The Australian Science Fiction Bullsheet 101 – August 2010

The Australian Science Fiction Bullsheet 101 AUGUST 2010
ISSN 1445-4319 (print version), ISSN 1445-4327 (online version)

HELLO, WE MUST BE GOING: This will be the last Bullsheet for a while. My oppo, Ted Scribner is heading to Melbourne early to enjoy some extra events prior to Aussiecon 4, and wouldn't be able to put the next scheduled issue after this one up on the web. Similarly I have a growing number of other obligations. We have agreed that Bullsheet will be in indefinite hiatus after our 101st issue. If someone else wants to "have a go" at producing the Bullsheet every month, please contact us.(edwinafan@yahoo.com)

I'd like to take this opportunity to thank Ted for all the hard work he's put in to managing the Bullsheet website over the years, and for filling in for me in the instances when I have been unbable to pull the Bullsheet together either due to health problems or a holiday (once). Ironically, the only other time Ted has taken a break from his Bullsheet web duties was to attend Con Jose in San Jose in 2002 where the Australia in 2010 Worldcon bid was launched. You've done a wonderful job, Ted! And we'll celebrate properly in Melbourne in September!

THANK YOU! I'm hoping to use Aussiecon to say "thank you' to a number of people who have been regular reporters for the Bullsheet over the years by buying them a drink, especially (but not exclusively) Andy Porter, Bruce Gillespie, James Allen, June Young, Moira Dahlberg, LynC,Thomas Bull, Gravy Gabriel(aka Grace), Jonathan from Concatenation, and the Visions list (I hope that one doesn't bankrupt me!)…if I've forgotten anyone, please remind me! (Edwina)

STILL in PARTY MODE – anyone going to Melbourne in September might be interested in the Melbourne reccy I did back in May at http://edsed.livejournal.com/ and if you're coming to Sydney, there will soon be my effort at being a tourist in my own city. (Edwina)

NICK STATHOPOLIS will be designing and manufacturing the Hugo Awards to be presented at Aussiecon 4. (Reported by Katherine Cummings). And speaking of the HUGOS, voting closed on 31st July.

AUSSIECON 4 HOTELS: bookings now closed. There may still be vacancies at the hotels selected by Aussiecon, but they can't guarantee you would have a room in any blocks reserved for the convention, or at convention prices. (Reported by Janice Gelb)

THE AUSTRALIAN HORROR WRITERS ASSOCIATION (AHWA) in conjunction with Aussiecon 4, will be hosting The Nightmare Ball on Friday 3rd September, from 9pm to midnight in the Banquet Hall (Room 201) Melbourne Convention Centre. They invite you to pursue your wildest dreams and face your deepest fears in the best possible way: behind a mask. Diverse refreshments, door prize and prizes for Best Mask and Best ensemble offered. You don't have to be a member of Aussiecon 4 or the AWHA to attend. Tickets bought in advance by Aussiecon and AHWA members $30. Non-members and at-the-door tickets $40

AUSSIECON 4 recently announced the winners of the "MAKE READY" short story competition. Congratulations to winner, Helen Stubbs, Qld, for her story,"The Perforation". 1st Runner Up: Aidan Doyle, Melbourne, for "The Rise & Fall of a Fair Dinkum Superhero", Highly Commended: Brooke Maggs, Melbourne, for "The Promotion". Highly Commended: Laura E. Goodin, Wollongong NSW, for "The Bicycle Rebellion". (Reported by June Young)

Eneit Press would like to invite you to the launch of BAGGAGE. Edited by Gillian Polack on Thurs 2nd September, Borders South Wharf , 20 Convention Centre Place, South Wharf, Melbourne (next door to Aussiecon 4) 1 - 3 pm RSVP: elizabethafitzgerald@ gmail.com

MELBOURNE WRITERS FESTIVAL is on from 27th Aug – 5th Sept. At it overlaps with Aussiecon, not surprisingly there's a number of SF writers appearing in its program including Wilson da Silva, Cory Doctorow. Kate Forsyth. Jackie French, Neil Gaiman, Joss Whedon, Shaun Tan, Lucy Sussex, Kim Stanley Robinson, China Mieville. Check out their website:

LOGAN CITY LIBRARY (QLD) celebrates SF month in August. This event has grown through recent years and is now well supported by local writers Every event can be booked into online through the events calendar: http://libevents.logan.qld.gov.au/eventcalendar.asp (Reported by Amanda Platt)

As well as doing a book signing at the Australian Romance Writers Conference on Friday 13 August @ Crowne Plaza, Coogee , Sydney, See: <http://australianromancereaders.wordpress.com/2010/04/15/arra-newsletter-9/> NALINI SINGH , author of the Psy-Changeling and Guild Hunter books will also be signing her books on: Friday 13 August: Angus & Robertson, Castle Hill @ 12-1pm, Saturday 14 August: Borders, Bondi Junction @ 11:30am-12:30pm, Sunday 15 August: Galaxy Books, Sydney @ 2-3pm, Monday 16 August: Infinitas Books, Parramatta @ 1-2pm (Reported by Brendan Fredericks)

ROWENA CORY DANIELLS has sold her new fantasy trilogy, The First T'En to Solaris publishers with a plammed 2012 release. Find out more at <http://king-rolens-kin.com/2010/07/14/doing-the-happy-dance-3/>

MARIANNE de PIERRES will have GLITTER ROSE, a boutique collection of interlinked tragically romantic short fantasy stories set on an imaginary island on the Australian coastline published by Twelfth Planet Press. The collection will be a signed, limited edition, hardcover with beautiful internal illustrations by Australian artists. Details for pre-order can be found at: http://www.twelfthplanetpress.com/glitter-rose

AFTER THE RAIN, the title of the next anthology from FableCroft Publishing seeks original speculative fiction stories between 2000-10000 words on the theme "After the Rain". The interpretation of the phrase is multi-faceted and may be literal or figurative, but stories *must* contain some speculative element – science fiction, fantasy and horror. This anthology is intended for adult readers, but the editor is not looking for overt erotica or gratuitous violence that does not advance the story in some way. To be published for Swancon 36/Natcon50, Perth, Easter 2011. Submissions are open to Australian citizens or residents. Payment will be $50 and one contributors copy. Enquire before submitting reprints, multiple or simultaneous submissions Please submit stories as rtf file, adhering to usual manuscript formatting guidelines, to <fablecroft@gmail.com> by 31 Oct, 2010 See > http://fablecroft.com.au/submissions< for more details.

Following the success of the Scarey Kisses anthology, MORE SCAREY KISSES, edited by Liz Grzyb is open to submissions of paranormal romance stories spiced with a frisson of fear or even a chuckle at the strange things that lurk beyond the real world. Emphasis should be on romance. Story length 1,000 to 8,500 words. (Longer stories may be accepted, although payment is capped).. Original stories only: no reprints, multiple, or simultaneous submissions. . Stories may be emailed to the editor at < scarykisses@ticonderogapublications.com> with the words "Submission More Scary Kisses" in the subject line. Manuscript format: double spaced, large margins, sensible font. Submissions close 1st November. Payment: 2 copies and Aus 2 cents/word (GST inc., maximum payment $100) on publication. More Scary Kisses is scheduled for release in 2011.

DEAD RED HEART will be an anthology of Australian vampire stories, showing vampires in Australian settings. It could be the beach, the outback, suburbs or cities. It could be historical or contemporary. Editor Russell B Farr is looking for stories that capture the essence of vampirism and the essence of Australia. Any stories involving cultural borrowing from Australian indigenous cultures should be respectful of the beliefs of Australiaâ&Euro;™s traditional owners. Stories must reflect an Australian theme or setting. International contributors are welcome to submit. Story length 1,000 to 7,500 words, Original stories only: no reprints, multiple, or simultaneous submissions, stories may be submitted online < http://ticonderogapublications.com/news/jobs/dead-red-heart/.> as
double spaced, large margins, sensible font, Australian English spelling. Deadline: 1st December, 2010. Payment: 1 copy of hardcover edition, 1 copy of trade edition and Aus 2 cents/word (GST inc., maximum payment $150) on publication. Dead Red Heart is scheduled for release in 2011.

