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EXTRACT FROM ISSUE NO 30 July-August '82

AUSTRALIAN FAN NEWS INTERNATIONAL SF NEWS PROFESSIONAL NEWS

2010: ODYSSEY TWO by ARTHUR C.CLARKE will be published by GRANADA late 1982. It is expected to be on sale in Australia late 1982 or early 1983. Clarke has sold a collection of short stories to Byron Preiss Visual NEW NOVEL FROM Productions, which will be presented as a "lavishly illustrated" book with an NORSTRILIA PRESS autobiographical introduction by Clarke. Norstrilia Press launched their latest Berkley will publish in the U.S.A. publication, THE PLAINS, by Gerald Murnane at a party held on Sunday BRIAN ALDISS became the first author August 15th. Although it is science yith a number-one science fiction best­ fiction or fantasy, THE PLAINS is expected seller in England recently when the to appeal to a more general audience, as first part of his trilogy, HELLICONIA did this authors previous two books, SPRING hit the top of the list, beating TAMARISK ROW and A LIFETIME ON CLOUDS, out such books as NOBLE HOUSE and CUJO. neither of which could be classed as The American edition published by f or sf. TAMARISK ROW came close to being Atheneum was sold out within a few days the best Australian novel of the year Artwork for sew on patch and the publisher obviously underestim­ in 1974 and A LIFETIME OF CLOUDS was by Mike McGann ated the demand. Aldiss reports that also well received in 1976. the second volume, HELLICONIA SUMMER is near completion in first draft. The THE PLAINS is set in an alternative (third title will be HELLICONIA WINTER.i Australia, where a different culture He said that it is not a trilogy in has developed to that of the coastal mELBOURnEin'85 fact, but a three part novel, which all areas. As George Turner puts it in takes place in one year -— 2,592 his review in this issuer ".. a vision AUSTRALIAN FANS attending the World Earth years long. He chose the cover of what we Australians might have design which he thinks is great. The become if we had based a culture on our SF Convention in Chicago next month will be going all out to convince second volume will have a map and he surroundings instead of importing our hopes to produce a Helliconia Encyclo­ thinking from Europe and America". attendees that they should vote for MELBOURNE IN '85. May we remind all pedia, making it virtually a four- volume novel. CORY and COLLINS have announced their Australian fans in particular, that the forthcoming programme. It will be voting for।'85 will almost be all over David Lake's RING OF TRUTH, by this time next year, so now is the IN THIS ISSUE: Jack Wodham's FUTURE WAR, and time to tell all our overseas friends Wynne Whiteford's THOR'S HAMMER. Their that MELBOURNE'S THE PLACE TO ARRIVE INTERVIEWS WITH: next anthology (not titled yet) has IN 1985. been suspended until early '83. Among those attending this years World A.BERTRAM CHANDLER JACK WODHAMS has sold stories to RIGEL, Con will be Guest of Honour A.Bertram and JOHN FOYSTER Chandler and his wife Susan, John FANTASY BOOK and OMEGA. His most recently News , Reports , Reviews , published story has appeared in the Foyster, DUFF winner Peter Toluzi, hardcover anthology, LOCKED ROOM Eric Lindsay and your editor Merv Binns. and Letter Column MYSTERIES. CONTINUED PAGE 2 AUSTRALIAN PROFESSIONAL NEWS Continued Australian con in Melbourne in '73, '1985, and to come down and see us again, PAUL COLLINS has sold stories to when we did a musical show called JOE and sample a little of our hospitality. FANTASY BOOK, COLD BEER (with Leanne PHAUST, about a fan who sells his soul I am certainly looking forward to Frahm), INFINITY CUBED, and the to the devil to win a Hugo and many CHICON and BUBONICON for that matter, Australian magazine PM. more. I have many good memories of and renewing old acquaintances and people and events in coventions and in making new ones and enjoying myself WYNNE WHITEFORD is now reviewing science fandom also for that matter, built up in general. CHICAGO, HERE I COME! fiction for the Melbourne Herald. He over the last thirty years, that I has so far written five columns. On would not trade for anything. Tuesday 13th of July he flew to Japan ALIEN HUNTER where he will research his forthcoming Some conventions have been disappointing novel, THOR'S HAMMER. He will be away of course, but this has been mainly due AN AUSTRALIAN MADE SF MOVIE AT LAST for two weeks. to just personal dislikes in the way the programme was put together, as often as We have just been advised of a project VAN IKIN reports that his PORTABLE a general overall foul up by the organ­ to produce an Australian sf film. It AUSTRALIAN SCIENCE FICTION anthology, , isers. On my last overseas trip I felt is to be produced by Richard Bradley due from the University of Queensland let down at SEACON, and I cannot to and Brian Rosen. The director is Mike Press later this year, is now at the this day tell you exactly why, but at Robertson, who will work from a script page-proof stage - the last phase of the Northamericon in Louisville I had written by Valerie Parv. Great interest checking before printing begins. The a great time and I did not see very has been shown in the project by Hoyts, book runs to 361 pages in all: 41 pages much of the programme at all. People, C.I.C,. The Toho-Towa Company in Japan of introduction,and a further 320 pages that is the most important thing about and others. Preliminary work has of sf stories and excerpts. cons. Meeting people. Believe it or not been going on for two years, but the (producers are now looking for additional TERRY DOWLING, hard-working co-editor I did not make many new friends at SEACON, there were too many people there assistance, talent to develop this of SCIENCE FICTION and Jack Vance major Science Fantasy project, which is enthusiast supreme, is the new permanent ,and they all seemed to be moving so । fast, but Louisville and further back now in the pre-production stages. They sf reviewer for the Sydney Morning need artists with imagination, especially Herald, with a column appearing on a at Toronto, when we won the bid for '75, things were quite different. those with established track records quarterly schedule. in fandom and/ or professional or semi- KEITH TAYLOR'S latest publ ished work is Running conventions and helping organise professional work. They do not want another collaboration with Andrew Offut them is an experience in life that no people who just want to work on a film. in the CorMac MacArt fantasy series, insane person should miss. That is if They only want to hear from people you are not around the bend before you THE TOWER OF DEATH, from ACE. who have experience and have genuine start, you are by the time the con is talent. If you are interested and feel GEORGE