The FACT Sheet
A Monthly Publication of the Fandom Association of Central Texas January, 2009 Leadership Opportunities on the UPUPCOMING FACT EVENTS FACT Board FACT will hold its Annual Meeting on March 14, Tuesday, Jan. 20, 7-8PM: North Austin Reading 2009. One key piece of business will be the election Group (Milwood Branch, Austin Public Library, of the 2009-2010 Board. FACT President Karen 12500 Amherst). Childhood’s End by Arthur C. Meschke has compiled a list of FACT members who Clarke. are eligible for Board positions: people who have been Saturday, Feb. 1, 4PM-?: Super Bowl Party. FACT members for over 12 months and who have or (1809-A Constantino, 78745). Potluck; host is have had job titles for the corporation, ArmadilloCon supplying chips & soda. Questions? 512-527-3471. or World Fantasy which qualify them to be available Monday, Feb. 2, 7-8 PM: North Austin for Board duty. Reading Group. (home of organizer; contact To announce your intention to run for the FACT [email protected] for details) Sunshine by Robin Board, please (1) check the list to confirm that McKinley. Optional dinner follows. you are eligible, and then (2) send a statement of Saturday, Feb. 14, 1-3 PM: Board Meeting intent (you can include your past FACT activities) (Carver Branch, Austin Public Library, 1161 to [email protected]. Your name will be added Angelina St). to the ballot that will be sent out with the February FACT Sheet. - If you plan to run for 2009 Board and have Board members are expected to attend nine not emailed announcement of intent to run plus of the twelve meetings scheduled during their candidate statement, turn it in at the February term. If you have questions about what being Board Meeting! on the Board involves, please send a message to Saturday, Feb. 14, 6PM. Gaming . Location [email protected]. Current board members will be is TBD, and date is still to be confirmed (may delighted to talk with you about what is involved. reschedule due to holiday); email tbrianp at FACT stays strong because people stay involved. sbcglobal.net for details. If your name is on this list, please give serious Tuesday, Feb. 17, 7-8PM: North Austin Reading consideration to running for the FACT Board: Group (home of organizer; contact [email protected] Allston, Aaron; Babcock, Renee; Baty, Kurt; Burton, for details). Halting State by Charles Stross. Note Elizabeth; Cagle, Nancy; Campbell III, A. T.; Carrillo, different location due to event at library. Kimm; Carrillo, Paul; Cook, Shane; Cooley, Earl; Wednesday, Feb. 18, 7-8 PM: South Austin Cooper, Sara; Davis, Clifton B.; Dimond, Madeleine Reading Group (Pleasant Hill Branch, Austin Reardon; Duarte, Jr., Fred; Duarte, Matthew; Public Library, 211 E. William Cannon Dr.). Gibbons, John K.; Hamilton, Elze; Haynie, Becky Childhood’s End by Arthur C. Clarke. Matthews; Hollas, Eric; Jackson, Al; Juday, Jennifer; Leicht, Christina; McGehearty, Patrick; Meschke, Saturday, Mar. 14, 1-3 PM: FACT Annual Karen; Miles, Jonathan W; Moore, John F,; Moul, Meeting & Board Meeting (Carver Branch, Austin Marianne; Parker, Bill; Parsons, Spike; Person, Public Library, 1161 Angelina St). Lawrence; Pipkin, Paul; Price, Angela; Price, Brian; - Vote on changes to Bylaws Richardson, Kat; Richerson, Carrie; Santana, Sonia; - Vote to select 2009 Board members Scarbrough, Ed; Siros, Charles (Chuck); Siros, Nina; Siros, Willie; Snyder, Wendy; Strange, Judith; Alex Yeager, a founding member of the Steve Jackson Taylor, Robert R.; Thompson, Dan; Thompson, Julia; Games and Cheapass Games demo teams. Tolliver, C. Dan; Tolliver, Melissa; Tyler, Melissa; You can register at the door, or get an advance Ward, Lynn; Weekly, Louise “Cat”; Yalow, Ben; discount by going to http://www.owlcon.com. Zrubek, Scott. Assistance Sought for SF & Horror OwlCon Has New Celebrity Guest Writer Ed Bryant OwlCon, the annual gaming convention at Edward Bryant is a horror and science fiction Rice University, is coming up February 8-9. The writer. His short fiction has won two Nebula awards committee just announced that a second celebrity and been nominated for three Bram Stoker awards. guest, Lou Zocchi, will attend. Zocchi is the owner of Martha Wells recently posted a story about her GameScience and has been a game designer since the pleasure in working with him on her blog. “I met Ed 60s. His most famous design is probably Luftwaffe years and years ago when I was in college, working (Avalon Hill and Decision Games). He is also famous on AggieCon, the student-run SF/F convention. He for inventing 100-sided dice. The other celebrity guest for this year’s OwlCon is continued on page 6
The FACT Sheet - Jan. 2009 - Page 2 Please consider serving on the FACT 2009-2010 Board! NAME: ______Check list at left. If your name is not on the list, please send an inquiry to [email protected] to confirm your eligibility.
PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE WITH FACT: ______
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ADDITIONAL COMMENTS (TO BE USED IN CANDIDATE STATEMENT IN FACT SHEET): ______
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Please send this information by SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2009. To do so, (A) send by email to [email protected], (B) mail to FACT, P.O. Box 26442 Austin, TX 78755-0422, or (C) hand deliver at the February 14 Board Meeting (Austin Public Library, 1161 Angelina).
IS IT TIME TO RENEW YOUR FACT MEMBERSHIP?
YES! SIGN ME UP for ___ memberships at $21 per year for ___ years.
