NUMBER 28 registered by AUSTRALIA post #vbg2791 95C
Volume 4 Number 2 March 1982 COW & counts PUBLISH 3 H£W ttOVttS
CORY § COLLINS have published three new novels in their VOID series. RYN by Jack Wodhams, LANCES OF NENGESDUL by Keith Taylor and SAPPHIRE IN THIS ISSUE: ROAD by Wynne Whiteford. The recommended retail price on each is $4.95 Distribution is again a dilemna for them and a^ter problems with some DITMAR AND NEBULA AWARD NOMINATIONS, FRANK HERBERT of the larger paperback distributors, it seems likely that these titles TO WRITE FIFTH DUNE BOOK, ROBERT SILVERBERG TO DO will be handled by ALLBOOKS. Carey Handfield has just opened an office in Melbourne for ALLBOOKS and will of course be handling all their THIRD MAJIPOOR BOOK, "FRIDAY" - A NEW ROBERT agencies along with NORSTRILIA PRESS publications. HEINLEIN NOVEL DUE OUT IN JUNE, AN APPRECIATION OF TSCHA1CON GOH JACK VANCE BY A.BERTRAM CHANDLER, GEORGE TURNER INTERVIEWED, Philip K. Dick Dies BUG JACK BARRON TO BE FILMED, PLUS MORE NEWS, REVIEWS, LISTS AND LETTERS. February 18th; he developed pneumonia and a collapsed lung, and had a second stroke on February 24th, which put him into a A. BERTRAM CHANDLER deep coma and he was placed on a respir COMPLETES NEW NOVEL ator. There was no brain activity and doctors finally turned off the life A.BERTRAM CHANDLER has completed his support system. alternative Australian history novel, titled KELLY COUNTRY. It is in the hands He had a tremendous influence on the sf of his agents and publishers. GRIMES field, with a cult following in and out of AND THE ODD GODS is a short sold to sf fandom, but with the making of the Cory and Collins and IASFM in the U.S.A. movie BLADERUNNER, based on his novel DO Work has commenced on FIND THE LADY in ANDROIDS DREAM ELECTRIC SHEEP ?, he was which Grimes, having resigned from the starting to recieve the acclaim he so governorship of Liberia, is scouring the much deserved. It is a very great pity galaxy trying to find Sister Sue. Bert that he did not at least see the release regrets that he will not be able to of the film. After a break of some years attend Tschaicon, due to being recalled It is with the deepest regret that we he had two novels published recently, have to tell you that PHILIP KENDRED DICK to duty by The Union Steam Ship Company. VALIS and a thematic sequel, THE DIVINE Although officially retired, he is from died, at the age of 53, on March 2nd. He INVASION. He completed for Pocket Books time to time called upon to fulfil the was one of the giants in the science last year THE TRANSMIGRATION OF TIMOTHY legal requirements of having an officer fiction field. He suffered a stroke on ARCHER, a non-sf novel. aboard ship, when a ship is in dock for repairs and such. He assures us that he An apptiecia£i,on ofa P.K.V. by Bailee GiMeip-ce uMt be fiound on page will arrange honorable discharge well before Chicon. < Fan comic strip this issue. Varyl has The DITMAR also decided to withdraw from PUFF and he gives his reasons and apologies in a Nominations. tetter in this issue. Vue to the script AUSTRALASIAN SCIENCE FICTION ACHIEVEMENT we were going to use being withdrawn AWARD NOMINATIONS FOR 1982 by the writer, because our artist could BEST L0NG AUSTRALASIAN SCIENCE FICTION not do his wonderful script justice, we OR FANTASY need to come up with a new story for the Anti-Fan Strip. That may also take THE ANARCH LORDS - A.Bertram Chandler another issue if we do decide to con (DAW Book U.S.A.) tinue it. BARD - Keith Taylor (ACE Books U.S.A.) We do not have any further details on BEHIND THE WIND - Patricia Wrightson The further behind I get, the further the Melbourne in '85 World Convention (Hutchinson U.K./Australia and behind I get, but at least we have some Bid, but we hope to bring you further Atheneum and Del Rey U.S.A.) very up to date information in this issue. information in the next issue. A second, CITY OF WOMEN by David Ireland The news o
Following publication of George Turner's latest novel, we thought it was an appropriate time to ask him a few questions about his work and future plans. He was interviewed recently by Stuart Sayers of "The Age" and "Outland" magazine devoted an entire issue to him. To most of our readers he is best known as a most virulent, but at the same time a very -constructive critic and reviewer of science fiction books. He has won the "William Atheling Award " a number of times. After making his mark on the Australian literary scene by winning the "Allan Marshall Award" and recieving wide critical acclaim for his mainstream writing, he burst on the science fiction scene with his novel "Beloved Son". He has just recently seen published his second science fiction novel, "Vaneglory" and a third, "YESTERDAY'S MEN" will be published late this year.
restrained me for many years was the aimed at. So help me, we never learn!) threadbare state of the SF scene. To return to the question, I Only action yarns had much chance of wrote because it never occurred to me publication before 1965 and I was not that some other ambition was possible, interested in writing such empty Exams had to be passed and a living stuff. In any case, I stopped writing earned, but these were dreary fiction of any kind in 1968. For many necessities, endured so that at the GEORGE TURNER Photo Merv Binns years I wrote only critical articles. end of the day writing-time would begin. ASFN: We know you established yourself The precise reasons why I began Classical reading had nourished as a writer of 'mainstream' fiction 'Beloved Son' are hard to pin down, my critical faculty, nourished it so before you decided to write science but one of them was that John Bangsund well that at twenty I saw clearly fiction, but how far back does your thought I should write a science fiction that I had a large ambition, a poor interest go? novel; why, I have never discovered. education, no social or psychological There was also a growing mutter among understanding and not much natural GT: Because the books were available those who disliked my iconoclastic talent. So I set out to learn my in an uncle's bookcase, I had read criticism - a sort of 'What SF did trade, determined to offer nothing a lot of Jules Verne and some of he ever write?' attitude, as though for publication until it satisfied H.G. Wells by the time I was 10 (1926) only a novelist could be a critic. my own critical sense. Only twenty as well as much crude sf in the In fact, the great literary critics years and a war later did I think popular schoolboy's weeklies - have rarely been creative fiction 'Young Man of Talent' was fit for 'Magnet', 'Modern Boy', 'Pals', etc.. writers. submission, and it was bought by - and I was primed and ready when the first publisher who saw it. I 'Amazing Stories' hit the Australian And by then the style of science fiction, had changed radically with the success know that it was not a very good novel, newsstands early in 1927. So I have but the apprentice years seemed to been reading SF for over half a century of the 'new wave' writers; the market was more receptive to works which have paid off. At any rate the later and have always kept up with the field, concentrated on character and theme ones were more satisfactory - to me, except between '39 and '45, when the that is - but after six of them I knew war made the magazines unobtainable. rather than bloody action and mind blowing gobbledegook. I suppose there that in literary terms I was a Even so, I once found a tattered permanent member of the second rank. was also the question in my mind as to issue of 'Astounding' half way up a (Yet all of those books are still in whether I could bring it off, but I had New Guinea mountain, dropped by some the Public Libraries, still read and a fair confidence in my technical passing GI. For the record, it still paying their yearly tribute of ability. contained Van Vogt's 'Far Centaurus' Public Lending Right. It's comfort, with the last page torn our. (Guess of a sort.) what for.) Later there were times ASFN: Before all that, what was your when I cut my SF reading considerably, main incentive in becoming a writer? ASFN: What was the main influence on fed up with carbon-copy space opera the subjects you chose to write about? and abominable writing. GT: My childhood was very solitary, In fact SF was never a major part for reasons connected with parental GT: Not science fiction. I wrote only of my reading; it was light relax strife; most of my young life was of what I knew. I don't mean that ation. However, the 'new wave' of the lived in books. School and day- my fictions were regurgitated fact, '60's brought a slew of new work, to-day living were endured, but the but that I used my personal experience stories and novels far above the relax real world was in the Prahran Public of industry, war, people, the Public ation standard, and interest picked Library. A taste for fine prose and Service and so on to provide back up again. But now the output is poetry; by my mid-teens I had the ground and action. My method, briefly, becoming uninteresting again and I English canon, from Marlowe and was to set realistic people in a read only a few SF works each year; Shakespeare to Dickens and Wilde realistic background and let them the 'mainstream' is in general more under my reader's belt. I read interact until a moral, social or imaginative in its approach to reality thrillers, too, from Tarzan to psychological problem was worked out. (too much SF is basically naive) The Sdint, but never confused art When at last I came to the writing and much better written. But I can't with entertainment. of science fiction, this method would see myself giving SF wholly away. If you wish to argue that art is not work. It's a lifetime addiction. entertainment, that is only partially true; even in the area of entertain ASFN: You've said you liked reading ASFN: After reading a large percentage ment art has intellectual appeal SF, but what specifically attracted of poorly written material, were you whereas mass literature plays only you? What styles or authors do you encouraged thereby to show that SF to the emotions. There is, of course, prefer to read? can be literate by having a bash a grey area where the two overlap - yourself? writers like John Le Carre and Thomas GT: 'Extrapolation' has become almost Disch inhabit this no-man's-1 and - a dirty word among fan writers, most GT: By no means. Science Fiction had and that is probably the hardest to of whom derive their attitudes from shown that it could be literate as far enter successfully. (So, when my American reviewers, but extrapolative back as 1818 and 'Frankenstein'. What time came, that had to be the area I science fiction is the kind I prefer it?' 'If not, why not - what is wrong ASFN: Your third SF novel, 'Yesterday's to read and to write. Any literate with the genre?' 'Why has science Men' is to be published later this donkey can set a story in AD 20,000 fiction, with all its poured-out year. Most of our readers will be with a world scene owing nothing to millions of words, not provided one familiar with 'Beloved Son' and science, psychology or sense; that stuff single novel of recognised world 'Vaneglory', but how does 'Yesterday's is only fantasy using time warps and acclaim, other than (perhaps and only Men' relate to them? stun-guns to pretend it is science perhaps) "1984". ' fiction. Well written, it can be We can't do without academic GT: It is set about two generations entertaining for the passing minute and criticism but neither are we doing later than 'Vaneglory'. The longevity immediately forgotten, but knowledge, much with it. The fans couldn't care problem is still unsolved but a thorn thought, care and a degree of artistry less but the responsible writers feel in governmental sides, while humanity are needed to build a coherent picture the lack of concensus and informed is still busy creating fresh problems of the world even twenty years hence, overview criticism. for itself (just like today) and of another planet however Earth-like, To revert to the question, the arriving at conclusions which create or of another race even marginally non b-iggest single influences have been still more problems. The trouble human. What attracts me in any fiction J.G. Ballard in England and the this time is the one mooted in the is an author's dedication to doing his Strugatskis in Europe. In America, short story, 'In a Petri Dish Up or her intelligent best with the where most writers follow currently stairs' - the birth of a new and materials and talent at hand. I prefer popular trends, the greatest in intractable culture. That tale was fiction with something to say to the fluence has been the cash register. a sort of trial run of the idea but here and now; no matter how alien the proved unsatisfactory in the larger time,place or psychology, theme and setting, so it does not really belong treatment should always be relevant to in the series - a sort of cancelled the human condition. So I like Disch, chapter. It was a treatment which Ballard, Le Guin, Wolfe, the Strugatskis, wouldn't adapt properly. Aldiss and similar writers. Like many an old-time fan I started by ASFN: Will there be more Science reading everything I could lay hands on Fiction after that? and have finished with a good idea of what to avoid. Restricted taste, you GT: I really don't know. I'm not think? So what? If your taste has no looking too far ahead these days. restrictions, you have no taste, only And there is one more 'straight' an apetite; so-called 'catholic' taste novel I'd like to write while there is no taste at all. is time.
