December, 2013 Askance Volume VI, Number 5 Whole Number 30

Edited and published by John Purcell, 3744 Marielene Circle, College Station, TX 77845-3926

Contents © 2013 by John A. Purcell. Contact information: [email protected]

Even so, all rights revert to original artists and authors upon publication. Pruf-reder - Garth Spencer.

What you have here in your hands (or on screen) is another Mythical Publication. Copies of this fine, semi-quarterly fanzine can be had for The Usual, which means expressed interest, submission and eventual inclusion of articles and artwork, letters of comment, expressed interest, and cold hard cash in the amount of $3.00 USD. Bribes are also accepted. Of course, if you send in locs, articles, and artwork, you just earned a life-time free subscription. Heck of a deal, eh?

CONTENTS

Bemused Natterings………………………………………………..3 LoneStarCon 3 Assessment Test,

by John Purcell…………………………………………………….7 A Complaint to Hanes, by Walt Wentz (as Artemus Ward, the 7th)..……….11 Portfolio: WOOF 2013 covers, Artwork by Valerie Purcell………………………………….13 Figby, By Bill Fischer………………………………………………………19 Fanzine Reviews (sort of)………………………………………..20 Day Trip Report: Weird West Fest 2013………………….21 From the Hinterlands (letters)…………………………………22 Regional Convention Calendar………………………………..29 What’s Next…………………………………………………………….35

linos on pages 25, 26, 30, 34 from “3000 Years Among the Microbes” by Mark Twain (written in 1905)

Art credits Steve Stiles – cover Sheryl Birkhead – 2; photo by Valerie Purcell – 3; photo by Guy H. Lillian III – 5; clip art – 7, 26, 28, 29, 32;

Brad Foster – 10; image Googled “Hanes” – 11, 12; photo by John Purcell – 21; image Googled “ ruins” – 22; Steve Stiles – 24, 30; Cepheid Variable logo nicked off the Internet – 33; image Googled “Aggiecon” – 35.

Jose Sanchez – back cover

Member FWA: since 2007!

2

Oh,

wot

the

hell…

So here it is, Thanksgiving Holiday weekend of 2013, and I’m staring at the computer screen, trying to think of something clever to say. Sadly, it appears my wit has run dry, leaving ripples of sediment in its wake. Apparently my ability to work in metaphors has run its course, too, so maybe what I really need to do here is consider what this weekend is All About and maybe take a look back at this year and share some thoughts on past events. Therefore, with that in mind, here is a brief re-cap of calendar year 2013.

Gaining a son-in-law

I honestly did not see this one coming. When our middle child, Josie, married Zachary Blevins at the end of January she became the first to tie the knot. Then again, older daughter Penny has been with her boyfriend for 11 years now, and even though they’ve been living together for two years,Eric has yet to propose to her, which bugs the living crap out of both sets of parents. But back to Josie. Besides beating Penny to the altar, she also laid another bombshell on us, namely that we were going to be *shudder* grandparents! That definitely stunned us, but explained why the hurry-up marriage. A full- blown, proper wedding ceremony will eventually take place (next year?), so we will have to re-live this all over again. *sigh* Oh, the joys of parenthood.

The first grandchild

This, as it turns out, really isn’t all that bad. In fact, if you follow our Facebook postings, there are a ton of pictures and videos of our grandson, who was born at 5:16 PM on Sunday, May 26th. I have to admit that at no time in my life, even as a parent, did I see that the day would come when I, of all people, would become a grandparent! To quote from the movie The Princess Bride, “inconceivable!” Even so, I

3 do get a bit verklempt when I see Brian, now seven months old and counting, especially when he smiles. He really is a cute bugger, as you can see from the picture on the top of the previous page and the dozens of photos I’ve posted on Facebook. No, I’m not a proud grandfather. Nope. Not at all…

LoneStarCon 3

I have written a lot about this fershlugginer event already in this fanzine, also in Askew (my paper-only personalzine), and on Facebook. I even wrote about the just passed on my usually neglected LiveJournal account! Obviously, this was something that generated a lot of feelings inside me. Rest assured, I will not rant and rail about it here, but will save all that for the “LoneStarCon 3 Assessment Test” which begins on page 7. You. Have. Been. Warned.

Overall, it was worth going to my first World Convention since 1978, but man, oh, Manischewitz, it was nothing at all what I was expecting. In a sense I anticipated something akin to a larger Fencon, such as the one we attended a couple years ago when Fencon VIII doubled as DeepSouthCon 49 up in , and the total attendance was around 900. Multiplying that figure by a factor of five, and quadrupling the number of programming items and such, and that’s the kind of mindset I walked into LSC3 with. Now the obvious question to ask is, “was the worldcon worth the investment in time and money?” The answer is, not surprisingly, yes and no.

To elaborate. “Yes,” LoneStarCon 3 was worth spending our hard-earned paychecks on, especially since the cost didn’t kill us since I had budgeted X-amount for travel, room, food, and allowing extra for purchases made in either at the convention or outside the main venues. When things clicked – as in “making it to events on time”, “getting things set up”, “seeing friends”, and “having great conversations” – yeah, those helped make the WorldCon experience worthwhile and very enjoyable. “No,” LoneStarCon 3 was not worth dealing with carrying heavy items great distances to get setup in the art show and fanzine lounge, finding gluten-free food for Valerie the entire time (on and off the main venue), dealing with her health issues, meeting people I was looking forward to meeting, and worrying about how people were thinking about the fanzine lounge.

And that last item really hung over my head the entire length of the convention as my fannish sword of Damocles. Very little of the things I wanted to do in the fanzine lounge went according to plan. I have written elsewhere about the manual typewriter debacle and how that affected my plans, so no more about that here. At least I was able to use the lounge tables the way I wanted to: display old and current zines, have a Fan Funds table, then shifted to Plan B (fanzine lounge as informal fan-historical display) when the demonstrations fell apart. The WOOF collation went well, thank Great Roscoe, even if the final assembly was problematic due to some format differences among the contributions. Still, I felt all weekend as if my efforts seemed, well, pathetic and minimal compared to what others have done in past WorldCon fanzine lounges. It bothered me a great deal, and still does.

Additionally, the LSC3 experience cemented a long-term feeling I have held about myself as some kind of convention organizer: it’s not me. That is not what I do. Sure, I don’t mind helping out at cons as a gopher, panelist, bartender, badge-checker, manning a registration or dealer’s table for x-amount of time…things like that. But being in charge of something is not my cup of tea. I do that enough of that in

4 my professional career so that in my hobby interest – science fiction fan activity – I really don’t want to be bothered by that kind of crap. Producing fanzines is one thing, writing the occasional article and letters of comment are other things I enjoy, but other than those activities, running a convention or being a sub-department head at a con is not my idea of Having A Good Time. Nope. It ain’t me, babe.

So when I think back about this World Science Fiction Convention just passed, my overall assessment of it is a resounding “Meh, it was alright” mainly because I feel as if I let the team down by mismanaging the fanzine lounge. Now, believe it or not I can accept this because I had assumed that mantle of responsibility. This, however, does not help alleviate the feelings of “meh-ness” I have about LSC3, just explains why I feel this way. Therefore, never expect me to run any convention’s fanzine lounge again. Period.

Now watch. Some convention committee is going to ask me to be their fan guest of honor, which comes with all sorts of responsibilities and commitments. Yeah, right. As if I’d really *do* all that!

