The newsletternewsletter Heinlein ‘New’ Heinlein novel Society hits stands in December

October 2003

The Heinlein Society, a non-profit corporation, is an educational charity. http://www.heinleinsociety.org PO Box 1254 Venice, Calif., 90294 USA Bill Patterson "retires" See page 2 New novel details See Page 3. Time to pay dues See Page 5. Blood drives See pages 6. Centennial report See Page 11. Heinlein Prizes See Page 12. Anyone can do it See page 13. Torcon3 report See Page 14. Heinlein Awards See Page 23. Chairman’s report See Page 24. ‘In the absence of The Senior’ Patterson retires as THS chairman to work on Heinlein biography By BILL PATTERSON The Heinlein Society has been a major part of my life for the last six years. It was quite an effort to get the Society off the ground, even with the enthusiastic endorsement of the people who showed up for the formation meeting. We weren’t quite lucky enough to parallel Heinlein’s first guest of honor appearance fifty-six years earlier — the Sunday of Westercon that year was July 6, 1997, so we made do, one day off. It was frustrating — just more work than I could handle by myself. Ginny Heinlein recruited our first secretary, Laurie A. MacDonald, to help with the work, and somehow, the three of us working together, the Society took off. Ginny also recruited her friend and longtime intellectual property lawyer, Art Dula, to handle our incorporation as a tax-exempt charitable and Bill Patterson working with Heinlein’s sealed educational organization — Ginny could be very correspondence and wearing Heinlein’s persuasive when she wanted to be! When Laurie had done as much as she felt she was gardening hat. able, she resigned, and late in 1999 I asked David Photo by Rita Bottoms, archivist (ret.)” Silver to fill her size 6 pink pumps. David had launched the (then-AOL) Heinlein Readers’ Group on to talk about voice to voice, so I was surprised — and almost the same day as the first organizational overwhelmed — when she asked me to write an meeting of the Society, and he had spent years official, formal biography of Robert Heinlein. She had managing other charitable and educational reviewed and fact-checked and commented on the organizations. biographical sketch I wrote for The Heinlein Journal Under David’s direction, the Society has grown (No. 5, July 1999), and I guess she must have pretty close to the magic number for self-sustaining approved the way I worked with her comments. I size; the various technical pitfalls and organizational visited Ginny in Florida early in February and collected problems have been overcome, and we have taken a the first of a series of taped interviews, then began place of pride among other organizations promoting work at the Archives at Special Collections of the Heinlein’s social legacy. I cannot pretend to be University Library, University of California at Santa responsible for any major portion of these Cruz, in May. accomplishments: the Society as it currently exists The research for the library has involved reading is largely due to David’s unremitting efforts, and it and digesting perhaps as much as 75 million words of gratifies me to be able to turn over to his care the correspondence and secondary, historical materials fruits of his own hard work. May his light, no less over the last three years — essentially a ten year task than his Talent of Silver, never be hid under a bushel condensed into two years. Mindful that this had to as he takes up the Chair — “in the absence of The be the most complete and defensible biography Senior …” possible, not a casual knock-off — but also that it was On New Year’s Day 2000, Ginny Heinlein called me a project Ginny wanted to be able to oversee, I began — the first time we had spoken together on the the writing in August 2001, funnelling each chapter to telephone, though we had been conducting a brisk Ginny as I finished it. This method made the task and voluminous correspondence by post and by extremely cumbersome, because each chapter had to internet for many months by that time. She had been a little mysterious about what it was she wanted Continued on page 20

Page 2 For us, a ‘new’ Heinlein novel By DEB HOUDEK RULE page footnote!). It was unpublished because the As of this writing, August 31, 2003, there are only mores and culture of the time would not allow it. about half a dozen people in the entire known “For Us, the Living,” was put aside, and eventually universe who can accurately claim that they have lost. The Heinleins apparently destroyed all copies read every novel Heinlein has written. they had. And, because at the time it was written For those of us who thought there would never Heinlein was not a member of the again be another new Heinlein novel, the impossible community, no other sf writers knew about it. He had has become reality. “For Us, the Living,” is a brand let one or two friends read it, and it is by a long trail new, never-before-published novel by Robert A. through one of them that this rarest of treasures was Heinlein. It is going into print now for the first time located. and will be in bookstores by the end of November Robert James, Ph.D., Heinlein Society member and 2003. Heinlein scholar, had been researching Heinlein and “For Us, the Living” was written by Heinlein about his life, focusing on Heinlein’s second wife Leslyn, 1938-39, before he wrote his first sf short, “Lifeline.” when he came across a vague mention of an early The novel, “For Us, the Living,” was deemed novel, a copy of which one-time Heinlein biographer unpublishable, mainly for the racy content. So racy Leon Stover was supposed to have. Robert James is/was the content that in the 1930s the book could went searching, and after serious hunting, finally not even have been legally shipped through the US located a forgotten copy in a box in a garage that mail! For this reason, after a few publisher rejections, had changed hands at least once since Heinlein the novel was tabled by Heinlein, but the content was himself had given it to a friend to be read. This copy mined for his later stories and novels. A fellow had annotations written in the margin by Heinlein named Nehemiah Scudder even appears in “For Us, himself, with some in a second hand that was the Living.” It’s important to point out that according probably then-wife Leslyn’s. to those favored few who have thus far read this long Robert James presented the manuscript to the lost Heinlein novel, it did not go unpublished because it was bad — they say it’s quite good, though clearly a first novel by the author (it has a two and a half Continued on page 4

Annual meeting: Left to Right, board members Alan Milner, Charles N. Brown, and David Silver. An image of the cover “For Us, the Living” is in the foreground.