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Pay online via PayPal (additional $1 service fee applies), or send this form and a check to payable to F.A.C.T. to: P.O. Box 26442, Austin, TX, 78755-0422.
The FACT Sheet - Jan. 2009 - Page 2
continued from page 2 Broadway, Ste. A-330’ Denver, CO 80203). If mailing a check or money order, be sure to note in the memo was always such a wonderful guest and so much field that the funds should be applied to the trust for fun to be around, and just a pleasure to have at Edward W. Bryant, Jr. the con.” (See complete Jan. 3 post at http:// www.marthawells.com/blog.shtml) Time to Make Hugo Nominations A third party trust fund has been set up to solicit and manage donations to assist Mr. Bryant, due The Hugo nominating ballots have been mailed out, to recent difficulties. From the website: “Over the and are available at the Anticipation web site. If you last few years, Ed has fallen on hard times due to were a member of Denver (Denvention 3) or if you are financial complications from his heart bypass surgery a member of Montreal (Anticipation) before January in 2004, a limited income stream, and predatory 31, then you are eligible to nominate. Ballots must be actions by individuals who took advantage of Ed’s received by midnight on February 28, 2009. You can kindness. At one point, Ed (who is also a Type-I use an online form or print out a paper copy to mail diabetic) did not have funds available to purchase in by going to http://www.anticipationsf.ca/English/ insulin and was in danger of foreclosure on his Hugos. house. Thankfully, friends and caregivers stepped in to handle those troubles, but Ed is still facing a Hugo-Eligible Reading (Some for long uphill battle to satisfy his financial and medical Free) responsibilities. To that end, a third party trust fund has been set up for Ed at the Colorado Fund for ‘Tis the season for writers to make note of which People with Disabilities.” of their works are Hugo-eligible, and occasionally If you are interested and able, you can make a to make the work available online. We’ll take note, donation to assist Mr. Bryant, either via PayPal (http: starting with Chris Roberson, whom we look forward //www.friendsofed.org/) or mail (Colorado Fund for to seeing as ArmadilloCon 31 Editor Guest. Mr. People with Disabilities; ATTN: Rita Blackwood; One Roberson noted in a January 7 blog entry that “Dragon’s Nine Sons is eligible in the Best Novel category; and “Thy Saffron Wings” (from Postscripts #15), “Line of Dichotomy” (from Solaris Book of New Science Fiction: Volume 2), “Mirror of Fiery Brightness” (Subterranean Fall 08), and “Death on the Crosstime Express” (from Sideways in Crime) are all Novelettes.’ He then posted the complete text of his favorite of the novelettes, “Death on the Crosstime Express.” Read it at no charge at http: //www.chrisroberson.net/2009_01_01_archive.html. Cory Doctorow has posted a list of which of his works are eligible. He includes a link to a novelette, “The Things That Make Me Weak Get Engineered Away,” that is available for free on Tor.com. Read the Jan. 18 post at http://craphound.com. Writers, Take Note: 3rd Annual Jim Baen Memorial Writing Contest Baen Books and The National Space Society applaud the role that science fiction plays in advancing real science and have teamed up to sponsor a short fiction contest in honor of Jim Baen and focusing on the near future of manned space exploration. The submission window is from January 1 to April 1 and will be judged by Baen Books senior editor Hank Davis and Jim Baen’s Universe editors Eric Flint and Mike Resnick. The GRAND PRIZE winner will be published in a future issue of Jim Baen’s Universe, will receive a specially designed award, free entry into the 2009 International Space Development Conference and a
The FACT Sheet - Jan. 2009 - Page 6 The FACT Sheet - Jan. 2009 - Page 7 time travel to magical swords. In the dizzying year’s membership in the National Space Society. conclusion, time lines converge in a satisfying Winners will be intelligent and entertaining stories reimagining of a very old story.” Read the complete about topics including Moon bases, Mars colonies, post at http://www.chrisroberson.net/2009_01_01_ orbital habitats, space elevators, asteroid mining, archive.html. artificial intelligence, nano-technology, realistic spacecraft, heroics, danger, sacrifice and adventure. Austin writer Josh Rountree has a story, Please don’t send stories that show technology or “Veronica,” in the current issue of Lone Star Stories space travel as evil or bad, or stories about Star (http://literary.erictmarin.com). Wars type galactic empires, UFO abductions or that Did you know that Space Squid won a Best contain paranormal elements. of Austin award from the Austin Chronicle? This For full submission requirements and guidelines happened in October, but since you may have please visit their website at: williamledbetter.com/ missed it, too, I am passing on the not-so-news. If contest. you have not yet read Space Squid, hurry to http: If you have any questions, contact Bill Ledbetter, //www.spacesquid.com and check it out. Contest Administrator, at baen.nss.contest@ Austinite Matthew Sturges has sold a sequel gmail.com. to Midwinter. It is tentatively title The Office of Shadow. Sturges describes it as “a spy thriller set FACToids and Friends in Faerie.” Midwinter , the first in the series, is due out in March from Pyr. Artist Kendall Hart recently saw his first Other Worlds, Better Lives, the recent anthology speculative fiction story published online. Read by Howard Waldrop, was highly praised in a review “The Accidental Emissary” by Kendall R. Hart in in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. “If the folks at the first issue of a new e-zine,Writing Shift: The the MacArthur Foundation are paying attention, Magazine of Speculative Fiction. FACT members here’s a unique American talent who would merit have been enjoying Mr. Hart’s art for several years. one of your genius grants. He’d be right at home in He attended ArmadilloCon 30, where he created a a pantheon