1983, A GOOD YEAR FOR AUSTRALIAN AND

IN THIS ISSUE: 1983 was an encouraging year for Australian science fiction and fantasy. On the fan front we won the right to hold the 43rd World Science Fiction Convention in Melbourne in 1985, which will again help to further the causes of both fan and HARRY HARRISON IN AUSTRALIA professional sf in Australia. There were more sf and f books published in Australia KEITH TAYLOR SELLS SECOND in 1983 than any year previously. CORY AND COLLINS led the field with six books, "BARD" NOVEL TO ACE including FRONTIER WORLDS edited by Paul Collins, SAVAGE'TOMORROW, a "Mad Max" type novel by Trevor Donohue, THOR'S HAMMER by Wynne Whiteford, possibly his best novel yet, EUREKACON CHANGES VENUE THE TEMPTING OF THE WITCH KING by Russell Blackford, a sword and sorcery epic and JUSTIN ACKROYD WINS GUFF earlier in the year, FUTURE WAR by Jack Wodhams and RING OF TRUTH by David Lake. ROBERT HEINLEIN'S NEW NOVEL NORSTRILIA PRESS released the anthology, DREAMWORKS edited by David King, which "JOB" SOLD TO PUTNAM included Kevin McKay's outstanding story "Life the Solitude" and the novel, FILMING OF "DUNE" MOVIE IN AN UNUSUAL ANGLE by Greg Egan. HYLAND HOUSE released a new sf novel by Lee Harding, MEXICO COMPLETED - FIFTH WAITING FOR THE END OF THE WORLD. PENGUIN BOOKS released A.Bertram Chandler's eagerly NOVEL IN SERIES DUE OUT awaited alternative time novel, KELLY COUNTRY and the Children's Book Award Winning SOON novel for 1983, MASTER OF THE GROVE by Victor Kelleher. Penguin also released in CONSTELLATION - '83 WORLD’ Puffin books the three books by Patricia Wrightson in her "Wirrin" series, BEHIND CON - IN THE RED THE WIND, THE DARK BRIGHT WATER and THE ICE IS COMING. HUTCHINSON AUSTRALIA released Wrightson's new novel in hard cover, A LITTLE FEAR. BECOMES FULL TIME WRITER THE UNIVERSITY OF QUEENSLAND PRESS followed their publication of PORTABLE AUSTRALIAN SF, an historical sampling of Australian sf, edited by Van Ikin, with VALENCIES by "ALIEN” MOVIE SEQUEL TO BE Rory Barnes and Damien Broderick. A new publisher WALRUS BOOKS published a science­ MADE fantasy novel, STRANGE TERRITORY by Jean West Penna. MACMILLAN Australia published THE PREGNANT URBAN GUERRILLA by Wayne Youngberry, which is a mainstream sf title. ROGER ZELAZNY TO WRITE THREE MORE "AMBER" NOVELS Most of these books will figure in the voting for the DITMAR, AUSTRALIAN SCIENCE FICTION AND FANTASY ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS, apart from PORTABLE AUSTRALIAN SF, which does FILMING OF "2010: ODYSSEY not contain original fiction, but could gain Van Ikin a nomination for best editor. TWO", TO COMMENCE SOON George Turner's novel YESTERDAY'S MEN was not released in Australia in it's Faber JIM BAEN TO PUBLISH SF LINE edition by Penguin, until February 1983, although it was published in October 1982 TO BE DISTRIBUTED BY POCKET in the UK. Presumably that is eligible for nomination this year. 'SpCORGI BANTAM f5 BOOKS

Galaxy PAWN OF PROPHECY BOOKSHOP BY DAVID EDDINGS

BOOK ONE OF A SCIENCE FICTION & FANTASY SPECIALISTS MAGNIFICENT FIVE VOLUME EPIC, SET AGAINST A HISTORY OF SEVEN THOUSAND YEARS - OF THE WHOLE NEW STRUGGLES OF GODS WORLD OF BOOKS AND KINGS AND MEN - OF STRANGE LANDS AND EVENTS - AND OF OUR NEW CHECKLIST IS NOW AVAILABLE - FATE AND A PROPHECY SEND $1.00 NOW (TO COVER POSTAGE THAT MUST BE AND HANDLING) FOR YOUR COPY FULFILLED.

106 A BATHURST STREET, SYDNEY 2000 $4.95 RRP

PHONE:(02) 267 7630 On Sale Now At Booksellers 8 Newsagents STAR TREK A GATEWAY TO THE FANTASY WORLDS OF PAST,PRESENT AND FUTURE! SCIENCE FICTION BOOKS, FANZINES, MODELS & PHOTOS FOR SALE

On Star Trek, Twilight Zone, and Other Science Fiction Shows

Write or call for list

R. JOHNSON 26 College Street, Sydney Phone: 367-6138 (Anzac House)

2 clubs, conventions, bookshops and other appear, and me will tell my readers. fan activities, but obviously nobody Meanwhile, this year, do join Eurekacon, agreed with me. I am a little bitter non-attending if you cannot get to about this, but I should know Australian Melbourne at Easter, make an effort to fandom well enough by now, not to be read all the nominations and vote for surprised. Thank you Paul Collins for the awards themselves. offering to take a page. To the rest of fandom, it's your loss, but thanks for I can only hope that if you have nom­ nothing. inated this year, that you have taken My thanks to Justin Ackroyd for checking into consideration all the items I the errors in this issue and for Karen have mentioned on page one. A few other Quinlan, Julianne Wiley, and Cathie points I will make include the fact Kerrigan for helping with typing. that with only a few people voting, Well folks the writing is finally on the THE 1984 DITMAR AWARDS usually people close to the organising wall. Australian SF News has to cease,or The Australian SF£F Achievement Awards of the convention, the voting hardly at least be reduced in size. It has Nominations for this years Ditmars are becomes very representative, either in already gone to an irregular schedule due in by the 10th of February, but it the fiction awards or the fan awards. and this I regret will continue. The is unlikely you will be reading this The whole idea of the awards can become size and contents of future issues will before that date. I did intend to en­ quite a farce. To add to the farce, it be most likely be reduced, but subscrip­ close nomination forms with this issue, has been pointed out that Australian tions will be extended. More details on but it will now be too late for you to fiction can be nominated in the Inter­ this will be announced next issue. return them by the closing date. I was national category. Now that is just were very keen to encourage people to pointing out how ridiculous the awards The problem is that I will be forced in nominate this year, following the poor part of the National Convention's con­ future to spend more time looking after response last year. Not only were some stitution must be and it is obviously my business, Space Age Books. Justin novels and short stories overlooked overdue for revision. . Ackroyd has decided to extend his GUFF entirely, but there were so few nomin­ trip indefinitely, while Maureen Walsh Finally, before I say too much on this ations received that the short and long has decided to carry on with her academic matter, as important as it may be to me, Australian fiction had to be combined. endeavors and can only work weekends. I do not consider that it is necessary They are not being replaced at this time, It is a great disappointment to me that to have both artist and cartoonist cat­ which means I will have even less time to I have not been able to remind you to egories in the awards, unless of course work on the NEWS. Much of the typing of nominate this year, mainly because I you regard the "artist" as professional the NEWS does not have to be done by me feel that Australian sf writing should and the "cartoonist" as fan. It may also personally, but help from Space Age staff be encouraged and with long and short become necessary in the future to add to is now out and most of the editing can fiction being forced to compete for one the number of awards, which is now lim­ only be done by me. Cathie Kerrigan has single award, I feel that the writers ited of course by the constitution. given me some valuable assistance on this are not being encouraged very much. The categories for this years awards issue and if this greatfully received More nominations may have forced a are: BEST AUSTRALIAN SCIENCE FICTION OR help continues, future issues may be a return to the original two separate cat­ FANTASY, BEST INTERNATIONAL SCIENCE little more comprehensive than otherwise. egories for Australian fiction. FICTION OR FANTASY, BEST AUSTRALIAN I have enjoyed doing the NEWS, but it is The voting in last year's awards was also FANZINE, BEST AUSTRALIAN FAN WRITER, becoming a bit of a chore. As much as I quite low. The problem is of course that BEST AUSTRALIAN SCIENCE FICTION OR want to keep it going , something has to most people have not read very many of FANTASY ARTIST, BEST AUSTRALIAN SCIENCE give. After all I would like to read a the books or stories than can be or FICTION OR FANTASY CARTOONIST, BEST book now and again or go to a movie or even are, nominated. I can only ask AUSTRALIAN SCIENCE FICTION OR FANTASY spend a bit more time fishing, which is that you do make a special effort this EDITOR, and THE WILLIAM ATHELING AWARD a very good way of getting away from it year to read more Australian sf, espec­ FOR BEST AUSTRALIAN SF CRITICISM. all for a while. So, expect future ially the short stories. I also ask That's all. Just vote. Please! issues when you see them. all those people who do see stories by Australian writers, to write to me and A certain amount of duplication has been Merv Binns/ Editor tell me where and when the stories taking place with the book lists'in the NEWS and Space Age Newsletter, as well AUSTRALIAN SF OS ISSN 0155-8870 is edited and published by Mervyn R.Binns as the promised Checklist. Consequently under the sponsorship of The AUSTRALIAN SCIENCE FICTION I am dropping the book list from the FOUNDATION. NEWS and I will be producing it separat­ ASFN is registered for posting under Australia Post , publication If VBG2791 ely. It will list all books we know are The address for all correspondence is 305/307 Swanston Street, Melbourne, published and the titles specifically 3000, Victoria, AUSTRALIA. expected by Space Age will be noted. Details on how you can obtain copies SUBSCRIPTION RATE: $7.00 Australian for 6 issues, surface mail. $12.00 Airmail. and how subscribers to the NEWS, the Please make all payments payable to the editor, Mervyn R.Binns. Our American Checklist and SAB customers will be agent is LOCUS, Box 13305, Oakland, CA 94661. Please send all payments effected, will be announced in the next in the U.S.A, to LOCUS :.$6.95 US surface mail and $11.55 US airmail. Our issue of the NEWS. The Checklist, which British agent is GERALD BISHOP, 2 Cowper Road, Cambridge, CB1 3SN, England. was intended to cover all books published : 3.75 pounds surface and 6.20 pounds airmail. with as much detail as possible, may still appear again, but most likely as ADVERTISING: Professional Rate - Full back page $60.00. Interior page $50.00 an annual publication. In other words, Quarter page $15.00. Half page $30.00. Full page copy ready size is 360 mm V I would like to do a complete listing x 275mm H. Half page 180mm V x 275mm H. Quarter page 180mm V x 135 mm H. 10% of all the ffjsf publications for 1983, discount is applicable on all professional advertisements placed on a regular but if it ever appears it will not be basis. A 50% discount applies to fan advertisements for conventions, clubs, till late this year. The 1984 issue fanzines and other activities. would not appear until 1985 and so on. N.B. A 10% discount is allowed to subscription agencies other than our official The new Booklist will cover two or three agents listed above, but payment must be sent direct to us. We suggest that months at a time, with a basic amount of any additional costs be charged direct to the subscriber . information, but enough to tell readers something about the books and enable them NEW RATES FOLLOWING DEVALUATION! to order them. We are Australian Agents for: LOCUS: Subscription rates: $38.80 The proposed free issue of the NEWS 12 issues Airmail $73.15 for 24 issues Airmail. never got off the ground, mainly because $25.50 12 .. Sea Mail $47.65 ..24 .. Sea Mail. of an almost complete lack of interest. SCIENCE FICTION CHRONICLE: $33.00 for 12 issues Airmail/ $58.00 for 24 issues AM. I thought it was a good idea to distri­ SCIENCE FICTION BOOKS PUBLISHED IN BRITAIN: $3.15 for 6 issues. bute over three thousand copies through­ 3 out Australia, which would advertise but that is not important, as the story is a ripping yarn. Mrs Summerville, who lives on a Taree cattle property with Re Re and TRCRC her husband, said she was returning to work on her "great Australian novel", A ROUNDUP OF LOCAL AND OVERSEAS which she put aside to write SHIELDS RELEASES AND TITLES DUE IN THE NEAR OF TRELL. FUTURE Our thanks to Kevin Dillon, for this The major local sf release from the belated "Australian" report 14/9/83. local distributors late '83 was 2010: ODYSSEY TWO by Arthur Clarke, in Granada NORSTRILIA PRESS gave their anthology paperback from Gordon § Gotch. HELLICONIA DREAMWORKS a launching in July last SPRING by Brian Aldiss was another GGG year. The launching took place at the Granada release. They also have Piers Melbourne Planetarium and a dramatis­ Anthony's JUXTAPOSITION coming up, which ation of Russell Blackford'sstory from is a little overdue. FOUNDATION'S EDGE the collection, "Crystal Soldier" took by Asimov is due for January publication place. in Britain in Granada paperback and we hope it will be on sale here by April. William Collins released in December a new sf art book from Paper Tiger pub­ lishers, REALMS OF FANTASY, edited by Malcolm Edwards and . A large format paperback. Some of the artwork, which illustrates famous places in fantasy fiction, is quite outstanding, but much of it is quite ordinary. The much awaited fourth book in The Saga of the Pliocene Exile series by Julian May, THE ADVERSERY, will be released in Pan Actor Ian MacLeish as the by Collins in February. They recently "Crystal Soldier" released Robert Silverberg's MAJIPOOR CHRONICLES with a reissue of LORD VAL­ On a fleeting visit from the U.S.A., ENTINE'S CASTLE. literary agent Cherry Weiner reported Besides KELLY COUNTRY by A.Bertram that Ace have accepted a second novel Chandler and MASTER OF THE GROVE by by Keith Taylor, BARD II, they will Victor Kelleher, Penguin Books released reprint BARD and want more books in the a series of fantasy gaming books, includ­ series, which Keith is already working ing THE FOREST OF DOOM by Ian Livingstone. on. BARD II will be published in April.- The highly acclaimed fantasy released WYNNE WHITEFORD appeared on the Muriel by Penguin in Allen Lane hard cover, Cooper programme on radion station 3AW THE NEVERENDING STORY by , CORY G COLLINS launched their latest on December 12th. This appearance along is translated from the German by Ralph four titles with a party held at the art with reviews in Melbourne newspapers,' Manheim. The text and illustrations are studio G.A.S.P.P. The cover art is some provided good publicity for the new printed in the two colours, red and green. of the best they have used and Space CORY G COLLINS titles. It has been a top seller in Germany Age reports that they are the fastest for two years, and has now been trans­ selling titles yet from this publisher. lated into 25 languages. A $25 million The artwork for FRONTIER WORLDS and THOR'S movie is planned. HAMMER is by Rowena Cory, SAVAGE TOMORROW by Rowena and Stephen Campbell and THE TEMPTING OF THE WITCH KING by Steve Dash. Allen G Unwin are doing an excellent job with their Unicom paperback fantasy series, with both reprints of classic fantasy titles by such authors as James Branch Cabell and Lord Dunsany and new titles like Joy Chant's WHEN VOIHA WAKES. In hard cover they released the HIGH KINGS by Chant, illustrated by George Sharp. An outstanding volume of pre- Arthurian Celtic mythology. Corgi have picked up the original Del Rey series by David Eddings, "The Belgariad". ■Book one of the series of five, PAWN OF PROPHECY, is due out soon. Seen here enjoying the party are from left, Wynne Whiteford, Paul Collins, Dent publishers released MORETA: DRAGON­ Trevor Donohue and Keith Taylor. LADY OF PERN, in hard cover from Severn House in January. This seventh book in A science fiction novel called SHIELDS the "Dragon" series was an immediate OF TRELL, won Mrs JENNY SUMMERVILLE bestseller on release in the USA by first place in The Australian /Vogel Del Rey and Space Age reports selling $10,000 National Literary Award, announced out in a couple of days after receiving September last. The book is expected to stock from Dent. be published by Allen G Unwin. Mrs Summerville, 30, has been writing for Sphere books, now distributed by William most of her life, but up to date has had Collins, had special sf promotion late only a couple of short stories published. '83, a feature of which was the Nebula This was her first attempt at science winning title NO ENEMY BUT TIME by fiction. The novel, aimed at a Michael Bishop. They have a new series teenage audience, was selected as winner coming up by Patrick Tilley, "The Amtrak by judges Edmund Campion, Robert Drewe Wars", volume one of which, CLOUD WARRIOR, and Helen Garner, who it is reported is due out in January. know little about "technical accuracy", Due for publication in March U.K. is a books, in a somewhat similar deal to will operate. new "Dune" book by Frank Herbert, DAW and NAL, we assume. HERETICS OF DUNE. We have no local re­ Baen will only take over titles from TOR Books are planning a regular fantasy lease date of this Gollancz edition by Pocket/Timescape that he feels will fit Hutchinson yet, but we would estimate line of at least one book per month, on into the style of book he wants to pub­ top of their current horror titles. The May . New English Library will publish lish. Some may continue to be published the paperback edition in 1985. editorial vice president Harriet McDougal by Pocket themselves, but the last c/o Tor Books, 8-10 West 36th St., New "Timescape" titles will appear probably York, NY 10018 , USA , is interested in A recent TV production of Kenneth in January '84. Titles Baen does not want both new works and reprints. TOR will Grahame's classic fantasy THE WIND IN or that Pocket does not wish to retain, THE WILLOWS,has prompted the publication continue to publish titles in the pipe­ will revert to the author. All titles line and not delay them for the launch of new editions of the book by Methuen, Baen does accept will only be on the of the new series planned for a mid- including one with stills from the approval of the author. SFWA President 1984 release and big promotion. Other Thames TV production, a pop-up book Marta Randall announced that the SFWA publishers who are also expanding their and a WIND IN THE WILLOWS COUNTRY COOK will be watching carefully to see that fantasy lines include Arbor House, Bantam BOOK. authors rights are protected, but Baen Ace and NAL/Signet. has said that he is particularly concer­ The Methuen edition in paperback of ned that the right thing is done by the LITTLE, BIG, by , was put In reference to TOR Books, could some­ authors and he will do his best to ex­ off from July '83 publication to Novem­ body please tell us why or how they can pedite the reversion of titles that he ber in the UK. Local release date is claim that some of their titles are or­ or Pocket do not require. still not known. Due possibly to changes iginals, when in fact they are reprints in distribution over the last year, we or to be specific, new editions? Titles Pocket approached Baen when they origin­ have experienced many delays in local in particular are Spider Robinson's ally decided not to renew David Hartwell's releases in relation to release dates contract, but agreement was not reached. TELEMPATH {'76), marked a TOR original in Britain. The most annoying of late and GREMLINS GO HOME ('74) by Dickson After the Scott Meredith fiasco Baen is still THE CITADEL OF THE AUTARCH by 8 Bova, both have a 1983 copyright date. and his backers made a counter proposal Gene Wolfe in Arrow from Hodder and Stoughton. The local distributers it and they finally came to terms. In what seems, have little consideration for the sounds a rather complicated arrangement, specialist booksellers, especially when Baen is associated in the setting up of A later report from TOR states that his company and the deal with Pocket, it comes to sf. New titles are often more freelance assistance will be used with Richard Gallen and Tom Doherty. late, in short supply and most back in editorial work, with McDougal in titles, many which should be continuously He started in the busines with ACE in charge, working from her South Carolina on the shelf in the sf shops, are out of 1972 as Gothics editor. From there he office. Terry Carr will purchase and stock with the distributers for nine moved to Galaxy as managing editor and develop a series of six books for TOR, then editor, returned to ACE as senior months out of the year. to be published over the next year or editor in '77, where he became a vice- two. Ben Bova will develop high-tech president by 1980, when he left tb join properties for them. Robert Gleason the newly set up TOR Books. will work with Jerry Poumelle on some PUBLISHING : "special properties". Gleason was invol­ Baen will publish a new line of hard ved in the publication of THE MOTE IN covers, trade paperbacks and mass market GOD'-S EYE and LUCIFER'S HAMMER, while NfWS paperbacks in the sf, fantasy and com­ with other publishers. David Hartwell puter science fields. His plans are to is also working on some projects for Bluejay Books have announced a series publish between 48 and 60 titles per TOR, including a new Michael Bishop novel. of trade pb editions of THEODORE year in mass market format and about 20 STURGEON titles, starting off with THE in hard cover and trade pb. Publication NAL/Signet are planning a new fantasy STARS ARE THE STYX, which was instantly will commence in July 1984. Pocket will line in addition to their two sf titles out of print when published by Dell. by then have published all the titles in a month programme now operating. The This will be followed by ALIEN CARGO in the Timescape inventory. After that only new line will start in August 1984. The June, VENUS PLUS X (Illustrated) in July, certain titles, plus the STAR TREK line fantasy editor at NAL, Sheila Gilbert, THE DREAMING JEWELS (Illustrated) in the will be published Pocket itself. wants to see full novels, not outlines, fall and THE GOLDEN HELIX in winter of unless they are from well-known authors. 1984. WORLD'S END by Joan VINGE is due Mimi Panitch, associate editor at Write to Shiela Gilbert, New American for February publication in hard cover Pocket, is continuing to edit the Star Library, 1633 Broadway -32 floor, New trade and deluxe editions. This is a York, NY 10019. sequel to SNOW QUEEN, which won Vinge Trek series. Pocket will continue to the HUGO and is reported to be a better publish film related science fiction in written book. She hit the bestseller paperback and a late report says that The publishers,NEW AMERICAN LIBRARY, lists in the US last year with her story­ a new series of hard covers will appear has been sold by Times Mirror, to a book version of RETURN OF THE JEDI. under the Pocket imprint. group led by Odyssey Partners and Ira J.Hechler. No change is expected to be Bluejay have purchased a second novel Betsy Mitchell, who was managing editor made to the management and activities by TIMOTHY ZAHN, called A COMING OF AGE; of Analog, is Baen's chief assistant, of the company, and Times Mirror, who a new anthology series to be edited by while Shelley Frier takes over at Analog. are interested in directing publishing GARDNER DOZOIS, the first to be published in other areas, only became interested in trade pb searly in 1984; a series BAEN BOOKS should become a major force in the sale when it became evident that of reprints of HARLAN ELLISON books; a in the science fiction and fantasy field. there would be no changes. NAL, who new novel, THE INFINITY LINK by JEFFREY Baen believesin publishing only those also distribute DAW Books, has been CARVER. They have also added to their titles which appeal to him. For instance one of the most successful and profit­ inventory a new novel by RUDY RUCKER, any fantasy will be of the nuts and bolts able paperback publishing ventures. THE ENGINES OF NIGHT by BARRY MALZBERG, variety. Betsy Mitchell will also handle NAL was founded in 1948 and was sold to LAND OF UNREASON by L.SPRAGUE DE CAMP, acquisitions and will initially "pitch Times Mirror in 1960. They have been a DARKER THAN YOU THINK by Jack WILLIAMSON, to my taste", said Baen, but will even­ regular publisher of sf and were the a new novel by Greg BEAR, a collection tually ''develop her own feel for what's original publishers of Heinlein, Bester by Barry LONGYEAR (IT CAME FROM SCHEN­ right ”. and Clarke, in the USA. ECTADY) and a Connie WILLIS short story collection. Bluejay's correct address Baen had just recently signed a new One of the recent success stories in US is 130 W 42nd St., , NY 10036, USA contract with TOR, but it would appear publishing has been Arbor House, who that their parting was quite amicable. JIM BAEN has left TOR Books, where he now publish Robert Silverberg's new books, established the sf line after leaving They have enough titles on hand for the along with other fljsf novels and in par­ next 18 months approximately. Publisher Ace, to form his own company, BAEN BOOKS. ticular anthologies. In a typical heart­ Tom Doherty is following several pos­ The new company will be taking over less move, the man who founded the com­ sible lines in his search for a new much of the Pocket/Timescape back list pany, Donald Fine, was sacked by the editor, but in the meantime a system of and Pocket will be distributing Baen Hearst Corporation. Fine sold out to j. freelance editing by various people Hearst, remaining as president, publisher story by Gene Wolfe,' "Bibliomen", for Bantam Books are launching the ’’Time and chief executive officer, in an effort 1984 publication. Wolfe and Robert to broaden the company's scope and be Machine" series this year, which is sf Silverberg signed books in London in aimed at young readers, being produced more competitive in the publishing field. October during the British Book Council's He has apparently been successful and by Byron Preiss Visual Publications. SF promotion. Cheap Street are also pub­ The series will interact with the "Choose before he could carry out his intention lishing a "Witch World" story by Andre to buy the company back, he was squeezed Your Own Adventure" series, with alter­ Norton. Tentatively scheduled for early nate paths for the readers to take, but out. ROBERT SILVERBERG has agreed to '84 release, the title is WERE-WRATH. become a science fiction consulting they are overall more sophisticated. editor for Arbor house, while he has Allen 8 Unwin are quite pleased with the Avon Books new sf programme, uider ed­ sold them two as yet unwritten novels reaction their Unicorn Fantasy paperback itor John Douglas, will start in May for " a major six-figure advance." He series has received in Britain. They with one title per month. was involved with pinnacle books in 1977 have a very strong line up of titles for as a consulting editor, but they messed the near future and they intend to pub­ him about over contracts and he quit in lish more hard covers, which they hope disgust. We hope that the major manage­ will attract more attention from review­ ment change at Arbor has no effect on ers in the press. Space Age distributed his dealings with them. a glossy circular listing all the Allen and Unwin fantasy titles, with their Christmas mailing.

