1988 _ 1989 _ 1990 _ 1991 _ 1992-3
Stratus SF SIG News #1---Friday, May 27, 1988
*******************************************************************************
NEWS
Hugo Nominations for 1987
Hugos are awarded by readers of science fiction. If you want to vote
for the winners, you must be a member of the 1988 Worldcon. To become a
supporting member of Nolacon II, send $30 to Nolacon II, 921 Canal St.
#831, New Orleans, LA 70112. If you want to attend the convention, the
membership rate is $70 until July~10 and will be higher at the door.
The completed ballots for the Hugos are traditionally due on July 15.
The Hugos will be awarded at Nolacon, which will be held in New Orleans
over Labor Day Weekend.
Novel:
The Forge of God, Greg Bear (Tor)
The Uplift War, David Brin (Phantasia/Bantam-Spectra)
Seventh Son, Orson Scott Card (Tor)
When Gravity Fails, George Alec Effinger (Bantam-Spectra)
The Urth of the New Sun, Gene Wolfe (Tor)
Novella:
Eye for Eye, Orson Scott Card (IASFM, March)
The Forest of Time, Michael Flynn (Amazing, June)
The Blind Geometer, Kim Stanley Robinson (IASFM, Aug)
Mother Goddess of the World, Kim Stanley Robinson (IASFM, Oct)
The Secret Sharer, Robert Silverberg (IASFM, Sep)
Novelette:
Buffalo Gals Won't you Come Out Tonight, Ursula K. Le Guin (F&SF, Oct)
Dream Baby, Bruce McAllister (In the Field of Fire, Tor; IASFM, Oct)
Rachel in Love, Pat Murphy (IASFM, Apr)
Flowers of Edo, Bruce Sterling (IASFM, May)
Dinosaurs, Walter Jon Williams (IASFM, Jun)
Short Story:
Angel, Pat Cadigan (IASFM, May)
The Faithful Companion at Forth, Karen Joy Fowler, (IASFM, Jul)
Cassandra's Photographs, Lisa Goldstein (IASFM, Aug)
Night of the Cooties, Howard Waldrop (Omni, Apr)
Why I Left Harry's All-Night Hamburgers, Lawrence Watt-Evans
(IASFM, Jul)
Forever Yours, Anna, Kate Wilhelm (Omni, Jul)
Editors:
Ed Ferman, F&SF
Stan Schmidt, Analog
Gardner Dozois, IASFM
Dave Hartwell, Arbor House
Brian Thompsen, Warner/Questar
Pro Artist:
Mike Whelan
J.K. Potter
David Cherry
Bob Eggleton (1)
Tom Kidd
Don Maitz
Other Forms:
Watchmen (DC)
I, Robot, Harlan Ellison (Screenplay, IASFM)
Culture Made Stupid
Wild Cards series
The Essential Ellison
Non-Fiction:
Anatomy of Wonder, 3rd Edition (Bowker)
SF/Fantasy/Horror 1988, C. Brown, ed. (Locus Press)
Imaginations: The Work of David Cherry, Cherry (Starblaze)
The Battle of Brazil, Matthews (Crown)
Works of Wonder, Whelan (Del Rey)
Best Dramatic
Predator
Princess Bride
Robocop
Witches of Eastwick
Star Trek 93: The Journey Goes On
Fan Artist:
Brad Foster
Steve Fox
Teddy Harvia
Merle Insinga (2)
Taral Wayne
Diana Gallagher Whu
Best Semi-Prozine
Aboriginal SF
Interzone
Locus
Thrust
SF Chronicle
Best Fanzine
File 770
Fosfax
Lan's Lantern
Mad 3 Party (3)
Texas SF Enquirer
Best Fan Writer
Mike Glyer
Arthur Hlavaty
Dave Langford
Guy H. Lillian III (4)
Leslie Turek (5)
John W. Campbell Award
C.S Friedman
Loren MacGregor
Judith Moffett*
Rebecca Brown Ore*
Martha Soukup*
* last year of eligibility
There were 418 legitimate ballots. There were 122 ballots with best fanzine
nominations (29%, a high number). There were 182 ballots for Other Forms.
