Winter 2011

News and Announcements

Inside this issue: Members: Go online at www.heinleinsociety.org to choose how you would like your future Education Report 2 newsletters delivered, by mail or a PDF by email. Pay It Forward 3

Archivist Report 4 Heinlein Society President’s update Publishing News 5 February 20, 2011— In recent years our membership has waned, and we will be focusing a great deal on increasing membership outreach and growth. We Heinlein Prize Trust News 6 will be looking for volunteers to help pay it forward by helping to recruit new members. If you haven’t paid your 2010 dues yet, please do! Heinlein Biography Review 7 As part of the process of appraising several paintings which were donated to the Society after Ginny's death, we have uncovered an interesting history of Annual Meeting Report 10 each. A portrait of Nichelle Nichols as Lt. Uhura, which was

part of a set of seven "Officers of the Bridge", painted by Kelly Freas was also once displayed in the Smithsonian Insti- tute as part of a Star Trek exhibit. "The Green Hills of Earth", by Fred Ludekens, was painted to accompany the publica- tion of that story in The Saturday Evening Post in 1947. And a moonscape, painted by Chesley Bonestell, was part of a group of eleven which were published in the March 4, 1946 Mike Sheffield, edition of Life Magazine as part of an article titled "A Trip to THS President the Moon by Rocket".

New Board Member

Connie Willis was elected to The Poll Awards and 6 Nebula Awards. Heinlein Society board at the October The first half of her newest novel, meeting. Connie Willis is the award Blackout, was published in February Connie Willis winning author of Doomsday Book, 2010 with the second half, All Clear, Passage, To Say Nothing of the Dog being published in October, 2010. and Bellwether. Connie has been awarded 10 Hugo Awards, 11 Locus

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cator’s CD”, with all the the all with CD”, cator’s “Edu Society’s the of 2.0”

issuing a revised “Version “Version revised a issuing to close getting now are We

this summer. summer. this

well. well. to distribute v2 of the CD at Renovation in Reno later later Reno in Renovation at CD the of v2 distribute to

fiction. Individual educators contact us regularly, as as regularly, us contact educators Individual fiction. Future about the possibility of cooperating with them them with cooperating of possibility the about Future

We are currently in discussion with Reading for the the for Reading with discussion in currently are We Universe and Everything” symposium on speculative speculative on symposium Everything” and Universe

g University’s “Life, The The “Life, University’s g Youn Brigham with junction

creation of these lesson plans. plans. lesson these of creation

support of the SF educator’s conference held in con- in held conference educator’s SF the of support

le in making possible the the possible making in le ro facilitating key a played

provided 35 copies of the CD in in CD the of copies 35 provided

. Here again, The Heinlein Prize Trust Trust Prize Heinlein The again, Here . Space in foot

Education Chairman Chairman Education

weeks of writing this report, we we report, this writing of weeks

Geo Rule Rule Geo Tender- and , Luna of Pits Black Earth, From Menace

Science Fiction in general. Within Within general. in Fiction Science

The The – version original the on already stories short

Robert A. Heinlein and the power of of power the and Heinlein A. Robert

new for v2 of the CD are Lesson Plans for the three three the for Plans Lesson are CD the of v2 for new

our furthering of the legacy of of legacy the of furthering our

Heinlein works published by Scribner’s. Also included included Also Scribner’s. by published works Heinlein

these requests is an ongoing part of of part ongoing an is requests these

in addition to the traditional list of of list traditional the to addition in Mars of Podkayne

with positive feedback. Fulfilling Fulfilling feedback. positive with

and and Troopers Starship both for Plans Lesson include

several hundred of these CDs, often often CDs, these of hundred several

the “Heinlein juveniles” are now complete, and will will and complete, now are juveniles” “Heinlein the

have distributed distributed have we offer, this about

n, and the Lesson Plans for for Plans Lesson the and n, agai back is James Robert

large scale advertising to educators educators to advertising scale large

teaching Heinlein to college age students. students. age college to Heinlein teaching the funds to engage in in engage to funds the had never have we Though

buted his experiences in in experiences his buted contri has Academy, Naval who has requested one. one. requested has who librarian or educator fied

C. Herbert Gilliland, professor of English at the US US the at English of professor Gilliland, Herbert C. arge to any and every quali- every and any to arge ch of free CD this tributed

Society has dis- has Society Heinlein the duced,

nile audience. audience. nile juve a to down”

In the years since it was first pro- first was it since years the In

about Heinlein refusing to “write “write to refusing Heinlein about

“Space Opera vs The Right Stuff” Stuff” Right The vs Opera “Space sented. sented.

Education the on click and link. link.