Page 3 ‘FUTL’ from page 13 Heinlein Society’s secretary, David Silver, who promptly contacted Arthur Dula, the representative of the Heinlein literary estate. As they told the tale, they only informed Art that they had a “surprise” for him. When they picked him up, and the three of them were alone in the car, they handed Art the manuscript of this never before seen “new” Heinlein novel. “...when I regained consciousness,” Art Dula said, describing the moment, he knew at once this treasure needed to be published for the benefit of us, Heinlein’s readers. Through Eleanor Wood, agent for the Heinlein estate, they arranged publication of “For Us, the Living,” the first truly new Heinlein novel since “To Sail Beyond the Sunset,” published shortly before his death. Heinlein’s last novel is now his first. Virtually no changes have been made to the manuscript from Heinlein’s original draft. The book, Robert James said, was not a first draft but a polished final draft. Only a very few minor edits and spelling corrections were made. There will be a foreword by Spider Robinson and an afterword by Robert James. There are two bonuses to this landmark event that bear mentioning. As most novels have dedications at the beginning, the dedication of “For Us, the Living” will be to us ... to Heinlein’s Children. The other bonus is another gift to us. The money earned by this novel will be going to directly and substantially support Heinlein’s dream, and the dream we, Heinlein’s Children, share. Meeting of minds: A highlight of The Heinlein Society Earnings will be going to the Dinner was the video of Robert Heinlein being interviewed by advancement of human local newscaster Bill Stout on CBS during the first moon exploration of space. When you landing. The bottom photo includes Heinlein friend and purchase “For Us, the Living” you science fiction author Arthur C. Clarke. also contribute, in a real and -- Photos by Geo Rule and Deb Houdek Rule meaningful way, to furthering this dream. Yet again, Heinlein ‘pays it forward.’ Page 4 Secretary-treasurer’s report New members are great, but so too is paying dues By JANE SILVER where we will enlist the scientific communities and “Good evening Mr. and Mrs. North and South encourage their involvement in the goals of The America and all the ships at sea … di dit di dit di dit Heinlein Society. dit dit. Let’s go to press.” — Walter Winchell. The Library Committee Chair is vacant and in Since my last communication with all of you, there great need, wanting someone who feels strongly the has been a lot happening within the Heinlein desire to fill up those empty shelves with Heinlein. Society. I’ve been to places I never imagined I There is a gift, by Ginny specifically for this would go and met people I never thought I would purpose, books languishing in storage that need to see face-to-face. see the light of day and the turning, once again, of We have signed more than 50 new members those pages. largely through attendance at Torcon3, the valuable Then there is Fundraising. In order for us to efforts of our members at the fan table and the accomplish the goals we have set we must have the announcement of the publication of “For Us, The wherewithal and that is, simply put, the money. We Living.” That is a more than 25 percent increase in have been gifted with a matching funds pledge by total members! the Prize Trust of $15,000 through the end of this We are opening new doors and enlisting a wide year. range of expertise to help us with the plans and We ask that our membership not let this opportu- goals of The Heinlein Society in conjunction with the nity go by and that they encourage Heinlein Prize that was announced recently. There everyone they know who might be willing to con- is going to be a lot of positive activity in the next tribute any amount, however small, in order to few years in which you, the members, can and meet the full potential of this pledge. should participate. Maureen mode: Now to an unfortunate and delicate One of these areas is the fast-approaching subject. My second letter and invoice will be mailed Centennial celebration in 2007. It would seem like out in the next few weeks. To be a non-recipient of a long time in the future, but here we are. Can you my “second letter” one must be a dues paid mem- believe it’s October already? For this celebration to ber. We do not accept chickens, hams, pies, cob- be as it should, a worldwide event, the planning and blers, or any form of barter as legal tender, sad to formulation of the theme (somewhat obvious but say and in order keep the wolf from the door. nonetheless required) is going forward now. The dreaded “third letter” wherein membership in Other areas are the continuing efforts to have The Heinlein Society becomes forfeit will follow The blood drives at as many venues as is humanly pos- Second Letter. sible. Scholastic and Academic is a prime area

Visit the Web site: The http://www.heinleinsociety.org Heinlein Join today! Sign up your friends tomorrow! Society Page 5 Blood drives Heinlein Society members pitch in across the globe By MIKE SHEFFIELD scheduling conflicts and left drawing by artist GOH Kelly Over Labor Day weekend some without even being screened. Freas. 4,500 science fiction fans All in all, the blood drive was What may surprise you is that descended upon the city of very successful and we thank this was not our first blood Toronto, Ontario for Torcon III, Canadian Blood Services, the drive outside the United States. the 61st World Science Fiction Torcon III committee and most Just 4 weeks before, on Aug. 2, Convention. Naturally, the especially the fans who made it we ran a blood drive at FinnCon Heinlein Society was there as possible. It is no surprise that X in Turku, Finland. Kullervo well to, among other things, they rose to the occasion. And (Kultsi) Nurmi, a Heinlein hold a blood drive. they were duly rewarded for Society member, coordinated Unsurprisingly, there were their efforts. Each donor the drive for us, and it was a some snafus awaiting us there. received, in addition to the definite triumph thanks to the The blood drive location was cloisonne pins given at all of cooperation and enthusiasm of changed not long before the our blood drives, a signed everyone involved. convention began (along with bookplate donated by David Things got off to a late start, nearly everything else). Brin, and a chance to win as I didn’t know of the Fortunately, all the convention signed book covers from publications had the correct Elizabeth Moon and an original Continued on page 7 location shown. Unfortunately, they listed the start time of the drive as 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, which was when the setup began. Blood collection actually began at 11:30 a.m. But the fans were undaunted in their quest to give blood. Throughout the day they waited in line to donate, some for nearly 3 hours! No bed was empty longer than it took to get one person off of it and another on. The drive was scheduled to end at 4:30 and though no more people were allowed to sign up after that time, Canadian Blood Services continued to work until 6:00 to get through those already waiting. By the end of the day they had collected 74 units of blood from 99 who attempted Deb Houdek Rule, the Heinlein Society’s Webmaster, and to give. And there would have been more. Many people who Scholastic/Academic committee chair Geo Rule participate came by were unable to make in the “Stranger than Stranger” panel at Torcon. the protracted wait due to

Page 6 BLOOD DRIVES from page 6 convention until just over two months before it happened. Then, after I e-mailed Kultsi to ask if he would be able to run it for us, it took almost a month to get his response because my spam filter was blocking him for some reason. Luckily he persisted and we were able to proceed with only five weeks to go before the convention. In general it would not be possible to set up a blood drive on such short notice, but the convention committee was very helpful and supportive and made room inside for the drive even though they had to rearrange their room assisgnments to do so. And the Finnish National Red Cross, after talking with Kultsi and walking through the convention site, agreed to send out a team. And the fans didn’t disappoint. More than 80 people tried to donate, though unfortunately a lot of them were deferred, many for being too young. If this is the youth of fandom we Prize winner: Dr. Amy Baxter (right) and Eleanor Wood have a great future to look jointly receive the first ever Heinlein Award on behalf of forward to. The final tally was Virginia Heinlein. 37 units of blood collected — 18 -- Photo by Jeanne Robinson of them first time donors! And though this was fewer than the Red Cross had targeted, they another example of how hard Community Blood Centers and were still pleased with the work and determination can they were more than eager to result and are eager to come really pay off. step in and run the blood drive. back again next year. Though we first contacted the However, the Dragon*Con We are indebted to Kultsi for convention in early May, we convention committee had all his hard work and didn’t learn until July that the become somewhat discouraged perseverence, and grateful for Red Cross had decided not to after the Red Cross dropped the enthusiastic support of the do the blood drive there this out, and had some reservations FinnCon committee and the Red year after having done so for regarding space for the drive Cross. And, as always, my hat the last several years. A inside. is off to the fans. convention of this size – it’s the Enter Brad Linaweaver at the Moving south, on the same largest SF convention in the request of Bill Patterson and day we were collecting blood in U.S. with more than over Peter Scott, with just six weeks Canada, Alan Koslow was 20,000 attendee — was too to go. Brad was able to handling the first of a two- valuable to let slip away without convince the board of the day blood drive at Dragon*Con making every effort to salvage in Atlanta, Georgia. This was it. We contacted LifeSouth Continued on page 8

