2 File 770:137

Frohvet Discovers File 770, and File 770 Discovers the Real Frohvet Editorial Notes By Mike Glyer

Nice to know that my fanzine is a ‘disgrace.' this back in the 70s I never had any trouble remembered the very first person who ever E.B. Frohvet, in The Knarley Knews #82 getting a hoax accepted. Fans are very bad at said this to me. Not 20 minutes after Robert guessing the perpetrators of hoaxes, partly Bloch handed me my first Hugos in 1984, My first response, if they have a lot of sugges­ because they’re convinced they’re so good at we were at dinner and my friend was already tions, is never profound relief that I have it. They think the postmarks on envelopes are asking me to permanently withdraw from someone in my life who will be honest with me a giveaway, and that other clues really mean eligibility. Could it be? Yes! Knowing that and help me do the very best work of which I something. Avoiding detection is easy. My hoaxes always yield to the temptation to am capable. problem wasn’t getting caught. My problem echo the opinions of their creators, I have Anne Lamott, Bird by Bird was that my darned hoaxes had the same opin­ logically deduced the real identity of E. B. ions I did. And were just as sensitive. (Frohvet Frohvet. Admit it, Moshe - it’s really you, Someday we are going to find out who E.B. is, too, judging by how he bristled about a isn’t it! Frohvet is. The answer might even be that he comment about his zine in Knarley Knews.) is E.B. Frohvet. My hoaxes soon wound up in the same bad When Frohvet first appeared, the grapevine odor I was trying to escape. I learned from this promised he was a hoax being carried on by experience that starting over doesn’t mean several fans. The hoax part never bothered me anything if you’re only going to say the same at all, only the ineptitude of immediately re­ things. Ah well. vealing the deception to the world, like those Frohvet’s reality was available for anyone teenaged virus-writers who must tell someone to witness at Chicon 2000. Joseph T. Mayhew how clever they are. No credit is deserved for said he saw Frohvet at the Big Bar, the “Focal running a faannish hoax everyone knows Point Fanzine” panel and at the Fosfax dinner, about. “So I guess he exists.” Mayhew describes Fro­ I was willing to believe that Frohvet was a hvet as, “Tall, thin, late-middle aged, graying 137 hoax. It’s very suspicious when an unknown hair and short beard, wears round wire­ arrives on the scene who’s totally familiar with rimmed glasses.” Tom Feller reported in File 770:137 is edited by Mike fanzines and seamlessly joins the discussions SFPA, “E.B. explained to us that 15-20 years Glyer at 705 Valley View Ave., in their letter columns, all without ever having ago he was very active in convention fandom Monrovia CA 91016. No animals met another fan. So I not only believed, I under his real name and was on the committee were harmed in the making of this promptly came up with a list of five or six fans for the 1983 worldcon in Baltimore. Then he fanzine. who might be collaborating on the hoax, based burned out. He used to write articles for Lan's File 770 is available for news, on the deliciously paranoid evidence that Fro­ Lantern under his real name as well.” Guy artwork, arranged trades, or by hvet, a ubiquitous letterhack, never tried to get Lillian UI not only met Frohvet at Chicon, “I subscription. Subscriptions cost $8 a copy of File 770, or sent his fanzine Twink in have a photo of him -- or at least, the top half for 5 issues, $15 for 10 issues, trade. However, if the only qualification for of his face.” Look for it in Challenger. mailed first class in North America becoming a suspect was to have no interest in I thought it was about time to introduce or surface mail rates overseas. File 770,1 would soon have to expand my in­ myself to Frohvet and mailed him an issue of Air printed matter rate is vestigation to the hundreds who’ve failed to File 770. He rewarded me with a letter of available for $2.50 per issue. renew their subscriptions. comment - and a big clue to his real identity'. E. B. Frohvet: “Thank you for File Anyway, when Frohvet started writing Iocs CONTACT FILE 770 770:136. This being my first exposure to your to Fosfax I had to throw my whole theory out Telephone: (626) 305-1004. famous fanzine, I may say it is highly informa­ the window. What great faanish hoax ever sent E-Mail: [email protected] Iocs to a zine full of book reviews? Fanwriting, tive and well presented, and justifies the ex­ even hoax fanwriting, is work. Authors of tensive praise it has received. Congratulations faanish hoaxes send their material where the on your recent Hugo Award for ‘Best Fanzine,’ Art Credits intended audience - faanish fans - will see it. and also on being chosen as Fan GoH for the Alan White: Cover, 2,3,11,12 They simply don’t have the time to raise a 2003 Toronto Worldcon. Kurt Erichsen: 9, 13, 17 smoke screen by writing to sercon fanzines. “That being said: Lest I should be accused Joe Mayhew: 16, 17, 22, 23, Besides, “sercon hoax” would be an oxymo­ of saying ‘behind your back’ what I would not 28, 32 ron, like “three-volume fantasy trilogy.” say openly, I may add that the obvious merit of Bill Rotsler: 10, 31 I was sorry to give up the notion that Fro­ File 770 does not in any way alter my opinion Teddy Harvia: 14, 33 hvet was a hoax. His unreality held out a that the perennial nominees such as yourself Julia Morgan-Scott: 12 promise that we, too, might choose to start should exercise their option to decline nomina­ Grant Canfield: Back cover over in fandom without any baggage. Just pick tions for a few years and let someone else have Keith Stokes: 4 (photo) a fresh name and overnight become that char­ a chance to appear on the ballot. If it seems Geri Sullivan: 5 (photo) ismatic newcomer writing penetrating insights presumptuous of someone as inconsequential Alan White: 7 (photo) about the fannish scene, approved by the pow­ as myself to offer such a suggestion to a fan of Gay Haldeman: 18, 19, 22, erful and cool. your stature, I can only say that it’s my honest (photos) Yet I’ve experienced that operating under­ and considered opinion.” Rusty Hevelin: 25 (photo) cover is not as easy as it sounds. When I tried His opinion sounded awfully familiar. I January 2001 3

Turnip Files Bankruptcy Will Forry Ackerman ever see a dime of the News of Fandom judgment he won last May against Ray Ferry, publisher of Famous Monsters of Filmland? Everyone knew it would be like getting blood from a turnip - and now, make The Blasted Heath And moving.” that a bankrupt turnip. Lynch passed along this news with Ferry vowed never to pay Ackerman, and Hutchinson, Kansas is rarely at the center of since losing the suite he has pursued legal any news, but on January 17 it was ground Julia’s permission. He adds, “The police have caught one of the thugs; apparently it's and illegal means to gain that end. In Octo­ zero - underground zero. Over 500 feet be­ ber, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Ste­ neath the surface are salt formations where some kind of gang working the area, because there have been several other break-ins.” phen Peterson made a finding that there was energy companies have dug 160 caverns to a prima facie case of fraudulent transfer of store 3.2 billion cubic feet of natural gas. A Ed Kramer Back assets by Raymond Ferry, dba Dynacomm, leak from one caused a series of fiery explo­ to Gothix Marketing Inc. The court also de­ sions around town. Under House Arrest nied Ferry’s motion to allow positing of Local resident Charley McCue - who just Ed Kramer has been in and out of jail twice statutory7 bond in lieu of enforcement while a year ago invited fans of The Dawn Patrol since his arrest last August 25. A judge ini­ they pursued an appeal to reduce or elimi­ to visit the restored Liberty 7 capsule on tially denied bond to the Dragon*Con foun­ nate the judgment. And Ferry was due back display in Hutchinson - wrote online that he der because, she said, there was reason to in court in November to face criminal con­ felt the January 17 explosion around 10:45 believe he could be a threat to the commu­ tempt of court proceedings because be had a.m. Going outside he saw, “A block away nity and might try to intimidate witnesses. not complied with an order to return certain were flames and smoke. All that appeared He remained in jail until November, when things to Ackerman and obliterate “Dr. remaining of a one-story building was its he was indicted by a Gwinnett County Acula” from the non-Ackerman-edited is­ back wall with flames mushrooming above (Georgia) grand jury on child molestation sues of Famous Monsters before selling the four story building beside it.” charges involving two brothers, age 13 and them to the public. That afternoon, geysers of muddy water 15. Ferry succeeded in putting all of these and natural gas erupted in a field. Gas leaks Then the judge allowed Kramer to be proceedings on hold by filing Federal bank- developed in several other parts of town, and released on a 24 hours later, tire site of tire original explo­ $75,000 bond, placed sion continued to jet gas flames 40 feet high. under house arrest My momma always said, The day after, a trailer home exploded. and required to wear According to McCue, “My daughter's best an electronic moni­ “Fandom is like a box friend lives about two trailers away from the toring device. The of Chocolates. You never know explosion. A place where she slept last Fri­ judge ordered him day. This scares me more than the explo­ not to have contact where the nuts are. sion.” with minors. More than 150 families were evacuated Kramer was out and schools were dismissed because gas was for only a few days detected in one of them near the site of the when police were first explosion site. notified that a 15- On January 21, officials sealed the leak­ year-old boy and the ing cavern with four massive well plugs, boy's father had been each 17 feet long and weighing 2,800 lbs. to see Kramer at his Crews in town drilled four wells to vent the Duluth, GA home. escaped gas still trapped in the ground. He was returned to [[Source: Chronicles of the Dawn Patrol; jail for violating his AP News]] bond and remained there until January Tennessee Home Break-In 24 when a local Chattanooga fanartist Julia Morgan-Scott judge ruled that be­ and her family, Ken and Alex, were victims cause of his special of a “home invasion” robbery late on Satur­ medical needs he day, December 2. Two armed hoods held could return home to Ken and Alex at gunpoint and took money Duluth - still under and valuables. Julia was able to run into the house arrest and un­ woods behind her house. der the eye of other She e-mailed Richard Lynch later, “It adults in the home. was very frightening, but we arc OK. Our [[Source: Atlanta front door is ruined, and must be made by Journal Constitu­ hand, since the house is so old and every­ tion]] thing is odd-sized. We are getting security doors and windows and possibly a big dog. 4 File 770:137 ruptcy on October 26. He filed Chapter 7, a com , or (309) 662-2020. agrees, “Fandom and Creation arc a perfect liquidating bankruptcy. For the time being, Attending members as of December match because our products and services his property and even his right to appeal the were: Bill Bowers, Carolyn Doyle, George appeal to the same passionate demographic, judgment belong to the bankruptcy estate. Flynn, Teddy Harvia, Valli Hoski, Cris which has the power to make and extend the [[Source: Bill Warren// Kaden, Neil Kaden, Mary Kay Kare, Hope life of hit properties.” Leibowitz, Mark Olson, Priscilla Olson, Extending the life of hit properties also Anderson Death Dave Rowe, Diana Thayer, Pat Virzi. At­ requires ending the life of competing mar­ tending memberships cost $40 through May keters, if possible. Fandom Inc.’s attorneys, Rumors Scotched 31, 2001. A half-price rate applies to fans Troop, Steuber, Pasich, Reddick and Tobey, Poul Anderson’s inability to give his sched­ who can document fanac in 1951 or earlier. sent a letter to the owner of the Fandom.tv uled talk at Philcon spawned rumors that he Supporting memberships are $20, and in­ site demanding the “unconditional surrender had passed away. clude convention publications. and transfer of the Infringing Domain His wife, Karen, scoffed, “It isn't true. Make checks payable to Richard Smith Name.” They also accused her of violating (You know Poul would never be so inconsid­ and send them to ditto 14, c/o Richard the Anti-Cybersquatting Act, punishable by erate as to make Locus run his obit in the Smith, P.O. Box 266, Prospect Heights, IL fines up to $100,000 per domain name. But same issue as de Camp's!)” 60070-0266. just to show there are no hard feelings they A couple of painful cracked ribs kept threw her a bone by offering to pay $250 if Poul away from Philcon. Karen attended and Corflu she agreed to abandon the domain name read his speech to the fans. Poul told Locus: immediately. “Rumors of my death have begun going If the changing colors in New England last fall amazed you, come to Massachusetts this In a rare transaction that didn’t annoy about. They are wrong, however well-meant. trufans, Fandom Inc. also acquired the com­ At present I am rather disabled by some rib spring and meet a bunch of people who think color changes (at least, on a mimeo) pany that publishes Cinescape and owns fractures. Diagnostic tests are in progress, Cinescape.com. and we'll see what treatment is indicated, rd are the simplest thing in the world. Corflu appreciate anything you can do to help in­ 18 will take place March 30-April 1, 2001 at form people of the truth.” the MidTown Hotel, 220 Huntington Ave., TAFF [[Sources: Lee Gold, Keith Stokes, Boston, MA 02115. Rooms are $129/sgL, Ilie FAFF race between Victor Gonzalez Kirsten Gong-Wong of Locus]] $139/dbl. Hotel phone: (617) 262-1000; and Tom Springer will be decided by the 800-343-1177. time you read this. The voting deadline is Memberships are $55 until February 28. January 31. Make checks or money orders payable to Bob Webber and send to: Corflu 18, P.O. CUFF Box 724, Mountain View, CA 94042. Elec­ With Malice Aforethought: Fans have won tronic payments can be made via PayPal. For the Canadian Unity Fan Fund in a lot of more details, see the Corflu 18 web page: ways, and Murray Moore might add another http://world.std.com/~webber/corflul8 one to the list. He made an international e- mail announcement on December 5 that he Fandom Inc. ’s is a candidate for CUFF in 2001. Moore sent Marketing Genius copies of his message to Garth Spencer, The MBA’s at Fandom Inc. have been work­ CUFF administrator, to Canadian smofs and ing overtime to find new ways to make fans newzine-editing riff-raff on both sides of the hate them. First they established Fandom, Atlantic. com. Now they have bought Creation Enter­ Moore’s nominators are (Western Can­ Bob Tucker, Ditto 14 committee tainment, the company that puts on celebrity ada) R. Graeme Cameron, Chester Cuthbert, member. Photo by Keith Stokes. Trek shows. They’ve also started harassing Andrew Murdoch, Dale Speirs, (Eastern the owner of another website with the word Canada) Mike Glicksohn, Peter Halasz, Mountain Comes to Tucker “fandom” in its domain name. Rodney Leighton, Lloyd Penney, and Tarai Bob Tucker has trimmed the list of conven­ Fandom Inc.’s press release about the Wayne. tions he travels to, but the ditto 14 and Fan- acquisition of Creation Entertainment, a Moore discovered fanzines in 1968. HistoriCon 11 committees will cleverly Glendale, CA-based company, claims it is Since then he has published many zines of avoid his restriction by holding both cons in “the nation's leading producer of live events his own (including apazines for Candapa, Tucker’s home town -Bloomington, n. - for fans of fantasy, science fiction and hor­ FAPA and SAPS). His first Worldcon was next fall over the weekend of October 12-14. ror, and invented the concept of touring fan Torcon 2 in 1973, and three decades later he Dick & Leah Smith, Bob & Fem Tucker, conventions almost 30 years ago.” Invented is helping put on Torcon 3 board as its Hotel and Henry & Letha Welch invite anyone the concept? They were hardly the first sf and Facilities committee chair. interested in fanzines and fanhistory to conrunners to put the money in their own Boxing Day Gift Hint: Lloyd and check out their web page for more details: pockets - but they may have been doing so Yvonne Penney have released their 1998 http://www.enteract.com/~rhes/dittol4. the longest. “With the acquisition of Crea­ CUFF trip report, Penneys Up the River and html tion Entertainment, we will bring our audi­ Other CUFF Tales. The volume also in­ Jumer’s Chateau is the convention hotel ence an exciting new dimension to the Fan­ cludes an essay about the fund by Linda (1601 Jumer Drive, Bloomington, IL 61702- dom experience,” said Mark Young, CEO of Ross-Mansfield, a list of CUFF winners, the 0902.) Rooms are $79 if reserved by Sep­ Fandom Inc. Penneys’ financial statement, and a memo­ tember 20. Contact: http://www.jumers. Gary Berman of Creation Entertainment rial to fanartist Joe Mayhew. Teddy Harvia January 2001 5

passed away in 1990, but enjoyed a renaissance thanks to four collec­ tions of his cartoons published by Ken Cheslin. (Regrettably, Cheslin also did not live to see the honor bestowed, having died last year.) The Rotsler Award: The award commemorates the late Bill Rot­ sler, the prolific LA fanartist whose cartoons appeared in fanzines worldwide. The winner receives a plaque, a $300 honorarium, and is honored with an exhibit in the Loscon art show. The award is given by the Southern California Institute for Fan Interests. SCIIT plans to donate the honorarium to a fannish charity. The winner for 2000 was selected by a panel of judges: Mike Glyer, Dick Lynch and Geri Sulli­ van. Past winners are Steve Stiles (1998) and Grant Canfield (1999). Remembering ATom: In 1954 Thomson ended his first letter to legendary Irish fan Walt Willis with a cartoon footnote. Willis’s en­ couragement inspired ATom to produce an avalanche of cartoons. Over the next 7 years ATom's fanzine illos came to personify the faanish spirit of the age. Willis called him "fandom's Art Editor." The way ATom worked is a revelation to the rest of us now used to receiving photocopied art or files over the Internet. John Berry wrote: "I would send Arthur batches of wax stencils and attendant brief story lines and within a couple of weeks a parcel of carefully packed fully illustrated stencils were returned. I can still recall the thrill of opening those parcels even though it was over forty years Atom: Photo by Geri Sullivan. ago." Most of ATom's early fanart was drawn with a steel stylus di­ rectly on stencil. Cartoonists are known by their stock images: in ATom's case, bug­ ATom Wins eyed aliens with blunderbuss ray-guns, pear-shaped beanie-wearing fans, "curly monsters", trenchcoated agents of the Goon Defective Agency, wrecked spaceships, and alien militarists in uniforms so Rotsler Award 2000 elaborate they make Michael Jackson's stage costumes look like civil­ ian mufti. The late British fanartist ATom was named the winner of the Rotsler Atom’s rich sense of humor and personal graphic style married Award for 2000 at Loscon 27 over Thanksgiving weekend. ATom was perfectly with the sophisticated, ironic tone of Irish Fandom in the the faanish nickname of Arthur Thomson, a British fanartist who was early 60's. the dominant cartoonist of fandom in the late 50’s and early 60’s. He

and Brad Foster collaborated on the cover, Write-ins were Beastie and Teddy Har­ shown me.” and Harvia did tire interior illustrations. via - it appears all the others selecting Contact DUFF: North American Admin­ A minimum donation of $10 will be ac­ “Write-in” failed to put down a name. istrator Emeritus: Janice Gelb, 1070 Mer­ cepted for the zine, and more is better, of After hearing the results, Steven Silver cedes Ave. #2, Los Altos, CA 94022 USA. course, since money raised from sales will wrote: “I would like to congratulate Naomi E-mail: [email protected] go to the Fund. If you are interested in pur­ and Pat on their victory and wish them a Australasian Administrator: Cathy Cu- chasing a copy, send an e-mail with a mes­ wonderful time in Australia, fin sure they pitt, P.O. Box 915, Nedlands 6909, WA, sage of your intentions to Lloyd and Yvonne will do much to promote Australian-US fan­ Australia. E-mail: [email protected] Penney at [email protected], and then nish ties over the next two years and I intend send $10 ASAP to: 1706-24 Eva Rd., Etobi­ to do whatever I can to help them raise Little Known Facts About DUFF coke, ON M9C 2B2, Canada. Make checks money for DUFF during their term as ad­ A File 770 tradition we could all do without payable to Lloyd Penney. ministrators. is getting the correction wrong, too. The “I would also like to thank Mike Glyer, final word on who ran in the first DUFF race Duo Wins DUFF Evelyn Leeper, Tom Whitmore, Mark comes from Andrew Porter. Thanks for Call it a delayed honeymoon for Naomi Loney, Rose Mitchell and Stu Shiftman for straightening me out! Fisher and Patrick Molloy, the new North nominating me and Joyce Scrivner for con­ “Dear Mike: I told you I lost the original American DUFF representatives - they were vincing me to run in the face of my initial DUFF race in 1972 to Lesleigh Luttrell, not married in 1999. They’ll be attending Swan- skepticism.” Rusty Hevelin! Argh! Lesleigh was OE of con in Perth, Australia, over the April 13-16 Another File 770 contributor had almost Apa 45, and they all voted for her.... I think weekend. made it a three-way race. Chris Barkley you had a ‘senior moment’....” North chose not to run this time because he may get a job he wants in Seattle. He promises to America Australia Total The SFC Chronicles Fisher & Molloy 89 3 92 run in 2003: “Over the next two years, I hope to make myself an even more credit­ By the way, Andrew Porter runs lots of fan­ Steven Silver 28 9 37 nish news in Science Fiction Chronicle and No Preference 17 3 20 able candidate (if that's possible) and worthy of your nomination and vote. Thank you will run even more if you send it to him. Hold Over Funds 6 1 7 “I really wish people would forward fan- Write-in 3 2 5 very, very much for the support you've 6 File 770:137