C. W. Sullivan III has provided his his provided has III Sullivan W. C. van III, and Robert James are repre- are James Robert and III, van

CD, visit the Society’s webpage webpage Society’s the visit CD,

cators like Julie Czernada, C. W. Sulli- W. C. Czernada, Julie like cators

generous contribution. contribution. generous

Heinlein Prize Trust. Leading SF edu- SF Leading Trust. Prize Heinlein

ford all have our thanks for this this for thanks our have all ford

To see what is on the Educator’s Educator’s the on is what see To

shorts provided courtesy of The The of courtesy provided shorts

these stories. Brin, Bear, and Ben- and Bear, Brin, stories. these

three Heinlein Heinlein three to text complete

provide a lesson plan for each of of each for plan lesson a provide

Heinlein, not least of which is the the is which of least not Heinlein,

intend that Robert James, PhD, will will PhD, James, Robert that intend

amount of material specific to the works of Robert A. A. Robert of works the to specific material of amount

one of their stories for inclusion on the CD. We also also We CD. the on inclusion for stories their of one

variety of age groups, and include a significant significant a include and groups, age of variety

all three agreed to provide provide to agreed three all have education, SF in forts

materials involved cover a a cover involved materials The students. their teach to

and Greg Bear) who have done so much to lead ef- lead to much so done have who Bear) Greg and

in using Science Fiction Fiction Science using in interested educators for rials

gory Benford, David Brin, Brin, David Benford, gory (Gre B’s” “Killer famed The

“Education CD” of mate- of CD” “Education an produced Society Heinlein

tributions. tributions. the Future, the for Reading and Museum, Fiction

material of the original, and several exciting new con- new exciting several and original, the of material wi partnership in 2005, In th Cascadia Con, Science Science Con, Cascadia th

Heinlein Society Committee News: EDUCATION News: Committee Society Heinlein

Over 10,000 units of blood have Pay it Forward been donated through Heinlein Society Blood Drives Blood Drives!

Blood Drive Report:

There is an upcoming blood drive at Wondercon in San Francisco, Friday, April 1st, 2011, WonderCon Convention West Mezzanine Rooms 270/272 . “Someday you’ll find See our website at heinleinsociety.org/blooddrives for more upcoming donation opportunities. somebody who needs a Bakuretsucon (Colchester, VT Oct. 21-24) blood drive results: 20 donors, 16 hand. So give him a hand usable units. The Red Cross goal was 21 units, but this was close enough to make them want to come back again next year. and think of us.” The Society sent blood drive pins and cards to Pete McCartney, from Calgary, who is doing his 5th annual "Bash of Blood". He gets other local fans to “...I’ll do it and think about donate and throws them a mini-con with gaming, snacks and non-alcoholic you, not once but more drinks. He found out about us when he was at Gen Con in 2007. We also put him in touch with Steve Coates, a THS member from Calgary who is than once.” organizing a blood drive at the Calgary Comics & Entertainment Expo in June. Some real go-getters up there! “That’s best. Bread cast

The Society was contacted by DunDraCon (San Ramon, CA, Feb. 18-21), upon the waters always which had its 2nd annual blood drive.

We’re running low on pins, etc. Hopefully we will have sufficient funds soon comes back…” with member renewals to be able to place a large pin order. We get the best Friday prices with larger orders. Ribbons and cards are a bit less expensive, and get by Robert A. Heinlein good price breaks at smaller quantities.

How You Can New Heinlein Society member, Offer your support Pay It Forward John R. Bean, is buying copies of to Heinlein’s "Farmer in the Sky" to donate to hometown library in his local scout troop. This is a Butler, Missouri, great idea for helping to inspire the leadership of tomorrow. home of the “Farmer in the Sky” takes Scouting to the moons of Jupiter. Look Heinlein Reading at the themes of the other Heinlein juveniles and see which match Room. your local clubs areas of interest and donate copies. A math or computer club might find the use of binary computers in “Starman Visit their website at: Jones” fascinating. A model rocketry group may be inspired by “Rocketship Gallileo.” Paperback copies of Heinlein’s novels are butlerpubliclibrary.org not very expensive, and when bought from Amazon.com via a link on the Heinlein Society’s website give a small commission back to the Heinlein Society.

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Heinlein’s Bonny Doon home. home. Doon Bonny Heinlein’s

painting on the wall at the the at wall the on painting

The photograph is of the the of is photograph The

Uhura. Uhura.

