Volume 15, Issue 2 April/May ConNotations 2005 The Bi-Monthly Science Fiction, Fantasy & Convention Newszine of the Central Arizona Speculative Fiction Society

A Conversation with Featured Inside SF Tube Talk Special Features Ben Bova All the latest news about A Conversation with By Catherine Book Scienc Fiction TV shows BenBova by Catherine Book 24 Frames Ben was scheduled to appear at a local still come out in May 2005? Yep, he All the latest Movie News Writing the Great Americn Novel in writers’ conference in Tempe when I said, still on target (already published in Thirty Days emailed him just days before he was the UK); and he’s wrapping up Titan Pointless Meanderings By Shane Shellenbarger scheduled to leave. He replied almost which will probably publish next year. News and Reviews immediately that he would be happy to Ben will be doing a signing in Tucson in from the world of comics and Anime In Memoriam F.M. “Buz” Busby Musical Notes Jack Chalker Andre Norton The latest news of Filk and Filkers from Tom Tuerff Poetry Goodnight Carson Videophile Who Put The Grin on Reviews of genre releases Mr Alfred E. Neuman? on DVD and VHS An American in England In Our Book Part 4 Reviews of New SF/F Books by Jeffrey Lu

Plus our Regular Features:

CASFS Business Report meet with me. How gracious is that?! The early May. (Keep watch on our website FYI man is a real gentleman. It was a real {www.casfs.com} and we’ll try to keep News and tidbits of honor and pleasure to spend time with him; you posted on time and location.) interest to fans the half hour I promised stretched into I’d read on his website nearly an hour. If I’d known how fun it (www.benbova.net) that he was President Club Listings was going to be, I’d begged for an hour Emeritus of the National Space Society. and stretched it into two hours. Since I had no idea what that really Convention List & I thought I’d start with something easy: meant, I asked what his duties were and will Mercury (his next published book) Generic Registration Form Continued on page 8

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Volume 15 Issue 2 ConNotations Page 1 Pick up your copy of ConNotations at the following locations In This Issue Who’s Who This Issue BOOK STORES Atomic Comics News & Reviews Managing Editor: Stephanie Bannon Bent Cover 1120 S. Country Club, Ste. 105, Mesa, AZ Editor’s Assistant: Gary Swaty CASFS Business Report 2 Graphics Editor: Craig L. Dyer 12428 N. 28th Drive, Phoenix, AZ 85029 85210 (480) 649-0807 SF Tube Talk 3 Film & Video Editor: Barry Bard (602)942-3778 4537 E. Cactus, Phoenix AZ 85032 24Frames 3 Proof Readers: Catherine Book & Bob Book Adventure (602) 923-0733 In Memoriam 10 LaPierre & Gary Swaty 660 N. Gilbert Rd, Suite B, Gilbert AZ 3029 W. Peoria, Suite CC, Phoenix, AZ Calendar Editor: Open 85234 (480) 892-2120 85021 (602)395-1066 Musical Notes 13 Reporters: Barry Bard, Craig L Dyer Book Connection 3155 W. Chandler Blvd #5, Chandler AZ Pointless Meanderings 14 Staff Writers: Pam Allen, Barry Bard 6434 S. McClintock, Tempe AZ 85226 (480)940-6061 FYI 15 Catherine Book, Craig L. Dyer, Michael (480) 820-2953 Retro Rocket Videophile 16 Griffin, Brandon Huigens,Jeffrey Lu, Sean 1917 N. Scottsdale Rd, Scottsdale, AZ In Our Book (Book Reviews) 17 Martin, Shane Shellenbarger, Gary Swaty, Book Exchange Tom Tuerff, Lee Whiteside, Randall 4320 N. Miller Road #F, Scottsdale, AZ (480) 970-0706 Whitlock, Mike Willmoth 85251 (480)990-8380 Samurai Comics Special Features Layout & Design: Stephanie L. Bannon Book Gallery 5024 N. 7th St, Phoenix AZ (602) 265-8886 A Conversation with Ben Bova Advertising: Catherine Book 3643 E. Indian School Rd, Phoenix AZ Stalking Moon Comics & Collectibles by Catherine Book 1 Keeper of the Mailing List: Craig L. Dyer 85018 (602)468-0400 5775 W. Bell Rd #B-6, Glendale, Arizona An American in England Contributors: Book Rack (602) 896-9992 Labeling Crew for Volume 15 Issue 1: by Jeffrey Lu 9 Rick Andrews, Stephanie L Bannon, 3539 W. Bell Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85053 Writing the Great American Novel in 30 Richard Bolinski, Cathy Book, Jason (602) 843-3026 GAME STORES Days Bustard, Ronnie Duran, Craig L Dyer, Bookmans Game Daze by Shane Shellenbarger 15 Anthony Grutta, David Hungerford, Bob 1056 S. Country Club, Mesa, AZ 85210 2140 E. 5th St #11, Tempe AZ 85281 Goodnight Carson LaPierre, Erin Lewis, Kim Martin, Kevin (480) 835-0505 (480)317-9181 By Jeffrey Lu 15 McAlanon, Marguerite Murray, Gary Bookmaster Game Daze #1: Paradise Valley Mall, 4550 Swaty, Bill Whitmore 2949 N. Scottsdale Rd, Scottsdale, AZ E. Cactus Rd, #422, Phoenix AZ 85032 About ConNotations: ConNotations is the fan published newszine of the Central (602)494-4263 85251 (480) 423-0501 Convention & Fandom Arizona Speculative Fiction Society 10818 N. Scottsdale Rd, Scottsdale, AZ Game Daze #2 Superstition Springs Center, (CASFS) an IRS-recognized 501(c)3 non- 85254 (480) 998-0606 6555 E. Southern Ave #2026, Mesa AZ profit organization. Circulation is Club Listings 19 Books 85206 (480)981-4850 estimated at 7,000 readers for this issue, Convention Listings 20 9201 N. 7th Ave, Phoenix AZ 85021 Game Daze #3 Scottsdale Fashion Square, including CASFS members and attendees (602) 678-4576 7014 E. Camelback Rd #2117, Scottsdale Convention Registration Form 20 of recent CASFS conventions. AZ 85251 (480) 947-1101 Subscriptions: The newszine is currently The Bookstore sent free of charge to anyone who has 4230 N. 7th Ave, Phoenix AZ 85013 Game Daze #4 Flagstaff Mall, 4650 N. attended a CASFS sponsored convention in (602) 279-3910 Hwy 89 #B2b, Flagstaff, AZ (520)645-0275 CASFS Business Report the last two years and to all CASFS mem- Borders Book Stores Game Daze #5 Park Place Mall, 5870 E. bers. Subscriptions are available. Cost for a 2402 E. Camelback, Phoenix, AZ Broadway Blvd #258, Tucson, AZ 85711 Salutations six issue subscription is: USA: $15/bulk. (602) 957-6600 (520)745-0468 January Copyright: Articles, fiction, photos and artwork in this issue are copyright © of the 870 N. 54th St, Chandler, AZ Game Daze #6 Chandler Fashion Mall, ------* All of the 2004 issues of ConNotations author/artist and cannot be reproduced in (480) 961-4915 3111 W. Chandler Blvd #2416, Chandler, any manner without their written consent. 1361 N. Alma School Rd., Mesa, AZ AZ 85226 (480)-8997406 are up on the web site in pdf format. * WesternSFA purchased a corporate If no author or artist is credited the artwork (480) 833-2244 Game Master Games 1120 S. Gilbert Rd, or article is copyright ©of the Central #114, Gilbert, AZ 85296 (480) 558-0750 subscription to ConNotations for Arizona Speculative Fiction Society. 4555 E. Cactus Rd., Phoenix, AZ Westercon 57 members. www.gamemastergames.com Publication: Publications dates are (602) 953-9699 * We received a $1000 grant from the 7320 W. Bell Rd., Glendale, AZ Game Nightz Metro Center Mall February, April, June, August, October & Arizona Humanities Council to bring in December. Publication date of this issue is (602) 870-8501 (623) 487-9110 an author or authors for the Arizona Book 03/30/2005; mailing date is 04/04/2005 699 S. Mill Ave, Tempe, AZ Imperial Outpost Festival. Advertising: ConNotations reaches (480 ) 921-8631 4920 W. Thunderbird, Glendale, AZ 85306 * Local fan and bookstore owner June approx. 7,000 science fiction, fantasy, Discount Book (602) 978-0467 Patton died. We voted the standard $50 gaming and horror fans throughout the 3650 W. Glendale Ave, Phoenix AZ Leviathan Games donation. Phoenix metro area, the Southwest and 3131 E. Thunderbird Rd (602) 996-6646 nationwide. 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HexaCon While we cannot pay you for your efforts 707 S. Forest Ave #A, Tempe, AZ 85281 16 received $2025 in seed money, while your work will be seen by over 7,000 fans (480) 835-0757 across the Southwest and the country. You Poisoned Pen Bookstore (480)557-6640 the “excess” turnback to CASFS Main (above the required turnback) was will retain the copyright to your work for 4014 N. Goldwater Blvd, Suite 101, Pop, The Soda Shop future publication. To submit your work or $2277.44. Scottsdale AZ 85251 (480) 947-2974 2015 N. Scottsdale Rd, Scottsdale AZ for more information please write to: * We moved the March meeting, as it Thrifty Joe’s Books (480) 994-4505 ConNotations; PO Box 62613, Phoenix, conflicted with AniZona. New meeting AZ 85082-2613 or contact us via Email at Root Seller Gallery 6020 W. Bell Road, Glendale AZ 85308 date is April 1st. (No foolin’.) [email protected] (602)547-2540 1605 N. 7th Ave, Phoenix AZ * WesternSFA announced that it would be Contact Information: ConNotations and (602)712-9338 buying two 100-foot extension cords and its contributors can be contacted by mail at COMIC STORES Toy Anxiety PO Box 62613, Phoenix, AZ 85082-2613 a bin to put them in and donating them to or via email at [email protected] All About Comics 10210 N. 32nd St, Suite B3, Phoenix AZ CASFS. We gratefully accepted. 85028 5060 N. Central, Phoenix, AZ * SF author Jack Chalker died. Standard ConNotations (602) 277-0757 (602)308-0292 $50 donation voted. ISSN: 1082-7765 Ash Avenue Comics & Books * FM Busby, who was Toastmaster at PUBLISHED: Six times a year 810 S. Ash, Tempe, AZ (480) 858-9447 Iguanacon (Phoenix’s only Worldcon), BY: Central Arizona Speculative died. We sent a sympathy card. Fiction Society, PO Box 62613, * Local fan and filker Leslie Fish was Phoenix, AZ 85082 featured in Trekkies 2, which recently showed up on Showtime. ISSUE NUMBER: Volume 15 Issue 2 SUBSCRIPTION: $15 for 6 ISSUES No Longer the New Guy Page 2 ConNotations Volume 15 Issue 2 version of the show. We’re even going to turned in, and the process began of trying SF Tube Talk change the title sequence. People will be 24 Frames to make the deal work with all the various TV News & Previews wondering, what show is this?” Instead forces involved. It is, to say the least, a of our characters traveling to the Mirror Movie News very difficult process on any movie where By Lee Whiteside Universe, the USS Defiant, the vanishing By Lee Whiteside the studio does not directly take the ship from the original series episode The financial reins. In terms of B5, Warner’s With the pending end of Star Trek Tholian Web, ends up going back in time No B5 Movie B4 It’s Time position was essentially, “We only do big- Enterprise, there’s been lots of activity by and into the Mirror Universe, bringing budget movies with big names, so you’re fans attempting to keep it going, even advanced technology to their world. I’ve been following the development on your own.” If there were big-name raising commitments for over $3 million We’ll then return back to the regular Trek of the Babylon 5 movie for the last year movie actors in the film, they’d get behind to pay for new episodes. There’s been universe with a three part storyline to end here and I’m sorry to report that it isn’t it; without that, things become very lots of interviews in various outlets with the series. In Demons we find that one of going to be happening after all. In the problematic, especially as far as the producers and actors on the ending of the the major hurdles to founding the Federa- following posting by J. Michael financing was concerned. You much have series. Some blame the loss of viewership tion is not any alien race, but our own Straczynksi, he broke the news and to put together a consortium of interna- and the cancellation on “Trek fatigue” people on Earth. Enterprise returns to explained in part why it didn’t happen. tional interests and business plans rivaled while others place the blame on Rick Earth and finds that a xenophobic faction in complexity only by the Allied invasion Berman and Brannon Braga, who only of humanity threatens to undermine talks From: J. Michael Straczynksi of Normandy Beach. this season really let someone else to form a new coalition of planets. Subject: additional from jms (producer Manny Coto) take the reins of Leading this faction is John Frederick To: rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.moderated Nonetheless, every attempt was made by the show and infuse some life into the Paxton, played by Peter Weller (Bucka- Date: 2/25/2005 6:10:37 PM the people involved to get this deal in series. However, as of press time, all roo Banzai, Robocop, and Odyssey 5), place. This was not being done by Doug indications are that Paramount is not who is inspired by Colonel Green (shown The rule of thumb in Hollywood is that or myself, but rather by the company/ interested in keeping the series going, in the original series episode The Savage for every thousand scripts that get written, individuals who approached us and although reports are that the sets have not Curtain). There’s also rumors of a half only a few dozen get into development, optioned the rights. At times, it seemed we yet been dismantled, but will be put into human/half Vulcan baby being raised in a and out of those, only one will ever get were inches away from a deal...stages storage. SciFi Channel has indicated they secret lab on Earth. Airing as a two hour made...if that. were reserved at Elstree, actors were aren’t interested (their Friday night lineup finale on May 13th will be Terra Prime, contacted, a director was in place, the drawing more viewers than Trek was where the anti-alien protests threaten the A little over a year ago, I was approached script went through many revisions, a few probably the final nail in the coffin) while conference being held with ambassadors by a company that wanted to make a key staff were hired, again not by me...it Spike TV, the cable home of the other from the various worlds and Trip has Babylon 5 movie. They optioned the was really a year-long roller coaster ride. modern Trek series, has indicated they infiltrated a group of humans working to rights, and commissioned a script. (It’s During that time, the people involved, might be interested, but hadn’t been bring down Starfleet. Concluding the worth mentioning that I, not WB, own the with every good intention, tried very hard contacted by Paramount about it. If series will be the episode “These are the rights to a B5 movie. When we were to pull the necessary pieces together on anything, Paramount will be bringing out Voyages” which is rumored to in part be a negotiating the original B5 deal -- by the deal. The option expired in late all four seasons of Enterprise this year, holodeck simulation of events being whose terms I will never see a dime in December 2004, but I renewed it without leaving only the Animated series left in watched by Commander Riker and profit -- the one thing they did let me have cost, to give those involved more time to the archives yet to be released on DVD. Deanna Troi. It appears Riker used the were the movie rights, figuring they’d try and make things work. There will be some new Star Trek holodeck to relive historic moments in his never be worth anything in the long run.) being produced, however, with another spare time on the Enterprise-D. Sets for In the end, however, the deal could not be movie in the works (see 24 Frames for Ten-Forward, Troi’s quarters and the Anyway...on December 27th of 2003, the put together, and it did not look as if that details) and an ongoing fan production of script for “The Memory of Shadows” was holodeck were created for the episode. ( Continued on page 6 ) Star Trek: The New Voyages. They’ve There will also be a already produced two episodes featuring crowd scene where the original series characters and with many of the show’s their next two episodes will be enlisting behind the scenes the aid of writers D.C. Fontana, from the personnel will appear on original series writing staff, and the duo of screen. Rick Berman Jack Trevino and Ethan Calk, who has indicated that the wrote for Deep Space Nine to create the finale (which he co- scripts, and they will also have the wrote with Brannon original Chekov, Walter Koenig, reprises Braga) is a “valentine his role of Chekov. Look for updates and for the fans”, but more info on the www.newvoyages.com following Jolene website. Blaylock’s comments in Getting back to Enterprise, there’s an interview that she still six episodes left before the series found the finale to be finale on May 13th. Following a run of “appalling”, some fans the top three fan favorite episodes in late are expecting it to not March and early April, new episodes will be a satisfying conclu- resume on April 15th. Producer Manny sion to the modern era Coto continues his associating storylines of Star Trek. with the original series in Bound, which I think that if the sees Archer receive a gift of three Orion series has started out slave girls after a successful negotiation more like it has been with the Orion syndicate. Next up is the this season, with nods two part episode, In a Mirror, Darkly, and tie-ins more to the which shows us how the Mirror Universe original series, the series first seen in the original series diverged might have kept the from our time line. According to Coto initial audience. But by “we’re really excited about that one. It’ll the time producer be as if you changed the channel to Manny Coto brought Enterprise and you get the mirror universe ( Continued on page 4 ) Volume 15 Issue 2 ConNotations Page 3 SF Tube Talk ( Cont’d from page 3 ) Imara switches bodies with Phoebe in (“Se7en”), newcomers Chelsea and from San Francisco back home to Los order to get the Charmed Ones to go after Britney Coyle and Tobin Bell (“The Angeles. Jared Padalecki and Jensen his ideas into the mix, UPN was pretty Zankou and his men and vanquish them Road to El Dorado”) also star. Ackles star as the two brothers. Which much done with the series (season four so she can take control of the under- We’re also in the middle of pilot one is which is not known, but does it only happened due to Paramount drop- ground. In Imaginary Friends the demon season, with only a few genre shows really matter? ping UPN’s license fee) and with the Vicus tries to destroy the Charmed Ones being looked at by the broadcast networks SciFi’s addition of Battlestar show still being an expensive production, by luring Baby Wyatt to the dark side. In and we’ll find out which ones get picked Galactica to their Friday night lineup has Paramount just couldn’t keep producing it an attempt to counter the attack, the sisters up in mid-May. They will be fighting for given them their highest ratings ever for a without getting an immediate return. happen to summon Wyatt from the future time slots against more procedural dramas regular series, drawing more viewers for Although they have been successful in into the present. In the two part season about FBI agents, Pentagon employees, the trio than UPN has been for Enter- selling repeats of the series nationwide for finale, 22nd Centaury