that already includes Octavia E. Butler statue of an armadillo that was given away at the and John Zorn.” Read the entire article at http: end of the convention. Read his new story at http: //tinyurl.com/mjswaldrop. //www.writingshift.com. A reviewer at Strange Horizons also had great Rick Klaw recently published a review of End of things to say about Mr. Waldrop and Other Worlds, the Century, the 14th novel by Chris Roberson, Better Lives. “Sometimes, what everyone knows is on San Antonio Current (http://sacurrent.com). true. Howard Waldrop’s body of fantastic fiction Mr. Klaw suggested a few areas in which Roberson is uniquely fascinating and rewarding, and he might have done better but concludes that deserves all the plaudits he’s received for it. ... “Roberson ultimately delivers a superior multi- This book, like its predecessor Things Will Never linear novel worthy of the authors to whom he Be the Same: Selected Short Fiction 1980-2005 dedicated End of the Century[, Michael Moorcock, (2007), deserves to be read by any reader seriously Alan Moore, and Kim Newman].” Read the complete interested in speculative fiction.” Read the entire review at http://tinyurl.com/eocreview. article at http://tinyurl.com/shwaldrop. Writer and ArmadilloCon 31 Guest Scott Lynch Martha Wells noted on her website that, “[t]he resurfaced on Live Journal on Jan. 20 with “a quick note to say that I am indeed alive and well, and unfortunately going to be away for a while longer Connect with FACT online: for personal reasons.” It had been over a year since he posted an update, and fans were getting worried - Group List: about him. Frederick Pohl, a writer that Cory Doctorow groups.google.com/group/ called on BoingBoing “an 89 year old living science fiction legend,” has started a blog. The first few factlist entries (he started on Jan. 5) are delightful. Don’t miss it. http://www.thewaythefutureblogs.com - Facebook: Armadillocon Chris Roberson posted the Booklist review of Convention End of the Century on his blog. The Booklist review concluded by saying that Roberson’s new novel - Twitter: armadillocon delivers “a spectacular collection of secrets, murky underworld organizations, and everything from - Website: www.fact.org
The FACT Sheet - Jan. 2009 - Page 6 The FACT Sheet - Jan. 2009 - Page 7 French edition of The Gate of Gods (translated by June 26-28: ApolloCon 2009, Houston, TX. GoH Anne Belle, cover by Amandine Labarre) will be Wil McCarthy; Editor GoHs TBD; Artist GoH Pat available in late January from Amazon.fr.” The Gate Rawlings; Music GoH Amy McNally; Fan GoH Al of Gods (book three of her Ile-Rien series) is also Jackson. http://www.apollocon.org available in paperback and in a Kindle edition from Aug. 6-10: Anticipation, the 67th Worldcon, Amazon. Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Rates will be going up soon. http://www.anticipationsf.ca Media News Aug. 14-16: ArmadilloCon 31 , Austin, TX. GoH It is probably news to nobody that cares that Scott Lynch; Artist Stephan Martiniere; Editor Battlestar Galactica has returned to small (or Chris Roberson; Fan Karen Meschke; Toastmaster not so small) screens near you. The first of the last Scott A. Cupp; Special Guest Joan D. Vinge. ten episodes aired on Friday, January 16. Caprica, Adult memberships $35 until March 29. http:// the spin-off, has been given a 20 episode first www.armadillocon.org season and will begin filming in summer of 2009 in Aug. 28-30: Bubonicon 41, Sheraton Airport Vancouver. It is slated to air in 2010. Hotel, Albuquerque, NM. GoH Michael Cassutt, Patrick McGoohan, who both created and Toastmistress Carrie Vaughn, Artist Guest Peri starred in The Prisoner, died on Tuesday, January Charlifu. Memberships $30 through Feb. 7. http:// 13, at the age of 80. Other work he did included the www.bubonicon.com series Columbo (work with Peter Falk, for which he Oct. 29-Nov. 1: World Fantasy Convention 2009, won an Emmy) and the filmBraveheart (as King San Jose, CA. http://www.worldfantasy2009.org. Edward Longshanks). Dec. 4-6: SMOFcon 27. Hilton Garden Inn, Austin, The next actor to play Dr. Who was announced on TX. Memberships $60 until Nov. 1, 2009. http:// January 3. Matt Smith will begin filming during alamo-sf.org/smofcon27/index.html the summer and will take over as the eleventh Doctor in spring, 2010. David Tennant will Book Groups continue to play Dr. Who for one more year, which will include four specials. Monday, Feb. 2, 7-8 PM: North Austin Reading Group. (home of organizer; contact [email protected] for details) Sunshine by Robin McKinley. Optional Passages dinner follows. Edward Cartier, a famous illustrator of pulp Wednesday, Feb. 11, 7 PM: Dark Forces Reading magazines, died on December 25, 2008, at the age Group, Flightpath Coffee House, Watchmen by Alan of 94. Mr. Cartier was best known for his work on Moore and Dave Gibbons. The Shadow. He also illustrated numerous SF and Monday, Feb. 16, 7 PM, Bookpeople: The Ludicrous fantasy books and magazines including book covers Speed Book Group. Watchmen by Alan Moore and for novels by Isaac Asimov and Robert Heinlein. Read Dave Gibbons. the complete obituary in the Chicago Tribune at http: //tinyurl.com/ecobit. Tuesday, Feb. 17, 7-8 PM: North Austin Reading Group (home of organizer; contact [email protected] for details). Halting State by Charles Stross. Note Convention Listing different location due to event at library. Feb. 6-8: Ikkicon, Hilton Austin, Austin, TX. http: Wednesday, Feb. 18, 7-8 PM: South Austin //ikkicon.com Reading Group (Pleasant Hill Branch, Austin Feb. 6-8: OwlCon, Rice University, Houston. Public Library, 211 E. William Cannon Dr.). Celebrity Guests Alex Yeager & Lou Zocchi. http: Childhood’s End by Arthur C. Clarke. //www.owlcon.com Thursday, Feb. 26, 7-8:30 PM, Barnes & Noble Feb. 20-22: ConDFW VIII, Crowne Plaza Suites, Arboretum Café, Science and Religion in Fiction Dallas Park Central, Dallas, TX. Guests of Honor Book Club (Center for Inquiry). Darwin’s Radio by David Weber, Janimation Inc., and Jim Butcher. Greg Bear. Memberships $30 through Feb. 1. Mar. 13-15: Corflu Zed, Hotel