sf and horror authors. speculation how fans might be affected and The manuscript is due whether conrunners should get involved. in May, and the books That’s when they discovered they already will be released in late were. On both sides. 2001 and throughout The principal author of the IRS’ an­ 2002.” nouncement is Judith E. Kindell of Exempt Then, in his copi­ Organizations. The same Judy Kindell who ous spare time, Steve is is President of WSFA and was on the Buc- helping to plan a new coneer committee. convention for Mid­ Another WSFA lawyer also has a profes­ western conrunners, to sional interest in the matter. John Pomeranz “serve fandom in Min­ of the Nonprofit Advocacy Counsel at the nesota, Iowa, Missouri, Alliance for Justice will be looking over the Wisconsin, Illinois, announcement for items requiring conunent Kentucky, Michigan, by the Alliance. The Indiana and Ohio. The Alliance for Justice nish or otherwise news items to me, too, for first convention will probably not take place is a national asso­ SFC. I will run them. Wish I'd known before until 2002, but a group of us are trying to ciation of environ­ this about Nancy Tucker Shaw, Owen Han- figure out what is needed, where the first mental, civil rights, nifen, others; and about Lichtman/Carr. All con should be (it will be travelling) and so mental health, stuff Hl write up for the December SFC. forth.” They have a list you can join. See women's, and con­ Although I sold SFC, Pm still doing the their website at: sumer advocacy news, buying the cover art, and doing other http ://www. sfsite.com/~silverag/ organizations, and stuff on the mag.” Midwest_Comcon. htm its activities include His E-mail address remains: Oh, and by the way, he’s becoming a monitoring legisla­ [email protected] father again. “The week before MilPhil, tive activity related Elaine and I will be having a baby (working to nonprofit advo­ Alliance for name, Sterling, which will change upon cacy, providing in­ Fan Fund Web Site Justice Logo Irwin Hirsh has created a web site full of birth). Coincidentally, my sister, who is a formation to the information about DUFF, FFANZ, GUFF, mundane, will is also pregnant and her baby charitable commu­ and a few other fan funds that select dele­ is due six days after ours.” nity and lobbying to reduce restrictions on gates from Australia. The site lists of win­ nonprofits. ners and candidates, contains partial trip The Invisible Fan Now, if only we could work the WSFA’s reports by Hirsh and Paul Kincaid, and in­ Take the cash and let the credit go is Alan other tax attorney, John Sapienza, into the cludes news updates. White’s new motto. He illustrated the third story. He seems to have nothing to do with He writes, “There is still a lot of mate­ in a series of Bible-oriented construction any of this. rial which could go on the site. If you are books for children by Carmen Sorvillo, now willing help in any way please drop me a available on Amazon.com. But you won’t You Asked For It line. Any comments you have on the design find his name anywhere on the pages inside. When the X-33 Shuttle replacement that of the site would also be appreciated.” The According to Alan, “When I was first Lockheed has been working on was in dan­ URI, is: approached about the book, heathen that I ger of being canned, reporters from MSNBC http://www.users.bigpond.net.au/hirsh/ am, I had grander ideas of illustrations. I and several wire services quoted Tim fanfunds.html later had to redo every cartoon in the book to Kyger’s comments on the news. David Ste- a form so juvenile, it's just as well my name ver saw the coverage and realized it was Don’t Cry For Me, Argentina isn't on it — Fil put the cover in my portfolio, “our hero of the Phoenix Worldcon from so If anyone’s feeling sorry that Steven Silver but none of the interior. I was really crushed. very long ago.” He wondered what Kyger is lost the DUFF race, it’s certainly not Steven. Oh well, there's little I wouldn't do for up to. Tim answers: “I’m here in Alexan­ His dance card was pretty full anyway. $2,000.” dria, VA, a suburb of beautiful Washington, He’s about to join the honorable ranks of DC, where I am lobbyist scum. (A profes­ paper fanzine publishers. Argentus should Be Nice to the WSFA President, sion denigrated as lower only by the job of premiere in June, with a tentative lineup of Or Else! reporter and....er.. .IRS employee.” Kyger has been in DC for a dozen years. articles by Mike Resnick, Mark Leeper, Jeff The IRS plans to rule on the way tax- For the first eight he served as a Congres­ Berkwits, Bob Blackwood, Bob Devney, exempt, nonprofit organizations use web sional staffer with expertise in aerospace Rich Horton, Bill Roper, Pat Sayre McCoy sites and has asked for public comment. The issues. Then his last boss, Senator Pressler, and Tom Whitmore. controversial questions include: Does link­ lost his bid for re-election. “I was on the But wait - before Steven pubs his ish, he ing to a lobbying organization equal lobby­ has some paying work to finish. “I’ve signed staff of the Senate Commerce Committee, its ing? Should money these organizations gain Subcommittee on Science, Technology, and a contract with DAW Books to edit three from referral fees be taxed? Is an e-mail re­ anthologies with Marty Greenberg and John Space. Senator McCain became Chairman of ceipt sufficient for a tax deduction? Many Commerce, and, as is pretty standard, fired Helfers: Magical Beginnings, New Horrors, SF clubs and cons are nonprofit corporations everyone that had worked for Pressler.” and Maiden Voyages. The anthologies will and use web sites to promote themselves. reprint the first published stories by fantasy, Kyger then went to work for Pete The SMOFS listserve came alive with Conrad, who had started several space com- January 2001 7 parties after leaving McDonnell Douglas. let them lead and tried “Pete had known me from my time in Con­ again. We went through gress, where (cough cough') I had kept the farm gate after farm gate, DC-X (and then DC-XA) funded and flying. opening and closing them. That’s who I still work for, despite Pete hav­ The gates went from ing gone and killed hisself on a stupid mo­ elaborate affairs with real torcycle in July 1999. I still go over to Ar­ hinges, to ones made of lington Cemetery for the company once a old tree limbs and barbed month and kick his gravestone for every­ wire, with a branch for a one... (joke! please....!)” latch We finally gave up when the road totally dis­ Jean & Eric’s Little Run appeared in the middle of a large cow paddock, full To The Store Becomes of large cows, and even Shopping Marathon larger fresh cow pats. Eric Lindsay wrote these closing comments “Many hours later, for last issue's report about his motorhome back at the original LEFT: Richard Brandt, guest of honor at the trek with Jean Weber, and something about bridge, small vehicles September Vegrants meeting in Las Vegas. the new adventures they’ve had in the mean­ were being allowed time. across. Thirty seven of the RIGHT: Ross Chamberlain, Las Vegas “Considering the size of some of the forty odd train wagons fanartist and a GoH of the 2002 Westercon. towns we were visiting (as reported last is­ were sprawled onto the Photos by Alan White. sue), perhaps I should have listed their lati­ bridge and its approaches. tude and longitude instead! We completed There were broken cases of beer every- dream gig. our journey via Georgetown, the Undara where, as this was the train that takes the Freff wrote more than 100 of these essays Lava Tubes national park, and Charters drink supply north. Talk about alcohol for Keyboard. Now he’s moving the column Tower. We were expecting to get a flat tyre abuse! to the Web, at www.freff.com. Each month during the trip, but it didn't happen until “Still, we had a very successful shopping he’ll post a new essay on the site, plus two several weeks later, when the motorhome expedition afterwards, and even got fanzines reprints. The site also features artwork by was safely parked near Airlie Beach. We did printed at the Office Works. Caught up with the series' long-time illustrator Courtney discover that we didn't actually know what Craig and Julia Hilton, in Townsville from Granner. gadgets we needed to inflate the tyre from Doomadgee for a doctor's conference, and Readers may also want to order a hard­ the air tank that is part of the braking sys­ delivered two boxes of books to them. Once cover collection of “Creative Options” col­ tem. Extra gadgets are now on order (and in the rainy season starts, they probably won't umns called Brave Confessions, published the meanwhile, we paid a tyre service to be able to drive out of Doomadgee, because by Conlan Press in December. The release come out and fix the tyre). all the bridges will be under water.” price is $24.95 plus shipping. See ordering “Meanwhile, a minor shopping expedi­ information online at www.conlanpress.com, tion to a nearby town up the main highway Freff or call Conlan Press directly (925) 932- north turned into a three-day, 900 kilometre I believed Freff s boast at L.A.Con (1972) 9500. trip, when we tried to cross the river at Ayr. that he’d been awake for a ridiculous num­ A goods train had derailed at the only ber of consecutive hours. Why would Freff, Darwin’s Radio Wins bridge, and the road wasn't expected to be who always had twice as much energy as open for ages. We decided the map showed 2000 Endeavour Award anyone else in LASFS, waste time sleeping There were no cries of “Break up Greg. a way across the river a hundred or so kilo­ that he could spend playing music, drawing, metres inland, and that this could be reached Bear!” from fans at OryCon after the Seattle writing and performing? I lost contact with author won another Endeavour Award. on secondary roads, starting forty or fifty him a couple of years later, when he was kilometres back down the main highway. A There were no daggers-out SMOF meetings trying to get into Ringling Bros, clown col­ to change the rules, although it was Bear’s kilometre or two off the highway and we lege. But last December Freff sent me an e- were on dirt roads. Thirty or forty kilometres second win in a row. In fact, Greg Bear is mail and I learned that he’d ultimately made the only writer who’s ever won an Endeav­ or so and we were wishing we had the four a more satisfying career choice: writing wheel drive rather than the regular car. We our Award — this was only the second time about creativity itself. it's been given. Shouldn’t Bear at least get a did finally find an encouraging road sign In 1986 Freff started writing a monthly (the first since the highway), listing the lecture from E.B. Frohvet about the impor­ column called "Creative Options" for Key­ tance of sharing? names of some of the cattle stations. How­ board, a magazine devoted to music and ever some way further, both forks of the Darwin’s Radio (Del Rey Books) imi­ music technology. “Of course, my essays tated the success of 1999’s winner, Dino­ road were blocked (never, you understand, weren't actually about either of those things. at the fork, always several kilometres further saur Summer. The 2000 award was pre­ They were about creativity - what it is, sented November 17 at OryCon by editor along, on increasingly bad dirt). where it comes from, how it works, how to guest of honor Gordon Van Gelder, of The “We gave up, and started heading back, free it from internal and external barriers, Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction. only to encounter two other vehicles also and everything else on the topic that I could Marilyn J. Holt of the Endeavour Award seeking a way across the river ... remember figure a way to explore. Since creativity is Committee accepted for Bear and read his the river? This is a tale about crossing the intimately wrapped up with every aspect of apology for his absence: “If the ceremonies river. Since one was a four wheel drive, we human existence, this was definitely a 8 File 770:137 had been on Saturday, I'd be down here running organization that also sponsors the As time allows, they’ll also be putting up partying and blushing and complimenting Jo Clayton Memorial Medical Fund and the older shows for people who live out of town my fellow authors and doing all lite things Susan Petrey Clarion Scholarships. and didn't get to hear them the first time necessary to insure that I am elected the next Writers, editors, agents, and persons who around. President of the United States, fm delighted attended the previous year's OryCon, may If there’s a drawback, it’s that Warren to win the Endeavour award two times in a nominate works for the award. The deadline James and Suzanne Gibson, his co-producer row. Makes me feel like Frank Kelly Freas to enter books published during 2000 is Feb­ and spouse, are spending their own money to or Michael Whelan or Charles Brown!” ruary 15, 2001. Nomination forms may be get new audio equipment, computer hard­ Other Endeavour finalists were Calculus printed from the Endeavour Award's home ware and software needed to engineer shows of Angels by J. Gregory Keyes of Seattle, page: www.osfci. org/endeavour/index.html for the Web. However, tire figure he quoted WA, (Del Rey Books); The Mad Ship by for doing that is less than it costs to put out Robin Hobb of Tacoma, WA, (Bantam Spec­ James White Award File 770 for two years: Hour 25 it’s a com­ tra); A Red Heart of Memories, by Nina The first winner of the James White Award paratively affordable labor of love. Kikiri Hoffman, of Eugene, OR, (Ace is Mark Dunn, for his short story “Think Books); and The Terrorists of Irustan by Tank.” Patricia Larkin, daughter of James His Daily Dose of Iron Louise Marley of Redmond, WA, (Ace Sci­ White, presented him with the award at a Jenny Overkamp’s 18-year-old son Ben ence Fiction.) The judges for the 2000 ceremony in Dublin last October. Dunn re­ aims to compete in the Athens Olympics in Award were Terry Bisson, Gordon Van ceived IR£200, and his winning story will be 2004. A weightlifter, he took 5th place in his Gelder, and Josepha Sherman. published in Interzone. class at the American Open. Ben competed The Endeavour Award honors a distin­ Over 100 stories were entered in a com­ against adults, including two Olympians. He guished science fiction or fantasy book, ei­ petition open only to previously unpublished is ranked eighth in the U.S. which will qual­ ther a novel or a single-author collection, writers. The award winner was selected by a ify him for a spot on the national team if he created by a writer from the Pacific North­ panel of judges composed of Morgan keeps going strong. The Jr. World competi­ west and first published in the year preced­ Llewellyn, Michael Scott, David Pringle tion will be in Athens in July 2001, and na­ ing the award. Endeavour Award winners (editor of Interzone) , Dave Langford and tional team members get their travel ex­ receive a photo print of a painting by Port­ Michael Carroll. penses paid by the Olympic committee. land, Oregon, artist John R. Foster and an The 2001 competition has already been Jenny hopes she’ll be able to afford to go see honorarium of $ 1,000. launched. For further information, see the him compete. Bear reports that Darwin’s Radio is cur­ web site: She adds that if Ben continues to do well rently going the rounds in Los Angeles “in http://www.jameswhiteaward.com. he may be invited to be a full time resident the capable hands of screenwriter Paul of the Olympic Training camp and train for Schrader and Helen Hunt. Not that this guar­ Hour 25 Now Webcast the 2004 Olympics. Olympians can even antees a film will ever be made-but it's After decades on a local LA station, Hour 25 attend the University of Colorado at the ex­ great material for cocktail chatter. has abandoned radio for the Internet. Host pense of the committee. [[Source: Chroni­ “I hope to begin Darwin's Children early Warren James continues to produce the cles of the Dawn Patrol]] next year, and to continue my research into show' on a weekly basis and is loading it what makes us all tick—a most satisfying onto the www.hour25.org web site in the Medical Updates endeavour in its own right! Many, many MP3 format. Tulsa fan Tim Frayser was involved in a thanks to my friends and colleagues at Ory- The show aired for many years on KPFK, motor vehicle accident on January 3. He Con, to the Endeavour Committee, and to all a Pacifica Foundation radio station. It was made the trip to the hospital strapped to a who have written to me expressing their created by the late Mike Hodel. Harlan Elli­ spineboard. Roger Tener wrote in Chroni­ own opinions about evolution, biology, and son hosted Hour 25 for a year after Hodel’s cles of the Dawn Patrol, “This type of im­ the nature of the next human species.” death in the 1980s, then handed the reins to mobilization is standard for falls and acci­ Award Eligibility and Nominations: To J. Michael Straczysnki. Now Warren James dents where there is a possibility of neck or be eligible for the award, a work must be an has hosted the show longer than anyone but spine injury.” Tim was expected to return to original novel or single author collection of its creator. The relationship with KPFK work on January 8. stories published, as either a hardcover or a ended, said James, because the station tried paperback, for the first time in the English to force them into signing an agreement that language during the calendar year proceed­ Bill Bowers attended and enjoyed Ditto, would give them total control and ownership ing the giving of the award. The authors) then flew home and spent a couple of days of the program. feeling progressively weaker before entering must have been living in the Pacific North- The web format has other advantages, a hospital on September 27. He was treated west-Alaska, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, besides creative control and never having to The Yukon, and British Columbia—when the for pulmonary edema before being moved to run another pledge drive. According to a rehab center for a lengthy period of physi­ book was accepted by the publisher. If books James, “It can be longer with a more flexible cal therapy. He did not get home again until are first published outside of the United approach to the show's duration. Some November 27. States or Canada and are not entered at that shows might run 52 minutes while others The time away only fueled his desire to time, they may be entered when first pub­ could run 128 minutes or some might run for finish a list of publishing projects. That in­ lished in the United States or Canada. three or four hours. The point is we can size The Endeavour Award is named for the cludes Fanthology95, which he understanda­ the show to match the needs of what we are bly doesn’t expect to finish in time for Cor- H.M. Bark Endeavour, the ship in which doing that night, not to meet some artificial flu. Capt. James Cook explored the Pacific. It is limit established by people who don't care to Bill would also dearly love to be able to sponsored by Oregon Science Fiction Con­ listen to long form interviews.” ventions, Inc., (OSFCI), a convention­ accept the Silver Anniversary “make-up” January 2001 9

TAFF trip offered by the fund administra­ chest, but I also had gas in my upper abdo­ and robbed by a couple of youths. According tors. Has he officially bailed? As Bill wrote men and the pain was not the severe pain to David Grigg, in Australian SF Bullsheet himself, “Who knows? 1 fear Vijay and Sue that media accounts had led me to associate 155, “He was mugged for the small amount are going to have the thrill of their young with a heart attack.” of money he was carrying ($15). Apparently lives in dealing with one as decisive as I!” Helgesen couldn’t get an appointment they hit him in the face with a solid piece of with his doctor for earlier than the following wood, and broke both his nose and his jaw. Last September, Ed Meskys was unloading afternoon, so he went to work as usual. His jaw has been operated on in the St John the car at the town dump when he tripped Tilings speeded up once he saw the doctor. of God Hospital in Ballarat but he is home over a 6-inch retaining wall, fell into a shal­ “After he examined me he told me I had had now. He won't be able to eat solid food for low hole and broke his left foot and ankle in a heart attack and called an ambulance to at least a month.” Leigh Edmonds and several places each. He was in casts for take me to a hospital. (While waiting for it, I Valma Brown are past DUFF delegates. seven weeks and a brace for six weeks more. called my sister to tell her what had hap­ The brace was due off December 26. pened and that she would have to pick up SF Charity Benefit, Write Aid Using a walker, Ed kept up all of his my car. I then called the library where I In the tradition of Live Aid and Comic Re­ activities, however his wife, Sandy, inher­ work and said I wouldn’t be in for awhile.)” lief, a group of science fiction writers has ited countless other chores he used to do The ambulance attendant who rode in produced the first in a series of anthologies because he did not have the balance to bend back with Marty made the puzzling remark, intended to benefit AIDS and cancer chari­ down to get things from the floor or to use “It’s a good way to go.” ties. Steven-Elliot Altman created a “Write the stepstool to get high items. “As he continued talking it became im­ Aid” literary work called “The Deprivers For the first eight weeks Ed was also mediately obvious that he was referring to Project” and sent his editorial guidelines to unable to use his guide dog. Ed and Sandy the fact that my doctor had made arrange­ potential collaborators in the form of a fake wrote in their holiday letter, “Now that he ments for me to go directly to the cardiac medical brochure. Janet Asimov, Maggie can walk Judge is in ecstasy! For eight unit although most people with heart attacks Estep (MTV poetess), Katherine Dunn weeks he was not used once as a guide and have to spend a lot of time in the emergency (Geek Love), William F. Nolan (Logan's worried why he had been fired.” room before getting to the cardiac unit.” Run), Harry Turtledove, Sean Stewart, Tana­ The injuries did not prevent Ed from Helgesen underwent an angiogram and narive Due, Kit Reed, and the late Edward chairing annual convention of the National balloon angioplasty. He remained in the hos­ Gorey, responded and their stories appear in Federation of the Blind of New Hampshire, pital for about a week before being allowed The Touch, released under Byron Preiss's the eighth convention he has organized. It to return home and resume working. “I’m new imprint ibooks, and distributed by drew almost 100 people, and at the business doing fine. [The doctor] said I can do normal Simon & Schuster this past October. meeting he was returned as president for work but shouldn’t lift anything heavy for The proceeds of their work would be another two year term. awhile. I said I was using the elevator to go donated to two charities: HEAL (Health from the second to the fifth floors, instead of Education AIDS Liaison) and F.A.C.T Marty Helgesen suffered a heart attack on taking the stairs two at a time as had been (Foundation for Advancement in Cancer September 18, but at first he didn’t know it. my wont.” Therapies). “I knew 1 felt rotten, but I assumed it was an The stories involve a fictitious epidemic intestinal problem. I had some pain in my In October, Leigh Edmonds was attacked