Wait a second… Fan GoH? I may have to reconsider this…

Steampunk Acceleration

More and more, Valerie and I have been getting into the movement. Well, that may not be completely accurate, but we both enjoy the creative side of Steampunk literature, its fashions, and music. I am not a costume designer nor a talented seamstress like Valerie, but I don’t mind dressing up in the ensembles she has created for me. Besides that, creating a character to go with the costume is a bit of a writing challenge that’s fun, and being a bit of a ham – a trait I freely admit to, which explains my musical and theatrical nature (I’ve been in a handful of student/community theater plays) – it is fun to be in character for a short while.

As it turns out, there are quite a few Steampunk groups in ; the notable ones that we have been in contact with are Airship Isabella (the chapter), Texas Steampunk (Houston and San Antonio), Steampunk Illumination Society (Dallas-Fort Worth), and some others. We met members of these at the World Convention, and meandered over to the Steampunk Ball late Sunday night, Sept. 1st, after the Hugo Awards Ceremony, which we had attended in our formal Steampunk attire. Then at this year’s just finished Texas Renaissance Festival, Valerie and I

5 participated in the Steampunk Invasion of the TRF last month, which was a blast. We hooked up with a group of the Houston Steampunk people we originally met in San Antonio, and that was fun. The weekend before that was the Halloween Spooktacular Soirée that our Friday night meet-up group put together/hosted, and Val and I wore one of our other Steampunk costumes. Mine even won an award! Go figure. Anyway, upcoming on Saturday December 14th down in Giddings, Texas is the Weird West Fest, an entire day of Steampunk events, panels, displays, guests, and concerts held in a restored 1880 train depot and in other old buildings circa 1900. This event was originally scheduled for December 7th but was pushed back a week due to the massive cold front that brought severe winter weather through most of the continental United States, and the real good news is that nearly every single one of the guests, vendors and performing groups were able to reschedule to still be there. All except for Joe Lansdale. *grumph* But hey, his daughter Kayla Lansdale, who is a wonderful singer, will still be there, so that’s a positive. So all in all, this Steampunk train is chugging right along, and we are definitely enjoying the ride. The scenery is delightful!

Who is in this issue

Bill Fischer

After a lengthy absence, our favorite lab assistant Figby returns in a new story-line. His creator has been busy ducking winter storms up in Minnesota, but while he’s inside his home, huddling against the cold, wintry air slamming against the walls, he can always draw up some more of these Figby cartoons.

Valerie Purcell

My wife returns with a portfolio of the different filters she used after painting/sculpting the cover for this year’s WOOF collation at LoneStarCon 3. The original now hangs in her art studio/workroom here at home, and is one of the best things she has created, In My Humble Opinion. There will be much more work of hers in these pages in the future, that I assure you.

Steve Stiles

As always, Mr. Stiles – not to be confused with The Phenom A.J. Styles, the pro wrestler on TNA Impact Wrestling – provided a body-slam of a cover for Askance. Truth be told, when I asked Steve the month before the WorldCon if he would be willing to do a cover, he wasn’t sure if he’d have the time. Then it turned out he had this piece in his files, so he quickly adapted it and voila! here it is, gracing the front of this issue.

Walt Wentz

Here is a new name to appear in these pages. Walt is a friend of Taral Wayne, who sent me this particular article on Walt’s behalf. I found it amusing and think readers of Askance will likewise enjoy it. “A Complaint to Hanes” is a brief article that should cover a subject with which most fans are .

This fanzine supports Kansas City in 2016, New Orleans in 2018, & Curt Phillips for TAFF.

su 6 LONESTARCON 3 ASSESSMENT TEST

Summer Term, 2013: Fanac 101 Final Exam

INSTRUCTIONS

Using a #2 pencil – no ink pens allowed! – mark your AccuScan form with the choice that best answers that question. If you make an error and wish to change your answer, thoroughly erase your original marking, otherwise the scanner will pick up both markings and that will count as a wrong answer. There is a 30 minute time limit.

Grading Scale: a = 1 point b=2 points c=3 points d=4 points e = 5 points. Total points scale after the test.

Good luck!

1) Overall, how would you rate this WorldCon? a. Super! b. Awesome! c. Okay, I guess. d. meh… e. Oh, my head…!

2) How important to you is it that a WorldCon be within a one day’s drive? a. very important c. not important at all b. somewhat important d. define “one day’s drive” e. three day’s drive? That’s not too many.

3) How many programming events did you want to attend at LoneStarCon 3? a. All of them b. 21-30 c. 11-20 d. 1-10 e. none, actually

4) How many programming events did you actually attend during LoneStarCon 3? a. 1-10 b. 11-20 c. 21-30 d. all of them e. I never made it out of the bar

5) Did you enjoy visiting the Fanzine Lounge during the WorldCon? a. Yes, very much b. yes, it was okay c. meh… d. there was a Fanzine Lounge?

6) How would you rate this year’s Art Show? a. Super! b. Awesome! c. Okay, I guess d. meh… e. there was an Art Show?

It is a proud and lonely thing to be a fan. At least, it used to be. 7 7) Check all that apply: Which Guest of Honor did you get to meet? a. Joe Lansdale b. James Gunn c. d. Norman Spinrad e.

8) Rate the Dealer’s Room at LoneStarCon 3. a. Extensive, but not enough pulps c. Extensive, but not enough comic books b. Extensive, but not enough books d. Extensive, but not enough shiny things e. There was a Dealer’s “Room”? More like an airplane hangar.

9) Do you prefer World Science Fiction Conventions to have one-track of programming format, or the current multi-track programming format? a. one-track b. multi-track c. either one d. does it matter? e. I’ll be in the bar

10) Which of the following historical sites in San Antonio, Texas, did you get a chance to visit? a. The Alamo c. the Mexican Consulate b. La Villita d. The Riverwalk e. Wal-Mart

11) How many fanzines did Chris Garcia produce during the WorldCon? a. 1 b. 2 c. 3 d. 4 e. do his tweets count as zines?

12) How many people did Chris Garcia hug during the WorldCon? a. At least 10 c. At least 30 b. At least 20 d. At least 40 e. What was the con’s final attendance figure?

13) How many panel discussions did you attend? (note: not a repeat of question 4) a. 1-10 b. 11-20 c. 21-25 d. over 25 e. none: I was in the bar

14) On how many panel discussions were you a participant? a. none, nobody asked me c. 4 - 6 b. 1 -3 d. over 6, I think; they all blur together e. just one, if you count the on-going bar discussion about whither fandom

8 15) What is the 5-2-1 rule for attending a WorldCon? a. Five hours of sleep, two meals, one shower each day b. Five catnaps, two trips through the consuite for snacks, one shower each day c. Five paperbacks, two hardcovers, one autograph signing each day; don’t forget to shower, too d. Pack five funny t-shirts, two pairs of underwear (optional), one pair of jeans; does swimming in the hotel pool count as bathing? e. Five beers, two mixed drinks, one meal each day – oh, was I supposed to shower, too?

16) Estimate how many miles you may have walked during the course of the World Convention. a. Less than three miles c. I developed leg-cramps around 6 PM each day b. three to six miles, at least d. Oxygen! Need…more…oxygen… e. I’m sending my hospital bill to Ben Yalow (LSC3 budget director)

17) Were you able to watch James Bacon wax and twiddle his moustache? a. Yes b. No c. I missed that program item d. That was on the program? e. Why?