TURNER'S novel YESTERDAY'S MEN ( over. It was an old joke with me ten you can meet these requirements you can has been put back by Faber till early years ago that I kept saying never contact Richard Bradley (02) 3312660 in 1983; again would I be involved with running Michael Robertson (02) 9223968 or if a con, but I have been, with Aussiecon, In the last issue we quoted a price unscuccessful there try Valerie Parv which quite seriously was worth every on (02) 4383300. in this column on Rick Rennet's A minute put into it and last year a film WARRIOR'S STAR as $2.95 retail. This con, CINECON. The latter was a Very The original story by the way,"ALIEN was a tentative wholesale price given successful show, but very expensive and HUNTER", is an idea of Richard Bradleys, before the book was available, which we left me out of pocket by quite a large and we wish him and his associates the took at that time as retail, but the best of luck in getting this film made. price recommended now is $4.50. Our amount. Never again! apologies to Alternative Production Well all except MELBOURNE in '85. I Company and our readers. Allbooks are thought I was keeping out of the way now distributing this title throughout there, but I already have been roped in OUR THANKS TO LOCUS, SCIENCE FICTION Australia. CHRONICLE and ANSIBLE and their editors to help with local publicity and no and correspondents for allowing us to doubt other items when things get down reprint news and reports from their pages. to it. I hope at CHICON that along with the other Aussies attending I can con­ vince everybody to vote for us for

AUSTRALIAN SF NEWS ISSN 0155-8870 is edited and published by Mervyn R.Binns under the sponsorship of The AUSTRALIAN SCIENCE FICTION­ FOUNDATION. ASFN is registered for posting under Australia Post , publication It VBG2791 The address for all correspondence is 305/307 Swanston Street, Melbourne, 3000, Victoria, AUSTRALIA. SUBSCRIPTION RATE: $6.00 Australian for 6 issues, surface mail. $10.00 Airmail. Please make all payments payable to the editor, Mervyn R.Binns. Our American This is being typed on the eve of my agent is LOCUS, Box 13305," Oakland, CA 94661. Please send all payments setting off for the good old U.S.of A. in the U.S.A, to LOCUS : $6.85 US surface mail and $11.45 US airmail. Our for the World SF Convention in Chicago. British agent is GERALD BISHOP, 2 Cowper Road, Cambridge, CB1 3SN, England. I will also be attending BUBONICON in : 3.75 pounds surface and 6.20 pounds airmail. Albuquerqe, New Mexico and seeing friends and book suppliers on the way. Going to ADVERTISING: Professional Rate - Full back page $60.00. Interior page $50.00 world cons is not something one can Quarter page $15.00. Half page $30.00. Full page copy ready size is 360mm V expect to do every year from Down Under, x 275mm H. Half page 180mm V x 275mm H. Quarter page 180mm V x 135:.mm H. 10% as it is getting a little expensive, discount is applicable on all professional advertisements placed on a regular but I will do it as often as I can. basis. A 50% discount applies to fan advertisements for conventions, clubs, fanzines and other activities. Just a few weeks ago, or couple of months to be more correct, Jan Finder N.B. A 10% discount is allowed to subscription agencies other than our official said in a letter that he had only got agents listed above, but payment must be sent direct to us. We suggest that to 22 conventions last year. That is any additional costs be charged direct to the subscriber . half as many as I have seen in my whole life, not that I have kept accurate count, including three World Cons in We are Australian Agents for: Toronto, Melbourne and Brighton. Some LOCUS: Subscription rates: $27.40 12 issues Airmail $51.30 for 24 issues Airmail. have been great, like the Aussiecon ------$17.50 12 .. Sea Mail $32.50 .. 24 .. Sea Mail in Melbourne here in '75, Toronto in SCIENCE FICTION CHRONICLE: $24.00 for 12 issues AirmaiL /.$42.00 for 24 issues. '73 my first World con, Sydney in '70 when with a casual remark to Ron Graham SCIENCE FICTION BOOKS PUBLISHED IN BRITAIN: $2.45 for 6 issues Space Age Books was born, the National An Interview With A. BERTRAM CHANDLER Chicaga Warid Can Guest at Hana r

ASFN: Your earliest stories, such reason that I was born in England as GIANT KILLER, were published in was that I wanted to be near my mother. ASTOUNDING SF magazine. What influence I settled in Australia because I if any, did John W. Campbell have on wanted to be near the lady who became your writing at that stage? my second wife. For quite a few years now I have regarded myself as being an CAPT. CHANDLER: It was John Campbell Australian writer and have been who set my feet on the downward path fascinated by Australian history. We by suggesting that I make the tran­ haven't much measured on the Time sition from Faithful Reader to Regular Scale, but we've crammed one helluva Contributor. As an editor, John always lot into a very few years. wanted things right. GIANT KILLER, as finally published, was my third ASFN: THE BITTER PILL was obviously attempt to handle the mutated rats Australian. Australia with Australian theme. The first was from the view­ characters but yet not full of kanga­ point of the crew of the ship that roos and galahs and yet this has not boards the mutated-rat-infested dere­ seen an. edition outside Australia. lict. The second was from the viewpoint Why do you think this is so? of the crew of mutated-rat-infested ship. The third, of course, was from CAPT. CHANDLER: THE BITTER PILL was the viewpoint of the rats. rather a disappointment. Although it was well reviewed in both the U.K ASFN: What influence did your work and the U.S.A, no British or American as a ship's officer have on your publisher would touch it. I don't writing, in the time you had to devote know why. Oddly enough, the short to it early on when you started story from which the novel was ex­ writing? panded was anthologised this year - CAPTAIN A.BERTRAM CHANDLER in Hungary. CAPT. CHANDLER: You could have asked INTRODUCTION Joseph Conrad the same question. Many ASFN: Your new novel, KELLY COUNTRY, seamen have hobbies. I have sailed which has been a labour of love on I don't nememben exaetty when 1 fifitt with a Bo's'n who played around with your part and for which you have put a met Befit Chandtefi., but I have known the higher mathematics as I play around of time into research, is also very him atmott at tong at I have been in with crossword puzzles. A Captain Australian it seems, but you have fandom. The. Chainman of the otd who spent his spare time making wool brought a lot of international flavour Metbounne SF Ctub, Bob MeCubbin, intno- rugs. A Chief Engineer who did embroid­ into it as well. It obviously should dueed him to me on one of hit, fneguent