cut off at 474 pages with who hears voices of the dead. Vaughn will be directing. that the near-helpless dragons will each nothing resolved and loads of unanswered need a Keeper to hunt and care for them The group’s mysterious leader Jonah mysteries and questions. I don’t mind a is still hunting down blood brothers. They June/July 2010 releases on the screen: – enter Thymara, herself a social outcast planned series but I do mind spending and therefore expendable. And from the are members of a very ancient vampire Fri, June 4th- Splice (horror sci-fi) time reading a book that doesn’t have any clan who are an advance force for an uber Fri, June 11th- The A-Team (action) other spectrum of society, young Alise, particular climax or resolution of at least who had led a pampered and protected life ( Cont’d on page 12 ) Volume 20 Issue 3 ConNotations Page 11 In Our Book The vampire teenaged girls from Shalador’s Lady Carmichael gets in on the action as well, ( Cont’d from page 11 ) the exclusive Queenshill school in St. by Anne Bishop providing a frisson of romantic tension. Albans are back with a vengeance in this Roc, $24.95, 476 pp The sequel, A Cast-Off Coven, is vampire called the Dragon who awaits tale. And, boy, does mousy Della get her already in print; a 3rd is in the pipeline, resurrection, as it were, once the blood groove on! Claudia, Wolfie’s vampiric I’ve been a fan of Bishop’s Blood and Ms. Blackwell is writing her fourth brothers establish their power throughout cohort reveals a few pertinent surprises as books since the beginning. The first three Lily Ivory mystery, so if this is your cup the world. well. books were wonderful and original. The of tea you can satisfy your thirst with Dawn still has the hots for Jonah— Green excels at really great, snappy 4th book was weak and disappointing. more. ~~ Chris Paige well actually she has the hots for Costin dialogue and vivid description. The layers The next one was fine and then there was who also resides in Jonah’s undead body. of her characters add a lot of depth. No another rather weak story. She appeared Dead in the Family (You need to read the other three novels one is what they seem; everyone has an to have taken a break to write two books by Charlaine Harris if you want the scoop on this). The whole agenda complicating the plots nicely in another series and then came charging Ace, $25.95, 320 pp Jonah/Costin business is a wonderful and keeping them from being trite. All back with a mature, well-plotted story complication to this tale. Jonah is a good the loose ends are tied up---and there’s – “Shadow Queen” – in 2009. And here Following the events of Dead and guy but subtly, not as good a guy as even a bit of a teaser for more to come. we are in 2010 with another wonderful, Gone we find Sookie struggling to Costin. In this novel, Costin has the upper But the ending took 82 pages to finish. I well-crafted story that follows the story recuperate both physically and mentally hand personality-wise. Jonah only gets to wish it had been tighter and punchier at begun in “Shadow Queen.” from the events of the devastating Faery surface on occasion. the end. It dragged, even though Green Center stage is Lady Cassidy, a War while being thrust, yet again, into Anyway---Limpet and Associates creates a satisfying though slightly vague witch who wears Rose jewels (4th level the midst of politics and intrigue, both have set up shop in London to track conclusion for the whole Dawn/Costin/ on a scale to 13) but who may have the supernatural and human. down the site of a London Underground Jonah triangle. ~~ Sue Martin potential to be a very capable ruler in spite This installment moves more (not the subway system, of course). of her low-scale power. Her strongest slowly than previous books but that Through the discovery of a vampire Intelligent Design weapons are her heart and mind. She is fine because the main thrust of this cemetery of dismembered bodies at a edited by Denise Little had been enlisted by Prince Greyhaven installment is character development and London construction site, the clues lead DAW Books, $7.99, 307 pp to bring order back to his realm and help the exploration of family in all its many them to a group of girls at the exclusive restore his birthright which had been forms, both human and supernatural. Queenshill school in St. Albans outside This anthology is eleven stories on the stolen by corrupt Queens; but only for Sookie and Eric grow closer to each in of London. Blanche, Polly, Violet and concept of intelligent design – that attempt a year’s contract. In the previous story, some ways and farther apart in others. Della are all newbie vampires whose to reconcile traditional religion with the she found a treasure left by his ancestors Sookie shows a somewhat harder, more master “Wolfie” oversees their lives until theory of evolution. Basically, intelligent which breathed life back into a society pragmatic side of herself, she is no longer they are experienced enough to join the design holds just what its name says: that that had been crushed and decimated by the same innocent girl that rescued Bill actual London Underground situated the evolved design of the living world was the corrupt rule of generations of bad in that dark parking lot oh-so-long, or in Highgate Cemetery. The quartet of guided by God. When it is a kind of last- Queens. She thought this would solidify not-so-long, ago. She has to deal with young vampires is an interesting mix of ditch defense of fundamentalism (often her relationship with Prince Greyhaven werewolf politics, Eric’s maker and his personalities whose nocturnal activities so), it’s most easily refuted. In contrast, and insure she would be acceptable to him insane “brother”, her telepathic nephew’s called “nightcrawls” has led to a series of these stories are more modernist religious and all the Blood of his realm to continue visit, her faery cousin Claude making murdered women. The vampires in this shadings of intelligent design, which as their Queen. himself into a house guest, attempts to Underground are a lot nastier than the merely take off from the limits of science. Along comes Queen Kermilla whose frame her for murder, Bill’s poor health previous Underground. To my mind, they To get a sense of the overall attitude of greediness and petty selfishness had cost and political demonstrations at Merlotte’s. are much more gothic and traditional in this, perhaps it could be called a sequel to Cassidy a previous court and broke her I read this in one sitting. Once I picked set-up. And not that the previous novels Arthur Clarke’s classic story ‘The Nine spirit. There ensues a struggle between it up I simply could not put it down. I am weren’t grim, it’s just that this novel is Billion Names of God’ - if you liked that Cassidy and Kermilla and both the fate firmly hooked on this series and can’t already much darker in tone than the story you’ll like these too. While the of the entire country, and Cassidy’s wait for the next installment. Highly previous books. Maybe it’s because it’s overall theme is science fiction, some heart and soul are at stake. There are recommended. ~~ Stephanie L Bannon not set in sunny Southern California. of these stories are more clearly fantasy, some very interesting behind-the-scenes Green has a very smooth which can result in some funny tales. The machinations by other characters that Warriors contemporary style of writing. She is a tone varies from serious to light-hearted in advance the story and both intrigued and Edited by: George R.R. Martin and real pleasure to read. My only caveat with this collection. The following contributors amused me. Gardner Dozois this novel was it was slow to start for me live up to their best standards: Kristine I loved this story. The characters were Tor, $27.99; 736 pp and I felt the ending could have used more Kathryn Rusch, Brendan DuBois, Jean just as interesting as in the first three zing. But I am still moving on to the next Rabe, Jody Lynn Nye, Michael Hiebert, books. All of the main characters were Twenty short stories about warriors. novel: Path of Razors. Sarah A. Hoyt, Bill McCay, Janny Wurts, strong and well-defined. Characters from Warriors, traditionally, are hired muscle, This book was published in March Dean Wesley Smith, Peter Orullian, and the first 6 books