Volume 16, Issue 6 December/January ConNotations 2006/2007 The Bi-Monthly Science Fiction, Fantasy & Convention Newszine of the Central Arizona Speculative Fiction Society

A Conversation with Featured Inside Christopher Moore Regular Features Special Features By Catherine Book SF Tube Talk A Conversation with All the latest news about Christopher Moore I met Chris Moore at a local indepen- supposed to be “Munching Wackos.” Scienc Fiction TV shows by Catherine Book dent bookstore on March 31st in between While I loved the poetry of the “Lust several events and drivebys. He ate lunch. Lizard…” title, Chris still wishes it had 24 Frames NaNoWriMo Draws Nigh I asked questions. He talked around the remained “Munching Wackos.” sandwich. He was rushed and stressed but In case you don’t know what Chris All the latest Movie News by Shane Shellenbarger awfully friendly and accommodat- Gamers Corner An American in Canada ing. He had just New and Reviews from Part 2 finished a talk and a the gaming world by Jeffrey Lu signing. The signing went long Videophile In Memory but he never Reviews of genre releases John M Ford showed any on DVD Nigel Kneale impatience, he was Frank McShane just as friendly and ConClusion Wilson “Bob” Tucker accommodating to Convention News & Reviews Jack Williamson the last fan as with the first one. MangaZone I’ve been a Plus Reviews of Manga and Comics rabid fan since I discovered “The CASFS Business Report Lust Lizard of Musty Tomes Melancholy Cove.” What’s not to love Moore does, I should probably pause Reviews of Classic Genre books FYI News and tidbits of interest to fans with a title like that?? And almost all his here and try to enlighten you. While his In Our Book titles are just as intriguing and bizarre: stuff is usually filed with general fiction, Club Listings “Island of the Sequined Love Nun” and there isn’t really a genre to describe him. Reviews of New SF/F Books “Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, It’s mostly fantasy, and there’s humor, of Convention List & Christ’s Childhood Pal.” So I had to course, and there’s irony. There’s a little Generic Registration Form know: did Chris name his own books? morality but not the preachy kind. And Actually – yes. However, sometimes he then there’s just plain weirdness. His gets overruled. “Lust Lizard…” was ( Continued on page 8 )

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Volume 16 Issue 6 ConNotations Page 1 Pick up your copy of ConNotations at the following locations In This Issue Who Is Who This Issue BOOK STORES 3029 W. Peoria, Suite CC, Phoenix, AZ Managing Editor: Stephanie Bannon Bent Cover Bookstore 85021 (602)395-1066 News & Reviews Assistant to the Editor: Gary Swaty 12428 N. 28th Drive, Phoenix, AZ 85029 3155 W. Chandler Blvd #5, Chandler AZ CASFS Business Report 2 Graphics Editor: Craig L. Dyer Film & Video Editor (602) 942-5932 85226 (480)940-6061 SF Tube Talk 3 : Len Berger & Craig Book Adventure Comics, Legends & Heroes L Dyer 24 Frames 3 Promotions Directors: Len Berger, 660 N. Gilbert Rd, Suite B, Gilbert AZ 13560 W. Van Buren, Ste. B102, Goodyear, Musty Tomes 5 Richard Bolinski, Craig L Dyer 85234 (480) 892-2120 AZ 623-932-3433 FYI 6 Advertising: Catherine Book Book Den Drawn to Comics Proof Readers: ConClusion 7 Catherine Book & Bob 15410 N. 67th Ave, Glendale, AZ 85306 5619 W. Glendale, AZ 85301 LaPierre & Gary Swaty (623) 486-2529 (623) 847-9090 Videophile 8 Reporters: Craig L Dyer, Jeffrey Lu Book Exchange Samurai Comics Gamers Corner 10 Staff Writers: Pam Allen, Stephanie L In Memory 12 Bannon, Catherine Book, Shane Bryner, 4320 N. Miller Road #F, Scottsdale, AZ 5024 N. 7th St, Phoenix AZ Craig L. Dyer, Michael Griffin, Bob 85251 (480)990-8380 (602) 265-8886 In Our Book (Book Reviews) 14 LaPierre, Jeffrey Lu, Shane Shellenbarger, Book Gallery Stalking Moon Comics & Collectibles MangaZone 19 Gary Swaty, Tom Tuerff, Lee Whiteside, 3643 E. Indian School Rd, Phoenix AZ 5775 W. Bell Rd #B-6, Glendale, Arizona Randall Whitlock 85018 (602)468-0400 (602) 896-9992 Special Features Layout & Design: Stephanie L. Bannon Book Rack Keeper of the Mailing List: Craig L. Dyer A Conversation with Christopher Moore Contributors: M.L. Fringe 3539 W. 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Page 2 ConNotations Volume 16 Issue 6 Leone, Paul Workman, and Laura Santa terrorizing a sorority house during Harkcom. the holidays. Written and directed by SF Tube Talk Coming up on Scifi in December is 24 Frames Glen Morgan (The X-Files) and starring TV News & Previews the end of the second season of Doctor Movie News Michelle Trachtenberg, Oliver Hudson, Who and the end of the first half of the Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Katie Cassidy, By Lee Whiteside third season of Battlestar Galactica. By Lee Whiteside Lacey Chabert, and Kristen Cloke. It’s the end of one year and the January on SciFi is the debut of two new Expect lots of good holiday cheer in this beginning of a new one and we’ve got series, The Dresden Files, and Painkiller DOA: Dead or Alive (Dec 8) Once one. lots of new things to talk about. We’ve Jane, as well as the return of Battlestar again, a new release date for the movie got news on this year’s SciFi Channel Galactica for the second half of its third based on the video game starring Natassia Children of Men (Dec 25) An adaptation December miniseries, some new series season. The Stargates will not return until Malthe, Jaime Pressly, Devon Aoki, Brian of the P.D.James story about a futuristic starting in January, a look at the hot new March. J. White, and Holly Valance. I’d say society where humanity faces extinction genre shows on the networks, and news Battlestar Galactica will have its last odds are still 50/50 it will actually be because no one has been able to on a new Babylon 5 production. couple of episodes in December before released on this date..... reproduce. England has been in chaos At press time, J. Michael Straczynski the third season’s halfway point, with the and as things appear to be improving, the was getting ready to direct the first show returning in early January after a Eragon (Dec 15) This year’s big fantasy appearance of a woman who is pregnant installment of Babylon 5: The Lost Tales. few weeks off over the holidays. The movie is based on the novel by teen throws things into chaos even more. It was originally intended to be three show has done fairly well in the fall slot, sensation Christopher Paolini. Starring as Alfonso Cuaron directs and Julianne half-hour stories but has since changed doing better ratings than SciFi’s normal Eragon is Edward Speeler and he is joined Moore, Clive Owen, Michael Caine, into two longer stories that will feature numbers in this time period, but below by John Malkovich as King Galbatorix, Chiwetel Ejiofor, and Charlie Hunnam John Sheridan (Bruce Boxleitner), what it did last season. It is still SciFi’s Jeremy Irons as Brom, Djimon Hounsou star. Captain Lochley (Tracey Scoggins) and flagship show and will likely get renewed as Ajihad, Sienna Guillory as Arya, and the Technomage Galen (Peter Wood- for another season if not more. First up is Chris Egan as Roran. It is the story of a Pan’s Labyrinth (Dec 29) Opening in ward). A segment planned with Garibaldi Unfinished Business which will deal with boy named Eragon who finds a blue stone limited release is Guillermo del Toro’s (Jerry Doyle) has been postponed for a Fight Club on board one of the ships as in the forest that he discovers it is a fantasy epic. Set in Spain in the 1940s, it later according to Straczynski. Once they well as show some flashbacks to life on dragon egg. The arrival of the dragon is the story of Ofelia, who is living with got farther into production planning, they New Caprica, giving us more info on brings him into a world of magic and her mother and adoptive father. With a realized doing three separate stories Baltar and Lee and Kara’s falling out. In power. backdrop of the fascist military, Ofelia would be a larger undertaking than they’d Eye of Jupiter, a survey crew on a creates her own fantasy world to escape like for the first time out, so the budget desolate planet is stranded when Cylons Night at the Museum (Dec 22) Ben into which helps her come to terms with and time for the third story has now gone attack the fleet. While exploring the Stiller stars as Larry Daley, who has taken the real world. It stars Maribel Verdu, towards making the other two better. He’s planet they find a temple with important a job as the night watchman on the Ivana Baquero, Sergi Lopez, Ariadna Gil, said very little about the content of these information about Earth. The show graveyard shift at a museum of natural and Alex Angulo. new stories but has indicated there would returns in early January with Rapture, history. He accidentally activates an be a common theme of “command” in the which concludes the main story started in ancient curse that brings all of the exhibits Hostel 2 (Jan 5) Three young Americans first set. Settings would be all over the Eye of Jupiter and sees Baltar return to to life. Robin Williams plays Teddy studying in Rome are invited to join a Babylon 5 universe, including Minbar, the fleet and Sharon and Helo get Hera Roosevelt, Patrick Gallagher is Attila the model at an exotic destination that is Earth, Babylon 5, and Mars. He’s also back from the Cylons. In Taking a Break Hun, with Mickey Rooney, Dick Van really a place for them to become victims indicated they plan to make the most use From All Your Worries, Baltar is recap- Dyke, Ricky Gervais, Carla Gugino, and of the sick and privileged. of today’s technology in revisualizing the tured and ends up in the brig. He is now Kim Raver also starring. Babylon 5 universe. Straczynski has suspected of being a Cylon and he’s not written the scripts and will direct them sure that they are wrong. In The Woman Black Christmas (Dec 25) A remake of ( Continued on page 5 ) with a production crew based in King, Helo investigates reports of a the 1974 horror movie about a psycho Vancouver. Music will be done by doctor not being a good one to people, Christopher Franke, who did the music especially Sagittarions. A Day in the Life for the original Babylon 5 series. If features a flashback to Commander things go as planned, the first DVD Adama’s marriage on his wedding release should be available sometime in anniversary. the first half of 2007. Also on SciFi on Friday nights are the The SciFi Channel’s December final episodes of Doctor Who’s second miniseries is The Lost Room, which will season. December starts off with The air over three nights from Dec 11-13. Satan Pit, concluding the two-parter Originally developed under the name where The Doctor and Rose meet The Motel Man, the miniseries will star Peter Devil on a remote planet. After that is Krause as homicide detective Joe Miller, Love and Monsters, where a group of Elle Fanning as his daughter, and people who have been made aware of The Julianna Margulies as the mysterious Doctor’s existence are used by an alien to Jennifer. Miller is contacted by Jennifer, try to find and capture The Doctor. Next who claims her brother was killed over a up is Fear Her, where the 2012 Olympics motel room key that has the power to in London is the backdrop for a creepy unlock a door into a room full of mysteri- story about a girl with special drawing ous object with strange powers. When abilities. Finally, the two part season Miller comes into possession of the key finale, Army of Ghosts and Doomsday, and starts to investigate, his daughter sees the return of two major enemies of disappears into the room and Joe be- the Doctor and a teary-eyed end to the comes the subject of a police investiga- story of Rose Tyler (and her family). tion as well as the target of several SciFi’s December movie premiere shadowy organizations wanting posses- (airing December 16) is Dead and sion of the key. Roger Bart is Professor Deader, which stars Dean Cain as a Howard Montague who is Miller’s main special forces officer who becomes part adversary who is obsessed with finding human and part zombie after surviving the key. Also trying to obtain the key is being infected by a beetle carrying a Karl Kreutzfeld (Kevin Pollak), a zombie virus. He must race against time wealthy businessman working with to stop a pandemic before everyone is independent operator Suzie Kang turned into zombies. Also stars John (Margaret Cho), who has been tracking Billingsley (Star Trek Enterprise), and identifying the various objects related Armin Shimerman (Star Trek: Deep to the room. Also getting caught up in the Space Nine), and Dean Haglund (The adventure is Martin Ruber (Dennis X-Files, The Lone Gunmen). In other Christopher), the county coroner and a SciFi movie news, SciFi has reached friend of Joe Miller, and Harold Stritzk agreement with RHI Entertainment for a (Ewan Bremner), a petty thief who slew of new movies for their Saturday teams with Miller to help him find his night movie slot. These include Grizzly missing daughter. Directing is Craig R. Rage, Maneater, Eye of the Beast, Blood Baxley, from scripts by Christopher ( Continued on page 4 ) Volume 16 Issue 6 ConNotations Page 3 SF Tube Talk but will be played by Kristanna Loken things are going and how things will play most of the Smallville audience and ( Continued from page 3 ) in the series, who will also be a co- out which has led to a lot of activity in keeping the demon hunt going. Coming executive producer. Loken is best known online forums speculating about the up in January is Hunted, where a young Monkey and In the Spider’s Web. Look for playing the Terminatrix in Terminator show. There’s been rumors about who woman has a dream about Sam getting for most of these to be screened in 2007 3 and also recently appeared in the Dark will play Sylar and indications that there blown up in an explosion and finds him on the channel. Kingdom: The Dragon King miniseries will be more recurring characters brought to warn him and Sam realizes he has a The Dresden Files is based on the aired on SciFi earlier this year. As in. Also, Jack Coleman (Horn Rimmed psychic connection with her. She doesn’t series of books by Jim Butcher about described by the SciFi Channel Press Glasses aka Claire’s father) has had his want to have any part of that life, though. Harry Dresden, a wizard in modern-day release “Painkiller Jane is the story of status raised to a series regular from a In Playthings, Dean and Sam visit the Chicago. Robert Hewitt Wolfe and Jane Vasko a DEA agent who is recruited recurring character. Over on CBS, Cornwall Inn, which is a creepy old Hans Beimler are producing and co- by a covert government organization Jericho has stuck to more standard mansion that is now a run-down hotel. wrote the pilot script and are currently tasked with capturing ‘Neuros’ - geneti- storytelling with a few mysteries about When they talk to the owner who is filming in Toronto. SciFi has ordered 11 cally-enhanced individuals who possess what is really going on with some of the trying to sell the hotel, they start to episodes to go with the two-hour pilot superhuman powers of the mind. During characters. It will likely stick to realistic realize things are far from normal there. movie. The series will star Paul the course of her first investigation with speculative fiction and not inject more Over on Showtime, their new series Blackthorne as Harry Dresden with the team, Jane inexplicably discovers that fantastic elements into the series. Dexter has done very well for them, Valerie Cruz as Lt. Connie Murphy and she too possesses extraordinary abilities - Elsewhere on the broadcast networks, earning the title of their most watched Rebecca MacFarland as Susan abilities that render her impervious to NBC has brought back Medium to its show and already getting a second season Rodriguez. Others featuring in the pilot injury ... but not pain. She develops schedule earlier than planned due to the order. The show appears to have accom- (and likely as regulars on the series) miraculous regenerative powers, healing failure of Kidnapped. It is now on plished what Showtime wanted, a highly include Conrad Coates as Morgan, from every injury and finding herself Wednesday nights in the final hour of watched edgy drama that has generated Elizabeth Thai as Ancient Mai, Joanne stronger than she had been before. As she prime time. ABC aired six episodes of some buzz for them. The also have Kelly as Bianca, and Raoul Bhaneja as continues to work with the government to Lost before putting it on hiatus until started up the second season of Masters Kirmani. The opening movie will follow hunt Neuros, Jane tries to uncover the February when they will run the rest of of Horror, which continues to deliver relatively closely to the first book in the cause of her own transformation and what the season nonstop until May. In its place horrific tales each week from well-known series, with Harry dealing with a rogue - if any - connection she shares with the for the interim is the Groundhog Day- horror directors and writers. Coming up wizard and the vampire Bianca. When a very people she is pursuing.” Other like series Day Break, starring Taye are the episodes Pelts, directed by Dario gangster and his girlfriend are found regular characters include Andre Diggs as detective Brett Hopper. Hopper Argento, teleplay by Matt Venne; The murdered with their hearts having been McBride, the leader of the Neuro Unit is having a really bad day, being framed Screwfly Solution directed by Joe Dante, removed from them, Lt. Connie Murphy that Jane joins up with, and