ery, and another Chief Engineer who appeal to Australian readers as well tnipt to Auttnatia, at a thip't offieen painted in oils, and another Chief as overseas readers, even if they and tatefi. Captain. Ait hit Auttfiatian Engineer who wrote - and sold - the have not heard of Ned Kelly. What fniendt wefie veny pteated when we occasional short story. A Radio comments can you make on that? teafined that he wat to tettte hefie on Officer who made quite a few dollars a pefimanent batit. I have aiwayt enjoyed as a freelance journalist, another CAPT. CHANDLER: KELLY COUNTRY? To hit company veny much and a tfiip to Radio Officer who was a water colourist. date it has not sold, either in this Sydney woutd not be on without a meat A Second Officer whose hobby was country or the U.S.A. Such Australian with Befit. It hat, given me gneat photography and who is now a success­ publishers who have seen the novel pteatune to tee hit incneated poputanity ful commercial photographer. And so in manuscript have liked it, but■ ■ . at an tf wniten oven, the tatt few yeafit, on, and so on. I think that the Science Fictional and even gneaten pteatune to tee him element, involving Time Travel, has neeetve neeognition fnom the tf fietd ASFN: Your maritime career has scared them off. It should appeal to in geneneat by being invited to be the certainly added an obvious bias to your overseas as well as to Australian Gaett of Honoufi by the onganitent of stories, and your most popular character readers. My New York agent likes it. CHI CON. Congnat'.'tationt Befit and keep is without doubt John Grimes, but just how I have no doubt that he will find a up the good wonk. much of John Grimes is A. Bertram good home for it before too long. Menv Binnt Chandler and vice versa? And when did Grimes first appear in print? ASFN: Do you think readers need a A regular feature of ASFN in the future knowledge of Australian history to we hope, will be interviews with CAPT. CHANDLER: That man Grimes...A appreciate the 'alternative history' Australian SF writers. We have already few years ago in Beppu, in Japan, I in KELLY COUNTRY? had some of course., but there will be was being interviewed for the local more. On the occasion of his trip to rag. The interviewer said, "Tell me, CAPT. CHANDLER: I don't think that a Chicago as World Con G.O.H.,we thought it Captain, what would you have thought knowledge of Australian history is appropriate to pin down Captain Chandler if Grimes had been one of your needed to appreciate KELLY COUNTRY. and ask him a few questions about his officers?" I replied, "More than one After all, Australian history is writ .ng and views on Australian sf and Grimes per vessel is far too much!" completely rewritten subsequent to so forth. the Siege of Glenrowan. Too, to a certain extent, is world history. ASFN: What made you start writing and Grimes appeared as a minor, background why did you choose Science Fiction? character in quite a few stories. Finally, in INTO THE ALTERNATE UNIVERSE ASFN: You have managed to add an - first printing Ace Books 1964 - I 'Australian flavour' to the Grimes CAPT. CHANDLER: I wanted to write stories, most noticeable, I think, from a very early age. I was a gave him a novel all to himself. Aft'er that there was no stopping the bastard. in THE ANARCH LORDS. Your Australian Science Fiction addict from a very early readers can appreciate these touches, age. When I started to write fiction ASFN: What prompted you to settle in but would other readers get the point? I just naturally wrote the sort of Grimes most definitely appears as fiction that I liked reading. However, Australia and what influence has living here had on your writing? your alter ego in.'Lords' and this I have had straight sea stories and added to my enjoyment of the story. even crime - a perfect murder - in Do you get much comment from readers pr int. CAPT. CHANDLER: What prompted me to settle in Australia? Well, the only at all? CAPT. CHANDLER: Still on history. C.S. Forester has exercised a great THE ANARCH LORDS this time. I don't influence. I didn't realise this until Susan started to refer to Grimes know about the U.S.A, but my works as Hornblower. have stimulated an interest in Australian history in Japan. For example, THE BIG BLACK MARK is pract­ ASFN: How do you see the SF field in ically a rewrite of the story of Australia at the moment, from an Bligh's first mutiny, the Bounty author's point of view? We do need Do you need help with your writing — affair. The Japanese edition has a an indigenous SF market, but do you how to present stories, how to get them long foreword by a Japanese historian think we have any chance of expanding published and basic advice on your work? all about Bligh. I have no doubt that the very small market for Australian Then read on! the Japanese edition of THE ANARCH writers of SF in the country, that LORDS will have a similar foreword. exists at present? ACCESS is a non-profit effort of the I hope that the historian is as much Canberra Writers(SF) Co-operative, that can be contacted at P.O.Box 339, pro-Bligh as I am. But my Japanese CAPTAIN CHANDLER: readers will let me know. I would advise any Australian fiction Belconnen, ACT 2616. It is a continuing writer to try to break into the over­ series of SF Writers Workshops being ASFN: You were very popular in the seas markets - the U.S.A especially, held in Canberra, Sydney and more U.S.A for many years before you broke and England. It is possible to do recently Melbourne. The purpose of the into the British publishing scene with this without, in our own field, workshops is to provide constructive any force, more recently. That is, writing what is no more than imitation criticism and publication assistance to we saw the regular Hale hardcovers American Science Fiction. Of course, inexperienced writers, and to provide and a few odd hardcovers before that more than once, my Japanese translator a pool of information relevant to science from such as Herbert Jenkins, but why has complained that he is paid to fiction writing. nothing in paperback? translate from English into Japanese Apart from monthly workshops, the not from Australian into Japanese. Canberra Writers (SF) Co-operative CAPT. CHANDLER: It is still a mystery But I do, although it is a long time produces a magazine called 'Access', to me why English paperback publishers since I did it consciously, try to no less! In this, the efforts of con­ have not signed me on until recently. give my works an Australian flavour. tributors are distributed to other mem­ A short while ago I received from my bers, who then write in with observations English agent Xeroxes of reviews of My advice is: Try to sell in the best and criticisms in subsequent issues. my Allison L Busby/Sphere Books markets - but dont't sell