Don't come to MYCON. I'm GoH, toastmaster, moderating all the panels, and star filker. I'm the entire membership, and we're booked up. 10 File 770:137

called SDS or “Sensory Deprivation Syn­ the party was the prearranged JP and the while we were in the middle of a storm. We drome,” a disease passed by skin-to-skin partiers were the witnesses.” still have a major bridge out. The area near contact that can cause blindness, deafness, Were rumors of Mr. Skunk’s demise the bridge received 36” of rain in 24 hours. 1 paralysis and loss of memory. Individuals greatly exaggerated? hi December 13’s In­ live near the bridge. You can't get there from afflicted with SDS face isolation when they stant Message, Claire Anderson is quoted here, for the next year. Except for the fact become infected and are restricted by law apologizing “for skunk smell on the last that you can drive around the island to get to from making contact with non-infected indi­ batch of IM’s. On Wedensday, November the other side of the bridge. viduals. The anthology boasts runaways, 29, arrivals at the clubhouse were greeted by “This is tire first time that I was both shut-ins, assassins, numerous frustrated love a horrendous skunk odor which was not pre­ paid and was published by a professional SF interests and of course, those ever elusive sent the previous evening ...” magazine. This feels better than the day 1 pockets of hope. Jim Shull, a brilliant fanartist who received my Ph.D. 1 knew I would get a Ph. There is also a promotional website: gafiated over 20 years ago, is experiencing D. I have a talent for science and math. That www. depri vers, com his own kind of revival in the pages of Time­ came easy. Fiction writing did not. I never bound, edited for KaCSFFS by David Sooby. had a class in creative writing. I had to learn A Shull illo has been reprinted in each of the around a full time job. I assume I will get last two issues, taken from Ken Keller’s better. I no long have a full time job. files of artw'ork originally done for MidA- “I have several friends who are staying at meriCon progress reports. More, more! their jobs so they can retire on more money. According to the SFWA News Site, I am talking about scientific, Ph D. types. I Philip Jose Farmer has been named as the suggest, give it up. If you will make a good next Grand Master. living on your retirement, stop. In truth, Julee Johnson Tate has been promoted what keeps us in science is the next question to regional trainer for the Department of and the next answer. I retired because the Safety in Indiana. [[Source: Kronos, 9/00[] level of my college students dropped until Michael Bracken has posted two articles the questions and answers from 1950 were at his web site about his long-ago fanzine, beyond their comprehension. The next ques­ Knights (aka KPSS, aka Knights of the Pa­ tion and the next answer is only firn if it can per Space Ship). You can find them at be shared or used. Writing SF makes that www.dpicolor.com/Bracken/knights.htm possible.” www.dpicolor.com/Bracken/footnote.htm Norman Hollyn admits, “I was just troll­ Changes of Address ing around, wasting some of Universal's valuable internet time, when I stumbled on David Bratman: E-mail: File 770 and the rush of memories came [email protected] wafting over me, not unlike the aroma of the Brian Burley, E-mail: [email protected]. Big Macs at the first Hogu Awards, lo those Cheryl Morgan, E-mail: [email protected] mmmph mmmph years ago.” Yes, nineteen- Drew Sanders, 175 S. Rio Vista St., Apt. 74, SLIP OF THE TONGUE seventy-mumble-two. .. A respected mem­ Anaheim, CA 92806 ber of the Hollywood community, Hollyn’s Joe Siclari & Edie Stem, 661 Hanover St., last edited film was Just Looking. Yorktown Heights, NY 10598-5901; He’s now working on a web site for Uni­ Phone: (914) 962-9624 Short Waves versal Music, and teaches at USC Graduate Victoria A. Smith, 1416 S. 20th St., Geri Sullivan, Jeff Schalles and Terry Film School one night a week. “The course I Arlington, VA 22202 Hughes plan to co-edit Science-Fiction teach is Intermediate Film Editing Roger Wells, 1701 Broadway #104, ' * Five-Yearly #11, scheduled for publication (CTPR535), a graduate school course for the Vancouver, WA 98663. in November 2001. “Lee Hoffman is in poor souls who have somehow gotten into Elliot "Elst" & Carole Weinstein, 7143 charge of contacting Arthur C. Clarke. I'm their second year or more of grad school Breno Place, Alta Loma, CA 91701. hoping to get down to Port Charlotte for an without a clue on how to look at a film from Telephone: (909) 941-7737 in-person editorial meeting with her. Well, a story point of view. And that's most of actually to see her model trains and such, them. It staggers me how little they know. David Bratman reports the owners of Genie but an editorial meeting sounds so purpose­ Cut a music video, and they can do it. Try to finally are getting entirely out of the e-mail ful.” [Source: Australian SF Bullsheet bring out character and story and they're like business. Please use his work e-mail ad­ #153]] ten year olds.” dress, shown above. Pomeranz/Overton Vows: John Pomer­ Marie Rengstorff leapt into the ranks of Roger Wells has taken a new job as anz promised a surprise if the Washington pro writers with the appearance of her short Configuration Manager at New Edge Net­ SF Association celebrated New Year's Eve story “A Singular Clone” in the January works in Vancouver, a DSL provider. at the Fabulous Bungalow. He delivered. 2001 Analog. It’s under her pen name, Michael Walsh wrote on SMOFS, Marie Ming. “Midnight rolled around, the ball dropped in Marie adds, “They had paid me back in Times Square, Dick Clark was hauled off to July. Friends told me that publication usu­ his deep-freeze unit, and John announced ally takes a year from acceptance. I was pa­ that he and Kathi Overton were getting mar­ tiently waiting for a message about the pub­ ried. There. Right now. One of the folks at lication date. They might have sent email January 2001 11

Gordon R. Dickson (1923 - 2001)

Gordon R. Dickson, author of more than 80 books, died on January 31. His short fiction won three Hugo awards (‘‘Soldier, Ask Not, ” 1965; “Last Dorsai, " novella, 1981; "The Cloak and the Staff," novelette, 1981), and one Nebula ("Call Him Lord, ” novelette, 1966). He was Guest of Honor at L.A.con 11 in 1984. He served as President ofSFWA from 1969 to 1971. Dickson's passing inspired Richard Foss to pen the following tribute:

Obituaries Gordy Dickson By Richard Foss Peggy Kennedy Another titan falls, and across the world there are moments of December 16, 1929 - December 13, 2000 Peggy Kennedy died December 13 after battling cancer for sadness, empty eyes gazing at tattered paperbacks on bookshelves, the past year. Both Peggy and her husband Pat (who died in remembering when they were new and we were young and 1995) were well known costumers on the East Coast for many rocketships streaked across our bedroom ceilings. years before moving to Portland, OR in 1992. They wrote the definitive book on running masquerade competitions, known We're running out of titans, the primordial Elder Gods. Now the One True Dorsai is on the trip from which there are no travelogues, there as the Kennedy Compendium. Peggy received the International (wherever there is) to join Tire Good Doctor, and Lazarus Long, and Costumers Guild Lifetime Achievement Award. She was the shade of H.G. Wells. Masquerade Director for three Worldcons and many other conventions. (And what that pacifist Englishman will make of the Midwestern saga Peggy contributed to File 770 occasionally over the years, writer, who knows.) when her passion for a well-run convention masquerade boiled over into words. She wrote extensively about the difficulties of The titans of old begat the Olympians of lasting fame, who bound directing the Masquerade at LoneStarCon2. Even under the their immortal parents in caves of rock with chains of bronze. best of circumstances, "‘Running the Masquerade, the most labor-intensive area at WorldCon, amounts to putting on a We put our titans between the covers of books, and in doing so honor them, stage show with almost no rehearsal on a stage which is being and reinforce their immortality. The titans of old were chained and used for other events while working with people who may mute, but ours will speak to generations yet unborn, and they will beget never have met.” dreams. The daughter of mathematician Norbert Wiener, Peggy grew up in the Boston area. She earned a master's degree in ______biochemistry at Boston University, where Isaac Asimov was a reader on her Master's thesis. During her career, Peggy carried out regarded fanzine, Habakkuk. With Al haLevy he co-chaired the 1964 basic research on steroid hormones, supported by grants from Na­ Worldcon and he was part of the trio - Donaho, Rogers and Stark - tional Institute of Health and the Atomic Energy Commission. She who co-chaired the 1968 Worldcon. obtained a Ph.D. in Toxicology from Albany Medical College and Donaho disclosed a bit of secret Hugo history in File 770:129 worked as a forensic toxicologist in the New York State Police when he explained how Fanner and McCaffrey tied for the 1968 Crime Laboratory for seven years until she retired. There she ana­ Best Novelette Hugo with a little help from the chairs: “Now the lyzed tissue specimens for drugs and poisons, and testified in court Novelette race was a close and long drawn out one. First Anne as an expert witness. McCaffrey would be ahead and then Philips Jose Farmer. They As a writer, Peggy had completed two fantasy novels and was finished three votes apart. And Ben [Stark], Alva [Rogers] and I working on the third in the trilogy. Her first novel, Dragon's Clutch, hadn't voted. So we decided to make it a tie. I don't remember for will be published in early 2001 by Panisphere Books & Audio of sure which one was ahead before we voted, but I think it was Anne.” Eugene, Oregon. Their website is: www.panisphere.com. Her book Robert Lichtman adds that Donaho was “Famous for great par­ will be available on-order through the Ingram Books distribution ties, good gossip, and his unsurpassed paella.” system. People wishing to order the book will be able to do so through any bookstore. Peggy wanted to help other writers and set up L. Sprague de Camp all proceeds from her book to go to the Clayton Medical Fund, an emergency medical fund for Pacific Northwest writers. More infor­ L. Sprague de Camp passed away November 6, 2000. He was pre­ ceded in death by Catherine Crook de Camp, his wife of 60 years, in mation is available at the website: www.osfci.org/clayton/index. It is April of this year. suggested that all remembrances go to this fund. De Camp wrote over 120 sf and fantasy books, several hundred [[Sources: Page Fuller, File 770:122]] short stories, and many non-fiction works - including my all-time favorite, The Ancient Engineers. He was Guest of Honor at the 1966 Bill Donaho Worldcon in Cleveland. He received the sf field’s highest awards, Bay Area fan and former Worldcon chair Bill Donaho passed away among them the Nebula Awards, The First Fandom Pilgrim Award, November 23 at the age of 74, several months after surgery for a the Grand Master Award for Lifetime Achievement in Fantasy, and brain tumor. Science Fiction Writers of America Grand Master Nebula Award. After discovering fandom in New York City in the 50s, Donaho An online report also listed the Hugo Award, however, I don’t moved to the Bay Area in 1960. He soon began publishing a well- believe he ever won it. Ihe writer may have been thinking of the 12 File 770:137

Gandalf Award voted to him as a Grand Master of fantasy by members of the 1976 Worldcon.

Rick Shelley (1947-2001) Author Rick Shelley died January 27of liver and kidney complications following a mas­ sive heart attack suffered at Chattacon, two weeks earlier. After bypass surgery at a local hospital he was moved to Vanderbilt Uni­ versity Hospital in Nashville, where he was waiting for an opportunity for a heart trans­ plant. Shelley’s first piece of short fiction appeared in the January 1985 issue of Ana­ log, and his first novel, Son of the Hero, was published by ROC Books in the summer of 1990. He published 17 science fiction and fantasy novels.

In Passing George Jumper, long-time LASFS member and past president, died of a heart attack on January 8 at his home in Seattle, WA. He is survived by a sister, Barbara, and his twin children, Jonathan and Jennifer. Jennifer Jay, of Peoria, AZ, was killed in an auto accident on October 21. The 17- year-old occasionally attended Albuquerque club meetings and cons. She won an “Instant Costume” Award in the Bubonicon 31 Costume Contest, and she was active in the creative arts at her high school, especially theater. While at home, she volunteered her time at the Sun City Animal Shelter, and had dreams of becoming a veterinarian. [[Source: Sithfacts, December 2000]] COVER STORY: ALAN WHITE

Does this issue’s cover look a little bit famil­ Alan thinks, “This might turn out to be a real iar? It’s not deja vu - you probably saw it in fun idea — a place where any faned can aug­ Ethel the Aardvark. ment their zine with free art.” Unlike Alan’s Alan White’s art is so popular everybody “Art Gallery” page, all the work on “Art-O- wants to get their hands on it. And he’s made Rama” is free for all. The web site address is: it very easy. “I got an e-mail from the Ethel http://members.aol.com/fansitel/artorama. the Aardvark people who've been to my per­ html sonal site and loved the so-far unprinted cover He’s also unveiled a web site called “Your I did for you of the waving robot. I told them Ultimate Resource for PDF Publications.” it was taken and I wouldn't remove the ‘File The address is: 770’ masthead from the art. I would however, http://www.iPDFinc.com do another robot piece just for them. Today I Alan concedes, “[The title is] a misnomer received my copy of the finished Aardvark at this point, as there is little material there, and was surprised to see they actually but soon I hope to remedy that. Since PDF snatched the robot piece off the website and publication is getting hot right now, I thought used it for filler — with the ‘File 770’ mast­ there needed to be a newsstand approach to head still attached. I guess that's a free plug such things. Decidedly not a ‘fannish’ site, for your zine.” although my only two submissions are both Check out his “Art-O-Rama” site. You can Smokin' Rockets. All publications are avail­ download fannish cartoons and SF illos. able for download to be read with Acrobat.” Every piece is saved as either a jpg or gif. January 2001 13 Chicon 2000 Worldcon Report by Mike Glyer 58th World Science Fiction Convention August 31-September 4, Hyatt Regency Hotel, Chicago, IL

