The Ensignʼs Prize Court: Recovered Piratesʼ Booty Now Made Available! The principal mailing address of The Heinlein Society, a non-profit charitable corporation, is PO Box 1254, Venice, CA USA 90294-1254

JuneContents 2007

The Ensignʼs Prize Court ... Page 1 to 3

Secretaryʼs Report, Annual Notice of General Meeting and Election of Directors...... Pages 3 and 4

$5,000 Writing Contest ...... Page 5

2007 Heinlein Award ...... Page 6

Editorʼs Corner ...... Pages 6 and 7

Somers Appointed Director.....Page 7 Ensign Virginia Doris Gerstenfeld, U.S. Lieutenant Commander Virginia Doris Navy WAVES (Women Accepted for Volun- Gerstenfeld Heinlein, U.S. Navy Reserve, Committee Reports...... Pages 8 to 20 teer Emergency Services), 1943. Retired, about 1980. Services ...... Page 8 Courtesy of the Heinlein Prize Trust Courtesy of the Heinlein Prize Trust Blooddrives ...... Page 15 Her father called her “Tiki” after ing the District of Columbia in intercity Academic ...... Page 16 Education ...... Pages 16 and 17 Rudyard Kipling’s Riki-Tiki-Tavi, perhaps competitions, which her team regularly Reading Group .... Page 18 and 20 because, characteristically, once she got won. Unmarried, she dated men, including her teeth into something she never let it her skating partner and another whom she “Beans in a Bottle” ...... Page 9 go. With the advent of World War II, she didn’t name but once mentioned as having enlisted in the WAVES, and was commis- been an infantry officer lost in action in Final Update: The Heinlein Centen- sioned an Ensign after officer’s training. Europe during the winter of 1944-5. nial Year, Visits, Programs, Panels, Thereafter assigned to the Navy Aircraft After release from active duty in 1946 Blooddrives, Fund-raising and Vol- unteers ...... Pages 10 to 13 research facility at Mustin Field outside she moved to Los Angeles and enrolled in Philadelphia and, on occasion, assigned a doctorate program in biology at UCLA. Letters to The Society, “from our to work with a research team supervised There she resumed her friendship with Special Correspondent in the South by civilian engineer Robert Heinlein, a the Heinleins. In 1947, Robert divorced Pacific …” ...... Pages 14 and 15 medically-retired regular Navy officer, Leslyn. A year later, Virginia Doris Ger- she became friends with him and his wife, stenfeld became Mrs. Robert Heinlein, Photos from Cascadia ...... Page 18 Leslyn, and participated in their social set. his third wife; and she so remained for the Brilliant, educated as a biologist, athletic rest of his life. She became his business Membership Application...... Page 19 and social, she added the skills of an avia- manger, his Muse, his first reader, his A “few small things”...... Page 20 tion engineer, contributed substantially collaborator, spokesman to his fans, his to the research activities at Mustin Field, nurse when he became ill, and his grieving We continue to need more help to is- and had been promoted two ranks to full widow. sue this Newsletter timely. If you can Lieutenant by the end of the war. She After he died, the volume of fan letters help, please contact competed when off-duty for the Wash- continued unabated and, slowly going [email protected]. ington Figure Skating Club, represent- blind, she continued answering them as Contʼd on Page Two 1 The Ensign’s Prize Court Cont’d from page one diligently as she had for years before. As his trustee and literary executrix, she con- tinued to manage his business affairs. Once she got her teeth into something, she never let it go. By 2000, she had discovered the Internet, using a massively-sized display for the time which enabled her to read the monitor despite her macular disorder. Researching, one day, she: ... happened to spot Mr. Heinlein’s name on a list of books offered on eBay. “Published by Amereon,” the list said. I found many other references to these offerings. I called a copyright attorney and ordered copies through friends of all ten books I found Amere- on to be offering. After receipt of the books, I instructed my attorneys to file suit. For years, I had kept a tickler file which I took out each year and made out renewal forms for everything Mr. Heinlein had written, twenty-eight years before. When each came up, I filled the forms out for copyright renewal and sent them to the Copyright office in the District of Columbia. I kept a file of the returned renewals, and my diligence paid off in this lawsuit. Amereon and their attorney put me through the paces: first they demanded of the copyright laws of the United States. had discovered. Supposedly, the infringer the original copyright certificates, She notified us that she wished to donate had no other copies in print of the works which we had never had—publishers those books to The Heinlein Society as her of Robert Heinlein. Subsequently, during keep those in their legal departments, gift for use in fund-raising to support its a contempt proceeding they had to bring, I suppose. I had never seen a single charitable goals. they received copies of an eighth hard- one. Amereon’s lawyers got copies Two days later in Florida she produced bound volume still being offered for sale. of all those certificates of renewal a Letter of Provenance, and approved The infringer has now “walked the plank” of copyright. At long last they were changes suggested by the Secretary of the out of business—a result the woman we persuaded to throw in the towel, Society in California who prepared a final call Ginny, but whose husband called her and offered me a consent judgment. copy for her signature. Two days after “Ticky,” the spelling having morphed, I accepted the offer, and the judge that, Thanksgiving Day, 2002, leaving her would have enjoyed living to see. Would looked over the judgment against condominium to attend her holiday dinner that she had. Amereon which contained, in my with friends at a Naval Officers’ Club, Barry Levin is likely today’s best- opinion, sufficient stipulations of she broke her hip and entered a hospital, known dealer of SF collectables. He proof of violation of the law against eventually to die in her sleep almost two has been in business as “Barry R. Levin Amereon, and approved and signed the months later on January 18, 2003. Science Fiction and Fantasy Literature,” consent judgment. “The Ensign’s Prize,” booty she recov- in Los Angeles County, for more than By the time that consent judgment was ered at no little expense from copyright pi- thirty years and is frequently consulted Society. Four days before Thanksgiving fund-raising purposes by The Heinlein as an expert appraiser. Lately, for example, 2002, at the board’s monthly business Society for the next year from our website he appraised a collection at the University meeting, she announced she expected to and at all events we attend. of California, Riverside, well known as receive from the defendants their inven- Mrs. Heinlein’s lawyers received and the repository of the Eaton Collection, tory of printed books containing works of forwarded to the Society hardbound copies “the largest publicly-accessible collection Robert A. Heinlein produced in violation of seven of the infringing printings she of science fiction, fantasy, horror and 2 3 utopian fiction in the world.” were sold at Prize Courts for the benefit The Secretary-Treasurerʼs To allow you to make your own evalu- of those officers and men. Some officers, ation of his opinion, you should know who received a larger share of the Prize, Table and Reports Barry is, of course, a member of The became fabulously wealthy, namely one Heinlein Society. He has enjoyed reading named George Anson, who is, of course, Heinlein since his childhood. one real life counterpart and model for In his expert opinion, a set of the eight the Aubrey character in the late Patrick volumes Virginia Heinlein recovered in O’Brian’s immensely popular Aubrey-Ma- mint condition from Amereon and its alter turin series of sea tales. egos, “conservatively is worth a mini- Help the widow of another Anson, mum of $1,000, and will soon increase Robert Anson Heinlein, realize her goal in value,” particularly noting that three of in donating these unique works of Robert those volumes, including the only known Heinlein for funding our charitable efforts. hard-bound edition of the D.F. Vassallo-il- We won’t become fabulously wealthy— lustrated The Notebooks of Lazarus Long, there are only thirty or so sets; but you can Secretary-Treasurer Jane Silver verify- are unique and particularly valuable. help pay forward our charitable goals. At ing voting eligibility before the general We really have not had a good fund- the present time we are offering the sets at membership meeting at L.A.con.IV at Anaheim in 2006. raising opportunity since inception. This is $1,000. Expect that price to increase. Photograph by The Heinlein Society the beginning of one. Consider helping us, Tell your collector friends. Tell them By Jane Silver and yourself, and invest in this valuable also about our charitable efforts and goals: In my last column I told you of travels collection which will soon increase its blooddrives, scholarships, prizes for aca- to conventions in Toronto and the contigu- value. demic and other writing, restocking librar- ous US. I’m going to tell you more about In past times, Naval officers and crews ies, adult and children’s education alike. travel, because that is what we need this fought pirates and others, capturing their To order a set, email chairman@heinle year: people to travel to conventions to ships and, in some cases, like the officer insociety.org, or write to Chairman, The help with The Heinlein Centennial Year; and lady named “Tiki,” recaptured their Heinlein Society, PO Box 1254, Venice, and I’d like to convince you to volunteer loot. Those captured ships, loot and booty California 90294-1254. to help out. I’ve been across this continent Offerings of the Ensign’s Prize Court many times, Been to one of the northern- There are duplicates of a few stories here because of two unique pirated most points, Lubec, where I experienced collection volumes compiled by the infringer, but that makes the set my first clam bake on Campobello Island more valuable because of their uniqueness. off the coast of Maine. Enjoyed all the The Green Hills of Earth (labeled “Rivercity b. “By His Bootstraps” wondrous and thought provoking attrac- Press, a division of The American Reprint Com- c. “Columbus Was a Dope” tions in Manhattan from a premier at the pany, Republished 1978, by special arrangement d. “The Menace from Earth” Lincoln Center of a play I was intimately with The Gnome Press,” Mattituck, NY, in green e. “Sky Lift” associated with; the many museums and buckram). f. “Goldfish Bowl” a. “Delilah and the Space-Rigger” g. “Project Nightmare” art galleries; to the street theatre in the b. “Space Jockey” h. “Water Is for Washing Village and SoHo. I’ve traveled to the c. “The Long Watch” heartland, Iowa and Arkansas as an auditor d. “Gentlemen, Be Seated” Methuselah’s Children (“Reprinted 1976 by Spe- for a hotel chain. Been to the Gulf Coast e. “The Black Pits of Luna” cial Arrangement” labeled “Aeonian Press, P.O. Box f. “It’s Great to Be Back” 1200, Mattituck, NY, in dark blue buckram) and beyond. Took a memorable driving g. “—We Also Walk Dogs” trip up the West Coast form my home in h. “Ordeal in Space” The Notebooks of Lazarus Long (1973 ed. D.F. California to Seattle, Washington. Since i. “The Green Hills of Earth” Vassallo lettering, labeled “Amereon House, the moving to Colorado I’ve driven to Mon- j. “Logic of Empire” publishing division of Amereon, Ltd.,” P.O. Box 1200, Mattituck, NY, in yellow buckram) tana and Wyoming. Spent as little time Life Line (labeled “Aeonian Press, P.O. Box as possible in Texas but understand there 1200, Mattituck, NY, in light gray buckram) Ordeal in Space (labeled “Amereon House, the are nicer sights to see further south and a. “Introduction By [unnamed]” [Damon publishing division of Amereon, Ltd.,” P.O. Box west of El Paso, Harlingen, McAllen and Knight, from The Past Through Tomorrow]. 1200, Mattituck, NY, in pale blue buckram) b. “Life-Line” a. “The Black Pits of Luna” Brownsville. Have yet to visit the deep c. “The Roads Must Roll” b. “It’s Great to Be Back” south, wanted to get a tattoo in New Or- d. “Blowups Happen” c. “—We Also Walk Dogs” leans to commemorate one of my Big “0” e. “The Man Who Sold the Moon” d. “Searchlight” birthdays before Katrina. My travels were f. “Delilah and the Space Rigger” e. “Ordeal in Space” g. “Space Jockey” f. “Logic of Empire” not limited to the U.S. I’ve been to France, h. “Requiem” g. “If This Goes On –” Italy, the UK and Ireland too. I dream of i. “The Long Watch” someday going back to visit Spain. j. “Gentlemen, Be Seated” Sixth Column (labeled “Amereon House, the Traveling has always been my number publishing division of Amereon, Ltd.,” P.O. Box The Menace from Earth (“Republished 1976 1200, Mattituck, NY, in bright red buckram) one most favorite thing ever. Finding your by Arrangement with The Gnome Press, Inc.” and way around an unknown area, getting lost labeled “Aeonian Press, P.O. Box 1200, Mattituck, Stranger in a Strange Land (copy of 1991 ed. and in that process finding little jewels and NY, in dark brown buckram) Ace, in tan vinyl. No Amereon or alter ego label). perhaps new friends. a. “The Year of the Jackpot” [The volumes recovered in a contempt proceeding]. By the time this newsletter gets ‘put to Contʼd on Page Four 2 3 The Secretary-Treasurerʼs The Heinlein Society Table and Reports, Contʼd Notice of Annual General Meeting bed’ we will more than likely be prepar- And Voting Procedures ing for trips to the Heinlein Centennial Board of Directors June 22, 2007 celebration in Kansas City and NASFiC Virginia Heinlein (1916-2003) in St. Louis. Usually, when one goes to Charles N. Brown a convention you stay pretty close to the Yoji Kondo convention activities. This year I plan on Joe Haldeman Jerry Pournelle getting ‘away’ at one point to see what Michael Sheffield these two cities may offer. You can help. David Wright, Sr. Volunteer and we’ll trade off getting Pamela Somers ‘away.’ Jane Silver, Secretary-Treasurer David M. Silver, President and Chairman St. Louis has a literary reference that P.O. Box 1254 may be a bit obscure for a lot of you but Venice, California 90294-1254 one that is dear to me. Look for a char- acter named Sadakichi Hartmann in Gene Dear Members of The Society: Our by-laws, adopted by the Board of Directors in 2002, as amended, require that the Fowler’s Minutes of the Last Meeting and board conduct an annual general membership meeting each year during the time and at the quote attributed to Mr. Hartmann about the place of the annual World Science-Fiction convention, when held in North America, St. Louis. And, of course you know of and when not at a place in North America, at whatever place it shall determine. the literary references for Kansas City This the written notice of that meeting as required in our by-laws to each member en- titled or likely to be entitled to vote at the meeting. You will be entitled to vote only if you and Butler, Missouri, that we all share in are registered as a regular member and only if your dues are fully paid up and through common. Some of us will have to make a the current year of 2007 at the time of the meeting. An opportunity to make dues current choice relative to which event we can bud- will be afforded members prior to and at the beginning of the meeting. Supporting mem- get for in time and money. I look forward bers are not entitled to vote, but, subject to ruling of the chair, may address the meeting. This yearʼs meeting will be our Societyʼs sixth annual general meeting. It will be held to seeing all of my old friends and making at the annual World Science-Fiction convention (Nippon 2007) at Yokohama, Japan, on some new ones. I also plan to see if you Saturday, September 1, 2007, at 12:00 PM, Japan Time, GMT +9, in a suite or conven- can fry an egg on the sidewalks in Kansas tion room as yet to be assigned to The Heinlein Society by Nippon 2007, at either The City in July. [Late press note: Sadly for all Grand Yokohama International Continental Hotel, or Pacifico Yokohama (Pacific Conven- tion Plaza, Yokohama). Nippon 2007, the annual World Science-Fiction convention, has of us, St. Louis is cancelled.—ed.] not yet published its programming schedule, and notice of this meeting may not be in We’ve had wonderful responses to our its program. Check the front desk at the International Continental (The Grand Yokohama) dues solicitations and I want to thank all of for The Heinlein Societyʼs suite, and telephone for further information. You need not be you and especially those whom we haven’t a purchaser of Nippon 2007 membership to attend the meeting if it is held at the hotel. The hotel is a public venue, open to non-Nippon 2007 members. Visitors are encouraged heard from in a while who have responded to attend, subject to ruling of the Chair. so positively to the efforts of our newly The regular order of business specified in the by-laws to be observed is that customary elected Director Pam Somers who is also for non-profit membership charitable corporations and will include, this year, election of chair of Membership Services. We have three of the nine directors of The Society for the three senior non-exempt positions on the Board for a term of three years, as specified in the by-laws. been able to really clean up our member The three senior incumbents by length of service in their current term are Yoji Kondo, roster with the corrections received in this Joe Haldeman, and Jane Silver. Dr. Kondo has served as a director of this Society since process for current email and mailing ad- his appointment in June 2002, and was reelected to a three-year term in 2004. Mr. dresses. We currently stand at over 700 Haldeman was appointed in August 2003, and reelected to a three-year term in 2004. Miss Silver was appointed pro-tempore Secretary-Treasurer in 2003, and elected to the registered members. A significant increase board of directors for a full three-year term in 2004. Other nominations may be made since I registered five years ago at number and accepted at the meeting. 132 and, we’re still growing daily. We’ve Further business consistent with the by-laws will occur at the meeting. You may vote at the meeting in person, or by an assigned written proxy, if you are received some wonderful feedback from eligible to vote at the time of the meeting. All proxies must be written, signed, and our membership as well, suggestions for notarized, or accompanied by a clear and legible photocopy of a government-issued the newsletter and offers of help for our photo identification containing a signature for comparison purposes, to be valid. Centennial Year celebrations. It is great to Further, they must designate in writing the person to exercise the proxy; and they must be received by the Secretary of the Society by postal mail or in person hear from you and please do not hesitate at or before the time of the meeting. If you mail your proxy to the Societyʼs postal to let us know what you think about how address in Venice, California, please note that an officer of the Society will finally we are doing, please, don’t be shy. Give check that post office box address on the afternoon of Monday, August 27, 2007, a holler! before he departs to Japan;, and it is solely your responsibility to ensure it arrives before his departure. You may designate any natural person to attend the meeting We’ll be having our annual general and vote your proxy. Further, the by-laws specify that failure of a non-attending meeting and election of directors shortly. member to designate a proxy shall constitute designation of the president as the Please read the Notice on the right of this holder of the proxy of the member not in attendance. page closely. It’s legally required and our We all hope as many of the Societyʼs members as possible do attend the meeting. notice to you of your valuable member- FOR THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS: /s/Jane Silver ship rights. Jane Silver Jane Silver, Secretary-Treasurer and Secretary-Treasurer and Director Director