Penguin/Allen Lane have bought British pb and hard cover rights to THE TALISMAN by STEPHEN KING and . They also bought by Straub, which is being published by Putnam in the US. Berkley have bought a new collection of Callahan stories by SPIDER ROBINSON, MACHINES THAT KILL, an anthology edited by FRED SABERHAGEN, and BRISINGAMEN by DIANA L.PAXSON.

Granada Publishing has purchased RAMSEY CAMPBELL'S latest novel INCARNATE. They will publish it in hard cover and later in paperback. They are also considering reprinting his earlier novels. ANGELUS! by PETER TREMAYNE is another horror novel Granada has purchased. Nick Austin, Granada editor, said they are looking at The Pocket edition of LIFE, THE UNIVERSE expanding their output of fantasy and AND EVERYTHING IN IT by Douglas Adams, horror. now has 1,016,500 in print. Adams latest publication, THE MEANING OF LIFF, which Pocket intend to sell advertising space Silverberg said, "Arbor House plans to he wrote in collaboration with John Lloyd, in their books, starting with romantic is a collection of place names and crazy publish eight high quality novels per fiction. We will no doubt have to put up year. I intend to publish some new writ­ explanations of the names. We doubt it with it in sf eventually, but let us will have the appeal of his previous ers, but am primarily interested in mat­ hope they do not have those glued-in- books. All his fans will be pleased to erial by well known authors who want a inserts which are a real pain. career publisher. Advances will be highly know that a prequel and sequel to THE competitive by science fictuon standards, BATTLEFIELD EARTH has been sold to a new HITCHHIKER'S GUIDE TO THE GALAXY, called and books will appear quickly. I'm inter­ British publishing company, Quadrant SO LONG, AND THANKS FOR ALL THE FISH, ested in science fiction with little Books. The US paperback will be published will be published by Pan later in the fantasy-- no mythology trilogies or sword by Bridge Publications, who publish books year. It is expected to be on sale in and sorcery. I'm willing to look at pro­ on Scientology and such. The film rights Australia in November. posals only. Send them to me c/o Arbor have been sold to the independent company Doubleday have'purchased a novel, CAMPBELL House, 235 E, 45th St., New York, NY 10017. "Salem Productions. A fanzine featuring WOOD, by Al Sarrantonio, which features a Hubbard's ideas and work, To the Stars, His first new novel, which should be pub­ has been issued by Methuselah Press in lumberjack who uses the Dean Drive to lished in 1984, features a hero's quest Los Angeles. chop down trees. Doubleday published for immortality and is tentatively titled RENSIME by Jacqueline LICHTENBERG, the GILGAMESH THE KING. The second, tentat­ After some spirited bidding, the American sixth in the "Sime-Gen" series, ively titled THE BURNING SPEAR, will be in January. Meanwhile DAW have bought " a more violent novel than I've ever rights to Gollancz's GOLDEN WITCHBREED by Mary Gentle went to Morrow. ZELEROD'S DOOM, a Sime/Gen collaboration written before." Bantam are also con­ by JEAN LORRAH and LICHTENBERG. tinuing with their reprint program and DOWNWARD TO EARTH, DYING INSIDE and Further Berkley purchases include Michael The ninth "Family D'Alembert" novel BORN WITH THE DEAD, will all be published Moorcock's "Count Brass" series, a sequel by STEPHEN GOLDIN, THE OMICRON INVASION, early '84. to COLD BLUE LIGHT by , titled will be published by Berkley mid '84. GHOSTS OF NIGHTLAND MORNING, 0RA:CLE by They will also publish SLIPT! by ALAN Later details on Arbor House indicate Kevin O'Donnell,Jr., and the BEST OF ROD DEAN FOSTER; WORLDS APART by JOE HALDEMAN; that the sf line will not effected by SERLING'S THE TWILIGHT ZONE MAGAZINE, SUNSMOKE by JAMES KILLUS ; SWORDS OF Donald I. Fine's departure from the com­ edited by T.E.D.Klein. RAEMILYN by ROBERT VARDEMAN and GEORGE pany, while Fine is himself forming a PROCTOR; three new "Lord Darcey " novels new company. Indications are also that Arrow will include the following titles in it's 1984 list: THE CRUCIBLE OF TIME by MICHAEL KURLAND and TOM WATERS, from Arbor House may be "folded into" the outlines by RANDALL GARRETT; two more parent company Heart's other hardcover by John Brunner (May), GOLDEN WITCHBREED by Mary Gentle (September) and WITNESS "Thieve's World" anthologies by ROBERT house, William Morrow. Meanwhile Fine ASPRIN and LYNN ABBEY. is contacting many of his authors as OF MIRRORS by Dave Langford (October). some of their contracts with Arbor have Gollancz will publish a new book by Our thanks to LOCUS, SCIENCE FICTION an "editor's clause”, which allows them Ian Watson, THE BOOK OF THE RIVER, in CHRONICLE, ANSIBLE and various other to follow Fine to his new company if they February, which is currently being ser­ sources for news and information in wish. ialized in FsSF. this issue. Ed. The publisher of limited edition chap­ American booksellers report that sf is books, Cheap Street, has acquired a selling better than ever, but horror 6 has taken a dive. L.SPRAGUE and CATHERINE DE CAMP have Phantasia will publish a deluxe and AUTHORS & Other completed THE KNIGHTS OF ZINJABAN, a a trade edition of the first in his new sequel to their "Krishna" fantasy novel "Tales of the Velvet Comet" series, EROS People tn the NCWS THE BONES OF ZORA. / NORMAN SPINRAD DESCENDING, while Misfit Press will do has sold a new novel to Bantam titled UNAUTHORISED BIOGRAPHIES, a collection CHILD OF FORTUNE, for a four figure sum. of short stories. ROGER ZELAZNY has sold three new "Amber" The new novel takes place in the same novels to Avon for a six figure advance, universe as his THE VOID CAPTAIN'S Tor books are publishing a new series the exact amount not being made public. TABLE, but is not a direct sequel. by JACK CHALKER. SPIRITS OF FLUX AND Zelazny said that he thought he could Spinrad has sold rock-opera rights to ANCHOR, is the first in the "Soul Rider" originally wind the story up in one book, his story "The Big Flash" in Belgium. series due out in March. but in the end it took five books to tell the particular story he thought was signed books for nearly there. The series has sold between 250, four hours at London's Forbidden Planet 000 and 400,000 for Avon, while LORD OF Bookstore last August. He said that it LIGHT has sold 500,000. The new trilogy was one of the most enjoyable signings is not a continuation of the story, but he had ever done. THE WAR HOUND AND THE takes place at a later time with some of WORLDS PAIN and THE GOLDEN BARGE were the same characters from the earlier on sale. The sequel to the former, THE books. The first of the trilogy is not CITY IN THE AUTUMN STARS, will be pub­ expected to be completed until late '84. lished this year by New English Library. Zelazny is also planning another collab­ Timescape was to publish the US edition, oration with Fred Saberhagen. but this is now uncertain, plans for an "Elric" film have fallen through, but , editor of the British reprints of the books are still appearing. newszine Ansible, has completed a NEL will do ELRIC AT THE END OF TIME in satire about a nuclear research estab­ paperback soon. lishment, to be published by Frederick Muller. Other possible future projects NORMAN MAILER has a contract with Random include writing the text for a "humor­ House for four new books, worth $4 mill­ ous multi-illustrated extravaganza" ion. One of the books will be an sf WHO'S WHO IN THE UNIVERSE, collaborating title that he has been planning for some with Chris Morgan on a sequel to FACTS L.Sprague de Camp in a pensive mood at time. 8 FALLACIES (an assembly of strange Constellation. quotations), plus working as a reviewer for White Dragon magazine. American author JOHN SLADEK, who has was hospitalized for a lived in England for the last ten years short time last August, with high blood or so, has returned to the USA, probably pressure. permanently. He has completed a new short story collection, THE LUNATICS OF SAMUEL R.DELANY has sold two associated TERRA, which will probably published in novels to Bantam. The first, STARS IN the UK later this year. He says he has MY POCKETS LIKE GRAINS OF SAND, will be finished with robot novels for the time a hardcover publication in the late fall. being, TIK TOK, which was published by The second volume is tentatively titled Gollancz late '83, being the last. No THE SPLENDOUR AND MISERY; OF BODIES, OF US edition of this title is yet in view. CITIES. The overall title for the two books is "Visible and Invisible Persons, The editor of Locus, CHARLES N.BROWN, Unknown, Distributed in Space". who is left handed, broke his left SUZEN HADEN ELGIN has sold her new novel, thumb last year. NATIVE TONGUE, to DAW. is working on an historical BEN BOVA is appearing regularly on the novel on the French Revolution. She CBS MORNING NEWS as its science and tech­ claims that the revolution is like some­ nology expert, doing features on most thing out of science fiction. Lee has Wednesdays as well as whenever there is written a number of television scripts a major science/technology story. He including two for BLAKES SEVEN. Her next has dealt with such matters as the novel from DAW will be THE INDIAN NIGHTS Forrest J.Ackerman signing autographs latest space shuttle flight, the future and she is part-way through DELERIUM'S at Constellation. of the telephone, and the impact of MISTRESS, fourth in the projected six automation on employment. book "Death's Master" series. She con­ fessed in a Locus interview that she FORREST J.ACKERMAN has a small part in DAVID HARTWELL has sold a non-fiction wants to act. It is probably unlikely, a short fantasy film made by John Landis sf title to Walker publishers, and is but where there is a will there is a for cable TV. Forty was also interviewed assisting Waldenbooks, a large US book­ way. on the TO THE STARS show, a new cable TV store chain, in developing promotional programme. ideas for their new sf Otherworlds books CHARLES L.GRANT, winner of two World club. Waldenbooks are offering discounts Fantasy Awards recently, has THE TEA DAVID BRIN has sold two new novels to to members of their club plus special PARTY and NIGHT SONGS coming from Pocket, Bantam, tentatively titled GORILLA and items otherwise unavailable. This is a and the second in his "Oxrun Station" THE POSTMAN. common practice in the US now and numer­ trilogy, THE DARK CRY OF THE MOON, from Donald M.Grant in hard cover. TOM DISCH has a new novel, THE BUSINESS­ ous genres besides sf are covered. David MAN: A NOVEL OF TERROR, which will be Hartwell's commitment to Waldenbooks is JOEL ROSENBERG'S second "Guardians of published by Jonathan Cape. for four months part time, so as of the Flame" novel, THE SWORD AND THE CHAIN November, he was still looking for a has been bought by NAL. GREGORY BENFORD is writing a new novel full time job. is working on part two of called ARTIFACT and was due to visit Egypt recently, to do research for the the "" trilogy, tentatively titled JAMES TIPTREE, JR., has finished a new book. novel titled GREEN, GO./ WILLIAM ROTSLER THE GREEN PEARL, for Berkley and they has sold a third unwritten title to will also publish volume three. Vance A post holocaust novel by WHITLEY STRIEBER Doubelday in his "Zandra " series. He has turned in RHIALTO THE MARVELOUS, a and JAMES KUNETKA, WAR DAY, will be pub­ will also do four books on the upcoming collection of three in the lished by Holt in the US, Hodder in the STAR TREK III: THE SEARCH FOR SPOCK, "" series, to Pocket. UK and to an unnamed publisher in Germany. movie./ ROBERT SILVERBERG was on a pub­ The going price was reported to be more licity tour in Europe in November. Two books are being published to coincide than generous. -j with MIKE RESNICK being GoH of ConFusion. ROBERT HEINLEIN has completed a new Expatriate Australian author, JOHN BROSNAN, novel, JOB: A COMEDY OF JUSTICE. It's a organised his own publicity party in Soho 400 page alternate-world fantasy satire to launch his new paper back horror novel L obituaries j on religion. Part of it takes place in SLIMER. ("One by one it took them ... and heaven. Heinlein was 76 last birthday on death was only the beginning!") The book JAMES WADE, fantasy author and composer, July 7th '83. He has now started work is published under the pseudonym of Harry died at age 53 of a heart attack. He on another new novel. Because of the Adam Knight. Brosnan took the drastic wrote numerous fantasy stories, an opera nature of the story, JOB will need to be action of launching the book himself, read by a wider market to reach top , THE MARTYRED, which received favourable because the publishers, Star Books, cut notice, and he set various Lovecraft bestseller lists, dealing as it does with the down on their promotional spending, but sonnets to music. He returned to live nature of God and Satan and other matters. they still managed to spend quite a bit in Korea in 1960 after a stint in the Reports from those who have read the on promoting Graham Masterton's new American army in there in 1954, where manuscript however, indicate that it is horror novel THE PARIAH. he worked as a journalist on various lucid, well written and entertaining. newspapers. Wade died August 1st '83 Del Rey have paid a very high price for London's Forbidden Planet Bookshop cel­ and was buriednext to his wife in Seoul. paperback rights, as may be expected. ebrated its fifth birthday last August. Guests at a party held included Michael Minneapolis fan, MIKE WOOD, 35, was Moorcock, Christopher Priest, Malcolm found dead in his apartment on October Edwards, J.G.Ballard, Leslie Flood and 3rd, one day after his birthday. The most of the staff of starburst magazine. cause of death was unknown at the time. Wood was a member of many APAs. WINTER'S TALE by Mark Helprin is to be published by Pocket and will be most PAUL W.SKEETERS, approximately 79, likely made into a film by producer editor of the book of the work of Gene Kirkwood. Maxfield Parish and collector of Weird Tales carvings by the late Clark Ashton Smith, died August 30th, 83 of New York fan and publisher, ANDREW PORTER, a stroke. has announced that his magazine Starship (Algol), will suspend publication after MAEVE GILMORE PEAKE (widow of Mervyn the next issue, the 20th anniversary Peake) died in a coma August 2nd. She issue. The first two issues were produced was in her 60s. She married Peake in by Andy in 1963, when he was still at 1937. A talented artist herself, she high school. They were doubled spaced, wrote a moving memoir of her life with with a printrun of 50 copies. The final Peake, which is due to be republished issue, which wil 1 feature columns by Fred by Methuen, she edited many of Peake's Pohl ( a long article on George Orwell), books including PEAKE'S PROGRESS and Robert Silverberg, and Vincent di Fate, DRAWINGS OF MERVYN PEAKE. A generous with an interview with Terry Carr, will and kind woman, she is survived by her have 64 pages, with a cover price of three children, Fabian, Sebastian and $3.00 or more. Cl ar e. A happy Frederik Pohl at Constellation Subscribers to Starship will receive 2 DAPHNE CASTELL,53, who had stories pub­ copies of S.F.Chronicle for each copy lished by New Worlds, Impulse, Venture, FREDERIK POHL is working on a sequel of Starship. Many of the regular columns Science Fantasy, Amazing and various to his famous novel THE SPACE MERCHANTS. from the former will now appear in the anthologies, died August 9th, '83, of The new novel, BACK TO THE GRAVY PLANET, latter and the subscriptions will be cancer. Virginia Kidd, in her piece on is set in various parts of the world, transferred when the transfer takes place Daphne Castell in Locus, lamented that and some of the background details have some time early '84. many of her unique stories and one or been picked up on tours he has done rec­ two novels, are still unpublished. A ently such as his trip to China. Pohl After publishing Starship/Algol for so long Andy found it very hard to kill it. great pity as they sound as though they said that the uses of advertising now are quite hilarious. are far more frightening than those in the It was like losing an old friend, but logic said it had to go, after a drop earlier novel, written with Cyril Kom- British actor PETER ARNE, 63, was found bluth, depicted. He feels that just like off in bookstore sales and advertising revenue. beaten to death in the passageway leading the first novel did, the new book is to his central London apartment. It was anticipating things that people will be Algol shared the Best Fanzine Hugo with believed he may have been being black­ worrying about seriously soon. Richard Geis's Alien critic in 1974, mailed because of his homosexual activ­ but in the continuing controversy over ities. He was to appear in a four part HEECHEE RENDEZVOUS ( a title that makes the fanzine and semi-prozine definition, Pohl wince slightly) is definitely the episode of Dr Who. He made many appear­ Andy withdrew it from consideration for ances in films and on TV, including last, he hopes, in the series following the Hugo. Since then Locus or Science GATEWAY and BEYOND THE BLUE EVENT HOR­ THE HELLFIRE CLUB ('64), BATTLE BENEATH Fiction Review have won the award year THE EARTH ('68) and MURDERS IN THE RUE IZON. It is being serialized in Amazing after year. under the title GATEWAY THREE: BEYOND MORGUE (71). THE GATE and will be published this Actress CAROLYN JONES died August 3rd year by Del Rey. The Robert Mills Literary Agency, which was started by Mills, who was at one 1983. An established character actress Another completed book, a sequence of stage managing editor of the Magazine of the '50s, she became best known for novelettes set in a future history of of FSSF, is to be sold to Richard Curtis her role as Morticia in the TV series , has a working title of Inc. The assets include past literary THE ADDAMS FAMILY. THE YEARS OF THE CITY, and will be pub­ properties and current projects. The FAMOUS FILM PERSONALITIES PASS ON lished by Timescape. Pohl said it ’is the authors represented include Fritz Leiber, longest book he has written, about five Keith Laumer, James Tiptree Jr., the DAVID NIVEN, who died recently, was a to ten thousand words longer than JEM. estates of Mack Reynolds, Edgar Pangborn, very popular and well know film actor, C.M.Kombluth and others, as well as If this title does in fact appear from but fantasy film fans will remember his older books by Ellison, Niven, etc. Timescape , it will most likely be one role in STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN or its alter­ of the last. Mills wants to get back to freelance native title, A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH, editing, which he prefers doing. Mean­ with great affection. Also in the same MARTA RANDALL, 35, president of the SFWA while the successful Curtis Agency con­ movie was RAYMOND MASSEY, who appeared married CHRIS CONLEY, 38, in Oakland on tinues to expand. Curtis has a regular as one of Niven's inquisitors on his August 23 last. Chris is not an sf fan column in Locus, with information and "trial" in heaven. Massey died only a or reader, but his father designed the advice mainly for authors. short time after Niven, last year. He original Galaxy masthead and his mother appeared in many films, always making is now married to H.L.Gold. his presence felt, but we will remember him best for his multiple role in the 8 classic sf film THINGS TO COME. A third great thespian we have lost, who also A TV movie titled THE SKY’S THE LIMIT, Following the local release of the film passed on only weeks after his compat- recently being shot at CBS, features THE DAY AFTER, which deals with the des­ riates, was RALPH RICHARDSON. He also three astronauts in training. Jane Fonda truction of Kansas city in a nuclear appeared in THINGS TO COME, as The Boss. is being sought to portray the first blast, a local film maker has announced Richardson will be remembered for a US woman astronaut, Sally Ride, in a an Australian version featuring Perth. great number of memorable portrayals on big screen movie. the screen and on the stage. He played Peter Hyams is directing MGM/UA's 2010: an eccentric librarian in ROLLERBALL, 20th Century-Fox has announced produc­ ODYSSEY TWO, which was due to start a wizard in DRAGONSLAYER and The tion of a sequel to ALIEN. Most of the shooting this month. Hyams is also writ­ Supreme Being in TIME BANDITS. He also original crew on the first film, includ­ ing the script, his previous credits appeared in THE MAN WHO COULD WORK ing producers Walter Hill and David Giler, including OUTLAND, CAPRICORN ONE, HANOVER MIRACLES in 1936 and more recently in will be involved. Hill recently produced STREET and STAR CHAMBER. The cast has the TV special DR FRANKENSTEIN: THE the futuristic rock-fantasy STREETS OF not been announced, but the technical TRUE STORY in 1973. FIRE for Universal. Other Fox films of crew include Richard Edlund - visual interest coming up include BRAZIL, effects supervisor on STAR WARS, RAIDERS Another film personality, director MARVEL OF THE HAUNTED CASTLE, and COCOON , OF THE LOST ARK etc., Albert Brenner - LUIS BUNUEL, also died late 1983. His to be directed by John Carpenter. production designer, and Syd Mead - style of film making, which grew from visual artist, who helped design BLADE his association with surrealists such Columbia have announced a second BLUE RUNNER and who produced the popular as Cocteau and Dali, resulted in some THUNDER movie starring Roy Scheider and book SENTINEL. of the screens most strange and bizarre ABC are doing a TV series, due for screen­ films. His autobiography is due for pub­ ing here on the 9 Network. Meanwhile, lication by Jonathan Cape in January. CBS has a super helicopter series coming up, starring Jan Michael Vincent and Ernest Borgnine, called AIR WOLF. Rock video has had many fantasy and sf sequences featuring hit songs, but "Beat It", from Michael Jackson's THRILLER album held the budget record at $130,000. John Landis has made a 14 minute film featuring the main song from THRILLER, which we hear cost much more. It has demons and other creatures created by Rick Baker. Local screening of the clip has been censored.