Page 7 supplying signed bookplates for great deal of support from BLOOD DRIVES Dragon*Con, as well as Torcon3 vendors, publishers and studios from page 7 to reward our blood donors. and each donor receives a Thanks to Wendell and the whole bag of stuff and a ticket merits of setting aside space for Koslow family for all their hard for the raffle of around 100 the drive, and to add a Heinlein work. And thanks to the fans items. This is a very impressive panel to convention schedule. A for lying down on the job, so to accomplishment that is worthy very persuasive fellow is speak. of notice. Mr. Linaweaver. I want to bring attention also We also want to extend a There were still more hurdles to a convention that has been special note of thanks to the to clear. The blood drive hadn’t paying it forward entirely on Southern California Insitute for had much pre-convention their own for a great many Fan Interest (SCIFI) and the advertising apart from a brief years. Robert Heinlein attended New England Science Fiction mention on the website and it San Diego Comic Con (now Association (NESFA) for their didn’t appear in the printed Comic Con International) in generous donations to help with program, so we had to get the 1977 and helped them run their cost of producing the cloisonne word out. Alan, who had first blood drive. And they have pins we give to each blood brought his whole family with a held a Robert A. Heinlein donor. For those of you who him to help, and Wendell Memorial Blood Drive every don’t know, these pins were Broadwell — another Heinlein year since then (this designed by Robert Heinlein for Society member — engaged was their 27th year). This year the first Science Fiction in some very effective guerilla the San Diego Blood Bank convention blood drive at advertising as well as running a collected more than 300 units MidAmericon in 1976. Last year fan table for the Society. Brad of blood in the two days of the the Los Angeles Science Fantasy mentioned the drive on all of drive (they had an attendance his panels. And, of course, fans of over 70,000). They have a can sense a blood drive a mile Continued on page 9 away (they can sense chocolate two miles away, but that’s another story). The end result was better than we could have hoped for given the circumstances. One hundred and thirty people tried to give blood and 92 units were collected. Donor demand was so high that the blood drive, originally scheduled for six hours on Saturday and four hours on Sunday, was continued on Monday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Kudos to everyone involved. LifeSouth was a great organization to work with, even producing a special t-shirt for the blood donors and running the drive on multiple days to accomodate the con-goers’ schedules. The Dragon*Con committee really came through in the end, making space inside an already crowded convention, which always results in a better Heinlein’s jewels: Deb Houdek models Robert Heinlein’s turnout than the bloodmobile. Naval Academy class ring during The Heinlein Society Awards Thanks to David Brin for Dinner on Friday, August 29, at Torcon3.

Page 8 BLOOD DRIVES from page 8 Society (LASFS) found five boxes of these pins in their clubhouse (not left over from 1976, but a later production run) and supplied them to us to give to convention blood donors. Earlier this year, as this supply began to run out, we began producing them again and will continue to do so in Robert’s memory. I heard a particularly moving story regarding these pins in Toronto. One young lady who donated blood at Torcon3 told me that the pin held special significance for her. Her father had donated blood at MidAmericon and gotten one of those pins. She didn’t know if he still had it, but he had spoken proudly of it and she was ecstatic about having one No Strangers here: L to R: Heinlein Society members of her own to show him. Bradford Lyau, Fran Van Cleave and Joseph Major participate People like this are the main in "Stranger than Stranger" panel at Torcon. reason I started running blood drives. How about you? Have you considered donating blood? Is there a convention you attend that might be able to host a blood drive? Or perhaps your workplace or a local church or community center could host a drive. Are you willing to help make it happen? Our goal is no less than to have a blood drive at every SF con large enough to support one, and to move beyond that to having blood drives wherever and whenever possible. With your help we can save a great many lives and honor the legacy Robert Heinlein left us. Joining the Society is a great first step in paying it forward. We hope you will take the next step in helping one of our committees to work toward a brighter Enjoying dinner: Jerri Rivera and Education committee chair future. Thank you. Robert James at the Heinlein Awards dinner. Dr. James discovered the lost manuscript of For Us, the Living.

Page 9 As a memorial to Ginny Heinlein, sign up a new member

Please tell us how to contact you. Most information is optional, of course, but it will help us serve your interests better. The few fields we must have in order to enter you in our membership rolls are marked with an asterisk[*].

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Please check any or all of the following areas which interest you: __ Academic __ Literary __ Blood Drives __ Fund-Raising __ Non-English Out-Reach __ Education __ Libraries __ Membership __ Centennial __ Aerospace Out-Reach

Mail to: The Heinlein Society c/o Secretary-Treasurer PO Box 1254 Venice, California 90294 USA Centennial committee report Ideas needed for celebration By PETER SCOTT what facilities it provides. We require not only As you probably know, the Heinlein Society intends brainstorming, but also concrete information that to stage a convention commemorating the will allow us to evaluate the proposal as a business centennial of Robert Heinlein’s birth, which will proposition. occur July 7, 2007. Please give attention to what the Society would The Society would like your assistance with its have to commit to and what assurances would be deliberations concerning the form of that event. provided to it. Do you propose an event to be run Right now we are considering a proposal for a by volunteers, in which case, what group and what mostly conventional type of event to be held in is their track record? Or do you propose something Kansas City; some board members and I received a run by professional staff, in which case the same presentation from facilities representatives during questions apply, along with some idea of what they Torcon3. Without prejudice to that proposal, the cost. How much would attendees pay? Society feels its members deserve the benefit of the This solicitation presupposes a broad spectrum of board exercising diligence in considering additional possible responses, and we are comfortable with choices and more creative thinking. that. We realize we are not providing guidance as Therefore, we invite your input on alternatives. Be to how large an attendance we are looking for, as creative as you like whilst remaining practical. drawn from what demographics, paying what We will not be gathering on the international space attendance fee and neither are we being specific station. However, a commemorative cruise along about the goals of the event. In part, the Society’s routes described in “Tramp Royale,” for instance, decisions on those parameters will be determined would be an entirely appropriate proposal provided by the choices available to it. In other words, you you can put some flesh on those bones based upon may have considerable power here if you have a specialized knowledge of the cruise business. suggestion for us. We are looking for suggestions as to form and Please direct your responses to location; if you wish to propose a conventional [email protected]. We would like event in a city with which you have experience, to evaluate ideas by the end of October. please detail the advantages of that location and Thank you.

Remembering Ginny: There wasn’t a dry eye in the house at the Heinlein Society Dinner when a video was played of Virginia Heinlein accepting the NASA Distinguished Service Medal in 1988, shortly after Robert’s death. It was at this ceremony where she read Robert’s essay: “This I Believe.”