Kelly Freas painting of Lt. Lt. of painting Freas Kelly

part of the UCSC archive. Further, Slusser has has Slusser Further, archive. UCSC the of part THS Archivist Archivist THS

Michael Cassutt Cassutt Michael a happy home for RAH materials that are not not are that materials RAH for home happy a

were also present. The Eaton Collection is likely likely is Collection Eaton The present. also were

tour. tour.

sor emeritus George Slusser and wife Dany Dany wife and Slusser George emeritus sor

of the SF prose exhibits go on on go exhibits prose SF the of

collections head Melissa Conway. UCR profes- UCR Conway. Melissa head collections

next couple of years while most most while years of couple next

ian Ruth Jackson and special special and Jackson Ruth ian

exhibit for the the for exhibit

the person of university librar- university of person the

an AVATAR AVATAR an

by Robert A. Heinlein Heinlein A. Robert by

sity of California, Riverside, in in Riverside, California, of sity

Time Enough for Love Love for Enough Time taken up with with up taken

treated to lunch by the Univer- the by lunch to treated

going to be be to going Chief Archivist Emeritus Emeritus Archivist Chief

gator Gregory Benford, were were Benford, Gregory gator

Justin Foote the 45th 45th the Foote Justin

tations: the museum's space is is space museum's the tations:

terson and I, along with insti- with along I, and terson

is always the most probable. probable. most the always is any new author-related presen- author-related new any

Sheffield, Keith Kato, Bill Pat- Bill Kato, Keith Sheffield,

With the Senior, the most fantastic fantastic most the Senior, the With

STRANGER), but no chance for for chance no but STRANGER),

On Saturday, Feb. 12, Mike Mike 12, Feb. Saturday, On

the 50th anniversary of of anniversary 50th the

exhibit this summer (perhaps to commemorate commemorate to (perhaps summer this exhibit Cassutt. Michael by filled is Archivist of Position

ary, and not only is there no chance for an RAH RAH an for chance no there is only not and ary,

in’s second best bed. bed. best second in’s Heinle Robert is Heinlein

Museum in Seattle during a visit there in Janu- in there visit a during Seattle in Museum

items left to the Heinlein Society by Virginia Virginia by Society Heinlein the to left items

On a related note, I was in touch with the SF SF the with touch in was I note, related a On

Society owns. Among the more interesting interesting more the Among owns. Society

of us found the idea fascinating and attractive. attractive. and fascinating idea the found us of Heinlein the property d an artifacts Heinlein ous

intrigue Jackson and Conway. Frankly, I think all all think I Frankly, Conway. and Jackson intrigue vari- of, future the toward looking and of, care

for Heinlein Studies, a a Studies, Heinlein for the include responsibilities Its Society. Heinlein notion that seemed to to seemed that notion

proposed that UCR and Eaton become a Center Center a become Eaton and UCR that proposed the within new is Archivist of position The

Heinlein Society Committee News: ARCHIVIST REPORT ARCHIVIST News: Committee Society Heinlein

Page 5 5 Page

WILL TRAVEL. TRAVEL. WILL

selling e-rights on its site to HAVE SPACESUIT - - SPACESUIT HAVE to site its on e-rights selling

, Baen Books is also also is Books Baen , deal nonexclusive a Via

these platforms as soon as possible. possible. as soon as platforms these

SUIT - WILL TRAVEL and will have that up on on up that have will and TRAVEL WILL - SUIT

© The Heinlein Prize Trust Trust Prize Heinlein The ©

We plan to digitize and convert HAVE SPACE- HAVE convert and digitize to plan We

Photo courtesy of the Heinlein Archives Archives Heinlein the of courtesy Photo

with cat cat with

are urged to check these out. out. these check to urged are

lein writing, writing, lein Hein A. Robert

All fans with either Kindles, Nooks or i-Pads i-Pads or Nooks Kindles, either with fans All

THE NOTEBOOKS OF LAZARUS LONG LONG LAZARUS OF NOTEBOOKS THE

ORPHANS OF THE SKY SKY THE OF ORPHANS

fax: 212-362-4562 212-362-4562 fax:

New York, NY 10025 10025 NY York, New TUNNEL IN THE SKY SKY THE IN TUNNEL

320 Central Park West, Suite 1-D 1-D Suite West, Park Central 320

on i-Pad: i-Pad: on

Spectrum Literary Agency Agency Literary Spectrum

d Nook, and they're up up they're and Nook, d an Amazon on platform

Eleanor Wood Wood Eleanor

Spectrum has now put three titles up via our our via up titles three put now has Spectrum

For all copyright and publication queries contact: contact: queries publication and copyright all For

Wood provided us this publishing update: update: publishing this us provided Wood

Robert A. Heinlein and his works. works. his and Heinlein A. Robert Ms. Agency. Literary Spectrum of Wood nor

nor influence in what is published related to to related published is what in influence nor Elea- agent by represented Trust Prize Heinlein

The Heinlein Society has no special connection connection special no has Society Heinlein The The of part are works literary Heinlein’s of Most