Connor King, for the murder of the District Attorney teleplay by Sam Hamm; Valerie on the brings Harry Dresden in to find the killer. the loose cannon and ex-con who is kept and finding his loved ones in danger. As Stairs written and directed by Mick The series will also feature regular on a short leash by Andre. Look for the the day ends badly, he discovers he is Garris based on a story by Clive flashbacks with Harry’s father and his series to air either on Friday nights or living it all over again. Each episode of Barker; We Scream For Ice Cream uncle, Justin Morningway, who was possibly on Tuesday nights where it the series will be Hopper trying some- directed by Tom Holland, teleplay by Harry’s teacher that Harry killed in self- might be a good matchup with Extreme thing different to change the day, hoping David J. Schow; The Black Cat directed defense when Justin turned evil. And, as Championship Wrestling. that he will be able to make things work by Stuart Gordon, teleplay by Gordon in the books, Bob, the spirit that lives in a In Stargate news, MGM has announced a out and he can continue with his life and Dennis Paoli; The Washingtonians skull in Harry’s basement will be a part of plan to make at least two direct to DVD instead of reliving the day over and over. directed by Peter Medak, teleplay by the show. No announcement yet as to Stargate SG-1 movies. The first will tie Caught up in the day is Hopper’s girl- Johnathon Schaech and Richard who are playing the last three roles. up the Ori storyline while the other will friend Rita Sheldon (Moon Bloodgood), Chizma; Right To Die directed by Bob Joining the show’s staff as writers are deal with a time travel storyline. They Rita’s ex-husband Chad (Adam Schmidt; Dream Cruise directed by David Simkins, Curtis Kheel, and Jack plan to release them in Fall 2007 and they Baldwin), Hopper’s sister Jennifer Norio Tsuruta, teleplay by Tsuruta and Bernstein. will also likely be screened on television, Mathis (Meta Golding), Hopper’s Naoya Takayama. According to series Wolfe has been fairly active online possibly the SciFi Channel as happened partner Andrea Battle (Victoria Pratt), creator Mick Garris, they’re being a bit letting fans know of the progress of the with the Farscape miniseries. In other and gang leader Damien Ortiz (Ramon more daring with this season having show and has indicated what things will Gate news, Atlantis has added Jewel Rodriguez). Whether the show will be worked out some of the kinks with the be different in the TV series as opposed Staite to their cast for a semi-regular role able to make each episode different first season. Individual episode DVD to the books. Some of the character for its fourth season. No details yet on enough to keep viewers tuned it remains sales have been good so there will likely names are different due to rights issues what her character will be. Staite is best to be seen. It worked for the movie be more seasons to come. Garris (there actually is a Chicago cop by the know for her portrayal as Kaylee on Groundhog Day and for the most part previewed his episode Valerie on the name of Karen Murphy, which is OK for Firefly and its movie followup Serenity. with Tru Calling, but making an entire Stairs at the International Horror & SciFi a book, but not for a TV series). Harry She also played a Wraith girl in a season series about redoing the same day over Film Festival in Tempe in October. It Dresden will be driving a vintage Jeep two episode of Stargate Atlantis. and over looks to be more than people stars Tyron Leitso as a writer taking up instead of a vintage VW Bug (it just isn’t Getting back to the broadcast networks, may want to see on a regular basis. residence in a home of unpublished practical to film inside of one and the big news is that the two new genre The CW debuted in September, rising writers who finds strange things going Blackthorne is just a bit too big for a shows have not only made it to Novem- from the ashes of The WB and UPN, on. Clare Grant stars as Valerie, with bug), Harry’s staff will be a hockey stick, ber sweeps, but both have been picked up bringing Smallville and Supernatural Christopher Lloyd as a writer and not a standard wizard’s staff, and the for a full season. NBC has the most to intact onto Thursday nights. The initial creator of a beast played by Tony Todd. White Council is called the High Council. crow about with Heroes, which is the ratings for the new network have defi- It works as a Twilight Zoneish- type Wolfe has also indicated that like highest rated new show of all of the nitely not been the sum of the former two episode with the requisite amounts of Butcher did in the books, Susan is de- networks in the key demographics, has networks and has, in most cases, been blood and nudity required by the series. emphasized in the TV series with the been easily winning its time period on lower. For the two genre shows, they For more details on the other episodes, focus being on Harry, Murphy, and Bob Monday nights and it has been improving have performed well enough to not be a the www.mastersofhorror.net website has with Morgan and Kirmani being the as the season progresses as well as doing cause of concern for their fans, especially detailed info on all of the episodes. As secondary characters along with Harry’s good ratings in repurposed airings on considering how some of the other shows with the series, it is not for the squea- father and Justin in the flashbacks. Look SciFi. Jericho, CBS’s post nuclear attack on the network have been faring. Coming mish. for the show to join SciFi’s schedule in series, has also done well and been very up on Smallville after a month of repeats Coming up on ABC sometime this season January, likely paired up with Battlestar competitive for CBS although not is Hydro, which guest stars Tori Spelling will be a six-episode run of Masters of Galactica on Friday nights. delivering quite the ratings that Heroes as Linda Lake, the new gossip reporter Science Fiction. The series will not Also coming on the SciFi schedule in has been doing but well enough to keep it for the Daily Planet. She is able to turn require large ratings to be a success on January is Painkiller Jane. The pilot on the air for a full season. Being new herself into water. According to producer ABC since they are paying a fairly small movie did fairly well for SciFi when it shows, there’s not much advance info to Alfred Gough in a TV Guide interview licensing fee and the producers plan to aired last year, and a series of 22 episodes be found for them and we’re likely to see “she’ll be exposing the very big secrets make their money on DVD sales. They has been commissioned that will air first mostly repeats in December and January that will be driving the second half of the are also developing a Masters of Fantasy on SciFi and then run in syndication. The of both shows. season.” Smallville has been developing series that will take a different approach weekly series will follow much closer to Heroes has been adding to the interest the Green Arrow (Justin Hartley) by creating a fantasy world that fantasy the comic book co-created by Joe with weekly online comics that tell storyline with a payoff in January with writers will create stories for, much like Quesada and Jimmy Palmiotti. The background and side stories tied into that the episode Justice where Oliver Queen has been done with the Dragonlance and movie had Jane as part of a military week’s episode. According to one report, will begin forming a Justice League. similar gaming lines. In the meantime, group and a feel that was not much like NBC will keep new online comics Guest starring will be Alan Ritchson look for the Masters of Science Fiction the comic and had little involvement by coming even when the show is a repeat. (Arthur “AC” Curry aka Aquaman), Kyle to turn up on ABC either as filler when a the creators of the comic. For the series, The breakout character for the show has Gallner (Bart Allen aka The Flash), and show gets canceled or as a mid-season Palmiotti has been very involved with been Hiro (played by Masi Oka) but Lee Thompson Young (Victor Stone aka replacement to air instead of repeats of creating it and plans to write and also other characters are also developing their Cyborg). It is rumored to also feature an one of their regular series Directors direct for the series. Jane was played by own followings. With the time travel appearance by the Martian Manhunter. include Michael Tolkin, Jonathan Emmanuelle Vaugier in the pilot movie, possibilities there’s no telling where Supernatural has been holding on to ( Continued on page 5 ) Page 4 ConNotations Volume 16 Issue 6 SF Tube Talk appear to have been pulled with airings of becomes convinced is an alien from Mars. the most historically significant (H.G. ( Continued from page 4 ) season two of The Batman airing in its The story won the Hugo and Nebula best Wells?), or my favorite (too many). It is Frakes, Harold Becker, Darnell place starting in November. Episodes novellete in 1995. John Cusack plays just that his themes and interests directly Martin, Mark Rydell, and Michael coming up on Kids WB of the Legion of David, with Amanda Peet, Joan Cusack, address the USA’s most pressing Petroni. Stories include A Clean Escape Super Heroes include Child’s Play, Sophie Olonedo, Oliver Platt, and Bobby problems. You may find this surprising, (Story by John Kessel, script by Sam where a young sorcerer causes trouble Coleman also starring. since he wrote from 1937 to the 1960s, Egan), Jerry Was a Man (Story by and Superman learns about his vulner- and died in 1978. But two of his favorite Robert A. Heinlein, script by Tolkin), ability to magic; Lightning Storm sees Blood and Chocolate (Jan 26) A Romeo topics were bureaucracy and unnecessary The General Zapped an Angel (Story by Lightning Lad join up with an older and and Juliet tale involving werewolves tells war. Surely those two have combined to a Howard Fast), Little Brother (story and cooler team; however, he learns they the story of a teen werewolf who gets perilous degree nowadays. script by Walter Mosley), Watchbird aren’t what they seem; and in Brain bored with her pack mates and falls for a Russell was John W. Campbell’s (Story by Robert Sheckley, script by Drain a malfunction causes Braniac 5’s human. Based on the story by Annette favorite writer, and often appeared in Sam Egan), and The Discarded (story by IQ to plummet and Superman and Timber Curtis Klause. Olivier Martinez, Agnes Astounding magazine (now titled Harlan Ellison, script by Ellison and Wolf travel to an inhospitable planet to Bruckner, Hugh Dancy, Katja Riemann, Analog). This alone might be surprising Josh Olsen). Actors include Judy Davis, obtain a rare element needed to save their and Bryan Dick star. since he was not a hard-tech writer. In Sam Waterston, Anne Heche, Malcolm friend. Other upcoming episodes will fact, his limited ability to imagine new McDowell, Terry O’Quinn, Elisabeth feature the substitute Legion, the return The Invisible (Jan 26) Based on the story technology makes all of his work very Rohm, Clifton Collins, Jr., Kimberly of Cosmic Boy, and a two-part season by Mats Wahl (Den Osynlige) and the outdated to read. Spaceships are full of Elise, Sean Astin, James Cromwell, finale with a Sun Eater heading towards Swedish movie of the same name, it is transistors and telephones. So are alien Brian Dennehy, John Hurt and James Earth’s sun. In The Batman, upcoming about a high school senior attacked and cultures on other worlds. There’s nothing Denton with Professor Stephen Hawk- episodes include The Artifact where a left for dead in a case of mistaken identity. exotic or magical. So why was he ing introducing each episode. My initial villain from the past threatens Gotham He is left in a state of limbo with his spirit Campbell’s favorite? expectations for this series has dimmed 1,000 years in the future; Two of a Kind observing the police and his family Because you don’t read him for the somewhat with fewer name stories being where The Joker takes an interest in TV searching for him as he is slowly dying. hardware. You read him for the social used than originally announced (no pop psychologist Harley Quinn and David S. Goyer directs and it stars Justin situations and personal human interest. Bradbury or Asimov) and initial decides to groom her as his new partner Chatwin as Nick, Margarita Levieva as For some good antiwar stories, check out involvement by some writers has been in crime; and Seconds sees Batman Annie, Marcia Gay Harden as his mother, ‘The Best of Eric Frank Russell.’ Not that diminished or re-written to the point of thwarted by a criminal that can travel Christopher Marquette, Michelle he was anti-military. He grew up in a their names no longer being on the back in time by a few seconds to escape Harrison, and Alex Ferris. British military family and was in the scripts. I’m hoping it will do well enough capture. Other episodes this season RAF in World War Two. His stories of to get more episodes made and not just feature the Joker and the Martian exploration ships in government service end up as a bigger budget version of The Manhunter (with an alien invasion of Musty Tomes presaged Star Trek (‘Men, Martians, and Outer Limits. Gotham City). Machines’, ‘The Great Explosion’). His Over in the U.K., the Doctor Who spin- For more schedule information, news and Major Ingredients, the Selected Short novel ‘The Great Explosion’ has a off series Torchwood debuted with record links, visit the Magrathea/SFTV Pages at Stories of Eric Frank Russell premise like the ‘Firefly’ TV show; with setting numbers for BBC3, making the www.sftv.org Contact Lee Whiteside at edited by Rick Katze humanity’s dissenters scattering to make BBC very happy with it. Viewing figures [email protected] NESFA Press, 2000, 703 pp., $29.00 their own worlds. One such has an for repeat episodes including airings on economy based on “obligations” instead BBC2 have also been good. Indications Entities, the Selected Novels of Eric of money, and freedom based on the are that the BBC will likely be wanting Frank Russell passive resistance phrase “I won’t.” His more beyond the first season. There are politics were very independent. 24 Frames ( Continued from page 3 ) edited by Rick Katze, NESFA Press, also good indications that the show will 2001, 691 pp., $29.00 This alone would’ve got Campbell, be turning up on SciFi in the U.S. Happily N’Ever After (Jan 5) Fairy Tale (includes Wasp, Sinister Barrier, besides a shared belief in psychic powers. Episodes coming up on BBC3 include World’s head Wizard goes on Holiday and Sentinels of Space, Call Him Dead, Many of his stories are psi-based, or take They Keep Killing where the team uses Cinderella’s wicked stepmother takes over Next of Kin, and 3 other stories) the Fortean view that we’re subjects of alien technology to interrogate the in this animated parody of the Brothers secret alien watchers (‘Sentinels of victims of a serial killer and find out the Grimm fairy tales. Voice actors include Design for Great Day Space’, ‘Sinister Barrier’). He is also truth is close to home; Invisible Eugene is Sarah Michelle Gellar, Freddie Prinze Jr, by Eric Frank Russell and Alan Dean known for the reverse theme: an obvious about the victim of a hit and run driver Sigourney Weaver, George Carlin, Andy Foster human troublemaker among aliens. Often who had been collecting alien technology Dick, Wallace Shawn, and Patrick Tor Books, 1995, 255 pp., $21.00 these are humorous tales of a scout and was afraid the aliens would come for Warburton. flaunting the alien culture’s own rules him. Gwen investigates his world and At this point in our history, I daresay (‘Diabologic’, ‘Design for Great Day’). finds he may not be completely gone The Martian Child (Jan 19) Based on the that Eric Frank Russell is the most The reissued novel from 1957 is a from this world; Out of Time has a novel by David Gerrold, it is the story of a important SF writer who everyone should more serious treatment, though. ‘Wasp’ is passenger plane from the 1950’s travel science fiction writer who wants to be a be reading. Note what I just said. I didn’t the tale of a secret human saboteur, landed through the rift and the Torchwood team father. He adopts a 6 year old boy who he say the best SF writer (alas, Heinlein?), on an alien world that is at war with Earth. helps them adjust to their new environ- The hysteria he generates might seem too ment; Combat has the team investigating familiar now. As a ring who is kidnapping Weevils; a novel of Captain Jack Harkness goes back to the techniques of time of the London Blitz where he finds sabotage and himself facing a dark secret from his past; terror, it runs the and in Apocalypse, The Rift is violently gamut from fractured, and Jack realizes that Torch- graffiti to wood is destined to be drawn into one beheading. vast battle that will leave nothing and no Didn’t I say it one at Torchwood unchanged. Rumors was relevant to are that the end of the first season of today’s Torchwood will tie directly into Jack’s problems? Oh appearance near the end of season three my, you had of Doctor Who. better hurry up The 2006 Christmas special for Doctor and read a copy Who is The Runaway Bride, where a before it gets bride (Catherine Tate) finds her wedding censored out of day interrupted by an alien plot to take existence. - over the Earth. The aliens are spider-like M.L. FRINGE and rumors are we may see Sarah Jane and K9 again (or that may be a confusion with the possible airing of the first