Page 11 Heinlein Prize set at $500,000 9/29/03: The Heinlein Prize, a major new award recipients of the Prize based upon recommendations for practical accomplishments in commercial space from the Advisory Board. The Heinlein Prize will be activities, was announced today at the International awarded on July 7th of those years in which the Aeronautical Congress underway in Bremen, Prize is given.” Germany. Trustees of the Robert A. and Virginia The Trustees are currently in the process of Heinlein Prize Trust revealed that the first Heinlein selecting the Board of Advisors. Until the Board of Prize award has been set at $500,000 USD. Advisors is announced, nominations for the Heinlein The Heinlein Prize may be given as frequently as Prize may be made directly to the Trustees though annually to one or more individuals that have the Heinlein Prize website at achieved practical accomplishments in the field of www.heinleinprize.com. commercial space activities. The Trustees The Trustees of the Robert A. and Virginia emphasize that the award is for effort by an Heinlein Prize Trust are Mr. Dula, Dr. Buckner individual - not corporate or government sponsored Hightower of Austin, Texas, USA, and Mr. James activities - and that the Heinlein Prize is intended to Miller Vaughn, Jr. also of Houston, Texas. be world-wide in scope. The Heinlein Prize honors the memory of Robert “The purpose of the Heinlein Prize is to provide A. Heinlein, a renowned American author. Through an incentive to spur the advancement of the his body of work in fiction spanning nearly fifty commercial use of outer space,” explained Arthur M. years during the commencement of man’s entry into Dula of Houston, Texas, USA, one of three Trustees. space, Mr. Heinlein advocated human advancement “In order to accomplish that goal, the Trustees will into space through commercial endeavors. After Mr. establish an Advisory Board drawn from respected Heinlein’s death in 1988, his widow, Virginia persons in space activities from around the world. Gerstenfeld Heinlein, established the Trust in order The Advisory Board will keep abreast of to further her husband’s vision of humanity’s future developments in space commercialization and will in space. Funding for the Heinlein Prize came from review nominations and propose its own candidates Mrs. Heinlein’s estate after her death earlier this for the Heinlein Prize. The Trustees will select year.

Spider’s grasp: Geo Rule and Deb Houdek Rule flank noted science fiction author and long- time friend of Robert and Virginia Heinlein, Spider Robinson. Spider was a judge for The Heinlein Award.

Page 12 Blood Drives 101: Anyone can do it By KULLERVO “KULTSI” NURMI Editor’s note: THS member Kullervo Nurmi demonstrated the ideals behind “Pay it Forward” put into action when he organized a blood drive at FinnConX, and paid for most of the expenses out of his own pocket. He also was first in line to donate. The following first-hand report is a primer on how any Society member can Pay it Forward by organizing a blood drive at any of the science fiction or fantasy convention in their area. I arranged a blood drive at the FinnConX/Eurocon 2003/Animecon II/Baltcon 2003 combined convention in Turku, Finland. The drive resulted in 37 bags of blood, there were 18 first time donors, and an astounding number of people who wanted, but could not donate for one Paying it Forward: Heinlein reason or other and therefore got Society member Kullervo turned away. “Kultsi” Nurmi (above) not All in all, the convention visitors only donated blood at were young, pierced, tattooed, in FinnCon X in Turki, Finland, the drink, hung over, or any he organized the drive and combination of these. To make paid most of the costs out of the things more difficult, the 80 sail ships attending the Tall Ships’ his own pocket. Race set sail on the nearby Turku Finnish friends: These two River, starting at the same time ladies donated at FinnCon X. as our drive. One thing became apparent at may turn out to be costly. I was an early stage: You must be there able to secure a classroom and early, the blood drive must be in the entry hall of the building next the convention program, so that door to the one with the other lectures, awards, panels, and con activities, a special whatever leave the visitors time arrangement with the University six tables the Red Cross people to donate. It will only happen if at no cost. I think the University had could have handled two the organizers are aware of the administration thought the blood hundred persons in the four hours blood drive while doing their drive was a good thing. The we were in operation. planning. This will ensure the classroom was used for the Contacting the local Red Cross blood drive is on the con’s web operations, and the hall for need not be as early, because site from the beginning and it administrative trivia such as they are used to taking things to may get a place in the con taking the persons’ data; filling a place, setting up the operations, posters etc. This will save money. out the forms; waiting; sitting doing their stuff, packing up again It will also help in getting the after the donation drinking juice, and tidying up afterwards. They place to do the actual taking of coffee, tea, with munchies while do need time in advance, as they blood — not a small under observation. A blood mobile consideration, as the alternatives or the like might be OK, but the Continued on page 14 Page 13 KULTSI from page 13 Torcon3: By the numbers may have to plan extra shifts and By DAVID SILVER I invited Phil to attend the the like, but not as much as with Torcon3, the annual World SF awards dinner as our guest. I was the convention organizers. convention began Thursday, happy to see later he did and An early start will help in August 28th, and continued enjoyed himself. another thing as well, such as through Monday, September 1st, After a late and much needed getting sponsors for stuff, like the in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. breakfast, I took a cab to the drinks, possible Four board members, including Convention Centre, picked up my posters/handouts, one board officer, four committee registration and went to the fan accommodation, etc. chairs, and several other active table area to set up the big During the con, it’s really good members attended. Keith Kato, Heinlein Society banner we use, to get in contact with the our social activities chair, arrived laid out a few copies of the organizers of other/next earliest, on Tuesday, the 26th, to Newsletter I’d brought; and got conventions; they are likely to be inspect the restaurant banquet ready to push dinner tickets. Sam there, as they are advertising facilities where the Heinlein Kramer met me there within their own con. Memorial and Awards Dinner was thirty minutes; and we got One thing that was brought to to be held on Friday, August 29th. started selling tickets until it got my mind too late was to gather Sam Kramer and myself, David close to 5 p.m. when I had go the names and addresses of all Silver, arrived early on Thursday moderate the first of our panels, the people who even try to morning, with other committee “Heinlein’s Women: Just Like the donate. We can send a letter to chairs, board members and Girl that Married Dear Old Dad.” those people and notify them of members arriving later in the day. Sam got a few cups of tea into the next Convention Blood Drive A non-member, Phil Paine, a old me so I was able to pronounce in their area, as well as bring friend of Bill Patterson’s who had my name despite the really bad them info about the society and planned to attend but who was case of jet lag I had by the time its goals. caught up in a transportation the panel began. I received a bunch of RAH Blood mix-up, graciously met me at The panel, despite being Drive pins from Mike Sheffield, Pearson International in Toronto scheduled on a Thursday which the Blood Drive Chair, and the and quickly provided prevented both Robert James, our text explaining how the pin came transportation to my downtown Education committee chair, and about. I redesigned the text into hotel, The Grand, a former Royal Deb Houdek Rule, our new a folded card with “Thank You” on Canadian Mounted Police website committee chair, from the first page, and the text on headquarters, where I had rented participating, since their flights the third, had them printed, cut, a suite for The Heinlein Society. weren’t due in until later that and folded, and then I attached We later held a small party and evening, went very well, the pin under the text in the several business meetings there. attendance filled the room, and front. Phil was a life-saver for us the discussion was lively. Art McNutt put my text into the during the Con. He’d arranged to Larry Niven and Elizabeth Ann poster he designed for TorCon3, print 3,000 black and white flyers Hull, Fredrick Pohl’s English and I originally thought of having with our advertisement made by Professor wife, made up a great them printed in two sizes, but the Art McNutt announcing the attraction as our guests on the time ran short, and the printing Awards Dinner and the Blood panel and together were probably house could only deliver the Drive, and delivered them to the reason for the full room smaller sizes, so I took more of Torcon’s committee to stuff them attendance we had, despite those, all of twenty — and should individually in the bags Torcon several other attractive panels have taken fifty, at least! Art did gave out upon registration to being held in that hour. Fran Van the same poster in shadow attendees, so they would know of Cleave, a Society member, background in smaller size, which these events in time to attend several of whose recent stories I printed out on our company’s despite the much delayed printing have appeared in Analog, and Pat laser, and then had them cut in and mailing of the last progress York, a teacher from Buffalo, both the middle, as I used a layout report and souvenir program did wonderful jobs on the panel, that gave two identical handouts which had similar ads that were keeping a good balance in their on one printed page. not likely to be seen by anyone before the events themselves. Continued on page 15