18) How many of your friends were you able to meet during the course of the WorldCon? a. a handful c. about a dozen b. quite a few d. most of them e. all of them; everyone was in the bar

19) Rate the main hospitality suite (it was in the Marriott Rivercenter Hotel, rooms 18 & 19 on the Mezzanine level). a. Well-stocked, well-attended, good conversations: golly, it was swell! b. Not enough gluten-free food, otherwise it was okay c. Adequately stocked, over-crowded at times, needed more beer d. Adequate food and drink, but too far to walk from the Motel 6 where I was staying e. Why should I care? I was in the bar the whole weekend

20) Do you believe that it was A Good Idea to block all the parties on floors 33 to 37 in the Marriott Rivercenter Hotel? c. Yes, that made it easier to meet people d. Yes, that made it easier to check out the bidding parties e. Yes, that made it easier to party-crawl f. No, the fun should have been spread out through both main hotels g. Look, I keep telling you I was in the bar all weekend!

21) Do you know how to fix a manual typewriter? a. What’s a typewriter? c. No! b. Which computer model is that? d. I think so… e. Indeed I can. Did you bring mimeo stencils?

9 22) Which categories did you vote in? a. All of them, and indiscriminately, too. b. Only the ones I was familiar with. c. Only the ones my friends were nominated in. d. Just the category. e. None. They don’t matter anyway.

23) Did you attend the Masquerade/Fancy Dress contest? a. Yes! I never miss this event. c. Yes, but I could barely see the costumes from my seat b. No, I never attend this event. d. No, but I saw the costumes posted on Facebook. e. No, but I really liked the hall costumes I saw all weekend.

24) Which of the following concerts did you attend during LoneStarCon 3? a. John Purcell b. Steve Brust c. Leslie Fish d. Bland Lemon and the Lemon-Aides e. Concerts? At a WorldCon?! Music at a room party, sure, but concerts?? Sheesh…

25) Okay. I’m going to ask you this again: how would you rate this year’s World Science Fiction Convention in San Antonio, Texas, a.k.a. LoneStarCon 3? a. Awesome! b. Super! c. It was alright. d. Meh, it could have been better. e. My head’s still hurting three months later, so it must have had a good bar.

TOTAL POINTS SCALE:

Using the points scale given at the beginning of the test – here it is again for you lazy louts that don’t pay attention or follow instructions (a = 1 point b=2 points c=3 points d=4 points e = 5 points) – total up your answer points and apply that total to the following grading scale:

1-25 points = You are a helpless neofan for taking this quiz seriously.

26-50 points = Seriously, you need to get to more world conventions.

51-75 points = Okay, there’s hope for you after all.

76-100 points = Not bad. Care to write a con report for my zine?

100-125 points = You, my friend, are a trufan.

“Rich, you remember the crab hats!”

10 A Complaint to Hanes

(as dictated to Walt Wentz)

Dear Whom-ever Reads This First:

If you are a Female, especially a young Female, please pass this along to some Male or other in your Office. This Letter is about Male stuff, and I don't want to cause any embarrassment to any Female, especially a young Female of the opposite sex. Thank you kindly.

Dear Ed: Pardon me if I call you Ed, because I don't know your actual real Name, but Ed is a friendly kind of a Name, and I want to keep this Friendly and not cause any Hard Feelings. This is a Complaint, but you most likely have not got anything to do with what caused it so I got nothing against you personally.

Now Ed, I been wearing Hanes jockey undershorts since I was a pup, and they always gave me good service up to now, and any time I switched Brands I regretted it, because those other Makes just didn't give me the same Support or Convenience, if you know what I mean and I think you do Ed.

So just lately I had to retire a bunch of my old Underwear, and I looked around the stores until i found a batch of Hanes undershorts, and I bought them. I have always wore a 34 waist and these just said "Medium," but they also said "Our Most Comfortable," so I thought they must be O.K. So I took them home and tried wearing them, but they have been a considerable Letdown, so to speak. Now you know Ed, that the old Hanes jockey undershorts have a bit of stretch down where it matters most, and the leg-holes are just tight enough to keep Things from shifting around or getting Loose. But these new ones were made of some thin and flimsy stuff that was too flabby in one direction, but in the other direction it didn't have no more Give in it than a Tin Roof. And the leg-holes were so stretchy that they wouldn't hold up a goose-down Pillow.

11 I just want to give it to you man to man, Ed, friendly like. Five minutes after you put them on, these undershorts let your Family Jewels draggle down one leg of your Jeans, and your Willy hang down the other leg.

This is not only Uncomfortable Ed, it is Undignified. When you are in some Public Convenience and you need to dump some Water Ballast in a hurry, and you have got to claw frantically around in there to try to untangle your Willy from that mess of flabby Fabric, it aint a pretty sight, Ed. The other Customers might look at you like you are Peculiar, or maybe have got a Hornet loose in your Jeans.

I see from the printing on the inside that these new Hanes undershorts are "Made in Viet Nam." I got nothing against the Namese Ed, but I guess these undershorts must have been made by some little Namese schoolgirl, that is paid a nickel an hour and has got no more Idea of Male Anatomy than Adam's Ox does.

What ever happened to that tough old gal from the TV ads, that used to say, "They don't say Hanes, until I say they say Hanes," while she stretched and twisted the undershorts? She looked like she had been through the Mill and knew a thing or two Ed, but it has been some time since I saw her, so I guess she might have retired or been laid off. But I think if the Company could bring her back, teach her a few words of Viet Nam talk and ship her over there to Supervise the Works, it would be doing a great favor to Suffering Mankind, namely Me.

Now I know you don't own the Company, Ed, and have probably got no say in the Hiring and Firing end of the Business, so I just got a personal favor to ask of you. If you could just quietly slip me the Names of some Outfits that still sell the old dependable type of Hanes undershorts, waist size 34 or thereabouts, I'd be eternally Grateful.

But if the good old Hanes stuff just aint being made at all any more, I know you must be a Man of the World Ed, so I would appreciate it if you would, strictly on the Q.T. of course, let me know any other Brand that you have found that won't Let you Down when you have got to stand up and speak a Piece at some Formal Meeting, or when you are Under Pressure in the John, and have to unlimber your Apparatus before it is entirely Too Late.

Respectively,

Artemus Ward the 7th

Suppose you were an idiot, and suppose you were a member of Congress; but I repeat myself.

Mark Twain

12 Portfolio: WOOF 2013 covers Artwork by Valerie Purcell - comments by John Purcell

This is the original artwork for the cover for the WOOF collation held on Sunday, September 1, 2013, at LoneStarCon 3 in San Antonio, Texas. My wife Valerie created this first as a painting, which she had begun a few years ago, but finished it for this year’s WOOF when I asked her to do the cover. So she agreed. The original painting was on display in the LoneStarCon 3 art show all weekend after the Big Reveal at the Fan Fund Delegates Reception on Thursday night in the con suite. It is based on a medieval tapestry depicting a fox hunt that she found in an art book – I forget the title and the original artist’s name – which inspired to do her interpretation of that piece. First, Val placed ae

13 tapestry pattern on the canvas, then overlaid the grassy area, added trees formed from Fimo clay, created the greyhounds out of Fimo, Steampunked them out with assorted doo-dads, finally hot- gluing them onto the canvas. Once it was all assembled, Valerie took photos and added in the framing and lettering for “WOOF 2013”, which I decided not to include here so these full images can be appreciated.

Well, the cover was needed print-ready by Saturday afternoon when copies were to be run off, alack and alas, not in color. Even though the original looked quite good in sharpened , while finalizing the cover, Valerie discovered that she could do all sort of cool things with picture formatting, colorization, and stylizations, so she created a series of alternate cover choices, none of which would have reproduced properly in black and white. So I unfortunately had to run with the black and white version for the on-site WOOF collation. That does not mean, however, that the alternate cover versions were summarily tossed. Far from it. I saved them all, and so now, submitted for your approval, here is the gallery of what she created on her laptop computer. The first one is the product of running the final image through the black-edged filter:

14 What I like the most about this one is the dark, mysterious feel it has, with the shapes of -like greyhounds cavorting through a midnight forest glen. It has that other-worldly sense of oddness to it, and I think that’s cool.