4 5 The Robert A. Heinlein Centennial Year would like to see him or her enter, write him and tell him about the Contest. $5,000 Writing Contest Public service announcements are an David Hartwell, Geo Rule, and Alec Iorio, option. If you’ve contacts with your local surrounding Mr. Farr, so to speak, with as NPR station, appropriate shows include much knowledge, wisdom, skills and tal- “Science Friday,” “All things Considered,” ent as we can to help the project succeed. and others. Let us know to whom we The $5,000 will be allocated, unless should write. further supplemented, among a first, sec- We’re, perhaps, going to ask the authors ond, and third prize. We’d like to give the of entries to assign their first North Ameri- full $5,000 amount to a first prize winner, but we’d need additional contributions made to reward the second and third prize winners appropriately. Three guesses what comes next? (The last two don’t count.) If you’d like to contribute a sum to help truly compensate its winners in a manner befitting a Contest in honor of Mike Farr, Heinlein Society Centennial Year Robert Heinlein’s Centennial, we’d love Writing Contest Subcommittee Chair to accept it and put it to that use. It will be Photograph courtesy of Michael Farr interesting to see how easily the Society, The Society recently received a sig- from among its members, can match the nificant donation of $5,000 and request sum originally donated. Ten dollars each that we sponsor a science fiction writing would easily do it. Send your donation, contest open to all, professionals and this month to celebrate Robert’s birthday, amateurs, to be judged in terms of the best earmarked if you wish, to The Heinlein short story submitted in general literary Society, PO Box 1254, Venice, CA quality, expressing the spirit, ideas, and 90294-1254, or use the webpage for dona- tions . Fifteen dollars a ideas, and philosophy of Robert Heinlein.” Heinlein’s own, as there would be a copy- head would allow us to begin to open the right issue there). contest to a series of prizes also for school can publication rights or some other option We agreed, and immediately also children entries that we’d like to consider. to publish to us. We may decide to entice received a matching grant, to pay for Twenty dollars might also let us imple- a publisher to produce an anthology of the advertising and other expenses attendant ment the scholarship program for second- Best of the Contest. David Hartwell isn’t to the contest. ary school graduates we’ve envisioned on that committee by accident. No one’s Our goals in sponsoring this contest will since inception when the late Dr. Philip on that committee by accident—we’re giv- be to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Owenby was Education Committee Chair. ing it our very best efforts. We want this Mr. Heinlein’s birth, continue the spirit, Don’t let me stop you at twenty dollars if project to succeed; and we can use your ideas, and philosophy that make the works you feel the urge to do a good thing. help. of Robert Heinlein a testament to the Expect to see that matching fund dona- The subcommittee Mike is chairing is a human spirit, and get writers and others tion put to good use. We’ll place appropri- subcommittee of the Education Commit- thinking deeply about his works. ate advertisements in Locus, Analog, and tee. Write or email education@heinleinsoc We might also find ourselves with new perhaps other magazines, budget permit- iety.org if you have time or ideas or talents fiction in the style of Robert Heinlein to ting, throughout the year; and we’ll make or skills to help. read, because most, if not all of us, have use of our visits to various conventions in While you’re at it, if you write SF, don’t already read and re-read many times all this, The Year of Heinlein, to publicize the forget to enter. All members of the Society the ones he wrote. Contest as well. Help us. We’ll have fly- except members of its board of directors, The Society plans to announce the Con- ers available and every SF writer’s panel and their families, will be eligible to enter. test formally during the July 7th weekend at every convention in the world should Tell your friends. Let them know they may perhaps at “Gala” banquet in Kansas City, receive them, to say nothing of asking for donate too. while we attend the celebration held in announcements at Clarion West or other We plan to announce and award the that city. stand-alone writer’s workshops. There are prizes at an appropriate venue at the end Mike Farr, a retired software executive, other ways to help: contact fanzines (we’ll of The Year of Heinlein, as close to July has volunteered to chair the subcommittee have flyers containing information they 7, 2008, as possible. Perhaps it will be at a responsible for the project, having suf- may use), on-line advertising, perhaps SF convention held on or about that date. ficient time, interest and energy to donate. by Society-sponsored links, and personal We’ll have additional announcements Appointed to help him is a subcommit- invitations and direct mail will be used or later in the year. tee consisting of Charles N. Brown, Yoji considered. Good speed to Mr. Farr and committee. Kondo, Joe Haldeman, Jerry Pournelle, If you particularly admire a writer and 4 5 2007 Heinlein Award board. In addition to contributions from the Heinlein Society, the Baltimore Science Fiction Society and individuals have do- nated funds to pay for the original silver medallions created by artist Arlin Robbins which are presented to awardees. Although the board of judges have not yet disclosed the name of their selected awardee for the year 2007, the Award will be made on “Saturday evening,” July 7, 2007, in Kansas City, Missouri, at the “Gala Dinner” presented by Heinlein Centennial, Inc., at the Westin Century Ballroom, Westin Crown Center Hotel, 1 Arlin Robbins’ rendering of the beautiful Heinlein Award Medallion she created. Dr. Yoji Kondo, Heinlein Society director East Pershing Road, Kansas City, Missouri and Heinlein Award Judges Board Chair, 64108 (Phone: (815) 474-4400 . talking to Arthur Dula, Heinlein Prize Trustee, on the occasion of the first award Reservations which must be made of the Heinlein Prize. by July 1, six days before the dinner, at Editor’s Corner Photograph by The Heinlein Society the added cost of $35 per person, in ad- Heinlein Centennial, Inc., has an- dition to Convention Membership, are By Max Baskin, Newsletter Editor nounced that the 2007 Heinlein Award will required to attend the “Gala Dinner.” See, Happy 100th Birthday! be presented at the Centennial convention for further informa- Robert Anson Heinlein was brought into The Heinlein Award was established in tion. the world. It will be 100 years very shortly August 2002, at the request of Virginia now, and I don’t think that anyone could Heinlein by The Heinlein Society and Dr. Sparking the Imagination truly have guessed the kind of impact that Kondo, who personally enlisted a number he would have in the world. of other science fiction authors and two An Obituary by Max Baskin I could go on for the whole of this news- Naval Academy English professors to Although the Heinlein Society is fo- letter just talking about how his books form an autonomous board of judges to cused on the legacy left to us by Robert have influenced my life and I wouldn’t present an annual Award as a means of Heinlein, there were other people who even be scratching the surface. From other honoring outstanding written works of were important in ways that he was. SF authors to scientists, the works of the science fact and fiction that inspire the In the area of inspiring youth to look late Grand Master have inspired and made human race’s exploration of space. Past at the sciences, I can’t think of many people think. That’s a big part of what has recipients have been Virginia Heinlein people more key than Don “Mr. Wiz- brought us all together in The Heinlein (posthumously), Michael Flynn, Sir Arthur ard” Herbert. Society: a mutual recognition of what we Clarke, Larry Niven, Jerry Pournelle, Jack I am too young to have seen his orig- owe to him and a desire to pay it forward Williamson, and Greg Bear. inal show, but I have fond memories as he did. Dr. Kondo is best known to members of of watching him on Nickelodeon while This Centennial year is a big one for the the Society for three reasons: since August growing up. He would always show Society and for Heinlein fans everywhere. 2002, after enlisting the board of judges how to do the most amazing things In addition to attending the first of many he has served as a member of the Society’s with the most commonly found house- SF conventions, the Robert A. Heinlein Board of Directors; he was the editor of hold components, and it captivated me. Centennial being held in Kansas City Requiem: New Collected Works by Rob- While I credit Mr. Heinlein for giving over the weekend of Heinlein’s birthday, ert A. Heinlein and Tributes to the Grand my interest in science a proper polish- the Society is working on a few projects Master; and he was immortalized by his ing in my adolescence, Mr. Herbert was of its own to celebrate the Heinlein Year, good friend Robert Heinlein as ‘Tiger’ the one responsible for planting the ini- including a Centennial Reader. But more Kondo in the novel The Cat Who Walks tial seeds in my childhood. on that later. Through Walls. Dr. Kondo writes science Donald Jeffrey Herbert passed away One of the things that we’re really hop- fiction under the name of Eric Kotani. on June 12, 2007, at age 89 after strug- ing to do with this newsletter is hear more The autonomous board of judges in- gling for years with multiple myeloma. from the rest of the Society. The members clude Greg Bear, Michael Flynn, Joe I know I’m not the only one who will of the board and the committee chairs Haldeman, Yoji Kondo, as its chair, Eliza- miss him. But I also know that I’m not have always had a chance to use the news- beth Moon, Larry Niven, Jerry Pournelle, the only one who will celebrate his life letter as a way to communicate to the So- Spider Robinson, Stanley Schmidt, Herb and hope fervently that more science ciety, but we’d like to hear from everyone. Gilliland, and John Hill. The late Charles educators will be there to follow his Specifically during the Centennial year, Sheffield was an original member of the footsteps. we’d like to hear a little bit about how the Contʼd on Facing Page 6 7 Editor’s Corner, cont’d works and philosophies of Robert Heinlein Also, there are no royalties or other We would like to hear from you, the have affected you. payments granted. All profits, if any, will readers. What do you want to see in Drop us a line at newsletter@heinlei be going to the Society to help support its upcoming issues? What aspect of the nsociety.org and tell us a story. If, Bog charitable activities. Authors whose works Society’s goals is the most meaningful to willing, we get more than we can publish, are selected for publication will receive a you? How do you try to pay it forward? we’ll either continue them in the following copy of the Reader, but no money. We don’t know what you want un- issue or find some other way to share them So if you’re interested, please let us less you tell us. Here is your opportunity with the rest of the Society. know as quickly as possible. The more to make your voice heard. If you want Enjoy the Centennial celebration people contributing, the better the Reader to help shape the future direction of the and thanks again for being a part of the will be, and more likely it will come to be. newsletter, send an email to newsletter@h Heinlein Society. Announcements einleinsociety.org with your ideas. What is the Centennial Reader? Alan Milner has resigned as Fund- In addition, if you have an opinion piece While discussing what to do for raising Chair and from the Society’s related to one of Heinlein’s books or a Heinlein’s 100th birthday celebration, Board of Directors. David Wright Sr. has direction you feel the Society should be members of the Society’s board came up stepped down from his position as Chair moving in, send it in. Not every article with the idea to compile a collection of es- of the website committee for the Society. can be published, but we’d be overjoyed says and articles from those with personal If you are interested in filling either of to hear more from other members of the memories of Robert and Virginia Heinlein, these Chair positions, please contact the Society. scholarly discussions of his books, and [email protected]. Expect to read more in that same vein, stories about how people’s lives had been Mike Sheffield is running a panel at the particularly, from our newest director, shaped by the ideas he shared in his work. Kansas City Centennial on Sunday, July Pamela Somers’ Member Services Report. The articles would be collected, reviewed, 8th from noon to 1 PM titled “Philanthro- then bound and offered for sale. py 101 - Heinlein and Paying it Forward.” SOMERS APPOINTED The Centennial Reader project has He’s looking for co-panelists. If you’re AS DIRECTOR begun with a number of close acquain- interested, please contact him ASAP by tances of the Heinleins and authors being e-mailing [email protected]. contacted and asked to contribute. This Mike is also looking for panelists for a isn’t the only group that we hope will panel at the San Diego ComicCon. Please contribute, though. contact him ASAP if you’re planning to This is a project of an organization attend that enormously successful conven- built upon supporting the concepts that tion and want to be a part of the Heinlein Heinlein’s works inspired in us, and we Society’s contribution to it. In recent want to give everyone who felt that inspi- years, there have usually been, oh, around ration a chance to share their thoughts. eleven or twelve thousand attendees. If you would like to be a part of this Don’t forget to reserve your hotel rooms special celebration, you can find all of the early—there aren’t any available at the details on the Society’s website. For those last minute in all of downtown San Diego without easy access to the web, a basic when ComicCon comes to town. overview follows: Mr. Denis Foley, a member of the 1. The submission deadline is August Society, has very generously donated 1st, 2007. several hardcover and soft cover copies 2. Articles must be submitted in either of Heinlein books to the Public Library in Pam Somers at Cascadia Con plain text or rich text formats via email to Manheim, PA. Our thanks go out to him Photograph by The Heinlein Society [email protected]. for paying it forward to give today’s chil- Born in (and a lifelong resident of) 3. Include a brief (100 word) synop- dren the same chance to get introduced to Baltimore, Maryland, Pamela Somers had sis of the article at the beginning of the the works of the Dean of Science Fiction only one ambition throughout her primary manuscript. the same way he did. and secondary education: to teach. After 4. Include your brief biographical sketch How can we make the Newsletter realizing while in college that she’d be an at the end of the manuscript. better? unlikely match with the education system 5. Make sure to include your name, ad- One comment that we’ve received from as it was evolving then, she pursued book- dress, and telephone number in the email, a number of sources is that the newsletter keeping and accounting and fed her desire not in the manuscript. needs a little more ‘oomph.’ The articles to teach as a volunteer instructor for the In addition to the information above, and reports are informative, but the basic American Red Cross. Her volunteer work there is also a legal statement granting format can be dry. To repeat myself: the as an Advanced First Aid and Emergency publication rights that needs to be in the newsletter isn’t simply a place for the Care instructor led to her becoming among email. The authors retain copyright and board and committee chairs to speak about the first female Emergency Medical Tech- may republish elsewhere, but it is vital what’s going on in their area, but a place nicians certified in the mid-70s, which led that the legalities be observed. for the whole Society. (if somewhat less directly) to a 26-year Contʼd on Page Eight 6 7 Somers Appointed, cont’d from page 7, and Membership Services Report career in the field of public health with a longer checking your freebie Email and pers belong in the newsletter. (Should that specialty in emergency response. Long be- forgot to update us? Or, perhaps I’m get- be a journal? Oh, heavens! Another pub- fore the tragic events of 9-11, Ms Somers ting caught in your spam filter. Because lication?) Spice, said another. We should assisted with the development and editing we sent dues invoices individually, we top this white bread with some herbs and of one of the first-ever coordinated plans used a private Email address instead of our cheese and maybe a dash of pepper. No, for response to domestic terrorism, outlin- heinleinsociety.org bulk mailer, so spam came the last voice. What a newsletter ing a strong role for public health agen- filters are less of an issue – but, to be on should be is whatever the members want cies in non-biologic field response. There, the safe side, you might want to set your it to be. also, she continues to teach - developing, filters to allow mail from heinleinmembe That’s probably the best answer to come writing and teaching in-house classes. She [email protected]. While you’re updating spam out of the whole discussion. This is, after and her husband, Robert Preisinger, live filters, please take a minute to allow mail all, your newsletter and your Heinlein in the vicinity of Baltimore and keep tabs from heinleinsociety.org so we can be sure Society. What do you want it to be? What on five active grandchildren. Ms Somers you get news and updates. If you haven’t should be in your newsletter that isn’t joined the Society in 2003, and accepted heard from me, please Email membership there now? Do you want to read about an appointment to Membership Services [email protected] and update how I got a new printer and I’m back in Chair late in 2004. She was elected by the your Email address. Remember, we never the Member Certificate printing business Board in 2007 to fill a vacancy left by a share your private information, we don’t again? Is this everything you’d like to see resignation. sell or give away your Email address, and in your newsletter? It’s up to you. Just as those who have gone before, we bulk-mail notices to our members only Here’s another question: where do you Pam has devoted hundreds of volunteer very rarely and, then, only on very impor- see the Society going? Is this what you hours to The Heinlein Society since tant matters. expected when you joined? If not, why joining, She has proved herself always Sadly, there have been a few members not? How would you change it, if you reliable, accepting all manner of volunteer who have decided not to continue. I al- would change it? What ideas are perco- assignments, and always accomplishing ways feel a little pang when a member re- lating around in your head? Are they too what she’s set out to do, always with the signs, but I also try to view it as learning. wild, too impractical? Or, are they? Write utmost good judgment. I’ve tried to respond to every member who us a letter. Write an article. Write an essay. The Board is gratified that she has ac- resigns and ask why they chose to leave. Write us a book! cepted an appointment as a director and is Most never answer. A few are cryptic with This is your Heinlein Society. Shake it certain her steady record of devotion to the no elaboration. Some few have very pro- and move it! goals of this Society will continue. On be- saic and practical reasons. The rarest gems Pamela Somers, Director and half of the Board of The Heinlein Society, are the members who challenge us – they Membership Services Committee Chair Welcome Aboard! want more from the Society than we are [email protected] David M. Silver, President and doing now. You’ll find a communication Just remember “one small thing,” when Chairman of the Board of Directors from one of these members elsewhere in you write. That “last voice” was called Membership Services Report this Newsletter. Llywelyn Graeme works ‘Zim’ back in the reading group days; and By Pam Somers and lives outside the U.S. so his primary he has a favorite cartoon and a real bad Around the beginning of the year, I connection to the Society is our newsletter habit, putting people to work. —ed. foolishly offered to assist Jane Silver, and he finds it … well, bland. He chal- our Treasurer, with the mailing of dues lenged me strongly about it. I did what invoices. I say “foolishly” because I had any sensible coward would do – I threw no idea what an incredible time vortex the challenge back at him. And he came this task would turn into. On the other through like the champion he is. I urge hand, I’ve had wonderful little chats with you to read his communiqué and share a lot of members who were only names your thoughts with us – and him. to me before. What? What? You say you Llywelyn’s fairly brief communication haven’t heard from me? But … I’ve sent caused quite a stir among Board members at least one Email to every member since and committee chairs. What, we asked the first of the year! (Two to most.) Well, each other, is a newsletter supposed to this could mean a couple of things. Most be? There was one contingent defending of the returns were “user unknown,” so the position that a newsletter is meant to most likely, you’ve changed your pri- be just that. A newsletter. It should inform mary Email address and forgotten to the members, they said. Tell the mem- notify us. I don’t know what to do about bers what we’re doing and what we’ve that handful of e-mails that keep coming done. Another contingent thought a news- back with the notation “Cannot deliver letter should be a forum for the members within three hours” – heck, I’m not even to express their opinions and discuss their “I need a couple guys what don’t owe me no sure what that means. And the “mailbox differences of opinion. About what? Why, money fer a little routine patrol.” over quota” messages – maybe you’re no RAH, of course. Or, maybe scholarly pa- 8 9 “Beans in the Bottle” An Adventure in Heinleiniana