Page 14 signs announcing “For Us, the for those positions for which the TORCON3 Living” when I arrived at the fan 3-year terms were expiring. from page 14 table. We were able to use both Charles N. Brown was at the fan table and later at the unanimously reelected to a three presentations, filling in for Robert dinner. By the time I got to the year term. I surrendered the and Deb. Dr. Hull had a few fan table with the sign and flyers, gavel to Mr. Milner, and while he interesting approaches to the etc., I was happy to see that presided I was reelected to subject; and Larry gave a great Sam, Mike, Peter and the rest another three year term as well. overview of Heinlein’s women who had helped out were doing Both Mr. Milner, before he characters. great on selling tickets to the surrendered the gavel, and I Later that evening, my sister dinner, and beginning to feel a introduced and commended all Jane, our Membership Services little relieved about finances — those Committee Chairs who were chair, arrived with more for we needed to sell about thirty present, including Mike Sheffield, newsletters and relieved Sam and dinner reservations more than we who has done a wonderful job me at the fan table; and, yet had sold before leaving for overseeing and organizing more later, Deb and Geo Rule arrived Toronto just to break even. Sam, than ten convention blood drives with all sorts of great pre-printed who is now appointed this year, Peter Scott, who equally items Deb had created to membership recruitment has worked hard to develop plans promote our events, which they committee chair, also reported a for the 2007 Centennial set up. I was so jet-lagged, I large amount of new membership celebration, Geo Rule, whose don’t even remember going to applications. Alan and Jane efforts to organize the academic dinner with Sam, but know I did; arrived with the Canadian cash committee are laudable, Keith for I got back to the hotel, and during the noon hour; and we left Kato, who has saved us much awoke the next day ready and a note on the fan table and all time in arranging for social raring to go. left for our 1 p.m. corporate activities, and Jane Silver, whose Sam Kramer, Peter Scott, and meeting in the Royal York membership services efforts have Mike Sheffield started manning Fairmount. been especially fruitful, as the fan table early Friday morning We held the Annual Corporate demonstrated by the much with Geo and Deb while Jane, General Membership Meeting on improved dues payments board member Alan Milner (who time, with 18 members, and situation once she took over the had arrived Thursday night) and I three directors, Alan Milner, job. attended to a few logistic details. Charles N. Brown, the publisher We also introduced, thanked and Jane and Alan set out to the of Locus, and myself physically commended Dr. Amy Baxter, banks to change the large and one, Dr. Yoji Kondo, present Ginny Heinlein’s “adopted” amount of US dollars we needed by power of attorney to me, and granddaughter, who was present to prepay for the dinner into one non-member visitor. with her husband, Dr. Louis Canadian, while I arranged with Joe Haldeman, who had been Calderon, also both members of the printer Phil had lined up to scheduled by Torcon for a panel the Society, and who did so much print up quickly a few things — and a luncheon that conflicted to ease Ginny’s last illness. After the big sign we use to advertise before he had been elected as a thanking those present, I the panels we’d scheduled, the director, had expressed his deep adjourned the meeting and we financial statements and reports regrets at not being able to made the trek back to the for the Society’s annual attend this, his first general Convention Center for our next membership meeting, and a great meeting; and I expressed his panel, “Heinlein 101: All You Ever looking full color flyer for “For Us, regrets to those present. Wanted to Know About Heinlein the Living,” that Simon & Bill Patterson had gotten hung But Were Afraid to Ask.” Schuster art and advertising up in a transportation glitch, so I Robert “Doc” James was all department had made up and e- expressed his apologies for ready to go when we arrived, mailed a PDF to me in Toronto. missing Torcon as well, and I passing out the prepared outlines Phil had dropped off the presided as pro tempore chair at he had made for the audience remaining black-and-white dinner the meeting. which was already filling up the advertisements for Sam and Mike The Minutes were approved as room. Our panel, very lively and to use; and an author named read. My Secretary Treasurer’s well-presented, was once again Keith DeCandido had brought out Financial Report was given and given to a standing room only from New York for Simon & commented upon. We conducted crowd, just at it had been at Schuster some nice tasteful table our annual Election of Directors Continued on page 16

