PO Box 656, Washington, DC 20044 - (202) 232-3141 - Issue #116 - November 1999 E-MAIL: [email protected] WEBSITE: http://www.lambdasf.org/ Gaylactic Network LSF Party at Upcoming Sessions of the Spectrum Award Winners Darkover? LSF Book Discussion Group by Rob DARKOVER Hey, THE BIG E Starring gang, do you want If you’re interested in lively The winners of the Gaylactic favorite to host a room discussions on F&SF books, with an Network Spectrum Awards were an- Box party at the up- emphasis on elements of interest to our nounced in the first-ever Spectrum coming Darkover les/bi/gay/transgendered community, Awards Ceremony at Gaylaxicon: 1999. Convention? then drop in on one of Lambda Sci-Fi’s The Gaylactic Network Spectrum We’ve talked about it off-and-on for a monthly book discussions. Every month Awards were created to honor works in while now; but we’ve never really made we conduct fascinating round-table science fiction, fantasy and horror that a definite decision on it. (We’d probably discussions of another work by a sig- deal positively with gay characters, want to host it some-time on Saturday nificant F&SF author. Attendees also themes and issues. Nominations are night, Nov. 27th.) Well, it’s gettin’ decide on the novels and discussion open to everyone, and winners are kind’a close - Darkovercon is only a few facilitators for succeeding months. selected by a small final judging weeks away - Thanksgiving weekend The LSF Book Discussion committee. (Nov. 26-28). So, how’s about we vote Group usually meets on the 4th Thursday Regular awards were pre- yea/nay on this at the November LSF of every month, starting at 7:00 PM. sented, in two categories, for works meeting? ΛΨΦ The next meeting, a combined Novem- originally released in 1998. ber/December meeting, will be held on ** December 2nd at the home of Rob & In the Best Novel category, two Peter, 1425 S Street, NW, Washington, works were selected as co-winners. DC (within walking distance of the “U” They were: ΛΨΦΛΨΦ St./Cardozo [Green Line] or the Dupont Accidental Creatures, by Anne Circle [Red Line] Metro Stations). For Harris (Tor Books) detailed directions, contact Rob at: Dark Water’s Embrace, by Ste- [email protected] phen Leigh (Avon Eos Books) Here are the books to be ** November LSF Meeting discussed at the next few meetings: In the Best Other Work cate- The November Lambda Sci-Fi meet- Thursday, Dec. 2nd - Was, by gory, the winner was: ing is scheduled for Sunday, Novem- Geoff Ryman; facilitator: Mike P. Bending the Landscape: Science ber 14th, atJames Crutchfield's apart- Thursday, Jan. 27th - Maxi- Fiction, edited by Nicola Griffith and ment: 1414 17th St., NW, Apt. 413 mum Light, by Nancy Kress; facilitator: Stephen Pagel (Overlook Press) (near DuPont Circle) - 1:30 PM for Keith W. ** business meeting; 2:00 PM for so- Thursday, Feb. 24th - The In addition, to honor works cial meeting. Please bring some Golden Compass, by Philip Pullman; released prior to the creation of the munchies or soft drinks, if you can. facilitator: Carl. ΛΨΦ (continued on page 3) Hope to see you there! WHAT'S INSIDE? The Harvest (book review - pg. 2); Doublas C. Jones, an Author to Look For (pg. 2); Cube, I Still Know What You Did Last Summer in That Wonderful Ice Cream Suit (Part 2) (video reviews - pg. 3); Gaylaxicon: 1999 - What A Ride! (pg. 4); Ye Old Editor's Corner (pg. 4); Far Beyond the Stars (book review - pg. 5); Information About Lambda Sci-Fi: DC Area Gaylaxians & Con Calendar (pg. 6) 1 The Harvest Douglas C. Jones, named Oscar Schiller, a novel by Perry Brass an Author to Look For a curmudgeonly old a review by Scott by Carl Cipra coot with real savvy when it comes to fron- I’m not exactly a big fan of tier law enforcement. Do you need stress in your life? Westerns - you know, stuff by authors As with two other If you do, then you should read this like Louis L’Amour and Zane Grey. Jones Westerns that I’ve read (The paperback book from Perry Brass. I read However, there is one author in that Search for Temperance Moon - also the first few chapters and wondered if I genre whose works I do enjoy: Douglas featuring Oscar Schiller - and Arrest should continue or just deposit the book C. Jones, author of some 18 novels about Sitting Bull), this latest novel also in my Goodwill bag for the next LSF the American West. contains some of the finest historical book exchange. Whoops! I can hear the fiction I’ve ever read. Besides telling an Plot summary: In a poorly- objections now! “Westerns! Why