Columbia's CHRISTINE from Stephen King's The shooting of DUNE in Mexico finished novel, directed by John Carpenter; THE late last year, after 23 weeks. Special KEEP from Paramount; and Fox's SILKWOOD effects work is now being carried out on the starring Meryl Streep and directed by film in Los Angeles, with some of the Mike Nichols, after an eight year most extensive and expensive sets ever absence from screen directing, based on Filming on STAR TREK III: THE SEARCH FOR constructed. The film, which it is rep­ the true story of the atomic plant worker SPOCK, started on August 15th, with orted could cost anywhere from $25million who died in mysterious circumstances, Leonard Nimoy directing. His first feature to $60 million, may be a Christmas 1984 after reporting a leak at the atomic length directorial assignment. Harve release. plant where she was employed, are all Bennett, executive producer and co-writer recent releases in the USA. of STAR TREK II has written the script Hammer films have produced a series of of III and will serve as producer. The thirteen TV movies. A 52-part series THE NATIONAL LIBRARY in Canberra is build­ executive producer is Gary Nardino who featuring the best moments from the ing up a broad range of titles in it's was formerly head of Paramount Television. classic Hammer films of the past, is film section. During October last year All the regular cast appear, with Merritt also being considered, with Peter they screened a number of science fiction Buttrick from II as Kirk's son again, Cushing as host. The new series will films in their theatre including a Czech plus Mark Lenard recreating his role as not feature a lot of gore and is being film, THE FABULOUS WORLD OF JULES VERNE, Spock's father. Dame Judith Anderson distributed world wide by 20th Century Fritz Lang's METROPOLIS, Howard Hawks' will also definitely appear as a new Fox. Hammer plans to re-establish them­ THE THING and THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD character. Lucasfilm's Industrial Light selves as the world’s premier producer STILL, which was directed by Robert Wise. and Magic company, will supply special of horror films. All of these films are available from effects again. The $15million production A new production company, PK Productions, the library. We thank Colin Steele for is due to be released mid 1984. Oh! It plans to make a 39-part supernatural TV these details. is a more than even bet that Mr Spock series in the U.S. A 30 minute pilot The Australian newspaper in its October will appear in the movie. of WORLDS BEYOND, cost £200,000 and was 22-23 weekend magazine, featured an art­ shot at Elstree Studios. The pilot story, Fire on the sound stage at Paramount •/ icle on the upcoming film DUNE. The Studios, that Bill Shatner was reported titled EYE OF THE YEMANJA was scripted article was based on an interview with by ’’Avengers” veteran Brian Clemens, helped stop before it destroyed the Dino de Laurentiis, who with his daughter STAR TREK III set, did totally destroy presented by John Hurt, featured newcomer Rafaella, is producing the $50 million Amanda Hillwood and was produced by Alan several famous sets including those film, which boasts 53 actors and 20,000 where "Going My Way", "The Godfather" Radnor, who has written a number of books extras, plus hundreds-of technicians. The and "Chinatown" were filmed. on the supernatural. article mentioned special effects and how THE RETURN OF THE JEDI has now taken some of the film's scenes are done, ending Harrison Ford was injured in a fall from $250 million. What possible influence with director David Lynch's lament on an elephant while shooting was in pro­ can this have on the future of film how he was going to squeeze it all "into gress on INDIANA JONES AND THE TEMPLE OF making in Hollywood or elsewhere for the length of an ordinary movie". A DEATH, in Sri Lanka. He returned to the that matter? We have seen an ever grow­ second accompanying piece featured an cast three weeks later in London. Steven ing number of f£sf films over the last interview with actress Francesca Annis, Spielberg is again directing this sequel few years, with the technical quality of who plays Lady Jesica in the film. to RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK, with an all the effects becoming ever more complex new cast apart from Ford. The leading and spectacular, but when are we going GREMLIN is a new Steven Spielberg movie lady is Kate Capshaw. The film is due to see a story line that is in any way due for release soon. Warner Brothers for release in March this year. and Avon books, who are publishing the above the comic strip mentality? novelization, are readying a massive Richard Donner (SUPERMAN I) is directing a Medieval fantasy romance, LADYHAWKE. Kodansha, the Japanese-American publish­ merchandising campaign. People in the US are waiting for the merchandise to The story spans a period of 700 years er, has begun work on an animated version and features shape-changing were-creat- of E.E. "Doc” Smith's "Lensman" series. hit the toystores to find out what the movie is all about. ures. The script is by Ed Kharma, Michael n Thomas and Tom Mankiewicz. The stars British TV channel 4-TV is to screen a film are Mathew Broderick (WAR GAMES), Rutger do John Glenn's presidential asperations based on the book in the Flambard series, any harm, one US review I read indicated Hauer (BLADERUNNER) and Michelle Pfeiffer. A PATTERN OF ROSES, by K.M.Peyton, a super­ The film is due for mid 1984 release. however that the character as portrayed natural novel. Channel 4 also screened in the film was not "tough" enough for The film WAR GAMES incidently has been the INVISIBLE MAN, the 1933 film, which a US President. blamed for dozens of computer freaks became the top rated programme of the breaking into code protected computer week. They screened the 1960's "Thriller" The interesting part of the story was systems, just to prove if the way it is series, which recently surfaced again on the continuing instance of the astronauts done in the movie is possible. It TV here. that they were still pilots and not just obviously is. guinea pigs in the space experiments An autobiography of interest to fantasy that the overplayed ex-German scien­ Filming of CONAN II was taking place in film fans is ELSA LANCHESTER, HERSELF, tists were conducting. The astronauts January this year, in Mexico. Some by Elsa Lanchester, published by Michael won their point against the scientists very enormous sets have been constructed Joseph. Married to Charles Laughton for and it is interesting to note, that now, 38 years, until his death, she is best in or near Mexico City. Arnold whats-his- with the space shuttle, they are back in known for her role as the "Bride of name is again the star, with Sarah Douglas almost total control of their vehicles. Frankenstein". from Superman II again playing a villain- One gem of a scene in the film is when ess. We have been neglecting f&sf film books, Space Programme chief, Senator Lyndon Warner have delayed release of GREYSTOKE: but we will endeavour to mention them Johnson, gets his come-uppance from more often in the future. THE LEGEND OF TARZAN, LORD OF THE APES one of the astronaut's wives. to Spring 1984. Photographs by Lord Snowden of the stars of the film do not Some SCIENCE FICTION & FANTASY It is a pity that the book and the film do not take the story a little further, inspire any confidence in the authentic­ FILM REVIEWS ity of the film.... Jane has quite dark but I am sure that advocates of the space hair 1 by Merv Binns programme will find little fault with it and it will not do their cause any harm. Movie rights have been bought by Philip Following RETURN OF THE JEDI, a number Kaufman to eleven Jimgrim novels by TALBOT of sf§f films have been on in Melbourne SUPERMAN III is a very great disappointment MUNDY, a biography of whom was recently and I have managed to get to a couple after the first two films. If the first published by Donald M.Grant. of previews. First up was the delayed two were corn with class, the third is BRAINSTORM, that was held up following corn without class. There are some great PAUL KANTNER of the rock group Jefferson the death of actress Natalie Wood. scenes in the film, but too much was Starship has recorded a soundtrack album Christopher Walkin is in fact the main made of the Richard Pryor character and to his as-yet unpublished sf novel, which character in the movie and any scenes the script as a whole was episodic and features a rock and roll group as char­ that Natalie Wood was in and that might unconvincing. Even the special effects acters. The fictional group develops have been cut due to her abscence, are were a bit passe, spectacular, partic­ "telepathic amplification" and has to go not evident. The story involves the ularly in the final scenes, but the on the lam from federal agencies. Jeffer­ developement of a machine that records feeling is, so what! I could go on and son Starship will perform the album for brain patterns or thoughts and it enables keeping talking about what the story MTV, the cable music station. a second person to listen, in or exper­ should have been, but why bother.... ience another persons recorded thoughts. SUPERGIRL is coming up and perhaps fur­ The 20th anniversary of DR WHO has been ther SUPERMANS, but we can only hope marked by the publication of a number The climax of the film comes when Walkin cannot pass up the opportunity to find that they can pull their act together. of items, the release of the TV special, out what happens to the mind of Louise THE FIVE DOCTORS and various events. Other films recently on in Melbourne The book edited by Peter Haining, DR WHO: Fletcher, when she dies of a heart included SPACEHUNTER, screened only dur­ A CELEBRATION, was selling at $23.95 in attack while using the machine. Up to ing the day for the school holidays, hard cover in Melbourne over Christmas the point where he does find out, the ANDROID and the horror film CUJO. We and Space Age reported they could have film was believeable. The effects used will try and drum up some opinions on sold twice the quantity they ordered. to illustrate the life-after-death ex­ these for the next issue. A magazine published by the BBC, RADIO perience are graphic and very pretty, TIMES DR WHO 20th ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL, but not very convincing. I was tempted MARKETS was also a big seller. One of the major to laugh, but managed to restrain myself events on the fan scene took place in to some degree. However, apart from those J.E.Poumelle & Associates will be doing Chicago, in the USA and not Britain, unconvincing final scenes, the film is a fourth THERE WILL BE WAR anthology and strangely enough. A convention held at worthwhile and succeeds in exploiting are looking for "strong stories about the Hyatt Regency Hotel at O'Hare, near our interest in the unknown. war in the future", both reprints and originals. For details write to the Chicago attracted an estimated 8000 fans, HEARTS AND ARMOR is a very attractive above, attention John F. Carr - Associate over the weekend of November 26th and Italian made film, starring among others 27th. Ian Marter reported in the British Editor, 12051 Laurel Terrace, Studio the very attractive Tanya Roberts, who City CA 91604, USA. Bookseller of December 24th, that he starred in BEASTMASTER. The story is attended along with Tom Baker, Patrick loosely based on the medieval epic Darrell Schweitzer is putting together a Troughton, Terry Nation plus represent­ "Orlando Furioso" .and features Christian collection of studies of modem horror atives of the DR WHO publisher W.H.Allen. and Moorish knights doing battle and writers. He wants something on John Coyne falling in love with beautiful women, in particular. Before sending submissions Richard Bates, son of writer H.E.Bates, including one who dons the armour her­ write to Darrell Schweitzer at 113 will produce a 39 part serial for the self and takes on the men. An almost Deepdale Rd., Stratford, PA 19087, USA BBC called TRIPODS. This sf production comic strip story, right out of "Prince Last Wave magazine is looking for sub­ based on John Christopher's trilogy, Valient", but worth seeing for the fine missions of speculative fiction. For WHITE MOUNTAINS, THE CITY OF GOLD AND photography and eyecatching scenery LEAD and POOL OF FIRE, has been a project alone. details write P.O.Box 3206, Grand Central of Bates for 15 years, during which time Station, New York, NY 10163, USA he has been trying to get it off the Due for release here in February is the ground. Charlotte Long, 17 year old story of the Mercury astronauts, THE daughter of Viscount Long will be the RIGHT STUFF. It is based on the book by THE CYGNUS female lead, playing a French Countess. Tom Wolfe, in which he delved deeply The story deals with the invasion of into -the backgrounds and training of CHRONICLER Earth in the 21st century, by aliens the astronauts. This film is going to An Australian Review of Science Fiction and Fantasy be one of the major contenders for the from outer space and three boys battle Featuring fiction from the best Australian authors, against the invaders. Academy and other awards this year. It art from the best Australian artists, plus reviews, is a gut wrenching experience that space I news and letters, and regular columns on SF-related buffs will view with awe, but it is also • themes. Cinema sex-pot Pia Zadora will star in a very well made film. The casting of a "low-budget" sf film, ATTACK OF THE Only $5 per year from: the seven astronauts themselves, most The Eperex Press ROCK AND ROLL ALIENS. Has the hype of of the actors being familiar if not PO Box 770 this overated actress gone wrong? well known faces, is spot on. My first Canberra City ACT 2601 10 impression was that the film would not Australia much like the East, where people rec- cognised the ramshackle quality of life and faced up to it, instead of papering over the cracks. Funny how such snatches of conversation return to you over the years. And somehow those splendid sour black olives seemed to embody this harsh land, where olive trees grow on precip­ By Brian A Miss itous slopes among fields of stones. The rasp of the olives on my tongue tasted like the spirit of the place. Brian Aldiss gives us the lowdown on As evening came on, we drove back to his friend Harry Harrison. Italy, back to the Free World. The flags and desolations of communism It's splendid that Harry's going to be to present Gillespie with that WSF faded behind us, and we showered before in Australia at last, meeting his fans, obelisk...) dining at the Grand Hotel et de la friends, and readers. Congratulations, Ville, at a table with a white cloth and The black olives. Yes. Harry and Australia. professional waiters in attendance. Kingsley Amis and I were guests at the Harry and I have known each other for first Scince Fiction Film Festival in Even then, the determination was born - how long is it Harry? We're about the Trieste. Trieste is an historic old in me to escape from England again, and same age, and our careers have run mainly city on the Adriatic, part-Italian, to investigate Jugoslavia - a land of parallel, downhill all the way. No, no, part-Slav, part-Hungarian, part-Austrian, which, for all practical purposes, I that's meant to be a joke. We have much part god-knows-what. knew nothing. Within a month, I had in common. Well, an interest in science persuaded my publishers, Faber & Faber, All three of us had our womenfolk with fiction for one thing. Harry and I to commission a travel book. launched the world's first magazine of us. So at the end of the festival, sf criticism and I must tell you how that Harry said, "Let's drive over into Next year, I did it. Margaret said she came about. Jugoslavia for the day." would come with me. After spending many hours awaiting approval in the We did some shopping in Trieste market­ When I used to review for the BSFA journ­ morgue-like Jugoslav embassy in London, place, buying balloons for the Harrison al, Vector, I was sent the paperback of and buying a secondhand Land-Rover which kids, and off we went. Robert Heinlein's Starship Troopers to had already driven overland to Turkey review. My review began, "This is the The hills start directly behind Trieste. twice, we left home early in March, 1964, second rate novel about which there's been The road winds upwards between suburbs in a snowstorm. The hand-brake had all that third rate discussion," and which gradually die of despair until it failed by the time we got to Folkestone carried on from there. I got a letter brings you to the top, to a fabulous and the cross-Channel ferry. With what almost immediately from Harry in Denmark, view of the bay of Trieste, and to the a spirit of adventure and hope we sailed! where he was living not far from Elsinore, frontier post of - hang on, I've got the Well, if you want the story of the next saying, "That's the sort of plain speak­ name stamped in an old passport - yes, six months, you must seek out a copy of ing I like; why don't we start up a little Skofije. In 1963, it was a frontier and the book that resulted, "Cities and review between us?" quite exciting to get through, as we Stones". I believe that John Bangsund passed from one political system to No sooner said than done. SF Horizons has one. I'll give you only one anecdote another, and red flags and strange slogans was born. We were making our names tnen. from that other life because it is about lined the route. Harry was always more energetic than I. Harry, and shows how sharp our sense of Later, he persuaded me into making dozens A new country sharpens perceptions. The timing was those days. of anthologies, each done with the assist­ miracle is that everything is different, ance of Johnny Walker. Christ, Harry, In May, Margaret and I received a letter and that everything is the same. Harry's from Harry and Joan via the British life would have been a bit duller with­ old Volkswagen van took us into the hills Embassy in Belgrade, saying they were out you - and Johnny Walker, of course. of Istra. This excellent broken country, going to be in Makarska in July. Could peppered with deserted and ruinous towns One thing we have in common, besides a we meet them? None of us had ever been like something off the cover of a Gene loathing of nonsense , is an interest in near Makarska. Harry said that there Wolfe paperback, has been a battleground other countries. Curious thing about sf must be a camp in Makarska; we'd rendez­ writers: you'd think they would be facin- for centuries, most recently in and after WWII. vous there about opening time on such- ated by the rest of this planet. Not a and-such a date. There was no way in bit of it. Most of them hate leaving But enough of the travelogue, and let's which they could contact us again: we home, and go abroad, if at all, only to get to the famous black olives. On the were off into the wilds of Bosnia-Herce­ convention hotels; most of them hate fly­ bend of a dusty road stood a fortress­ govina. I wrote back and said we'd be ing and travel only by bicycle, or live like farmhouse posing as a gostilna or there. in their old mother's wardrobe, or inn. We decided to stop there and try Two months later, on the day appointed, converse with other human beings merely our luck,for lunch. We sat outside in our Land-Rover rolled into Makarska. by phone or telepathy. Come to that, the shade of a tree, and portions of Makarska is a resort on the Dalmation most of them are into geriatric sex, being spitted chicken and rich salads full of coast, sandwiched between the blue psychoanalysed, sedation, reading SF mag­ garlic, giant onions and tomatoes were azines, and suicide - not always in that Adriatic and the grey plasticine wedge brought out by grinning peasants, of the karst. A cheerful place, with order. We're a freaky lot. But at least together with the local dark red wine. Harry and I travel around a bit, given an elegant church built by the Venetians the chance. Which is why he and Joan Life was perfect. I managed to trap a two centuries ago, several wine bars, plan to spend a month on the Great Barrier cicada in my wine tumbler; its deep and lovely pine woods to the north of Reef, the largest living organism on this orchestral fury delighted Tod Harrison. town, where we eventually camped. In planet apart from Brian Burgess (sorry, Ah, that hot summer day! For all my summer, the place was swarming with brown pommie fan joke). years in the East, I had never been so half-naked tourist bodies. (Makarska far south in Europe before. And, to gets two thousand hours of sun per year I admire Harry's wonderful energy and complete my romance with geography, this - as opposed to Oxford's ten.) stamina, not to mention his way of was no longer quite Europe, but the very We found the chief camp. It oozed cars using sound effects where most of us doormat of the Balkans. As if to confirm would settle for a pallid word or two. and people,sloping uncomfortably down to the fact, the ladies found the gostilna the sea. The Jugoslavs never turn campers Harrison makes speech sound like Morse loos absolutely disgraceful. code. He has often had the effect of away: if you can find a pitch, you're galvanising me into action, too. Ah, Releasing the cicada, Harry and I took in. So we rolled in. Ten minutes later, and this is where I tell the story about more wine from the earthenware pitcher, in rolled the familiar green Harrisonian Harry and the black olives. (You can- and more black olives from the bowl. Volkswagen. Fantastic timing! skip this bit, Harry, and don't forget This, we said, was the life. Bugger The Harrisons brought us a jar of Nescafe, England and America. Here was a place, 11 a tin of Danish dried milk, and other goodies - real luxuries to us, since we never drank milk in our whole six months of travel - and lost over a stone in B.B. in the U.S.A weight in consequence. Among the books Harry brought us were two authors I had A Trip Report by BRUCE BARNES never read before: John D. Macdonald, represented by "The Brass Cupcake" (much recommended), and Oscar Lewis, represented Melbourne fan, author, film maker, actor and probably by "The Children of Sanchez" - a marvell­ many other things we do not know about, Bruce Barnes, ous book, like Lewis's later work, "La visited the U.S.A, to attend Constellation. Here are Vida". The stone has gone back on long his impressions of the good old U.S.of A. ago, but I still treasure Oscar Lewis's pioneering works of life among the very, The first thing one sees after clearing poor. customs is a plaque with the following to began with Dudley Moore plugging a I'll draw a veil over the celebrations in English and Spanish: REPRESENTATIVES that followed. OF THE HARE KRISHNA ORGANIZATION...ARE charity, and showing pictures of previous UNDER COURT ORDER PROHIBITING THEM FROM big-name charity pluggers. Then the Anyhow, Margaret and I got back to England ‘TOUCHING YOU WITHOUT YOUR CONSENT lights came on and the ticket-upper (I early in September, and I started to ‘OBSRUCTING YOUR FREEDOM BY STANDING IN can't call him an usher, because he never write "Cities § Stones" from the notes I FRONT OF YOU OR BLOCKING YOUR WAY*STOP- ushed) came around with a tin cup, taking had made on the way. Now I'm getting to PING OR SOLICITING YOU WITHIN A RED up a collection. He must have gone the the point of the story. I was then living SAFETY AREA AT AN ESCALATOR* REPEATEDLY rounds of each cinema in the house, in a little terrace house in East Oxford; REQUESTING MONEY FROM YOU WHEN YOU HAVE because the feature did not start until just before Christmas, Harry and Joan came ALREADY DECLINED‘MISREPRESENTING THE he had been and gone,by which time the over to England and dropped in. We were TRUE NAME OR PURPOSE OF THEIR ORGANIZ­ movie was 20 minutes late. having a party and talking about Jugland, ATION OR THE INTENDED USE OF DONATIONS as we always called Jugoslavia. Harry The best thing about Universal City was ‘FAILING TO MAKE CHANGE FOR YOU AFTER asked what had decided me to make the trip "Conan Live." This is a sword and sorcery PROMISING TO DO SO*THREATENING YOU WITH in the first place. live action play of about 20 minutes, PHYSICAL HARM. IF YOU HAVE A COMPLAINT with incredible special effects and a "More than anything else it was that CONCERNING A VIOLATION, CALL THE AIR­ great set. The worst thing about Univers­ bowlful of black olives. I'd never eaten PORT'S 24-HOUR TELEPHONE NUMBER.... al City was the tropical rainstorm ex­ them before. They seemed to symbolise all The first meal I bought in the USA was hibit. This consists of water spraying that was harsh and bountiful about Jugland. a $3.45 beef sandwich. "Meal" is the down the outside length of a verandah, The funny thing is, we never saw them operative word. The sandwich was big, thus creating the illusion of rain. So again all the time we were there." and included separately packaged cheese help me. Harry started to laugh. It was some while and saurkraut. Americans buying sand­ Wherever I went in the USA the weather before I could get him to explain. He wiches in Australia will be in for a bit was screwed up. The heat in Los Angeles had bought the olives in Trieste market of a jolt. was not unusual, but the humidity was. before we set out; they were Italian, not Our T.V. on the PAL system, the American I landed in Houston the day after a Jug. The Jugs grew only little green on the NTSC system. I've heard it said hurricane went through. San Fransisco olives... that NTSC stands for "Never The Same trotted out its hottest day in recorded Well, perhaps all love affairs begin in Colour." Watching the sky in the back­ history for me. illusion. Anyhow, the story illustrates ground shunt between blue and purple, I Las Vegas is the cheapest place in the some of the benevolent influence the find this unbelievable. USA, so long as you don't gamble. You Harrisons have had on our life. Harry is The first time I checked in at a hotel I can get specials like breakfast for .99 a generous and greht-hearted man. You're nearly had to combat the bellperson (sic) (so long as you buy it between midnight lucky to have him with you. physically to take my own suitcase to my and 6 am) or a free coke with a .65 hot If he offers you a black olive, for god's room. As it was, I lost. The bloke still dog. sake take it. didn't get his tip — for one thing the You have no idea of the size of the book with such information as customary You never know where it'll get you grand Canyon -- it is far too immense tipping rates was still in my suitcase. to fit into a camera lense. I flew Brian Aldiss On tippihg: In a country where this absurd through it with an airline I later found practice is regarded as normal I felt to be notorious for having one crash per THE WORLD FANTASY AWARDS lousy if I didn't leave a tip where one year. After the crash -- and not before was expected. When I did leave a tip -- they would give all their other planes The 1983 World Fantasy Awards were pre­ I felt lousy because it still seemed like a thorough maintenance. I was told they sented at the World Fantasy Convention throwing money away. An American once had already had their prang for 1983, so held in Chicago, on October 30th. The explained the custom of tipping in this I was all right. winners were: way "If you don't like the service, you One of the things I miss about the USA Life Achievement Roald Dahl leave a small tip. Leaving no tip at all is the bottomless coffee cup. By that is not any good-- they'll just assume Best Novel NIFFT THE LEAN I mean you only pay for one cup, and you forgot about it." by refills are free. (I have seen one Best (tie) One of the first things I did in the USA Australian restaurant with this custom. "Beyond All Measure" by was go to Disneyland -- something I've It was able to afford it by acknowledging and "Confessions always wanted to do since I was 12 or so. your request for more coffee, but not of the Season" by Charles L.Grant I went to all the rides and attractions ever getting around to giving you one.) Best Short Fiction I'd heard about back then — except for One of the things I miss least is the "The Gorgon" by Tanith Lee the ones which weren't there anymore. water. It tastes universally of chlorine. Best Anthology/Collection The House of the Future, for instance, Americans are oblivious to the swimming NIGHTMARE SEASONS was torn down in the 1960s. pool flavour. (Even so, one restaurant by Charles L.Grant Cinema centres are a relatively new idea I went to supplied specifically imported Best Artist Michael Whelan in the US. In general cinemas are Olympic-approved spring water. It was Special Award (Professional) scattered far and wide. Such centres as also the most expensive restaurant I've Donal M.Grant (Publisher) there are, are unlikely to have such been to in my life'.) Special Award (Non-Professional) luxuries as 70mm and dolby stereo. Staff Lights are turned on by flicking the Stuart David Schiff (Whispers/ at any movie house -- no matter how many switch upwards. Down is off. Whispers Press) cinemas are inside -- consist of one Special Award Arkham House ticket ripper-upper. Once inside you When checking in at the convention hotel, find your own cinema and seat. There are we were not issued room keys. What we Manly Wade Wellman was presented with no ads and no associate feature. Well, were given instead were key-cards. After the First Fandom Award at Constellation. usually no ads. The first movie I went checkout the hotel would change the 12 coding of the door, thus reducing risk filmed. Saw a brief clip involving the The card was accompanied by a "postage of room break-ins. Duke in a flying chair. The Duke is so owing" ticket from Australia Post, for incredibly fat he has to fly everywhere. 31 cents. I haven't received the sched­ They have Minties in the USA, under the In full makeup and padding the actor ule yet. name of 'salt water taffy." playing him has to be wheeled from set by Bruce Barnes. CONSTELLATION was spread over several to set. hotels and a complete convention centre. Saw a series of stills from the making Due to the vast numbers of attendees of Greystoke -- the definitive Tarzan even this was barely enough. As is the movie. One of the major differences fAH fUHDS tendency with worldcons there was between book and film is that Tarzan JUSTIN ACKROYD won the ballot for GUFF simultaneous programming. This means meets Jane in England, not Africa. This and will be attending the combined that you are going to miss out on a was triggered -- I believe -- by a desire EASTERCON/EUROCON '84 in Brighton, number of items you want to see, because to avoid similarities with the Bo Derek England. Administrator John Foyster you can only go to one at a time. If you movie. thanked all those who voted both in plan to alternate between two programs until you settle on the one you like One of the discoveries I made at the con Australia and overseas. Foyster added that he thought the minimum donation of best, you find this not to be easy when was Japanese animation. It is not widely $2.00 should be increased to $5.00, par­ the rooms are three city blocks apart. realized that the supposed Star Wars ripoff Starblazers was actually made ticularly in regard to the rapidly in­ I was one of the volunteers who helped before Lucas's movie. creasing air fares. The fund stands at set up the Muppet exhibition. The $1452.98 The Japanese are quite up-to-date -- one Muppets were displayed on the highest The voting went as follows: Justin story I saw involved a skyhook, (or floor of the convention centre. The Ackroyd 64, Shayne McCormack 18, Jean orbital tower, or skystalk, or space owners of the centre refused to turn on Weber 28, Roger Weddall 23 and hold over the air conditioning until the con had elevator, or whatever you want to call it.) funds 3. The distribution of preferences actually begun, so us hardy volunteers made no difference to the result. braved heatstroke while Baltimore stewed Complimentary tickets were given out for in record temperatures. And when the the first ever screening of Brainstorm. The DUFF fund is due to close on February lower floors appreciated a lessening of The theatre was about ten miles away 29th. The winner out of the two candid­ heat during a cool change, we at the top (damned unmetricated Americans), and ates, JACK HERMAN and JOHN PACKER, will discovered a basic law of physics -- ticket holders had to go to it by bus. be announced at EUREKACON. Send your heat rises. votes to administrator Marc Ortlieb at In the U.S.A, all prices quoted are In appreciation for our assistence, the Box 2708X, Melbourne, 3001, Victoria. ’’without tax". (EG, "This item $5.99, In the USA, Jerry Kaufman, 4326 Winslow muppet organizers showed their apprec­ plus tax." Prices are never quoted with iation for our efforts by offering a Place No., Seattle, WA 98103, USA. The tax included -- it makes things sound minimum donation is $2.00, but there is small monetary remuneration, (ie.money). cheaper that way. They never came through with it, but I absolutely no reason why you should not send more. If you can afford it that is. suppose it's the thought that counts. Seen in a shop window in Chinatown, San Francisco: a jar of mouse wine. (IE, The Russians shot down a Korean passenger wine with dead mice floating in it.) The SHAW FUND is a fan fund that is airline near the beginning of the con. I think it was quite genuine. being organised here to bring Bob Shaw It took about three days or more for the over from England for Aussiecon Two. news to filter through to the average I was able to get a bargain rate ticket The organisers of the fund are Justin Constellation attendee, worldcons being to the U.S.A, for over $1600, round trip. Ackroyd and Marc Ortlieb. Eve Harvey what they are. While over there I discovered that an is the British co-ordinator and her American can get a round trip to Aust­ address is 43 Harrow Rd., Carshalton, One panel on surviving a nuclear began ralia for about $900! with Jerry Pournelle suggesting that one Surrey, SM5 3QH. U.K. be off Earth and on an L5. The rest of In New York I had occasion to use a post The Australian address is c/o G.P.O. the panel was concerned entirely with office. I entered and joined a queue Box 2708X, Melbourne 3001, Victoria. space settlements. Someone tried to of over 20 people to one of the two Various ways are being planned to raise return the panel to its original topic postal clerks. By the time I reached funds, but if you have any suggestions at one stage. He didn't succeed. the window, each queue had grown to or cash to pass along now, the adminis­ over 30. The clerk sat behind a double trators we are sure, will be happy to The main auditoriums were so huge that sheet of glass. For him to weigh a hear from you. one needed a telescope to see the speaker parcel involved his remotely unlocking up at the front. As an aid to vision a FFANZ Fan Fund is an ongoing fund to large screen of light bulbs was set up a glass panel on my side, my pushing send fans to and from New Zealand and to one side. With the aid of a TV the parcel through and closing the panel, Australia. It is run by John Newman, camera the screen became a television and his opening a second panel on his P.O.Box 4, Thombury, 3071, Victoria. set, with each light bulb acting the part side. At first I thought all this Australia and Tom Cardy, P.O.Box 5516, of a phosphur dot. (A lot like the big business with the partitions was to Dunedin, New Zealand. Candidates for screen Melbourne had in Swanston Street, protect the postal staff from the leg­ the current fund are not known, but if endary New York criminals. I can tell only in colour.) The result was that you would like to support the fund you it is not. The glass is there to you could go to hear John Brunner's GOH you can obtain one of the labels depicted prevent customers hurdling the counter speech live, and watch it on television., here by sending a donation to the admin­ and strangling the postal clerks in a live. istrators. Details on mail stickers, fit of righteous anger. book plates and other items are also Chuck Yeager gave a talk on how he Before leaving Australia I received a available on request. became the first man to break the sound circular from CONSTELLATION asking me barrier. This was backed up with some if I would mind appearing on a panel or clips from the movie The Right Stuff. give a talk, and if so, what about? I The clips lasted about thirty seconds, mentioned I would like to talk about but the movie still looks good. Yeager Australian SF on film, and why it has a has a small part in the movie as the bleak future. I heard no more from owner of a pub. He thus gets to serve them until two months after I had come himself. Recalling a British movie called back. I received a card with this The Sound Barrier --in which aircraft message: controls have reverse effect near Mach 1 and Americans are ignored -- I later "Dear Mr Barnes asked Yeager if he also remembered it. Thank you so much for taking the time He did. Not very fondly either. The to respond to our programming question- Americans beat the British to the sound aire. We're looking forward to an barrier by six years, and controls do excellent program! We'll be getting not reverse at sound-speed. back to you soon with your proposed Dune is still in the process of being schedule. Thanks again for your assistence...." 13 CHILICON in Austin will be Jack Vance, and Richard Powers, pros, and the fan GoH, our correspondent Joanne Burger. * . ** * * ftThe 41st World Science Fiction Convention :* * ♦ A Resume Of Events