THE CAL Scribe Fiction Prize 2011. Prize money $15,000. Open from 1st August to unpublished manuscripts by Australian writers aged 35 or over. Winner will receive $15,000 and a book contract from Scribe. Entry forms available on website www,scribepublications.com.au/prize (I think EH) It is Scribe's intention that this prize will raise the profile of Australian fiction, demonstrate our commitment to local authors, and find a wonderful new voice and/or novel. Scribe gratefully acknowledges the assistance of the CAL Cultural Fund.(Reported on the Visions List) Concerns were recently raised for WA fan and Murdoch University librarian, GRANT STONE, who has been told his services are no longer required by the library. It has been decided that the specialist collection on SF and Popular Culture, which Grant has built up over a number of years is no longer core to the library's activities. The extensive collection has an incalculable historic value to the SF community, and hopefully the collection can be saved. (Reported on the Eidolist)

THE FUTURIAN SOCIETY OF SYDNEY is having a lunch meeting at the Woolworths Café, 2nd floor of the Woolworths Building, opposite Town Hall and Town Hall Railway Station, George St, Sydney, from 11.30 am Sat. 7th August. This is a social meeting with no formal business discussion. Phone 97157129 for more details (The internet café on the first floor of Woolworths is also fast and reasonably priced if anyone wants to search the net or send e-mails pre or post meeting. EH)

SAY WHAT??? Jenolan Caves, in the Blue Mountains west of Sydney has recently expanded the number of languages it provides in taped tourist guides of the area. Klingon is among the added languages in acknowledgment of a ship named USS Jenolan in the Star Trek: The Next Generation (?EH) series. (Heard on the Adam Spencer show on ABC702, Sydney)

JAPAN is looking to send a wheeled robot to the moon within the next 5 years to set up solar panels to power a geological sampling deviceat the moon's south pole. While China and India are also intending to probe the moon in the near future. The USA plans to cancel its program to return Americans to the moon by 2020. (MX News 20/7/10)

INFINITAS BOOKSHOP (Shop 22, Civic Arcade, 48-50 George St, Parramatta) has Keri Arthur doing a book signing at noon on Friday 13th August for a book signing. Nalini Singh will visit Infinitas on Monday August 16th at 1pm, not 17th as previously announced.Charles Stoss will visit Infinitas from 5pm on Wednesday 25th August (Infinitas Bookshop newsletter)

Bullsheet subscribers, I'll be e-mailing out Bullsheet supplemental if there's any late breaking news that needs to be reported in the coming weeks. Edwina

REMEMBER, if you're a regular BULLSHEET reader, don't be afraid to ask for a "Staff Discount" at the CELESTIAL COBBLER SILK AND CERAMICS table at Aussiecon 4 See www.celestialcobbler.com to get an idea of what to expect, and drop by and say "Hi" at the con. (Edwina)

IT's NOT YOU, IT's ME: I'm looking forward to meeting people I correspond with through Bullsheet and Andromeda Spaceways Inflight Magazine at Aussiecon 4, but I'd like to remind everyone that I'm visually impaired. If I don't acknowledge you, chances are I'm not seeing you, not ignoring you. If you see me and want to talk, it'd help me greatly if you opened the conversation.