Honorable mentions: OtherRealms (an electronic fanzine on USENET) placed
sixth in the balloting for Best Fanzine. The Elric Costume (presented at
last year's Worldcon) placed sixth in Other Form. The Shaft (a big piece of
metal sent from Boston fans to LA fans, and then to fans in Philly) placed
seventh in Other Forms.
Other nominations for Other Forms included: the 1987 tax forms; Reagan's
1987 budget and the Minnesota Twins.
This information was from: Chuq Von Rospach chuq(at)sun.COM Delphi: CHUQ
Notes:
(1) Bob Eggleton is an artist from Providence, RI, who was the artist
guest at the 1986 Boskone. Some of you may have seen the
Challenger print he created.
(2) Merle Insinga lives in Marlboro and is married to a DEC employee.
(3) The Mad 3 Party is a local fanzine, edited by (5) Leslie Turek.
It is produced by Noreascon III, next year's Worldcon.
(4) Guy Lillian is a member of this year's Worldcon committee, being
the person responsible for their Progress Reports. It is generally
considered in BAD TASTE to appear on the Hugo ballot in a year
that your convention is sponsoring the award. For example,
Leslie Turek and Merle Insigna are both involved with next
year's Worldcon. If either of them (or Mad 3 Party) is nominated
next year, they would either withdraw from the nomination or drop
off the Noreascon committee.
NEBULA Award Winners, for 1987 (as reported by Ben Yalow)
Nebulas are voted on by writers, and were awarded last weekend at
the annual Nebula banquet.
Best Novel: Fallen Woman, Pat Murphy
Best Novella: The Blind Geometer, Kim Stanley Robinson (IASFM, Aug)
Best Novelette: Rachel in Love, Pat Murphy (IASFM, Apr)
Best Short Story: Forever Yours, Anna, Kate Wilhelm (Omni, Jul)
Grand Master: Alfred Bester
In case you missed either announcement, both Clifford Simak and Robert
Heinlein have died in the last month. Both were 80 years old.
*******************************************************************************
REVIEWS
Willow: Go see Willow. Ignore the critics---they are dead wrong on this
one (except for Michael Blowen of the Globe). Find the BIGGEST
screen you can, because the photography is phenomenal. The
baby is very cute, and the acting is very good, considering
how lousy acting usually is in fantasies.
*******************************************************************************
COMMENTS
A few words on this mailing:
The ``Stratus SF*SIG News #1'' is a collection of SF/fantasy/fandom
news. I'm serving as the editor/correspondent, and encourage all of
you to send book reviews/movie reviews, and assorted news/comments to
me. While I'm pretty well-versed in the goings on of fandom, I don't
read nearly as much as many of you do. If you have any
books/movies/conventions or other things you'd like to plug, please
send them to me.
I'll try to have this out at least twice a month, probably on a Friday.
The due date for submissions for the next mailing is Thursday, June 9.
----> Laurie Mann X2610
PS: Since I don't know many of you, a few words of introduction. I've been a
fan for the last 15 years. I've been involved in convention-running and
attending since 1974, and co-chaired the 1988 Boskone (a 1250-person
convention held in Springfield). I'm married to Jim Mann, who collects more
SF than you could possibly imagine (unless you are Kurt Baty). Like many
people in fandom, I'm an unpublished fiction writer. I've been involved in
fanzine fandom, and helped to bid for the 1989 Worldcon, which will be held
in Boston next September. I've been at Stratus since September of 1983 and
work in the Publications department.
*******************************************************************************
Stratus SF SIG News #2---Saturday, June 11, 1988
*******************************************************************************
NEWS
Compared to May, June has been very dull in the SF world so far.
No awards or nominations or deaths to annouce.
*******************************************************************************
INFORMATION
NESFA (New England Science Fiction Association), Box G, MIT Branch PO,
Cambridge, MA 02139
This club was founded in 1967. NESFA sponsors Boskone, the biggest
annual SF con in Massachusetts. NESFA owns a club house in
Somerville, publishes several books a year, and has two meetings
a month. The "Business Meeting" is usually the first or
second Sunday of the month and is always held at the club house.
The "Other Meeting" is held the third or fourth Sunday of the
month at a member's house.
June's Other Meeting will be held at Kurt Baty's house in Medway.
