July 2004 1

#143 2 File 770:143

I’ve grown a beard!

Fair Warning: Just thought you ought to know. I left my electric shaver behind in the hotel room on one of my business trips. The 143 hotel returned it to me in only three days, just long enough for Diana File 770:143 is edited by Mike Glyer to talk me into experi- at 705 Valley View Ave., Monrovia menting with a beard. CA 91016. File 770 is available for She still likes it — so news, artwork, arranged trades, or it’s staying! by subscription: $8 for 5 issues, $15 for 10 issues, air mail rate is $2.50. Telephone: (626) 305-1004 book proposal, Freemasonry for Dummies . I cross inside – plus a stem that extends along a E-Mail: [email protected] was there to work on the Offshore Voluntary side street. The lobby of the main entrance is Compliance Initiative – whether that was also covered with ornamental marble, as is the “for dummies” depends on how you feel about hallway outside the Commissioner’s office people who use credit cards in a way that lets upstairs. All the other miles of corridors are Mike Glyer’s Editorial Notes the IRS trace their unreported income in Car- surprisingly plain, rather like a high school, ibbean bank accounts…. endless yellow walls punctuated by lots of “Watch out! All those pictures of the baby is That 2002 meeting was in the Service’s cheap wooden doors. Instead of name plaques, an early warning sign! Just before the end, New Carrollton, MD office (across town from employees are identified by laser printed signs Brian Earl Brown filled his fanzines with pic- where they used to hold Disclave, right?) Two taped to the doors. It all looks so temporary I tures of the newly adopted child. Shortly after years later I finally got to go to a meeting actu- might have wondered whether the people in- that, he was never heard from again!” – Taral ally in Washington D.C. Now I know that isn’t side would be gone if I came back tomorrow. Wayne impressive to you. It doesn’t impress me, ei- Our January 2004 meeting was chaired by a Baby Talk: I understand your fear, Taral. ther. Of course it doesn’t. I guess that’s why Texan who’d come to D.C. without an over- Maybe File 770 doesn’t do its best work as an I’m not even mentioning it in this editorial. coat. The happy result was that he trimmed a annual, and every once in awhile I’m tempted I wondered what kind of place Headquar- day off the schedule to let us fly home before a to slap “5-star-final, goodbye!” on whatever is ters would be. At the beginning of my career I coming snowstorm. The first day some of finished and write “30” to this avatar of my worked with Jim Heneghan, a Boston Irish- decided to stay in for lunch. The cafeteria fanac. But instead, I muddle along because man with twinkling eyes and a rapier tongue seemed surprisingly undersized for this big most of the time I like working on the zine, who liked to refer to the IRS National Office federal building, but I could see why it was not networking with contributors, writing things I as “the temple of 1,000 sleeping GS-14’s.” in demand. It is located on the seventh floor in hope people will get a smile from -- or find Should I ever see Jim again, I’ll tell him that if the center of the building: a worker in an of- provocative. If things are getting done more they’re not sleeping they sure are working fice on the outer ring of the building can get slowly than we’d like, just know that as I go darned quietly. out to the street and into a restaurant faster along, Sierra, Diana, and even my new job IRS headquarters fills a big city block be- than she can get upstairs to the cafeteria. (boo!) have a priority on my time. tween Pennsylvania and Constitution Ave- These people are pretty well-paid, so there’s Tax Talk: I like my day job, too, as an nues, not very far from Ford’s Theater. The every reason to go out. industry specialist for IRS Appeals. The actual building has the same shape as a window Travel aside, the work I’m doing now fas- work, that is, not the travel. If I could change drawn by a toddler, a simple rectangle with a cinates to me. These are the most creative one thing, I’d never have to go to another out- of-town meeting. Does anyone like that feel- ing of being surgically implanted in a minia- CH-CH-CH-CHANGES! ture airplane seat for hours at a time? Having Daddy away so often is a distraction for Si- My new e-mail address is [email protected] erra, too. Besides, is there any point to business E-Mail Change of Address: [email protected] is the only good address for travel unless it generates fanzine material? me now. The CS indeed stands for Compuserve. I’ve been using them as my How often will I luck into anything like the ISP for years. Somewhere in the middle AOL bought them out, but they still following story? I was in Washington D.C.’s maintain the illusion that Compuserve has a separate existence. To upgrade National Airport on the Friday that Capclave 2002 was supposed to start, when I saw Don- to their web-based e-mail I had to enter an arrangement where the old ac- ald Eastlake III. He wasn’t on his way to the count continues to exist (for some reason) but no e-mail is forwarded and I convention, either. We two fakefans were get to pay extra if I log onto it now. So the old account is still there, it does- leaving for home on afternoon flights. Don n’t bounce mail, but my upgraded software won’t access it and presumably said he had met a publisher in D.C. to pitch his the mailbox hit its limit full of spam two days after I stopped emptying it -- 21st century inconvenience at 22nd century prices! July 2004 3 assignments I’ve had in my career, in one of the Service’s most active areas. But no matter how you slice it, it’s still tax, so I will spare you the details. Just let me say my work is 90% writing – guidelines, training material, zillions of e-mails – and my tank of “writing juice” gets drained by the end of a lot of workdays. When I used to be a front-line Appeals Officer, my accounting, writing, and negotiating skills would be emphasized at different points in the cycle of working a case, so there used to be heavy writing only every couple of weeks. The new job is affect- ing how much fanac I’m inclined to do in what free time I have while raising a 2-year old. We’ll see if I get acclimated to it in the long run. Meanwhile…. The Winter of My Discontent: Having just celebrated the Fourth of July I realize News of Fandom we’re as far from winter as you can get. But in memory it’s yet… cold. It was in the mid- dle of a night last December I decided there Wedding Report at first few knew why I was there, but by the was an urgent need to create The Corbomite end I had done my duty, in the vast expanse Award for Household Product Engineering, to By John Hertz of interstellar space, galaxies, suns, the plan- reward the manufacturer of the quilt that cov- [Reprinted from Vanamonde] On October ets in their courses, and this earth our home. ers our bed. On winter nights I fall asleep at 18, 2003 Dave Trowbridge was married to The rector, Rev. Keith Johnson, was a night with one end of the quilt tucked around Deborah Ross (published both as D. Ross thoughtful witty man. There was a Shield of my chin and the other end covering my feet. and D. Wheeler) at St. Andrew’s Episcopal David cake in seven flavors. To Chris Finnie Yet at 3 a.m., I’m unpleasantly awakened by Church, Ben Lomond, California, population was credited “Beating Down Murphy Under drafts of chilly air across my legs and feet. 3,050. Our Feet.” Where has the quilt gone? Wrapped around Sherwood Smith, who long knew I had a gorgeous drive from the airport Diana? Nope -- what an unjust accusation! Trowbridge and wrote Exordium novels with into the forest under autumn light, then back There it is, on the floor. Gravity has done its him, was Best Person. I taught Regency in the dark having dined well. I last saw the sinister work again. dancing at the reception, with James Lang- Hilton at ConJose, the 2002 Worldcon. My In obedience to the Newtonian laws, once dell in the band. room was on the same side, and, after a little the bottom edge of our quilt drapes over the Ross and Trowbridge brought me on Fri- sleep, there was the dawn. ++ John Hertz end of the bed, the quilt’s own weight gradu- day for a rehearsal and dinner, giving me a ally pulls the rest in the same direction – it room at the Ben Lomond Econolodge next to won’t stay put because the smooth lining is Howden Castle in an enchanted forest, and almost frictionless. Video of the moment for Saturday night, since I had to reach San Suspected Gandalf Fanatic when the quilt slithers onto the floor would Jose, at the San Jose Hilton. At one point I Stopped by Airport Security have the same climactic quality as the loco- sat alone writing in Smith’s motel room. Waiting to fly home from Loscon at the end motive lurching into the abyss between the There was her laptop computer, a Trollope of Thanksgiving weekend, Berni Phillips and broken spans of the Bridge On the River novel, and a YiHsing teapot. her husband David Bratman had a scary ex- Kwai , taking a line of boxcars with it to de- The church, built in 1901 from local red- perience in the Southwest Airline boarding struction. The inevitable result of this cold wood, had a real pipe organ. The booklet for lounge. equation interrupts my sleep on many winter the service said, “this Eucharistic prayer is Berni writes: “About half an hour after we nights, and I’m sure I wake with the same fondly known as the Star Wars liturgy, for got there and had been waiting in the chairs, expression on my face as Colonel Nicholson reasons that will become apparent,” which some college students came in and immedi- had the moment before he fell on the plunger. was true; the whole was eclectic like the ately lined up in the A section (the first to So keep your eye open at Wal-Marts for bride and groom, her procession being “The board). So we went and got in the line, too. those quilts proudly blazoned as the Cor- Rainbow Connection,” the recessional “The College students are a lot more comfortable bomite Award winner. Liberty Bell March,” and for an Introit, on the floor than we older folks. I alternate The Autumn of My Delight: The Archon Shakespeare’s Sonnet No. 116 “Let me not to standing with sitting with my legs straight in committee graciously invited me to be its fan the marriage of true minds admit impedi- front of me. David doesn’t like to sit like guest of honor for 2004. Their other GoHs are ments” sung a capella by Bronwyn Fryer, that. He was lying down, reading Waiting Alan Dean Foster, Vincent DiFate and Shane who told me she’d adapted a song Judy for Gandalf , one of the books Diana Hensley, with TM Ben Bova and Masquerade Collins gave Collins’ husband. It’s no trifle Glyer loaned him. They make an an- MC Vic Milán. And Priscilla Olson invited setting music for Shakespeare; his sonnets far nouncement, our plane is delayed 20 me to be Boskone’s Special Guest in 2005. hardest; this was so fit we begged a reprise Both invitations extend to the entire family, later, when we’d eaten and drunk and given minutes, so we’re there even longer and and as we get closer to the dates we’ll know if many toasts. the waiting area becomes quite crowded. Diana and Sierra will be able to make the trip, Ross, who had not converted, put ele- When they finally start letting us board, too. ments of Jewish ceremony before and after, two police officers come up and approach by which, I heard someone say, she supplied David. They said another passenger com- the embrace of a woman. As for the dancing, plained that he was acting in a suspicious 4 File 770:143

Series of Small Motions His mother, Jenny, wrote online in April, “Though Benn could go back to the Training Brings Harryhausen Center soon, he is happier here. His coach is To Walk Of Fame willing to devote the time to train him. But After years of campaigning, a star has been Coach is concerned about the lack of equip- added to the Hollywood Walk of Fame for ment and funds to get Benn to the national stop-motion pioneer Ray Harryhausen (It meets. Benn’s team, Kirkwood weightlifting, Came From Beneath The Sea, The 7th Voy- is sending out a new flier to raise money for age Of Sinbad, Mysterious Island and Ja- the team and Benn’s training expenses. It is son & The Argonauts ). LASFS member crucial that they raise money for the Olympic Harryhausen attended the June 10 cere- quality equipment that Benn needs to con- mony and heard tributes from contempo- tinue training here in St. Louis.” rary directors, high school chum Ray Incidentally, Jenny married Michael Ev- Bradbury, and Forry Ackerman, who intro- ans in a genuine Leap Year ceremony, taking duced the two in 1939. “If it were up to me, their wedding vows on February 29 shortly I would dig up [my star] and bring it down after midnight. [[Source: Chronicles of the next to Ray’s,” Bradbury told an enthusias- Dawn Patrol]] tic crowd of friends and fans. Harryhausen’s star is across the street The Real Burning City from (then) Grauman’s Chinese Theater, Fires burned through Southern California where he saw King Kong in 1933, the forests and hillside residential areas in Octo- movie that forever changed his life. Acker- Terry Karney, LASFS member, ber 2003, bringing devastation virtually to man later gave him his first set of King serving in Iraq in 2003. the doorstep of two households in Los Ange- Kong stills. les fandom. Flames came within yards of the LASFS’ Bill Warren observed that the Nivens’ home, part of a gated community in crowd included Randall Cook (two-time Iraq the foothills above Chatsworth. The fire also FX Oscar winner, for the Rings movies), Soon after Saddam Hussein was driven invaded nearby Moorpark, but Dennis directors Mick Garris and Don Glut, Rick from power, reports Craig Miller , “my Miller’s house was spared. Baker (another Oscar winner), Stan distributor…sold the Iraqi TV rights for During the fire, Tony Cratz and Michael Winston, Bob Burns, and Greg Bear (who Siladi furnished a public service to the sci- was taking pictures like crazy) and many my series Pocket Dragon Adventures .” While every alternative newspaper in the ence fiction community by running a website others. with current information on how the assorted country wants to blame the war on oil Still very active, Harryhausen recently firestorms were affecting Southern California completed a new version of “The Tortoise interests, now you know…the rest of the fans. and The Hare” as a 12-minute short. He story! celebrated his 83 rd birthday on June 29.

Harryhausen is the third visual effects Overkamp, walked away with three gold Unleashed Power The American Kennel Club’s Dog Agility legend with a star on the Walk of Fame, medals from the Collegiate National Weight CH always expects to draw Hollywood ce- joining Stan Winston and ILM’s Dennis Lifting Championships on April 18 at Indi- lebrities. Naturally, the AKC’s idea of a Muren. ana University. “celebrity” is a competitor like the apricot He won two golds in the snatch and the mini poodle, Asa, who appeared in Tim Bur- clean and jerk. In the snatch, Overkamp lifted ton’s Big Fish . But when the show convened manner: kneeling and praying. They never 313.5 pounds, and in the clean and jerk he last December in Long Beach, California said ‘Muslim,’ but you know that’s what they lifted 396 pounds. Overkamp received a third fandom contributed its own star performer. were thinking. I was there the whole time, gold for recording the highest combined Lisa Greene, of Los Angeles and Texas except for a quick trip to the ladies’ room, score in the two events, 709.5 pounds. The fandom fame, owns Josephine, only the sec- and I can swear, he was doing nothing of the win earned him a place on the team that par- ond standard poodle ever to make it to the sort. So they’re asking him over and over ticipated in the World University games in finals of this AKC event. Lisa admits, what he’s doing, and he’s just flabbergasted. Maryland on July 3. “While we crashed and burned, we had a I said, ‘He’s my husband and he’s Jewish!’ Overkamp, one of the country’s top 30 very good time indeed!” Even if he were Muslim, even if he were lifters, also received an invitation to the A one-hour television feature about the praying, I didn’t realize that that was now Olympic Trials in May. Since the USA team show aired in February, and beforehand she illegal in airports. Heck, I saw hundreds of can only take three men, he and his Olympic urged friends, “Cheer if you see a very large people kneeling and praying just that morn- coach decided not to compete, believing it’s middle-aged woman and a very large poodle ing in the cathedral! Maybe they should go better to prepare for the World University with a shaggy haircut!” over there and start intimidating folks. They games. Their long-term goal is to be ready finally let us board. So, Waiting for Gandalf for the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, has been re-christened the Muslim Prayer China. “He’ll be at his peak strength in time Selina Walks Book. In addition to ‘driving while brown,’ I for the next Olympic games,” said his coach, Those of us leading the charge in the think we need a new category, ‘flying while Ed Bielik in an interview with the Webster “graying of fandom” are more than happy to Middle Eastern and bearded.’’ University paper. “He has the chance to go cheer any fan headed in a better direction. all the way.” Selina Phanara entered a charity 5K walk in Benn Lifts Three Golds After 2-1/2 years at the Olympic Training September 2003, declaring in an e-mail to Center, Benn Overkamp came home to the her friends, “I know 5K is only a little over 3 at National Championships St. Louis area and enrolled as a full-time miles, but it's my first charity sports thingy Fandom’s world-class weightlifter, Benn student at Webster University. and I am just pleased that I am able to do it. July 2004 5

Three years ago I would not have even been able to think about it, my life is different now and I am capable, so I figured, the Heart Santa Forry’s CASH FILLS Association would be a good place to start!” So it was that LA fans pledged $250 to Hollywood’S STOCKING the Heart Association in support of Selina’s efforts. Selina also saw another LA fan walk- Forrest J Ackerman donated $153,000 at neth A. Marchant (friend), and Roberta ing the course, Elizabeth Klein-Lebbink. Christmastime to the American Cine- Nadler (friend), Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid After she finished Selina wrote, “I was matheque, the non-profit arts organization Pitt, Steven Spielberg, George Lucas, really just grateful to have my good health that owns and operates the historic Egyptian Rouben Mamoulian, Ernst Lubitch, Frank and be able to do the walk. It's been a chal- Theatre on Hollywood Boulevard. It’s the Darabont and Kevin J. Burns. lenge for me.” largest single donation the group has re- Authors : Issac Asimov, Charles Beau- ceived. To thank Forry for playing Santa, the mont, Ray Bradbury, George Clayton John- TAFF merry elf known for “making a list and son, William F. Temple, Sir Arthur C. James Bacon overcame Anders Holmström checking it twice,” the Egyptian will install Clarke, Marion Zimmer Bradley, Richard by a vote of 112-82 and emerged the winner plaques on theater seats commemorating 153 Matheson, Ib J. Melchior, Amelia Reynolds of Trans-Atlantic Fan Fund race for 2004. He of Ackerman’s family members, friends and Long, Olaf Stapleton and Stanley Grauman will attend the Worldcon in Boston. personalities in the world of entertainment. Weinbaum. The vote breakdown in Europe was 90 for Forry himself will be honored by friends and Actors : Lauren Bacall, Ingrid Bergman, James and 59 for Anders, while in North colleagues at a tribute on February 11that Gloria Stuart, Caroline Munro, Marilyn America, Anders had the slimmest possible will feature a screening of one of Acker- Monroe, Asia Carrera, Anna May Wong, lead over James, 23-22. man’s favorite films, Dead of Night (1945). Anna Lee, Laura Lee Donn, Laura LaPlante, According to administrator Randy Byers, He will also have his own name on a theater Zita Johann, Bramwell Fletcher, Edward van the North Americans also cast 13 no prefer- seat, purchased by friend David Marchant Sloan, Brigitte Helm, Rudolf Klein-Rogge, ence votes and 1 “Hold Over Funds” vote. (whose other plaque donations remember Gerda Maurus, Billie Dove, Betty Bronson, Charlie Chaplin and Sid Grauman, the Egyp- Louise Brooks, David Manners, Warner tian Theatre’s original proprietor.) Oland, Albert Dekker, Henry Hull, Jameson DUFF Grauman’s Egyptian Theater, as it was Thomas, Benita Hume, Shirley Temple, Guy and Rose Marie Lillian, North American known in 1925, is where a nine-year old Christopher Reeves, Sylvia Sidney, Sybil administrators of the Down Under Fan Fund, Forrest J Ackerman went with his grandpar- Jason, Davey Kee, Lila Lee, Fay Wray, report that Norman Cates was selected the ents to see The Lost World . Now 87 years Robert Armstrong, Lew Ayres, Dick Powell, DUFF delegate from Australia/New Zealand old, Mr. Ackerman will honor the memory William Powell, Barry Atwater, Diana Wyn- to Noreascon 4. final vote of 53 to 46, NOR- of Marcel Delgado who built the 49 dino- yard, Charles Laughton, Greer Garson, MAN CATES has been elected the 2004 saurs seen in the film and Willis O’Brien Sharon Stone, Ron Chaney, Gustav von DUFF delegate from Australia/New Zealand who animated them. Seyffertitz, Michel Piccoli, Bo Derek, Jane to Noreascon 4, the World Science Fiction Additionally he is honoring: Marlene Seymour, Richard Carlson, Barbara Rush, Convention. Dietrich, Simone Simon, Veronica Carlson Toby Wing, Sojin, and Johnny Eck. Norman Cates outpolled Danny Oz (nee (The Bride of Dracula ), Geo. Herbert Magicians : Dunninger, Thurston, Black- Heap) 53-46, with Ericka Maria Lacey fin- Wyman (grandfather of Forrest Ackerman & stone and Tingaling Foo. ishing last among the candidates with an Bradbury Building Architect), Wendayne Artists : Frank R. Paul, Hannes Bok, unannounced vote total. Other voting figures Mondelle Ackerman (wife of Forrest Acker- Virgil Finlay, Margaret Brundage and Josh also had yet to be released at the time of the man), Belle Zululu Wyman (grandmother of Kirby. initial announcement. Forrest Ackerman), Fritz Lang, Lon Chaney, Singers : Ruth Etting, Morton Downey, Guy Lillian wrote online, “Noreascon 4 Boris Karloff, Bela Lugosi, Vincent Price, Barbra Sreisand, Dean Martin, Belle Baker, will undoubtedly have a place on its program Maurice Chevalier (“Louise”), Al Jolson Johnny Mathis, Aznavour, Janet Carroll, for this accomplished fan, who worked on (“Sonny Boy”), Bing Crosby (recorded 1600 Mireille Matheu, Satchmo and Zarah Lean- The Lord of the Rings. ” songs), Claude Rains ( The Invisible Man ), der.

John Landis (director of Schlock ), Joe Dante Filmgoers : Lance Alspaugh, Joe Moe, (director of The Howling ), James Whale Sean Fernald, Silke Esh, Ingrid Herzer, Joe (director Frankenstein ), Peter Lorre, Lon Herzer, Lee Harris, Jim Warren, Verne Chaney, Jr. ( The Wolf Man ), Rick Baker Langdon, Celeste DePinto, Carmen (Monster Maker), Elsa Lanchester ( Bride of D’Alleso and Margot Gerber. Frankenstein ), Dick Smith (master make-up Sci-Fi Editors : Hugo Gernsback, John artist), Tod Browning (Lon Chaney Sr.’s W. Campbell, Horace L. Gold, Anthony director) Willis O’Brien (animated King Boucher, Forrest J. Ackerman Kong ), Marcel DelGado (built King Kong ), Super Sci-Fi Fans: Rick Sneary, Julius Conrad Veidt ( The Cabinet of Dr. Calagari ), Schwartz, Walter Willis and Harry Warner Sari Maritza (British actress), Anna Sten Jr. (Russian actress), Hugh M. Hefner (creator Cinematheque Director Barbara Smith of Playboy ), Celia Lovsky (Peter Lorre’s commented, “This is a tremendous Holiday widow), Jack Pierce (wizard of make-up, surprise. Not only are we touched by Mr. created make-up for Boris Karloff as Frank- Ackerman’s generosity and support for the enstein), Herbert Marshall, Charles Boyer, Cinematheque, but we are happy to have Jean Arthur, George Sanders, Henrietta such a vast array of artists remembered with Siodmak, David J. Marchant (friend), Ken- seat plaques in the theatre.” 6 File 770:143

And The Most Qualified Candidate for Governor of California Was…? From left: Angelyne , a DJ famous for pro- moting herself on Hollywood billboards; Arnold Schwarzenegger , another famous face on Hollywood billboards; Gary Cole- man , still making the transition from child actor to his next career (Governor pays better than door guard); Janice Gelb: If she can save the Worldcon program, why not her home state’s government? X While Californians Vote for Total Recall, Janice Terminates the Campaign to Make Her Governor Who knew, when California’s governor Gray -- urged readers: you on tight budgets who pledged are grate- Davis was re-elected to a second term in “We have no time to lose. We must hurry, ful that I did not, but I wanted to explain to 2002, that the following year a stampede of lest California lose the chance to co-opt one those of you who would have liked the hack virtually unknown candidates would be given of its brightest lights into the onerous task of to continue into a full campaign why I did a shot at taking away his job? Recall drives Governor. Pledge early; pledge often. not. I find this recall such an appalling waste have been launched against practically every Needed are $3500 and the signatures of 65 of financial resources that are desperately California governor since the Sixties, includ- registered California voters in order to get needed by social welfare and education pro- ing Pat Brown, Ronald Reagan, Jerry Brown Janice on the ballot. (We can get the $3500 grams already suffering from the budget and Pete Wilson. The drive against Davis waived if we get 10,000 signatures -- ah, crisis, and such a terrible precedent to set in marked the first time in California history California. Even in Massachusetts, we hadn't government policy, that I didn’t feel that I petitioners actually succeeded in forcing a thought of that.) could participate in good conscience even as recall election. “Pledge your support now. Email a joke candidate…. Thank you and good Candidates in a California recall election and tell us what you can afford to toss night.” do not have to deliver anywhere near the into the kitty for this brilliant hack. Avoiding the gubernatorial bullet left number of signature or pay the high fees “Remember: Janice Gelb, because Janice free to work Noreascon 4, and I know demanded to enter a regular election, so a she's way cooler than Arnold.” she will find a way to repay Deb’s compli- legion of publicity-seekers and political neo- Although Alex Von Thorn posted, ment! phytes made it onto the ballot. The cast of “Friends don’t let friends run California,” characters ranged from a San Diego tax attor- few other voices of sanity were heard as the ney who I’ve dealt with in my work, to Los movement quickly rolled up $1,870 in Angeles disc jockey Angelyne, who’s fa- pledges. (And miscellaneous promises of Harry Potter’s Hugo mous for having her giant image on LA bill- pizzas for the campaign staff, plus artwork Joseph Major wrote in Alexiad (8/2003), “I boards; former child star Gary Coleman; for their tee shirts.) had had some concerns about a certain Hugo porn star Mary “Mary Carey’’ Cook; Hustler The only thing finally keeping Janice winner of a couple of years ago, and in look- Magazine publisher Larry Flynt; Santa Clara from the ballot was… her own common ing on the rec.arts.sf.written newsgroup businesswoman Sharon Rushford; sumo sense. Just as the filing deadline closed she found an interesting comment by Robert wrestler Kurt E. “Tachikaze’’ Rightmyer of wrote the following “concession speech” for Sneddon from Philcon: ‘Rowling’s Hugo West Covina; and, of course, actor Arnold Smofs: ended up in my hotel room at Philly after the Schwarzenegger. “[ For verisimilitude, picture this email ceremony because nobody else knew what Science fiction fans all over America message being read on a stage featuring the hell to do with it. Bloomsbury had ex- worried that quantity and quality were at campaign posters, red, white, and blue bun- pressed zero interest in the Hugo awards, odds in the California race. Discussion lists ting and balloons and, since this is all imagi- ditto Rowling herself.’ But in the acknowl- full of conrunners who are usually obsessed nary anyway, add a supportive spouse and a edgements section of Harry Potter and the with how to legislate readable membership couple of cute but downcast children] Order of the Phoenix , the Hugo is listed first badges paused to brainstorm how to bring a “Friends and Supporters: I’d like to thank among the author’s awards…” better class of people out to save the state. In you all for your pledged support of the Gelb Major’s report reminded me that Bruce the midst of this, the reigning Worldcon chair for Governor campaign, to the amazing Pelz was never satisfied merely by Retro had a vision (the polite word for that special amount of $1870. While I suspect that simi- Hugos having been given by 1996 Worldcon mental condition that makes people volunteer lar results would have occurred no matter voters, he insisted on tracking down appro- to become Worldcon chairs in the first which California fan Deb and Mike had cho- priate people to take custody of the physical place.) Deb Geisler pointed out to the Smofs sen to *ahem* honor with a campaign, I awards. This included the quickest delivery – list that Janice Gelb, who has helped save thank you for your supportive messages and air freighting one of the awards after L.A.con more than her share of Worldcons, is a Cali- pledges. And I join with everyone in appre- III to Murray Leinster’s relative in time to fornia citizen. Deb revealed there was now a ciation of the effort that whomever-it-was put display at a local library – and the slowest “Janice for Governor” website, coinciden- into the web site. delivery, which finally saw the Retro for tally created by her husband, Mike Ben- “To get serious for a minute, had I really Orwell’s novella “Animal Farm” delivered to veniste. The site – wanted to take a stab at this, I could have met his estate five years after the con. www.smofs.org/Janice the filing requirements. I’m sure that those of July 2004 7