Passing through the doors of the Hyatt him that if they had, at least Regency I arrived at my third Chicago they were winning those battles. Worldcon in eighteen years. No other A minor example was the building has hosted the Worldcon more way they solved the problem of often and fans have good reason to where to post party flyers. They keep coming back: it’s an excellent placed signboards in the convention facility in the heart of “a elevator lobbies on upper floors real city” - something that holds those of the Hyatt - there was no of us from LA spellbound, coming as repeat of the problem from 1991 we do from our collapsible movie set of of hotel staff tearing down a town. flyers stuck on the walls. I walked surrounded by the A major example was memories of Worldcon regulars who Registration Labor Day should have been there. Ross Pavlac. weekend Worldcons begin on Robert Sacks. Joni Stopa, who ran the Thursday, but opening general masquerade at Chicon IV (1982) and registration on Wednesday is an was a guest of honor at Chicon V essential strategy: even the 1991 (1991). But that is not to say I viewed Chicon registered almost 50% the place through layers of Victorian of its members on Wednesday, black crepe. Simply, it was fitting to but they hadn’t opened until remember them while meeting all the late afternoon. They’d also kept other old friends who did make it to program participants lined up at Chicon 2000. a separate counter that opened Room With A View: When a an hour after regular couple has been going steady as long as registration. the Hyatt and the Worldcon, there’s a Chicon 2000 opened general risk that they’ll start taking each other registration and emptied the for granted. Then the relationship starts lines long before I arrived on to fray. Wednesday afternoon. I walked There was nothing wrong with my directly up to the counter and view of the entrance to the Chicago registered, and also transferred River from Lake Michigan, visible my wife’s membership to a from a window at the end of the Philly fan. The staffer even corridor outside my 28th floor room. On spared time for me to admire the other hand, the inside of my room each of Bob Eggleton’s looked like a crime scene: the waste Souvenir Book covers before paper basket was full of trash, an selecting a copy. uneaten chocolate-dipped strawberry Sharon Sbarsky organized sat on its plate in the middle of the desk, see what was inside. I suppose it is ironic Chicon’s at-con registration. Randy and the door of the electronic safe was that fans, supremely sensitive to any hint Kaempen, the Registration Director, handled hanging open. Investigating the bathroom, I that they are receiving less for their money all the work beforehand and spent almost found definite evidence of Grand Theft, than mundane customers, found themselves the entire con in the registration area Towel. No detectives were needed, complaining precisely because they were working with Sharon and her staff. Sharon fortunately. A call to Housekeeping fixed being gouged like the Hyatt’s business wrote afterwards that her goal was to move everything. clientele. people through as quickly as possible. She Not everyone managed to “get away All The Last Wars at Once: It was a bit observed that, in fact, the occasional clean” from the Hyatt. Fans who stayed of a game at the beginning of Chicon to look slowdowns were caused by people dwelling there were chiseled for everything from $5- for hints of what the committee had done to over a decision whether they wanted a clip $25 for packages delivered to them in care make a better first impression than in 1991. or necklace for their badges, and dithering of the hotel, to a $2 daily mini-bar Quite a bit, actually, prompting Alex about which version of the Souvenir Book “replacement charge” if they so much as Poumelle to joke that the committee came cover to get. Registration was so efficient broke the seal on the in-room refrigerator to “prepared to fight the last war.” But I told that a Chicon Board member told Sharon he 14 File 770:137 was worried when he didn't see any lines, went back to the newzine office. Kevin doubtless more important than buying the thinking that reflected a tiny number of at- Standlee was there and he cheerfully asked, caffeine-free soda someone clamored for at a the-door members! “Did you hear about the constitutional gripe session. When I finished registering, I saw Sharon crisis?” Hie version of the World Science Fan Lounge: The design of Chicon’s sitting in front of a pillar across from the Fiction Society constitution printed in the Fan Lounge and related displays was registration counter, keeping an eye on her Souvenir Book left out Article HI, the rules exceptionally good. Particularly credit Dick department. She told me how she hijacked a for (lie Hugo Awards. I complained, “Drat, and Leah Smith, who were in charge of the member of another professional conference they were supposed to leave out the Concourse/Standing Exhibits. to come join Chicon, after noticing the NASFiC!” Kevin was already at work fixing Worldcons since Noreascon 3 (1989) person was using Whelan art as the the problem, using the newzine’s copier to have been filling the empty acres of wallpaper on her laptop computer. publish a complete version of the WSFS convention center floor space with a growing Moshe Feder joined us, sharing the news constitution. array of historical exhibits. The Smiths, not that he’s now working with David Hartwell Con Suite: When I said that Chicon may having space to bum, and wanting to place at Tor, as an associate editor. Sometime next have prepared to fight the last war but at mainstream fandom at the focal point of the year he’ll begin acquiring books, not least they were winning those battles, one convention, made a virtue of necessity by necessarily science fiction - he may be place where they only fought to a draw' was assembling the exhibits and high traffic selecting military books. That would take the Con Suite. functions like Site Selection in one large advantage of his experience over the years They converted Mrs. O’Leary’s pub in room near Registration. with the Military Book Club. the Hyatt to a brightly-lit lounge that looked At the end of the room nearest While I was in the area 1 also met like it comfortably held upwards of 200 Registration was the Fan Lounge per se, laid Takumi and Sachiko Shibano, who in turn people. Fans could sit in booths and at bar out as the reconstructed living room of a introduced me to the chair of the Nippon in tables. Any sense of crowding was Chicago fan of the ‘80s. The space was 2007 bid. minimized further by having several furnished with an ill-assorted bunch of old Behind The Scenes: I worked for the fountain drink dispensers scattered around couches, lamps and end tables. One couch daily newzine on-site, run by Chaz Boston the pub, along with refreshment stations full was occupied by two crash-test dummies Baden. The Daily Newzine office was in one of munchies. The drawback is that was all dressed as Alex and Phyllis Eisenstein - of the function rooms around the comer from they offered, dry, salty chips, popcorn, “Alex” in sandals, jeans and a Windycon 7 the Front Desk. And who should I find pretzels, goldfish crackers, etc. These iron t-shirt, beareded, with moustache and black already there by Steven Silver, head of rations have been the fare of every Chicon hair (suspiciously, all of it), and “Phyllis” Programming, whom I’d worked with before con suite. A tight budget was blamed, yet dressed all in black, a “goth” ahead of her Chicon. Steve said he was looking forward other Worldcons, including those forced to time. The perimeter of their living room was to the spare time he would have after the purchase from hotels or convention centers, lined a classic set of poor-fan’s bookcases Worldcon. He wanted to start a fanzine - a manage to offer more than the sort of stuff improvised from boards and cinder blocks. paper fanzine. There’s a hopeful sign, when that comes out of industrial-sized cardboard Spread throughout the rest of hall were a leading Web writer converts to doing cartons. Albeit that’s why I could tell the standing exhibits of artifacts and paperzines! con suite staff was doing a lot better job of publications from past Worldcons and bids, Steven was typing in program changes keeping the room clean: at previous Chicons, Dick and Leah’s collection of old repro for the daily newzine. He said one of the spilled snacks accumulated on the floor as a equipment, plus the Fan Photo Gallery. Site panels was down to two participants. With a kind of crunchy carpet; not at Chicon 2000. Selection and the tables for conventions bids frenetically gleeful edge in his voice, he Credible witnesses report watermelon and other fan groups lined the walls on the added that the job of recruiting was also served, and pizzas were delivered far side. It was an excellent showcase of replacements, along with all the other work at least two nights. Fans could also get beer frufannish interests. of running programming at-con, would be at the con suite’s bar, a crowd pleaser and Thursday, Seen In Passing: Janice taken over by Tom Whitmore Gelb’s Worldcon reports always “when the rocket clears the list the funniest t-shirt she saw at gantry at 10 a.m. tomorrow!” the convention. My pick for In contrast, I was just Chicon 2000 would be the shirt starting my first assignment for worn by Maria Pavlac that read, the newzine. I finished my “Your Village Called, Their Idiot contribution to issue one in Is Missing.” time to join Chaz’s a dinner Near the escalator landing by expedition. He wanted the two the Front Desk, Mike Resnick dozen people working on the was talking to a fan. Resnick newzine to meet over dinner at wore his name badge on a an Oriental restaurant called lavaliere which had about 400 the Big Bowl. Add this tip to Hugo nominee pins stuck into it, your Smof-toppers Scrapbook: so many that he looked like a Never count on getting any bandito draped in bandoliers of work done at a dinner meeting bullets. He asked me, “What do of two dozen fans in a noisy you think about a Calgary restaurant. You may have a lot Worldcon?” I answered, of fun, though. “Westercon yes, Worldcon no.” Thursday: In the morning I Resnick introduced the fan he January 2001 15 was speaking with as Cliff Samuels from Program organizer Steven Silver, in a clip Where the escalators coming down from the Calgary, coincidentally chair of Con-Version from his Jeopardy! win last June 13. Hyatt atrium intersected with a wide 17 where Resnick had recently been a guest Toastmaster Harry Turtledove introduced corridor on the way to the west tower of honor. Oops. Cliff explained why Calgary the guests of honor. He confessed to having program rooms, I lyatt catering has the use of would be a wonderful place for a future met the Fan Guests of Honor - Ann and Bob two glass-walled rooms that it ordinarily Worldcon. He might even be right. Passovoy - only an hour before. “We agreed fills with sample setups for board meetings Resnick also pointed out Kelly Freas anything I could say would be a lie,” Harry and parties. Chicon arranged for the standing nearby, and asked him to model the joked. “All I can say is they look like very boardroom to be cleared of the usual splendid jacket he had on. Flash Gordon nice people and they have a beautiful furniture so Bob could use it as his studio. himself would have been proud to wear the daughter.” He’d known Editor GoH Jim Bob’s demonstration on Friday afternoon, two-tone brown jacket, with its padded Baen and Author GoH Ben Bova much “Book to Costume to Paint,” involved shoulders and a series of enormous brass longer - they both wrote him rejection slips painting a complete portrait of Joy Day in buckles down the front. Resnick told Freas, at the start of his career. Artist GoH Bob costume in two hours. On Saturday, billed as “You could get locked in there and never get Eggleton had never rejected a Turtledove “Bob Eggleton: The Live Exhibit,” he out!” Freas replied with supreme elegance, story: perhaps that's why he leaped and created a painting of a dragon in five hours. “It’s a birthday gift from my wife.” waved joyously when Harry introduced him. Bob said, “I really wanted the fans to see Opening Ceremonies: Waiting for Then came the “long-postponed” Chicon the inside of creative working. Just how a Opening Ceremonies to start, I noticed Kathi bid committee pie toss. Apparently, painting comes together sometimes in front Overton and John Pomeranz in the audience preopposing members who paid a premium of me.” carrying on a whole sign-language dialog got the right to hit a Chicon bidder in the Standing “in the storefront window,” Bob with Robert McIntosh, eight rows away, face with a pie. At any rate, Mike Jencevice, not only let everyone watch him paint, he composed of gestures for finger-counting, Steven Silver, Kathleen Meyer, Dina often carried on conversations with his the gag reflex, and an imitation of an Krause, and somebody in a monkey mask audience. Bob compared his performance to enraged gorilla. I wondered - what was the wearing Tom Veal’s suit, took whipped Harlan Ellison’s feat of writing a short story translation? Looking in another direction I cream pies in the kisser. Preopposer Seth while on display at Iguanacon in 1978. Bob saw Dennis Virzi, who waved hello. I Breidbart wandered around the stage an surpassed that in one respect - he let fans resisted the temptation to repeat John's unbearably long time before targeting kibbitz while he worked. Though no painter dialog in case Dennis knew what it meant. Kathleen Meyer. Bidders who didn’t get hit myself, I know how hard it would be for me Kathryn Daugherty, who sat behind me, with a pie were standing near enough to get to go on writing if I had to break my described her flight from Seattle on “a brand splattered by flying cream: no one went concentration to talk to people all the time. new plane.” She knew that because the pilot unscathed. His ability to juggle all these elements and got on the PA and thanked the passengers in For the ending, future Worldcon chairs still have a good time was very impressive. a sentence including the phrase “never flown Todd Dashoff (2001) and Tom Whitmore Fans couldn’t seem to get enough of Bob. before.” Half an hour later the pilot thought (2002) stretched a ribbon between them and He also made a fortune in the Art Show. he needed to explain, “The plane has never Forry Ackerman ceremonially cut it, as the Bob said he sent 11 boxes of art to the con, flown before, not the crew.” representative of those teenaged Worldcon and only brought back 4. Fans wanted Kathryn also called her shot, predicting bidders of days gone by that Tucker talked Eggleton artwork of every kind: a sketch he the ceremonies wouldn’t start on time about in his interview. Observing the way guessed they would buy for $40 sold for because they couldn’t turn down the house Ackerman dashed onstage, it seems that 75 $400. lights. This proved to be the case. They years after graduating from kindergarten And if you’re someone who can’t get wanted to dim the lights before they started Forry still runs with scissors. enough of Bob, check out his website - showing a video. Associate chairman Becky When the audience poured out of the www.bobeggleton.com — which displays a Thomson made the right decision to go ballroom, many hoped there was a leftover series of photos from Chicon, including both ahead anyway, and the visibility was good pie and that Seth Breidbart would be days in the Fishbowl. enough. wearing it soon. Parties: I wasn’t there, but legends The video kicking off Chicon 2000’s Thursday Night: Chicon held its Meet circulated about the Chernobyl party on Opening Ceremonies was packed with the Pros Ice Cream Social on Thursday Thursday night. Fans feasted on Oreos and fannish lore. It began with Dick Smith evening in the Fairmont Hotel, down the Twinkies, and drank the place dry by interviewing Bob Tucker about the way fans block from the Hyatt. Hundreds of fans midnight. At 4 a.m., hours after the booze selected the first few Worldcons, including jammed into the Fairmont’s Regent and had run out, there was still a room full of Chicon I (1940). To make a segue to the Crystal Rooms in pursuit of free ice cream, fans making do with three bottles of tonic present, they showed a series of drawings of cakes and other treats. water and the remains of the Oreos. Clearly historic Chicago with informative captions, Live Painting Demos: Chicon was no these people were crazy, which may be why such as the one explaining that in 1834 the vacation for guest of honor Bob Eggleton. the host decided that was the right time to Hyatt was still a patch of mud under Lake He worked his ass off before the con, doing close the party and kick them out. Michigan. There followed humorous two Souvenir Book covers and assembling a Broken Blocks: The room blocking recollections of the Chicon 2000 bid and “coloring book” of his sketches. Everyone scheme for party, quiet and staff floors in the organizational meetings. These included got copies of these at Registration. Then he Hyatt broke down, the hotel having failed to scenes shot on Wednesday of the Fan came to the con and worked some more. His follow the committee’s instructions. Major Lounge set-up and documentary footage of live painting exhibitions were among the bid parties were supposed to be blocked Chairman Tom Veal mobbed by people most interesting things I’ve seen at between floors 20-30 in the east tower, but demanding solutions to their crises. Several Worldcons. their room assignments were scattered to division heads were introduced, like Bob did two demos in “the Fishbowl.” other floors. The committee coped by 16 File 770:137 changing the floors they wound up on to to guide them through the underground “party floors’’ However, Mark Olson warren between the Hyatt and Fairmont. observed that proper blocking seldom Number five, Ed Kramer, never showed up - happens by itself. Generally, it only occurs if - although nobody knew it, he had been in a someone liom the committee stays in regular Georgia jail since August 25. contact with the hotel prior to the con, Sharon Sbarsky moderated, joined by inspects the reservation printouts for Kathleen Meyer, Amy Thomson and Teresa members' names and makes the hotel Nielsen Hayden. Absent Ed Kramer of individually correct each oversight. This is Dragon*Con the dynamic of the argument also a lot of work. might have been lost, but Mark Ryan Erik V. Olson said the worst example of volunteered to joint them as the passionate blocking he knew about involved the defender of media and comics conventions. I division head for Member Services, who knew I couldn’t have hired a better asked the Hyatt for two connecting, replacement when I heard Mark declare, nonsmoking rooms in the committee block “When Dragon*Con is on Labor Day on a low floor of the east tower, and got weekend I’m going there, because it’s lots adjacent, non-connected smoking rooms on more fun [than a Worldcon].” an upper floor of the west tower, across from Two propositions threaded their way famous filksinger (and smoker) Leslie Fish. through the panel, first, that a convention The Hyatt was innocent of one complaint, can outgrow fans ability to maintain a high that they supposedly had removed the house level of quality, and second, that a phones by the elevators on each floor. What their differences by pummeling each other. convention must be big enough to reap the actually happened is that vandals opened They inflicted no injuries, and I accept the benefits of size, like having high-profile many of these phones and stole some of the word of another panelist, Cheryl Morgan, media guests. electronics - microphones, speakers and that they all enjoyed themselves. Cheryl Kathleen Meyer talked about the ringers. The hotel removed the broken wrote in Emerald City, “All of the panelists, Wmdycon committee’s deliberate decision phones and replaced most of them the next even the two from Fosfax, a fanzine which to limit its growth by continuing to use the day. prints a lot of very short reviews, agreed that Woodfield Hyatt, where they take all the Friday Business Meeting: I had two it was important that a review be rooms, and its distance from downtown for main reasons for attending the Preliminary entertaining and analytical. It is not enough discourages commuting. Business Meeting on Friday. The first was just to precis the plot as is the case with so Mark felt that big conventions benefited to support Chris Barkley’s amendment to many on-line review sites.” from a big economic base that let them change the Best Dramatic Presentation Farscape: I left the reviewing panel in invite more famous personalities. Teresa (BDP) Hugo. If you blinked, you missed it. time to see a demonstration of Farscape’s enjoyed breaking the news to Mark that a A majority in the room voted to object to boundless popularity. A presentation about well-known media figure like Neil Gaiman consideration of all three motions to change the show had just finished in the location comes as GoH to smaller cons that merely the BDP Hugo. Chris and the others will slated to hold a program I wanted to see. I pay his way. Money isn’t everything. “Even marshal their forces and try again in 2001. stood aside for about 10 minutes while the comics people have friends,” she said. My second reason for going was to room slowly disgorged a small city’s worth Panelists stressed the importance of commiserate with everyone else about the of people. They all joined the “fannish conventions as fannish gatherings, rather loss of Robert Sacks. Sacks had passed away clothing frezy” in the hallway outside, taking than shows. Most seemed to feel that the two weeks earlier and was sorely missed. An free Farscape hats and t-shirts given away benefits of a larger con must not be accepted infamous gadfly and a master of the WSFS by publicists. Most of these fans at the cost of chilling social interaction. constitution, Robert would have been part of immediately raised their arms above their Sharon said that she sees friends at various the podium staff for the first time had he heads and yanked the new shirts down over regionals throughout the year, and at a larger made it to Chicon. Fans debated the best the clothes they were already wearing, on con like the Worldcon sees more of everyone way to put his imprint on things; Donald the whole looking like a rave where altogether, but she didn’t believe that would Eastlake HI adjourned one of the meetings in everyone was violently dancing to a tune work at a significantly larger con. Someone his honor. (Another was adjourned in only they could hear. in the audience replied that a large con memory of Ross Pavlac .) Is Bigger Always Better? The question, simply forced her to sift through a lot more I had wondered if business meeting “Is Bigger Always Better?”, was aimed at people to find her friends. Amy talked about regulars would avoid sitting in Sacks’ usual science fiction conventions. I was interested “ways of turning a large con into a smaller place in the front row. They didn’t: Johnny in more than just the subject matter, having con” by going to the Fan Lounge - “Once Carruthers and Louis Epstein seemed quite helped Steven Silver pick the panelists. you find it,” she added, and rolled her eyes. comfortable there. No reason they shouldn’t. Fifteen fans had asked to be on that item, Teresa sees convention programming as Besides, if you’re a baseball fan you’ll know the second-highest response I knew about. I an important means of facilitating the what it means when I say - a lot of people wondered if that would correlate to an desired social interaction. “Program is the wore Duke Snider’s number 4 after he equally large audience. It didn’t. convention talking to itself. A program that retired, but not even Dodger fans remember In fact, as the 2:45 p.m. starting time doesn’t set people talking to each other later it belonging to anyone else. passed I began to worry it hadn’t even is a failure.” Friday Program: Reviewing SF Books: attracted all five people I picked for it. Two Avoiding Literary Scams: Brenda Clough When I arrived at “Reviewing SF Books,” missing panelists eventually strayed in applauded the addition of lawyers, editors Lisa DuMond and Rob Gates were handling muttering dark oaths about the lack of maps and agents to the “Avoiding Literary Scams” January 2001 17 panel. "When I say that book doctors are a onsite website, and Fan waste of money, it excites mild interest. Janice Murphy, GoH? Replace it When Donald Maas says that in his who ran online experience a book-doctored manuscript is chats during the Passe! with faanish merely raised to a higher level of con, generated a Knighthood ... rejectability, this really makes an impact.” tremendous web Green Room: The program interest in the con. We'll have a participants’ Green Room, run by Pat Sayre For the two-week Birthday McCoy, was well worth finding. It was one period ending just of the best ever, receiving praise from all after the con, the Honours list quarters. (Even better than the one at the logs showed there for Hugo 1989 Westercon, he said humbly...) The were 168,527 files spread of cold cuts and different breads was transferred, Gernsback. Sir incredible. For no logical reason, it made me amounting to more Harold Warner feel ungrateful to have complained about the than 994 Jr, Knight con suite! megabytes, sent to Reach Out And Touch Someone: 4,369 unique hosts. Commander of Before finding the Green Room, I passed the Dealers Room: the Blog, eh Massage Room. This Chicon went to the Mike Walsh of Old trouble to arrange massage for the masses, Earth Books said wot? in contrast with 1991 when a massage from he liked the “Sven in the Den” was a staff perk for Dealers Room’s 11 extraordinary performance. a m. opening time, kids in fandom and I think it’s made them To make it easier to deal with the an hour later than at a typical Worldcon. His even more delightful than of course they masses, those running the Massage Room yardstick for success was his belief that fans would already have been. Can you imagine had posted a set of rules by the door. Rule bought just as many books from him in what a neat thing it is to have three Number One was: ’’Please have bathed seven hours as they would have in eight. teenagers come up to you and say, ‘Mom, within 12 hours of your sign-up.” He’s certainly right about fans’ appetite there’s going to be a midnight party on Internet Lounge: The first Internet for buying books: the solitary complaint Friday night -- for the new Harry Potter Lounge was at LA.con DI (thanks, Chaz!) about the Dealers Room made at the daily book?’ And what I really love about fandom Chicon 2000 expanded on the concept in Gripe Sessions was that there were not is not one of those kids think there’s revolutionary new ways. They used first-rate enough book dealers. Chairman Tom Veal anything funny or romantic about getting equipment, including a couple of dozen assured that person, "Book dealers had drunk on your ass because they saw it all iMac computers. The iMacs multicolored priority. We didn't turn any away." when they were eight.” transparent plastic cases made the place look Fred Patten missed the ex-Soviet Bloc Bob Passovoy told about his fannish like one big Christmas free. fans who used to come to Worldcons and roots. At the age of four he relieved boredom The Lounge equipment was perfectly sell Soviet space program pins, KGB on the farm in Indiana by watching Captain complemented by the convention’s own On- identity' cards and other nonsense. He said Video and nitpicking the scripts, saying, Site domain, continuously updated with new Kevin Duane’s table of Furry pom was “That’s not right!” Bob proved at a young text and features from the con, and host to being ignored by customers, so Kevin started age that he had what it takes to be a fan. online chats with an impressive number of filling his idle time using an LED kit to Though Bob is a medical doctor, he pros. make blinking-light conventions badges. picked up what he knows about space Chicon 2000 had the greatest net These, on the other hand, were wildly science by hanging around fandom where presence to date of any Worldcon. Chaz popular - the ones I saw looked very cool. “You learn physics by osmosis.” After years Boston Baden was the webmaster and ran Guest of Honor Speeches: Apropos to as a fan, he had no trouble following what www.chicon.org, Erik V. Olson handled the introducing the fan guests of honor, Stephen Hawking had to say about black Toastmaster Harry Turtledove kept breaking holes. “I know about gravity. I own three himself up over obscure fannish references, cats, and that’s cats what cats generate when “...Remember Condigeo?” The Passovoys they sleep. And I know about anti-gravity, were practically the only guests he needed to because that’s what kittens generate and you introduce where he couldn’t fall back on find them on the top of the door. And I know their having written him an rejection slip that when we explore black holes in the far early in his career. distant guts of time we’ll go to the core of a Anne Passovoy said she works so close to black hole and realize that the reason they the Hyatt she could leave work on suck in suns is to concentrate the beam of Wednesday, walk over to the con, take off sunlight because the very old and her beeper, take off the badge that gets her comfortable cat sleeping and purring at the m and out of all the buildings at work, core with his gravity meter set on 40,000 cat then - pick up a beeper and put on her needs that sunbeam to sleep in.” badge... “And here we are in the year 2000 Bob challenged his listeners to a higher having more fun than anybody who ever level of commitment, saying fans need to be started with ‘See Dick run.’” willing to argue obscure points of physics She was happy to say, “I brought up three ‘til three in the morning and sing weird 18 File 770:137 songs even later than that. And be ready to Arthur C. Clarke, Willy Ley, and other W'as coming up on his 40th birthday and had take over a department at a convention people whose names they had known. A spent half his life around science fiction because the department head has been couple of drinks at the bar also helped. That fandom. He considered himself lucky to kidnapped by aliens. He asked, “Do you was Bova’s first convention. have the level of interaction with people have what it takes to be a fan?” Having As his writing career took off, one day about what they like and don’t like, saying trouble getting enough volunteers, Bob Isaac Asimov told him to expect a call from most other people have a one-way job chose the better part of valor and ran Cele Goldsmith of Amazing Stories. She’d without feedback. “The world outside needs offstage with Aime. asked Asimov to write a series about life on a strong dose of imagination.” He strongly Harry Turtledove’s introduction of Ben other worlds, but he didn’t have time and encouraged everyone to discover what fires Bova included the memory of finding a Bova told her “my pal Ben Bova knows more his or her imagination and “live there.” novel on sale in the bookstore in Dublin, about it than I do.” Isaac calmed Bova down, Saturday Hugo Rehearsal: One of my Ireland where he’d mainly been buying reasoning, ‘TH tell you everything I know. first stops on Saturday was in the Fairmont obscure Penguin Classics unavailable in the You must know something I don’t. where Team Hugo had requested the States, and the suspicious look a clerk gave Therefore you’ll know' more than 1 do.” nominees and presenters come by for a him when he bought that book. Once Bova Bova told many more funny stories about rehearsal. Had I only been a nominee I became an editor Harry kept trying to sell his experiences with the genre’s most would have skipped it, assuming that if I him stories. And missing. Harry said his famous writers. Then he ended with a won I could dazedly stagger onto the stage as early relationship with Bova consisted of fervent pitch for us to get started exploring well as the next fan. But I’d been asked to accumulating rejection slips from Analog space: one would expect nothing less. present the Best Semiprozine Hugo and felt 1 and Omni, and an especially rare one from Turtledove also talked about his rejection owed it to them to learn what they wanted Nova - the magazine title they discarded in slips from Jun Baen, who then came onstage me to do. favor of Omni. and claimed his deal with the committee Entering the hall I saw a low stage on Ben Bova reminded listeners about his was that he didn’t have to give a speech. risers, holding two big video screens. They South Philadelphia origins, saying his high Maybe the rest of Baen’s talk was an were festooned with black gauze printed school was so tough the school paper had an especially good fanzine article? with a galaxy of gold stars. The screens were obituary column. He got hooked on science Jim Baen said we’ve all laughed at Star showing, soundlessly, random clips from the during a field trip to the planetarium - it Trek’s idea that it takes nothing more to Academy Awards that helped psych turned out that big bug light in the middle of make an alien than to give a human being a everyone up for the big night. Dave Stein of the room could project stars on the ceiling, funny forehead or a strange birthmark. As Team Hugo only needed five minutes to and that was impressive. soon as we laughed, Baen turned the tables explain how simple my job would be. I After finishing high school he sat in his on us and defended the notion of humanoid found out that the awards wouldn’t be given parents’ basement and typed “the great aliens. He explained why any planet with in the usual fan-first order. This mattered to American science fiction novel.” It got trees would evolve a dominant bipedal tree­ me only because I wouldn’t have the luxury rejected by every publisher in New York. dwelling species, and why that species, in of knowing the outcome of my two When he tried a local Philadelphia company, order to prevail over its environment, would nominations before I had to go on stage, the editor called him into his office and told need to develop family and behavioral traits which would make it easier to focus on what him the novel wasn’t all that bad but it had a much like our own. I needed to say and do. crazy plot - that Russians got into space Artist GoH Bob Eggleton picked up the Dave showed me the camera set-up, first, and the Americans launched a crash thread from Baen, saying, “By the way, Jun, adding that since they’d had to hire a union program to get to the Moon before they I’m an alien - I have birthmarks.” But he cameraman they were letting him get could. Right about then Senator Joe mainly spoke seriously, remarking that he creative. He pointed out tire table full of tech McCarthy was a powerful gear where the Canadian figure, and the editor advised version of the Sci-Fi Channel Bova to stay away from such planned to record the video for political ideas. use in a documentary. The Sci- The story didn’t seem so Fi Channel itself would be at radical a few years later, and the next table providing by 1956 Bova was working as a Internet coverage of the junior technical writer at a awards. company involved in the rocket The group of Japanese fans program. He got a phone call who’d be presenting the Seiun from Dave Kyle asking him to Awards arrived while Dave bring two engineers to the finished his explanation. He Worldcon in New York. Once w'as giving them a backstage they got to the hotel Bova had tour when I left. to drag the engineers out of the Caves of Paper: Saturday elevator to the program, was the first day of the actual because the first thing they saw weekend, and that helped when the doors opened was make it the Worldcon’s peak Forrest J Ackerman standing - . _ . . ... _ .. „ attendance day. Additional next to a picture of a monsteT Best Fanzine nominees at Hugo Reception: Dick & people meant increased the Bova got the engineers calmed Nicki Lynch, Mike Scott, Stephen Davies, Guy H. Lillian gridlock in the corridors around down, introducing them to III and Mike Glyer. Photo by Gay Haldeman. the Hyatt’s Grand Ballroom. January 2001 19