your soul. Lists of markets are also included in reprints. They were good reviews. ASFN: some issues. I was annoyed, though, because more We thank you for your time in answer­ than one reviewer called me an English ing these questions for us Bert, and The Melbourne meetings are held at writer who just happens to be living we do congratulate you on your being 2pm on the second Saturday of each month in Australia. invited to be a Guest of Honour at the at the AEA Clubroom, 1st floor, CAE World SF Convention in Chicago this Building, 256 Flinders Street, Melbourne. ASFN: Has fandom , or feedback from year and we also hope you have a good Apart from the activities mentioned your readers had any influence on trip over to America for the Con. above, advice is also available on lay­ your writing and does attending con­ out of manuscripts, typing techniques, ventions help you as a writer in any etc. New members may either just turn way? up to one of the meetings or write to Sean McMullen, G.P.O. Box 2653X, CAPT. CHANDLER: One of the beauties Melbourne, 3001 for further information. of Science Fiction is that authors We do not have a Sydney address, but do get feedback from the readers. Sean or the people in Canberra I am This can be either in the form of sure will be happy to supply you with correspondence or by meeting them at the address in Sydney. conventions. FAN FUNDS ASFN: Can you explain why your books Keith Curtis reported at Tschaicon that are so popular with the Japanese? the current DUFF fund had a healthy $1350.00 in kitty, including the U.S.A. Various prom­ CAPT. CHANDLER: I've appeared in ises were made about trip reports, which translation in quite a few countries everybody took with a grain of salt. but it is only in Japan that I enjoy Peter Toluzzi, the current winner, who personal contact with my translator will be travelling to Chicago and parts and with the artist who does my covers beyond in August and September, promised and the interior black and white to do his report within I believe it was illustrations. When one of my novels seven weeks of his return. Oh yeh! is in the throes of translation Mr.Noda The joke being of course that the last and myself work together. He is hooked three Australian winners have not yet on the Grimes series and he succeeds produced their trip reports. in passing his enthusiasm on to the For details on how to nominate or vote readers. for DUFF write to Keith at P.O.Box J175, Brickfield Hill, NSW 2000 or Peter Among these readers are many young Toluzzi at 33 Mount St., Coogee, 2034 NSW. ladies. They are all, they tell me, CIRCULATION II very impressed by my strong female JAN HOWARD FINDER will be one of the can­ characters. 26-28 November 1982 didates for the trip to Australia next Hotel Ainslie, Canberra year and JACK HERMAN will be standing for ASFN: What authors appeal to you in the next trip to the U.S.A. The opposing the SF field if any, or outside the A convention for fans of science fiction and fantasy. candidates are not known by us yet. SF field and have they influenced Theme: Transportation Mascot: WOMBLE (Karen Warnock) MARC ORTLIEB'S MID ATLANTIC FAN FUND,is your writing at all? a fun fund being organised to help raise Membership Rates: Attending, $10 until 31 August; CAPT. CHANDLER: In the Science Fiction funds for other fan funds. Nominations $15 to 19 November; then $20 at the door; were still being accepted up to SYNCON field, as in any other literary field, Supporting, $5. I demand good writing and a good story. '82. Details of the final nominees and I have my favourites, of course. Contact: P O Box 544, Civic Square, ACT 2608. voting procedures will be distributed Practically all of Vance, most of by Marc in due course. If you wish to Silverberg, most of Le Guin, most of vote write to Marc at P.O.Box 46, Harden, Ellison...And so on. South Australia 5070. ^Outside the field of SF I admit that zines can be seen quite easily by those who are interested, when a group of WHO’S WHO In AUSTRALIA In ’«5 fans in one state of Australia (say), or in one country, becomes sufficiently which I bought regularly from the shop large to be self-supporting. There which then employed the same fellow, is then plenty of opportunity to Mervyn Binns. Eventually, I plucked become inwardlooking - to ignore the up the courage to attend a convention large world outside. After a while in Melbourne (in 1958) and soon after those folks find it less than easy to that began corresponding with fans communicate with the world outside overseas. and pretty soon they don't. Most people reading this can think of thejr ASFN: What influence do you think own examples! fanzines have on fandom and would it be quite the same as it is now, without ASFN: How involved do fanzine and | them? APA fans get in conventions? JF : I believe that there is a JF: To continue the historical "fandom" only because there were (and discussion I started in answer to are) fanzines. (Words like fandom the previous question, the first and fanzine were invented by people New Zealand convention was run by who publish what we now call fanzines.) Brian Thurogood and Mervyn Barrett, Fanzines have varying influences on both fanzine fans. In Australia, in fandom, and their effects vary with any given region the conventions have conditions and with time. Take, for almost always been initially run by example, New Zealand. Readers of SF fanzine fans, though as time passes have existed there, and have been known people who are not fanzine publishers to readers in other countries, for or readers become involved in running almost fifty years. In the late 1950s conventions. Because they don't read a handful of fans in New Zealand began fanzines they often run a pretty high to publish fanzines which they dis­ risk of making the kind of mistakes tributed widely and in consequence that fanzine fans have been warned of which fans became much better known about. overseas than their Australian con­ temporaries. But fandom as a mass As more and more conventions are run grouping of indigenous readers only by people who are not 'fanzine' fan's John Royster came into being because one person, the programs become less and less Brian Thurogood, published one fanzine, appealing to those interested in fan-: Any Science Fiction Convention is a NOUMENON, which was widely distributed zines. For example, you don't see too reflection of the interests of the in New Zealand. As a result of that many fanzine fans involved in fancy people who are organising it. The action there are now many fanzines in dress items., at least in Australia. success of the Convention depends New Zealand, and amateur publishing Fanzine fans may be less likely to largely on the enthusiasm and expertise association, and regular and success­ watch movies at a