ASFN: What do you think have been the ASFN: Can you tell us something about major influences in the field in the ASFN: How is SF developing and what the book you are currently working last forty years or so? trends do you see forthcoming? on by virtue of a Literature Board grant? GT: Since 1942, that is? Well, GT: Forecasting trends is unsafe, but John Campbell was by then established it is pretty easy to see,that thought GT: The current book, which may be as the Czar of SF; Heinlein, Asimov, writers are abandoning the 'action' called 'Not Taking It All Too Kuttner, Van Vogt and De Camp were all story in favour of integrated state Seriously', is a set of autobiograph settled in, so the first revolution ments of the human condition, and ical essays wherein each stage of life - the anti-Gernsback, anti-high-tech are making some attempt to solve and experience leads to a discussion nology revolution - had been the twin problems of characterisation of some aspect of Science Fiction. accomplished, but the real and lasting and integration of theme and plot - For this one, Bruce Gillespie has improvement of writing style - from consider such recent novels as taken over John Bangsund's job of bloody awful to reasonably good. The 'On Wings of Song', 'Hello America' nagging me- into doing it; he wants next big step was the publication of or 'The Snail on the Slbpe'. it for Norstrillia Press. Who can 'Galaxy' with a policy moving away Commercial Science Fiction will remaii understand the mind of a publisher? from the pragmatic to the sociological. what it has always been since ERB Herbert Gold's 'Galaxy', and later gave John Carter a sword; also it will 'F 5 SF', are the real forerunners remain a useful perch for fledgling of today's better SF. Without them writers to try their wings from. the ground might not have been well Serious Science Fiction will leave enough prepared to make possible the commercialism even further behind huge leap which became the British and become recognised for what it 'new wave'. always has in fact been, part of the Those 'new wave' writers split SF main stream of fictive creativity. into two layers - literature and junk - with a number of competent but ASFN: You have come in for a lot of secondary craftsmen bobbing somewhere criticism in our letter columns for between. your criticism of the Australian sf One large side-issue has been the field in general. Briefly, what is your rise of academic critical writing; last word on the subject? every university seems to have its interested English Department staff, GT: The field in general is looking and its thesis-writing undergrads healthier than it has ever done, with grinding out the contents of such people like Lee Harding, Damien magazines as 'Extrapolation' and Broderick, Cherry Wilder, Bert Chandler 'Foundation' and Australia's own and others taking their positions The author at work. Photo Merv Binns 'Science Fiction'. This may be a on the world scene. But if, as I useful preservation of in-depth think, you are referring to the recent analysis of people who would be other fuss about local magazine publishing, TSEHfllEEJN wise forgotten (and often should be) there can never be a last word on but the advancement of Science Fiction such a subject. I was asked what I THE FIRST AUSTRALASIAN SCIENCE FICTION is not served by such microscopic thought (by yourself, as it happens) CONVENTION investigations while the major questions and gave an honest answer. That a April 9th - 12th GoH JACK VANCE are not attacked. 'What is science few didn't like it is more their THE MELBOURNE TOWN HOUSE fiction?' 'What literary or social affair than mine. Would they have Memberships to April 5th $25.00. Door -$30.00 purpose does it serve?''Does it live preferred that I offer encouraging Address: G.P.O. Box 2708X, Melbourne, up to the claims publishers and lies? Victoria, 3001 663-1777 writers and in-group critics make for JONATHAN CAPE have launched one of the ISAAC ASIMOV is well on the way with People and Publishing biggest ever publicity campaigns for an his new 'Foundation' book. He had completed 70,000 out of the projected The information in this column is SF book in U.K. for HELLICONIA SPRING 120,000 by January./ DAMON KNIGHT has gleaned from LOCUS, SCIENCE FICTION by Brian Aldiss. Apart from double pages sold a new novel to Berkley, THE MAN IN CHRONICLE and ansible, as well as in the Bookseller and an eight page THE TREE. /DAVID GERROLD has resold PUBLISHERS WEEKLY, THE BRITISH BOOKSELLER handout to booksellers and others, the and various publishers own lists. We author has been on radio, TV and been A MATTER FOR MEN to Timescape after receive little or no information direct written up with a colour photo yet in the getting it back from Dell, who have from authors or publishers, despite our Sunday Times. If it is half as good as dropped their sf line. It is the first efforts to obtain same. (Hint! Hint!) George Turner says it is after reading in "The War Against the Chtorr" trilogy. a proof copy, it is going to be very Incidently, we think any major paper Please realise that many of the titles popular. back publisher that does not publish any mentioned here may not be published for sf is like a horse with three legs./ a long time and we suggest that you do PLAYBOY PRESS are launchinga an sf-porn GREGG PRESS have suspended publication not upset your friendly local sf book series called 'Of Alien Bondage'. The of their classic sf reprint series, until seller by asking him for them yet. Lists editor will be Andy Offutt. The appalling their backlog of stock is substantially of books actually published or due will 'No-Frills' sf book that Jove/Berkley reduced./ TOR are to publish new editions be found in our BOOKS column or may we tried to foist off on readers was written of ACROSS A BILLION YEARS and GATE OF refer you to SPACE AGE BOOKS NEWSLETTER, by ex-Jove editor John Silbersack for 'a WORLDS, both by ROBERT SILVERBERG. LOCUS, SF CHRONICLE, and our forthcoming pittance (and no royalties)'... Perhaps Berkley have bought a French sf novel, SCIENCE FICTION and FANTASY CHECKLIST. that is why he is an ex-editor at Jove. PHILIP JOSE FARMER CONQUERS THE UNIVERSE, Galaxy Bookshop has also just produced a One can only hope. written by Francois Mottier and trans comprehensive stock list. See booksellers lated by Maxim Jakubowski. advertisements and page 3 for details and MIDNIGHT'S CHILDREN by Salman RUSHDIE subscription rates to the above mentioned won Britain's most prestigious literary publications. prize, the Booker. Rushdie is the author of the sf novel 'Grimus'. THE SIRIAN CHERRY WILDER has a new novel coming EXPERIMENTS by Doris LESSING and THE from Pocket/Timescape in March called AFFIRMATION by Christopher PRIEST, were SECOND NATURE. The third volume in the also two of the twelve finalists for "Torin" series, THE TAPESTRY WARRIORS, the Booker Award. was almost completed late '81 and will be published by Atheneum. MICHAEL MOORCOCK'S "Elric" series has GEORGE TURNER was at Space Age Books been bought by Berkley after DAW'S on Sunday February 7th to sign copies five year contract ran out and the of his book VANEGLORY. DAMIEN BRODERICK books were put up for auction again. has now taken over from George as the This is one of the most popular ever sf reviewer for 'The Age' newspaper. fantasy series and is largely respon LEE HARDING is moving back to the sible for the new interest in well Dandenongs. written heroic fantasy,that has grown since it's publication. Moorcock has just GEORGE TURNER'S novel VANEGLORY was sold a new novel to Timescape entitled judged not eligable for the DITMAR THE CITY AND THE AUTUMN STARS. Awards this year, so that he will now JOHN BRUNNER was one of a number of have two books to be taken into calcul pros invited to attend JERUCON being Novels completed and turned into the ation next year, with VANEGLORY, and held in Israel in June/July, who are not publishers late last year include: YESTERDAY'S MEN due out late this year. going due to the fact that they are THE VOID CAPTAIN'S TABLE by Norman "A Pursuit of Miracles", a short story expected to pay all their own expenses. SPINRAD to Timescape. KINGSBANE the by George will appear in Terry Carr's He also reported that an even more inept final book in the "Ironbrand" trilogy UNIVERSE 12 collection due to be pub invitation was received from the 3RD by John MORRESSY to Playboy. He also lished in June this year. INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON THE FANTASTIC gold them THE MANSIONS OF SPACE. IN THE ARTS (Florida, March), who did THE UNFORSAKEN PRINCE, second in the ROBERT HEINLEIN has sold a new novel not even mention the date, said virtually "Hiero" cycle by Sterling LANIER to to HOLT and FAWCETT publishers. Holt that fame and glory should be enough Del Rey, SMOKE RING by Larry NIVEN to will publish the hard cover of FRIDAY without money and then asked which of Del Rey for a $100,000 advance. in June and Fawcett the mass market his works would he be reading from. DRAGONSTAR by Thomas MONTELEONE and paperback in the summer of 1983. The Our comments are that it is about time David BISCHOFF-to Berkley. first US edition in mass market paper some of these con-organisers woke up. back of NUMBER OF THE BEAST will be 1 AVRAM DAVIDSON has completed VERGIL IN Authors have been giving their time free AVERNO, which is a sequel to THE PHOENIX published by Fawcett, also in June. This at conventions for years, many because is currently available in NEL paperback IN THE MIRROR. SPIDER ROBINSON turned they enjoy attending cons and it is in his new novel MINDKILLER to Holt. from U.K. The new book will be somewhat good publicity of course, but it is about shorter than "Number of the Beast". time that we stopped taking them for THE LAST UNICORN by Peter BEAGLE, which NEL have bought British rights to FRIDAY. granted. The least you can do when you is a selection in the new Allen § Unwin JERRY POURNELLE and LARRY NIVEN have invite authors to attend conventions is Unicorn Fantasy series, is being made reportedly received an advance in to pay their costs and if you cannot pay into a film, for mid 1982 release. excess of $500,000 for their new novel their costs don't invite them. FOOT or FOOTFALL. That's their title, GEORGE SCITHERS has resigned as editor but it will probably be published as Del Rey will be publishing a new book of ASIMOV'S SF MAGAZINE. The new editor HEEL OF VISHNU by Fawcett who have by JOHN BRUNNER soon called STEAMBOATS is KATHLEEN MOLONEY, former executive bought hard cover and paperback rights. ON THE RIVER. editor of Bantam Books. All manuscripts It apparently deals with an alien should now be sent direct to the New invasion from Alpha Centauri, but is ROBERT VARDEMAN has sold a new series York office at 380 Lexington Ave., aimed at a wide audience as LUCIFER'S to Playboy, "Cenetaph Roads", which New York, NY 10017. George Scithers HAMMER was. features a giant talking spider and will intends to expand Owlswick Press, his fee published during 1983. /Playboy will small press operation and his sword DITMAR nomination and NEBULA prelim also publish three new novels by KARL and sorcery fanzine amra. His departure novel THE AFFIRMATION by Chris Priest, HANSEN set in his "Hybrid" universe from Davis was amicable, but there had has been bought by Arrow for paperback and a series by NICHOLAS YERMAKOV been some areas of disagreement including publication. However Chris received called "The Time Wars". / MIKE RESNICK George wanting to work from his home in nought, as the £2000.00 paid went to has sold SIDESHOW, the first book in a Philadephia and Davis wanting him in Faber as partly their hard-back publisher planned series of "Tales of the Galactic New York. Also he did not have control share and the rest to reclaim their Midway", to NAL./ JERRY EARL BROWN'S of the cover illustrations. All concerned losses on the hard cover. Who wants to UNDER THE CITY OF ANGELS has been op were also worried about the drop in be a writer? tioned for filming by Pantheon Pictures. sales last year. C ANNE McCAFFREY has signed a contract King's Row Productions./BRIAN HERBERT, jects has been around for about thirty with Del Rey for the seventh "Dragon" son of Frank Herbert, has sold the years and is still some of the best. novel, DRAGONLADY. She is doing a novel SIDNEY'S COMET to Berkley./ The book is expected to be published Marion Zimmer Bradley and going back Timescape publishers have bought late 1982. to an earlier period,than that written MICHAEL REAVES fourth book, THE British bookman NICK AUSTIN, who was about in the published books. The pub SHATTERED WORLD./ ROBERT SILVERBERG largely responsible for establishing lication date is not even hinted at won the French Cosmos 2000 Award for the sf lists at Sphere and Futura, has this stage of proceedings. the French edition of his novel SHADRACH just left Corgi. Their list has recently Yes.' There will be a fifth book in the IN THE FURNACE. begun to show some improvements, although they rely almost entirely on British "Book of the New Sun" series by GENE FRANK HERBERT has signed a contract editions of Bantam originals. Austin WOLFE, THE URTH OF THE NEW SUN. We with Berkley/Putnam for a fifth DUNE will most likely find himself with mentioned this last issue with some book. He is due to turn in the manu another publisher, whose sf list is most doubts, but it has now been confirmed. script by March 1983. Herbert recently likely to improve. Wolfe, like a few other authors, will completed a novel THE WHITE PLAGUE, hot sign a contract for an unfinished which is a mainstream novel set in Recent purchases by DAW include: book, but it is more than likely that Ireland, with mad scientists,plague, AMAZON'S OF MYDA by Sharon GREEN, which Timescape will be the publisher. The the destruction of of the human race, is the second in a trilogy following fourth book in the series, THE CITADEL and various other things. OF THE AUTARCH is in the hands of the THE CRYSTALS OF MYDA.THE DEADLY SKY publishers. The third THE SWORD OF and THE DIMENSIONERS by Doris PISERCHIA. THE LICTOR was published in January in KESRICK by Lin CARTER. CYRION IN STONE the U.S.A. The second has just seen by Tanith LEE. A package of ten Clifford SIMAK titles will be released starting British publication by Sidgwick and with WEREWOLF PRINCIPLE in February. Jackson and the first, THE SHADOW OF THE TORTURER has been published in The two Hs, HERBERT and HEINLEIN have hard covers and paperbacks in both some tremendous sales figures for their markets. titles at Berkley. The 22nd printing of DUNE brings it up to 1.8 million and Both Wolfe and his publishers agreed the 33rd printing of I WILL FEAR NO that too many loose ends were left EVIL brings it up to over 1.1 million. in the story of Severian, but rather That doesn't include he sales or British than rewrite the fourth book, Wolfe editions of course. Other titles of decided to go on and do a fifth book. Heinleins in particular, are also very This is not the place to start crit impressive. icising all these series books and after all why should we knock them STEPHEN GOLDIN has sold THE PARSINA when they all sell so well, but we TRILOGY to Berkley./ We have not seen refer you to a recent article by Robert yet WEB OF LIGHT, WEB OF DARKNESS and Silverberg in amazing February 1982 . THE COLOURS OF SPACE by MARION ZIMMER He says it all. FRANK HERBERT Photo M. Binns BRADLEY, which were announced in Starblaze trade paperback edition last ROBERT SILVERBERG has signed.a contract MERCHANT'S LUCK by C.J.CHERRYH is her year, but we will see them in mass with Arbor house publishers for three latest sale to DAW./ ROBERT SHECKLEY market editions from Timescape eventually. books. VALENTINE PONTIFEX, is a direct has finished a new novel called Starblaze has also announced WIZARDS, sequel to LORD VALENTINE'S CASTLE. LORD DRAMOCLES./ JERRY POURNELLE has turned a graphic novel by RALPH BAKSHI, along OF DARKNESS, is an historical novel se t in JANNISARIES II to Ace./ M.JOHN with THE ART OF RALPH BAKSHI./ MacMillan in medieval Africa. WORLD OF A THOUSAND HARRISON has finished IN VIRCONIUM, New York are expected to strongly prom COLORS,is a retrospective collection. the third in his fantasy trilogy for ote a new title, THE SELKIE by Charles Silverberg said that he does not like Timescape./ IAN WATSON has sold a SHEFFIELD and David BISCHOFF in spring. writing sequels, but as he was finishing collection, SUNSTROKE AND OTHER STORIES The American CBS company have sold their MAJIPOOR CHRONICLES he realised he had to Gollanzc and THE WOMAN FACTORY to interests in the Fawcett publishing line set up the protagonist of the sequel to PLAYBOY. to Random House. Crest, Gold Medal and LORD VALENTINE'S CASTLE. There are a Ace have bought the BLACK GOD'S SHADOW other paperback lists will now be added number of unresolved questions in the to Random House's Ballantine/Del Rey two books that need to be answered. So and SCARLET DREAM, both by C.L.Moore, which were published in limited hard line up./They have some big titles such despite his reluctance he has decided as Heinlein's NUMBER OF THE BEAST and to complete the trilogy. cover edituons by Donald M.Grant last year. They may also publish other his new title FRIDAY, along with the NIVEN/POURNELLE titles LUCIFER'S HAMMER CARL SAGAN, according to reliable Jirel of Joiry stories./ PIER'S ANTHONY'S and their new one, THE FOOT. The back sources, has not started work on the novel CENTAUR AISLE with 195,000 copies list also has titles from ASIMOV and previously announced sf novel CONTACT. published, was a candidate for the NORTON, and classics like EARTH ABIDES The company he formed in conjunction best seller list in Publisher's Weekly./ with the COSMOS TV series, Cosmos Store Harcourt Brace have postponed publication and DAY OF THE TRIFFIDS. Sounds as which published books, calendars and of MORE TALES OF PIRX THE PILOT by though Random will have all in, the best scientific materials, has not been very Stanislaw Lem to June. They also have on sf back list around. successful and the TV series also has the way HIS MASTER'S VOICE , IMAGINARY not sold as well overseas as expected. MAGNITUDE and EDEN, all by Lem. STARBLAZE have bought what was probably the best book published in the defunct The book COSMOS however is one bright STEPHEN KING has sold a new novel to Laser series, BLAKE'S PROGRESS by Ray spot, having sold over a million copies. Doubleday, which completes his five novel contract with them. He has now Nelson. They also purchased his books DONALD A WOLLHEIM recently was in THE PROMETHEUS MAN and TURN OFF THE hospital with an infected heart valve, changed over to Viking who will pub lish his colaboration with PETER STRAUB, SKY! ^tarblaze have also done a three but apart from losing a bit of weight book deal with R.A.LAFFERTY, with THE TALISMAN, in 1984. he is now quite well and back on the AURELIA, THE BEST OF R.A.LAFFERTY and job at DAW books./ JOAN VINGE (1981 The Pinnacle offshoot series TOR Books, an unwritten novel. Artists signed for Hugo Winner) and JIM FRENKEL became the the HEROINES OF SCIENCE FICTION include parents of a daughter, Jessica Sarah originated by Thomas DOHERTY and James BAEN , have been quite successful in the Ron Miller, Steve Hickman, Mark Rogers, Frenkel, on December 19th, 1981./ JACK Tom Miller, Victoria Poyser, Dawn Wilson CHALKER and EVA WHITLEY have announced short time they have been in operation. Good titles and very good presentation. and Larry Todd. That probably explains the birth of a son, David Whitley why we have not seen this volume which They have now increased their output Chalker, on December 19th, 1981./ was announced in 1979. BARRY LONGYEAR who was reported to be from two to three titles per month. having hospital treatment for alcoholism, STARBLAZE will publish a book on the A READERS GUIDE TO FANTASY by Baird has sold THE TOMORROW TESTAMENT to artist CHESLEY BONESTELL. His great Searles, Michael Franklin and Beth Meacham will be published by Avon in Berkley and optioned "Enemy Mine" to work on interplanetary and space sub July and THE READERS GUIDE TO SF will by Timescape./NORMAN SPINRAD'S column in ANDREW PORTER reports that due largely be published by Penguin in the UK . LOCUS, STAYIN' ALIVE has also been sold to a drop in advertising revenue, he has PETER STRAUB'S excellent novel GHOST as a book to Donning Publishers. been forced to delay publication of his STORY now has 2.4 million in print in magazine STARSHIP. He has no intention the USA. But don't wait for the movie, ASGARD by Nigel FRITH will be published of killing it and has a number of options the book is much better. SHADOWLAND by Allen and Unwin late 1982, in their open to him in cutting the cost of prod is an even better novel, about the new fantasy series, Unicom Books. Maxim uction. Subscribers will advised in due uses and misuses of magic.and it is due JAKUBOWSKI is editing a fantasy anthology course. from Fontana soon. for them, which we assume will eventually appear in this series. It will not be THE BEST FROM OMNI #3, edited by Ben FOREST J.ACKERMAN has signed a contract sword and sorcery or horror. Interested Bova and Don Myrus, published in Jan with Triton Books to act as anthology authors should write to Jakubowski at uary in the U.S.A., has four original co-ordinator for a series of books to 95 Finchley Lane, London NW4, UK. stories, 15 reprints from omni, a be called THE GERNSBACK AWARDS. It will reprint story from a 1945 ASTOUNDING consist of 26 books reprinting stories More terrible gossip from that scandal ("The Cure" by Lewis Padgett), and five from 1926 to 1951, giving retrospective fan-rag ansible, is that a certain pictorials. At $4.50, its one of the recognition in Gernsback's name to the popular science writer and TV person, has highest priced newstand items ever. best stories of those years. Selections submitted eight different outlines for Depending on a survey questionnaire will be voted on by the members of First his proposed sf novel,all of which were being distributed with this issue, a Fandom and first, second and third rejected by the publisher concerned. The new regular all sf magazine may have selections will be included. A reminder agent of a big name British sf writer arrived. list compiled by Forrie Ackerman will proposed that his author ghostwrite the QUESTAR magazine which recently changed also appear in each volume. He also novel, but this offer was refiised.... its emphasis from just f§sf films to reports that Ted Dikty will publish an sf orientated magazine, has suspended MR SCIENCE FICTION, a series of inter Authors who had sold books to Dell before Dell decided to drop their sf publication. Its the same old story, it views compiled by Elton Elliot. Also tried to do too.much in too short a time. FJAwill lecture in Bucharest, appear on line, were having difficulty in reach TV in Zagreb, visit Karl Capek's home, ing a satisfactory arrangement for return of their titles. They finally ANSIBLE reports that IPC publishers and participate in the International SF intend to re-publish eagle magazine. Convention in Jerusalem. He has written agreed to pay back 30% of their advances. the introduction to a biography of Titles involved were CHEREK by Marta L.Ron Hubbard, FABULOUS FICTIONEER. He RANDALL, ACROSS THE SEA OF SUNS by adds that Hubbard's 500,000 word novel, Gregory BENFORD, COURTSHIP RITE by A HELLO FROM MAN : THE ENDANGERED SPECIES, has been Donald KINGSBURY, A MATTER FOR MEN by bought by St Martin's Press. Hubbard David GERROLD, CIRCUMPOLAR and SUN'S THE HALDEMANS has also completed a 1.3 million word END both by Richard LUPOFF. As some of these titles were not scheduled, some Well.it was an interesting year at the novel involving time travel. Forrie Haldeman house. Joe taught a class at has also been quite successful recently, advances were returned in full or in excess of 30% depending on the individ University of North Florida on writing in selling stories by the authors he fiction. We both enjoyed being back in represents for foreign publication. ual authors situation. Other books still being written under contract by the classroom. We watched the launch ot . authors including Linda BUSHYAGER, the space shuttle Columbia from the press THE SCIENCE IN SF is a new volume edited Jeff CARVER and Diane DUANE will prob area. We saw the second launch from Joe's by Peter Nicholls, to be packaged by ably come up against the same problems. parents' house. Beautiful.' Daytona Beach Roxby Press U.K., who did THE ENCYCLO Seeing Dell have apparently changed had its first weekend science fiction PEDIA OF SF. Nicholls was forced to get management again, rumour has it that convention and it was a success. We spent other writers to do all the work, they may even start up their sf line a month camping in Maine. We realised Brian Stableford and Dave Langford to again in the future. Agents are also that it was the first real vacation we‘ve be quite specific, because he was trying to tie Dell down on out of print had in years, unconnected to work. A good tied tp with work on the omni book of back titles, with apparently little rest. Joe taught a week at the Clarion the future, only to find after that luck. sf writing workshop in Michigan, where we folded he could have done all the work met some very nice new writers. In July himself. Who wants to be an editor? we went to Joe's 20th high school reunion THE FILMWAYS CORPORATION along with Ace and (argh!) and we wondered why everyone THE WHITE HOTEL by D.M.THOMAS has been Grosset publishers , has been sold to looked so much older than we remembered... a best seller in the U.S.A and U.K. the Orion Pictures Corporation top Recently released here by Penguin. It executives, who have made it quite clear Joe will have two books out in 1982. THERE is fantasy or even sf of a sort, they intend to sell off all non-theatrical IS NO DARKNESS is a collaboration between but has been marketed as mainstream even pieces of Filmways. Buyers, including Joe and his brother Jack. And WORLDS will if it is rather offbeat. In fact one wit Stanley Sills, president of Grosset and be out in paperback, both in spring. described it as "literary pornography". Dunlap, and Warner Books have already The author is British, but he is currently In April we're planning to go to Russia shown interest. What effect this will for two weeks with a group of writers. a writer-in-residence at the American have on ACE in the long run we will University, in Washington. Joe expects to finish STARS, the sequel have to wait and see. to WORLDS, before we go. A further report about ex-sf-editor We hope everyone will have a good year for Corgi, Nick Austin, is that he in 1982. Keep in touch. was 'shamefully sacked' due to internal MAGAZINE NEWS Gay Haldeman politics at Corgi and people were quite unhappy about it. In contrast no tears Word is that British magazine AD ASTRA were shed when Anthony Cheetham left has folded. A new British sf magazine Quit thanbi to Futura. He is credited with building recently published is extro, cover date Gay Hatdeman f^ox. the sf list and more at N.E.L. and February /March. Subscription is £4.00 the. above tn^on- later Futura, and has now formed his for 6 issues to Specific Publications, matton. 27 Cardigan Drive, Belfast, BT14 6LX UK. own company in his own name. The new One ttem to arf.d company will be general publishers, The editor is Paul Campbell, Dave Langford is non-fiction editor and the ti that Joe largely hard cover and some trade ruieetved $1,200 paperbacks. first issue has a Chris Priest story. interzone is another new British mag, {o>t a poem he which was due to be published after iold to OMNI. MALCOLM EDWARDS has been appointed delays, in March. THE OMNI BOOK OF THE That'i pretty associate sf editor at Gollancz./ f,uture, a British spin-off from the good ffi>t a RICHARD CURTIS .literary agent, has sold US magazine, saw five test issues and poem, Z/ tht-i a book based on his column in LOCUS, ceased with... you guessed it... the ttem -ii HOW TO BE YOUR OWN AGENT./ROGER ZELAZNY'S last part of a serial, "The Test" by eoM.ect! new novel, EYE OF CAT, is to be published Stanislaw Lem un-completed. Ed. in Appreciation if MAYH.OWER SCIkNCF FANTASY JACK VANCE 3HCK VHRCE THE FIVE By A.Bertram Chandler GOLD BANDS
When I was in Japan in 1977, I met the translators employed by Hayakawa Shobo, my publishers in Tokyo, to convert Occidental fiction into the Japanese language. We discussed the problems of translation. I was told that I am an easy writer to translate because I employ a relatively small vocabulary. (Of course, now and again, there is trouble with idioms. My own translator said, "I am paid to translate from English to Japanese, not from JACK VANCE Photo by C.N.Brown Australian to Japanese!") All the Paddington. The other diners within ear bilingual ladies and gentlemen agreed shot of our table all seemed to be well- iuch ai THE FIVE GOLD BANDS and THE on one point, which is that Jack Vance to-do Liberal Party supporters, the sort BIG PLANET. I have been a {an even itnce. is a very hard writer to translate. of people to who Imeorial honours are of On behalf ofi hts many tn Austnatta, This is because of the richness of great importance. I wtih to weteome him to Auitnalla ^on his language. TSCHAICON, and I hope he enjoyi hti itay. And Imperial honours, the recently Jack, of course, is a master crafts announced Birthday Honours, were the Menv Binns Ed. man. Should he, as a writer, fall upon topic of conversation among our party. hard times (which, for such as he, It was when the Beatles' MBEs had would be extremely unlikely) he could aroused the ire of many stuffed shirts CHRISTOPHER PRIEST IN AUSTRALIA make a good living as a carpenter. At throughout the British Commonwealth. one time he aspired to be a boat Chris Priest spent a few days in builder and his ambition was to construct Said Jack, in his very decent Amer Melbourne recently and was a guest of his own trimaran and, in this craft, ican accent, "If Her Majesty, the local fans at the monthly NOVA MOB to sail around the world. We had quite English Queen, had ever seen fit to meeting, held at Damien Broderick's home. a lengthy correspondence while this honour me, and then I saw those hairy He was on his way to Adelaide as a project was on the drawing board. I insects getting the same honour, I'd guest speaker in association with the did not share his enthusiasm for multi turn in me button!" Adelaide Festival of Arts. hulled vessels but he was among those - A large part of the discussion dealt and how their number has dwindled over At the neighbouring tables, where with the problems of getting work pub the years! - who honestly believed that most people had reached the coffee and lished, and those taking part included a catamaran is twice as good as a keel liqueurs stage, ears were beginning to Chris Priest, Lee Harding, Damien yacht of the same tonnage and a trimaran flap almost audibly. Broderick and George Turner, plus an three times as good. audience of about thirty people. Some Said I, in a vile Orstrylian accent, authors including Ian Watson, D.G. Now Jack's pride and joy is a very "I didn't notice Sir Douglas Fairbanks Compton and Chris Priest, have been hav smart, conventional keel yacht. Junior turning in his button!" ing difficulties selling their books, Rather surprisingly, perhaps, Jack's due to the fact that the publishers in ideas are rather conventional. Said Susan, in too, too upper class the U.K. cannot afford to publish, if Pommy accents, "Anyhow, it all goes to they do not sell the U.S. rights as well. Although he is among the top rank of show the utter absurdity of the entire The U.S. publishers seem to be only Science Fiction writers he is represent Honours system." interested in books that fit into the ative of Middle America. (But Middle current popular selling trends, so that America, at its best, is representative The other diners gave us very dirty if a book is in any way innovative