Witches, the sisters and various ensemble shows featuring prise. Needless to say, SciFi has elected this fall and likely will do well with the are seeking more power after a run in with desperate housewives of varying degrees to keep their SciFi Friday intact and DVD releases. The bottom line is that the a uber demon named Vaikern and fearing as well as the newest ideas for reality ordered a full 20 episode season of studio and network isn’t as interested in for her unborn baby Phoebe visits the series. Most notable is a Frank Spotnitz Battlestar Galactica, which will debut in the show right now, but once it has been Avatars. They agree to give her the power (The X-Files) produced revival of July along with the new seasons of off the air for a while, Paramount may be to destroy the entire demon race so that Kolchak: The Night Stalker for ABC Stargate SG-1 and Stargate Atlantis. able to bring in some new producers with the sisters can live normal lives. Mean- starring Stuart Townsend (Lestat in Apparently giving up on Thursdays for a new vision that will bring back Star while an unknowing Paige interviews new Queen of the Damned) and Gabrielle their alternative programming, Scifi has Trek to the masses and start a new run teachers for Magic school while Piper Union. Also in the works for ABC is also announced that Wednesdays in July comparable to the last 18 years of hires a gardener to create a “sanctuary”. Invasion from Shaun Cassidy (American will see a new season of Tripping the Rift continuous Star Trek we’ve had. When Phoebe confronts Vaikern he Gothic) which deals with what happens in (with Six now voiced by Carmen Smallville will be back in mid-April backfires her power and sends the sisters the aftermath of a hurricane in a small Electra), a new season of Ghost Hunters, with the final six episodes of it’s current hurtling into the future, where their magic Florida town that may also be the starting and the new series Master Blasters, which season. We’ll continue the Lana tattoo powers don’t work and they must sum- point for an alien invasion. CBS is is described by SciFi as a show that “pits storyline (which reached a low with the mon their powers from the past to set looking into getting onto the psychic teams of amateur rocket scientists against Crouching Lana episode) as well as see things right. bandwagon with The Ghost Whisperer, a each other in a race to design, build and more developments with Lex, Lionel and NBC has a surprise hit on their hands series developed with psychic James van launch some very bizarre things into orbit. Lois. The first new episode, Oynx, Lex is with Medium, based on the life of a Praagh starring Jennifer Love Hewitt as From rocket-bolstered La-Z-Boys to fuel conducting an meteor rock experiment Phoenix based psychic. NBC has liked it a young newlywed who talks to the dead injected Mini-Coopers, “one small step with a Dr. Sinclair, and when an explosion so well, they ordered additional episodes and Aisha Tyler as her best friend. In the for man” becomes one giant leap for mad happens and the rock turns black, we end for the current season and have already alien invasion category, CBS has Thresh- science!” Also in the works for SciFi in up with two Lexes, one good and one bad. given it the go ahead for season two. As old, produced by David Goyer, David the pilot stage is Eureka, which SciFi We’ll get to really see the dark side of Lex for getting much advance info on the Heyman, and Brannon Braga about a describes as “a newly hired sheriff reports in this episode. In Spirit, the central plot series, other than consulting a psychic female government contingency analyst for duty in the small, bucolic Pacific revolves around the Smallville High Prom myself, there hasn’t been much available (Carla Gugino) who leads a team of North-west town of Eureka and soon and school spirit with a prom queen beyond the upcoming TV listings. NBC scientists and military personnel to discovers that things are not what they wannabe who has the power to possess in May will have the Hercules miniseries, respond to the threat of a mysterious alien seem. For years, the government has been other people and takes over most of the the latest effort from Hallmark and life form. Also starring are Charles S. relocating the world’s geniuses (and their supporting cast at some point in the Robert Halmi. However, NBC appears Dutton and Brent Spiner. NBC hasn’t families) to Eureka, creating the ultimate episode. In Blank Kevin Grady has the to be not quite as high on it’s capability to taken notice of the ratings drop for Joan think tank community. At times strange, power to erase people’s memories and draw big ratings and has trimmed one of Arcadia this season and has ordered a amazing, and bizarre, the community’s robs the Talon in plain sight, but makes hour off of the four hour miniseries and pilot for Book of Daniel, where an quirky inhabitants unleash scientific and people forget about it. Clark and company will air it on one night, Monday May Episcopalian reverend finds himself technological creations still unknown by attempt to find out what’s really happen- 23rd. Paul Telfer stars as Hercules, with talking to Jesus on a regular basis who the outside world.” Also announced for a ing with Kevin and why he got this way, names such as Timothy Dalton helps him deal with family issues and pilot movie is Painkiller Jane, which possibly due to some experimentation (Amphitryon), Sean Astin (Linus), Kim other plot elements that arise. Also stars Emmanuelle Vaugier (Luther’s with him at Summerholt hospital. In Coates (Tiresias), and Elizabeth Perkins attempting to come up with it’s own Lost, short time wife on Smallville) as a young Ageless, a girl who gets pregnant gives (Alcmene) taking part. Expect a more NBC has Fathom, which follows the lives Marine officer exposed to a biochemical birth the next day (dying in the process) to serious take on the subject matter than the of naval officers in the South Antarctic weapon that endows her with self-healing a baby that has super accelerated growth Kevin Sorbo series. Sea, a family in San Diego, the oceano- powers. Also starring in the pilot are Tate as well as other powers that threaten NBC will also finally be debuting their graphic institute in Monterey, and Donovan. Richard Roundtree, and Eric everyone as he gets older. Meanwhile, mid-season series Revelations on April fishermen in the Gulf of Mexico who are Dane. It is based on the Events Comics Lionel confronts Lana about the artifact 13th, only producing six episodes. From all affected by the discovery of a mysteri- series. she brought back from China. For the an NBC Press Release it is described ous new form of sea life. Is it alien, or As the seasons for all the SciFi Friday final two episodes, no real advance info is thusly: Bill Pullman (“Independence something else? FOX has one genre shows just ended, and with Stargate know, but expect it to resolve some of the Day”) stars as a scientist faced with the entry in development, Briar and Graves, Atlantis and Battlestar Galactica ending ongoing storylines with Lana’s tattoo, toughest personal, professional and about a hard-living priest (Charles things with cliffhangers, there’s a bit of Clark’s college choices and relationship philosophical challenges of his life. Dr. Mesure) who partners with a female news on what to expect when they return with Lois, Chloe and Lana, and his Richard Massey is searching for reason- doctor (Elizabeth Rohm) to investigate in July. The biggest change will be seen “Destiny”. able explanations -- to explain signs that unexplained religious phenomena. Also on Stargate SG-1, which will begin it’s Charmed returns in April with six seem to indicate the apocalyptic end as involved is Colm Meany. Following the ninth season with several additions to the episodes which may or may not be the foretold in Scriptures is in motion. To DOA arrival of Point Pleasant, I’d be cast, and a few noticeable absences. final season for this long running series. save humanity, Massey will have to let go surprised if FOX picked this one up. Richard Dean Anderson’s participation Scry Hard, where Zankou has teamed up of scientific facts and embrace faith. His UPN’s lone genre entry is Triangle, about in the new season is still up in the air, with a tribe of demons to help him get the first step in his quest to conquer the a young doctor’s (Ivan Sergei) investiga- even as they have already started filming, Charmed Ones out of the Manor. They impending evil is to align himself with a tion of his wife’s mysterious disappear- and Amanda Tapping will be absent for escape, but Leo is injured and he and nun (Natascha McElhone, “Solaris”) ance during their Caribbean honeymoon. at least the first five episodes due to her Piper are trapped in a doll house version whose devout beliefs are unshakeable. The WB’s lone genre pilot is for Super- new baby that is due as this issue goes to of the manor. In Little Box of Horrors, Despite many obstacles, including their natural, described as a cross between press. Joining the show as a regular cast The Charmed Ones helps a young own fears and doubts, the two remain “The X-Files” and “Route 66” in which member will be Ben Browder Guardian keep Pandora’s Box out of the determined to prove that Man can regain Sam, a recent Stanford graduate, who (Farscape’s John Crichton) as Lieutenant hands of a wicked demon named Katya, control of fate. Time is literally running along with his estranged older brother Colonel Cameron Mitchell, who we find who plans on opening it and unleashing out in their thrilling, fast-paced race Dean encounter unusual ghosts and local out was involved with prior events in the its powers onto an unsuspecting mankind. around the globe to thwart Armageddon -- creatures straight out of American folk Stargate Universe and is assigned to SG-1 Freaky Phoebe sees a demon named and restore hope. Michael Massee lore and urban legends during a road trip ( Continued on page 5 ) Page 4 ConNotations Volume 15 Issue 2 SF Tube Talk ( Cont’ from page 4 ) not much else new for the next couple of by Jerry O’Connel), joins the months. Expect things to pick up this Justice League but even his as a reward for his prior service. Pairing summer, though, when new seasons of power may not be enough to up with former Farscape castmate The Dead Zone and The 4400 start up on foil Lex Luthor’s latest plot. In Browder will be Claudia Black, return- USA Network and maybe we’ll see that the Teen Titan’s universe, we’re ing as alien bounty hunter Vala for a five new British show, Doctor Who, turn up likely to see some more new episode run at the beginning of the somewhere... episodes in April or May as season. Beau Bridges will join SG-1 as Speaking of which, over on the other well. With the re-appearance of Gen. Hank Landry, the new head of side of the Atlantic, the new series of Slade, he will be the subject of Stargate Command, when Jack O’Neill is Doctor Who debuted on the BBC over several upcoming episodes promoted to oversee Homeworld Security. Easter weekend. As of press time, there is including a three part season He’ll also likely appear in Stargate no firm news of the series having a home (but not series) finale. Upcom- Atlantis once communications is reestab- in the US, although there is a rumor of ing soon are TROQ where a lished. Joining the series as the Chief some sort of announcement that may be brave hero from outer space Medical Officer for Stargate Command happening soon. It will begin airing on called Val-Yor comes to Earth, will be Lexa Doig (Andromeda’s An- CBC in Canada in early April so US fans and asks for the Titans help in dromeda), as Carolyn Lam who is also the near the Canadian border may have access defeating an otherworldly daughter of General Landry. Doig is also to the new series. With the leak of the menace known as The Locrix, married to SG-1 star Michael Shanks, first episode, Rose, to the Internet three The Prophecy continues the who claims he had nothing to do with weeks early that got a lot of press cover- Slade arc where the Titans learn getting her hired for SG-1. Also joining age (and mostly favorable reviews), fans why he came back and how it the cast of SG-1 is Lou Gossett, Jr. in a all over the world got to preview the ties into Raven, in Stranded, an recurring role as a Jaffa leader who vies series and will likely continue to do so as exciting battle on a distant with Teal’c for political control of the new the series airs. The BBC will have space station ends with a Jaffa nation. thirteen episodes in this series and will tremendous explosion that Over on Atlantis, joining their team broadcast them on Saturday nights. BB3 blows the Titan’s spaceship will be Mitch Pileggi (The X-Files Walter will also air a weekly documentary series, apart -- and sends them flying Skinner) as a hard-nosed colonel who Doctor Who Confidential, which will also off in five different directions to crash- butts heads with Dr. Weir and Maj. be made available on the BBC’s website We run into The Autons, first seen in the land on a strange alien world, and in Sheppard. Also joining the series will be at www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho . Reports Jon Pertwee era, which are automations Overdrive, Cyborg goes up against his Jason Momoa, as Ronon Dex, a Pegasus from the official BBC Press Launch have powered by an alien intelligence. Other match in the duplicitous Billy Numerous. Galaxy human who has been on the run garnered the series favorable reviews, episodes feature new aliens such as Jabe, As noted, Krypto the Supedog will be from the Wraith for years as part of a indicating it maintains the spirit of the a plant being played by Yasmin geared towards younger viewers, but hunting game that the Atlantis teams original series but also make it more in Bannerman, The Moxx of Balhoon, looks to be a fun take on the DC Universe discovers. Paul McGillion, Doctor tune with the 21st Century. It is still being Alien Monks, the Face of Poe, and, of from the Super Pet point of view. Krypto Carson Beckett will be upgraded to series made for a family audience, so it’s course, the return of The Daleks. was Kal-El’s (Superman) pet dog that was regular status while Rainbow Sun modernization is not to the extent of The Cartoon Network has given launched from Krypton in a test rocket Franks will be relegated to a recurring something like Battlestar Galactica’s additional season orders for Teen Titans, that eventually made it’s way to Earth as role when his Aiden Ford character much more adult tone. Speaking to the Justice League Unlimited and Duck well. Instead of teaming up with Super- embarks on an interesting character arc. press following the official screening, Dodgers, so there will be more of all three man, Krypto lands in the backyard of 9 What would SciFi be without their former Doctor Who writer Terrence shows in the coming year. Also joining year old boy Kevin Whitney, who’s just Saturday night movies and April and May Dicks said “They’ve kept the feeling of Cartoon Network (airing after it’s been on moved to Metropolis and becomes are no exception. The Snake King (April the show. It’s still Doctor Who and I think Kids WB) will be The Batman, making Krypto’s best friend (apparently all 9) Deep in the heart of the South Ameri- Christopher Eccleston is very good, I’m for a 90 minute Superheros block on without the knowledge of Superman). can jungle, two scientists find the fabled so pleased. The last Who, I hated it. It was Saturday nights with Teen Titans, The Kevin is able to converse with Krypto fountain of youth -- only to learn that it’s aimed at the mid-Atlantic; I’ve always Batman and Justice League Unlimited all with a special communications device. guarded by a deadly, five-headed serpent. said it should be made in England. airing back to back. Duck Dodgers There will also be other super-pets in the Stephen Baldwin and Jayne Heitmeyer They’ve kept the feeling of the show. I appears to be a fixture on Cartoon show, including Ace the Bat-hound, star. Man-Thing (April 30) Agents of an think Christopher Eccleston is very Network’s Friday’s lineup (at least when complete with a grim and serious de- oil tycoon vanish while exploring a good. There’s a gap in the market for they have a new episode to air) and has meanor and a collar with all the function- swamp marked for drilling. The local something both good and popular. There’s already started its third season. Starting ality of Batman’s utility belt. There’s also sheriff investigates and faces a Seminole stuff that’s critically acclaimed and stuff up in early April on weekday mornings as Streaky, the pampered cat of Kevin’s legend come to life: Man-Thing, a that’s popular, like reality TV. But this part of a new pre-school block will be neighbor Andrea, who also gets super shambling swamp-monster whose touch does both.” Former producer Barry Letts Krypto the Superdog, featuring the powered and helps out Krypto (Streaky, of burns those who feel fear. Jack Thomp- expressed his approval as well, “I was adventures of Krypto. course, was Supergirl’s pet cat that was son stars. The Fallen Ones (May 7) An desperate for it to work and it has. Russell Justice League Unlimited will part of the Legion of Super Pets back in archaeologist unearths the mummified T Davies said what he was doing was continue building on some of the ongoing the 1960’s). Krypto also gets involved remains of a giant humanoid. Soon, more carrying on the torch from our time. He’s storylines with a growing threat from with the Dog Star Patrol, a group of super evidence is uncovered that reveals the a big fan. It’s a relay race, you stagger on Cadmus that will ultimately lead to a canines from all over the galaxy lead by creature to be the offspring of a human for so many years, then pass the baton on multiple episode arc at the end of the Brainy Barks. There’s also villains such woman and a fallen angel — the begin- when you’re exhausted. They’ve man- current season. Coming up in April (or as Mechanikat and Ignatius that are ning of a lineage whose terror is about to aged to give a few nods to the past, which possibly not until May) are Double Date constant thorns in Krypto’s side (not to be reborn into the modern world. Casper the old Doctor Who fans will appreciate, where Green Arrow and Black Canary mention the Kryptonian flea) and there Van Dien and Robert Wagner star in this without making it confusing for anybody race to stop The Question and Huntress seems to be a fair number of Red supernatural mystery-thriller. Descent coming to it fresh. They’ve done a from killing organized crime lord, Tobias Kryptonite scenarios. Other appearances (May 21) When rapidly worsening brilliant job of updating it.” From having