SoUTheRN FANDOM CONFEDeRATiON UPDATE VVoolluummee 11,, IIssssuuee 2255 SSeepptteemmbbeerr 22001111 2 3 Editorial: Wow, there’s a lot to talk about this week. So much, in fact, that I’m going to use more than one paragraph to talk about it. I know this is something of a change, but it means inserting a touch more of my personality into the zine. I’ve already done something a little different and run an ad for DeepSouthCon (this year, it’s at FenCon) ahead of this page, but I’ve done that in the past, too. The last page is also a convention advertisement. I’m willing to run these in general, if y’all send them to me. I may as well make that an open statement of policy, rather than just one you could infer. I also try to remember to run them for cons that give the SFC money, so I must apologize up here to Con*Stellation, which does so, for forgetting to ask them for an ad. Hopefully, a shout-out up here will help make up for that. Now, since I mentioned DeepSouthCon, I’ll continue straight into that. This month, we’ll be going to the 49 th DeepSouthCon, and the first one to be held in the state of Texas, at FenCon VIII. I’ve been to FenCon once before, two years ago, and I can attest that they run a fun convention. I’ll be in charge of the fanzine lounge this year, and will be rooming with Hugo-winning fan-ed Christopher J Garcia. As I also hear that we can expect the attendance of Steven H Silver, Guy H. Lillian, III, John Purcell, Teddy Harvia, and Brad W. Foster, as well as a whole bunch of SFPAns past and present, I’ve got high hopes for that fanzine lounge being something tremendously fun. We’ll be across the way from the consuite for those who want to stop by. In addition to that, I’m looking forward to seeing who the Texans give the Rebel and Phoenix to (I have no insider information, I just always look forward to seeing who gets honored). I’m flying in the night before and out the morning after, so this will be one of those years when I get to see a con from start to finish, which is always a blast. I hope to see all y’all there. Further on the subject of DeepSouthCon, Tim Miller is attempting to gather more information on early DSCs, particularly the actual dates of the conventions. So far, he’s gotten the list from #3-25, largely from Ned Brooks, as well as everything since about 2003. Any of the holes which you can fill in would be appreciated. I’ll be running the completed table when we get it. Now, in case you hadn’t noticed, it’s been a busy month since last issue. I attended both Worldcon and Dragon*Con, which hopefully explains the delay in releasing this month’s issue. Renovation was the best Worldcon I’ve been to yet. The exhibit hall was well laid out to maximize fan interaction, and it worked. The fanzine lounge, concourse, exhibits, fan tables, gaming, teen lounge, volunteer desk, dealers room, and art show were all there, along with a bar that served local brews in addition to the standards. A great many cool people were there, and I’ll be documenting all of that in a zine I intend to submit to the SFPA 50 th anniversary mailing. We threw an impromptu thank-you party for ReConStruction, which went really well for a party with no planning, fliers, alcohol, or decorations. For those who didn’t make it, thank you anyways. Needless to say, I had a blast, and came back with a bunch of fannish energy that I hope will restore me to the spirit I approached all of this with before the bid. I’m currently involved with the Kansas City in 2016 bid (that crew is awesome), as well as working on Chicon 7 as their Speaker to Dragon*Con and LoneStarCon 4 3 as the assistant head of the Exhibits Division (backing up Patty Wells – we hope to take all of the lessons of Renovation and channel them into that much better of a room). On the subject of speaking to Dragon*Con (and I must say, I enjoy any convention job title with a Ringworld reference built in), I’m very glad Chicon is doing it. The seeds were laid last year at their party at ReConStruction when Pat Henry showed up (slightly incognito – his badge had his first name on it instead). They bounced ideas back and forth about cross-programming and being cooperative rather than antagonistic, and I think we’re gonna have some fun with this. I’ve recruited Chris Kuivenhoven to handle the tech requirements in Atlanta, and he and I will both get to be at the convention we prefer to attend while working on a very cool project. More about this in coming months. One final