provision included chicken, hamburgers, corn, soda and beer, as well as the crab. Everybody there had a very enjoy­ able but messy time. Music was provided by a group called Clam Chowder. People even left their food to dance, which indicated that the folk music group was good and popular with the attend­ ees. Convention banquets can work some­ times, but from our experience this is very rare.

The Award Ceremonies, usually a highlight at World Cons, were a little disapointing. Although we gather this was not the fault The Audience at the opening ceremonies of the Master of Ceremonies Jack Chalker. Last year, the Chicon organisers reckoned It took Locus and SF Chronicle more than that they ran a streamlined and no-non- one issue to give reports on the 1983 sense-ceremony, but the Constellation World SF Convention in Baltimore. We are Hugo Awards were all over in an hour. going to give you a few highlights only, Best Fan Artist Hugo Winner, Much too short, we agree, as this is a plus some facts and figures and photo­ Alexis Gilliland major part of the entertainment for the graphs by Victorian visitor to the con, attendees. An enjoyable part of awards Guest of Honor John Brunner's GoH speech Steve Roylance. Attending conventions we have seen in the past, was the com­ was a "mixture of humour and seriousness". does become something of an obsession, ments of the presenters and acceptance A well turned pun at the start was fol­ and World Cons, once you have been to "speeches" of the recipients. The rep­ lowed by a discussion of the threat of one, an even bigger obsession. The size artee between these people and the ob­ nuclear war. He mentioned his own invole- of the World cons in the USA, and Canada vious enjoyment this gave the audience, ment in the anti-nuclear movement and and Britain for that matter, are beyond was a very significant highlight for us presented a "closely reasoned, passion­ the imagination of Australian fans, but at Torcon and Seacon, in particular. It ate plea" to the audience to consider we can give you a small idea of what was sadly lacking at Chicon, despite the dangers to civilization and the goes on and prepare you for the necess­ one or two very funny incidents. For continuence of the human race on the arily modest one we will be holding here the whole thing to be over in an hour planet. Brunner also covered the relat­ in Melbourne next year. at Constellation, seems quite unbeliev­ ionship of sf writers and their readers able. and the marvellous opportunity that con­ The official attendance figures for ventions offered to further this relat­ Constellation were 6,400, which is about One of the most popular awards, was ionship. In his final remark Brunner quoted the Dramatic Presentation to BLADERUNNER. 1000 less than expected. Consequently a Patrick White, from his novel RIDERS IN The acceptor for the Ladd Company, who loss of over $35,000 is expected. This THE CHARIOT, which also provided the produced the film, Jeff Walker, described will probably be covered however by title for his speech, "The Actual Fall". how he introduced Philip Dick to the advertising income, donations and sales The quote was: "But bombs are unbeliev­ director, Ridley Walker,and Dick's pos­ of videotapes, memorabilia, surplus sup­ able until they actually fall." And itive reaction to the rough cut of the plies and possibly the mailing list. added Brunner, "He's absolutely right, film and finally dedicated the award to you know.. A total of 1500 rooms were rented by Philip K.Dick. During the awards, photos con attendees, at the major con hotels. of the award winners were flashed on the Chicon had 1800 rooms. No doubt, due to screen, but were more often than not out the far distance of some hotels from of sync with the actual presentation. the con, many fans doubled, tripled and Trailers were screened for the films, quadrupled up with friends, while others including a special visual synopsis for stayed at private homes and small hotels. BLADERUNNER. The rest of the awards Some people were in town from Friday offered few surprises. The Best Novel August 26th to September 7th, although was sure to go the Asimov title, when you the con programme only ran from September analyse the situation. After all, Heinlein 2nd to the 5th. People were spread over has won a few and Asimov only one prev­ eight hotels or more. iously. Other titles such as THE SWORD OF THE LICTOR by Gene Wolfe, had little There were some very high costs brought hope, despite perhaps being better books. about by one hotel, apparently close to The gang at LOCUS and fan writer Dick Geis, the convention centre, closing down, nec­ must be running out of places to keep essitating the added expense of shuttle their Hugos, but it was good to see buses . They cost over $15,000 and a Alexis Gilliland take the worry off Diamond Vision Screen, whatever that is, Bill Rotsler, having to find a place to cost $15,000. Too many people on the con- put another Best Fan Artist Award. com were able to commit the con to expen­ diture and when told to trim their budgets, Readers of our last issue will know that department heads in some cases just put ISAAC ASIMOV won the 1983 Hugo with his John Brunner Constellation Guest of Honour off paying bills. We hope that future novel FOUNDATION'S EDGE and that we con organisers learn the lessons that here in Melbourne won the bid for the David Kyle was the Fan GoH and in his Constellation is learning the hard way. 1985 World SF Convention. See our last GoH Speech he spoke about early fandom issue for the full Hugo results. The and how the role and aims of fandom Melbourne World Con, AUSSIECON 2, will has changed over the years. From the beg­ A major highlight of the con was the inning, Hugo Gemsbeck told us that the crab feast, crabs being a local and be run August 22nd to 26th, 1985, and the 1985 North American SF Convention, science fiction could help to lead us to very popular food, at which the thousand a better future. Today, the goal of attendees could eat all they wanted. which is only held when the World con goes out of North America, will be held fandom it seems is to make the general They had fun belting the tables with reading public aware of good science their crab mallets. The all-you-can-eat at Austin, Texas, the weekend following AUSSIECON 2. The Guests of Honor at fiction. Basically Kyle said that good sf is ’’uplifting" and presents a more Finally, C.N..B.quoted as an appropriate FINAL COMMENTS optimistic view of the future. He said part of the closing ceremonies at the Australian SF News by the Worldcon/Hugo that much modem sf, especially where con, Forry Ackerman presented the Big the mainstream writers have jumped in, definition is a fanzine. We do not pay Heart Award to Bob and Peggy Pavlat, our contibutors, we have a circulation is depressing and these writers have who we gather have been a very busy "mistaken the sewer for the mainstream". under 1000, we make no profit out of it, couple in fandom and in particular con­ although we do have about 15% advert­ .."we’re tempted to believe that the ventions. beauty, the splendor, the magnificence ising. Also we print Iocs and trade for of life is not the real thing, or, at and review other zines. We just thought best, unimportant." He finished by say­ you would like to know. ing, "Our writers must recognise their It was reported that the compilers of artistic responsibilities: science fiction the Constellation Booklet left a number should be uplifting, inspiring, and of people off the In Memorium list. This enriching - expressing humanity's goals, tradition of listing authors and well stressing positive values." known people in the field who have died during the year, in con booklets, has Many people would agree with Dave Kyle been operating for many years, but un­ on a lot of his comments, his criticism fortunately it is becoming a tradition of modem styles of writing however we within the tradition, to leave people are sure it would not have gone down too off. Not included were P.K.Dick, Zenna well with the few modern writers, who Henderson, Roy Krenkal, Harry Bates and may have heard his speech. Frederic Wertham. I would question the last, but what about Buster Crabb and The Huckster room at Constellation had the other famous fantasy film people a large number of new books to sell, who died during the year. OK'. So it is less old pulp dealers, more video sell­ not the end of the world, but still a ers and a new inovation provided by the little disapointing for traditionalists con-com, a table selling mailing mater­ like us. ial, which went through $600 worth of wrapping paper, boxes, tape etc.. It also seems a pity that the non-Hugo Charles N.Brown, wishing it was all awards such as the Pat Terry Award, were Among Constellation highlights given over? not presented at the same time and in by author Elizabeth Anne Hull in a the same place, as the Hugos. By the report for Locus, was the Space Militar­ THE BUSINESS MEETING sound of it though, this con was no ization Panel, which discussed the worse than most others. After all, fans chances of war in space and the best Apart from the site selection announce­ are only amateurs when it comes to run­ ways to maintain peace. A session on ments, the most important items on the ning cons, or are they? Something it Soviet sf drew the largest crowd on the aggenda were as follows: seems will always go wrong, it's the Academic programme. Ian Ballantine held The change to the Hugo Awards that Murphy’s Law of Conventions. Judging by the floor for two hours on both new creates a new category, Semi-Prozine, some of the reports and photographs in ideas in publishing and reminiscences an amendment that was put to the Chicon particular, most people had a great of the industry of which he has been a business meeting, was passed at Constel­ time at Constellation. World cons are part for many years. Finally Ms Hull lation. The amendment to split the many things to many people, with perhaps said, " All in all, I thought it was current "Best Fanzine" Hugo into a "Best 20 cons going on within the con; the the best worldcon I've ever attended, Fanzine" and "Best Semi-Prozine, states authors, the publishers, the fanzine and I've never been to one I didn't that a semi-prozine is defined as a non­ fans, the convention organizing fans, like, a lot. Cheers for the Baltimore professional publication meeting two or the hucksters - they all congregate in area fans, who know how to throw a more of the following criteria: (1) their groups and in most cases see little gracious bash. average press run of at least 1000 cop­ of the rest of the con. The marvellous ies per issue, (2) paid its contributors rapport of the fans and the pros is the Andrew Porter, commenting in his magazine or staff in other than copies of the amazing part of Science Fiction and I SF Chronicle, was not so complimentary. publication, (3) provided at least half for one hope that never changes. He said it was "the greatest", but it was of the income of any one person, (4) had If you want more details on Constellation too big, there were too many people and at least 15% of its Space occupied by you will need to read LOCUS or SCIENCE too many things went wrong. Over program­ advertisements, or announced itself to FICTION CHRONICLE. There are many aspects ming was one of the major problems. The be a semi prozine. This amendment now goes we have not covered. The costume compet­ organisation of people to be on panels into effect with the 1984 Hugos at LA-CON. ition was covered by Steve Roylance with was stuffed up, with some not being told his camera. We cannot give them to you in advance and others being asked to do Another WSFS amendment was dealing with in colour, but we will give you a page of too much. The minor award presentations the setting up of a committee to protect Steve’s photos, just to give you some and the Hugos, left a lot to be desired, WSFS trademarks. This also was ratified. idea of the effort the fans in the USA with the venues being changed repeatedly New amendments included changing the put into their costumes. We cannot expect on the former and problems for photograp­ site selection ballot to three years in as many, but with time and effort we can hers and the view being blocked for others advance instead of two, the formalisation do as well. There were 132 entries at during the presentations of the Hugos. of the selection of the NASFIC site and Constellation, and the parade went on until the setting of deadlines for the filing Charles Brown reports that Charles 1.21 AM, but it was a very well organised of bids for the Worldcon or NASFIC bids. Sheffield's car was totaled by a flying affair. We trust the Aussie fans can put A committee was set up to investigate the on a comparitively good show, but you mattress that fell off a truck in front three-year advance selection and recom­ of him. Presumably on his way to or must start working on your costumes now'. mend changes to the sytem. The committee from Constellation. What sort of mat­ will report to the LA-CON Business Meeting. Merv Binns/ Ed. tresses do they have in the USA?