Chiton (again) had lined these corridors had his membership badge blown off with message boards, newsletter pick-up and watched it flutter into a stations and flyer distribution boards. There construction site below, landing gently was room for four fans to walk abreast — on a backhoe. He flagged down a cab but since there were always fans stopped in and had it let him off in front of the front of the flyer boards that reduced site. He looked through the chain-link everyone to walking single tile in both fence until he heard a voice shout, directions. “Whaddaya want?!” It was a stereotype Jack Chalker passed me in the hall riding fat security guard sitting in his car, an electric cart. Jack said he mangled his leg which was parked inside the fence. falling from a ferryboat back in Maryland. Porter said, “I’ll give you $20 if you get Eva Whitley Chalker told me that when Jack my badge.” To reach it, the guard had was in the emergency room another doctor to crawl back through a lot of came in and asked he was the Jack Chalker construction iron and pipes, so Porter who “wrote all those books.” It was Michael upped the reward to $40 and Kerr, who has ties to Northwestern fandom photographed the guard holding the but now works at the Carroll County badge triumphantly. General emergency room. Meantime, I was looking for New Classic Science Fiction Art Show: York and other fans who might know Unless you’ve been around fandom as long _ . _ .. . , how to pronounce the last name of as, say, Alex and Phyllis Eisenstein, you Best Fanwriter nominees arranged Semiprozine nominee Ariel Hameon. probably missed all those auctions and art by Size, height, male and female. Mike Porter, Jay Kay Klein, and Charles shows where fans got to buy the classic Glyer, Steven Silver, Evelyn Leeper. Mohapel had three different theories. covers and drawings that illustrated some of Photo by Gay Haldeman. When Dave Hartwell came in I got an the genre’s most famous stories. The couple ------authoritative answer. gave Chicon 2000 a historic opportunity to Memorial: Steven Silver added tins item to I sat down with Glen Boettcher and borrow and exhibit some of these the program shortly before the con and asked Nancy Mildebrandt. Glen was buoyant irreplaceable artworks. me to be the moderator. He said the because Jeff Walker had designated him to Reviewing a list of the artists, authors committee wanted to do it because “Ross accept the Hugo if The Matrix, Iron Giant or and stories associated with the various was a driving force on the committee until Sixth Sense won. Ten seconds after he pieces in the display is like boarding a time he died and without him, this year's explained that to me word passed through machine back to the Golden Age of SF. convention very' well may have been held the room that the script writer and producer There were over 200 covers from prozines elsewhere.” Other members of the sf of Galaxy Quest had arrived in person, and and paperbacks and interior illustrations by community who had passed away since last Glen started to worry that pair would beat Ed Emshwiller, Frank Kelly Freas, Edd year were commemorated at the his three aces. Cartier, John Schoenherr, Ed Valigursky, "Remembering Our Losses" panel. Hugo Ceremonies: Before Forty Richard M. Powers, Mel Hunter, Wallace The late addition meant the item wasn’t Ackerman announced the winner of the Big Wood, H. R. van Dongen, and others of in the Pocket Program, leaving me free to Heart Award, he explained that he’s handed note. The display included one of my all- speculate how many people would come. I over its administration to Dave Kyle. Then time favorites, Kelly Freas’ 1954 underestimated that Steve really meant it Forty read the quote on engraved on the first Astounding cover for That Sweet Little Old when he said “the committee wanted to do Big Heart plaque being given tonight: “I Lady. it.” The Chicon leadership interrupted know I’ll never get one of these.” It was an Alex and Phyllis labored for 17 hours to everything they were doing to attend. I overheard remark from this year’s first put up the exhibit and 5 hours to take it counted over 30 people there. I was glad winner and Forty teased him: “As a science down. The show was covered under a Maria Pavlac decided she could handle fiction writer he’s a lousy predicter.” The special $1 million insurance policy obtained being there. She joined in, adding the winner was Robert Silverberg. by Chicon. missing details of stories people wanted to The audience showed its approval by Although most of the art came from the tell about Ross. applauding vigorously. Silverberg was Eisenstein’s own phenomenal collection, Hugo Nominees Reception: If there was moved, though managed to display some of some was brought by others. Fred Patten a Geiger counter equipped to measure his trademark irony by commenting, “These wrestled a large box of paintings along with calories and someone held it up to the are given to good people who have never the rest of his luggage in order to deliver dessert table at the Hugo Nominees said a word of sarcasm. Gentle, good- several pieces he owns: Kelly Freas’ original Reception it would have emitted a squeal of natured people with hearts full of covers from Astounding for “Omnilingual” sound louder than a scalded pig - quite compassion.” by H. Beam Piper and from If for “Pipe appropriately so. A groaning trestle of Dave Kyle said “The Big Heart is an Dream” by Fritz Leiber, Ed Emshwiller’s cheesecake, fresh-baked chocolate chip award for the best within our own cover for The Incomplete Enchanter by cookies and fruit tarts was sacrificed to the community of fans.” The second one went to DeCamp and Pratt, and Jack Gaughan’s nominees and their guests. Some veggies the absent Jack Williamson. Silverberg Galaxy cover for The Dragon Masters by and dip might have been in there, too, accepted it for him, adding “If there really Jack Vance. Also in Fred’s box was a piece though don’t know how anyone found them. was a nice man, or a lovable man, it’s Jack loaned by Bruce Pelz, Freas’ Astounding People walking over to the Fairmont Williamson.” Everyone was impressed to cover for “Profession” by Isaac Asimov. from other hotels were finding out anew why hear that Williamson would have a story in Saturday Program: Ross Pavlac they call it the Windy City. Andrew Porter the next Analog. 20 File 770:137

To the accompaniment of Liszt's Les to read all the typos on the slides as it was from Jeff Smith, executor of Alice Sheldon’s Preludes and images of Flash Gordon's for trained musicians to hear the school band estate, who said Sheldon would have been rocket on the big video screens, Toastmaster at the beginning of Mr. Holland’s Opus. pleased to win because the story received Harn Turtledove was escorted to the stage Patrick Nielsen Hayden, horrified, took little attention in her lifetime. by someone in a furry costume. notes and ended up with a list of 10 Mike Resnick also won a Seiun, and Janice Gelb sat alongside me in the misspelled names and titles. came back a bit later to present tire Best audience. She ran the Hugo Ceremony at L. Team Hugo seemed like nice people, but Novelette Hugo. He introduced the award by A.con UI and firmly believes in having their production communicated that they saying a single great novelette can make a tuxedoed “studmuffins” as stage escorts. didn’t care very much about tire quality. writer’s reputation, then recited a long list of Chicon 2000 used people in hall costumes. Two other aspects were even worse than the very famous examples before springing the Janice was quite put off to see Harry’s escort typos. ironic surprise: not one of them received the was a gray-headed alien with a giant gill They used PowerPoint technology to Hugo. fringe, wearing an olive-green tablecloth. I project title slides on the video screens. I see When Martin Hoare accepted Dave reassured her, “He may be very studly on his a lot of PowerPoint stuff at work and the Langford's Best Fanwriter Hugo he home planet.” operator just about never gets to the end promised that sf blockbuster “The Collected Harry saved his A material for tonight, without accidentally flashing the thumbnail Hugo Acceptance Speeches of Dave beginning, “I’ll be your waiter - tonight’s screen containing all his slides in miniature. Langford” was already in production as a specials: rocketship and crow.” He called The same problem happened twice during movie. Langford is now a byword in the himself “The Readers Digest condensed the Hugos. The thumbnails were quite category: even Hugo Administrator Michael version of the Democratic ticket: I have visible on the big screen and a quick reader Nelson felt free to phrase the news of my Leiberman’s Judaism and Al Gore’s could spot the names of upcoming winners. own nomination as being “nominated for charisma.” The souvenir booklet distributed to the Dave’s Other Award.” (This literally Harry noted the way he’s fictionally audience contained the worst examples of happened - and I thought it was pretty destroyed various cities and that fans have negligence. Shane Tourtellotte’s bio as a funny, myself.) then made him GoH at conventions in these Campbell Award nominee consisted of, “We Chicon’s GoH’s handed out some of the same cities. “Something dreadful is going to lost it;. We’re very, very sorry. It’s not his last few Hugos. Just before giving the Best happen to Maui really soon.” fault.” Several entries consisted of even less, Pro Artist Hugo, veteran art auctioneer Bob Harry’s chores included announcing the either the bizarre claim that no information Passovoy mused, “They don’t give a Hugo winners of the student writing contests. A was available about the person at press time for bad checks. Bob Eggleton gave the new generation of writers seems to be (ever heard of the World Wide Web?) or in Dramatic Presentation Hugo, revving up the growing up under his roof: daughter Rachel the case of Locus nothing at all. It's audience with a trademark flip of his hair, was a winner in one category, and two more unfathomable to me why Team Hugo just before leading them en masse in saying daughters were finalists in others. invested only enough effort in a booklet like “Cool!” Afterwards Bob wrote: “They were The Hugo Award base was beautifully this to completely embarrass themselves in going to get ‘the hair’ no matter what, and designed by Johnna Klukas under the front of 1500 readers. the ‘COOOOOOOOL.’ The best thing I inspiration of the Arts & Crafts design Though not an antidote to these heard was Judith Clute come up to me and movement. She has won the Chesley Award problems, one well-executed idea was a say ‘Bob that was the first time I ever said for her 3-D work. (Johnna overcame a last- video montage of science fiction heroines. “cool”’ and she burst out laughing. That minute problem with attaching the Hugo Pat Benatar’s “Hit Me With Your Best made my day.” rockets to her bases - she found the rocket Shot” rocked behind a series of clips Galaxy Quest defeated the box office bores aren't uniform, and had quite a showing “women in science fiction,” many champions to win the Best Dramatic challenge threading the bolts and washers of them from this year’s nominees. It was Presentation Hugo. Writer Robert Gordon that held it all together.) clever, humorous, and brilliantly edited. and director Dean Parisot accepted the Hie second Hugo being given was one I Because of the variation on the usual award. Gordon spoke for what felt like -five was nominated for. While presenter Teddy order of presenting things, the Seiun Award minutes - saying all the right things - before Harvia tore open the envelope containing the came in the middle. Several Japanese fans leaving the floor to Parisot who simply name of the winner of the Best Fanzine came out, some in traditional dress. Takumi remarked, “This is the oddest but most Hugo, I sat with my notebook open and my Shibano introduced one of the best sf critics entertaining event I’ve ever been to”, then pen ready to write. But not ready to write in Japan as his “young friend who is most walked offstage leaving the Hugo on the the name of my own fanzine. Not even when suitable to make this presentation.” The podium. I'm convinced that was a deliberate Teddy reacted to what he read on the little presenter’s command of English was quite bit of humorous improvisation on his part. piece of paper by exclaiming his delight. good enough to carry off a bilingual Either way, after allowing the audience to Then he read “File 770” aloud and I headed reference, getting a laugh as he explained roar for a moment he came back and for the stage in a fog of not-quite-speechless that Seiun literally translated in English is reclaimed his hardware. amazement, where someone handed me the “Nebula.” He also talked about the Chairman Tom Veal presented the Best rocket on its beautiful wooden base. important and even highly creative work of Novel Hugo, which he justified humorously I got back to my seat, shared the award translation, which led into the by saying he’d produced his own work of with interested people nearby, and thanked announcement of stories translated from fiction, Pension Plan Termination, which is the people who were congratulating me. All English into Japanese that had won these available on Amazon.com. The night’s final the adrenaline didn’t keep Janice and I from awards. award went to Vemor Vinge for A Deepness noticing what a mess was being made of the One of the winners was “Out of the in the Sky. PowerPoint video slide presentation. Everywhere” by James Tiptree Jr. Pat Apres Hugo: The winners were called It was as painful for professional editors Murphy accepted the award. She read a note onstage for photographs. I pushed upstream January 2001 21 through an audience surging towards the quite a display of hubris on my part until I Zero. The pro guests of honor will be exits. told her tire story about Dave’s Other George R.R. Martin and Kelly Freas, while Bob Eggleton said he wasn’t shattered to Award. The party was provided by the the fan guest of honor was a surprise to have lost the Best Pro Artist. “I wasn't Millennium Philcon committee. There were everyone in the room except yours truly, the counting on it anyhow, as famush tradition great desserts - and even better beer and editor of File 770. My sources are usually means the GoH never gets the award champagne. everywhere. because the Gohship itself is considered a Fanzine Hugo nominees Dick Lynch and After people asked all the questions they higher honor.” And anyway, he thought it Guy Lillian III were at tire party, and being wanted of the Toronto bid, bidders for future was almost as fun to give a Hugo as to get incredibly gracious to me. Lynch mentioned Worldcons each took a turn in the barrel. Irv one. I agree; I enjoyed my first chance to the next cover of Mimosa will be a piece of Koch, of Charlotte in 2004, told everyone present a Hugo (for Best Semiprozine.) art left half-finished by the late Ian Gunn, that on Labor Day weekend the weather in After the ceremonies I discovered how and completed by Joe Mayhew, now also Charlotte is basically the same as lucky I’d been in another way. Upon passed away. What a unique piece of Washington DC. I wish there had been a winning the Best Fanzine Hugo I tried to fanhistory that will be. Guy Lillian was tape recording of the audience’s gasp of leave by the stairs on the front end of the making some history of his own with Rose horror. stage and barely set one foot on the top riser Marie Donovan: right in front of my eyes, Auction Action: On Sunday afternoon a when an escort corralled me and steered me they became engaged. She’s the daughter of three-hour auction was run for the benefit of to the proper exit. This almost certainly Joe Green, and Guy first met her at the Joe’s the charities of the SF community, two spared me a broken leg. The riser had felt a famous Apollo XI landing party, also fannish (TAFF and DUFF) and two little spongy underfoot, but when you’re my attended by Heinlein, Clarke, and others. professional (SFWA and ASFA’s emergency weight that’s not unusual. However, after Coup de Grace: By Sunday morning funds). They took turns putting items up for the ceremonies Mike Resnick was climbing everyone knew Toronto had won the 2003 bid. Tuckerizations commanded huge prices. the same steps and the top one collapsed: he Worldcon. I had breakfast with bid chair An appearance in a Lois McMaster Bujold managed to leap the rest of the way on stage. Larry Hancock, later joined by fellow story went for $1000. The right to be in a Coming down, I’d have had no chance at all. Canadian, Kenneth Smookler. For the future Resnick story sold for $650, and the Everyone leaving the Fairmont benefit of the American at the table, Larry right to be in a future Turtledove story appreciated the fireworks display after the greeted Ken with a French accent, "Mon brought in $666. Hugos. (Actually, this was a nightly ami! Now that we have won this convention Mike Resnick announced after the con occurrence, to celebrate the Tall Ships' stay we can take off our masks and revert to our that Julie Balch, who paid $650 to be in one on Lake Michigan.) native language!” Smookler agreed and of his stories, will appear in "Old Some were headed to the SFWA Suite cheerfully asked, “Are we going to have any MacDonald Had A Farm", a 6500-word (Brenda Clough said a documentary camera programming in English?” short story that will appear in Asimov's crew was there carefully panning the camera Sunday Business Meeting: Toronto sometime next spring. Resnick ended his along the line of liquor bottles on the bar.) I was officially reported the winning bid for message by throwing down the gauntlet: was headed to the Hugo Loser’s Party, 2003 at the Sunday Business Meeting and “Let's see Harry Turtledove match thatF which the host at the door suggested was the committee handed out Progress Report Daily Gripe Sessions: Chairman Tom Veal held Gripe Sessions every day: we’ll call it a commitment to customer service rather than an advanced case of masochism. Besides fans’ individual comments about problems with their hotels, problems getting or using various kinds of information from the convention, or sometimes even praise for help someone had given them at the con, they also had things to say that were eye­ opening. Without the Gripe Sessions I wouldn’t have known the anime program was running “mature” material (so-called for its violence and sexual content) after midnight. The fan making the complaint didn’t even think the showing should be censored, but objected to being surprised by graphic violence (multiple rape scenes) and thought some warning should have been posted at the door or in the schedule. I’m sure many Former Worldcon Chairs at Chicon 2000: 1st Row: Mark Olson (1989), conrunners left wondering whether the same Tom Whitmore (2002), Roger Sims (1959), Leslie Turek (1980), Bruce Pelz sort of junk is being shown at their local (1972); 2nd Row: Dave Kyle (1956), Tony Lewis (1971), Joe Siclari (1992), conventions without their knowledge. Tom Veal (2000), Peggy Rae Sapienza (Pavlat) (1998), Craig Miller (1984), Press Coverage: The most convincing Robin Johnson (1975) 3rd Row: Kathleen Meyer (1991), John Mansfield argument I heard to register with Press (1993), Vince Docherty (1995), Mike Glyer (1996), Fred Prophet (1959), Milt Relations before to con came from someone Stevens (1984), Mike Walsh (1983), Peter Jarvis (2003). who wasn’t a member of the committee. 22 File 770:137

Andrew Porter wrote me, “If you don't Program register as a press person, Chicago's finest division head will make sure you get a personal audience Steven Silver said with Mayor Daley. The dead one...” there were between Electronic press registration through the 825 and I003 Chicon web page was effortless. Another programming impressive technological feature of the con. items, depending Rick Foss felt the coverage of the con got on how you was great, with the exception of one Fox TV counted. He set a interview. The reporter found Kelly Freas at milestone by a signing, thrust a microphone under his starting nose and began, “Well, your work seems to programming at be all about tits and weapons...” 8:30 a.m., and set The Chicago Tribune ran articles about an example Frederik Pohl and Robert Silverberg in the Chicon on Saturday and Monday, with the because those Green Room. Photo by Gay Haldeman. usual emphasis on exotic visuals and programs drew costumes in their lead paragraphs, but pretty well. This was made possible because Kaempen and Sharon Sbarsky’s registration dealing with real substance deeper in the about 150 (25%) of program participants department, Steven Silver’s program stories. Press liaison Bart Kemper steered indicated they were willing to be on department (including the great Green the reporters to some well-informed and programming that early. Room), Donald Eastlake IH and the business quotable pros, like Charles N. Brown, As of Monday noon, Chicon had sold meeting crew, and more. Teresa Nielsen Hayden, and Mike Resnick, 1,010 at-the-door memberships, almost Thanks to everyone who worked hard to and the journalists also got some level­ exactly reaching their goal of generating make the con so enjoyable. headed comments from two Dorsai $80,000 of income from such memberships. Irregulars guarding the Art Show, and a tech Steven Silver said the convention’s Chicon Postscript writer from San Jose. estimated surplus, after all reimbursements [[An earlier revision of my Chicon report Monday Morning: Short-timers like me for memberships and rooms, appeared to be appeared in Locus. Steven Silver offered about to leave for the airport hung around $26,000, and might increase to around several corrections, all of which I’ve used the Hyatt atrium looking for last-minute $56,000. “The surplus, in keeping with except the following. I think I accurately conversations in an effort to squeeze the last worldcon traditions, will be passed along to reported Kathleen Meyer's comment, so I'm juice from the convention. future worldcons.” Chicon is planning a publishing Steven's message as a rebuttal:]] Amy Thomson told me her baby daughter Memory Book. Steven Silver: [In the Locus version of was walking, talking and snubbing Bob Benediction: Tom Veal wrote after your Worldcon report] on page 43, you Silverberg. Nevertheless, Bob had thrown Chicon 2000: “In all of the Worldcons with attribute a statement to Kathleen Meyer himself in front of an escalator to stop the which I have been associated, I have never about Windycon. I’m not sure if you toddler from dashing down it. Bob heard this before seen so many fen work so devotedly paraphrased it incorrectly or if she actually and said he was sure no snub had been and accomplish so much, often under trying said it (and just between you and me, it intended, “She probably wouldn’t know me circumstances.” sounds like something she could have said), from Robert Heinlein.” Amy wrinkled her The value of all that hard work is well but it does not state the Windycon Board's nose, “She’d probably notice the smell.” worth remembering. I also agree that some intentions. The Windycon board will be Connie Willis passed by carrying a of Chicon’s unpopular choices were valid sending a clarification to Locus in the near recognizable cardboard box - the kind Hugo economic decisions - anything from what to future and HI make sure you're cc’ed. winners were given free by the committee to serve in the Con Suite to the use of Briefly, yes, we want to limit size. We’re at pack their awards for the trip home. ballrooms in the Fairmont for major 1500 now and don't want to go much above Dick Spelman congratulated me on functions that could hold only one-third of 2000. The commuting fandom we don't want winning a Hugo, and Roger Sims said I the membership. are kids from the area who drive out owed it all to him because he gave me the However, a lot of what goes into making specifically for our free beer. I've asked the title. He’s right, it was his party in Room a great Worldcon is free - it comes from the committee to institute a hotel search for the 770 after all. I told him thanks and asked, space between our ears. Chicon’s most possibility of a move when our current “Wasn't that a lot of work to do in order to talked-about problems, such as the quality of contract expires in 2002 to a hotel which is start a newzine 30 years later?” Spelman the Hugo Ceremony, the inhospitable area more convenient to O'Hare and which can also demanded to know, “And how do you selected for the Chesley Awards, and the accommodate a con of 2000. explain the gaps?” highly-criticized Art Show administration, Box Score: Tom Veal announced two seemed due to lack of imagination or effort. weeks before the convention, as of the cutoff These problems did not detract from my date with its reservation agent One-Stop enjoyment of the convention in general, or Chicago, they had 2,472 rooms reserved for prevent me from appreciating some of the peak night. That did not include a bunch Chicon’s great ideas, like the Smiths’ design of suites at the Hyatt. It was 800 rooms for the Fan Lounge, and the Eisensteins’ above the official count for Chicon IV, Classic SF Art Show. There were also areas where Tom was Hotel Liaison. He thought it that turned in an outstanding effort, like might be the largest room pickup of any Chaz Boston Baden’s daily newzine Worldcon in history production and distribution staff, Randy January 2001 23

Chicon 2000 Masquerade Awards Jay Meisner Compiled by John Hertz Sauciest “A Tale of a Space Vixen” Sunday, September 3, 2000 Eugenia Home, with the Royal Society for Fairmont Hotel, Chicago the Advancement of Space Opera 77 contestants, 38 entries Honorable Mention Masquerade Director “We’re Off to See tire Wizard, with Toto Nancy Mildebrandt Too” Caitlin, Cathleen, and Mark Christensen Master of Ceremonies designed & made by Cathleen Christensen Greg Rihn Honorable Mention “The Thermian Ambassador” Masquerade Judges Ted Begley, Sunshine Katz Roger Christian, Susan De Guardiola, jan designed & made by Katz ho ward finder, John Hertz Best Presentation Workmanship Judge Junior Class “A Klingon Quiet Night Part 3 — Can You Karen Berquist Dig It?” Best in Class Alfred Richard, Margot Palmere “The Magic Sea Shell” Tech by the Archon crew, St. Louis designed & made by Richard and Palmere, Melissa Knappenberger with Steve Clelland Best in Show Most Beautiful “Ancient Plagues” (Master) Judges’ Choice of Gor “Fire Lizard Fairy” Greg Abba, John Blaker, Greg Sardo, Sandy “Mother-in-Law of Gor” Kathleen Fowler & Pierre Pettinger, Julie Zetterberg Zoanne Allen, Terry Cuppies, Michael designed & made by Abba, Pettinger, Zetter­ Fobbs, Ju Marty Best Choreography berg, with Mickey & Pete Pettinger designed & made by Allen, Cuppies, Fobbs, “Three Ways to Die” with Jack Cole and Blaine Drayer Helen Hebei, Shaina Lyn Waitsman Master Class Most Original Special Award — Moost of Show Best in Class “A Mother’s Love” “Hugh Heifer and Playcow” (Novice) — “DI Met by Earthlight” Winston Howlett, Juanita Nesbitt Jared Dashoff, Heather Schulz; “Bovita Jacqueline M. Ward designed & made by Howlett, Nesbitt, Peron” (Journeyman) — Joni Dashoff; David Blanding, with Danielle Ostach “Cowltic Warror” (Journeyman) — John Most Glamorous Syms; “Royal Cownadian Moonted Po­ “'Hie Galactic Liberace” Honorable Mention lice” (Novice) — Jay Meisner; “Elsie Bor­ Zelda Gilbert “Samples from Sylvan Dior’s Latest Fashion den” (Journeyman) — Laura Syms; designed & made by Gilbert, with Janet Collection” “Cowvalier” (Journeyman) — Sandy Swank; Wilson Anderson and Robin Pavlosky Jeri Byrne, Mike Byrne, Denise Gamer, Ian “Cownan the Barbarian” (Journeyman) — Honse, Kris Honse Andy Trembley; “American Cow­ Best Choreography designed & made by K. Honse “In Space, No One Can Hear You Tap” boy” (Journeyman) — David Rivers; Belle Davis, Kevin Roche Honorable Mention “Moona Lisa” (Journeyman) — Victoria designed & made by Roche, with Bridget “Sister Medea of the Purple Prose” Warren Landry and Kate Morgenstem Anne Davenport Workmanship Awards Most Beautiful Honorable Mention “Spring Rain” “Cameval 2047” Best in Show Joy Day Steve Bartlett, Tina Beychok, Gail Bondi, “111 Met by Earthlight” John Bondi-Emoehazy, Bill Emoehazy Honorable Mention designed & made by Bondi, Emoehazy Best Master “Poke-Brat” “Poke-Brat” Lance Ikegawa, David Sheets Novice Class designed & made by Ikegawa, with Kathy Best Journeyman Sanders Best in Class “Samples from Sylvan Dior’s Latest Fashion “Galaxy Breast Bra” Collection” Journeyman Class Sallie Abba, Mandi Arthur, Dianne Dunlap, Best Novice Rachelle Hrubretz, Jeannette Roth “Galaxy Breast Bra” Best in Class designed & made by Abba, Arthur, Dunlap, “The Awakening” Hrubretz, Roth, with Sheil Harper Best Junior Susan Eisenhour, Margaret Blakesley “The Magic Sea Shell” designed & made by Eisenhour Most Cowrageous “Royal Cownadian Moonted Police” 24 File 770:137