In the Worlds of Heinlein: PUBLISHING NEWS PUBLISHING Heinlein: of Worlds the In

Page 6 6 Page

www.heinleinprize.com

mas who served on four missions missions four on served who mas

The Heinlein Prize Trust Trust Prize Heinlein The

it, assisted by astronaut Don Tho- Don astronaut by assisted it,

Art Dula, Trustee, Trustee, Dula, Art

each school actually got to wear wear to got actually school each

spacesuit, several students at at students several spacesuit,

Czech Republic Republic Czech

the classes. As well as seeing the the seeing as well As classes. the

Astronautical Congress in Prague, Prague, in Congress Astronautical accompanied the spacesuit to to spacesuit the accompanied

teachers at the 61st International International 61st the at teachers astronaut Dr. Don Thomas, who who Thomas, Don Dr. astronaut

distributed to Czech Republic Republic Czech to distributed Chiao, Ph.D., and led by former former by led and Ph.D., Chiao,

Have Spacesuit—Will Travel were were Travel Spacesuit—Will Have Space Week, Astronaut Leroy Leroy Astronaut Week, Space

October 2010, Lesson plans for for plans Lesson 2010, October by The Heinlein Prize Trust, World World Trust, Prize Heinlein The by

educational program sponsored sponsored program educational

Tunnel in the Sky. Sky. the in Tunnel and the “Have Spacesuit—Will Travel” Travel” Spacesuit—Will “Have the

Have Spacesuit—Will Travel Travel Spacesuit—Will Have books in participating schools to able

with copies of Robert A. Heinlein’s Heinlein’s A. Robert of copies with avail- made spacesuit, Sokol ine

The traveling spacesuit is a genu- a is spacesuit traveling The the winners were also presented presented also were winners the

entrants. As well as cash awards, awards, cash as well As entrants.

dination, and evaluation of the the of evaluation and dination, suit. suit.

the culmination of two years of planning, coor- planning, of years two of culmination the en wear a real space- real a wear en ev and examine, to nity

emy of Governance. The awards ceremony was was ceremony awards The Governance. of emy program in which students have the opportu- the have students which in program

7, 2010 at the Chinese Acad- Chinese the at 2010 7, “Have Spacesuit—Will Travel” Travel” Spacesuit—Will “Have

test were announced on July July on announced were test Robert A. Heinlein, 1972 1972 Heinlein, A. Robert

deavors is the very successful successful very the is deavors

Exploration Innovation Con- Innovation Exploration

space. Among the recent en- recent the Among space.

stay where we are—and die.” are—and we where stay

ing Into the Future – Space Space – Future the Into ing

forwarding a human presence in in presence human a forwarding

Or we can refuse the challenge, challenge, the refuse can we Or

The winners of the Asian Fly- Asian the of winners The

on educational efforts aimed to to aimed efforts educational on

evolution, and eternal racial life. life. racial eternal and evolution,

The Heinlein Prize Trust works works Trust Prize Heinlein The

unimagined possibilities, endless endless possibilities, unimagined

the Stars. Stars. the

unlimited opportunities, opportunities, unlimited

Time For For Time and Troopers, ship

Trust. Prize Heinlein The way, to the stars, and enjoy enjoy and stars, the to way,

of Mars, The Star Beast, Star- Beast, Star The Mars, of by supporting the endeavors of of endeavors the supporting by point. We can decide to go one one go to decide can We point.

Between Planets, Podkayne Podkayne Planets, Between and Ginny Heinlein dreamed of of dreamed Heinlein Ginny and We are at a cusp, a decision decision a cusp, a at are We

plans now available are for for are available now plans

directly benefit the future Robert Robert future the benefit directly

classrooms. New lesson lesson New classrooms. Heinlein’s works, in any form, form, any in works, Heinlein’s

Ph.D., who has taught these novels in his own own his in novels these taught has who Ph.D., options and production. Your purchases of of purchases Your production. and options

are authored by Heinlein scholar Robert James, James, Robert scholar Heinlein by authored are world, audio rights and movie and television television and movie and rights audio world,

based on Heinlein’s stories. The lesson plans plans lesson The stories. Heinlein’s on based the books that are still in print all over the the over all print in still are that books the

program, the Educators CD. With lesson plans plans lesson With CD. Educators the program, rights. This comprises book rights for most of of most for rights book comprises This rights.

Heinlein Society’s very successful educational educational successful very Society’s Heinlein has the income from most of the Heinlein copy- Heinlein the of most from income the has

The Heinlein Prize Trust also sponsored the the sponsored also Trust Prize Heinlein The to investments the Trust Trust the investments to addition In properties.