Members of the Stratus SF SIG are welcome! The meeting is an informal
way to meet fans from all over Eastern Massachusetts. If you are
interested in attending, call Kurt or me for directions. The
meeting starts at around 2 and runs through the afternoon.
Kurt's address is 26 Hill St. NE, Medway, MA (429-4198)
While NESFA sponsors LOTS of activities, Boskone is certainly its main
focus. Boskone 26 will take place in Springfield late next January.
Tim Powers, Jim Gurney, and Tom Whitmore are the guests.
If you'd like to be a subscribing member of NESFA, dues are just $15.00
a year. The dues cover a bi-monthly newsletter, and give you a
discount at the NESFA sales table you'll see at some conventions.
MCFI (Massachusetts Convention Fandom, Inc.), Box 46, MIT Branch PO,
Cambridge, MA 02139
MCFI has "one sole mission:" to run Worldcons in Boston. MCFI ran the
1980 Worldcon (Noreascon II), and will run Noreascon III next year.
While memberships in MCFI are not available, MCFI does publish a
wonderful little fanzine every few weeks called "The Mad 3 Party." TM3P
is an insider's look at convention/worldcon planning and it is very
amusing, even if you aren't intimately involved. TM3P costs $1.00 per
issue.
More convention information next issue.
*******************************************************************************
REVIEWS
from Laurie:
I've been reading Donald A. Wolheim's Best of 1987, a collection
of short fiction that Wolheim thinks is the best of the year. It
includes several stories that have already won the Nebula and have
been nominated for Hugos (Pat Murphy's "Rachel in Love" and Kate
Wilhelm's "Forever Yours, Anna.").
"Rachel in Love" is a wonderful story of simian intelligence, and
what happens to a chimp who is also very human.
Robert Silverberg's "The Pardoner's Tale" was somewhat pedestrian,
a good read, but not what I'd call "The Best of the Year."
Orson Scott Card's "America" was a story I remembered from
_Asimov's_ last year, and is an intriguing story about
a clash of cultures and mythologies. I think this story
was mostly overlooked by Hugo/Nebula voters, so I was
glad that Wolheim didn't overlook it.
I've missed something in my reading of "Forever Yours, Anna." It
wasn't particularly compelling.
And what have YOU been reading lately?
*******************************************************************************
INQUIRIES
Chris Tavares:
Does anyone have the fourth book in Jack Chalker's "Rings of the
Masters?" It took me a year to find the third one while the fourth was
selling on the stands; now of course I can't find the fourth anywhere!
Someone asked (and I'm sorry, I deleted your name!):
A couple of years ago L. Ron Hubbard published a book, "Battlefield
Earth". It was supposed to be "soon to be a major motion picture". Do
you know anything about this? I've never heard any further mention of
it. The paperback version came out about a year ago and said the same
thing.
*******************************************************************************
Stratus SF SIG News #3---Friday, July 1
*******************************************************************************
NEWS
Who Framed Roger Rabbit is the runaway BIG MOVIE of the summer.
It is doing so well, that I'm talking about it under news rather
than under reviews. (Also, since I haven't seen it yet, I can't
review it.) Anyway, RR has appeared on the cover of NEWSWEEK
and has received rave reviews by most of the major national critics.
In short, if we have a rainy holiday weekend, GO SEE IT!
Even if the weather's nice, go see it anyway.
*******************************************************************************
INFORMATION
Conventions
Lexicon
Lexicon is a "relaxacon" that NESFA runs each summer. This one will be
held from Friday, August 5 to Sunday, August 7 at the
Sheraton-Sturbridge Resort and Conference Center in Sturbridge. A
relaxacon has no program, art show or hucksters' room. It a con suite
that's open most of the time, a video room and a gaming room.
Memberships are $15. If you want to stay at the hotel call the
Sheraton directly at 347-7393. The rate is $85 a night. The hotel is
a resort hotel, which includes an indoor pool and jacuzzi, health club,
lake, and nine holes of "mini-golf." If there's enough interest, there
will be a Sheraton-catered barbeque on the beach on Friday night. The
barbeque is an additional $15 and your money will be refunded if the
barbeque is cancelled. Lexicons are fun and are a good way to meet
other local fans.