it of good, old-fashioned values which looks, paid their bills and left. is not in the race. should never be allowed to disappear from the earth.) He respects legally On his own home ground, in Oakland, CHERRY WEINER VISITS HOME constituted authority, whether it be California, Jack is a generous and Queen or President. For example, during considerate host. He loves good food, Literary agent Cherry Weiner was here the Vietnam War, the Science Fiction good drink and good talk, although he this month to see her family and friends, Writers of America paid for a full page tends to avoid conventions and similar but managed to see some of her clients, advertisement in GALAXY deploring the functions. Although he has mellowed and pick up some new work as well. SF is American participation in that conflict considerably over the years, he does her main love she said, but the romance and demanding the withdrawal of U.S. not approve of the long hair and beards field is booming at present. Amongst forces from the Nam. A large number of sported by so many of the fans and so some of her most successful SFWA members had their names attached many of the young writers. For this sales recently, was the "War of the to this. Many other members, Jack reason quite a few American fans are Powers " series for Robert Vardeman and among them, deplored this official SFWA rather frightened of him. Victor Milan, to Playboy. Cherry is a action and, at their own expense, real go getter and any local authors arranged for their own full page advert They should not be. looking for a U.S. agent need not look isement in the magazine, disassociating any further. themselves from this and demanding that As a person, and as a writer, he is U.S. forces remain in Vietnam. a very good man. HORROR WRITER JAMES HERBERT IN I recall well a rather amusing episode AUSTRALIA when, some years ago, Jack and Norma, his .Thank, you. BeAt, iJoa ih.ot>e wondf, about British horror story author JAMES HERBERT wife and Johnnie, his son, were spending Jack Vance., who I am now, mone than even, was recently in Australia to publicise some weeks in Sydney. Susan, Norma, Jack looking (,onwand to meeting, I cut my his books for his publisher N.E.L. and myself were enjoying dinner in a teeth on startling stories and thrilling THE JONAH was a new release along with small but rather popular restaurant in wonder stories tn the '50i and tome ofi reprints of his earlier titles. 8 the {tut itontu I nead wene by Jack, The following books listed have been published or announced by publishers to be published up to March 1982. Details have been kept to a minimum, with 'first-publication' titles in caps and reprints and new editions in lower case. First pb publication editions are underlined. All titles listed are mass mar ket pbs unless marked HC (Hard cover) or TPB (Trade paperback). ARROW: The Pig Plantagenet by Allen ANDREWS, Smile on the Void by Stuart DARKLING by David KESTERTON is due CORGI: DEMONSTRAND by Robert ALEXANDER; GORDON, They Used Dark Forces, They Found soon. THE SOLAR PONS OMNIBUS by August The Gardens of Delight by Ian WATSON; Atlantis by Denis WHEATLEY and The Claw DERLETH and MASTER OF SHADOWS by Margery Dragonquest by Anne McCaffrey; Divine of the Conciliator by Gene WOLFE. LAWRENCE, have both been postponed Invasion by Philip K.DICK; The Lovers indefinitely. (HCs) ACE: SOFTWARE by Rudy RUCKER, FIRST by Philip Jose FARMER. CYCLE by H.Beam PIPER, ed. by Michael ATHENEUM: Helliconia Spring by Brian JONATHAN CAPE: (HCs) HELLICONIA SPRING by Kurland, WATER WITCH by Cynthia FELICE ALDISS. (HC) Brian ALDISS; THE MAKING OF THE REPRE and Connie WILLIS, The Space Enterprise SENTATIVE FOR PLANET 8 by Doris LESSING. by G.Harry STINE, Nine Hundred Grand ADVENT : PUBLISHERS: (HC) FOOTPRINTS ON mothers by R.A.LAFFERTY; The Lavalite SAND - A Literary Sampler by L.Sprague CORONET: Uncertain Midnight and The Last World by Philip J.FARMER; The Iron Man/ and Catherine de Camp, illustrated by Continent by Edmund COOPER; Space Opera and Slaves Of The Klau by Jack VANCE; The Adventures of Dennis Dorgan by C.H.Burnett, published in conjunction The Clowns of God by Morris WEST. Robert E.HOWARD; The Peregrine by Poul with X-CON held in Milwaukee June 1981. ANDERSON; Lavender Green Magic by Andre BALLANTINE/DEL REY: CENTAUR AISLE by CROWN: The Restaurant at the End of the NORTON; Planet of Exile by Ursula K. Piers ANTHONY; CERBERUS: A WOLF IN THE Universe by Douglas ADAMS. (HC) LeGuin; At the Earth's Core, Back to the FOLD by Jack CHALKER; At the Mountains CREATURES AT LARGE: THE CREATURE FEATURE Stone Age, Land of Terror, Pellucidar, of Madness and Other Tales of Terror, MOVIE GUIDE by John STANLEY. TPB. Savage Pellucidar,Tanarof Pellucidar, The Tomb and Other Tales both by H.P. Tarzan at the Earth's Core, all by Edgar LOVECRAFT; AVENTINE by Lee KILLOUGH; CROSSWAY BOOKS: WHALESONG by Robert Rice Burroughs. Federation by H.Beam Project Pope by Clifford D.SIMAK; SIEGEL (HC). PIPER; THE GOLDEN NAGINATA by Jessica A GREATER INFINITY by Michael McCOLLUM; CARCOSA: LONELY VIGILS by Manley Wade SALMONSON; The Borribles Go For Broke A Choice of Gods by Clifford D.SIMAK; WELLMAN (HC); DEATH STALKS THE NIGHT by Michael de Larrabeiti; How the Gods THE WIZARD IN WAITING by Robert Don by Hugh B.CAVE illustrated by the late Wove in Kyrannon by Ardath MAYHAR; Tin HUGHES; The Prophet of Lamath by R.D. Lee Brown COYE. (HC) Woodman by David BISCHOFF and Dennis HUGHES; The Case of Charles Dexter Ward BAILEY; The Time Hoppers by Robert and The Lurking Fear and Other Stories, DAW: THE PRIDE OF CHANUR by C.J.CHERRYH; SILVERBERG; The Undying Wizard by Andrew both by H.P.LOVECRAFT. The Cool War The Silkie by A.E.Van VOGT; ALDAIR: THE OFFUTT; The Borribles by Michael by Frederick POHL; Millenium by Ben LEGION OF BEASTS by Neal BARRETT Jr; LARRABEITI; Red Hart Magic by Andre BOVA; Bipohl(Drunkard's Walk and The UPSIDE DOWNSIDE by Ron GOULART; HECATE'S NORTON; Dragon Magic by Andre NORTON; Age of The Pussyfoot) by Frederik POHL; CAULDRON Ed by Susan M.SCHWARTZ; THE Tomoe Gozen by Jessica SALMONSON. Journey Beyond the Wind by Patricia WARRIOR WITHIN by Sharon GREEN; THE Expanded Universe by Robert A.HEINLEIN; WRIGHTSON; The Dream-Quest of Unknown Werewolf Principle by Clifford D.SIMAK; THE WARLOCK UNLOCKED by Christopher Kadath and The Doom That Came to Vazkor,Son of Vazkor by Tanith LEE; STASHEFF; The Seekers of Shar-Nuhn by Sarnath and other stories, both by H.P. THE RAPE OF THE SUN by Ian WALLACE; Ardath MAYHAR; Seeking the Mythical Future LOVECRAFT. SAVAGES OF GOR by John NORMAN; The Gray by Trevor HOYLE; HIGH TENSION by Dean Prince by Jack VANCE; THE PILLARS OF ING; RED SONJA #2:DEMON NIGHT by David DEL REY Hard Covers: ETERNITY'by Barrington J.BAYLEY; Flight C.SMITH and Richard L.TIERNEY; The SPECIAL DELIVERANCE by Clifford D.SIMAK; to Opar by Philip Jose FARMER; The Warlock in Spite of Himself by Christopher JUXTAPOSITION by Piers ANTHONY. Napoleons of Eridanus by Pierre Barbet. STASHEFF; The Last Castle by Jack VANCE; DOUBLEDAY: THE GODS OF CERUS by Gary Callahan's Crosstime Saloon by Spider BANTAM: GOSH!WOW.' (Sense of Wonder) ROBINSON; Trey of Swords by Andre NORTON; SCIENCE FICTION Ed. by Forest J.ACKERMAN; Alan RUSE (HC); THE ENGINES OF THE NIGHT: Time Travelers Strictly Cash by Spider SYZYGY by Frederik POHL; MATHEW SWAIN' SCIENCE FICTION IN THE EIGHTIES by ROBINSON; SATAN'S CHANCE by Alan Ross THE DEADLIEST GAME IN TOWN by Mike McQUAY Barry N.MALZBERG N/F (HC); GYPSY EARTH SHRADER. Babel-17 by Samuel R.DELANY; SONG OF by George W.HARPER. SORCERY by Elizabeth SCARBOROUGH; WAR AVON: CHIY-UNE by Susan COON; Mortal EXTEQUER PRESS: OMEGA SIGMA by A.E. OF OMISSION by Kevin 0'DONNELL,JR; VAN VOGT. Engines by Stanislaw LEM; The Star HEROES OF ZARA, by Guy GREGORY; THE THING Dwellers by James BLISH; THE SCIENCE- by Alan Dean FOSTER (Based on the John FAWCETT: ACROSS THE FAR MOUNTAIN by FICTIONAL DINOSAUR Ed. by Robert W.Campbell story). Neil HANCOCK. SILVERGERG, C.G.WAUGH and M.H.GREENBERG; BERKLEY: The Language of Night by FONTANA: CRUISER DREAMS by Janet MORRIS; Mission to the Heart Stars by James Dragonslayer by Weyland DREW. BLISH; The Science Fiction Hall of Fame Ursula K.LeGuin (Essays of FJSF) Ed. by Vol.III, ed. by Arthur C.CLARKE and Susan WOOD; Beneath An Opal Moon by FUTURA/ORBIT: King David's Spaceship, George W.PROCTOR. Eric VAN LUSTBADER; PLANETS THREE by Future History and Black Holes by Jerry Frederik POHL; Dream Dancer by Janet POURNELLE; Beyond the Blue Event Horizon ARBOR HOUSE: MAJIPOOR CHRONICLES by Morris; The Book of Philip Jose Farmer; by Frederik POHL; Gateway by F.POHL; Robert Silverberg (HC 8 TPB) FALL INTO DARKNESS by Nicholas YERMAKOV; Serpents Reach by C.J.CHERRYH ARKHAM HOUSE: BLOODED ON ARACHNE by Chthon by Piers ANTHONY; The World of GOLLANCZ: A BETTER MANTRAP by Bob SHAW.(HC) Michael BISHOP is published. THE Null-A by A.E.Van VOGT; Peace by Gene WOLFE. ~~ ~ GRANADA: FALLBACK by Peter NIESWAND. (HC) __ HARCOURT BRACE: MEMOIRS OF A SPACE PAN: Ridley Walker by Russell HOBAN The Conciliator by Gene WOLFE; The TRAVELLEkby Stanislaw LEM (1st ed. in (Picador), The Many-Coloured Land by Gardens of Delight by Ian WATSON; Rite English). Julian MAY. of Passage by Alexei PANSHIN; THE PROMETHEUS DESIGN (Star Trek) by Sondra ROBERT HALE: WINTER PLACE by Jo PENGUIN: Midnight at the Well of Souls MARSHAK and Myrna CULBREATH; SOLDIER BOY BANNISTER; DEEP SPACE PROCESSIONAL by by Jack CHALKER ; A Quest for Orion by by Michael SHAARA; Retief's War by Keith R.Snowden FICKS 5 Roger BEAUMONT. Rosemary HARRIS (Puffin). LAUMER; SECOND NATURE by Cherry WILDER. HAMLYN: The Dancers of Arun by Elizabeth ODYSSEY: SECRETS OF DOC SAVAGE by Will TIMESCAPE Hard Covers: A.LYNN; Hellbom by G.BRANDNER; Mind MURRAY,(TPB); THE INCREDIBLE RADIO THE SWORb OF THE LICTOR:Volume 3 of flight by Stephen GOLDIN; ENTOMBED by EXPLOITS OF DOC SAVAGE, Scripts by The Book of the New Sun by Gene WOLFE; Guy N.SMITH. Lester DENT. THE GOLDEN SPACE by Pamela SARGENT. G.K.HALL: DICTIONARY CATALOG OF THE PLAYBOY: THE WAR OF THE POWERS; Book 4: TOR: The House in November by Keith J.LLOYD EATON COLLECTION OF SF AND THE FALLEN ONES, Book 5: THE SHADOW OF LAUMER; Not This August by C.M.Kombluth, FANTASY LITERATURE. (HC) OMIZANTRIM, Book 6: DEMON OF THE DARK ed. and revised by Frederik POHL; HOUGHTON MIFFLIN: LAUGHING SPACE: AN ONES all by Robert E.VARDEMAN and Planet of No Return by Harry HARRISON; Victor MILAN. ANTHOLOGY OF SF HUMOR ed. by Isaac The Other Log of Phileas Fogg by Philip ASIMOV and J.O.JEPPSON. (All HCs) PINNACLE: STARSHIP ORPHEUS #1 Jose FARMER; THE HUNTERS by Jack LOVEJOY; STATIONS OF THE NIGHTMARE by Philip KNIGHT: The Boy Who Saved Old Earth by POCKET BOOKS: The Hunger by Whitley Jose FARMER. Jim SLATER . STRIEBER; World War III by Brian House. ALLEN g UNWIN/ UNICORN BOOKS: LEISURE: UFO/MIB by J.N.WILLIAMSON. SIGNET/NAL: THUNDERWORLD by Zack Hughes; The Last Unicorn by Peter BEAGLE (TPB); BIRTHRIGHT: THE BOOK OF MAN by Michael MICHAEL JOSEPH: FLASHPOINT by Madelaine The King of Elfland's Daughter by Lord RESNICK; REVENGE OF THE HORSECLANS by DUKE. (HC) Dunsany (TPB). Robert ADAMS; The Black Cloud by Fred MAGNUM: Voyagers by Ben BOVA; City by HOYLE. UNDERWOOD § MILLER: The Pnume by Jack Clifford SIMAK; 334 by Thomas DISCH. VANCE; TO SPIN IS MIRACLE CAT by Roger SILVER BURDETT: UNDERSTANDING SCIENCE ZELAZNY (Poetry); PKD: A PHILIP K.DICK MAYFLOWER: Ship of Shadows by Fritz FICTION by Michael A.BANKS (HC?) BIBLIOGRAPHY by Daniel J.H.LEVACK. All LEIBER; A Wizard in Bedlam by Christopher SIDGWICK & JACKSON: Science Fiction hard covers. PKD is also in TPB. STASHEFF; The Time Dweller by M.MOORCOCK. Specials #s 40 and 41. (HC) WARNER: SHADOWLINE by Glen COOK WM, MORROW: THE COMING OF THE DEMONS STAR/TARGET: DR WHO AND THE STATE OF by Gwenyth HOOD (HC). ZEBRA: DEATH-ANGEL by J.N.WILLIAMSON. DECAY by Terrance DICKS; The Man in the NEW ENGLISH LIBRARY: The Prisoner: Maze by Robert SILVERBERG and his SCRIBNER: SCIENCE FICTION WRITERS: Who is #2 by David McDANIEL; Time Enough Hawksbill Station; Nebula Winners #14 CRITICAL STUDIES OF THE MAJOR SF For Love and Fear No Evil, both by ed. by Frederik POHL. WRITERS, ed. by Everett F.BLEILER (HC). R.A.HEINLEIN; Windhaven by George R.R. The Indians Won by Martin Cruz SMITH. MARTIN S Lisa TUTTLE; Small World by BATSFORD: HORROR FILM HANDBOOK by Tabitha KING; SCORPION SECOND GENERATION SPHERE: The Guns of Avalon by Roger Alan FRANK. (HC) by M.R.LINAKER. ZELAZNY; Timescape by Greg BENFORD. McFarland & co.: the Frankenstein WARP 3: THE BALUSTRADE PARADOX by PANTHER: God's World by Ian WATSON; CATALOG by Donald F.Glut; KEEP WATCHING Neil ORAM; HEX by R.C.FORD. The Moment of Eclipse, Brothers of the THE SKIES by Bill Warren (HCs). Head by Brian ALDISS; Asimov's Myster SCIENCE FICTION BOOK CLUB (USA): ies by Isaac ASIMOV; Capella's Golden TIMESCAPE: The Mindmaster (The Dreamers) Camber The Heretic by Katherine KURTZ; Eyes by Christopher EVANS; Skylark of by James GUNN; A Storm of Wings by M. The Pride of Chanur by C.J.CHERRYH; Valeron, Skylark Duquesne by E.E.SMITH; John HARRISON; THE BEST OF RANDALL The Ozark Trilogy by Suzette Haden The Sot Weed Factor by John BARTH; GARRETT Ed by Robert SILVERBEDG; THE Last Orders by Brian ALDISS; Dark is RED MAGICIAN by Lisa GOLDSTEIN; The Elgin; Stephen Kings Danse Macabre; 666 by Jay ANSON; The Many-Coloured the Sun by Philip Jose Farmer; Space, Clewison Test by Kate WILHELM; The Land/The Golden Tore by Julian May; Time and, Nathaniel by Brian ALDISS; Demolished Man by Alfred BESTER; THE I,Robot by Isaac ASIMOV. BEST OF WILSON TUCKER, The Lights of Madwand by Roger ZELAZNY; The Divine Barbrin by Joseph BURGO; The Claw of Invasion by Philip K.DICK; The Dark Between the Stars by Poul ANDERSON; 10 Nightmare Country by Marlys Millhiser. TOLKIEN RELATION by William Ready (Warner) Centaur Aisle by Piers ANTHONY; The GALAXY,Volume 1 ed. Frederick Pohl AUSTRALIAN Wine of Violence by James MORROW; (Playboy). THE STEEL TSAR by Michael Sandkings by George R.R.MARTIN; The Moorcock is a new book by him for PROFESSIONAL Lost and the Lurking by Manly Wade April release in Granda. WELLMAN. The titles underlined we know as first HODDER § STOUGHTON: BLAKES SEVEN- NEWS time in hard cover. SCORPIO ATTACK by Trevor Hoyle (BBC). ISLAND OF DR DEATH AND OTHER STORIES by SCIENCE FICTION BOOK CLUB (UK): Gene Wolfe,A CHOICE OF CATASTROPHES by PORTABLE AUSTRALIAN SF Project Pope by Clifford SIMAK; Starry Isaac Asimov (NF) (Arrow) . THE BOOK OF VAN IKIN, editor of SCIENCE FICTION, has Messenger by Charles C.RYAN. FACTS by Isaac Asimov Vols 1 § 2, STRANGE ENCOUNTER: Firestarter by Stephen KING; completed the first historical anthology STORIES OF U.F.O.S by Len Ortzen (Coro of Australian st. It will be published Unlimited Dream Company by J.G.BALLARD; net). THE WEB BETWEEN THE WORLDS by The Claw of the Conciliator by Gene by the University of Queensland Press in Charles Sheffield (Arrow). EARTH SEARCH WOLFE; The Chronicles of Narnia by simultaneous hardcover and paperback by James Follett (BBC). PIG PLANTAGENET C.S.LEWIS; The Letters of J.R.R.Tolkien editions, and at approximately 400 pages by Allen Andrews, SMILE ON THE VOID by Ed by Humphrey CARPENTER. it will be the biggest Australian sf anth Stuart Gordon (Arrow). UNCERTAIN MIDNIGHT ology yet published. The Literature BCA: The Dancers At The End of Time and THE LAST CONTINENT by Edmund Cooper by Michael MOORCOCK. Board has given support for the project, (Coronet). THE BOY WHO SAVED EARTH by Jim and publication is expected before the Titles underlined are first time in HC. Slater, FLAMERS by Nicholas Fisk (Knight). end of 1982. The book will be titled METHUEN Australia : Due in hard cover PORTABLE AUSTRALIAN SCIENCE FICTION, and from Granada is AFTER MAN a Zoology of will be part of UQPs "Portable Australian NEW RELEASES the Future by Dougal Dixon. DARYA OF Authors" series. FROM AUSTRALIAN DISTRIBUTORS THE BRONZE AGE by Lin Carter, DELUSION'S Starting with a brief sf piece published MASTER by Tanith'Lee, THE ANARCH LORDS in 