F^EADE^COD 4
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f^EADE^COD 4 Progress Report Two Guest of Honors Barry IN, Maliborg Crltte GoHs John Clute The Worcester Marriott, 10 Lincoln Square, Worcester, Massachusetts 01608 phone: 508-791-1600 RATES: $70 single/$75 double-triple/$80 quad/$125 parlor (plus 9.7% tax) MEMBERSHIP: $22 until 5/31/91, $29 thereafter July 12-14, 1991 With: Constance Ash, A. J. Austin, Lisa A. Barnett, John Betancourt, Terry Bisson, Aline Boucher-Kaplan, Stephen P. Brown, Joseph-David Carrabis, Jeffrey A. Carver, Kathryn Cramer, Don D'Ammassa, Daniel P. Dern, Scott Edelman, Janice M. Eisen, Gregory Feeley, John M. Ford, Esther M. Friesner, Craig Shaw Gardner, Greer Ilene Gilman, Geary Gravel, Elizabeth Hand, David G. Hartwell, Jeff Hecht, Alexander Jablokov, S. T. Joshi, Donald G. Keller, Robert Killheffer, Rosemary Kirstein, Ellen Kushner, Eleanor Lang, Fred Lerner, Jonathan Lethem, Stan Leventhal, S. N. Lewitt, Patricia A. McKillip, Thomas McMahon, Yves Menard, John Morressy, James Morrow, Resa Nelson, Alexi Panshin, Cory Panshin, Charles Platt, Rachel Pollack, Steven Popkes, Mark Rich, J. F. Rivkin, Darrell Schweitzer, Melissa Scott, Delia Sherman, Sarah Smith, Susanna J. Sturgis, Michael Swanwick, Stanley Wiater, Heather Wood, Joey Zone This is a publication of Readercon, Inc. If you want to know more about us, WRITE: P.O. Box 6138, Boston, MA 02209 Or CALL: 617-576-0415 (but don’t expect to reach a live human being during the day.) s'ao/ti ^^EADERCOR Herovit’s World he turned an unsparing eye towards INTRODUCTION the corrosive effect of SF itself, and its associated culture, on the soul of one of its participants. There have been a few changes, as you can see (Though we used the nom de plume of the title char from the front page. First and foremost, our apolo acter when naming our Kirk Poland Memorial Bad gies to the fans of Thomas M. Disch. For personal Prose Competition, be advised that this book is no reasons he has had to cancel several commitments, romp.) and unfortunately Readercon is one of them. We Conversely, it’s hard for me to think of a more will miss him as much as you will. convincing condemnation of the creative sterility of Sharp eyes will notice that some guests listed in the “boom” years of the mid-late 70’s than to note PR1 have not been listed here. Only Richard Grant that era’s tendency to turn a deaf ear to voices such and Jack Womack have actually had to cancel, how as his. But we’re in luck; his output has increased in ever; the others have merely devolved to a ‘maybe’ recent years (appropriately enough, as these are or ‘probably’ status, so don’t abandon all hope if a more interesting times). And we can’t think of a bet favorite of yours has just disappeared from the bill. ter way to celebrate than to recognize him as one of On the other hand, we think you’ll be pretty this year’s Guests of Honor. happy with some of our additions; we certainly are! — Robert Colby (One name you might be unfamiliar with is that of Thomas McMahon, since his rather unclassifiable John Clute has been for many years one of novels — McKay's Bees, Principles of American the outstanding international models of excellence Nuclear Chemistry: A Novel, and Loving Little Egypt in SF reviewing and criticism. His writing displays — have not been published within the genre. We a level of insight, depth and clarity rarely found in hope and expect to attract more of these ‘slipstream’ the genre, with a style that rivals the most creative writers to Readercon, perhaps as early as this year.) writers in the field. His recent collection of essays, In the meantime, replies from writers continue Strokes, from Serconia Press, won the second to arrive, so you can expect to see a still larger guest Readercon Small Press Award for non-fiction. As a roster. founding editor of Interzone, he was an instrumen tal part of the revitalization of the British science We try to include all the pertinent information fiction magazine. As Readercon strives to promote (corrected, expanded, and so forth) from PR1 in this intelligent readership, we could think of few who issue. Completists (or those who can’t live without a embody this ideal as well as John Clute. few paragraphs of philosophical musings from the Chair in this space) may obtain a copy of PR1 for — Bryan Cholfin the asking. — Robert Colby, Chair OUR WORLD, AND OUR GUESTS OF WELCOME TO IT HONOR WHAT WE’RE NOT How can we tell when a culture begins to mature? One good way is to measure