Below is the cement filter, which gave the original an interesting texture. It looks very tactile and solid, almost as if the viewer can touch it. In reality, that is what Val likes to do: create three- dimensional artwork that viewers can actually touch and manipulate some of the mechanical doo- dads that are an integral part of the artwork. This particular one is probably my second favorite alternate WOOF 2013 image.

15 This next one resulted from using the Impressionist filter. In a way it does look like one that Cezanne would have painted if he got the urge to do his particular version of a medieval hunting excursion. In its own way this is neat, but when I look at it I get a sudden urge to take off and wipe my eye-glasses clean; since that doesn’t help refine the images, I figure it’s time for another eye appointment.

Even so, it is a bit of visual fun. I am sure that some of you readers will like it much more than I do, which is fine by me. We all have our own tastes in artwork, and the way I look at it, that’s the great appeal of art: it is very individualistic and personal regarding interpretations, meanings and even establishing a relationship between viewer and artwork. To paraphrase the old saying, “What is one person’s garbage is another person’s art.”

16 Here is the one I like the most, the cross-stitch filter. This might be a result of my actually doing cross-stitch from time to time – now damned rarely, and I still have some projects underway – but I believe I like this one so much because it has such a hand-made look and feel to it. Again, this image presents itself in a very tactile manner, and thus has sort of an authentic appearance, as if it really was made about five hundred or so years ago. Oh, I dunno. Face it: I think this is just cool.

Now doesn’t that just seem as if it is a “real” tapestry that could be hanging in a castle hallway, for all to admire and relive the hunt that inspired its creation?

And finally there is the plastic wrap filter, which is yet another very tactile-looking result. I like this one, too, but not as much as the others. Even so, the lines give it a flowing feel, almost a liquid

17 effect, depicting the gracefulness of the hounds as they cavort in the woods, trying to figure out which way did the fox go, George? Which way did he go?

*ahem* Sorry about that. This really does look pretty darned spiffy:

So there you have them all, gang. That is the whole bunch of WOOF 2013 covers Valerie came up with. Which ones do you like the most? Feel free to rank them 1-6 (that includes the original cover) in terms of preference (1 being the best, 6 the least) and I’ll run the results in the next issue.

18

19

Here are a few personalzines that I reviewed in my paper-only personalzine, Askew #7, copies of which are still available and may be had by simply asking for one. But remember: I need a physical mailing address in order to send one. In the meantime, here are the reviews.

A MEARA FOR OBSERVERS #16. Available from Mike Meara, who can be contacted at [email protected] and is available for “emoc, loc, poc, or toc, and to contributors of articles or art’ PDF route now preferred for most trades.”

This is one of the better personalzines being produced. That means most of the content is written by Mike himself, but there is one of the heftier lettercolumns in aMfO each issue, which Mike shapes into a conversation, arranged by topic, between the letter writers and himself. For me, this the highlight of every issue, but his musings about the last 10 issues of aMfO are very interesting, as are the tales of home-ownership he regales the reader with in this, the Sweet 16 issue. If you do not get a paper copy mailed to you, then get thee onto www.efanzines.com where previous issues are kept. A good, chatty zine to curl up with after a day of work.

NO SIN BUT IGNORANCE #53 From Claire Brialey, 59 Shirley Road, Croydon, Surrey CR0 7ES UNITED KINGDOM Available via editorial whim, “which means I’ll give or send it to you if I feel like it and I think you’ll appreciate it.” Well, I sure as hell do, and the highlight for me is Claire’s writing. Like Mike Meara’s zine, NSBI is a personalzine, although Claire claims that it is “an average quality perzine.” Hah! For Claire this is “average quality,” but for anybody else this level of writing ranks as high quality. This young lady is one of fanzine fandom’s better all-around writers: her text reads naturally and unforced, making you feel as if you’re in the same room with her and having a conversation. In this particular issue, Claire natters about defining differences between genzines and perzines, what is a fan, and other topics that pique her interest. The letters are likewise interesting and varied, which should not be surprising. This zine doesn’t come out very often, but when it does, NSBI is worth the wait.

FLAG #10 This used to be a monthly personalzine from Andrew Hooper. 11032 30th Avenue NE, Seattle, WA 98125. His e-mail address is [email protected]. It says in here that the next issue is slated for February, 2014 publication, so there’s time to request a copy and send a loc to him. This particular issue is unique in that Andy has taken locs received since summer of this year and created an issue-long faan fiction piece that sounds like a conversation held in a convention hospitality suite, but without drunken epithets flying. Different, but effective. I think that Andy is one of fanzine fandom’s best writers, and for that reason he will never win a Fan Hugo. After all, he doesn’t write a blog. Plus, this zine is paper-only, pushing it deeper into the murky depths of fanzine obscurity. A crying shame, that. {editorial note: the 11th issue was recently mailed, so #12 will probably be seen in Feb ‘14}

20 DAY TRIP TO WEIRD WEST FEST – SATURDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2013

A little over a week ago we had bit of fun going back in time, sort of, as Valerie and I, along with baby sphinx Brian, took a one hour drive down to Giddings, Texas for the Weird West Fest. It was fun seeing some of the Steampunk friends we met at LoneStarCon 3 again, even one of our Friday Night Meet-Up friends, Clint Sare, was there looking dapper in top hat and tails. I took some pictures on that ridiculous Blackberry of mine, so I'll try to get them shifted onto here. The Weird West Fest was spread out over downtown Giddings, but really every venue was within a block of each other, so not a big deal for walking, but the weather was about 20 degrees colder than predicted; the warmer weather didn't arrive until Sunday, which was a real bummer, so it got chilly in the Peanut Mill (where DJ Argo opened things up there at 6 PM with a splendid selection of Steampunk tunes). The Landmark building housed the dealer's room – which was small but well-stocked with all sorts of cool goodies - and the panel discussion room. We had the chance to meet and spend time talking with two of the stars of the classic television western The Virginian, James Drury and Gary Clarke (who had a supporting role as a crewman in one of my all-time favorite SF movies, Forbidden Planet), also Lyle Blackburn, whom I recognized from the band Ghoultown; Lyle had some of his books out for sale, plus two of the band's CD's, and I enjoyed his presentation on Bigfoot sightings in Texas. Sadly, Joe Lansdale was unable to attend, but his lovely daughter Kasey Lansdale was there hawking a bunch of Joe's books, plus her new CD Restless and the first anthology she edited. Kasey was scheduled to give a concert at 7:30 PM over in the Peanut Mill, but we had to leave at 7 PM due to it getting too chilly for Brian to be out and about. He was, naturally, bundled up so he was fine, but we didn't want to take any chances so we headed out after the Burlesque Show, which entranced Brian: he loved the twirling thingies!

I will let Valerie tell you someday – check her Facebook page - about the Follicle Frenzy (a.k.a., the moustache and beard contest), for which she was one of the three lady judges. Oddly enough, that required some whisker fondling... The winner possessed a delightful set of muttonchops, long and gray, brushed out to flare like daggers out of his cheeks. I could never grow whiskers like that.

Like I said, lots of wonderful wares were on display, and I got a lot of business cards with websites for getting some Christmas/birthday gifts for people I know. Oddly enough, there was even a “fanzine” available: in reality, it was the first 30 pages of a written by Billy Kring and George Wier, 1889: Journey to the Moon, due to be published in 2014 ( www.facebook.com/1889tothemoon)

21

In keeping with the olden days – or is that old and dazed? –sort of theme thisish, I found this lovely image of the remains of a schoolhouse on the Deviant Art website. It’s creepy enough to give me an idea for a horror story set in the Old West, or

possibly one of those Twilight Zone-ish

type of cross century tales. This has possibilities.