Sarah Jane Investigates episode). The special will air on the BBC on Christmas day. On the animated front, Kids WB appears to have been doing well with new episodes of The Batman and Legion of Super Heroes. Over on the Cartoon Network, episodes of the Fantastic Four Volume 16 Issue 6 ConNotations Page 5 award for her cookbook “365: No Manga Club Rick Michod, Profession of Ecology & Repeats.” You can learn more about it at 1st Tuesday, 7pm Evolutionary Biology FYI www.thequills.org. Bookmark it and vote Borders in Chandler next year. Featured Exhibit at the Arizona Science CASFS Book Discussion Scimitary-Talon Center Phoenix Cactus Comicon News Medieval Recreationists “Wired for Thought: The Developing The CASFS Book Discussions for Dec 2, 12:30pm Brain” December will be at the Bookmans in Jan 26, 12:30pm Phoenix at 8034 N. 19th Ave at 7PM. Mike Mignola, creator of “Hellboy”, and George Perez, artist for “Teen Titans”, Feb 3, 12:30pm Stargazing Beginiing in January the discussion will Bookmans, Phoenix Central Dec 2, 7pm, special ‘Star of Bethlehem’ beheld at The Bent Cover 12428 N 28th will be at the Phoenix Cactus ComiCon presentation Drive on third Tuesday at 7PM 2007. The date will be Jan. 26-28, 2007 at Southwest Costumers Guild Jan 6, 7pm If you haven’t read the book, stop by Mesa Convention Center. You can register Dec 9, 9am Peoria Challenger Space Center anyway. Our discussions are rarely Bookmans, Phoenix Central Starlab Planetarium limited to just the book scheduled for that online at your local comic store $25 till December 31- $30 till January 15- $35 at Dec 30, 11:30am, 12:30pm month. Celtic Harpist Chris Boyston Jan 13, 11:30am, 12:30pm Email questions to [email protected] the door. Website: Dec 23, 2pm Peoria Challenger Space Center December 12: Accidental Goddess by www.phoenixcomicon.com Info: Bookmans, Phoenix Central Linnea Sinclair. A sexy, out-of-this-world [email protected] Telescope Help Seminar, bring your own adventure about Gilliane who became a Allison Ewing Jan 24, 7pm, $10 goddess while she was time-traveling 2006 World Fantasy Reading from “Awakening Beauty” a Peoria Challenger Space Center after her ship was attacked. dark fairytale January 16 - Variable Star by Robert Award Winners Dec 2, 3p-5p Telescope Stargazing Class Heinlein & Spider Robinson. Derived Bent Cover bookstore Jan 31 & Feb 7, 7p-9p, $40, RSVP from uncompleted manuscript by Robert Best Novel: KAFKA ON THE SHORE by Peoria Challenger Space Center Heinlein. Conflicts with Heinlein’s David Lee Summers established Future History. Should be Haruki Murakami Best Collection: THE KEYHOLE Talk & demonstration on solar sails Check the websites for confirmation, fun to debate. Dec 9, 1p-3p location and more information. February 20 - Storm Front by Jim OPERA by Bruce Holland Rogers Bent Cover bookstore www.borderstores.com Butcher. The first of the “Dresden Files” Best Anthology: THE FAIR FOLK edited www.changinghands.com books, soon to be a TV series. A work- by Marvin Kaye GAMING www.poisonedpen.com ing-stiff wizard/private eye in Chicago. www.bookmans.com An awful lot of fun. Best Novella: VOLUNTARY COMMIT- TAL by Joe Hill Strategy Gaming Night www.barnesandnoble.com March 20 - A Secret Atlas by Michael Dec 2, 5pm www.bentcoverbooks.com Stackpole. Based on the premise that Best Short Story: COMMCOMM by Jan 6, 5pm www.imperialoutpost.com those moments when one is “in the zone” George Saunders Feb 3, 5pm www.azscience.org whether it be sports, music or something Best Artist: James Jean Bookmans, Phoenix Central www.azchallenger.org else, that one is unconsciously accessing magic or a supernatural power to be Special Award - Professional: Sean Wallace for Prime Books Living Arcanis D20 Roleplaying better than we normally are. If one could Dec 16, 12:30pm NaNoWriMo train to that premise, then their art or Special Award - Non-Professional: Telos Jan 20, 12:30pm talent could be raised to a supernaturally Books Bookmans, Phoenix Central high level. Interesting idea… Lifetime Achievement Awards: John April 17 - A Princess of Roumania by Draws Nigh Crowley; Stephen Fabian Hero-Clix gaming Paul Park. Miranda has been hidden in Sundays, 6pm by Shane Shellenbarger our world to protect her. She’s really a Bookmans, Mesa Princess in an alternate world of conjur- EVENTS OF INTEREST Dungeons & Dragons RPG ers. Now she has to go home. Sounds Mondays, 6pm We’ve all heard about “The Great like fun, should interest Harry Potter LITERATURE & SIGNINGS Bookmans, Mesa American Novel” and some of us have fans… even attempted to write one, but when May 15 - Perdido Street Station by RPG night China Mieville. An example of the “new Stephenie Meyer you’re trying to compete with such novels December 9, 7pm Tuesdays, 7pm as The Great Gatsby, Catcher in the Rye, weird.” For more than a thousand years, Bookmans, Flagstaff the parliament and its brutal militia have Changing Hands bookstore The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, The ruled over a vast array of workers, spies, Retro Video Game Tournament Grapes of Wrath, A Farewell to Arms, magicians, and junkies. Now a stranger Diana Gabaldon December 13, 7pm Dec 2, 12:00pm you have to ask yourself, “ Do I have has come with an impossible demand, Bookmans, Flagstaff and inadvertently something unthinkable Changing Hands bookstore what it takes?” It may be better to set your is released. A reckoning is due and it is sights a bit lower; it may be more Diana is hosting Dana Stabenow Dungeons & Dragons too late to escape. Lots of literary kudos 1st & 3rd Sundays, 6pm reasonable to set a goal that can be to this one… January 19, 7pm, Poisoned Pen, Scottsdale Bookmans, Tucson on Speedway accomplished in a shorter period then the June 19 - Declare by Tim Powers. A years it would probably take to write “The cold war espionage tale with a supernatu- RPGA: Shield of Almor ral twist. Absolutely fabulous Christopher Moore Great American Novel.” How about February 2, 12:15pm 1st & 3rd Sunday, 11am writing a novel in a month? No, not storytelling. Imperial Outpost Games Poisoned Pen, TBD “T.G.A.N,” but 50,000 words in 30 days. INTERESTING TIDBITS James Sallis & Dana Stabenow Writers VSCCG Tournament You may scoff, but it’s been done and I’ll Tuesdays 7:30 pm (not on Dec 26) tell you how. The Quills Award Workshop January 20, 10a-3pm, $125 Imperial Outpost Games In 1999, Chris Baty was a writer Poisoned Pen, Central Phoenix working in the San Francisco Bay area, Congratulations to our own Diana Hero Clix tournament Gabaldon for winning the Quill Book Friday, 7pm experiencing the dot-com boom with no Award for best Science Fiction/Fantasy/ Metaphysical Mondays, 7pm Borders in Glendale Imperial Outpost Games bust in sight. As bizarre as that time was, Horror novel, her “Breath of Snow and Baty decided to write a book, and to make Ashes” beating out “A Feast of Crows” SCIENCE by George R.R. Martin.. This annual Fantasy/Sci-Fi book discussion group it interesting he was going to write his award is determined by votes from 4th Wednesday, 7pm first novel in one month. He spread the Borders in Glendale The Evolution Speaker Series ordinary readers. Various mediums are sponsored by the Univ of Arizona idea around and two weeks later on, July judged in 20 categories including a Book- st st Metaphysical Fridays, 7pm College of Sciences 1 , 1999, twenty-one people began the 1 of-the-Year. Christopher Paolini took the Arizona Science Center Annual National Novel Writing Month. prize for “Eldest” in the Teen category. Borders in Paradise Valley Dec 13, 7pm, Cosmic Evolution: From Of those twenty-one, six finished and the Christopher Moore’s “A Dirty Job” took Big Bang to Biology it for General Fiction (see his interview in Metaphysical Wednesdays, 7pm remaining fifteen wrote everywhere from Borders in Avondale Chris Impey, Professor of Astronomy this issue.) Naruto, Volume 7 by Masashi Jan 31, 7pm, Social Evolution: Coopera- 500 to 49,000 words. If you are Kishimoto won for Best Graphic Novel. tion and Conflict from Molecules to wondering why Baty chose 50,000 words, And for those who are addicted to Society cooking shows, Rachael Ray took the ( Continued on page 7 ) Page 6 ConNotations Volume 16 Issue 6 NaNoWriMo ( Continued from page 6 ) inevitable. After your goal has been Luck of the Draw: Oct. 12-15, 2006 at completed within the allotted time you ConClusion HexaCon 16 the answer is simple; he grabbed the will be permitted to gloat, do a gleeful jig, Bigger and Better: Phoenix Cactus by Jeffrey Lu shortest novel on his bookshelf, Aldous and collapse from exhaustion until such Huxley’s Brave New World, did a rough ComiCon 2006 time that you have sufficiently recovered by Jeffrey Lu Okay, this was luck. count, and went with that figure. Other enough to unshackle your editor and On Thursday evening, I went to the novels of a similar length include, Of begin the process of detail work on the Listening to fans singing “Yoda” and preview of the Barry Bard at the Movies Mice and Men by John Steinbeck, sculpture, which is your novel. Memorial. I was the second person to Generation X: Tales of an Accelerated another “Weird Al” Yankovic Star Wars In his book, “No Plot? No Problem!: A song; I sat on a bench playing a hand held grab a prize- a horror dvd. I thought this Culture by Douglas Coupland, The Low-Stress, High-Velocity Guide To was a cool thing before Halloween. Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark game. I was tired. Writing A Novel In 30 Days.”, Baty Not that I was bored… far from it. During that time, I had played cards. Twain, and The Hitchhikers Guide to the dispenses writing advice with a mixture of More often than most, I lost. Galaxy by Douglas Adams. November is Two whole days, I had been in the humor and practicality. A sampling of dealer’s room and found some cool stuff. I wandered and watched some new designated as National Novel Writing chapter titles includes: Ch. 2: Time- games I have never before heard of. Month. I saw artists from Marvel to Devil Due’s Finding, News-Breaking, and a Step-by- Publishing. Another, I grabbed a couple Found out later some were playtesting. After experiencing that month, Baty Step Guide to Transforming Loved Ones On Sunday morning, I went to the concluded that the thing that most of free movie posters. This was cool. into Effective Agents of Guilt and Terror, Compared to last year, this con was at Barry Bard Memorial Movies. I again separates people from their desires isn’t a Ch. 4: Cruising for Characters, Panning obtained the second ticket for the table of lack of talent, but a lack of a deadline. least three times bigger. Even though the for Plots, and the First Exciting Glimpses volunteers did not know what they were goodies. (Wow, two in a row. I’m often Goals without the essential evil of a of the Book Within, and the final chapter, in next-to-last place in the local deadline allow people to put off until doing, they tried their best to help out. Ch. 9: I Wrote A Novel, Now What? The preview night was confusing. conventions. ) I made my choice and tomorrow what they should (or could) do The idea of A-Novel-In-A-Month has later gave it to a friend. today. He also realizes the task of writing Left within an hour. spread to the more formal field of The weekend made up for it. With Lady Luck on my side, I’ll be a brilliant novel in the time span of a academia. On October 21, Phoenix back. (Maybe I should go to Las Vegas?) month is unrealistic for most people, but There was a game room. Also, two College launched CRW271 Section 1181, video games competition rooms. Even a the goal of writing 50,000 words is within “30 Days = A Novel.” According to Kate the realm of possibility with these three drawing room for want-to-be artists. Cross, Director of the Creative Writing People from panels came and went. I elements: a Herculean task, a supportive Program for Phoenix College, “’30 Days network of family and friends, and a didn’t have the program on Friday to = Novel’ was a standing-room-only know what was going on. definite deadline. If those rules are the success! Thank you for your enthusiasm! foundation of writing a novel in a month, So, I signed up for next year. We had to turn away many of you because Hopefully, I’ll know what’s going on the the following elements are the framework: registration was closed earlier.” If enough 1. Low Expectations = High Yields. coming three-day Phoenix Cactus interest is shown, Cross stated that the ComicCon 2007 in Jan. (Playing my Your goal isn’t to write a brilliant first class would be added to the Summer draft, your goal is to write 50,000 words. handheld Texas Hold ‘Em game, I won. session. If interested, e-mail Kate Cross at Still have no idea how I did it.) Let’s assume that you want to write more [email protected] than just the same word 50,000 times. I highly recommend that you find out 2. Write In Packs. Misery loves more about Chris Baty’s trials, company, so if you can find some kindred tribulations, and triumphs. Baty writes in souls who want to write a novel in a an easygoing, friendly manner that makes month gather them and their writing his book a quick read and it can be used instruments together at a commonly as reference afterward if you are agreeable venue (the local coffee shop, convinced to take the plunge and write perhaps) and get to work. “Company” can your own novel. As you may have also be friends and family who are willing guessed, the book runs about 50,000 to check on your progress throughout the words. month. http://72.14.209.104/u/ 3. Activating Your Deadline. You need http://www.nanowrimo.org/ to decide what month out of the year will http://www.npr.org/templates/story/ provide you with your greatest chance at story.php?storyId=835782 http:// success. Short months, gift-giving www.npr.org/templates/story/ months, vacation months away from your story.php?storyId=1132946 writing instrument of choice tend to http://www.npr.org/templates/story/ provide built-in failure. Months with story.php?storyId=4184192 three-day weekends, horrible weather, or http://www.npr.org/templates/story/ when distracting housemates won’t be story.php?storyId=6075934 around can provide long stretches of http://www.scalzi.com/whatever/ uninterrupted writing. 002560.html 4. The Month-Long Novelist http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A188633 Agreement and Statement of http://www.4hb.com/communicate/ Understanding. This is a pledge and 0250jcgreartamericannovl.html contract with yourself of your intent to http://www.everything2.com/ write a 50,000-word novel, ignoring index.pl?node_id=1030797 notions of “craft” or even “competency” until they are needed AFTER the thirty- day period for editing purposes. You agree to shackle your inner editor, ignoring its piteous cries, wails, and moaning. You agree that nothing will stand in the way of completing your goal, neither Hell nor high water will stop you, and that the deadline is absolute, unchangeable, and Volume 16 Issue 6 ConNotations Page 7 Conversation ( Continued from page 1 ) none of them will agree on one way to convention at a Worldcon around about write a book. But, this is strange even for 1994 and he went to one in 2002 just to first published story was “Practical writers: Chris outlines with a big pad of meet his editor. And, for the first time, Videophile Demonkeeping” which was a charming paper on which he draws circles and he’ll be the Writer Guest of Honor at little tale of a fellow who got saddled with lines… But some things are universal – LunaCon, New York, next March. I’ll be ***** X-Men The Last Stand a voracious demon some 70 years before work is overlapping more and more. interested to hear what he thinks of fans **** Supernatural - The Complete and spends his time on the road trying to While he’s editing the last one, he’s begun after that. First Season find human scum to feed the demon and research on the next. Then, he’s promot- So what’s next, I wondered? A little *** Silent Hill ing one book while he’s writing another. historical comedy set in medieval En- keep him from eating nice people. Until ** Dungeons & Dragons: Wrath The only trouble with that is that he gland. Nothing like a little plague humor, he wanders into Pine Cove… “Lust of the Dragon God Lizard…” is also set in Pine Cove. One doesn’t write while he’s on the road so he smiled. year the folk in the town were particularly promoting a book tends to slow down the ** The Curse of Lizzie Borden - melancholy and the weight of it was a lure next story. And when he’s not working, Director’s Cut to a particular sea monster who came up Chris likes to eat, work out, take photo- * Mutation to see what there was to snack on. He graphs and watch movies. Sometimes the An American in turned himself into a trailer home and ate movies and photography lend themselves ****X-Men The Last Stand newspaper boys and Avon ladies. And to ideas. (I have a strong suspicion that Canada Part II: 20th Century, 104 minutes, PG-13 then there was “Lamb…” which is an eye- Chris has a ViewMaster that is linked to DVD $29.99 opening account of the missing years of an alternate reality and he just relates Questioning Quebec Jesus, from his best friend’s point-of- what he sees. How could one man think From the back cover: “Experience view. And what impressed me most about up so much weirdness…?) But it’s not by Jeffrey Lu the awesome power of the X-Men’s this story was that Chris could be irrever- really work – it’s all play to Chris; he epic, final battle. Join well-known ent and respectful at the same time – and hasn’t had a real vacation in ten years. He