Spring 2000 ConNotations Volume 10, Issue 1 The Quarterly Science Fiction, Fantasy & Convention Newszine of the Central Arizona Speculative Fiction Society
new existance as a being of light and SF Tube Talk blames Janeway and the Voyager crew for 24 Frames In This Issue pushing her into her current state. Kes Special Features by Lee Whiteside manages to travel back in time three years Movie & Video Reviews and intends to arrange for the Vidians to Beyond 2000 Trekking on to a New Adventure capture Voyager as part of her revenge. Currently in Theatres: by Shane Shellenbarger...... 4 There has been lots of rumors and As with any time travel episode, expect to A.E. Van Vogt Obituary speculation about what the next Star Trek be totally confused and for things to The Road to El Dorado Adam Niswander & Daryl Mallett ....6 series will be and when it will start. Rick pretty much be the same at the end of the From Dreamworks featuring the voices of : News & Reviews Berman and Brannon Braga have been episode. In a likely much more light- Kenneth Brannagh, Kevin Kline, Rosie SF Tube Talk developing the series for Viacom but have hearted episode, currently titled “Live Perez, Edward James Olmos and Armand by Lee Whiteside ...... 1 given out little info on what they are Fast and Prosper”, three alien con artists Assante Directed by Eric “Bibo” Peterson ...... 1 working on. Reports early in the year were have assumed the identities of Janeway, and Don Paul. 24 Frames. that Viacom set up some focus groups to Tuvok and Chakotay and have been FYI...... 2 get reaction to several concepts although scamming people all over the place. This a lush, beautifully-colored animated CASFS Business Report...... 2 those sessions likely were the creation of Needless to say, when Janeway and crew feature from Dreamworks (who gave us the CASFS Member Makes Good some fan and never really happened. In an get wind of it, they are not pleased. fabulous “Prince of Egypt”) with music by by Mike Griffin...... 2 interview with EON Magazine, Braga said The Doctor is featured in “Lifelines” Elton John and Tim Rice and the great AZ Pro News “I think we’re all in agreement that it needs which also will have return appearances pairing of Kenneth Bran-nagh and Kevin by Daryl Mallett...... 3 to be STAR TREK, it needs to embody of Barclay and Troi. The Doctor learns Kline’s voices for a pair of rogues Miguel STAR TREK’s philosophy, but it needs to through their new communication setup and Tulio who inadvertently set out from Musical Notes be different. It can’t just be another group with Starfleet that his creator, Doctor Spain in 1516 with Cortez and his men, by Tom Tuerff...... 4 of people on a ship with a different name. Zimmerman, is ill and that The Doctor’s bound for the New World. ConClusion...... 9 It’s gotta have something that is going to enhanced medical knowledge may be the Having been thrown into the brig, they In Our Book (Book Reviews).....14 only thing that bribe Altivo, Cortez’s horse, into setting can save Dr. them free, and in the course of them Puzzle getting off ship, Altivo jumps overboard Zimmerman. The The Works of Harlan Ellison Doctor sends his and is saved by the rogues. So the three of by Shane Shellenbarger...... 13 program to the them get to the New World ahead of Alpha Quadrant Cortez in a long boat. You see, they have through the this map, won in a dockside crap game that Convention & Fandom micro-wormhole supposedly will lead them to the the fabled Club Listings...... 17 communications land of El Dorado and more gold than the link to try to King of Spain. Convention Listings...... 19 save his creator. But this is no “Pocahontas,” unfortu- Convention Registration Form.19 There hasn’t nately. been much news The lads and the horse meet up with Art Work Chal, an escapee from El Dorado. She’s leaked about the Sherlock...... 11, 13, 18 remaining leaving because she stole some temple episodes of the gold and want’s adventure. She’s persued season at press by temple guards who capture the give people a different reason to watch, but foursome and take them back to the city. other) As I said earlier, Chal is a little without straying too far away from the core time. Reports are that the season finale But Chal’s just a little hustler, a match hustler with the hots for Tulio and though elements. We’re all in agreement about will deal heavily with The Borg, possibly for Miguel and Tulio who, along with Miguel comes off more noble than the that—what exactly that concept will be with a return appearance of the Borg Altivo, are greeted like long-lost gods (ala other two, there’s not much there either. we’re not sure of yet.” There is also a fan Queen. Cortez and Monteczuma) and given the And that’s a shame, because it’s led movement to convince Viacom to do an X-Files - The End or Not? run of the colorful El Dorado. The Chief is beautifully drawn, and the trailer made it Excelsior series featuring George Takei as It’s looking more and more like this will a fat, cheerful man pushed into doing seem funnier than it was (as usual). The Captain Sulu. be the final season of “The X-Files.” No nasty sacrafices by a meglomaniac high humor is also more adult than kid-level. They are planning a day of public formal announcement has been made, but priest. There are moments of drama and scary “displays” of support on April 22nd at recent interviews with Chris So, Miguel and Tulio, along with the monsters, but not enough, I feel, to hold Paramount Studios and local stations that Carter,Gillian Anderson and David helpful Chal, see an opportunity to exploit small kids interests. - Sue Martin carry Star Trek. For more details on the Duchovny indicate that none of them and get ahead, get the gold, (and one of I liked the colors . I liked the characers. I campaign, check out their web site at http:// think there will be another season. They them gets the girl) and go home to Spain. didn’t like the bad guys. Becuse they were excelsior.iftcommand.com/ all are willing to continue “The X-Files” The story is slow and only funny in mean. I didn’t like the music. Becuse there Meanwhile, we’ve still got a few more on the big screen but nothing has been spots and the musical interludes are wasn’t a lot of it. I thought the story was episodes this season and a full season of announced in that area, either. Carter intrusive and do little to move the tale ok. I thought it wasn’t my cup of tea. - “Star Trek: Voyager” to watch. Once and 1013 Productions are filming a pilot along. There isn’t even a token moment of Johanna Martin they resume new episodes, we’ll have a episode for a Lone Gunmen series for confusion between these two peoples blast from the past with a return of Jenni- FOX. It will feature the Lone Gunmen communicating (At least in “Pocahontas” The Tigger Movie fer Lien as Kes in “Fury”. Kes reappears (Byers, Frohike, and Langly) as well as a there was a moment of magic that suppos- Directed by Jun Falkenstein and it turns out she’s not happy with her ( Cont’d on Page 8 ) edly helped the two understand each ( Cont’d on page 11) Volume 10 Issue 1 ConNotations Page 1 FYI CASFS Business Report Who’s Who This Issue Dear Faithful Reader, Editor: Stephanie L. Bannon Book Discussion Groups tions, Kim. We have two monthly book discussion How time flies! It seems like no time Co-Editors: Craig L. Dyer & Sue Martin Our other activities are also going Graphics Editor: Craig L. Dyer groups going, one at Glendale Public at all since we were wrapping up 1999 and gearing up for the first quarter of well. The book discussion groups Film & Video Reporter: Barry Bard Library on the first Thursday of each 2000, and here it’s finished already. continue to meet, one at the Metrocenter Staff Writers: Pam Allen, Barry Bard, month and another at Barnes and Noble in First of all, I’d like to applaud our Barnes and Noble, and the other at the Michael Griffin, Daryl F. Mallet, Shane Metro Center on the fourth Thursday of tireless editor-in-chief, Stephanie Glendale Public Library. I encourage Shellenbarger, Tom Tuerff, Lee each month. Here’s a schedule of upcom- Bannon, for publishing four issues of everyone to attend; it’s a great way to Whiteside, Randall Whitlock, Mike ing books: ConNotations last year. Please help get involved in CASFS outside of the Willmoth GLENDALE PUBLIC LIBRARY: 1st support her incredible efforts in every conventions. Check further in the issue Layout & Design: Stephanie L. Bannon way possible—through subscriptions, for details on dates and books. I have Keeper of the Mailing List: Craig L. Thursday of each month Dyer and Doug Cosper submissions, and (please, please) been assured that you don’t even have to May 4: Firebrand by Marion Zimmer Contributors: Catherine Book, Johanna through advertising. read the book to show up! Bradley Martin, Adam Niswander, Gary Swaty On the convention front, things are If you’re masochistic (which, if you’re June 1: Paris in the Twentieth Century by Labeling Crew for Volume 9 Issue 4: very positive. Both CopperCon 19 and still reading this, you might be) and Stephanie Bannon, Craig Dyer, Ray & Jules Verne HexaCon 9 reported financial success. would like to actually see what goes on Pinkie Gish, David Hungerford, Bob & Lori July 6: Citizen Of The Galaxy by Robert HexaCon 10 announced Steve Jackson as at CASFS meetings, instead of just LaPierre, Pete Manly, Jean Palmer, Sue & Jo Heinlein their very special Gaming Guest of reading this riveting summary every Martin, Marguerite Murray, Helen “April” August 3: So You Want To Be A Wizard Honor. CopperCon 20 also announced quarter, show up at a meeting! Meetings Rice, Gary Swaty, Susan Uttke by Diane Duane an incredible variety of author guests. are held on the last Friday of the month About ConNotations: ConNotations is the Finally, due to personal issues, the at the JB’s at I-10 and Indian School. Sept 7: RedWall by Brian Jacques fan published newszine of the Central banker for CopperCon 20 decided to Socializing starts at 7:00, and business Oct 5: The Naked Sun by Isaac Asimov starts at 8. Arizona Speculative Fiction Society Nov 2: Wizard’s First Rule by Terry step down. In February, Kim Martin was (CASFS) an IRS-recognized 501(c)3 non- elected as a replacement. Congratula- Until next time, Goodkind The Frantic Scribe profit organization. Circulation is estimated Dec 7: Freedom’s Landing by Anne at 4,000 readers for this issue, primarily McCaffrey CASFS members and attendees of recent AZ sf/f conventions. For more information on the Glendale CASFS Member Makes Good Subscriptions: The newszine is currently group contact Sue Martin at (623)939-7815 By Michael Griffin sent free of charge to anyone who has BARNES & NOBLE METRO CENTER: attended a CASFS or LepreCon sponsored 4th Thursday of each month What do mythology, mathematics, science lar attention is give to M(s,t), or mythic convention in the last two years and to all April 27: Forty Thousand in Gehanna by fiction and fantasy have in common? spacetime. A geometric CASFS members. Subscriptions are avail- C.J. Cherryh ‘Mythic Spacetime’ that’s what. My interpretation of this uses Ira Progoff’s able. Cost for a four issue subscription is: USA: $10/bulk, $15/First class; Canada & May 25: Hammer of God by Arthur Clarke academic paper with this title is now out in book about Jungian synchronicity. Mexico $15/First class or Europe $23/ June 22: Snowbrother by S.M. Stirling the January 2000 issue of the ‘Journal of Examples of mythic spacetime in popular airmail. Raeuest rates for other countries. July 27: Legends Walking by Jane Literary Semantics.’ culture are presented, citing fantasy Copyright: Articles, fiction, photos and Lindskold Examples I cite include superhero comic literature and superhero comic books. artwork in this issue are copyright © of the August 24: Officer Cadet by Rick Shelley books and Robert Holdstock’s Ryhope Applications of the set theory are also author/artist and cannot be reproduced in Sept 28: Harry Potter & ? by J.K. Rowling Wood fantasy series. You may recall that made using the four mythic motifs of Hero, any manner without their written consent. If Oct 26: Daughter Of The Blood by Anne Holdstock’s books were reviewed in the Fertility Cycles, Duality and the Fall from no author or artist is credited the artwork or article is copyright ©of the Central Arizona Bishop April 1999 issue of ConNotations, while I Innocence. The limitations of the set Speculative Fiction Society. Note: November and December discus- have made remarks about superhero theory are discussed, with extensive use Publication: Publications dates are cur- sions will move to the third Thursday of comics in various other issues. of G.S. Kirk’s book, ‘Myth: It’s Meaning & rently April, June, August & December. the month The ‘Journal of Literary Semantics’ covers Functions in Ancient & Other Cultures.’ Publication date of this issue is 04/05/2000; Nov 16: Stardust by Neil Gaiman interdisciplinary topics that shed light on Finally, the superset of mental spacetime is mailing date is 04/10/2000 Dec 21: Lord Of Light by Roger Zelazny semantics, or linguistic meaning, as introduced, which includes mythic Advertising: ConNotations reaches approx. 4,000 science fiction, fantasy, gaming and For more information on the Barnes & expressed in literature. Look for it only in spacetime as a subset. horror fans throughout the Phoenix metro Noble group contact Stephanie at your college library. Or, to save you the The other three functions not mentioned area, the Southwest and nationwide. Our ad (602)973-2341 trouble, here’s the abstract of my paper: in this abstract are called breakthroughs, rates are:Back cover/$150, $100/full page; If you would like CASFS to sponsor a Mythic spacetime is an idea described by crossovers and transforms. Set elements $70/two-thirds page; $50/half page; $35/one- book discussion group near you, please Mircea Eliade as ‘in illo tempore’, or what going from a real setting to a mythic one third page; $25/ one-fourth page; $18/one- contact Stephanie at (602)973-2341 is outside of the world’s normal spacetime. are called crossovers, with the reverse eigth page. More information can be INFORMATION LINE: For up to date The concept is developed into an alge- called a breakthrough. A transform occurs obtained by contacting Stephanie L. Bannon, Email: [email protected] or information on each month’s CASFS and braic set theory which describes all stories when a set element is changed into [email protected] or Mail: PO Box fan sponsored sci-fi related events call of myth. This mathematical notation uses something else, such as when spells are 62613, Phoenix, AZ 85082-2613 Phone or (602)973-2341 and select option 7 for a pre- four set elements, (p,x,s,t), representing cast upon characters. FAX; (602)973-2341 recorded message. persons, things, places and time. Five Well, that’s it in a nutshell. Enough of Submission Info: Writers and artists are SPRING USED BOOK SALE at the functions operate this set, including a academic matters. encouraged to submit work for publication. Tempe Public Library, Saturday April 15, mythic state M and a real state R. Particu- While we cannot pay you for your efforts your work will be seen by over 4,000 fans 2000 from 9AM to 2PM in the program across the Southwest and the country. You room on the lower level. What is CASFS? will retain the copyright to your work for future publication. To submit your work or What is really behind putting on a convention? What the funds raised by a convention for more information please write to: used for? Why not attend a meeting and find out? We’re the sponsor of ConNotations, ConNotations; PO Box 62613, Phoenix, AZ CopperCons, HexaCons, SmerfCons and other conventions. We are a charitable, non- 85082-2613 or contact us via Email at profit organization that exists to further science fiction, fantasy and science fields in [email protected] Arizona. CASFS currently meets at the JB’s Restaurant at 2560 W Indian School Rd in Contact Information: ConNotations and Phoenix (NW corner of I-17 and Indian School). The meetings begin at 8PM and are held its contributors can be contacted by mail at on the last Friday of the month Jan. Through Sept. And on the second Friday of the PO Box 62613, Phoenix, AZ 85082-2613 or month Oct through Dec. Everyone is invited to attend two meetings as a guest (non- via email at [email protected]. member). Membership rates are $12/year plus an initial $3 application fee and rates are ISSN: 1082-7765 pro-rated for the amount of the year remaining. For more info Call: Stephanie L. Bannon (602)973-2341 Webpage: www.casfs.org email: [email protected] Page 2 ConNotations Volume 10 Issue 1 science fiction stories or novels to some years, the contract with E-rights expires
The location of Westercon is chosen by the members of the Westercon two years prior. That means to bring Westercon to Arizona in 2002, we have to win an election this year.
In Hawaiiaii. Gulp. Expensive.
Can’t go to Hawaii? Don’t worry!
If you can make it to Leprecon, Norwescon or BayCon, you can vote for Arizona! Stop by our bid tables and look for our parties and flyers. We’ll let you know how to vote and provide you with ballots and fun.
If you can’t join us at any of those conventions, you can still vote for Arizona. See our Website for details or drop us a line at the address below.
Our Experience: We’ve hosted many different conventions, from IguanaCon in 1978 through World Horror Convention in 1998, including three previous Westercons, three regional conventions per year, and lots of experience on regional conventions throughout the West. We’ll share the best of Arizona with you through our old-fashioned Western hospitality.
Our Facilities: the Sheraton Mesa Hotel and the Mesa Convention Center With 273 rooms and over 50,000 square feet of function space, we have got great facilities for Westercon. Our room rates are affordable, too. $75 single – quad, $85 for concierge floors, $95 for suites. A short drive from Sky Harbor Airport and close to everything you’ll need.
Enjoy our hospitality. See you at the oasis. Pre-support Arizona. $10.00 supports our bid. Be a Friend of the Bid. $100.00 supports our bid, and gets you a unique Arizona polo shirt and VIP treatment at the convention when we win. Arizona in 2002 – PO Box 67457 – Phoenix, Arizona 85082-7457 www.finger-rock.com/arizona “Westercon” is a registered service mark of the Los Angeles Science Fantasy Society, Inc.
Volume 10 Issue 1 ConNotations Page 5 Golden Age standout A. E. van Vogt, a long as people read, or imagine, or dream. life member of SFWA, passed away on And Van, thank you. January 26, 2000 of complications of A. E. van Vogt, 1912-2000 January 2000 pneumonia. publications as well. and other little notes to jog his recollec- Adam Niswander Van Vogt’s science fiction career began By the middle of the first day, I had tions. On panels, he would be asked a Phoenix, Arizona with the short story “Black Destroyer,” abandoned the dealer’s room, and gone to question, then refer to his sheet, and then published in John Campbell’s Astounding join the writers in the Greenroom at the launch off into wonderful and detailed Remembrance of A.E. van Vogt Science Fiction in 1939. Over the next eight invitation of James P. Hogan. There were stories of his career and the history of the by Daryl F. Mallett years, van Vogt placed at least 35 stories no literary fans, so the writers were being genre. It was a phenomenal compensation in Astounding. Among them were the ignored, and were bored out of their on his part. I met Van in 1987, when I was 18 years memorable stories later incorporated into minds. I remember his description of how he old. At the time, to me, he was a legend in the “fix-up” novels THE WEAPON SHOPS Van, even back then, was already had written so many books by dreaming the science fiction field, with me a mere OF ISHER (1951) and THE WORLD OF suffering from a mental deterioration, a them. He would write until he got stuck, neophyte, just entering the industry. Van NULL-A (1948). Other volumes in both kind of Alzheimers, I guess. His short term just didn’t know where he would go from had penned great works like “Black series followed. memory was shot, but a few key words there. Then he would lie down, set an Destroyer” before my FATHER was born, Van Vogt’s first novel SLAN (1946) is might trigger a wonderful, long, detailed alarm clock for twenty minutes or forty and yet he had time to spend with me. He widely considered a classic of the field, recollection. His infirmity was strange in minutes, and then go to sleep, telling and his second wife, Lydia, were gracious and a prototype for the SF wish-fulfillment that way, very inconsistent. I recall that he himself to dream the next part and remem- hosts to me, and later guests of mine, she tale. His other notable works include THE was on a panel - a debate - the subject of ber it. When the clock went off, he would with her beautiful European accent and VOYAGE OF THE SPACE BEAGLE (1950), which was “There Will Be War.” It was awaken, and grab a pad, and scrawl charming manners, he with his easy smile EMPIRE OF THE ATOM (1957) and moderated by Jim Hogan, and the one furiously what he had dreamed. It worked and gentility, truly one of the grand old CHILDREN OF TOMORROW (1970). The representing the affirmative was Jerry for him. He said he finished over fifty men of the literary world. While I was Encyclopedia of Science Fiction calls van Pournelle. Van represented the negative. novels that way. thrilled to become friends with this writing Vogt “a master of intricate, metaphysical Seated next to me in the audience was In Lloyd Arthur Eshbach’s “Of World giant, it was difficult at times. space opera.” Lydia van Vogt. Under my chair were two Beyond, The Science of Science Fiction When I worked on his bibliography, I Alfred Elton van Vogt was born in U-Haul book boxes of Van’s books. Writing,” his section is called “Complica- was able to pend a great deal of time with Manitoba, Canada. In 1939 he married E. When I realized the lady next to me was tion in the Science Fiction Story.” In it, he him and Lydia at their Los Angeles home. Mayne Hull, and they wrote several Mrs. van Vogt, I gushed that I was a huge first talked about the 800 word scene. He But the Alzheimer’s Disease, which had stories together in the 1940s. They moved fan, and showed her the cases under the said it was not original to him, but I had already been plaguing him since before to the United States in 1944. The last 50 chair. I explained that I had waited to find never heard anyone else define it so our meeting, would not relent. He would years of van Vogt’s life were spent in Los them at a convention for ten years, and clearly. As he said, it could be as short as smile and say goodbye at the end of the Angeles, California. (Hull passed away in told her how excited I was. She was very 600, or as long as 1000 words, but the day, and as the door was closing, I would 1975.) kind and did not kill me on the spot. principle was the same. As a young writer, hear him ask Lydia, “Who was that nice In 1980, A. E. van Vogt received a In the course of the debate, Van became years later, I took his words to heart. That boy again?” The next morning, he would Casper Award (precursor to the Canadian disoriented, and unable to participate little book, by the way, contains the smile again, and then ask me, “Would you Aurora Awards) for Lifetime Achievement. effectively. Lydia, seated next to me, said wisdom not only of van Vogt, but remind me of your name again, please?” In 1996, he was named a Grand Master by very quietly, “Oh, dear. Oh dear.” Hogan, Heinlein, and Jack Williamson, John Taine, During an interview I conducted with the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of as moderator, saw the difficulty and John Campbell, Doc Smith and L. Sprague him in the late 1980s, he said, “I would America in 1996, and was selected as one brought the panel to an immediate close, de Camp as well. Every writer should have trade it all [his career, awards, etc.] to be of four inaugural inductees in the Science with Pournelle helping him as they a copy. Published in 1947, it is a funda- able to start over again.” I smiled at the Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame. escorted Van, with Lydia, to his room for a ment for the would-be writer. time, not realizing how badly his mental Van Vogt is survived by his second wife, needed rest. In later years, when my own novels were deterioration had progressed. Lydia. After he had been taken to his room, starting to come out, I wrote to Van asking As I spent time with him, my heart broke, Funeral services were held at 10am Lydia came back down and sought me out. if he could look at my newest and perhaps watching him sit at the typewriter, pecking Monday, January 31, at Callanan Mortu- She said that he would rest for a couple provide a pre-publication blurb, but I got a away for a few moments before losing his ary, 1301 North Western Avenue, Los hours, and then, if it was alright, they very kind note back saying that he was train of thought. He would stare out the Angeles, CA 90027. would meet me in the Greenroom and Van “retired” now and no longer did critiques, huge window overlooking Los Angeles Cards may be sent to 2850 Belden Drive, would sign all my books. I was speechless blurbs or reviews, and wishing me luck in and his hands would clench at the side of Los Angeles, CA 90068-1902, to the with surprise and gratitide. the new venture. I knew what that meant. the table, knuckles white, as he tried to attention of Lydia van Vogt. - Adam True to her word, two hours later, I went And now I live in a world without the regain the thread. Nevertheless, he Niswander to the Greenroom, where, for fifty-five physical presence of A. E. van Vogt, continued, with Lydia assisting him, on minutes, A. E. van Van signed his books though it will always be one he touched into the very early days of the 21st THOUGHTS ON THE PASSING to me, each one with its unique inscription. and influenced. century. I spoke with Lydia briefly on the OF A. E. VAN VOGT He had to be reminded of my name Behind me on the shelves are forty of his phone during WesterCon 1999, and she by Adam Niswander between each and every book, but Lydia novels, each signed especially to me, and I said he’d gone into a home. I knew then would remind him, and he would bend to recall many evenings, many signings, that I would probably not see him again. I did not get to meet A. E. van Vogt until the task and sign it “To Adam -” . many events, where we shared a table, or a Sadly, I was right. 