. For now though, it’s on to the letters sent in response to the 29th issue, which appeared just before the WorldCon, beginning with our good friend to the north, that erstwhile loc-writer of renown, Mr. Lloyd Penney:

1706-24 Eva Rd. Etobicoke, ON CANADA M9C 2B2

24 September 2013

Greetings from Trawna! Hope you’re recovered from LSC3 by now. I am using a lot of September to get caught up on the stack of fanzines I have, and Askance 29 has reached the top of the pile. Time for comments!

A great Taral cover. WALL-E was one of my favourite movies, with so many vital messages I’d like to hope people got, and acted upon. The colour here is great, and the characters are spot on.

I hope Valerie enjoyed her first Worldcon. I would have liked to have gone to San Antonio to see you two, plus Bill Wright. Even with the huge competition of SDCC and DragonCon, Worldcon is still the best convention for me. I have good memories of both fanzine lounges I’ve run; I wish your experiences had been better, and I hope you’ll write upon those experiences soon.. And, hope WOOF turned out okay, too. {By now you know very well – thanks to Askews #6 and #7, plus what has been written in other fanzines – how both of those went. All I can say is that it is highly doubtful that I will ever OE WOOF ever again, let alone hosting a fanzine lounge. If I do, I learned some very valuable lessons from this experience. For now, ‘nuff said.}

Both lounges I ran, I had to fight for everything given to me to run it, and I never got what I wanted entirely, but still, we had ourselves good times, and I believe we provided some for those who came to visit. (Sometimes, half the fun was the fight.) Can you detail the differences you’ve seen between the two 35 years apart? It’d make a good article. I see we’ve pretty well lost all respect for the

22 modern-day BNFs, and that’s a good thing. Fandom has changed radically, and I think those BNFs are mostly retired, or barking out loud from the sidelines.

I’ve been to my share of Worldcon business meetings, and I am glad there are people who care enough about preserving the rules of the meetings to keep Worldcons vital. It is difficult for the beginner to learn what’s happening, so it’s good to see the meetings covered as news. Still…if they’re Robert’s Rules, I wish Robert would administer them, and leave the fans to argue amongst themselves.

Jim Mowatt, fans do not usually run and howl and gibber. Usually. They howl and gibber online these days, so running and doing those things isn’t as effective as sitting down at the computer. I’d like to volunteer for fan programming, but still cannot guarantee that I’ll be able to get to Loncon. As soon as I can guarantee anything, I’ll let you know. {You can usually find Trufans running off to the bar to howl and gibber into their bheers. That being said, this is why that one online group was established: In The Bar. Makes sense to me, even though I’m not in it.}

We have a long-time alive convention in Toronto, Ad Astra, coming up on 34 years now. I started on the committee running the dealers’ room in 1982, and left the committee 30 years later. With that period of time, you are able to compare one end of the run to the other, and see the myriad of changes. The greatest change is in the people who come, and their expectations. The guests have changed, the degree of literacy has lessened, not that it was all that great, and the expectations of those who buy the memberships have changed, but the fight to produce a convention that will keep those who attend happy is the same. I’ve noticed there are fewer masquerades at conventions, and more . Cosplay seems to take the presentation off the masquerade stage, and rampaging into the hallways.

I check out File 770 online as well. Add to the mix, and I’ve got a fairly good idea of what’s happening in fandom these days, at least, what’s reported. Newszines used to do the job just fine, but not in this gotta-know-immediately age. Showing my age, I suppose. Taral’s right, so much of older fandom is on Facebook. Could that be killing what little of our fandom isn’t dead yet? {It’s not dead yet. Feeling a bit better, actually.}

Thank you for that article on writing locs…a nice chunk of egoboo, and thank you kindly, good sir. What do I find loccable? You sum it up very nicely. A zine has to be visually appealing, the right combination of copy block and illustration that may look artistic. If the illo can help to explain the article, bonus. Our fandom has many talented artists that don’t get enough egoboo for their works. Interesting content is entirely subjective, IMHO. A fascinating article for some may bore others. Yet, most zines reflect my own experiences to one degree or another, so I can write up at least half a page of comments. Sometimes, it is an effort, but I will write it to say that I do appreciate the fact you’ve produced this zine, thank you for keeping me in mind, or at least putting it online for those interested enough to download, and I am optimistic that even if this issue didn’t press many buttons for me, I’ll bet the next issue will. I often win that bet. My own beginnings…as a journalism student, I wanted to use that training to participate in my activities in fanzine fandom. I found expressing my own thoughts on what I read was the best way for me to take part, and I have been doing that for over 30 years now. I do this to keep the zines going, especially the e-zines that few seem to value. I don’t care if its paper or electronics; it’s what is written that is important, not the medium. As I said in my loc, I throw in some personal journalism into the mix to let people know how I’m doing, and off goes the loc, and in some cases, the only loc any particular faned will get.

As does Rich Dengrove, I remember when every fandom in the city hosted the big convention. Those who were in charge of the big convention tried their best to be inclusive, and to juggle space, time and interests so that all were happy, but in the long run, few were. Some interests would demand more time

23 and money, weren’t happy when we either couldn’t give them what they wanted, or wouldn’t change the balance to benefit them and hurt others, so those interests formed their own conventions. In Toronto, we have two literary conventions, one filk, one huge pro media convention, one con, and assorted other conventions in the general Toronto area catering to toys, comics, gaming, furries, models, Doctor Who and more. Fans create most of those conventions, so there is some activity creating these shows, but for the most part, every succeeding generation of fans is being encouraged to be passive consumers, instead of active creators we all wanted to be. Rich, you remember the crab hats! That was Constellation in 1983. I think we brought them back for Bucconeer, if I recall. When we retired from running cons, that also meant we stopped running room parties, con suites and green rooms. We were getting tired of running them, and we were also tired of complaints about you don’t have my favorite cola/peanut butter/sandwich/dark ale/fill in the blank, and how dare you ruin my weekend? Our parties did get better with the years, and we were in charge of the three consecutive Toronto in 2003 room parties at Chicon 2000, but that was really the end of it for us. My involuntary resignation from the Torcon 3 committee changed a lot of things for us, some bad, but mostly good.

Hallowe’en is coming up the end of next month, and while it’s becoming more and more for the adults, we’re having a difficult time finding a party to go to. So far, we learned about a steampunk party in Hamilton, just down the highway, and we might just go. Most years in this neighbourhood, we might have a little candy available in case we get a costume or two at our front door, but for the most part, we never get a knock on the 31st, and Hallowe’en is just another night for us. {Same here: “Hallowe’en” was pretty quiet again this year, although the number of kids tripled over last year’s turnout: six kids came to the door.}

My loc…nope, I wasn’t a recent Aurora winner. I’ve won two Auroras, but haven’t won since 1998. I’ve gotten a lot of nominations over the years, though. I am nominated again this year, but the country’s newer pro writers have discovered that they can nominate each other for the fan Auroras and get on the ballot, so I doubt I will win this year, or any other year to come, but that’s okay. It is an honour to be nominated, and I have had my share of honours.