convention, since of the people involved also. It is all ful'conventions - the 1982 NZ National watching movies is a fundamentally very well for us to say "the people Convention was not much smaller, if the solitary activity, and fanzine fans, who gave you AUSSIECON in 1975" invite rumours I've heard are right, than the despite the general notion of SF fans everybody again to Melbourne in 1985, 1982 Australian Nationall as introverted, are mildly gregarious. but who are those people? So here, So I think that fanzine fans are and in future issues we will be talking That example could be multiplied in probably highly involved in conventions, to people who are involved in the bid many ways. STAR TREK fans, DOCTOR WHO though not all aspects of conventions. to hold the WORLD SF CONVENTION in fans, and so on, initially and often Melbourne in 1985. essentially, communicate with each ASFN: What attracts the average fan other through fanzines. to conventions and basically why do JOHN FOYSTER has been involved in you attend conventions? fandom since the '50s, with fanzine This isn't to say that there aren't a lot editing, APAS, corresponding with of other people who get involved in JF: The average fan attends a con­ other fans in Australia and overseas, fandom who don't publish fanzines. vention to hear about Science Fiction, helping to organise conventions leading In Australia the best known would or to see something about Science Fiction, up to AUSSIECON, as well as that, the probably be Carey Handfield, who once, and perhaps because she or he wants to first ever World SF Convention held in nevertheless, did publish a fanzine meet other people interested in SF. Australia and some conventions since. or two. Once activities like con­ Since quite a few conventions don't He has often been accused of being ventions become established, fans haye do much to meet those expectations, "The Secret Master of Australian other ways of making contact with one lots of average fans don't bother to Fandom", but we do not know what is very another. As a result, there are lots come back to later conventions. Non­ "secret" about it. But let's ask of fans around in Australia who are average fans come back to conventions John how he got involved with SF quite well known but who have never because they get from them the kind of fandom and why he wants to see another published a fanzine or even written feeling they seek. This might mean World SF Con in Melbourne, Australia. anything for one. meeting new friends, or old friends, ASFN: John, how did your interest in SF or actually learning something of Without fanzines, fandom would be, interest about Science Fiction. fandom begin? very different. Fanzines are essential if fans of SF are to do more than JF: I'm like most Melbourne SF fans Because I've been around Australian contemplate their own navels or those fandom almost as long as Mervyn Binns - my interest in SF fandom was really of their immediate neighbours. To generated by Mervyn Binns. When I has, I'm no longer an 'average' fan. publish a fanzine means that one must In the kinds of terms I've already used, began to read SF in 1956 I learned take an action to establish communic­ quickly enough, from the letters in however, I do attend conventions to meet ation with persons unknown, andto old friends and to make new ones. I'm the SF magazines of the time, that there attempt to interest and please those were SF fans in Melbourne and the first inclined to despair of learning anything persons. (There are lots of fans, new about Science Fiction, but perhaps point of contact was one Mervyn Binns, nevertheless, who act as though other who then lived at 4 Myrtle Grove, this is because I don't learn things people should, by right, be interested very well any more. Preston. I didn't ever write to that in them, and never get around to address, but I did find in searching showing interest in others, or even But underlying this is a part of my around bookshops for SF, a pile of in generating the interest of others.) copies of a newsletter called ETHERLINE, philosophy of practical action in society. What happens to a fandom without fan­ I believe that society is a better place £ and people form a better community, cities in the world with so.high- than attend them in France, although when people with similar interests are powered a group. Sydney is lucky encouraged to meet and work together France by comparison with Australia enough to have one Bert Chandler, but has a vast publishing industry. Yet in a voluntary way. Conventions of the there is only one of him.) In the it is fairly clear that many more stfnal kind fit this view, and indeed seven years since Aussiecon, one hasn't people are interested in the sort of The Nova Mob, which I've backed in really seen the emergence of individual things that go on at conventions or various incarnations, serves a similar writers of similar persistence. One purpose;providing an opportunity for are discussed in fanzines. If a can contrast this with the first seven concerted effort is made, fandom in people with similar interests to meet years of the sixties, which were more Australia could become much larger and, with luck, actually do something. productive, for that was when Harding, (today the Nova Mob, tomorrow the Outside fandom, one of the things I'm Broderick and John Baxter made their world). But it isn't terribly clear happiest with in recent years is my starts. (They all knew each other, that we would be much happier if work in establishing an organisation of cour se!) fandem in Australia were much bigger. which enables people interested in One of the things people remember teaching mathematics and the related Since 1975 there has been a growth in about Aussiecon was that it was research to get together at an annual the publication of Science Fiction in comfortably small. Is this a genuine conference. The purpose of the organ­ Australia, and this is indirectly feeling about scale or merely a matter isation, as it presently exists, is attributable to Aussiecon. Firstly, of cutting down on the hoi polloi? just to run that conference, but each lots of people - well, Van Ikin and One can't be sure, but lots of people and every year that organisation does Nevil Angove - have felt impelled something (it publishes a large volume from Marc Ortleib on down, have wonder­ to publish professional or semi- ed whether they were wise to miss or two of research reports); it was professional magazines about, and not just established as a body to co­ Aussiecon. If only we had known, they containing, Science Fiction. This has seem to say rather often. ordinate or assist others - it would provided a substantial boost, and do something. part of this may have been encouraged But the first part of your question 'by