all had parts to play sellswords who offer their services of 2009 and volume six has just been Laura Resnick. See: real pros in our genre, without overwhelming our new, central with their weapons to attack or protect released. ~~ Sue Martin and not a crusading religious fanatic characters. The plot was strong and someone or something that needs it. They among them. I didn’t regret any of the kept me in my chair until way past my are not automatically heroes although Deep in the Woods: Vampire Babylon time spent reading. ~~ Mike Griffin bedtime. ~~ Catherine Book most fantasy generally starts with a by Chris Marie Green warrior and he becomes a hero by the end. Ace Books; $15; 310 pp The Alchemy of Murder Secondhand Spirits Conan is the perfect example, he began as by Carol McCleary by Juliet Blackwell a simple warrior and through his choices This is the sixth and concluding Forge, $24.99, 386 pp Penguin Group, 2009, $6.99, 325pp became revealed as a hero. Sometimes the volume in Green’s current Vampire warrior never becomes more than that as Babylon series. The first three books The Alchemy of Murder is a debut Juliet Blackwell was one of several in the short story “Ancient Ways” found took place in Los Angeles and these last novel and the first of a new series of authors signing books at the AZ Book within this volume. There, the warrior, three take place in London. Limpet and historical-suspense mysteries. Festival. She is a charming woman, with although the central character, is just Associates have moved their operations to Our heroine is Nelly Bly, intrepid a strong background in anthropology. Her support for the true heroes. London to take on another Underground female reporter in a male dominated knowledge of paranormal activities is Regardless of how they are used, the of vampires, led by the rather spacey (but profession. While researching her based on both her academic research and warriors in this book have one thing in still nasty) “Wolfie.” (To reiterate: This famous expose of the New York mental personal experience. From these sources common, they fight, and they fight for a brotherhood was created by the Dragon hospital on Blackwell’s Island, Nelly she spins urban fantasies that are closer reason. Be it money or fame or belief they who’s the baddest darn vampire in the stumbles across a mad murderer, know to Jane Austen than you would guess the all put their lives on the line for a reason. whole wide world. The Dragon sleeps in to the inmates and staff as “The German genre could be. And that, my friends, is the difference a coffin of his native earth awaiting the Doctor”. Though he escapes justice in The protagonist is Lily Ivory for between a warrior and a fighter. creation of an army of loyal vamps who New York he cannot escape Nelly’s whom fashion sense and awareness of the The stories are varied, as are the will do his bidding as he takes over the interest as she follows clues that first significance of appearances are intrinsic. warriors, but they all have one important world in a glorious blood bath.) lead her to London and the infamous Her sensitivity runs deeper than the commonality, they are all well-crafted and Dawn and her cohorts: Kiko, Natalia, Jack the Ripper murders and then to surface, however. Lily is a psychometrist engrossing. When I picked up the volume Frank (Dawn’s dad and a vampire) the France to investigate similar murders of who can “read” objects for the residual the size was daunting; however ,when I ethereal Friends and their leader, the prostitutes in Paris. The police do not energies and impressions they hold. was reading I barely noticed the size and it complex Costin/Jonah persona, have want to upset the tourists that are in Paris Lily owns a vintage clothes shop and seemed far too short when I was finished. tracked down the London Underground to for the 1889 World’s Fair so Nelly must uses her talent to find fine garments and The names of the authors are some of the Highgate Cemetery. investigate in secret. She enlists the aid match them to suitable recipients – good top names in today’s fantasy. Both editors, Being the last in this series, there’s of such historical figures as Jules Verne, vibrations all around. She practices magic plus David Weber, Naomi Novik, S.M. a ton of action as the team gets closer Dr. Pasteur and Oscar Wilde. There is for protection, helping, and healing. Stirling, Diana Gabaldon, Tad Williams, and closer to not only destroying the mystery, intrigue, science both appropriate When a friend is murdered and a child and many others have contributed new Underground but actually finding the for and ahead of its time, and a villain sure goes missing, the police include Lily stories for this volume. Picking a favorite slumbering Dragon whose resting place to live in your memory. in their investigation. The interrogation among these is like picking a favorite has remained a mystery until now. The The action is non-stop and the ending scenes serve as a literary device, ice cream, it’s all good. You just have to dragon’s existence has been protected for is satisfying while leaving room for the allowing the author to answer some of decide what your mood is. centuries by keepers called custodes— follow-up novel which apparently will her readers’ questions about witches and Highly recommended. ~~ Bob genetically altered humans whose sole tell of Nelly’s secret adventures on her magic in the voice of Lily answering LaPierre purpose is to breed more custodes and trip “Around the World in 72 Days” with the cops’ questions. Intriguingly, one of protect the dragon at all costs. And they a hinted-out repeat appearance by Jules the policemen has a touch of magical ( Cont’d on page 13 ) are real kick butt, high tech defenders too. Verne. I heartily recommend this book and ability himself which he experiences as They are more than a match for Dawn and eagerly await the next in the series. ~~ hunches and the ability to read people. friends. Stephanie L Bannon An investigative reporter named Max Page 12 ConNotations Volume 20 Issue 3 In Our Book discover something important about takes down one of the bad guys. This gets hers that I cannot say: Very highly ( Cont’d from page 12 ) Jim Butcher - he is the ultimate master the attention of the studly aliens who are recommended. ~~ Bob LaPierre of understatement. Calling this book very interested in recruiting her to their Where Angels Fear to Tread: “Changes” is like calling a book about cause of hunting down and killing the The Marks of Cain A Remy Chandler Novel nuclear winter “Cold Snap.” bad aliens. From the instant she meets by Tom Knox (Sean Thomas) by Thomas E. Sniegoski Almost every character that is a) still her first Armani-clad alien, he persists Viking, 2010, $26.95, 438 pp ROC; $14; 288 pp living and b) helped Harry at some point in harassing her by telling her how in his career, appears in this novel either beautiful, intelligent and spunky she is The plot boasts a mysterious This is the third novel in Sniegoski’s physically or as referenced with a small and that they are destined to be married. summons, dangerous opponents, series with the character Remy Chandler few exceptions. The werewolves do not This spurs a constant banter and streams concealed knowledge, and an alluring who’s a wonderful supernatural thriller appear, nor do the Summer Knight and her of euphemisms between them. There’s a female companion, which are all creation. Remy Chandler has two friends. side story about another of the aliens, his fairly standard. The setting, however, personas. One is a human widower who The story begins with Harry receiving cousin, and our lovely heroine. There’s is unusual: the Basque region of the relentlessly hunts evil and nastiness in a phone call from his former lover Susan also a side story about her mother and Pyrenees between France and Spain, the world as a private investigator living Rodriguez. “They’ve taken our daughter.” how daughter didn’t fall too far from that where residents speak a language totally in Boston. And his second persona is a With that Harry sets upon his most tree. There is awesome sex, of course, and unlike any other in the world. The author, real big help with this. You see, Remy dangerous, most far reaching adventure loads of exposition to explain how all this himself a reporter, got his material