Nolacon
Nolacon II is this year's World Science Fiction Convention. It will be
held in New Orleans from September 1-5 at the New Orleans Marriott and
Hilton. A Worldcon has EVERYTHING: Lots of Program, Films, People,
Costumes, Parties, Hucksters, Art Exhibits, Video, Pros, Gaming....
The memberships are $30 supporting (gives you the right to vote for the
Hugo awards plus all publications) and $70 attending. The deadline to
preregister is 7-14-88, and the rate WILL be higher at the door. Hotel
rooms are still available. If you are interested in attending and need
a hotel reservation, include a self-addressed stamped envelope with
your registration and hotel info will be mailed to you.
Donald Wollheim is the Guest of Honor. Roger Sims is the Fan Guest of
Honor, and Mike Resnick is the Toastmaster.
*******************************************************************************
REVIEWS
A review from Bob Sweeney
Isaac Asimov, Prelude to Foundation
The latest in the Foundation Series. If your a fan of Asimovs and have
read all of his Foundation and Robot books then you'll want to read this
one. In "Robots and Empire" he losely tied the Robot Series to the
Foundation Series. In "Prelude to Foundation" it all comes together.
You learn a lot more about Trantor in the time prior to the decay
of the Empire and how Seldon gets started on the development of
psychohistory. Asimov leaves lots of room for more books between
"Robots and Empire" and "Prelude to Foundation" and "Foundation" so
hopefully there is lots more to come..
*******************************************************************************
INQUIRIES/OTHER
Fanzines for sale
David Lubkin (an employee of another Massachusetts hi-tech
firm that got very big very fast during the '80s) is selling
off his fanzines. He is selling a few hundred Star Trek, Star
Wars, and other fanzines. For a list of what's available,
send a SASE to David Lubkin, 11 Westray Dr., Nashua, NH 03062
Some of you may be asking "what's a fanzine?" A fanzine is a magazine
written by a fan/group of fans about some aspect of science fiction
and/or science fiction fandom. Traditionally, fanzines were
typewritten and reproduced by hecto, mimeo, or ditto. Traditionally,
fanzines are done for fun and not for profit---while the fan editors
often charge something for each issue, it's more common to send them
out to friends and contributors. These days, fanzines are more likely
produced with a word processor or desktop publishing system, and are
frequently offset or Xeroxed. A few fanzines accept advertising
and pay contribtors.
Over the years, the distinction between fanzines and professional zines
has been blurred. As a result, a new category, the "semi-prozine" has
emerged. A semi-prozine (Locus, Science Fiction Chronicle, Aboriginal
Science Fiction) has less circulation than a major magazine (Analog, F
& SF, etc), accepts advertising, and often pays the salaries of several
employees.
You are reading an "electronic" fanzine. This type of fanzine
is becoming more common as more SF fans work with computers that
are networked together.
*******************************************************************************
Stratus SF SIG News #4---Friday, July 15
*******************************************************************************
NEWS
Conspiracy Goes Bankrupt
Conspiracy, the 1987 Worldcon held in Britain, is now in bankruptcy
court because of some unpaid bills. Conspiracy is the second Worldcon
since 1983 to have severe money problems. The 1983 Worldcon in
Baltimore lost $40,000 and would up being bailed out by some other more
solvent Worldcons and fans. Even Noreascon III, the 1989 Worldcon to
be held in Boston, has been having money troubles, due to some
extraordinary legal expenses (we've been lucky enough to be able to
budget around them, so far).
Worldcons are becoming BIG business. Unlike many professional
conventions, attendees only pay in the $30-$70 range for memberships.
Worldcon staffs are virtually entirely volunteer. Still, Worldcons
have to pay professional rates for convention space and security.
*******************************************************************************
INFORMATION
Batman Movie Being Planned
There will be a Batman movie going into production later this year.
Tim Burton, who directed Pee Wee Herman's Big Adventure and
Bettlejuice, will direct. Michael Keaton (Beetlejuice, Mr. Mom, Gung
Ho) will star as the Caped Crusader, and Jack Nicholson (no
introduction needed?) will star as the Joker.
Editorial Comments: Keaton is, once again, badly miscast. If you saw
Beetlejuice, you know that he was absolutely out of control in that
picture. I'd rather see someone like Robert Urich because Batman has
GOT to be the "straight man." I can't see Keaton being a straight man.