When I wrote my loc here, I had just been let go by a newsletter company at the edge of Toronto, but I still had my evening job at the Globe and Mail to fall back on. Well, that job went away in March of this year because they discovered how to automate it. I have sent out hundreds of resumes, polished them up, added some information, took out other information, sent them out, called two weeks later to see how the competition was going, had the odd interview and sent out an e-mail of thanks…and nothing. I am still looking, have been for six months now, and I have nothing yet. I have some good leads and hopes for some great jobs I’ve applied for, but so far… I am connected with an office just north of

24 me, operated by our local community college, and they say I am doing everything right, but there are so many more in the same boat as I am, and only so many jobs to apply to. It’s tough to rise to the top when the unemployed labour pool is do deep. I should be able to get some seasonal work when it gets closer to Christmas. {As usual, we hope that job opportunities for you improve.}

Worldcons and others…well, Spokane won the 2015 Worldcon, and Detroit won the 2014 NASFiC. Even though it’s just down the highway, I doubt we can go; the usual story. We support Montreal in 2017, too. They announced at LSC3, and I hope to learn more about the bid soon. I heard people asking about Wizard World in Toronto, for they bought an existing comic con here, and rebranded it…it ran two years, and it now looks like it’s dead. {Don’t expect to see us in Detroit or Spokane. Kansas City in 2016 will be a very real possibility since Valerie’s sister lives in a suburb of KC, so should we go – and I’d love to, no question about that – we might stay with Amy’s family. Who knows? That’s too far ahead to plan right now, so we shall see when it comes around. However, I did buy my pre-supporting membership in San Antonio.}

Hey, three pages! Impressive! Got a lot of resumes out today, so I have had a very productive day. Started this letter yesterday, but got it done today, and it’s a show of the quality of the fanzine…lots of comment hooks, to pull those thoughts out of my head for putting down on the screen. Thank you for this issue, remind me when you want a Tale From the Convention!, and see you next time.

Lloyd Penney

{Conventions have most definitely changed over the years – nay, the decades – that thee and me have been involved with fandom. Quite frankly, I don’t blame you and Yvonne for retiring from con-running; it can be exhausting work. On the other hand, working on a convention is a great way to really get involved in fandom, meeting loads of people, and having a good time in the process, provided you pace yourself. (*) Ah, Sweet Egoboo! (with apologies to F.T. Laney.) You are most welcome, sir. My comments last issue regarding what makes a fanzine “loc-able” were a different way to review fanzines, and I may resort to doing that again. After all, a proper fanzine review not only covers the production values of a zine – artwork, layout, visual appeal – it mostly revolves around the actual content of said fanzine. I am glad the content of Askance 29 provided numerous comment hooks for you. Response from readers is one of the primary reasons for pubbing one’s ish. So I shall say it again – Ah, Sweet Egoboo!}

David Redd

4 November 2013 Yes, good stuff in Askance 29. As I said before, including an interesting parenthetical paragraph from you on the dismaying Texan “war against women” situation. When you wrote, “Seems as though we’ve gone backwards” you did tend to confirm a couple of other comments I read recently – one new, one old. I’m tempted to share them.

A recent USA letter to New Scientist finished “…creationist Texans exemplify a large segment of our society – poorly educated, enamoured with their bibles and guns, predominantly from the south and very sure of themselves. They will always be guided by superstition and ignorance, not reason … I have seen this segment grow in resolve. Most discouraging to an old man who remembers a great country with so much hope.”

His style is loose and wandering and garrulous and self-contented beyond anything I have ever encountered before, and his grammar breaks the heart.

25 Coincidentally, I rediscovered a 1995 Interzone interview showing John Brunner in similar old-and- disillusioned mood. Two decades earlier than you and the NS writer, but for the same reasons, he noted, “Something like a third of the continental United States is now a no-go zone for people of intelligence and goodwill … the Waco, Texas, case was only the tip of an iceberg.” This may be simply Brunner’s general pessimism (“Our collective stupidity … we seem incapable of choosing right”, etc) but it does show a general pattern across the years. Yesterday, just as peace talks with the Taliban seemed a genuine possibility, a USA drone assassination did not help.

Mind you, writing from the UK I’m in no position to criticise others, as our government borrows like crazy to compensate for not taxing big business, and carries on dismantling much of our social structure in the name of austerity. Perhaps our local grumbles predisposed me to pick up on your point about USA trends.

As an sf writer, I’m dismayed how much 2013 resembles a fictional end of the world. Years ago I did a story called “Green England” (in Spectrum SF) in which a future English dictatorship lets two USA visitors see a “typical” local family who seem nervous of questions. In the October 2013 National Geographic, the North Korean dictatorship lets two USA visitors see a “typical” local family who seem nervous of questions. However, I suspect current American policy is still for drones than for winning hearts and minds.

Well, you did ask for a loc, but you’ve had a rant instead. Sorry. I’m not good at locs just now. As for Askance 29 generally, it was a pleasant read which at least took my mind away from less pleasant matters. Thanks.

David Redd

{Well, rants are always welcome here. In fact, you called my comments about Texas’ “war on women” a “parenthetical paragraph,” but my comments were, in reality, a small rant on my part about a subject that I feel strongly about. It really bothers me that sizeable portions of the United States just don’t get it that women and minorities deserve to be treated with respect, dignity and common sense, three important elements which make a society successful and that appear to be missing from extremist conservatives in this country, especially in Texas and other southern states. Now, I don’t mind people expressing their opinions: they have a right to do so, and I welcome a healthy debate, provided the parties involved remain on topic and the debate doesn’t devolve into name calling and fisticuffs ( love that word; it just doesn’t get used enough). Voltaire said that “I do not agree with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it,” and I fully agree with that sentiment. Allow me to paraphrase his famous quote to make it relevant to 21st century America: “I do not agree with what you say, but you do have the right to look like a complete idiot.” Now THAT makes complete sense to me!}

We live to learn, and fortunate are we when we are wise enough to profit by it.

26

Jason Burnett

Minneapolis, MN

15 December 2013

I hope that the Worldcon in general - and the fanzine lounge in particular - lived up to your hopes. I've yet to attend a Worldcon, though I still hope to someday. I particularly enjoyed your account of Iguanacon and the political goings-on at the time. (I turned 5 in 1978, and so hadn't quite entered my fannish prime.) Harlan Ellison staying in a Winnebago to protest Arizona's recalcitrance over signing the ERA certainly makes him look good in my eyes. (Harlan always seems to be either doing something that makes him look very good or something that looks very bad. I've never heard of him coming down in the middle.) Of course, it doesn't make the country look good that we never did manage to ratify the ERA.

Hearing about the Arizona 1978 state of affairs in conjunction with the current political situation in Texas has gotten me to wondering "What's up with Worldcons being held in politically backwards places?" Is it just that having that much science fiction around highlights whatever backwardness is going on (and hence anyplace hosting a Worldcon would look regressive by comparison) or that fans in reactionary places need SF more (and hence are more likely to try to host a Worldcon)? Or perhaps it's some other factor entirely.