on Chandler is also Remiel, one of God’s yet. After all what would you do, what occurred. The author couldn’t spend the various assignments and has fascinating Seraphim. An angel who, though he methods would you consider, who would time to develop the story and ‘show’ us; information to share about the history renounced living in Heaven and lives here you go to, to save your daughter? it would have twice the number of pages of the region and its peoples. Much of on Earth, is still a terribly fierce warrior His enemies are effectively the entirety unless she could force herself to thin out the history is tragic, with persecutions, for God. Don’t get him riled up because of the race of red court vampires. The the spirited, spunky banter that permeates witch hunts, and the genocide of the there is little a Seraphim cannot take on! white council has its own problems. The this story. It wasn’t really a bad book; I Cagots, some of it centuries old, some (In a previous novel he took on preventing grey council has another engagement. He did derive some entertainment from it recent; underlying all of this violence the Apocalypse. Apparently a very finds who he can really count on, and the but it doesn’t belong in our genre. It was and fear is the question, “What defines Biblical one.) sacrifices made will forever change him. really a romance story and the aliens the boundaries of humanity? What In this book, the story centers around I will say I was pleased to see Thomas could easily have been fairies…or, choke, behaviours and phenotypes? And which Deryn York and Carl Saylor who are back and more in control of himself. Some vampires and it wouldn’t have made any ones are beyond the pale?” Knox does parents of an autistic six-year-old daughter of the changes are not just about Harry, difference. ~~ Catherine Book a good job involving the reader in his named Zoe. She constantly draws pictures many of his friends are changed including protagonists’ quest for knowledge and about things that haven’t happened yet. a very important change to Karrin Frankenstein Makes a Sandwich understanding. Anyone with interests in The child has been brought to Boston Murphy. by Adam Rex genetics, anthropology, weird architecture, to get help for her autism. But before This is, in my opinion, the best book Simon & Schuster, 2006, $16.00, 40pp and European history should consider this that can happen, she and Carl disappear, of the series. However, if you haven’t read novel or at the very least go to Knox’s bringing Deryn to Remy for help. the earlier books it might be a bit hard to This is a monstrous rhyming romp for website, www.tomknoxbooks.com Zoe is a very special child who just follow. your youngsters to enjoy. Big, Green, and There is, however, a disturbing might hold the fate of the world inside 4.5 out of 5 stars ~~ Bob LaPierre Ugly is joined by the Creature from the misogynist component to his writing, her. What’s fascinating is who wants her. Black Lagoon, the Phantom of the Opera, much as he would probably disagree with First we have an ancient Sumerian deity Torn Wolfman’s dog, Dracula, Dr. Jekyll, Mr. that charge. “Do I not present a brave, named Dagon who, of course, wants to Turned Hyde, dancing zombies, a little mummy, beautiful heroine and give her a satisfying, reincarnate and rule the earth once more by Julie Kenner and others. The rhymes and the pictures fulfilling happy ending?” Yes, but she’s (he starts off by being a leader of a cult.) ACE, $7.99 each, 304 pp each are a balancing act of humor and light treated brutally along the way, and one Then there’s Delilah. The Biblical Delilah horror. In one verse, the Invisible Man character, himself a reporter, blames all of Samson and… She likes immortality Books 2 and 3 in the Blood Lily is getting a haircut; in another, Dracula’s the violence of the human species on and she’s not delicate about taking souls to Chronicles, following Tainted. son has to go to the dentist. Here’s a females because they choose their mates survive. She already has (obviously) lived Torn picks up immediately where representative poem title: “Count Dracula for aggressive tendencies. Knock, Knox! past her normal life span because God Tainted leaves off. Lily is in trouble of the Doesn’t Know He’s Been Walking Around Who’s there? Logical Fallacy. Logical cursed her to live on while everything she deepest kind. She managed to save her All Night with Spinach in his Teeth.” And Fallacy who? The logical fallacy that loves dies, including multiple husbands sister but not before Rose is possessed by what 6-9 year old wouldn’t want to hear women get to do all the choosing. Do I not and many, many children. Delilah and her demon rapist. She was tricked by the you read aloud “Godzilla Pooped on my hear shouts and hoots of derision? Dagon want the spark of divine energy forces of evil into killing what she thought Honda”? If you read The Da Vinci Code for that has been harbored in secret by were “demons”. Now, Lily finds herself Adam Rex is a graduate of the the thrills and secret revelations, the various sects, most recently in a hidden torn between her desires to save her sister University of Arizona; he was one of formula here is quite similar and similarly Vietnamese temple. This divine spark by helping the demons and helping half- the featured artist/writers at the recent enjoyable – lots of writers are cribbing has been here on earth since God spoke angel, half-demon Deacon Camphire, Arizona Book Festival on the U of A from Dan Brown – but if you like nobility creation into being. keep those same demons from opening the campus in Tucson. As an illustrator he has of spirit in your characters, this one just So it could be really big doo-doo if gates of hell. contributed to numerous children’s books, misses the mark. ~~ Chris Paige someone with not such a nice agenda Turned finds Lily in possession of including the Lucy Rose books by Katy controls this energy. To escape Delilah, the Oris Clef and a dilemma - Should Kelly, and Guess Again! by Marc Bennett. Goop Soup who was homing in on it in Vietnam, the she wield the Oris Clef and become the Frankenstein Takes the Cake, Tree Ring A Nathan Abercrombie, Accidental divine spark fled and took up residence in demon queen, thus giving herself over to Circus, and Psst! are all written and Zombie novel little Zoe. evil but maybe averting an apocalypse or illustrated by Adam Rex, the new crowned by David Lubar Of course, there is a huge battle should she throw herself into the portal to king of kid’s verse. ~~ Chris Paige Starscape, HB $17.99, TPB $5.99, 176 between Dagon, his worshipers, Delilah Hell when it opens, sacrificing herself to pp and her minions against Remy who gets an eternity of suffering but permanently Tales of the Otherworld help from Samson (see above) who has sealing the portal or should she and Kelley Armstrong This is the third in a series, following also lived forever and bred many children Deacon search for the legendary Ninth Bantam Books, $25.00; 388 pp My Rotten Life and Dead Guy Spy. so he can seek revenge on that which he key - the one that can lock all nine of the Nathan has become a zombie, a fact still loves most: Delilah. portals to Hell? This is the second volume of short known only to a couple of friends but There’s gore and grossness (the bad This is an action-packed trilogy and stories from Kelley’s website. This not his parents. While training for his guys are really pretty darn horrible) and the ending, while very reminiscent of volume, like Men of the Otherworld, is first mission with the secret organization little Zoe has a very bad time of it, but the a popular TV series, clearly wraps up being sold to promote World Literacy of BUM, Nathan is side tracked by two novel ends on an even keel. the series. There is room left for follow- Canada. There is one new story but the problems - green goop is coming out of (God does NOT make an appearance. up books in the series but even if there remainder are available on her website. every faucet in town and, possibly more He lets his Heavenly hosts do the fighting) are no more, this is a highly satisfying There are wonderful stories in here about frightening, Nathan’s mother has made a Sniegoski has a smooth, easy style series as it stands. The story is tight and Paige and Lucas, Clay and