Whale, Hunter’s Moon (or Mystery in include Catwoman’s cat Isis, a Robot Dog volcanic eruptions and earthquakes talked recently with both Dicks and Letts Space) where Shayera leads her reluctant from Krypton, the Penguin’s penguin threaten to obliterate the Pacific Rim and at the recent Gallifrey One convention, I teammates Vigilante and Vixen into a waddles, and even an appearance by plunge the world into ecological chaos, a think having there endorsement of the deadly trap when responding to a deep Robin in a Bat-Hound episode. team of scientists embarks on a daring new series speaks volumes. space distress call, The Balance that sees For more schedule information, news mission into the Earth’s molten core to The first episode of the new series is Wonder Woman and Hawkgirl go to the and links, visit the Magrathea/SFTV avert the looming disaster. Luke Perry Rose, which introduces the new incarna- depths of Tartarus when the evil sorcerer Pages at www.sftv.org Contact Lee and Michael Dorn star in this fast-paced tion of The Doctor, played by Christo- Felix Faust establishes dominion over Whiteside at [email protected] underground adventure. pher Eccleston, and Rose Tyler (Billie Hades, and Clash where the world’s Elsewhere in the cable realm, there’s Piper) who joins him on his adventures. mightiest mortal, Captain Marvel (voiced Volume 15 Issue 2 ConNotations Page 5 24 Frames ( Continued from page 3 ) the go-ahead for a script for a new movie deadly. In this movie, we follow three Broadbent, John Cleese, Tim Curry, that will not feature any previous Star stories, the central of which is Marv John Hurt, Hugh Laurie, and Rupert was going to change at any point in the Trek crew by Erik Jendresen, who hasn’t (Mickey Rourke), a tough-as-nails and Everett. foreseeable future. So the option has really written any science fiction before nearly impossible to kill street fighter who Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy - reverted, and to all intents and purposes, and is best known for producing and goes on a rampage of vengeance when a Earthman Arthur Dent is having a very the project has dead ended. Nor do I think writing on the HBO Band of Brothers beautiful woman, Goldie (Jamie King), bad day. His house is about to be bull- this particular incarnation will arise again series. In an interview with the SyFyPortal he sleeps with for only one night is killed dozed, he discovers that his best friend is at any point in the future, though prog- web site, Jendresen indicated that the story while lying in bed with him. Also includes an alien and to top things off, Planet Earth nostication has always been a tricky art, of the movie takes place approximable 80 Elijah Wood, Bruce Willis, Jessica Alba, is about to be demolished to make way for especially if you have to do it without the years before the Captain Kirk era of Star and Josh Hartnett. Based on three stories a hyperspace bypass. Arthur’s only benefit of hindsight. Trek, which puts it after the events of from the graphic novel series by Frank chance for survival: hitch a ride on a Enterprise. “There is a lot of misinforma- Miller, who co-directs with Robert passing spacecraft. For the novice space This was not the first time someone’s tion out there, negative speculation and ill- Rodriguez. Reportedly done filmed traveler, the most astonishing adventure in taken a run at a B5 feature film, and it will,” Jendresen told SyFyPortal. mostly against a blue-screen so that the the universe begins when the world ends. will not be the last. Eventually it will “Everybody just needs to just take a CGI created backgrounds and sets will Arthur sets out on a journey in which he happen, because such things are simply Romulan chill pill and have some faith. have the original comic atmosphere. finds that nothing is as it seems: he learns inevitable. If they can do a Brady Bunch Everything that has gone down over the The Cave - A rescue team is sent down that a towel is just the most useful thing in movie, you can be sure that sooner or last few years has not been lost on the into the world’s largest cave system to try the universe, finds the meaning of life, later, somebody’s going to do a B5 movie. gentlemen involved in this effort. I think it to find the spelunkers who first explored and discovers that everything he needs to The only thing I can say without equivo- would be wonderful to bring a whole new its depths. But when the group’s escape know can be found in one book: The cation is that when that day comes, as the generation into this world.” Whether the route is cut off, they are hunted by the Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. Yes, it rights-holder, I will make darned sure that Romulans will figure in the story or not is monstrous creatures that live down below. is the long awaited (or feared) feature it’s done right, because I’d rather have no unknown, but Jendresen’s mention of Stars Morris Chestnut, Eddie Cibrian, adaptation of Douglas Adam’s B5 movie than one that doesn’t live up to them might be a hint... Don’t expect to see Cole Hauser, Piper Perabo, and Lena Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. Using what fans and I myself would want to see. the movie on screen before 2007, though. Headey. a script done initially by Adams, the Big Movies get even Bigger - This The Amityville Horror - On November movie mostly follows the first book and To that end...I can wait. summer will see a couple of the bigger 14, 1974, police received a frantic phone radio series but also throws in some new movies turn up on IMAX screens concur- call that led them to a nightmarish crime bits and extra stuff (no version of the story Anyway, just thought you should know rently with their regular theatrical release scene at the Defeo residence in has ever been exactly the same). Early the story. - jms in selected IMAX theaters. Already this Amityville, Long Island - an entire family screening reports indicated that Martin copyright © 2005 by Synthetic Worlds, year, we’ve seen FOX’s Robots get the had been slaughtered in their beds. In the Freeman is a good Arthur Dent, Mos Def Ltd. IMAX treatment. Coming up this summer days that followed, Ronald Defeo is definitely a different Ford Prefect, Bill Reprint permission specifically denied to will be Batman Begins (June 17) and confessed to methodically shooting his Nighy is a great Slartibartfast, Stephen SFX Magazine Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (July parents and four siblings while they slept, Fry does well as the voice of The Guide, 15). Unfortunately, for those of us in the claiming “voices” in the house drove him Alan Rickman does a good Marvin voice And now, on to the latest movie news Phoenix area, with the IMAX theater to commit the grisly murders. One year (with Warwick Davis inside the suit), and rumors... being located right next to a regular movie later, George and Kathy Lutz and their John Malkovich is the new character The Superman Returns movie is theater, the same day openings have not three children moved into the house (Humma Kavula) created by Adams for taking flight in Australia with filming been happening, although they have thinking it would be their dream home. the movie, and Sam Rockwell and Zooey beginning in late March. Casting has generally made their IMAX debut a few But shortly after settling in, bizarre and Deschanel are ok as Zaphod and Trillian, pretty much been finalized with relative weeks after the theatrical debut. For those unexplainable events began to occur to respectively. unknown Brandon Routh playing Clark elsewhere in the country where exclusivity the family as George was plagued by XXX: State of the Union - Darius Stone Kent & Superman, Kate Bosworth will doesn’t enter into the equation, catching a nightmarish visions and haunting voices (Ice Cube), a new agent in the XXX be Lois Lane, Kevin Spacey will be Lex movie on the really big screen is usually from the evil presence still lurking within program, is sent to Washington, DC to Luthor, Hugh Laurie takes on the role of worth the extra cost. the residence. 28 days after moving in, the diffuse a power struggle amongst national Perry White, James Marsden is Perry’s In their latest quarterly financial Lutzes abandoned the home - lucky to leaders. Samuel L. Jackson and William son, Richard, Sam Huntington will be report, Marvel updated their list of movies escape with their lives. Haven’t we seen Defoe also star. With no Vin Diesel Jimmy Olsen, and Eva Marie Saint will in development and planned release dates. this before, several times? Starring Ryan around which drove the original movie, play Martha Kent. There have been Of course, the remaining Marvel movie Reynolds, Melissa George, Jimmy this sequel may run out of steam at the various names bandied about for playing left for this year, Fantastic Four, is Bennett, Jesse James, and Rachel box office pretty quick. the role of Superman’s father, Jor-El, but scheduled for a release on July 8th. Nichols. House of Wax - A. group of friends on the latest word is that director Bryan Marvel’s Avi Arad indicated that there Valiant - During World War II, England their way to a college football game falls Singer is looking into making use of will be a lot of promotion for this movie, communicated with the French Resistance prey to a pair of murderous brothers in an unused footage of Marlon Brando from on a par with the Spiderman promotional and Allied troops in Europe using the abandoned small town. They discover that Superman II. When the original movie efforts and will definitely have a trailer Royal Pigeon Service, carrier pigeons that the brothers have expanded upon the was filmed, they filmed additional attached to Star Wars Episode III. On the went through a rigorous training regimen. area’s main attraction - the House of Wax footage for the second movie. In the final horizon for 2006 is X-Men 3 in the early This is the story of Valiant (Ewan - and created an entire town filled with the movie, Brando didn’t appear and Summer, with Patrick Stewart, Hugh McGregor), a comically clumsy misfit of wax-coated corpses of unlucky visitors. Susannah York instead appeared as his Jackman and Ian McKellan all return- a (wood) pigeon who sneaks his way into Now the group must find a way out before mother, Lara. Singer apparently thinks ing, Ghost Rider (starring Nicholas Cage the Royal Pigeon Service, eager to they too become permanent exhibits in the the unused footage of Brando will work and Sam Elliott) in mid-summer, and contribute his efforts to the needs of his House of Wax. Stars Elisa Cuthbert and with the new movie and provided things Iron Man, Deathlok, Luke Cage, and country, even though he is vastly unquali- Paris Hilton. A remake of the 1953 can be worked out with Brando’s heirs, Punisher 2 all targeted for 2006 releases. fied to do so. Immediately given an Vincent Price classic and with a first time the original Jor-El will be back for this For 2007 they’ve got Spiderman 3 already assignment, Valiant’s job turns out to be director in Jaume Collet-Serra, prospects movie. staking a claim for May, with Namor, one of the most important of the war... are not very good that this will compare With the pending end of the modern Hulk 2 and Wolverine all in development carrying essential messages from the well with the Price version. era of Star Trek on TV and with the for that year. French to the Allied forces who are about Unleashed - This is the story of Danny lackluster performance of the last two to storm the beaches of Normandy on D- (Jet Li), a slave who has lived his whole Star Trek movies featuring the Next MOVIE PREVIEWS FOR APRIL AND Day. CGI Animation from Vanguard life without any sort of normal human Generation crew, you’d think that MAY Animation, created by one of the produc- education, with the mind and personality Paramount would be planning to let the Sin City - is a violent city where the police ers of Shrek, and distributed by Disney. of a young child, with only one lesson franchise rest for a bit. They have given department is as corrupt as the streets are Other voice talent includes Jim ( Continued on page 8 ) Page 6 ConNotations Volume 15 Issue 2 Volume 15 Issue 2 ConNotations Page 7 killers. The training goes horribly wrong, we’re lacking now, that the sixties had, he just don’t have the time or the experience. 24 Frames ( Continued from page 6 ) however, when a group of seven young pointed out, was the great competition These editors have two main functions: learned: how to fight. Treated like a dog agents discover that one of them is a serial (with the USSR.) But what we have now one is to acquire new properties and the by his owner/boss, Bart (Bob Hoskins) killer, and is setting about slaying the is commercial opportunity. Ben believes other is to shepherd them through the which includes having to wear a collar, others. Can the few that are left figure out we’ll soon see a tourism industry, solar- production process. And they don’t buy Danny has been raised to be a lethal who the killer is in time? Stars Val powered satellites bringing energy back to new properties until they are ready to be fighting machine who fights in illegal Kilmer, L. L. Cool J, and Christian Earth, commercial mining and industrial published. So, where, I asked, do new gladiator-style fight clubs, where he earns Slater. It’s also had more release dates development on the moon and the writers get that kind of mentoring? lots of money for Bart as the undisputed than any movie in recent history (origi- asteroids – all motivated by profit. And in They’re really out there on their own, he champion. After a car accident that lands nally announced to be released in April my lifetime – within thirty years! He answered. There are, of course, writing Bart in a coma, however, Danny meets a 2003!) and may finally get released this kind elderly blind piano tuner (Morgan pointed out the recent success of Burt workshops but the new writer has to time (or not). Rutan’s X-Prize flight as an example. persevere and be willing to learn from Freeman) on the run because he knows Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the This, he said, will generate interest in mistakes. secrets some bad guys don’t want known, Sith - The third and final installment in designing and building vehicles that will How did he feel about the plethora of who uses music to teach Danny some the Star Wars prequel trilogy - the sixth fly into space profitably and make money; long-running series that we see on all the things about the world and about being Star Wars movie overall. Anakin vehicles that will be safe and powerful, bookstore shelves these days? They are, human... Set in Scotland and written by Skywalker’s turn to the Dark Side of the Luc Besson and Robert Mark Kamen Force, the continuing Clone Wars and the but designed to sell tickets, not to do he answered, the result of publishers (writers of The Fifth Element and Kiss of fate of all the other Jedis (bar Obiwan) scientific exploration. The government looking on books as any other marketable the Dragon) and directed by Louis will be revealed. Look for the new villain, will still be interested in scientific merchandise. When a book sells, find Leterrier. General Grevious, to be the big hit of this exploration but the public’s imagination another of the same ‘brand’ since that’s Madagascar - This movie focuses on four will be caught by these commercial what the public wants. (And haven’t we movie, although enterprises. seen how well Hollywood has done with some guy named I turned the subject back to his that attitude!) Quality, I pointed out, Darth Vader may writings. I wanted to know if his years of doesn’t seem to be part of their plan. He have something experience meant he was now writing for explained that publishers encourage to do with it. personal pleasure or if he was still subject writers to turn out the same type of book; Even with the to what the publishers think will sell. The it’s easier to market a new story if you can campaign by publisher accepts his idea or premise tie it to a previous success. In the SF field George Lucas to before they give him a contract but he we do prize new ideas; but even there, the promote digital pretty much writes what he thinks will writer is pressured to continue a success. projection in sell. His objective is to reach as broad an He pointed to his own stories as an theaters, here in audience as possible. His latest book, example. Having written one good story the Phoenix area, Powersat, which just came out this month, about Mars – why not write another about the only theater is really more of a high-tech thriller than a different planet? Before you know it, likely to have it SF. It’s about the first man who builds a you’ve got a series – a Grand Tour- of in digital will be solar-powered satellite and the bad guys books. Even though each of his novels is the Harkins who try to stop him. Editors, he told me, different from the others, they fit into a Arrowhead theater. treat him pretty lightly. But editors are broad category and the sales force loves it not the same breed as they were decades because they’re easy to sell. Ben had one © Dreamworks ago. Ben started writing back when suggestion that he thinks may help residents and “stars” of the Central Park Conversation Continued from page 1 editors actually took an interest in improve the quality of the market: put Zoo in New York City who are also best improving a writer’s prose. Editors in everyone on commission. Since the friends: a lion (Ben Stiller), a zebra how the association affected his writing. New York publishing houses today are writer has to do his best or he won’t get (Chris Rock), a giraffe (David Turns out that it’s really just an honorary essentially production assistants. There paid; make everyone’s job dependent on Schwimmer) and a pregnant hippo (Jada title although Ben is still on the Board of are copy editors who check your grammar commission. Somehow I doubt New York Pinkett-Smith). When one of them goes Directors. And he explained that the and tenses but creative editing is a thing is listening… missing, the other three break out of the association afforded him the opportunity of the past. Editors today, he explained, ( Continued on page 9 ) zoo looking for him, and eventually all to educate and four are captured and put in boxes to ship inform the them back to the continent their species other members. are originally from: Africa. An accident at The National sea, however, strands them on the shore of Space Society Madagascar. Having had humans take is really still a care of them their entire life, the four grass-roots know nothing of surviving in the wild, or organization that one of them, the lion, is genetically without predisposed to eat his