Quebec. Quebec? The city, that only a mutant heroes and villains, and meet a it all worked! It’s hard to describe probably doesn’t need one. few years ago, wanted to rebel against cadre of all-new warriors - including Moore’s stories; they really have to be Over and over again, as I’ve sat in on Canada and be a country? The French- Angel, Beast, Juggernaut, and Colossus experienced in person. Moore doing readings and public events – speaking citizens hate Americans? I was - in this thrilling, explosive adventure! His stories seem very attractive to he stresses that he really researches his wrong. After a controversial “cure” is Hollywood, too. “Practical books. You just wouldn’t think of that Early in the morning, I signed up for a discovered, mutants can choose to retain Demonkeeping” has been bought outright while you’re wallowing in the story. He trip to downtown Quebec. I enjoyed the tour; seeing the old town by horse and their superhuman abilities or give up by Disney but it’s been sixteen years and tends to spend as much as six months their unique gifts and become “normal”. they haven’t done anything with it yet. doing research. I asked him which story carriage. The place had dual languages signs in French and in English. When peaceful mutant leader Charles Chris has quit asking. “Bloodsucking he was most proud of: definitely Xavier (Patrick Stewart) clashes with Fiends” was bought outright as well; “Lamb…” he answered. That novel was The tour guide was, I believe, a local French-speaking college professor. He his militant counterpart, Magneto (Ian while “Coyote Blues” has been optioned the most ambitious and he was very proud McKellen), the battle lines are drawn that he pulled it off. But “Fluke, or I grinned and showed us the beautiful five times! Several others are still under sights of Quebec. One of them not only for the war to end all wars.” option, including his newest story “A Know Why The Winged Whale Sings” Non-stop action from the first was the most problematic. He explained perplexed the group but also the locals. Dirty Job” which just published this year. The tour guide mentioned a gift from moment. Jean Grey as the Dark Any of them would be a movie natural that that one was hard because he needed France to Quebec. He asked us what Phoenix becomes as worthy an and his fans would attend in droves. I so much science in it while it still had to France gave to the U.S.? Someone opponent as she was an ally. The very wondered if Chris was interested in doing be comprehensible and funny. mentioned the Statue of Liberty. He real dilemma presented by the “cure” is the screenplays for any of them (a lot of And who is his audience, I asked? smiled and nodded. handled well and is thought provoking writers wouldn’t touch a screenplay if you Well, he grinned about this one – the The professor then said we’d be long after the film ends. held a gun to their heads) and he an- curve is from the precocious eleven-year- seeing what France gave to Quebec. This is a great chapter in the X-Men swered that the only one he’d like to do old to the 75-year-old grandpa with the We came. We saw. We wondered. series. Very highly recommended. - the screenplay for would be “Bloodsuck- 37-year-old, once divorced, trauma nurse My mouth dropped. Instead of a lady Stephanie L Bannon ing Fiends.” He thought it would be as the median. You see? I can’t get a dull in green with a torch, I see the gift. I think fun… answer from him. He does appreciate his I saw the French’s gift to Quebec. Supernatural - The Complete So… how does he do it? What’s his fans, he tells me he gets dozens of email Questioningly, I looked at the tour guide. First Season style? Where do the ideas come from? daily and while he won’t answer an epic He nodded in sadness. I looked again with concern. Warner, minutes, NR Not surprisingly, Chris doesn’t do with an epic, he will offer a line or two in DVD $59.99 anything the expected way. Not that response to every email. You can reach The “gift” was a few white cube there’s really a ‘normal’ way to write a him at www.chrismoore.com. things stacked together. A modern art sculpture...from France. From the back cover: “ The Creepy book. Lock up six writers in a room and And fandom? Now those people are The Demented The Unexplained The weird, he told me. Chris went to his first Now, I see why the locals like us. (Next, An American In Canada Part 3: Unearthly Scenic Cruising at Saguenay Fjord) Sam Winchester (Jared Padalecki) grew up hunting such terrifying things. But that’s all in the past. Law school beckons him. So do safety and normalcy. That is, until Sam’s estranged brother, Dean (Jensen Ackles), appears with troubling news: their father, a man who’s been hunting evil for 22 years, has disappeared. So now, to find him, the brothers must hunt what their father hunts... and Sam must return to the life he thought he’d left behind.” I had high hopes when this series premiered and I was not disappointed. Sam and Dean have some creepy stand- alone “monster” encounters as well as the continuing story arc that ties the season, and the series together, without the tedious, overly serious, conspiracy- behind-every-event atmosphere that has spoiled other shows. The cliffhanger ending was suspenseful without being overdone. I look forward to many more seasons of Supernatural. - Stephanie L Bannon

( Continued on page 9 ) Page 8 ConNotations Volume 16 Issue 6 **The Curse of Lizzie Borden - Videophile ( Continued from page 8 ) murdering dozens of innocent victims. MUTATION.” Director’s Cut Until Detective Steve Gornick tracked the Another low budget horror film. This Razor Digital, 82 minutes, NR maniac down and destroyed him. one is a Frankenstein-type tale in which a ***Silent Hill DVD $14.99 Years later, a brilliant young scientist doctor brings a notorious serial killer back Sony, 125 minutes, R injects K’s corpse with an experimental to life. Predictably the killer goes on a DVD $29.99 From the back cover: “Nestled within a serum, bringing the killer back to life and killing spree, there is lots of gore, cursing quiet California town, a museum dedicated giving him superhuman strength and and bad acting. From the back cover: “Based on the to the legend of Lizzie Borden has been speed. This one, unfortunately, doesn’t have best-selling horror action game, Silent opened. As K cuts a bloody path through Los any redeeming features; even the “Making Hill stars Radha Mitchell (Man on Fire) Cassy, a beautiful college student is Angeles, he begins to mutate into an of” feature has the feel of “Uncle Joe with as Rose, a desperate mother who takes drawn to the museum, taking a summer job unstoppable force of evil. Even the his new Xmas camcorder” with poor her adopted daughter, Sharon, to the as a tour guide. Cassy is quickly propelled detective who once put him down may not sound quality and bad lighting. - town of Silent Hill in an attempt to cure into the mystery of the Folklore surrounding be able to destroy the monstrous Stephanie L Bannon her of her ailment. After a violent car the legend of Lizzie crash, Sharon disappears and Rose Borden. It begins to begins her desperate search to get her consume her every waking back. She descends into a fog of moment. She begins smoking ash and into the center of the dressing, acting and twisted reality of a town’s terrible talking as if she were secret. Pursued by grotesquely Lizzie Borden. And there deformed creatures and a townspeople are the dreams. Dreams of stuck in permanent purgatory, Rose blood and death! begins to uncover the truth behind the One by one her friends apocalyptic disaster that burned the are found murdered and town 30 years back.” her boyfriend, Andrew This is a taut, chilling thriller. The begins to fear the worst. atmosphere of the town is incredibly Cassy may be next! creepy, there are some genuine “gotcha” Is some madman moments and the ending is both sad and killing off all their friends, haunting (not to mention leaving things or has the ghost of Lizzie ready for a sequel). Going into this, I Borden come back for a was not aware that it was based on a bloody rampage? game and can honestly say that you do Will Cassy and not need to be familiar with the game Andrew be able to stop the Silent Hill in order to enjoy this film. killer, or will they fall I have not yet checked out the victim to the same fate special features on the DVD, the film that Lizzie’s parents did so alone was enough to convince me to add many years ago? this one to our DVD Library. Until the final bloody Recommended - Stephanie L Bannon axe falls, no one is safe **Dungeons & Dragons: from the CURSE OF Wrath of the Dragon God LIZZIE BORDEN” Warner Brothers, 105 minutes, NR This is obviously a DVD $19.99 low-budget, independent film. While the premise is interesting, the story has Ok - this movie played out slower no real links to the actual than a normal gaming session. It starts Lizzie Borden case, the out with Damodar (played by Bruce museum does not Payne) the villain from the first movie resemble the actual who finds an orb that will break the Borden house and the curse set upon him. He then plots to acting is amateurish. That awaken his dark god to rule over the said, if you are willing to world. have realistic expectations Meanwhile, Berek and Melora this is a fun, albeit gory, (played by Mark Dymond and romp of a horror flick. Clemency Burton-Hill ) are summoned Ax murders, to see why people aren’t returning from beheadings, oozing a cave. There they find a dragon intestines, a couple of sleeping and a possible larger plot. gratuitous sex scenes and When Melora tries to locate the source lots of foul language through a magic spell, Damodar curses makes this unsuitable for her for snooping. Now, Berek must children. But for everyone gather together four heroes: Lux, the else, grab a bowl of female Barbarian (Ellie Chidzey); popcorn and enjoy. It is so Dorian, a cleric (Steven Elder);, bad, it is fun! - Stephanie Ormaline an Elf Wizard (Lucy Gaskell); L Bannon and Nim, a Rogue (Tim Stern), to bring back the orb to break the curse. *Mutation The plot seems to go more into what Razor Digital, 85 is happening to Melora than to the minutes, NR adventurers. The special effects and DVD $14.99 Dragons are nicely done; but for a movie called “Wrath of the Dragon From the back cover: God” there aren’t many dragons. There “Bone-crunching martial were two traps, 3 puzzles, 3 magical arts combine with heart- items, and, I think, a max of ten spells pounding horror in this used throughout the movie. This could intense sci-fi thriller. have been a better movie’ but at least it “K” was the most was better than the first movie. - Ninjakittyofdoom infamous serial killer of his day, torturing and

Volume 16 Issue 6 ConNotations Page 9 aboveground for awhile. There are several Warhammer 40,000 The Traitor’s Guard regiment, fight a Chaos Marine and Gamers Corner plots going on at once with the paladin Hand a daemon, and have a duel. tracking them, and the subsequent by Sandy Mitchell Liked it. Cain is one lucky person. adventures that brings are the final third Black Library Publication, $7.99, 380 Recommended for humor-type sci-fi Dragon Compendium Volume 1 of the book. Since this books ends on a pp. readers and 40,000 Warhammer fans. - Dungeons and Dragons cliff-hanger, I hope the next one is out Jeffrey Lu $39.99, Paizo Publishing, 250pp soon. This is the third book on Commissar The characters are well-developed and Ciaphas Cain. A fellow Commissar First let me say, OMG! I perused this are typical game characters. I’d swear that attempts to discredit Commissar Cain’s volume expecting to see a lot of articles some of the comments came from a home heroic action against the Chaos invasion. ( Continued on page 11 ) mired hopelessly in past revisions. I found campaign I was in for years. In his Cain not only has to defend these instead several of the best articles from commentary, Burlew says he has enough accusations, but also has to counter a the past updated to version 3.5. I used to material in his head for four more deadly cult, a rivalry of another Imperial play a jester in times past; the update volumes. I better make space for them on makes great sense and looks superbly my shelf. - Bob LaPierre playable. The volume is split into several It was great to have three sections including: Races, Classes, such wonderful volumes Prestige Classes, Classics (articles on to review. See you next Charlaine Harris Glyphs, Poisons, Riddles, and many time. more), Monsters, and an appendix with, author of the Sookie Stackhouse Southern Vampire novels, Harper Connelly series, among other things, the solo dungeon Jeffrey’s Corner charts from the original DMG. and the Aurora Teagarden and Lily Bard Mysteries I am looking forward to actually using Warhammer 40,000 For is the these articles in gaming and found the fact The Emperor that it is Volume 1 very auspicious. My by Sandy Mitchell only problem with this book, like the next Black Library Author Guest of Honor one, is that I had to purchase them since Publication, $7.99, 395 at nothing has come in this time for review. pp. Five stars out of five. - Bob LaPierre This is Commissar Races of the Dragon Ciaphas Cain’s first CopperCon 27 Dungeons and Dragons adventure. He not only $29.99, Wizards of the Coast, 160pp has to deal with a murdered alien (Tau) September 7-9, 2007 Dragons have long been the most ambassador in front of his impressive (when run properly) creatures eyes, but also needs to in D&D. This volume lets you play one of survive against an alien the many races which have dragon’s invasion, riots on the blood running through their veins. The streets, and mutiny. Of Artist Guest Music Guests obvious ones are the Half-Dragon, and the course, there is a secret Kobold. The new ones are the Spellscale, Inquisitor investigating Sean Martin Heather Stern a scaled descendant of a dragon that is him as he tried to protect called strongly to sorcery, and the other alien ambassadors. & Dragonborn, a character race that goes This book made my through a long ritual giving themselves up day. Highly to Bahamut, the god of good dragons. recommended for humor- Allison Stern There are special feats and prestige type science fiction Sponsored by the Phoenix Filk Cirlce classes. Also, the spell lists are great; readers and Warhammer Memberships Rates however, the section on equipment and 40,000 fans. - Jeffrey Lu grafts - wow! Now there is also a great Our Location section starting each race called “A day in Warhammer 40,000 $30 through 03/31/2007 the life” that gives players a chance to see Caves of Ice just what kind of characters the race by Sandy Mitchell $35 through 06/30/2007 “typically” produces. Black Library Embassy Suites North Another excellent volume - 4.5 stars Publication, $6.99, 254 $40 through 08/15/2007 out of 5. - Bob LaPierre 2577 West Greenway Room Rates: pp. $45 at the door $109 S/D plus tax The Order of the Stick This is the second Volume 2 book on Commissar Each extra person is $10 No Cure for the Paladin Blues Ciaphas Cain. He and his Kids 7-12 half price* up to 6 people per room By Rich Burlew regiment of Valhallan Kids 0-6 Free* $29.95, Giant in the Playground, 244pp Guardsmen are brought Rooms include made to order breakfast to an ice planet to defend * with Adult membership Gamers and comics about gamers an important mining Pay on-line with Paypal and Happy Hour! have been around for 30+ years. Now, facility from the alien knowing this and having been a reader of invaders, the Orks. Cain the comics almost as long as I have been will find a more deadly Special Thursday Night Events with our guests for Pre-Registered Members ONLY playing; I didn’t think there would be enemy in the caves of ice. anything to these “Order of the Stick” Overall, I loved it. books. I am pleased to say I was very, Enjoyed the twists of a Along with the wonderful program items you have come to expect, CopperCon 27 will feature an very wrong. very deadly “sleepy” I laughed so hard at this volume I had alien enemy. Anime Room, Dealer Room, Gaming, LARPs, Hospitality Suite, Charity Auction, Demos to buy the first one as well. First- note Recommended for and much much more!! that the characters are stick figures. humor-type sci-fi readers Second - note that they are adventurers in and 40,000 Warhammer the world’s most popular roleplaying readers. - Jeffrey Lu By Mail: On the web: game. Third - they are both power gamers AND rules lawyers. Seeing them www.coppercon.org comment about the ranks the ranger took CopperCon 27 in the survival skill or comparing wisdom By Email: modifiers was just like watching a game PO Box 62613 being played at my favorite game store [email protected] (Hi Darren!). Phoenix AZ 85082 The book follows the adventurers as they leave the first dungeon and journey

Page 10 ConNotations Volume 16 Issue 6 Gamers Corner ( Continued from page 10 )

Reaper of Souls by Dan Abnett and Mike Lee Black Library Publication; 415pp., $7.99

This is the third installment. Another tale of Malus Darkblade searching for the next artifact- a dagger. Little does he know that he is fated for worse than death- a few “back stabbings.” After that, he will be “cutting out” his dreams. Different than the other two novels about this dark elf. Highly recommended in the twists and turns of betrayal from family, friends, and allies. Did not expect the near ending of his reunion with mom. This book is for dark fantasy and/or Warhammer readers. - Jeffrey Lu Warhammer: The Konrad Saga by David Ferring Black Library Publishing; $9.99, 650pp.