Virginia Heinlein including many of their literary literary their of many including Heinlein Virginia

tles between 1994 and 1997. 1997. and 1994 between tles cant portion of the estate left by Robert and and Robert by left estate the of portion cant

aboard the Columbia and Discovery space shut- space Discovery and Columbia the aboard signifi- a represents Trust Prize Heinlein The

In the Worlds of Heinlein: HEINLEIN PRIZE TRUST PRIZE HEINLEIN Heinlein: of Worlds the In

Page 7 7 Page

stop talking about himself, with charm and joy. joy. and charm with himself, about talking stop

Let’s start with this: this should have been me me been have should this this: with start Let’s

from comparison, but then, the man never did did never man the then, but comparison, from

cusation of writing a puff piece. piece. puff a writing of cusation I exclude Asimov’s extensive autobiography autobiography extensive Asimov’s exclude I

somehow avoid the ac- the avoid somehow to and objective, be to

teurism and unanswered questions. questions. unanswered and teurism

So, that said, let me make a desperate attempt attempt desperate a make me let said, that So,

phies are worth reading, but marked by ama- by marked but reading, worth are phies

and professionally. professionally. and new H. Beam Piper and C.M. Kornbluth biogra- Kornbluth C.M. and Piper Beam H. new

CIA about Sheldon’s employment there). The The there). employment Sheldon’s about CIA spect and camaraderie for him, both personally personally both him, for camaraderie and spect

the author hadn’t even bothered to talk to the the to talk to bothered even hadn’t author the time), and I have nothing but the deepest re- deepest the but nothing have I and time),

least one major SF writer, who complained that that complained who writer, SF major one least and dinner guest (not usually at the same same the at usually (not guest dinner and

good, but feels incomplete to me, and to at at to and me, to incomplete feels but good, constant correspondent, occasional passenger passenger occasional correspondent, constant

preliminary coughs (the Tiptree biography is is biography Tiptree (the coughs preliminary of my best friends, my co-writer, my editor, my my editor, my co-writer, my friends, best my of

McCaffrey in recent years, but those remain remain those but years, recent in McCaffrey And there’s the third reason: the author is one one is author the reason: third the there’s And

ice Sheldon and Anne Anne and Sheldon ice Al including them, of

author’s side for more than one issue. issue. one than more for side author’s

sonable biographies written written biographies sonable

sions, a sometimes thorn in the the in thorn sometimes a sions,

Other writers have had rea- had have writers Other

critic of its faults and omis- and faults its of critic

Heinlein . . Heinlein

stopped at single volumes. volumes. single at stopped

original manuscript, an early early an manuscript, original

the Heinlein Society with Virginia Virginia with Society Heinlein the failed attempts, which which attempts, failed

public. I was a reader of the the of reader a was I public.

Journal in 1997 and co-founding co-founding and 1997 in Journal Bradbury have had largely largely had have Bradbury

ing, and presentation to the the to presentation and ing, and founded the Heinlein Heinlein the founded and

Burroughs, yes; Clarke and and Clarke yes; Burroughs,

into its writing, rewriting, edit- rewriting, writing, its into particularly to Heinlein criticism criticism Heinlein to particularly

tion writer. Wells and and Wells writer. tion

the decade of work that went went that work of decade the to science fiction and and fiction science to

Golden Age of Science Fic- Science of Age Golden

by my firsthand knowledge of of knowledge firsthand my by applying formal critical methods methods critical formal applying

its devotion and depth of a a of depth and devotion its

book is going to be tempered tempered be to going is book Patterson became interested in in interested became Patterson

really produced anything like like anything produced really

relocating to San Francisco, Bill Bill Francisco, San to relocating might have to say about the the about say to have might

fiction field; nobody has ever ever has nobody field; fiction

In the mid 1980's, after after 1980's, mid the In left out, and why. Whatever I I Whatever why. and out, left

biography in the science science the in biography

has made it in, and what was was what and in, it made has

this is an unprecedented unprecedented an is this

and deeply, I know how much much how know I deeply, and

about this book. First of all, all, of First book. this about

been involved in the research, both tangentially tangentially both research, the in involved been

no way that I can be objective objective be can I that way no

can’t be objective: I know too much. Having Having much. too know I objective: be can’t

Let me be honest: there is really really is there honest: be me Let

Which leads me to my second reason why I I why reason second my to me leads Which

We have always wanted to know the facts. facts. the know to wanted always have We

“At Long Last…” Last…” Long “At

reading these words. words. these reading

ment that remains, one assumes, for those those for assumes, one remains, that ment

us for decades with his fiction, an enchant- an fiction, his with decades for us

By Robert James, Ph.D. Ph.D. James, Robert By

vate life from his public, and then bedazzled bedazzled then and public, his from life vate

But Robert Heinlein deliberately hid his pri- his hid deliberately Heinlein Robert But

since his death in various places. places. various in death his since 1907-1948 Curve: Learning

public stage, and those have been revealed revealed been have those and stage, public 1: Vol. Century: His with Dialogue