three best friends. ‘official’ Exploring their surroundings, the four status. Their friends soon meet the Malagasy locals (a goal is to type of lemur given to having loud “rave- promote space like” dance parties) and their carnivorous enemies, the fousas. As the two sides try to the general to use these four new, strange (and large) public. friends to their benefit, our heroes are also (www.nss.org) confronted with the reality of their Well, I asked, predestined roles in nature. This is what would it Dreamwork’s latest CGI movie and one take to get the they hope will do box office somewhere public inter- in the neighborhood of the Shrek movies. ested in space Mindhunters - On a remote island, the again; to get us FBI has a training program for their back to where psychological profiling division, called we were in the “Mindhunters”, used to track down serial 1960’s? What Page 8 ConNotations Volume 15 Issue 2 satellites. All we need are four things: An American in England solar cells, microwave generators, people to go into space to assemble them and Part Three: Wandering in money. We have three out of four. What Westinster Abbey is difficult to get is the capital to build the by Jeffrey Lu. potentially enormous satellite. But it will happen, as soon as someone sees the My Shakespeare study group went to profit in it. the entrance way of Westminster Abbey. It’s always been my belief that Between us was a courtyard out of Harry education is key to our progress off this Potter. We entered. planet. What did Ben think of our There were many corners from educational system? Are we teaching our scientist, poets, kings and queens, to children what they need for their future? politicians. The problem that Ben sees is that our I stopped at the scientist corner. With education system is nothing more than a my mouth opened wide, I saw red velvet monopoly; one that has no real competitor ropes over the grave of Isaac Newton. and holds our children and our future There were stars of other scientists like hostage. And this monopoly sets its own Faraday around the polished floor of price and takes it out of our tax dollars. Newton. With reverence, I stood in We spend more on education than the silence to reflect his achievements like defense budget, he says, to less effect. calculus, optics, gravity… What do we do, I asked? Ben thinks that “Jeff, you’re standing on someone’s perhaps we should use an old Roman grave!” said a friend. idea: take every tenth bureaucrat in the Startled, I glanced downward. Low education system – and kill them. The and behold, I did not a double take but a survivors will eventually figure it out… triple. I was standing on Charles An extremely difficult proposition – to Darwin’s grave. remove an entrenched bureaucracy – no Hmm…father of evolution. I really easy answers. haven’t evolved much, have I? I really Leaving that depressing subject – I didn’t expect to do this in a million years. asked about Ben’s relationship with Without thinking, I actually walked over fandom. He thinks fandom is wonderful: a his grave. Sheepishly, I moved away with solid core of readers who want to know a question how did Darwin lie in this what Ben Bova is doing… I wanted to abbey? In other words, Darwin’s grave is know how he saw the changes over the in a church? Ironic, isn’t it? Oh, never last fifty years. Ben didn’t actually know mind. about organized fandom until 1956 while Next, I followed the group from the Conversation ( Cont’d from page 8 ) today is that science fiction ideas have he was working on the Vanguard booster Kings and Queens Corner to the last stop, penetrated other forms of literature; for the politician’s corner. In the middle of From there, I wondered what he rockets. A mutual friend of his and David example, high-tech thrillers and romance this corner was the most holy site of the thought of the future of short story Kyle suggested he come out to a time-travel stories. abbey, the Unknown Soldier. Standing venues such as Analog. Still struggling, Worldcon in NY and talk about science. Oftentimes, SF has predated actual again with head bow in respect, I reflect he replied, as always. Circulation will David asked Ben to come out with a technology. Did he think our fiction could on how wars change… continue to decrease as cover prices couple of the engineers from the Van- still contribute? Or is technology moving “Jeff, you’re on someone’s grave, increase. He thinks that sooner or later guard project to talk about the first too fast? Some of his early stories were again!” said another friend. these magazines will be entirely concrete step into space. When the twenty years ahead of the game; today, he Unlucky, I quickly retreated to a safe electronic. The problem, as with all e- elevator opened to the convention floor says, he’s happy if he’s twenty weeks ahead distance at the walkway. I looked and publishing, is with copyright protection. and the first thing they saw was a seven of it. Science fiction isn’t here to predict found myself staring at the words, “David Until someone finally figures out a way foot tall monster poster and Forrest the future, he says, it’s here to show us all Lloyd George.” This time I knew I was to protect these properties, e-publishing Ackerman, the grey flannel suits were all the possibilities. What’s important is that standing over the prime minister of World won’t really be viable. about leaving. Ben persuaded them to SF is continuing to prepare its readers for War I. Science fiction has more visibility in stay and they found themselves on a panel the fact that the world is always changing. Humbled twice, I exited without a the general public than ever before with Arthur C. Clarke and Willie Ley. The future will be dangerous and challeng- word. because of Hollywood. Did Ben think The grey flannel-suited engineers were ing but many of the changes will be Next issue, An American in England the momentum can keep going and do starry-eyed and suitably impressed. Oh, I wonderful opportunities. We live in a sighed, how extraordinary it must’ve been Part Five: Blenheim Palace. we need Hollywood to do it? Holly- science-fiction world today, he points out. wood, Ben answered, has caused more back then. It was a very different world, Many of the things we take for granted were he agreed. And the biggest difference, I harm than good. He sees much of their plot devices fifty years ago. effort as really comic books or a asked? Well, fewer and fewer of them So what did Ben think will be the best read anything today; there’s more interest NOTICE “wagon train to the stars.” But, I new energy technology? Thermonuclear questioned, isn’t Hollywood contribut- in movies and gaming. But even back Due to a fusion, he answers, is the ultimate. Is it then, he said, the cons were about ing to the increased shelf space at the reachable, I asked, in my lifetime? While bookstores? True, he admitted. Star socializing. Funny enough, Ben doesn’t computer it’s true, he explains, that the plasmas are actually consider himself a fan. Fandom Wars did us a huge service; however, currently smarter than our physicists; science fiction – wherein science is is a way of life, we agreed; and while Ben malfunction the eventually, successful fusion generators will enjoys being a Guest of Honor, he isn’t integral to the story – is still in short be made. When that happens, when fusion Calendar supply. Both Hollywood and the interested in the organized fan way of life. is practical, our civilization will change. That’s okay; it’s because of writers like bookstore shelves are full of fantasy – That technology will be as big a step for Feature will not mostly because it’s easier to write. Will him, that fandom even exists. Thank you, mankind as was taming fire. At that point, Ben. SF go in any new directions soon? No, we’ll have energy to do anything we want – appear in this he says, because SF has always gone in including going to the stars. Somewhat issue all directions at once; what is significant closer to realization, are solar-powered Volume 15 Issue 2 ConNotations Page 9 It is with sadness I note the passing of U.S.S. Indianapolis, titled The Devil’s In Memoriam Jack L. Chalker. Voyage, was an exceptional book. Though I had the pleasuire of meeting But he gave us a great deal more. I F.M. Busby Jack several times, I can’t say I really will include a check list of his books in a Jack Chalker knew him well. He and I were both moment. Andre Norton attending conventions at the time and our As Co-founder of Mirage Press, he Memories of Jack Chalker & Andre schedules always seemed at odds, but we was part of contributing a plethora of Norton did address each other by first names. wonderful academic titles which I will not by Adam Niswander And his first name was actually Jack, not even attempt to list here, but which I Who Put the Grin on Mr. Alfred E. something else with Jack as a nick-name. consider essential to a solid understanding Neuman? I do not recall ever being on a panel of some key genre work. Though opened (In Memory of Frank Kelly Freas) with Jack, but I do remember joining him in partnership, he was the sole owner of by Jeffrey Lu at a table in a hotel bar on more than one Mirage at the time of his death. convention. The following bibliography is my F.M “Buz” Busby I wish I had gotten to know him better. checklist of Jack’s work, taken mostly 1921-2005 He always seemed a knowledgable, from Jack’s own website at http:// © Pat Larson hardworking pro, and he seemed to know www.jackchalker.com/ F. M. “Buz” Busby, the award- Health, and numerous colleges and how to have a good time. winning publisher and author of more universities, mostly on science fiction and My condolences go out to his family. And the Devil Will Drag You UnderThe than 20 novels and collections, died Feb. technology subjects. He was kind enough to give me a Changewinds series:When the 17 at Health and Rehabilitation of Seattle, He had a varied career which included favorable review of my first book - Changewinds BlowRiders of the where he was moved following several being a professional typesetter, a sound though he took exeption to the G. Harry WindsWar of the MaelstromDance Band weeks of surgery and treatment at engineer for outdoor rock concerts, an Stine quote on the cover of The Charm, On the Titanic (short stories)Dancers In Swedish Hospital of Seattle. He was 83. audio and computer reviewer, free-lance “In the great tradition of Heinlein, the AfterglowThe Devil’s Voyage (Non- Francis Marion Busby was born in editor, a publisher (founder and owner of Williamson and van Vogt . . . “ because it Fiction - the story of the 1921. As F. M. Busby he published over The Mirage Press, Ltd.), a book packager, failed to specify that The Charm was Indianapolis)Downtiming the Night 20 novels and collections, including his an Air National Guard Information compared to Glory Road, Darker Than SideThe G.O.D., Inc. seriesThe Labyrinth most prominent works The Singularity Director, new and used book dealer, and You Think, and Voyage of the Space of DreamsThe Shadow DancersThe Maze Project, Cage a Man and the Rissa teacher as mentioned above. He was a Beagle - works more identified with In the MirrorHotel Andromeda (Edited by Kerguelen series. special forces Air Commando during the fantasy than hard SF. Nonetheless, I was Chalker)The Identity MatrixA Jungle of Along with his wife, and others, he Vietnam war, stationed in the United jazzed that he liked the book. StarsThe Four Lord’s of the Diamond published the fanzine, Cry of the States. My favorites of his books were the series:Lilith: A Snake In gthe Grass Nameless, which won the Best Fanzine Since 1978 he made his living solely those in the Well of Souls series, though I Cerebrus: A Wolf In the Fold Charon: A Hugo Award in 1960. Other fanzines titles by writing and published over 60 science thought his non-fiction book about the ( Continued on page 11 ) included Cry and Polarity. fiction or fantasy novels and anthologies. Buz chaired Westercon 12 in 1959 and During their years of publication, Jack was a Guest of Honor or special guest at wrote a regular column on SF/fantasy many conventions. He was Toastmaster of small press for Fantasy Review and IguanaCon II, the 1978 World Science continued the column on an irregular Fiction Convention. From 1974-1976 he basis in Pulphouse magazine. was Vice President of Science Fiction and A long time science fiction fan, he Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA). attended hundreds of conventions. As a Busby survived by his wife, Eleanor SF professional, he stayed very accessible Busby. to fans. He was Toastmaster at the1983 WorldCon, and co-chaired the 1974 Jack L. Chalker WorldCon, Discon II. He was a 3-term 1944-2005 treasurer of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA). Jack L. Chalker passed away His awards included the Dedalus peacefully at 11:12AM EST on February Award (1983), The Gold Medal of the 11, 2005. West Coast Review of Books (1984), Jack was hospitalized for congested Skylark Award (1985), and Hamilton- heart failure on December 6. Although Brackett Memorial Award (1979). there were ups and downs, his condition Jack married Eva C. Whitley in 1978 had been poor during the intervening two and they have 2 sons, David Whitley months and his kidneys and lungs had Chalker, and Steven Lloyd Chalker. Cards failed near the end. He was receiving care and letters may be sent c/o The Mirage in the ICU at Bon Secours in Baltimore, Press, P.O. Box 1689, Westminster, MD MD. USA 21158-1689 Donations to the Biography condensed from Chalker Family Emergency Fund may be jackchalker.com: made via Paypal at www.evawhitley.net Jack Lawrence Chalker was born December 17, 1944 in Baltimore, Some Brief Thoughts on the Passing Maryland. He grew up in Baltimore and of Jack L(awrence) Chalker received a Bachelor of Science degree by Adam Niswander from Towson State College (Towson University) and graduate degrees from December 17, 1944 - February Johns Hopkins University. He taught 2005Born in Baltimore, Maryland. history on the high school and college Married to Eva C. Whitley in 1978. Two levels, and was a lecturer at the sons: David Whitley Chalker, 1981. Smithsonian, The National Institutes of Steven Lloyd Chalker, 1991. Founder of Mirage Press. Page 10 ConNotations Volume 15 Issue 2 In Memoriam (Cont’d from page 10 ) Norton on February 17, 1912, in would help sell to her target audience of anthologies. One of her most beloved Dragon At the GateMedusa: A Tiger By Cleveland Ohio. She wrote more than 130 boys. By 1950, at age 38, she had nine series, Witch World–a wondrous planet the TailThe Quintara Marathon:The novels, nearly one hundred short stories, novels to her credit. That year she left the reachable through metaphysical Demons At Rainbow BridgeThe Run To and edited numerous anthologies in the Cleveland Public Library to take a job as a gateways–started with a single novel in Chaos Keep The Ninety Trillion science-fiction, fantasy, mystery, and reader at Gnome Press. By the time she 1963. More than thirty Witch World titles FaustsThe Dancing Gods series:The River western genres. She was the first woman left Gnome Press eight years later, she had followed. In 1966 she moved to Florida, of the Dancing GodsDemons of the to win the Gandalf Grand Master of twenty-three novels and several short and later moved to Murfreesboro, Dancing GodsVengeance of the Dancing Fantasy award and the Nebula Grand stories published. Tennessee, where in 1999 she opened GodsSongs of the Dancing GodsHorror of Master award. She also received Skylark, In 1958 she struck out to become a “High Hallack,” a retreat and research the Dancing GodsThe Flux and Anchor Balrog, and World Fantasy awards. full-time writer. Over the next twenty library for writers. She closed the library series:The Birth of Flux and Anchor Her love of books began at the age of years she wrote nearly seventy novels, in 2004. (Prequel)Spirits of Fluz and two, when her mother started reading and two dozen short stories, and edited several ( Continued on page 12 ) AnchorEmpress of Flux and reciting poetry to her. AnchorMasters of Flux and While attending AnchorChildren of Flux and AnchorThe Collingwood High Messiah ChoiceThe Moreau School, Ms. Norton FactorPriam’s LensThe Red Tape War edited a fiction page (with Mike Resnick and George Alec for the school Effinger)The Rings of the Master newspaper, The Series:Lords of the Middle DarkPirates of Collingwood Spotlight, the ThunderWarriors of the StormMasks and started her first of the MartyrsTales of the Three novel, Ralestone Luck, Kings:Balshazzar’s SerpentMelchior’s which became her FireKaspar’s BoxThe Well of Souls second published series:Midnight At the Well of book. She attended the SoulsQuest For the Well of SoulsExiles Flora Stone Mather At the Well of SoulsTwilight At the Well College of Western of SoulsThe Return of Nathan Reserve University, BrazilWatchers At the Well series:Echoes studying to be a of the Well of SoulsShadow of the Well history teacher. of SoulsGods of the Well of SoulsThe However, financial Two-volume Well of Souls novel :The pressures forced her to Sea Is Full of StarsGhosts of the Well of quit after her freshman SoulsA War of Shadows The Web of the year. She to work to Chozen The Wonderland Gambit:The help support her Cybernetic WalrusThe March Hare family during the hard NetworkThe Hot-Wired Dodo times of the Great Depression. Still, she Andre Norton managed to take night 1912 - 2005 courses in English and journalism offered by “As for courage and will–we cannot Cleveland College, measure how much of each lies within us, and she continued to we can only trust there will be sufficient write. She held several to carry us through trials which may lie jobs in the literary ahead.” – Andre Norton field, including Andre Norton, 93, the “Grand Dame working for the of Science Fiction and Fantasy,” author, Library of Congress poet, editor, whose published works span during WWII. She seven decades, died of congestive heart also briefly owned a failure in her Murfreesboro, Tennessee book store. Most home, early Thursday morning, March importantly, she 17th. worked at the Andre Norton was born Alice Mary Cleveland Public Library in the children’s section. During her stint with the library, she worked in thirty-eight of the forty branches. The Prince Commands, a historical fantasy, was Ms. Norton’s first published novel. It was released in 1934, when she was only twenty-two. She began using the name Andre that year, after publishers told her that © Sue Stewart a masculine name Volume 15 Issue 2 ConNotations Page 11 In Memoriam ( Cont’d from page 11 ) instructed hobbyists in the art of making Smith, and Ingrid Zierhut. Memories of Andre Norton Through the