GUFF GUFF is the Get Up-and-over Fan Fund or Mr. Shake Hands Man the Going Under Fan Fund , depending on Jumps Over the Quick Fox which way you're going. Pat McMurray of Tadao Tomomatsu’s gig as “Mr. Shake the UK went Down Under after winning an Hands Man” may need to be renamed “Nine exceptionally tight race over Doug Bell, 35- Lives Man.” 33 (with 8 no preference.) His character was part of the Banzai pro- Pat attended the New Zealand national gram originally created for British television, convention (ConTour) in Rotorua at Easter, then transplanted to America as the USA and the Australian national convention Network’s “Banzai Friday Movie.” After the (Conflux) in Canberra two weeks later. USA cable network cancelled the show, the McMurray was in the midst of his trip when Banzai program sold to the Fox TV Network. he posted this on Smofs: “At last, I have The Fox broadcasts were protested by such achieved the highlight of my trip. I have groups as the Media Action Network for reached Rottsnest Island, for an inspection of Asian-Americans. That seems to have taken the conference facilities on behalf of Austra- its toll on Fox executives, who normally be- lia in 2010.” have as if even bad publicity is good — for Tadao Tomomatsu as the tricky The GUFF administrators over the elec- ratings, at least. Fox let program go. But celebrity interviewer. tion were Eric Lindsay and Jean Weber of Banzai soon found a new home on the Com- Australia edy Central cable network. There will be at altogether, Tadao realized he was auditioning ([email protected]) least another ten episodes. for the next project by the makers of Lord of and Paul Kincaid of the UK Meanwhile, Tadao’s career gets more the Rings . ([email protected]). interesting with every audition. This summer, Tadao said six weeks have gone by with- his agent sent him to read for the part of a out hearing from the company. I think it Helpful Fans “cameraman.” The call sheet said that the would be a great role for him. For one thing, NESFA would like to move into a nicer facil- role would involve filming outside the U.S. the cameraman’s last scene is him being ity and fans everywhere are doing their best for six months. He was reluctant to be gone eaten by a giant fish. This would perfectly to help. The July 30, 2003 Instant Message for so long, but saw that the location would complement another performance in Tadao’s says one referral was about a site that is pres- be New Zealand, which might be fun. The resume, the fisherman eaten by Godzilla in ently the location of a federal penitentiary. call sheet also listed the director’s name: the 1998 remake . I don’t think another actor Past DUFF winner Naomi Fisher sent infor- Jackson. Tadao thought wait a minute, looked in the history of Hollywood can boast of mation about an aircraft carrier for sale. After at the title on the script, and found he was being eaten alive in both Godzilla and King L.A.con II, SCIFI loaned money to NESFA reading pages from King Kong . Putting it Kong! to buy its first clubhouse, and I think after L.A.con IV we’ll happily loan them a lot more to move into that federal penitentiary. ated in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, de- with his family there. [[Source: Joyce Scriv-

signed to feed the starving millions of the ner]] Birthday Celebration world... For a brilliant holographic artist, Terry Karney , a LASFSian who saw Tammy Coxen and Eric McGlohan cele- hopelessly in love with a woman who aban- active duty with the US Army in Iraq, re- brated the birth of Liam Benjamin McGlo- doned him, it is a chance to win back her turned to America last summer for treatment han on April 26. The baby weighed in at 7 affections... For eco-terrorists, it is the dream of Reiter’s Syndrome, a form of arthritis. lb. 10 oz. He was 21’ long. of a lifetime gone horribly wrong... And for a Andre Norton fell and shattered her hip ruthless billionaire industrialist, it is a chance on April 8. She had surgery to repair it with The Joy of Being Published to rule the world... Pacifica is the thrilling screws and a metal plate. The surgery went Joy V. Smith, inspired to hear that I am read- new science fiction novel by John Gregory well and she was able to return home a few ing to Sierra (‘love her photos; she looks so Betancourt, nationally best-selling author of days thereafter. Uncle Timmy Bolgeo en- cute and enthusiastic’), sends word that she The Dawn of Amber , and Linda E. couraged people to help alleviate the conva- has two stories at the ChildrenzBooks site: Bushyager, author of Master of Hawks and lescence costs Medicare won’t cover by ‘Sammy’s Beautiful Tail’ -- The Spellstone of Shaltus .” sending a check made out to her at: Ms. An- http://www.childrenzbooks.com/free_books/s Linda forthrightly adds, “The book is a dre Norton, 114 Eventide Dr., Murfreesboro, ammy.html fast read, not a great novel, but should be TN 37130 ‘Why Won’t Anyone Play With Me’ -- fairly entertaining. If you like it, please write Bob Peterson , longtime Denver fan, has http://www.childrenzbooks.com/e- a book review for Amazon.com.” suspended publication of his zine Notes after books/featured.php?RecordID=1046555404 20 years due to vision problems caused by Medical Updates macular degeneration. Let’s Buy Two! John Trimble suffered a heart attack on Linda Bushyager recently discovered that the January 19. Doctors put in several stents science fiction book she co-authored with while he was hospitalized. After he got John Betancourt is now available in print for home, John told Diana in a phone call that he $15.99, or for download for $6.99. Search felt better than he had in years. Our wishes Amazon.com under Books (naturally) for that John continues to feel better and better! Pacifica or Linda Bushyager. For the printed Earl Cooley , well-known Texas fan and version pick Paperback sf webmaster, had multiple bypass surgery in “ Pacifica ... It was an artificial island cre- January. Once out of the hospital, Earl planned to move back to Schertz, TX to be 8 File 770:143 Lasting Impressions: News from the World of Fanzines

David Levine's has, it’s just another little clue to this newzine’s chaotic schedule. Smokin’ Hot Keyboard But I’m still enjoying some of Convention programmers need to cancel all the stories fans included in last their “Why Don’t Pro Writers Get Their Start winter’s greeting cards, and so in Fanzines Anymore?” panels. David Le- will you: vine, who co-edits Bento with Kate Yule, is David and Keri Doering blazing across the heavens as one of pro sf’s wrote about their five-year-old brightest newcomers. Nominated for the Serena Noelle: “You can really 2003 John W. Campbell Award, David re- appreciate this kind of excite- joiced at the excuse for wearing a tux to the ment when you take this five- TorCon 3 Hugo Ceremonies. And he’s nomi- year-old to Disneyland for the nated again in 2004. first time…. With everything David’s story “The Tale of the Golden 100 words a day, and much of that effort is that the park offers, her absolute favorite (she Eagle” made the preliminary Nebula ballot went on it four times) was the simple carou- and has achieved recognition beyond any- going into a new novel. “Though the fre- quency has been a little spotty lately I have sel, or ‘the horses’ as she called it. Even so, thing he expected. ‘Eagle’ has received rave some things are ‘What’s the big deal?’ with reviews and multimedia distribution. Audi- been very productive when I do manage to sit down to write (last week's big ice storm her. When she took a First Place Blue Rib- ble.com offers the story in an audio e-book bon at the Utah State Fair for her ceramic “The Best of Fantasy and Science Fiction helped).” Whenever you want to know the latest about this most productive writer, dinosaur, she just says, ‘I know.’” Magazine, May-June 2003,” read by Stefan Australia’s Adrienne Losin says she Rudnicki. It’s been selected for the Year's check his writing journal at www.bentopress.com/sf/journal rejoined the choir, a group that has “sung at Best SF anthology edited by Jonathan Festivals, churches, concerts, nursing homes, Strahan & Karen Haber. The story also ap- where he makes new entries almost daily. art galleries, shopping centers. More of same peared in an Israeli webzine. Bli-Panika next year. Our charity concert raised over (Don't Panic) translated it into Hebrew, with Word to the Wise $1000. I can send you an audio cassette, if a marvelous illustration: You can always find the latest issue of Laur- you’re feeling masochistic or just want to http://space.ort.org.il/sci/scripts/article.asp?it raine Tutihasi’s newsletter/fanzine Feline th annoy the neighbors.” em=442248314&pc=981196373 Mewsings , now in its 15 issue, at: San Jose’s Adrienne Foster went to Lep- The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fic- http://members.aol.com/felinemewsings/inde recon 29, but says she was more interested in tion has put all its stories that made the pre- x.html . visiting Arizona’s ghost towns than the con liminary Nebula ballot on the web at: itself. In the same, ah, spirit, she says she http://www.sfsite.com/fsf/fiction/preneb03.ht Nuggets Found chose Toronto’s Fairmont Royal York as her m in Holiday Newsletters Worldcon lodgings, thinking “it was the most Which means you can read it for free. likely of the selection to be haunted.” (Oh, to David beams. “Of all the stories I've sold so If this headline makes you wonder who has taken to sending an annual family newsletter think what I could do with that straight line if far, ‘Eagle’ is the one I'm proudest of.” I hadn’t been the con’s guest…) Levine says his goal is to write at least on Independence Day, rest assured no one SBZ!OFMTPO!XJOT!3114!Sputmfs!Bxbse!

Ray Nelson won the 2003 Rotsler Memorial Fanzine Artist Award, presented at Loscon 30. Sponsored by the Southern California Insti- tute for Fan Interests (SCIFI), the Rotsler Award honors the lifetime work of outstanding fanartists and the memory of esteemed fanartist William Rotsler. Ray Nelson, a Bay Area fanartist, has been chosen in recognition of his current fanac as well as the artwork he has contributed to a wide variety of fanzines. His insightful and humorous cartoons have illustrated the fannish spirit for over three decades. The Rotsler Award is given by the Southern California Institute for Fan Interests. The award commemorates the late Bill Rotsler, the prolific LA fanartist whose cartoons appeared in fanzines worldwide. The winner receives a plaque, a $300 honorarium, and is honored with an exhibit in the Loscon art show. The award winner is selected by a panel of judges composed of Mike Glyer, John Hertz and Geri Sullivan. Past winners are Steve Stiles (1998), Grant Canfield (1999), ATom (2000), Brad Foster (2001), and Kurt Erichsen (2002). July 2004 9 Watching Over the Warner Collection Compiled by Robert Lichtman Rich Lynch’s material used by permission

ROBERT LICHTMAN INTRODUCTION: his collection might thus be a superfluous creative space by bumping into his chair. This I first learned about Harry’s death in an e- addition and was pondering making a change. prompted the slamming of drawers and some mail from Bob Silverberg on March 18, 2003: I don’t know if he ever did. low grumbling. “Did you know that Harry Warner has If you have knowledge of the executor of That sort of frightened me, but I decided to died? I just got a query from ‘Locus’ about Harry’s estate and would care to put that try to be friendly to him anyway. info for his obit. What, I wonder, will become person or entity in touch with me, I stand I began speaking to him and commenting of his fanzine collection? It must be ready to be of any assistance I can offer on his latest column. He seemed to warm to enormous.” regarding his fanzine collection. this. I would get an occasional smile, but his Digging around on the Web, I soon located Thank you for your time. blue eyes still reflected a sadness. For nearly Harry’s obituary in the March 13th edition of 25 years we exchanged Christmas cards and I the Hagerstown “Herald-Mail.” A few days later I heard from Arnold even made it a point to send him a birthday Seeing that the various fan e-mail lists Platou of the “Herald-Mail,” who I provided card each year. (Trufen, Memory Hole, etc.) had not yet with some information and leads, and who He was invited to our home for the caught wind of this, I announced it to fandom eventually wrote an article for his paper about holidays, but always graciously declined. He as a whole via those lists. Reaction was Harry. preferred to spend them as usual, alone. immediate and overwhelming, and besides The same day as I wrote the newsroom, this Harry lived near downtown Hagerstown expressing disbelief and grief over Harry’s letter appeared in the Hagerstown paper. and would frequently walk into town for death just about everyone thought what lunch. The thin man in the long black top coat Silverberg did: what would happen to Harry’s Harry Warner will be missed and brown hat was a familiar sight about town. fanzine collection? To the editor: When a woman would pass by he would The following day I wrote to the newsroom The news of the death of Harry Warner Jr. respectfully tip his hat. Now what man does at the “Herald-Mail.” spread quickly through the Herald-Mail . For that these days? most, it was followed by “Harry who?” But Harry was a loner. I respected his privacy ROBERT LICHTMAN, March 19, 2003: for a handful of us “old-timers,” memories of and feel very grateful for his letting me in to Having been alerted to its existence, I read the the slightly built man who retired more than just a tiny part of his world. I’m glad I could brief obituary of Harry Warner, Jr. that 20 years ago came to life. say he was a friend. appeared in your paper late last week. My first encounter with Harry was 28 years A tip of the hat to you, Harry. Rest in Although I never met Harry, he was a ago and was less than pleasant. Harry was a peace. presence in my life for the past 44 years writer and his columns, published several [signed] Tamara L. Hoffman, Advertising through his participation in the science-fiction times a week, spanned four decades. His Editor, Herald-Mail Company fan subculture and we corresponded topics were mostly of local interest and periodically throughout that period. It’s my revealed his vast knowledge. I established a correspondence with Ms. understanding that someone at your paper who Harry didn’t like being disturbed as he Hoffman and soon learned that since no will worked with Harry when he was there has pecked away on his typewriter, nor did he like had been discovered while removing Harry’s made some efforts to contact s-f fans to learn idle chatter. Once I accidentally invaded his body from the house, a hearing was to be held more about Harry’s participation in the hobby, on March 25th in the Orphans Court in but I have no idea what (if any) information Hagerstown. I hastily arranged for Rich has been provided. If that person would like Lynch, editor with his wife of the Hugo- to contact me, I’d be happy to provide winning fanzine “Mimosa,” who live in information. Gaithersburg on the other side of Maryland, to Meanwhile, I and others in “fandom” are attend. That afternoon he returned and filed interested to know what arrangements have this report: been made concerning the contents of his house, and particularly his 60+-year RICH LYNCH, March 25, 2003: Nicki, I, accumulation of science fiction fanzines, most and Sheryl Birkhead were in Hagerstown if not all of which are stored in his attic. Harry earlier today to attend an Orphans Court wrote me in the ‘90s asking for my advice hearing that decided who the Judicial Probate concerning its eventual disposition because would be for Harry’s estate, since no will was arrangements he’d made with (as I recall) a located (though his house has yet to be university library had fallen apart. I advised searched). him to place it with the “Eaton Collection” of The proceeding lasted about an hour, and science-fiction at the University of California when it was over, his next-door neighbor, Mr. at Riverside, and he made changes in his will Gordon Alexander, was appointed. This is a to accomplish that (including funds for its Good Thing. Mr. Alexander has taken an Fanhistory preservers George packing and transportation). However, last active, positive interest; he has been in contact summer a mutual friend of Harry’s and mine Flynn, Rich and Nicki Lynch at the with Joe Siclari and is now well aware of died and left over 200,000 fanzines to the 2002 Midwestcon. Photo by Keith Harry’s involvement with SF fandom as well same collection. Harry expressed concern that Stokes. as the valuable and probably fragile nature of 10 File 770:143

Harry’s fanzine collection. After talking with him, I have a good feeling that he’s the right person. The proceeding lasted as long as it did because Mr. Alexander’s request to be named Probate was contested by an another, older family, the O’Dells, whom once owned the house Mr. Alexander now owns (aside: this is the same house that Harry wrote about in his article “The House on Summit Avenue” which appeared in Mimosa 6 and was reprinted last year in the Mimosa Fanthology). The O’Dells felt they were entitled because they claimed they had, in effect, a personal relationship with Harry because of the routine upkeep they were helping him with for his home, and the “facts” that Mr. Alexander, in his brief two-years as Harry’s neighbor could not possible have gotten to know him as well as they, and that (and I paraphrase) “nobody ever visited him at his house.” Not only was the hearing relatively small in duration, the courtroom was also small—the smallest I’ve ever been in, seating capacity just 14 people. There were three Judges, plus a court clerk who took notes and swore people which the O’Dells had. Sheryl spoke to say on this, should it be necessary or desirable. If in. Mr. Alexander presented a detailed more about Harry as a person, and that many so, that would be a good time for some kind of chronology of the events at the time of and people over the years had come to visit him, memorial event for Harry. I’m sure the town after Harry’s death, including the painstaking sometimes from great distance, and that would be interested, and by then they will research into Harry’s genealogy in a (vain) because Harry relied so much on the written know more about what a famous person they attempt to locate any living relatives. (He word, it could be said that Harry had many, had living in their midst. actually has the makings of a decent fan many visitors over the course of his life, from historian!) Mr. Alexander also paid the cost of all the fanzines he received and from all the A few more days passed, and on March the funeral (about $5,300) out of pocket. letters he wrote. 27th Rich filed this further report. (Afterwards, we learned that the clock was The Judges seemed impressed by all of this ticking on this... Harry’s body had been (one had even known Harry at one time), and RICH LYNCH, March 27, 2003: Mr. removed to the morgue in Baltimore and was it didn’t take them long to come to the Gordon Alexander (Harry’s next door there for more than three weeks. If nothing conclusion that Mr. Alexander would be neighbor, who had been appointed as acting had been done for three more days, the State declared Probate. Their reasoning, however, Probate) called here just a short time ago, and of Maryland would have had him cremated.) was that the Probate should be the person who here’s what has happened since the Orphans After he finished, the O’Dells had their was owed the most monetarily by the Warner Court hearing on Tuesday: turn, and their thesis was that they would have estate—as Mr. Alexander had paid the cost of Harry’s will has been found. It names a done much of what Mr. Alexander had done, if the funeral, he was it. But it seemed also clear, Hagerstown lawyer and a branch of a bank he hadn’t done it first (the burial, not the from the way the proceeding went, that they there in town as his personal representatives, research). They seemed to believe they had also felt that Mr. Alexander was the right thus removing Mr. Alexander as official first refusal rights, in effect. One of the judges person for many other reasons. I do feel that representative. (He’s been asked to remain asked them some fairly pointed questions as to they would have found for him for some other involved, however, which is a Good Thing. that, seeing as so much time had passed before reason had it been necessary. See below.) the body was reclaimed for funeral, and their So that’s the news from Hagerstown. The The bad news is that the will does not response seemed to be that they were waiting next step is for the police to enter the home address disposition of the fanzines, or for officials to seek them out and to tell them and look for a will. Mr. Alexander said that anything else in the house for that matter, nor what to do. the house is protected against the weather— does it set aside any money for that purpose. I also had a chance to speak, as did Sheryl, the heat is on and there didn’t seem to be any There were letters found with the will that do and we reinforced the point made previously weathertight problems. If a will is found, it unequivocally confirm Harry’s intentions to by Mr. Alexander that Harry was world- may supersede today’s proceedings as it might bequeath the collection to the University of famous in his field of interest, and that, from a specify a Probate. Joe Siclari has been in California - Riverside (as well as earmark preservationist standpoint, the contents of his frequent contact with Mr. Alexander (who $10,000 for that purpose), but they were not home needed to be saved. I mentioned the now also knows how to contact Nicki and me), part of the will. According to the will (and this value of his fanzines and prozines (both from so I feel that we will stay very well informed will be unofficial until the will is actually an historical and monetary viewpoint) and the on what happens. read), several specified individuals are left interest of a university library in acquiring Assuming all goes well, later this year with specific amounts of money, and these, should Harry’s will allow it. I also told things will start to come out of 423 Summit everything else is left to the church in the court that I thought Mr. Alexander would Avenue. It might be that help will be needed to Hagerstown that Harry attended. [ Rich adds: be a much better choice as Probate, given his sort and pack fanzines and other belongings. I I’ve since learned that Harry apparently never interest, his proximity, and his ongoing have no doubt that fans from all over the attended the church that is getting his estate -- contacts with the fan community, none of world might come to Hagerstown to help out but Harry’s father did.] July 2004 11