Page 15 TORCON3 from page 15 ConJosé. Dr. Brad Lyau and Deb Houdek Rule joined Robert and me for the panel, and everyone did their usual splendid job, while I moderated and tried to stay out of trouble. Once it was finished, some of us left immediately to our hotels to get ready for the dinner, while Deb, Robert and Kitten Trumpski-Roberts ably filled in on a “Heinlein and Sex” panel that some of us had to miss since it was set just one hour before the Awards Dinner. Back at the hotel, Peter, Jane, and Sam got the dinner reservations list straightened out, and final place cards printed up; and we finished dressing and left for the restaurant. I was greatly relieved to find we’d hit close to our break-even point for the dinner, with 93 paid guests, and two additional “comps,” giving us a total of 95 official guests for the dinner. Arriving at the restaurant at 5:30 p.m. there was the usual mad dash to get everything in place: Peter Scott got the AV tech squared away, Sam and Jane and everyone else cooperated in getting the place settings down, Deb and Geo, assisted ably by Jake Keaton, set up the cameras Manning the table: Member Kate Gladstone with husband to tape the event, while Alan Andrew Haber help out at fan table at Torcon3. They Milner acted as my substitute discussed the Heinlein Society with con-goers and helped host, keeping things going, while sign up new members. I paid off the restaurant and the service from which we’d rented promptly sat in my lap at the Dinner began without a hitch the AV equipment and set up. head table, and while the with all guests including all the Guests did arrive indeed at "6 cameras clicked and flashed, head table seated and served in p.m. sharp!" and we let them take provided ample evidence for my plenty of time. After the entree their seats while cocktails were wife Andrea to keep things warm was consumed and while coffee served. It was a well-dressed, for me at home for the next and dessert was being served I wonderful-looking crowd, and several months, by hugging me began the program by introducing everyone seemed very excited and planting a nice big kiss right the head table: Alan Milner, our and pleased to be there. on top of my bald spot. Thanks, director and fundraising chair, and During the cocktail hour, Teresa Pixel! Andrea appreciated the Simone DiMatteo, his lovely Redmond arrived, beautiful as she photos my dear sister took. She guest for that evening. Alan always does — hair styled like said you looked beautiful, of deserved a special commendation Friday Baldwin and ready to help course. Further, deponent sayeth our blood drive the next day, and naught. Continued on page 17 Page 16 beautiful wife, Tamea, could not not attend, but had suggested TORCON3 arrive in time for dinner, so we black tie for the head table. It from page 16 had seated Lt. Col. Sam Kramer, added tremendously to the tone resplendent in his mess blues, of the affair. Next year be ready. for attending – he underwent whose devoted efforts at selling See if it still fits. I suspect there surgery only three weeks ago, all the dinner tickets at our table will be even more guests wearing and two lobes of his left lung merited his inclusion at the head it, or the equivalent, in Boston. were removed, so he was under table, next to Art. I next What was it they said about considerable “discomfort” as the introduced Jeanne and Spider Robert Heinlein, ladies and medicos call it; but Simone, a Robinson. Spider, a very well gentlemen, that he’d even dress wonderful lady, deserved even known author, is an Awards for dinner in the jungle? more commendation for making judge, but also was the I then introduced my sister, Jane his attendance possible. Next I Toastmaster Guest of Honor at Silver, who was lovely in her introduced Larry and Marilyn Torcon3 and one special attraction formal, and who lost the bet with Niven. Larry is one of the Award of the dinner was the opportunity my wife on who would be my judges, and so well known as an to see Spider actually wearing a keeper this World Con; and then author to require no further tuxedo! He looked glorious! Black on to introduce Gay and Joe introduction. Then came Art Dula, tie was optional. Dr. Kondo, Haldeman, who like Larry and the Heinlein Prize Trustee and whose daughter had been called successor literary executor. Art’s up and is in Afghanistan, could Continued on page 18

Heinlein Awards: From left, Eleanor Wood (who jointly accepted for Mrs. Heinlein), recipient Michael Flynn, Awards Judge Spider Robinson, Amy Baxter (who accepted for Mrs. Heinlein), Awards Judges Joe Haldeman, Stanley Schmidt, and Larry Niven. -- Photo by Geo Rule and Deb Houdek Rule. Page 17 was one of the top three authors death and to which appointed him TORCON3 who we, the Society, suggested to a trustee. from page 17 the judges’ panel after their Art followed up on Alan’s appeal invitation to us to do so given us for funds and promised that the Pink Niven, need no further back in May. Prize Trust would match any introduction to SF readers. We next had an interlude, not funds raised during Torcon by The Joe is both an Award judge and originally scheduled, in which Heinlein Society. A note: we our Society’s newest director; I Fred Moulton, one of our first raised a total of $3,400 during then introduced Stan and Joyce Heinlein Society members, on Torcon; and the Prize Trust has Schmidt. Stan, an editor, critic behalf of the Libertarian Futurist matched that amount. The Trust’s and well-known writer, is the Society, awarded Robert Heinlein offer stands until the end of the fourth of the Award judges able its 2003 Hall of Fame award for year, for the balance of to attend; and finally I introduced the story “.” I was $15,000.00. Charles N. Brown. our Society’s honored to accept that award on If you, as many do, make your founding director, and the lovely Robert’s behalf. It is a beautiful charitable contributions before Jennifer Hall, Locus Magazine’s plaque which I’ll forward on to the first of the next year, please new editor, now that Charles is the UC Santa Cruz library to go remember our good works and “retired.” Jenni had nicely with the Hugos and Nebula and plans for next year could use your arranged to have her camera all the other awards presented to support. ready during the ceremonies and Mr. Heinlein during his lifetime Our AV Presentation then took some photos of the event and beyond. concluded with Ginny receiving and presentation of the awards That makes two awards I’ve Robert’s posthumous DPSM at that we hope to see in Locus’ been honored to accept on behalf NASA, in 1988 shortly after next couple issues. of Mr. Heinlein, this one for Robert’s death; and with her Once all the head table guests “Requiem” and the other, the reading of “This I Believe” on that were introduced I asked them all retroactive Hugo for “The Man occasion. Maybe there was a dry to rise and the guests vigorously Who Sold the Moon,” at eye in the house after that: I applauded them. MilPhilCon in 2001, so you might wouldn’t know. I got a little Spider Robinson began the say I’ve accounted for Mr. distracted for a moment. awards ceremony with Joe Harriman’s awards as well. We ended the dinner with Haldeman’s able assistance. We then had the audio visual thanks to all who attended and Spider and Joe awarded the first presentation. We again showed those who could not, but would Heinlein Award to Virginia Ginny’s copy of the broadcast of have attended if they could: Dr. Heinlein, posthumously, for her the interview by Walter Cronkite Yoji Kondo, Greg Bear, Elizabeth years of devoted work to publish of Arthur C. Clarke and Robert Moon, , and John and restore the body of Robert’s Heinlein on the occasion of man’s Hill and Herb Gilliland, the other works, and her overall first small steps in July 1969, the award judges; and to the late Dr. encouragement of man’s quest to moon landing, to the delight of , who had been permanently achieve space flight the crowd. There followed, while an award judge. and colonization. the disks were being changed and Many of us then retired to the Eleanor Wood and Dr. Amy cued up, an interlude in which Heinlein Society suite at the Baxter jointly accepted the award first Mike Sheffield was introduced Grand Hotel and decompressed. I for Ginny, and Amy gave a and recounted our past year’s am gratified to report everyone beautiful, heart warming speech blood drive successes and urged was abed, trying to if not sleeping, about Ginny. Next, Larry Niven all to attend the blood drive by at least 4 AM. and Stan Schmidt awarded a scheduled for the next day. Alan The following day, we conducted second Heinlein Award to author Milner then discussed fund raising our Robert Heinlein Memorial Michael Flynn for the body of his and made an appeal to the Blood Drive. work, which includes a fine four audience to participate that Officially, 74 of nearly 100 volume series on advancement evening in donating funds to presentees gave blood. Once into space in the tradition set by further the Society’s good works, again, despite our efforts to Robert Heinlein. Michael thanked which he started with a check of convince them of the potential, the judges and us for the award, his own of $1,000, and then Alan the Blood service grossly and expressed his pleasure to be introduced Art Dula to speak underestimated the capacity of a at the dinner. briefly on the Heinlein Prize Trust I’m happy to note that Michael which Ginny set up before her Continued on page 19