There were very few secrets kept behind the the behind kept secrets few very were There In Heinlein: A. Robert of Review

Century: Vol. 1: Learning Curve: 1907-1948 Curve: Learning 1: Vol. Century:

Review: Robert A. Heinlein: In Dialogue With His His With Dialogue In Heinlein: A. Robert Review: writing this book. Bill got to Ginny Heinlein a Heinlein is….and how much Bill has to say handful of weeks before I did, and I shall never about the subject. (Stay tuned; Bill and I are forgive him for being smarter, faster, and more writing a critical analysis of the Heinlein canon prescient than I in somehow tricking Ginny into as out next joint project…I intend to title it my- asking him to write the book. self…). The bastard is just There are minor nitpicks to be made, and Bill slippery that way. has been mortified by how many silly small er- I’ve had to get used rors crept in over the years. He has posted a list to it over the years. of them on his author’s website, and a discus- You will too. sion of them can be found on the Nexus Forum on the Heinlein Society website. None of them Ah well. I grit my are major, and only a small handful concern teeth, and I say this: Heinlein himself. One of the great strengths of it’s a far better book the biography – and something Bill worked on than I would have extensively in the editing process – is its in- written, and done far tensely convincing rooting in the documentary sooner than I could evidence. Whatever speculation remains in the William H. Patterson have done it. Bill has book is minimal, and duly noted in the end- devoted his life to this project, while I had to go notes, which are copious and off and procreate. Twice. Dia- well-worth reading in and of pers and homework and my re- fusal to ignore my children Heinlein's job, as he conceived themselves. would have doomed me. it, was to keep before us those The book reminds me of no perennial values, those other work so much as Carlos But that title….Oh. My. God. Love essentially American values that Baker’s famous biography of that “Learning Curve”, but the belong even more to the world Ernest Hemingway. For dec- rest? Bill clung to that title, in all and to the future. Robert A. ades, it was the single ines- its glorious awkwardness and Heinlein was our bridge to the capable biography. I suspect utility, as a means of connecting future, no less now, twenty years this biography will gain the with readers down through the after his death, than during his same status as well, even as years who would not know who life, begun so very long ago. a wealth of new information Heinlein was if they didn’t see Biography Introduction is revealed as a result of its him talking with his century. Bill by William H. Patterson publication. I recall years ago is stubborn that way; once he hearing Ella Fitzgerald’s biographer complain has his teeth on the bit, he won’t let go until the on NPR that the problem with biography is that ride is completed. Bill, you won the battle of the all the good stuff comes out after the book is title; I will just have to content myself with sad- published, as people come forward with new dling you with long and cumbersome titles on information and evidence both anecdotal and every article I write for you in petty revenge. otherwise. Bill has already been contacted by And if the biography has another flaw, it is an those who witnessed some of the events in this almost complete lack of critical analysis. Bill book, and still survive – unbeknownst to him, himself has agonized over that, and it has been or anybody else involved in Heinlein research. a complaint from several reviewers. But had he A revised edition is unlikely, but already seems included the critical analysis of the works, we’d necessary, given the wealth of new data. Note be in 1941 at the end of volume 1, and looking to Bill: I would also love to see a greater sense forward to three more volumes, instead of just of context, particularly of the early days, of the one. This is a measure of how important Progressivism of his childhood, and the culture

Page 8 of Missouri and Kansas City and Los Angeles, in well-executed. The surprises of his first love, his the revised edition. first wife, and the marriage to Leslyn are all relatively complete, given the destruction of Without delving into the summary that seems much of the evidence by Heinlein after the col- to be the mainstay of reviewers of this book – lapse of his private life after WWII. (time travel- why is it so few of them seem to be able to say ers, please make a note: break into Heinlein’s anything other than telling readers the plot, or house when he is in Philadelphia during WWII, making inane comments that seem to reveal and make complete copies of all the correspon- their own failed reading skills? – I would say dence, poetry and other paraphernalia stored that this biography is very capable, readable, in the room above the garage in the Laurel Can- and compelling. I found myself engrossed in yon home.) The divorce from Leslyn, the court- reading the uncorrected proofs (indeed, I stole ship with Ginny, and the changes of the writing the author’s copy to do so….), despite my re- career are particular strengths. The pictures peated involvement from the earliest days of the manuscript. There is a clarity of presenta- are revelatory. tion now, which was at times In short, I cannot imagine a lacking in earlier drafts. Rewrit- Heinlein fan who will be dis- ing, as great writers know, is ...he collected hard questions appointed in the book, other the heart of writing. for himself. His books and stories than having to wait for vol- are interim reports on what he ume 2, which is going to be The Robert Heinlein that learned. His importance for us is difficult. Good news: the edit- emerges from these pages is, that he learned better, he ing has already commenced, indubitably, the one we ex- learned how to stand outside and should prove to be a pected. Only more so. His time the box of assumptions that shorter wait than the dec- at the academy, and serving preoccupy us all. ades we endured for the first with the Navy is particularly volume. Biography Introduction by William H. Patterson Now, pardon me. I’m going to go read it again. And plot my revenge on the man for getting to Ginny first. And for writing such a damn good book, thus making it highly unlikely anyone will ask me to write a new version for at least two decades. And for cooking better than me. And dressing better than me. And having more hair than me. And owning Heinlein’s hats. And…and….and. Oh, forget it. He’ll just foil my plots anyways. He’s that good. Dammit.