Mr. Alexander is going to contact Harry’s house, so they know), I’d be surprised if this $10,000 from the estate for packing and personal representatives and the church next happens, at least before the end of April. shipping costs, as Harry had put in his letter to week, and he asks that nobody do anything I am still optimistic that a best-case- UC-R (back in 1995). until we hear back from him (probably by scenario will play out—that the fanzines and • As to the lawyer who is the legally- about the middle of next week). He will show the money will be relinquished as per Harry’s appointed representative of the estate is a total copies of the letters to Harry’s representatives wishes. (And let’s not forget that Harry has jerk. Melissa paid a call on him during the and the church in an attempt to get things three Hugo Awards, too—they also need to day, and his only statement to her was that moving back on the right track. It seems find a new home.) I do not recommend that we “the collection will be sold.” doubtful that the church would want anything contact the Church, though perhaps Joe Siclari • Somehow, both the Church and the that’s in the house, and it’s entirely possible might think about making some kind of lawyer have gotten the idea that the monetary they will honor Harry’s wishes that $10,000 preliminary contact with the lawyer to see worth of the Warner collection is upwards of for packing and shipping be set aside as which way the wind seems to be blowing on $750,000. This was based on erroneous described in the letters. More on this next this. (Joe seems to have some standing here, as information that the Pelz collection was worth week. he was mentioned prominently in the article that much when it was acquired by UC-R. The official reading of the will will occur about Harry in the Hagerstown newspaper.) Because of this, they want to see how much about the end of April in Hagerstown. Not they can get for it on the open market, sure of the exact date yet. (Only the will will For my own part, early on I obtained the regardless of Harry’s stated wishes. be read; the letters are not part of the will.) e-mail address (from Greg Benford) of George • Harry caused some of these problems As for the contents of the house, all seems Slusser, curator of the Eaton Collection, who I himself. Portions of his January 2003 OK. There is a huge amount of stuff. Mr. met back in 1987 when he came to Oakland to SAPSzine, Rip Fan Winkle, have been used in Alexander described it as several rooms-full, make arrangements to purchase Terry Carr’s court proceedings. In that fanzine he was with stacks of things head-high. The fanzines collection for the library. (Terry’s was their gloom-and-doom about UC-R’s acquisition of were stored in unsealed manila-type first major fanzine collection.) I established the Pelz collection making his fanzines envelopes, so they may be in good shape. contact with George and have been his main redundant, and whether UC-R might not want There was no evidence of either weather or conduit for the unfolding of events. My interest them. The lawyer took that information and rodent damage. parallels his: that Harry’s collection be added ran with it. (Robert, could you tell us just how So all in all, not really bad news, but we’ll to the Eaton’s considerable holdings. In in the hell that fanzine could have wound up in know more next week. addition to Terry’s collection, they also have the public record? I am quite sure nobody was Rick Sneary’s—he gave it to them before poring through past FAPA distributions to find On March 31, Arnold Platou’s moving in the final months of his life to relevant information about Harry’s concerns retrospective article about Harry appeared in Nevada—and also Bruce Pelz’s, the latter for his estate.) Also, in the eight years since the Hagerstown “Herald-Mail.” Then came estimated at over 200,000 items. One might his exchange of letters with UC-R, Harry did another update from Rich Lynch: reasonably wonder why they would also want nothing to incorporate that information in his Harry’s, and in fact George asked me point will. It has not been any fun at all trying to RICH LYNCH, April 4, 2003: Harry’s blank whether it would contain items not to be pick up the pieces in this mess. neighbor, Mr. Gordon Alexander, called me found in the other collections. My view is that • In the meeting with the Church rep., we this afternoon to relay some information about Harry’s collection not only represents the made sure to stress that the collection needs to what’s been happening in Hagerstown longest-running, unbroken individual one in be properly cared for in the interim, and that concerning the disposition of Harry Warner’s existence (possibly Jack Speer’s goes back as there ought to be some progress reports on fanzine collection. Actually, there’s not too far but I don’t know if he’s saved everything how the cataloguing of Harry’s estate is much to report this time. Harry’s will had and his activity in mainstream fanzine fandom proceeding. They said they’d talk to the named a lawyer (Mr. Charles Wagaman) and a ended decades ago), which alone makes it lawyer, who’s overseeing that. I looked in the bank (the Farmers & Merchants Bank and valuable, but that because of this it will window of Harry’s house while I was there, Trust, represented by Ms. Tammy Weimer) as contain in an organized fashion (for instance, and there’s still a lot of stuff in there that still his personal representatives; they have now complete FAPA mailings most likely still in hasn’t yet come out. Supposedly all the met with the Pastor of the Lutheran Church their original mailing envelopes) items that fanzines from upstairs have been removed to a (which is named by the will to receive Harry’s Bruce Pelz’s collection might not have in such “climate-controlled” shed of some kind in a house and everything in it), and they all have an organized way. rental-storage place. I saw several college-age seen the letters accompanying the will (in Later, Rich Lynch posted this update: guys go in and out (these are the hired help), which Harry indicated that the Eaton but I didn’t see anything being removed. (We Collection of the University of California - RICH LYNCH, July 1, 2003: More about the think the only reason we were able to get a Riverside should get the fanzines with $10,000 continuing Harry Warner fanzine collection meeting with the Church rep. at all is that they to be set aside for their packing and shipping). quagmire. wanted to find out if we were a threat and We still do not yet know what the Church’s might want to contest the will. When it intentions will be, and probably won’t until the I spent a day in Hagerstown yesterday became clear that wasn’t going to happen, the reading of the will (scheduled for 9:30 a.m., with Melissa Conway from the University of discussion became a bit more open.) on Tuesday, April 29th, at the Washington California - Riverside, and Peggy Rae • We think it will be at least a year, maybe County Courthouse in Hagerstown—I, Nicki, Sapienza, mostly in meetings with various as much as two years, before UC-R will be a and Sheryl will be going back to Hagerstown people connected with the Warner situation. player in this situation. It will take that long to for that). The best course of action still seems The news is mostly not favorable for any near- catalogue everything, and to find out if they to be doing nothing until then. Mr. Alexander future settlement. Some highlights of the day, can sell it, however unlikely that would be. indicated that the Church was considering if “highlight” is the right word: The Church rep. assured us that nothing in the removing much of the contents of the house • The Church, which will get almost all of house would be indiscriminately trashed, into a climate-controlled area of some kind, the Warner estate, has backed off its previous especially as they have no real expertise on but considering the amount of stuff that would statement that it would honor Harry’s wishes what Harry’s belongings are actually worth. have to be moved (and they’ve toured the and give UC-R the fanzine collection and As far as I can see, this ends my 12 File 770:143 involvement in the situation. Melissa has “fanzines”) be given to that university’s direct contact information from here (I think Eaton Collection. she’s planning to send a letter to the We also learned that the Church Church. I think that UC-R will eventually presently has no intention of honoring get the Warner collection. But it will require Harry’s written wishes that $10,000 be time and patience. set aside from his estate for the packing and shipping of the collection. As I responded to Rich, I know nothing Somehow both the Church and Mr. of how the lawyer got hold of the January Wagaman have gotten the mistaken 2003 SAPSzine with Harry’s mailing impression that the Warner collection is comment to me: “If the Pelz fanzine worth hundreds of thousands of dollars collection is going to the University of on the open market, and even though it California, I must start looking around for a was explained to them that this is different final resting place for mine. There absolutely not true (the value is mostly would be an enormous amount of historical), they are charging ahead with duplication between these two their plan to try to realize a financial accumulations.” He was responding to a killing. couple of sentences in my report on the This is just wrong. I was Harry’s 2002 Westercon where I mentioned a friend for more than 20 years; I visited conversation I had with Elayne Pelz about him often, and I was editor of his Bruce’s fanzine collection: “I asked Elayne second book ( A Wealth of Fable , SCIFI about Bruce’s collection. It’s going to the Press, 1992). I know that, more than UC Riverside SF collection. She wasn’t almost anything else, he wanted his sure they were aware of just how much it fanzines preserved in a university comprises, and she told me: 500 bankers archives. I am very disturbed and boxes of fanzines, 36 shelf feet of bound someone who’s not knowledgeable about its saddened that his written wishes are being fanzines, and 20 file cabinets full of fanzines. value -- and the value they fancy it being ignored, just for the sake of greed. It does not Wow!” I never had an opportunity to respond worth is way out of line -- and they will get seem to me that Mr. Wagaman is behaving to him due to his untimely death. plenty of money from his books, records, etc., appropriately as Mr. Warner’s representative, I passed on the above to Melissa Conway all much more easily evaluated. But so it and had I known this would be the outcome I with Lynch’s permission, and just today had a goes.” would have raised an objection at the April reply from her informing me that she and John Ms. Hoffman also indicated that the Herald 29th hearing. Hertz were conferring about what to do next. Mail would likely not take this up as a hot There was other disturbing news that we I wrote Tamara Hoffman at the Herald news item for legal reasons, a reasonable learned during the trip. The collection itself Mail in early July wondering if she’d be position to take at this time. might well be subject to physical deterioration, interested in knowing more about the And there it stands. I continue to feel some as it is apparently being stored (during the situation, and heard from her near the end of responsibility for seeing this through to the cataloguing process) in a rent-a-shed facility the month. She wrote: extent that I can, since it was at my suggestion near the Interstate -- this would not seem to be “I’ve been on vacation and unable to that Harry made his arrangements with UC the “climate controlled” room that we had answer your e-mail. I did talk to Noel Brady at Riverside. been previously assured. Mr. Wagaman has Coffman Funeral Home when I went there for —Robert Lichtman also, so far, not allowed anybody with a funeral. He told me basically that since the knowledge of how old books and magazines instructions to give the manuscripts and papers MIKE GLYER: Rich Lynch wrote the should be stored and handled to observe the to the University of Ca. weren’t in the will following letter to the Orphans Court on July situation, and there have been no progress itself, the church plans to sell them. This is 21, 2003 to tell the judge his concern that reports on how the cataloguing process is sad, but legal. Common kindness should tell Harry’s wishes are not being carried out. proceeding. In short, there’s no way to know them the right thing to do. They are due to that the collection may suffer damage in come into quite a bit of money as it is. There Dear Sirs: however long it takes to catalogue it. There is has been no settling of the estate nor any hint I am writing in reference to the previous also no way to assure that it will not wind up of a sale. I do remember it takes stages to court proceedings concerning the estate of the in a dumpster once it is finally realized it’s the complete, but by six months after the death late Harry Warner, Jr. I attended the April 29th equivalent of a “white elephant.” and the will is filed, a settlement should start. probate hearing, where Attorney Charles I’m therefore writing to express my Of course they could get an extension.” Wagaman was appointed as the legal outrage. And I know that if Harry had To which I replied: representative of the Warner estate and it was somehow known, before he died, that this “ Good to hear from you, and I hope you learned that most of the Warner estate would would have resulted, he would have been had an enjoyable vacation. Yes, Harry messed go to St. Mark’s Lutheran Church. At that time outraged too. I’m hoping you can find some up by not amending his will to include the I thought Mr. Wagaman was a reasonable way of correcting this situation. bequest of his fanzines to UC Riverside. choice as legal representative, but based on a Considering that what I’ve heard is that he left visit to Hagerstown on June 30tb, (I was RICH LYNCH: The Washington County behind something in the neighborhood of accompanied by Melissa Conway, Head of Orphans Court replied in a letter (signed by $600,000 in liquid assets (cash, investments, Special Collections at the University of all three judges), recommending that whatever) in addition to his house and its Califomia-Riverside), we learned that he and communications be maintained with the entire contents, you’d think the church would the Church have no intention of honoring Church (and Melissa has info on how to do have ample room not to be so greedy about it. Harry’s written wishes (as documented in a this), and patience. I didn’t actually expect (Are they particularly hard up?) The fanzine 1995 letter to UC-R) that Harry’s large any other outcome; I’d just wanted to get on collection is the most difficult thing to sell for collection of amateur publications (a.k.a. the record as objecting to what was occurring. July 2004 13

The letter reads: support of the U.S. during the Vietnam era. The list is reportedly compiled by the How I Gave A Hugo Away “This is in response to your letter of July ceremonial branch of the Cabinet Office to By Andrew I. Porter 21, 2003 in which you express some concerns warn officials that those who have refused I gave a Hugo Award away, but it wasn't of the way the estate of Harry B. Warner is honors should not be approached again. th mine. Sort of. In 1970, I was assistant being administered. The April 29 hearing New Wave sf writer JG Ballard, also author editor at F&SF. When the mag won the was held to determine if the Last Will and of Empire of the Sun , refused a CBE this year Hugo at Heicon, Ed Ferman suggested I Testament of Harry B. Warner, Jr. dated for “services to literature” because he was keep the statue. October 12, 1995, would be accepted for opposed to the “preposterous charade” of the The reason/a little background: Heicon probate and for the appointment of a personal honors system. He told the Sunday Times : was run by very inexperienced fans in representative of his estate. “Thousands of medals are given out in the Heidelberg, Germany. Apparently, days “Mr. Warner’s will met the criteria name of a non-existent empire. It makes us before the con, they realized they had no established by Maryland Law to be a valid will look a laughing stock and encourages Hugo bases. So they cut up a plywood and in Item IV of this will he named those deference to the crown. I think it is exploited door into big squares and smaller squares, who he wanted to administer his estate, i.e., by politicians and always has been.” which they glued together, smothered in Charles F. Wagaman, Jr., and Farmer’s & Other names in the “refusals” documents, brown enamel paint, and on which the Merchants Bank and Trust (now known as which are not even released under the usual award plaques were glued. The result: Susquehanna Trust and Investment Company.) 30-year rule for government papers, include definitely one of the ugliest Hugo Award This court is bound by Maryland Law as to celebrity cook Nigella Lawson, children’s bases, ever! who they may appoint as personal author Roald Dahl and actor Kenneth So I've had the 1970 F&SF Hugo all representative, Estates & Trust Code, Section Branagh. these years, even after leaving the mag in 5-104(l), ‘The personal representatives named Up to one in five “refuseniks” subsequently 1974. I offered to give the thing back to in a will admitted to probate.’ This court made accepted an honor including film director Ed several times, but every time, he gra- the appointment of the co-personal Alfred Hitchcock who turned down a CBE in ciously declined. representatives using these criteria. 1962 before accepting a knighthood shortly Jump forward to the present, when “As a court, we also are required to insure before his death. Gordon Van Gelder is the new Edi- that distribution of the estate assets are tor/Publisher, all the fiction mags have distributed in accordance with the provisions 2003 Endeavour Award Winners seen better days (circulation wise), and the found in the will. The disposition of Mr. Steven Barnes and Kristine Kathryn Rusch mags themselves don't win the awards: Warner’s estate once all outstanding debts and jointly won the fifth Endeavour Award, their editors do. I've been threatening administrative costs are paid will be made presented last November at OryCon in several times to travel across the Hudson pursuant to Item II of his will, a bequest of Portland. Rusch won for The Disappeared River to far-off, exotic Hoboken, New $20,000.00 to [a private person], and by Item (Roc Science Fiction) while Barnes won for Jersey, to give Gordon a big, shiny, phal- III, which states the rest and residue of his Lion's Blood (Warner Books). The winners lic rocketship thing. estate is to go to St. Mark’s Lutheran Church.” each received an etched glass plaque produced Instead, I used as a venue a neutral by Seattle artist Ashley Harper and a grant of meeting point, the monthly KGB reading MIKE GLYER: At least Rich’s letter brought $500. series hosted by Ellen Datlow and Gavin these concerns to the attention of the court. The annual Endeavour Award honors a Grant. And there, to stunned disbelief on Peggy Rae Sapienza went to the courthouse distinguished science fiction or fantasy book, the part of many, perhaps even including and found both his letter than the judges’ either a novel or a single-author collection of Gordon Van Gelder, the transfer was com- answer in the public record of the case. The U. stories, by a writer from the Pacific Northwest. pleted. Cal. Riverside Library has said it remains The other finalists for 2003 were: The Not as dramatic as the exchange of interested in Harry’s fanzine collection. So far Maquisarde by Washington writer Louise spies at Checkpoint Charlie during the I am not aware that the Church, or the Marley, (Ace Books); Solitaire , by height of the Cold War, but far more satis- executors, have gone to anyone Washington writer Kelley Eskridge, (Eos); and fying for at least two of us. knowledgeable about fanzines for an informed Technogenisis , by Washington writer Syne ++ Andrew I. Porter (still holding opinion about their monetary value. Mitchell (ROC Science Fiction). Finalists who three Hugos, all with my name on them) Sheryl Birkhead reported in a letter to attended the ceremony received $100 to help NASFA Shuttle that on April 28 she was at an defray their expenses. auction house attending the first sale of items The Award combines judging by fans of from Harry Warner's estate - but not any the literature and by professional writers and Award for best science fiction or fantasy short fanzines. She said beforehand, "I'm hoping to editors of science fiction and fantasy. Entries fiction by a Canadian writer. get some of the miscellaneous desktop 'stuff.'" are scored by seven readers randomly selected The 2004 Endeavour Award will be from a panel of readers. The five highest presented at the next OryCon for a book scoring books then go to three professional published during 2003. Writers, editors, No Sir, Says Ballard judges. The judges for 2003 were Martin H. agents, and persons who attended the previous A secret list of 300 top figures who refused Greenberg, Joe Haldeman and Douglas Smith. year's OryCon, may nominate works for the knighthoods, CBEs and other awards Greenberg, CEO of Tekno Books, also helped award. Nomination forms may be printed from bestowed by the Queen of England was to found the Sci-Fi Channel. He was the Editor the Endeavour Award's home page: revealed in 2003. Singers David Bowie and Guest of Honor at the 1991 World Science www.osfci.org/endeavour John Lennon are among those who have Fiction Convention in Chicago. Joe Haldeman The Endeavour Award is sponsored by refused honors, according to leaked Whitehall has won five Nebula and four Hugo awards for Oregon Science Fiction Conventions, Inc. files. Bowie turned down a CBE in the his fiction and three Rhysling Awards for his (OSFCI). Queen’s birthday honors of 2000 while poetry. Doug Smith is a Toronto-based writer Lennon returned his 1965 MBE with a letter who was a finalist for the 2001 John W. protesting Britain’s role in Biafra and its Campbell Award and won a 2001 Aurora 14 File 770:143 2004 Hugo Award Nominees Best Novel (462 ballots) 2003) Minear. Paladin of Souls — Lois McMaster Bujold The Thackery T. Lambshead Guide to “Rosetta” — Smallville (Tollin/Robbins (Eos) Eccentric & Discredited Diseases — Jeff Productions/Warner Brothers). Directed Humans — Robert Sawyer (Tor Books) Vandermeer & Mark Roberts (Night by James Marshall; written by Al Gough Ilium — Dan Simmons (Eos) Shade Books, 2003) & Miles Millar. Singularity Sky — Charles Stross (Ace Books) Master Storyteller: An Illustrated Tour of the Blind Lake — Robert Charles Wilson (Tor Fiction of L. Ron Hubbard — William J. Best Professional Editor (319 ballots) Books) Widder (Bridge, 2003) Ellen Datlow Gardner Dozois Best Novella (215 ballots) Best Dramatic Presentation — David Hartwell “Walk in Silence” — Catherine Asaro Long Form (363 ballots) Stanley Schmidt (Analog , April 2003) 28 Days Later (DNA Films/Fox Searchlight). Gordon Van Gelder “Empress of Mars” — Kage Baker ( Asimov’s , Directed by Danny Boyle; written by Alex July 2003) Garland. Best Professional Artist (241 ballots) “The Green Leopard Plague” — Walter Jon Finding Nemo (Pixar/Walt Disney Pictures). Jim Burns Williams ( Asimov’s , Oct.–Nov. 2003) Directed by Andrew Stanton & Lee Bob Eggleton “Just Like the Ones We Used to Know” — Unkrich; screenplay by Andrew Stanton, Frank Frazetta Connie Willis ( Asimov’s , Dec. 2003) Bob Peterson & David Reynolds; story by Frank Kelly Freas “The Cookie Monster” — Vernor Vinge Andrew Stanton. Donato Giancola (Analog , Oct. 2003) The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (New Line Cinema). Directed by Peter Best Semi-Prozine (199 ballots) Best Novelette (243 ballots) Jackson; screenplay by Fran Walsh, Ansible , ed. Dave Langford “Empire of Ice Cream” — Jeffrey Ford ( Sci Philippa Boyens & Peter Jackson; based Interzone , ed. David Pringle Fiction , scifi.com, Feb. 2003) on the novel by J.R.R. Tolkien. Locus , ed. Charles N. Brown, Jennifer A. Hall, “Bernardo’s House” — James Patrick Kelly Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the and Kirsten Gong-Wong (Asimov’s , June 2003) Black Pearl (Walt Disney Pictures). The New York Review of Science Fiction , ed. “Into the Gardens of Sweet Night” — Jay Directed by Gore Verbinski; screenplay by Kathryn Cramer, David G. Hartwell, and Lake ( Writers of the Future XIX , Bridge, Ted Elliott & Terry Rossio; screen story Kevin Maroney 2003) by Ted Elliott, Terry Rossio, Stuart Beattie Third Alternative , ed. Andy Cox “Hexagons” — Robert Reed ( Asimov’s , July & Jay Wolpert. 2003) X2: X-Men United (20th Century Fox/Marvel). Best Fanzine (211 ballots) “Nightfall” — Charles Stross ( Asimov’s , April Directed by Bryan Singer; screenplay by Challenger , ed. Guy H. Lillian III 2003) Michael Dougherty, Dan Harris & David Emerald City , ed. Cheryl Morgan “Legions in Time” — Michael Swanwick Hayter; story by Zak Penn, David Hayter File 770 , ed. Mike Glyer (Asimov’s , April 2003) & Bryan Singer. Mimosa , ed. Rich and Nicki Lynch Plokta , ed. Alison Scott, Steve Davies, and Best Short Story (310 ballots) Best Dramatic Presentation — Mike Scott “Paying It Forward” — Michael A. Burstein Short Form (212 ballots) (Analog , Sept. 2003) “Chosen” — Buffy the Vampire Slayer Best Fan Writer (260 ballots) “A Study in Emerald” — Neil Gaiman (Mutant Enemy Inc./20th Century Fox). Jeff Berkwits (Shadows over Baker Street , Del Rey, 2003) Written and directed by Joss Whedon. Bob Devney “Four Short Novels” — Joe Haldeman “Gollum’s Acceptance Speech at the 2003 John L. Flynn (Fantasy & Science Fiction , Nov. 2003) MTV Movie Awards” (Wingnut Dave Langford “The Tale of the Golden Eagle” — David D. Films/New Line Cinema). Written and Cheryl Morgan Levine ( Fantasy & Science Fiction , June directed by Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens 2003) & Peter Jackson. Best Fan Artist (190 ballots) “Robots Don’t Cry” — Mike Resnick “Heart of Gold” — Firefly (Mutant Enemy Brad Foster (Asimov’s , July 2003) Inc./20th Century Fox). Directed by Teddy Harvia Thomas J. Wright; written by Brett Sue Mason Best Related Book (243 ballots) Matthews. Steve Stiles Scores: Reviews 1993–2003 — John Clute “The Message” — Firefly (Mutant Enemy Frank Wu (Beccon Publications, 2003) Inc./20th Century Fox). Directed by Tim Spectrum 10: The Best in Fantastic Minear; written by Joss Whedon & Tim The John W. Campbell Award for Best Contemporary Art — Cathy & Arnie New Writer (192 ballots) Fenner (Underwood Books, 2003) Jay Lake (second year of eligibility) The Chesley Awards for SF & Fantasy Art: A David D. Levine (second year of eligibility) Retrospective — John Grant, Elizabeth L. Karin Lowachee (second year of eligibility) Humphrey, & Pamela D. Scoville (Artist’s Chris Moriarty (first year of eligibility) & Photographer’s Press Ltd., 2003) Tim Pratt (second year of eligibility) Dreamer of Dune: The Biography of Frank Note: This award is not a Hugo; it is Herbert — Brian Herbert (Tor Books, sponsored by Dell Magazines. July 2004 15

Retrospective Hugo Awards Press) “Three Hearts and Three Lions.” Modern Science Fiction: Its Making and for work done in 1953 Future — Reginald Bretnor (Coward- Postscript: McCann)

Administrator’s Note: Below are nominations Science-Fiction Handbook — L. Sprague de in 10 categories for the best work of 1953. Camp (Hermitage) The 2003 Hugo Award Winners Three categories were dropped for insufficient nominees: Best Dramatic Presentation — Best Dramatic Presentation, Short Best Novel Long Form, Best Semi-Prozine, and Best Fan Form, of 1953 (96 ballots) Hominids by Robert J. Sawyer ( Analog 1- Artist. The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms (Mutual 4/02; Tor) Pictures/Warner Brothers). Directed by Best Novel of 1953 (113 ballots) Eugène Lourié; screenplay by Louis Best Novella The Caves of Steel — Isaac Asimov ( Galaxy , Morheim and Fred Freiberger; based on Coraline by Neil Gaiman (HarperCollins) Oct.–Dec. 1953) the story by Ray Bradbury. Fahrenheit 451 — Ray Bradbury (Ballantine) Duck Dodgers in the 24 1/2 th Century Best Novelette Childhood’s End — Arthur C. Clarke (Warner Brothers). Directed by Chuck “Slow Life” by Michael Swanwick ( Analog (Ballantine) Jones; written by Michael Maltese. 12/02) Mission of Gravity — Hal Clement Invaders from Mars (National Pictures/20th (Astounding , Feb.–July 1953) Century Fox). Directed by William Best Short Story More than Human — Theodore Sturgeon Cameron Menzies; screenplay by Richard “Falling Onto Mars” by Geoffrey A. Landis (Ballantine) Blake; story by John Tucker Battle. (Analog 7-8/02) It Came from Outer Space (Universal). Best Novella of 1953 (67 ballots) Directed by Jack Arnold; screenplay by Best Related Book “Un-Man” — Poul Anderson ( Astounding , Harry Essex; story by Ray Bradbury. Better to Have Loved: The Life of Judith Jan. 1953) The War of the Worlds (Paramount Pictures). Merril, Judith Merril and Emily Pohl-Weary “A Case of Conscience” — James Blish ( If , Directed by Byron Haskin; screenplay by (Between the Lines) Sept. 1953) Barré Lyndon; based on the novel by H.G. “The Rose” — Charles L. Harness ( Authentic Wells. Best Short Form Dramatic Presentation Science Fiction Monthly , March 1953) Buffy the Vampire Slayer , “Conversations “Three Hearts and Three Lions” by Poul Best Professional Editor With Dead People,” (20th Century Fox Anderson of 1953 (49 ballots) Television/Mutant Enemy Inc.) Directed by “...And My Fear is Great...” — Theodore Anthony Boucher Nick Marck; Teleplay by Jane Espenson & Sturgeon ( Beyond Fantasy Fiction , July John W. Campbell, Jr. Drew Goddard 1953) H. L. Gold Frederik Pohl Best Long Form Dramatic Presentation Best Novelette of 1953 (66 ballots) Donald A. Wollheim The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (New Line Cinema), Directed by Peter “Sam Hall” — Poul Anderson ( Astounding , Jackson; Screenplay by Fran Walsh, Phillippa Aug. 1953) Best Professional Artist Boyens, Stephen Sinclair & Peter Jackson; “The Adventure of the Misplaced Hound” — of 1953 (68 ballots) based on the novel by J. R. R. Tolkien Poul Anderson & Gordon R. Dickson Chesley Bonestell (Universe , Dec. 1953) Ed Emshwiller Best Professional Editor “Earthman, Come Home” — James Blish Virgil Finlay Gardner Dozois (Astounding , Nov. 1953) Frank Kelly Freas “The Wall Around the World” — Theodore Richard Powers Best Professional Artist Cogswell ( Beyond Fantasy Fiction , Sept. Bob Eggleton 1953) Best Fanzine of 1953 (36 ballots) “Second Variety” — Philip K. Dick ( Space Hyphen , ed. Chuck Harris & Walter Willis Best Semiprozine Science Fiction , May 1953) Quandry , ed. Lee Hoffman Locus, Charles N. Brown, Jennifer A. Hall,