years, she edited several jewelry. Crafting necklaces, bracelets, and The Science Fiction and Fantasy by Adam Niswander anthologies for Martin Greenberg’s Tekno earrings became a passion in the last two Writers of America (SFWA) has Books company, including the long- years of her life when she found it announced the formation of the Andre The death of a legend is a big thing, running Cat Fantastic series, which began increasingly difficult to write at a Norton Award for young adult novels. and the death of Andre Norton is one of in 1989, and Renaissance Faire, which keyboard. Jewelry she fashioned She approved this before her death, and the most difficult. was published by DAW Books in early continues to be featured at her Ebay Store. suggested several titles for consideration. I never had the honor of meeting the February of 2005. Her novels are too numerous to list in The awards will be announced along with lady, but I have entered her mind and Her last complete novel, Three Hands full here. However, among her many the Nebulas, with the first award being imagination so many times that it feels for Scorpio, is set to be released in early credits are several series: Witch World and presented in 2006. The award will be like home.Not that her imagination ever April from Tor Books. It is the last Witch World: The Turning, High Hallack, selected following the same procedure as became predictable or that I took it for manuscript she penned alone, and she was Beast Master, Secret of the Lost Race, and the Nebulas. granted.But I had not met her, was not an especially proud of it. Return to Quag Estcarp. Some of her stand-alone novels At her direction, there will be no insider in her life, and therefore cannot Keep, a sequel to her Quag Keep from include: Star Guard (1955), Sargasso of service. She requested memorials to be share personal recollections of 1979, will be released as a collaboration Space (1955 as Andrew North), The Time made in her honor to St. Jude’s Children’s interactions with her. She was an in January, 2006. Traders (1958), Catseye (1961), Steel Hospital and Veterinary Services (c/o the inspiration, but there is nothing simple She surrounded herself with books Magic (1965), Operation Time Search Noah Fund) P.O. Box 10128, about that. and cats, ending each evening reading in (1967), Fur Magic (1968), Exiles of the Murfreesboro, TN 37129. Over the last few years, as her health bed with a favorite cat curled next to her. Stars (1971), High Sorcery (1984), She is survived by her close friends declined, I have responded to each health She incorporated her love of both in the Dragon Magic (1985), Shadowhawk and caretakers Sue and Ollie Stewart, her crisis, urging those who have grown up many cat anthologies she edited, and in (1987), Dare to Go A-Hunting (1990), cat RT., and her family of fans throughout with her as I did to pay attention and to numerous short stories. Her latest Golden Trillium (1993), Mirror of Destiny the world. actively wish her well, and almost published short story, “Faire Likeness” in (1995), and The Solar Queen (2003). begging those who had not discovered her Renaissance Faire, features a cat she She allowed several authors and “A superb storyteller with a narrative pace to take the time and do it while she lived - adopted. When her health began to editors to collaborate with her. Among all her own.” --The New York Times because we do not often lose someone of decline in 2004, she parted with a few of them: Robert Adams, Alicia Austin, such giant stature and we should be awed her cats. However, she continued to keep Robert Bloch, Marion Zimmer Bradley, “I’ve seen a complete collection of Andre by it when it happens. the oldest–RT–by her side until the end, A.C. Crispin, Rosemary Edghill, Martin Norton’s books and it haunts me to this And, wonder of wonders, each time - and she managed to feed the stray cats H. Greenberg, P.M. Griffin, Grace Allen day, sort of like the sight of an unscalable with the support of a cadre of friends and that frequently visited her yard. Hogarth, John Kaufman, Mercedes Everest.” --C.J. Cherryh supporters - that grand lady of science She was quick to recommend good Lackey, Dorothy Madlee, Patricia fiction recovered somehow, and continued books to friends, and to offer advice to Matthews, Julian May, Lyn McConchie, on - a poignant reminder each time that new authors, helping to pave the way for Phyllis Miller, Sasha Miller, Jean Rabe, she possessed an indomitable spirit.But several people to be published. She also Mary Schaub, Susan Shwartz, Sherwood (Continued on page 13 )

COPPERCON 24 wants to say THANK YOU!!!

To our hard-working volunteers who made this convention better. We are pleased to give the following people complimentary memberships to CopperCon 25, September 9th–11th, 2005. If you do not see your name on this list, and feel that it should be, please contact us: CopperCon, PO Box 62613, Phoenix, AZ, 85082, or email: [email protected]

Pass-thru memberships are neither transferable nor refundable and are only available for CopperCon 25 in 2005. Pam Allen Chuck Cady Mike Griffin Preston Poland Matt Andrews David Cady David Hungerford Cary Riall Rick Andrews Mike Cassidy Bob LaPierre Jeff Richards Philip R. Antokal Tiffany Cheung Lori LaPierre David Rood Nadine Armstrong Antonio Contrisciani Paula Lary Justin Rosenberg Stephanie Bannon Shahn Cornell David Luzader Walter Sanville Mackenzie Beck Jay Denebeim Darkyr Malys Gary Swaty Zack Beck R. Loup DeVault Cheryl Martin Gus Talbott Billy Bishop Cindy DeVault Kim L Martin J B Talbot Richard Bolinski Jonathan Duran Sean Martin Melissa Trible R. Merrill Bollerud Ronnie Duran Joe McKersie Susan Uttke Mark Boniece Craig Dyer Don Meline Larry Vela Catherine Book Vickie Edwards Edouard Mesert Jim Webbert Ron Book Ivan Erickson Sean Mieth Lee Whiteside Mike Boyce Jessie Foster Ethan Moe Randall Whitlock Mary Kate Bridges Rebecca Frederick Kate Moor William B. Whitmore Shane Bryner Pinkie Gish Marguerite Murray Mike Willmoth Dollar Burkey Ray Gish B. Jean Palmer T. G. Buzzard Sean Gish Eileen Phillips

Page 12 ConNotations Volume 15 Issue 2 In Memoriam (Cont’d from page 12 ) of her passing, but we can sense that there There’s a goodly number of creepy is a sudden void in the heart of our characters in these songs. Appalachian SORCERESS SEEKS this time, she did not recover. universe, a place where, just yesterday, a tunes, by their very nature, tend to be APPRENTICES The friends who have sacrified so star burned with brilliance, and now there about tougher ne’er-do-wells, and the much to care for her and help her could is darkness. impending doom awaiting those who deal finally not do any more than say goodbye We will adjust to the dark, and new with them. “Little Black Train” (about a Greetings again, fellow-fen. for all of us and watch with loving eyes as stars will be born to light the firmament, man facing death right in the face) and First, my thanks to all of you who “Old Devlins” are perfect examples. she moved on to pioneer some new but this moment must be marked. responded to my “Houston, We Have adventure, to discover some new task There’s even a bad woman on this CD A Problem” plea in last CONNOTA- For now, in homage and respect, let us — poor old “Beckky Til Hoppard,” who, worthy of her.Alice Mary Norton began raise our glasses and toast the Grande TIONS. Special thanks to Tina, for selling her work during a time when it at the start of the song, is already hanged, Dame of our field. dead and buried. (Since they didn’t hang helping me clean out the Augean was difficult for a woman to break into Thank you, Andre. Thank you for Stables, to Don, for replacing the the field of science fiction. women all that often, she must have been what you’ve given us. We send our love one tough customer.) security-door and the gate, and Dave, In 1934, she legally changed her name with you on your journey. Perhaps the moodiest song on the CD for throwing out the deadbeats. to Andre Norton. She sometimes used the Adam Niswander is “Hark Mountain,” which Bethancourt pseudonym Andrew North, but I suspect it General thanks to everybody else Phoenix, AZ performs with all the loneliness of the who chipped in time and work. My was, as often as not, because her work character it describes. You can damn near gratitude to all of you. already made up the bulk of a particular Who put the grin on see what this guy looks like. So now I have a pretty-much magazine issue and the editor wanted to Mr. Alfred E. Neuman? The CD version of “Who Fears the cleaned and repaired house, and need have people at least think the magazine (In Memory of Frank Kelly Freas) Devil” has been nicely cleaned up for the could find other writers just as By Jeffrey Lu digital age and sounds better than the it filled. I’ve got three furnished talented.But not many were. cassette ever did. And, since this the 21st rooms for rent, and seriously want Century, the CD comes with extras: An I have read her work since my Who put the grin on Mr. Alfred E. friends from the fandom community childhood and I frequently reread it now. I entire BOOK called “The Long Lost to take them. Is there anybody out Neuman? Friend” by John George Hohman can never seem to get enough of it Who made the Green Men from Mars there hoping to put together a Slan- because it is so rich, so full of zest and (which Wellman mentions a lot in the more insane human? Silver John Stories) and a Wellman Short shack? (Ten points if you recognize wonder, so original, so well-executed, so Who design the Skylab patch without a that one!) entertaining . . . so near-perfect as to be Story, “Shiver in the Pines,” which will sole scratch? send a shiver up your spine. Or your pine. Advantages: the rent-plus-utilities amazing.If Robert Heinlein was the writer Who mastered art to Asimov, Clarke and And that’s fine. is only $360 per month. Utilities I most admired in my life, Andre Norton Heinlein? Oh, it pretty much goes without saying was at least close behind, sometimes include power, water, gas, evapora- that from a performance standpoint, this is tive cooler, phone, cable-TV and crowding him for the lead. Frank Kelly Freas. prime Joe Bethancourt. He clearly loves She was born in 1912, which is really these songs and plays his ass off perform- cable-modem (capable of handling up to seven computers, with suffi- all the more remarkable when you think Who am I but a member in LepreCon 9 ing them. There are moments of banjo cient line-splitters). The TV-cable of it.Wilbur and Orville Wright made To meet a man of warmth, humor, and playing on this album that are truly their first airplane flight in 1903, only kindness breathtaking, on a “how the heck is he extends to not only the living-room nine years earlier.But Andre Norton Pass away a generation of sci-fi art doing that?” scale. but one of the bedrooms, and can be Definitely pick this up. would become famous for writing about To the last WesternCon in Arizona? extended further. The house is close adventures on worlds circling suns other OTHER FILK NEWS: I haven’t had to three major bus-routes and two a column for a while because hey, if than our own. Frank Kelly Freas. community-colleges, and within Book after book, decade after decade, nobody sends me anything, there’s nothing to review! However, quite a few walking distance of a sizable she continually astounded readers with This man who is he called? shopping-plaza. There’s on-street her consistency and inventiveness, and of us have projects in the works: This artist who is he now? Joe Bethancourt told me that he’s parking, and the neighbors are nice. with the magic of her prose. His way literally moments from releasing his next Pets are welcome, as long as they The lady set the standards high for any Ended this day. CD, “The Great Big Way Out There,” who wished to follow in her don’t eat other pets. which will be mostly songs about space Disadvantages: you have to do a footsteps.Now she is gone. Frank Kelly Freas. travel and colonization. Nancy Freeman But she has left us with great wealth, is orchestrating her folk/filk/werewolf- share of the housework and repairs, with unmatched treasures, with literally meets-girl in a very new “Old West” opera and right now the computer-room shelves of books that will likely be “Stardust County” for recording later this floor needs re-tiling – which will entertaining our great-great-grand- Musical Notes year. The Duras Sisters should have their mean moving the furniture. There children when we are dust. third CD, “Harmony Heifers,” out on the will also be some serious yard-work She can’t be replaced. by Tom Tuerff filk tables by the time you read this. And a few months down the line (we’ve But she did pave the way and inspire yours truly is trying very hard to finish my got to do something about the back- second CD, which I think will be titled those who follow her - C. J. Cherryh, Lois Joe Bethancourt — “Who Fears the yard fence). And there are already McMaster Bujold, Ann McCaffrey, Ann “But Wait! There’s More” and hopefully Devil?” (The Songs of Silverr John) will be done by Labor Day when I think half-a-dozen cats here. And you’ll Rice and other brilliant writers who Deluxe CD Edition **** have to put up with at least one happen to be women. And her work I’m playing at Dragoncon in Atlanta (that will be firmed up soon). smoker. And no, there’s no swim- inspired many of us who just happen to be Previously available only on cassette, In the meantime, if you have a filk CD ming-pool. men. “Who Fears the Devil” makes a grand you just put out and you want the world to To add a bit of sweetening to the Others shared the hard work earlier - entrance into the digital age. know about it, send it to ConNotations or pot, I’m willing to teach anyone who woman writers who broke down gender A concept album of sorts, “Devil” is get ahold of me at [email protected] and bias like Judith Merril, Evangeline based on the stories of Manly Wade I’ll make sure people find out! joins me all I know about music, Walton, Leigh Brackett, Marion Zimmer Wellman, who wrote genuinely frighten- writing, and psionics. Uhuh. If you Bradley, Miriam deFord, Zenna ing tales based on Appalachian folk Tom Tuerff is a local musician and know me, or have read my published Henderson, Ursula LeGuin, Catherine legends. One of the characters he in- advertising guru who writes filk reveiews work, or heard any of my albums, or Lucille Moore, Joanna Russ, Catherine vented, “Silver John” was a traveling for ConNotations. His album, “Something have caught my regular act at Pagan musician who played a silver-stringed Crook de Camp, Karen Anderson, To Sell At My Gigs” is sold out, save a Pride Day, you can guess how much guitar and served as a narrator to the Margaret St. Clair and Alice Sheldon. few copies at www.cdbaby.com/tuerff. He that is. Andre Norton will always be one of stories. owns a corgi named Dweezil who has an It is this persona that Joe So, is anybody out there inter- the golden pillars of speculative fiction, unnatural fear of big bamboo sticks when Bethancourt assumes as he leads the they’re laying on the ground. He also ested? one who contributed seminal work in both listener into the Appalachian foothills of If so, contact me: science fiction and fantasy.She will owns an iguana who, after more than his own youth. As a child, Bethancourt eight years, still has no grip on the [email protected] remain a part of the fabric of our literature read the Wellman stories and immediately concept of “glass.” Tom is also the host of or 623-247-7809 as long as people read and seek escape recognized many of the songs sung by Zappa Universe, which airs at 6 p.m. MST through adventure. Silver John, as well as the tunes Wellman on Sundays at --Leslie <;)))>< We can only offer tribute in the wake clearly based other songs upon. www.radiofreephoenix.com. Volume 15 Issue 2 ConNotations Page 13 Don’t burn any bridges in case it takes toc.htm is an AWESOME website with Will Eisner. Pointless Meanderings you awhile to get good (I’m still not all tons of great information. by Brandon Huigens that good). It was just last year at the San Diego That should be plenty to get you started. Comic Con. 5) Cut something useless out of your life. Once you’ve done these things, get in I’ve been now self-publishing comics for I quit watching TV and sold my video touch with me: email As per tradition, I was sitting in a two years, almost exactly, and I’ve game system. Drastic? Not really. [email protected] and restaurant with friends, drawing jam learned a few things. Following are a few Necessary? Definitely. Use your free time [email protected] and I’ll comics and drinking beer. It was late in basic tips: drawing. Making comics, as you’ll find help you along further. Plus, I know a the evening, but none of us wanted to out, will suck hours out of the day faster place that’ll carry your mini comic. head back to our hotels - it isn’t often that 1) Make a mini comic. I’ve found this than a giant leech at a blood bank. comic nerds feel like they’re “in their more effective than submitting any sort of And, in closing, off topic, I’d like to share element”. portfolio. Handing an editor or portfolio 6) Give your comics out on Saturday May a memory. reviewer a copy of your work can be more 7 - Free Comic Book day. Talk to your ( Continued on page 15 ) beneficial than the portfolio - it can break local shop about putting up the monotony of the reviewer’s some of your books out workload. Grab your dusty old portfolio on the freebie rack. See if and twenty bucks and head down to a you can’t do some Kinko’s. Ask one of the staff members to sketches and hand books show you how to use the copy machine out for awhile... most (do not ask them to put it together for you places are happy to host a - that’s not cheap). They can quickly local creator, and new show you how to lay your booklet out, comics readers don’t and get to work. Using Photoshop and know you from Brian other digital pre press can come later - do Michael Bendis. it this way to avoid complication in the beginning. 