“Mister Interlocutor” Alec Iorio, “sitting in the sun.” Convention Programming Chair Photograph by The Heinlein Society At sides: Recently published trade sized edi- tions of Heinlein “juveniles” now available.

In an attempt to change up the newsletter a bit, our very own Alec Iorio has designed a couple of trivia games for Soci- ety members. If you want to participate, answers can be E-mailed to [email protected]; and the best scores will be posted in the next newsletter. A full list of answers and results will be posted to the website before we send out our next newsletter, and the answers included in a subsequent issue of the newsletter. If you don’t have access to email, you can always send a regular letter to the Society’s main address.

In his 1948 juvenile novel, Space Cadet, 2. Sam Jones 2. Bob Wilson did not see the circle Robert A. Heinlein included a number of 3. Mei-Ling Jones grow. tests taken by the new arrivals at Hay- 4. Hank Jones 3. As I left the Kenya Beanstalk capsule worth Hall who were hopeful of advancing 5. Max Jones he was right on my heels. into the ranks of the Space Patrol. One of 6. Roberto Dominguez Jones 4. “Don’t be a sentimental fool, Sam!” the tests was described this way: “Once he 7. Friday Jones 5. It was cold on the rampart. was given a handful of beans and a small 8. Booker T. W. Jones 6. All my life I’ve wanted to go to Earth. bottle, and was told to sit down, place the 9. Chang Jones 7. The two brothers stood looking the bottle at a mark on the floor and locate in 10. Iver Hird-Jones old wreck over. his mind the exact position of the bottle. 11. Galahad Jones 8. “We need you to kill a man.” Then he was to close his eyes and drop 12. Gaston P. Jones 9. I was there to see beautiful naked the beans one at a time into the bottle—if 13. Holly Jones women. possible.” 14. Waldo Farthingwaite-Jones 10. According to their biographies, Des- In the spirit of that test, YOUR TASK 15. Spade Jones tiny’s favored children usually had their is to identify the Heinlein story/novella/ Part 2 lives planned out from scratch. novel in which the following characters It’s a commonplace that Robert A. 11. If a man walks in dressed like a hick appear. Heinlein tends to seize and maintain the and acting as if he owned the place, he’s a This is not intended to be a research attention of his readers from the first word. spaceman. project. Please rely on only your “wet- As an exercise, please identify the specific 12. The room was old-fashioned, 1980 ware,” “feeble file,” or “organic memory” RAH stories/novellas/novels which begin baroque, but it was wide, long, high, and to respond to the questions below. with the following quotations. luxurious. Each CORRECT response earns +2 Please use only your memory, this is not 13. “Have you anything to say before points. a research project. sentence is pronounced on you?” Each INCORRECT response earns -1 Each correct attribution earns 1 point. 14. “Everybody all set?” point. Incorrect responses are penalized -1 15. “Whose spells are you using, bud- No points will be earned or deducted for point each. dy?” any question without a response. As RAH quoted: “Audace, toujours au- GOOD LUCK! Part 1 dace.” Alec Iorio, Convention Programming Chair 1. Zebadiah Jones 1. “Easy, boy, easy.” [email protected].