Science Fiction Newsletter , ed. Bob Tucker and Kirsten Gong-Wong, eds. Best Short Story of 1953 (96 ballots) Sky Hook , ed. Redd Boggs “Star Light, Star Bright” — Alfred Bester Slant , ed. Walter Willis; art editor James Best Fanzine (Fantasy & Science Fiction , July 1953) White Mimosa, Rich and Nicki Lynch, eds. “It’s a Good Life” — Jerome Bixby ( Star Science Fiction Stories #2 , Ballantine) Best Fan Writer of 1953 (38 ballots) Best Fan Writer “The Nine Billion Names of God” — Arthur Redd Boggs Dave Langford C. Clarke ( Star Science Fiction Stories #1 , Lee Hoffman Ballantine) Bob Tucker Best Fan Artist “Seventh Victim” — Robert Sheckley James White Sue Mason (Galaxy , April 1953) Walter A. Willis “A Saucer of Loneliness” — Theodore John W. Campbell Award Sturgeon ( Galaxy , Feb. 1953) Nominee Note: The originally announced list for Best New Writer of 1953 Retro-Hugo nominees was corrected (sponsored by Dell Magazines) Best Related Book of 1953 (21 ballots) after it was discovered that Judith Merril’s Wen Spencer Conquest of the Moon — Wernher von Braun, novella “Daughters of Earth” was published in Fred L. Whipple & Willy Ley (Viking 1952. It was replaced by Poul Anderson’s 16 File 770:143

most of the fen around, and section of all future Worldcon Souvenir because I could be unpleas- books. She was a force for good and will be ant at times,” Tackett ex- missed by us all. plained to Locke. To close, KIM’s mother Margaret’s As a clown with the words seem most appropriate: “Kim died in Kiwanis, Tackett was known her sleep on Saturday evening about half an as “Tacky the Clown,” hour after I had said ‘good night’ to her. She complete with a red nose, had not been well since she entered the white face and costume. hospice and we all knew that the end was Because of a stroke, Tackett was con- near, but, true to Kim’s habits, she surprised Obituaries fined to a wheelchair for almost the last us a little. She looked peaceful and at rest eight years and his quality of life had suf- when I saw her the next day. The hospice Roy Tackett 1925-2003 fered as a result. staff had dressed her in her favourite purple Tackett was married and became a and she was in a flower filled room which by Craig Chrissinger widower twice, first to Chrystal and then to included purple freesias on a window sill Eleen. The first marriage produced two that was lit by the autumn sun. I, too, have Roy Tackett, First Fandom member who daughters, Rene and Diana. Tackett was lost a friend and as someone has said the helped found Bubonicon (one of the longest buried in a private family ceremony at the world will be less colourful without her. running conventions in the southwest) and National Cemetery in Santa Fe, NM. While I have no strong belief in an afterlife, the Albuquerque SF Society, died May 23 in Bubonicon 35 will be dedicated to the one of the nicest things that has been said to Albuquerque, NM, of heart failure. He was memory of Roy Tackett, with a short memo- me is ‘that wherever she is she will be 78 years old. rial ceremony before the Green Slime having fun’. I agree.” Tackett first discovered pulp magazines Awards on Sunday, August 24, and a tribute in 1935 at the age of 10 years old while piece by Robert Vardeman in the program living in Colorado. While in the Marine book. There also will be a memory board in Lori Wolf Corps, he served in the Pacific Theater the lobby area of the Howard Johnson East’s A pillar of Texas fandom, Lori Wolf, lost during WWII and also did a later stint in convention facility. her battle with ovarian cancer January 6. Japan where he "discovered" Japanese ++ submitted by Craig Chrissinger (chair, The 44-year-old conrunner became a nation- fandom, and received one of the first Japa- Bubonicon 35) ally-known fan while she was part of the nese Fandom Awards in 1965. After his Cephid Variables at Texas A&M. She was military service, Tackett eventually settled active with Armadillocon, and a past chair in New Mexico. It was while searching for KIM Campbell of the Fandom Association of Central Texas other fans that he met Robert Vardeman as by Vince Docherty, {reprinted (FACT). they both searched the same shelf at a local by permission) After earning a Masters degree in Chem- bookstore. The Albuquerque SF Society was In November we received the sad news that istry she joined the world of work at the started soon thereafter. after a long fight against cancer, KIM Pasadena (TX) Police Department as a In addition to helping start up Bubonicon, Campbell had died. Although this was forensic chemist. She later worked for the Tackett also instituted the Green Slime expected, it was no less painful for the many Texas Department of Public Safety. She is Awards in 1976 to recognize wretchedness people who knew her. survived by her husband, A.T. Campbell III. in movies, books and such. He also pub- KIM was a long time fan whose great [[Source: Lisa Greene]] lished more than 100 issues of his fanzine talent was in engaging and encouraging "Dynatron" since it's start in 1960, was the people. She often expressed her admiration Samuel E. Konkin III 1969 Westercon Fan Guest of Honor, the for the ‘Knights of St. Fanthony’ who Trans-Atlantic Fan Fund winner in 1976, (1947-2004) welcomed new fans to conventions many Fandom’s most famous frefan, Sam Konkin, and the Fan Guest of Honor at the 1997 years ago, and she emulated their example Worldcon in San Antonio, TX. was found dead of natural causes in his Los as often as she could. This can be seen in the Angeles apartment on February 23. One of Tackett’s fondest memories was a online Book of Condolence at 1982 First Fandom trip to Yugoslavia and I met Sam for the first time during a http://www.interaction.worldcon.org.uk/cgi- riverboat cruise at the 1975 Rivercon, along the USSR, where he enjoyed exploring con/kim/guestbook.cgi stores and restaurants, and seeing the sights with three other libertarian fans moving where so many have expressed fond memo- from New York to California, Rob Cohen, behind the then-existent Iron Curtain. “I had ries of her welcoming approach and encour- fun teaching the bartender at the Hotel Rus Andy Thornton and J. Neil Schulman. Neil agement. still refers to this journey as coming to the in Kiev how to make a martini, and visiting Her first year of contact with fandom was bookstores in Moscow and St. Petersberg,” “promised land” and Sam made it such a 1979 and she participated in many fannish part of the libertarian legend that I felt I had he told Dave Locke in a 1993 interview. activities, including the fanzine Kim’s “And getting mistaken for KGB by another not simply gone on a boat ride with him, I Game , acting and online fanac. She was on had witnessed a signal moment in political KGB agent in Leningrad.” numerous convention committees over the Tackett also was a founding member of history -- these libertarians had set out to years, chaired the 2001 SMOFcon in York change the world. the monthly CAPA mailing, contributing to where she lived, and co-founded the UK in the apa for 42 years, and a 33-year contribut- I was not politically well-informed when 2005 Bid, thus being instrumental in the we met, but I happened to know what a ing member of FAPA. Within fandom and creation of this the many fanzines for which he wrote, he libertarian was because I had been in a USC convention. history class with Shawn Steele, a disen- was nicknamed “Roytac” or “HORT.” It was We will highlight KIM’s life and Bruce Pelz who saddled him with “Horrible chanted conservative who’d moved on to achievements in future publications and at libertarianism but still bragged that he was Old Roy Tackett,” sometime in the 1960s. the [2005] Worldcon itself and her name “Mostly, I suppose, because I was older than the Young Republican who started everyone will also be in the Worldcon Long List booing Nelson Rockefeller at the 1968 July 2004 17

Republican Convention. Also, a USC profes- realize something, which I didn’t. He got sor, John Hospers, had been the Libertarian impatient quickly. ‘So who was the Gover- Party’s first Presidential candidate in 1972. nor’s wife in 1928?’ he asked me. Then I (Sam had traveled to St. Louis in 1969 to realized who the Governor of New York was attend the convention that formed the Libertar- in the late 1920’s -- and that the watch was ian Party. That same weekend the Worldcon presented to him by Eleanor Roosevelt.” was being held in St Louis and Sam hit both Julie actively returned to the convention events.) Of course, Sam soured on the circuit after his wife passed away, I believe in “partyarchs” before long, but before that the early 1990’s. Around that time one of the happened, he (unforgettably) defended the Loscons turned into a kind of West Coast Libertarian Party to me as a placeholder “until “coming-out” party for him, attracting the people could be educated to stop voting most stellar list of sf personalities ever to altogether.” grace the convention’s program. Julie fre- Fandom is full of extroverts seeking forums quently returned to Loscon, and the fans who for their strong political opinions. While Sam Age of Comics” in Showcase #4 with a re- experienced his charm and generosity there are was one, of all the people I’ve met I think Sam styled Flash. He revamped other comics among those who are missing him deeply. was the most capable of enjoying the company superheroes over the years. Evanier writes, of people he disagreed with. He was passion- “Later, when sales on Batman were sinking, Ken Uhland ate about his economic worldview, and even DC turned to Schwartz to institute a ‘new Ken Uhland died peacefully in a hospice on more passionate about his Mac Powerbook, look’ and bolster the character, which he did. May 8 after a long battle with cancer. He was delighted to fence with anyone willing to And when Superman was in need of an editor active in Bay Area fandom for many years, make an argument. That is a characteristic he who knew what he was doing, Julie came to serving in many positions at Baycon, SiliCon had in common with Christian apologist the rescue. How many people in this world and ConJose. He was an inveterate worker C.S.Lewis, a figure who intrigued Sam enough could say honestly that they saved both Super- outside of fandom, too, in community theater, to stay an active member of the Southern man and Batman?” MENSA, and PBS station pledge drives. California C.S.Lewis Society for many years. There seem to be an infinite number of Tom Whitmore saluted Ken as “one of the Sam’s good humor about people who were good stories about Julie on Evanier’s website, best volunteers I know. For any mailing party involved with things he opposed kept our including Elliot S. Maggin’s remembrance of or other necessary gruntwork job, Ken was relationship pleasant when it might have gone the time Julie attended the family’s Passover glad to show up and help. He didn't try to put another direction. I took a date to see the seder and gave a perfect recitation of the Four on airs and run things -- he just showed up, did movie Harry’s War in 1981, a kind of comedy Questions in Hebrew. “A few days later, back the job, and helped others have a good time that ends with an armed attack on the evile at work, he showed me a gold watch he’d doing so.” IRS. Lo and behold, who should we meet gotten for being the smartest kid in the He- Ken made his living in the Santa Clara outside the theater afterwards – Sam, Neil and brew school he attended [in 1928]. It had County Communications Center as one of five company handing out a tabloid paper encour- Hebrew letters for the numbers, and I sug- people who maintained the Computer-Aided aging tax protest. Sam knew I worked for the gested it ought to run counter-clockwise, but it Dispatch system for the County's 911/EMS IRS but greeted me as cordially as ever – we didn’t. ‘The Governor’s wife came and gave systems. were amused by the coincidence. this to me,’ he said. And he waited for me to He is survived by his wife Margaret Fruth Sam contributed some juicy news items in and daughter Carrie Fruthland. the early days of File 770. He stayed busy with a number of publications, making the New Libertarian Weekly famous by serializing In Passing an interview with Robert A. Heinlein. And his Benedict Jablonski , aka Ben Jason , was an Daily FreFanzine stirred the fanpolitical pot at active SF fan who shares credit for designing many conventions over the years. the Hugo Award, one of the two leading Sam leaves behind a brother in Edmonton awards in science fiction. In 1955, Jablonski and his son, Samuel Konkin IV. His brother had a rocket-shaped hood ornament from an took him home to Edmonton to be buried next Oldsmobile 88 retooled and mounted on a to his father. base to serve as the Hugo Award at the World Science Fiction Convention in Cleveland that year. Jablonski also chaired the 1966 World- Julius Schwartz con at which Gene Roddenberry famously Julius Schwartz died February 8 in the after- presented a preview of his upcoming TV math of a number of serious health problems. series "Star Trek." He died on May 15, 2003 at He was hospitalized for pneumonia in Decem- age 86, and is survived by his brother, Ernie ber and eventually released. He later fell in his Jablonski. home and was rehospitalized. Mark Evanier’s excellent, full-length obituary is linked to the Louis Russell Chauvenet ("Russ"), credited The Comics Journal “Journalista” website and with inventing the word “fanzine,” died can be reached directly at peacefully in his sleep on the night of June 24, http://www.newsfromme.com/ 2003 at the age of 83. He attended Harvard Schwartz was co-editor of one of the Coming Back Party: Ray Bradbury University, Boston College and the University earliest fanzines, with Mort Weisinger, and an of Virginia. He was one of the members of the and Matthew Tepper pose with Julius early agent for science fiction writers who sold Boston Stranger Club honored by a group Fan the first stories by Ray Bradbury. He gained Schwartz at a 1990’s Loscon. [Photo Guest of Honor role at Noreascon III in 1989. fame as a comic book editor for DC Comics. by Dik Daniels, published by permis- Rich Lynch wrote online, “He lived here in the Evanier credits him with initiating the “Silver sion of Matthew Tepper.] 18 File 770:143

Washington area for a long time, and Nicki just plain zoned out to continue working ing of February 3, 2004 and by 4:30 pm Dee and I visited him at his home a couple of without intervention. was sitting up eating Jello. But weeks later she times. He was a bit of a recluse (never attend- Bobbie DuFault of the Seattle NASFiC remained in the hospital, and after a number of ing any of the local conventions or fan meet- committee wrote online, “We all know how medical setbacks she passed away on March 8. ings), though not nearly so much as Harry she tried to do everything she could to meet The family is burdened both with her loss Warner, and I never got to know him as well her commitments. We will miss her greatly and overwhelming, unpaid medical bills. as I wanted to. I remember him as a happy and our heart goes out to her family.” Midwestern fans and other readers of Chroni- man, with a very sharp mind. I have no reason cles of the Dawn Patrol were called on for to doubt he was that way to the end.” Gerald Pearce , a popular figure among LA help. Contributions should go to: Dee Willis writers, died April 27, 2003 at the age of 74. Fund - #005047951625, c/o Bank of America, Bibliographer Bradford M. Day passed away He had contracted pneumonia on the way 6495 Quivira, Shawnee, KS 66126 February 25, 2004 in Pella, Iowa. He was 88. home from a con in San Diego. His survivors include Brad Day III, also a fan. Shirley Maiewski died suddenly April 12, [[Source: Ned Brooks]] Harry Clement Stubbs , who wrote science 2004 at her longtime Hatfield, MA home. She fiction as Hal Clement , died October 29, was head of the Star Trek WelCommittee, Rose Mortensen Hamm, sister of LASFS 2003, at his home in Milton, MA. which was devoted to helping new Trek fans member Liz Mortensen, passed away on Born in 1922, Clement was a high school find other groups, find each other, and in October 23, 2003. Her husband of 24 years, school teacher whose fiction gained a reputa- general come into fandom more easily. She Gary, as well as Liz and Ed Green, were there. tion as quintessential hard SF – science fiction carried on this volunteer work for many, many firmly based on established physics, chemis- years. [[Source: Bjo Trimble]] Pamela Lynn "P.L." Caruthers- try, and astronomy. His novels often depicted Montgomery passed away August 26, 2003. highly imagined alien worlds; the most famous Marguerite (“Maggie”) McClure Bradbury , She had been ill with a variety of ailments and was Mission of Gravity, set on a heavy, fast- wife of sf/fantasy writer Ray Bradbury, passed her death was ascribed to natural causes. She pinning planet where the force of gravity is away on November 24, 2003 at the age of 81. is survived by her husband, Larry Montgom- several times greater at the poles than at the Her McClure family tree included the founders ery. P.L. was a former president and vice equator. His last novel, Noise, was published of McClure’s Magazine . president of the Southern Fandom Confedera- earlier this year. Marguerite was a clerk in an LA bookshop tion. She was a longtime member of the Clement was named a Grand Master by the when she met Ray. They married in 1947. Southern Fandom Press Alliance. Both P.L. Science Fiction Writers of America in 1999. Marguerite and Ray eventually had four and Larry are past winners of DeepSouthCon's Among other honors was a Retro-Hugo Award daughters and eight grandchildren. In the late Rebel Award. Plans were for P.L.’s body to be in 1996 for his 1945 story "Uncommon 1940s, Ray wrote at home and she rode the cremated and her ashes given to the winds Sense". “Big Red Car” to work and supported them. atop Alabama's highest mountain. [[Source: Clement is survived by his wife Mary, She typed the manuscript for The Martian Guy H. Lillian III]] Mary, two sons George and Richard, daughter Chronicles , which Ray dedicated to her. They Christine Hensel, and grandson Jackson. were married for 56 years. Phoenix fan Jim Cryer died November 19, Chris M. Barkley wrote, “Leave it Hal to She was buried at Westwood Village 2003 of a massive heart attack. Jim chaired the leave on the day the strongest solar storm of Memorial Park, a small cemetery near UCLA 2002 Coppercon in Arizona. He was also a the year hits the Earth. Ad astra , my friend...” that is the final resting place for such notables regular fixture at Gallifrey every year in Los as Marilyn Monroe, Dean Martin, Roy Orbi- Angeles and worked tirelessly in Phoenix Patrick Kelly Jr . a founding member of the son, and Walter Matthau. fandom. [[Source: Mike Donahue]] Baltimore Science Fiction Society, Chair of Balticon 16 in 1982, present member of the Atlanta fan Jerry Burge died on April 6. David Fallis , 50, died Nov 17, 2003 in Hut- BSFS Board of directors and tireless volunteer Burge was a founding member of the Atlanta chinson, KS. He was a partner in the local for the Balticon Science Program passed away Science Fiction Organization in the 1950s. Renaissance Shoppe and one of the original Tuesday January 27, 2004 at around 10:50am. Along with Carson Jacks, he published the members of the Association of Dragons and Pat was the founder and president emeritus of first edition of Sam Moskowitz's The Immortal Starships (ADAS). [[Source: Charley the Baltimore Metro Chapter of the National Storm in hardcover in 1954. Berg helped start McCue]] Space Society. Funeral arrangements have not the Southern Fan Press Association and was been announced at this time. Pat is survived by the art director of the short-lived Witchcraft On September 29, 2003 Marjorie Rosen was his wife Miriam; daughters Laurel and Alex- and Sorcery . Burge was diagnosed with taken in for emergency surgery on her heart. andra as well as a number of nephews and congestive heart failure in December 2003 and Doctors discovered she needed a replacement nieces. He will be missed by all of us not only in January, he underwent surgery to repair a heart, but she passed away before a transplant as a friend and co-volunteer, but as a conver- heart valve. [[Source: SFsite, Bjo Trimble]] could be obtained. Marjorie was well-known sationalist, voice of reason and source of as the Bid Party Diva for the successful Seattle creative ideas. Michael Walsh wrote online, “I in ’05 NASFiC bid. She got her earliest knew Pat for many many years. He was a nice conrunning experience volunteering at a Doug guy, always looking out for folks, willing to Wright con in Los Angeles. She worked many lend a hand. For years he worked for the U S local LA cons over the years in a wide variety Army as a civilian employee. He retired in the of jobs including registration, security, art late 90s. His office at the Pentagon was de- show, green room, con suite, guest liaison, stroyed on 9/11. He counted himself lucky.” ops, panelist, and dealer's room. The NASFiC [[Source: BSFA]] website credits her with establishing the new "15-minuites of Invisibility" rule while run- Unfortunately, the new heart Kansas City Fan ning Hospitality for Westercon 50, invoked Dee Willis received provided only a short- upon those she deemed too hungry, tired, or term miracle. Doctors had operated the morn-

July 2004 19

cialization and will review out a Net (ed. Lou Anders), New American nominations and propose Library its own candidates for the Robert Silverberg. “The Reign of Ter- Heinlein Prize. The Trus- ror,” in Asimov's Science Fiction , April, and tees will select recipients in Roma Eterna , HarperCollins/Eos of the Prize based upon FINALISTS FOR B EST L ONG -FORM recommendations from ALTERNATE H ISTORY : the Advisory Board. The Murray Davies. Collaborator Heinlein Prize will be Macmillan UK awarded on July 7 of Mitchell Freedman. Disturbance of Fate , those years in which the Seven Locks Press Prize is given.” Larry Kirwan. Liverpool Fantasy, Thunder's The Trustees are cur- Mouth Press rently in the process of S.M. Stirling. Conquistador, NAL/Roc selecting the Board of The Sidewise Award Judges are Nicholas Advisors. Until the Board Gevers, Karen Hellekson, Evelyn Leeper, of Advisors is announced, Jim Rittenhouse, Robert Schmunk, Stuart nominations for the Shiffman, Kurt Sidaway, and Steven Silver. Heinlein Prize may be made directly to the Trus- 2003 Aurora Winners tees though the Heinlein Best Long-Form Work in English /Meil- Prize website at leur livre en anglais www.heinleinprize.com. Permanence , Karl Schroeder (Tor) The Heinlein Prize Meilleur livre en français / Best Long-Form honors the memory of Work in French Robert A. Heinlein, a Le Revenant de Fomalhaut , Jean-Louis renowned American au- Trudel (Médiaspaul) thor. Through his body of Best Short-Form Work in English / Meil- work in fiction spanning leure nouvelle en anglais nearly fifty years during ‘Ineluctable’, Robert J. Sawyer ( Analog the commencement of Nov/2002) Fandom’s man’s entry into space, Meilleure nouvelle en français / Best Short- Mr. Heinlein advocated Form Work in French human advancement into ‘La Guerre sans temps’, Sylvie Bérard Tangled Web space through commer- (Solaris 143) cial endeavors. After his Best Work in English (Other) / Meilleur death in 1988, his widow, ouvrage en anglais (Autre) Virginia Gerstenfeld Heinlein, established Heinlein Prize Launched Edo van Belkom, for editing Be VERY the Trust in order to further her husband’s Afraid! (Tundra Books) The Heinlein Prize, a major new award for vision of humanity’s future in space. Funding practical accomplishments in commercial Artistic Achievement / Accomplissement for the Heinlein Prize came from Mrs. artistique space activities, was announced Monday at Heinlein’s estate after her death in 2003. the 54th International Aeronautical Congress Mel Vavaroutsos [[Source: Keith Stokes]] Fan Achievement (Publication) / Accom- underway in Bremen, Germany. Trustees of the Robert A. and Virginia Heinlein Prize plissement fanique (publication) Trust revealed that the first Heinlein Prize Sidewise Awards Made in Canada Newsletter , Don Bassie, The judges for the Sidewise Awards for Al- award has been set at $500,000 USD. ed. [webzine] ternate History have announced the finalists The Heinlein Prize may be given as fre- Fan Achievement (Organizational) / Ac- for the 2003 awards. Winners will be an- quently as annually to one or more individu- complissement fanique (Organisation) nounced at Noreascon 4. over the Sept. 4-5 als who have achieved practical accomplish- Georgina Miles (Toronto Trek 16) weekend. ments in the field of commercial space activi- Fan Achievement (Other) / Accomplisse- ties. The Trustees emphasize that the award F INALISTS FOR B EST S HORT -FORM A L- ment fanique (autre) is for effort by an individual -- not corporate TERNATE H ISTORY : Jason Taniguchi, one-man SF parody shows or government sponsored activities -- and Ricard de la Casa and Pedro Jorge Ro- / presentations individuelles de parodies SF that the Heinlein Prize is intended to be mero. “The Day We Went Through the Tran- worldwide in scope. sition,” Originally “El día que hicimos la Unkindest Cut “The purpose of the Heinlein Prize is to Transitión,” Translated from the Spanish by Mark Leeper wrote in his online fanzine: provide an incentive to spur the advancement Yolanda Molina-Gavilán; in Cosmos Latinos “You should see me with a turkey. I do of the commercial use of outer space,” ex- (eds. Andrea L. Bell and Yolanda Molina- carve it, but when I am done it looks like the plained Arthur M. Dula of Houston, Texas, Gavilán), Wesleyan University Press process was not so much one of carving as USA, one of three Trustees. “In order to Geoffrey Landis. “The Eyes of Amer- one of exploding. Guests at our house must accomplish that goal, the Trustees will estab- ica,” Posted at SciFiction May 7 think that it was cut up with military preci- lish an Advisory Board drawn from respected Robert L. O'Connell. “The Cuban Mis- sion. “At D-hour minus four minutes, seven- persons in space activities from around the sile Crisis: Second Holocaust,” in What Ifs? teen hours, fifty-six minutes, the turkey was world. The Advisory Board will keep of American History (ed. Robert Cowley), detonated with explosives.” [[MT Void, abreast of developments in space commer- Putnam's 6/6/03]] Chris Roberson. “O One,” in Live With- 20 File 770:143