BOOKS AND PUBLICATIONS "Outside a dog, a book is man's best friend. Inside a dog it's too dark to read"- Groucho Marx

COEUR de LION Publishing is now open for submissions for its new Science Fiction anthology Anywhere But Earth edited by Keith Stevenson. Deadline 28 Feb 2011. For all the information see: <www.coeurdelion.com.au>

A new WERE anthology, BEWERE THE NIGHT, to be published by Prime, in May 2011 is open to submissions of stories dealing with any were-creatures including werewolves. Tthe stories should be general urban fantasy. Reprints and original fiction welcome. 1000 – 7500 words. Submissions close end of December, 2010 Paying 1 cent a word for reprints, 5 cents per word for unpublished acceptances. More detals from editor Kathy Sedia (e.sedia at gmail dot com) (Relayed through the Visions list by Marianne de Pierres.)

TERRY PRATCHETT and TRANSWORLD Publishers have launched a new award – the Terry Pratchett Anywhere But Here, Any When but Now Prize for aspiring debut novelists. The winner will receive a publishing contract with Transworld and a 20 thousand pound advamce. Submissions close 31st December, a shortlist of 6 entries will be announced on 31st March 2011, with the winner announced at the end of May 2011. Entrants must be over 18 years old, with no full length (book length? EH) work of fiction previously published and must also live in the UK, Ireland or the Commonwealth (that's us, guys! EH) E-mail entries to PratchettPrize@transworld-publishers.co.uk

ANDROMEDA SPACEWAYS INFLIGHT MAGAZINE issues 44 and 45 have been published and distributed to subscribers. Issue 44 edited by Felicitty Dowker and Simon Petrie features stories from Chuck McKenzie, Joanne Anderton, Jason Fischer, Mike McCullen, Jason DeGray, Mathew Fryer, Ralph Benedetto, Sarah Ann Watts, Anna Tambour Janeen Samuel, & Michael D. Turner, features a fantastic cover by Marc McBride.

Issue 45 edited by Jacob Edwards, features fiction by Graeme Garden,(Yes, the Goodies Graeme Garden! EH) Tom Holt, Deborah Kalin, Stephen Marley, Simon Messingham, K.J Parker and Eric Frank Russell, with a great cover by Inno Basman.
These copies should be available for sale on the new, improved ASIM website, www.andromedaspaceways.com, or come see us in the dealers room at Aussiecon 4!

If you're interested in learning more about the production of a magazine (editing, slushreading, proofreading etc) THE ANDROMEDA SPACEWAYS PUBLISHING CO-OP are currently running a recruitment drive. Each co-op member pays $100 pa to belong to the co-op, but this includes an annual subscription to the magazine. If you want more information, contact Edwina at celestialcobbler@hotmail.com, check out www.andromedaspaceways.com, or roll up and ask us at the Andtomeda Spaceways Inflight Magazine table at Aussiecon..

ANTIPODEAN SF 145 offers short (500 words or less) SF from the following authors: David Kernot, By Jan Napier, By Dr. Michael Schaper, Rodney J Smith. Jay Caselberg, Guy Hasson, Brendan Carson, Shaun A. Saunders, Sarp Esin, Julie Cohen Wornan,Simon Petrie, Sergio Palumbo. and can be viewed at www.antisf.com
TERRA INCOGNITA PODCAST #21 featuring Tansy Rayner Roberts reading "Fleshy" and a review of Ian Irvine's The Life Lottery is up now at< www.tisf.com.au> and on iTunes, for free download and streaming.

New and Forthcoming Titles from Ticonderoga Publications: Aurealis Award winning horror novel, THE INFERNAL by KIM WILKINS has been reprinted in a limited hardcover signed edition to celebrate the book's 13th anniversary. THE GIRL WITH NO HANDS AND OTHER TALES a 16 story collection by ANGELA SLATER will be published in September in trade paperback and limited edition signed hardcover. DEAD SEA FRUIT 26 story collection from KAARON WARREN will also be published in Septemberand will also be available in trade paperback and limited edition signed hardcover. These will all be launched at Aussiecon and may be purchased/pre-ordered at IndieBooksOnline http://www.indiebooksonline.com/ (Reported by Russell B. Farr))

TERRY DOWLING's new book , Amberjack: Tales of Fear and Wonder, gives us the best of Terry's recent uncollected work in a single volume. *Reported in the Infinitas newsletter)