1987. I was never so honored in my life. I panel, or just a warm social chat - one The great Alfred Elton van Vogt, known I attended a first-time convention at the never felt so badly about being a collector where he and Lydia showed me how to his friends and colleagues as simply LA Hilton called Universe 87. with so many books. I have never been graciousness could be defined in the “Van” has gone to the celestial conven- The con was a disaster for the committee more grateful to an author and his wife, modern age. tion, and this world will not be the same who ran it. It turned out to be a “gamers” who treated me so kindly. Van is gone, but he is woven irrevocably without his great heart, but he will forever convention, and the attendees checked in, I saw them many times after that, at into the fabric of the speculative fiction live on in the field and in my own heart. went to the gaming rooms, and were never conventions in the Western U.S., and I genre. He had a wonderful mind, a Goodbye, Van. Thank you so much for seen again. had an open invitation to their home under superlative imagination, a kind and your friendship and the memories. It was a remarkable and seminal event for the Hollywood sign in California, but, alas, compassionate heart, and he loved the me. I was still a bookdealer then, not yet I never visited. Van was our Guest of fans. And he was blessed with Lydia, who published. I had lugged two cases of Honor at a CopperCon in Phoenix. By may be the most remarkably accomplised books by him, hoping to get signatures - then, his memory had degraded even woman I have ever met. not books for resale, just out of my own farther, but he had a unique gift. He had a So take a moment, with me, and lift a library. The man wrote a lot of books, most cheat sheet, one that listed his book titles glass, and toast a giant who is no longer paperbacks, but some landmark hardcover and had a short summary of their plots, among us but will always be with us, as Page 6 ConNotations Volume 10 Issue 1 Volume 10 Issue 1 ConNotations Page 7 SF Tube Talk ( Cont’d from As the Buffyverse Turns into a werewolf, Adam is rallying the SciFi started the new series of page 1 ) The WB has already given both Buffy vampires, including Spike, who gets his “Farscape” in late March, continuing from competing female conspiracy theorist and and Angel a full season order of 22 inhibitor chip removed, and the Council of the cliffhanger ending of the first season. reportedly will have Terry O’Quinn episodes for next season, so Joss Whedon Watchers makes their presence felt once Look for even better special effects in the (“Millennium” and “Harsh Realm”) in a is moving full steam ahead with both more. Buffy and Riley head back to CGI and puppets for the new season as regular role. series winding up their respective plot Sunnydale with Angel and crew right they explore the uncharted territories even The most recent reports are that threads with a large amount of crossover behind them for a big sweeps crossover more this season. Duchovny has been offered $1 million to as the end of the season approaches. As dealing with The Initiative and Adam. SciFi added “Lexx” to the Friday night continue with the series. If he turns them in previous seasons, the major plot After that, when Angel and crew head lineup in January, however they decided down, the series may continue with threads will be pretty much wrapped up by back to Los Angeles, they have to deal to emphasize the episodes focusing on Mulder being recast and the show moving the end of the season and this year it with a biker gang that hunts vampires, a Xenia Seeberg’s Xev character (with the its production back to Vancouver. looks like the final episode for each series blind woman with supernatural abilities, emphasis on sex) and skipped over the If you blinked and missed the first three will be more of an epilogue to the major and a new bad guy who steals the season’s initial episodes which set up the episodes of “Harsh Realm” last fall or events, showing us how the characters prophecy of Aberjian from Wolfram & ongoing arc of the season and introduces would like to see the remaining episodes deal with the major events that just Hart and takes out the Oracles. Xev and Lyekka. In late March, SciFi has that were produced, the FX cable channel happened instead of waiting until next It has also been reported that Bai Ling, started airing the season “from the top” starting airing the produced episodes season to pick things up after summer Princes Shiera in the Angel episode “She” and will run the rest of the episodes pretty (eight or nine depending on the source) in vacation. I still find it hard to believe that will be returning as a semi-regular, so she much in their proper order, although late March on Friday nights. things really die down that much in and the other escaped women may get skipping over the ones they have already For upcoming X-Files episodes, as Sunnydale during the summer. Phoenix I involved with the festivities. aired. As the season progresses, the Lexx would be expected for the final season, the could believe. Other rumors are that Angel and crew crew discover that their freeing of Mantrid main actors are getting their last chances There’s still a lot to happen before the have their hands full with The Scourge in in the opening episode is leading to the to contribute to the episodes. William B. season ends, and the spoiler sensitive Los Angeles and stay there to deal with it. destruction of the universe and they must Davis wrote the episode “En Ami” which may want to skip over the next few Elsewhere on The WB, “Roswell” is try to figure out a way to stop Mantrid or focused on his Cigarette Smoking Man paragraphs, even though some of it may getting a new time slot, moving in early be destroyed as well. SciFi and the U.S. is character. Gillian Anderson wrote and change as they actually film the episodes. April to Mondays at 9 pm ET/PT, 8 pm CT/ still way behind on the series, as the third directed “all things” and David Duchovny In Sunnydale, a new head of the MT in hopes of improving its ratings. The series of “Lexx” debuted in the U.K. in wrote and directed “Hollywood A.D.”. initiative is assigned, Colonel DeHavilland, latter episodes of the season will deal more February and should start airing in Canada “Brand X” will center on a conspiracy at whose main priority is to clean up the with the science fiction aspect of the in April. That series has now been picked the Morely Tobacco Company where a mess, which includes making sure the series and less on the teenage angst. up in the US by SciFi but it will likely be a whistleblower dying with a really nasty soldiers are all OK, especially Riley, that We’ll learn more about the aliens and while before they air it. cough. Anderson’s episode “all things” Adam is captured and tested to figure out what’s really happening as they hope for a The other addition to the Friday night will focus on Scully and “delves into what went wrong, and to make sure pickup for next season. lineup is “Good Vs. Evil”, which was Scully’s struggles between her place in life anyone else who knows about The On the syndicated front, “Hercules” brought over from the USA Network as an FBI agent and as a medical doctor,” Initiative is eliminated. When Anya and went out with somewhat of a bang, (called “GvsE” there). From the initial according to Anderson. In “Hollywood Xander have a big fight, Anya comes on although Herc’s appearance when Xena episodes shown on SciFi, the series is A.D.”, Mulder and Scully check in on a to Spike and a spell makes everyone get gave birth to Eve got the ongoing pretty much the same as it was on USA. movie being made about them called “The into a sexy mood. We’ll also have a return “Twilight of the Gods” storyline moving Ron Moore, late of Star Trek: Deep Lazarus Bowl”. Starring in the movie as at full steam. After a visit to Amazon land Space Nine and Voyager, has done some Mulder is Garry Shandling and Scully is (with heavy use of footage from the failed consulting for the show, mainly helping to being played by Duchovny’s real-life wife “Amazon High” pilot, Xena and Gabrielle improve the scripts and such. Tea Leoni. For the final three episodes, deal with Cleopatra, Marc Antony and Starting April 5th on SciFi will be a little info has leaked other than one of Augustus Ceasar over a couple of weekly short film series, “Exposure,” them will feature “The Lone Gunmen” but episodes, followed by an episode with a which will feature short films from various is NOT the pilot episode for their series. grown up Eve looking back with an old sources, from ones done by a young Tim Babylon 5 & Crusade: The Wind-down Joxer. The season finale will deal with the Burton, to the recent online Star Wars Activity related to “Babylon 5” is less Gods again, featuring Ares and likely meets COPS short “Troops” to films and less these days, due in no small part setting up a cliffhanger ending to lead into submitted by SciFi viewers. The show and to TNT’s burying of the repeats on early season six. the associated web page Saturday mornings. Don’t expect TNT to With the end of “Hercules,” we got the (exposure.scifi.com) has info on how to repeat the “Crusade” episodes anytime Back2Back Action hour with “Cleopatra submit your short films to SciFi. soon, if ever. However, once the current 2525” and “Jack of All Trades.” Both Coming later this year on SciFi will be contract with TNT is over in 2001, it is shows suffer a bit from moving too fast to the new “Invisible Man” series in June likely that SciFi will pick up “Babylon 5” do everything in a half hour. “Cleopatra and the six-hour Dune miniseries this fall, and “Crusade” and put it on in a much 2525” is better than I expected and starring William Hurt as Duke Leto better time slot where it can easily be handles the action and humor well. Plus Atreides, Alec Newman as Paul Atreides, caught in repeats. In the meantime, the they have some mysteries to reveal as and Giancarlo Giannini as Emperor “Babylon 5” related items are slowly they go along. “Jack of All Trades” Shaddam IV. coming to an end. The Official Babylon 5 benefits from having Bruce Campbell as New Syndicated series this fall. Magazine will end with issue #24 in a appearance by Oz, who has to deal with the lead but the humor goes a bit over- Coming to the syndicated market this fall couple of months. The last three issues Willow’s new relationship with Tara. Faith board at times and makes the show come will be several new syndicated genre will feature original “Babylon 5” short turns up in Los Angeles and gets involved across as trying too hard to be funny at series. Most notable are “Sheena,” fiction from J. Michael Straczynski (#22), with Wolfram and Hart, who hire her to times. Still, both have done well in the starring former Baywatch Babe Gena Lee Fiona Avery (#23) and J. Gregory Keyes take out Angel. When Buffy hears about ratings to start with and look to continue Nolin, “Queen of Swords,” featuring (#24). The novels will continue with the Faith being in L.A., she and Riley head for at least a second season. Tessie Santiago as an 18th Century female currently planned releases but there are no there to check up on the situation. Riley Elswhere in syndication, most of the Zorro-type vigilante in California, and plans for additional novels. The next and Angel hit it off, annoying Buffy, and other new shows have done well enough “Matthew Blackheart: Monster Peter David Centauri novel, “Armies of she gets really annoyed when Riley is to get picked up for a second season, Smasher” from Director/Producer Richard Light and Dark”, will be out in May and almost killed when helping Angel in a including “Relic Hunter,”” The Lost Donner about a man-made superhero who the first of the Jeanne Cavelos fight. World” and “Beastmaster.” smashes monsters created by an evil Technomage novels will be released early Meanwhile, back in Sunnydale, Oz gets SciFi’s Lexx, Farscape, Exposure, & Good scientist. in 2001. captured by The Initiative when he turns Vs. Evil ( Cont’d on page 9 ) Page 8 ConNotations Volume 