Diana picks her up. Diana and I spent a lot of time investigating and agonizing over child MORE Frequently Asked care before Sierra was old enough for a pre- school. Once she turned 18-months-old was the decision became very easy – we enrolled Questions About her where Sierra’s grandmother teaches kindergarten, the best endorsement we could have. Playing and learning is pretty much the same thing for a toddler. They like repetition Sierra Grace of a favorite story, video or song. Why they like what they like isn’t always obvious. I never heard of another 2-year-old with an addiction to the movie musical Singin’ in the Rain. For three weeks in the fall she wanted to watch the entire video every afternoon. I mean entire : the girl would have a meltdown if we dared turned it off in the middle of the bonus interview with Betty Comden and Adolph Green. And sometimes in the evening she’d lean against the coffee table and start to hum “Doot-to-doot-doo” while rocking back and forth, which we recognized as her attempt to imitate the way Gene Kelly begins his signa- ture dance number. Anyway, we soon encountered Blue’s Clues and that has become Sierra’s enduring favorite. We rented episodes at Blockbuster to check it out, started buying copies from Amazon, and now Diana’s mother (Sierra’s “Omi”) tapes them off the air and sends a new cassette every few weeks. Steve, the show’s original host, by now has been replaced by Joe, a fellow with a little less savoir faire. This has created a schism in our household. Mommy likes Steve. Sierra likes Joe. When the rare Steve episode appears on the screen, Mommy is thrilled. (Hm, should I be wor- There was a baby around here the last time I ending and my Sierra was loudly insisting on ried?) wrote. Where has that baby gone, and who is climbing down unaided from her (much Blue’s Clues is full of easy-to-do activities she becoming? larger) car seat, then vaulting from the back that are becoming part of our repertoire. Diana It was August 2003 when I took Sierra to seat to the sidewalk, galloping to the class- has been making drums for Sierra from coffee preschool for the first time. I strapped her into room, twisting the door handle and letting cans and old pots, and every few weeks the a basket-handled car seat and lugged her to my herself through the half -door to of the three of us form a marching band and parade sedan for the drive. I carried my 18-month-old counter, and – if reminded – waving me around the house. We color portraits of our in my arms to the classroom and skeptically goodbye. pals on big sheets of paper, and Mommy posts handed her over the counter to a preschool She’s grown up fast! them on the walls. We make sock puppets. We teacher. By June 2004, the school year was Most days I drop Sierra off at school and get real excited when the mail comes. (Well, I

Sierra starts pre- school: In the very beginning, Daddy carries her to the car in a basket- seat and hands her over the counter to her teacher. July 2004 21 always did, and now we have a song to cele- checkout line at the thrift store brate with!) chatting about all the tea parties You know that if we’re making drums to they were going to have with the give to Sierra, we’re not like stereotypical dishes they were buying. The parents who dread Christmas gifts of musical cashier, who was listening with a and electronic toys. That’s right, we’re only puzzled look on her face, asked half-stereotypical. We gladly would have “How old is she?” The clerk skipped the entire lot of battery-powered toys could hardly believe Sierra is with repetitive songs and noises. No such luck, just two. Diana added, “Yeah, because Santa brought Hokey-Pokey Elmo to that’s what happens when you live at our house. Elmo is two-feet-tall and live with a writer.” The clerk upholstered in red plush. When you squeeze said, “Are you serious?” At that his hand he chirps, “Let’s do the hokey- point Sierra felt she was being pokey!” Then he sings the verse while raising ignored and emphatically told an arm, leg, or spinning around on one foot as the clerk, “My mommy is commanded by the words. serious.” The clerk just about Sierra found Elmo endlessly fascinating for fell over. weeks, singing and spinning along with him. Sierra’s just about two-and-a- She would dance, we would applaud. She half now. Gone is the helpless- would say, “Get up, Daddy!” and pull me to ness of babyhood. She’s quickly my feet to join her dancing. (I’m not expecting passed the toddler stage, becom- many votes for the Best Dancer Hugo.) When ing coordinated, energetic and Sierra tired of Elmo’s act, she predictably did fearless. Parents are probably the what toddlers do, whacked him sideways in last to see any limitations on the middle of his song. He sprawled over, but their child, and certainly Diana instead of continuing his mindless dance he and I feel that the most difficult did a most surprising thing – he asked some- thing to predict is whether Sierra one to help him up! “Whoopsie. Ha ha. Can will be too busy organizing the you help Elmo up, please?” Naturally, Sierra Mars colony to fill in for Billy needed to see Elmo’s new trick many more Graham without missing any of times before he finally went on hiatus. her concert piano dates. Life I wrote last time about using basic sign with Sierra just gets better and language with Sierra, which we have contin- better. ued to do. Now we’re working much more with spoken words. Teaching vocabulary to a toddler includes lots of pointing to objects and pictures and asking what’s-this-what’s-that, hoping Sierra will find it entertaining enough to play along. One day, Sierra figured out how to game us back. “Baber,” she said. “Baber?” asked Mommy, trying to figure out what word she was saying. “Baber,” repeated Sierra, cheerfully. “Baber?” repeated Mommy, unable to associate these syllables with a real word. After many repetitions Diana realized that Sierra was rehearsing her in a completely made-up word, the way Mommy rehearses Sierra in real words. We tend to take it for granted that Sierra is highly verbal for her age until it surprises somebody else. Sierra and Diana were in the

Through The Year in Pictures: (Clockwise) (1) Sierra loves stories about Carl the dog; (2) She strikes a pose with stylish sunglasses; (3) Schnoozing with her cozy blan- ket; (4) Our angel in costume for the school Christmas pageant; (5) Gooey fingerpaints make art time a blast; (6) Sierra’s a little young for Brunner novels, but then, so is Daddy... Finally, (7) Sierra flies away with a balloon bouquet. 22 File 770:143 Why Publishers Use Freelancers by Francis Hamit

© Copyright 2003 by Francis Hamit, colleagues, sued the New York Times and All Rights Reserved. other publications for reselling their articles on CD-ROM and through online services. Here’s something that most freelance writers The New York Times called this a “revision” don’t know: newspaper and magazine pub- of their original collective work. lishers depend upon us not just for diverse In 2001, when the case was appealed to editorial material, but sometimes for the very the United States Supreme Court, the deci- survival of a publication. sion went to the freelance writers. Rather This is often the case in the domain of than settle, the Times started eliminating trade magazines, where I’ve spent most of freelance articles from its own database, my recent career as a freelance writer. But causing outcries from librarians everywhere. don’t take my word for it, look at the pub- During the intervening years, most pub- lisher’s trade magazine, Folio: the Magazine lishers sided with the New York Times and for Magazine Management . In an article in sold electronic rights they did not own – and the January 1, 1992 issue, Peggy Schmidt because of a 1981 Federal Court decision and Sean Callahan wrote, “If a staff writer is called Quinto vs. Legal Times of Washington producing 10 feature stories a year and these were rights they should have reasona- you’re paying a salary of $30,000 per year bly known they did not own. plus 40 percent more in benefits and taxes, That decision, which was about the re- each story is costing you $4,200. If you are printing of an article originally published in confident that you can get the same quality of one newspaper by another, held that the pa- work from freelancers at half the cost, you per reprinting the article had “a duty to in- may want to cut back in-house staff and real- quire” as to the true ownership of the copy- locate the money to the freelance budget.” right in an article, and also held that the The article goes on to make several other original publisher retained no rights to trans- recommendations including paying a set fer to anyone else because Quinto was nei- price per piece rather than by the word, and ther a member of the staff nor had signed a paying a little bit more to retain talent. Edi- I’ve had regular contributor or “Contributing written contract transferring additional rights. tors are also advised to develop regular rela- Editor” next to my name on the publication’s Despite this decision, an identical situa- tionships with knowledgeable freelancers by masthead at several different publications tion was allowed to develop by hundreds of giving them regular assignments and that: over the last two decades. publications with articles by thousands of “You may even save money since you can I have hundreds of articles in print, and writers. The publishers signed deals with often negotiate a lower per-article fee if you have often been praised for being so prolific. firms called “aggregators” who digitized the can guarantee a writer a set amount of work.” My reply is always, “It’s called making a content of thousands of magazines to create Other advantages touted to using freelanc- living”. When you support yourself as a huge databases with millions of articles. This ers include their specialized knowledge. In an writer, you end up taking a lot of work sim- was additional money in the publishers’ article called “How to Find Freelancers: A ply to pay your bills. For a number of years I pockets. They get between 30 and 75 percent Primer for Editors,” published in Folio in the averaged a major feature article about once a of the gross. April 1, 1998 issue, Marcia Ringel wrote: week. These databases are searchable and allow “Hundreds of freelance writers and editors In 1993, two things happened that altered a user to retrieve and print out any one arti- are waiting to add expertise to your publica- the relationship between freelance writers cle. This was the basis of the Supreme Court tion.” And she also says: “Because freelanc- and their editors. One was the introduction of Decision mentioned above. The “collective ers keep abreast of the news, they’ll gladly the World Wide Web, with its advanced work” copyright does not include contribu- propose article ideas and supply fresh con- graphics capability, as the new medium for tions by independent contractors. These con- tacts as story sources. A reliable freelancer communicating printed information. It took a tributions have their own copyrights. can prepare a regular column or track certain few years to sort it out, but it is now obvious The aggregators and their clients, which aspects of your field --tasks your staff would that the Web is a print rather than a broadcast include major database providers such as do if they had time.” She also points out that medium; one which, because of its digital Lexis-Nexis, Factiva, Dialog and Ingenta, using freelancers in distant cities to cover nature, reduces the cost of distribution to relying upon contractual assurances by the events saves travel costs. close to zero, and expands the circulation original publishers, refuse to deal with free- And adds this tidbit: “What if your budget area of a publication to the whole world. lancers directly on copyright infringement is zero? Call a journalism school and ask for Over 600 million people in over 100 nations and point them back to the publishers who a promising student.” Publishers exploit un- now access the Web. You can read most of originally supplied the articles. Yes, they did paid interns in their offices as well. the newspapers in the world online, from the have a “duty to inquire,” but they were also Finally she concludes: “As freelancers New York Times to the Malaysia Star . entitled to rely upon the written assurances of lighten your load, you’ll wonder how you got The second thing that happened was that the publishers and take them in good faith. along without them.” Jonathan Tasini, a freelance writer and labor This traffic in what are essentially stolen I’ve been on the other side of this equa- activist who was then the President of the goods gives the original publishers a new, tion for most of my career as a journalist. National Writer’s Union, along with several undisclosed profit center, much like reprints July 2004 23 made of these same articles for marketing byline or to advance a cause or another busi- Then, since this is not legal advice, and and publicity purposes and sold without the ness enterprise. Only the fact that competent, I’m not a lawyer, you need to see one who author/copyright-owner’s knowledge. (That’s reliable freelancers save publications sub- specializes in intellectual property law if you also an infringement of the copyright.) stantial amounts of money on staffing makes think you may have a cause of action. Espe- Because publishers have been careful to it a viable business. Given that, you would cially if it’s a “credit where credit is due” conceal these arrangements even from their think that publishers would want to nurture issue. own staff editors, most writers whose articles these relationships by sharing the revenues Section 1202 seems to, along with the are being infringed don’t even know it. from these secondary markets or, alterna- other parts of that chapter, stand apart from Not so long ago there was a “second tively, by buying all rights at a fair price that the rest of the Copyright Act. It neither refers rights” market where a freelance writer could reflects the value of this aftermarket. to them nor is referred to by them. That take an article originally sold to one publica- Until the Tasini decision forced the issue, means, if your “copyright management infor- tion and sell it to another, usually in a distant they did neither. Now they are very insistent mation” is distorted by anyone, damages non-competing market. The Web changed all on “all rights” or “work for hire” contracts, under Section 1203 (the civil penalties por- of that. Not only did publications start put- but offer no additional compensation, much tion of the Act) may well include statutory ting up electronic editions of their issues for less a portion of the additional revenues. This damages up to $25,000 per violation regard- the world to see, but some started selling is both greedy and short-sighted. less of when you actually register your copy- them to the aggregators who resold them Freelancers are essentially small business rights. directly to the market for library databases people who don’t yet enjoy collective bar- I have my own cases going forward on and, indirectly, through the database firms to gaining rights. If they try to agree on a com- these matters. Legal fees and costs are very the extensive commercial market for article mon minimum price for their work, they are expensive -- something else which publishers reprints. Originally such articles were deliv- threatened with anti-trust suits for price fix- rely upon to keep us freelancers at bay. If ered by fax or courier service, but the Web ing. Each has to determine the worth of their you have found this article helpful and wish made them instantly accessible online to work on their own. Added to that is the fact to make a donation, please send it to: those willing to pay for subscriptions or by that the publishers have concealed the reve- the “pay per view” method to read and/or nues they make from the resale of the free- Francis Hamit copy them. Because electronic publication lancers work, especially when they have no Legal Fund now often happens simultaneously with print rights to it. P.O. Box 5499 publication, the second rights market has And they conceal that fact from the aggre- Frazier Park, CA 93222-5499 been pretty much destroyed. gators and database firms as well. They claim Undoubtedly, almost all of the millions of ownership of the copyright of everything in I thank you in advance. articles provided this way are properly and an issue of a publication in the contract, and legally cleared as to copyright ownership and are so credited in the databases. Nowhere This article may be freely reproduced for the rights transferred. But consider the fol- will you find credit given where credit is due any interested party as long as it is done so in lowing not so hypothetical situation: A free- where freelance work is concerned. This is a its entirety, without alteration and with the lance writer, working on an oral agreement violation of another section of the Copyright copyright management information preserved like the one in the Quinto case, writes and is Act: Section 1202, which does not deal with as stated. Publications and online services paid for an article in a particular publication. infringement per se, but with “copyright wishing to re-publish this article should con- All the publication has purchased, unless management information.” tact the author for terms. there is a written agreement to the contrary, This is the part of the Digital Millennium is the right to publish that article once, in Copyright Act of 1998 that no one apparently print. If it sells reprints to someone, that is an bothers to read. It makes it a violation to infringement. If it puts it up on its own web deliberately alter titles, bylines, or to change site, that is infringement. If it sells it to an or conceal true ownership of a copyright. The Faanish Vocabulary Power aggregator who resells it to all the other elec- aggregators and their clients may be innocent herniator: (hÇr'-nÂ-ª-tor) If Deb Geisler tronic markets, that is many infringements. in this, the publishers who provided the arti- gets her wish, “herniator” will be added to Web-based databases for libraries were cle, two years after the Tasini decision be- the lexicon to describe NESFA Press books introduced in 1997 and they’ve flown under came the law of the land, certainly are not! over 600 pages in length. A recently ap- the radar of public consciousness so far. If a publisher who does not own rights proved addendum will allow NESFA Press to Since they allow any library patron not just beyond first print publication exploits them publish its Chad Oliver collection in two to read, but to print out and to e-mail an arti- anyway, either directly or by selling them to hardcover volumes “rather than one hernia- cle to third parties without any real restric- a third party, then that is theft. If that pub- tor.” (Oxford English Dictionary editors, tion, the impact upon the freelancers’ poten- lisher, to facilitate that sale, also claims to please request Instant Message 722 .) tial to resell the articles themselves is devas- own rights which are retained by the free- tating. The aggregators have not only defined lancer, then that is fraud. the market, they’ve marketed and distributed I could go on with the ins and out of this. Strange Cargo in a way that crowds out all other competi- At this point, having researched this on my Kathi Overton and John Pomerantz drove tion. While the amount derived for a single own behalf for about two years, I could to Torcon and were happy that the border copy of an article can range from a fraction probably write a book on this, but I think you patrol didn’t want to inspect their car, sparing of a cent to a few dollars, the total revenues get the idea. If you wrote freelance articles them from having to explain “the 10 liter are in the billions of dollars. It’s a very large, for anyone on an oral first serial print rights dewar for liquid nitrogen.” (Couldn’t they and global, business. basis, then you need to check online to see if have just told authorities that it was the first- Full-time freelancers are rare. It’s a very your work is infringed and if the copyright stage booster for Robert Sawyer’s Hugo?) tough way to make a living, and bargaining ownership is properly credited. Start at your Kathi’s other best-known fanac is her work power is eroded by the large number of peo- local library and see which publications are on “Fast Forward: Contemporary Science ple who do it part-time for too little money, on those marvelous electronic databases. Fiction,” the cable tv show she and John or do it for free just to see their name on a That’s in the part called “title lists.” have been running since 1989. 24 File 770:143 Conventional Reportage

FILKING AT TORCON by Lee Gold Worldcon 2003 at Toronto was by general consensus less organized than it should have been. I noticed the first symptoms of this when I got emails from Programming telling me about several filk program items I was on — with information on the times and the program top- Haiku Contest ics that didn’t correspond with what I’d received from the filk track head. I replied to Programming and to Judith Hayman, the filk track head. Judith Hayman promptly wrote me back telling me to disregard For a true World-con Programming’s misinformation and go by what she’d previously writ- ten me. Programming never replied, although I wrote them once again Let us join hands East and West on this topic. Who love the same stars When we got to Worldcon, we checked into the Royal York, half a mile or more from the Convention Center, but still with the honor not only of hosting filk events but also of being the convention party hotel. Seventeen syllables can be your key to honor and treasure in the Nip- Filkers usually reserve rooms at the hotel where the evening filksings pon in ’07 haiku contest. If you practiced writing haiku during a high will take place because of the encumbrance of carrying around song- school poetry unit, here at long last is your chance to answer the pro- books, instruments, and perhaps a music stand. verbial question, “What use is this in real life?” Or at least, real fan- Afterwards we went to the Convention Center, were informed that dom. If this verse form is unknown by you, here’s a help. Haiku have the pocket program would be ready soon, but was unreliable, and that three lines: the first and last lines contain five syllables, and the middle we should rely on daily publications which would list when and where line contains seven syllables. the programs would actually occur. These daily schedules were printed The contest has been launched to attract attention to the bid to bring each morning for that day’s programs,, which meant that if you stayed the 2007 Worldcon to Yokohama, Japan. The winners will be an- up all night filking (or partying), you either had to stay up till the day’s nounced Friday, September 3 at Noreascon 4. The bid’s North Amer- schedule appeared to plan what to see that day, set an alarm to go get ica agent, Peggy Rae Sapienza, is accepting entries via peggy- the schedule and then go back to sleep, or not bother attending any of [email protected], or P.O. Box 314, Annapolis Junction, MD 20701. the program items — except for the filk schedule, which was accurate, The deadline for entries to reach her is August 28. showed program items for the entire length of the convention, and was Peggy Rae will find this responsibility less burdensome than chair- available in the filk lounge, in the Royal York. ing Bucconeer, even if she has to provide the treasure herself (thus There was a newsletter distribution point at the Royal York on the explaining the bid flyer’s warning that it is “not necessarily of mone- main mezzanine by the filking rooms, down one floor from the party tary value.”) Whether she will do the judging has been left to her dis- rooms. The newsletter got there regularly, several times a day. The cretion – the publicity reads, “She claims no knowledge of any lan- daily schedules, however, were under other management and didn’t guage but English. She may appoint suitable judges, but her decisions show up there. I’ve asked other filkers who stayed at the Royal York will be final. They would have been anyhow.” what they did to get up-to-date daily programs. Some didn’t bother. In an early burst of enthusiasm, the committee announced, “We Some walked (or taxied) to the Convention Center every day, even if may publish the results of the contest.” So do your best to make them they didn’t always find something they wanted to do there (quite likely proud! because the Art Show and Dealer Room were so lackluster). One re- ported finding out that Program Ops in the Royal York had a couple of extra copies of the daily program they were willing to give away. One reported using his PDA to find the daily program on the convention web page. My guess is that filkers’ experiences were true for many of the other fans staying at the Royal York. I don’t know what branch of the Torcon concom was responsible for posting schedules outside the program rooms stating what program items would be held there each day. But the schedules posted outside the filkrooms took their information from Programming rather than from the Filk department, and we sometimes had to resort to crossing out inaccurate listings and writing in new ones. Usually, pocket programs are fairly accurate, and all updates are carried in the newsletter which is distributed in the convention center and all major convention hotels. If updates are to be done by a separate department, I think they should still be distributed along with the newsletter — as well as in additional places if that seems desirable. And all updates should be shared with whoever is responsible for room signage. The way Torcon’s concom members handled this problem had the inadvertent effect of isolating filkers, party-goers, and other fans staying at the Royal York, and presumably of lowering attendance Torcon 3 candids: Chaz Boston Baden and Art Widner. at non-Royal York convention program items. July 2004 25

Thanks Torcon 3 for making me your Fan GoH. (A) I band for Closing Ceremonies; (D) Photogenic Guy Lillian got to interview Connie Willis; (B) Nephew Adam Igle- III; (E) Ken Keller and I put our own spin on KC and LA hart was my right-hand man; (C) N4 provided a colonial Worldcons; (F) G.R.R. Martin finally won “the Big One.”

LOOKING BACK AT TORCON 3

Worldcon Chairs, 2003 Edition: Kneeling, L-R: Robin Clark, Peggy Rae Sapienza, Suzanne Carnival; Back, L- Johnson, Leslie Turek, Peter Jarvis ( Torcon 3 chair ), R: Christian McGuire, Mark Olson, Michael Walsh, Mike Roger Sims, Tony Lewis, Vincent Docherty, Ken Keller; Glyer, Todd Dashoff, Kevin Standlee, John Mansfield. Middle, L-R: Craig Miller, Joe Siclari, Deb Geisler, Dave Photo by Cheryl Morgan, used by permission. 26 File 770:143 POLITICS MAKES STRANGE GRAVEFELLOWS: A HISTORY OF THE QUAINT CUSTOM OF THE MINN-STF PRESIDENCY PASSING BY ASSASSINATION By Dennis Lien