IVAN AND MARYA is a new novel by ANNA KASHINA. Every Solstice every year a young girl dies to prolong the life of a madman. Every Solstice a hero tries to stop the sacrifice. This year it's Ivan's turn. He believes his love will save Maraya from her fate/ Available from Drollerie Press as a downloadable book. More details can be found at: <http://drolleriepress.com/books/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=6&products_id=104> <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ejhoW9qrQTY&fmt=18>

HAVEN, book 4 in the Trial of Blood and Steel seriesby JOEL SHEPHERD was published in July. As tensions build between Sasha and her brothers, her sister Sofy, wedded to the Regent, travels to Tracato to negotiate a peaceful transition to her husband's rule. Orbit RRP :
$32.99

SOUL's RECKONING , Book 3 in the Broken Well Trilogy by SAM BOWRING has just been published. As the army of darkness marches and a forgotten race stirs, their leader granted ancient powers by an ancient god, the warrior Bel realises the time for reckoning has come.Orbit Bppls. RRP $19.99

CURSE OF THE WOLF GIRL is the latest in the Thraxas series by MARTIN MILLAR. Scottish teenage werewolf, Kalix MacRinnalch is in Londontrying to live a normal life, going to college to learn to read and write, but many powerful werewolves want Kalix dead. Piakus $21.99

DAUGHTER OF REGALS is a collection of 8 short stories by STEPHEN DONALDSON where mystics and unicorns, angels and kings come under the scrutiny of thia modern master of the fantasy genre. Gollancz, RRP $24.99

FEVER DREAM is a mystery novel by DOUGLAS PRESTON and LINCOLN CHILD that combines history and crime, set in an old family mansion in Louisiana where Special Agent Prendergast is putting to rest the ghosts of his past. Orion. RRP $29.99

NAAMAH's CURSE, the sequel to Naamah's Kiss by JACQUELINE CAREY . There's a long difficult journey ahead of Moirin as she searches for Bao, the young Ch'in warrior who carries a piece of her soul as well as her heart. Gollancz, RRP $35

The Fortieth anniversary edition of BRUCE GILLESPIE's SF COMMENTARY 80 has been released in 2 parts covering 215 pages. SF Commentary 80, Fortieth Anniversary Edition, Part 1, 96 pages. SF Commentary 80A, The orphan companion to SF Commentary 80, is 118 pages. Now available at <http://efanzines.com> for download . Print edition available for $US50 per subscription, or for written or artistic contribution, letter of comment, traded fanzine, or review copies.

LEIGH BLACKMORE's Raven books, specialising in dark and horror fiction also includes Sequence comics. For a catalogue e-mail lvxnox@gmail.com. Leigh also occasionally sells on e-bay as seller ID Quoth Raven Books.

MERV BINNS perzine, Out of the Bin is available from PO Box 315, Carnegie, Vic, 3163.

FRIENDS OF LINDA COX CHAN (FOLCC) raise money to donate to Juvenile Diabetes Research, Australia by selling donated books etc. (A cheque for $50 sent to Australian Diabetes mid-June) ***FOLCC BOOKS WILL BE FOR SALE AT MY CELESTIAL COBBLER TABLE AT AUSSIECON 4*** CHEAP Books looking for homes: Panglor by Jeffrey A.Carver ($1 + postage), Hell on High by Ted Nolan and Holly Lisle ($1+ postage). Life signs, the Biology of Stac Trek ($5 + post), John Rockham, Alien Sea ($5 +post). The Bill – the Inside Story ($5 ea + post), (Thanks to John Tipper for donating the latest influx of books.).

HATCH MATCH AND DISPATCH

Deaths: Maria Quinn, local SF author, died in June. Maria wrote The Gene Thieves (Reported in the Infinitas newsletter)

Happy Birthday to (July) Robbie Mathews, (August) Edwina Harvey and (September) Sue Bursztynski and Ted Scribner.