8 9 Final Update on The Heinlein Centennial Year We are readying for attendance at a se- Space Suit—Will Travel, when he visited course, where possible, will continue as ries of national and international conven- the Admiral’s family while Cal was sta- well. Mike Sheffield will tell you right tions this year, “The Heinlein Centennial tioned in Italy. now he knows he must have some help in Year,” beginning with a celebration in Robert may not have fathered his own Europe, because it’s unlikely his budget or Kansas City to kick off, but continuing on children, but it’s clear that he consulted the Society’s will be enough to send him throughout the year with attendance of at children when writing his novels about to Europe—even assuming he can take least twelve or thirteen conventions in all. adolescents. I wonder what the two girls time off from Northrup-Grumman. Email Where thought and said to Robert about PeeWee? him: [email protected], wherever We already started Memorial Day week- I think we’ll be fortunate enough to you are, if you think you can help not only end, May 25 through 28 at (1) Balticon enlist helpful new members such as Lan- in Europe but at any of the scheduled loca- 40 in Maryland. We received information ing’s grandson at all our visits over the tions. quite early last year that the Baltimore SF next year. We do on every visit to every It is legally important to focus on how club had assumed, understandably, that the convention we attend. Every one of you because questions might arise from a tax Centennial would begin January 1st—six is just as valuable to The Society for what standpoint to understand precisely what months and seven days before Robert’s you offer. We plan to be at, tentatively, we will be doing and not doing at the birthday, and accordingly scheduled Larry the following additional conventions: dealer’s tables throughout the year. I’ll Niven and Jerry Pournelle as Guests of (2) Heinlein Centennial in Kansas City, try to keep it short. We will be primarily Honor, intending to begin their celebration Missouri, from July 6 through 8; (3) Ar- there for the increased and more focused of Heinlein’s Centennial then and there. chon31 (NASFiC) in Collinsville, Illinois deliberate foot traffic by convention go- We wished to support that effort and so ar- (St. Louis, Mo) from August 2 through ers to actively solicit membership and 5; (4) Nippon 2007 (World Con) in Yo- donors from among them to support our kohama, Japan, from August 30 through charitable, educational goals. We will be September 3; (5) Eurocon 2007 in Co- selling, ourselves, only one major thing penhagen, Denmark, from September 21 besides membership and the opportunity through 23; (6) MilehiCon 39 in Denver, to contribute to a worthwhile charity. Colorado, from October 26 through 28; You’ve likely already read the article (one or two of the following) either (7) titled “The Ensign’s Prize Court” that be- World Fantasy Convention 2007, in gins this Newsletter. Let me repeat some Saratoga, New York, from November of it however so you can see how priori- 1 through 4; and/or (8) WindyCon 34, ties must fit. in Chicago, Illinois, from November 9 In November 2002, succinctly, Ginny through 11; and/or (9) LosCon 34, in Los Heinlein donated some valuable books to Angeles, California, on November 23 the Society to use for fund-raising. through 25—or, perhaps all three, depend- Appraised by a professional, as a set, ing on finances; (one of the two following) the works should sell for a minimum of Rear Admiral Caleb Laning’s grandson, (10) Arisia 08 in Boston, Massachusetts, $1,000 apiece to collectors. That $1,000 is Laning Polanty, and David Silver chat at on January 18 through 22; or (11) Bos- the minimum price we will begin selling Heinlein Society fan table at Balticon 40. kone 45 in Boston, Massachusetts, on from the dealer’s table. They are donated Photograph by The Heinlein Society February 15 through 17—or, perhaps both completely to us and, appropriate for a ranged to be present. depending on the same old thing—money; charity to sell for fund-raising purposes It was a quite fruitful visit to the East (12) UK Eastercon (Orbital) in Heath- because they were fully donated. That Coast for several reasons. One guest who row, London, UK, on March 21 to 24; legitimately gets us in the dealer’s room stopped by our fan table turned out to be possibly the (13) SFWA Nebula Awards where people with money to spend the oldest grandson of the late Rear Ad- in Austin, Texas, on April 25 to 27; (14) browse, stop and will chat about their miral Caleb Laning, Robert’s best friend MarCon 43 in Columbus, Ohio, on May interests, and buy what they’re being sold at the Academy. The grandson, Laning 23 to 25; and, finally, (15) Westercon in if they see value in it, not simply smile, if Polanty, joined the Society and regaled Las Vegas, Nevada, on July 3 through 6, that, and pass on by on the way to some- us with some fascinating stories about 2008. thing else: registration, panels, meetings, his grandfather and family and Robert How or lunch. Heinlein. It’s fairly well-known his mother This year, we’ll focus not only on But, as a charity we cannot usually and her sister, “the two J’s” who are Cal’s convention programming but also on in- function as if we are in a for-profit trade daughters, Gillian (known as Jill) and creased efforts to recruit new members or business, i.e., generally, we cannot act Judith (known as Judy), are among those and fund-raising from a slightly different as a retailer or distributor of books which to whom Robert dedicated Beyond This venue than we have used in the past. We’ll are not created by ourselves solely for our Horizon; but what wasn’t known to me be paying for, occupying and taking ad- charitable educational purposes. Heinlein- until I spoke with Laning was his mother vantage of significantly greater opportuni- authored books are not books created and sister read in draft and expressed their ties for visitor contact at dealer’s tables, by us for our charitable and educational opinions to Robert on the novel Have rather than a ‘fan table.’ Blood drives of purpose. They already were created by Contʼd on Facing Page 10 11 Final Update, cont’d call attention to other worthwhile items funded for the 2008 half year mid-way related to Heinlein studies and scholar- through The Heinlein Centennial Year, not Heinlein and are published by commercial ship, even if they are being sold commer- in terms of any sale of anything, or refer- publishers such as Scribners, or DelRey, cially for a hoped-for profit by others, e.g., rals or collection of unapproved subscrip- or Baen, or TOR, and all the others, and authoritative publications and scholarly tions to anything, but solely in terms of sold through their distribution networks to journals we do not own or produce such as our achieving increased membership and make a profit. Some of that profit winds up The Heinlein Journal, for its scholarship donations, and in terms of our contribution in the hands of the Prize Trust which has and criticism of Heinlein writings, and the to “The Heinlein Centennial Year.” its own charitable objects, but we’re not Virginia Edition, for its definitive intro- These points include fine distinctions; the Trust. We may not, the donated excep- ductions, restored and authoritative texts, but all law, especially tax law, requires ad- tion aside, directly sell or promote the letters and other items from the archives herence to fine distinctions. sale of Heinlein-authored books. that its publisher has advertised will be Now that you as informed members There is, aside from another miniscule included within it. We may also call atten- know exactly the how of what we are do- dollar exemption for non-related business tion to the on-line debut of the UC Santa ing you need to know the why of what we income (e.g., it covers the tiny commis- Cruz Heinlein archives which we under- are doing this year.. sion we receive on Amazon.com links on stand will be announced on July 7th. We Why our website), one other exemption: items may not promote and we may not actu- Quickly answering why: with us and that substantially contribute to our chari- ally sell subscriptions to those items our- any charity it’s always all about increasing table purpose.. selves, as they are not donated to us; but our ability to do the objects of our charity, It can be a rebuttable exemption, and we may display exemplars and descrip- by increasing membership and fund-rais- we have to be careful, very prudent, and tive advertising for inspection and make ing ability. Members and money. Money conservative with it. We must expand publisher’s subscription forms available and members. educational interest in Robert Heinlein’s writings since our general educational goal in all things Heinlein makes it part of our charitable purposes. So doing, we may produce, sell and accept subscrip- tions to items we, as The Society, produce to substantially contribute to that chari- table and educational (“eleemosynary” the law books call it) purpose such as the Centennial Reader Project, assuming it ever develops into anything of substance (we’re not received much response, but, perhaps after publicizing it in Kansas City and elsewhere we will), or the publication of academic papers proposed by our Aca- demic Chair for “the best of” present and Blood donors starting to stack up at Heinlein Society fan table at Balticon 40 chat with hard- past ACA/PCA Heinlein Studies Section working Bob Preisinger (obscured behind young lady with shoulder bag) and J.J. Brannon proceedings, including those papers to be (partly obscured by short-haired lady wearing dark T-shirt and jeans). presented at the Kansas City convention Photograph by The Heinlein Society in July and later in the year at the ACA/ for visitors to our dealers table to fill out Now, let’s turn to what we as members PCA’s own regularly scheduled conven- and mail in themselves, just as we did with must do in this, “The Heinlein Centennial tion (perhaps, if we think the question “not Scribner’s form for advance copies of For Year,” to increase our membership and substantially related” is getting too close, Us, the Living in 2003 in Toronto. We can fund-raising ability, to increase further our we might consider contracting to publish- even allow them, as a free courtesy or con- contribution to “The Heinlein Centennial ing something else by a separate entity venience to leave the filled-in form with us Year,” and to allow us to continue effec- that might pay us royalties on their use of (with a check payable to the publisher or tively to Pay It Forward. copyrights we might possess—since roy- Trust) for our immediate transmittal to the We need to get to a membership base alty payments on literary property are ex- respective publishers or each or to Trust of 2,000 active, dues-paying members. empt from taxation in this situation). And, for their own approval and acceptance That, so they say, is the membership level we can certainly give away other educa- of the subscription. We will not be sell- at which an organization becomes self- tional items, such as the CD we produced ing The Heinlein Journal or the Virginia sustaining. The L-5 Society, the National in 2005 in conjunction with CascadiaCon Edition, or anything else other than fully Space Society, all these other organiza- and the SF Museum for teachers and li- donated or otherwise tax-exempt items ap- tions that have succeeded or failed in the brarians, and those of worth which others propriate for a tax-exempt charity to sell. past half century since futurist became a may have produced, if made available. I must note, significantly, that the grant name for those who see humanity’s future Finally, as an incident of our educational from the Trust which will fund the effort to include space supposedly have found purpose to support a general educational we are making this year will measure the a self-sustaining level reached with that goal of all things Heinlein, we can also success of our performance, before we are number of membership. I believe any Contʼd on Page Twelve 10 11 Final Update on The Heinlein Centennial Year, cont’d voluntary organization that stops striving might be one—we’ve got a lot of writers, to be a member. We recruited several soon vanishes, so we’ll see about “self” and SF&F writing professionals and ama- members from that convention, and one sustaining, but it’s worth a try. teurs, who regularly attend SF&F conven- that followed in a few months in Colorado What tions. Simply knowing that you regularly Springs where we were invited after they a. Panels do panels and are going to be there is help- saw the Denver panel. Every time we do We want to increase the number of ful. You know and have built a workable a good panel, we get more members and Heinlein-related convention panels this relationship with the programming people. invitations. Another two examples of ways year. I can visit fifteen conventions, but Give us a hand, suggest something, tell us you may help is Gerry Nordley, a member only WE can convince programmers to who to