As usual, I enjoyed Orange Mike's Chattacon report - it's one of those recurrent fannish events that I look forward to each year. I was intrigued by his note that Baen Books will be publishing Frank Chadwick's first novel. I have fond memories of playing Traveler with my friends when I was in my early teens. Traveler's black-covered, digest sized books (compared all the other role-playing game book, which were brightly colored and letter sized) told us right away that this was serious science fiction role- playing (as opposed to TSR's Star Frontiers, which struck us as fluff, not to be taken seriously at all). Other Frank Chadwick games I've enjoyed have included Twilight 2000 (which has now existed long enough to make the transition from near-future techno- to ) and Soldier's Companion (a set of steampunk miniatures rules for the Space: 1889 setting, which my old war-gaming group used to play 19th century colonial battles). Chadwick is obviously skilled in world-building; it only remains to be seen if he had the storytelling chops to accompany it. My money's on yes. (And regardless of how the book turns out, it's fun to see him still around.) {This sounds like fun. I am not a serious game player, but I would think that someone who is good a world-building in game settings may develop into a decent writer. This may be a book worth reading once it’s published. Feel free to read it and review for this zine, Jason.}

As for what makes a fanzine loccable, I'd sum that up in 3 words: content, content, content. While layout is important in establishing a zine's identity (one can easily tell an Alexiad from a Chunga from a Vanamonde without reading a word), I can't recall ever being inspired to write because of some aspect of a fanzine's layout. (Layout may make a difference in whether or not I read a fanzine, but that's another matter entirely.) And so whether (and at what length) I LOC a zine depends on what's going on in the zine and whether or not I feel that I have something to add to the "conversation." Of these two factors, I'd say the second probably plays a greater role in my loccing behavior. For example, Joseph Major's book reviews in Alexiad are well-written and interesting, but they're often about books I haven't read and present such a complete package that I don't find myself with anything to add. Another factor, even if I find I have something to add to the conversation is "Is this a conversation I want to be involved in right now?" For example, in a recent issue of Broken Toys, Taral published a piece speaking out against libertarianism, which prompted a vigorous response from Bill Patterson. I definitely could have spoken

27 up at that point and added something, but this just wasn't a conversation I wanted to be involved in. And, of course, sometimes I just like to hear myself talk.

Jason Burnett

{Indeed. I would say that content comprises 75% of an interesting/good fanzine, provided we are assigning numbers to assessing fanzines. You are completely correct in that a zine’s appearance establishes its identity – good examples of this, too – and I would think that Askance is successful in this regard. Content and editorial presence likewise contribute to a fanzine’s personality, but the bottom line for generating letters of comment falls on the content of the articles. Sometimes I am at a loss to write locs on Drink Tank, BCSFAzine, Alexiad, Knarley Knews, Science Fiction in San Francisco, and other fanzines simply because the content doesn’t interest me enough to prod me to write. There are times when I think like Lloyd Penney, who is our generation’s Harry Warner, Jr., in that I really should say *something* to let that zine’s producer(s) know that their fanzine has been read. Even a little nod of appreciation is enough feedback to keep on pubbing one’s ish. I am nowhere near as cantankerous as Taral Wayne, but again, his zine Broken Toys is definitely a written portrayal of the man and his personality. And you are right about getting into “a conversation I wanted to be involved in.” If you can add to that conversation, go ahead. Still, sometimes the best thing to say is nothing at all. In that case, I would just fire off a brief e-mail of comment (an e-moc, in today’s fanspeak) to let the faneditor know I’ve done the old-fashioned ray-bink thing (RAE, BNC = read and enjoyed, but no comment). Again, it’s good to hear from people in some fashion.

COA’s Sidebar notes of note

The Frozen Years by James Blish. Shelby Vick - Changing to [email protected] New York: Signet (1957). Guy H. Lillian III - Send your zines and snail mail to Guy and Rosie I began reading this book a few c/o Joe Green, 1390 Holly Avenue, Merritt Island FL 32952 ... for nights ago and it is thoroughly now. enjoyable. Then again, anything by Blish is enjoyable reading. The I ALSO HEARD FROM – premise is that during the 18-month International Geophysical Year (1957-58) the polar expedition Jose Sanchez made a discovery that literally Guy H. Lillian III changed the world. This book is Jacqueline Monahan also one of those satirical takes on Murray Moore science, business, economics, and Sheryl Birkhead human culture/foibles much like Dean Sweatman Pohl and Kornbluth’s classic The Ned Brooks Space Merchants, but is more character-driven than the broader swipes that Pohl and Kornbluth took.

28 REGIONAL SF AND RELATED SUBJECT MATTER CONVENTION CALENDAR

Ikkicon VIII

Japanese & Pop Culture Convention December 27-29, 2013 The Hilton Austin 500 East 4th Street Austin, TX 78701 Austin, Texas area Anime Idol, Anime Music Video(AMV) Contest, Anime Poetry Slam, Dance Contest, Media Gallery (Artist Alley & Exhibitions), Dealers Room, Art Show, and more!

Space City Con

Geek festival January 3-5, 2014 Moody Gardens Hotel, Spa, & Convention Center Seven Hope Boulevard Galveston, Texas 77554 Galveston, TX area "Space City Con is an all-ages festival of comics, sci-fi, , gaming, literature, and art! Envisioned as a "geek festival with free parking," our goal is to put on the best convention possible for current generations of fans, and instill a love of comics, Sci-fi and fantasy in the next generation. It was founded in 2012, and with only 5 months to prepare, the event drew nearly 2000 unique individuals, most of whom attended all weekend. We are the Gulf Coast’s newest fan culture convention, offering a robust mix of authors, artists, comics, sci-fi, fantasy, anime, gaming, costuming, fan group networking, literature, writing workshops and more, in a venue meant to be more approachable to families and children. Space City Con embraces the Kids Need to Read foundation, since our founders consider these elements as fuel for creative thinking, vocabulary, reading comprehension, and most of all, expanding the boundaries of what is known, into dreams and a yearning for what is unknown, what is unseen…but can be painted by the incredible human heart, mind, and . Space City Con wishes to pass on the torch from one generation to the next, echoing the cry for “Inspiring Imagination!”" Sponsored by: MechCorps, Dark Skull Studios, Mag Con, Privateer Press, Dark Nova

29 Chupacabracon

Gaming con January 17-19, 2014 Hilton Austin Airport 9515 Hotel Drive Austin, TX 78719 Austin, Texas [B]oard games, roleplaying games, strategy games, speakers and panels.[C]onvention for fans by fans to play games, learn from game makers and authors, and just generally have fun. The proceeds of the convention will support Austin Creative Pathways, a local nonprofit (IRS status pending) that will guide youth seeking careers in the gaming, scifi/fantasy - whether they be artists, writers, programmers or musicians. Our goal is to help underprivileged young people to get the support and tools they need to have the creative careers they desire.

Helio Con

Speculative Fiction (Sci Fi, fantasy, horror, graphic and comics) con.

January 26, 2014 [10:00AM to 6:00PM] MCL Grand Theater 100 North Charles St. Lewisville TX

Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex area

Mission: Helio-con celebrates the world of and all who appreciate imagination that remains unrestricted by reality. Helio-con will gather together visionary artists and the community of speculative fiction fans in Denton County and throughout the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex. Our mission is to assemble fans of science fiction, fantasy, horror, and alternative realities, their art, their tools, and their supporters to create an exciting, fun, friendly, collaborative, and enjoyable experience. Visitors will explore the awesome, boundless world of the unreal through celebrity guest appearances, book signings, ephemera and collectibles shopping, costume contests, gaming, panel discussions, scene re-enactments, art displays, and raffles. A portion of our proceeds benefit Habitat for Humanity See also: https://www.facebook.com/HelioCon

It suggests the possibility, and substantially the certainty, that man is himself a microbe.

30 UshiCon

Anime con (FOR AGES 18&up) February 7-8, 2014 Round Rock, Texas Panels, gaming, video, dealers room, artists alley.

OwlCon

Gaming, Fantasy, & Science Fiction Convention February 21-23, 2014 RMC/Ley Student Center Houston, TX OwlCon is an annual gaming convention at Rice University, Houston, TX, dating back to 1980. We feature table top and role playing games, miniatures games and events, historical miniatures, board games, card games, a dealers' room, and more. OwlCon 32 gaming events will include RPGA and PFS events and specials, official tournaments for Warhammer 40k and Warhammer Fantasy, many tabletop games, several LARPS including and Call of Cthulhu, and many other games with prizes galore! OwlCon will once again be swarming with official demo folks for various game systems to give you a chance to try some of their great games. We will also have an anime room and a Dealers’ room.