[[Prepared for the 2003 Minicon closing cere- Minicon program book monies for an Outau- by Dennis Lien. Re- gural Message, did a printed by permission.]] bit of bad joke schtick including a Samson- If it's true that history is like shearing of most written by the survivors, of my facial hair, and it's fairly obvious why concluded that a I've had so much diffi- proper Fannish goal culty compiling a history should be eliminating of the quarter-century-old peaceful handing over tradition of Minn-STF of power(lessness) in assassinating its presi- favor of something dents: all of us concerned more exciting, like are dead. (Or at least not assassination--at which at all well.) point the incoming Ordinarily, talking to president, Nate Buck- the dead should be a task lin, rose from his front of only medium diffi- row seat with a clarion culty, at least for us in- call of "Death to all trepid seance fiction fans. tyrants!" and hit me However, several of our with a shaving-cream formerly fearless former pie, followed by a leaders have gone one rousing cheer of "The step beyond death into king is dead! Long live the ultimate pit of gafia- the king!" over my tion and all my attempts rather sticky corpse. at contacting them, via Offing politicians is either the US mails (and like eating peanuts: it's its dead letter offices) or hard to stop with one. E-mail ("E" for ecto- Nate did his year as plasm, of course) came to presidential peanut and Naught (a small town in faced a Stern awaken- North Dakota, I believe). ing at the end, as suc- Still worse, some of the cessor Jerry Stearns undead who did rouse shot him down at 1978 themselves to reply ad- closing ceremonies, mitted to brain decay to eyeball and to brain), but in between there then took guitar in (gun)hand and claimed and had forgotten or suppressed the needed are a number of years in which the Truth may that "Some Dumb Duke Did It." Few were details, while others clearly remembered be Out There, but if so it apparently has no fooled. things which seemed to be contradicted by plans to come In Here anytime soon. The next few years are a blur. Somewhere other testimony (truly, I was tempted to agree Anyway-- in the succeeding decade Judy Cilcain be- with the Mad Arab that "that is not dead, In the early days after Minn-STF got (sort came president; a gentle soul, she found her- which can eternal lie, or at least can improve of) Organized, Frank Stodolka and Chuck self unable to pull the trigger on her prede- the truth a bit for the sake of a good story"). Holst had served as presidents, and for one cessor (possibly Jerry) and had to accept the Even compiling a complete list of past year (1974-75) the five members of the aid of trained assassin Steve Brust. The trig- Minn-STF presidents from the period in Board of Directors rotated the office among ger may have connected to a water pistol--at question proved impossible, at least without themselves. I got stuck with the job for two least I recall one president being water- doing something desperate like unpacking all years starting in 1975 and, having carefully pistoled to death, but details are lost. (I don't of the boxes in my attic to try to find a paper avoided doing much of anything for those think s/he claimed to be melting and cried trail. (The last time we had one of those in terms (not a difficult achievement, since the "what a world, what a world," but it wouldn't the attic we blamed it on the squirrels, and Minn-STF president is essentially a figure- have been a bad idea). Judy served two years plugged up the holes.) The first few years head whose only real duty is lining up loca- and was presumably killed off twice (it being below are from my memory; the years from tions for meetings), decided to at least go out quickly established that even death isn't a about 1990 on can be verified with old Ein- of office with a bang. Or a sploooosh any- good enough excuse to get out of the presi- blatts to hand (at least after they also become way. I commandeered a few minutes of dency if nobody else can be talked into the July 2004 27 job), but remembers only one in which she League of Assassins--when she realized be- Changes of Address was killed by an excess of kindness in the ing protected meant she would have to con- Dr. Bob Blackwood, E-mail: form of sweets and a toy boy. tinue in office, she wound up paying the [email protected] Dean Gahlon also served two years some- League to allow her to be killed instead. Don Bill Bowers, 6000 Townevista Dr. Apt 114, time in the 1980s. Dean boasted a fine travel- Bailey followed for one year, and at the 1997 Cincinnati OH 45224-1762 ing drinks cabinet and a sense of adventure; Minicon was put in a box by Steve as part of Seth Breidbart, 1300 Yale Pl. Apt. 420, Steve Brust attempted to kill him off with a a graphic demonstration of the Schroed- Minneapolis MN 55403 series of ghastly mixed drinks modeled on inger's Cat problem. The box was trundled Fred Cleaver, 1717 17th Ave., Greeley, those made infamous in Midwest Side Story offstage and, when successor Scott Raun CO 80631 ("Everclear and Near Beer" and such), finally asked Steve when he would be opening the H. L. Drake, 472 Hawthorn Drive, Lancaster, bringing him to his doom with "Perrier . . . box to see if Don was still alive, got only an PA 17603-4212 Lite." It seems likely Dean's years were enigmatic smile and a questioning "Open Kurt Erichsen, E-mail: [email protected] 1982-84. It seems semi-established that Geri it??" Tom & Anita Feller, P.O. Box 140937, Sullivan was president for 1984-85, but no Downsizing was the word of the day in Nashville, TN, 37214-0937 memories of eventual offings have surfaced. 1998. In keeping with the new emphasis on David G. Hartwell, E-mail: [email protected] David Cummer also served as president for a leaner, no-frills Minicon, Steve simply Hirohide (Jack R.) Hirai, E-mail: one or perhaps two years, but again no de- asked Scott to drop dead--which he did. Mi- [email protected] tails could be verified. chael Pins followed for a year, dying in 1999 Eric Lindsay, E-mail: Bill Bader was president from 1989 to in another poker skit--of shock when Steve [email protected] 1991, and remembers causing the death of admitted, against all his well-known princi- Marie Rengstorff, P.O. Box 959, PMB 942, David Dyer-Bennet to achieve that office, so ples, to have been bluffing. Margo Bratton Kihei HI 96753; DD-B presumably served 1988-89. Bill gave was the next president, but was in Europe at E-mail: [email protected] him apoplexy by explaining to him that as Eastercon when the 2000 Minicon rolled Ruth & Rickey Shields, P.O. Box 12888, part of his presidential duties he would be around. While this was a good example of Jackson, MS 39236-2888 expected to transcribe all club minutes -- on a How Not To Be Seen, it failed as far-flung Kevin Standlee, E-mail: Mac -- in COBOL. Bill also has a memory of European agents of the club carried out the [email protected] a karate duel to the death with Steve Brust, assassination for us; attendees at closing John Trimble, E-mail: [email protected] which doesn't seem to fit in the chronology ceremonies could hear the explosion at the (but sounds like fun. To have watched. From other end of the international phone call. When long-time New York fan and former a safe distance.) This may have been the Emulating Grover Cleveland, Lydia Nick- president of Lunarians Seth Breidbart was cause of his first death; like other two- erson was dragged back into office the fol- asked whether it was lawyers, guns or money termers he was restored to life (a process lowing year, and died in 2001 in yet another that took him away from the Big Apple, he made easier, or at least more traditional, by poker sketch involving Steve Brust and a laconically answered, “Money.” Minicon's habit of being held over Easter) shocking revelation, this time of his political “We are moving across town and have and sent back to the bureaucratic salt mines. change of heart. Andrew Bertke followed: at acquired a Postal box in order to preserve For his second and final death (1990), he was opening ceremonies in 2002, he revealed that zines and other publications from the shred- punned to death by Ann Totusek and his own he had become so gung-ho for the job that der which is the drop-slot in our new front successor, Laura Krentz. not only did he want to continue indefinitely, door,” jokes Ruth Shields . (Uh, it was a Laura has tragically killed the following he was reviving the Minneapolis WorldCon joke, wasn’t it?) “I'm sure you can appreciate year (1992) in an offstage cattle stampede, bid. He was immediately rushed by an angry the fun we are having relocating 20+ years of and was succeeded by Victor Raymond, who mob (all of whom just happened to be sitting Stuff. In addition, Rickey's sister is moving refused to be cowed by the dangers of office. in the front two), swept off, and trampled to into our old house, so we are transferring Alas, no memories of his demise (1993) have death offstage. Minn-STF was thus prexyless boxes in two directions, and the furniture will surfaced. His successor was Charles Piehl. for the duration of the con, but muddled be moved this weekend and next.” After My memory is that he served out his year through somehow. At closing ceremonies his Thanksgiving, they all planned to collapse and was killed off by treachery among an body was returned to stage and computer for awhile. honor guard he brought out to closing cere- whiz Steve Brust managed to reboot him. Eric Lindsay is digging an e-mail hole monies with him; another respondent is Using a real boot. and pulling it in after him. “All of my old e- equally positive that he left office early The 2003 Minicon closing ceremony is mail addresses will be set to start bouncing (when he was ordained as an Episcopal only hours away, and there's already a scent all e-mail, probably well before Xmas. Sorry Deacon) and wouldn't have been available of blood in the air--an undercurrent of sinis- about this, but the spammers are beating me for killing (unless Henry II had joined Minn- ter whispers in the alleys--a ghastly event down. In future, I will be blocking and delet- STF by that time). He was in any case suc- looming in the consciousness of the ing all incorrectly addressed email to my ceeded by Ed Eastman, who served from precogs... as yet another innocent Year King domain. The date of this change will depend 1993-94 and started a second term but re- approaches the end of his reign. It's violent. pretty much on when the incoming spam and signed early for personal reasons; Ed's sec- It's frightening. It's nerve-wracking and viral attacks go really ballistic, rather than ond term was filled out by Steve Brust, who bloody and in poor taste. But it's cheaper the current 100 or 200 spams and worms per by this time had become the usual Executive than pensions, and it's traditional, and for valid email. Please do not put any of my Vice President in Charge of Executions. If Minn-STF it's the Fannish Thing To Do email addresses on any web page or news Steve was himself assassinated in 1995, no (preferably with the candlestick, in the ball- group. If you wish to be taken off [my] mail- one seems to recall it. room, by Colonel Mustard). ing list, the return address is totally valid, Lydia Nickerson was stuck with the job Next? "Room for one more, sir..." there is a human being reading the email, and for 1995-96, and was killed off in a poker I will remove your current address (yes, I table skit with Steve Brust whose point know, spammers probably say that also).” seems to have vanished. I think this is the one that involved the services of the Martian 28 File 770:143 John Hertz’s Westercon Notebook Westercon 56, July 3-6, 2003 Seattle-Tacoma Doubletree Hotel

in Germany. Mike Willmoth tried not Writer Guest of Honor Bruce Serling, Artist GoH Lisa Snellings, to mention Mercedes Lackey. Scientist GoH Michio Kaku, Fan Westercon LVI instead of “only soft GoH Saul Jaffe, Editor GoH Claire drinks at open parties” ruled “must Eddy, Toastmaster Connie Willis. have a registered sober host”, an Attendance about 1,400. improvement. Clifford Wind pursued my Van Vogt theory. The collapse of “Eugene, Oregon,” said an 8-year-old Buddhism in Light bothered him. boarding my plane ahead of me; “who Where did all those monks go? Yet the wants to go there?” I said, “It’s the scene of Sam’s facing Yama, like a home of the Eastern Europe Folklife Buddhist, is strong. Center. You could learn to play the Morning. Sally Woehrle, chair of Bulgarian bagpipe. Start now.” I never Westercon L, ran the Green Room. I know what will happen; he gave me love these Cincinnatus moments. Real thumbs-up. We flew over Crater Lake, nourishment in the Green Room, if deepest in the U.S. I went on to Seattle budget allows, is a blessing when one feeling it might be a good weekend. has a lot to do and hopes to refuel on My first panel was Thursday the run. There is a risk of developing a evening at seven. This had seemed sub-con where the hip hide, a nasty doubtful to me, but many came to unfannishness we’d better not fall into. discuss Zelazny’s Lord of Light (1967), For 1984 I moderated Richard Dahm, Hugo and Nebula winner. Westercon Roberta Gregory, Pierce Ludke, Bruce Taylor. June 25th was the 100th anniversary of Orwell’s birth. Dahm I have strewn it with such flowers as Widner in the audience compared Light to said 1984 was like Dilbert , people read it but my high spirits have permitted . Hesse’s Siddhartha (1922). I said the real what happens? Ludke said good art was Beaumarchais joke in Light was Nerriti, whose soulless inherently disturbing. From the audience: if hordes really were soulless — they’re art asks you to change it’s political. Taylor androids. Wills said 1984 meant more to read aloud about doublethink. I tried asking LVI was pleased with the “S-F Classics” mundanes, Light more to us, but I showed the about literature. Is it an accident we open panels last year, and scheduled several. I did chock-full library check-out card, and from with Smith’s horrid notes of that war film? Light and Orwell’s 1984 (1949), both of the audience Anthony Ward, a librarian, said What happened to Julia’s earlier men? This which, I cracked, could have been written by copies of Light wear out. It may be Zelazny’s struck no sparks. The room was seized with Van Vogt. Like his famous technique they so most poetic. approval of a message. dazzle, overwhelm, that one hardly notices Drinks in the bar with Widner and the what is going on, and hardly cares. For Light Busbys. Widner was writing up Jack Speer, I moderated Raymond Eich, Duane Wilkins, one of two Fan GoH for Noreascon IV (2004 Something beyond flesh. and Robyn Sondra Wills. Weeks later I found Worldcon). Widner said “He invented a Faulkner my own copy; meanwhile a public library move in Interplanetary even I didn’t see.” had the 1979 Gregg Press hardback reprint Sandra Childress & James Briggs, Ed Green, with illustrations by Freff, goshwow. and a host of others put on a joke bid for a “Convention Experience” was Dahm, What is a classic? I’ve been saying it’s an Westercon in ’05 at Port Barrow, Alaska. At Janice Gelb, Raven McCracken, and Edward artwork that survives its time, that’s revealed their party Childress served snow cones, Steiner, me moderating. Calm went before a as having merit even after the currents it first naturally, flavored with Midori or lemon. By storm of people aggrieved at long floated on are changed. David Howell in the high tech I saw the World-Wide Web site. mistreatment and urging that without them audience said a seminal work may not be a They would have Regency nose-rubbing (not there would be no conventions. A pro writer classic. If it holds many messages, does that was followed by an Operations volunteer make it timeless? Is a classic one to which (not Gelb), a Green Room host (not we return only to think “I was wrong last Ingeniously ugly. Woehrle), a con producer. It did not help that time”? Howell said it should resonate across Anna Leonowens all was true. The topic had been How to get a range of people. I said James Joyce reached the most out of your — and finally I offered a top and middle, but no bottom; the film A the old Zen monastery rule “Everybody New Hope (1977) reached a bottom and top, my fault, honest) and mukluks. They liked to works, everybody eats”. However, each had a but no middle. Wilkins suggested Burnett’s say “mukluks”. At the Silicon Valley for ’05 fair turn, and with a clear conscience I went Secret Garden (1911) was more of a classic Westercon party Sharon Sbarsky told of cars to Ulrika O’Brien’s docent tour of the Art than her Little Lord Fauntleroy (1886). Art driving at 200 miles an hour on the Autobahn Show. July 2004 29

This year’s docents were Astrid Bear, Greg Bear on his docent tour said “The a demon’s hand, spread over the background Greg Bear, Mark Ferrari, me, O’Brien, fan crowd really likes animals and attitude.” like the word Europe on a map in Poe’s Margaret Organ-Kean, and Tom Whitmore. I He praised Rob Alexander, who won “Purloined Letter” (1845). Pippin Sardo, like to take other docents’ tours, and I notice popular-choice Best in Show, for showing who’d posed for Lida & Carl Sloan’s “Light they do too. The Art Show, under Lacey sketches as well as finished pictures. Ferrari Lady”, pointed out that the Sloans’ work was Axmaker, had 1,200 pieces from 90 artists, said “Look what success he has with narrow photographic, not computer-generated. sales $14,000 — again attendance
10. color ranges.” Astrid & Greg had decided to Moira Stern joined Mark Chanen, Dahm, When I engage the docents, as this year, I try lead separate tours. In between Greg hosted a and me for “Bardic Traditions”. Stern and I for a variety of pros and fans, women and presentation of the museum, which is for apologized for missing each other when her men, graphic artists and people just good at now under the name “The S-F Experience”. harp concert was scheduled against Regency talking about art. Knowing history or being Kirk stood at an easel taking notes — I mean dancing. I volunteered to be the one who said able to make things can help, but the vital the notes were Tim Kirk drawings. As it filkers seem the closest we have to bards. element is, as Kelly Freas put it, “Say what happens I’d never met him in person. In his From the audience: “What if they ushered you see.” We can’t see skillful , or clumsy ; days drawing actively for APA-L (e.g. cons in and out, at Opening and Closing however accurate, these are conclusions: “Harlan Elephant”) our paths crossed only in Ceremonies, as bards did their kings?” Stern what do we see? O’Brien, perceptive and print; no more when as editor of the L.A.con said Turlough O’Carolan (1670-1738) sang articulate, I hope may be within reach of a II Program Book (’84 Worldcon) I made sure for his supper. Dahm had tales of drumming, Worldcon to lead a tour soon. Organ-Kean’s he was in the “L.A. Artists” portfolio. But and of bardery in the Society for Creative pen-and-ink “Game of One” won Best from one look at the easel he was Anachronism. We talked of “killing satire”. I Monochrome, a lady alone with chess pieces unmistakable. The museum will naturally asked if beauty perpetuated ugly matter, as as candles burn low, the drapery of her gown start by exploiting images from film and the Nazis had sought. Chanen said when and the feathers of her headdress setting off a television. Equally natural is the slogan on a there was no written history, killing a bard window of deep black. Whitmore found Tim current flier “Remember when the future was like burning a library. Kirk, who was at the con in connection with seemed scarier than the present? Ah, the I judged the Masquerade with Astrid the forming Paul Allen s-f museum. In the good old days.” In the audience I sat with Bear, Susan Courney, Kevin Roche, and the Locus Awards, Bob Eggleton won Best Wombat; JoAnne Kirley, Workmanship Artist, and Tor won Best Publisher. I saw Judge; David Bigelow, Master of Looking for a donkey while riding it. O’Brien again at Regency dancing. Rum Ceremonies; Michael Kenmir, Director. punch at the Kansas City for ’06 Worldcon Wang Yang-ming Bigelow wore a gold-brocade Julian May party. At the Los Angeles for ’06 party robe, recently donated by this writer- Christian McGuire said “The Jell-O makes it Tom Doherty wondering about books. I costumer to the local community; Greg Sardo fannish.” wondered further too. and many others, not in competition, “Fanzine Publishing” at 10 a.m. Saturday Astrid Bear shared her tour with modeled more. In the Novice class, Sandra with Jerry Kaufman & Suzle. A note on a Whitmore, whom the con had scheduled Manning and Chet Cady with “The World of whiteboard, about what vampires should earlier than he’d arrived. We were much Jules Verne”, and Tod Mayes as Marvin the wear, we could not help applying to our impressed by the Canadian artist Quynh Mai Martian, won Honorable Mentions. Bethany topic. “Dress for Success” was Trial by Air . Nguyen’s painted silk in the modern “Dress for Camouflage” was Uncle Smiley’s (founded late 19th Century) Ling Nan style, True, strong, natural, and sweet. Bookcase . “Dress to Overwhelm” was with bright colors and some Impressionist Nathaniel Hawthorne Plokta . “Dress for Repose” was Vanamonde . technique. She won popular-choice Best Suzle & Kaufman broke into “76 Fanzines Application of Media. Here was an artist Led the Locus Poll”, which once counted with a full career (and a Web site moifa.com ) Roulett, “Padmé Amidala’s Packing such things; “followed by rows and rows o’ who brought dragons and phoenixes for us. Dress” (Workmanship Award for beading), the finest offset illos, the dream of every Big Bear told how this medium worked. and a woman we knew only as Atika, Name Fan.” We adjourned to the Fanzine Whitmore showed how in Adrian Bourne’s “Madame Hootch”, tied for Best Re- Lounge. Pat Diggs, who did Treasury at “Bleeding Stones”, which O’Brien had Creation. Most Original was Elizabeth Intersection (’95 Worldcon) but admittedly likened to stained glass, the light source was Fellows, “The Sugar Plaid knew little of fanzines, to be helpful had Fairy” (Workmanship Award for hand accepted the role of hostess. Suzle & sewing) in red with a plaid sash that spread like wings. Best in Class was Holly Forbes’ “Queen of Hearts”, based on Tenniel with a Not the leisure which wealth or a secure Disney soundtrack (Workmanship Award, pride convey, but repose and the best re-creation). spontaneous action of the mind. Two more Cadys, with Frances Burns, Hilaire Belloc Roslyn Jeppesen, and Diane Harris, won Best Journeyman with “Diplomatic Faux Paw”, crediting Winter Range (1932), Pride of Kaufman had brought Peter Roberts’ 1977 Chanur (1982), and Tullamore Dew; among TAFF report New Routes in America . He too Victorian cat people, a stuffy man was put in found them liable to burst into song. I had his place by the woman who had real brought thirty or forty current zines for authority. Best Master was Sue Lyn Taylor’s reading copies. Over the weekend as we all “Wizard and Roo of Wicky Woo”, based on dropped in from time to time Diggs told what The Witch and the ’Roo of Wicky Woo (1996) adventures she’d had in the meanwhile. One by Jan Loudin, the wizard being Taylor’s son fellow in armor, clanking as he sat, stayed Kristofer; in a neat exchange the kangaroo, reading fanzines for an hour. with butterfly wings, met him, carried a doll 30 File 770:143 for a flight sequence, then ended with Kris had spoken with her afterward. A Best in Nero Wolfe comic strips. From comics, what again. For “The Black Riders of Show trophy had been provided for us, but about Vandal Savage? At the end Saul Jaffe Mordor” (Master) the M.C. credited stunt we found no Best in Show and didn’t give it. touched me on the shoulder. “Tag: you’re It.” riding to Betty Bigelow, and read off a dozen There is no escape from the existentialist Next morning Widner had grapes rescued names from Deborah Strub to Peter Jackson. quality of Masquerade judging. Much is from Lin & Rich McAllister’s party. It was Lights up. Music. Pounding hooves. “Those confided into our discretion, and we have time to go. were the Black Riders of Mordor.” We gave been put there to use it. We always have to this a special award. There were trophies for compare apples and androids. We’d better be the awards ceremony; curiously, the one jolly quick too: if there were, say, fifty-five Courney handed Betty Bigelow was entries and we took a minute on each, we’d invisible. be out deliberating for an hour. It’s At the Phoenix party for Westercon LVII, excruciating, exhilarating work. Gary Feldbaum talked about hall costumes at In the hall I asked Whitmore how the Phillycon. Ellen Battle liked the brevity and ConJosé (’02 Worldcon) “Thanks a Mint” eclecticism of Vanamonde . Shucks. A long party had gone. He said “Better than conversation about old books and reverse expected. Actually, with Geri Sullivan in snobbery with her and Edna Lam drew a charge, it wasn’t better than expected.” On to crowd. Luckily there was plenty of cheese “Neglected Authors”, with John Dalmas, fondue and Barq’s. At the ’04 Baycon party Norman Hartman, Rachel Holmen, Ray Frank Wu, whose “Courtesy of Guests” I’d Vukcevich, Ted Butler to moderate. I keep liked in the Art Show, boxfulls of things saying Rafi Zabor, The Bear Comes Home, is including outer space, said “All the boxes the best fantasy of 1999. Hartman proposed hold things I own,” which I preferred taken Willy Ley, particularly Engineers’ Dreams literally. Gelb said she wanted to grow up to be Widner. Since he was my roommate I felt entitled to tell him. He did not believe. I His thoughts being his own, you leave brought them together and she admitted it. them alone, too. Pursuing the 1984 panel he said 1984 Roger Zelazny showed pain slavery, Huxley’s Brave New World (1932) showed pleasure slavery. Calgary, beating the Silicon Valley 136-59, (1964). When I gave Hermann Hesse, for The Glass Bead Game (1943), Widner in the audience held up YHOS 59, shucks; Holmen The delight thereof departed and the gave Eleanor Cameron and The Wonderful headache therefrom descended. Flight to the Mushroom Planet (1954), but As-Sarri ar-Raffa’ of Mosul my copy of Twink 30 was in the Fanzine Lounge. Eric Frank Russell, whose name made the room cry out with joy. Murray said Westercon LVIII will be called Due Leinster. Dalmas said, “He’s not lit’ry .” I North. said he was craftsmanly. Widner said “Let’s Glyer’s Extra Words Ferrari, renowned for colored pencils, not forget the mighty R.A. Lafferty.” I’ve written about the wonderful life I have as won the popular-choice Best Digital or Helping take down the Art Show, I saw Electronic Manipulation. He gave two docent Ruth Sachter had successfully bid for Patricia Sierra’s daddy, and do again later in this issue, tours. On the second, Sunday morning, the McCracken’s “Snowfall”, under Hiroshige but I finally realized it it’s not fatherhood that Art Show crackled with excitement in the blue a snow creature in kimono with coal is handicapping my fanac, but all the writing I last hour before auction. At Richard eyes, a carrot nose. It won Best Humorous. do in my new job. Hescox’s painting, “The Pacifist” — Hescox Snellings won Best Surrealism for “Sheep”, Having your work interfere with fanac is a walked up as this was going on; he’d won and the director’s-choice Best Application of problem most of you take for granted, so I Best S-F for “Double Nocturne”, also the Media for “Limited Edition Carrousel”, with forgive you for being skeptical when I say this popular-choice Most Awe-Inspiring — which she has been terrifying people for is a brand new problem for me . In 1978, I Ferrari said “Paintings succeed or fail on years. Dinner off-site with Sean Smith. thought up this fanzine, designed its news abstract qualities more often than on a Roche’s League of Evil Geniuses party subject,” and showed how surface texture covered the walls with only a few from the coverage, named the departments, and chose was implied by the edges of shadows. He the artists while I was working full-time in a asked for favorites. I liked a 7-sided wooden warehouse in 1978. Taking inventory and hand drum by Brian Hasted, which led Sipping their wine in contentment and packing shipments never interfered with my Ferrari to talk of syncopation and order. gossiping with one another in a thoughts about the first issue of File 770 Blake Flynn’s “End of Time” won the neighborly way while they waited for (hardly a surprise, eh?) Really, the only thing I director’s-choice Best Use of Digital Media, the historian. couldn’t do at the warehouse was type the silly a red sunset beach with a tilting clock frame Mark Twain stencils – something I was allowed to do in an and a man between pocket watches and ripples. earlier secretarial job at college: when I was At the post-Masquerade session I was gallery Andy Trembley and Roche had made. typing fanzines I looked busy, so no one asked about a Regency lady. She was very I proposed Arnold Zeck. Roche said it was thought about cutting the position from authentic, I said, but we couldn’t see any harder when graphics-media images weren’t the Dean’s budget. science fiction or fantasy element. In fact I around. I wondered if Zeck had been in the July 2004 31 CON-VERSION 20 by Dale Speirs

Calgary’s annual SF convention returned in Canfandom historian Garth Spencer to add to 2003 to one of its original locations, the his “Those Who Will Not Learn From Westin Hotel in the downtown core. Guests History” file. The convention badges had no of Honor were Terry Brooks, Robert J. graphics but were just the convention name, Sawyer, Esther Friesner, and D.C. Fontana. member name, and membership number in The event was held August 15 to 17, at the Ariel font. Easy to run off fake badges at height of the forest fire season. Calgarians home, should one be so inclined. The Friday who normally brag about how clear the air is night programming was delayed a half hour and how crisp and blue the adjacent Rocky all the way down the schedule due to the Mountains are, had been instead reduced to lineups, but other than that, things seemed to muttering as they swept the ashfall off their go well after the rough start. During the rest cars. My two bright red Honda Civics had of the convention, I failed to notice anything been converted to a deep pink colour the day untoward. before the convention by the ash fallout of Anime Alberta played a DVD at the the Crowsnest Pass, Mount Joffre, and Banff opening ceremony to honour the guests. National Park fires burning in the mountains Normally I cringe at homemade videos but to the southwest of Calgary. Spectacular this was quite well down, with an hilarious sunsets though, even if one couldn’t even see detourned Star Trek: TNG clip at the end that the outline of the mountains. left the audience rolling in the aisles. A Rough Start: This complaint proved to Magazines And The World Wide Web: be trivial, as the day before the convention The first panel I attended was ostensibly began southern Ontario was blacked out from about the impact of the Internet on SF Windsor to Ottawa by a massive power publishing, but soon drifted off into a failure originating across the border in discussion about editing. Amber Van Dyk Niagara Falls, New York. Calgary and Chelsea Polk represented a magazine I International Airport discontinued all flights had never heard of, Ideomancer , and Karl to and from southern Ontario, and the and Stephanie Johansen represented a new Premier of that province declared a state of start-up called Neo-Opsis . Van Dyk said that emergency. Air Canada’s back-up flight ad-supported fiction Websites are not viable planning centre promptly failed (the diesel economically. She said that fiction generator ran out of fuel), and even though submissions should be in legible typefaces, other airlines were flying, Air Canada had to and that Courier is still the preferred standard cancel all its flights worldwide because its in publishing because it is non-proportional central control was gone. My immediate and goes with any text system. At this point thoughts: (a) Were Lloyd and Yvonne Karl interjected that his favorite typeface for Penney (of Toronto) in the elevator on the submissions was Wingdings, although he way to their 17th floor apartment when the wondered why he never seemed to get any power went off?, and (b) How many Con- to the convention concourse, and those in replies. Version Guests of Honor were stuck in line were timing how long it took for the line Polk mentioned a problem that print airports? to move past the steps. It was two minutes magazines don’t have, in that Websites can I needn’t have worried. After getting per step. cut off customers who don’t have the latest through the registration line, the first person I After several people, myself included, software or fast broadband connections recognized was SF author Robert Sawyer of suggested to passing volunteers that a (Flash was mentioned as the main culprit). Toronto. He told me he had been in town for separate line be opened for preregisters, it She said she lost an argument with the several days already for a writers’ workshop was finally done. However, the new line only company Webmaster who refused to make and so had missed the blackout. His wife moved marginally faster than the at-the-door the Ideomancer Website backwards Carolyn Clink had not, but she was flying out registration line, because the badges were compatible with older versions of browsers on Westjet. At the opening ceremonies, all filed numerically by membership number, or other software. He felt it was the the guests were there, so that was one less not by name. The staff had a database on a customer’s responsibility to upgrade worry. laptop to check the names and cross- continuously in order to access the site. I had When I first arrived at the Westin Hotel, reference the badge number. Computers, of to wonder if he had taken any marketing the registration line was very long, which course, slow things down. courses. surprised me because in past years those such All was explained after I got my goodie There was also some discussion about as I who had preregistered could breeze in bag and read the program book while waiting standards to qualify for membership in and get our badge and goodie bag in thirty for the opening ceremonies to start. The SFFWA, SF Canada, and other authors’ seconds. This year, preregistered and those Chairwoman’s report explained that “ ... we leagues. These organizations have minimum buying memberships at the door were in the had a bit of an upheaval in March, and we standards such as three professional sales, same lineup, slowing it down considerably. ended up getting an almost all-new but there is strong prejudice against sales to There are a few steps up from the hotel lobby convention committee. ” Another case for Websites. 32 File 770:143