7) Participate in National 24 Hour Comic Day at 2) Draw. Learn to draw, or pick up a Samurai Comics starting pencil and start scribbling. One thing I Saturday April 23 at constantly hear from people is “I can’t 10am and going until draw, so I need an artist for my comic, Sunday April 24 at 10am. and I can’t find one.” If you’re lucky Never made a comic enough to find a collaborator that will before? Here’s your work for free, be reasonably prolific, and chance - all you gotta do not try to rearrange your entire story, then is stay up for 24 straight more power to you. You’re lucky. For the and the rest takes care of rest of you, drawing is a learned motor itself. Seriously - once skill. A monkey can learn how to draw. If you do one, you won’t be you want to make comics bad enough - if able to stop. Details on 24 you’ve got something you NEED to say Hour Comic Day: with sequential art - take a life drawing www.24hourcomics.com class. Or dive in, head-first. The only and thing holding you back on this one is you. www.samuraicomics.com. Your art might not be top-notch, but if you’re heart’s in it, you can succeed. Pick 8) Don’t use a Sharpie for up a copy of Exploring Drawing for comics. Ever. Animation by Steve Missal and Kevin Hedgpeth. I had Mr. Missal for a Life 9) Get online. Go to Drawing class here at Phoenix College - www.myspace.com, he’s an amazing instructor. where networking is life. Meet people, introduce 3) Expect to lose money. I’ve been pretty them to your work and successful thus far in my venture as a build up a rapport with cartoonist - I’ve been featured in the people there. You can do Arizona Republic and other local the same on magazines, had work published alongside www.livejournal.com. an interview with Stan Lee in a major You don’t need to know literary magazine, and become well- crap about building a acquainted with several creators and webpage, and both sites publishers. Why? I hand a lot of books are FREE! Don’t start out. When I mean a lot, I mean more than talking about your comic half your print run. Networking is the until it’s done, though. name of the game, my friend. Get out and That’s annoying. talk to people, and hand them your work while asking politely for critiques and 10) Get reference opinions. Put your e-mail address in the material. Here are the text back of your comic, and give your books essentials: out at comics conventions, bars, concerts, restrooms, tattoo/piercing shops, skate Digital Pre Press For parks, record stores, art galleries. Be Comics creative with where you put your comics - True Facts by Larry someone could pick it up and turn things Young around for you. You can even mail your Come In Alone by mini comics out to comic stores all over Warren Ellis the world. Find addresses at: Panel One: Comic Book www.comicshoplocator.com. Scripts By Top Writers Comics & Sequential Art 4) It’s like my friend Ryan McKee (stand by Will Eisner up comedian and publisher of Modest Understanding Comics by Proposal magazine) said: be nice to Scott McCloud everyone, so even if they hate your work, http://jameshudnall.com/ they’ll stick around if you’re nice to ‘em. Page 14 ConNotations Volume 15 Issue 2 Pointless ( Continued from page 14 ) Fairy Godmother by Mercedes Lackey. Writing the Great American agreeable venue (the local coffee shop, A fun, earthy take on Cinderella who had perhaps) and get to work. “Company” can Despite the lateness, the sidewalks no Prince Charming to complete her story Novel in Thirty Days also be friends and family who are willing outside, visible through large windows, so she became a Fairy Godmother By Shane Shellenbarger to check on your progress throughout the were packed with people that seemed instead.July 20: Hominids by Robert month. happy simply to be there. From time to Sawyer. An engrossing story 3. Activating Your Deadline. You need time, I’d glance up from my sketchbook We’ve all heard about “The Great encompassing science of alternate American Novel” and some of us have to decide what month out of the year will and look into the crowd outside, my mind provide you with your greatest chance at wandering. universes, evolution and sexual even attempted to write one, but when identity.August 17: Newton’s Cannon by you’re trying to compete with such novels success. Short months, gift-giving He walked by, and I recognized him Greg Keyes. In 1681, Sir Isaac Newton as The Great Gatsby, Catcher in the Rye, months, vacation months away from your writing instrument of choice tend to immediately. I jumped up from my seat discovers the key to manipulating physical The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, The provide built-in failure. Months with and ran towards the front door of the matter. Thus starts the age of Grapes of Wrath, A Farewell to Arms, you restaurant right in time to see him pass by. three-day weekends, horrible weather, or miracles...September 21: Out of Their have to ask yourself, “ Do I have what it I didn’t want to chase him, so I watched when distracting housemates won’t be Minds by Clifford Simak. Wonderful takes?” It may be better to set your sights him walk away, his coffee-cream brown a bit lower, it may be more reasonable to around can provide long stretches of suit coat almost gleaming in the lamplight. classic by the master - a nightmare world uninterrupted writing. I walked back inside, wondering if I’d where goblins and demons hobnob with set a goal that can be accomplished in a shorter period of time then the years it 4. The Month-Long Novelist Agree- come to regret not saying knowing how to Dagwood Bumstead and Don Quixote - ment And Statement Of Understanding. say hello. I’d wanted to let him get some world which seems whimsical but presents would probably take to write “The Great American Novel.” How about a novel This is a pledge and contract with yourself rest. mankind with a real and terrible menace. written in a month? No, not “T.G.A.N”, of your intent to write a 50,000 word October 19: Kushiel’s Dart by That was the first and last time I saw him. but 50,000 words in 30 days. You may novel, ignoring notions of “craft” or even Jacqueline Carey. I think it’s about a scoff, but it has been done and I’ll tell you “competency” until they are needed Will Eisner: originator, master, and genius homicidal, masochistic courtesan. My how. AFTER the thirty day period for editing of sequential art. 1917-2005. kind of heroine!!November 16: DaVinci In 1999, Chris Baty was a writer purposes. You agree to shackle your inner Code by Dan Brown. Paperback not due working in the San Francisco Bay area, editor, ignoring its piteous cries, wails, out until October. Loads of stuff to bash experiencing the dot-com boom with no and moaning. You agree that nothing will about, great fun!December 14: (moved bust in sight. As bizarre as that time was, stand in the way of completing your goal, up a week to keep it away from Baty decided to write a book and to make neither Hell nor high water will stop you, Christmas) Dragonflight by Anne it interesting he was going to write his and that the deadline is absolute, un- FYI McCaffrey. first novel in one month. He spread the changeable, and inevitable. After your CASFS Book Discussions Please join us. idea around and two weeks later on July goal has been completed within the For more information contact Catherine 1st, 1999, twenty-one people began the 1st allotted time you will be permitted to gloat, do a gleeful jig, and collapse from The CASFS Book Discussion is held Annual National Novel Writing Month. exhaustion until such time that you have monthly at the Barnes & Noble bookstore Of those twenty-one, six finished and the sufficiently recovered enough to un- at Metrocenter, 10235 N. Metro Parkway Signings remaining fifteen wrote everywhere from 500 to 49,000 words. If you are wonder- shackle your editor and begin the process East. We will be meeting on the third of detail work on the sculpture which is Sharyn McCrumb (she of the “Bimbos ing why Baty chose 50,000 words the Wednesday of each month at 7PM your novel. Books scheduled for discussion are: of the Death Sun” and “Zombies of the answer is simple, he grabbed the shortest novel on his bookshelf, Aldous Huxley’s In his book, “No Plot? No Problem!: A April 20th is The Eyre Affair by Jasper Gene Pool” fame) at Poisoned Pen in Low-Stress, High-Velocity Guide To Fforde. I’m really excited about this Phoenix on April 21st, time TBA Brave New World, did a rough count and went with that figure. Other novels of a Writing A Novel In 30 Days.”, Baty one:England, circa 1985, where time Eoin Colfer Discussion & Signing The similar length include, Of Mice and Men dispenses writing advice with a mixture of travel is routine, cloning is a reality and Opal Deception on Tuesday, April 26th at by John Steinbeck, Generation X: Tales of humor and practicality. A sampling of literature is taken very, very seriously. 7pm 480-730-0205, an Accelerated Culture by Douglas chapter titles includes: Ch. 2 Time- England is a virtual police state where an www.changinghand.com You will need Coupland, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer Finding, News-Breaking, and a Step-by- to get a ticket for the book signing. The aunt can get lost (literally) in wordsworth by Mark Twain, and The Hitchhikers Step Guide to Transforming Loved Ones poems, militant Baconians roam freely author also wrote Artemis Fowl. Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams. into Effective Agents of Guilt and Terror, spreading the gospel that Bacon, not Charlaine Harris at Poisoned Pen in After experiencing that month, Baty Ch. 4 Cruising for Characters, Panning for Shakespeare, penned those immortal Scottsdale on May 11th at 7pm. came to the conclusion that the thing that Plots, and the First Exciting Glimpses of works. And forging Byronic verse is a most separates people from their desires the Book Within, and the final chapter, Ch. 9 I Wrote A Novel, Now What? punishable offense. This is all business as Goodnight, Carson isn’t a lack of talent, but a lack of a usual for brainy, bookish (and heat- deadline. Goals without the essential evil I highly recommend that you find out packing) Thursday Next, a renowned By Jeffrey Lu of a deadline allow people to put off until more about Chris Baty’s trials, tribula- Special Operative in literary detection - tomorrow what they should (or could) do tions, and triumphs. Baty writes in an easygoing, friendly manner that makes his that is, until someone begins murdering Goodnight, Carson. today. He also realizes the task of writing characters from works of literature. When a brilliant novel in the time span of a book a quick read and it can be used as You once held the world at stage reference afterward if you are convinced this madman plucks Jane Eyre from the With your nightly jokes, jabs, and month is unrealistic for most people, but the goal of writing 50,000 words is within to take the plunge and write your own pages of Bronte’s novel, Thursday faces jubilees. the realm of possibility with these three novel. As you may have guessed, the book the challenge of her career. Aided and You acted in many roles to play the elements: A Herculean task, a supportive runs about 50,000 words. abetted by characters that include her fool network of family and friends, and a time-traveling father, an executive of the For laughs in the nightlight. http://www.nanowrimo.org/ all-powerful Goliath Corporation, and definite deadline. If those rules are the foundation of writing a novel in a month, http://www.npr.org/templates/story/ Edward Rochester himself, Thursday must Goodnight, Carson. story.php?storyId=835782 track down the world’s Third Most the following elements are the framework: You helped Dave, Jay, Joan 1. Low Expectations = High Yields. http://www.npr.org/templates/story/ Wanted criminal and enter the novel And others to be a clown of the night. Your goal isn’t to write a brilliant first story.php?storyId=4184192 herself to avert a heinous act of literary You made us, king of the easy chair, draft, your goal is to write 50,000 words. http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A188633 homicide.Here is my completely abitrary cry in laughter. Let’s assume that you want to write more http://www.4hb.com/communicate/ schedule based loosely on the responses I Now, in tears. than just the same word 50,000 times. 0250jcgreartamericannovl.html actually got and several rolls of the dice. 2. Write In Packs. Misery loves http://www.everything2.com/ To the best of my knowledge, all of these Goodnight, Johnny company, so if you can find some kindred index.pl?node_id=1030797 are available in paperback.May 18: Dream. souls who want to write a novel in a Hitchhiker’s Guide by Douglas Adams. month gather them and their writing The movie is due out April 29th.June 22: instruments together at a commonly

Volume 15 Issue 2 ConNotations Page 15 series and the best-selling novel American Shark Tale friend Angie (Renée Zellweger) and Gods. Now, Neverwhere comes to DVD Dreamworks. 92 min, PG Lenny to help him stand up to the most Videophile with this mesmerizing collection, which DVD $29.99 feared shark in the water (Robert De Niro) Wonderfalls includes audio commentary by Gaiman as and find his true place in the reef.” Neverwhere well as a vintage interview with him. From the back cover: “Oscar (Will This is yet another Disney animated Charmed: The Complete First Season DVD Features: Commentary with Creator Smith), a lowly tongue-scrubber at the film that will appeal as much to the adults Shark Tale Neil Gaiman; The Original BBC Neil local Whale Wash, becomes an as to the kids. There are many references The Village Gaiman Interview; Photo Gallery; that the kids will miss that will tickle the Character Descriptions; Neil Gaiman funny bone of the adult viewer yet this is Biography; Interactive Menus; Scene also a wonderful story for the kids who Wonderfalls Selection” will see that telling lies doesn’t work. Fox, 566 mins, NR Neil Gaiman’s Neverwhere was Highly recommended. - Stephanie L DVD $39.98 released in the UK in 1996 but the BBC Bannon waited until 2003 to release this When Wonderfalls debuted it was wonderful dark fantasy on DVD. The The Village hailed as the greatest new show of the extra features include the original BBC Buena Vista, min, PG-13 year, so of course, FOX canceled the Interview with Gaiman as well as a DVD $29.99 show after four episodes. Thankfully the commentary track on which Gaiman show has been released on DVD, it relays trivia as well as the trials and M. Night Shyamalan’s latest film is as contains the four episodes that were tribulations of the making of and which stylish as his others, the sense of shown on TV plus an additional nine characters worked and which didn’t. This uneasiness builds nicely, yet the ending is episodes that never aired. is definitely a wonderful addition to obvious from early in the film. While this From the back cover: “Although a anyone’s DVD collection and a must have film isn’t as creative as his earlier works recent graduate of Brown University, Jaye for the Gaiman fan. - Stephanie L this doesn’t stop it from being an Tyler decides to ignore her degree, live in Bannon enjoyable romp. a trailer and work at a tourist gift shop in The story is set in an 19th century Niagara Falls called Wonderfalls-much to Charmed: Complete First Season village surrounded by Covington Woods. the despair of her well-to-do family. But Paramount, min, NR The villagers are happy in their isolated Jaye’s aimless life takes a startling turn DVD $49.99 village yet they do not venture into the after a lion figurine begins talking to her. woods, said to be inhabited by mythical Her family calls it an “episode,” but Jaye From the cover: “The discovery that improbable hero when he tells a great creatures. When it becomes necessary to knows better. Fearing for her sanity, Jaye they are descendants of a long line of white lie. To keep his secret, Oscar teams travel through the woods to get medical nevertheless starts doing exactly what an witches finds three sisters battling demons up with an outcast vegetarian shark, help the “surprise” ending isn’t that much increasing number of inanimate objects and warlocks - occasionally each other. Lenny (Jack Black), and the two become of a surprise but it is still well crafted. tell her to do and is amazed when her When the beautiful Halliwell sisters the most unlikely of friends. When his lie Good for an afternoon’s diversion. - outrageous actions begin changing inherit a house from their grandmother begins to unravel, it’s up to Oscar’s loyal Stephanie L Bannon people’s lives in unexpected ways.” and discover a secret “Book of Shadows” This is a delightful show.. The they learn that they each have a unique dialogue is witty, the premise is quirky power. The strong-willed Prue (Shannen and fun, FOX should be ashamed of Doherty) can move objects, reserved WANTED TO BUY!!! themselves for canceling it. The set Piper (Holly Marie Combs) is able to contains 13 episodes on three discs and freeze time, and the uninhibited Phoebe Currently paying cash for the following: while the special features are limited to (Alyssa Milano) sees the future. commentary this is a wonderful program Individually, each is strong, but it is only RPG books like Dungeons & Dragons, that is destined to be a cult classic. by putting aside their differences and Definitely highly recommended. - banding together as the “Power of Three” Advanced Dungeons and Dragons, 3rd ED Stephanie L Bannon that they will be able to protect the innocent and vanquish evil. Each exciting D&D D20, Shadowrun, some older White Neverwhere episode in this richly layered series is a Wolf, Middle Earth role Playing and more! A&E, 180 min, NR supernatural adventure brewing with DVD $39.98 suspense and humor.” Avalon Hill, SPI, GMT, Columbia, Premiering in 1998 and still going strong after seven seasons I am surprised GDW and other board games! From the Back Cover: “Beneath the that they waited so long to release the familiar streets of London lies another series on DVD. The first season is Magic The Gathering Cards From Beta, world, and Richard Mayhew is about to wonderful, starting with the premiere be plunged into a dark odyssey through episode when the three sisters are reunited Unlimited, Revised, Arabian Nights and London Below. On his way to dinner with and find their powers to the ending with LegendsLord of the Rings and Legend of the his fiancée, he sees a wounded girl on the an episode that sees one character die sidewalk, and his efforts to help her end and the sisters learn that their powers Rive Rings CCG’s, Battletech & the life he knows. The next morning, he is can’t always fix everything. a cipher, erased from existence and This is a wonderful series and older Miniatures Battletech books consigned to a subterranean world of hopefully Paramount will now start danger and shadows… One of the most releasing subsequent seasons quickly Looking for anything New, Used, opened, acclaimed fantasy novels in recent years, after the long delay in releasing season Neverwhere was originally a six-part BBC one. Highly recommended. - Stephanie unopened, painted and unpainted! television series. Rarely seen since its L Bannon Please call 480-275-4473 or initial broadcast, the visionary tale was the first story written directly for the email [email protected] screen by Neil Gaiman, the prolific genius behind the DC Comics The Sandman with what you have!