the enjoyable, action-packed story, Jones defined near future, our protagonist, heck are you writin’ an article about really gives his readers a feel for what it Chris Turner, a lower-class gay man, is Westerns, you ditz?! LSF folks are was like in a “frontier town” around the adopted by a wealthy and influential gay interested in science-fiction, fantasy, turn of the century. man who runs a corporation. Chris even and horror!” Well, just hold yer horses It was, however, while reading gets a new name - Edgar Devereaux. On fer a spell, pardner; I’ll get there! Now, A Spider for Loco Shoat that I was occasion, Chris/Edgar sneaks out of the as I was saying... reminded of the first Jones novel I’d mansion to Pikeville, a seedy area where I just finished reading my read, back in the mid-70’s: The Court- a sleazy gay bar is located. Drugs, fourth Jones novel, A Spider for Loco martial of George Armstrong Custer. twinks, older men looking for younger Shoat. It’s a fascinating murder mystery And (ta da!) here’s the connection to the action. Zzzz. Lots of sex all littered set in Ft. Smith, Arkansas, in 1907. Ft. F&SF genre: Court-martial is, in fact, throughout the chapters to keep the Smith is just across the river from the an alternate history novel. As with all reader’s pulse up, I guess. Chris/Edgar Indian Nations, which are soon to good alternate history stories, it’s based encounters a large distraught man out by become the State of Oklahoma. The on that age-old conundrum: “What if?” the beach down the road from the main character is a retired U.S. Marshall (That’s, in fact, the basis for a lot of good Pikeville bar who, at first, is loathsome F&SF literature!) What if, Jones asks, in appearance. But, actually, he’s a that reading Joanna Russ’ The Female Custer had been found alive (although “vacco” - a person who is created for the Man was painful! grievously wounded) after the Battle of sole purpose of harvesting his organs for P.S. Okay, I won’t wrap The the Little Big Horn? The answer: Custer others who desperately need (and can Harvest in Christmas wrapping paper is hauled off to New York City to be afford) organ replacements. This vacco, and use it as my LSF book exchange court-martialed for his military blun- whose name is Hart, has escaped the item. It’s better suited for one of our 25- ders. (Well, and for the fact that he was nearby vacco farm where other vaccos cent paperback book sales. a political liability who’d managed to live until they are harvested. Chris/ piss off lots of the Powers That Be in Edgar decides to save this “piece of President Grant’s administration!) property” from his fate. Then the action/ Jones’ same literary strengths are here: adventure part of the story commences. fascinating subject, lots of action (by Gosh, does Chris/Edgar leave trails all flashbacks to the battle), and incredible over the place, while trying to shield historical research. In this case, the Hart’s true identity and location? The reader gets a real feel for what politics two of them are eventually discovered and society were like in New York City and Edgar’s rich adoptive father claims during the late 1870s. that the vacco must be returned to his [Ed. Note: I was certainly glad to read If you’re a fan of alternate role as organ supplier. At the operating your P.S., Scott, since the LSF book history, then you definitely want to get table where Hart’s organs are to be exchange was designed as a method your hands on a copy of The Court- harvested, Chris/Edgar secretly kills his of introducing others to favorite martial of George Armstrong Custer. adoptive father, then inherits the family novels, not as a means for getting rid And, frankly, if you like well- business and fortune and gets away with of unwanted trash. By the way, Dear researched, well-written historical fic- murder. In the last few pages, Chris/ Readers, if youre interested in a tion in general (Western-themed, in Edgar transforms into a detestable man, really good novel about organ- particular), pick up a copy of any novel running a corporation that condones the harvesting, then try Norman Spinrads by Douglas C. Jones. As far as I can tell, vacco farms. Oh please. Bug Jack Baron. It has the distinc- you just can’t go wrong there! There’s more to The Harvest tion of having been banned in Britain! ΛΨΦ than this, but so what? And I thought ΛΨΦ 2 Cube, I Still Know What being even a bit more traditional than Spectrum Award Winners they had been in the initial Dusk film.