CLUBS AND MEETINGS:

MELBOURNE SCIENCE FICTION CLUB, Meet most Friday nights at 74 Melville Road, West Brunswick 3055. Membership to the MSFC is $35 single, or $45 family/household or overseas, and $25 for interstate members. August meetings: 6 August - trivia quiz and hearty casseroles,13 August - 50 worst and best special effects. Website www.msfc.sf.org.au/ (Update from Thomas Bull)

FEDERATION SQUARE (Melbourne) SF & Fantasy genres book reading group. Free to attend, Meet on the 2nd Saturday of every month from 11.30am at Café Beer Delux in Federation Square. E-mail<books@fedsquare.com>

DR WHO CLUB OF VICTORIA has been operating for over 30 years. Their newsletter - Sonic Screwdriver - publishes news, reviews & gossip on Dr Who as well as publishing fanfic & pictures 6 times a year. $35 for a family membership) which gets you 7 issues of the newsletter. Members receive discounts at ABC shops and Minotuar in Elizabeth St, Melbourne. See <http://www.vicnet.net.au/~dwcv>.

*SFFiG* SCIENCE FICTION & FANTASY in GEELONG http://au.groups. yahoo.com/ group/SFFiG/ Irregular meets announced via email. Discussions, trivia & games, news and more (reported by Ben Hughes)

SPACED OUT: a science fiction club for gays, lesbians and associated communities. $5 joining fee, then $20 annual membership. ($15 concession.) to Spaced Out Inc. PO Box 12033 A'Beckett St RP, Melbourne, Vic 8006. .Non-profit SF club offering monthly meetings, "Diverse Universe" newsletter and "Solar Spectrum" annual anthology. (Thanks to Geoff Allshorn for the update.)

CANBERRA SCIENCE FICTION SOCIETY meets on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of the month. It's a relaxed social society for the discussion of SF and fantasy. Membership $24 p.a. For more info write to CSFS PO Box 47, Civic Square, ACT 2608, or e-mail canberrascifi@ hotmail.com.

The DOCTOR WHO CLUB OF Australia (DWCA) Membership $16 within Aust, provides 6 issues of Data Extract, membership pack, access to the club's member-only internet mailing list, discount prices on a range of merchandise, admission prices to club functions (including Whovention, discounts at selected retail outlets for Doctor Who merchandise. For more information contact Dwayne Bunney: corporate@doctorwho australia. org, phone 0416 269 726 or check www.doctorwhoaustra lia.org

The DR WHO CLUB OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA meet on the first Saturday of each month 12.30-5pm at The Collins St Centre, Cnr Shaftesbury Ave and Collins St, South Perth. Club stalls, info, afternoon tea and entertainment. See <www.comedydownunder.com/westlodge/> or phone Aaron on (08) 0400 1957.

JAFWA is Perth's largest & oldest anime group. They offer screenings in the Jones lecture theatre, Curtin University from 5pm onall but the first Saturday of the month. See <http://jafwa.asn.au> for full details.

STARSHIP MAWSON (www.starshipmawson .com) is a South Australian Star Trek fan club, & chapter of Starfleet International, run by Stuart Blair. See <http://www.starshipmawson.com/join.html> (Reported by Stuart Blair.)

The BLACKWOOD WRITERS GROUP for spec fic authors was formed in 1996 and meets every Monday at 7pm for 2-3 hrs upstairs in the Blackwood Church of Christ Hall 367 Shepherd's Hill Rd Blackwood, Australia, 5051. For more info see http://www.blackwoodwritersgroup.com/ or phone Rob Bleckly 08 8536 3975 or Robert N Stephenson 08 8278 8995

QUEST Queensland Star Trekkers Fan Club usually meet at the PCYC Fortitude Valley on the second Sunday of the month (though this occasionally changes) . Contact Mary Kemp either by phone: 07 32904243 or by e-mail: jmkemp@bigpond. net.au. The club's snail mail address is still PO BOX 2084, Brisbane, QLD. 4001. Quest's new website will be up and running in the near future. (Reported by Mary Kemp).