Having seen the film THE RIGHT STUFF, I would have loved to have seen the panel on the movie held at Constell­ ation. Astronaut Gordon Cooper, test pilot Chuck Yeager, actress Veronica Cartwright and actors Scott Glenn and Denis Quaid, received a great rec­ eption. Con Chairman Mike Walsh said that seeing the enthusiasm shown by "hardened" fans to these people, made putting on the con seem all worthwhile. Ed. Photographs of the costume parade at Constellation World SF Convention at Baltimore, September 1983, taken by Steve Roylance now that David Hartwell has left Time­ scape he does’not know who will publish it. "David Hartwell was my editor. I don't know where the hell I am. Half the TH* AUSSIECON 2 people in science fiction don't know where the hell they are ", Wolfe said. Also on the way is THE WOLFE ARCHIPELAGO from Ziesing Publishers, which contains COLUMN "The Island of Dr Death and Other Stories", "The Death of Doctor Island" and "The Doctor of Death Island", plus a new NEWS, ANNOUNCEMENTS, PEOPLE AND EVENTS story, "Death of the Island Doctor", in RELATED TO THE 43rd WORLD SCIENCE FICTION CONVENTION hard cover. Our thanks to LOCUS for these details Winning the bid to hold the 1985 WORLD said that he liked his job with the mag­ from an Interview they did with Gene SF CONVENTION is only the beginning of azine and all the perks that go with it, Wolfe in the January '84 issue. such as carpeted office, secretary at the work that the organisers have to do. AUSSIECON 2 FAN GoH, TED WHITE, is call, an expense account and good salary, The volume of work involved in running probably best known to our readers as but he wants to spend more time writing the convention will be tremendous and an author and editor, having been assis­ the organisers need all the help they tant editor of Fantasy and Science can get. People will be needed to man He appreciates the attention that the Fiction between 1963 and 1968, about the main headquarters 24 hours a day; success that "Book of the New Sun" has ten years as editor of Amazing and help with the setting up and operation of brought him. He started writing in 1957, Fantastic from 1969 and a year as equipment; act as gofers; help with the but did not sell anything until 1965. editor of the comic zine Heavy Metal. baby sitting service; and many other As well as learning to write, he said he White's best known fiction would be the small but equally important jobs in the had to learn how to sell his stories. trilogy containing PHOENIX PRIME, STAR basic organisation of the convention. He has been working simultaneously on two WOLF and SORCERESS OF QUAR, which are So if you would like to offer your books, which is his usual practice. The being re-issued by Starblaze, but his services in any capacity to the concom, first is a now completed novel, unrelated to other works, called FREE LIVE FREE, fiction output has not been all that please write and give details of any prolific or outstandingly popular apart specific area you feel you are qualified while the rough draft of the fifth book from the above mentioned trilogy. to help in, to AUSSIECON 2, G.P.O.Box in the "Book of the New Sun " series 2253U, Melbourne, 3001, Victoria. lies waiting for completion. Little of He has been very active in the fan the book takes place on Urth he said, scene through his interesting and often most of the story is in space. Many controversial letters to fanzine editors, During December '83 the Aussiecon 2 authors like to write more stories on concom sent cards to all members of the publication of his own fanzines such a background they have invented, espec­ as Steller, Void, Minac and Pong, and the con, advising them of their member­ ially as rich and complex as Urth, but ship status and asking for details on for his editorials and column in Andy he said he is more tempted to get away Porter's now de firnct Algol/Starship. His any address changes. Anybody who believes from it. fan writing has set high standards, en­ they should have received one of these couraging the best from others and win­ cards and have not, or if you have or ning him the Best Fan Writer Hugo Award intend to change your address in the in 1968. He was himself chairman of NYCON future, please advise the concom now! 3, the 1967 World SF Convention. Readers of As of December 31st 1983 Aussiecon 2 Mike Glyer's fanzine, File 770 have had 905 members. The breakdown by country enjoyed White's hard hitting fanzine is Australia 83, North America 786, review column "The Wailing Wall", of United Kingdom 18, other countries 18. late. The membership rate announced in September at Constellation, was to change by now, MELBOURNE - the place for a but it has been decided to maintain the WORLD CON rates to July 1st 1984. They are: Supporting Aust $28 US $25 Nearly 200 years ago the founder of the Conversion Aust $17 US $15 city of Melbourne, John Batman, is sup­ Attending Aust $45 US $40 posed to have said on sailing up the Due to the ever changing exchange rates river Yarra, "This is the place for a on the Australian dollar, agents in village'.". The village has grown into other countries have been asked to set one of the world's major cities. The their own rates. The agents are: second largest city in Australia after New Zealand Tom Cardy 783B George St., Sydney, with a population of over two Dunedin NZ million people, Melbourne is a mixture USA Fred Patten 11863 West of old world achitecture contrasting Jefferson Bld. apt #1, with the steel and glass skyscrapers of Culver City, CA 90230 a modern metropolis. UK Joseph Nicholas 22 Denbeigh Visitors to Melboure for the 1975 Street, Pimlico, London SW1 World SF Convention, AUSSIECON I, were V2Er particularly taken by our somewhat Belgium Andre De Rycke Eendenplass- Gene Wolfe wearing his Mike McGann anachronistic public transport, and in traat 70, B-9050, Evergen tee-shirt at Constellation. particular our trams. Most of these West Germany Herzogspitalstr, 5, D-8000, vehicles were built in the 1930's, when Mfinchen -2 the old cable tram system was replaced Netherlands Annemaria van Ewyck, Witte The new novel FREE LIVE FREE is the by electric trams. The government of van der Laan 21, 2201KA, story of an old man living in an old Victoria, who control the state and the Wateringen house, who advertises for people to capital city's transport have resisted Scandinavia Anders Bellis, Vanadisvagen share his house for free, in the hope pressure from various quarters to scrap 13, #S-113, 46 Stockholm, that a proposed freeway or part of a the trams, and it looks as though we Sweden freeway project, which is due to go will have them for a long time yet. through where his house is, may be delayed, AUSSIECON TWO GUEST OF HONOUR, GENE WOLFE A few years ago they introduced a new Four people reply, including a hooker, a design of trams and changed the colour has just announced that he is turning to private eye, a salesman and a modern his writing as his full time occupation. from the old green to a rusty brown. I witch or psyhic. Wolfe calls the story personally hated the new colour and the An engineer by education and trade, he sf, but says that he is trying to write has edited a well-known US engineering new design, but the new government is something that nobody else has done. making a lot of changes as new govern-j 7 magazine for the past eleven years. He The novel has gone to his agent , but ments are want to do and they have dec­ challengers from anywhere in the world ided to paint all the old and new trams succeeding in wresting the Cup from the EUREKACON green and gold. So those people who so N.Y.Y.C., until "Australia Two", came The 1984 National Convention loved our old green rattlers back in '75, along from Perth. The Perth sf fans are can come over again and travel down the a "weird mob" and their conventions, Easter April 20 - 23 beautiful tree lined avenue of St Kilda which they usually hold over the Australia The Victoria Hotel, Little Collins Road,past the rapidly being-completed Day holiday weekend, are always a lot of Street, Melbourne Arts Centre, with it's modern miniature fun. Harry Harrison was their Guest of Due to renovation and union problems, Eifel Tower. Honour last week and he told us on the Eurekacon had to move from the Town That tower, even before it was anywhere phone yesterday that he had a great House to The Victoria. The GoH is near being built, heralded the begining time in Perth. That brings us to ...... GEORGE TURNER. The theme of the conven­ of our bid for the 1975 World Con, tion is "It's a bad, bad, bad world!" when New York fanzine editor Andrew The programme will include discussions, Porter, used a small drawing of said a masquerade, films and a Vogon Poetry tower taking off like a rocket, intim­ Contest! Memberships up to April ating a countdown for AUSTRALIA in '75. 20th are $25 attending, $15 Everyone in American fandom took the supporting. To join at the door joke seriously and we had a Worldcon on will cost $35, or the daily rate our hands. But who would have dreamed will be $10. For further details that ten years later, when the tower contact P0 Box 175, South Melbourne was finally completed, that we would be 3205, Victoria. holding AUSSIECON 2. To be quite fair to all though, this PHANTASTACON Australia's Premiere second Worldcon has come to Melbourne Harry Harrison is currently touring Games Convention by default. World fandom wanted Aust­ Australia, after attending the SWANCON 9 April 20th-23rd 1984 The Diplomat Motor Inn, 12 Acland St., ralia to have another world con, but not convention in Perth. He has been forced in 1983, which the fans in our sister to cut short the trip a little and will StKilda. Activities will include a Dungeons and Dragons Tournament, A city Sydney put in a bid for with all not be going to Adelaide. However he Traveller Tournament and other games their hearts. Losing the bid was more will be visiting Melbourne and Sydney, competitions, plus a dinner and a than they could take, so they passed on and conventions are being held in both masquerade. The convention is sponsored by the baton to Melbourne. Just as in 1975 those places. the games distributers, The Jedko Games however, AUSSIECON 2 will be in the long February 18th Company, who will provide prizes for the run, a combined effort, just as the reg­ HARRYCON The Victoria Hotel, various competitions. For further details ional conventions are in Australia, with Melbourne contact P.O.Box 45, Mitcham, 3132, Vic. interstate fans always being involved in On the Friday evening the 17th of the programmes of other states cons. February, a book signing is being held KINKON Queen's Birthday Weekend at Space Age Books. People may bring June 9-11 '84 Some readers may be surprised that we their own books along to be signed. The Victoria Hotel, Little Collins St., in Australia have managed to gain at The Convention will start at 10.00 AM Melbourne - Melbourne fandom's most all, let alone a second time, the World on the Saturday the 18th. Registration popular venue for SF conventions for Science Fiction Convention for Melbourne at 9.00 AM or Friday night at Space many years. Theme : Sight and Sound in in 1985. The association between sf fans Age. The programme will consist of in Australia and the rest of the world, Science Fiction and Fantasy The Guests discussions, panels and interviews, of Honour are ALAN FINNEY and JOHN FLAUS. especially our natural ties with Great many of which will feature the GoH. On Full membership is $20, Supporting $10, Britain and with the United States, has Saturday evening a fancy dress party Day $10, Hucksters $40 (Including mem­ been in existence for many years. SF and films will be featured. On Sunday bership and 1 table). A feature of the fans overseas knew about us before we a picnic is being organised including con will be the Masquerade with the started exporting people to snatch the a trip to the Dandenongs, a ride on theme of "Sexuality in SF" and a $300 top sporting honours, to top the pop­ the steam train Puffing Billy and a prize. For further details ring Ruth ular music charts and star in internat­ visit to the Healesville Wildlife Sanc­ Murphy on (3) 7931706 or write to ional films. tuary. For more details contact Merv 29 Alexander Avenue, Dandenong 3175, When we held the World Convention in Binns at Space Age, 663 Y111 or the Victoria. Melbourne in 1975 our overseas visitors Melbourne SF Club on Friday evenings were quite impressed with the show we at Space Age. A flat membership fee of The 42nd World Science put on. They went back and told their $10.00 is being charged. People wishing L.Ai CON Fiction Convention 1984 friends and many were sorry they had to go on the Puffing Billy trip must August 30 - September 3 not made the effort to come down under. advise the convention organisers by the The Anaheim Convention Centre (Close Since then Australia as a whole has 13th of February, to be sure of getting to Disneyland)) Guest of Honour: gradually gained publicity in the U.S.A, a rebate on tickets. GORDON R.DICKSON, Fan GoH DICK ENEY. and a lot more people know something Toastmasters: ROBERT BLOCH and JERRY about us, our "Qantas" koalas, our SYNCON '84 POURNELLE. Supporting memberships, kangaroos, our wombats, our singing After leaving Melbourne Harry will be which are not convertable to attending, stars and rock groups, plus the trem­ can be had for $20.00US. These entitle endous impact over the last few years going to Sydney and SYNCON '84 is being held there over the weekend of February purchasers to vote for the Hugo, the of our films. More recently there was site selection and receive all public­ the yacht race, the America's Cup, which 24th to 26th. It is being held at the • New Crest Hotel, 111 Darlinghurst Rd., ations. has and will, gain Australia more pub­ Attending membership of LA CON is $50.00 licity than ever before. Kings Cross. For more details contact Syncon '84, c/o 3/34 Albion St., US as of January 1st up to July 15th. This has all come when the Australian Harris Park 2151, NSW. The rate at the door will be $75.00.US Government is aiming to increase tour­ Write LA CON II, Box 8442, Van Nuys, ism in Australia, which even now is one MEDTREK 1984 The 1984 National CA 91409, USA. There is no Australian of our biggest industries. The World Media Convention agent for LA CON. SF Convention in Melbourne in 1985, March 10-11 1984 AUSSIECON TWO, will add its little bit The Shore Inn, 450 Pacific Hwy., THE WORLD FANTASY CONVENTION ETC. in bringing visitors to Australia. Artarmon, NSW. Guests of Honour BJO TRIMBLE and The 1984 World Fantasy convention will The place where the Americans will try MCHAEL KEATING (Future commitments per­ be held in Ottawa, Canada. The 1985 and win back the America's cup from the mitting) Fan Guest: NIKKI WHITE. one will be in Phoenix, Arizona, USA. Australian holders is Perth in Western Memberships from now up to the conven­ Phoenix is also bidding for the World Australia. The Royal Perth Yacht Club tion: $35.00 Supporting: $10.00 SF Convention in '87, voting for which were the organisers of the challenge For further details write MEDTREK '84 will be handled by Aussiecon II. Other to the New York Yacht Club, which had P.O. Box C377, Clarence St., Sydney 2000 bidders include San Diego and the catchy held the cup for 132 years, without any NSW "Britain's Heaven in '87", (Australian Agent Continued page 23 have all been modified by natural and The concept of the "gateway" - some artificial adaptations. King Hannan and sort of magic or multi-dimensional Anton Slade, the renegade, are products portal through which one passes to of hormonal engineering. Gail Busuttil is emerge, instantaneously, anywhere at a domehead whose intelligence has been all in the universe - has been used time increased by additional brain matter and and again. It has its merits, I admit, assisted by an in-built computer. Yetta especially when the protagonist finds is a dwarf and her husband, Des, lost both himself on some fantastically alien legs as a child in an accident in the planet. But when his destination turns asteroids. Victims of nature, they have out to be only some slightly futuristic adapted their physical limitations to version of Melbourne suburbia the reader working and living in a low-gravity - well, anyhow, this reader, feels that environment. King and Anton do not regard he has been cheated. THE TEMPTING OF THE WITCH KING themselves as freaks but Busuttil, Yetta and Des are aware that they are regarded Other writers - Cordwainer Smith and by Russell Blackford as freaks and are wary of insult. By the Norman Spinrad spring to mind - have, Cory 6 Collins end of the book, their feelings change. like Messrs Barnes and Broderick, used PB 265pp $4.95 more than slightly disgusting by-products In his other theme, that of the evolution of animal life as the source of an In this, Russell Blackford's first novel, of the species as a whole, Wynne appears immortality drug. the predominant colours are black and to have altered his thoughts on the subject But the immortals in VALENCIES, for all red with little relief. Described as a since SAPPHIRE ROAD. He still states that their centuries of life and experience, 'dark and powerful fantasy', this attempt change,development takes place on the are so... dim. Dim and dated, the hippies at sword and sorcery doesn't quite work. frontiers of civilization but now adds that that is only one facet of the truth. of a few years ago transplanted to some Logi, one of four Witch Kings, is an far future. immortal, commanding the elements of fire Whether it was the character talking or and steel. He is called upon to protect Wynne talking, it will be interesting to Perhaps I am being unjust. mortals from the Dark One by wielding the see how Wynne further develops these two themes in later books. Perhaps the authors were trying to make Mace of the Prophet, a weapon so powerful the point that Man, no matter how long that any mortal who uses it is consumed Reviewed by Catherine Kerrigan he lives, is incapable of improving by it. Herein lies the Tempting of the himself. Perhaps their drab, boring, title. The idea itself is not new - the Universe-wide suburb is the goal towards obvious example is Frodo and the ring. which we are all shambling. The way the idea is handled is new and not entirely satisfactory. One is left The idea isn't interesting enough to feeling that the book could have benefited make an interesting novel. from a rewrite. Russell has some nice touches in his writing - the names of the Reviewed by A.Bertram Chandler. Witch Kings are poetical - but they are insufficient. One is jarred by descriptions KELLY COUNTRY that are anachronistic,e.g. early in the book, Logi prepares an invocation using by A. Bertram Chandler; command wicca and the Universe is described Penguin Books; 341 pp; $5.95. as being 'ready to examine the Witch King's credentials' - almost like a security On page 3 you learn that the narrator guard checking someone's pass. As one is an sf writer and say to yourself, reads Tempting however, Russell's style 'Aha.' Bert's putting himself into the settles down and the anachronistic action.' But on page 6 you find that he expressions disappear. Tempting does not is somebody called Grimes (no, not that compare favourably to "Crystal Soldier", Grimes, but on the other hand. . .) and Russell's contribution to DREAMWORKS. bow to the Chandler penchant for mild The promise shown in Soldier does not in-jokes; this one tells you —perhaps— eventuate in Tempting. But there is plenty that the tale has tongue-in-cheek aspects. of scope in the universe of Tempting for Well, yes --and no. That is, sometimes. further novels and one hopes that if further novels are written, they will be You surely know by now that' the story is an improvement on the first. an alternative history of Australia after Ned Kelly escaped from Glenrowan to be­ VALENCIES come President of the young country. So THOR'S HAMMER what? Sf alternative histories are ten cents a bunch, no? by Wynne Whiteford by Rory Barnes & Damien Broderick University of Queensland U.P. Cory & Collins This one is not part of the bunch. PB 230pp $7.95 PB ISOpp $3.95 Chandler has researched the period to come up with all sorts of unexpected If the title of this book indicates a This, to my taste, is a disppointing details, particularly concerning the plot device similar to Niven and Pournelle's book. It is the offspring of a unpleasant military technology available LUCIFER'S HAMMER, you'll be right. The mating of minds which, perhaps, should in the 'eighties to budding revolution­ central plot device is similar but there never have taken place. Mr Broderick aries. I was aware of the disgusting are major differences. LUCIFER'S HAMMER is a science fiction writer, and a canister-shot steam-driven Gatling is an act of god; THOR'S HAMMER is an act good one. Mr Barnes, to judge by the (fortunately too clumsy and short-ranged of man. A renegade company employee has blurb on the back cover, is an for modern warfare), but the dirigible made a threat to Astrogold so King Hannan academic. 