Elena, Logan, doctor’s appointment for him. Surely the which makes this novel a quick read. the characters show growth as they face and the new story that tells the tale of how doctor will notice he is a zombie! Though the plots are connected by some their personal issues and resolve them Eve Levine came to carry Kristoff Nast’s This is a clever idea, sure to appeal previous actions and characters, I had no along with saving the world. I highly daughter (Savannah’s origin story). to the young reader in your family. Well- problem as a newbie dealing with Remy’s recommend this trilogy. ~~ Stephanie L The tales are full of the richness written and a quick read it is also a fun world. Once the story got rolling I did get Bannon expected from a master of her craft. And evening for the young at heart reader. a little bit of déjà vu as it reminded me a her love of the characters carries onto the Recommended, and I intend to find the bit of the Eddie Murphy film “The Golden Touched by an Alien page. Seeing from Clay’s perspective as first two in the series. ~~ Stephanie L Child.” by Gini Koch Elena meets Jeremy for the first time and Bannon Nevertheless, this book cooks right Daw, $7.99, 389 pp in another story set years later seeing the along. And I really like it that Remy not same scene through Jeremy’s eyes shows Blackout only talks to his lab, but Marlowe answers First of all, you should know that Gini a depth of understanding of her characters by Connie Willis with appropriately short doggy thoughts. Koch is a pseudonym for Jeanne Cook. I seldom see. Ballantine Books, 2010, $26.00, 491 pp ~~ Sue Martin This is a thinly disguised romance/sex The stories span her career. Her work, story with aliens. The aliens in question like most master craftsmen, continues to Blackout is the newest of Connie Changes come in two flavors – one is a race of improve; but, like those typically at the Willis’ connected novels about time Jim Butcher totally hunky males and gorgeous females. top, the improvements are more felt than travel in which historians conduct field Roc, $25.95; 442 pp The others are superstrong and supernasty seen. You cannot point to anything in research in the past, under restrictions parasites that look for human hosts. Our particular but the phrasing seems more which protect the timeline. For example, Harry Dresden returns in his spunky, beautiful, intelligent heroine is natural, the dialogue more concise. twelfth novel. So with this novel we in the wrong place at the right time and I have yet to read something of ( Cont’d on page 14) Volume 20 Issue 3 ConNotations Page 13 In Our Book (Cont’d from page 14 ) The House of the Stag Rosenblum for “My She,” a tale about the British Navy but again fails to fit by Kage Baker the emotional and communicative in. Edward joins the Company with its Tor, $14.99, 352 pp ties between species that have been scientists and undercover agents and, it simply isn’t possible to access times and pragmatically bioengineered. I had to along with his tutor Dr Ludbridge, he events that are potential turning points, The House of the Stag is a prequel, keep revising my mental images as I read travels to the Holy Land, Constantinople, susceptible to the Butterfly Effect. The explaining the background that becomes – a good exercise. But Jeremiah Tolbert and St. Petersburg in an effort to achieve historians themselves may be profoundly the setting for The Anvil of the World. wins the sheer fun award for “The Culture his concept of a “better world.” affected – they can even be killed Ms. Baker brings us a modern Archivist,” an irreverent what-if a future Lots of steampunk fun and gadgets – but established history is resilient and fairytale, chronicling a young man’s Federation had the morals and mindset of along with Ms Baker’s usual, well- reasserts itself. At least, that has been the struggles after his people, the peaceful Wall Street CEOs and the nanotechnology written and engrossing story telling. A working hypothesis for over 40 years of Yendri, are invaded by a violent people to go anywhere, do anything? good start for those who are not familiar time travel. Now the system is becoming called the Riders. As the Riders kill or Of the reprints, I was glad to find with her Company novels and a welcome chaotic, and one theorist is warning of enslave Gard’s people, a strange figure Georges R.R. Martin and Guthridge’s addition to those of use who are. Highly an imminent collapse. But who minds appears, who takes on the role of a “Warship,” a hard to find classic from recommended. ~~ Stephanie L Bannon theory? To fully appreciate chaos, you prophet. Refusing to accept the prophet’s 1979. Orson Scott Card’s “Mazer in need to be a field agent contending with message of pacificism, Gard soon finds Prison” gives a glimpse into the life and Shatnerquake last-minute schedule changes, memory himself accused of murder, exiled and mind of that most enigmatic character by Jeff Burk download-overload, wardrobe snafus, thrown in the world beyond his familiar from the Ender’s Game universe; it is a Bizzaro, $9.95, 100pp inaccurate historical records, drop gates lands. well-written, wry, clever piece of work. that don’t open, time slippage, and the What follows is a voyage of discovery, It’s also bathetic, because everything Card From the cover: “After a reality bomb horror of uncertainly when you thought rich in detail with complex characters. writes is emotionally manipulative, but goes off at the first ever ShatnerCon, fore-knowledge would be a reliable guide. This is wonderful book. When Ms. Baker that’s not necessarily a fault. all of the characters ever played by The story follows three convoluted passed away the world lost a masterful This is one of the outstanding William Shatner are suddenly sucked threads. Merope Ward lives up to her storyteller and we are the poorer for her anthologies of the last year. Look for it! into our world. Their mission: hunt down name on assignment as an overworked loss. Highly recommended ~~ Stephanie ~~ Chris Paige and destroy the real William Shatner. maid caring for relocated children, L Bannon Featuring: Captain Kirk, TJ Hooker, including one who might grow up to Riverworld Denny Crane, Priceline Shatner, Cartoon be a famous actor. Her assignment gets Federations by Philip Jose Farmer Kirk, Rescue 9-1-1 Shatner, singer involuntarily extended when her charges edited by John Joseph Adams Tor, $17.99 448pp Shatner, and many more. No costumed are quarantined for a measles epidemic Prime Books, 2009, $14.95, 379 pp con-goer will be spared in their wave of – hey, at least it’s not the Black Death! Riverworld combines the first two destruction, no red shirt will make it out – and then she gets saddled with the task This anthology is a mixture of novels of Philip Jose Farmer’s epic series, alive, and not even the Klingons will be of escorting three children to London, just previously printed and new material, To Your Scattered Bodies Go and The able to stand up to a deranged Captain as the Blitz is beginning. These are no all of which explore the theme of how Fabulous Riverboat released to coincide Kirk with a light saber. But these Shatner- angelic cherubs a la Journey for Margaret civilizations interact on galactic scales. with the SyFy Channel’s TV movie of the clones are about to learn a hard lesson . . . (one of the most moving WWII films ever The collection is geared towards Next same name. that the real William Shatner doesn’t take made); these are pull-your-hair-out-with- Generation Trek fans - it is even endorsed Riverworld is a mysterious planet, crap from anybody. Not even himself.” frustration agents of the Tester. Having by one of the cast members – and in where every person who has every lived I’m not quite sure how to describe missed her originally scheduled retrieval, keeping with Gene Roddenberry’s is resurrected along the banks of a endless this - if it were a script it would make a Merope hopes to find a colleague and a original vision, many of the stories have river. great horror/comedy/slasher film. There usable drop gate. a message, either hopeful or admonitory, To Your Scattered Bodies Go finds us is humor. There is gore. There is action, Polly Churchill is on assignment to while others present serious challenges following Sir Richard Francis Burton as lots of action. There is