Zeca, Seattle, WA. Gaming Attending $75; supporting $20. Deadline to reserve a hotel room at the convention rate is Feb. 12. http: Saturday, Feb. 14, 6PM. Gaming . Location is TBD, //corflu.org and date is still to be confirmed (may reschedule due to holiday); e-mail tbrianp at sbcglobal.net for Apr. 24-26: Conestoga 13, Tulsa, OK. Note the details. change in month. http://www.sftulsa.org/conestoga/ Saturdays, 12-8 PM, Great Hall Games: Austin The FACT Sheet - Jan. 2009 - Page 8 The FACT Sheet - Jan. 2009 - Page 9 Board Gamers meet at store for gaming. One reader simply loved the book. He liked the sequence with Roderick at a Catholic school. He Social Events appreciated the use of the 3 Laws of Robotics. He felt the whole book is a critique of Artificial Intelligence. Sunday, Feb. 15, 11:30 AM. 200th Birthday of If a machine reaches intelligence, why not join a rock Charles Darwin. Sponsored by Bookpeople and band? Center for Inquiry, Austin. Location - BookPeople. Those who tried to read the book strictly as a WIll feature story-time, cake and activities for hard SF novel were disappointed. Many from this children that include making fossils and trilobite contingent are active in the Austin Robot Group. One cookies. FREE. person felt that the technology was so dated that it Friday, Feb. 27, 7:30-10:30 PM, Ursa Major hurt the story. He found it unbelievable that a robot Party/Meet-Up, San Antonio. Call Lynn for could be around for 30 years and not be obsolete directions and to confirm location: 210-218-2800. without regular upgrades. He felt that the title www.groups.yahoo.com/group/UrsaMajorSciFi character, the robot Roderick, was clearly sentient, and wished the author had explored this idea more. Writing Another complained that the book was a tedious slog, and gave up after about 100 pages. He did not find 2nd & 4th Tuesdays, 7-10 PM: Slug Tribe, Hancock it believable when the robot did little boy things, and Rec Center (41st and Red River) in Activity Room #2 did not like any of the characters. Alternate Wednesdays, 7-9 PM, Austin Creative A few people felt that the book did not really have Writers (Feb. 4, 18, 25). Borders Bookstore at Great a story to tell. One person thought the book was a Hills. Critique group (novels & short stories). For framework for the author’s pet peeves. Clearly some more information, go to groups.yahoo.com/group/ passages were parodies, but she did not know the austincreativewriting. subjects of the parodies. This group felt that there were too many characters and plot threads, and the Reading Group Reports -- Submitted by A.T. Campbell, III
October 6: The Complete Roderick by John Sladek This meeting at the North Village Library drew thirteen participants. Our topic was The Complete Roderick, a classic robot book by ArmadilloCon 6 Guest of Honor John Sladek. The book was originally published in two volumes: Roderick (1980) and Roderick at Random (1983). Five of us had read Sladek before. Ten of us started the book. Seven finished the first part (the novelRoderick ) and three finished the whole thing. Four of us had read this work many years ago. Many in the group enjoyed the book for its humor and social satire. It worked well as a commentary on the culture of the late 70s/early 80s and as a parody of the literary fiction being published at the time. We appreciated Sladek’s clever prose and stream- of-consciousness storytelling approach. Those of us who’d attended graduate school appreciated the crazy goings-on at the university in the book. One person detected a strong message of “distrust authority.” The scenes of Roderick’s development and the reactions of those who observed him were interesting. It was curious how people treated Roderick differently as his appearance changed. Many of us enjoyed reading about Roderick as a child robot. One person liked the discussions of Roderick’s soul. Another felt the book was a subtle attack on Asimov. © 1990 by Bob Hobbs
The FACT Sheet - Jan. 2009 - Page 8 The FACT Sheet - Jan. 2009 - Page 9 story was confusing. have already done so). After the meeting, several of us Overall it was an interesting discussion full of went to dinner at Opal Divine’s. diverse opinions. We would recommend the book to people who like literary sf and who want to November 18: The Blade Itself by read about the culture of the 70s and 80s. After the meeting, many of us had a nice dinner at Joe Abercrombie Fuddrucker’s. Eight people attended this meeting at A. T.’s house. Our topic was Joe Abercrombie’s first novel,The October 21: On Basilisk Station by David Blade Itself. It is a swashbuckling fantasy. All of us Weber started and finished the book. We thought this book had strong characters. The Ten people attended this meeting at A. T.’s favorite of many was Inquisitor Glokta, a disabled house. Our topic was David Weber’s first novel,On veteran who becomes a torturer. We did not want Basilisk Station, which is also the first in the Honor or expect to like him, but found him empathetic Harrington series. The book is a military SF novel and appreciated his dark humor. Several of us influenced by C. S. Forester’s Horatio Hornblower enjoyed the Keystone Cop-style adventures of Logen series of naval adventures. Five of us had read Weber Ninefingers’s band of dog soldiers. We learned the before. All of us started the book, and nine finished culture of this book’s world through their eyes. it. One person said this was an amazing first novel Many of us found the book to be a quick, energetic, and an excellent epic fantasy. He felt the world of enjoyable read. We thought it showed a good this book was not the typical Middle Ages fantasy, understanding of the military mind. We liked the but more like the Ottoman Empire or the Vikings. He scenes of Honor interacting with her subordinates. enjoyed how the estimate of the mage character’s age We thought the action scenes were well-done and kept going up. appreciated the author’s approach to 3D space Another enjoyed everything about the book: its combat. Many of us enjoyed Commander Harrington’s story, world building, and characters. He thought the pet