1845, the anthology includes: extracts BOOKS RELEASED by Australian wholesalers by A.Bertram Chandler (DAW). CELESTIAL and distributors between January and from romances and utopian novels of the CHESS by Bonty, THE DOOR INTO FIRE by 1890s and earlier; items of political sf and March 1982. This list is quite com Diane Duane, THE GOLDEN MAN by Philip from the first decade of the twentieth prehensive regarding paperbacks, but we K.Dick (Magnum). BANNERS OF THE-SA'YEN century; selections from the "invasion of are unable to completely cover the bound by B.R.Stateham, IRSUD by Jo Clayton, books. All titles listed here are imported. the Yellow Peril" novels of the 1920s; THE YEAR'S BEST HORROR STORIES IX ed.K.E. and extracts from major Australian works Wagner, KING OF ARGENT by J.T.Phillifent, of the 1930s and 1940s. The second half WILLIAM COLLINS: DICTIONARY OF ASTRON HORN CROWN by Andre Norton, WAVE WITHOUT of the book deals with the current scene OMY Ed. by Valerie Illingworth (Pan). A SHORE by C.J.Cherryh (DAW). (the '50s and onwards) and reprints work GILA! by Les Simons and SOUL EATER by by Frank Bryning, Wynne Whiteford, A. Michael Resnick (Signet). FONTANA BOOK THOMAS NELSON: Due for release, but not Bertram Chandler , George Turner, Lee OF GREAT HORROR STORIES ed, Christine yet seen is MISSION by Patrick Tilley in HC and TPB from Michael Joseph. A Graham Harding and other familiar names. Van Bernard. THE UNBORN by David Shobin Ikin's own contribution is a 15,000 word (Pan). DEATH OF A LEGEND by Robert Masterton promotion included; THE HEIRLOOM essay on "The History of Australian SF". Adams (Signet). DARK HORN BLOWING by WELLS OF HELL, REVENGE OF THE MANITOU, Dahlov Ipcar (Lion). INHERITANCE by DEVILS OF D DAY and CHARNEL HOUSE. CHILD Owen Brookes, 17th BOOK OF GHOST STORIES GRAVE by Jessica Hamilton, THE REIGN OF (Fontana). THE SURROGATE by Nick Sharman. WIZARDRY by Jack Williamson, (Sphere). NEW NORSTRILIA PRESS NOVEL SPACE RANGER/PIRATES OF THE ASTEROIDS by PLAGUE PIT by Mark Ronson (Hamlyn). The next publication from NORSTRILIA Isaac Asimov (NEL), THE JONAH, FLUKE, THE THEY THIRST by Robert R.McCammon, HAN PRESS will be THE PLAINS, by Gerald FOG, THE LAIR, THE RATS, THE DARK, THE SOLO AND THE LOST LEGACY by Brian Daley, MURNANE. It is a humorous novel about SPEAR and THE SURVIVOR by James Herbert, SCHRODINGER'S CAT II: THE TRICK TOP HAT COSMIC ENCOUNTER by A.E.Van Vogt, VAMPIRE by Robert Anton Wilson,,ARIEL by Lawrence an alternative Australia, wherein most by Jory Sherman all N.E.L. THE MANY Block, BETHANY'S SIN & NIGHTBOAT by Robert people live in the interior of Australia, COLOURED LAND by Julian May (Pan) and R.McCammon (Sphere). THE WEB by Richard not around the coast. The squatters of RIDLEY WALKER by Russell Hoban (Picador). Lewis (Hamlyn). THE BOOK OF PAPERBACKS Australia devote themselves to the arts BEST OF TREK #4 By Irwin 8 Love (Signet). by P let Schreuders (Virgin Books). and a series of complex philosophical TIMESCAPE by Gregory Benford, HEX by speculations. The main character of the ONE TREE by Stephen Donaldson will be Robert Curry Ford, WARP 3: THE BALUSTRADE book seeks the ' secret'of the Plains. released by Collins in Fontana in May. PARADOX by Neil Oram (Sphere). NIGHT'S Not strictly science fiction or fantasy, They will not be distributing N.E.L MASTER by Tanith Lee (Hamlyn). but a book that will interest many of after April. Hodder will have N.E.L. our readers. Publication June '82. from June on and will be releasing GOD PENGUIN: CREATOR by Jeremy Leaven, EMPEROR OF DUNE June 1st. THE CHAIN OF CHANCE/SOLARIS/ A PERFECT VACUUM by Stanislaw Lem, SPLIT SECOND DOUBLEDAY AUSTRALIA PTY. LTD. : THE ENTROPY by Gary Kilworth , THE WHITE HOTEL by GIANT WOMBAT FOSSIL FOUND EFFECT by Vonda McIntyre (Futura). D.M.Thomas, PLAYING BEATIE BOW by Ruth JANISSARIES by Jerry Pournelle, THE Park, CITY OF WOMEN by David Ireland. MOTE IN GOD'S EYE by Larry Niven and Rocks discovered at an archaeological Jerry Pournelle (Futura). TOMORROW'S TRANSWORLD: BLACK PRISM by David Lippin site near Keilor, Victoria indicate HERITAGE by Juanita Coulson (Del Rey). cott, VALIS by Philip K.Dick, SLOW FALL Aborigines and donkey-sized wombats Other titles are due from Futura and TO DOWN by Stephen Leigh*, REVOLT OF lived on the banks of the Maribyrnong Del Rey, but Doubleday are a little THE MICRONAUTS by Gordon Williams, river about 35,000 years ago. behind schedule at present. DRAGONDRUMS by Anne McCaffrey, MATHEW SWAIN: WHEN TROUBLE BECKONS by Mike (We thought Wombat fandom mtght be GORDON a GOTCH: STARWORLD by Harry McQuay*, DECISION AT DOONA by Anne interested in that item. On a mo-ie ser Harrison (Granada). THE LAND LEVIATHAN by McCaffrey, CENTURY'S END by Russell M. ious note., the. Tasmanian state govern Michael Moorcock (Granada). EARTHWRECK Griffin*, THE GARDENS OF DELIGHT by Ian ment have decided to go ahead with by Thomas N.Scortia (Fawcett) plus Watson, DEMONSTRAND by Robert Alexander. plans to flood the Franklin River area THE SEVEN CARDINAL VIRTUES OF SF ed All marked * Bantam, others all Corgi. for an hyrdo-electric scheme. Apart from Isaac Asimov , GREYFAX GRIMWALD and the wiping out of native flora and FARAGON FAIRINGAY by Neil Hancock. fauna, wie at eha elog leal finds have THE SWORD AND THE STALLION by Michael SUPPORT The Down Under Fan Fund! recently been made tn the area indic Moorcock, MARRIAGES BETWEEN ZONES 3, ating that man lived there 70,000 4 and 5 by Doris Lessing, THE ORPHAN by Buy a copy now’of Finder's Guide to yeans ago, which th one of the oldest Robert Stallman, THE UNLIMITED DREAM Australterrestrials $5,00 post free finds anywhere tn the world. Letters of COMPANY by J.G.Ballard (Granada). LORD complaint to the Taimantan Government TEDRIC 5 THE ALIEN REALMS by E.E.Smith from A.S.F.N, And, don't forget to would not go amiss. Ed.) and Gordon Eklund. DR WHO PROGRAMME VOTE FOR PETER TOLUZZI, DERRICK ASHBY OR GUIDE Voll by J.M.Lofficier (Star). DAMIEN BRENNAN FOR THIS YEARS TRIP NOWI nominate Australterrestrials for the Hugo! (And see Jan Howard Finder in a tuxedo 11 at the banquet.' ) for these details, so if they are all organisers for breakfast, is repeatedly wrong blame him or Chris Priest, who refuted by those people who know him was trying to buy magazines off me personally. Paul Stevens, who met him while I was typing this up. on his trip to the U.S.A as the DUFF winner in '78 and Bert Chandler, are two of my personal friends who have PRELIMINARY NEBULA nothing but admiration for Ellison. NOVEL NOMINATIONS As I have said elsewhere, we have not had a great deal of direct response Other titles that were on the prelim from professionals overseas, so I am inary nominations list in the novel very glad to know that Harlan actually category only were; STARSHIP AND HAIKU reads the NEWS and took the trouble to by Somtow Sucharitkul; TOO LONG A contact me. Most of the news we print SACRIFICE by Mildred Downey Broxon; from overseas is second hand, so any BRITISH SF ASSOCIATION AWARDS WAR GAMES by Karl Hansen; THE CAPTIVE details we can get direct is most by Robert Stallman; VALIS by Philip K. appreciated. Now to put a few things NOMINATIONS for the BSFA Award are as Dick; THE DREAMERS by James Gunn; straight. follows: NOVEL - J.G.Ballard HELLO JUNCTION by Jack Dann; PEREGRINE SECUNDUS AMERICA - (Cape), Robert Holdstock - by Avram Davidson; PROJECT POPE by WHERE TIME WINDS BLOW (Faber ), Chris Clifford Simak; THE SOUL EATER by Priest - THE AFFIRMATION (Faber), Gene Michael Resnick; THE AFFIRMATION by Wolfe - THE SHADOW OF THE TORTURER Christopher Priest; AT THE EYE OF THE (Sidgwick , Arrow). OCEAN by Hilbert Schenck; THE DIVINE SHORT: Robert Holdstock - 'Mythago Wood1 INVASION by Philip K.Dick; THE SARDONYX (F§SF Sept), Keith Roberts - 'The Check NET by Elizabeth A.Lynn; WHITE LIGHT by out (F&SF Feb), Edward Shaver - 'The Rudy Rucker; AND NOT MAKE DREAMS YOUR Killing Thought' (FfjSF May), Lisa Tuttle MASTER by Stephen Goldin; A SENSE OF - 'Treading The Maze' (FSSF Nov), Ian SHADOW by Kate Wilhelm; LAST COMMUNION by Watson - 'A Cage for Death' (Omni Jan). Nicholas Yermakov, OCTAGON by Fred MEDIA: Blake's Seven (BBC), Dr Who (BBC) Saberhagen, SYSTEMIC SHOCK by Dean Ing, Excalibur (Boorman/Warner), Stalker - WINDHAVEN by George R.R.Martin and Tarkovsky/Mosfilm), Time Bandits - Lisa Tuttle, A DREAM OF KINSHIP by (Gilliam/Handmade Films). Richard Cowper, BARD by Keith Taylor, COVER ARTIST: Chris Archilleos, Pete THE BOOK OF DREAMS by Jack Vance, Lyon, Chris Moore, Bruce Pennington, DOWNBELOW STATION by C.J.Cherryh, LILITH: Tim White. A SNAKE IN THE GRASS by Jack Chalker, These are all for work done or published MASKS OF THE ILLUMINATI by Robert A. in 1981. Wilson, OATH OF FEALTY by Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle, PATH OF THE ECLIPSE NEBULA AWARD by Chelsea Quinn Yarbro, THE WAR HOUND AND THE WORLD'S PAIN by Michael The cover of the cancelled ACE edition. Moorcock and WORLDS by Joe Haldeman. NOMINATIONS BLOOD'S A ROVER, which is a collection JUDGES FOR WORLD FANTASY AWARD of stories of which "Boy and His Dog" BEST NOVEL: RADIX by A.A.Attanasio ANNOUNCED is the key story, was originally sold (Morrow); THE VAMPIRE TAPESTRY by The judges for the World Fantasy Awards in a package deal to ACE. Ellison was Suzy McKee Chamas (Pocket); LITTLE, paid for it by ACE, but not for the BIG by John Crowley(Bantam); RIDLEY for 1981 have been announced and they are PAT CADIGAN, VIRGINIA KIDD, CHELSEA other books in the deal. The book was WALKER by Russell Hoban (Summit); close to completion when I spoke to THE MANY COLORED LAND by Julian May QUINN YARBRO, THEODORE STURGEON and DOGLAS E.WINTER. The 1982 World Fantasy him last month, but it was decided under (Houghton Mifflin); THE CLAW OF THE the circumstances, that it was better CONCILIATOR by Gene Wolfe (Timescape). Convention will be held over the Halloween Weekend, at the Park Plaza to transfer payment to the other books NOVELLA: 'The Saturn Game' by Poul Hotel, Newhaven, Connecticutt, U.S.A. in the deal, which are reprints, and Anderson {Analog Feb); 'Swarmer,Skimmer' re-negotiate the sale of BLOOD'S A ROVER by Gregory Benford (SFD Oct/Nov); when completed. 'Amnesia' by Jack Dann (Berkley Show Numerous problems have delayed the com case 3); 'In the Western Tradition' by HARLAN ELLISON pletion of THE LAST DANGEROUS VISIONS, Phyllis Eisenstein (FSSF March); 'True ON THE LINE not the least of which being an illness Names' by Vemor Vinge (Binary Star 5); that has plagued Ellison over the last 'The Winter Beach' by Kate Wilhelm In the last issue of the NEWS we men five years and made concentration on (Listen,Listen) . tioned a number of items relating to his writing difficult. He is over the NOVELETTE: 'The Quickening' by Michael the activities of American author worst of the illness now and completion Bishop (Universe II); 'Sea Changeling' HARLAN ELLISON. It appears that these of LAST DANGEROUS VISIONS is in sight. by Mildred Downey Broxon (IASFM Aug); reports were not quite accurate and he It was originally to be published by 'The Thermals of August' by Ed Bryant took the trouble to phone me last month Doubleday in the USA and Millington in (FSSF May); 'The Fire When It Comes' to put things straight. He is by the the U.K., but due to disatisfaction in by Parke Godwin (FSSF May); 'Mummer way, Guest of Honour at the 1983 AUST the way that Millington handled his Kiss' by Michael Swanwick (Universe II); RALASIAN SF CONVENTION to be held in earlier "Dangerous Visions" collections, 'Lirios: A Tale of the Quintana Roo' Sydney in June 1983. he bought back the rights from them. by James Tiptree Jr. (IASFM Sept); As we have previously reported, the pub Doubleday we assume withdrew because of lication of some of his projects has the delays. The sole rights were then SHORT STORY: 'Going Under' by Jack Dann sold to Berkley/Putnam, and the only (Omni Sept); 'Disciples' by Gardner been delayed and the emphasis on most reason that they will not be doing it Dozois (Penthouse Nov); 'The Quiet' by of these reports that we have printed, now is that they refused to publish it George Florance-Guthridge (FSSF July); has been that Ellison has been at fault. in hard cover, which Ellison insisted 'Johnny Mnemonic' by William Gibson Because he is prepared to fight for upon and had no option but to take it (Omni May); 'Venice Drowned' by Kim what he believed is correct, and does off them. As we reported last issue, Stanley Robinson (Universe II); 'Zeke' not mind stepping on a few toes in the Ellison's new agent Richard Curtis is by Timothy R.Sullivan (Twilight Zone process, nobody misses the opportunity currently handling the sale of the Oct); 'The Bone Flute' by Lisa Tuttle to have ago at him. Anything he does or collection, which we believe contains (FSSF May);'The Pusher' by John Varley says tends to be quite often blown out a number of stories by Australian (FSSF Oct). A tie is responsible for of proportion. No doubt he is outspoken authors. Part of the problem in selling the extra two short stories. Our thanks and what he says often gets him into the collection, Ellison points out, has to Dave Langford, editor of ANSIBLE trouble, but his reputation as an ogre, ■who eats publishers and convention been in trying to get the best deal for a long term project the publication of (1955). Satire and exciting writing his authors. the comic strip book THE WIZARD KING. are here again, but also is an ability In the F8SF FILM NEWS column in #27, to write a ferociously convoluted plot. DR FREDERIC WERTHAM, a psychiatrist we mentioned a deal for a TV series that Not only that, but the story has hardly Ellison was initiating, which would bear died December 1, 1981 at the age of 86. dated (govemment-by-assasination has He wrote a scathing attack of comics his name and be under his control. This become fashionable since 1955). report was almost completely fictitious called "Seduction of the Innocents", and was based entirely on an idea that which was instrumental in stopping public But, to experience the Phil Dick who he had confided to a friend/interviewer ation of the EC comic series and prob became most familiar to us, begin with some time back, and is still no more than ably forced the introduction of the EYE IN THE SKY (1957). It is a bizarre a pipe dream. We sincerely regret any comics code. He was a critic of all thriller telling of a group of people embarrasment that this report may have violence in society, but his attack on caught in worlds moulded according to caused Ellison. Our facetious remark also other things such as TV had little alternative philosophical and religious regarding his track record, was refering effect. He wrote a book on fanzines systems. You find here the excitemeht to his problems with the TV studios and called THE WORLD OF FANZINES, published of ideas and idea-systems, both for our surprise that he had been able to 1973, in which after reading all the their own sake and as engines of deal with them again, and again we apol- worlds leading fanzines , he concluded tragedy. agise for that remark. that they were a good creative outlet and source of communication. In 1962, Philip Dick wrote about ten Finally he assured us that he is very novels. (No wonder he burned out.) much looking forward to his trip to Among them were some of his greatest Australia next year and we can assure books: THE THREE STIGMATA OF PALMER him,that all the fans here are also Phillip K. Dick ELDRITCH, CLANS OF THE ALPHANE MOCN, eagily looking forward to meeting him. and,DR BLOODMONEY. These books appeared during the next three or four ( I hope I have the facts right this 1929’1992 years. Other fine books appeared by time. After scribbling the details down Philip K. Dick died of a massive stroke 1968: NOW WAIT FOR LAST YEAR, UBIK, while talking to Harlan on the phone, I on 2nd March, 1982. He was fifty-three and DO ANDROIDS DREAM OF ELECTRIC sent a copy to him, so I expect I would years old. Unbelievable, isn't it? SHEEP?. To me, reading Science Fiction have heard