William Shatner, observe pre-Blitz behaviours and post- to our cherished assumptions. Some of he wakes on a strange new world made actually lots and lots of William Shatners. Blitz coping skills. The two prove to be the best names in hard SF are gathered up of one ongoing river. As he explores At 83 pages this is a quick read. I almost identical. Polly travels from an air here, and if your favorite author hasn’t he discovers that he is only one of billions laughed out loud, I groaned out loud.... all force base that runs ambulance services contributed a fresh offering, give the up- of previously dead personalities from in all I had a great time. And I’d love to and may be involved in espionage, to a and-comers a chance to impress you. I’ve throughout Earth’s history stretching see it done as a film *grin* Recommended London shop that is supposed to be safe had to add several new names to my look- from the Neolithic age through the ~~ Stephanie L Bannon from the bombing runs. But slippage for-these list as a result of what I found mid twentieth century that have been disrupts her carefully laid plans, and we here. resurrected along the riverbanks. After it Earth Strike: Star Carrier get to glimpse the enormity of destruction For example, “Carthago Delenda Est” becomes clear that their basic needs are by Ian Douglas through her eyes. by Genevieve Valentine is an ironic gem, taken care of, Burton decides to find the Eos, $7.99, 357 pp Michael Davies experiences the worst an SF Waiting for Godot about galactic beginning of the river. Along the way disruption of all. A juggled schedule sends delegates responding to an invitation to he meets Nazi war criminal Hermann Welcome to the 25th century. The navy him, not to the Pearl Harbor for which he meet with a hyper-advanced civilization. Göring and discovers the existence of a is rushing to the rescue of the First Marine has prepared, but to Dover on the eve of The waiting period has extended over mysterious organization responsible for Expeditionary Force, 1st MEF, currently the Dunkirk Evacuation; and instead of several centuries, and each group has the resurrection of humanity. besieged on the planet disparagingly being able to safely interview heroes upon evolved different coping mechanisms. The Fabulous Riverboat follows known as Ate. Aboard the task force is their return, he becomes a participant, The narrator is a member of the tech crew Sam Clemmons (aka Mark Twain) as he Boot Lt Grey, a navy fighter assigned to knowing he is at one of the critical points responsible for cloning – and terminating searches for the iron needed to build a the Star Carrier, America. of history and he may have irreparably - replacements of the original Earth metal riverboat. He reluctantly travels And so starts a new series by Mr. altered the outcome. Then he gets injured. delegate. with Brain Broadaxe who shares his quest Douglas who states that the new series is If Colin Templer is your favorite S. L. Gilbow’s “Terra Exulta” is a tail- for metal. Along the way he searches for intended to explore the lives of navy star- character, rejoice, for he plays an twisting double-take on human evolution his wife, Livy, and meets such figures as fighter pilots. important part in this installment too. and galactic expansion. German aviator Lothar von Richthofen, I found this book to be a very good Colin is in love with the much older Polly. “Different Day” by K. Tempest a World War One ace and brother of the read. It is an action-filled adventure There is a scene in which he asks her what Bradford would make a good Twilight famous Red Baron, the English King John with good character development. Lt she prefers in men, so he can become Zone episode, and while it makes Lackland, and Cyrano de Bergerac, who Grey’s soul searching quest for his that. In some ways he is comic relief; allusions to certain classic alien encounter has become Livy’s lover. feelings about being in the navy exposes personally, I truly hope he evolves into storylines (“To Serve Mankind,” “Final These books were among the first the greasy underside of life in the 25th leading man. Solution”) it is a fresh riff. It’s also highly science fiction I read. Written in the century. Espousing superiority about Of all the newly introduced characters, politicized, because why should talk show 1970s, I was pleased to see that they are how enlightened and egalitarian they and they are many, and no writer alive radio hosts, like the one who used to keep just as enthralling today as they were are, a seamy undercurrent of bigotry and today is better than Connie Willis at me glued to the set watching Babylon 5, almost 40 years ago, Recommended. discrimination is still present against those celebrating Allah’s Diversity of Creatures, have all the fun? Bradford adds a little I look forward to the rerelease of the who do not conform to society’s norms. Godfrey Kingsman is the masterpiece. color to the mix. remaining three Riverworld novels. ~~ I would gladly recommend this book In the space of 15 minutes I went from Yoon Ha Lee’s story is set on a ship Stephanie L Bannon to anyone who enjoys good military sci-fi. laughing so hard tears were leaking out of exiles whose task is to commemorate ~~ William B. Whitmore my eyes to outright weeping, and it all the swanships, spaceships that transport Not Less Than Gods turned on this character. There is an inner passengers to a black hole. For some by Kage Baker Death’s Mistress light about Godfrey that draws your transportees, the trip is their nation’s Tor, $25.99, 320 pp by Karen Chance attention, and draws out your heart. greatest honor; for others, it is execution. Onyx, $7.99, 422 pp Willis’ trademark is to include chapter Exquisite and concentrated, not only Not Less Than Gods is a set in the headings that set the tone. You do yourself is “Swanwatch” a most original same world as Ms. Baker’s Company Death’s Mistress is a continuation of a disservice if you ignore them – savour contribution, it is the one I most want novels. While the main character, Edward the Midnight’s Daughter series them, rather. They range from the to read in expanded form with an audio Fairfax, appears in two of the later Dory Basarab is a half human, half common-place, to the wry, to political and accompaniment. Company novels, this book stands alone vampire subject to uncontrollable rages literary. Each is a perfect match for the A more familiar name is Alan Dean and does not require knowledge of the and unacceptable to any side of her chapter’s contents that follow. Foster, whose “Pardon Our Conquest’ is other books. ancestry and subject to being called for And don’t worry that you’ll have to light-hearted reverse psychology. And Unmarried Lady Amalthea R. gives jobs by the Vampire Senate. She is hired wait another seven years for the next Canadian author James Alan Gardner birth to a boy in 1825 London, then to find a magical fey relic, but as she hunts installment of heroic historians. Blackout’s waxes romantic in “The One with the abandons him to be raised by others. the relic, they find that someone is killing sequel, All Clear, is due out this fall. ~~ Interstellar Group Consciousnesses” Edward Fairfax, raised first by the Bells, members of the Vampire Senate. If Dory Chris Paige which he describes as an episode of who neglect him, is soon shipped off the can’t stop the murderer, she may be next. Friends between self-aware star systems. boarding school. In school his talents The poignancy award goes to Mary makes him a loner. After school, he joins (Cont’d on page 15 ) Page 14 ConNotations Volume 20 Issue 3 In Our Book A Magic of Nightfall paranormal investigation groups in Arizona. writing, photography, spoken word, and by S.L. Farrell We are primarily science based and don’t go acts of characterization. 2) a member of this Daw, $7.99, 640 pp on an investigation looking for ghosts, we go organization. 3) Information available at www. This is a collectable among the kick- darkones.org ass supernatural action series, plenty of looking for answers. There is never a charge action, character and pithy one liners A Magic of Nightfall continues the for an investigation. Contact us at by e-mail at THE EMPIRE OF CHIVALRY AND abound. What’s not to love.