This omnibus has three novels within. They are “Konrad”, “Shadowbreed”, and “Warblade.” The story overall is about a wood-gathering orphan who will become a warrior even though he has no clue who he is. These are Konrad nonstop adventures. Page turners. Enjoyed all three. Recommended for dark fantasy readers and Warhammer readers. - Jeffrey Lu Warhammer 40,000: The Inquisition War by Ian Watson Black Library, $9.99, 762 pp.

There are two short stories, and three novels: “Draco,” “Harlequin,” and “Chaos Child.” Most of the stories are about a group - an inquisitor, an assassin, a navigator, and a dwarf- uncovering dark plots among mankind in space. Yet, not all of the team will survive. Overall, this is a dark science fiction. Recommended to Warhammer 40,000 readers. - Jeffrey Lu Warhammer 40,000 The Last Chancers by Gave Thorpe The Black Library, 765 pp, $10.99

Lt. Kage tells his stories in surviving the multiple suicide missions against the enemies of mankind. This is like a futuristic “The Dirty Dozen.” This omnibus contains two short stories and three novels- “13th Legion,” becomes a radical inquisitor. Enjoyed their German contacts be able to counter for dark horror and WWII history fans. - “Kill Team,” and “Annihilation Squad.” them all. Highly recommended to dark these monsters with just bullets and Jeffrey Lu Interesting read. Dark stories. science fiction buffs and Warhammer bombs? Or will they need something Recommended to dark science-fiction 40,000 readers. - Jeffrey Lu more? Fiends of the Eastern Front: readers and Warhammer 40,000 fans. - This is the first book of a war-horror Twilight of the Dead Jeffrey Lu Fiends of the Eastern Front: trilogy. by David Bishop Operation Vampyr Enjoyed this dark tale. Recommended Black Flame; $7.99; 249 pp. Warhammer 40,000 Eisenhorn by David Bishop to horror and history buffs. - Jeffrey Lu by Dan Abnett Black Flame Pub., $6.99, 254 pp This books is the final conclusion of The Black Library, 764 pp, $9.99 Fiends of the Eastern Front: the Eastern Front WWII trilogy. An The Germany Army invaded Russia in The Blood Red Army uneasy alliance with Germans and Inquisitor Eisenhorn and his crew are 1941. Strangely, to the Germans, the by David Bishop Russians fighting together against a fighting aliens, mutants, and heretics. But Rumanian “support” groups are only seen Black Flame; $7.99; 252 pp. common foe- the undead. other inquisitors think he is the enemy! at night…with pointed teeth. They are Dark. Some surprises. Enjoyed it This tome contains two short stories learning weapons and tactics of the This story is about a Soviet penal even though I wondered about the lake. and three novels- “Xenos,” “Malleus,” Germans air force and army to fight the group fighting the undead in Leningrad, Recommended for dark horror WWII and “Hereticus.” Soviet forces. 1942. readers. - Jeffrey Lu This was my first time reading Dan Three German brothers suspect these This is the second of the series. Abnett- very impressive. How a Puritan Rumanians to be vampyrs that are out to Interesting concept. There were some destroy humanity. Will these brothers and historically inaccurate points; but otherwise entertaining. Recommended Volume 16 Issue 6 ConNotations Page 11 in the Liavek shared-world, as well as Christmas card to his friends-it ended as nity to discuss his works has been formed In Memory song lyrics, comics, and a spy novel. the only poem to win the World Fantasy on LJ-called Nemesis Draco. Anyone is Most recently, he was working on a Award for Best Short Fiction. Neil welcome to join. Also, the John M. Ford John M Ford fantasy novel entitled Aspects, which was Gaiman, a close friend, tells of sending memorial endowment has been set up to Nigel Kneale unfinished. him a party invitation containing a typo, benefit the Minneapolis Public Library. Frank McShane John M. Ford was that very rare thing, a and then, Ford turning up at the party, Details can be found on Nemesis Draco at Wilson “Bob” Tucker real genius. He could discourse on performing a one-act musical based on it. http://community.livejournal.com/ Jack Williamson The next year, the invitation was nothing nemesis_draco/ He is survived by his more than driving directions to his house partner, Elise Matthesen. John M. “Mike” Ford with a footnote: “I want to see John M. 1957-2006 Ford turn this into literature.” That Nigel Kneale by Nadine Armstrong became a sonnet cycle. At Minneapolis April 18, 1922 - October 29, 2006 conventions, his “Ask Dr. Mike” panel- John M. Ford died September 25th, 2006, which was simply him, in a lab coat, in Nigel Kneale, died at age 84 after a series of natural causes at his home in Minne- front of a white board, answering of small stokes. He was best known for apolis. He was born in Indiana, and questions from the audience, were so his creation of the character of Professor attended Indiana University, where he popular nothing could be scheduled Bernard Quatermass, who has appeared helped found the science fiction club, and against them. in three serials for BBC Television, one published his first short story in Analog And there was his haunting poem about for Thames Television and three feature in 1976. He did not graduate, however, 9/11, “110 Stories”, which can be found film adaptations of the BBC serials for instead acting upon an invitation to go to © David Dyer-Bennet online at http://nielsenhayden.com/ the Hammer company. The ground- New York and help start Asimov’s to anything and everything at the drop of a 110.html breaking serial The Quatermass Experi- which he contributed frequently for the hat. He was a mainstay online both in A memorial service was held for him on ment was one of the first event television next twelve years. Despite his constant gaming forums, where his sig files were the 27th of October at The First Universal- shows, emptying the streets and pubs for ill-health caused by diabetes and its widely envied and admired, to Making ist Church of Minneapolis. His close the six weeks of its duration. Other complications he continued to write. Web Light, the Nielsen Haydens’ weblog. His friends Robert Jordan, Teresa Nielsen stories by Kneale include TV adaptations of Angels and Princes of the Air, his first last post to it was a villanelle called ‘A Hayden, Neil Gaiman, Victor Raymond, of Orwell’s 1984, The Stone Tapes and two novels, were published in the early Little Scene to Monarchize” -its first as well as an aunt, Jane Starner gave the The Year of the Sex Olympics which 1980’s. It was his next novel, The line:‘I am the king, and I want a sand- eulogies. Jon Singer, Patrick Nielsen predicted “reality TV.” In the 1990’s, he Dragon Waiting that gained him wider wich.’ Eric Burns, a fellow Star Trek Hayden, Steven Brust, Beth Meacham, turned down an invitation to write for notice, winning him the first of his many game writer described him as the only Teresa Nielsen Hayden, and Emma Bull The X-Files. Many of the themes that are awards. He then went on to publish two one to have any effect on canon saying, “ all read from his works. Emma Bull and common in today’s horror and SF had of the best-loved Star Trek novels, several …the only way one could reconcile the Adam Stemple also played and sang a their first showing in Kneale’s work. award-winning gaming books and two versions of the Klingon Empire were song he wrote. A separate, more informal modules, stories, poems, and a novel set through John M. Ford’s eyes.” “Winter gathering was held in London and written ( Continued on page 13 ) Solstice, Camelot Station” began life as a up by The Guardian. A memorial commu-

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Page 12 ConNotations Volume 16 Issue 6 which made him very approachable in A Man in Deed “Bob” Tucker was a well-loved In Memory any setting. The other thing I enjoyed (A Tribute to Frank McShane) convention guest and fanzine writer. He ( Continued from page 12 ) about Frank was how he liked to do road by Jeffrey Lu served on the committee of the 2nd World Frank McShane trips, like our trips to Vegas or to Science Fiction Convention, Chicon, in Nov 12, 1954 - Nov Oct 27, 2006 Kartchner Caverns. ~ David Bluestein His calm voice 1940. Echoes with love and laughter He was noted for using the names of Frank McShane passed away on Friday, Frank was more than our Secretary, or In the United Federation of Phoenix fellow fans and other friends in his Nov 27th, 2006. He had many friends in our Fundraising chair, or our Archivist; Con suite, CopperCon 2006. fiction, to the point that the literary term fandom, especially those within the he was one of the foundations on which for doing so is now called tuckerization. United Federation of Phoenix. Frank had our present club was built. He had an In a month’s time, Awards include: the Hugo Award for been active for many years in the U.F.P. unending enthusiasm to be a member of His smile is no more. Best Fan Writer in 1970 and the Retro- and local fandom and he will be missed the UFP, and was willing to put in lots of His words are gone. Hugo for same category in 1954. The by all of us. Following are the sentiments time to do a lot of “dirty work” that His life remembered. Science Fiction Newsletter won the of many of Frank’s friends in U.F.P. He others could not find the time for. He was Retro-Hugo Award for Best Fanzine in will be truly missed by all of us. - Lee unfailingly kind and generous with his Gone like Spock’s mom, 1951. The Science Fiction and Fantasy Whiteside time, and could definitely hold his own in Frank McShane, indeed, Writers of America, Inc made Tucker its a Trek conversation ;-) ! I think the club Once a secretary and orphan, second Author Emeritus in 1996 and in was his main social outlet, and I know he Now journeys to the heavens, above. 2003 he was inducted into the Science enjoyed spending time with all of us. ~ Fiction Hall of Fame. David Williams Wilson “Bob” Tucker The 2007 North American Science November 23, 1914 - October 6, 2006 Fiction Convention (NASFiC) in I would also like to say something about Collinsville, Illinois will be dedicated to Frank: he was a good person. I met him a A few weeks before turning 92, Bob. long time ago before I joined the club,he Wilson “Bob” Tucker passed away in a was always nice to me and always aid Florida hospital. Wilson was proceeded in Jack Williamson hello. I will definitely miss his secretary’s death by his wife of 52 years, Fern, who April 29, 1908 – November 10, 2006 report at the meetings. ~ Maia C. passed away in June, 2006. He will be cremated and his ashes will be interred John Stewart Williamson, who wrote © David Bluestein Frank - you are terribly missed; and, may next to hers. as Jack Williamson and Will Stewart, I say, that you were a kind-hearted, soft- Wilson Tucker became involved in died November 10, 2006 at his home in I always considered him the backbone of spoken person who knew what to say to science fiction fandom in 1932. Around Portales, New Mexico. the UFP. Frank was a friend of mine, a try to make us all get along better! Frank that time he began publishing a fanzine, Williamson was named a Grand good one at that. He cared, he took care told me some of his funnier stories from The Planetoid. He also published the Master of Science Fiction by the Science of things, and he was responsible. We all the military while we tore down the fanzine Le Zombie, from 1938 to 1975. Fiction Writers of America in 1976. He have lost much, and when we all finish consuite at CopperCon. He was proud of Professionally, Tucker wrote over 60 was only the second person to receive life this is one of the things to be remem- his time there and I know he was happy short stories and novels including the this honor. The first was Robert Heinlein. bered by. I will remember Frank to have us as family now. I just wish, as Campbell Award winning The Year of the Additionally he was SFWA President McShane. ~ Frank Williams most of you do, that I could have Quiet Sun. from 1978 to 1980 and won a Hugo told him Goodbye and how ( Continued on page 14 ) Frank McShane was a gentle bear of a grateful I was for his friendship. man with the most tender heart. In the ~ Annette Sexton-Ruiz near thirteen years that I knew him, I never saw or heard him raise his voice I will always remember Frank for above a mellow tone. He also never had a his energy, his unfailing kind bad word to say about anyone that I can nature and, of course, his recall. He had a quiet nature that drew magnets. The Universe needs people to him. Goodbye Frank. It really more people like Frank, not was an honor and a privilege to know fewer. I think we will miss him you. ~ Terri Spencer more as time passes. We have too few like him. ~ Gary Swaty What I remember most is the fun I had working with Frank at the early Creation Treat every meeting with a friend Cons. I was the “pioneer” of magnets, like it’s your last. That belongs in creating the first ones in black and white Lefler’s Laws. ~ Randall by printing clipart and sayings onto white Whitlock stickyback paper, sticking them to magnet material, and cutting them out to sell at The last time I saw Frank was at conventions. Frank really liked the idea, CopperCon, 2006. I found a few but didn’t like the black & white “blah” old books and magazines (some pictures, and being the idea man that he had no covers) that he wanted- was, he immediately improved upon The Man from U.N.C.L.E. I gave things, spraymounting color pictures to all of them as a gift. He smiled cardboard. So he became our “representa- and pumped my hand. tive” at our convention table, and thus, His passion for this and Star Trek we all benefited by his Christmas card were unequaled. I’ve known him presents (which cover my refrigerator), since the 90’s and enjoyed his the buttons we would wear that he would company. make, and the other crafts that he was so The last memory of him giving good at. Working with Frank was a me farewell- a Vulcan salute. He pleasure; his smile, his sense of humor, was a good friend. ~ Jeffrey Lu the way he would laugh, the way he interacted with people he didn’t know - Volume 16 Issue 6 ConNotations Page 13 a man would enjoy this story immensely; I In Memory don’t believe any of them would be able ( Continued from page 13 ) to tell the difference and may actually Award in 1980 for Wonder’s Child: My come away with a deeper appreciation for women’s strength. The characters were Life in Science Fiction. He was one of the too shallow for my taste. By that, I mean inaugural inductees in the Science Fiction that I didn’t feel I really knew them. and Fantasy Hall of Fame in 1996. James gave them plenty of action and In lieu of flowers, the family suggests choices but I never felt I understood their contributing to the Jack and Blanche motivations. The men were almost completely ignored, all we know of them Williamson Scholarship, ENMU Founda- is what the women saw. The evil one was tion, ENMU Station #8, Portales, NM more of a walk-on character when he 88130 or the Portales Public Library, 218 should have been the main point of South Avenue B, Portales, NM 88130. conflict. Instead, the conflict between the characters took center stage. And we never even met the Pratts who instigated In Our Book the entire event. But I will say this: I enjoyed the story and found myself Dragon’s Eye thinking about it when I wasn’t reading. – by James A. Hetley Catherine Book Ace Books, $14.00, 355 pages Dark Moon Defender: The Morgans and the Pratts are two A novel of the Twelve Houses ancient Maine families; really ancient – by Sharon Shinn their history started before the Pilgrims Ace Books; $23.95; 435pp even landed. Their lineage is…complicated. They’ve been feuding Sharon Shinn