Aussiecon. This is why I felt considerable disquiet can be answered more directly. The Melbourne in 1985 Bidding Group, about the Australian Science Fiction Secondly, grants from the Literature Foundation; as established, it wasn't through its parent body, the Aust­ Board, now so much a part of the ralian SF Foundation, will be working there to do something specific, which publication of SF in Australia, were folks could get interested in and do over the next three years to develop । certainly encouraged by the success all aspects of science fiction fandem semething in and do something about, of the support given by the Literature but rather it had general and diffuse in Australia. Obviously there's some Board to the workshop held in associ­ self-interest here, since a larger aims. Such aims aren't unworthy, but ation with Aussiecon, conducted by I believe society is a better place fan population means that more people Ursula Le Guin. The very large amount will roll up in 1985, but it is also because of specific rather than general of SF published by Cory § Collins, endeavours. the case that the Foundation is and the lesser amount from Norstrilia obligated by its charter to work Press, would not really have been towards that sort of end anyway. The ASFN: Conventions in Australia are much possible without the support, and the more nurrous now than they were before Foundation sponsors Australian SF News workshop - and the books emerging from because it believes that publicising in 1975. As well as the obvious reasons, it, THE ALTERED I - made SF very what else may account for this? SF through a publication of such respectable in Australia. At the quality must encourage interest in moment, I don't think that money has JF: The obvious reasons - an increase Science Fiction and fandom. So, if produced much in the way of great the interest in fandom doesn't increase in the number of fans in Australia, and SF, but it has changed the nature of the Melbourne in 1985 bid will not the more regular visits of Famous SF the form of publication that can be have achieved one of its goals. Writers - do explain most of the changes. expected locally, and it is establish­ But the increase hasn't been a simple ing the base for an expansion in one. One really needs a sort of critical quality if there are writers interest­ mass to maintain an active fandom in ed enough to publish locally. As it a given region (always excepting the happens, I'm not sure that it is odd individuals who can keep things really important to produce SF from going on their own). One consequence particular regions, but I do know of the 1975 Aussiecon was that this that there are lots of folks to whom it critical mass was exceeded in a big is important, so I'm all for them way in Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide, having a go. and to a lesser extent in Perth. Those fandoms (!) became self-sustaining, ASFN: What influence will Melbourne yet had enough contact with the rest in 1985 have on Australian SF writing of the country to want to meet together if we win the bid? so why not have a local convention? Very rapidly there were conventions JF: If I am consistent with my being held all around the country. previous answer, and I intend to be, I don't know that we are any I will have to say 'none'. SF in better off for having all the con­ Australia already receives mammoth ventions, by the way. support from the Federal Governemnt. We can hardly expect more or bigger MIKE GLICKSOHN and JOHN FOYSTER ASFN: What influence did Aussiecon or grants. If SF writing in Australia any other conventions in Australia AT AUSSIECON is to develop, then this will happen Photo bu Helena Roberts have on the professional SF field? when younger writers follow in the steps of Chandler, Broderick, Harding ASFN: So, basically, why do you want »JF: Conventions, and I include and Turner: conventions don't do much.. another World Con for Melbourne, for Aussiecon, have not really had any Australia? effect on the writing of Science Fiction ASFN: Will Melbourne in 1985 increase in Australia. The writers who have the interest in Fandom or has fandom JF: Science Fiction is a genuinely risen to substantial international reached a level in Australia that is international phenomenon. Monoglot stature since Aussiecon - unlikely to change in the near future? Australians, physically remote from Damien Broderick, Lee Harding, and the other stfnal-reading countries, George Turner - were all writing long JF: In the past three or four years don't always appreciate just how before Aussiecon and didn't really over 1000 people have attended at international it is. Science Fiction receive any boost from it. (I some­ least one SF convention in Australia. readers from all over the world can times think people in Melbourne don't On a per capita basis, that sort and do communicate with each other - realise how lucky they are to have of involvement is one of the highest though it takes a considerable effort three worldclass writers like that in the world. Far more people attend for it to happen {an example: Roelof here. There aren't too many other conventions in Australia, for example, Goudriaan in the Netherlands has just 6 started an international/European If Melbourne wins the World Con Bid for '85 newsletter, in English, the second EUREKA-CON '84 will be a bit of a warm up. issue of which runs to six photoreduced It is the Australian National Convention offset pages and is chock-a-block with being held April 20th to 21st 1984, with hard news - including a bid for the GEORGE TURNER as Guest of Honour. The venue 1988 World Con from Zagreb, Yugoslavia, is not announced yet, but you can get all which I intend to support strongly). future details from P.O.Box 175, South That international flavour should be Melbourne 3205, Victoria, Australia. reflected in there being seme opport­ unity for fans from all over the world to meet together, and that opportunity should be shared amongst fans from all nusTRnunn Fnnoom over. As usual at Australian National conven­ WORLD CONS tions, reports were given by the various At the moment, for historical reasons, groups at TSCHAICON last Easter. It re­ the World Con is pretty much resident This years World Science Fiction Con­ minded us that this is a feature we have in North America. I believe that vention is being held in Chicago, at been overlooking a bit in the NEWS. Of every World Con held outside North the Hyatt Regency Hotel, from the 2nd course people have not been letting us America is a good thing. (Most of them to the 6th of September. Guests of know their activities in the main, but held in North America are good things Honour are A.BERTRAM CHANDLER, KELLY we have been letting down the few that too, but that is a different issue.) FREAS and LEE