Comments?
*******************************************************************************
REVIEWS
From Howard Ship
Review: Who Framed Roger Rabbit?
Why waste words? See it, see it, see it. How about some
professional reviews? The culture vulture (WBCN): "Buy Disney
Stock!". Siskel and Ebret: "Two thumbs up, and two jaws
dropped!".
I'm an animation buff on top of being an SF buff, and I have
never seen animation of this quality and smoothness before. I
have heard that each frame was blown up and painted on directly -
and that means 24 frames/second animation (good animation is
usually 12, TV animation is usually even fewer).
But beyond the technical wizardry, "Roger Rabbit" is just
plain funny in a zany - actually, looney, way. The screen and
the soundtrack are overflowing with puns, jokes and animation
in-jokes, some of which will go right over the heads of most kids
(and some adults).
Christopher LLoyd is, as usual, excellent as the villian,
Judge Doom, as is the rest of the cast - human and "toon".
See it, see it, see it.
From Bob Toxen:
RR is GREAT!!! I think that the Stratus SF crowd would
especially enjoy it. I also think that it will set a new trend
in movies. The integration of animation and live acting as well
as the high quality of the animation is amazing.
From Laurie Mann:
Anamation freaks have probably already seen RR several times, but if
you've really been "out of town" for a while, you must go to it.
It is a very different blend of animation and live action. The acting
is pretty good, though the plot is about as hackneyed as they come.
But the in-jokes, and combination of Warner Brothers and Disney
characters in the same movie is wonderful.
*******************************************************************************
INQUIRIES/OTHER/RUMORS
From Howard Ship
By the way, does anyone know about the current status of Michael
Moorcock? I had heard somewhere that he was dead.
Response from Laurie Mann
I think he's alive. When an author dies, the SF community usually finds out
pretty quickly (this isn't ALWAYS the case---C.L. Moore's death wasn't
announced for almost a year after the fact).
From Patrick Brazill
I like Jack Vance and Jack Chalker. Could some of you suggest other
writers, who may write in a similar vein?
*******************************************************************************
Stratus SF SIG News #5--- Tuesday, August 9
*******************************************************************************
NEWS
Very quiet. Not much going on. Maybe everyone's gone fishing...
(Except, see Rumors, below)
*******************************************************************************
INFORMATION
Batman Movie (from Howard Ship):
The DC Editors have been claiming that the Batman movie will
be straight, not camp like the evil Adam West Batman of the
sixties. Keaton as the Batman looks like they are wimping it out
and switching over to camp. (Camping it up is easier - there are
problems in making a non-comic book audience take the Batman
seriously - were talking about a guy running around in tights and
a cape).
To do Batman justice though, you need somebody big and fast.
Urich isn't big enough. In the books, the Batman is at least 6
and a half feet tall. Remember the "viking" fireman from
Roxanne? He could fill the physical requirements.
Of course, its not just the Batman movie hanging in the
Balance. There are some other projects I'm equally excited about
- namely, the Watchmen movie (allegedly by the same screenwriter
as the Batman movie) and a movie of Elektra: Assassin. If the
Batman falls, these will probably never get produced.
Suggested SF Authors (Dave Wetzel)
This is a response to Patrick's request for recommended authors. I have
just recently found an author by the name of Orson Scott Card. He has
written a book I can recommend highly: Ender's Game. I know he has more
work out there (there is a sequel to Ender's Game, but I haven't yet read it)
and I was very impressed with this one.
(Notes from Laurie:
Ender's Game won both the Hugo and the Nebula Award for the best SF
novel of 1986. Card was nominated last year for the sequel, Speaker
for the Dead, as well. This year, he's been nominated for another
novel called Seventh Son. Seventh Son is an interesting blend of
alternate American history and fantasy. I think he is one of the best
SF writers, and one of the few newer writers who is as good at writing
short fiction as he is at writing novels.)
*******************************************************************************
REVIEWS
(From Laurie)
Big Top Pee Wee is a bore. It lacks the graphic inventiveness of the
first film. Unless your child is a real PW fanatic, don't bother.
I just finished The Falling Woman, an excellent novel by Pat Murphy.