Page 18 including those black-and-white So Art, Sam and I killed all the TORCON3 copies we had printed knowing lawyers to the best of our from page 18 we were going to run out. ability, without his help. Sam, It was a wonderful panel, the now retired from the Army, is a properly advertised Con blood most successful we’ve had. Deputy Public Defender in his drive — there were three- and Spider Robinson, Eleanor Wood, second real life. Next year, for four- hour delays from signups to Art Dula, and Robert James Boston, I’m going to schedule a donations — and despite this, participated along with your layover through Kansas City and donors showed up as they were humble obedient servant who handcuff L.N. into a chair next closing and they had to go past mostly stayed out of trouble, to me. I’ll have him properly the scheduled time by ninety again. Art Dula surprised me at sedated and smiling when we minutes to finish all who got in the end of the panel, when he arrive at NorEasCon to kill the under the wire. Next year they’ll asked to say a final word: He lawyers one more time! Maybe know better; and we plan to told the audience that if it was we’ll both need a keeper to have an organized group of local grateful for this last bit of Robert accompany us to ensure we members ready to help them. Heinlein’s work being published, arrive: Oz, are you reading this? While this went on, just next a way to pay back that gratitude We were joined by David-Glenn door, in fact, at 2 p.m. we held was to join the Society, through Anderson, Fran Van Cleave, and our “Heinlein: Stranger than whose members’ efforts the Joe Major for the Juveniles Stranger, Four Decades After the manuscript was recovered. panel. David-Glenn is the Hugo” panel, once again, to a We continued the next two manager of the Reading For the packed room. Well over 120 days with two more panels: Future list Greg Bear, Greg people were present. With Dr. “Heinlein’s Take on Law and Benford and David Brin created James moderating, Brad Lyau, Lawyers: The Year We Hanged a few years back to encourage Geo Rule, Deb Houdek, Fran Van All the Lawyers,” on Sunday and the use of SF in teaching, and Cleave, and Joe Major all “Heinlein’s Juveniles: Just Plain teaches himself in Utah. All our presented a variety of views. Kids, Superkids, or Sociopathic panelists were a great help on Mike and I were interviewed by Monsters” on Monday, once that panel. a television crew for a local again (I’m getting as tired of And, oh, yes, we held more station about Mr. Heinlein, his typing it as you are of reading than merely a bit of a fairly goals in organizing blood drives, it) to fully packed rooms. successful membership drive at and the society’s goals in L.N. Collier almost made it this Torcon. We now have FIFTY- continuing the tradition by time for the lawyers panel to THREE more members than we paying it forward. Funny thing, join Art Dula, Sam Kramer and had before we left for Torcon: later that afternoon, while I me; he got as far as the plane unquestionably the most checked by the fan table, change at Chicago, when he successful drive we have ever another television crew was received a telephone call had at a SF convention; and interviewing Sam Kramer about notifying him that his younger we’re still receiving sign-ups the Society, its goals and son had been in an accident; that are attributable to the good activities, and of course about and he had of course to return work we all did in Toronto. Mr. Heinlein. home to see that all was well. We have a brand-new designed Later that afternoon, we Fortunately, L.N. reports the boy website thanks to Deb Rule. For presented, in a room four times is now okay, doing well; and he further information and the size of the ordinary panel regrets missing the panel. We all photographs on Torcon3 events, room (between 400 and 500 shared his fatherly concern I suggest you might visit it if seats), absolutely packed, the about his son’s accident and are you haven’t lately. You’ll be “Heinlein: Lost, Strayed, glad of the certain recovery to delighted how well executed the Misplaced, and Found Again” full health. The photos that L.N. redesign is! See panel, which was, of course, web-posted of the Butler original http://www.heinleinsociety.org mostly about the discovery and Heinlein home, which was Everyone worked hard, and all publication of For Us, The Living. restored last year, include mentioned above are especially We distributed the flyers Simon photos of both L.N.’s younger commended for the hours of & Schuster had provided; and I’ll son and his daughter; and he effort they’ve put in at Torcon. cause a link put on the Society’s reports they are wonderful Success breeds success. Wait website so you can download children; they look bright as their until next year! your own, in full color, to use as father is, and as talented. you wish. We ran out of flyers,

Page 19 Robert’s writings and Ginny’s conservation CHAIRMAN’S REPORT generated to Pay the Debt Forward. It will award a from page 24 Prize, currently set at half a million dollars, annually, to individuals who achieve practical recruitment program that two or three, or four or accomplishments in the field of commercial space five, or ten members can use at any convention, activities. It is intended to be worldwide in scope. It any size, held anywhere to come back with one will be formally announced tomorrow, September percent, or more, of attendees as new members 29, at the 54th International Aeronautical Congress recruited. We found these past two years that underway in Bremen, Germany. new members will join if our appeals include That means there will be renewed interest in the certain things: the crucially important support of activities of Robert Heinlein in aeronautical blood drives, educational panels and approaches professions and industries. His writings inspired that are attractive and display that our programs many of those active in those professions and have worthwhile goals and entertain the convention activities. This month, we begin an aerospace audience, and include enjoyable social contacts, recruitment program to attend aerospace science new members will join. Expect the CD-ROM before meetings and seminars and explain our goals to the end of the year. candidates for membership in those fields. Also expect something else. You’ll receive If you're interested in helping, please drop contact, by mail and e-mail, and likely, by me a note, by e-mail or postal mail. Use telephone, from the Society — all designed to form “[email protected],” and I’ll pass on local geographically-proximate groups. We’ve your offer to help this new critical effort to our new actually reached the point where conventions are membership subcommittee formed to start up contacting us, asking for our help to support and efforts in that area. organize blood drives and panels. To do that we’ll need your help, a little of your time and your And Thanks: willingness which we know we already have to help Lastly, I’d like to thank everyone, board pay the debt forward. Expect to hear from us, again members, committee chairs, and all our members, and again, this next year to enable you to do that. old and new, for all their efforts these past three Also, it’s time now to expand our efforts from SF years; and to thank especially Bill Patterson for his conventions to other areas where Robert Heinlein’s inspiration in forming the Society from the influence lies. This month offers the springboard for beginning and passing on to all of us a vital growing that effort. When Ginny Heinlein died, a lot of charitable organization to Pay Our Debt Forward. people thought, and some outright asked: Where’s And to thank Ginny, always Ginny. the money going? The Heinleins had no children — Here’s to our past, and here’s to next year! unless we can claim to be “Heinlein’s children” — David M. Silver nor close relatives. This answer formally comes President and Chairman of the Board tomorrow, Monday, September 29th, as I write this. “The Lieutenant expects your names to The Heinlein Prize Trust was established by Ginny shine!” well before her death to use the wealth that