HOFFMAN - CHICON IV. have. So from this issue on we will try I hoped that Sydney would win the bid Next years World Con is being held in and cover this aspect a little better. for 1983 for that reason, and when Baltimore, at the Baltimore Convention We have decided not to print the reports, Sydney's bid failed I felt that it was Centre from the 1st to the 5th of as given at Tschaicon, but we may use essential that there be another bid September 1983. GOH JOHN BRUNNER. those as a basis for future details on soon from outside North America. ’For more details write to CON-STELLATION, the various groups and clubs throughout Generally speaking, there's only one The 41st World SF Convention , Box 1046, Australia. way to assure something like that - Baltimore, Maryland 21203 USA. get behind it yourself. That's what Media fandom is growing very rapidly. (We 4-tupZdf.i/ fZiZed the. date tn ouA ta&t Phantastacon was well attended last I'm doing. That's why I support the time ai 198 4. We apoZagtie and we weAe Yugoslavian bid for 1988, and that's year and we believe 600 fans or more not tuy-ing to get back at baUtmoae (ft*. are expected to attend the first night why I would have supported the British wenntng the '83 btd XYom uz>. MB) bid for 1987, if it had not apparently of STAR TREK II in Melbourne this week. fallen in a hole. 1984 is not decided but it will most In comparison the best we have had for likely be in LOS ANGELES. We will have an SF convention in Australia is just Those of us who were at SEACON can full details next issue, after the over 400 apart from Aussiecon. Melbourne appreciate what a truly international voting result is announced at Chicon. fans who want to contact the Star Trek convention can be like. The flavour Melbourne, Australia is bidding for club in Melbourne should write to of difference was so important to 1985. Ten years after the last Austral­ AUSTREK, Box 5206AA, G.P.O. Melbourne me that I am going to the World Con ian world con, also in Melbourne in 3001, Victoria. in Chicago this year via the EUROCON 1975, AUSSIECON. We have just received a circular refer- in Germany. Further details on the MELBOURNE IN ing to CONQUEST '82, the first media '85 BID can be obtained from G.P.O oriented convention to be held in Thus, I have general and underlying Queensland. Their publicity indicates principles which lead me to want to Box 225 U, Melbourne 3000, Victoria, AUSTRALIA. You can help the Aussie bid a very well organised group. For details have a convention in Melbourne in 1985 write to G.P.O. Box 1376, Brisbane, Q which is as international as possible. by subscribing to the ANTIPODEAN ANNOUNCER newspaper, that is being 4001. We have heard little or nothing from But I also think that in Melbourne we Queensland SF fandom for some time now, have a team of people who have already distributed at all major conventions in Australia and overseas, and the but at least we know something is alive shown, in 1975, that they can run a up there. convention which is remembered with Newsletter, KANGARUSE. Send $10.00 now great pleasure by people seven years to the above address. At this time we We do not hear very much about Tasmanian later. And I believe they can do it apparently have no major opposition, fandom, but it is alive and well accor­ again. A 1985 World Con won't be but your support is needed to help ding to Mike O'Brien. The Tasmanian SF another Aussiecon - it will be bigger, with publicity and every aspect of Association meets in Hobart on the first for example - but if fans in Melbourne mounting the bid. end third Saturdays of every month. It< especially, but also those in the We have no information on later bids at has been in operation for four years, rest of the country, can get behind this time. after initially starting out as a Star the bid and the convention it will be Trek Club. A newsletter and irregular better than Aussiecon. No one wants fanzines are produced. They have a full to do anything worse than it was done AUSTRALIAN CONVENTIONS sized Dalek for sale Mike told us. For details on the Tasmanian SF Association last time, so the aim in 1985 will SYNCON '82 is being held in Sydney the plainly be to produce something more contact Mike O'Brien at 158 Liverpool weekend this issue is being completed. St., Hobart, Tasmania 7000. than just memorable. That will need August 13 - 15, at the New Crest Hotel, lots of support, but we are confident Darlinghurst Rd., Kings Cross, SYDNEY. Well thats a start, but do let us have that that support is there. Next up is CIRCULATION CONVENTION in details on your groups activities so ASFN: Thank you for your time John. our nation's capital Canberra. At the that we can tell people about them in You have made some very good points about Hotel Ainslie, to be specific. For more our future issues. the World Cons that I am sure many people details see the advertisement in this will agree with. You have clearly told issue. Between now and SYNCON '83 we have no details on other cons, here or our readers why you want to have another SPACE ART ON YOU! World Con in Australia and what you in New Zealand. There may be a media REAUTYr have told us will certainly strengthen con in Melbourne at the Melbourne Town SPACE IS THE PLACE IN T-SHIRTS support. Good luck on your overseas House over Easter, but plans for another IS FOR/’^ trip and we hope you let us have some of CINECON are very much up in the air at THIS SHIRT SAYS IT ALL. Printed black on blue or gold shirt. PEOPLE who;; your impressions of the convention in the moment. Easter would be a good time S. M. L. XL. (adult sizes) CANT FACEfJ Europe that you are attending. for Adelaide to organise something next year, seeing Sydney have pinched their T-SHIRTS $7.00 SCIENCE f®; usual Queen's Birthday date, June 10 to State size and color preference. 13, for SYNCON '83. That is the next POSTAGE. INCLUDED IN PRICE Australian National Convention and with Dealer Inquiries Welcome. HARLAN ELLISON as GoH is being held at Cheque to ftM 4O+'i'HS. The Shore Motel, Pacific Highway, 483 BEAUCHAMP RD, Artarmon, NSW. For more details contact MAROUBRA, N.S.W. 2035 DESIGNS N SYNCON'83 at P.O.Box A491, Sydney South 2000, N.S.W. that people do appAeciate youA effoAtA. Incidentty, I do applaud the OAganiAeAA of JeAucon foA theiA audacity in planning a convention theAe, but I do think that a lot of fanA may have been put off- by the continuing political climate in the aAea. SinceAely Menv RinnA Harry Harrison Kestral Ridge, Wale of Avoca, The International Co. Wicklow, IRELAND 9 June '82