Page 9

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vacancy due to the resignation of Jane Silver with with Silver Jane of resignation the to due vacancy on. President Sheffield Sheffield President on. distributi for duplicated

Michael Cassutt (term expiring 2012), and the the and 2012), expiring (term Cassutt Michael 8 August 2009, had been been had 2009, August 8 Meeting, Annual preceding

vacancy due to the resignation of David Silver with with Silver David of resignation the to due vacancy to be small, no copies of the minutes of the the of minutes the of copies no small, be to

with Deb Houdek Rule (term expiring 2012), the the 2012), expiring (term Rule Houdek Deb with As the number of members attending was expected expected was attending members of number the As

filled the vacancy due to the death of Charles Brown Brown Charles of death the to due vacancy the filled

proxies received. received. proxies

He informed the membership that the Board had had Board the that membership the informed He

the meeting, 27 November 2010, and there were no no were there and 2010, November 27 meeting, the

summary: summary: the Society’s postal box was checked the morning of of morning the checked was box postal Society’s the

President gave a de facto State of the Society Society the of State facto de a gave President to the Secretary, with was no response. He stated stated He response. no was with Secretary, the to

election of Directors for the 2010-2013 term, the the term, 2010-2013 the for Directors of election He inquired whether anyone had a proxy to present present to proxy a had anyone whether inquired He

As a prelude to the next item of business, the the business, of item next the to prelude a As presented in the October, 2010 Society Newsletter. Newsletter. Society 2010 October, the in presented

stated that a timely notice of the meeting had been been had meeting the of notice timely a that stated

financial situation. situation. financial

As required in the By Laws, President Sheffield Sheffield President Laws, By the in required As

decline in membership had led to a precarious precarious a to led had membership in decline

made the obvious general observation that the the that observation general obvious the made members. members.

membership, although Secretary-Treasurer Kato Kato Secretary-Treasurer although membership, witnessed by about five to ten interested non- interested ten to five about by witnessed

end of August. There were no questions from the the from questions no were There August. of end officers, and assigned proxies. The meeting was also also was meeting The proxies. assigned and officers,

Society’s working account to be $2,965.97 at the the at $2,965.97 be to account working Society’s t, including Directors, Directors, including t, presen members eight showing

the Society’s financial report, and showed the the showed and report, financial Society’s the Sheffield and Secretary-Treasurer Keith Kato, Kato, Keith Secretary-Treasurer and Sheffield

Balance Sheet and Income Statement constituted constituted Statement Income and Sheet Balance eligible voting members was taken by President President by taken was members voting eligible

year 1 September 2009-31 August 2010. The The 2010. August 2009-31 September 1 year Sheffield, called the meeting to order. The roll of of roll The order. to meeting the called Sheffield,

the Income Statement reports for the Society’s fiscal fiscal Society’s the for reports Statement Income the At 2:37 PM, PST the Society’s President, Mike Mike President, Society’s the PST PM, 2:37 At

Kato next distributed distributed next Kato

Meeting Proceedings: Proceedings: Meeting

Secretary-Treasurer Secretary-Treasurer

the Apollo 11 moon landing. landing. moon 11 Apollo the President Sheffield and and Sheffield President

© The Heinlein Prize Trust Trust Prize Heinlein The ©

Cronkite televised session during during session televised Cronkite

Heinlein Archives Archives Heinlein

corrected. corrected.