Page 16 ConNotations Volume 15 Issue 2 gist, a woman named Isabel Burke, to trouble… but that comes later. Olivia The Iron Grail In Our Book look into the background and culture of starts to daydream about hitching a ride by Robert Holdstock The Child Goddess Oa. Isabel Burke, who is bald-headed by and actually traveling to the stars. Then TOR Books, 301 pp., $24.95 by Louise Marley choice, is a priest in a recognized they discover that Tagg is being hunted by Ace Hardcover; 324pp.; $23.95 Catholic order named the Priestly Order a very unhappy, and nasty customer, Dinn Book Two of the Merlin Codex, the of Mary Magdalene. Mother Burke, as she Tauro, who wants to return. So, between first book was titled ‘Celtika’ and the next I don’t know what was wrong with is known in her order, is made the Sean trying to create the perfect piece of one is ‘The Broken Kings.’ I suppose you me; I let this book sit for a month or two guardian of Oa. glass art to win a scholarship to a special could call this series another spin on the before I picked it up. But once I did, I The story then unrolls as Mother art school without his father finding out, Arthurian legend. In this case, it’s could not put it down. It is the best of Burke struggles to keep the child from the and trying to keep Dinn from destroying probably the most historically based one what science fiction is all about for me: a clutches of the ExtraSolar Corporation. the Earth while he’s trying to destroy of all time (notwithstanding that recent wide reaching problem and resolution The head of ExtraSolar Corp wants to not Tagg, there is a story about friendship, movie). Yet it mixes in a goodly amount based on a really great idea, supported by only mine the planet Virimund for values and ethics. I thought it was cute of unrelated myth, like Jason and the characters and subplots you really feel hydrogen, but also discover what makes and exciting… but then I’m not 12 Argonauts, a Greek tale of the golden and (in my case) actually weep for. Oa so unique. (I, of course, am not going anymore… – Catherine Book fleece. To begin: set in the Isle of Alba, In this future, Earthlings have traveled to tell you what it is about Oa that has territory of the Cornovidi, circa 272 BC. out into space and founded colonies on everyone in an uproar). ExtraSolar Corp. Heat Stroke As you can gather from the series title, the several planets. will do whatever it can to keep Oa away by Rachel Caine central character is Merlin, but there is no One planet is Virimund. First Contact from the World Health and Welfare ROC Books, 336 pp., $6.99 Camelot. Instead, there is the empty is made by the ExtraSolar Corporation Organization. The ESC also cannot wait fortress Taurovinda and King Urtha (ESC) that decides that the mostly ocean to return to Virimund and test the other Book Two of the Weather Warden coming to reclaim it. The story is based covered planet is perfect for mining/ children. series, with the prior book titled ‘Ill on the transitional period of ancient Celtic harvesting hydrogen, which is used to And if things were not complicated Wind.’ The main character is Joanne fortresses, when matriarchy gave way to propel the space ships. But while they are enough, Mother Burke is teamed up with Baldwin, formerly a weather witch who patriarchal kings, with little evidence doing their initial surveys, they very a high mucky-muck at World Health and could control winds. She was killed in beyond surviving epic poems. See what a unexpectedly discover a ragged bunch of Welfare, a physician named Dr. Simon book one, and has now returned as a World Fantasy Award winner can do with human children living on one of the Edwards with whom Mother Burke has a Djinn. Her powers are augmented now, such scant material. - Mike Griffin equatorial islands that make up the only Romantic Past (And yes, yes, she is and so is her mission to protect the landmasses on Virimund. There are supposed to be celibate). The two of them world’s weather. As a human, she was Smallville: Silence children but no adults. It is determined return to Virimund with Oa and represen- part of the Warden’s Association and by Nancy Holder that they are “lost” Earth emigrants who tatives of the ESC to uncover just what hunted down as a rogue. Now a free Aspect/Warner Books, 304 pp., $5.99 left the planet 300 years ago in a UN makes Oa and the other children unique agent, she has to save the world and avoid sponsored exodus from Africa and are and what it might mean for the rest of becoming the property of any human who Yes, of course there are tie-in novel- mostly Sikassa from the nation of Mali. humanity. tries to claim her, ala genie in the bottle. izations to the popular TV show about Unfortunately, the First Contact is Heartache and tragedy abound in this Written in a saucy, amusing style. It looks teenaged Superman, Clark Kent. In fact, marred by fear and stupidity and one tale and I can’t imagine anyone unmoved like she’ll need a new fast car to go there are two series of novels. For Earthman is killed, as is one child. And by the ending. forward into Book Three. - Mike Griffin ( Continued on page 18 ) one child is badly injured. And an extra delight for me regarding This badly injured child is taken off this book is that I read it shortly after I planet to deal with her wounds and the finished Dan Brown’s “The DaVinci physician treating her discovers some- Code.” And if you have read “The thing very unusual about the young girl DaVinci Code” and you read this marvel- who looks to be about 10. Her name is Oa ous book, you will know these two novels (oh ah). are sisters under the covers. - Sue Martin Oa is the very heart of this fascinating, emotional tale. Oa is kept in strict Alien in a Bottle quarantine by the ESC doctor, Dr. Paolo by Kathy Mackel Adetti, who took care of her injuries. Harper Collins, $15.99, 194 pp Instead of being returned to her island, the doctor decides she is too important to him This is an amusing juvenile, suitable and ESC, so she is taken back to Earth. for the 8 to 12-year-old group. Sean On the journey back, the doctor is Winger, a typical adolescent whose constantly monitoring her biological parents don’t understand him, aspires to functions by putting her under a machine become a true artist – a glassblower. called the medicator, which has tubes and Olivia, lost inside a big family with too wires that dangle down like spiders legs many siblings, spends time staring at the from the ceiling. Oa is terrified by this stars wishing to meet an alien. It probably machine because she is subjected to its should have been her that found the bottle prodding’s and prickings almost every day on the beach but it wasn’t, it was Sean. At on the fourteen month trip back to Earth first, Sean thought he’d found a genie and when she was actually supposed to be put when the creature promised him three into something called “twilight sleep” to wishes, he was sure of it. But the bottle ease the long months of space travel. Dr. was really a spaceship (space inside is Adetti is a cold clinical fish with an relative, too) harboring two travelers who agenda of his own. had crashed on Earth. One of them is a Once she reaches Earth however, an trader, Tagg Orion, who thinks he’s found organization called World Health and the mother lode – he had never seen a Welfare steps in to confront the mall! So, Sean and Olivia agree to help company’s bad handling of the First repair the ship and in exchange, Sean is Contact and its reprehensible handling of allowed to use the ship as a glass-blowing the child. World Health and Welfare studio. Of course, using extraterrestrial enlists the help of a medical anthropolo- materials was bound to get him in Volume 15 Issue 2 ConNotations Page 17 In Our Book (Continued from page 17 ) Batman: Rise of Sin Tzu recapture all of the criminals, including Industrial Magic by Devin Grayson and Flint Dille Bane, Clayface, and the Scarecrow. For by Kelley Armstrong younger readers, there is a numbered Aspect/Warner Books, 289 pp., $5.99 any age level that likes a violent video $6.99, Bantam Spectra, 528 pp series (title, Smallville #). This book is game. - Mike Griffin part of the unnumbered series for older Based on the video game by Ubisoft, In this, the second “witch” book in the readers. In this one, Smallville is threat- this novel is co-written by the game’s Black Juice “Women of the Otherworld Series”, Paige ened by flesh-eating zombies. Really, no author. Sin Tzu is a new character, a by Margo Lanagan Winterbourne is trying to start her own kidding! And there is a connection to the nearly immortal oriental who can manipu- $15.95, HarperCollins, 208 pp coven. However things seem to interfere secret activities of the evil LuthorCorp. late the minds of people. He frees all of with her plans and soon enough she is Really, not for little kids! - Mike Griffin the criminal convicts of Gotham City, This collection of short stories is helping to investigate the murder of putting the city into chaos. Batman, remarkable for several reasons. To begin several teenage members of the most Robin, Nightwing, and Batgirl must try to with Ms Lanagan crafts her worlds by influential cabals. describing the human The world is believable, and current condition rather than with ours (there is an interesting CSI the worlds them- reference in the prologue). I was intrigued selves. Then she by the notion of the supernatural world evokes feelings and existing with ours, I have seen it done emotions that will stir before but seldom as well as here. the coldest of people. The story crosses over into the The worlds are also Otherworld and gives a glimpse of the distinct and believ- afterlife. The interaction between Paige able. and her paramour Lucas, heir to the The first story is extremely powerful Cortez family cabal, my favorite and also is what fleshes out this story. The super- one of the most natural aspects are handled in a manner disturbing. A that makes them more of a condition of youngster describes the world than a separate add-on. the ceremony, and The plot is a standard of supernatural anguish of watching thrillers. The bad guy is striving for his older sister being immortality and killing people of power executed for murder. gives a way to access it. However Kelley The execution is makes it seem shiny and if not new, then slow, and the family at least rejuvenated. I enjoyed this book celebrates her life and am now, along with the editor of this with songs and foods newsletter, attempting to find the three she loves. other books in the series. The first two are Perpetual Light about a female werewolf, Elena Micaela. with it’s mechanical The third is about Paige. - Bob LaPierre birds and small animals seems a The Skystone cautionary tale about by Jack Whyte where we could be Tor, 494 pp, Special $3.99 edition heading if we continue to take The Skystone begins a series set in nature for granted. ancient Briton as the Roman Empire All in all I slides into decline. It begins Arthur’s thoroughly enjoyed genealogy with his grandfather. these stories and Before the time of Camelot, Britain recommend this book was a dark and deadly place filled with to anyone who wants warring Picts and Celts, and of course, the to think while being invading Norse. The Romans, who had entertained. - Bob lived there for generations, guarding the LaPierre fragile administration, are given the choice of leaving Britain to bolster the corrupt remains of the Roman Empire, or staying with their homes and facing the world left by the departing legions. For two Romans, Publius Vagus and his former commander, Canus Britannicus, the choice is to stay and create a new way of life from the wreck- age; if they can survive the enmity of a generational vendetta . There is plenty of plot and action, enough for any David Weber fan, with well drawn characters in a perfectly drawn world. This is a keeper, and I can’t wait for The Lance Thrower to follow. One of the few books set in the time period worth reading, and rereading ...... four stars worth. - Pam Allan Page 18 ConNotations Volume 15 Issue 2 *****C.R.O.F.T. Celtic Reenactment of about 5 miles north of Disney-land. For AZ 85609 or Randall Whitlock at Fellowship and Trades is Phoenix based more details ph. Greg at [949] 552-4925 or [email protected] or Club Reenactment group specializing in the send a message to our listserve www.southwestcostumersguild.org western European renaissance. We research [email protected] lifestyles and trades concurrent with the SPACE ACCESS SOCIETY Space Access Listings Celtic Peoples from 400 BC until 1746 AD. PAReX is a non-profit, just for fun organiza- Society’s sole purpose is to promote radically ADRIAN EMPIRE A medieval and renais- We emphasize Scots, Irish or Welsh crafts and tion dedicated to the proliferation of robotics cheaper access to space, ASAP. We think it’s sance recreationist club. Sword-fighting, arts, do Celtic re-enactment. We open participation as a hobby. Monthly meetings will be held possible within ten years, with a little luck banquets, masquerades, dances. meets every to anyone with an interest in period crafting and will be announced under the Meeting and a lot of hard work. Join us and help us Wednesday night from 7-10pm at Encanto and entertainment. Demonstrations occur at Information page, http://www.parex.org/ make it happen! SAS membership is $30 for Park. All are welcome. Free. the Highland Games, Scarborough Fair, and meetinfo.htm. All interest-ed persons are one year, which gets you emailed Space the Arizona Renaissance Festival. Web page invited to participate. We are currently in the Access Updates the instant they pass final AERIAL MIRAGE JUGGLERS. Meets http://www.crofters.org We meet in Tempe at process of getting organized and becoming an edit, plus discounts on our annual conference Wednesday 7-10pm in Encanto Park, 15th the Pyle Adult Center SW corner of Rural and official organization with tax status. Web on the technology, politics, and business of Avenue, south of Encanto. No dues, everyone Southern on the 2nd Saturday of every month, page: http://www.parex.org/ E-mail Contact: radically cheaper space transportation, welcome. All levels skill exchange in many phone number (480)350-5211. The Board John Kittelsrud, [email protected] featuring leading players in the field. Email areas of object manipulation Dave Davis meeting will be at 2:00 pm with the General us at: [email protected] , 602-955-9446; meeting starting at 2:30 pm. THE PHOENIX FANTASY FILM SOCI- Web page: www.space-access.org/ or Ron Harvey , 480- ETY A Phoenix based club interest-ed in the 775-4690 for more info or impromptu THE DARK ONES (Dark-wunz) n. 1) An entire realm of SF, Fantasy and Horror film. SUPERSTITION SPACEMODELING juggling sessions. organization formed for the expression and PFFS has been in existence for 30 years, SOCIETY is Arizona’s club for builders of exploration of various cultural themes meeting every 6 weeks in member’s homes. model and high-power rockets and those who ARIZONA LANBASHERS LEAGUE A including, but not limited to, the Dark Ages Dues are $10 per year. Membership includes love to see them fly. Launches are held on the collaboration of computer gaming enthusiasts, and the Renaissance through forms of art newsletters, an annual film awards and second Saturday morning of each month in the Arizona LANbashers League throws including, but not limited to, painting, various outings. For information, contact Rainbow Valley. SSS hosts the annual G. quarterly LANparty events. Between parties, drawing, writing, photography, spoken word, PFFS, P.O. Box 34023, Phoenix, AZ 85067 or Harry Stine Memorial Rocket Launch every support is given to local groups who wish to and acts of characterization. 2) a member of call David Storck at (602) 274_7404, e-mail: October. Visit www.sssrocketry.org for advertise their own gatherings. We have no this organization. 