The novel is well-written, and is a must if you are an anthropology/archealogy
fan. This novel won the Nebula Award (given out by the Science Fiction
Writers of America) for the best novel of 1987.
I've started The Shore of Women by Pamela Sargent. Big, sprawling
novel about a post-apocalyptic society where a matriarchy reigns.
Has many interesting things to say about men and women. Looks good
so far.
*******************************************************************************
INQUIRIES/OTHER/RUMORS
Old Chinese Curse:
May you live in interesting times
The rumors coming out of New Orleans, home of the 1988 World
Science Fiction Convention, indicate that those of us traveling
down to the Worldcon are in for interesting times.....More next month!
*******************************************************************************
Stratus SF SIG News #6---Tuesday, September 13
*******************************************************************************
NEWS
NOLACON
Nolacon-observations by Laurie Mann
The Worldcon is THE big SF convention of the year. While some
media-oriented conventions may attract more fans, the Worldcon is still
THE annual meeting of SF fans. The Worldcon features lots of
professional writers and artists, lots of fans, many program items,
many movies, large Art Show and Dealers' Room, and plenty of all-night
parties. The Hugo Awards are given out at the Worldcon.
Donald Wolheim, one of the most influential editors in the field,
was honored as the Professional Guest of Honor. Roger Sims, a longtime
Southern fan, was the Fan Guest of Honor. Mike Resnick did an
excellent job as toastmaster.
Stratus employees were in abundance in New Orleans. Rick Kovalcik,
Kurt Baty, Tim Mead, Dave Hooton, Andy Cowan and I all made the trip.
(Any con reports from any of you???) Massachusetts sent the
forth-largest group down to New Orleans, trailing only California,
Texas, and Louisiana.
Professionals in attendence included David Brin, Greg Bear, George R.
R. Martin, Joan D. Vinge, George Alec Effinger, John Varley, Orson
Scott Card, Robert Silverberg, Gardner Dozois, David Hartwell, Jack
Chalker, C. J. Cherryh, Rbecca Ore, Brenda Clough, Bob Tucker,
Michael Whelan, Frank Kelly Freas, Tom Kidd, Bob Eggleton, Alicia
Austin, and David Cherry.
Nolacon II was the best of cons, it was the worst of cons....
On the plus side, I met/remet lots of great people, saw a very good Art
Show, ran/co-ran, or attended lots of good parties, and had a very
comfy room in the Marriott. I touristed around New Orleans for most my
first 24 hours I was there, visiting the French Quarter a number of
times, and taking a long boat ride. I had dinner in lots of nice,
moderately-priced restaurants.
On the down side, the convention was dreadfully "organized," it took me
three hours to hang art for a friend of mine (Fan Art Hugo nominee
Merle Insinga (yes, the one name that Hugo MC Mike Resnick
mispronounced)), it took a few friends up to THREE HOURS to buy art
during Art Show close-out, it rained more than I expected, and the
facilities were crowded. I met Paul Prudhomme, a famous New Orleans
chef/restauranteur and a possible contender for a "Jabba-the-Hut"-like
character in a future Star Wars movie and immediately decided to go on
a diet.
But the plusses far out-distanced the minuses. Since I'd decided "not
to work" Nolacon, I partied harder than I have at Worldcons in
years---this was the first Worldcon since 1976 that I hadn't worked for.
Nolacon proved without a doubt that no matter HOW BAD the Worldcon
sounds, it's STILL worth trying to get there.
The Hugo Awards were given out on Sunday night.
Best Novel: Uplift War (David Brin)
Best Novella: Eye for an Eye (Orson Scott Card)
Best Novellette: Bufalo Gals Won't You Come Out Tonight
(Ursula K. LeGuin)
Best Short Story: Why I Left Harry's All-Night Hamburger Stand
(Lawrence Watt-Evans)
Best Dramatic Presentation: The Princess Bride
Best Non-fiction Book: Works of Wonder (Michael Whelan)
Best Other Forms: Watchmen
Best Professional Editor: Gardner Dozois (Isaac Asimov's)
Best Professional Artist: Michael Whelan
The Locus Award: (That's really "Best Semi-prozine"--Locus, again)
Best Fanzine: Texas SF Enquirer (Pat Mueller, editor)
Best Fan Writer: Mike Glyer
Best Fan Artist: Brad Foster
Campbell Award: Judith Moffitt
Analysis: I didn't read that much, so I don't have any strong
feelings on the literary awards, though I liked Tim Powers' "On
Stranger Tides" (which wasn't nominated) lots more than "Uplift
Wars." Pat Murphy's "Rachel in Love" should have won Best Novelette,
though. It was absolutely one of the best "let's get inside the head
of a non-human" story ever written. "The Princess Bride" is probably
the first fantasy movie to win a Hugo, and the best fantasy made in
nearly 50 years. While some people whose opinions I really respect
love "Watchmen," I can't bring myself to read a comic-illustrated
novel. Pat Mueller may have been nominated due to fan politics
(after being cast out of Texas SF Enquirer by a Texas fan group), but
she's done a damn good job as a faneditor for an awfully long time.