Photo courtesy of the the of courtesy Photo

Heinlein-Arthur C. Clarke-Walter Clarke-Walter C. Heinlein-Arthur

unanimously as as unanimously

Robert A. Heinlein ,with cat cat ,with Heinlein A. Robert

displays of items such as the the as such items of displays

were approved approved were

candies, and running visual visual running and candies,

Annual Meeting minutes minutes Meeting Annual

answering questions, providing providing questions, answering

minutes), and the 2009 2009 the and minutes),

convention, offering literature, literature, offering convention,

“Doctor” to Director Jerry Pournelle’s name in the the in name Pournelle’s Jerry Director to “Doctor”

occupied the Society’s fan table throughout the the throughout table fan Society’s the occupied

noted a minor correction (applying the honorific of of honorific the (applying correction minor a noted

President Michael Sheffield and wife Sharon Sharon wife and Sheffield Michael President

chairman of the Society’s Academic committee, committee, Academic Society’s the of chairman

Heinlein biographer, first Society president, and now now and president, Society first biographer, Heinlein late. fashionably

Patterson, the official official the Patterson, Bill Meeting. Annual 2009 is time” “fannish that convention fiction science

entertained a motion to approve the minutes of the the of minutes the approve to motion a entertained a attended ever has who anyone surprise not should

aloud, which President Sheffield did, after which he he which after did, Sheffield President which aloud, it but Time, Standard Pacific PM, 2:30 at begin

meeting. It was requested that the minutes be read read be minutes the that requested was It meeting. to scheduled was meeting The program. Loscon’s

Kato, among the attendees, had been at the 2009 2009 the at been had attendees, the among Kato, of part as Room, Atlanta/Boston Hotel’s Marriott

practical matter only he and Secretary-Treasurer Secretary-Treasurer and he only matter practical Airport Angeles Los the in 2010, 27, November

waive the reading of the minutes, since as a a as since minutes, the of reading the waive on 37 Loscon at conducted was Society Heinlein

offered to read the minutes, or entertain a motion to to motion a entertain or minutes, the read to offered The of Meeting Membership General Annual 9th The

Heinlein Society Annual Meeting Report Meeting Annual Society Heinlein

Connie Willis (term expiring 2010). another term in office, which runs from 2010-2013. He discussed the Society’s on-going and new The President noted that the Boston/Atlanta room campaigns for higher visibility and outreach at future had a programming item imminently scheduled, so science fiction conventions. Secretary-Treasurer he asked if there was any discussion for the Good of Kato also added the Society was considering other the Society: avenues of outreach, such as the Heinlein On the matter of Society fund-raising, member Terry constituencies of the space community and Brussel suggested a program at future Annual libertarian groups. Meetings to inform attending members beforehand He discussed the acquisition of the Heinlein to bring and donate old cell phones, which could be “realia” (Freas painting of Nichelle Nichols as Lt. used to generate income. Uhura, Ludekens “Green Hills of Earth,” Bonestell Although not a member, noted Heinlein scholar Dr. moonscape, Whelan print, custom bed frame, Robert James reported he had been commissioned books), on-going efforts to have the art appraised by by the Heinlein Prize Trust to create new lesson Mark Corrinet for insurance and display purposes, plans for all the Heinlein juveniles. and the appointment of Michael Cassutt as Society Archivist with the intent of finding Following Robert Heinlein’s dictum that a motion to adjourn is always in order, a permanent homes for these items. Bill Patterson contributed some The Heinlein Society is full of motion to adjourn was passed background information on how people who really believe, unanimously, and the meeting these items had come into the and really understand what formally ended at 3:30 PM. possession of the Society. he is trying to accomplish Unofficially, Mike Sheffield announced that a cake He mentioned the Pirates Treasurer philosophically. They are a celebrating the Society’s 10th books and James Gifford’s The serious-minded group of year, would be served at the Martian Named Smith book that are individuals out to change the Society’s fan table. Also available to the Society for world for the better. unofficially, the number of fundraising. Loscon attendees who were Virginia Heinlein And finally, he mentioned the recent served greatly exceeded the efforts to restore the Society’s tax- number of persons who attended exempt status in the state of Texas and at the the Annual Meeting. Federal level, which had been lost in April, 2004.

At this point, it was moved by Bill Patterson that the The 2011 Worldcon, Renovation, will be held in membership commend the efforts of President Reno, Nevada, from 17-21 August 2011. Further Sheffield for his extraordinary work on restoring the information on membership, hotel reservations, and Society’s tax-exempt status in such a short time. The convention activities can be found at motion passed unanimously, although Mike Sheffield www.renovationsf.org. If you plan to attend, please abstained. note that membership rates go up after February 28, At this juncture, President Sheffield announced that and that hotel reservations begin online on January the three incumbent Directors, Geo Rule, Joe 17. The Heinlein Society will have its next Annual Haldeman, and Connie Willis, had all been contacted Meeting at this Worldcon, and we hope to see many and stated their willingness to stand for office again. more of you there. We are planning our Worldcon Each of the three incumbent Directors was activities even now, and they include proposed panel nominated without opposition, and after a motion topics and participants, a fan table as the “Nexus” of was made and unanimously passed to vote the three Heinlein and Society information, a display of the Director seats as a single slate rather than three Heinlein realia, and hosting a large open party. separate votes, the membership unanimously voted

Geo Rule, Joe Haldeman, and Connie Willis for

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