from him if there were any What more can I say? during the 1960s was the excitment of errors. Merv Binns Ed.) waiting for the next Philip Dick book I could say, for a start, that to appear. Each book seemed like a Philip K. Dick was a visionary, a further episode in a wonderful night- prophet, a mystic, a doomsayer, a social mare/dream. In PALMER ELDRITCH, C Obituaries j satirist and, above all, a writer. I reality is abolished altogether, as the could say that he burned himself out; whole world becomes swallowed up by the that he packed into his life about mind of Palmer Eldritch. In NOW WAIT HARRY BATES, author of the story 150 years of anybody else's life. FOR LAST YEAR, a time-manipulating "Farewell to the Master", on which the Indeed, I was not surprised when I heard drug renders characters' lives into an movie "The Day The Earth Stood Still" of his death; he had had a serious heart elaborate maze of alternative destinies. In UBIK, Joe Chip is left at the end was based, died in New York City late ailment for some years, and his lifestyle 1981, at the age of 81. could only be called self-destructive. of the book sitting on a footpath in purgatory, not quite alive, not yet He was the first editor of astounding But saying all those things does not killed. STORIES magazine, editing 34 issues give much idea of what Philip Dick meant from January 1930 to March 1933. He to many of us. As a writer, he showed That's how I will always remember also edited a short run magazine called what Science Fiction could be at its Philip Dick: painfully involved in the STRANGE tales, which was intened as a best - exciting, disturbing, visionary, strange, nightmarish late twentieth competitor to WEIRD TALES. His publishers unique. As a person, he made friends century 'real' world; but also perched the Clayton company went bankrupt and with many fans and writers, especially on a platform with his feet dangling STRANGE TALES was axed and ASTOUNDING during the early 1970s. As a prophet, out into the transcendent unknown was sold to Street and Smith. The rest he could see to the heart of some of which we usually call Death. His life is history. the world's most bedevilling problems, was a constant conflict between the two Some of Bate's best known stories were and his insights could turn your own realms. Now that Philip K. Dick has "Hawk Carse" which he wrote in colabor view of the world inside out. I suspect made the last step between life and ation with his assistant editor Desmond that nobody ever found Phil Dick an death, I trust that he has found a W.Hall, "A Matter of Size" (1935), easy man to get along with, but those small, quiet place where his conflicts "Alas , All Thinking" and "Farewell to who were influenced by him found the are resolved. the Master " 1940. relationship envigorating and - dare I use the word? - mind-expanding. - Bruce Gillespie, 17th March,'82 DENNIS FELTHAN JONES died mid 1981. He was the author of COLOSSUS. He was borti Merv Binns wants me to write about Science Fiction in England in 1915. His novel COLOSSUS Phil Dick's work. Does he know what was made into a film "Colossus:The he is asking? (An entire magazine PHILIP K. DICK Time Out of Joint r Forbin Project" and two other books filled with one article?) It's easy . in the series were COLOSSUS AND THE to write thousands of words about the CRAB and THE FALL OF COLOSSUS. Other short stories alone. Then there are books he wrote included IMPLOSION (1967) the forty novels. And Phil's articles Solar Lottery THE FLOATING ZOMBIE (1975), DENVER IS about his own work. And, in the last MISSING (1971) and EARTH IS FOUND decade, all the critical articles and (1979). reviews which have given Dick's work, Hugo Aw«l winning suthoi RUSS MANNING, well known Burroughs at last, the status which it always illustrator, died of cancer on December deserved. PHILIP K. DICK DR FUTURITY 1, 1981. He was 52. He did Tarzan strips for the comic books and the newspapers So I cannot talk of Dick's work; I can from 1965 On. only ask readers to experience it. To gain that experience, start with a WALLACE WOOD, cartoonist, illustrator, book of Dick's early short stories and fantasy artist, died November 2nd (several collections of them are around) 1981, of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. You will find brilliant social satire PART OF A LEGACY He was 54. In 1978 he suffered a stroke and landscapes of collective techno It is a pity it which prevented him from drawing. He logical disaster. Enjoy the crisp, could not have did sf comics, published his own comics can't-put-down prose. been more. magazine WITZEND and in 1978 completed Then read his first novel, SOLAR LOTTERY re-edit it. In fact they shot additional have taken 10-14, fourteen hour days footage and after re-editing it was with normal equipment. SF & F FILM released again recently. This time it has received quite favourable reviews. A newly-formed independant film produc NEWS HALOWEEN II is the box office runaway tion company, Con Artists Productions, at the moment, making a HALOWEEN III has developed a made-for-TV movie BLADE RUNNER from the Philip K.Dick almost inevitable./ With new interest project with LARRY NIVEN'S story "The novel "Do Androids Dream Electric Sheep" in 3-D films a number of horror films Inconstant Moon". It has yet to be sold is being produced by the Ladd Company. mainly are due for release; TICKLE ME, to a network. The director is Ridley Scott who did ROTTWEILER and PARASITE are some men ALIEN. Dick was said to be happy with tioned. The last two being made with a The filming of FOUNTAINS OF PARADISE the final script, in fact one scene new camera system called Future Dimen by ARTHUR C.CLARKE now seems a very that was added Dick said " moved me to sion, developed by Chris Condon. 3-D strong posibility, as he has sold the tears". The film is true to the theme films will also be screened on TV. film rights to G.Robert Schinella, a special effects expert, for $100,000 but not a literal translation he said. Following the sucess of the almost To clarify the title use, there was a and royalties on profits the film 'super-hero' MAD MAX, the film CAPTAIN makes. future medical thriller by Alan E. INVINCIBLE is currently in production Nourse of that title which the film iin Australia. It is about a super-hero makers have bought, but the movie is Despite the fact that almost all the all P.K.Dick. Sydney Mead ("Sentinal") who is not all he is cracked up to be, crew in BLAKES 7 were blasted into worked on the set design with Douglas and stars Alan Arkin, Christopher Lee eternity in episodes shown recently in Trimbull on the special effects. The and Australian actress Kate Fitzpatrick. Britain, the series will continue. film stars Harrison Ford, Rutger Hauer, Arkin is the hero who has become a and Sean Young and is expected to be drunk and buried himself in the outback. Following the sucess of the TV product released in June. There will not be a Philippe Mora is directing the $7 million ion of Ursula LeGuins LATHE OF HEAVEN, novelization of the film done, but the film. American TV stations KCET in Los Angeles original book of "Do Androids Dream Work on the sf film BRAINSTORM, starring and New York and WNET in New York,who Electric Sheep" is being reissued. the late actress Natalie Wood, was kindly loaned a print of 'Lathe' for completely suspended. There were five screening at CINECON in Melbourne last Filming of REVENGE OF THE JEDI, the scenes to be shot to complete the film year, have announced that they will third segment of the STAR WARS Trilogy, and she was to appear in all, including co-produce a series of sf productions. started in January in London. The the most vital, on which the plot of the David R.Loxton at WNET and Geoffrey release date is set as May 1983. Richard whole film revolves. The film was the Haines- Styles, a senior producer and Marquand is directing the $25 million 2nd directorial effort of special director of the series COSMOS, are film, with Howard Kazanjian Producer effects wizard Douglas Trumble and deals the brains behind the deal. They want to and George Lucas Executive Producer. with the invention of a machine, that can make first class TV sf films with the The s’cript is by Lawrence Kasdan who record and playback an individuals assistance of the authors and VASTER wrote the RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK.and thoughts. Trumble previously produced THAN EMPIRES AND MORE SLOW by Ursula co-authored'Empire' along with the late SILENT RUNNING in 1971. The special Le Guin and ROGUE MOON by Algis Budrys Leigh Brackett. effects are complete and the entire have both been acquired and scripted film has been shot in 70 mm to give the by the authors. Michael Mann will write and direct THE best quality to the special effects. A more recent report on the project is KEEP for CBS Theatrical Films. He also The fate of the film lies in the hands not so promising. Due to financial prob has plans to shoot a science fiction of the insurance company Lloyds of lems Geoff Haines -Styles and other key film called RIMWORLDS, a story he wrote London, who have a potential payout of personel have been fired by KCET, who on a developement deal with Warner Bros. $12 million. Due to Natalie Wood not have also withdrawn from the project. George Romero has completed production being able to shoot the key seen, it However they have formed an independant of his episodic film CREEPSHOW. This would seem that they would have to re organisation, which will make the films "comic book come to life", is Stephen shoot all her scenes with a new actress, and then sell them to the PBS stations. King's first screenplay. King also or scrap the film, but the late actresse's appears as an actor in the film, which husband, Robert Wagner said in a TV in Universal Pictures are to make a film stars Hal Holbrook, Adrienne Barbeau, terview that the film was being completed. of Norman Spinrad's novel BUG JACK Fritz Weaver, Leslie Nielsen, Carrie BARRON. It has taken up the option for Nye, E.G.Marshall and Viveca Lindfors. A Muppet film, BIG BIRD IN CHINA and $75,000. The director will be Costa- NEL will publish a paperback. Romero the sequel to RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK Gravas and producer Edward Lewis. A and his long-time producer , Richard will both be shot in mainland China. recent film from the same team, also Rubenstein , are preparing to film The bamboo curtain is going up.' from Universal, is MISSING. Harlan Stephen King's THE STAND, as a $17 David Bowie and Catherine Deneuve will Ellison has been signed to do the screen play. million movie. star in MGM's THE HUNGER, which begins The BEASTMASTER, sword and sorcery filming in London and New York in March. Spinrad said that with this team he adventure set in a distant time, began It is based on the novel about modern believes the film will be more than shooting in December in the Los Angeles day vampirism by Whitley Strieber. just another "sci-fi" commercial epic. BUG JACK BARRON was quite a controvers area. Marc Singer, Tanya Roberts, Rip The recording industry has decided to ial book in its day and the film MISSING, Torn and John Amos star, with Don certify the issuing of gold,silver and which opened to rave reviews, with Jack Coscarelli directing, from an original platinum discs for high sales. CLOSE Lemmon and Sissy Spacek in the lead roles, screenplay he co-wrote with producer ENCOUNTERS (Revised), JAWS, FLASH also is politically sensitive. Lewis Paul Pepperman. GORDON, XANADU and 2001: A Space Odyssey was the producer of EXECUTIVE ACTION have all been certified as gold and STAR WARS has reportedly been sold to and worked with Ellison on the project ALIEN, THE MUPPET MOVIE and SUPERMAN to film I,ROBOT. American TV for $25.million . 20th as platinum. Century Fox apparently retained TV Moii ofi thii tn^onmatton th eouttuy rights when they put up the finance for A new sophisticated system of electronic SF CHRONICLE, iome friom LOCUS and the the film. George Lucas is reportedly tape-to-film photography will be used itnat -item ^Lom PetM. Pautz, The. SFWA. unhappy with the studio's decision, to film OSSIAN'S RIDE, from the book because he feels that the film would by Fred Hoyle, with the screenplay by have done better with theatre re-runs. He has retained all rights on the Robert Stone Jordon. A PLACE BEFORE mELBOURHE in'85 EMPIRE STRIKES BACK and the forthcoming TOMORROW is an original screenplay by SUPPORT MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA REVENGE OF THE JEDI. Jordon to be filmed with the same process, which he invented. The Plot FOR THE 1985 WORLD SCIENCE FICTION Disney studios released the film WATCHER seems to be similar to SOMEWHERE IN IN THE WOODS about a year ago. After TIME with a happy ending. The new CONVENTION. FOR MORE DETAILS WRITE: poor business and very critical reviews, system was used to film a pilot for the G.P.O.Box 2253U, Melbourne,3000 they decided to withdraw the film and TV series CHIPS, and eleven hours of Victoria, AUSTRALIA 14 filming wrapped up shooting that would George has carefully considered the The main draw back of the novel is that disadavantages of longevity and these the human characters are colourless and are presented with considerable effect. uninteresting, though at least they are more believable than Clement's The Ending is somewhat expected and is characters. The Cheela are more interest left open for the third volume - which ing, with their history and their of course has already been written and religious cults that spring from the accepted for publication. We should see appearence of the human's asteroids and it towards the end of 1982 or perhaps spacecraft in Egg's sky. There is quite early '83. The seeds of a fourth volume a bit of tongue-in-check humour here, are also within this book and George is a parody of human history and society, toying with idea, but he has a non such as The Inner Eye Institute, ( the fiction book to write first followed by Inner Eye being the spacecraft, ) before another mainstream novel. the Cheela make contact. Personally I feel that "Vaneglory" is one of the best SF novels seen over the Michael Hailstone last year, and that when the book is generally available this year, do read THE SONG OF PHAID THE GAMBLER it. I am sure you won’t be disapointed. by Mick Farren John Litchen. New English Library PB $5.95 ARP Reviewed by Tony Huntington dragon's EGG by Robert L.Forward The November, 1981 issue of Heavy Metal New English Library 1981 $4.95 ARP magazine carried an article by Mick Reviewed by Michael Hailstone. Farren on changes in the way in which aliens have been perceived in films Dragon's Egg is a classic piece of modern since the days of Bela Lugosi. He hard science fiction by that leading concludes with a vote for a reappraisal gravitation expert, Dr. Robert Forward: of the vague system by which films are A neutron star is hardly the sort of made, away from the violence the world where one would expect to find State film censor was talking about life. What with a surface gravity some on the TV the other night. But with VANEGLORY 67,000 million times the Earth's this, his sixth book, Mick Farren crushing matter at the surface to a is perpetuating the cult of violence. by George Turner degenerate state a million times the Faber (Penguin Australia) HC $14.95 ARP density of normal matter, and hotter Perhaps that is being too hard on him. Reviewed by John Litchen. than the sun's photosphere. Yet it is Because this reviewer thinks that he but a further step from the alien planet is not a very good writer. The At first glance the cover is nothing novels written by Hal Clement in the violent scenes he portrays are not much, but as George pointed out, the fifties, such as ICEWORLD, about aliens very exciting. His protagonists get title of the book and his name stand out from a world whose temperature is around into strife from which they are clearly (white against a green back 500°C ( a little hotter than we now extracted by cute deus ex machina. ground) with no distraction from the know Venus to be ), and MISSION OF Characters are introduced to get the cover art. GRAVITY about a whirling planet with an plot down the block to the next AND.... Critics be damned! 