'Aereon' took me by delighted surprise; I might quarrel with some of the tactical is sent out to the asteroid belt to find "Damien," I can imagine him saying, out what it is. This makes up the bulk of details, but that would be only carping "Let's collaborate on the Australian the book. at matters wherein even the generals sociological novel'." And then - I are never sure what will work and what Wynne's clean, crisp, journalistic style could be and am probably quite wrong - won't. is always a pleasure to read and THOR'S Mr Broderick replied, "A good idea, HAMMER is no exception. Two interlinked Rory. You supply the ideas and I'll The story concerns Ned's entanglement themes are repeated from SAPPHIRE ROAD, put them down in writing." with 'Red Kitty', a European Marxist Wynne's previous effort. They are the lady full of sex and politics, and how, The writing, as one would expect it to almost by accident, he finds himself differentiation of the human species as be, is good. The ideas, at least some a result of natural and artificial means leading a revolution. (Is 'Red Kitty' of them, are faded and frayed by long historical, Bert? I haven't been able and the evolution of the species as a use over the years. The few that are whole. The five main characters of Hammer to trace her.) It also concerns the fairly new do not stand up to close dilemmas the Australia of today finds ]9 examination. itself in as a result of Ned missing his present abysmal standard of critical "Sawdust Superman" by Wynne Whiteford date with the hangman. Altogether it is perception doesn't stifle it at birth. also treats the theme of colonialists worked out with minute attention to and their come-uppance at the hands of complex detail -- and still is able to wrathful Gods--this time, superintell- finish with a Chandler-style twist which THE LAZARUS EFFECT igent aliens. There's a subplot on the may tell you something unexpected about relationship of an Earthman with a local Commodore Grimes of the Rim Worlds. by Frank Herbert and Bill Ransom; Gollancz; 381 pp; (Hutchison) $19.95 ARP (reptilian) woman. KELLY COUNTRY is far away the best thing Matching these stories in quality was Chandler has done, superior to all his Here at last is a Herbert novel without Cherry Wilder's "Cabin Fever". Three other work in scope, complexity, char­ pretension and double talk. Nor does it adults and a child are trapped in an acterisation and style; that doesn't suffer by being a sequel to THE JESUS isolated mountain cabin by a snowstorm. put it in the Booker Prize class but INCIDENT, because the idiotic Ship has Boredom and ill-concealed fear enhance does make it a genial landmark in left the cast and merely human problems tensions that would otherwise have Australian sf. Its faults do not impede are uppermost. dissipated harmlessly and the adults the enjoyment. I might disagree with Centuries after Ship has disappeared, the start hating each other. The child some aspects of the Kelly portrait — race has split into people living on notices a "bear" lurking outside the but when did two people agree about that artificial islands in a primitive sea- cabin. Then the "bear" moves into the many-sided man? bord culture and a highly technological cellar. Up to this point it sounds Enough said. This one will have my vote empire of submarine dwellers. The story very like a Stephen King story, but for the Ditmar, and should have yours. is concerned with tensions between the suddenly takes a quite different and two, a paranoid Hitler figure, rebirth joyful direction. of the telepathic kelp and some way it The spy story is Jack Wodhams' "The NEW WORLDS: AN ANTHOLOGY is too long and over-written, but it holds the interest to the end. Hide", the very clever title of which refers not to the obvious image of edited by Michael Moorcock; Reviewed by George Turner. someone lying in wait and watching, but Flamingo (Fontana -distributed by to a side effect of a very possible William Collins); 512 pp $8.95 ARP invention of frightening implications. FRONTIER WORLDS One of the is Trevor Donohue's Moorcock, taking over NEW WORLDS from edited by Paul Collins. Foreword by lightly sketched but grim fable "The John Camel 1, set out to free, revolution­ Trouble With Gryphons", somewhat in the ise, set to rights (choose your own term) A. Bertram Chandler. "Unknown" style. The second fantasy is the ossified British sf of the 'sixties Cory and Collins, C1983. Cover by Rowena Cory Pb $3.95. Keith Taylor's "The Lost Ship", a version -- and succeeded. On the way he lost of the Flying Dutchman theme set in post­ most of his sf public, found a new one, Roman Britain, one of the series des­ nearly killed the magazine but by This book is the fifth anthology in the cribing the Conan-like adventures of devotion and brutally hard work preserved Cory and Collins "Worlds" series. It's Nasach a Celtic ex-slave. The gritty it. British sf writers since have pretty much the mixture as before, as realism of the tale increases its learned the lesson and disgarded the this anthology series seems now to have resemblance to traditional saga. past --and, alas, replaced it with an defined itself. Most of the stories in equally dreary present. "Frontier Worlds" are competent, a few "Flesh and Shadow" by Darrel Schweitzer are very striking, one or two are very also traditional material-conflict Still, the New Wave was not wasted -- slight, and I didn't dislike any of them. between good and evil wizards told in the standards of sf prose and imaginative The cover is attractive -- it doesn't an archaic, formal ritual way suggesting insight have improved because of it — seem to refer directly to any particular but it brought more technical innovation (at the beginning) it's part of some story, but the two-headed blue creature ancient scripture. It also has the than basic rethinking, and this anthology committing what seems to be alien sac­ classic edifying ending. A little demonstrates the fact. rifice is certainly outre enough to reminiscent of Clark Ashton Smith's It includes some of the most irritating express some of the mood of the collect­ tales of alien horror and beauty, the excesses of the time -- Barrington ion's title. story is also one of human loyalty and Bayley on a topological theme, God help Not all the stories are obviously about friendship. us, with Langdon Jones at his showiest, frontiers, but SF by its very nature is "Frontier Worlds" is well worth getting, Charles Platt, Harvey Jacobs and others a literature of frontiers: physical not simply because it is an Australian — wherein writers splurge surreal (space travel, exploration of other production, but because it is a well- techniques which are interesting for a planets); scientific (new discoveries, few pages and then vanish in wordage, crafted collection of readable and re­ new technologies, their effect on society); readable stories, very cheap at the like stand-up comics who can't bear to mental (powers of the mind, or behaviour price, and nicely presented. leave the microphone. of human beings under alien or extreme Against these are works of some excell­ conditions). Sf must explore the strange Reviewed by Dianne Fox. ence from Pamela Zoline, Brian Aldiss, and previously unthought-of. This M. John Harrison and John Sladek; not includes unthought-of literary techniques, all the New Wave writers threw away the but the stories in "Frontier Worlds" are NEW ISSUE OF "CRUX" OUT basic requirements of communication in all old-fashioned solid traditional stuff CRUX Volume 5, the Australian sf magaz­ favour of pyrotechnics. Even that other --four are sf, three fantasy, one a near ine edited by Michael Hailstone, is now stand-up comic, John Clute (restrained -future spy story, another a shaggy-alien out. It features a story, "In Search of these days but here back in old form) , tale, yet another a cleverly-done bit of the Rainbow Serpent" by Diane Southgate manages to say some useful things about theorizing about alternate worlds. Fox, an article; "Faster Than Light?" by James Blish in a ten-page Here's John To When one thinks of frontiers, one thinks Michael Hailstone and short stories by Tickle You With Word Play -- And To Hell of exploration--of encountering and deal­ Joy Raven, Albert Vann, Rick Kennett, With Fair Play For Blish Because I'm ing with different races and cultures. and Stanislaw Patrick Wiatrowski, plus Cleverer Than He Was. It is likely that the mistakes of the a serial by Paul Collins and the first Mysteriously, the final 238 pages consist past will be repeated in the future, and of two parts of a novella by Dean Newman of a complete New Worlds index from No 1 two of the better tales in the book are One would hope that the next issue will (1946) — a graveyard of memories and studies of future colonialism. Bertram be out soon, with all these continued forgotten names. I shall treasure my Chandler's "Grimes and the Odd Gods" items. Production wise this issue looks copy as a historical record of a peculiar updates the old theme of the vengeance of marginally better than earlier ones, time about which, as Moorcock says in his a pagan God, justifiably offended by the and we hope many people will buy it and introduction, 'one can occasionallly feel vindictive pranks of a fanatical miss­ support Michael in his efforts to prod­ nostalgic . . . (though) one can never ionary. It is the kind of story that fifty uce a publication that publishes sf by bring it back to life'. No doubt some­ years ago would have been set on some Australian writers. Available from thing similar will recur reasonably soon island or jungle of our own planet, where Michael Hailstone, P.O.Box 193, Woden, ■- -- the time between literary 'revolutions' the sun never set on the Imperial flag ACT 2606. Sub.: $6.00 for four issues. averages twenty-five years -- if the and the Europeans usually underestimated Single copies $1.50 . Back issues $1.00 post free. 20 the natives, and their beliefs. ary about the majority of the zines he with your later statement (that only time reviews. I'm inclined to agree with and energy are needed) . What about money? most of his comments. Get hold of it And it's also needlessly inflammatory. and read it if you haven't already. Now I'm. no longer interested in trying to justify or explain myself, but I see Catherine Kerrigan that as the latest tactic being used against me, and may I remind you that in case you are still smarting from the uproar triggered by your remarks LETTER on the local magazines three years ago, it wasn't your actual criticism that GOLU set it off, but rather the unfair bias you showed at the t ime. Unless otherwise indicated, the follow­ ing are available for fannish usual: By the way, the above notwithstanding, Australian Council of Diverse Worlds: I was interested by Wynne Whiteford's Michael Hailstone, review of DREAMWORKS and wouldn't mind the newsletter of this club is attract­ P.O. Box 193, getting hold of the book, if I could only ively presented. Under the editorship Woden, A.C.T. 2606. find both a copy and the money to pay for of Jill Curtin, members present reviews it. And that's really saying something, and recommendations of f (jsf they have 28th August, 1983. seeing that very few new books I see read, also fiction and poetry in the reviewed nowadays grab my interest at all. fantasy vein. Most of the fiction and poetry in this ish started with a line Dear Merv, Michael Hailstone. given them by Jill: An eye landed wetly Really, it's too much. "Although we on the bar. Some of the efforts were have heard that the response to requests Peat MZchaef, amusing. The newsletter is available for stories for some local anthologies only to members and membership is $10 has not been very good, so perhaps the It seems I have, put my foot tn it again per annum. Write to Jill Curtin, c- blossoming of science fiction in this and what 1 did say needs some cZatZ^te- Supreme Court, 1 Gouger St, Adelaide country is in reality a bit of a myth" ation. I treated to the. small 5000. AUSTRALIAN SF NEWS, July 1983. First circulation s 4 zZne MOONSCAPE as being well within the bounds of Australian Centero Number 5: Strictly for Blake's of all, I'd like to know just what limits, but that nobody has the time or Seven fans. Anyone else would find it anthologies you're referring to. Mind you, I tend to agree with your last the energy. Paul Collins has pointed out quite dull and boring as it is purely to me that it is not the energy that is Blakes 7. Centero is put out by Nikki statement: that the blossoming of SF in this country is perhaps a bit of a missing, but the encouragement of White, P.O. Box 1082, Woden ACT 2606. am inclined If you have an opinion about Blake's 7 myth, but whose fault is that? Don't Australian fandom. I to agree you want to share with others, this is blame the writers. The only local with this to some degree, but in the the place for it. anthology I know to have come out within main I have found that Australian pub­ the last two years is DREAMWORKS, which lications, including Paul's, sell reas­ Cygnus: June 1983. Professionally is the only anthology which I have ever onably well at Space Age. inhere the presented, Cygnus presents fiction been asked to submit a story for, apart support is missing is in the reading (-original), reviews of books and comics, from the Void WORLDS series. And DREAM­ and nomination of Australian sf novels letters and a thing called On the Next WORKS, it turned out, provided an outlet and short fiction for the Oilmans. It Shelf which attempted to be funny but only for new wave writing, which is not is obvious that the relatively small wasn't. Cygnus is available from The my scene at all, especially as one was minority of people who read the magaz­ Eperex Press, GPO Box 770, Camberra, supposed to model a story on Baxter's ines and other short fiction volumes, ACT 2601, for subscriptions of $7 per "Beach", published in his first pacific do not read Australian short fiction, annum. anthology and an especial ly sore point or just cannot be bothered to vote in Data: November 1983. Data is the zine with me. This is not meant as any the awards. of Astrex (NSW Star Trek) and available criticism of David King, for any indiv­ to members of Astrex. It is full of idual editor has a right to decide what Paul did tell me that he was having info on Trek and people connected with kind of stuff he wants to publish. But trouble getting stories and that promp­ Trek. Also book reviews, film reviews, it strikes me as pretty unfair to blame ted my remark regarding response to conreviews etc. Also good for info on the waiters for "poor response" when local anthologies. 1 will agree with Medtrek. Write to Astrex P.O. Box C377, the market is so narrow and limited. you though, that it will take cash, not Clarence St, Sydney for info on how to A few years ago I would have jumped at just time and energy to produce a mag­ get it. the chance to contibute to whatever out­ azine of the quality of MOONSCAPE. My Q36K: Ortlieb (with the assistance of let was going, but now, quite frankly, trouble is that I think the $360 it costs Julie Vaux) has a rather lively letter- I've become so disgusted by the decadence me to print this issue of the NEWS for col in this ish revolving around what a of modern SF, at the kind of arty wanking instance is not a lot of money, but you fanzine should or shouldn't be and the that's now inflicted on us all, that I've may think otherwise. I have no unfair difference between media fans and other lost all interest in further writing. bias towards you or your magazine or fen. Also features Marc's trivia quiz anybody else's efforts to produce sf in from Advention- 4. Just how much do you But that's not all. Right before the Australia, I simply think that presen­ above quoted sentence you say: "Obviously know about the sort of sf Marc reads? tation is very important. Cory and Collins Ortlieb also advises a change of address the only thing that is preventing new titles for instance have sold a lot publication in this country of a public­ to G.P.O. Box 2708X, Melbourne, 3001, better of late, I think because of the ation similiar in size and contrast, is from Mid-January 1984. Q36 no.3: Marc's better cover illustrations and design. the time and the energy required." review of fanzines he has received. Really, Merv? You think that only time Weberwoman's Wrevenge: no 15. On first and energy are needed? It looks like Your latest issue of CRUX, which I have glance, a forum for people to air all I'll have to quote back at you more of mentioned elsewhere in this issue, is their grievances concerning upbringing, your own words from the previous issue, your best yet, but is spoilt by the not sexual relations, and any other severe despite my resolution to ignore future very good printing. Perhaps we should personal problems. Yet the lettered slurs cast at me: "Unfortunately some get together. Your time and energy plus indicates that the readers of WWW want local people, like Michael Hailsone, my printer. I do not consider my print­ this. For copies, available from Jean consider that anything they do, no matter ing costs high, but then I am getting Weber for the fannish usual or $1, at how badly presented, should be praised, the money to pay for the NEWS from sales, P.O. Box 42, Lyneham, Act 2602. just because they are making the effort subscriptions and advertising. You could On a final note, I've just read Ted to give local writers somewhere to have perhaps get more support, perhaps a bit White's review of Australian fanzines their stories published and read." Now of advertising, if your printing was up in Irwin Hirsh's Sikander. No doubt I understand how you, as a bookseller, to the standard of the NEWS or of Nev would find the standard of presentation a number of feathers are ruffled around Angove's CVGNUS CHRONICLER, which in the place as Ted is not at all compliment very important, and I'm not disputing some ways is better presented than the that. But it is rather a contradiction NEWS. 41 As much as anybody in Australia, I would structuralist analysis between the blood fantasy, this retreat from reality. like to ice. a regular, professional^ pro­ and latter two are undilated folks!) duced SfSf magazine and if 1 ever have When such women get their hands out of the cash I will publish it. We have the I take it that what interests cultural their crutch they may start writing talent to edit it, illustrate it and con­ relativists like Delany about all those literature instead of bullshit. tribute to it. Meanwhile, by criticising funny-looking ideas coming out of France Yours cordially, your efforts and by publishing reviews and Yale and Deakin University is that John J. Alderson . of all the other Australian if published, they presuppose a sceptical and relativ­ I hope to see a gradual improvement in istic way of interpreting culture. The Dear John, what is being produced. assumption is that customs in a society, like plot devices in a novel (and Has anybody ever accused you of being a Merv practically everything else) can be taken male chauvanist pig? What do you have Russell Blackford apart and shown to be laden with social against women writers at any rate? I GPO Box 1294 L, and political teachings, meanings, and will admit the writing of say Jacqueline Melbourne, Vic. 3001 coercions at infinitely-regressing levies. Lichtenberg, some of the Star Trek women Cultural analysis based on this assumption writers and yes, some of the fantasy, 24-8-83 is likely to be subversive and alienated. does not appeal to me, but writers tike For the fantastist, this is almost Anne McCaf frey, Honda McIntyre and many Dear Merv, inevitably fascinating (though I must others, although it does often have a admit to being increasingly turned off female bias, is top class sf or fantasy. I liked Damien Broderick's review of the by the arrogance of the practioners and The Julian May books’that you obliquely Delany books, but . . .it's a bit the mystique of their jargon). For such refer to in your tetter, I found quite disingenuous of the Dreaming Broderick as Delany, the option of turning this fascinating at first. Very different to to wonder why anyone would do a late- kind of analysis on his own constructs anything I had read previously, but Delany-type book combining the old must take on a kind of fascinating like any series, by female or male warrior-wench-and dragon syndrome with inevitability. Then again, I haven't writers, it began to boor me after a strange bits of selfconscious intell­ noticed a lot of writers clamouring to while. I suppose I must agree with you ectualism. Damien's own books have some follow Delany's lead (at least not genre to a certain degree on the Julian May of that apparent contradiction about writers). There are, however, rumours books, but they have been very popular, them, though we usually don't see him of a full-blown deconstructed fantasy never the Less. likely to take form on the Broderickian cram the wench and dragon under (if I Merv can put it his way) the same cover. word-processor. So let's hear some more Hum.' from Damien himself on the question. Darrell Schweitzer 113 Deepdale Rd Before I go, I'd like three cheers for Maybe someone should have a crack at Strafford PA 19087 Wynne Whiteford's review of Dreamworks. answering the question, or the wonder, Oct 30 1983 or whatever it was. Damien Dragon him­ I think David King's anthology is one Dear Merv, self would be best qualified, but let's giant leap for Australian sf, and I'm see. . . . glad to see reviewers who not only Please print the following. I would regard recognize the book's worth but also it as a great favour: I've never concocted any work of the provide sensitive and vivid accounts of There has been a major paste-up error in bums-and-Barthes school myself, but at the stories. The very precise remark on least I know what I like reading, so I my story "Flesh and Shadow" in the new my own story in the volume has something Paul Collins anthology, FRONTIER WORLDS. can start with that. It strikes me to do with my pleasure. . . . that a lot of the appeal in fantasy for More than two pages of text have been moved cultural relativists like myself is that Regards, further back in the story than where I wrote them. Before attempting to read the it has the potential to present worlds Russell Blackford. where all the values and assumptions story, follow these instructions: hardwired into our own society's customs, Dear Russell, Draw a line after paragraph 5 on page 195. institutions etc (and those of societies (Last line is "You scum'.") historically continuous with ours) are Thank you for your tetter. I wilt how­ replaced by something else. ever leave Damien or somebody to reply Now draw another one before the last line to what you have to say about Delany. on page 204 ("The overseer's cap") and That's not just trashy intellectual another after line 5 on page 207 ("The boy bullshit for talking about escapism Merv did not.") (you've hit me with that kind of charge in the past Merv, and I admit to being John J. Alderson When reading the story, stop after paragraph sensitive to it. . .). Fantasy does Havelock 5 on page 195, skip ahead to the bottom of have a potential to subvert assumptions Vic, 3465 204 read the set off passage to the top of and liberate us from them, not just 207. Then go back to page 195 and continue provide colourful escape. Certainly, 25-8-83 reading with paragraph six. Skip the marked it gives a raw, immediate sense of chuck­ passage on the second time through, obviouslj ing out all the everyday assumptions, Dear Merv, The bottom of page 204 is continuous with and entertaining the possibility of the top (line 6) of page 207. alternative values, institutions, myths, Readers other than Jack R. Herman will the whole lot. Unfortunately, the note the illogic of accusing me of This is obviously a simple paste-up error stock pl'ot devices of genre fantasy following him from zine to zine when I and not anyone's fault, but my story will tend to incorporate the most banal and got there before him. He is limping along make a lot more sense if you read it the debauched myths our own culture has to far behind his betters. way I wrote it, not as it appears. It seems to be a good book, with new stories by A. offer, so that the frisson of estrange­ I have indeed read the second volume ment promised turns out to be nastily Bertram Chandler, David Lake, Keith Taylor of May's masturbatory fantasy where women, and others. Fans should buy it, but they superficial, and the stuff ends up at merely by taking thought on the matter a deeper level reinforcing the old should also be warned. It's probably too can do what we men have to use picks late for Paul to insert errata slips. stale values. It strikes me that to and shovels to do, and I did so only keep genre fantasy interesting, you've out of a sense of duty. There are limits Other than that, not a whole lot of news. got to treat those plot devices with a to what one should endure and this goes I've finished the rewrite of my 1980 dash of cynical irony, linking up the far beyond those limits. The book is FANTASTIC serial THE WHITE ISLE, and turned superficial estrangement effect with absolute trash, the characters mere it over to my agent (Richard Curtis). It more radical subversive devices. (I psychological phantoms, and the story is now entitled GOD OF DARKNESS, PRINCE wish I had Professor Broderick's ability ridiculous. Nor do I appreciate the OF LIGHT. I keep my tentacles crossed. I to make this sort of pontifical fat­ craving of such absolute power as to be have turned in DISCOVERING H.P.LOVECRAFT chewing sound like a barrel of laugns. able to control others by controlling to Starmont House. This is a reissue of Anyway, it's implicit in my own forth­ their minds. my 1976 critical anthology, ESSAYS coming thirsty-sworded novel, The LOVECRAFTIAN with some change in contents, Tempting of the Witch King, where, every­ The epic is in reading, It takes some the typos corrected, and (surprise!) some one might be pleased to note, I don't doing. transposed pages in the right order. follow the Delany line of stuffing in Too many women are writing this type of Starmont is also publishing my DISCOVERING 22 Taught SCI FI FILM DAYS STAR TREK rmt'WTCzo«eGERs • As Follows