note: I’ll be standing for TAFF for next year, and hear it’s going to be a big race. I’m very much looking forward to the creative output that the race should invite. Contents: Convention Calendar – Page 5 Rebel Yells – Page 11 Art Credits: Cover: “Dragon’s Trainer” by Jose Sanchez Page 4: “Tulip Angel” by Brad W. Foster Page 11: “One Line Otto” by Brad W. Foster Colophon: Editor & SFC President: Warren Buff [email protected] (919) 633-4993 8712 Wellsley Way Raleigh, NC 27613 USA All contents copyright their creators. This zine is free, either by direct email or www.efanzines.com . A letter of comment or other contribution will get you on my mailing list, as long as I remember to put you there. If I forget, bother me a second time, or however long it takes to add you. I haven’t been printing this one, which leaves me free to use as many pages as I wish, and do things like color. It also lets me use all the contributions I can muster, so fire away! 5 Calendar of Events: September 9-11: Glitchcon (Bentonville, Arkansas – DoubleTree Hotel. Guests include Marina Sirtis, Ethan Phillips, Peter Pixie, Troy Baker, and Airship Isabella. Pre-reg is $30. www.glitchcon.com ) September 16-18: Intervention (Rockville, Maryland – Hilton Washington DC/Rockville. Billed as an internet culture convention, its guest list is a whole ton of webcomics creators. Registration is $45 at the door. www.interventioncon.com ) Con*Stellation XXX (Huntsville, Alabama – Holiday Inn Express. Guests of Honor will be Gene Wolfe, Lubov, Gay Haldeman, Stephanie Osborn, and Joe Haldeman. This is a good, relaxing convention which usually sees attendance by some of the leading lights of Southern Fandom. Memberships are $45. www.con-stellation.org/constell/index.html ) Intercon Mid-Atlantic (Bethesda, Marylnad – Hyatt Regency Bethesda. Gaming convention featuring a lot of high-brow games and scenarios, all LARPs. Registration is $55, which includes one catered meal. http://www.imalarp.com/ ) September 22-25: Hurricon (Orlando, Florida – International Palms Resort. Historical minis wargaming con with a theme this year of The Last Gasp of Colonialism. Pre-reg is $25, or $35 at the door, with a $10 discount for HMGS members. www.hmgssouth.com/hmgs ) September 23-25: FenCon VIII/DeepSouthCon 49 (Addison, Texas – Crowne Plaza North Dallas. Guests of Honor: Gail Carriger, Joe Bethancourt, Steven H Silver, Vincent Di Fate, Les Johnson, Bradley Denton, and Lou Anders. DeepSouthCon finally comes to Texas! I’m thrilled to be returning to FenCon, as well, which I found to have the friendly atmosphere appropriate to a good Southern con. I also found that the panels tended to have actively interested audiences, the game room stayed busy, folks attended the filk concerts and circles, the art show had a great mix of stuff (including some Tolkien-inspired quilts!), the video room was actually attended, the consuite well-stocked, and the dealers room balanced. The hotel bar also carried a few local Texas beers, which I appreciated. For DSC, I’ll be in charge of the fanzine lounge, which seems like an entirely appropriate place for the SFC to set up shop. FenCon will be taking advantage of Gail Carriger’s attendance to have some fun with steampunk as well. All in all, I’m looking forward to this year’s DSC, and I hope to see many of you there. Membership is $40. A $20 rate is also available for fans 21 and under. www.fencon.org ) ScareFest (Lexington, Kentucky – Lexington Center. This year, the nation’s largest horror convention is running a tribute to 80s horror. Elvira is headlining, along with folks from Aliens, The Return of the Living Dead, and Ghostbusters. They’ve also got a decent selection of paranormal folks. Tickets are $60, less for single-day admission. www.scarefestcon.com ) 6 September 29-October 2: Klingon Feast (Daytona Beach, Florida – LaPlaya Resort. This event is strictly by the fans, for the fans – no dealers or guests will be included. The theme for 2011 is “Black Fleet”. There will be plenty of games and hanging out, capped by a group feast on Saturday night. Pre-registration is $50. http://www.klingonfeast.com/Klingon_Feast_Florida.html ) September 30-October 2: Anime Weekend Atlanta (Atlanta, Georgia – Renaissance Atlanta Waverly Hotel and Cobb Galleria Centre. Guest include Todd Haberkorn, Brina Palencia, Amy Howard Wilson, and David G. Wilson, III. Memberships are $50. www.awa-con.com ) Archon 35 (Collinsville, Illinois – Doubletree and Gateway Center.