10 Issue 1 SF Tube Talk (Cont’d from page visual effects consultant; Paul Cornell, Mark XI. I wandered in while it was in 8) ConClusion Dr. Who novelist and screenwriter; Keith progress and the Enigma Players were Topping, Dr. Who novelist; Dave Stone, holding a mock talk show scene. The most anticipated new syndicated The Eleventh Hour of Gallifrey One:A series is Gene Roddenberry’s “Androm- Peter Anghelides and Jon De Burgh Following that was one of the guests, Jo eda” starring Kevin “Hercules” Sorbo as Review by Mike Willmoth Miller, Dr. Who & Benny Summerfield Castleton, I believe, who sang a song Captain Dylan Hunt of the sentient novelists. about an eleven-armed man from Mars starship Andromeda Ascendant. Hunt The 11th annual Gallifrey One (G1) Other shows represented: J.Michael looking for a wife whom she joins and and his ship are trapped in the event convention was held Friday, February 18 Straczynski, creator “Babylon 5” & leave with, hand in hand in hand in... She “Crusade;” Peter Woodward, Galen from was quite timid at first but really sang with horizon of a black hole and when they are thru Sunday, February 20, 2000, at the Crusade; Carrie Dobro, Dureena Nafeel emotion and movement and received a rescued discover that it has been 300 Airtel Plaza Hotel in Van Nuys, California. For those of you familiar with LosCon from Crusade; David Allen Brooks, Max resounding applause afterwards. years since they were trapped and that the each (American) Thanksgiving Day Eilerson from Crusade; Jo Castleton, There were more table-based skits as galaxy’s governing body, the System’s Weekend in Burbank, the G1 is held only a Natasha from BBV’s “ Auton Trilogy;” well as one fellow singing with a guitar as Commonwealth, has collapsed. Hunt and few miles west next to the municipal airport George Telfer, Winslet from BBV’s a fill-in for a delayed Julie Caitlin Brown crew set about restoring order to the in the next city. “Auton Trilogy;” Bill Baggs, producer/ (from Babylon 5 fame as various charac- galaxy for the rest of the series. The main G1 started out as a Dr.Who convention director from BBV productions; Mark ters). Julie then sang one song from her writer/producer of the series is Robert H. and this remains its main emphasis, but it Altman and Robert Burnett, producers of current CD as well as one new one from Wolfe, formerly of “Deep Space Nine,” also encompasses other SF TV shows and Free Enterprise. her upcoming CD. Both were well and he’s bringing a lot of what he learned movies, like “Babylon 5,” “ Buck Rogers Actor Gil Gerard (couldn’t make it), received. doing Trek to help make Andromeda a in the 25th Century,” “ Alienation,” etc. Buck from “Buck Rogers in the 25th The chorus line of Dr. Who guests was good show. They’re creating a ton of It is the only media convention that I go to Century;” but Erin Gray, Wilma Deering pathetic, but the horror poem reading was backstory for the series and getting plenty and is run by a non-profit organization showed up. Bob May, the voice of the kind of cool. The dance followed the of scripts ready before they start filming. (The Time Meddlers of Los Angeles). robot in “Lost In Space;” Andrew Prine, cabaret and was extremely well attended. I We’ll definitely have more in the next I’ve been to two previous G1s, but Steven from “V” were also in attendance. haven’t seen a dance that crowded in couple of issues to preview the series. missed last year due to family obligations. From “Alien Nation,” Gary Graham, Matt years. They played a mixture of music, There’s a ton of science fiction, fantasy This year I expected that we’d be able to Sikes, Eric Pierpont (also a no-show), from 80’s to 00’s, interspersed dance with and horror shows in development for the drive over on Thursday before the con George Francisco, Michele Scarabelli, slow stuff. Up on stage there were about a current pilot season for the networks and and leave on Monday after the con. Susan Francisco, Terri Treas, Cathy dozen attendees wrything with the cable channels. How many of them will However, due to my wife’s work schedule Frankel made a showing.There was also wrhythm with one woman using fluid make it to the screen is unknown at this we couldn’t leave until Friday afternoon. Tiny Ron, Maihar’du from “Deep Space motions (perhaps from a martial art) to this time. This put us in to the hotel around Nine;” Maggie Egan, ISN Anchor from express the music through her body. Babylon 5 & Crusade; Michael Forest, There was an amazing amount of energy Most ambitious of the lot would have to 11:30p.m. Then, the front desk gave us Apollo from “Star Trek: Who Mourns carrousing through that room for an hour be the live-action version of “The Tick” keys to someone else’s room, which didn’t work, and I spent 30 minutes just trying to For Adonais?;” Scott MacDonald from or so. Once it began to die off I headed to being produced by Barry Sonnefeld that get that straightened out. On the third set Star Trek series; Mojo, Visual Effects my room to crash. will star Patrick Warburton (Puddy on of keys the security manager went with me Coordinator for Star Trek: Voyager; Sunday brought the Art Show Auction, Seinfeld and also the human in recent only to find out the door was latched from Mark Allan Shepherd, Morn from “Deep BBV and the Auton Diaries, Free Enter- M&M’s commercials) will be the big the inside! Space Nine;” and a host of other authors, prise film screening, Andromeda preview, superhero. Among the many other shows One phone call corrected this error and producers and artists. Suffice it to say, Alien Nation chat, JMS Beyond B5 and in development at FOX is “Ultraviolet”, we got in on the fourth try. On passing the you missed a heck of a line up. Crusade, Easter Island Tea and Luau and based on a British series about modern- original door I noticed that the DO NOT On Saturday we got up late and ate the Closing Ceremonies. day vampires and the cops who fight them DISTURB sign had been hung on the lunch offsite (Japanese food nearby) I made it to the Andromeda preview with and track them down. It will be “Ameri- doorknob after our entry attempt... before registering. Even though we missed Wolfe where he discussed the new show canized” so prospects aren’t as good as The hotel is laid out as two buildings Friday the registration price was the same already approved for 2 seasons! It stars one could hope. with a park-like separation between them. ($50) as for the entire weekend. Kevin Sorbo of Hercules fame as Captain If you’ve been trying to watch “Rough- Some of the events were in the main We missed some events: Mojo’s Dillon on a ship in an intergalactic empire necks: The Starship Troopers building and some in the additional one. Voyager Visual Effects, Polynesian Feud taking place roughly 2900 years in our Chronciles” and have been getting Each year G1 has a theme; this year’s was game show and the Dr. Who Clip Show. future. Wolfe discussed the calendar frustrated at the seemingly random order South Pacific. We also missed the Frank Kelly Freas system (which I asked about), slipstream of the episodes, you’ll get a chance to Along with the hotel registration desk Slide Show, but saw his wife, Laura technology for traversing from one place watch the series in order starting in mid- and G1 Registration the main building Brodian Freas, afterwards and she said it to another, lack of interstellar communica- May on the local stations carrying the housed the Tahitian Terrace (Programming went well. tions instantaneously, genetically series. The show has returned to SciFi, #1), Hawaiian Hall (Programming #2), Bali “Beyond Buck Rogers” offered Erin engineered humans as crew members, etc. but is still aired Monday-Thursday, Hi Cinema (Main Video Room), The Lanai Gray as Gil Gerard couldn’t make it. Erin It sounded good. is still in excellent condition, giving us a Scarabelli and Graham chatted about skipping the Friday episode which means Room (Green Room & Art Show Auction), demo of Tai Chi on stage, and discussing the behind the scenes on “Alien Nation” that SciFi will skip every fifth episode once The Dis-Enchanted Tiki Room (Con Ops) and The Beach (Fan Tables / Services). In her book about getting into the business (Pierpont and Treas weren’t there). I they start running them in order. The show the same building, but down some as well as some memorable moments, such didn’t realize Scarabelli played Data’s has completed all of the forty episodes hallways, were Easter Island (Special as getting deep throated by Don Ho in her girlfriend in one episode of ST:TNG! and the overall quality of the CGI anima- Events) and Con-Tiki Suite (Hospitality first gig as a beach beauty in 1967. Graham was rather full of himself, but tion from Foundation Imaging has held up Suite). The other building housed South Phoenix’s own Lee Whiteside was on a settled down to talk about things more despite the long hours they’ve been Pacific Square (Programming #3), South panel, Crusading Forward. We checked normally before heading off to go skiing. putting in to get them done. The storylines Sea Traders (Dealers Room) and Jungle out the Dealers Room before attending JMS discussed the B5 game status and have maintained their adult edge to them Book Alley (Autographs). We stayed Crusade talk with Woodward, Dobro and answered questions from the audience and has made the series a worthy adapta- upstairs from these latter functions. Brooks. In it Brooks asked if we liked directed to his characters (Londo, Vir, tion to the original novel. G1 had a whole slew of guests, most of characterization better than storyline; the Delenn, G’Kar, etc). He did quite well For other news and episode schedules, which were from “Dr. Who” in some results were both! I then asked them if overall. check out Lee Whiteside’s Magrathea/ fashion or another. The main guest was they attended cons for other genres as The Closing Ceremonies were packed SFTV web pages at http://www.sftv.org Peter Davison, the fifth doctor. Also they do with sf; the answer was no, we and the thank-yous for the various staff attending were: Terrance Dicks, Dr. Who were unique and very intelligent audience members took up much of the time. The script editor and novelist; Gary Russell to work with. Chair, Christian McGuire, announced and Jason Haig-Ellery, Dr. Who produc- For dinner we hit one of the top 10 BBQ that there were over 600 attendees on site ers of the audio adventures; Justin places before returning to the Nightmare this year with close to 700 total member- Richards, BBC Books range editor and of Eden Ice Cream Social, which was ship, a new record breaking G1 #1 10 years novelist; Stephen Cole, former BBC Books lightly attended due to the Charity Benefit ago. The Closing Party at Easter Island range editor and novelist; Kate Orman Auction for the Downs’ Syndrome wasn’t much, so we hit a pizza joint nearby and Jonathan Blum, Dr. Who novelists; Association. Following that they held the despite all the rain and water and wind. Mike Tucker, Dr. Who novelist and BBC Greatest Show in the Galaxy: Cabaret, ( Cont’d on page 10 ) Volume 10 Issue 1 ConNotations Page 9 History and Speeches of the Science on the next issue of their Hero-Lore comic (trade paperback, by J. Gregory Keyes) in ProNotes ( Cont’d from Fiction Research Association Award book series, as well as the next issue of May. To subscribe to Del Rey’s online page Arthur 3 ) Loy Holcomb sends “the Reader’s Digest version of the past year”: He Winners with Hal W. Hall (SFRA Pr., 2000); M&V Magazine (based on the old Mules newsletter, The DEL REY BOOKS Internet “produced a series of new stories for the on Wail!, a collection of “street” plays, & Vaughn MagaZine of Art, Humor, and Newsletter (DRIN), send a blank message relaunch of Battlestar Galactica, was stories and poems by Beat writer Brio Literature). They are seeking advertisers to
Answer to puzzle is on page 15