[ maybe Nessantico cycle. [email protected] or STEEL, INC. The Empire of Chivalry and excepting lack of time to read the series] Twenty five years ago the Nessantico visit our website at: http://www.arizonaparanor Steel specializes in the general recreation of Enjoy. ~~ Pam Allan empire has begun to fall apart. A malinvestigations.com/ the culture of the Middle Ages including all of boy-king rules, but is ill and can be the Art Forms, Events (Feasts, Tournaments, Ceremonies and Wars) and Combat Arts How To Defeat Your Own Clone manipulated. There are factions awaiting THE AWAY TEAM: The Away Team, is a his vacating the throne. The holdings general sci-fi appreciation group that meets covering the years of 800AD up to 1650AD by Kyle Kurpinski and Terry D. once a month for discussion of various sci-fi and any location within Europe or its explored Johnson have been split in half, the Concenzia territories. For more information contact Bantam Books, $14.00, 180 pp faith has also been sundered with rival news regarding several mediums to include: Leonard Byrd (Tucson) (520)742-2432 Web: archigos [leaders.] In the west, there is television, movies, video, books, comics, www.galandor.org This book gives insight of the future war with the Tehuantin and their agents magazines, collecting, and so forth. The problems dealing with clones. There is are watching. meetings are comprised of news, review and A GATHERING OF PLAYERS- Find Your Now events are set in motion, a comment, BBS/computer news and help, Adventure some humor dealing with biology and too Our club is running into our sixth year. Join us many movies dealing with clones. They threat that will take Nessantico to the meeting new members, video presentations, edge of destruction. games, and socializing fun! Food and drinks for games and adventure set in the Dungeons point out what clones are and what they are provided, via a $3 munchie fee (per and Dragons realm. We offer Living Forgotten are not in today’s world. Farrell writes a sprawling Realms and Pathfinder Society. We welcome Interesting. Reality bites the dust in complicated novel never losing control meeting) to compensate the host. (No other both new and experienced players. Visit http:// this timely clone book. Prepare to battle of any strand. The characters have fees are involved.) The electronic home of the www.warhorn.net/gathering, to see what we yourself! ~~ Jeffrey Lu no moral ascendency over another, Away Team, is the Lightspeed Space Station have coming up. If you have any questions but rather are a mixture of villainy, BBS at (520) 325-6674.... Member ages for the email us at [email protected] sympathy and some just downright group range from 13-40-something with both The Breach THE JEDI KNIGHTS (Founded 1977) by Patrick Lee ambiguous. What they are not is boring. male and female members. Other activities This is epic Fantasy Enjoy. ~~ Pam include null-modem link gamefests, group Meetings are the 3rd Sunday of each month. Harper, $7.99, 372 pp theater movie viewings, convention trips For more information call Carol Alves, Allan Publicity, (760)244-9593 or write Jedi Knights, The Breach is a debut novel. and more. Have sci-fi fun in a relaxed, low- c/o Carol Alves 8038 “I” Street, Hesperia CA, Trying to get his life back in the structure environment. NO RUBBER EARS 92345-7066. Alaskan wilds, ex-cop Travis Chase ALLOWED!! For questions, you can call the BBS, or write to: LSS c/o R. Martin; 2522 N. LEPRECON, INC. One of the two stumbles upon a 747 crashed, its Sparkman Blvd.; Tucson, AZ 85716 Phoenix area corporations that put on yearly passengers murdered including the first conventions. Best described as SF/F generalists lady of the United States. Chase is drawn AZCorsairs “Founded in 1971 as a branch with a main thrust into SF/F art. Guests are into the future revolving around an of the Society for Creative Anachronisms, or welcome. The meetings are quarterly on the amazing artifact. Club Listings SCA, our primary focus is 16th – 18th century second Saturday of February, May, August & Allied with a covert operative he European culture and the pirate lifestyle of the November unless otherwise notified. August saves, he must save mankind as the ACROSS PLUS - So you live in North time. The Corsairs will extend pirate portrayals is the annual meeting where board positions Apocalypse begins. Phoenix and are interested in anime? Well as far back as Phoenician, Roman Era or to are deter-mined. For more information, there is a club out there available for you future Space, Science Fiction genre, and more write PO Box 26665, Tempe, AZ 85285; A new author to look forward to with publicly recognizable Hollywood styled pirate. the sequel due this fall. Though an action- people. call Mike Willmoth, 480-945-6890, Email Across Plus is a social club that discuses Corsair membership is largely volunteer- [email protected] Webpage: www. adventure, there are cerebral questions oriented, gathered together for fun and while leprecon.org postulated and paradox explored, a novel/ anime, video games, manga, other animation, helping others out. series that is hard to put down. If you like and the Japanese culture. We meet at Members of the Arizona Corsairs are, much MIB The Men in Black is the official global your action adventures with a mind you’ll Bookman’s on 19th Ave and Northern on like their historical counterparts, masters organization of field operatives for Steve love this one and anxiously await volume Sundays at 7:00pm until 9:00pm. of their own destiny. Creation of characters, Jackson Games. We attend local conventions 2. ~~ Pam Allan In general, we explore anime, manga, and complete with backstory with correlation to demonstrate and promote products of Steve other styles of animation, creative educative to history, period costume, and emulation Jackson Games. We also schedule demos in demonstrations, participate in interactive of pirate traditions and arts, rests on each local gaming stores as well as community Cat’s Claw performer, creating varied storylines and deep, service events. If you have a gaming store, by Amber Benson discussions, attend local Arizona conventions, and make cosplay. interesting characters. convention, or community service that you Ace, $7.99, 311 pp For more information, please contact Captaim would like to have official Steve Jackson We are willing to gain any new members out Max - Ambassador, AZCorsairs Games representation at, please contact the Cat’s Claw is the sequel to Deaths there who are interested. Our members are [email protected] 602-799-6184” MIB Arizona Cell Daughter very friendly, respectful, and fun. We welcome Leader at [email protected]. We are also Calliope Reaper-Jones is stuck in a any and all. BASFA Local Tucson science fiction recruiting new MIBs in some areas of Arizona. boring job, coveting fashion accessories. For more information, contact Todd Miles at group that puts on TusCon. Contact us at If you’re interested, contact us. You can find [email protected] PO Box 2528, Tucson AZ 85702-2528 or additional information about the Arizona As Death’s daughter she can afford [email protected] MIB at our website http://members.cox.net/ whatever she wants, but she seeks a our website at http://home.earthlink.net/~basfa/ mib.6361/ normal life. She keeps getting hauled back ADRIAN EMPIRE A medieval and to the paranormal world. Now Cerberus, renaissance recreationist club. Sword-fighting, CENTRAL ARIZONA SPECULATIVE MVD GHOSTCHASERS—The MVD guardian of Hell, wants her to repay a debt arts, banquets, masquerades, dances. meets FICTION SOCIETY, INC. (CASFS) The Ghostchasers are a paranormal team and, boy, do things get interesting. every Wednesday night from 7-10pm at non-profit corporation that puts on CopperCon established in 1995. This band of ghost Cat’s Claw has more twists than Encanto Park. All are welcome. Free. conventions, SmurfCons, HexaCons, hunters conducts regular investigations of a pretzel factory as well as one-liners occasional regional cons, and publishes haunted, historical locations throughout AERIAL MIRAGE JUGGLERS. Meets Con-Notations. Best described as SF/F Arizona. They also research and investigate zinging through the pages. This book is generalists with a strong bent towards literary “house call” hauntings for the public. The fun! Plenty of action, good characters and Wednesday 7-10pm in Encanto Park, 15th Avenue, south of Encanto. No dues, everyone SF/F. Guests welcome - meets at 8pm on the MVD Ghostchasers lead Spirit Photo a great heroine you will want to collect. last Friday of each month in January thru Workshops/Tours to various haunted locations If you like humor with your action, this welcome. All levels skill exchange in many September and the second Friday in October, across Arizona. These workshops give ghost is a must. Go get your copy. [I’ll be out areas of object manipulation Dave Davis November and December at Denny’s, 2360 W hunters, paranormal team members and folks looking for Death’s Daughter to add to my , 602-955-9446; Northern Ave in Phoenix, AZ. For information: wanting to learn the art of ghost hunting a collection.] Enjoy. I did. ~~ Pam Allan or Ron Harvey , 480- write PO Box 62613, Phoenix, AZ 85082-2613 chance to work and learn techniques together. 