cat. practicals (the torturer’s assistants) were funny. He One reader commented that it was refreshing found the novel violent, but reasonable for this world. to read a book where the good guys kick ass. He We appreciated the author’s clear storytelling and thought Honor was squeaky clean, strong, and fast. concise prose. We noted that there are virtually no Another felt it was a realistic portrayal of military infodumps in the book, which is amazing for a first management and strategy. He thought it was a fun novel. book that did not try to be great literature. He liked One reader commented that he never would have the attempts to discuss politics. read this book if not for the Reading Group, and was We found problems common to first novels. Some surprised how much he liked it. He found the world had to read over 100 pages before getting engaged in reminiscent of Conan’s world. He thought the book the story. Many of us disliked the book’s many long was funny and enjoyed the politics. He felt it was a infodump digressions. Several felt the characters smart book about smart people. were cardboard cutouts. We were pleased to read such a well-written Most in the group thought it was clever how Weber intricate fantasy that doesn’t abuse standard tropes. had translated the situations from the Hornblower One reader appreciated that this book is more novels to a futuristic spacefaring society. However political than most dark fantasy. Another liked the a few felt this seemed too contrived. One person book so much that he wrote fan mail to the author. thought the political context of the book was weak. In conclusion, this was a rare book that everyone We thought the book clearly showed Weber to have in the group enjoyed. All of us plan to read more of rightwing political leanings. One person felt that the Abercrombie’s work. After the meeting, many of us story depicted entitlements (welfare, universal health had a nice dinner at La Morada. care) essentially as the villains of the story. The women in the group did not find Honor to be FACT Board Meeting: December a believable woman. They felt that she was almost a man in women’s clothing. One noted that the book 2008 mentioned Honor had a soprano voice, and found it The monthly meeting of the board of directors for difficult to believe that Honor could be an effective the Fandom Association of Central Texas was called commander with such a voice. to order on Saturday, 13 December 2008, by Board Overall we had a good discussion. Many found On Chair Brian Price at the Carver Branch of the Austin Basilisk Station to be an above average first novel. Public Library, 1161 Angelina St., Austin, Texas, About half of us plan to read more in the series (or at 1:09 p.m. Present in addition to the chair were
The FACT Sheet - Jan. 2009 - Page 10 The FACT Sheet - Jan. 2009 - Page 11 FACT President Karen Meschke, Directors Elizabeth been revised so that now only one signature is Burton, Charles Siros, C. Dan Tolliver and Jennifer required on checks for amounts less than $2000. She Juday and FACT Officers Marianne Moul and Eric noted she will begin reporting individual transactions Hollas. on a monthly basis. The secretary presented the minutes of the November meeting. No additions or corrections SECRETARY having been noted, it was moved by Mr. Tolliver, · Ms. Burton noted she also spent a cold weekend seconded by Mr. Siros that they be approved, with in Columbus, where she met a great many the addendum that any typographical errors, if interesting people and acquired some valuable found, be corrected. There being no objection, the information applicable to several areas of convention motion was declared approved by acclamation by Mr. development. She added that after returning home Price. she read an equally informative article about the recent acquisition of Hilton Hotels in Conde Nast CORRESPONDENCE Portfolio magazine that may also prove valuable. We have received an inquiry from Conestoga requesting contact information for Charles Vess. The REGISTRAR request was referred to A.T. Campbell III and/or Sara · Mr. Hollas reported active members numbered Felix as being the individuals most likely to have the 69 as of the end of November. Expired memberships information. numbered 22, while inactive memberships numbered 63. OFFICER REPORTS · Mr. Hollas asked whether it was appropriate to CHAIR send postcards to those whose memberships have Mr. Price stated he has not been particularly expired, and was advised it was, in fact, preferred. active, but learned Ninja Pirate, the projected site for Ms. Burton again suggested tracking down the Dymo gaming, is closing. However, he has also learned the printer and setting up an online postage account for store will be under new ownership, who hopefully the registrar and the publications manager to use. will agree to the same offer. He was also contacted by Fred Duarte regarding a request for information from SOCIAL ACTIVITIES MANAGER the State Comptroller’s office, which he referred to Mr. Siros reported William Siros is purchasing food Ms. Moul. for the Christmas party with the host.
PRESIDENT HISTORIAN · Ms. Meschke advised she spent a very cold Mr. Tolliver announced he had located documents weekend in Columbus attending SMOFCon, noting at one time lent him by Ms. Meschke that she ALAMO won the bid and will host SMOFCon 2009 at requires to have returned. He will do so prior to or at the Garden Hilton. the January meeting. · She reported that Fred Duarte, who was admitted MIS to the hospital for emergency care following World Ms. Antell advised she attended SMOFCon, Fantasy, is home and feeling better. and hopes many FACT members will attend the · She noted the North Reading Group had 17 at its convention when it’s held in Austin next year. She last meeting, as all the usual attendees wanted to be has switched the majority of members to the Google involved in choosing books. Group, and has found a free online CRM system she feels is preferable to the one she suggested at the last VICE-PRESIDENT meeting. She will arrange to add the data after the No report holidays.