Author's Note watching anxiously to see if they sell. Hits In early July, your esteemed (and Hugo and misses have been few and far between. Nominated) editor, asked for a column for I've made up my mind to stop selling books the Pre-WorldCon issue of File 770 and set after the Worldcon. I also have to remind a deadline of 31 July. I was delighted to do myself not to post any that overlap World- so because I wanted to share my experiences con, I already have enough distractions. of moving my family and nearly 4000 books In the morning before work I have estab­ to my new abode in Middletown, Ohio, lished a daily ritual: check the email, enter which for the geographically impaired, is contests on iWon.com, Freelotto.com, then thirty miles north of Cincinnati. onto espn.go.com for their contest in which you are assigned three sports figures at ran­ In mid-July I discovered that unfortu­ days, but on the other hand, what are they dom and you win cash based on their per­ nately, all of the notes I made before and coming up for me to say or do? 1 shudder at formance that day. So what if someone is during the move have been misplaced, lost the thought. I have a friend from work taping compiling a dossier of what sites I visit; if a in the miasma of boxes and clutter. So with the show tonight so I'll see what I'm getting telemarketer calls I just lie through my teeth time running out, I quickly formulated plan into tomorrow. B; a journal about preparing for and attend­ and if they e-mail me I delete their message. Just send me some money damnit and Hl ing Rivercon XXV, where I was a featured Wednesday, 26 July participant. So, without farther ado... buy something... The Powerball winners from the previous Tuesday, 25 July week have come forward; eighteen golf Sunday, 23 July 2000 course workers from the Northern Kentucky After laying dormant all summer, the aller­ As I rubbed the sleep from my eyes Sunday area. Their average take home pay; less than gies I inherited from my mother kick in with morning, I was greeted by the following $250.00 a week. They're splitting $63.5 mil­ a vengeance. I take some antihistamines and email: lion. Couldn't happen to nicer people...so pray for a quick death or the end of the day. why doesn't that happen to me? Bad news in abundance today; a French Date: Sun, 23 Jul 2000 01:34:19 -0400 The Russians put the living module for Concorde crashed, the Mid-East Peace talks From: Mike Glyer the International Space Station in orbit to­ earlier today in East Timor in an ambush the evening to go play the Tuesday premium Bruce Pelz asked me for some issues of near the border with Indonesia. It makes me NTN trivia game Showdown with my wife File 770 with your columns in them to take mad, just thinking about people who can't Naomi at a local BW3. We kick everyone's to Rivercon for the DUFF auction, and I ass with 39333 points and finish 15* overall accept or live with another person's ethnic/ dropped them off tonight. So I thought, wow! racial identity. Now a good soldier's family among all the bar/restaurant players in North That's egoboo! —Mike is mourning his loss. It does make me won­ America. The bar crowd we play with lo­ der what sort of planet we're living on some­ cally are very friendly folks and welcome a Well at first thought I might have thought times... little competition from us. On several occa­ so, too...but then again, some people in fan­ Highlight of the day: Won three NTN sions, they've offered to buy us drinks in dom are genuinely pissed at me, my opin­ games at BW3 today including being #5 order to impair our abilities. Since I don't ions and attitudes. Ghod forbid they overall in their SF trivia game, Sci-Files. drink alcohol, they're out of luck. I tell them (whoever they might be) would bid on them Naomi and I also won a pair of field level (!) to keep an eye on the leader board this com­ for the sole purpose of throwing darts at my Reds tickets for a game vs. the Marlins on ing Friday because well be playing that day's lovely picture. Well, anything for DUFF, I the 5th of August...looking forward to that. game, Spotlight, in Louisville. They promise say. Lowlight of the day #1: Reds lose to the they will but I'm betting they'll all be soused by 9 p.m. Lastos 4-3, the first sweep they've had of us at home since 1986. Now that's demoraliz­ Monday, 24 July Later in the evening, I call Chris and ing. Lowlight #2; I finally saw an episode of eBay will be the death of me yet. It's one of Julee in Evansville, Indiana to ask whether Comedy Central's “Win Ben Stein's Money." the main things, along with the move to or not I need to make up questions for the Middletown, that have taken up a tremen­ game. Julee assures me my dazzling writing I had originally had a tape of several shows dous amount of my time: buying, analyzing talents wont be needed. Well, that's good; I that Chris and Julee Tate-Johnson had given and evaluating books to post, writing de­ wont have to knock myself out coming up me at Midwestcon to prepare for their River­ scriptions for them, posting them and then with a ton of material over the next few con version, appropriately titles “Win Chris Barkley's Money." I am being subjected to January 2001 25 this because I had won their version of SF rable of which was the Alien Party on the 4th row. Being an ex-radio talk show host, I Jeopardy for the past three years straight. floor, which we spotted on our way in from have no problems reading the questions and Instead of me crushing anyone they could tlie parking lot; the entire room is ablaze bantering with the contestants and the audi­ have recruited to play against me, they with bright green lights reflecting off green ence. I winced when I read some of the cate­ thought this might be more amusing... crepe paper decorations strung across the gories, like: “Yolen, Yolen, Yolen! Keep But true to form, I lost the tape in the ceiling. Outside the party we ran into Jan those doggies Yolen!” Or how about: “Amie new townhouse shortly afterwards. So I had Howard Finder, an ardent Reading For the Rice-a-roni” and “He didn't consider himself a friend at work tape an episode from yester­ Future member and had a long chat about a pervert, despite his collection of day...but nothing could prepare me for Ben the Harold Bloom controversy, education Poumelle.” Uh-huli, hilarious and more of Stein and his weasel of a sidekick Jimmy and a lot of other fannish stuff. tlie same tomorrow. Kimmel. The questions 1 could handle but The value of the questions ranged from those double entendre categories, oh geez, Saturday, 29 July 500 to $3, depending on the difficulty of the what have I let myself in for? I eventually got tired and crashed on a CFG question. bed around 2 a.m. (The party broke up In the first round, Pricilla Olson easily Friday, 28 July around 4 a.m but only because the hotel blew away Howard and another fan. In the We're all packed for Rivercon. I signed up suffered a series of power blackouts.) I slept second and third rounds, Laurie and Jim for the U2 Fan Club at lunchtime after read­ through it all...I had to because Joel, in his Maim trounced their opponents. Three ing that members of the club would be eligi­ infinite wisdom, scheduled the first round of NESFA heavyweights vs. the Cincinnati ble for a special CD the boys plan to give “Win Chris Barkley's Money” for 10 a.m. Kid. It's Red Sox against Reds all over out later this year. Cool... 1 woke up around 8 a.m. 1 listened to again! After a few misadventures, I get picked NPR's Weekend Edition in the bathroom By the time the games were over with I up from work around 6 p.m. Naomi is while I was shaving. I was also scheming; was exhausted from low blood sugar. Naomi stressed out from the drive down from today is Naomi's birthday. Well ambush her and I eat a hearty lunch and then sack out in Middletown so I drive. I stopped to by Ohio later. She gets up shortly thereafter and we the CFG suite for a few hours. I wake up be Lotto tickets before we crossed the river. make a beeline for the consuite; juice for fore she does and sneak down to the Huck­ The pavement on 1-71 between Cincinnati me, coffee for her and anything else that ster's room to plan out the evening's activi­ and Louisville is worse than ever, but the might be edible at that hour. ties; she subsequently woke up a few min­ countryside is as picturesque as ever. Time runs a bit short on us so breakfast utes after 1 did and came looking for me. She We arrive at the Executive West hotel at the hotel restaurant is out of the question. almost catches me in the act of conspiring as two hours later, just as the Opening Ceremo­ On the way to the game I threaten grievous I wander the Huckster's Room. She suspects nies begin. There are all sorts of signs pro­ bodily harm to Joel for scheduling the games Pm up to something but 1 deny that anything moting “Win Chris Barkley's Money.” Al­ this early. So I stride into the West Execu­ is going on. most immediately, fans that I know come up tive Chapel running on two glasses of cran­ That evening , Laura, Dave and I along asking for money. I vehemently deny I have berry juice, some peanuts and half a dough­ with some Evansville fans, Christine and her any money. Everyone looks disappointed. nut. friend Kim, treat Naomi to dinner at the Old We run into Joel Zakem, the programming Chris and Julee Tate-Johnson and a small Spaghetti Factory in downtown Louisville. director, who cheerily announces that the crowd of 20 are waiting for me. Among the Unfortunately, they've run out of birthday box containing volunteers to play was notables present are Bruce Pelz, Esther cakes so we settle for a single candle in her stuffed. Inwardly I groan. Registration is Freisner and her husband Howard. A table spumoni ice cream as we sing "Happy Birth­ closed so Laura disappears to find her boy­ for the contestants and the contraption they day" to her. This sets off a chain reaction as friend Dave Chalker (the elder son of Jack use for signaling is still being set up. The five other groups burst into song after we do. and Eva) and Naomi and I set out to find an signaling box is a three foot long gray box NTN bar nearby, Judge Roy Bean's, so we with signaling buttons positioned beneath a can play Spotlight. red, yellow and blue light. In theory, when We find Bean's just in time to play...and the moderator pushes a triggering button, the while my score of 29936 (out of 38500) is a first button pushed lights up, locking the little below my usual average, it’s enough to other two buttons out. I say in theory be­ place 17th overall on the national board. cause the damned thing either shorts out or We headed back around 10pm, registered just completely fails with no apparent warn­ and immediately started running into old ing. friends: Lizzy and Wyn, who were old col­ After a delay of 10 minutes, we begin the lege friends, Nashville fan Charles Dickens show. Julee draws several names from the (no kidding, that’s his name), Meade and contestant's box but most of the names Penny Frierson and Cliff Amos all of whom drawn are not present. I begin to think that I haven't seen in years. In the Cincinnati those not present are either still asleep, un­ Fantasy Group suite, I was met by Janice aware of the starting time or just plain Gelb who told me that Bruce would like me scared to face me. A few hardy souls in the sign several sets of File 770 for the DUFF audience volunteer, among them are Mis­ Auction. souri Smith, Jim and Laurie Maim and How­ Laurie and Jim Mann taking Laura showed up with Dave in tow de­ ard, who only did so because Esther badg­ manding to be fed. We tossed her a few ered him to do so. Chris Barkley's money as fast as bucks and told her to get lost. Naomi and I Today well play three rounds to deter­ they can! (Photo used by per­ wandered to a few parties, the most memo­ mine who will play me head to head tomor­ mission) 26 File 770:137

Meanwhile, back in Cincy, the Reds win against my oppressors, er, I mean opponents. other PGA golfers felt when Tiger Woods 4-3 in ten innings: good omen! We were treated to more enlightening cate­ was making a birdie putt on another part of Back at the convention later, Bruce con­ gories like: “Blish splash, he was taking a the course. firms that Dragon*Con is indeed moving to bath,” “Hie ice was all nicked, so they Seconds later Julee came to the chapel Labor Day starting next year. I personally brought out the Zahnboni,” “Camptown la­ entrance and to summon me. As we entered, think that this is a bad idea, it effectively dies sing this song, Dozois, Dozois,” “It was the audience began to hum the Imperial splits fandom between the comics/media/ burnt to an A. C. Crispin,” “deCamp girl, March from The Empire Strikes Back. Natu­ gamers and a majority of the literary crowd. won't you come out tonight” and “All the rally, I turned to leave but Julee caught my The apparent demise of Disclave on Memo­ women liked him well enough, but what arm and led me back to the stage. Jim was rial Day opened that weekend up so why they really wanted was Moorcock.” grinning like a demon, really pleased with wasn’t that weekend chosen? Or maybe the After this last category, Esther Friesner himself. Chris announced to me that Jim had Fourth of July, even though Westercon usu­ made a snippy remark that can't be repeated gotten them all right, which startled me for a ally inhabits that weekend, fve always in a family magazine such as this, so I few seconds: then the audience laughed and wanted to go to a Dragon*Con but geez, stopped the game, rose from my seat, took I knew I had been had. He then told me that should I have to choose between it and a Ms. Friesner by the elbow and started lead­ Jim had actually gotten 7 out of 10. I had to WorldCon? A Bad, Bad, BAD decision, I ing her from the area, much to delight of the get eight or better to win. think at least for me. crowd (and especially her husband Howard, As I sat down to begin my round, I saw I also make the rounds to the Charlotte who was laughing hysterically). I stopped that someone had left something for me on and Boston bid parties before I poop out well short of the door and let her sit back the table: a green, plastic toy hand grenade around 2 a m. (again). When I was younger I down. She then punched poor Howard's arm with a note sticking through the ring. I held was more resilient than this I could go until for not helping her. it aloft and asked "What's this?" 5-6 a.m. without breaking a sweat. Getting Meanwhile, Laurie and Jim were making Chris, Julee and the audience had no idea older really sucks. inroads into my money taking about $15. In who had placed it there. The crudely lettered these rounds, the value of the questions had note, written on the back of a pink Rivercon Sunday, 30 July been raised from $1-5.00, so matters were volunteer time sheet said: I wake up, as usual, at 8am. I read Mike getting serious. I noticed early on that de­ Resnick's Hugo nominated “Hunting the spite my best efforts to get my arm up after a BARKLEY, Snark” novella while listening to NPR's question, Jim seemed to be beating me Morning Edition Sunday. Since everyone is to the question most of the time. I also still sleeping I take the radio into the bath­ noticed that he was propping his head in room and do my reading in there. I'm feeling right hand and thrusting it up to answer. nervous about the game today. I protested vehemently be­ Around 11a.m., we arrived to stand in cause I was keeping my line at the hotel’s restaurant for breakfast. hands flushed, palms down At the head of the line I spotted Jill and Don on the table. Jim got indig­ Eastlake seated with a friend nearby. I feel nant and claimed he wasn't the need to loosen up a bit so I sneak up using his right hand and behind Don and make rabbit ears with my that putting both hands fingers. Jill laughs hysterically and Don, down would “cramp his well let's just say he wasn't that amused. On style.” my way to our table, I make rabbit ears be­ To which I replied, “Are hind her head: I do not turn to check Don's you just figuring that out, reaction. Monkey Boy?” much to the Around noon, we all troop into the chapel delight of the crowd. When THE NEXT TIME THE PIN WONT BE IN gain for the final game. Janice Gelb has an­ everyone calmed down, I said in a mocking IT! other two sets of my File 770 columns for stage whisper, ‘Tve always wanted to say THROW THE MATCH OR DIE! me to sign for future auctions. The Duff that!” which delighted the audience further. SINCERELY, Auction is scheduled at the same time as the Jim took it in stride, but I think he took com­ THE BRAIN game so Bruce, lamentably and much to his fort in knowing that he was really giving me consternation, will not be attending. a run for my money, so to speak. Well that's just great I thought; now even Bad news right off the bat, the signal At the end of the second round, Laurie imaginary cartoon characters are gunning for board is kaput, meaning that the contestants was eliminated, leaving Jim and me for the me. Chris broke my train of thought with a will have to raise their hands to answer final showdown round. Jim elected to go recitation of the rules; I had 60 seconds to questions. This is a bummer, because I do first which suited me fine because I needed answer as many questions as possible. If I poorly when the board is out. to take a potty break. I left the chapel, did didn't know an answer I could pass on to the In the first round we started competing my business in the restroom and began to next question. Was I ready? I closed my eyes for real money, $50 in total. It’s not mine contemplate the possibility of losing. I wan­ for a few seconds and then nodded. really, but supplied by Rivercon for this con­ dered back to Mary Hall, where the Duff 1. The Science Fiction Hall of Fame hon­ test. Jim and Laurie dominated the board Auction was in full swing. Before I could ors stories written before the advent of what and Pricilla was eliminated. This was too ask Bruce about how things were going, a award? bad because she's such a nice person, a good huge roar from the chapel was heard and I "The Nebulas," I answer. Correct. sport and I could also beat her like a drum. had to assume that Jim did pretty well. Now 2. What classic Star Trek regular has In the second round, I finally took a seat I knew how Emie Els, David Duval and appeared on Babylon 5, besides Walter Koe- January 2001 27 nig? well in their "retirement.” You'll be missed! The Next Convention "Majel Barrett-Roddenberry," I answer. After my nap, the troops and I headed VCon 26 will also host Canvention 21 from Correct home. On the way back we listed to the May 4-6, 2001 at the Radisson Hotel in 3. Where was the first WorldCon held? Reds game on the radio, they won, 7-4 and Burnaby, B.C. The convention’s theme will "New York City," I answer. Correct. the Cardinals lost so we're 4 games back. be “2001: A Space Oddity - Humour in Sci­ 4. What was George Lucas's first SF Once back, we took time to comfort our cat, ence Fiction.” Guests of honor include movie? Nora, who was quite happy to see us. I was Lynne Abbey, author of the popular Thieves' "THX-1138," I answer. Correct. very tired but I checked the e-mail, wrote to World; James Earnest, President of 5. Who was awarded the first Grand Mike, telling him I was beginning to assem­ Cheapass Games; and Pat Turner, cover art­ Master Nebula? ble and transcribe my notes for this article. I ist for Baen Books. "Robert A. Heinlein," I answer. Correct. ended the evening by reading a few more The Prix Aurora awards for the best sf 6. What Philip K. Dick story served as Hugo nominees and watching a stupid published in Canada over the previous year the basis for Total Recall? woman blow a $250,000 question on Who will also be announced at VCon 26. The "We Can Remember it for You Whole­ Wants to be a Millionaire? In bed by 11 p. committee plans a Friday Night concert, sale," I answer. Correct. m. and sound asleep by 11:01:30. followed by a midnight showing of The 7. What Stephen King book won a Hugo? Rocky Horror Picture Show "Danse Macabre," I answer. Correct. Monday, 31 July The Radisson Hotel (4331 Dominion 8. Who wrote The Siege of Eternity? Busy day at work: another day, another $2.5 Street, Burnaby, B.C. CANADA V5G 1C7) My synapses freeze: for a good 10-15 billion dollars for Procter and Gamble, as I room rates a C$89 per night (sgl-quad). seconds I cant answer. Damn, should I know like to say. I need Stewart Copeland's sound­ Phone 800-333-3333 for reservations, or this? Jack McDevitt? Charles Sheffield? tracks to Wall Street, Talk Radio and The email [email protected] Chris urges me for an answer: I pass. Equalizer to make it through the day. Today Convention memberships are US$25 un­ 9. What TV series features a character is the Hugo voting deadline. Naomi and I til January 31. The convention website is: named Crichton who is launched through a plan to vote online, we're among the first www.v-con.org wormhole and ends up on a hijacked prison fans ever to do so. Send snail-mail to: VCon 26, c/o 235 ship? Naomi went to bed around 10:30 and Liberty Place, Burnaby, BC, CANADA "Farscape," I answer. Correct gave me her Hugo picks to transmit in. She V5C 1X5 Time expires as the last question is being picks Being John Malkovich as her top Best read. Dramatic Presentation. I'm tempted to Worldcon Bid Scorecard 10. Who wrote The Hitchhiker's Guide to change her vote to The Matrix, my top pick: The following Worldcon bids reportedly the Galaxy? but I restrain myself. A copy of her vote is made presentations at Smofcon in Decem­ "Douglas Adams," I answer anyway. Cor­ shunted to her e-mail address. If she found ber: rect! I win, 8-7! The crowd, especially out I voted differently, it's my ass! Naomi and Laura applauded wildly. What I Speaking of which, I'm glad all of the 2004 Boston wanted to know was the answer to #8, which short fiction nominees were available to read 2005 Glasgow was Frederik Pohl. Duh! online. In my humble opinion, I think that 2006 Los Angeles Jim ended up winning a little less than several authors who did not give permission 2007 Nippon half the pot, I took the rest. Which came in or didn't bother to have it done over the past 2008 San Antonio handy since I didn't have gas money for the few years may have cheated themselves out 2009 Melbourne upcoming week. Laurie and Pricilla also got of Hugo or three. A word to the wise to some cash for their efforts, too, so all of the those authors; this is a very good tradition finalists went home happy. Throughout the and every effort weekend, I had been announcing that I was should be made to starting my own little game show at future continue it. conventions I was attending: WHO WANTS It's a few minutes TO WIN 1 MILLION TURKISH LIRA! before midnight (market value as of this writing, $4.23) when I finally finish Guess who my first two contestants are go­ the last story and ing to be? transmit out votes. I I was really worn out after the game so I hope it makes the retired to the CFG Suite for some rest. The difference on Sep­ Closing Ceremonies were taking place but I tember 2. We'll see. didn't want to attend: I did not want anyone to sec me cry. Jack Chalker came up after­ ++Chris M. Barkley wards and told me that it had been quite a Middletown, OH scene and in retrospect, maybe I should have 452042 gone. Steve and Sue Francis are two of the best people I know of in fandom and they deserve all the credit for throwing an excel­ lent convention for a quarter of a century. I feel privileged to have attended Rivercon all these years: I publicly thank them for the Halloween, Vegrant style. From left to right: greatest time I've ever had and wish them Dedee, Ken Forman, Aileen Forman, Alan White. 28 File 770:137 Elspeth Kovar’s Chicon 2000