call, and we’ll work together and and writer in Central California, who has schedule panels at them. When I write it’s achieve our goals. A few examples of how arranged reception rooms and shared them just a letter or email to heads of program- well this may work. Bob Buettner, a writer with us the past two BayCon; and he’s ming who have probably never heard of promoting his first published novel then going to MinCon in Minnesota while we’ll me; and unless I can tell them that our living in Colorado, did that. Walked into be in Kansas City, with a packet of mem- members including those whom they regu- an empty con hospitality suite at MileHi in bership applications and flyers, to help Jim larly schedule on panels themselves want Denver, found a Society membership pam- Yount man a recruiting drive. Who is Jim to do and hear Heinlein-related program- phlet and membership application on a Yount? He is a Heinlein Society mem- ming, it’s just one email or letter. We’re table, filled it out, sent it in with his check, ber, a career Navy enlisted man (nuclear most successful when we can say: X, Y, and then told their programming that next submarines, if you don’t mind), retired to and Z, who are our members or strong year he wanted to do a Heinlein panel with a small town in Minnesota, who is taking supporters, are already listed as partici- us. He did, along with Guest of Honor time to pay it forward, as many others pants and, in fact, Z is your writer/editor/ Elizabeth Moon and Sarah Hoyt, another have done. You don’t have to be a writer publisher/artist/fan guest of honor. local Colorado writer who just happens of SF to help. You can do that too. Let us We cannot do that unless we know who (heh, her son is named “Robert Anson”) know, if you can. of us are attending which conventions. b. Pod-casting Heinlein Centennial in Kansas City, If you plan or can plan to attend any of We’re going to pod-cast panels this year. Missouri, from July 6 through 8; the conventions that are listed that we It’s Jerry Pournelle’s good idea. Every Archon 31 (NASFiC) in Collinsville, intend to budget and attend in this Year time we think about recording a panel for Illinois (St. Louis, Mo) from August 2 of Heinlein celebrations, please let us pod-casting we know we need someone through 5; know right now. Let me repeat that list, in who can aim and focus a camera. You Nippon 2007 (World Con) in Yoko- the box immediately to the right. Do you can’t just leave it running and have a good hama, Japan, from August 30 through know someone else who is attending any result. You can help us out by letting us September 3; of them who would love to support us and know where you plan to attend, or if you Eurocon 2007 in Copenhagen, Den- be on a Heinlein panel? Write and let us can possibly attend, and are willing to mark, from September 21 through 23; know. point and shoot. MilehiCon 39 in Denver, Colorado, And when we can say: we’d like to put It is criminal to put on a great panel from October 26 through 28; on a panel on this topic, which as you can and then not be able to share that experi- World Fantasy Convention 2007, in see isn’t exclusively about Heinlein, but ence and education beyond the crowd that Saratoga, New York, from November 1 can include discussion of the works many happens to see it at one location on one through 4; other writers. Biggest bit of fun, perhaps, day for ninety minutes or an hour. We’ve WindyCon 34, in Chicago, Illinois, I’ve had in the past few years was a panel had great, packed the entire room, people from November 9 through 11; I did in Seattle with Rob Sawyer, the sitting on the floor and holding up walls, LosCon 34, in Los Angeles, Califor- “dean of Canadian science fiction,”: whose listening from the hallways, audience nia, on November 23 through 25; Hugo-winning novel Hominids turns the participating, running past scheduled time Arisia 08 in Boston, Massachusetts, Anglo-American system of jurisprudence when possible, panels. We had one in San on January 18 through 22; on its head. We spent maybe sixty percent José where they wouldn’t let us stop and Boskone 45 in Boston, Massachusetts, of the time talking about the ideas por- go to dinner for two-and-one-half hours. on February 15 through 17; trayed in Rob’s books—and about ten talk- What we need are editors, persons familiar UK Eastercon (Orbital) in Heath- ing about the critiques of legal systems in with cutting and making an interesting row, London, UK, on March 21 to 24; Heinlein’s; and everyone had a great time presentation out of outtakes, and writers or SFWA Nebula Awards in Austin, and maybe learned a thing or two. Rob’s scripters. Some of you do editing, or can Texas, on April 25 to 27; not a Heinlein Society member, or truly a do it, or might quickly learn if motivat- MarCon 43 in Columbus, Ohio, on well known supporter—maybe I should ed—on iMovie and other available editing May 23 to 25; and, ask him to join, and neither is Greg Bear programs that make it possible. Prepared Westercon in Las Vegas, Nevada, on or James Hogan, to name just two others, outlines might help. Conceivably we could July 3 through 6, 2008. but they are typical of most SF writers rough out a plan for a panel, so we know Is there another convention you think who will be happy to sit on a panel, and everything that should be covered will we should add? Let us know about that hold their own, in a discussion of some be. I do that with every panel I can that I one, please. topic or other that relates to Heinlein. You moderate; but programmers have no idea Contʼd on Facing Page 12 13 Final Update, cont’d ticipants, and pod-casts, writers, panelists, facility, heavily advertised the event and editors, and producers. saw half of our advertising go down the who I am, and rarely are willing to assign You know the schedule, and where you drain when the convention didn’t even me without firm knowledge of what I’ve are and control what you’ll be doing on get their major publication out until after done. Imagine the scripting outline David the scheduled dates. Make time to pay it it was held, paid for the entertainment, Hartwell could whip up. Some of you can forward, register for the convention, and subsidized the food cost, bought dinners do pretty near as well. I don’t claim to be give me a call (310-346-5669) or email and drinks for all our honored guests, a fan today of SF. My SF reading, except . We’ll and would have been in the hole another for Heinlein, was done forty years ago, bar set something up for us together to do to couple thousand, but for that fund-raising a few exceptions. I studied literature and help pay it forward. attempt. Instead, with a brief presentation read law cases for a living, mostly, since; c. Fund-raising by the fund-raiser, and a longer, totally de- and only a bit of my leisure reading is cur- It’s time to get serious. Appraising those lightful and inspiring surprise presentation rent SF. Certainly you can do better than I. books Ginny donated and selling them is by Art Dula, the Trust’s spokesman, on The PBS Fred Friendly-produced semi- just a start. our behalf, we raised nearly $7,000, with nars that many of us enjoyed greatly and It’s also time to treat our supporters as the matching fund agreement, i.e., about learned from employed scripting outlines. mature adults. We had a fund-raiser, who $3,400 from around 99 guests. Imagine what might result in a Heinlein knew enough not to let a good opportunity But for one reason or another, good, pod-cast—Robert James and I did a panel go to waste. In Toronto, site of the first bad, indifferent reasons, no other fund- with Jerry Pournelle and Larry Niven World Con we attended after Ginny died, raising was attempted at subsequent on Robert’s help to them with The Mote and before we ever got a penny donated banquets. in God’s Eye in Seattle in 2005. Such a from the Trust, he knew that the Heinlein This year the former fund-raising Chair broadcast could be invaluable to aspirant Awards Banquet was a prime opportunity. resigned. His position remains vacant. We writers. He contacted the Trust, and it agreed to need an experienced member to take that Jerry offered to call on Larry, sit us his proposal to match funds we raised at vacant place; but whether or not we get the down in his library, which itself is a sight the dinner. We rented a restaurant banquet replacement we need, expect to be asked worth viewing, and create pod-casts. Other for money, everytime you see us. That’s writers and scholars, Heinlein Society what we need to do to do charity; that’s members or not, in the Los Angeles area what we’re here for. Begging. could drive over and help plan and create. d. Volunteers We can surely come up with someone who It all boils down to YOU. I can take my would be better on such a panel than me. by-passed heart onto thirteen airplanes and Imagine a pod-cast of a meeting of the go to thirteen conventions, for as long as Mañana Literary Society—one operat- Gerald Nordley, Sandy Bumgardner, Charlie my wife and daughter let me; but without ing today. Would you find it educational? and Sandy Fee, and Mike Sheffield at Won- your help, WE cannot properly celebrate dercon, at the blood drive in San Francisco Like to watch it to celebrate The Year of in March 2007, resulting in 75 units of blood. the Year of Heinlein as it should be. It’s Heinlein? Photo courtesy of William Hackley His centennial, not ours. He influenced our We could duplicate it, with Mike lives, not someone else’s. Pay It Forward Cassutt, well-known screenwriter and the way he deserves to be paid forward, columnist for SciFi.com who has worked with your efforts and mine. Call me: on several Heinlein projects, including the 310-346-5669. Email me: agplusone@he recent production of “Jerry Was a Man” inleinsociety.org. Write me: David Silver, we all hope to see August 4, on ABC President, The Heinlein Society, PO Box (Saturday night at 10), Dr. Michael Eisen- 1254, Venice, CA 90294-1254. Or walk up berg, the producer of the movie Robert to me at one of those conventions and say, A. Heinlein’s Puppet Masters, and Alec “What can I do?” Iorio, who was one and taught student to be actors and directors. Los Angeles Bob and J.J. wait as blood donors really crawls with actors, directors, screenwriters start backing up at Balticon in May 2007. Next year we ask for another bloodmobile. who admire Heinlein. Robert Crais, best- Photograph by The Heinlein Society selling author of the Elvis Cole-Joe Pike detective romance series, started writing SF before he went on to TV screen writing for a living. He slips a little tip-of-the-hat to Heinlein in practically everything he writes. Pick one up and see. An early Cole novel had Cole recall his instructor in Army Ranger school—a sergeant named Marie Guthrie, Michael Kagan, Shane Ras- Zim. mussen and John Quel at ACA/PCA Heinlein It boils down to “we need help,” with Studies section in Boston in April 2007. Photo courtesy of Lisa D’Amico everything: panels, scheduling and par- Yes, what can you do? 12 13 Letters to The Society “… from our Special Correspondent in the South Pacific” Pam Somers sent out a series of dues divisive things, but as long as membership organization must respond reminders this year, beginning in January; we all remember we are drawn to with attention. We are adding some re- quested features to this newsletter and will and to some she received word the mem- together by our love of Heinlein’s ber didn’t plan on renewing. She inquired try to develop more for later issues. why of those who took the trouble. One of work, we should be able to There’s a column elsewhere (page 18) the letters developed into a dialogue that disagree about which ending of in this Newsletter by Tim Morgan, who ended with this wonderful critique: Podkayne of Mars is better. has been helping out L.N. Collier, our “What the Heinlein Society I am not a literary critic, I have Reading Group Chair, while he gets over his quintuple by-pass, and leading the Could Mean to Me” far more questions and unin- reading chat group meetings we have Llywelyn C. Graeme ~ “Spe- formed opinions than I should, so monthly. The chat groups are how a great cial correspondent in the South I am selfishly looking to the other many of us got started with The Heinlein Pacific” members of the society to round Society in the first place: Ginny slipped in While serving the US govern- out my education. anonymously and discovered there really were “people who really believe and really ment in China I befriended a I do not want literary fist fights understand what he is trying to accomplish member of the society who told in the pages of the newsletter, philosophically … a serious-minded group me about its existence. [See, but I do want to see some healthy of individuals who are out to change the editor’s note.] argument, change minds, change world for the better.” That inspired her to I will get the obligatory ques- opinions and discuss what hap- found The Heinlein Society; and we forget about it at our peril. tions out of the way first. My first pened to characters AFTER the We don’t just pay things forward with