18 minute day whose surface gravity catastrophe, then removed from the varied from 3 G's at the equator to over scene. George has done it again - this time 700 at the poles. even better. The antihero of this book is, He has presented us with a first class Dragon's Egg is the name of the star, naturally enough when the title is SF story set in a very believable formed in a Supernova 500,000 years considered, PHAID, THE GAMBLER. The future, which explains much and expands ago, and discovered in 2020, a mere author picks him up when he is upon the world already created in 2300 astronomical units away from the considerably down on his luck in "Beloved Son". solar system. It being so named because a backwater hotel on what is presumably of its position in the sky just at the far-future post Apocalypse Earth. "Vaneglory" begins in Glascow in 1992 end of the Dragon constellation. Thirty Phaid journeys back to the high life some forty years before the events years later a manned expedition sets in Chrystianville, gets mixed up in which take place in "Beloved Son". It forth to visit the neutron star, where a revolution and winds up penniless moves along at a good pace, quickly it makes contact with the inhabitants, in another landcrawler town. involving the reader right in the first the Cheela, who have a fascinating Supposedly this is meant to tell us chapter. The destruction of civilization property of living a million times as that life is like that. This message is part of the background and is graphic fast as humans do, so that in a few might have been powerful and exciting ally depicted, yet it does not take over days, while the scout ship is visiting if it were not for Farren's megapulp from the real story, which is about the star at the very dangerous close sensibilities. Throughout all the people. range of 400 kilometers, where it is in incidents that he reports, there is synchronous orbit around the rapidly no feeling of visceral excitement or The following two parts of the book take spinning star, the Cheela progress from tension. He does not successfully place 45 years later, 2037, in Melbourne the hunter gatherer stage to faster illuminate the psychological interiors Town and again in Glascow, and several than light travel. and motivations of his characters, characters appear who were in "Beloved or exploit the full potential of his Son". "Vaneglory" is totally independent Forward certainly has his science right dramatic scenes or his characters. of "Beloved Son" and it’is not necessary For example, the comically diverting to have to read the earlier book, though and the early part of the book, where the neutron star is discovered, is a little dialogue of an android Phaid meets having read one you will no doubt want was a welcome relief, but after it was to read the other. reminiscent of the beginning of Fred Hoyle's THE BLACK CLOUD, The ring of placed in the Life Game (a tiresome The two themes dealt with in this book six superdense asteroids used to explanation of an android secret are longevity and genetic manipulation, protect the ship from the neutron's society) it disappears from the book but these are also secondary since the fierce tidal forces while in close orbit never to be seen again. This is story is about people, and their manip is an engineering marvel, though no typical of how Farren fails. ulation by others who wield power either force in the universe would ever by their position in society, or by the persuade me to entrust my life to such Tony Huntington fact that they are long-lived and thus a device that would need the utmost have an advantage over other ordinary precision and split second timing, not people,regardless of their power base. even with all the marvellous computer technology of the twenty-first century. the land from evils caused by spirits. used to the colloquialisms yet: they The descriptions of the minutae of his all seem familiar to me now, even though daily life give us a good basis for I can spot them easily.) J believe really feeling part of the story. His the brevity of speech is appropriate companion is a spirit woman who (in the for aborigines: it certainly contrib previous book) he transformed into human uted to the feelings of atmosphere. shape. Her name is Murra, and she was one of the Yunggamurra, water spirits I deliberately read this book first, from the far Northern Territory. then went back to the beginning of Another major character, who only plays the trilogy and read it all the way a small part in this book, is Ko-in, through. The third volume was quite once a human who is now a spirit and self-contained but I felt it had more keeps an eye on evil things happening. depth once one had the background of For some reason he can't seem to cope what had gone before. Wrightson recaps with them; I think it's because the briefly, not all at once, but in bits solutions require an actual human. In and pieces as needed in the course of The Ice Is Coming, Ko-in introduced the story, so it all makes sense Wirrun to "the power", a piece of quartz whether you've read thb preceding wrapped in possum fur, that gives volumes dr not; but the details linger Wirrun power over the spirits and the in one's mind if one has read them all, wind. Other spirit creatures that help bring a lot more to this volume. Wirrun on his quest include a Jugi, Still, I wouldn't put off reading it which takes the shape of a large just because you haven't read the vicious shaggy black dog; a Pungalunga, others. It's got a lot to offer. I an enormous rubber-skinned creature was particularly impressed by the sense that leaves huge footprints in the of place, of the Australian outback, BEHIND THE WIND sand hills; Jannoks, grey-haired, emu- that Wrightson conveys with an economy By Patricia Wrightson footed old men; the Noatch, a wispy of words. I can't imagine that I've Hutchinson Australia 1981; 156pp; $10.95 mist of death; frog-women; the Moomba, been in Australia 7^ years and have Reviewed by Jean Weber shades of men: and the real bad guy only now heard of this excellent of this volume, the Wulgaru, about writer. Something has been lacking in This is the third book in a trilogy, whom you will have to read for your fandom, I think - perhaps it's just following The Ice Is Coming (1977) selves. If I have any complaint about the general disinterest amongst many and The Dark Bright Water (1978) . All Wrighton's spirit characters, it is that for fantasy? All I can say is,you're are allegedly "children's fantasy”, but there are too many of them. I missing a lot if you write Wrightson only the first seems to me to< even appreciate that each part of this vast off as "mere" fantasy - this is ex vaguely warrant that category: these continent has its own spirits, but one cellent writing, good characterisation, books have sufficient depth and com does get a bit overwhelmed at the number and action too. Highly recommended. plexity to stand clearly as adult of walk-on characters. fantasy. In that they mark a distinct Jean Weber departure from the author's earlier Ah, but what's the story about, you works. I have read The Rocks Of Honey, want to know? Well, there's this nasty Down To Earth, An Older Kind Of Magic, bit of evil that keeps popping up and The Nargun And The Stars; each had around the country • (bright red eyes THE MAKING OF THE REPRESENTATIVE a child (or group of children) of about in a face with no body), and it's got a FOR PLANET 8 age 12 or 13 as the central protagonist, lot of people and spirits worried, so By Doris Lessing and were fairly straight-forward in they send for Wirrun, who has saved the Jonathan Cape; 147pp; HC $19.50*ARP style. The earlier books were delight land twice before. If anyone can *(Price not certain.) ful reading for adults as well, but were figure out what's going on, and stop it, Reviewed by George Turner clearly aimed at younger readers. This he can. Once summoned, he does quite trilogy goes well beyond those books. a bit of travelling, in various fan I liked SHIKASTA, the first of this tastic ways: riding the wind, and 'Canopus' series, for its intellectual Wrightson has taken the usual elements riding on or being carried by several acrobatics, and the second for its of fantasy (clash of good and evil; spirit creatures. Each step of the air of gentle fantasy, but found the magic; creatures of the earth; the Land) journey brings clues, and problems to third pointless and carelessly and incarnated them in the "native" be solved. Fairly early his companion imagined. This, the fourth, is fantasy creatures of Australia. She Murra, is reclaimed by her 'sisters'; almost incomprehensible. remarks in a preface to The Ice Is this loss distracts Wirrun at times, Coming, that her spirit characters because not only does he want to rid A planet with an eccentric orbit is "are the folk-spirits of the Australian the land of the evil, but he also wants dying under an oncoming ice age. Aborigines - not the ritual figures of to find Murra. Along the way he learns Canopus promises to rescue the in the creative myths but the gnomes and a lot about friendship, and his own habitants but, for vague reasons, heroes and monsters of Australia. I priorities. Like all good fantasy, is unable to do so. The planet's might have written a story about more the surface "plot" of the story covers people go through the agony of familiar spirits, the elves and fairies layers of meaning and complexity, for perishing, apparently developing and dragons and monsters of Europe... those who wish to find it. spiritual strength through torment. But for that story I would have to Maybe, but I have my doubts. It invent a foreign setting, an Earthsea Wrightson conveys a very real sense of seems to be tied up, in Lessing's or a Middle Earth; and powerfully magical the Australian land. Her descriptions mind, with Scott of the Antarctic, as those countries are I know one as are brief but evoke strong images, at which doesn't really help. powerful and as magic. It is the only least to someone like myself who has one I know and the one I want to write travelled over quite a bit of the about." I am not a student of Aborginal country (albeit superficially) . She THE SONGS OF SUMMER fantasy, so I cannot comment on the has managed to find a good middle By Robert Silverberg accuracy of her spirit characters, but ground between the usual representation Pan; 173pp; PB $3.95 ARP I would consider that to be irrelevant of Aboriginal English (with its poor Reviewed by John Alderson anyway. Wrightson tells a powerful grammar and scanty vocabulary) and a Undoubtedly, all these stories once story, and her characters, both human more conventional English which would read well in a magazine, but bound and spirit, are well drawn. be very out of place for her characters. together in a book, they appear as They speak briefly, and in some notice very lightweight stuff. It has The main protagonist is Wirrun, a young able Australian colloquialisms, but to be confessed, that although they male Aborigine (I'd guess he's about not so much that one cannot clearly read well, there is just nothing in 19) from an un-named eastern city understand them. (I'd be most interest most of them to warrant a re-telling. (probably Sydney) who is called to save ed to hear the reaction of a recently- They are, in fact, written to a arrived non-Australian, who wasn't formula and remain "magazineish". KINSMAN BLAKE'S 7 - SCORPIO ATTACK By Ben Bova Trevor Hoyle BBC pb $4”.95 Dell; 28Opp; PB $2.95 US Reviewed by John Alderson A novelisation of four stories from a new series of the popular British TV Kinsman is a bit of a turd and finally show. Avon is the ruthless hero and gets his way by screwing the wife of leader of this new group of Federation a life-long friend. Little else rebels, most of the originals having Kinsman does, is any more commendable Bv Fhui. J. 5T£ueW5 been lost or killed in the previous and it is difficult to feel any two series. This is for fans of the sympathy at all for the character. THE WORLDS OF ANNE McCAFFREY series and no-one else. It makes one wonder why Ben Bova Anne McCaffrey Andre Deutsch HC writes this sort of trash, when he $23.95 STAR WORLD could more profitably be getting Harry Harrison Granada pb $4.95 drunk. The only thing that can be This three novel hardcover is good said in favour of this book, and value for the collector, containing Everybody is into series books these this is a negative one..., it does as it does DECISION AT DOONA, days and Harry Harrison was one of not, as seems usual with the subject THE SHIP WHO SANG and RESTOREE. If the pioneers and now he brings you matter, give the entire history of you haven't read any novels by this the TO THE STARS trilogy, featuring space exploration. For this mercy, authoress then you had better get at HCMEWORLD, WHEELWORLD and STARWORLD. we give thanks. However, Bova is a it at once and if you have, then you I was not impressed but then very good writer... don't need me to tell you how good little impresses me these days. she is. Harry Harrison fans will like this, padding and al 1. Chinaman's chance Harry J.Greenwald THE MERMAN'S CHILDREN Poul Anderson,Sidgwick § Jackson HC 'ESCAPE FRCM NEW YORK Robert Hale; 192pp; HC 5.95 Mike McQuay Bantam pb $2.95' Reviewed by John Alderson $20.95 The book of the screenplay and it reads An interesting novel with an interesting Another of Poul Anderson's fantasy novels, dealing with the lost magic fairly well as it was adapted from a idea, and all the makings of a first good script and a fresh idea. If you class book, but it just doesn't make races of prehistoy. I didn't like it, but others have said it was very saw the film then the book gives you the grade. The political ideas are lots of background that the movie not developed enough nor is the readable. More for fans of the fantasy st ory. missed in an entertaining way. Almost ecological danger posed by the plant as good as the film. under crop when its danger is realised I have five Michael Moorcock books to at all likely., .there just isn't enough ROADMARKS review, but what is there to say about fight in the book. Then the story Roger Zealazny Orbit pb $4.95 dribbles off to an anticlimatic ending. a man who is almost an industry all There is a good book in this volume, by himself and one of the most popular writers in the English language. This is a good idea gone wrong but but it hasn't been written yet. To what the hell, most people I know who make it worse the proof-reader did a MOORCOCK'S BOOK OF MARTYRS ($4.95), slovenly job of the proof-reading. Granada pb, is a collection of short read ROADMARKS enjoyed it, so you fiction dealing with martyrdom, should... and it is a damned good idea. salvation and apocalypse and contains SHAKEHOLE the classic story, BEHOLD THE MAN. A WAR GAMES by R.W.Mackelworth new story dealing with Elric of Melni- Brian Stableford Pan pb $3.95 Robert Hale; 208pp; HC 5.95 bone is good news, and with SAILOR ON Reviewed by John Alderson THE SEAS OF FATE, we have Elric being Originally published in 1981 as sent on another quest, this time side OPTIMAN in a Daw edition, WAR GAMES Labelled SF, but the science is pot by side with heroes from other times. is a dusty sort of story that takes holing. Actually, it is a fine main The first two volumes of the Oswald a time to get going and ends in a stream novel, a touch of mystery, and Bastable series are at hand, and are welter of blood, both human, alien a lot of time spent under the now in Granada paperback at $3.50 and and synthetic. There is a plot that Yorkshire moors. The ending is either $4.95 each. If you like alternate takes a lot of unravelling and various murky or very subtle in an English history, then try WARLORD OF THE AIR types trying to kill the main char fashion. Well drawn characters and and THE LAND LEVIATHAN, and THE STEEL actors. I found it obtuse. interesting action, and reactions. TSAR, which is the third in the THE FACE series and has just been published by MASTERS OF EVERON Granada. Jack Vance Coronet pb $3.95 By Gordon R.Dickson Also on hand, is the Dell edition of Book 4 of the DEMON PRINCES series. Sphere; 244 pp; PB $4.95 ARP Yet another series book, but this Reviewed by John Alderson COUNT BRASS, though this excellent first volume is also available in a time we have class. Jack Vance is one of the best science fiction writers Another SF novel with a fine up-beat British Mayflower edition and just in the world and he proves it with ending which goes through my credi doesn't stop selling. this book. A galactic manhunt for bility ceiling. Apart from the the five master criminals who killed improbability of the ending this is Bantam/TransworId sent us two original his parents and this time, Kirth Gersen a finely written book with well defined SF adventures, QUAS STARBRIGHT by is hunting Lens Larque, does he find and interesting characters and a complex James R. Berry and THE JANUS SYNDROME by Stephen E. McDonald, neither of him and gain vengence? Read THE FACE and fascinating plot. It is a set on and f ind out. a planet where the lifeforms are self which really delivers the goods prom stabilising and where men have to fit ised in the blurbs. Star Wars they THE ORPHAN into the pattern or perish, not only ain't! Star bores they is! Robert Stallman Mayflower pb $5.95 on Everon, but all over the galaxy. Much more interesting and exciting is Query - do all these stories where Here is a book to read and really the colonists on new planets come Transworld's Mathew Swain series, a enjoy, a fantastic look at a young future private eye takes on the under to amiable terms with the new planets boy who has a beast living inside him. world in the 21st century and the signify that Americans have come to Stallman died last year, after he had terms with their new country? reader comes off the best. Good fun with more in the series to follow. completed the third book of this Vovji clipping John! You actually said HOT TIME IN OLD TOWN and WHEN TROUBLE vividly written series. Acclaimed iomethlng good about a couple, however BECKONS, both at $2.95. as a masterpiece, it is a great pity nex.t laue you dtsmembeA. 