TREASURER PUBLICATIONS · Ms. Moul reported that as of 11/30/2008 the Ms. Meschke will send Ms. Juday a copy of account balances were: ArmadilloCon: the SMOFCon flyer for inclusion in next month’s $3,737.24; FACT: $5,563.44; World Fantasy: newsletter. Ms. Juday noted the newsletter is now $10,860.41. back on schedule, and that she has been doing online · Deposits outstanding: FACT: $10,902.41; things for ArmadilloCon 31. She added she is also ArmadilloCon: $9.00. still working on the ArmadilloCon 30 program book · Debits outstanding: FACT: $0.00 ; ArmadilloCon: ad payables. $372.96. · Ms. Moul advised the checking accounts have
The FACT Sheet - Jan. 2009 - Page 10 The FACT Sheet - Jan. 2009 - Page 11 QUARTERMASTER Mr. Siros had nothing new to report. Mr. Price OLD BUSINESS advised he needs to meet with him to transfer 1. Signature Cards: Ms. Moul advised the cards are ownership of the laptop computer. to be mailed to Renee Babcock today. 2. FACT Mailing List: After a somewhat confusing COMMITTEE REPORTS start, Ms. Antell hopes to have the full membership ArmadilloCon 30 on the new Google Group shortly. Other than the outstanding payables, this item is closed NEW BUSINESS 1. ArmadilloCon 32 : Ms. Meschke suggested a ArmadilloCon 31 request for bids be posted as soon as possible so · Ms. Antell stated things are going well. The hotel there is ample time for response prior to the annual contract has been adjusted to the convention’s meeting. The new board will then be able to make the benefit as they will not be paying for space rental or award decision at the April meeting. table fees. However, the dealer’s room will be moved to the large room on the far right from its previous There being no other business before the board, the location, as there was a conflict with another meeting was adjourned at 1:40 p.m. conference. She noted Mr. Siros did calculations, and although the overall space is smaller it doesn’t appear FACT Annual Meeting: 2007 that will affect revenue or the number of tables a great deal. Final Version: 2008 Annual Meeting minutes will be published in our next issue and available for comment. · The convention committee will begin holding regular meetings starting in January. The annual meeting for the Fandom Association of Central Texas was called to order by President Brian Price at the Carver Branch of the Austin Hotel Committee Public Library, 1161 Angelina St., Austin, Texas, at No report 3:22 p.m. There were 23 members present and 13 proxies designated, representing a quorum of the Bylaws Committee membership. Those present were: Renee Babcock, Mr. Siros reported that the committee met again Brian Price, Elizabeth Burton, A. T. Campbell III, JP and has come up with a minor change in the bylaws Sugarbroad, Sonia Santana, William Siros, Jennifer clarifying an existing matter. He noted there are Juday, Charles Siros, C. Dan Tolliver, Tom Davidson, several things FACT needs to be doing, which will be Aaron Allston, Angela Price, Wendy Snyder, Scott added to the January agenda for discussion. A final Hofmann, Martin Noel, Karen Meschke, Kurt Baty, meeting is planned for the first Saturday in January Saralou Cooper, Lynn Ward, Paul Pipkin, Louise so any bylaws changes will be ready for publication in Weekly, and Kimm Carrillo. the FACT Sheet. Prior to the reading of the minutes of the 2006 Reading Groups meeting, Mr. Price requested those present observe · The North Group has selected books for the next a moment of silence in honor of those respected quarter and is still seeking an alternative meeting members who had passed away during the previous site; meetings will continue to be held at A. T year: Robert Reedy, Judith Ward and Tom Morin. Campbell’s residence in the meantime. · Ms. Burton advised that the South Group will seek The secretary presented the minutes of the 2006 to change its meeting night to Wednesday, pending annual meeting. It was moved by Mr. Baty, seconded available space, as several people have said they have by Ms. Cooper that the oral reading of the minutes be conflicts with the current Thursday meeting. dispensed with. Ayes: 23, Nays: 0, Abstain: 0. It was then moved by Mr. Tolliver, seconded by Mr. Allston Membership Committee that the minutes be approved as presented. Ayes: 22, Ms. Burton advised she will contact Ms. Juday, Nays: 0, Abstain: 1. Ms. Moul and Mr. Hollas in January to set up an online brainstorming session to develop a proposal to OFFICER REPORTS present at the annual meeting. CHAIR Scholarship Committee · 2006 Board Chair Renee Babcock reported it The board received the report from Bill Parker had been a very challenging but successful year, regarding SMOFCon. despite the loss of three longtime members. She
The FACT Sheet - Jan. 2009 - Page 12 The FACT Sheet - Jan. 2009 - Page 13 thanked Mr. Price for filling Judith Ward’s term as Mr. Hofmann suggested the problem might be president, Mr. Campbell for filling in Ms. Ward’s one of access, that if it were possible for people to director’s seat and Ms. Juday for taking publications participate without having to attend meetings more following the death of Mr. Reedy. She noted that she might be willing to assist. enjoys holding board meetings in the library, and · Mrs. Carrillo advised that the organization has had idea of the reading group meeting in one as well. a lot of turnover of money, which was a lot to handle. She encouraged continuing events like gaming to She believes that, in the future, we need to have a bring in new members. She reported a successful better process for handling money, and since we will Armadillocon and World Fantasy Convention, as not be sponsoring a large convention in the coming well as a well-received Corflu, which was also held year have the opportunity to do that. in Austin. World Fantasy had some challenges but · Balances: As reported to the board of directors, has been universally praised. Ms. Babcock was told as of 2/28/2007 the account balances were: by an attendee he felt people would remember the ArmadilloCon: $2,705.51; FACT: $4,360.74; World experience fondly. Fantasy: $25,826.48. · During the previous year, Ms. Babcock said, we · ArmadilloCon credits outstanding: $0.00, debits: have been successful in obtaining new members, $45.05, fees paid: $20.10. FACT credits outstanding: especially in San Antonio. We sent two members to $1,025.00, debits: $14,093.00, fees paid: $5.20; SMOFCon, and she hopes the board will continue World Fantasy credits outstanding: $12,969.00, funding more professional development scholarships. debits: $700.44, fees paid: $5.30. She then thanked the attendees for coming. · Ms. Babcock noted a large portion of the · For the future, she continued FACT needs to get expenditures for FACT was for publication of Cross more members involved in projects. She cited the Plains Universe. FACT is fiscally healthy. danger of burnout in allowing the same people to · Mr. Baty suggested putting at least $10,000 of the do the work over and over. She pointed out that funds in the World Fantasy