Her current "Pirate Jenny" will be on my ballot for next year. It's
also about time that "Aboriginal SF" won the Best Semi-prozine award.
While I saw a great deal of the convention, I didn't get to the
Masquerade, movies, and I missed most of the Program. I did watch Joe
Haldeman read excerpts from his current work-in-progress. It's called
"The Hemmingway Hoax" and it should be published in 1990. Much of it
is set in the Boston area, since Joe teaches at MIT for the fall
semester each year. I missed the appearance of Charles Fleischer (?),
the man who was the voice of Roger Rabbit.
The Worldcon for 1990 will be held in The Hague. Joe Haldeman is the
Guest of Honor. The Worldcon for 1991 will be held in Chicago. Hal
Clement is the Guest of Honor. Orlando and Washington D.C. are in the
middle of a hotly-contested bid to hold the 1992 Worldcon. Members of
the 1989 Worldcon have the right to vote on the site for the 1992
Worldcon.
*******************************************************************************
INFORMATION
Correction from Jim M.:
Speaker for the Dead won the Hugo for Best Novel.
From....
Does anyone know of another book besides Venus on the Half Shell
by Kilgore Trout (aka Kurt Vonnegut???)?
(response from Laurie)
Venus on the Half Shell is the only "real" book written by Trout, who
is really Phil Farmer. The CHARACTER named Kilgore Trout was created
by Kurt Vonnegut, but Vonnegut never wrote under that name. A number
of other books are ATTRIBUTED to Trout in the writings of Vonnegut,
since Trout is a hack SF writer in the Vonnegut universe.
Worcester Tech Events
Two upcoming events at Worcester Polytechnic Institute that you might
be interested in.
Sunday, September 18 at 6:30pm, Monty Python's "The Meaning of Life" and
"The Life of Brian" will be playing at Alden Hall. Admission
is $2.00.
Friday, September 23 at 8pm, Kurt Vonnegut will speak in Harrington
Auditorium. Admission is $2.00.
*******************************************************************************
REVIEWS
(from Faith Senie)
I just finished reading two of Isaac Asimov's latest. I found "Prelude to
Foundation" to be a fascinating look at the beginning of the beginning for
the Foundation novels. Here's proof that Hari Seldon is not God -- he's
very human, with human insecurities and problems. It's quite interesting
watching elementary psychohistory unfold before him.
Unfortunately, I can't be as kind to "Fantastic Voyage II: Destination
Brain". Normally Asimov writes books I find difficult to put down. This one
was very "put-downable". The story drags along, held up by the cowardice of
the main character. The only part of the book I really enjoyed was the last
paragraph. Unfortunately, I had to read the whole book to understand it.
"Destination Brain" would be much better were it half the length and half as
cowardly as it is now.
One last note: Read Orson Scott Card's "Wyrms". It's yet another reason to
like his work...
*******************************************************************************
INQUIRIES/OTHER/RUMORS
From Carl Ellison
Before I throw them out, do you know anyone who might want
a handful (couple of years?) of Omni magazines from 1979, 80...?
*******************************************************************************
Stratus SF SIG News #7---Tuesday, October 11
*******************************************************************************
NEWS
*******************************************************************************
INFORMATION
From Jim Mann
Farmer was going to write more Trout novels, but Vonnegut was very
upset about reviewers who, assuming that he had written Venus on the
Half Shell, called it his best novel in years. He apparently got very
nasty when Farmer asked permission to write another Trout novel.