775-4690 for more info or impromptu juggling or email [email protected] Web www.casfs.org The MVD Ghostchasers team are guest sessions. speakers at many venues and have appeared Heart of Veridon *****C.R.O.F.T. Celtic Reenactment of on TV news reports and the subject of several by Tim Akers ARIZONA LANBASHERS LEAGUE A Fellowship and Trades is Phoenix based newspaper stories. For more information Solaris, $7.99, 473 pp Reenactment group specializing in the contact: collaboration of computer gaming enthusiasts, western European renaissance. We research MVD Ghostchasers—Debe Branning, Heart of Veridon appears to be a debut the Arizona LANbashers League throws lifestyles and trades concurrent with the Celtic Director—480-969-4049 Web page: www. novel. quarterly LANparty events. Between parties, Peoples from 400 BC until 1746 AD. We mvdghostchasers.com or [email protected] Jacob Burn: pilot, criminal, disgraced support is given to local groups who wish emphasize Scots, Irish or Welsh crafts and do member of one of the founding families, to advertise their own gatherings. We have Celtic re-enactment. We open participation ORANGE COUNTY SCIENCE FICTION no set genre of games and play anything to anyone with an interest in period crafting CLUB meets last Wednesday of every month finds a strange artifact. His world comes and entertainment. Demonstrations occur at (except Dec.) in Fullerton. The meetings are crashing down as he runs from both the from strategy games to first-person shooters to driving/flying simulations. No annual the Highland Games, Scarborough Fair, and built around guest speakers. We’ve had authors law and former friends. As he is hunted the Arizona Renaissance Festival. Web page such as Octavia Butler and Greg Benford. by machines and strange creatures, he is membership is required and admission to an http://www.crofters.org We meet in Tempe at Non-members are welcome. For details of stalked by something that will make him event ranges from $5-$15. See our webpage for the Pyle Adult Center SW corner of Rural and current events and location see our website question everything he thought he knew. current events. Email: azlanbashers@earthlink. Southern on the 2nd Saturday of every month, www.ocsfc.org or email [email protected] This is a complicated book, an enigma net Web: www.lanparty.com/all/ VoiceMail: phone number (480)350-5211. The Board 602-306-9339 meeting will be at 2:00 pm with the General PAReX is a non profit organization dedicated wrapped in a conundrum, there is action meeting starting at 2:30 pm. to building and promoting Autonomous on action and a cerebral subplot, with robotics. The club has been in existance since even lesser characters spinning plots. ARIZONA PARANORMAL INVESTIGATIONS We are a highly trained, THE DARK ONES (Dark-wunz) n. 1) 1998. Meetings are currently conducted twice This is a hard book to put down. It will An organization formed for the expression a month at two different Phoenix, Arizona definitely keep your attention. Enjoy. ~~ non-profit paranormal investigation group, and exploration of various cultural themes locations, http://www.parex.org/meetings. Pam Allan registered with the state of Arizona, providing including, but not limited to, the Dark Ages shtml. Club dues are on an annual basis: service to Arizona and the Southwest since and the Renaissance through forms of art Regular members $20 Student members $15 1994. Having served the public for 12 years, including, but not limited to, painting, drawing, Of course visitors are always welcome because we are one of the oldest, most respected ( Cont’d on page 20) Volume 20 Issue 3 ConNotations Page 15 (Cont’d from page 15) SPACE ACCESS SOCIETY Space Access at no obligation. For information, write the Club Listings Society’s sole purpose is to promote radically UFP at PO Box 37224, Phoenix, AZ 85069, or we know you will eventually become a cheaper access to space, ASAP. We think it’s call Jim Strait at (602) 242-9203. Web page: Convention member anyway Web page: http://www.parex. possible within ten years, with a little luck and http://www.U-F-P.org or Email to Info@U-F- org/ E-mail Contact: [email protected] a lot of hard work. Join us and help us make it P.org Listings happen! SAS membership is $30 for one year, RandomCon 2010 (July 9-11, 2010) THE PHOENIX FANTASY FILM which gets you emailed Space Access Updates USS LEONIDAS The Leonidas is a member SOCIETY A Phoenix based club interest- the instant they pass final edit, plus discounts of Region IV of STARFLEET International. Windemere Hotel and Conference Center ed in the entire realm of SF, Fantasy and on our annual conference on the technology, The chapter is an opportunity for those that in Mesa, AZ. Guest of Honor: Ken Ste Horror film. PFFS has been in existence for politics, and business of radically cheaper share a love of Star Trek to have fun and help Andre. Our game plans include RPGA 30 years, meeting every 6 weeks in member’s space transportation, featuring leading players the community at the same time. The Leonidas - plans include Living Forgotten Realms, homes. Dues are $10 per year. Membership in the field. Email us at: Space.Access@Space- stresses uniforms or other costumes to have the Arcanis and Pathfinder. Amber Diceless includes newsletters, an annual film awards Access.org ability to participate actively in various events - In the tradition of AmberCons across and various outings. For information, contact Web page: www.space-access.org/ as they present themselves but they are not the World, RandomCon brings you the PFFS, P.O. Box 34023, Phoenix, AZ 85067 or required. Chronicles of Amber in roleplaying form call David Storck at (602) 274_7404, e-mail: SUPERSTITION SPACEMODELING In an effort to expand membership the USS [email protected]. SOCIETY is Arizona’s club for builders of Leonidas has assisted in the formation of in a variety of games. PLUS Console model and high-power rockets and those who a High School Star Trek club called the Gaming, Card Games, Board Games, RAGE ACROSS THE SOUTHWEST A love to see them fly. Launches are held on the STARFLEET Science and Tactical Academy. Miniature Gaming, LARPs, and much Live Action Theatre Troupe based out of the second Saturday morning of each month in Students participate in a wide range of more! There will be a consuite and a small ASU campus in Tempe, AZ. It is dedicated to Rainbow Valley. SSS hosts the annual G. Harry activities with the hope that they will become dealer room. Our venue is the Windemere the game Werewolf: The Apocalypse by White Stine Memorial Rocket Launch every October. interested in Star Trek and join STARFLEET Hotel 5750 East Main St.• Mesa, Arizona Wolf publishing. Contact Mike McLaughlin Visit www.sssrocketry.org for membership as officers. 