THE PLAINS Dear Merv, Scene By Gerald Murnane On the international sf scene it is My thanks for sending me your zine. reported that sf is very popular In 126 pp $9.95 ARP Silence has only been laziness. I read China at present, a book by the local it with relish and know now far more Christopher priest, when he visited equivalent to Arthur C.Clarke, astron­ about world and Aussie SF than I should. Australia earlier this year, spoke of omer Zheng Wenguang can expect a 100,000 his desire to 'open up' science fiction, But I was depressed while reading 4-2 copy edition.selling out within a week. meaning that he sought areas of theme and: to see that Brunner is up to his old An anthology of non-Chinese sf sold imaginative narrative no dependent on wrecking tricks again. I wish he would 420,000 copies in a similar period. the conventions of sf or any other genre. stop doing this sort of thing! For the Many American books are being translated His own THE AFFIRMATION could stand as record then-- there is no law that pros into Chinese editions. The STAR WARS an example of what he meant, as might should be paid to go to cons. If he was titles have been popular and titles the novels of Tom Disch, John Sladek and invited by the Jerucon in Israel I'm •such as THE BOYS FROM BRAZIL and RAI SB Gene Wolfe. Also THE PLAINS. sure no mention of expenses was ever THE TITANIC were quite popular. ISAAC made. I should know— I was invited to ASIMOV and ARTHUR C. CLARKE are two of Interpretation of this novel will vary be Guest of Honour, and accepted, and the most popular authors. with the reader, but I see it as a no mention of expenses was made by either vision of what we Australians might have side. Brunner will never be a gentleman CHARLES N.BROWN, JOE HALDEMAN, FOREST J. become if we had based our culture on I am afraid. Gentlemen don't display our surroundings instead of importing ACKERMAN, ROGER ZELAZNY and OCTAVIA their lack of funds in private— nor do our thinking from Europe and America. BUTLER visited Russia from April 24th they whine about their business relation­ to May 8th with a group of other people, A young film-maker travels to THE PLAINS, ships, But, sigh, it is all water under to meet Russian sf authors. In his a vast internal area culturally severed the dam now since the con has been cancelled report in LOCUS Brown said that the trip from The Coast, with a history'- part due to lack of registrations. I know a was not quite what they had been led to bel­ Dcker, part intellectual - quite differ­ lot of poor European fans were going at ieve it was, expecting to have a lot more ent from the one we know. The 'squattoc- their own expense. Perhaps if a few more time with the Russian authors than they racy' have become the new 'Renaissance rich pros had registered as well.... did. They did not have very much time princes' who carouse in a pub while at for sightseeing and were restricted as the same time providing essential patron­ All best, people are that visit Russia, to what age of the arts and sciences: their Harry Harrison Intourist had arranged for them. visions are simultaneously limited by VeaA HanAy, However they did meet some interesting changeless plains and released by the people such as BERTA "BELLA" KLYUEVA Well -it 4e.em6 I have, put my foot in it illimitable acres of a country too vast of VAAP, the copyright expert on sf and to explore; their people are what we again. A couple of iAAueA back I Atood on HaAlan ElliAon'A toeA, now youAA. I well regarded editor, BORIS and ARKADY plight have become if we had not spread STRUGATSKY, ROMAN PODOLNY, YEVGENY picked the AefeAance up fxom Pave the Old World too thickly over our new VOISKUNSKY and SERGEI SNEGOV. bne. LangfoAd'A ANSIBLE, iAAue * 24, in which it woa noted that Chairman Sheldon They found that many American authors ,The novel consists of the explorations Teitelbaum woa complaining, becauAe he are popular in Russia, and that what is of the film maker whose film may never woa let down by pAOA who had gone back not translated is read in the original be made because it will not be understood, on theiA woAd about attending JERUCON. American editions or in manuscript form. (even if he can understand well enough to Soviet sf and the translations, have I do not know the exact ciAcumAtanceA make it. no violence, cruelty, dystopian fiction, in thiA caAe, but I Atilt feel that if etc. The current trend in fantasy in the It is a quiet novel, more rumination than a convention Apecifiaally inviteA an U.S. is not understood in Russia and so movement, needing concentration from the authoA to attend a convention, Aaid con is not popular there. reader. A writer who makes demands on fA obliged to meet at leaAt pant of the B reader must provide an intellectual expenAe. ThiA dependA of couAAe on the! More details on this trip will appear ard for devotion, and for me Humane way in which the invitation Ia pat. in future issues of LOCUS. s so; I commend THE PLAINS if you are •prepared to step outside the norm and not Con OAganiAeAA of couAAe Aety on authoAA The first FINNISH SF convention was expect the mixture-as-before. tunning up at theiA conventionA to man held in May from the 28th to 31st. It the panetA and Auch, but in mdAt caaca, I quote: '... the great maps of the took place in Helsinki with some 40 both hene and in the U.S.A, in pantic- Cwedes and 100 Finns attending. HARRY ,regions of plains ... the work of... utaA, thene aAe alwayA a few who only those who locate their improbable tribes HARRISON, SAM J.LUNDWELL and KAROL have a AhoAt diAtance to come. With only THOLE were amongst the attendees. (land preposterous beasts in the region? two oa thAee at the moAt majoA conA in assumed to be the best known...' AuAtnalia in a yean, we uAually do not have too much tnouble. Howeven if any SYMBIOTE'S CROWN by SCOTT BAKER won the Do you scent a whiff of Borges? You Prix Apollo Award, which is the French should. There is more than one such. gueAt iA Apecificatty invited, it iA taken foA gnanted that accomodation Ia at equivalent to the Hugo. Other novels leaAt paid foA. that figured in the voting included Reviewed by George Turner HELLO AMERICA by J.G.BALLARD, THE ThiA Aituation with Jenucon Ia I nealiAe SHADOW OF THE TORTURER by GENE WOLFE, THIS ABRIDGED ISSUE OF ASFN pAobably quite diffenent. I alAo AealiAe and THE AFFIRMATION by Christopher 1$ BEING DISTRIBUTED AT CHICON that Af authoAA have been attending conA Priest. Baker is an American but lives foA yeaAA, with tittle oa no talk of any in Paris. TO HELP PUBLICISE A'85, THE expenACA being paid. I foA one do veny MELBOURNE WORLD CON BID. ASFN Aincenely appAeciate th-cA and in no way LEE..? LEA..? LEIGH ( .1 think COVERS AUSTRALIAN FAN & PRO want the Aituation to change, but I do think that convention OAganiAeAA Ahoutd he's got it) EDMUNDS for NAFF! & OVERSEAS NEWS, PLUS REVIEWS not take the authoAA too much foA AND INTERVIEWS. SUBSCRIBE NOW gAanted. Thank you veny much foA youA tetten and & HELP SUPPORT A'85. $6.00 US kind commentA. It iA gnatifqing to know 8