Chicon was - and I make no excuse for po­ tor for the Hugos and when I found out the etic license — a brilliantly whirling kaleido­ space constraints of the hall I asked if I scope that I could nonetheless keep up with might go with him. 1 was already on a sus­ so easily as to have time to admire the clean tained high from the earlier days - hey, even mathematics behind the shifting patterns. It if the newsletter had panned the perform­ was, to borrow from Susan Cooper's descrip­ ance Bob Macintosh and I put on raffling tion of metheglyn, “an unrecognizable taste things off at the Buccy party I’d had fun - that was less a taste than a blaze of light, a and spent part of Saturday pitching in burst of music, something fierce and won­ around the edges of the last preparations, derful sweeping over his senses all at once.” fetching sandwiches for the staff, tape for Which description, of course, will have the boxes, carts for the Hugos, and trying some laughing outright at my naivete and stay out of the way. This alternated witn others wanting to know what drugs Pm on moments of panic about the evening, espe­ and where they can get them. Naive I may cially the pre-Hugo party. My insecurities be, but the drugs I was on are legal and eas­ 12.-16 -9? Toe were in full force. As I said to someone or ily available; Fil tell you what they were in a another, “/ don't hang out with these people, moment. trying to find someone else to do it and the I don't work on Worldcons, I haven't even Ihe years after the Great Floods of 1997 rest frantically trying to put something to­ read a lot of this stuff What am I doing go­ were bleak. Not only was Disclave dead but gether that would, at least, convey the es­ ing to this?” the Washington Science Fiction Association, sence of someone that I cared about deeply. The pace accelerated and I suddenly WSFA, was demoralized, and matters in my But I knew that it was flawed, knew' that I found myself in the elevator lobby by the own life were such that Fd lost all confi­ wasn't the right person to be writing it, and suite. The other cart of Hugos was already dence in myself. I was little more than a simply hoped for the best and that, true to on its way over to the Fairmont and Sam shell. By the time Chicon rolled around the form, most people wouldn't even have time Pierce, Mike Nelson (looking debonair in worst of the wounds of the previous years to read it until after the convention. his tuxedo and smelling faintly of Scotch) had healed somewhat but there were still I headed off to Chicon, traveling alone and I were waiting for the next elevator. We scars that were tender, bones that ached, and for the first time in more than a decade, ap­ were feeling both silly and dramatic, guard­ a fragility that left me off balance and far too prehensive and anticipating. The member­ ing those sealed boxes, when some folks often uncertain. ship was a gift from my brother, who knew from the Japanese bid down the hall came Fve been attending conventions for over that fandom had given me support and cheer out. There was some conversation, we told 15 years and have been actively involved for in the past, as was a room of my own at the them what we were doing, and the cameras about 10. I was on the Disclave committee Hyatt in case things got to be too much for came out; could they take a picture? “No, no, for a couple of years, am now on Capclave's, me and I needed to retreat. we can't open them!” “Sam,” I said gently, and have helped out at Baiticon, but for this It's almost a cliche to say that in fandom “they want to take pictures of them as they and that reason haven't worked on others. I people care about each other, believe in are.” There was laughter, a bit of preening, was busy with other matters when folks them and support them. But people forget and we too were on our way. were putting together Bucconeer just up 1-95 that cliches exist because they have a basis I left them backstage, wanting almost to from where I was living. I couldn't afford to in truth. I came out of Chicon not only glow­ stay where there was some chance that I travel much and just never got connected ing from the sheer fun of it but much healed might feel useful but knowing that, not hav­ enough to really get involved in places out­ and with a feeling of having come home. Fm ing any reason to be there, Fd be more out of side of WSFA. On the other hand Fve held a well aware of the many flaws of the conven­ place there than upstairs. For the first time couple of offices in WSFA and am mouthy tion and was at the time but I was, as I often since Fd gotten on the plane in Baltimore enough that a number of folks, first in the am, fortunate. The flaws didn't detract in the and found four people I knew on the same RASSF newsgroup and then on SMOFs have least from the Sense of Wonder. It was the flight I was feeling somewhat lost. I went up heard of me. Fve been a part of fandom and capstone on a time of rebirth. and then escaped again because someone it's been a part of me, but Fd never felt en­ had come looking for Mike Nelson. The At­ tirely at home. The people that I hang out ************************************ titude kicked in and swept me past whoever with run Worldcons for Pete's sake! What was supposed to be guarding the hall with had I done, really? What did I have to offer? I spent much of Chicon with the Buccy folks, permission and without slowing my stride. Joe Mayhew's death didn't help matters. I helping to throw parties and keeping myself That attitude - best described as Fake It — spent some time with him during the last busy enough that I didn't have time to fret helped and by the time I got back Mike months when he was in the hospital and my about being welcomed or not. And, of Walsh had shown up and started introducing online reports about his progress had re­ course, it turned out to be a non-issue. There me to people. Janice Gelb took me under her sulted in a request to write an appreciation was always someone to grab a meal with, or wing and in turn introduced me to Mike for the Chicon Program Book - with the heading off to the same place, and even if Glyer who commented on my piece about deadline a week and two days after his there wasn't there were new and interesting Joe and asked what other writing Fd done. death. Already exhausted, knowing that people to meet wherever I went. Despite my answer - other than some mes­ there are many, many people who knew him Saturday was a busy day. Michael Walsh sages to newsgroups and mailing lists almost better and longer than I, I spent the first days had been asked to be Joe's designated accep­ January 2001 29 none — he asked if fd consider writing for Then off to the party where in the swirl Fandom, David Kyle, holding an arm around File 770. I goggled and temporarily lost of people the clear point was again Bob me. (Danny Lieberman gave me a copy of it what mental balance I had gained but think Gordon, surrounded and glowing like a su­ at SMOFcon and it's one of the few decent that I responded graciously. I.e. not mention­ pernova giving out joy rather than heat and photos of me that I've ever seen.) A quartet ing that, never having had anything to con­ lighting up those around him. His pleasure of us almost tumbling down the hallway to tribute, fd never even seen a hardcopy of the at the wonder of finding this place and these tire elevator, giddy and laughing just because ‘zine. people burned off the remains of my feeling the world is such a neat place to be. The feeling was still there, but now faded of dislocation. OtT to the Chichen Itza party, I know what universe I landed in: it is around the edges. What was it, really, that which had fewer people and more room to already one of my homes and has been for fd been worried about? talk. But by then the grieving that had been some time. I just didn't recognize it until We went downstairs where I received a somewhere else since Joe's mind died was Chicon. And so, for me, it was “a brilliantly laugh, hug and kiss m passing from one of catching up with me and I wasn't certain if I whirling kaleidoscope ...” the door guards; he, at least, had enjoyed our was trying to outrun it or dive into it. fd There's a coda to all of this, somewhat antics at the Buccy party and had spent a bit been unable to mourn before; now, sur­ sad but it has me smiling as I write. of that evening flamboyantly begging me to rounded by people who knew Joe, not only As I said, I spent some time with Joe beg Bob for his pirate hat. (Which I success­ was the loss real but so was my ability to during his last months but not nearly as fully did but claim it for myself, thank you feel it. much as did his close friends. I was with very much. Not to worry, though; I don't (Which, as an aside, lead to a surreal him when he died because fd stopped in the think that it even fits me so Bob - or at least conversation with the irrepressible Martin previous afternoon with food and other sup­ his hat - is safe.) In the pause resulting from Hoare. It alternated between over-the-top plies for those who were staying. I'd not confusion over the seating I realized the flirtation — the man's good at it - and com­ planned to be there long myself but fen gath­ truth: it wasn't just that I felt that I had no miseration about watching loved ones die. ered as fen do, talked, told jokes, hung out reason to be there, it was that Joe should The former I would have enjoyed mightily, together, and I'm often the last to leave a have been. In the middle of everything there the latter would have been good, in a very party. Suddenly I realized that people were was a dark, gaping, and ragged hole. I was solid way. But the two together had me feel­ expecting me to stay - not a burden, just only there because Joe is dead. I managed to ing rather as if I was riding both ends of a belonging — and not doing so would leave keep myself distracted from this until Mike's teeter totter.) just one person with Joe for the night or acceptance speech: just ten words, all the From there I swept a group of people off would have someone who needed sleep more more moving for that. The ragged hole grew. to the Minneapolis party, looking for distrac­ than I without it. So I was there the next But, as I realized later, the sense of being tion but not finding it. And suddenly know­ morning. I wrote the appreciation because, somewhat alone and uncertain was gone by ing that it was time to pay attention, fd no­ well, someone had to. 1 didn't really know the end of the ceremony. Yes, Joe should ticed Erik Olson a day or two earlier on an him that well at all and found, during that have been there. But if he had been I still elevator — not hard to do, given the combi­ time, that I wanted to more than almost any­ would have been someplace where I, too, nation of height and the red fedora — and thing. In short, I didn't mean to do anything, had a reason to be, up in the suite with introduced myself. Seeing him again at the it just happened. friends watching the Hugos on television. party I caught him and said, “Get me out of What has me smiling is that Joe would In the milling about afterwards I almost here.” Without asking anything he looked see all of this as a logical progression of accosted Bob Gordon, entirely enchanted by around. “There's a back door” and he had me events; he always did assume that people his reaction to winning a Hugo. Metaphors through it and down to the bar. could do more than they thought they could and similes fail me: I've never seen someone People like Janice, all three of the and tended to get annoyed when they didn't so totally amazed and full of wonder and Michaels, Marianne, the family and fen who just get on with it. In part because of him I delight. Mike Walsh, the person who was pitched in to make certain that I could attend learned a great deal. I learned, in those last acceptor for Whelan (was it Don Maitz? Chicon in the first place, and Erik are among months of his life, that I do have something Much to Mike's amusement, 1 didn't recog­ the legal and easily available drugs I men­ to give. Later I learned that I can trust that nize him) and I headed back to the main tioned early on. Not saying a word about the there are people around with whom to hotel where I put them into the long, long things that he was having to cope with at mourn, or celebrate, or laugh, or work. That line for the elevators — for the wrong tower Chicon — and I later realized that they were I can write well, even under pressure. That of the hotel. I peeled off for the bar, ostensi­ many — he let a near stranger weep on his people not only like but also respect me and bly to have a cigarette but mostly because I shoulder for over an hour about someone recognize abilities that I didn't know 1 had. needed the pause, Joe's absence a pit that I he'd never met and then walked her back to That they have reason to. That going through was falling into. When Michael Swanwick her room to make certain that she got there a Worldcon with these amazing people can and Marianne Porter — Mike Walsh had safely. be an absolute blast. In some ways his death introduced me to them at the reception — The next day my mourning was done, the opened doors that resulted in rebirths. His came up and casually asked how I was doing world was back in balance. A new friend loss galvanized me and others in WSFA and I said, without thinking, “Well, I think Pm and I took an architectural boat tour that we finally once again have a convention: going to go keep Mike company for a bit and proved to me that I have to go back to Chi­ Capclave, next September in Maryland. I then go back to my room and cry.” We cago. The art retrospective! Some smoffmg. have friends, stronger than ever. I got up the talked for a few moments and I again had Me, at my second Worldcon, at the Old courage to go to my first SMOFcon (and see that feeling of split reactions; this is the way Farts Party and not even thinking it particu­ a shuttle launch!) at the beginning of De­ things are and, at the same time, I'm sitting larly odd after the first moments. Another cember and had a wonderful time learning in a bar after the Hugos and Michael Swan­ party in that tower where I, notoriously cam­ things and meeting people. And fve not only wick and Marianne Porter were comforting era shy, held still for a photo because it in­ found my confidence but whatever confi­ me. What universe had I landed in? volved having the Most Delightful Man in dence springs from. 30 File 770:137

no choice but to cancel it.” 10. Can TPC run a Convention Commit­ They will keep working on prepara­ tee Meeting and actually get something tions to hold it at a later date, when con­ done? ditions have changed and, hopefully, the IL Does fPC follow projects through to guests will again be willing to travel to completion? Can IPC make sure Dept. Israel. In the meantime, membership fees Heads do so, without annoying the DHs into will be refunded quitting the committee?

The Con Formerly Known as Relieves 9 Out of 10 Disclave Serious Fanhistorians Glasgow Worldcon Bid With the announcement of Capclave 2001, Who held the first science fiction conven­ Sets Date the Washington Science Fiction Association tion? The transatlantic controversy resur­ returns from convention limbo. They will faces every few years, most recently on the The UK in 2005 bid committee has an­ hold the convention at the Sheraton College Memoryhole listserve. Was it the Ameri­ nounced that, if they win, the Worldcon will Park over the September 28-30, 2001 week­ cans, namely the group of New York club be held August 4-8, 2005. That is the first end, not over the Memorial Day Weekend members who visited their counterparts in weekend in August, several weeks earlier date once associated with Disclave. Philadelphia in 1936, or was it the British, than the traditional Labor Day or English Capclave 2001 members will see Guest who months later staged the gathering in Bank Holiday used by North American or of Honor Gardner Dozois and (probably) not Leeds that they’d been publicly planning for European Worldcons. Vincent Docherty, bid see Ghost of Honor Joseph Mayhew. The over a year? co-convenor, wrote online, “As part of our convention’s theme is “Short Stories.” Robert Hansen wrote in Then #1 that consultation with fans to determine what Rooms are $89 (sgl-quad). Memberships most serious fanhistorians considered the would work best for them, we found that are $25 until April I, $30 thereafter. Leeds event to be the first sf convention, and many people — parents, teachers, students — The convention’s website address is: someone online threw down the gauntlet preferred a date during the school summer http://www.wsfa.org/capcO I /index.htm demanding the historians’ names. Irwin holiday period. We discussed the option of Hirsh sent me a copy of his reply, because moving earlier with as many fans as possible Hansen’s source was an article from and the great majority either preferred the Insult to Injury File770:50 (reprinted in Then as an Appen­ earlier date or didn't care whether it was Defeated 2003 Worldcon bidder Teddy Har- dix). Hirsh expressed his wish that my early or late in August.” via says he heard a discouraging word when The early date is still practical for fans he got back to his home on the range: “A sources, Fred Patten and Lew Wolkoff, had wanting to visit the Edinburgh festival and presupporter of Cancun wrote us after listed the fanzines where they’d located their the Military tattoo, which usually begin in WorldCon blasting us for our lack of effort information. I passed his request on and re­ early August. The date comes during a slack in bidding. He wanted more parties, more ceived this reply: season for Glasgow hotels, a fact the com­ flyers. He contended we should have Fred Patten: “I don't have File770:50 mittee hopes to exploit in its negotiations. claimed LoneStarCon2 as direct evidence we handy, but I suspect that the reading of Docherty adds that their contract will in­ could put on a great con in Cancun. I guess Forry's 1930s fanzines that I was referring to clude a clause to insure members get the we didn't give him his $7 w'orth.” was what I did during 1975 and 1976. That lowest rate, whether the “official rate” or was primarily for the history of the World­ weekend specials, to avoid a problem fans The Fannish Inquisition con that I was writing for MidAmeriCon's Progress Reports, but I took the opportunity experienced in 1995. Any group that puts on an annual convention to note down as much LASFS history as I More information about the bid can be has to audition a new chair from time to could find, too. This was also when I found a found at: http://www.uk2005.org.uk time. Loscon does it every year. Bruce Pelz reference in a 1930 issue of The Planet, the of LASFS has refined the art of grilling can­ club bulletin of The Scienceers in NYC, to didates and offers this list of questions you Crisis Halts their anniversary party for their first meeting should ask of potential chairs. Israeli Convention on December 11, 1929. I still claim that this I. Why does The Possible Chair (TPC) The specter of violence in Israel has dis­ is the earliest documented date for a meeting want to run a Loscon? suaded most of Armageddon 200Ts over­ of a local s-f fan club, as distinct from the 2. What are TPC's Goals for Loscon? seas guests from coming, forcing the com­ ’Science Correspondence Clubs’ that 3. Does TPC have any new - and still mittee to cancel the convention. evolved from Amazing Stories' letters col­ feasible - ideas for Loscon? “We regret to announce that under the umn and operated entirely by correspon­ 4. Does TPC have convention-running circumstances prevailing in this country over dence, whose members could be anywhere skills? the last couple of months, it has become around the country. But my arguments with 5. Which Loscon Dept, or Depts, has impossible for us to hold the Armageddon Aubrey MacDermott over this are another TPC run? 2001 Conference as planned, in terms of story. 6. Can TPC work with other people? both timing and format,” Mishkenot Sha “It is unfortunately true that I did not 7. Will TPC delegate tasks, or try to do Vananim of the Israeli Society for Science note specific references (or if I did, 1 long too much without delegation? Fiction & Fantasy wrote online. ago lost them), so any comments that I make 8. Can TPC get and keep competent “Specifically, most conference guests — today are based on my memories of what I Dept. Heads? though not all of them — have cancelled their read over twenty years ago in Forry's 9. Will TPC solicit the opinions of Dept. participation, and the program has become a fanzines.” [Fred Patten, E-mail: fredpat- Heads and actually consider them if they are nearly empty shell. Consequently, we have [email protected]] offered? January 2001 31 The F anivore