From The Titanic To Columbia: Suddenly a wallaby burst through the miners commonly dug up bones of Subtitled “An Economy Of Disaster”, this double doors, screeching “Aquatic animal Protoceratops and ascribed them to the was a talk by Roy Brander, a municipal bars discriminate against marsupials! You griffin. waterworks engineer. He started off by could fill a Mint [ actual word suggested was Currie showed that images of dinosaurs saying that this panel, held opposite one by ‘filament’ ] with the money they’re using to now surround us, from the homemade statues Terry Brooks, was for people who get keep us out!” scattered about Drumheller as folk art, to vaguely ill at the sight of a unicorn. He “Of corset could all be in my head”, the political cartoons (old politicians and parties reviewed the trend of disasters over time, wallaby said, wide-eyed as the aquatic that have been too long in power). Most of rather than just providing a capsule history of mammals rose as one and turned toward him, the current boom in dinosaurs dates from wrecks and explosions. Brander noted that eyes ablaze with anger. Jurassic Park . Currie mentioned that when attitudes to technology have not changed [ The next word suggested was he was young, books about dinosaurs were over time, whether it was cutting-edge ‘evacuation’, but the writers’ sentences were relatively scarce, compared to the shelves full steamships or spacecraft. Each generation uniformly dull, so for the first time in the of them today, and he had to hunt down ERB makes the same mistakes once the previous Improv’s history, the audience voted ‘none of and SF books to get his dinosaur fix. This generation is no longer around to constrain the above’. ] correlates to something I noticed, as up to the them. “You want I should take him out, Capo late 1970s I had no trouble building a These mistakes include: (1) failure to Lini ?” [ actual word suggested was reasonably complete collection of dinosaur imagine all reasonable scenarios, (2) lack of ‘cappuccino’ ], snarled Guido Sambucca, the books in print, but had to give up when a defence in depth (multiple redundancy) such ever-present Italian hitman who ran the bar. flood of such books rolled out in the 1980s. as double hulls in steamships, (3) complaints “No,” said Capo Lini magnanimously. Guest Of Honor Speeches: Esther by contractors about government regulations “Don’t you see we can let him in as an Friesner was the Toastmaster, and started off (such as passenger jet maintenance), (4) honorary member? Go fetch me the tam with a list of dumb questions that Canucks industries always come to dominate the marine [ actual word suggested was can expect to hear at the forthcoming World agencies that regulate them, (5) society only ‘tambourine’ ] for him to wear.” SF Convention in Toronto on the Labour acts after many major fatalities, (6) hold Fergo chose that moment to stagger to his Day weekend. Examples were: What costs down at the expense of safety. feet. “Has anyone seen my Schroedinger’s happens if a moose gets into the building?”, All of these result in normalization of kit-kat ? I followed it here from another “How many books to a trilogy up here?” [to deviation from standards. This is caused by dimension and I can’t find it anywhere.” which my reply would be “The same as managers shaving safety margins without “What kind of semi-colon , I mean, half- down there: ten.”], and, at a cash register, any problems, so the reduced margin of error assed story is that?”, Sambucca snarled.* “Can you break a queenie?” [the Canadian $1 becomes the new standard. The cycle is “Take him out!” But at that moment, a coin is called a loonie, and the $2 coin either repeated until the margins pass into a semitransparent cat either did or did not jump a doubloon or toonie; all Canadian coins catastrophe, such as unseated O-rings in into Fergo’s arms, who either did or did not have a portrait of the Queen of Canada on the space shuttles (before Challenger, they were disappear , and that is The End, or maybe not. reverse]. not considered a problem even though the (*The panel of writers had been spelling She (Esther, not the Queen) introduced original design specifications said no out the punctuation during this Improv when each guest with a verse from a song to which unseated rings). Foam had fallen off shuttle reading aloud their sentences, so this was she taught the audience the chorus “There’s a boosters many times before Columbia, so funnier to the audience than it might be in little of the omnivore in us all”. Terry Brooks why hold the manufacturer liable if nothing cold print.) began his speech by saying that his mother happened? Easier to re-write the standards. The Changing Role Of Women In SF was born in Hamilton, Ontario, and the next Writers At The Improv: The 1925 to 1945: After Canadian palaeofan Bob time Con-Version needed a Canadian GoH... Imaginative Fiction Writers Association is a Gibson passed away in 2001 at the age of 92, He had driven up from Seattle, thinking he Calgary writing workshop group that brings his son donated Bob’s collection of 30,000 to and the family could enjoy the spectacular loads of fun each year to Con-Version. Their 40,000 books and periodicals to the mountain scenery, but they ended up taking improv session pits three pairs of writers University of Calgary. The Gibson collection some substantial detours due to highways against the audience. It starts off by someone is still being catalogued, but it is already closed by forest fires. He mentioned that suggesting a word from the audience, which being used for research. Helen Clark some of his writing is inspired by the the writers have one minute to incorporate presented a talk on the depiction of women landscapes he sees in his travels, so if forest into a sentence. When time is called, the on WEIRD TALES covers, illustrating the fires feature prominently in his next book, sentences are read off and the audience votes erotic and sometimes outright pornographic you’ll know why. on the best one. The process is repeated and a covers that would still be controversial today Future Cons: Con-Version 21, barring story of sorts is built up. This year’s story in our supposedly small-l liberal society. It is SARS, blackouts, and forest fires raging follows; the underlined words are the ones nice to see that the collection is already being through the skyscrapers of downtown suggested by the audience. used, not just filed and forgotten. Cowtown, will be at the Westin Hotel again, “Fergo woke from his third blackout of Dinosaurs In SF: Dr. Phil Currie is not the weekend of August 6 to 8, 2004. One the day to find himself lying in a pool of only a curator at the Royal Tyrell Museum of announced GoH is George R.R. Martin. something sticky and green. He looked up Palaeontology (the world’s largest fossil Details at www.con-version.org into the soulful brown eyes of a huge walrus . museum) in nearby Drumheller, but is an In 2005, Calgary will host Westercon 58, “Pardon me,” the walrus said. “I really Edgar Rice Burroughs fan, having published on the July 1 to 4 weekend, with S.M. should lay off the fermented blubber shakes.” a zine on the subject several decades ago. His Stirling as GoH. Details to be had at Fargo groaned. He’d woken up after talk was a mix of what is new in fossil www.calgaryin2005.org accidental prestidigitation , ironing his hunting and covers of SF books and fingers, and the day was just getting worse. A magazines depicting dinosaurs. He platypus at the nearest table leaned across to mentioned that it was recently shown that the his companion, a narwhal, and said, “What’s mythological griffin has been traced back to his kind doing in an Aquatic Animal Bar?” its point of origin in central Asia, where July 2004 33

World Fantasy Convention Report by Martin Morse Wooster

Hyatt Regency Capitol Hill densely packed books, full of fiction and world fantasy. And the nominees: I Can reminiscences. But this year’s version, edited Write a Book Too , by Madonna, A Children’s Washington, D.C. and designed by Dennis McCunney, was Book Should Weight as Much as a Child , by October 30-November 2, 2003 very thin, about on par with an average J.K. Rowling, I Must Publish This Book Be- By now the reputation of the World Fantasy Worldcon book. And there was one major cause it Is My Duty , by Paul Burrell Convention is set: a highbrow convention, and persistent typo: someone should have (Princess Diana’s butler), and An American where pros and editors gather to sign off on told McCunney that Fred Pohl’s first name is Fantasy: Elections . The winner? Well, “there big deals. I kept trying to see a Big Deal Frederik (not “Frederick”). are only losers.” Winter then followed this by during the weekend, and kept looking for The art show had all the stars of fantasy a list of exciting new reality shows, including telltale signs: the pro kissing an editor’s ring, art, but the piece of art I found most enjoy- “The Fellowship of the West Wing,” the snap of lightning when a contract was able was an “Edwardian spaceship” designed “Trading Places, Changing Tombs,” and “Joe signed. But I never managed to see these by Joanne Klukas. The “spaceship” is hard to Publisher” (he'll publish and promote your events. describe, but imagine an armoire crossed book, ha ha). I was told that a lot of business got done with a six-foot-high starship and you’ll have Winners ot the 2003 World Fantasy at World Fantasy Convention; British editor a rough approximation of the object. It was Awards: Jo Fletcher, said one source, held 30 meet- an amazing and intricate object, which the Special Award (Non-Professional): Jason ings with American writers and editors. And artist said took her 2-1/2 months to construct. Williams, Jeremy Lassen, Benjamin Cossel since about half of the 850 members were One tradition the World Fantasy Conven- (Night Shade Books) writers, this meant there were a great many tion holds which sf conventions might adopt Special Award (Professional): Gordon meetings. But for me, the World Fantasy was the “Musical Interlude,” which featured Van Gelder ( Fantasy and Science Fiction ) Convention seemed like a super relaxacon, pros singing in a folk revue. Peter Heck was Collection: Jeffrey Ford, The Fantasy with better food than usual in the con suite, quite good at singing traditional nineteenth- Writer’s Assistant and Other Stories and a bunch of fans from all across the coun- century ballads, and Heather Wood provided Anthology: (tie): Ellen Datlow and Terri try. a few British songs (including some acerbic Windling, eds,. The Green Man; Jeff Van- The programming was organized by Paul blasts at President Bush). I found the band derMeer and Forrest Aguirre, eds.,, Levia- and Aly Parsons, two old and dear friends of comprising Charles and Marianne de Lint, than 3 mine. Thus if I had attended panels, I would- Patrick and Teresa Nielsen Hayden, and Nina Short Fiction: Jeffrey Ford, Creation n’t have commented on them. However, I Kiriki Hoffman. This is a format which (Fantasy and Science Fiction ) managed to attend one-half of one panel in might well please fen interested in listening Novella: Zoran Zivkovic, “The Library” three days; I was having too much fun talk- to good music, as well as being having (Leviathan 3 ) ing to fen, buying books, and having good broader appeal than filk (which is too inbred Novel: (tie): Graham Joyce, The Facts of meals to sit and listen to writers at panels. So for me). Life, Patricia McKillip, Ombria in Amber I’m not going to report on the programming. The banquet was MCd by toastmaster Life Achievement: Lloyd Alexander, The dealers’ room was, as usual, devoted Douglas Winter, who was quite entertaining Donald M. Grant to specialty presses and high-spot book deal- He announced that the World Fantasy Con- The hidden financial secret of World Fan- ers, along with a few dealers selling what I vention should give awards for the best tasy Conventions is that they charge what a was told was very good Worldcon does but jewelry. But somehow don’t use expensive the treasures on display convention centers. were a little bit tawdry; Since there’s no pass the rarest item I saw through, this means was a first of Nine healthy profits for the Princes in Amber , organizations that spon- which sold in dust sor them. I was told by a jacket for $2,000. All high-ranking member of right, I know this is a the Washington Science very rare book, but it Fiction Association that looks like...well, a typi- WSFA expects to clear cal Doubleday book of between $10,000 and the period. You could $15,000 from the World read it on the subway Fantasy Convention, and no one would think which will replenish a you were enjoying a depleted treasury. very rare book. Next year’s World I thought the pro- Fantasy Convention will gram book was a major be in Tempe, Arizona, disappointment. World followed in 2005 by Fantasy Conventions Madison, Wisconsin. are known for their 34 File 770:143 HALL OF FAME Keith Stokes Celebrates Wilson Tucker’s Addition to SF Hall of Fame

The Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Bob was born in 1914. He lived in an Fame was founded in 1996 by the Kansas orphanage from about 1925 to 1930, when City Science Fiction and Fantasy Society he ran away by riding boxcars. Two or and the J. Wayne and Elsie M. Gunn Cen- three weeks later the police in some small ter for the Study of Science Fiction at the Illinois town picked him up and shipped University of Kansas. Each year, the Hall him back to his father in Bloomington, of Fame honors four individuals on the Illinois. He says that’s why he’s been basis of their continued excellence and skinny all his life -- food is scarce on the long-time contribution to the science fic- road. tion and fantasy field. The 2003 inductees He eventually found work as a projec- were announced at ConQuesT 34 on Me- tionist and worked at every theater in morial Day weekend in Kansas City, Mis- town. Among other things he was the souri: Wilson Tucker and Kate Left: Keith Stokes at the 2002 Midwestcon. relief projectionist as the others took their Wilhelm. Posthumous inductees were Right: Wilson Tucker at the 2001 Tucker vacations. He also worked part time as the Damon Knight and Edgar Rice Tribute. electrician for concerts and road compa- Burroughs. nies at Illinois State University. The uni- Keith Stokes spoke on behalf of Tucker at tery-fiction and science fiction both. Bob versity electricians wouldn’t touch the boards the induction ceremony. His speech appears Tucker has been honored and acclaimed for for the road shows and 10-20 times a year below, together with written remarks pro- his manifold achievements, and just so. But I Tucker would assemble a crew and meet the vided by Tucker for the occasion. think, in the last analysis, his greatest reward trucks at 5 a.m. They would unload, set up has come in the form of the genuine love and for the show, have an evening performance, Introduction by Keith Stokes devotion he has inspired throughout fandom than tear down and load the trucks to leave In the Program Book from the 1976 World during his lifetime of distinguished effort. for the next city. Science Fiction Convention, Robert Bloch Here is a man who commands -- and de- Bob met Fern Brooks while working at wrote, “Hugo Gernsback has often been serves -- our admiration.” the Castle Theater. She was 19 and worked called the Father of Science Fiction, but I Arthur Wilson Tucker has been known by for State Farm during the day and cashiered wouldn’t count Tucker out until I see a pater- many names. His professional work was at the Castle in the evening. He filled in two nity-test. Certainly Tucker was one of the published as Wilson A. Tucker and Sanford weeks for each of the four projectionists, so first of the Big Name Fans - and heaven help Vaid. Some of his fan writing was identified he worked eight weeks at the Castle that us all, he still holds that distinction today. He as Hoy Ping Pong. Many folks online now summer. They were married the following went on to become a big Name Pro, in mys- know him as Codger. But most of us know year. him as Bob. Bob discovered science fiction in 1930 when he found a closet-full of year-old magazines. The first story read was a serial in Argosy called “Brand New World” by Ray Cummings. Bob says that hooked him, al- though as he grew older and gained a bit of knowledge he never did discover how a planet can leave its solar system and swim across space to join our solar system. Tucker discovered fandom a year later, when he began writing to the people in the magazine letter columns. First class postage was only two cents. He doesn’t remember the first fanzine he received, but it inspired him to produce one of his own. That was The Planetoid and it lasted two issues, December 1932 and January 1933. The best known of Tucker’s fanzines is probably LeZombie (Published every time a zombie awakens) first published in Decem- ber of 1938. It was published regularly for a few years, then irregularly until the present time when occasional new issues are avail- able online as eZombie . Other well known Tucker fanzines in- cluded Bloomington News Letter and Science Fiction News Letter . In 1970 Bob received July 2004 35 the Hugo Award for Fan Writing and in writer (almost) when a perceptive editor who 2001, I had the honor of accepting a 1950 was wise beyond his years accepted and pub- Retro Fanzine Hugo Award on his behalf. lished my first story. Not the first story I had But going back to 1930, there was another written and submitted, mind you, but the event in Bob’s life. He bought a used type- first to find a buyer -- the first editor who writer for $11 and at once began writing was willing to risk his job and publish me. stories for Argosy -- and they rejected every Ten years of sorry rejections ended in 1941 one. Bob says “with good reason.” He con- when that perceptive editor recognized the tinued to get rejection slips for the next ten jewel he held in his hand, recognized a new- years until finally selling a story in 1940. comer who was ready to blossom in one of That story was “Interstellar Way-Station” his science fiction magazines -- a writer des- and it was published in Super Science Stories tined to become rich and famous. (Almost.) in May 1941. The following year he had four It is a happy coincidence that the wise, short stories published. courageous editor who opened his pages to Bob’s first novel was the mystery Chinese me sixty-two years ago and provided my first Doll and his first science fiction novel was step toward the Hall of Fame is here this City in the Sea . He went on to publish over week participating in the activities. The edi- 60 short stories and novels. The best known tor who made me rich and famous (almost) among them being The Lincoln Hunters, Lionel Fanthorpe talking about the Tem- is Fred Pohl -- and I am eternally grateful to Long Loud Silence and Year of the Quiet plars at the 2004 British Eastercon. [Photo him and his science fiction magazine, the Sun . Long Loud Silence , published in 1952, by Keith Stokes] May 1941 issue of Super Science Novels . was one of the Hugo Award nominees for A thousand thanks to all of you! that year, but lost to Alfred Bester’s The Unable to travel for the last three years, ++ Wilson (Bob) Tucker, July 7, 2003 Demolished Man . Bob is still active online in the science fiction Year of the Quiet Sun was published in community. In 2001, fandom brought two 2004 SF&F Hall of Fame 1970 and was nominated for both the Nebula events to Bloomington, Illinois to honor him The 2004 inductees in the Science Fiction and Hugo Awards. The John W. Campbell and allow his participation. Ditto, the fanzine and Fantasy Hall of Fame have been an- Memorial Award was started in 1973, but in convention, and the Tucker Tribute. The nounced, Harry Harrison and Brian Aldiss, 1976, the award committee felt that no truly Tribute brought together over 100 of and posthumous inductees are E. E. “Doc” outstanding original novel had been pub- Tucker’s friends and family to honor him and Smith and Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley. lished in 1975 and made a “special retrospec- Fern. Hall of Fame Chairman, Robin Wayne tive award” to Year of the Quiet Sun as a I could talk about Bob for much longer. Bailey, announced that both Aldiss and Har- “truly outstanding original novel that was not “Tuckerism,” his practice of inserting the rison will be attending the ceremony, which adequately recognized in the year of its pub- names of other authors and fans into his will take place during the Campbell Confer- lication.” work. His coining the phrase “space opera.” ence in Lawrence, Kansas on July 9. “Originality” is probably the word most “Smoothing,” which brings countless fans After this year’s inductions in the Science used to explain the popularity of Bob’s work, together to share bottles of Beam’s Choice Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame, it will be but I believe the reason for the length and whiskey. renamed the Science Fiction Hall of Fame depth of his success is because of his charac- The people in this room could easily share and incorporated into the Experience Science ters. Bob’s stories tell us a lot about history enough Bob Tucker stories to fill this week- Fiction museum which is opening in Seattle or the future, but the most important thing is end, but let me simply close with Bob’s ac- in June. the way that history or future impact the ceptance of his Induction in the Science Fic- The Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of people in his stories. tion and Fantasy Hall of Fame... Fame was founded in 1996 by the J. Wayne For that reason, his work has aged well. and Elsie M. Gunn Center for the Study of The Long Loud Silence with its short leap Acceptance by Bob Tucker Science Fiction (at the University of Kansas) forward in time to the year 2000 would be Sixty-two years ago I took that first fateful and the Kansas City Science Fiction and sadly out of date if the focus was about the step toward becoming a rich and famous Fantasy Society. year 2000, but it is about the impact that The 2004 Campbell Conference traveling to that time has on his charac- will be held July 9-11. The confer- ters.. ence provides a setting for the pres- Bob retired from writing profession- entation of two other honors: the ally in 1982, but continued to attend John W. Campbell Memorial Award conventions and receive honors across for the best science fiction novel of the country. At a ceremony on the the year; and the Theodore Sturgeon Queen Mary in 1996, Wilson Tucker Memorial Award for the best short was the second person honored by the science fiction of the year. Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of Details of the conference and America as Author Emeritus. awards dinner are available at: His work is still occasionally reis- http://www.ku.edu/~sfcenter/ sued, most recently in Architects of campbell-conference.htm Dreams: The SFWA Author Emeritus Anthology edited by Robin Wayne Bai- John Clute and Peter Nicholls mark the 10th ley. Bob has also sold one story which has never been published, “Dick and Jane go anniversary of their SF Encyclopedia on a panel to Mars” which was sold to Last Danger- during the British Eastercon at Blackpool, UK April 9- ous Visions . 12, 2004. [Photo by Keith Stokes] 36 File 770:143 The Fanivore