MELBOURNE At the NATIONAL MUTUAL THEATRETTE Satuturday April 7th cnr. Williams & Collins Sts. , SYDNEY (Startrek Day #3 ) Melbourne At "ANZAC HOUSE” CINEMA, 6.15 Buck Rogers - Episode #4) Saturday March 3rd Saturday March 17th 26 College Street, 6.30 The Menagerie Part One Sydney Phone: 367-6138 6.15 Buck Rogers-Episode 3 (lam Not Spock Day) 7.25 The Menagerie Part Two 6.30 Nightmare (One Step Beyond) 8.20 Conscience of the King 6.15 Michael Shayne - Detective 6.55 Big Surprise (Night Gallery) 9.15 Intermission Guest - Leonard Nimoy Sydney Dates are as follows: 7.20 Clean Kills 6 Other Trophies 9.30 Balance of Terror 7.10 In Search of other Voices (Rod Serling's - Night 10.25 Shore Leave February 18th Saturday Introduced and Narrated by Gallery ) 11.15 Finish March 17 th Leonard Nimoy 7.45 Why Man Creates April 28th 7.35 A Quality of Mercy (Twilight 8.10 Death's Head Revisited May 19th Zone - Leonard Nimoy) Melbourne Dates for the rest (Twilight Zone) June 18th 8.00 Amok Time - Leonard Nimoy of the year are: 8.35 Eye of the Beholder July 21st Playing Spock buy quite out (Twilight Zone)- May 5th Saturday August 18th of character 9.00 Melies Trick Film (1903) June 2nd September 1st, 15th and 8.50 That Classic Clip of Leonard 9.05 Intermission June 16th 29th Nude (Is it or not?) 9.20 Attack of the Crab Monsters July 7th October 20th 8.55 Intermission 10.30 Space Academy August 4th November 17th 9.10 The Balcony - Leonard Nimoy, 10.55 Finish August 18th December 1st 6 15th .. Shelley Winters, Peter Falk September 1st (not confirmed) October 6th 10.34 Startrek Bloopers November 3rd 10.45 Finish December 1st & 15th ..