ConDFW XIII: Exploring New Worlds

A Science Fiction & Fantasy Literary Event February 21-23, 2014 GOH: Kevin J. Anderson GOH: Alain Viesca ConDFW is a literary science fiction and fantasy convention featuring programming focused on writing and publishing, science programming, excellent guests, art show, charity book swap, short story contest, and a slew of non-traditional activities such as the Sci-Fi Spelling Bee. The Normal Features: Art Show, Autographs, Dealer's Room, Con Suite, Panel Discussions, Gaming, Gallery Tables, Freebie Tables And the Abnormalities: Charity Book Swap, Hard Science Panels, Intergalactic Archaeology, "Late Night Double Feature", Artist Drawing Challenge, Sci-Fi Spelling Bee, Short Story Contest, Spontaneous Sing- Alongs Brought to you by the Texas Speculative Fiction Association, a 501 (c)(3) organization. 100% volunteer-run.

31 Furry Fiesta

Texas' only furry convention February 21-23, 2014 InterContinental-Dallas 15201 Dallas Pkwy Dallas, TX 75001 (Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex area) Dealer's Den, Artist Alley, Art Show, Video Room, Charity, and more!

All-Con 2014

Multi-format convention featuring autographs, gaming, comics, & a burlesque show. March 13-16, 2014 Crowne Plaza 14315 Midway Road Addison, Texas 75001 (Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex area) For three days All-Con provides an umbrella of content supporting fans of Science Fiction, Fantasy, Renaissance, Anime, Costuming, Theater / Performing Arts, Mystery, Art, Crafts, Collecting, and Film Making. To help 'give back' there are several charity events at the convention every year. All-Con is fan organized and built on community participation. We offer a track dedicated entirely to cross promoting clubs, conventions, and events. The best part is you may cross promote as a panelist for FREE as long as we have space and your content is appropriate. Don't forget to bring flyers for the flyer table.

Anime Matsuri

Anime, manga, cosplay, and music festival March 14-16, 2014 George R. Brown Convention Center Houston, TX , Texas metropolitan area Panels, Gaming, Anime Theaters, Dealers Room, Artist Alley, Contests, Club AM (the ultimate anime dance/rave), and more!

Oh, no! there goes Tokyo – go, go, Godzilla!

32 Revelcon 25

The Little Con with the Texas-Size Heart March 21-23, 2014 Houston, Texas RevelCon is THE only fan-run relax-a-con/zinefest in the Southwest US. It's a fab weekend of vids, panels, art, zines, merchandise, food and frolic! [Note - Revelcon is an adults-only/18-and- over con.] Revelcon/Friends of Fandom Art Show

Re/Max Ballunar Liftoff Festival

(Presumably March 2014) NASA Johnson , Texas Visit this exciting and educational family-oriented event at NASA/Johnson Space Center and enjoy hot air balloon competitions, evening balloon glows, skydiving exhibitions, commercial exhibits, concession booths, food from local restaurants, arts & crafts exhibits, entertainment and various aviation equipment displays. Ballunar Liftoff Festival, Inc., is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization. Its mission is to help the public learn about aviation and space exploration, and to sponsor and fund educational activities that encourage young people to learn about aviation and space and to study mathematics and the sciences.

AggieCon 45: Who Put Aliens in My Fantasy?

Oldest & largest student-run science fiction convention in the U.S. Now with more SCIENCE! April 4-6, 2014 Hilton Hotel & Conference Center College Station, Texas ...[D]emos, lectures, workshops, panel discussions, games, and media showings. Dealers Room, Art Show, Gaming, Cosplay, Video Room, Charity, etc. See also AggieCon Facebook page Brought to you by Cepheid Variable

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Family-friendly anime, gaming, and sci-fi convention in southwest Louisiana April 4-6, 2014 Lake Charles Civic Center 900 Lakeshore Drive Lake Charles, LA 70601 Spring Hill Suites (Host Hotel) Lake Charles, Louisiana CyPhaCon is proud to announce the following groups/performers for CyPhaCon 2014: Carnival Epsilon, Airship Horizons, The D20 Girls Project, Bedlam Bards, The Suzaku 7, SWLA Browncoats, Lafitte’s Ladies, USS Orleck Navel Museum, and the Houston Browncoats! We’re also happy that fan groups 501st, Red Stick Rebellion, The Rebel Legion, Louisiana StarGators, Hunters Den, and the USS Lafitte of Starfleet International have once again committed to joining us. Anime Industry Panels, Anime Screenings, Artist Alley, Board Games, Charity Auction, Cosplay Events With Prizes, Dealer Room, General Cosplay All Over, Guest Panels, Live Action Role Playing, Role Playing Games, Video Gaming, Workshops. Sponsored by the non-profit Future Possibilities Foundation.

MagCon 6

Mad About Games Convention. Gaming con. April 12-13, 2014 New Caney ISD Annex 22500 Eagle Drive OR 21569 U.S. 59 New Caney, Texas 77357 (Montgomery County. Northeast up US59 from Greater Houston Area)

ReaperCon

Annual Game convention of Reaper Minitures. Hosts sculpting and painted classes in addition to gaming. (Presumably April 2014) Denton, TX 76210 Epic TableTop Games, Sculpting and Painting Classes, MSP Open Painting Contest, Trade-In Your Bits Program, Prizes for Costumes, Award Ceremonies, Reaper Bucks Auction, And So Much More!

And it wasn’t just the same, anyway, because we were sooflaskies, and they were only swinks.

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Methinks the 31st issue of this August fanzine – sometimes it’s published in that month, like the 29th issue – will appear in March, which provides me with a bit of a problem: what kind of material will be included? At the moment, that is a wide open question with absolutely no answer. Oh, sure, I’ll ramble on about assorted things: sf & f television shows, comments about fandom, fanzine reviews, maybe a convention report, and so forth, but other than that, who the heck knows?

A quick glance at the regional convention calendar provides a possible clue. Valerie has a January art show she is preparing for, and February offers a convention we’d like to attend, if at all possible – ConDFW over the weekend of February 21 -23, 2014. Val has said that she has enjoyed literary science fiction conventions much more than the media-centered ones, such as Aggiecon (the 45th one is coming up on April 4-6, 2014), which is now the local staple in my con-going diet. So if we can afford to get to ConDFW XIII, expect a con report; I have heard good things about that particular convention, so we shall see. Plus, our Houston Steampunk friends tell us that Revelcon (March 21-23, 2014) is always enjoyable, which means that one gets added to the potential con-going list. The nice thing about Revelcon is that it is a mere 90 minute drive away in Houston, making it exceedingly accessible. All-Con, another Dallas convention, is one of those multi-media events that sounds like fun and is held during Spring Break, so that’s a possibility, but I’m not holding my breath on that one. In fact, strike it from the list. Forget I mentioned it.

Further down the line in 2014 are a handful of Steampunk events in Texas and environs that Valerie and I are interested in, such as OctopodoCon, which is held in Oklahoma City usually in October; if there is a Skybourne Masquerade Ball next fall in Dallas, we’d like to go; and let’s not forget those wonderful FenCon (September) folks who put on such a wonderful convention. Oh, and then there’s Armadillocon two hours away in Austin (an August event). Decisions, decisions.

Thus it appears that we are going to be busy, busy, busy this coming year. As much as I would love to get to them all, I understand that budget is paramount and dictates which events we will actually attend. So be it. We are having fun, and that’s the most important part.

Until next time, keep your stick on the ice. - John Purcell

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