does it again. for centuries but the Pratts have changed As books about the Twelve Houses go: the rules, they brought in an outsider to this one’s terrific. “Dark Moon Defender” upset the balance of power. When the is the third novel in the series and it’s a Morgan goes to investigate, he’s captured doozie. I couldn’t put it down and when I and his brother and teenaged son have to had to, well, I resented it! get him back. But the brother doesn’t This is the story of Justin, the street have the family link to the Dragon that urchin turned exemplary King’s Rider and sleeps in the ocean beneath their house how he falls in love with a very unusual and the boy is too young to have gone woman, Ellynor. She is a woman of the through the trial yet. But he has to or they Lirrenlands and has her own brand of have no way to contact the Morgan. magic. And as a Lirren woman, custom The land houses more than two has it she should never fall in love with a ancient families and centuries of their man not of the Lirrenlands for then her secrets – even longer ago than when the father, brothers and any number of Pratts and Morgans appeared, a house was cousins would have to challenge him to built over a special spring to guard it. The the death, because, well, he’s not one of caretakers have always been women. them. Their role in life is to protect the spring, And to top everything off, Ellynor is a to love beyond his tight circle of friends Hunters. At all levels in a Hive, the Haskell house and any woman within novice in the Lumanen Convent—home (Tayse, Senneth, Cammon, Donnal and competition is fierce and survival its walls. So when the battle between the of the rabid followers of the Pale Mother. Kirra—all mystics, save Tayse and all difficult. Maintaining one’s place is hard. Morgans and the Pratts, with their These are the ones that throughout the loyal to King Baryn of Gillengaria) and Some fall from the Spire to the outsider, an Incan brujo, starts to claim previous two books and this one as well, for Ellynor it is the discovery that what UnderHive. Some choose the UnderHive. female lives and threaten the safety of two have been killing, usually by burning, she considers a common skill among Our story concerns a Royal Son of little innocent girls, the latest Haskell mystics with a vengeance. Mystics are Lirren folk is considered mystic magic in Helmawr, ruler of Hive Primus and thus Witch gets involved. And nobody is safe. folks who have magical abilities: to Gillengaria. And something that might all of Necromunda. This Mutant Vampiric The story also explores several shape-shift, to heal, to call forth fire, etc. just get her killed. For not only does she son descends into the UnderHive bringing interpersonal relationships. The Morgan Ellynor went to the convent to lend have the powers of a mystic, the goddess Death and Chaos in his wake. Kal Jerico, family relations between the head of the support to her cousin Rosurie (who really of her people is the Dark Watcher, the another son of Helmawr, who has chosen family, Daniel Morgan, his brother Ben had a calling) and because she felt a bit night. And though Ellynor respects the the life of a Bounty Hunter in the who is officially dead to the outside world hemmed in by her over-protective capricious Pale Mother (the moon), her UnderHive, is hired to capture the Mutant but still works for the family and young brothers and Lirren customs. Of course soul belongs utterly to the Great Mother Vampire intruder. The Ruler wants his son Gary, only seventeen years old with the the convent, though different, is not quite of the night. and heir back alive, but factions in the fate of his whole family resting on his what Ellynor thought it would be. Justin as a King’s Rider and Ellynor Spire want him dead. The situation is ability to claim his genetic inheritance. And how do Justin and Ellynor get with her exceptional skills prove a volatile further complicated by Helmawr’s And then there’s Alice Haskell, her love together? Well, Justin, as a King’s Rider is combination and all hell breaks out in the growing dementia. for the local Constable, Kate Rowley, a sent to the town of Neft (closest city to the last third of the book. The novel is rife with complicated blond throwback to the Vikings’ last visit, Lumanen Convent) to report on any As I said, I couldn’t put this down, interactions between gangs, intruders and Kate’s troublesome daughter whose suspicious and seditious activity by except under duress! Don’t miss it! - Sue from the Spire, competing Bounty choice of friends threatens her mother’s Coralinda Gisseltess, the head of the Martin Hunters, criminal syndicates and a life. And, then there’s Caroline Haskell, convent and the most rabid anti-mystic plethora of others. Within the Spire, the next Witch, who has deeper ties to the there is. Blood Royal factions contend for supremacy. Nothing Morgans than she even knows. One day, Ellynor, sent on an errand to by Will McDermott and is simple. Even our Bounty Hunter Kal James scored big with me on his first Neft is trapped by a man with rape on his Gordon Rennie Jerico and his two partners, Scabs and two books but I feel conflicted about this mind. He is swiftly dissuaded by the B(lack) L(ibrary) Publishing, Games Yolanda are in conflict. Loyalty is rare. third effort. The story is wonderful; I appearance of Justin, who bests him Workshop Ltd Most seek profit and devil take the loved it. But I had problems with the handily in a fight. Nottingham, Great Britain, Paperback, hindmost. characters and the pacing. The pacing Of course, Justin is taken by Ellynor, 254 Pages, $6.99 Kal is your stock likeable villain out was uneven and I didn’t slip through the whom he finds fascinatingly naive, and for profit and a good time. Scabs is your story effortlessly, it was more like the beautiful to boot. And she, despite her This novel is set in the Grim and stock staunch and loyal henchman. He jerking pace of a city bus. And then the background and the rules of the convent, Gritty backdrop of the Games Workshop does what he is told and cares not for characters… the story started and ended finds herself drawn to Justin. Planet of Necromunda. Necromunda is profit. He just wants to be with his with the weakest character; there was a The trials and tribulations these two world of Hives, huge buildings each friends. Their conflict makes him certain symmetry but it weakened the “star-crossed” lovers go through is having a population in the billions. Each uncomfortable. Yolanda is more effect of the story. Interestingly enough, enough to raise your hair and have it fall Hive has a Spire inhabited by the complicated, being a former gang leader the main focus of the story was with the out. The action and drama are very intense privileged few, the Hive proper inhabited who burned out and left the gang. She just women. James did a fairly credible job and compelling. And of course, the two by the billions who do the productive wants a smooth, profitable, bounty trying to speak through his women but I discover a lot about themselves in the work and the UnderHive inhabited by hunting life. She is continually furious knew the difference. To his credit, I think process. For Justin it is allowing himself violent gangs, misfits and Bounty ( Continued on page 15 ) Page 14 ConNotations Volume 16 Issue 6 are exactly as I remember old fairy tales quite impressive antique derelict battle description – Mira is so much more and so In Our Book ( Continued from page 14 ) (not the Disneyfied ones). I enjoyed the cruiser orbiting with it. She immediately much less. Having been fostered at nine, because Cal’s casual style often endangers angst of the main characters but didn’t acts to reactivate it and the station and she is full of uncertainty and questions them and costs them their fees. particularly enjoy the background that sends minions out who hire a suspiciously about what happened to her mother and The Vampire and his pursuers are explains why they are the way they are. It well armed cargo ship to haul supplies. who is her father. At 50+, she now has laying waste to UnderHive. Kal and his was full of ugliness and misery – much as Her AI and its alien chip find evidence of the time and impetus to investigate her friends want them gone. To that end, they reality typically is. I don’t mind that in new and peculiar gates. She investigates roots – her foster parents are dead and she gather a motley collection of Gangers and my fairy tales but I prefer it dressed up in her supply ship. She finds alien pay has just discovered that she still owns her Bounty Hunters to eject the interlopers. more; this was pretty gritty stuff. dirt. She returns. Her old Nemesis Henry childhood home in New Mexico, a huge After conferring with another royal The writing and plotting is competent. Smythe-Peterwald shows up with a Queen Anne Victorian house that has been relative, Kal realizes that the fate of the The pacing, character development and Flotilla of ships. Things get really shut up for forty years. But going back to entire hive (and indeed the planet) may dialog was good; although the writer complicated. Ultimately she saves the day, her childhood home doesn’t answer rest on the outcome of their efforts. allowed too many current colloquialisms in part, because of unwanted support from anything. If anything, the questions Desperately they work and fight. to creep in. It was a pleasant, veterans and children. multiply. Why were her foster parents This story is well written and gripping. uncomplicated read and I am satisfied The book is delightful space opera forbidden to take her back to New Mexico I recommend it. – Gary Swaty. enough to read the next thing this author with enough military realism to keep the or ask any questions about her birth produces. – Catherine Book military buffs happy and enough action mother? Why did her foster-father keep Awakening Beauty for the adventure junkies. The tension the home and never tell his wife or Mira? by Allison Ewing Kris Longknife: Resolute between Chris’s newcomers, the civilians, Why could no one find out anything about PublishAmerica, $16.95, 189 pages by Mike Shepherd the retired stationers and old war veterans what happened the day her mother drove Ace Books, New York, 342 pp., $7.99 is well drawn. When Peterwald arrives off and was never seen again? Who are This is a fairy tale despite what the they all work together marvelously the silent women who cooked, cleaned jacket description says. It tries too hard to After Kris Longknife: Mutineer/ against almost impossible odds. and took care of Mira-the-child? And entice the reader into what appears to be a Deserter/Defiant comes Kris Longknife: This is a book which will be enjoyed how is it they are still in the house, taking very twisted fairy tale – hence, not a fairy Resolute. by most military, adventure and hard SF care of Mira-the-woman? tale at all. However, if one is familiar Princess Longknife was a trial to her fans. – Gary Swaty The book is full of mirrors and relatives. Her naval career was reflections which are integral to with fairy tales, then one knows that few Child of a Rainless Year of them truly have happy endings or that inconvenient. They had found her a quiet understanding Mira and her mother, all the characters are exactly good or evil. niche in Training Command for her last by Jane Lindskold Colette. While Mira is on a trip of Tor Books, $14.95, 400 pages So, this is really a fairy tale. The story posting. Trouble found her and she saved nostalgia and exploration, she carries with isn’t exactly that different from a hundred the day. But this time they placed her in a her the journals that her foster-mother, different tales, the characters aren’t backwater where nothing had happened I am not a fan of Lindskold’s Maybelle, made of her own journey to exactly what you think they might be for at least 20 years. They dumped her in Firekeeper saga but I do love everything find Mira’s mother and understand why from their stereotype. The good king - place as commander of Naval District 41, else of hers that I’ve read. This is a she left the child… and, more importantly isn’t, the beautiful queen - isn’t, the noble a command so unimportant that a complete gem but very different from to May… whether Colette will ever knight - isn’t. And Beauty doesn’t have lieutenant had commanded it with only everything else she’s written. I admire reappear and take back the child she the exact happy ending that she should local reservists for staff for over 20 years. that in a writer. It’s always a pleasure to loves. May’s journal explored some very have had. And the evil witch had reasons Here they thought she could find no find that a writer has more breadth and strange topics and theories as to who or for what she did and didn’t do; not that trouble and trouble could not find her. depth than most. what Colette was. While Mira reads the that excuses her. Little did they know… Mira is a middle-aged spinster journals and begins to clean and The thing I liked best about this little She arrives and finds her Headquarters schoolteacher. How much more trite can rediscover her childhood home; current story is that the tone and pace of the book at High Chance Station abandoned with a a character be? But that’s too facile a ( Continued on page 16 )

Volume 16 Issue 6 ConNotations Page 15 In Our Book The only thing that kept me from with her character. The other major male reader. I’ll keep this on my shelf for completing the book in a day was fatigue character is the caretaker of the estate, a second reading someday. – Catherine ( Continued from page 15 ) – I fell asleep. I immediately picked it up Domingo, whose family and history is Book events and her foster-mother’s research again the next morning and read until it also linked to the house although he begin to come together. It took some very finished. Unlike some stories that grab doesn’t discover this until Mira comes. Variable Star bizarre events to convince Mira that she me and then end; I didn’t wish for more. I While the reader doesn’t get any more of by Robert A. Heinlein and Spider was heir to more than just a house. In was satisfied. It was a complete story, and Domingo than Mira did, I was also Robinson fact, the house itself was more than just a I was happy when it ended. It was a satisfied with his character. The single TOR/Tom Doherty Associates, $24.95, structure. Mira was heiress to a strange wonderful character exploration and a detractor of the story, and this is more my 318 pp. ability that was tied to the house and her fascinating premise. This is not a horror taste than a real criticism, is the overuse of birth family. The bigger question than story, it is a gentle fantasy designed to exposition. I would have preferred more Variable Star is a novel written by what happened to her mother, is the one pique curiosity and cause one to consider adventure and risk for Mira to discover all Spider Robinson from a Robert A. of – was the house just a tool or was it what else about our reality isn’t how it the answers but the book would surely Heinlein outline. Spider captures some of controlling her? As it turned out, both appears. have exceeded 600 pages had the author the flavor of the 1950s Heinlein novel. questions were equally important and Mira’s character was fully developed done so. I also caution that the female The outline was probably the original linked. and, considering that all we knew of reader may enjoy this journey of self- genesis of Time for the Stars. The novel Colette is what Mira knew, I was happy discovery by a woman a bit more than the as outlined destroyed too much of the universe Heinlein needed for his Future History series so he revised it. The two stories are quite similar. Both have a couple separated by time dilatation who are reunited by faster than light drive. Both are coming of age stories. Both have telepathy between twins. Both have the ship in dire straits with FTL as the deus ex machina. That being said I must say that Spider produced an excellent and quite readable novel. It does not read quite like Heinlein, but I forgive him because he has given us one more instance of something very close to Heinlein. I even forgive him for mentioning three legged Martians and Venerian Dragons as part of the same universe. (You need the MultiVerse for that!) The business and political backdrop of super rich families dominating business and politics is believable though it does seem to project an unheinlein-like anti- business bias. Also Spider’s acceptance of the Covenant as a solution to mankind’s conflicts does not reflect Heinlein’s view of that document as reflected by Lazarus Long. The character of Joel Johnston is well drawn. He is your typical self-centered selfish youngling who in the course of the story matures into a socially conscious person so beloved of Spider. (Heinlein would not have liked him) The surrounding characters are not so well developed. The females fit the Heinlein stereotypes especially Jinny and Evelyn. Over all I give the book an “A.” Good work Spider. – Gary Swaty The Myth Hunters Book One of the Veil by Christopher Golden Bantam Books, $12.00, 350 pages