PATTERSON already there, and much of it important to the biography. It was there, for example, that I found from page 2 almost all the factual material that let me write the be revised to take newly discovered research material next chapter, about the creation of Heinlein’s Opus 1, into account. By this time, I was working on the the soon-to-be-published For Us, the Living. Years biography essentially full-time, and I had come to the earlier, I had been scheduled to see this material, but point where, to take on any new task meant that Ginny’s health had begun to fail and forced some older commitment had to be jettisoned. When it cancellation of my twice-yearly trips to Florida. became clear that Ginny’s health had become Between the important and time-consuming dangerously unstable, I accelerated the writing and organization and design tasks I am performing for the finished 180,000 words, just after the start of her Archive as this year’s Heinlein Scholar and the now final hospitalization. I got him up to the end of his again ongoing writing of the biography, I am no failed 1938 political campaign. Things had to stop longer able to serve effectively as the Society’s Chair. there, while I moved back to civilization, to look for I am relieved to be able to turn it over to David and work. not have to worry about the health and continued Ginny’s death, sad thing that it was, re-created my existence of the Society. It is in good hands because original research-versus-writing problem, since about it is in the hands of its members. as much new material came to the Archives as was Share water: Pay it forward. Page 20

Fan outreach: Heinlein Society members Sam Kramer (membership outreach subcommitee chair) and Peter Scott (centennial committee chair) at fan table explaining purposes of the Society and the benefits of its membership to Torcon3 attendees. The Society signed up more than 50 news members at TorCon.

Page 22 Mrs. Heinlein, Michael Flynn are 1st Heinlein Award winners On August 29, 2003, in Toronto, our space-faring future. To those Michael Flynn's books are Canada, site of the 53rd World who knew her personally, she is available at Amazon.com. Science Fiction Convention, the universally regarded as having Michael Flynn's works include: Heinlein Society presented the been a grand lady and well Fallen Angels, Firestar, In the first Heinlein Awards. The first deserving of this award. Country of the Blind, The award was presented The next Heinlein Award Nanotech Chronicles, Rogue Star, posthumously to Virginia "Ginny" presented was the award for Lodestar, Falling Stars, and The Gerstenfeld Heinlein in outstanding published work in Wreck of the River of Stars. recognition of her enormous or technical -- Article and photos from The contributions to the science fiction writings inspiring the human Heinlein Society Website: field. Not only did she collaborate exploration of space. This award http://heinleinsociety.org with her husband Robert Heinlein was given to author Michael Flynn in the idea creation phase of his by a panel of judges including books, she was a technical many of the leading writers in the consultant for many of the field. The judges were Greg Bear, scientific aspects integral to his Joe Haldeman, Yoji Kondo, novels. For example, the Elizabeth horticultural and terraforming Moon, information in "Farmer in the Larry Sky" came from Ginny Heinlein-- Niven, she was both a chemist and a Jerry well-qualified horticulturalist. Pournelle, Ginny Heinlein also contributed, Spider and will continue to do so long Robinson, after her passing, to the Stanley advancement of the endeavor to Schmidt, put humans in space. As well as Herb making a multi-million dollar Gilliland, contribution to the Naval and John Academy for the Heinlein Chair, Hill. she managed the largest literary estate, leaving behind yet more millions to be used to promote

Top left: A close-up of the actual medal given Heinlein Award winners.

Top right: Science fiction author Michael Flynn with his Heinlein Award certificate.

Bottom right: The certificate honoring Virginia Heinlein for her invaluable role in helping her husband create his volume of work.

Page 23 Chairman’s report ‘Everyone's doing fine … I don’t plan to make any big changes, but I have a few small things... ’

By DAVID SILVER sufficiently to do the things we They taught me, one hot, muggy decided were necessary when we summer forty years ago at Ft. formed and joined this Society. Benning, down in Georgia, a place What was done for membership where they try, without spoiling recruitment at Toronto, Canada, them, to turn perfectly good can realistically be done at any soldiers into “ninety-day wonders,” and every other convention – that the first thing you tell the science fiction, fantasy or related unfortunates you’ll be ordered to – that our members can attend. lead if you ever manage to survive Torcon3 reported 3,645 and receive a bar, is this: members attended the five-day “I’ve only been around a short event. Our 53 new members is time, but I can see everyone’s less than two percent of that. But doing a fine job, and I’m honored there are eighty-one SF and to be assigned to lead you. I’ll try related conventions named in to do as well as the man I am Locus Magazine’s on-line partial replacing. I don’t plan any listing for next year. They take immediate or big changes. Just place all over the world. Some are keep doing the same fine job and, smaller, some few are larger; from time-to-time, I’ll have a few David Silver was elected most are probably in the 1,000- small things I might want to see president of The Heinlein attendee range. done, after I talk them over with See, http://www.locusmag.com/ the NCOs …” Society after the Society’s Conventions.html It worked then; probably it’ll meeting held in conjunction If we could recruit just one work again, so here it comes: with Torcon3 in September. percent of the people who attend those conventions next year, our Torcon3: An Analysis of Achievement: membership would increase five-fold. We should. I am going to refer quite a bit in this column We could. How? about The Heinlein Society’s achievements at this In the past two issues of this quarterly newsletter year’s World SF Con, Torcon3, because they we’ve emphasized attendance at SF cons to demonstrate the accomplishment of the vital goals increase membership, support our blood drive we set for ourselves in attending SF conventions, programs, and to form a base for future fundraising since our efforts first began with Philadelphia in and other efforts. We’ve learned a few good lessons August 2001, a little more than two years ago. — that work for us — to increase our membership The important point to remember is this: Due to and help pay the debt forward. Every SF-related dedicated efforts by many Heinlein Society convention is different, sometimes quite different; members, those who attended and those who and the major thing to remember is to maintain the didn’t, we went into Torcon3 with 192 registered flexibility necessary to achieve our goals. A lot of members and came out with 245 — an increase in lead time to and patience working with volunteer more than 25 percent. It is the largest single bump convention staff also helps. in membership we’ve ever had in such a short period of time! A Few New Things to Expect: Our goal has always been to increase Between now and the end of this year we are membership enough to Pay the Debt we owe finally going to put together in CD-ROM form the Forward to new generations of Robert Heinlein’s “membership kit” we’ve been promising from our readers — and to all of each of our societies. Only website for more than a year. It’ll contain what each by recruiting new members — and with other efforts of us need to know to organize an effective including fundraising — we can spread our influence Continued on page 20 Page 24