In response to reviews of Prelude to Foundation: I also liked it,
though I found it a bit of a letdown at the end. I wish Asimov
wasn't bent on working his robots into everything. Prelude would have
been better without them. They weren't needed, the novel would have
worked just fine with just humans.
from Laurie Man
Kurt Baty Roast Transcript Available!
Most of you know that Stratus employee/book collector/SF fan Kurt
Baty has left Stratus for a chip company. He was recently roasted,
and I transcribed the evening's festivities. If you would like
a copy of the proceedings, please send me E-mail and I'll send it
to you.
Misery into a Movie!
While Misery isn't SF, many SF readers like Stephen King, so I thought
I'd pass this along. Rob Reiner's Castle Rock Productions as aquired
the rights to Misery, and is getting William Goldman to adapt
the novel into a script. 95% of Misery takes place in a house
in Colorado. It's the story of a badly injured writer who is
``cared'' for by a psychotic woman who used to be a nurse. It's
a very well-done book, but I have trouble seeing it as a movie.
Some of the most interesting stuff in the book is the writer's
internal ruminations on creativity, writing, and pain.
New Twilight Zone Episodes
The TZ episodes which were on a few years back have been re-edited into
half hour packages for syndication. Additionally, another 30 episodes
are in the process of being filmed. I don't know if this will be on in
the Boston area or not---does anyone out there know?
*******************************************************************************
REVIEWS
*******************************************************************************
INQUIRIES/OTHER/RUMORS
*******************************************************************************
UPCOMING CONVENTIONS
Readercon 2 18-20 November, Lowell, MA (Lowell Hilton)
This is a "serious" convention for readers. In short, if you
love to read the stuff, you'll love the convention. If you
go to cons to game or watch films, skip this one. Samuel
Delany is the Guest of Honor. Other guests include
David Hartwell and Ellen Kushner. I highly recommend this
convention.
The rates are $15 if your membership request is postmarked
by October 14 (that's Friday, folks!). Rates will be
$20 at the door. Call the Lowell Hilton if you want a room.
*******************************************************************************
Stratus SF SIG News #8---Friday, November 11
*******************************************************************************
NEWS
Last week's computer virus has put a crimp in nationwide networks,
so I haven't seem much of sf-lovers in the last week or so. Not that
there's been much going on in it lately anyway!
*******************************************************************************
INFORMATION
From Laurie Mann
The November NESFA Other Meeting will be held at my house in Northboro
on Sunday, November 13 at 2pm. Other Meetings are informal get-togethers,
and are a way to meet other local fans. If you're interested, give me a
call and I'll E-mail you a map.
*******************************************************************************
REVIEWS
From: Joe Wirtz
I have just finished reading "Strangers From The Sky" by Margaret Wander
Bonanno. It's a novel of the first contact between man and Vulcan, from
the Star Trek series. Its a story about an alien spacecraft that crashlands
in the South Pacific, bearing visitors from Vulcan, and Earth must
decide whether to extend the hand of friendship, or the fist of war.
While in the distant future Admiral James T. Kirk begins to have horrible
dreams prompted by his reading of an old book STRANGERS FROM THE SKY. He
has dreams of an alternate reality where he somehow changed the course of
history - and destroyed the Federation before it began !
Its not really a bad book, I just felt it to be a little dry for a Star
Trek Novel. If you are a Trekkie then you would enjoy the new insights
that this book brings about the history of the Vulcans.
*******************************************************************************
INQUIRIES/OTHER/RUMORS
*******************************************************************************
UPCOMING CONVENTIONS
Boskone 26 ** January 27-29, 1989 ** Springfield, MA
Guests: Tim Powers, James Gurney, Tom Whitmore
Others: Joel Rosenberg, Melissa Scott, Judith Tarr, Gary K. Wolf,
Esther Friesner, David Hartwell
Boskone is NESFA's annual convention, with an expected attendance of about
1500. It features a terrific Art Show, varied Program, and lots of
interesting people. If you want to go, send $25 to Boskone 26, Box G, MIT
Branch PO, Cambridge, MA 02139. Boskone prereg closes on December 15; the
at-the-door rate will be $40.
1988 _ 1989 _ 1990 _ 1991 _ 1992-3