Chris Golden does it again…and again… and again. He creates the most compelling and wonderful stories with enough horror to cause that little frisson down my neck. Our hero, Oliver, is again – an innocent, decent man who gets dragged into a situation not of his making. Through a cover of both wonder and horror, Oliver is confronted with the reality of Jack Frost in his living room. Jack Frost, who is bleeding water on the carpet, and requesting – no, demanding – Oliver’s assistance, is Oliver’s gateway into another world. Jack is being pursued by a murderous creature who will also pursue Oliver after he saves Jack’s life by leaping off a cliff into the winter ocean and ending up in a different world. This world is where all the myths went when they left our world. But someone or something is hunting the myths who still cross over and visit our world. And now Oliver has their attention. Oliver is also ( Continued on page 17 ) Page 16 ConNotations Volume 16 Issue 6 In Our Book love this story, I’ll have to continue in the Chasing History’s Monsters. Unknown to Offspring next issue. The characters are real, they her there existed a Brotherhood whose by Liam Jackson ( Continued from page 16 ) are in my head. There is wonder and awe sole purpose was to keep the Church’s Thomas Dunne Books, 290 pp, $24.95. an anomaly to all the other denizens of throughout this story. The description of involvement and guilt in the matter safely this world – an Intruder – who must be Kitsune’s shapeshifting leaves me aching buried even if they had to bury the Offspring is the first book of a killed on sight lest he return to his own for the reality and the fight with the occasional archaeologist. proposed Offspring Trilogy. world with news of them. But with Jack cherry-tree demon is nothing short of She was led to the final fragment of Sam Conner has always had a closer Frost as his protector and mentor, he really fabulous storytelling. The gods of the Sword by a mysterious Frenchman than usual relationship with his guardian hopes to find a way to convince the rulers the Harvest were just plain creepy and the named Roux while fleeing from the angel. Now that the world has gone to of this strange world that he is no threat. whole story is amazingly satisfying in Brotherhood of the Silent Rain and a Hell in a handbasket, with grisly It’s just really hard to concentrate on that only 350 pages. criminal named Lesauvage. Roux and his abductions, killings, and epic crime task when so many nasty, horrible Since this is Book One, you will have apprentice Garin had been assembling the waves, Sam knows he is supposed to do creatures are trying to kill him, Jack, and to find Book Two. I mean – really have other fragments for centuries. something. But what can a fourteen-year- Kitsune, a fascinating, beautiful woman to. This is a cliffhanger story, not a gentle She must come to grips with her new old boy do? His guardian Angel tells him who shapeshifts into a fox. And, on top decline in the story with the characters Destiny while trying to stay alive and to go to a small town in Tennessee. He of all that, Oliver is consumed with guilt pursuing a new goal in the second book. I defeat some serious Evil. She succeeds will be told as he goes, and, oh- yes there for having left a woman he loves at the can’t remember when I’ve anticipated a and we move on to: are forces out to kill him, so now is a altar, his sister scared and confused about sequel with so much longing. – Catherine Solomon’s Jar: Annja was looking at good time to leave. He goes. And behind his absence, and maybe even his father, Book alt.archaeolog.esoterica and found a him are nearly omnipotent enemies as the man who squashed all his fantasies reference to a brass jar fitting the well as three others he must join with to and dreams. But the more he thinks about Rogue Angel: Destiny description of the Jar in which Solomon prevent the veil being torn completely and it and learns about this new world, the by Alex Archer imprisoned the Demons he used to build let in the really bad guys. The only guys more Oliver begins to imagine himself Worldwide, July 2006, 346 pp. Mass the Temple. She set out to investigate and that can stop them are the bastard never leaving it… Market paperback, $6.50 so did others who wished personal power. offspring of angels that mated with In addition to our three main heroes; Rogue Angel: Solomon’s Jar Thus Annja and the Sword of Joan were regular people. The saviors have never back at home, his absence is being by Alex Archer again embarked on the defense of the met and are in for real trouble. Well… investigated by a local detective who Worldwide, Sept. 2006, 346 pp. Mass World from serious evil. She has to who said that world saving was easy? becomes quite determined to find answers Market Paperback, $6.50 contain the Evil and not let the Cultists or Offspring is classic thriller with a good to all the impossible questions he’s found. the religious Zealots gain the power of the versus evil plot. Angels VS Demons in an Where did Oliver go in the middle of the These two books are the beginning of Jar. intense violent and suspenseful chiller that night, in the middle of a blizzard – a bi-monthly series of novels about the Both novels are quick reads with lots is hard to put down It’s a keeper. - Pam without his car? Is the brutal death and bearer of Joan of Arc’s Sword who of action and interesting characters. The Allan mutilation of his father, the little girl in a defends the world from evil in our time. continuing characters are of particular small town 100 miles away, and all the She is Annja Creed, an archaeologist and interest. One is almost tempted to The Lady of Serpents other children in cities around the world explorer. When she touched the associate Roux with a much earlier by Douglas Clegg linked to Oliver? And did his sister’s fragmented Sword of Joan it immediately Wizard and a much more famous Sword. 291 pp, $23.95 disappearance mean that she’s in league became whole and vanished, but she Garin is morally ambivalent and quite with him – did they murder their own found she could recall it at need from interesting. The various villains are well The Lady of Serpents is the second father? Or is it something much more whatever realm it vanished to. drawn and delightful. Annja is interesting. volume of the Vampyricon. sinister that has made them equally Destiny: Annja was in Lozere France She does not find the image of herself as Aleric was once known as the victims? researching the Legend of The Beast of the Bearer of The Sword and Defender of Falconer because of his rapport with the If I start going on about how much I Gevaudan for a TV program called The Good an easy one to bear. The books birds. A forbidden love with the baron’s are fun. I look forward to Rouge Angel: daughter lost him his life, only to be The Spider Stone due out in November. – reborn as a vampyre. Gary Swaty Hailed as the messiah of the vampyres, he is captured and forced to fight in the Exile Arena by the sorceress Enora. To end her by Mercedes Lackey reign of terror, he must escape, find the Daw, 291 pp, $25.95 alchemist behind her power, though this may mean the unleashing of the Lady Of Exile is book four of the Dragon Serpents, who is not only an enemy, but Jousters.. the one who made him a Vampyre. She Kiron escaped imprisonment in Tia alone holds the key to the future of human with a dragon he hand-raised from the and vampyre alike. egg… Reaching Alta, his homeland, he Richly layered foray into a past full of fell in love with a fledgling priestess, sorcery and mystery, and a pageturner to Aket-ten, and learned of the Magi - boot. What more can you ask...... - Pam Mages without ethics who developed a Allan weapon that kills from afar. Kiron and Aket-ten fled Alta with the Freedom’s Sisters other jousters and dragons, and members by Naomi Kritzer of the royal family, to a lost city in the Bantam Spectra, 401 pp, $6.99 desert called Sanctuary. From Sanctuary, they trained new dragons and jousters. Freedom’s Sisters is book three of the Through careful planning, they join the Dead Rivers trilogy. Altan and Tian jousters and bring down As a freeborn servant of the Greeks, the Magi. But Sanctuary was overflowing Lauria once hunted escaped slaves. Now and they found a new cliff city that she frees them. Her loyalties now lay seemed made for dragons. The jousters with the Alashi, and her blood sister, were happy to move to more spacious Tamar. However, the Greek sorceresses do quarters. However, though the Magi were not take treason lightly when it includes conquered, there were still more mages freeing the djinni who serve them. When that wanted to destroy everything that had her father captures her and turns her over been built. They then had to fight not only to the Sorceresses, Tamar must seek, both armies but a wildcard goddess that loved in reality and the Borderlands, the dream destruction and blood. Aerie had its own realm. Lauria must find her own magic to secrets, and the Jousters had to learn them free the rivers ... and them all. and become avatars to save the future. Kritzer is a splendid storyteller with Any Lackey novel is exciting and fun, more psychological twists than Karl Jung. with good characterizations, good Mercedes Lackey has company in the plotting, good world building, this one firmament. She has joined the Authors to with an Egyptian aura. This novel is no look for at the bookstore. My sure sign of different. Gotta have it. - Pam Allan gotta have it.. - Pam Allan

Volume 16 Issue 6 ConNotations Page 17 THE AWAY TEAM: The Away Team, is a territories. For more information contact RAW GAMES (Role-players & general sci-fi appreciation group that meets Leonard Byrd (Tucson) (520)742-2432 Web: Wargamers, Inc.) Role-players & Club once a month for discussion of various sci-fi www.galandor.org Wargamers, Inc. is the Valley’s oldest role- news regarding several mediums to include: playing and wargaming club. Currently television, movies, video, books, comics, THE JEDI KNIGHTS (Founded 1977) meeting at 8159 W. Weldon in Phoenix every Listings magazines, collecting, and so forth. The Meetings are the 3rd Sunday of each month. Sunday from 3pm-9pm (except during ACROSS PLUS - So you live in North meetings are comprised of news, review and For more information call Carol Alves, conventions and other special events). Open Phoenix and are interested in anime? Well comment, BBS/computer news and help, Publicity, (760)244-9593 or write Jedi to new members - call (602) 849-9515. there is a club out there available for you meeting new members, video presentations, Knights, c/o Carol Alves 8038 “I” Street, www.rawgames.org people. games, and socializing fun! Food and drinks Hesperia CA, 92345-7066. Across Plus is a social club that discuses are provided, via a $3 munchie fee (per THE SOCIETY FOR CREATIVE anime, video games, manga, other animation, meeting) to compensate the host. (No other LEPRECON, INC. One of the two Phoenix ANACHRONISM The kingdom of Atenveldt and the Japanese culture. We meet at fees are involved.) The electronic home of the area corporations that put on yearly conven- doth lie in the state of Arizona. Within the fair Bookman’s on 19th Ave and Northern On Away Team, is the Lightspeed Space Station tions. Best described as SF/F generalists with kingdom can be found six Baronies: Sundays at 7:00pm until 9:00pm. BBS at (520) 325-6674.... Member ages for a main thrust into SF/F art. Guests are Atenveldt, Mons Tonitrus, Twin Moons, In general, we explore anime, manga, and the group range from 13-40-something with welcome. The meetings are quarterly on the SunDragon, Tir Ysgithr and Ered Sul. For other styles of animation, creative educative both male and female members. Other second Saturday of February, May, August & more information on any of these or for demonstrations, participate in interactive activities include null-modem link gamefests, November unless otherwise notified. August general information on thy past tomorrows discussions, attend local Arizona conventions, group theater movie viewings, convention is the annual meeting where board positions thou mayest contact Mistress Myrddina o and make cosplay. trips and more. Have sci-fi fun in a relaxed, are deter-mined. For more information, write Dolwyddelan (Terry Schwartz) PO Box 584, We are willing to gain any new members out low-structure environment. NO RUBBER PO Box 26665, Tempe, AZ 85285; call Mike Sonoita AZ 85637 (520)455-5835 Email: there who are interested. Dues are only $2 per EARS ALLOWED!! For questions, you can Willmoth, 480-945-6890, Email [email protected] Web month. Our members are very friendly, call the BBS, or write to: LSS c/o R. Martin; [email protected] Webpage: www.atenveldt.com respectful, and fun. We welcome any and all. 2522 N. Sparkman Blvd.; Tucson, AZ 85716 www.leprecon.org For more information, contact Shane Bryner SOUTHWEST COSTUMER’S GUILD The at [email protected] BASFA Local Tucson science fiction group MIB The Men in Black is the official global Southwest Costumers Guild is a loose that puts on TusCon. Contact us at PO Box organization of field operatives for Steve organization of persons interested in all facets ADRIAN EMPIRE A medieval and renais- 2528, Tucson AZ 85702-2528 or Jackson Games. We attend local conventions of historical, cultural, science fiction, fantasy, [email protected] to demonstrate and promote products of Steve sance recreationist club. Sword-fighting, arts, and humor costume. Members are often seen banquets, masquerades, dances. meets every our website at http://home.earthlink.net/ Jackson Games. We also schedule demos in ~basfa/ local gaming stores as well as community on stage and behind the scenes at local and Wednesday night from 7-10pm at Encanto regional Science Fiction Convention masquer- Park. All are welcome. Free. service events. If you have a gaming store, CENTRAL ARIZONA SPECULATIVE convention, or community service that you ades. They meet on the last Sunday of each month at various members’ homes in the AERIAL MIRAGE JUGGLERS. Meets FICTION SOCIETY, INC. (CASFS) The would like to have official Steve Jackson Wednesday 7-10pm in Encanto Park, 15th