account into longterm active participation doesn’t have to require a huge notes. commitment of time, as individuals can work at a variety of levels. SECRETARY · She concluded by noting that the World Fantasy The secretary reported that she had endeavored Convention was successful in providing funds to see that the minutes for the board meetings the organization can use to further our goals, but were sufficiently detailed to reflect the business that the organization needs to look into additional transacted. She also noted that the bylaws required financial channels, including grants. that a physical record book be kept, and advised she had compiled such a book beginning the previous PRESIDENT year. The book was presented to the members for Mr. Price reported he felt he has grown into the their perusal. position of president and looks forward to being either president or chairman of the board in the SOCIAL ACTIVITIES MANAGER coming year. Mr. Sugarbroad stated he had thought the job would be remarkably less difficult than it turned out TREASURER to be. He recommended that the next social activities · Mrs. Carrillo noted the organization had acquired manager be someone who’s more of a social person, a lot of funds this year despite a number of add he has gained a new appreciation for some of issues with the bank and the merchant accounts, challenges involved in herding cats. He noted that he particularly in regard to information on charges and did schedule some events—the Casino Royale being a checks. She recommended the new board discuss particular success. these issues and see if there are remedies. She also expressed dissatisfaction with the nature of the REGISTRAR fees the organization is paying. She stressed that · Ms. Santana advised we have met our membership signature cards need to be seen to immediately, as goal of attaining 100 active members. She stated the delays in completing that task the previous year that, although the job isn’t difficult, other obligations caused considerable difficulty. prevent her from continuing in the registrar’s post. · She agreed with Ms. Babcock on the need for · Mrs. Carrillo suggested the board set a goal of more members becoming actively involved, explaining adding 15 new members each year. that much of what individuals are doing are small things that could be assumed individually by other members. Her comment gave rise to a discussion HISTORIAN of the need to develop more member involvement. Mr. Tolliver noted we lost three members who
The FACT Sheet - Jan. 2009 - Page 12 The FACT Sheet - Jan. 2009 - Page 13 were all active and all three of whom had been on Ms. Babcock advised she feels we may have changed the board. He cited a very successful World Fantasy the minds of some, especially those from overseas, Convention and our sponsorship of Corflu. He will be regarding conventions in Texas. The World Fantasy contacting people in the coming year for items for the board as a whole was pleased, and Ms. Babcock archives. stated she believes that if in later times FACT wanted to host another convention she feels they would be MIS receptive. It was a large convention and could not Charles Siros reported an uneventful year involving have been run without the work of the committee and mostly basic maintenance and some utilities the volunteers; she expressed her thanks to all. board is considering adding to the website. The database is still unfinished, but a number of Reading Group interactive aspects have been added to the website. Mr. Campbell reported he was recruited to run the group when returned to Austin in June. The PUBLICATIONS group read 24 books, and the average attendance Ms. Juday reported the FACT Sheet is fine, and that was 9. Thirteen new writers were sampled, and she will be returning to offering the electronic version the breakdown by genre of the books read was 11 next month after two months of paper. She stated fantasy, 13 SF. The group took two authors out to the process of ascertaining which members preferred dinner and read two books by FACT members. He which version was complicated noted two stories from Cross Plains Universe will be in the next edition of World’s Best Fantasy. COMMITTEE REPORTS Ms. Babcock advised that a party was sponsored There being no other committee reports and no at ConDFW, but attendance was low. However, further scheduled business, Mr. Price opened for she noted there were a large number of parties questions from the members. It was asked whether that weekend. She noted she has attended three lifetime memberships are transferable following the conventions on behalf of FACT as well as SMOFCon. death of the member. Mr. Tolliver advised the bylaws offered no such opportunity. ArmadilloCon 28 Mrs. Carrillo stated she felt this was a good Mr. Price then adjourned the meeting for the convention even though two guests of honor failed to election of the new board of directors at 4:06 p.m. appear. Attendance was low but that was expected The ballots having been counted, he called the because of the proximity to Worldcon, but everyone meeting to order again at 4:17 p.m. and announced there seemed to enjoy themselves. It was felt we had the directors elected for 2007-8 were: Aaron Allston, a wonderful lineup of guests. Elizabeth Burton, Brian Price, Charles Siros, JP Sugarbroad, and C. Dan Tolliver. There being no other business before the board, the ArmadilloCon 29 meeting was adjourned at 4:18 p.m. Ms. Babcock reported considerable progress. The lineup of guests is completed, and invitations have About The FACT Sheet been issued to two people for special guest but there has been no response from either to date. The event Editor: Jennifer Juday should be a lot of fun. The programming manager will be sending out programming invitations shortly. Contact: The F.A.C.T. Sheet, PO Box 26442, Austin, TX 78755, [email protected]
ArmadilloCon 30 Artwork: COVER Image ©2008 by Kendall Hart. P.6 Mon- Mr. Baty and Mr. C. Siros noted that invitations key Frog ©2008 by Brad W. Foster. P.9 art ©1990 by Bob to some of the preferred guests have been accepted. Hobbs. P.15 Art ©2007 by Stephan Martinere. P. 16: Dil- There will probably be a special solicitation for loTex logo is © 1988 by Brad W. Foster. artists, as 2008 is the 50th anniversary of Texas SF fandom, and the committee wants to acquire art Copyrights: All contents copyright © 2008 by the Fandom Association of Central Texas, Inc., except where otherwise relevant to that. It was noted the first convention noted. was held 50 years ago in Dallas, a fact that will be included on the flyers and other promo as an adjunct Trademarks: “World Science Fiction Convention,” “World- to this being the 30th Armadillocon. Con,” and “Hugo” are registered service marks of the World Science Fiction Society, an unincorporated non-profit liter- World Fantasy Convention ary society. Nebula Awards is a registered trademark of the The convention was a great success in many ways. Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America.