its ability to While we’d much rather define ourselves in think critically about itself. By that measure, the terms of what we are (witness the Introduction), we coming to prominence of Barry N. Malzberg in feel obliged to point out the many things typical of the 70’s showed that the field had come a long way other SF cons that we won’t be doing. There will be from its one-time role as combination PRZR&D for no films, video, gaming, art show, or any events for the technological establishment. In breakthrough costumes (although you can wear what you like novels such as Beyond Apollo, Malzberg unleashed a within reason, except for weapons: see below). firestorm of controversy by exploring the underside of SF*s holy-of-holies (the space program), and in 2 SOME POLICIES OUR HOTEL • No Weapons (period!): Massachusetts Yes, we’ve moved again. (Hey, this is twice our laws are quite specific on this, and anything we con previous record. If we can keep this up, we’ll be in sider hazardous in a public area will be prohibited Worcester for four years before we even have to (the committee reserves the right to revoke member think about moving again.) Yes, we’re farther from ships without refund for those who don’t cooperate Boston. But we’re a lot closer to New York! And with our requests in this matter). If you’re really Worcester is a major city, (the second-largest in into fake or display weapons, you’re probably in the New England), with lots of restaurants and stores, wrong place (read the rest of this PR to see if this and we think you’ll like it. We’ll have more function kind of gathering is worth the money to you). space than ever before. Also, there’s an indoor/ • No Smoking in program areas or Bookshop. outdoor pool, which will feature a barbeque (see pre • No Eating or Drinking by customers in vious section for details). the Bookshop. There’s a hotel reservation form on page 8. • No Pets (except for guide dogs): Many con Please fill it out and send it directly to the hotel, not attendees are allergic to a number of animals. As we to us. (But make sure you detach the barbeque are in enclosed spaces, we must ask you to respect ticket form and send us that one.) Or, if you like, their rights. call the hotel directly (just be sure you mention • Child Policy: Small children attached to Readercon to get our price). We can only guarantee adults do not need a membership. Anyone old the special convention rate for reservations made enough to benefit from the program does. Children before June 14, 1991. If you make your reservation of any age seen wandering around on their own will later, there’s a chance that our block will be filled be judged to be in the latter category. Please note: up, and you may have to pay more for a room. our facilities and budget do not allow for babysitting Check-in starts at 3:00 PM. If you arrive earlier, or any kind of children’s programming. you may have to wait. Check-out time is 12 noon, • Party Policy: There are some disreputable and there may be somewhere to leave your bags people out there spreading lies and calumnies. after that. The Worcester Marriott accepts Visa, They’re saying that readers (especially ones who Master Card, Diners Club, and American Express. like “that literary stuff’) are a bunch of fuddy- A limited number of non-smoking rooms are availa duddies who don’t know how to have a good time. ble. This cannot be allowed! So we need some more room By the way, the Marriott will also be hosting a parties, OK? That said, standard advice applies: golf tournament while we’re there. So please, don’t keep it covered until it’s in your room, be discreet, wander into any function rooms that aren’t marked and check with us at Information (where we’ll be as Readercon’s — they may not be ours. keeping a list of open parties) for an updated situa tion report. GETTING THERE BARBEQUE By Air: Worcester Airport, located about 5 miles from the hotel, is served by Continental and USAir, which both have daily service from a number We’re going to have an all-you-can-eat poolside of major cities. (Fares on Continental from the New barbeque on Saturday night right before the Small York area to Worcester are about the same as to Press Awards. There will be chicken, hamburgers, Boston.) The hotel runs a van to the airport when hot dogs, and lots of other good stuff. Tickets are available (they say it’s usually no problem). Call the $17 apiece. There’s a form on page 8 that you can hotel when you arrive, if the van isn’t there already.