book was Have Spacesuit... my story was over. blood drives, dinner and award ceremo- favorite was Citizen of the Galaxy I’ll even get the ball rolling nies; and the work-a-day business of a So- and yes, I agree, Number of the with a real spit ball. I like Paul ciety may simply get in the way of really Beast could have used a lot of Verhoeven and think Heinlein accomplishing our goals. Would you like to engage in the dia- editing. (You be captain, no YOU would have enjoyed the film ad- logue Llywelyn is starting? be captain, no I’LL be captain, aptation of Starship Troopers. It’s What do you think about what let’s let the SHIP be captain... on not the story he wrote, but it has Heinlein was doing with “You be the and on!) many elements of the source ma- captain, no YOU be the captain, etc.” in Living overseas the only ben- terial, and strong female leads. The Number of the Beast? Was it all, as David Potter once suggested [see, efit I get from membership is the And it would have been a nice ] perhaps mainly a all the work everyone does on But the real question is “what hacker’s Easter egg, or a Manual of How blood drives and dinners and do YOU think?” To Write Good Science Fiction? What do award ceremonies, don’t get me Llywelyn you think an examination of the original manuscript (what’s left of it) will reveal? wrong, and the work-a-day busi- Editor’s Note It’ll be available on line for examination ness of the society has its place as Mr. Graeme is very likely referring come July 7th. Look for an announcement well, but it’s not what I was most to Dave Jennings who is still teaching about it on our website. looking forward to. I wanted English to business and law students at What about the other questions? news of what is going on in the Zhoyue College, University of Bejing, Verhoeven? Should we lynch him, or who we reported needed some Heinlein ju- admire his auteur’s vision, even if it did Heinlein Universe. Variable Star, veniles sent since Dave found his students violence enough to Heinlein’s themes to good idea, bad idea? What did loved SF and were reading American fic- result in Ginny’s refusal to allow them to For Us, the Living reveal about tion to improve their language skills using use Robert Heinlein’s name in the title, RAH? It is the only one he never English. See, page one article, “Heinlein as she allowed Dr. Michael Eisenberg? edited, did he move characters Invades China!” and its continuation, What do you think about that hijacking of “And A Warrior of Another Sort: The Pen vision? Kindly note Ginny put the checks and plot devices around in his “Have Books—Will Travel in the March in the bank, and watched sales of the novel books frequently, or was Scud- 2004 Society Newsletter. Dave reported upon which it was based jump after it was der’s appearance a one-of? by email Llywelyn was very helpful trying released; and then all novels jump a few I would love to see more opin- to resolve a problem Dave had back home months later. A nice healthy increase in ion and criticism. Yes, these are in California. royalty paychecks all around. This is the sort of communication every Llywelyn’s about to find out something Contʼd on Facing Page 14 15 in this issue. Zim puts critics to work—his Blood Drives year, as I couldn’t find any THS members way of thanking them for good advice who were able to attend. most sincerely. Llywelyn, if he agrees, Results for Marcon: I don’t have a total will be editing a “from our Special Cor- for registered donors, but they collected respondent” column from now on. Its 29 units, 6 of them double red for a total purpose—just as Llywelyn wishes, a Pin designed by Robert Heinlein in 1976 of 35. The Red Cross indicates that 17 of chance for us to engage in some healthy for first SF World Con Blood Drive them were first timers, though that may argument, change minds, change opinions By Mike Sheffield only mean they were first time donors for and discuss what happened to characters Final results for ConDor (San Diego) the Red Cross in that region. I would be after the story was over. are 20 donors and 17 units collected. Not surprised if more than half of all the do- Send your replies to the questions bad for a convention that only gets about nors at that drive were first timers. Thanks Llywelyn raises to chairman@heinleinsoc 400 attendees. Thanks to Mike Mahoney to Vaughan Spencer for heading this up iety.org or to agplusone@heinleinsociety. for honchoing this again. He distributed again with assistance from his fiancee and org. Let me know your email is in refer- pens that have “Pay it forward” and our THS member Vernon Ickes. ence to “from our Special Correspondent” website URL printed on them, which he Results for Star Wars Celebration IV: 75 so I’ll be able to distinguish them from had made at his own expense. donors registered, 62 units collected over the usual questions about Heinlein I find Two different conventions which host 2 days. This is a vast improvement over weekly in my mailboxes. I’ll see he gets blood drives recently contacted me to add Celebration III, which was in Indianapolis them; and we’ll have other people answer them to our blood drive list. In the past in 2005, where we only had 12 donors them as well. Later, perhaps I’ll turn the our list was primarily for drives we had set and 9 units of blood. We had much more relaying of letters over to the Newsletter up, but if other cons specifically request to visibility this time and a larger team on Editor; but just now I want him (or the be on there it can’t hurt, and we can send site. Thanks to LeRoy Lauer, Keith Kato committee) focused on getting the news- them pins for the donors. The conventions and Tim Morgan for helping me with this letter out in time. are: Inconjunction (Indianapolis, July 6-8) one. Let me take another contrarian view- and Shore Leave (Baltimore, July 13-15). Coming up we have another weekend point for a moment: the important thing I have been unable to get any response filled with drives right after Independence about education is stretching your mind, as from any of the following conventions: Day, though only one of them is being noted here. Did it stretch your mind when Baycon, Westercon, Philcon, Orycon. If run by us, the Heinlein Centennial. We For Us, the Living came out to find as Dr. anyone has any suggestions for shaking are also sending pins to Origins, a gaming Robert James implied in the “Afterword” something lose in any of those places, convention in Columbus, OH and Incon- he wrote for the work, Heinlein, in 1934, please let me know. junction in Indianapolis, both of which went to work for a political campaign that Results for Minicon (Minneapolis) are have their own drives. I’ve also E-mailed California capitalists viewed as coming 13 donors, 5 of them 1st timers, and 10 Convergence to see about sending pins to first for their heads, and then for their units collected. We are already on the them for their annual drive. The weekend wallets? What do you think about Social schedule there for next year. Thanks to following we are sending pins for Shore Credit? Could it ever work? Greg Ketter, who has been our liaison Leave in Baltimore, MD. Then July 26-29 Was Variable Star a good idea? Forget, there for several years. He not only coor- is the Comic-Con blood drive, which we for a moment, that it shows a character dinated things on the convention side, but will send pins to as we have in the past. who can be said to have really never also rounded up a couple of people to staff It is undetermined whether Archon, developed, what do you think about the the sign up table since I was unable to find which is hosting this year’s NASFiC notion that it generates excitement about any THS volunteers for this year. in Collinsville, IL will have a blood and analysis of how Robert Heinlein Results for Demicon blood drive: 22 drive. I’ve been in touch with Michelle might have finished the book despite donors registered, 14 units collected, but Zellich there, and she had tried to set how you view his alleged “incomplete” 2 of them were double red cells, so that something up but unfortunately her outline? Compare the ending with the end- really counts as 16. There were 8 first time original message went to the wrong indi- ing of The Puppet Masters: “…—the free donors. Thanks to Sheril Harper for run- vidual at the blood center and they didn’t men are coming to kill you! Death and ning this drive.. bother to tell her or forward to the correct destruction!” Is Spider Robinson’s ending Results for Balticon: 50 donors reg- person. She will let me know if they can compatible with Heinlein? Or not? istered, 41 units collected, 12 from first pull it together in time. Let’s give this useful suggestion by Mr. timers. This is 2 fewer donors than last August 16-19 will be Gen Con in Graeme a try. Remember: “The Lieutenant year, but 3 more units taken. They must Indianapolis. We’ve done a couple of suc- expects your names to shine!” be getting healthier in Baltimore. Thanks cessful drives there in past, though last to Pam Somers for again running the drive year’s drive didn’t happen due to a SNA- The Sweetwater, Wyoming Amateur Radio there, and to her husband Bob and J.J. FU with the blood center. But we’re good Club (WY7U) contacted us to say it is Bannon for their valuable assistance. to go for this year and even have a team celebrating the Centennial by a broadcast lined up to run things, headed up by Scott on July 7, 0700 to 1900, on IRLP node 3831 Results for Kublacon: 34 donors regis- Hann who ran things there 2 years ago. and HF (+/-QRM) 7.250 MHz SSB, 14.235 tered, 27 units collected. This is up from Michael Sheffield, Director and SSB, and 14.040 CW. 28 and 25 respectively last year. Gertrude Blood Drives Committee Chair We’ll try to give them Stopper, the Pacific Blood Center repre- [email protected] something they may use. Listen. sentative ran the table for us herself this 14 15 Academic Committee Chris Leslie, The Polytechnic University Education Committee “Art and Rule in Job and ‘Jonathan Report Report Hoag’” C. Herbert Gilliland, US Naval Academy “Leadership and the Characters of Robert Heinlein” Rodger Oren, Macon State College “Robert A. Heinlein: Centennial Man” Bill Patterson, Heinlein Biographer There also was an open roundtable moderated by Bill Patterson entitled “The Significance of the Centennial.” Heinlein Studies panelists and various audience Lisa DʼAmico at Cascadia Con. Deb and Geo Rule at Cascadia Con. Photograph by The Heinlein Society members discussed current and past Photograph by The Heinlein Society criticism and what should be done to gain By Lisa D’Amico more recognition for Heinlein in the aca- The Heinlein ‘Juveniles’ and The 2007 national Popular Culture demic community. The group’s consensus The Heinlein Society’s Educators CD Association/American Culture Associa- was that scholarly editions must be pub- By Geo Rule tion (PCA/ACA) conference took place lished of Heinlein’s major works, includ- Robert A. Heinlein (1907-1988) enjoyed April 4-7 in Boston. On Friday, April 5th, ing Stranger in a Strange Land, The Moon a successful and much-honored career. twelve panelists presented as part of the is a Harsh Mistress and Starship Troopers, He rejuvenated and dominated a genre Robert A. Heinlein Studies area of the complete with critical essays. Scholarly that before his appearance in 1939 was PCA. This year’s papers ranged from a editions will allow more teachers and confined to newsstand pulp magazines. study of Heinlein and Jonathan Swift to a professors to use Heinlein’s works in their Heinlein, in partnership with legendary long-overdue positive take on the Starship classes, as well as form a basis for future editor John W. Campbell, interjected liter- Troopers film and everything in between. scholarship. ary values, scientific realism, and vision- The following is a complete list of this All of the presenters are eligible for a ary speculation into a genre of American year’s presenters and their papers: $500 prize offered by the Heinlein Soci- letters that had rarely enjoyed any hint of “Swiftian Echoes in Heinlein: Two ety for the best paper. A panel of judges these assets, let alone all of them simulta- Studies” selected by the Society will be judging the neously. Chris Brooks, Wichita State University papers. The winner will be announced on Having dominated the field in only three “Civil Disobedience Ad Astra: Jeffer- the Society website, which will also pub- short years from 1939-1942, the medi- son and Thoreau’s Influence on Robert lish the winning paper. The papers from cally retired former naval officer stopped Heinlein” the conference may also be published to- writing to serve his country as a civilian Robert James, West Los Angeles College gether as an official proceedings; more in- aeronautics engineer during World War II. “The Wife of Bath and the Man from formation about this will be forthcoming. Returning after the war, Heinlein decided Mars: Classic Literary Allusions in Once again, the quality of the papers that the pulp magazine “ghetto” for sci- Three Heinlein Works” and the enthusiasm of the