3) Information available at [email protected]. membership information, directions to the set genre of games and play anything from www.darkones.org launches and meetings, and to read the strategy games to first-person shooters to RAGE ACROSS THE SOUTHWEST A monthly newsletter, “Newton’s Minutes.” driving/flying simulations. No annual THE EMPIRE OF CHIVALRY AND Live Action Theatre Troupe based out of the TARDIS is a Phoenix-based General SF/ membership is required and admission to an STEEL, INC. The Empire of Chivalry and ASU campus in Tempe, AZ. It is dedicated to Fantasy Fan Club, specializing in Interna- event ranges from $5-$15. See our webpage Steel specializes in the general recreation of the game Werewolf: The Apocalypse by tional media SF/Fantasy since 1983. TARDIS for current events. Email: the culture of the Middle Ages including all of White Wolf publishing. Contact Mike meets every two weeks at different locations [email protected] Web: the Art Forms, Events (Feasts, Tournaments, McLaughlin at (602)461-5842 or write 1730 around the valley. Activities include watching www.lanparty.com/all/ VoiceMail: 602-306- Ceremonies and Wars) and Combat Arts W Emelita Place #2025, Mesa AZ 85202- videos, discussions, parties, games, and 9339 covering the years of 800AD up to 1650AD 3144 or [email protected] occasional outings with more to come now and any location within Europe or its explored that Doctor Who is returning from hiatus. THE AWAY TEAM: The Away Team, is a territories. For more information contact RAW GAMES (Role-players & Many members maintain an active presence at general sci-fi appreciation group that meets Leonard Byrd (Tucson) (520)742-2432 Web: Wargamers, Inc.) Role-players & conventions. You can contact us at 2243 W once a month for discussion of various sci-fi www.galandor.org Wargamers, Inc. is the Valley’s oldest role- Wagon Wheel Dr, Phoenix, AZ 85021, Voice news regarding several mediums to include: playing and wargaming club. Currently Mail at (602) 864-0901, E-mail TARDIS- television, movies, video, books, comics, THE JEDI KNIGHTS (Founded 1977) meeting at 8159 W. Weldon in Phoenix every [email protected] or visit us at http:// magazines, collecting, and so forth. The Meetings are the 3rd Sunday of each month. Sunday from 3pm-9pm (except during members.cox.net/tardis-info meetings are comprised of news, review and For more information call Carol Alves, conventions and other special events). Open comment, BBS/computer news and help, Publicity, (760)244-9593 or write Jedi to new members - call (602) 849-9515. TEKWAR FAN CLUB Sanctioned by the meeting new members, video presentations, Knights, c/o Carol Alves 8038 “I” Street, www.rawgames.org series’ production companies and the USA games, and socializing fun! Food and drinks Hesperia CA, 92345-7066. Network! It is THE information conduit are provided, via a $3 munchie fee (per SAMURAI OTAKU ANIME CLUB The between the fans and the series! Fan club meeting) to compensate the host. (No other LEPRECON, INC. One of the two Phoenix Samurai Otaku is a group of fans of anime, membership will bring you the following 1) fees are involved.) The electronic home of the area corporations that put on yearly conven- manga, and Japanese pop culture. Meetings subscription to the info filled Tek Informer Away Team, is the Lightspeed Space Station tions. Best described as SF/F generalists with are held every Saturday night at 6pm at newsletter; 2) official TekWar Fan Club BBS at (520) 325-6674.... Member ages for a main thrust into SF/F art. Guests are Samurai Comics, 5024 N. 7th St.. Members membership card and kit. Membership is by the group range from 13-40-something with welcome. The meetings are quarterly on the discuss anime and manga, work on a web regular mail only and the newsletter and both male and female members. Other second Saturday of February, May, August & comic, discuss fund raisers, and schedule club materials will not be reproduced electroni- activities include null-modem link gamefests, November unless otherwise notified. August events. After each meeting the club views cally. To join the action and initiate your group theater movie viewings, convention is the annual meeting where board positions selected anime DVD’s and plays games. Open annual membership, make check or money trips and more. Have sci-fi fun in a relaxed, are deter-mined. For more information, write to new members. Contact Moryha Banks— order out for $12.50 to: Official TekWar Fan low-structure environment. NO RUBBER PO Box 26665, Tempe, AZ 85285; call Mike (602)265-8886, Email: Club (Membership section), 2522 N EARS ALLOWED!! For questions, you can Willmoth, 480-945-6890, Email [email protected] Sparkman Blvd., Tucson AZ 85716-2417 call the BBS, or write to: LSS c/o R. Martin; [email protected] Webpage: 2522 N. Sparkman Blvd.; Tucson, AZ 85716 www.leprecon.org THE SOCIETY FOR CREATIVE T.H.E.M. is ASU’s science fiction and ANACHRONISM The kingdom of Atenveldt fantasy club. Weekly meetings are held on the BASFA Local Tucson science fiction group MIB The Men in Black is the official global doth lie in the state of Arizona. Within the fair Arizona State University campus, with dates that puts on TusCon. Contact us at PO Box organization of field operatives for Steve kingdom can be found six Baronies: and places to be announced after the semester 2528, Tucson AZ 85702-2528 or Jackson Games. We attend local conventions Atenveldt, Mons Tonitrus, Twin Moons, starts. For more information, Email [email protected] to demonstrate and promote products of Steve SunDragon, Tir Ysgithr and Ered Sul. For [email protected] Web our website at http://home.earthlink.net/ Jackson Games. We also schedule demos in more information on any of these or for www.themonline.org ~basfa/ local gaming stores as well as community general information on thy past tomorrows service events. If you have a gaming store, thou mayest contact Mistress Myrddina o TUCSON FAN ALLIANCE E-Mail Address CENTRAL ARIZONA SPECULATIVE convention, or community service that you Dolwyddelan (Terry Schwartz) PO Box 584, is [email protected] or FICTION SOCIETY, INC. (CASFS) The would like to have official Steve Jackson Sonoita AZ 85637 (520)455-5835 Email: [email protected] non-profit corporation that puts on Games representation at, please contact the [email protected] Web CopperCon conventions, SmurfCons, MIB Arizona Cell www.atenveldt.com USS STORMBRINGER The Stormbringer is HexaCons, occasional regional cons, and Leader at [email protected]. We are also a correspondence Star Trek fan club chapter publishes Con-Notations. Best described as recruiting new MIBs in some areas of SOUTHWEST COSTUMER’S GUILD The of Starfleet, Intl. based out of Tucson AZ. SF/F generalists with a strong bent towards Arizona. If you’re interested, contact us. You Southwest Costumers Guild is a loose The chapter was commissioned as the USS literary SF/F. Guests welcome - meets at 8pm can find additional information about the organization of persons interested in all facets Stormbringer NCC-74213, attached to on the last Friday of each month in January Arizona MIB at our website http:// of historical, cultural, science fiction, fantasy, Division 31, Starfleet Covert Operations, on thru September and the second Friday in members.cox.net/mib.6361/ and humor costume. Members are often seen 10/31/98. As of 11/29/98 there were 32 October, November and December at JB’s on stage and behind the scenes at local and members. There are no dues other than the Restaurant, 2560 W. Indian School in ORANGE COUNTY SCIENCE FICTION regional Science Fiction Convention masquer- $15 for joining Star-fleet Intl.. Members are Phoenix, AZ. Write PO Box 62613, Phoenix, CLUB meets last Wednesday of every month ades. They meet on the last Sunday of each scattered world wide but the primary clusters AZ 85082-2613 or call Stephanie L. Bannon (except Dec.) We frequently have author month at various members’ homes in the are in Tucson, AZ and Plano, TX. They don’t (602)973-2341 for information. Web guest speakers. You’re all welcome to come greater Phoenix area. For details. Southwest meet on a regular basis since they are a if you’re in the area. We meet in Fullerton, Costumers Guild, PO Box 39504, Phoenix, www.casfs.org ( Continued on page 20 ) Volume 15 Issue 2 ConNotations Page 19 Club Listings ( Cont’d from page 19 ) of turning the new Commercial Space Stine; Music Escape Key Memberships What is CASFS? Transportation law into practical $25 thru 12/31/04, $30 thru 5/30/05 Hotel What is really behind putting on a correspondence chapter. Their web site is: regulations, and we’re looking at a session rates $89 S/D, $99 T/ $109 Q (plus tax) http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Vault/9505/ convention? What the funds raised by a and their contact/CO is Capt. Dave Pitts, convention used for? Why not attend a on the new spaceports coming onto the (602) 375-1777 CopperCon 25, PO Box [email protected] meeting and find out? We’re the sponsor scene. Along, of course, with the usual 62613, Phoenix, AZ 85082, Phone(480) of ConNotations, CopperCons, HexaCons, wide variety of progress reports, technical 945-6890 Z-PHILES are the ariZona x-PHILES. We SmerfCons and other conventions. We are backgrounders, viewpoints, and new ideas [email protected],Web maintain a mailing list for news and get- a charitable, non-profit organization that from various players in this burgeoning www.coppercon.org togethers of fans of the X-Files living in exists to further science fiction, fantasy field. Space Access ’05 registration once Arizona. We get together in both the Phoenix and science fields in Arizona. CASFS again holds steady at $100 in advance, AniZona 2(Phoenix AZ) April 14-16, and Tucson areas. To subscribe, send an currently meets at the JB’s Restaurant at empty message to z-philes- 2560 W Indian School Rd in Phoenix (NW $120 at the door, $10 off for SAS 2006 Embassy Suites Phoenix North, [email protected] corner of I-17 and Indian School). The members. $30 Student rate, no member Phoenix, AZ Arizona’s Own Anime discount. Day rates available at the door Convention Guests TBA Memberships UNITED FEDERATION OF PHOENIX A meetings begin at 8PM and are held on the Phoenix area Star Trek and general SciFi fan last Friday of the month Jan. Through only. One year’s SAS membership is $25 until 07/30/05, $40 at the door club. We are a social club that meets every Sept. And on the second Friday of the $30, please include your email address for Membership limited to 850. Hotel rates two weeks at various locations around the month Oct through Dec. Everyone is Updates.Mail checks (sorry, no credit $99 S/D, $109 T/ $119 Q (plus tax) (602) invited to attend two meetings as a guest Phoenix area. The UFP has been meeting for cards) to: Space Access Society, 5515 N 375-1777 www.anizona.org, Email (non-member). Membership rates are $12/ over 25 years of continuous activity. Dues are 7th St #5-348, Phoenix AZ 85014 [email protected] $15/per year prorated when you join; no year plus an initial $3 application fee and restrictions. Membership includes member- rates are pro-rated for the amount of the ship roster and monthly newsletter. Come to year remaining. For more info Call: LepreCon 31 (Carefree AZ) May 6-8, any two meetings at no obligation. For Stephanie L. Bannon (602)973-2341 2005 - Carefree Resort, Carefree, AZ information, write the UFP at PO Box 37224, Webpage: www.casfs.org email: Science Fiction and Fantasy Convention Phoenix, AZ 85069, or call Jim Strait at (602) [email protected] with an emphasis on art Artist GoH Dave 242-9203. Web page: http://www.U-F-P.org or Email to [email protected] Dorman; Author GoH Kevin J. Anderson; Special Artist Guest Bear Burge; Music WESTERN SCIENCE FICTION ASSO- Convention GoH Mitchell Burnside-Clapp. Local CIATION (WesternSFA) A non-profit Listings Artist GoH Sarah Clemens; Room corporation that sponsors the ConRunners Rates$89 S/D, $99 T, $109 Q (plus tax seminars and sponsored the 2004 Westercon. Phoenix*Cactus ComiCon 2005 Dedicated primarily to educational activities and $9 resort fee per room) (480) 488- relating to literature, music, and visual and (Glendale AZ) April 10, 2005 will be 5300 or (888) 488-9034 Memberships are th performing arts, especially in the genres of Sunday, April 10 at Glendale Civic $30 thru 12/31/04; $35 thru 04/15/05 ; science fiction, fantasy, costuming, gaming Center, 5750 W. Glenn Drive, 4 miles Kids 7-12 half price, Kids 6 & Under Free and science. Applicants for membership west of I-17, 1 block north of Glendale (with Adult membership) Write LepreCon in WesternSFA must be sponsored by a Ave and 57th Drive, 9am-3pm, current active WesternSFA member. Dues 31, PO Box 26665, Tempe, AZ 85285, Mailing/Subscription are $10 yearly plus a $5 non-refundable Admission- $6, 10 years and under get in Phone (480) 945-6890, application fee. General Meetings are free, Art-on-the-Spot Contest (enter by [email protected] Web Information held on the first Friday of February, May, 12:30pm), Costume contest (enter by www.leprecon.org/lep31 August and November, usually at the 2pm), Panel Discussions & Workshops, home of a member. Guests are welcome. ConNotations is sent free of Speakers: Marv Wolfman, Todd Nauck, ConRunners 11 (Phoenix AZ) June 11, For more info contact Craig Dyer at charge to those who have WesternSFA, PO Box 87457, Phoenix AZ Marie Croall, Brian Pulido, Steve Rude, 2005 - At the Embassy Suites Phoenix 85082, (602) 973-2341, Email: and more to be announced. Info at North, 2577 W Greenway Rd, Room attended a CASFS sponsored [email protected] Webpage: www.phoenixcomicon.com 3005. Registration opens at 8:30AM - convention in the past two www.westernsfa.org Morning Session 9AM-1PM: We will years (currently 2003/2004). Space Access ’05 Conference, (Phoenix play “If I Ran The Z/o/o Con” a con Attendees of CopperCon 23, AZ) April 28-30, 2005, Phoenix Arizona running choose your own path adventure at the Four Points Sheraton, 10220 N game. Membership $15. For more info CopperCon 24, HexaCon 13 Metro Parkway East, Phoenix Arizona Stephanie and HexaCon 14 will receive 85051, 602 997-5900 for reservations, Or our web site www.westernsfa.org ConNotations Volume 15 mention “Space Access” for our $79 Issues 1 thru 6. conference room rate ($109 for cabana Phoenix ConGames (Phoenix AZ) July suite), rate good for up to two days before 21-24, 2005 Hilton Phoenix East. For and after our conference dates. The more info www.iceescape.com ConNotations updates it’s conference gets underway 2 pm Thursday mailing list each December. and runs through Saturday night. This HexaCon 15 (Tempe, AZ) August 507, year’s theme is “Still A Long Hard Road 2005 Tempe Mission Palms, Tempe, AZ, Individual subscriptions are Ahead”; we plan a session on the process Gaming starts on Friday and runs 24 available for $15 for 6 issues. hours until Sunday 4PM. Planned events Generic Convention Registration Form include RPGA, LARP, LAN Party, CCG, Battletech and much more. Also Anime Some non-CASFS groups give Name:______and a full consuite. *THURSDAY their membership lists to EVENTS for pre-registered members only CASFS and purchase a bulk Badge Name:______include Barry Bard’s Movie Previews and corporate subscription so their Address:______Giveaways. Memb: $15 thru 12/31/04; $20 thru 6/30/05, Hotel: Tempe Mission attendees may also receive City/State/ZIP:______Palms, Tempe, AZ (800) 547-8705 Room ConNotations Phone:______Email:______Rates: $91 S/D/T/Q, Info: www.hexacon.org or 623-773-1816 Currently these groups are: Enclosed is $______for ______memberships for WesternSFA - If you attended CopperCon 25 (Phoenix AZ) Sept 9-11, ______convention. Westercon 57 you will receive (See individual convention listing for mailing address) 2005 Embassy Suites Phoenix North, More info on __ Masquerade __Art Show __Volunteer __ Other Phoenix, AZ Guests Authors Greg Keyes, Volume 15 Issues 1 thru 6 Robert J. Sawyer; Ghost GoH. Harry Page 20 ConNotations Volume 15 Issue 2