Samet Nuhiu Is SF community a bunch of traditional­ ists that talk about new things but when it I was surfing the web and checking my comes to actually use them they gracefully email when an Emerald City e-mail reached decline? Do some of the SF fans still use me through Intersmof. I went to the link not candles instead of electricity? Hmmm maybe really knowing what I am doing and looked the world is flat after all! at the pics on this thing (is it a zine?) I re­ P.S. It’s embarrassing to put it mildly membered: Hey! There are real fanzines. 1 that Hugo doesn’t even include a reward for recall I was given a copy of File 770 by a webzine. Third Millennia? Yeah, sure! Krsto Mazuranic (or perhaps you actually [[Time, more than philosophy, limits posted me a copy dunno) and found it quite what I do on the Web. All 1999 and 2000 interesting. That was in 1986. issues are available on the File 770 web site. Well, if Emerald City put a copy of it on 1 have glorious plans to expand its contents, the web there must be a File 770 and Texas ESN, but there's only so much time in a day. SF Inq and Anvil...OK. Nothing easier than And if you think it’s embarrassing that that. Type www.file770.com. .. searching... there's no Hugo for a webzine, plan on be­ searching... 404 error. Site not found! ing embarrassed for the foreseeable future. Hmmm. Tried .org, net, int, gov... nope... When SMOFS discussed the issue, there was none! Searched and searched and searched little support for adding such a category. and there it is: http://ourworld.compuserve. Too bad, I agree that we ought to be recog­ com/homepages/mglyer/f770/index.html nizing fannish creativity in this new art­ (hmm) and then I was like: SURPRISED? form.]] Some thoughts somehow infiltrated my brains and I started wondering...gee, wasn't Allan Burrows it supposed to be like SF ppi are more PRO­ GRESSIVE? SF fans should (by definition) I did want to add a short note to Gene Stew­ be the ones to embrace new things (perhaps art: Sober, maybe; but serious? Um... occa­ this is more to be applied to technical stuff)? sionally. (And on some of those occasions I I remember I used to visit (hell I even seem to LoC File 770.) But feel free to have organized some) SF cons because I would an apoplectic fit if you like. As for Trufan- meet ppi there that knew things I dont know! dom dying, as Harry Warner Himself once Get some points of view' at things that were told me... hm, ah... Oh, who am I kidding? different from my points of view. In one Hl never find that letter! It was something wnrd it was always enriching. Listening to like, Trufandom's been dying since the all those ppi at cons telling marvels about 1950s and it ain't dead yet! Well if it's been things to come and things being done etc. dying for longer than I have, clearly some­ Well 2001 is here and the last 20 years thing else is going on. brought a hell of a lot in technological prog­ My current theory — tell me if you've ress. One of them is certainly the web as a heard this one before — is that there's some place where you can surf and find almost kind of natural limit on how many Trufen everything. there can be at one time. Any fan who's at­ What I saw at the HP of File 770 was tracted to Trufandom and zines and LoCs er... let’s try to put it this at a somehow civi­ and all just gets smacked over the head and AN ANSWER FOR EVERYONE lized manner: POOR! Instead of looking at a left by the curb for Captain Kirk to pick up, HP that will satisfy some standards (it costs unless somebody has recently died; then nothing to make one) I am instead being they're allowed to pub their ish unmolested. offered a PAPER issue of File 770!!! (The Or in my case gafiated for greener pas­ same could be said for Anisble and others I tures; I wonder who took my fannish place. did not find.) But not seriously, only occasionally seri­ What happened? Has some retro virus ously. been injected to the SF community? Have the ppi that told us about all the things to come been jailed? Hell, it seems the only Harry Warner Jr. ones that haven’t changed the life to the new forms are the ppi that knew the web and all First, before comments on the latest File other things will come! 770, congratulations on your twin triumphs 32 File 770:137 with the Hugo and Worldcon fan guest of Maybe fantasy and science fiction stories faunching to go back for an extended trip. honor. You’ll get a sevagram yet, I believe. are subordinate today because it’s so hard to On the other hand, Joe Mayhew's sudden I have mixed emotions about the return find them. The remaining prozines are hard (to me) death recalls that we have ailing of tire Retro Hugos. All the good egoboo for to find on newsstands and they don’t seek to fans aplenty these days, and some could use some individuals who flourished when fan­ build circulation by paying for a place in the some support. Pat Ellington, Dick's widow, dom was still young is a good thing. But I big magazine bargain offers that frequently has cancer. Bill Donaho is comatose after worry that some of the fan category Hugos come with Mastercard statements or in large several strokes and not expected to live long, may go to individuals and fanzines that hap­ circulation periodicals. Bob Lichtman tells me. Andy Main is not pen to have a place in tire memory of today’s Roland Deschesne’s remarks about life seriously ill, but is a bit under the weather; I younger fans for the accidental reason that possibilities on other planets during Con- met him when he came to a book signing I they have been reprinted in recent publica­ Version strike me as a non sequitur. Why did in Santa Fe, NM! - hadn't seen him in tions or are still active, rather than because should the nonexistence of life on other 25 years. they were the best in the year 1950. There planets in our solar system prove that it’s Fandom is about continuity... might be 50 or 60 individuals who were the only life in the galaxy? Lack of living fully active in fanzine fandom in 1950 who matter on Earth’s neighbor planets might Dennis Lien are still alive and mentally competent and in result only from climate or atmospheric con­ at least occasional touch with today’s fan­ ditions, and if planets circle many other suns I don't know if Pm more amused or bemused dom. Maybe half of them will spend the in the galaxy, the chances are excellent that by Alan White's movie-prop-oriented column money needed to vote for the Retro Hugos. there are some planets with the temperature in File 770:135, which he introduces by tell­ Their votes won’t have much effect if a cou­ and atmosphere combination that prevailed ing us that: ple of hundred fans who weren’t around in on Earth when life appeared here. “The Garden of Allah” was a movie in 1950 also vote in the Retro division. I must The third part of Steven Silver’s Jeop­ 1916, a Maxfield Parrish painting in 1918, a try to remember to dig out my fanhistory ardy! Adventure is equally as interesting as Charles Boyer movie in 1936 and an Eagles notes to see what fanzine polls taken in or the preceding sections. But I read it with a song much later... [as well as an[ infamous just after 1950 showed about favorite crea­ sense of guilt for a strange reason. An old celebrity nightspot.” tors and zines. acquaintance from my newspaper job used to All of those examples, and he doesn't [[The Retro Hugos aren 't designed to phone me bright and early and sing Happy know about (or think to mention?) what reconstruct fannish opinion of 50 years ago, Birthday to me every December. Invariably, would seem to me the most obvious: that it but to get people today to pay attention to she then began another effort to persuade me was also and first, like, a “book”? the history of our field by the added incen­ to watch Jeopardy!, her favorite television And not just any book, but one written by tive of letting them give a Hugo to works program, every day. I would always promise sometime fantasy writer Robert Hichens, from that era. I don't need to tell you that her to start doing so. It always turned out to and one which was the number three best­ fans in 1950 did not have unanimous opin­ be a life, and I kept on committing this false­ seller of 1905? And still shows up in large ions about these matters, any more than fans hood every birthday until her death several quantities in seemingly every used book did in 1999. (Unbelievable as it seems, a few years ago. I’ve never been able to get over store, antique shop, and library sale in the fans even disagreed with last year's pick for the sense that I should have repaid her kind­ western hemisphere? Best Fanzine...) However, the most certain ness by obeying her wish to create another You know, “books”? Those squarish way to let the cream rise to the top is to enthusiast for the program. things that are not movies, paintings, pop make sure the best fanac of 1950 is posted I don’t really belong in fandom if, as Jac­ songs, or nightclubs (let alone movie props), on web sites or otherwise widely available. queline Passey speculates, “being tormented but that some sf fans used to (here comes the And I believe that's what the administrators as a young person” is essential. I had my verb) “read”? are arranging.]] occasional problems as a small sprat, in the Sheesh. Alas, there’s not a word in the article on forms of a couple of mean kids in the neigh­ future Worldcon prospects about South Gate borhood and some flak in school because I Again in 2010.1 know Rick in his later years made high marks, and various other matters. disclaimed any intention of supporting such But I certainly wasn’t a sufferer from psy­ a proposal. But it seems the fannish thing to chological trauma from these occasional un­ do. pleasantnesses and my childhood in general You’ve done a great service by preserv­ was much nicer than I suspect my second ing something of the nature and achieve­ childhood will be if I live a few more years. ments of recent departed fans with such de­ tailed obituaries. Greg Benford John Hertz’ Westercon report seems re­ markably learned and meticulous in his Sorry so slow LOCing #135...been in notes on many of the less important events Europe, then on NASA business, but am and conditions at this event. But I kept won­ hiking in Mammoth for 2 weeks and blissing dering if any of the very few Hawaiian resi­ out before Worldcon... dents who have been active in fandom at­ Pm pleased to hear from Eric Lindsay tended or even knew about the convention. I that he and Jean may put on a Corflu right haven’t heard anything in years about Mike next in time/space to the 2002 Melbourne Fem, the first resident of the island to be­ Oz Nat'l Con. I liked Oz so much while come a prominent fan. Then there’s Ray there - admittedly, GOH at a Worldcon is Schaffer, who is still a member of SAPS. maybe not a typical con, but still!--that Pm January 200*1 33

Dale Speirs writes Lloyd Penney a good review of Con-Version, a con Once again, nchly deserved as Best Fanzine I'd like to go to one of of 2000. With the announcement of you be­ these days, and in the ing Torcon 3's Fan Goll (of course, you review, mentions an knew in advance), Chicon 2000 must have old friend who had been a wonderful convention for you. You made one of the most were certainly my choice for FanGoH...the unlikely of moves. I bid committee made up lists of choices of ran into Tim Hills in GoHs democratically by ballot and prefer­ Chicon. I always ence. Most people who have made such knew him as a fan in comments have said that our guest list is the Buffalo, New excellent. Time to delve further into the York area, but he ish... visited relatives in Toronto fans were not only happy with Calgary, liked it, the Worldcon win (so many more of them moved there, took out now know about Worldcons), but they're Canadian citizenship also happy that two Torontonians in two and is now busy in years have won the Campbell Award. In Calgary' fandom. 1999, it was Nalo Hopkinson, and this year, Joy Smith men­ Cory Doctorow. One thing that did disap­ tions that she be­ point me a little...less imagination than lieves that Lois Bu­ usual on the write-in votes. I've got to start jold reworked a Star voting Myles’ House in '89 again! Trek novel to create My personal high point at Chicon... Miles Vorkosigan's universe. Actually, Lois into the Music Man. I reversed what had discovering that along with Guy Lillian, I McMaster (Bujold) and Lillian Stewart seemed a plain canvas bag to reveal Jane received 17 nominations for the Best Fan (Carl), in their early fanmsh days, produced and Scott Dennis’ bright-colored Gaugin Writer Hugo, just seven nominations off the a Star Trek fanzine together. (Mike Glick- painting with flying saucer and “Conolulu”; ballot. I will dare to dream for Philadel­ sohn has a copy.) The Vorkosigan family donned from it a propeller beanie that had phia... were originally Klingons. been in the Tacky Aloha Shirt Contest, and a Fanzines have announced far too many A little news...it's a quiet October for Ctein-illustrated name badge all adorned deaths, so all the wedding announcements some parts of eastern Canada. The annual with ribbons and bid-party stickers; and thus on page 4 are a welcome change. Congratu­ Montreal convention, Con*cept, had to be vested, in the name of fandom I drew out lations to all. Yvonne and I are starting to cancelled due to lack of pre-registrations and packages with two ti leaf and octopus-flower think about what we might like to do come lack of dealers. A regular part of Con*cept is (he'e) berry lei. The first I draped round our 20th anniversary in 2003. Boreal, the annual French-language conven­ Bjo’s neck, explaining with suitable action Yvonne and I will be working with Bruce tion, and it carried on alone, in spite of that a lei is always given with a kiss; the Farr on the World Fantasy Convention com­ Boreal usually teaming up with Con*cept second - after John jumped so wonderfully ing up next year in Montreal. We've just due to high prices and low attendance. Both he couldn’t have done better had I rehearsed found out that John Mansfield will be the the con and con-in-a-con were scheduled to him — I carefully deposited in Bjo’s hands hotel liaison for this event. I believe it will take place this month, as was Continuity, so she could give it to her husband. This be held at the Delta Centre-Ville in down­ the annual relaxicon in Ottawa. This con­ brought the con to an end for me, which I town Montreal. More information should be vention was also scheduled for October, and only left out of my report because you were out at and after this year's WFC next week­ was also cancelled due to lack of pre­ there and I thought you might have written it end m Corpus Christi, Texas. This is the registrations. up yourself. first I've read about a Calgary Westercon bid I can tell you a little more about memori­ for 2005.1 wonder if Calgary fandom knows John Hertz als for Adrian Butterfield. Unable to attend about it? The Seattle NASFiC bid is a defi­ her ceremony in the San Francisco Bay area, nite; they leased the Toronto party room the Dear Migly, Sue Haseltine and I conspired with Arlin Saturday night of the convention while the Readers might like to know that in your Robbins about flowers. Rather than send a site selection vote count was going on. they photo of Bjo and John Trimble at their mar­ big static arrangement, we three contrived also left for our final party a lot of liquor we riage vow renewal and 40th anniversary for Robbins and a friend of hers to bring were happy to distribute to the thirsty party (File 770:136), their necklaces are buckets of unbound blooms and give one to masses. vegetable and souvenirs of Westercon. Since any who wished, to have and to hold. At the I can update the obituary I wrote about this pair of prophets couldn’t go to the first Worldcon Masquerade without Butter­ Lloyd Landa. Lloyd and Karen Linsley had mountain, I determined to bring the moun­ field, a few months later in Chicago, we entered a contest to choose an anthem for tain to them. At the close of their ceremony judges agreed some tribute was in order, Mars. Their entry won the contest, and a few days after I returned from Hawaii, when we returned after half-time with Karen performed the winning entry at the minister Carl Cipra opened the floor to fur­ awards, Susan De Guardiola addressed the Martian conference in Toronto, all the more ther contributions — actually the ground, we crowd movingly about this master’s work, significant and plaintive without Lloyd ac­ were outside - and, having first conferred noting in particular the stunning Michael companying her. with him, I re-enacted Harold Hill turning Moorcock presentation that won Best in 34 File 770:137

Show at the second Brighton Worldcon. ago. Many of my fellow' nerds have died as exacerbated his injury. However, since by well. James White described a similar expe­ the end of the con they were giving away Matthew Michalak rience. What in the world is wrong with a copies of the program book (1 got one each club, even one with no dues and only un­ cover for Tom Sadler, who enjoyed them Greetings, As the Director elect of the Den­ written rules, in a family home? immensely) that payment should not have ver Area Science Fiction Association, I just In an age when many of us make most of been any trouble. want to agree with and emphasize what our SF contacts on line, there is nothing Gene Stewart: There was only one Sourdough said in his comments about “Is nicer than a fight over a good book, by a moonshiner in the family. Do you want to Your Club Dead Yet?” in File 770. We're a bunch of friendly nerds, who are flopped out know who your wife was in a past life? social community above all else. on my couches. Our last argument was Lloyd Penney: The problem with Balo­ There may or may not be rumors of our about who was going to buy Ender’s Shadow ney was that everyone thought they were one death surrounding the lost of our meeting first and which source had the best buy. of the five fuggheads. What a marvelous space of 25 years, but this has not happened. (Sony, we are a little slow out here in the accomplishment! We have the problem solved, for January at wilderness. Pm sure the rest of you bought it the very least. Though I am going to keep in 1999.) Joy V. Smith looking for a more central location in Den­ ver rather than in the suburbs. It is rather Gene Stewart Congratulations on your Hugo! You deserve unfortunate that Vectra Bank has done this it! to us (and one other fannish club, Denver Congratulations for a well-deserved win I love the front and back cover cartoons Anime International http://denveranime. over GHLHI in the wrestling match. Lock up by Ray Capella. home.mindspring.com/club/), but it looks that rocket. As for GHLHI, having won him­ Pm glad the Retro Hugos are returning. like we will survive. self a fiancee, surely the rocket would have From something I read a while ago, I had 1 think I may have something to contrib­ been superfluous. the impression that they wouldn't be, and I ute to the discussion. 1 only joined DASFA Won't the return of the Retro Hugos risk think it's wonderful that great writers from 20 months ago. (Though some members are humiliating the broken-down contemporary the past can be brought to the attention of already commenting that it feels like writers? I imagine oldfen are savoring the today's readers. longer.) Now I am Director of the club be­ possibility. I enjoyed John Hertz' Westercon cause I was the only one enthused enough to Teddy Harvia's old phone number will be (Conolulu in Hawaii) report. Now there's a be the fearless leader. So why didn't I be­ auctioned off for sentimental value at Toon- con that I am really sorry I missed — all come part of the club earlier? The recruiting Con, tentatively slated for the Bogus Inn on those panels, including “History of Wester- elforts of DASFA simply did not cross my Scalawag Island in the Chestypeek Bay. cons” (what fun), the leis, the contests (wish path before someone said to me that I should Prosecutors will be violated and a good I could have seen Kosh in an Aloha shirt), come to a meeting at the art show of a local time had by all. the food, and his Japanese formal wear. gaming convention. So John Hertz survived seeing Dozois at Dale Speir's Con-Version 17 report was So I am going to try casting nets a bit 6 a m ? A stout heart, a grand and concise great too, along with his con quotes. further, putting up posters, putting out flyers con report, and more than a bit of Perseus I was delighted to see another Jeopardy! at every bookstore that will take them, hid­ can be found in that lad, evidently. report from Steven Silver. It is always inter­ ing business cards in books, accosting ran­ Speaking of Gardnering: Great quotations esting to see how different people perceive dom people in the street, and attending Nan from the short story discussion. We're too and remember things. (I don't think I would Desu Kan, by gosh I am going to get at least pressed for time to bother with short stuff, have gotten the Final Jeopardy Supreme five new members this year! indeed. Many would rather be bored than Court question.) challenged. Re: the Fanivore (lettercol). Fascinating Marie Rengstorff John Hertz's style is dense but efficient. It to see how many fans were on Jeopardy! or tends to flatten all to one level, removes took the test. I was wandering around in your web pages emphasis, but sure does impart information. I love the illos too, especially the gladia­ and was struck by something. The article, It resembles bullet statements in military tor beanie cartoon. Also, the quotes, which I “Is Your Club Dead Yet,” has a line which, performance reports. see are only in the Westercon report. So caught my attention two years ago and again By contrast Dale Speirs writes a more they're his — not yours? Anyway — great today. One club member comments that conventional prose that is cleaner to read but selection. their club had dropped to so few members not as detail-packed. It's every bit as enjoy­ that the meetings could be held in a private able, though, and his eye for irony and fan­ Victoria A. Smith home. I do not see that as a problem. We nish absurdity — “...read it ALOUD...” — kept me smiling. Those pesky Canadians started there. We were isolated nerds. We Robert Sacks was the Collator of WOOF have some life left, it seems. really gained from each other and joined (the Worldcon Order Of Faneditors) before with other nerd-groups to help run the early me. I still have the button he was wearing at conventions. My early memories are all of Joseph T Major ConFiction in Holland (at the WSFS Busi­ fighting over who was going to get to read ness Meeting, of course) when he was trying the new book next, arguments held in the Ferry Wins This Time: Oh my. I saw Jack to palm off the job of WOOF collation onto well furnished student lounge basement of Chalker at the Field Museum on Labor Day some poor unsuspecting soul: “WorldCon Frank and Marcene Mallett. Then, Frank and he was on his feet, albeit it walking Dept Headship for sale. Ask me.” I don't would help set up a convention at the Neil with a cane. I hope his desire to see some of think Pm alone in being fast-talked into do­ House, downtown Columbus, Ohio. the many wonderful things there has not ing something Sacks wanted and scratching Frank and Marcene Mallett died decades January 2001 35 my head afterwards. going. Fie lost the 1972 DUFF race to leth is only a faux pas if you're trying to pass He was not the sort of fan to suffer Lesleigli Luttrell, whose DUFF trip report yourself off as a member of the group that (other) fools gladly. He obviously considered Lesleigh's Adventures Down Under, antici­ uses it. Tolkien fans, at least the polite ones, that he should be the one to create the most pated the title of Janice's Trip report. The will only explain that in those days, a trilogy useful (?) damnedfoolishness at WSFS Busi­ other contenders were Robert and Juanita was three distinct but inter-related novels, ness Meetings, or quash what he saw as dan­ Coulson, who withdrew before the end of like Le Guin's Earthsea trilogy (as it origi­ gerous. However, if you really, really the race. Rusty Hevelin won the 1975 DUFF nally was) or Kim Stanley Robinson's Or­ needed help Robert would do what he could. race to Aussiecon, beating John D. Berry ange County trilogy. LOIR was always pub­ When my travel arrangements for Aussiecon and jan howard finder. lished as a 3-volume novel. These days, a Three (both potential roommate and Pat Porter: A small correction to the trilogy seems to be a single work that's try­ waystop) fell through, making it suddenly September issue, that I just got time to read. ing to fool you into thinking it's three novels, much too expensive/impractical to even con­ The potential Seattle area NASFiC bid and LOTR didn't do that either. It is indeed sider going, my plaintive cry of “help!” fell would be in the Bellevue, WA convention hard to see the difference, so one either on Robert's ears. He rounded up a WOOF center (a neighboring suburb) not knows this particular case or one does not, I collator for Aussiecon Three (Alan Stewart) Bellingham, WA which is about 80 miles up guess. and dragooned — um, persuaded — others to the road from Seattle. pitch in to produce WOOF 24. Murray Moore: 1 watched the Hugos on Letterhacks’ Addresses Although Mike Glyer's comments in Chi­ the TV in my room in the Hyatt. I could tell cago Moon-Times I omitted some of Robert some hilarity occurred out of camera range Greg Benford, E-mail: Sacks' more quixotic adventures, such as the after you accepted your Hugo. I was not sur­ [email protected] perennial “New York in ((never))” bid com­ prised to see in File 770 the photo of your­ David Bratman, E-mail: mittee meetings that kept occurring at vari­ self and Guy Lillian wrestling for the rocket. dbratman@genie.idt.net ous cons, Glyer's article was far more elo­ Laurraine Tutihasi: I just finished read­ Allan Burrows, E-mail: [email protected] quent than I could ever be. Hl just close in ing “Shibboleths of Fandom” in F770 #128. Dave Feldman, E-mail: saying, “Farewell, Robert Sacks.” Yes, yes, I know it was published over a [email protected] year and a half ago. I’m just this backed up E. B. Frohvet, 4716 Dorsey Hall Dr. We Also Heard From in my reading. #506, Ellicott City, MD 21042 Anyway, I never bothered to look up the John Hertz, 236 S. Coronado St. #409, Los Angeles, CA 90057 Eric Lindsay: Thanks for File 770:136, and word “shibboleths,” so I want to thank Denny Lien, 3149 Park Avenue S., congratulations on the Hugo, and on being [David Bratman) for educating me. The arti­ cle itself was also very informative and en­ Minneapolis MN 55407-1524; GoH at Torcon 3. E-mail: [email protected] tertaining. Lots of marriage notices this time, and it Eric Lindsay, E-mail: is nice to see some good news. My understanding of the origin of the [email protected] John Hertz does good con reports. Actu­ pronunciation of “skifly” for sci-fi is that it Joseph T. Major, 1409 Christy Ave., ally I enjoyed all the con reports. Always do, originated in LA. You probably know that Louisville, KY 40204-2040 probably always will. the organization SCIFI, that was incorpo­ Matthew Michalak, E-mail: [email protected] Dave Feldman: Congratulations on your rated to bid on conventions, is pronounced Murray Moore, 1065 Henley Road, Hugo! Woohoo! And no chads, evidently. “skifly.” I've always referred to the “Lord of the Mississauga, ON L4Y 1C8, You look remarkably like Buzz Canada; E-mail: Rings” or “Ring” trilogy, but I guess that's Lightyear. Is that a good thing? [email protected] Henry L. Welch: Congratulations on the why I’m not in the Mythopoeic Society. Samet Nuhiu, E-mail: Hugo win. I think you have the circulation There are quite a few novels that have been [email protected] and zine quality to compete favorably with published as three volumes, though they Marc Ortlieb, E-mail: any other fanzine being published today and were not written that way. It is very difficult [email protected] Lloyd Penney, 1706-24 Eva Rd., that was certainly borne out this year. for the casual reader to see the difference. Etobicoke, ON M9C 2B2 Canada; I could threaten another comment-less David Bratman replies: I’m glad you enjoyed my article. It wasn't intended to be E-mail: [email protected] anti-LOC, but I did find a comment hook Pat Porter, E-mail: this week’s hot news, so I’m pleased that it worth providing added content. In her Oasis [email protected] 13 report Joy V. Smith mentions a fencing still interests people a year and a half later! Marie Rengstorff, E-mail: demo where she indicates that she was I don't know for sure who came up with [email protected] shown how to keep her other hand from be­ the “skiffy” pronunciation — all I’m pretty Joy V. Smith, E-mail: ing whacked when using the foil. When I sure of is that I first heard it from Tom [email protected] Victoria A. Smith, 1416 S. 20th St., took fencing the reason given was historical. Whitmore around 1978, and he could easily Arlington, VA 22202. E-mail: During the days when dueling was illegal have gotten it from Bruce [Pelz] or someone else in LA or elsewhere. It was certainly [email protected] many duels took place at night. In order to Gene Stewart, E-mail: spreading like a small wildfire for a while. be able to see your opponent you held a lan­ [email protected] tern in the other hand, hence the slightly I’m pretty sure, though, that the presence of Laurraine Tutihasi, E-mail: awkward positioning of that hand. I have the con-running group SCIFI in L.A. is no [email protected] never made any attempt to independently evidence one way or the other, as my recol­ Harry Warner Jr., 423 Summit verify this version, but it does sound kind of lection is that it hadn't yet been founded at Ave., Hagerstown, MD 21740 Henry L. Welch, E-mail: reasonable. that time. [email protected] Marc Ortlieb: Sorry to erratum your Don't worry about referring to The Lord errata, but Andrew Porter's memory must be of the Rings as a trilogy. Breaking a shibbo­