Volume 10 Issue 1 ConNotations Page 13 narrative could just as well be describing a get an echo of mathematical chaos theory In Our Book Native American in the old west, a The Great Book of Amber; The Complete in that conflict, besides the quantum Laplander in our own time, or anyone Amber Chronicles, 1-10 theory. Taken all in one book, these going through culture shock. Just when Mission Child by Roger Zelazny inifinite levels of wondewr make for a good you think it isn’t science fiction, futuristic Maureen McHugh Avon/Eos, 1258 pp., $20 read. - Michael Griffin technology reappears, weaving an Avon/EOS, 347 pp., $6.99 unnoticed central plot thread. You see, This is a single-volume trade paperback The Annunciate Jan’s clan was part of an experimental This is a tale of a young woman’s quest of all ten Amber novels. It’s a good find by Severna Park mission settlement devoted to appropriate for identity, ranging across a colony for someone like me who only read the first Avon/EOS; $23; 294pp technology, ala E. F. Schumacher. Jan is planet and across the lines of gender, five originally. They came out in 1970-78, fitted with offworlder implants which There isn’t much futuristic technology making a complete story of Corwin, Prince This is a rough , cold, dry book. influence her entire life. And the entire here. The descendants of the colonists of Amber. The next five came out in 1985- And that’s not saying it’s bad. It isn’t. issue of appropriate technology comes as have developed many cultures across the 91, centered on Merlin, son of Corwin. This is a book about a trio of drug the plot’s climax. But it’s very subtle, world, all at preindustrial levels. In This book contains most of the Amber runners, Eve, Annmarie and Corey in a embedded in a literary narrative devoid of contrast, “offworlder” humans have material, although other tidbits exist. Bob closed system of three stars and eleven preaching. No didacticism here, just good spaceships, artificial intelligence comput- LaPierre says there is another story planets(ThreeSys). They have re-discov- writing. - Michael Griffin ers, a few biotechnology implants, and published in a magazine, and of course ered Paradise, the site of the first human advanced medicine. That’s it. there is the Amber section in the “Illus- landing and where The Annunciate, the Lord of Emperors Jan, the main character, starts out in a trated Roger Zelazny” book. first human to touch land, became the by Guy Gavriel Kay reinderr-herding clan. Her clan is killed off Here is my favorite description of the heart of their religion. The planet is now a Harper Prism, 531 pp.; $24 and she comes to a refugee camp run by series, which has echoed through the slag heap, a collection of ruins and pocked the offworlders. A refugee shaman sees years in publishing: Amber is the one true with holes from various wars. The air is This is a continuation of Kay’s previous Jan dressing as a man, and takes it as a world, of which all others are but shadow not even breathable. novel, “Sailing to Sarantium,” which sign that her path in life is the in-between reflections. This series makes an interest- The three drug runners hope to make follows the course of several characters, one of the shaman, combining male and ing example of what I call mythic spacetime Paradise the center of their drug produc- most notably the mosaicist, Caius Crispin (see my publication notice in this issue). ing, but as they try to get settled on the and his on-going work on the cathederal Zelazny took the quantum physics planet they find there’s actually primitive to the god Jad, the massive undertaking of concept of multiple universes and applied life evolving...and this doesn’t bode well the Emperor Valerius II and his Empress it to a fantasy setting. Our own Earth is a for their plans. Alixana, and a new character, the Bassanid shadow aspect of Amber, and infinitely The youngest on the ship Eve (a little physician Rustem, who is sent by his King many variations are possible. Some other too obvious a name) falls in love with of Kings to spy, but ends up dispensing mythic motifs are used also. Beside sibling Naverdi, an outcast with her own agenda. sensible medical care throughout the tale. rivalry among the princes of Amber, a main And their relationship is the thread (The Bassanids sound very Babylonian/ theme of both five-novel stories is a quest throughout the book as they find and lose Persian in flavor). for the father, something Joseph Campbell each other. Their lives get tangled with an Once again, Kay takes us through the emphasized. Zelazny used mythology alien with sweeping plans, who impreg- labyrinthine politics of his psuedo- more explicitly in other books, and he nates Naverdi with it’s offspring. Byzantine world, expanding his tale with a became one of the top fantasy and science A lot of the book involves the Jacked, richer and fuller exploration of the colorful fiction writers. He could write at all levels, the Jackless and the Meshed, different city and kingdom of Sarantium. He gives from profound explorations of good and castes who are either partially connected us more layers to Crispin and the dancer evil, to just lightweight, escapist adven- or completely connected to a virtual reality Shirin and Crispin’s queen-in-exile, Gisel, female genders. Shamans are medicine ture. With Amber, he could put in every- world, or not connected at all. These three who has a few surprises up her fair sleeve. men, who serve as intermediaries with the thing. castes have had nasty, destructive wars There is a hellaciously exciting chariot spirit world. He takes her under his care to The Amber novels have a complexity of throughout ThreeSys and life for most is race in the middle of this volume, between teach her, but she rebels. When she leaves story due to the interactions of dozens of very dismal. There doesn’t seem to be one two city factions, the Blues and the the camp, Jan continues her male characters, most of them related in a royal place in the system that hasn’t been Greens, where many threads of the story impersonantion, sometimes falling out of it bloodline. Corwin and Merlin go through dragged through conflict and destruction. come together: the career of charioteer for boyfriends. When it comes to sex and so many considerations of possible The book is grim, but Park has created Scortius, Rustem, the Emperor and language, this ain’t no juvenile book. schemes by others, yet the action still an interesting array of characters and empress, the clever Styliane and her As years pass, Jan travels from the abounds. Zelazny also gives us romance, desires, but it’s not a very pleasant world. husband the Strategos, Leontes. snowy north to the warm southern islands, villians, lots of swordfights, battling - Sue Martin And the fate of the whole kingdom of settling in as a conspicuous foreigner. The armies, sorcery and trump cards used as Sarantium is changed by a rather nasty final, climatic battles of the novel are magical portals between dimensions. Sir Stalwart confrontation, as is Crispin’s life. against a plague instead of people. Jan The titles in the series in order are: “Nine by Dave Duncan, Avon I don’t want to say too much about the becomes a language translator, helping the Princes in Amber,” “The Guns of Avalon,” 229 pp., $4.99 big events that occur near the end of the offworlder doctors. In the end, the shaman “Sign of the Unicorn,” “The Hand of volume, because they caught me by was right, if you think about it. Oberon,” “The courts of Chaos,” “Trumps We’re back in the world of the King’s surprise. Nevertheless, these occurrences There are elements from the heroic story of Doom,” “Blood of Amber,” “Sign of Blades (I reviewed the “Gilded Chain” in don’t come out of nowhere and make the formula in McHugh’s novel. Jan is an Chaos,” “The Knight of Shadows,” and the last ConNotations), those brave men novel that much more compelling. Happy orphan, who brings a boon to her commu- “Prince of Chaos.” who swear their allegiance and their as I will be if there is another book, it’s nity from another world. These timeless There is more to this series than just swords to protect the King. hard to tell if there’s a third volume in the plot devices serve as merely that, provid- light adventure, or the standard high Well, this time, a young man, Stalwart, offing. ing some structure to the novel. McHugh fantasy theme of good versus evil. At one very deft with a sword, but having the To repeat myself: Kay is such a satisfy- gets inside Jan’s head and tells the story point in the fourth book, Zelazny put unfortunate look of an awkward adoles- ing, steady writer who never gives up in the first person narrative. One could call himself in the story for a few paragraphs, cent boy, finds himself out of the running excitement to over-explain or get carried this a character-driven rather than a plot- as Roger the dungeonkeeper and amateur to be a King’s Blade, though all the other away, yet his descriptions are beautiful driven story. Or one could call it literary writer. He described his aims: “I am writing senior boys at Ironhall (where Blades-to- and clear. His even hand with his writing but still full of adventure. Re-gardless, call a philosophical romance shot through with be get their training) have been chosen. and his ideas just serve his characters that it excellent science fiction. elements of horror and morbidity.” The The King has been going through an much better and give the reader intriguing There are entire chapters in the book multiple realities allow for some philoso- unusually high number of Blades lately as people and events thay never fail to which are not science fiction, though. The phy, as doees the overt conflict between he has been under magical attack by entertain. - Sue Martin the forces of Chaos and the Pattern. we ( Cont’d on page 15) Page 14 ConNotations Volume 10 Issue 1 In Our Book ( Cont’d from page Many of the athanor are shape changers, some very odd turns to put out a story stood out the most was “Darkness.” Most 14hideous ) monsters and no one knows who including one called the Changer who may that is interesting, easily recognizable and of the stories are short enough that telling is behind the assaults. well be the oldest living creature on earth. too long. There were memorable characters you about them would reveal too much so But the king’s ministers have a plan. The athanor who have human bodies have and places but too much of them. I would you will just have to trust me on this one. Stalwart, Wart to his friends,will be thrown been known by familiar names during their have liked to have the story go a little My score : A solid 9. - Bob LaPierre out of Ironhall in disgrace, never having existence: Lancelot, the Wandering Jew, faster and not dwell so much on small been made a King’s Blade. He will then Athena, Lilith and Dionysus, to name only details. I liked the cryptography but if I Avalon: The Return of King Arthur track down a “disgraced” White Sister, a a few. Ms Lindskold has stolen wanted it so detailed I would have bought Stephen R. Lawhead woman who can “smell” the presence of unashamedly from just about every god a book on it. Also the premise that we Avon Books (September 1999) Fantasy, magic. The two of them will provide bait to myth you ever knew. The world also broke all the codes of WWII and didn’t 442 pages $25.00 a trap to flush out the sorcerers behind the abounds with Yeti, satyrs, wind spirits, use the information because we couldn’t monsters. fauns, merfolk, intelligent coyotes, reveal our information is a little far-fetched. I thought this was a continuation of the So Stalwart and the White Sister he unicorns, griffins and, my favorite, the If you can break the codes it should be “Pendragon Cycle” but it isn’t. Avalon, meets, Emerald, find themselves shang- Cats of Egypt. simple to develop a system that would while still dealing with Arthur, isn’t set in haied by evil group of sorcers who have This book opens with King Arthur and make the discovery seem accidental. I the distant past but rather in contemporary this grand plan to take control of the his human assistants concerned with a enjoyed the book but it is not up to his England. The story progresses at a kingdom, that is, well...evil. They’re led by number of issues. One is to transport the better work. My score : Effort 8, Execution reasonable clip and doesn’t hesitate to put the droopy-faced Dr. Skuldigger. Changer’s daughter, a coyote, to a ranch 5 - Bob LaPierre in speed bumps to catch those who skip This is just a dandy adventure novel. in Colorado, where her father intends that ahead. Returning king Arthur is not a new Not high and grand, but a charming, she learn to socialize with other athanor 999: New Stories of concept but Lawhead gives it a clearer modest bit of fantasy, with lots of sword- who live at the ranch. The young coyote, Horror And Suspense understanding than the others I’ve read. Shahrazad, has much to learn from the Ed. Al Sarrantonio He speaks from a knowledge not only of unicorns and the Cats of Egypt and her Avon Books (September 1999) Horror, 666 the legend but also of contemporary ever-present guardians, the jackalopes. pages $27.50 England. The story is uplifting and There is also a mystery at the ranch. inspiring while still dealing with the kinds Shahrazad has dreams about a locked door Sarrantonio took a daunting task and of dirty tricks one would expect to that she is unable to discuss with anyone conquered it. I am only recently returned encounter in a political commentary such at the ranch. And, a neighboring cattle to horror and was unfamiliar with many of as this. I enjoyed this book. My score: 8 - rancher, has a dangerous curiosity about the authors. The editor blurbs at the Bob LaPierre the wolf tracks he found and the notable beginning of each story was very informa- absence of any human ranchhands. tive and showed me that I was familiar