Ed Meskys Going to miss the WorldCon this summer for the first time in years.... going to be very Just finished having the latest ish read to me, odd. But, one has to do what one must. Just and enjoyed as always. Excellent history of as your time is now taken up so much more fanzine publishing [[by Taral]] but I have a with the youngest in your family, Cindy and I find we have to spend more and more of question. The article said that mimeo was the preferred method of early fanzines with let- our time now taking care of her ailing father. terpress and hekto used occasionally. I I will say that, on the plus side, I’m learning thought that hekto was the major method a heck of a lot about planning for my own before WWII. The original FAPA pagecount old age, dealing with Medicare and other was set to the number of copies which could institutions, etc. Family is family, and you do be easily run off by hekto. Also I remember what you have to. Sam Moskowitz reminiscing at an ESFA So, looking forward to all the news, re- meeting when I was attending regularly until ports and assorted wonderful whatnots that I moved to California in 1962, and then from will be appearing in the next issue, whenever 1966 when I returned to 1969 when I got you feel you can get one out. Now, go hug married for the first time. Anyhow SaM your daughter for us! spoke of how hekto was the default method but he and other members of some Bill Warren club/group at the time found a source of mimeo stencils for only five cents each. Thus I liked your writeup on Bruce; it was one of they were able to mimeo their zine which the few that actually made some reference to was as spectacular as “today” (circa 1960) his, um, darker side. Very thorough and well- doing a zine with set type and a five-color researched. process cover. Now SaM had this predilec- Also, I liked the article about Marty Can- tion for making his group the best one with tor distributing the remaining Masques . Only the only trufen in it so I do not know for sure one small correction: all of them were col- how accurate this reminiscence was. lated on one day, not one month at a time. [[I copied your e-mail to Taral, and he (And my hospitalization put a big hole in the answered: schedule.) Stan Burns agreed to hold onto all [[ Taral: “I think SaM’s remark ‘default’ on that myself. Funny though, even with the this stuff -- and there was a vast amount, choice says it all. Hekto was the method you shiny pate and lots of white starting to pop once all the pages were printed -- until a could always fall back on -- somebody al- out in the face hairs, I still don’t feel like an small group of us went down there and col- ways had a machine around somewhere. But adult. Maybe the fact I’m still doing goofy lated the whole shebang. Stan is owed public I’ve seen a lot of 40’s zines and while a num- stuff. Of course, now I’m seeing people who thanks, as well as those in the collating party: ber were hekto or ditto, I’d have to say their are running things are younger than me.... Beverly, Sandy Cohen, Len Wein and Allan numbers don’t exceed the number of typeset nice of them to step in for me! Rothstein, as well as Stan and I. and printed fanmags around. The majority Another incredible piece from Canfield that I’ve seen were mimeographed. Now for the cover. We’ve got to get that in front Harold Drake having said that, I’m aware that the stats are of the Art Car folks and see if someone can probably skewed to favour genzines and make it a reality! Received my copy of File 770:142 which mimeo. There might easily have been hun- Oh yeah, insert appropriate cooing noises finally found its way to our house. I found it dreds of humble titles of a few pages each here for the pictures of Sierra. Cindy’s were interesting reading generally, but specifically that appeared in Saps or Fapa or other apas, louder than mine when she got to those because this issue contained articles about whose tiny, restricted print runs make them pages, but, you know...chicks.... they get that people whom I knew or have met. I even highly likely to be overlooked. The grubs and way. read some of the news articles to my wife earthworms of fanzine ecology.”]] I’m still trying to slowly spread the word while she was eating lunch! of sf&f to the outside world. I was selected to Most of 2002 and thus far in 2003 have Brad W. Foster be the official artist for the Tulsa, Oklahoma been busy times for me; sometimes busy in Oktoberfest next fall. (Yes, beer drinking and ways that I would rather avoid. Yes, when you publish so regularly for a few foot stomping and pretzel chomping fun in My nonfiction book about A. E. van Vogt decades, it does kind of build up a certain Oklahoma!), and I did up a poster design was published in February, 2002. It can be level of expectation in your readership be- featuring a dragon clinking a giant stein with found on-line at: yond what we expect of most other zines. two other folks. Now, if I can get them to let http://www.booklocker.com/books/335.html. But hey, if you’ve got to go to an annual, I me do it another year down the way, since The book is available in paperback or as an won’t complain as long as you do manage to I’ve softened them up with the fantasy stuff, e-book. get new issues out! maybe a beer stein rocketing to the moon? It I had 6-months of chemotherapy starting Congrats on the 50...closing in too rapidly could happen. last September. I am in temporary remission July 2004 37 as my leukemia cannot be cured; its progress and enthusiastic. Amazing how soon they feel the same way about F770:142!]] ” Re: can only be slowed down. can start covering a lot of territory... (Btw, Craig E. Engler’s response re: SF Weekly; it We purchased another house and moved that is a beautiful name!) I didn’t realize you is full of book references. I often post links during my chemotherapy! We are still at- were working on Westercon. Oh, and you on the AOL SF Author board from their e- tempting to sell the house that we previously have a challenging job too. That was a pro- mail newsletter. Re: Emerald City, I liked lived in for 19-years. ductive year! The birthday parties sound like learning why Cheryl Morgan named it that. In the past year I have also had a few skin a lot of fun. Interesting back cover, though I’m not sure cancer surgeries--two of which, were far Great, fun cover by Grant Canfield; and I what the checkered pyramid means. What am more involved than I had anticipated and I enjoyed getting my news fix. I’ve shared the I missing?! am still cleaning and dressing one of the mystery apazine info with the AOL Mystery: surgery sites on my leg. Hardboiled folder. The Rotsler Masque fan- Jerry Kaufman I am not traveling as much as I used to, zine project is a fantastic idea. And I see that but, thinking about finding an sf con that I there’s a Rotsler Memorial Fanzine Artist I hadn’t realized just how long it’s been. It can drive to. (I wouldn’t mind driving to Award. Thank you for all the memorials to took the “Obituary” section to bring it all Glasgow, Scotland...but...for some reason my those who’ve passed on. Thanks for the home. By the way, your appreciation of wife doesn’t think that I should attempt such awards listings also. Bruce Pelz was wonderful. I learned a lot. I a drive!) I enjoyed the “Fellowship of the Ring” remember that Bruce was one of the mem- Last year I suggested that I would send New Zealand Trip Report by Bill Welden. bers of the Cult. Could he have been one of you reports on a couple of cons that I was Fascinating details and background. Being its founders? The group members were fond planning to attend. But then, things in my life able to touch the props and see the details of calling themselves “the nastiest bastards in started taking turns in directions that I hadn’t and hard work that went into the production fandom,” or something similar, and I think expected, causing me to put a hold on any was a wonderful opportunity. that Bruce loved projecting this image of and all trips. Great selection of con reports, including himself as mean, nasty, sneaky and so forth, So...this is where I’m at. Thanks again for “John Hertz’s Westercon Notebook.” (I al- but in a very ironic way. (Isn’t that why the File 770:142 and the informative articles. By ways enjoy his quotes interspersed through- rat was the emblem of so many LA area the way, I cited Harry Warner, Jr. a few out the article.) Interesting Harlan Ellison Worldcons?) times in my van Vogt book and he subse- anecdote about The Glass Bead Game panel. [[The Orwellian image of the rat origi- quently wrote me a nice letter. He was going I also enjoyed Dale Speirs’ Con-Version 19 nated with L.A.con II, the 1984 Worldcon, to write again about a detail. Now, I know report. Re: SF in Education panel: I was lingering thereafter as a kind of LA conven- why I haven’t received the second letter! surprised that a teacher opposed it... tion trademark. But you are right in another [[As I was finishing this issue I wrote to “The Fanzine Tool Kit” by Taral Wayne sense because choosing the rat was a way to ask Harold how he has been doing. He re- was really, really wonderful--an essential “spin” fans’ long-standing ambivalence plied:]] part of a book on fandom. The Fanivore col- about LA convention bids, something ac- I’m still in remission as of my November umn is full of interesting and fun letters, but I knowledged sufficiently long ago for there to checkup. Basically, doing all right. A basic enjoyed most the first letter with your re- have been a “Mordor in ‘64” bid. In my problem that I have in doing work around the sponse: “‘I finally finished F770:141.’ [[I time, Milt Stevens suggested house is that I am reminded everyday that I we bid under the slogan: “LA, am not 25 anymore! I am 67.... the city that gave evil a bad name.”]] Henry Welch Thanks for mentioning our publishing plans, especially Your zine was both a blessing and a curse. It my reprint of Peter Roberts’ was great to see you publish again, but the New Routes - it led to another hiatus was so long that there were too many sale. depressing obituaries. Fandom has lost too A couple of comments in many good people in the last year or so. Dale Spiers’ Con-version re- You do realize that you are raising Sierra port caught my attention. He in the wrong state. A fine cheese connoisseur mentions that “the literary such as Sierra needs to be raised on the finest conventions tend to be erratic, Wisconsin cheese, not that Kraft faux cheese. about every few years rather I hadn’t heard the suggestions about than a steady annual conven- teaching toddlers sign language. It makes tion.” Of the cons I would sense if they have the appropriate motor consider to be literary, Pot- skills. In our school district most of the class- latch has been annual since it rooms are teaching sign language in bits and started 12 years ago, though pieces to the kids. This is one language that we’ve managed this by rotat- my kids will always be more fluent in than I ing it between Seattle and the am. Bay area with a few jaunts to Oregon. I think Wiscon’s a Joy V. Smith literary con, and it’s been go- ing over 20 years (maybe over It is such a pleasure seeing an issue of File 25). Readercon lasted a long 770 again! You certainly have been busy! I time, but it may on hiatus at knew you had your hands full with Sierra the moment. Grace--love the photos, btw. She is adorable Nasa’s annoying low- oxygen sensors sound for all 38 File 770:143 the world like car alarms. I take a ferry to and which was the best he’d tasted. The conven- Alien screenplay. Hope still springs eternal, from work, and there’s scarcely an afternoon tion became a anticlimax to the weekend, and and there’s lots of demand for screenplays trip that doesn’t include an announcement he enjoyed himself immensely. However, these days. like this: “Would the owner of a lime-green that wasn’t the main reason that weekend BMW on the lower car deck please return to was memorable. Barbara Hambly was a guest Marie Rengstorff your car and secure your alarm.” Very an- that weekend, too, and that’s where their noying. relationship started and blossomed, from Just yesterday, I ‘finished’ my novel. I am I look forward to another issue in less what I am told. We were also saddened by trying to resist the urge to edit again, one- than a year. Say hello to Diana and little Annette Lotz’s passing. The Globe and Mail more-time. I feel the panic of having to print Sierra Grace for me. published an essay about Annette’s life, and it out and have it judged. thank Ghu, mentioned her enjoyment of sci- I have watched so many of my friends, Lloyd Penney ence fiction and fandom. with far more illustrious careers in SF writ- I know some LA bidders are very angry ing behind them than I have, not being able Hello! Recovered yet from Torcon? I’m that Chicago fandom is bidding for a World- to sell in the current market. I have reached a not...still not sleeping well. I think most of con without a set year in mind. Your article very egocentric stage in my fiction writing – local fandom here is trying to put it behind here says 2009, but there seemed to be some my new fiction gets paid for or it stays in my them and get on with normal fannish life, as debate at Torcon about whether it’s 2009 or cabinet. This really does not have a thing to normal as it gets, anyway. For me, that’s 2008. Guess it depends on whether the return do with money. I have enough of that to tackling the huge stack of fanzines that have to a two-year lead time is ratified at No- make my life comfortable. A new BMW accumulated since then, and one zine that’s reascon. convertible is not a logical choice on my been sitting too long is File 770:142 . Dale Spiers’ Con-Version report is always budget, but I can get a Mitsubishi Eclipse Happy birthday to you and the File! interesting, especially his comments on club convertible without straining finances at all. We’re happy to say here that with our work bloc voting for the Auroras. I can unhappily So, what is my problem? I just don’t think in getting the LA in 2006 bidders settled into report that much the same thing happened it’s right, at this current level of technology, Toronto with everything they need for some this year, the local Trek club and con bloc to push people into all these new kinds of successful parties and a winning bid, we now voted their friends some pointy trophies. It’s Vanity Presses. Some of the online publish- know good folks lile Craig Miller, Genny easy to carp about this, but it is an indication ing houses pay nothing but small royalties. Dazzo, Shawn and Colleen Crosby, Ed that the rest of Canadian fandom is letting the They also make the person sign contracts to Green, Chaz Boston Baden and Christian Trekfans in Toronto control the national advertise for the publisher. That means the McGuire. As I’ve said before, it’s a shame a awards. This cannot stand, and all of us here authors can easily spend way more than what surfeit of geography keeps us all apart. must promote participation in nominating they receive. Similar things happen with Ooooh, a plug for Fears For Ears ! Many and voting. POD. thanks. Since its release, the CD has tied for The locol...thank you to Allan Burrows And, one man I know is actually using an the 2002 Golden Ogle Award for Best Fan- for my VoicePrint publicity. Another divi- old fashioned Vanity press and has purchased tasy/Horror Audio production. I have ten sion related to VoicePrint is AudioVision, 30,000 copies of his political book. He suf- copies left myself, and with luck, may sell which creates additional descriptive scripts fers from a mental illness (a cross between some at the local filk convention coming up for movies for the blind and low-sighted so mania and mild schizophrenia), does not talk in April. they can enjoy these movies, too. Allan and in a straight line, and comes from a family The Seiuns were handed out in Japan and his girlfriend Ellen Megannety are two of the with new BMW money as petty cash. His announced at Torcon. I would like to pick up writers of those scripts, and recently, I was family will buy all copies of his book and try a copy of Illegal Alien in Japan , and see how given the chance to read and tape one of to remove all copies from circulation. I hope good Dr. Penney’s Japanese is. those scripts. My voice appears on the de- they understand this will only inspire him to It’s easy to see that Sierra has happy par- scribed version of Jigsaw , a 1949 crime write another. ents, and that you are one happy dad. Keep drama starring Franchot Tone. Anyway, for every published author I publishing the pictures...I hope Sierra knows My loc...still no word about the Illegal know, I know a few dozen who have tangled she’s got lots of aunts and uncles she themselves up with some kind of Vanity just hasn’t met yet. press under some new, high tech jargon Interesting CoA for Richard La- name. At least my first novel was pub- bonté. Many thanks for that, he says lished by a fanzine with an established as he tucks the address away for fu- circulation. When it made money (not ture reference...hmmm... allowed), we spent it on conventions to Far too many zines details far too advertise the book some more (is al- many deaths, and I know you don’t lowed). We, the publisher/pres-of-the- want the File to become an obitzine, fan-club and I, had a blast. We never met. but our numbers are not nearly as She is in Pennsylvania and I was in Calif. legion as they used to be. It does get at the time. We went to our respective depressing, especially with Pelz, coasts to goof around. Her act of publish- Foyster and Warner leaving our ing my novel, as #36 of Dr. McCoy’s midst. We knew of George Alec Ef- Medical Log, got her an interview with finger’s medical problems...when DeForest Kelley, the hero of my book. I GAE was a guest at Ad Astra some think it was the biggest thrill of her life. years ago, we took him to a Blue Jays Anyway, neither of us had to put out a game at the Skydome. The game was penny. If we had, we would have made it a real defensive battle, we bought back in the fun of SF fanzine related him all the souvenirs he wanted, and activities and friends. What I’ve seen in we bought him some ballpark food, terms of online and POD publishing has July 2004 39 not been my definition of fun. tion of Worldcon Inc. I get a little bit of in- So, either my book sells, or it sits in my side dope from some informants, and it locked files. What the heck, two of the sto- seems to have been a conscious decision not ries from it have already sold to Analog . to be Canadian in any special way. I’ve also My non-fiction remains open for snatch- heard the opinion that for the most part the ing. What the heck, Penguin snatched some concom is not very fannish either (and this out of a fanzine and printed an article of mine from a pro I know). Be that as it may, it in a ROC book, under the name of Marie doesn’t actually look like they’re going to Greene. I asked them for three copies of the screw up, and I suppose that’s about all any- book and $50. After a few letters, I was to- one can expect. tally ignored. I had to buy my own book. That is pathetic. I keep that book locked up Tim Marion in my files. I only have seen the one copy and will not buy another. This one is Reading thru all these obituaries (good one ‘evidence.’ Evidence of what I’m not sure, for Bruce, Mike!!!!) gets very depressing except it is proof that really bad writing can after a while, and almost gives one a dis- get printed. torted view of reality...if it is distorted, that Must run. This is not edited. It is as bad Corporal’s Guard: Daphne G. Grady, is. Also brings to mind that I never wrote you as the article printed by Penguin. If you de- LCpl Paul Grady Madden, USMC, J. R. about John Faucette, with whom I worked for cide to share any of this, be kinder than Pen- a while. I did think to write Locus , but since I guin and fix the obvious errors. Madden. Sunday, May 25, 2003. Photo used by permission. don’t get Locus , I’ll be darned if I can re- member what I wrote for them. Basically, he J. R. Madden has written Ace Double novels in the past ment ... as such, he pulls more than his fair (Warrior of Terra comes to mind) which I File 770:142 arrived safely. I am glad you share of weekend duty when the others can- have not read, and more recently he was the were able to get yet another issue out despite not be found! creator of something called ‘Black Science the increased For myself, I was let go from my em- Fiction’ (as I gather he considered himself to familial responsibilities you have entered ployer of the past six and a half years, Atos be black). Actually, I guess I’ve written upon with Sierra Grace. Origin, Inc., at the end of February 2003. about him in my apazines which I’ve sent I was pleased with the objective journal- Since then, I have been seeking work in the you, so if you wanted to mention him, you ism exhibited by the article “FAQ Sierra SAP R/3 area either as a contractor or as a could have, I guess. I can’t even remember Grace” and evidenced by the use of adjec- W-2 employee. I have had lots of nibbles to now when it was he passed away, but it was tives such as glamorous, beautiful, graceful. date but no firm offer has arisen. Neverthe- definitely in this time period (last 12 My sensitivities were whelmed by the less, optimism continues to abide. months). year’s worth of obituaries contained within Yesterday afternoon, I rode along on a the issue. Though I was already familiar with Red Cross Disaster Action Team (DAT) response to a family in house trailer east of Tom Feller most of those named, reading them collected in one location was… whelming. Baton Rouge that had sustained some water damage from the passing of Tropical Storm Thanks for sending the zine. I’m glad to see Have you considered use of PayPal on the you’re publishing again. Internet for funds transfer on behalf of sub- Bill on Sunday and Monday. The family lost their clothes as the water contained some- Excellent article by Taral Wayne. scriptions to File 770 in the future? I have Lloyd Penney’s comment on Dale used it on occasion in regard to eBay pur- thing that irritates their skin but will not wash out in the laundry. Unfortunately, the Red Speirs’s Conversion report reminded me of chases and found it to work well and se- the time I worked the door to a Charlotte in curely. Cross could not help with that sort of loss. 2004 party at Chattacon. I introduced the [[I opened a PayPal account to buy things custom of stickers to several neofen and also like my online rotisserie baseball teams. I Taral Wayne had to explain what a Worldcon is and how had the option of opening an account which the voting works. could also receive payments. I decided not to Goodness. I was beginning to think the rea- because the zine’s sporadic schedule has son for the name File 770 was that there were pretty much killed subscribers’ interest in 770 days between issues! Seriously though, it Robert Lichtman renewing. Also, I recently changed my e-mail was a nice juicy issue and I was glad to see address and as long as I don’t put it up on “The Fanzine Tool Kit” in print. I’ve gotten a Nice to see an issue appear in my mailbox the web it’s harder for the spammers to find wee bit impatient, though, and farmed the after all this time, especially since I’d just re- me, but potential subscribers from my web Ditto report out to Twink, hoping it might get upped my sub before your untimely disap- site typically want to request a sample published before the next Ditto happened. pearance. Good FAQ about Sierra, who’s (paper) issue before committing.]] (There’s still a chance.) I spotted Allan Bur- lookin’ good. As a lot of folks in Baton Rouge and other rows comments right away. Alas, I’m not In your obituary of Bruce Pelz you write environs keep asking about “little Paul even on the ballot, let alone “bringing the regarding Bruce’s ocean cruises that “he Grady,” I thought I would include a recent award home to Toronto.” It’s the one year it wrote up the highlights of these trips in his family photo for your edification and enjoy- might have done me some good, since I’ve annual FAPAzine, Tripe Report .” Actually ment. never been able to be present at a worldcon his APAzine was Ankus , though those issues Paul Grady is currently stationed at Camp where I was nominated. But the voters are had various subtitles. You’re confusing them Pendleton just north of San Diego, Califor- fickle. (I resist the urge to spell that “finks”.) with the “Tripe Report Card,” a series of nia. He is about to purchase a Blazer (his first Actually, it doesn’t seem to be coming across actual tourist postcards on which Bruce vehicle on his own) as he is the only Lance as a particularly Canadian worldcon in any would affix little messages printed on labels Corporal in his unit without own at the mo- respect, just another impersonal manifesta- and send to his friends. There were 52 of 40 File 770:143 them altogether. Bruce also did two dozen sense a gentleman. I managed several times Mostly because we have a bunch of crusty, “issues” of the “Postcon Postcard,” sent out to seek out distant fans, such as Ed Cagle. old members who want things to be “the old at obvious times, and three issues of “When I’ve never regretted those visits. way” -- whatever that is. You Care Enough...You Send the Furry There are far too many obituaries in this Jim and I joined KaCSFFS after the ‘76 Beast Zoocard,” postcards from zoos he and issue. Worldcon and are now surprised to find our- Elayne visited. Laura Brodian Freas’s tale of how she selves among the oldest consecutive mem- The quote from Harry Warner Jr. in his threw an airport into chaos with an unat- bers of the club. However, we’ve tried to be a obituary from the February 2003 DASFaX tended bag is symptomatic of the sort of forward-looking influence on the group, concerning his collection (“Mine would du- travel situation that has made me very reluc- going “we were new once and this is what we plicate to a large extent the Pelz holdings”) tant to visit the US again. When travel gets found off-putting.” Don’t slam new ideas, and your comment (“So the ultimate fate of too annoying, and you are doing it for pleas- they may be good ones! his collection remains to be seen”) is not the ure, after a while you just stop doing it. current situation. As it turns out, Harry never I very much enjoyed John Hertz’s Wester- We Also Heard From got around to adding his fanzine bequest to con Notebook. He does a fine, evocative in his will, but his correspondence with Eaton very few words. Marc Ortlieb: Many thanks for issue 142, curator George Slusser was found in the Taral did a nice history of fanzine tools, but could you please delete me from your same place as his will and apparently will be and their effects. I remember multiple sty- mailing list. As of Continuum, Melbourne’s honored. luses, shading plates and even weird uncon- most recent convention, I consider myself to Taral’s article contains a number of minor trollable stuff like brush stencils (used with a be officially gafiated. I had a membership factual errors, but the main one is that Russ cutting liquid that gave paint like effects). but, rather than attend, I went bike riding Chauvenet invented the word “fanzine” in Had lots of them. Not sure who ended up instead. I didn’t miss the convention in the 1946. It was 1941. with all that stuff. Electrostencils were real least and really enjoyed the bike ride. (Cath, Good cover by Grant Canfield -- how expensive here. Some nice speculation on Michael and Natalie attended, so I guess long has it been sitting in your files? why fanzines didn’t get fancier when com- there is still an Ortlieb presence in fandom.) [[Only a couple of years. When Canfield puter and photocopies became common. The Australian SF Site on Vicnet will be received the Rotsler Award he sent me copies closing on August 28th - my 51st birthday his work, okaying its publication. I suspect Joseph T. Major present to myself. (I am sending an archive most of it must have appeared in print be- copy to Joe Siclari.) fore, but I don’t know for certain. If these are Wall of Fame: I have seen a book with pic- From here-on-in, my one connection to reprints, there are plenty of long-time fans on tures on the liberation of Iraq that includes fandom will be ferrying other people’s AN- this list and I imagine sooner or later some- full-color reproductions of the infamous ZAPA contributions to David Grigg. one will pop up with the original credit.]] Rowena pictures. Is there a copyright ques- (There’s a nice bike path between my place tion in the offing? and David and Sue’s.) Eric Lindsay Check It Out!: Yes, the Gibson Collec- It’s been a pleasant 28 year acquaintance tion will remain at the University of Calgary. but I figure it’s time to move on. Perhaps I’ll Is this issue even more massive than usual? Until a new chief librarian, in 10 or 20 years, be back when my legs are too knackered to Sure seems like it. I guess that is what hap- decides to deaccession this trash to the go bike riding.... pens when time gets away. Belated congratu- dumpster. lations on your 50th birthday. Forry Has Left the Building: Obviously, Contributor’s Addresses Mention of Larry Niven singing reminds Ray Ferry is hanging on until 4SJ dies. Once me of a story about Flash Crowds, which I’m the transfer arrangements are found fraudu- Harold Drake, E-mail: sure was his. Just noticed that people are lent, then a new class of creditors, with big- [email protected] using internet messaging to generate flash ger claims than Ackerman, will emerge. Or David Feldman, E-mail: crowds where a bunch of people turn up to some judgment will be in error, forcing yet [email protected] do something silly and random, and confuse another realignment. And so on. At least 4SJ Tom Feller, E-mail: [email protected] onlookers. is better off than the woman whose health- Brad (& Cindy) Foster, P.O. Box 165246, I’m staggered to learn of any fan who is club millionaire husband hired two thugs to Irving, TX 75016; E-mail: bwfos- athletic. Not the associations I have with shoot her, leaving her paralyzed from the [email protected] fandom. waist down, then when she sued and won Jerry Kaufman, 3522 NE 123rd Street, Seat- Thank you as always for the GUFF pub- $60 million, had transferred all his assets tle, WA 98125 licity. Votes are coming in, but more are overseas. Robert Lichtman, E-mail: robertlicht- always welcome. [email protected] The mention of preservation and cata- Paula Murray Eric Lindsay, P.O. Box 640,Airlie Beach, logue costs of $20 per item does help explain QLD 4802 Australia why so many SF collections intended for [[A response to “Is Your Club Dead Yet?” J. R. Madden, 7515 Sheringham Ave., Baton libraries end up getting broken up and sold The 1998 article is available on the File 770 Rouge, LA 70808-5762; E-mail: jrmad- instead. website.]] [email protected] Interesting view on the Libertarian Hall of Here in Kansas City, a few years ago we Joseph T. Major, 1409 Christy Ave., Louis- Fame award choices, and political purity. started doing our fall KaCSFFS meetings as ville, KY 40204-2040 Consistency is a disadvantage in fandom. Communiversity courses (a local UMKC Tim Marion, E-mail: Timo- Are your books sufficiently high to avoid outreach thingie). One of the positive upshots [email protected] the extending grasp of Sierra Grace? of that is that we’re attracting college-age Ed Meskys, E-mail: ed- I am glad that so many fans appear to and slightly older new members. We also did [email protected]; RR 2, Box 63, remember Donn Brazier and his wonderful have to post (via our email group) that 322 Whitter Hwy fanzine Title. I got to meet him a few times, ‘remember to be kind to newbies’ message. Center Harbor, NH 03226-9708 once at his museum, and he was in every July 2004 41

Paula Murray, E-mail: [email protected] Lloyd Penney, E-mail: pen- Art Credits Marc Schirmeister: 31 [email protected]; 1706-24 Eva Rd., Alan White: Cover, 3, 16, Brad Foster: 33, 35, 37 Etobicoke, ON M9C 2B2, Canada Bacover Sheryl Birkhead: 8 Marie Rengstrom, E-mail: Sender: reng- Bill Rotsler: 2, 10, 29, 36 Grant Canfield: 26, 28 [email protected] Ray Capella: 30 Diana Glyer: (photos) 2, 20, 21, Joy V. Smith, E-mail: [email protected] Sue Mason: 5, 12, 18, 19, 38 Cheryl Morgan: 25 Bill Warren, E-mail: [email protected] Ray Nelson : 8 Mike Glyer: about 90% of Henry L. Welch, E-mail: welch@msoe Joe Mayhew: 14, 17, 41 uncredited photos Dik Daniels: (photo) 17

Julia Morgan Scott: 22

Keith Stokes (photos): 9, 34, 35

42 File 770:143