non-profit corporation that puts on Games representation at, please contact the greater Phoenix area. For details. Southwest Avenue, south of Encanto. No dues, everyone CopperCon conventions, SmurfCons, MIB Arizona Cell Costumers Guild, PO Box 39504, Phoenix, AZ welcome. All levels skill exchange in many HexaCons, occasional regional cons, and Leader at [email protected]. We are also 85609 or Randall Whitlock at areas of object manipulation Dave Davis publishes Con-Notations. Best described as recruiting new MIBs in some areas of [email protected] or , 602-955-9446; SF/F generalists with a strong bent towards Arizona. If you’re interested, contact us. You www.southwestcostumersguild.org or Ron Harvey , 480- literary SF/F. Guests welcome - meets at 8pm can find additional information about the 775-4690 for more info or impromptu on the last Friday of each month in January Arizona MIB at our website http:// SPACE ACCESS SOCIETY Space Access juggling sessions. thru September and the second Friday in members.cox.net/mib.6361/ Society’s sole purpose is to promote radically October, November and December at JB’s cheaper access to space, ASAP. We think it’s ANIZONA ANIME CONVENTION INC Restaurant, 2560 W. Indian School in ORANGE COUNTY SCIENCE FICTION possible within ten years, with a little luck The group that sponsors Arizona’s premiere Phoenix, AZ. Write PO Box 62613, Phoenix, CLUB meets last Wednesday of every month and a lot of hard work. Join us and help us Anime convention each year. Monthly AZ 85082-2613 or call Stephanie L. Bannon (except Dec.) in Fullerton. The meetings are make it happen! SAS membership is $30 for meetings alternate between the east and west (602)973-2341 for information. Web built around guest speakers. We’ve had one year, which gets you emailed Space valley at Bookmans. If you are interested in www.casfs.org authors such as Octavia Butler and Greg Access Updates the instant they pass final Anime and conventions this is the group for Benford. Non-members are welcome. For edit, plus discounts on our annual conference you! Visitors welcome. For more information *****C.R.O.F.T. Celtic Reenactment of details of current events and location see our on the technology, politics, and business of check our website at www.anizona.org or Fellowship and Trades is Phoenix based website www.ocsfc.org or email radically cheaper space transportation, email to [email protected] Reenactment group specializing in the [email protected] featuring leading players in the field. Email western European renaissance. We research us at: [email protected] ARIZONA LANBASHERS LEAGUE A lifestyles and trades concurrent with the PAReX is a non-profit, just for fun organiza- Web page: www.space-access.org/ collaboration of computer gaming enthusiasts, Celtic Peoples from 400 BC until 1746 AD. tion dedicated to the proliferation of robotics the Arizona LANbashers League throws We emphasize Scots, Irish or Welsh crafts and as a hobby. Monthly meetings will be held SUPERSTITION SPACEMODELING quarterly LANparty events. Between parties, do Celtic re-enactment. We open participation and will be announced under the Meeting SOCIETY is Arizona’s club for builders of support is given to local groups who wish to to anyone with an interest in period crafting Information page, http://www.parex.org/ model and high-power rockets and those who advertise their own gatherings. We have no and entertainment. Demonstrations occur at meetinfo.htm. All interest-ed persons are love to see them fly. Launches are held on the set genre of games and play anything from the Highland Games, Scarborough Fair, and invited to participate. We are currently in the second Saturday morning of each month in strategy games to first-person shooters to the Arizona Renaissance Festival. Web page process of getting organized and becoming an Rainbow Valley. SSS hosts the annual G. driving/flying simulations. No annual http://www.crofters.org We meet in Tempe at official organization with tax status. Web Harry Stine Memorial Rocket Launch every membership is required and admission to an the Pyle Adult Center SW corner of Rural and page: http://www.parex.org/ E-mail Contact: October. Visit www.sssrocketry.org for event ranges from $5-$15. See our webpage Southern on the 2nd Saturday of every month, John Kittelsrud, [email protected] membership information, directions to the for current events. Email: phone number (480)350-5211. The Board launches and meetings, and to read the [email protected] Web: meeting will be at 2:00 pm with the General THE PHOENIX FANTASY FILM SOCI- monthly newsletter, “Newton’s Minutes.” www.lanparty.com/all/ VoiceMail: 602-306- meeting starting at 2:30 pm. ETY A Phoenix based club interest-ed in the 9339 entire realm of SF, Fantasy and Horror film. TARDIS is a Phoenix-based General SF/ THE DARK ONES (Dark-wunz) n. 1) An PFFS has been in existence for 30 years, Fantasy Fan Club, specializing in Interna- ARIZONA PARANORMAL organization formed for the expression and meeting every 6 weeks in member’s homes. tional media SF/Fantasy since 1983. TARDIS INVESTIGATIONS We are a highly exploration of various cultural themes Dues are $10 per year. Membership includes meets every two weeks at different locations trained, non-profit paranormal investigation including, but not limited to, the Dark Ages newsletters, an annual film awards and around the valley. Activities include watching group, registered with the state of Arizona, and the Renaissance through forms of art various outings. For information, contact videos, discussions, parties, games, and providing service to Arizona and the including, but not limited to, painting, PFFS, P.O. Box 34023, Phoenix, AZ 85067 or occasional outings with more to come now Southwest since 1994. Having served the drawing, writing, photography, spoken word, call David Storck at (602) 274_7404, e-mail: that Doctor Who is returning from hiatus. public for 12 years, we are one of the oldest, and acts of characterization. 2) a member of [email protected]. Many members maintain an active presence at most respected paranormal investigation this organization. 3) Information available at conventions. You can contact us at 2243 W groups in Arizona. We are primarily science www.darkones.org RAGE ACROSS THE SOUTHWEST A Wagon Wheel Dr, Phoenix, AZ 85021, Voice based and don’t go on an investigation Live Action Theatre Troupe based out of the Mail at (602) 864-0901, E-mail TARDIS- THE EMPIRE OF CHIVALRY AND looking for ghosts, we go looking for ASU campus in Tempe, AZ. It is dedicated to [email protected] or visit us at http:// STEEL, INC. The Empire of Chivalry and answers. There is never a charge for an the game Werewolf: The Apocalypse by members.cox.net/tardisaz/tardis.html investigation. Contact us at by e-mail at Steel specializes in the general recreation of White Wolf publishing. Contact Mike [email protected] or the culture of the Middle Ages including all of McLaughlin at (602)461-5842 or write 1730 the Art Forms, Events (Feasts, Tournaments, TEKWAR FAN CLUB Sanctioned by the visit our website at: http:// W Emelita Place #2025, Mesa AZ 85202- series’ production companies and the USA www.arizonaparanormalinvestigations.com/ Ceremonies and Wars) and Combat Arts 3144 or [email protected] covering the years of 800AD up to 1650AD Network! It is THE information conduit and any location within Europe or its explored between the fans and the series! Fan club ( Continued on page 19 ) Page 18 ConNotations Volume 16 Issue 6 Club Listings ( Continued from page 18 ) What is CASFS? Convention MangaZone What is really behind putting on a membership will bring you the following 1) convention? What are the funds raised by Listings Yotsuba&! Volume 1 subscription to the info filled Tek Informer a convention used for? Why not attend a By Kiyohiko Azuma newsletter; 2) official TekWar Fan Club th th meeting and find out? We’re the sponsor DARKCON 2007 ( January 4 – 7 , ADV Manga , 233 pages, $9.99 membership card and kit. Membership is by of ConNotations, CopperCons, HexaCons, regular mail only and the newsletter and 2007) Phoenix AZ. Embassy Suites SmerfCons and other conventions. We are materials will not be reproduced electroni- Phoenix North $109 S/D Use Group This adorable manga from the creator cally. To join the action and initiate your a charitable, non-profit organization that Code: ODC Arizona’s Premier: Fantasy, exists to further science fiction, fantasy of Azumanga Daioh is a great, wonderful, annual membership, make check or money Science Fiction and Gaming Convention order out for $12.50 to: Official TekWar Fan and science fields in Arizona. CASFS fun read. It is the story of a young girl Club (Membership section), 2522 N currently meets at the JB’s Restaurant at Media GoH: Jewel Staite Artist GoH: Kit (part Chiyo-chan, part Osaka) named Sparkman Blvd., Tucson AZ 85716-2417 2560 W Indian School Rd in Phoenix (NW Rae Artist Guest: Liz Danforth Gaming Yotsuba and her wonderful adventures in corner of I-17 and Indian School). The Guests: John Wick and Ken St Andre life. Volume one introduces you to the T.H.E.M. is ASU’s science fiction and meetings begin at 8PM and are held on the www.DarkCon.org cast: Yotsuba and her adopted Father, Mr. fantasy club. Weekly meetings are held on the last Friday of the month Jan. through Sept. Arizona State University campus, with dates Koiwai, Jumbo, their very tall friend, and and on the second Friday of the month Oct PHOENIX CACTUS COMICON and places to be announced after the semester through Dec. Everyone is invited to attend the Ayase family (Asagi, Fuka, Ena and starts. For more information, Email two meetings as a guest (non-member). (January 26-28, 2007 ) Mesa AZ Mesa their mother). You watch Yotsuba learn [email protected] Web Membership rates are $12/year plus an Convention Center Guests: Mike different things like how to catch cicadas, www.themonline.org initial $3 application fee and rates are pro- Mignola, George Perez, lots of others. what an air conditioner is, and how a rated for the amount of the year remaining. TUCSON FAN ALLIANCE E-Mail Address Comics, Anime, Gaming, Panels. Mem- swing works. Also look for hidden things is [email protected] or For more info: Webpage: www.casfs.org bership Rates $25 Full event ticket with from Azumanga Daioh. If you love fun Email: [email protected] [email protected] Friday Preview Night $8 Gaming area crazy stories then read this; you will be only ticket (see website) sure to laugh out loud. - UNITED FEDERATION OF PHOENIX A WESTERN SCIENCE FICTION ASSO- Phoenix area Star Trek and general SciFi fan Ninjakittyofdoom CIATION (WesternSFA) A non-profit WORLD HORROR CONVENTION club. We are a social club that meets every corporation that sponsors the ConRunners two weeks at various locations around the seminars and sponsored the 2004 Westercon. 2007 (Mar 29-Apr 1 '07) Toronto Star Trek: The Manga Phoenix area. The UFP has been meeting for Dedicated primarily to educational activities Marriott Downtown Eaton Center, by various authors and artists over 30 years of continuous activity. Dues are relating to literature, music, and visual and Toronto, Ontario, Canada. GoHs: $15/per year prorated when you join; no Tokyopop; 192 pages, $9.99 performing arts, especially in the genres of Michael Marshall Smith, Nancy restrictions. Membership includes member- science fiction, fantasy, costuming, gaming ship roster and monthly newsletter. Come to and science. Applicants for membership Kilpatrick. AGoH: John Picacio. MC: There are five short stories about Star any two meetings at no obligation. For in WesternSFA must be sponsored by a Sephera Giron. Publisher GoH: Peter Trek: The Original Series. information, write the UFP at PO Box 37224, current active WesternSFA member. Dues Crowther. Editor GoH: Don Hutchison. One story has a connection to Star Phoenix, AZ 85069, or call Jim Strait at (602) are $10 yearly plus a $5 non-refundable Info: email: [email protected]; 242-9203. Web page: http://www.U-F-P.org application fee. General Meetings are Trek: TNG and Star Trek: Voyager. One or Email to [email protected] held on the first Friday of February, May, website: www.whc2007.org of the tales has a twist with a popular August and November, at the Bookmans anime/manga series against Star USS STORMBRINGER The Stormbringer is located at 19th ave. and Northern in ANIZONA 3 (April 5-8,2007) Mesa AZ - Trek:TOS. a correspondence Star Trek fan club chapter Phoenix Guests are welcome. For more Arizona’s First Anime Convention - of Starfleet, Intl. based out of Tucson AZ. Loved it especially with the anime info contact Craig Dyer at WesternSFA, Guests include Kaite Bair, Jodon The chapter was commissioned as the USS PO Box 67457, Phoenix AZ 85082, (602) series vs. Star Trek:TOS. Stormbringer NCC-74213, attached to 973-2341, Email: [email protected] Bellafanto, Michael McConnohie, Recommended for Star Trek and Division 31, Starfleet Covert Operations, on Webpage: www.westernsfa.org Melodee Spevack and other TBA. manga science fiction fans. - Jeffrey Lu 10/31/98. As of 11/29/98 there were 32 Location: Phoenix Marriott Mesa members. There are no dues other than the Membership is capped at 1600 and there $15 for joining Star-fleet Intl.. Members are scattered world wide but the primary clusters will be NO memberships sold at the door. are in Tucson, AZ and Plano, TX. They don’t $35 thru December 31, 2006, $40 thru meet on a regular basis since they are a March 31, 2007. Mail check or money Mailing/Subscription correspondence chapter. Their web site is: order to AniZona 3, PO Box 67641, http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Vault/9505/ Information and their contact/CO is Capt. Dave Pitts, Phoenix AZ 85082 Web: [email protected] www.anizona.org Email: [email protected] ConNotations is sent free of charge Z-PHILES are the ariZona x-PHILES. We to those who have attended a CASFS maintain a mailing list for news and get- LEPRECON 33 (May 11-13, 2007) sponsored convention in the past togethers of fans of the X-Files living in Arizona. We get together in both the Phoenix Mesa AZ Arizona’s Annual Art Oriented calendar year (currently 2005). and Tucson areas. To subscribe, send an Science Fiction and Fantasy Convention Attendees of CopperCon 25 or empty message to z-philes- featuring the largest SF/F Art Show in the HexaCon 15 will receive [email protected] Southwest! Guests: Artist - Jael, Author - ConNotations Volume 16 Issues 1 Karen Traviss Membership: $30 thru 10/ thru 6. 31/06, $35 thru 1/31/07, more later Kids Generic Convention Registration Form 7-12 half price, Six and under Free with ConNotations updates it’s mailing Adult Membership Hotel: Phoenix list each December. Marriott Mesa Contact: LepreCon 33 PO Name:______Box 26665 Tempe, AZ 85285 Phone(480) Individual subscriptions are avail- able for $20 for 6 issues beginning Badge Name:______945-6890 Email: [email protected] Web: January 1, 2006. Address:______www.leprecon.org/lep33/ Some non-CASFS groups give their City/State/ZIP:______PHOENIX CONGAMES (June 14th - membership lists to CASFS and Phone:______Email:______17th 2007 ) Mesa AZ Mesa Convention purchase a bulk corporate subscrip- tion so their attendees may also Enclosed is $______for ______memberships for Center & Phoenix Marriott East in Mesa Arizona. Membership $20 thru November receive ConNotations ______convention. 30th, 2006, $25 thru January 31st, 2007, (See individual convention listing for mailing address) $30 thru April 30th, 2007, $35 at the door Currently these groups are: More info on __ Masquerade __Art Show __Volunteer __ Other http://www.conevents.com/page/phx/ main.asp Volume 16 Issue 6 ConNotations Page 19 Page 20 ConNotations Volume 16 Issue 6