with Arthur is also concerned about a their work if not their names. The stories Lord Demon popular idea amongst some of the athanor, are all new and were mostly written for this Roger Zelazny and Jane Lindskold mostly the fauns and satyrs, of telling the volume. A few were written but not Avon Books (August 1999) Fantasy, 288 world of their existence. While the athanor published and so are all the better for not pages $23.00 have been debating this issue, a great having been written “under the gun.” I refuge is being built under the sea to hide enjoyed these stories and more so I approached this book with some the athanor in the event their existence because they show how much horror has trepidation, after all Zelazny is one of my generates hate and fear from the humans. grown up since I last read it. The one that play of course, some minstreling, decep- One of their number, a popular rock star, Answer To Puzzle on page 13 tions and escapes. has conceived the notion of using the Standard fare, but an easy and entertain- fauns and satyrs in his stage show, 12 OLD ing read. Duncan’s writing doesn’t try the contending that no one will ever believe 3 S T O mind, but it does paint nice pictures. - Sue what he is seeing. Unfortunately, the 4 Martin sexual needs of the satyrs are inflamed by M H H G 567 8 the rock star’s fans and the allure of B P W O GR E A T ER 910 Legends Walking stardom, which leads to an amusing U U H WOMAN T R 11 12 By Jane Lindskold situation and threatens the athanors’ PRAYER I U T 13 14 Avon Books, 403 pp, $6.99 masquerade. N A G MOUTH SCEN I C Meanwhile, Arthur’s best friend, once I L A P P P R The first remarkable thing I noticed known as Lancelot, is sent to Nigeria to 15 16 N E TIRED O I E D about this book is that the author has find a reclusive athanor. Nigeria is beset 17 G O R S H K D E written it entirely in the present tense. This with a resurgence of smallpox, which the 18 19 country is desperately trying to conceal R C STRANGE L isn’t something I’ve seen very often and, 20 21 22 23 at first, felt uncomfortable reading. from the rest of the world. In his search, he BOY O T SOLD I ER 24 25 26 Gradually I became accustomed to the finds that the smallpox epidemic was FR I ENDLESS O C O 27 28 29 style (and the author’s ability) and came to deliberate and may have been engineered R G G P Y I V A O 30 enjoy it. Don’t let it scare you; this book is by a fellow athanor. He finds a most E L O S E FREE E T S unexpected ally in his battle to stop the 31 a treat! S ZOMBI E E E T This is the second volume of what has plague, one whose existence is a myth 32 U W L W the makings of a series. I have not read the even among the athanor. 33 34 R I SLETS I first one. Ms. Lindskold assumes the I loved this book. I fully intend to find 35 36 37 GARD EN A T N F reader has read her first book and I was the first volume, Changer, and look 38 39 well past halfway before certain characters forward to her next. In this cookie-cutter E KNOX HARLEQU I N 40 and previous events became understand- fantasy market, Ms Lindskold’s world is a N G D I V 41 42 able. However, this did not detract from truly welcome diversion. - Catherine Book CIRCUS SH T I CK E my enjoyment. Cryptonomicon E A K
The world is inhabited, unbeknownst to Neal Stephenson I most humans, by immortals of all shapes Avon Books (May 1999) Fiction, 910 43 LONELY and sizes. These immortals are called pages plus appendix $27.95 athanor, whose leader is King Arthur. Stephenson uses a split time line and ( Cont’d on page16 ) Volume 10 Issue 1 ConNotations Page 15 In Our Book ( Cont’d from page of the chapter somebody he’s just met is characters. This is the third book in the screaming match at the Copper Mountain 15 ) going to wind up dead — from very series that I have read. I have loved them Military Academy, Brun takes off to favorite all-time authors and some-one else mysterious causes. And in the ensuing all and look forward to reading the fourth. I resume the life of the rich daughter of the finishing HIS books Well I shouldn’t have chapters, everybody in the room will come recommend them highly to all fantasy most powerful man around, the Speaker of worried. Lindskold did a wonderful job of under suspicion, revealing twisted plots the Council of the Familias Regnant. She finishing a book that tastes like “Creatures and personal foibles. Even Miles himself decides to take a shortcut, to spend time of Light and Darkness.” The form and flow will have to convince the others that he is with a relative, on her way home. She were so typically Zelazny I almost forgot not the murderer. doesn’t file a flight plan and gets caught he didn’t finish it. The magic was fun and While the author weaves a capable by pirates from an anti-feminist culture consistent . The heroes and villains were murder mystery (valid clues subtly called New Texas. She is muted, and put in believable and three dimensional. My only interspersed with strategically placed red a breeding program for the pirates. regret is this is truly the last Zelazny novel herrings) this tale has a science fiction The media following Brun around had and the world will forever be smaller setting with enough techno-gadgets to picked up the quarrel and spread it over because of it. All right already. My score : satisfy any hard core Trekkie. Bujold has the newsvids, effectively ruining Esmay’s 9 1/2. - Bob LaPierre also done her technical engineering future. When Brun is captured, rumors homework with regards to space travel, blame her for the kidnaping. Komarr planetary engineering and modern Esmay’s first love, Barin Serrano, is by Lois McMaster Bujold communications. The book also implies a being pursued by the ambitious Casea Baen, 365 pp. $6.99 hint of romance for the poor investigator, lovers. - Pam Allan Ferradi who alters the files to smear who feels his handicaps would never make Esmay. Esmay is not to be allowed to aid Bujold has been writing about her him attractive to the fair sex and he acts on The Garden Of Stone in any attempt to rescue her. Meanwhile, diminuitive sleuth Miles Vorkosigan for at that assumption. Of course, a gentleman by Victoria Strauss she must go back home long enough to least fifteen years in the pages of science like Miles would never use his Imperial Avon Fantasy, 485 pp, $6.99 become Landsbride, as property on her position to press for personal advantage home world is carried in the female line. but the lady in question does drop subtle “The Garden Of Stone” is almost classic When she returns, still in disgrace, it is hints — and she certainly needs consoling fantasy, filled with character and the Esmay that figures out where to look, and under the circumstances. subtle richness of detail that makes this what Brun will do. One of Barin’s relatives Most mysteries conclude with the author’s world unique. It stands alone, gets Esmay back in the search, despite prosaic “The murderer is somebody in this and I did not realize that there was a Brun’s father. Will Esmay save Brun? Will room” followed by an exercise in logic previous book until after I read this one. I Brun save herself? Will they save each until the villain quietly breaks down and plan to look for it,.as the title indicates a other. Yes. confesses. Not so in this book. The evil relationship to this volume. The joy of this book is not “will the hero scoundrel reveals his true colors, takes Cariad is an assassin for a group of win?” It is in the adventure of getting hostages and forces Miles Vorkosigan rebels trying to overthrow the vicious there and sorting out the quirks along the once again to show that he is not just an tyranny of the Guardians, a “gifted” group way. It is a page turner, and I resented intellect — he is a man of action when of power users who control the world of interference from the rest my life till it was fiction magazines and in stand-alone action is called for. While the book is a bit “mind workers” who do not permit the done. On my Recommended reading list . - novels. This is the 13th Vorkosigan novel predictable (all series books are) this is a development of mechanical devices. Pam Allan in the series but you don’t need to read good read, often a page-turner and a Cariad, herself, is the daughter of a the other twelve to dive right into the satisfying tale. - Pete L. Manly renegade guardian and a guardian who Avalanche Soldier Empire of Vor, its heirarchy and court both spied on him and loved him. Brom, Susan R. Matthews intrigue. In fact, this mystery takes place The Book Of The Cauldron her father, had brought down the guardian Avon, 253 pp, $5.50 on the outlying planet Komarr and doesn’t by Diana Paxson wards and took the “stone,” believed to be much concern itself with any of Miles’ the source of all power, and fled the world. “Avalanche Soldier” appears to be previous adventures — except to mention This is book three of a projected four Now the world bindings are coming independent. Previous books by this that Miles seems to get himself involved in book set giving the story of King Arthur undone. The time of the prophesied return author include “An Exchange Of Hos- intrigue all over the Empire. through the perspectives of four of the is nigh. tages,” “Prisoner Of Conscience,” and Komarr is a Mars-like planet that is a four distinct tribal cultures that shaped Can the Guardians power be destroyed? “Hour Of Judgment.” century or so into a terraforming project Britain in the sixth century. Will Brom and the stone return to tip the Salli is an member of an elite paramilitary which will build a breathable atmosphere “The Book Of the Cauldron” continues scales? What will happen next.? group called avalanche soldiers, who but currently it’s still a frontier planet with the story through the eyes of Igierne, the This book holds your interest from first protect the religious shrines in the harsh conditions. That brings a mixture of Lady of the Lake, and Guendivar, Artor’s [ page to last, and is well worth the pur- avalanche prone wilderness of the state of hardy pioneers with a history of fighting Arthur] queen. chase price to add it to library. Plastic out! Shadene. She is a devout Orthodox for independence into close contact with Morgause, Artor’s sister, wants power Charge! - Pam Allan Dreamer, a faith that says life is a dream, the more sophisticated royalty of the and the throne for herself and her children, and a Messiah will someday come to Empire who fund the project. Bujold and conceived her fifth son by her brother Rules Of Engagement awaken them. There is another group that creates real characters who are likeable — and trains him for that purpose. Igierne,( by Elizabeth Moon preaches heresy and commits acts of and hateable in a believable setting that is who is Artor and Morgause’s mother) has Baen, 393 pp., $22 terrorism and civil unrest that the ava- at once exotic and, to Arizonans, familiar retired to the Isle Of Maidens to take the lanche soldiers must prevent from with sweeping vistas of barren and role of the Lady of the Lake. And to be This novel is the sequel to “Once A destroying both shrines and worshipers. promising landscapes. keeper of the cauldron of the Goddess. Hero.” It stands alone quite nicely but you When her brother, a civil policeman In this novel, Miles Vorkosigan has She discovers her daughter’s intent, and will probably want to go back and read the awaiting a hearing for killing a heretic, resigned from the dreaded Imperial Guendivar, as Artor’s queen-to-be. She latter anyway regardless of the order. suddenly disappears and is believed to Security Corps and has taken on the more wishes to use the cauldron to heal Esmay Suiza and Brun Meager ought to have embraced the heresy, Salli must find sedate title of Imperial Auditor — basically Britain’s war-torn land but the darker be friends. Despite their different cultures, him and return him to the fold. When she a glorified accountant who pokes his nose magic and old jealousies threaten to tear they are bright, brave risk takers. After a finds him, she meets the new messiah, a into spreadsheets, receipt tallys and the world apart. personage of great power who preaches inventory lists. While this may seem Obviously, the story of Arthur is well reason, but is also worshiped by the mundane, you know that when Miles known. What sets Paxson’s work apart is terrorists. When her brother, now a steps on an interplanetary shuttle or the richness of her words and language, terrorist, plans to destroy the primary enters a polite social party then by the end and the complexities and reality of her shrine, Salli must face a horrible decision. ( Cont’d on page 17 ) Page 16 ConNotations Volume 10 Issue 1 In Our Book ( Cont’d from page answer any question the trivia minded mediums to include: television, movies, Anyone with e-mail access can subscribe might have from the fact that Lorena video, books, comics, magazines, collect- to the Desert Lurkers by sending e-mail to 16Will ) she kill the messiah to save the Velazquez starred in the 1963 film, “Wres- ing, and so forth. The meetings are [email protected] and putting shrine, and the people? tling Women vs the Aztec Mummy”, that comprised of news, review and comment, “subscribe” (minus the quotation marks) “Avalanche Soldier” is a cut above most Doris Lloyd played the housekeeper, Mrs BBS/computer news and help, meeting in the subject line. Interested people can of the fiction out there. Readability, clarity, Watchett, in the 1960 classic “The Time new members, video presentations, games, contact Alexander Goodrum at E-mail and thoughtfulness backed by good Machine” and that “Night of the Lepus” and socializing fun! Food and drinks are address: [email protected] characters and a fast moving plot lead to was based on “Year Of The Angry Rabbit” provided, via a $3 munchie fee (per an enjoyable and insightful book with by Russell Braden. meeting) to compensate the host. (No EARTHLINK SCI-FI CLUB SF generalists moments of unexpected beauty. I look This is a reference that should satify other fees are involved.) The electronic with some focus on comics and environ- forward to reading more of this author and home of the Away Team, is the Lightspeed mental issues. Meets at various conven- both the casually curious and the serious Space Station BBS at (520) 325-6674.... tions and occasions. Publishes a quarterly film fan. - Stephanie L. Bannon Member ages for the group range from 13- newsletter called Cosmic Wavelengths. 