4 by Anne Raymond Chandler lives! that we will not see any other books McCaifrtey. from such a fine author. cd. Paul J .Stevens 1 written manuscript reads differently to Dear Merv, an unskilled editor than does a typeset For a start, I'd like to make some cor manuscript, then I suggest that they rections in my letter in ASFN #27, mis consult any decent psychologist and have takes that are yours rather than mine, him/her explain the effects of context lest readers think me illiterate. In and set on preceptual skills. paragraph three "much more franker" I still believe that publishing poor should read just "much franker". If any Even wZihout any large adveAtca ementa stories (not substandard, since the stories readers are wondering what the hell tjAom the publishers this issue, 1 have in question achieved a certain minimum "barley sf" is, that should be "barely been pushing to include everything in standard) will help a writer better to sf", and "Bert Chandler's, which was, it that was absolutely necessary. learn his trade, because I have been told very slightly." should read "Bert 20 pages is our economic limit. so by many writers. The fact that George Chandler's, which was very slight." And Consequently, the poor old tetter Turner and Lee Harding (among others) in the fifth paragraph CORRIDA DE TORRES column has to suffer again . I do reject this view does not invalidate it; should read CORRIDA DE TOROS, which appreciate very much the tetters I the fact that the Ashbys reject it is means "bullfight", whereas CORRIDA DE have received, but I do consider that of no consequence at all. TORRES would mean "towerfight"! this section has the least general At least the Ashbys have jumped on the So Darrell Schweitzer wants to know in interest. I may in future be forced "editors' workshop" bandwagon - about what way I mean the overseas (not necc- to edit tetters a tittle and perhaps cut six months after I proposed it, but at essarily American) marketshare hopeless. out things that are not of particular least before the ANU conference when this Actually I didn't say that overseas markets interest to other readers. So if you are notion did take hold - so perhaps this were hopeless; I just said that the overseas writing tetters to me for publication, portion of their comments must be the ten markets are a hopeless means of estab please keep them brief and to the point. percent that isn't crap. lishing an Australian sf scene. The reason should be clear from my own Neville Angove, Your own comments to the Ashbys' letter letter in the same issue, but, if P.O. Box 770, (about publishing ASFN) are quite sim Schweitzer finds this not so but needs Canberra City, ACT ilar to my views about TCC. I only wanted to have it all spelt out and spoonfed 2601 9/11/81 to publish the magazine, and did not wish to him, then I refer him to Paul Collins' Dear Merv, to edit any fiction because I lacked the introduction to his third anthology skill to do so adequately ( an aside: I was not too surprised by the reaction ALIEN WORLDS. I don't want to say any I have received much mail supporting my to my diatribe on local attitudes towards more about it here. sf, but the Ashbys' comments (ASFN#26) editorial skills, so perhaps I am not as did bring me up short. My first response bad at it as I think). But I could not Furthermore, I'd like to make it known was of anger, but the humour of the sit find a fiction editor and had to take on that about two years ago, on Paul Collins' uation finally made itself known Brief the (thankless) job myself. At least I advice, I wrote to Schweitzer, enclosing ly, their letter was a fine example of tried, didn't I, and if I have failed a copy of CRUX, since, according to Paul, the facile stupidity and hypocrisy for then part of the blame falls on people he was willing to review it in GALAXY, which sf fandom seems synonymous. like the Ashbys who were willing only to yet I never received the courtesy of an destructively criticise and nothing answer. So, with that contemptible "Futuristic Tales" is professional, in flse. performance in mind, I think Schweitzer spite of the Ashbys' collected ignorance. has a bloody hide now to come forth with Professionism is the willingness to I have invested over $5000 in the past three years in publishing the CYGNUS such a tract of condescending waffle in accept responsibility, and the approach the NEWS letter column. to a task. The quality of the product CHRONICLER, and I have built up a small but devoted readership. I can no longer Sincerely does not detract from the professionalism Michael Hailstone involved in its production, and neither afford to spend (rather to lose) $2000 a year with little hope of return. does high quality add professionalism to Sorry about the typos Michael, but I a product. Bruce Gillespie's SF COMMENTARY By dropping all fiction, I will save most of that money, and also save make that many with my two finger typing, is an extremely high quality amateur mag that Lt is inevitable that some are over azine, while Don Boyd's FUTURISTIC TALES a great deal of my time. THE CHRONICLER will still make a loss looked by my proofreaders. Whatever my is a low quality professional magazine. space limitations, 1 will always endeavour Boyd put up the money, and took the risks, because much of its distribution will be free, but I hope that the increasing to give all letter writers a chance to quite contrary to the knowledgable opin reply to published letters in which they ions of fandom, he has succeeded (the sales of late will soon reduce that to are mentioned. last issue of FT sold out in Canberra j.n an amount I can afford. The real losers, a week). My own approach was only semi- though, will be the writers who have I have received letters from Jean professional (if such a contradiction lost another local market, albeit only a Weber, Gary Linnelt, Eric Lindsay, Mark can exist): I wasn't willing to take a small one. Perhaps they will learn to Loney, Vai Rogers and others, with advice large enough risk, as so lucked out. write in the American fashion, and sell and ideas about what I should include or there instead. Now wouldn't that be a not include in the NEWS and such. I do The attack which "had not taken place", grand case of cultural cringe! thank them all, but I think it would only and against which I defend myself, did bore most of my readers to print them in in fact occur at the conference at the Neville Angove full, even if I did have room. One com Australian National University in July, ment made by more than one reader is that and I am proud of my skill in predicting Well Nev, I agree and sympathise with I do not trade for other fanzines, and that such an attack would occur. Unfor a tot of what you have said, although so Indicating that being a reason for ' tunately George Turner was not involved, I think you have left yourself open for ASFN not being called a fanzine. I do and for that slight on him I apologise criticism on some things stilt. Critic actually trade, but I have never made a profusely. But after BELOVED SON and ism within Australian. fandom, whether it point of it. People keep sending me their VANEGLORY I deny his credentials as a be of other peoples publishing efforts zines, but I do not have the space or critic still! or of organising conventions or bids, the time to acknowledge them. I will try My comments regarding poor sf and George is mostly destructive and largely non and rectify that in the future. Scithers were to explain why I still productive for alt. At least some of us A letter I should have printed last published local sf that I did not feel do try to do things even if they aren't year from GREG HILLS in New Zealand, was up to scratch. Most short sf is not perfect, and in time, with experience, told us that N.Z. would most likely not up to scratch, and if I waited for our efforts do improve. We can alt learn be bidding for the 1984 Australasian 10,000 perfect words before publishing, from criticism, but it's a matter of sort Convention. We will know if anybody is I would be waiting forever. My argument ing out what is meaningful and what is bidding for '84 at TSCHALCON, but we was that much of the fiction I published just sheer know Lt all hot air. may not know the New Zealanders inten was equal to most published by Scithers, Merv tions till after OCTOCON in June. The was written by (mainly) professional same committee that was considering ' 84 writers, and suffered because of my lack Michael Hailstone is bidding for the NZ National conven of editorial skills. P.O.Box 193, tion in '83, and it does seem a tittle If the Ashbys' cannot accept that a type- Woden, ACT 2606 ambitious to got for both. More later. 18 15/2/82 Merv Binns Ed. DARYL MANNELL WITHDRAWS FROM DUFF Dear Uncle Merv 6 Master Stevens, Esq.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank both of you for the support you have given me over my DUFF race. I would also like to thank my other nominators, Carey Handfield, Lee Smoire and Jan-Howard Finder for their support. All of you have placed your faith with me and for that I am eternally thank SPACE ART ON YOU! full. Now comes the bad news. SPACE IS THE PLACE IN T-SHIRTS Unfortunately I now find myself in a This SHIRT SAYS IT ALL. position where I am forced to withdraw Printed black on blue or gold shirt. from DUFF. For sometime now I have been S. M. L. XL. (adult sizes) trying to break into the film industry T-SHIRTS $7.00 it and now appears to be bearing some State size and color preference. fruit. Because of future committments POSTAGE. INCLUDED IN PRICE in this area, I could not guarantee the Dealer Inquiries Welcome. time needed to tour the U.S. if I won DUFF. Therefor I feel it is only fair Cheque to to both fandom and myself that I with 483 BEAUCHAMP RD, MAROUBRA, N.S.W. 2035 draw from DUFF. 1981:THE SCIENCE FICTION YEAR This does not mean that I intend to THE NOVA MOB LOCUS reported that 1053 sf£f books scale down my fannish activities *Next meeting: 6th April were published in the year, an 11% drop though. No siree! You can't get rid *Meet 6.00PM at The Danube Restaurant from 1980. The average price on paper of me that easily. But once again I Acland St., StKilda. backs rose from $2.25 to $2.50 and would like to thank those who have ‘Meeting: 8.00PM Foyster/Bryce residence, the average hard cover hit a high of supported me and wish them all the best 21 Shakespeare Grove, $16.00. The number of hard covers pub for the future. I would also like to St Kilda lished dropped only 6%, but the trade announce my support for Peter Toluzzi ‘Subject: "Women as Portrayed in Science paperbacks, which are an absolute dead for DUFF. I have known Peter for some Fiction".Marjorie Dedman, loss here, no matter how good they are, time and I know he will make an excellent speaker. representative for Australia. All my dropped 18%. The magazine field was the best Peter. Who knows, it could be healthiest since 1977, with three new WYNNE WHITEFORD did well on a daytime DAZ FOR DUFF IN 84! ( Watch this space magazines starting and only one died. TV quiz show this week. Although he was for details. ) There were more total issues than *77 Yours faithfully, and more pages and stories. However not the ultimate prize winner, he did Tiny Daryl. newsstand circulation figures continued give the winner a run for his money. ( The Anthropoid. ) to drop. Science fiction ISSUE ffl - Sold out!
ISSUE #2 - Interviews with Roger Zelazny and Lee Harding, plus poems by Zelazny and an article on Lee Harding's novels. ISSUE #5 - Our best-seller: now in its third printing, with over 2000 copies sold. Featuring Terry Dowling's 28,000-word appreciation of the work of Jack Vance. Plus an interview with George Turner, and an artist's bestiary of Vance's aliens. 154 pages. ISSUE N4 - A Humorous art folio by Australian sf artist Michael Kumashov; an informative, relaxed interview with Australia's hard-science sf writer, Frank Bryning . ISSUE ff5 - Another of our best-sellers, now in its second printing. Articles on Roger Zelazny and the state of sf in Australia; editorial debate on the definition of sf. ISSUE NE> - Articles on Kurt Vonnegut and Jack Vance (the identity of the Connatic revealed at last!); plus material on one of the best and earliest Australian sf novels, The Germ Growers (1892). ISSUE N7 - The last few dozen copies of our interview with Peter Weir, Australia's foremost film director. (You know about Picnic at Hanging Rock, The Last Wave, and Gallipoli - but did you know they invited him to direct The Thorn Birds and a re-make of The Thing!) ISSUE N8 - An article on myth in sf, and an interview with Australian sf entrepreneur Paul Collins. Plus suberb paintings by Australia's Nick Stathopoulos . ISSUE #9 - Just released! A long interview with Frank Herbert (66 questions and answers!); and an interview with best-selling Australian novelist, David Ireland. (Have you read City of Women yet?)
SUBSCRIPTIONS: The bookshop price for SCIENCE FICTION is' $1.70, but on a subscription you receive issues for only $1.50. 4 subscription costs $4.50 for three issues, and should be mailed to: V. Ikin, Editor - SCIENCE FICTION, Department of English, University of 11.4., Nedlands, IV. 4. 6009. (Your subscription will begin with issue #9, unless you request otherwise. Baek issues are available at $1.70 each.) CHEQUES AND MONEY ORDERS MUST BE PAYABLE TO "V. IKIN". 19 SPHERE SCIENCE FICTION THE 1980 Galaxy NEBULA AWARD BOOKSHOP WINNER THE SCIENCE FICTION & FANTASY SPECIALISTS ULTIMATE EXPLORATION OF THE CONCEPT WHOLE NEW OF WORLD OF BOOKS TIME
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