presenters ex- ence fiction was too small and limiting. Lisa N. D’Amico, Wichita State Univer- ceeded all expectations. Most of the pre- He pioneered the successful effort to lead sity senters lunched together and then dined as science fiction into mainstream popular- “‘Ipse Dixit’: Literary Allusion in a group at a nearby restaurant, where we ity and respectability. By the early 1950s Heinlein’s Juveniles” toasted the upcoming 100th anniversary of his works were appearing in that icon of Pete McCluskey, Middle Tennessee State Robert A. Heinlein’s birth and celebrated American culture, the Saturday Evening University how far the Heinlein Studies Area of the Post, and other “slick” magazines, and “‘Kill ’em all!’: Starship Troopers and PCA has evolved in the past four years. were being collected and republished in the Critical Stomach” Heinlein Studies has a bright future with hardback novel format. Shane Rasmussen, University of Louisiana the PCA. Next year’s conference will take But also as an important part of his plan at Lafayette place March 19-22 in San Francisco. A to break science fiction out of the pulps, “Vedantic Anomalies and Arabic and call for papers will be issued in July 2007 Heinlein contracted in 1947 to write a Hebrew Names in Stranger In a Strange for that conference, with submission dead- series of annual juvenile novels for Scrib- Land” lines in October. ner’s, issued for the Christmas gift markets Michael Kagan, Le Moyne College Several members of the Heinlein Stud- each year. Scribner’s eventually published “Beyond Hypothesis: Thinking about ies group will be presenting papers at the twelve Heinlein novels for young readers. the Future from Heinlein to de Bono” Centennial convention in Kansas City in They rejected his thirteenth after submis- John L. Quel, Independent Scholar July. sion, but then Putnam’s published it –and “Variable Star: The Collaboration” We hope you do attend and attend our it won the Hugo award as the best science Marie Guthrie, Western Kentucky Univer- academic track panels. fiction novel of 1959. sity Lisa D’Amico, Academic Robert Heinlein continued his career “Adult Heinlein and the Anthropologi- Committee Chair for nearly thirty years after the publication cal Imagination” [email protected] of the last “Heinlein juvenile,” winning Contʼd on Facing Page 16 17 further awards and honors, including a wounded one. Many of those libraries, if ize is that Robert wrote some really fine posthumous Distinguished Public Service they haven’t been closed altogether, only shorter-than-novel-length pieces aimed at Medal from the National Aeronautics and purchase books that are on approved read- young readers that do not get nearly the Space Administration. ing lists and/or part of the curriculum. attention they deserve. Here is a wonder- Many of us were introduced to sci- This means that if we don’t want today’s ful opportunity to get a new generation ence fiction and the works of Robert A. children to be foreclosed from the route hooked on Heinlein by one of his shorter Heinlein through his wonderful series of we followed to discover Heinlein’s works works, and then use that to move them young adult novels written for Scribners in that we have to create a demand that the into the novel length works. On the CD, the 40s and 50s. works be available in school libraries. we have the complete text to “A Tender- Though he was well rewarded monetari- With that goal in mind, the Society foot in Space,” “The Black Pits of Luna,” ly for his writing, when asked what grati- agreed to partner with CascadiaCon, the and “The Menace from Earth.” fied him the most, Heinlein usually told Science Fiction Museum, and Reading for The Society’s CD is the best resource of drawers full of letters from his legions the Future (RFF) in the preparation of a that exists today for teachers interested of young readers. Many thanked him for CD of materials that would be used both in teaching Heinlein or science fiction in putting them on the path to being the sci- for an “Educators Conference”, and as a general in their classrooms, thus opening entists, engineers, mathematicians, teach- continuing resource for the much larger up their school libraries as well to those ers and other professionals they eventually number of teachers around the world who books. Teachers may order one gratis became, often citing the first Heinlein could not attend the conference, but who from this page on our website: . them to the careers they now enjoyed. Dr. started. Our Society undertook the fund- Robert Heinlein and his wife Virginia Jerry Pournelle, Chairman of the Citizen’s ing and creation of the CD itself, after a had no biological offspring, but the many Advisory Council on National Space Poli- collaborative effort with our partners to spiritual heirs his works created have cy, often notes most of NASA’s Jet Propul- identify the materials to be included. The come to be known as “Heinlein’s Chil- sion Laboratory scientists and engineers navigation and compatibility of the CD is dren.” Many, by now respected scientists, would never have been there if Heinlein’s as basic, yet friendly, as we could make authors, academics and professionals in stories had not called them to study and it, so that both Windows and Mac-using their own right, helped form The Heinlein learn so that they could make his dreams schools could use the same CD. Society to “pay forward” the debt they of space exploration a reality. We included the materials provided owe to Robert A. Heinlein. Among the The secret ingredient of the always suc- as hardcopy to those teachers who were Society’s ongoing projects are producing cessful Heinlein novel for young readers lucky enough to be present themselves at and distributing these teaching aids and is an irresistible mixture of page-turning the original Educators Conference. Materi- lesson plans for all of the Heinlein novels adventure combined with the ever-present als from such leading educators as Julie suitable for young readers free of charge message that learning is not an impedi- Czernada and James Van Pelt are included, to any qualified teacher willing to use ment but rather an enabler to adventure. and subjects as diverse (just to pick a few) them, so that future generations of young Marianne Dyson, author of science books as fairy tales, speculative poetry, H. G. scholars will have the advantage they had, for children and one of the first women to Wells, and Teaching Science Fact with reading and being taught by the Heinlein work as a flight controller in Mission Con- Science Fiction were featured. young adult novels. trol at NASA, tells both student and teach- The CD also features even more mate- We are vitally interested in critiques er audiences on her many visits to schools rial relevant to teachers who want to use from teachers so we may better serve their that it was a Robert Heinlein juvenile that Heinlein’s works. Included are two excel- needs in continuing to make it possible, set her on the path to her future career. As- lent lesson plans from Robert James, PhD in the words of Robert Heinlein’s posthu- tronauts Jon McBride and James Voss also –one on Have Spacesuit—Will Travel and mous NASA citation, that “his books live cite the works of Robert Heinlein as early another for Tunnel in the Sky; an educa- on as testimony to a man of purpose and influences. tors presentation on Have Spacesuit—Will vision, a man dedicated to encouraging Heinlein stories for young readers with- Travel from David Silver, focusing on others to dream, explore and achieve.” stand the test of time. While modern sci- broadening teachers’ thinking on what If you’re a teacher or librarian please ence gives us new insights and knowledge, this book is really teaching our children; a contact the Secretary of the Heinlein Professor C. W. Sullivan of East Carolina Language Arts and Science Arts program Society and request one of these marvel- University noted in the Children’s Litera- based around Have Spacesuit—Will Travel ous CDs. And if you’re not a teacher? If ture Association Quarterly nearly forty that www.spaceweek.org prepared for you’re just “a friend of Robert’s” who’d years after the publication of the first that World Space Week; and with the permis- like today’s kids to have the same oppor- “these novels are still ‘contemporary’ and sion and cooperation of the Heinlein Prize tunity that you did to find and fall in love are still among the best science fiction in Trust, three Heinlein juvenile shorts—the with Robert Heinlein’s works? The most the YA range.” Other institutions agree. complete text of each and with included effective way you can do that is to support Many libraries today recommend Heinlein license for teachers and librarians to re- this Society’s ongoing efforts to support novels for young adults, including the Chi- produce a copy for each student who is teachers by making a generous contribu- cago Public Library. assigned them as class reading. Of course, tion to our Education programs. Sadly, these days the school library is we all love the “official Heinlein juve- Geo Rule, Education Committee Chair if not a dying breed, at least a seriously niles,” but what many people don’t real- [email protected] 16 17 Reading Group Report cludes their being in the live meeting. because many of the technological prem- In December we looked at the recently- ises are no longer believable. This evolved Hi, I’m Tim Morgan, Membership issued collaboration Variable Star written into a discussion of good SF books aimed Activities Committee Chair. Since De- by Spider Robinson from an outline left at today’s young adult market, some of cember I’ve been helping out Les Col- behind by Robert Heinlein. I knew this which are every bit as exciting as the lier and David Wright with the Reading would generate some heated discussion, Heinlein stories in their day, and how they Group meetings that we hold each month. and I was right. Llywelyn Graeme’s letter differ from the books of the 40s and 50s. I thought I’d report briefly with a sum- “from the South Pacific” asks whether it February’s discussion was on Glory mary of what we’ve done. For those who was a “good idea, bad idea”? That ques- Road because the Heinlein Society was are unfamiliar with the on-line Reading tion was in the minds of everyone as we fortunate enough to be able to send out Group, notices are sent out to the news- reviewed it. Discussion of the topic began new hardcover copies of this book thanks group alt.fan.heinlein and to a mailing list, with a rant, listing everything perceived to the Heinlein Trust. This was Heinlein’s to alert people to an upcoming discussion to be wrong with the plot line of the story, only sword and sorcery novel, so its rela- meeting, which are typically held monthly the characterization, the protagonist’s tionship to that genre was discussed. A lot on a Thursday evening at a time conve- favorite artist, etc. Although others dis- of the discussion focused on the motiva- nient for those on either coast or in be- agreed with some specific points, I think tions of Star and Rufo, what alternatives tween. If you’d like to be added to the list, most were in fundamental agreement the they might have had if Oscar failed in his please send a note to [email protected]. book is more Robinson than Heinlein. mission, etc. Another area touched upon The notice sent out before the meeting In January, we discussed a somewhat was the nature of heros, at least in the gives the general topic, and contains sam- less controversial book, Rocket Ship Heinlein universes, and whether Oscar ple questions that the group may discuss. Galileo. This was Heinlein’s first “juve- was a hero by Heinlein’s definition. The Pre-meeting discussion then occurs on the nile,” and his inexperience in writing for entire structure of the book was debated, newsgroup, while the live reader’s group that market showed. One important point the purpose of the Cabellian satire, and meeting is held in an AIM “chat room.” raised in the discussion concerned the whether it constitutes the literary equiva- Pre-meeting, plus the logs of the live quality of public education as portrayed lent of a musical round. discussion, are archived on the Heinlein in the books, and how that description This moved into a discussion of the Society’s website shortly after each meet- changed from very positive, in this 1947 World as Myth (WaM) theme into which ing. The volume of pre-meeting posts can work, to fairly negative in 1958’s Have Heinlein’s books of the 1980s are lumped, be more than the live discussion, so it’s a Space Suit—Will Travel. Another of the so The Number of the Beast and the very important part of the process, letting points was whether any of these books World as Myth books became our focus of people participate whose schedule pre- are of interest to today’s young readers, Contʼd on Page Twenty Heinlein Award Banquet at CascadiaCon, September 2005 A few newsletters back we promised to publish more photos from the Heinlein Award Banquet at CascadiaCon in Seattle. Here are a few more, all taken by The Heinlein Society’s L.N. Collier.