40-something with both male and female For information contact them at 8508 E. members. Other activities include null- San Lorenzo, Scottsdale, AZ 85258, or call modem link gamefests, group theater Nohl Rosen at (602) 991-8847. movie viewings, convention trips and more. Have sci-fi fun in a relaxed, low- THE EMPIRE OF CHIVALRY AND structure environment. NO RUBBER EARS STEEL, INC. The Empire of Chivalry and ALLOWED!! For questions, you can call Steel specializes in the general recreation the BBS, or write to: LSS c/o R. Martin; of the culture of the Middle Ages includ- 2522 N. Sparkman Blvd.; Tucson, AZ ing all of the Art Forms, Events (Feasts, 85716 Tournaments, Ceremonies and Wars) and Combat Arts covering the years of 800AD BASFA Baja Arizona Science Fiction up to 1650AD and any location within
Association, a non-profit organization. Europe or its explored territories. For more
○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○ Puts on TUS-CON Convention annually. information contact Bart Smith (Phoenix) (602)937-6995 or Leonard Bird (Tucson) CENTRAL ARIZONA SPECULATIVE (520)742-2432 give this one my recommendation for FICTION SOCIETY, INC. (CASFS) The almost any audience. - Pam Allan Club Listings non-profit corporation that puts on INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF (EDITOR’S NOTE: Please check your club CopperCon conventions, SmurfCons, JEDI KNIGHTS Members of the Tatooine The Encyclopedia Of Fantastic Film - Ali listing for errors. Please send corrections and HexaCons, occasional regional cons, and Base have revised the International Baba to Zombies updates to the editor in writing or via email) publishes Con-Notations. Best described Brotherhood of Jedi Knights, a not-for- by R.G. Young as SF/F generalists with a strong bent profit fan club dedicated to Star Wars. Applause, 1016 pp, $39.95 ADRIAN EMPIRE A medieval and towards literary SF/F. Guests welcome - Membership is $8.00 U.S. and/or $11.00 renaissance recreationist club. Sword- meets at 8pm on the last Friday of each (Canada/foreign) and includes a member- The blurb on the back of this reference fighting, arts, banquets, masquerades, month in January thru September and the ship packet consisting of a one year says “thirty-five years in the making, and dances. meets every Wednesday night second Friday in October, November and subscription to The New Jedi Times destined to be the last word in fanta-film from 7-10pm at Encanto Park. All are December at JB’s Restaurant, 2560 W. (published 6 times a year), membership references” and I am willing to believe it. welcome. Free. For details, call (602)582- Indian School in Phoenix, AZ. Write PO card, IBOJK charter & bylaws information This has to be the most thorough listing of 6990. Box 62613, Phoenix, AZ 85082-2613 or call on Jedi studies and a free gift. Checks movie credits I have ever seen. With Stephanie L. Bannon (602)973-2341 for should be made to either Patty Vance or listings for over 9,000 films from 1896 to ARERIAL MIRAGE JUGGLING CLUB information. Web www.casfs.org Elizabeth Laignel. For further information International Juggling Association affiliate 1999, we have been having fun trying to send a self-addressed, stamped envelope club meets 7-10pm Wednesday evenings think up obscure movies and checking to THE DARK ONES (Dark-wunz) n. 1) An to: The I.B.O.J.K.; P. O. Box 5459; Glen- at Encanto Park. No dues, everyone see if they are listed. So far, ever one of organization formed for the expres-sion dale, AZ 85312-5459; or call either Patty or welcome. All levels skill exchange in many them has been in here, leading me to and exploration of various cultural themes Lilly at (602) 843-8303. May the Force areas of object manipulation. Devils’ Club including, but not limited to, the Dark show you the way of the Jedi! believe this book may be just as complete meets Fridays 5pm north of the Hayden a listing as the author claims. It not only Ages and the Renaissance through forms Library on the ASU campus. For more of art including, but not limited to, INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION covers the obvious, like “Star Wars” and info, call (602) 585-7623, or write 2326 E. “Star Trek”, it lists “Stewed Missionary” painting, drawing, writing, photography, COUNCIL Meets every 1st and 3rd Electra Lane, Phoenix, AZ 85024. spoken word, and acts of characterization. Saturday of the month. Meeting at the from 1904 and “The Magic Bottle” from 2) a member of this organization. 3) Westridge Mall (75th Ave. and Thomas 1906. Along with the individual film ARIZONA LANBASHERS LEAGUE A Information available at (602) 978-9314. Rd. Phoenix, AZ. The IFC is regimental listings this reference also includes an collaboration of computer gaming enthusi- (Using Ranks and structured simmialrly to index of artists and 4 appendixes listing asts, the Arizona LANbashers League DAYSTAR HOLT Arizona’s first and ST) but has social events as well. Attends the films by year, telling us which films throws quarterly LANparty events. longest-running Elfquest fan club. Daystar local Creation And Trek Production Cons, were based on which books, what song is Between parties, support is given to local meets to talk about EQ and related stuff, and ST Movie premiers. POC for IFC is A/ from what film and the titles of all the films groups who wish to advertise their own develop characters, publish stories in our Fleet Admiral John Nelson (602) 934-3987 in a particular series. gatherings. We have no set genre of ‘zine Playelf and create an annual calen- or by voice mail (602) 409-7169 or c/o P.O. There are photographs scattered games and play anything from strategy dar. Other common interests include box 14370 Phoenix, AZ 85063-4370. E-Mail: throughout and many are not the usual games to first-person shooters to driving/ music, bellydance, camping and of course, Bnelson502 @aol.com Membership photos one sees in such a book. A random flying simulations. No annual membership SF. Membership is free (18 or over) and is Approx 35-50. The Bi-Monthly newsletter opening of the book shows me Louis is required and admission to an event attained by group vote after you attend is Cactus Log. Hayward behind the scenes of 1939’s ranges from $5-$15. See our webpage for two meetings or holt-related get-togethers. “The Man In The Iron Mask”, Kenneth current events. Email: Meetings are usually the first Saturday of THE JEDI KNIGHTS Meetings are the 3rd More in 1960’s “Man In The Moon”, [email protected] Web: http:/ each month; for more info, call Tom or Sunday of each month. For more informa- www.gibbed.com/all VoiceMail: 602-306- Susan Strasberg in 1978’s “The Manitou”, Janice at (602) 581-2258. They have a tion call Carol Alves, Publicity, (760)244- 9339 and Lon Chaney Jr in 1941’s “Man-Made website up at http://members.home.net/ 9593 or write Jedi Knights, c/o Jim Monster”. jeanderson/daystarholt.html Lowerre, 12291 Meade Street, Garden THE AWAY TEAM: The Away Team, is a Grove, CA 92841-3629 For myself, I would have liked a bit more general sci-fi appreciation group that of a synopsis of the films but certainly all DESERT LURKERS Tucson based meets once a month for discussion of Babylon 5 fan club. Meets and communi- LEPRECON, INC. One of the two Phoenix the rest of the information is sure to various sci-fi news regarding several cates via listserver over the Internet. ( Cont’d on page 18 ) Volume 10 Issue 1 ConNotations Page 17 Club Listings ( Cont’d from page of the game. The Deep Space SolarFlare [email protected] or Website: http:// send an empty message to z-philes- 17 ) (DSSF) an active member club in the members.aol.com/souwesgld/guilg.html [email protected] area corporations that put on yearly International Federation of Treker’s (IFT). conventions. Best described as SF/F This group is based on DS9 (a space STARBASE TUCSON Tucson Arizona UNITED FEDERATION OF PHOENIX A generalists with a main thrust into SF/F art. station). And the IKV Sto-Vo-Kor (Inde- based Star Trek club. For info call Geof Phoenix area Star Trek and general SciFi Guests are welcome. The meetings are pendent Kilngon Vessel). A Klingon Bird Wood at (520) 746-1822 or write Starbase fan club. We are a social club that meets quarterly on the second Saturday of of Prey, roming the desert looking for Tucson ; 3314 E. Benson Hwy ; Tucson every two weeks at various locations February, May, August & November battle. Are the Fed’s too soft, looking for AZ 85706. Email:[email protected] around the Phoenix area. The UFP has unless otherwise notified. August is the combat, feel the call to glory. This is the been meeting for over 20 years of continu- annual meeting where board positions are ship for you. Membership in the SFCOM STONEHENGE BBS Enjoy over 60 online ous activity. Dues are $10/per year determined. For more information, write PO is free! To join DSSF or the Sto-Vo-Kor a games including TradeWars 2002, prorated when you join; no restrictions. Box 26665, Tempe, AZ 85285 ; call Mike nominal fee for the national clubs involved StarFight, The Pit, Dirty Play, Usurper, Membership includes membership roster Willmoth at (602) 945-6890 or Email: and uniforms. For further information LORD, and Battle Grid (new, like and monthly newsletter. Come to any two [email protected] contact President John Nelson at (602) Battletech). Topical message boards, E- meetings at no obligation. For information, 409-7169 or on the internet at; Mail, and Network Echoes. 1000’s of files write the UFP at PO Box 37224, Phoenix, THE PHOENIX FANTASY FILM SOCI- [email protected] or check out our to download: utilities, games, GIF pictures, AZ 85069, or call Jim Strait at (602) 242- ETY A Phoenix based club inte-rested in web site. http://www.thesfcom.com & more every day! Stop by and give us a 9203. Web page: http://www.U-F-P.org or the entire realm of SF, Fantasy and Horror try at Stonehenge BBS (602) 947-2223, Email to [email protected] film. PFFS has been in existence for 25 SFACE (Speculative Fiction And Com- FidoNet 1:114/120, 300-9600bps, V.32/ years, meeting every 6 weeks in member’s puter Enthusiasts) Phoenix College’s one V.42bis, 24 hours a day. UNITED WHOVIANS OF TUCSON homes. Dues are $10 per year. Membership and only connection to the worlds of A well-informed and very active Dr. Who includes newsletters, an annual film speculative fiction, including science TARDIS TARDIS is a Phoenix-based club. $15 yearly membership includes four awards and various outings. For informa- fiction, fantasy, and horor as well as table General SF/Fantasy Fan Club, specializing issues of their fanzine - TARDIS Time Lore tion, contact PFFS, P.O. Box 34023, top, live action and internet gaming, in International media SF/Fantasy since - written by semi-pros and other dedicated Phoenix, AZ 85067 or call David Storck at SFACE also serves as a guide through the 1983. TARDIS meets every two weeks at fans. For more information, contact The (602) 274-7404, e-mail: [email protected]. Internet - both teaching basic use and different locations around the valley. United Whovians of Tucson at P. O. Box utilizing as a source of speculative fiction. Activities include watching videos, 13541, Tucson, AZ 85732-3541. Also, you PHOENIX JAPANIMATION SOCIETY For more info contact Dr Ray Bromley at discussions, parties, fund-raisers, auc- can contact the president at Local chapter of Japanimation/general [email protected]. The