LETTER COLUMN continued. MODERN , which is another Sloaski Klub Fantasyki, 40-956 Katowice, Canada, as his guest. We will be happy (nonfiction) anthology, consisting of Skr. Poczt, 502, Poland, is interested to pass on a letter that Mr Valour wrote author studies, most of them written for the in acquiring publications dealing with to Paul Collins originally, to anybody book. the developement of sf and fantasy in who is interested in making the trip. best, other countries, with the object of NOVA MOB Darrell Schweitzer publishing books on f§sf themselves. 1984 PROGRAM IeXte.44 I did. want to inctude thii iiiue, As previously reported, SYNCON '83 made but they n'M have to wait titt next, a profit ano it was distributed by the As usual, Nova Mob in 1984 will meet the inetude thoie (aom Chatitopheti Ptuiut, organisers as follows: TSCHAICON $600, first Wednesday of every month at 8pm John Baoinan, Vave Lang^oad, Tew.y Com., DUFF $250, GUFF $200, FFANZ $150, at the home of John Foyster and Jennifer Betty de Gabaiete and The kuitaatian EUREKACON $150 and the Australian SF Bryce. For those interested in eating, HoVtoa 6 Eantaiy Magazine. Just io you Foundation $250. For this move we most we will meet at 6pm at the Danube in do not think 1 have overbooked you or heartily commend Chairman Jack Herman Acland St. St Kilda. This is just thrown you in the waite paper baiket. and his committee. around the corner from the Foysters who reside at 21 Shakespeare Grv. (opposite Ed. JOE NICHOLAS and JUDITH HANNA, were Luna Park). The program for next year married on or around November 19th is: last. Joe you will remember was the GUFF visitor to Australia for the Nat­ FAN NEWS Sohces ional Convention in 1982, where he met March 7 : Violence in SF - Sean Judith and eventually coaxed her into McMullen Jenny Bryce and John Foyster became the travelling to the cold and foggy shores April 4 : Characterisation in SF - parents of a baby boy in October last. of Britain. Wynne Whiteford Due to some complications after a prem­ May 2 : Natural and unnatural ature birth, the little bloke is still Roger Weddall). Britain may have a Language - Marie McLean in hospital. On behalf of fandom we slight advantage, with the voting for June 6 : Heinlein's Critics -Mark wish John and Jenny well and hope they '87 being held at AUSSIECON 2, but with Linneman have their baby home soon, the new 3 year voting, if it is passed, July 4 : Dystopias in SF (with George Turner has been hospitalized for Zagreb, Yugoslavia will be bidding for reference to 1984) - a minor operation, but will be home '88 at the same time. It will be most Catherine Kerrigan again by the time you read this. unlikely for the World con to go outside August 1 : SF as a language - Damien the North American continent two years Broderick running, but if it is ever going to THE SYDNEY SPACE ASSOCIATION September 5 : Item by Lucy Sussex happen, '87 and '88 or '89, could be the October 3 : Reviewing: Functions and A new organisation for people interested years. in space exploration, The Sydney Space Techniques - George Turner November 7 : Discussion of Programme Association, was formed last year. For W.Paul Valcour, 1205 -1755 Riverside Dr.E. for 1985 further information of future meetings Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1G 3T6, is and such, contact Vai Rogers on 449 3134 interested in contacting an Australian We look forward to seeing you at the AH or write 16 Arundel St., West Pyamble author, artist, fan, publisher or Nova Mob this year. 2073 NSW. editor, who would be interested in att­ Cathy Kerrigan. ending the World Fantasy con in Ottawa, 23 t. SPHERE SCIENCE FICTION

Sphere Science Fiction

a futureworld epic

PATRICK TILLEY

OLD TIME HAS ENDED BUT EARTH IS STILL AT WAR

THE FUTUREWORLD EPIC FROM PATRICK TILLEY

Out now, in Sphere paperback, available R R p $5.95 from booksellers and newsagents everywhere.