Larry Niven and Mike Flynn chat before award ceremony with background crowd.

Head Table (left side): L to R: Hiroaki In- oue; Helen Gbala and Doug Drummond, Golden Duck Awards; Jane Silver; Jerry Giesek and Bobbie DuFault, CascadiaCon Chairperson; Andrea and Danielle Silver.

Mike and Linda Sheffield and Vaughan Spencer enjoying the cocktail hour.

Head Table (right side): L to R: David Silver, Greg and Astrid Bear, Mike Flynn, Herb Gilliland, Alan Milner, Amy Baxter, Navy Academy Professor, Captain Herb Hiroaki Inoue, this yearʼs Nippon 2007 Louis Calderon, Pam Somers and Bob Gilliland, and ER pediatrician Doctor chair, presenting two Seiun Awards. Preisinger. Louis Calderon exchange perspectives. 18 19 Board Of Directors VIRGINIA HEINLEIN [1916-2003]

CHARLES N. BROWN YOJI KONDO JOE HALDEMAN JERRY POURNELLE MICHAEL SHEFFIELD DAVID WRIGHT, SR. PAMELA SOMERS. JANE SILVER, SECRETARY-TREASURER A Non-Profit Corporation DAVID M. SILVER, PRESIDENT AND CHAIRMAN P.O. Box 1254 Venice, California 90294 www.heinleinsociety.org Dear Prospective Member: The Heinlein Society is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the intellectual and literary concerns, and social legacy, of Robert A. Heinlein. In addition to his main reputation as a science fiction writer and futurist, Heinlein during his lifetime tried to give worthy social causes a boost. The best way we can show our appreciation for his legacy is to PAY IT FORWARD. Some examples of projects already proposed for the Society (now pending tax-exempt charity status) are: continuing the series of blood drives he started; developing an educational curriculum using Heinlein’s writing; sponsoring educational programs such as essay contests; keeping his books in libraries; sponsoring scholarly and literary work on Heinlein; and doing our best to promote space exploration. A complete list of the working sections already started is in the information part below. We will want to add more worthy projects as time goes by. Membership in the various working sections is not mandatory, but it is certainly encouraged. Also we want your ideas for working projects in the future! An annual Supporting Membership level is provided for students and those on fixed incomes who wish to support the work of The Heinlein Society. If you are interested in joining us in continuing the good work Robert Heinlein started, please fill out the application form below and mail it to The Heinlein Society, P.O. Box 1254, Venice, CA 90294-1254. Or visit our website at www.heinleinsociety.org, where you may apply for membership by an online application form. For further information, please contact the Society at the above postal address or Internet E-mail via “[email protected].” “I think the Heinlein Society is a fine idea. Robert would be proud of the way his Children have grown up.” Virginia Heinlein, October 2000. Detach Here for Application

FULL NAME:______SEX: [ ] M [ ] F DATE OF BIRTH:______TITLE: [ ] MR. [ ] MRS. [ ] MS [ ] OTHER, SPECIFY:______HOME ADDRESS:______THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS OPTIONAL: WHAT SORT OF CITY:______WORK DO YOU DO?______EMPLOYED STATE:______ZIP:______AT:______HOME WORK TELEPHONE:______ADDRESS:______CELL PHONE:______CITY:______PRIMARY EMAIL ADDRESS:______STATE:______ZIP:______ALTERNATE EMAIL WORK ADDRESS:______TELEPHONE: ______YOUR WORK EMAIL WEBSITE:______ADDRESS:______Annual Membership Dues Enclosed: [ ] $35.00 – Regular Membership or [ ] $70.00 – Charter Membership [ ] $15.00 – Supporting Membership * (* Supporting membership is available only to students enrolled for a degree or certificate, or to retirees on a limited income. Supporting members are not eligible to vote or to hold Society office.) I wish to work on the following projects (check as many as you wish): [ ] Aerospace Outreach [ ] Fund Raising [ ] Membership [ ] Foreign language outreach [ ] Blood Drives [ ] Library Support [ ] Website Support [ ] Education (K-12th grade) [ ] Literary [ ] Other (see below) Language: ______Other Projects in which I would like to see the Society become involved:

______Other Comments:

______18 19 Reading Group Report cont’d A slightly smaller “... few small things.” the March meeting. Many disagreed that month earlier. WaM involved only books from the 1980s, We’ll go to Nippon 2007 and hold our going back as far as “Elsewhen,” and cer- meeting there as the By-laws allow. tainly including Time Enough for Love. The good news is there are 250,000 SF Number of the Beast is also interesting readers in Japan most of whom are ac- because it is probably the only book that tive in SF conventions—and, while none Heinlein wrote twice, as Ginny told him are yet Heinlein Society members, de- not to publish the first version because it spite Heinlein’s great popularity in Japan wasn’t up to his standards of quality, then among SF readers, perhaps we’ll come later he rewrote it, after his brain surgery, David Silver and Nippon 2007 conven- tion chair Hiroaki Inoue, taken at Casca- away with 50 new members by taking and that version was published. The Trust diaCon in 2005. our Society off-shore this one time. plans to have the original on-line on July Photograph by The Heinlein Society There is pending an attractive, if 7th and the plot, or lack thereof, of the When it’s a “bad news-good news” unique, proposal from a contact in both versions may then be compared. situation, it’s best to just say the bad Japan, of something unusual to generate April and May’s discussions were on news. We’re not going to reschedule the interest in the Society. Popular among Time Enough for Love, again a book annual general meeting from its usual young Japanese is emulating “the 60s related to the World as Myth theme. The World SF Con location, and visit Archon, culture,” of the U.S. The idea offered is group felt that this book was big enough, the NASFiC. Delays in grant funding, The Heinlein Society might recreate a and contained enough points for discus- not being able to build the relationship 60s style coffeehouse that actually serves sion, to warrant holding it over for a we had with CascadiaCon—not in any beverages and snacks, and has the usual second month. For me, one thing I picked way Archon’s fault, have made it impos- adornments such establishments had. up from the discussion concerned the sible to hold our annual meeting there. Running in the background could be a relationship between this book and 1001 There is no reasonable basis for resched- television. It might be July 20, 1969; and Arabian Nights. While I realized that uling. There won’t be anything for us to on CBS Walter Cronkite is interviewing both books used a theme to tie together a do. We couldn’t commit in time, in the Arthur Clarke and Robert Heinlein, as collection of more-or-less unrelated short absence of budgeted and received funds, man takes his first “small step.” stories, and the stories are being told by especially with a commitment later in the We’ll see if this notion gets anywhere, someone in the book, I hadn’t seen the in- year to seek out larger, better attended and report back. version that Heinlein used. In the Arabian other conventions. Unless you live there, Meanwhile, look below at the recent Nights, the storyteller spins stories to put two back-to-back trips to the Mississippi Monthly Member Report. We’d like to off being killed because she wishes to live, Valley within a month during the hottest improve that in the next months. Let me while in Time Enough for Love, the lis- part of the summer ask too much of know how you think we can. teners entice Lazarus to tell stories to keep visitors from outside the area. We don’t David M. Silver, President and him alive when he wishes to die. expect many Heinlein Society members Chairman of the Board June’s discussion was The Door Into to attend Archon, with a Heinlein-cen- [email protected] “The Lieutenant expects your names to shine!” Summer. Was this book too optimistic in tered attraction down the road less than a predicting general house cleaning robots in 1970? Here we are in 2007, and the best we have available to us is Roomba. John Campbell didn’t publish Door because he didn’t like the character Pete, the cat. But everyone in the discussion agreed that Pete was a critical character. Pete estab- lishes a simple example, a metaphor, to Dan Davis, showing Dan that you should keep searching until you find the Door that you’re looking for to achieve a happy and successful life. Dan at first runs away from trouble (taking the “big sleep”), and only later learns Pete’s lesson. July’s discussion will be on Heinlein’s “horror” stories, The Puppet Masters, “The Unpleasant Profession of Jonathan Hoag,” etc. This meeting will be held July 19th. Please join us! Tim Morgan, Membership Activities Committee Chair [email protected] 20