tions, games, camping trips and outings. [email protected] or the UWOT animation oriented fans - meets monthly. SFACE Web site is found at We also maintain an active presence at webmaster at [email protected] Membership is free, though optional http://www.pc.maricopa.edu/departments/ local conventions. TARDIS publishes a Web page at: http://www.azstarnet.com/ monthly newsletter is $5/year or $.50 per studentact/organizations/sface/ monthly informative newsletter, The Index ~hgadlng/uwotclub.htm month. Call Tom Perry at (602) 996-2196 or File, with a national circulation which is write 3241 E. Altadena, Phoenix, AZ 85028. SHADOWKEEP BBS Intelligent conver- included with membership. Annual sation, awesome graphics, stupendous membership is just $12.50. You can contact RAGE ACROSS THE SOUTHWEST A door games, unworldly filebank, RPG us at P.O. Box 63191, Phoenix, AZ 85082- Live Action Theatre Troupe based out of forums, QWK message system and online 3191, Voice Mail at (602) 864-0901, E-mail the ASU campus in Tempe, AZ. It is RPG BBS-moderated games! Our BBS is [email protected] or visit http:/ dedicated to the game Werewolf: The mainly RPG oriented and we offer many /www.primenet.com/~jgeorge/tardis.html Apocalypse by White Wolf publishing. services to GMs and players. No fees Contact Mike McLaughlin at (602)461-5842 necessary for users who post intelligent TEKWAR FAN CLUB Sanctioned by the or write 1730 W Emelita Place #2025, Mesa messages! $5 in credits to new users. Over series’ production companies and the AZ85202-3144 or email to 20 conferences and 10 doors to choose USA Network! It is THE information [email protected] from! Shadowkeep BBS - PCBoard 15.2/M conduit between the fans and the series! - US Robotics 28.8 Modem. Phoenix, AZ Fan club membership will bring you the RAW GAMES (Role-players & (602)245-0919; Connect at 2400-28800 following 1) subscription to the info filled Wargamers, Inc.) Role-players & Tek Informer newsletter; 2) official TekWar Wargamers, Inc. is the Valley’s oldest role- THE SOCIETY FOR CREATIVE ANACH- Fan Club membership card and kit. playing and wargaming club. Currently RONISM The kingdom of Atenveldt doth Membership is by rgular mail only and the meeting at Carrow’s Restaurant at 7th lie in the state of Arizona. Within the fair newsletter nad materials will not be Street & Monte Vista in Phoenix every kingdom can be found six Baronies: reproducd electronicaly. To join the action Sunday from 3pm-9pm (except during Atenveldt, Mons Tonitrus, Twin Moons, and initiate your annual membership, make conventions and other special events). SunDragon, Tir Ysgithr and Ered Sul. For check or moneyorder out for $12.50 to: Open to new members - call (602) 849-9515. more infor-maton on any of these or for Official TekWar Fan Club (Membership general information on thy past tomorrows section), 2522 N Sparkman Blvd., Tucson ROLE PLAYING GAMES CLUB (RPGC) thou mayest contact Mistress Myrddina o AZ 85716-2417 The official gaming club of Az. State Dolwyddelan (Terry Schwartz) PO Box 584, University. Activities include: live-action Sonoita AZ 85637 (520)455-5835 Email: T.H.E.M. T.H.E.M. is ASU’s science roleplaying games, tabletop gaming, [email protected] www.atenveldt.org fiction and fantasy club. Weekly meetings conventions, parties, etc. General meetings are held in the Memorial Union, with dates are open to the public and are held every THE SOUTHWEST COSTUMER’S to be announced after the semester starts. Friday at 6pm in ASU’s Memorial Union. GUILD The Southwest Costumers Guild is For more information, contact Becky Fox at Dues are $5/semester. For more info, a loose organization of persons interested E-mail [email protected] or phone 863-1543 contact Michael McLaughlin, 1730 W. in all facets of historical, cultural, science To subscribe to our listserve, send a Emelita #2025, Mesa, AZ 85202-3144, or fiction, fantasy, and humor costume. message to [email protected]. call (602)464-3144; [email protected] Members are often seen on stage and behind the scenes atmost local and TUCSON FAN ALLIANCE E-Mail SCIENCE FICTION CONTINUUM regional Science Fiction Convention Address is [email protected] or The Science Fiction Continuum: An masquerades.They meet on the last [email protected]. Independent Star Trek and Sci-Fi club in Sunday of each month at various mmbers’ Phoenix, AZ. The SFCOM is an active club homes in the greater phoenix area. Call, Z-PHILES are the ariZona x-PHILES. We that participates in Local Phoenix, and write or email for details. Southwest maintain a mailing list for news and get- Southwestern Star Trek and Sci-Fi Costumers Guild, PO Box 39504, Phoenix, togethers of fans of the X-Files living in conventions and movies. The SFCOM has AZ 85609 or call Randall Whitlock at Arizona. We get together in both the three different divisions. The SFCOM (602)995-7514, email: Phoenix and Tucson areas. To subscribe, Pageitself, a18 free group where fun is the name ConNotations Volume 10 Issue 1 Alexandra Tydings, David A. Brooks, Bear NMSF Conference, PO Box 37257, Convention Burge and more! Full Science programming Albuquerque, NM 87176 Phone: (505) 266- track Sponsored by OASIS Memberships 8905 Email: [email protected] Website: $45 until 5/31/99 and $55 at the door. Kids http://members.aol.com/bubonicon Listings 8-12 half price, 7 and under are free. Hotel: Space Access 2000 Conference Rooms $92 S/D, $124 Suite. Burbank COPPERCON 2000 (Scottsdale, AZ) (Scottsdale, AZ) Thursday April 27 - Airport Hilton (818)843-6000 Info: September 8-10, 2000 Holiday Inn Saturday April 29, 2000, at the Holiday AgamemCon, PMB# 330, 92 Corporate Sunspree Resort. The 20th Annual Inn Old Town Scottsdale, 7353 E. Indian Park, Suite C, Irvine, CA 92606; Email: CopperCon Convention Author GoH: School Rd., Scottsdale, Rooms $69.00 per [email protected]; Phone: (949) 643- Philip Jose Farmer, Poul Anderson; Artist night, single or double, plus 10.65% tax, 8352 GoH: Vincent Di Fate; Filk GoH: Cecilia mention “space access” for the rate when Eng; Local Authors Jennifer Roberson and you reserve your room. For reservations HexaCon 10 (Scottsdale, AZ) July 14-16, Adam Niswander. Memb: $25 thru 5/31/ call (800) 695-6995 or (480) 994-9203. Space 2000 Holiday Inn Sunspree Resort. 2000, $30 thru 8/26/00, $35 at the door, Access 2000 hospitality and registration Arizona’s Largest Annual Gaming Kids 7-12 half price, Kids 6 and under - will open at 6 pm Thursday, April 27th, Convention Guest of Honor: Steve free when accompanied by an adult. 2000. Intro sessions will run from 8 pm to Jackson of Steve Jackson Games Member- Holiday Inn Sunspree Resort, 7601 E 10 pm Thursday, in the main (Banyan/ ships: $15 until 5/31/2000, $20 at the door. Indian Bend Road, Scottsdale, AZ (480) Bonsai rooms) ballroom. Main sessions Special Thursday night events for pre- 991-2400; Room rates are $65 plus tax S/D/ will run 9 am to 10 pm Friday the 28th and registered members only. Info: Hexacon 10, T/Q, Suites $125 Saturday the 29th, with breaks midmorning PO Box 62613, Phoenix, AZ 85082 Phone: plus tax. Info: CopperCon 20, PO Box and mid-afternoon plus longer breaks for (602) 973-2341; Email: [email protected] 62613, Phoenix, AZ 85082, Phone (on your own) lunch and dinner. Registra- Holiday Inn Sunspree Resort, 7601 E (602)973-2341, Email: [email protected] or tion (in the lower ballroom lobby) and our Indian Bend Road, Scotts-dale, AZ (480) [email protected] reknowned Space Access Hospitality 991-2400. Rooms: $65 + tax S/D/T/Q. Suites Suite (suite 406) will be open by 8 am $100 + tax S/D/T/Q TusCon 27 (Tucson, AZ) Nov 10-12, 2000 Friday and Saturday. Space Access 2000 at The Executive Inn. Author GoH: registration is currently $100, $120 at the Sci-Fi Fan Gathering (Las Vegas, Nevada) Catherine Wells, Artist GoH: Liz Danforth, door, $10 off for SAS members, Day and July 14-16, 2000 Las Vegas Hilton, Fan GoH’s: Craig and Stephanie!, TM: Ed Student rates available at the door ($30 Sponsored by AOL X-Files Fan Forum. Bryant. Memberships: $25 until 6/1, $30 gets you one year’s SAS membership, Guests TBA; Memberships $25 until June until 10/1, $35 thereafter, children (3-12) please include your email address for 1, 2000, $35 to the door. Hotel: Las Vegas half price. Panels, Readings, Meet the Updates), mail checks to: SAS, 4855 E Hilton, Rooms $99 S/D 1-800-732-7117 Authors, Art Show, Childrens’ Zone, Warner Rd #24-150, Phoenix AZ 85044. Info: Jerry Jones, 263 Dempsey Way, Video Room, “Men in Black” LARP, LAN Watch our web site, http://www.space- Orlando, FL 32835 Email: Computer Gaming, and Consuite. Artists access.org, for updates on the conference [email protected] http:// interested in panels should contact and speakers. www.fungineering.net/SciFi/index.html Rebecca (520) 293-1455 immediately! Dealers contact Cristi at (520) 881-3709. Con-Dor 2K (Del Mar, Ca) May 5-7, 2000 San Diego ComicCon International (San The Executive Inn: 333 W Drachman, Doubletree Hotel - Del Mar, Author GoH: Diego, CA) July 20-23, 2000 -. Guests: Tucson, AZ 85705, (520) 791-7551, Rooms Vernor Vinge. Other Gusts TBA Memb: Bryan Talbot, Gahan Wilson, J. Michael $45 single, $50 double, and $65 suite (until $30 until April 15th, $35 at the door Hotel: Straczynski, Phoebe Gleckner, Kevin Oct 10). More info: TusCon 27, PO Box Rooms $99 S/D, $119 T/Q - Double Tree Smith, Harry Knowles, Tim Sale, Jeph 26822, Tucson, AZ 85726 Webpage: http:// Hotel in Del Mar. 11915 El Camino Real Loeb, Ben Katchor, Scott Cloud, Christo- www.azstarnet.com/~basfa 2001, Airtel Plaza Hotel, Guests: Sarah San Diego, CA 92130 1-800-222-TREE or pher Moeller, William Stout, Will Eisner Sutton, Mark Strickson and Bonnie dial direct 858-481-5900. Info: Con-Dor, and the 50th Anniversary of E.C. Comics LosCon 27 (Burbank, CA)November 24- Langford from Doctor Who. Memb: $30 to P.O. Box 15771, San Diego, CA 92175. featuring Al Williamson, Al Feldstein, Will 26, 2000 Burbank Airport Hilton Guests: 6/30/00, $35 to 9/30/00, $40 to 11/30/00, $45 Email: [email protected], http://soar.to/ Elder, Marie Severin, Jack Kamen, George Author GoH: Orson Scott Card, Artist to 1/31/01, $50 at the Door. Info: Gallifrey condor Evans, Angelo Torres and Adele GoH: Bob Eggleton, Special Media Guest: Conventions, PO Box 3021, North Holly- Kurtzman Info: Comic-Con, PO Box 128458, Harry Knowles, Fan Guests: Craig Miller wood, CA 91609 Phone: (818) 752-3756, ‘BotBash (Mesa, AZ) May 6-7, 2000 at San Diego, CA 92112-8458. Phone: (619) and Genny Dazzo. Info: LosCon c/o [email protected] Web: the Confederate Air Force Museum. 491-2475, Email: [email protected] LASFS, 11513 Burbank Blvd, North www.gallifreyone.com Admission is Adults/$10 weekend; Hollywood, CA 91609 Email: Children under 12/$5 weekend. Contact: CHICON 2000/58th WORLDCON [email protected] http://www.lasfs.org/ BotBash Registration; 1221 W. Bartlett (Chicago, Illinois) Aug 31-Sept 4, 2000 loscon27 Way; Chandler, AZ 85248; E-mail to Hyatt Regency Chicago,. GoH: Ben Bova; [email protected] Updated info can be AGoH: Bob Eggleton; EGoH: Jim Baen; The Twelfth Regeneration of Gallifrey found at www.botbash.com FGoHs: Bob and Anne Passovoy; TM: One (Van Nuys, CA) February 23-25, Harry Turtledove. Memb: $150; $40 LepreCon 26 (Scottsdale, Arizona) May supporting. Info: Chicon 2000, PO Box Generic Convention Regestration Form 19-21, 2000 Holiday Inn Sunspree Resort 642057, Chicago IL 60664; email: Artist GoH: Lubov; Author GoH: John [email protected] Webpage: http:// DeChancie; Local Artist GoH: Larry Vela; www.chicon.org Name:______Musician GoH: Marilyn Miller Member- ships $30 until 5/01/00 and $35 at the door. Bubonicon 32 (Albuquerque, New Badge Name:______Kids 7-12 half price, Children 6 and under Mexico) August 25-27 Howard Johnson are free when accompanied by an adult. East, Author GoH: Walter John Williams, Address:______Holiday Inn Sunspree Resort, 7601 E Artist GoH: Lela Dowling, Mistress of City/State/ZIP:______Indian Bend Road, Scottsdale, AZ (480) Toast: Mary Ann Cornett A literary- 991-2400. Rooms: $72 + tax S/D/T/Q. Suites oriented SF/Fantasy con with two-track Phone:______Email:______programming. Events include panels, an $125 + tax S/D/T/Q Info: LepreCon 26, PO Enclosed is $______for ______memberships for Box 26665, Tempe, AZ 85285 Phone:(480) art show, gaming, dealer’s room, Filk and 945-6890; Email: [email protected] more. Memb: $22 until 5/31/00, $25 to 8/14/ ______convention. 00, $28 at the Door. Discounts for under (See calendar for mailing address) 16. Hotel: Rooms $50 or $55 (with fridge) S/ AgamemCon IV (Burbank, CA) June 23- More info on __ Masquerade __Art Show __Volunteer __ Other 25, 2000 Burbank Airport Hilton, D/T/Q. Howard Johnson East 15 Hotel Babylon 5 and SF Media oriented conven- Circle NE (I-40 and Eubank), Reservations: tion. Guests include: Tracey Scoggins, (505) 296-4852 or (800) 877-4852 Info: Volume 10 Issue 1 ConNotations Page 19
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