The FACT Sheet - Jan. 2009 - Page 14 ARMADILLOCON 31 Austin’s Literary Speculative Fiction Convention - August 14-16, 2009
Guest of Honor: Scott Lynch Writers’ Workshop - Art Show Twice Nominated for John W. Campbell Award Author of The Lies of Locke Lamora & Red Seas Under Red Skies Gaming - Dealers’ Room Multi-Track Programming Artist Guest: Stephan Martiniere Winner of ���� Hugo for Best Professional Ar�st And More! Winner of ���� & ���� Chesley awards Nominated for Prime�me Emmy (Best Animated Series)
Fan Guest: Karen Meschke Chair of ���� Nebula Awards weekend Chair of LoneStarCon �, the ���� WorldCon Chair of ArmadilloCon ��, Co-Chair ArmadilloCon ��
Toastmaster: Scott A. Cupp Nominated for John W. Campbell Award World Fantasy Award Finalist for edi�ng
Editor Guest: Chris Roberson World Fantasy Award Finalist for wri�ng, edi�ng & publishing Author of Set the Seas on Fire & The Dragon’s Nine Sons
Special Guest: Joan Vinge Winner of Hugo Award for Best Novel Author of The Snow Queen, Cat series (Psion, etc) www.ArmadilloCon.org NAME: ______BADGE NAME(S):______ADDRESS: ______CITY: ______STATE: ______ZIP: ______E-MAIL: ______�-DAY ADULT (�� and up) MEMBERSHIPS @ ��� EACH* = ______�-DAY KID (�-��) MEMBERSHIPS @ ��� EACH = ______WRITERS’ WORKSHOP MEMBERSHIP** @ ��� EACH = ______I am interested in: [ ] Volunteering [ ] Art Show [ ] Dealer Tables [ ] Adver�sing * This advance rate is GOOD ONLY UNTIL MARCH ��, ����. Payment must be received online via Paypal or must be mailed to our PO Box and postmarked by that date. ** Includes �-day membership. Does not include lunch. Make checks out to ArmadilloCon �� and send to ArmadilloCon ��, PO Box �����, Aus�n, TX �����, or go to www.armadillocon.org and pay via Paypal. fact sheet january The FACT Sheet - Jan. 2009 - Page 14 Another Great Con Brought to You By F.A.C.T. | www.fact.org The FACT Sheet The Fandom Association of Central Texas P.O. Box 26442 Austin, TX 78755-0422
MARK YOUR CALENDAR! FACT ANNUAL MEETING Saturday, March 14, 1 PM Carver Branch, Austin Public Library 1161 Angelina Street FIRST CLASS
In This Issue January Birthdays Leadership Opportunities on the FACT Board 2 2 - Isaac Asimov, Patrick Nielsen Hayden OwlCon Has New Celebrity Guest 2 3 - J.R.R. Tolkein Assistance Sought for Writer Ed Bryant 2 6 - Eric Frank Russell Time to Make Hugo Nominations 6 7 - Charles Addams Hugo-Eligible Reading (Some for Free) 6 8 - William Wilkie Collins, Terry Brooks, Jack Womack 3rd Annual Jim Baen Memorial Writing Contest 6 9 - Algis Budrys FACToids and Friends 7 10 - George Alec Effinger Media News 8 11 - Diana Gabaldon, Jasper Fforde Passages 8 12 - Jack London, Walter Mosely, C.S. Friedman Convention Listing 8 13 - Ron Goulart 14 - Kenneth Bulmer Book Groups 8 15 - Robert Silverberg, Shaun Tan Gaming 8 17 - Nevil Shute Social Events 9 18 - Charles Anton Wilson, Pamela Dean Dyer-Bennett Writing 9 19 - Edgar Allen Poe, Allen Steele Reading Group Reports 9 20 - Buzz Aldrin, Nancy Kress, R.A. Salvatore -Oct 6: The Complete Roderick by John Sladek 9 21 - Judith Merril -Oct 21: On Basilisk Station by David Weber 10 22- Robert E. Howard -Nov 18: The Blade Itself by Joe Abercrombie 10 23 - Walter M. Miller FACT Board Meeting: December 2008 10 24 - C.L. Moore, David Gerrold FACT Annual Meeting: 2007 12 26 - Philip Jose Farmer, Judy-Lynn del Rey 27 - Lewis Carroll, Michaela Roessner 30 - Lloyd Alexander, Gregory Benford, Judith Tarr