85205 • Ph: (480)985-3600 • Toll Free: at (602)461-5842 or write 1730 W Emelita information, directions to the launches and The USS Leonidas has a crew of 30. Starfleet (800) 888-3561 Room Rate: $59 S/D/T/Q Place #2025, Mesa AZ 85202-3144 or meetings, and to read the monthly newsletter, Science and Tactical Academy has 52 cadets. [email protected] “Newton’s Minutes.” Members age from 14-65 years old. Average and includes breakfast and free Internet. age is 20-25. Membership cost is $20 from January 1 RAW GAMES (Role-players & Wargamers, TARDIS is a Phoenix-based General SF/ Club meeting locations vary due to scheduled to June 30, 2010 and $25 at the door. Pay Inc.) Role-players & Wargamers, Inc. is the Fantasy Fan Club, specializing in International away missions and such, but usually meet in a now via Paypal on our web site at www. Valley’s oldest role-playing and wargaming media SF/Fantasy since 1983. TARDIS meets classroom at Apache Junction High School. randomcon.org or mail check or money club. Currently meeting at 8159 W. Weldon every two weeks at different locations around Membership with Starfleet International order to RandomCon, PO Box 67457, in Phoenix every Sunday from 12noon-5pm the valley. Activities include watching videos, is required. www.sfi.org Upon joining Phoenix AZ 85082. Memberships also (except during conventions and other special discussions, parties, games, and occasional STARFLEET a member is a Cadet. Upon available at Imperial Outpost, 4920 W. events). Open to new members - call (623) outings with more to come now that Doctor passing the Officer’s Training School Exam at 849-9515. Who is returning from hiatus. Many members the Online Academy, the member becomes a Thunderbird, Glendale, AZ 85306. Check maintain an active presence at conventions. Commissioned Officer aboard the Leonidas. our web site for updates or contact us at SHIELD OF ALMOR The Shield of Almor You can contact us at 2243 W Wagon Wheel The chapter does not have dues as of yet. [email protected] is a RPGA club located in the greater Phoenix Dr, Phoenix, AZ 85021, Voice Mail at (602) The dues to be a member of STARFLEET area. If you are interested in Living Greyhawk 864-0901, E-mail [email protected] or International are $15 a year. CopperCon 30 (September 3-6, 2010) catch one of our meetings the 1st Sunday of visit us at http://members.cox.net/tardisaz/ No newsletter, but members do receive an Windemere Hotel, 5750 East Main St., every month at Imperial Outpost Games (www. tardis.html activities E-mail update. No web site yet. Mesa, Arizona 85205, Ph: (480)985- imperialoutpost.com) in Glendale. If you are Contact : Jonathan Krieger, 480-677-0269, 3600 • Toll Free: (800) 888-3561 interested in Living Arcanis or Living Spycraft TEKWAR FAN CLUB Sanctioned by the [email protected] catch us on the 3rd Sunday of every month series’ production companies and the USA Room Rates $59 S/D/T/Q. http://www. also at Imperial Outpost Games. The Shield of Network! It is THE information conduit USS STORMBRINGER The Stormbringer resortmesa.com/ Rooms include Almor hosts RPGA events at the local Phoenix between the fans and the series! Fan club is a correspondence Star Trek fan club chapter Complimentary gourmet deluxe breakfast conventions. For more information visit us membership will bring you the following 1) of Starfleet, Intl. based out of Tucson AZ. buffet served every day and fresh baked at games.groups.yahoo.com/group/AZ_RPG/ subscription to the info filled Tek Informer The chapter was commissioned as the USS cookies served every evening. The hotel or you can sign up for games at www.nyrond. newsletter; 2) official TekWar Fan Club Stormbringer NCC-74213, attached to Division has 114 rooms so there is a good chance org. Or you can just stop by the 1st Sunday of membership card and kit. Membership is 31, Starfleet Covert Operations, on 10/31/98. we can have the entire hotel for ourselves. the month. Meeting starts at 10am. Hope to see by regular mail only and the newsletter and As of 11/29/98 there were 32 members. There Guests: TBA. Memberships rates: $30 you there. materials will not be reproduced electronically. are no dues other than the $15 for joining Star- To join the action and initiate your annual fleet Intl.. Members are scattered world wide until December 31, 2009, $35 Jan 1 thru THE SOCIETY FOR CREATIVE membership, make check or money order but the primary clusters are in Tucson, AZ and April 30, 2010, $40 May 1 thru August ANACHRONISM The kingdom of Atenveldt out for $12.50 to: Official TekWar Fan Club Plano, TX. They don’t meet on a regular basis 23, 2010. Please check the web site at doth lie in the state of Arizona. Within the fair (Membership section), 2522 N Sparkman since they are a correspondence chapter. Their www.coppercon.org or contact us at kingdom can be found six Baronies: Atenveldt, Blvd., Tucson AZ 85716-2417 web site is: http://www.geocities.com/Area51/ [email protected] for more info. Mons Tonitrus, Twin Moons, SunDragon, Tir Vault/9505/ and their contact/CO is Capt. Dave Ysgithr and Ered Sul. For more information T.H.E.M. is ASU’s science fiction and fantasy Pitts, [email protected] on any of these or for general information club. Weekly meetings are held on the Arizona

on contact the Kingdom Seneschal. Email: State University campus, with dates and places WESTERN SCIENCE FICTION Trivia Answers [email protected] Web www.atenveldt. to be announced after the semester starts. For ASSOCIATION (WesternSFA) A non- Mayhar Ardath 10.

com more information, Email them@themonline. proﬁt corporation that sponsors AniZona, the

org Web www.themonline.org ConRunners seminars, Across Plus Anime Victoria Queen HM 9. SOUTHWEST COSTUMER’S GUILD Club and sponsored the 2004 Westercon. 1951-58 8.

The Southwest Costumers Guild is a loose TUCSON FAN ALLIANCE E-Mail Address Dedicated primarily to educational activities

organization of persons interested in all is [email protected] or DMitchel1@Juno. relating to literature, music, and visual Friesner Esther 7. facets of historical, cultural, science ﬁction, com and performing arts, especially in the Asimov Isaac 6.

fantasy, and humor costume. Members are genres of Anime, science ﬁction, fantasy,

often seen on stage and behind the scenes UNITED FEDERATION OF PHOENIX A costuming, gaming and science. Applicants Gaiman Neil 5. at local and regional Science Fiction Phoenix area Star Trek and general SciFi fan for membership in WesternSFA must be himself Baum than more ﬁve

Convention masquerades. They meet on club. We are a social club that meets every two sponsored by a current active WesternSFA

the last Sunday of each month at various weeks at various locations around the Phoenix member. Dues are $10 yearly plus a $5 non- 19, wrote who Thompson Plumly Ruth 4. members’ homes in the greater Phoenix area. area. The UFP has been meeting for over 30 refundable application fee. General Meetings 1955 3.

For details. Southwest Costumers Guild, PO years of continuous activity. Dues are $15/per are held on the ﬁrst Friday of February, May,

Box 39504, Phoenix, AZ 85609 or Randall year prorated when you join; no restrictions. August and November, check our website Men Free Wee The 2. Whitlock at [email protected] or www. Membership includes membership roster and for meeting location Guests are welcome. For Herbert Frank by Dune 1. southwestcostumersguild.org monthly newsletter. Come to any two meetings more info contact Craig Dyer at WesternSFA, PO Box 67457, Phoenix AZ 85082 Email: [email protected] Webpage: www. westernsfa.org What is CASFS? What is really behind putting on a Z-PHILES are the ariZona x-PHILES. We Generic Convention Registration Form maintain a mailing list for news and get- convention? What are the funds raised togethers of fans of the X-Files living in by a convention used for? Why not Arizona. We get together in both the Phoenix attend a meeting and find out? We’re and Tucson areas. To subscribe, send an empty the sponsor of ConNotations, Copper- message to [email protected] Cons, HexaCons, SmerfCons and other Name:______conventions. We are a charitable, non- profit organization that exists to further Badge Name:______science fiction, fantasy and science fields in Arizona. CASFS currently Address:______meets at the Denny’s Restaurant at CASFS Business Report 2360 W Northern Ave in Phoenix The City/State/ZIP:______meetings begin at 8PM and are held on the last Friday of the month Jan. Phone:______Email:______The business report will return in the through Sept. and on the second Friday next issue of the month Oct through Dec. Every- Enclosed is $______for ______memberships for one is invited to attend two meetings as a guest (non-member). Membership ______convention. rates are $12/year plus an initial $3 (See individual convention listing for mailing address) application fee and rates are pro-rated for the amount of the year remaining. More info on __ Masquerade __Art Show __Volunteer __ Other For more info: Webpage: www.casfs. org Email: [email protected]

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