VISIONS WRITERS GROUP offers meeting and critiquing for SF, Fantasy and Horror . Check the Bullsheet website for updates or contact Graham Stone (02) 9715 7129

SYDNEY FUTURIANS: (Not to be confused with the Futurian Society of Sydney, listed above.) Contact address: P.O. Box 152 Bexley North, NSW, 2207. Usually meet on the 3rd Friday of the month (except for December) in the foyer of UTS building, Broadway .

FUTURIAN SOCIETY OF SYDNEY meet each month. Queries, phone John August 0419 683 353

STARWALKING (NSW) http://sydskyforce. starwalking. net holds meetings at the Lidcombe Catholic Workers Club, 24 John St, Lidcombe, opposite Lidcombe Railway station on the third Sunday of some months. Attendance costs $8 members, $10 non-members.

TAG, TERRA AUSTRALIS GARRISON - a Starwars stormtrooper appreciation society. Details can be found at www.501tag.com (reported on Sci fi reporter.)

NEWCASTLE SPACE FRONTIER SOCIETY (NSFS) Regular meetings and social functions. Full details available at www.nssa.com. au/nsfs. (Reported by Jack Dwyer.)

SPOCKSOC: A SF group run by students at the University of NSW Kensington, Sydney. http://www.spocksoc .unsw.edu. au

EVENTS VORTEX SF. SF Events happening in Brisbane, can be found at <www.vortexevents.com>.

Fantasy author, NALINI SINGH will be special guest at the Australian
Romance Writers Conference on 13th August at Crowne Plaza, Coogee (Sydney). See <www.australianromancereaders.com.au> for more details.

OZTREK 3 Melbourne,Saturday, 21st Aug. GoH's MICHAEL DORN and MARINA SIRTIS. Village Roadshow Theatre, Entrance 3 Latrobe St, State Library of Vic.

OZTREK 3, Sydney, Sunday 22 Aug. The Sebel, 350 Church St, Parramatta. GOH's MICHAEL DORN and MARINA SIRTIS. See http://www.firstcontactconventions.com.au/OzTrek (Reported by Thomas Bull)

MAniFest 2010 (Melbourne ANIME Festival): 20-22 August 2010. Melbourne Showgrounds. (For more details see <http://www.manifest.org.au/site/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=4&Itemid=40>.) (Reported by Thomas Bull)

STARGATE SG1 event 28th Aug, Police Club 27 Carrington St, Adelaide, 29th Aug Perth (venue TBA) GoH's Christopher Judge , Corin Namac

ANIMANIA FESTIVAL DATES 2010: Brisbane - Mercure Brisbane, 11-12 September - Sydney - Australian Technology Park (ATP), 2 October - Adelaide - Adelaide Festival Centre (AFC), 30 October - Brisbane - Mercure Brisbane (See http://www.animania.net.au/2009/news/animania-festival-2010.) (Thanks to Thomas Bull for this info)

STARGATE SG1 event 28th Aug, Police Club 27 Carrington St, Adelaide, 29th Aug Perth (venue TBA) GoH's Christopher Judge , Corin Namac www.thehubproductions,com/events/stargate-sg1/home (reported by Thomas Bull)

ANIMANIA FESTIVAL DATES 2010: Brisbane - Mercure Brisbane, 11-12 September - Sydney - Australian Technology Park (ATP), 2 October - Adelaide - Adelaide Festival Centre (AFC), 30 October - Brisbane - Mercure Brisbane (See http://www.animania.net.au/2009/news/animania-festival-2010.) (Thanks to Thomas Bull for this info)

TRUE BLOOD GoH CHARLAINE HARRIS, SAM TREMMELL, JOHN BILLINGSLEY, KIRSTIN BAUER Sydney 25th Sept, Sir John Clancy Auditorium, University of NSW and Melbourne 26th Sept, venue TBA. (See <www.thehubproductions/com/events> for full details).
Actress NANA VISITOR will be appearing at the Perth Zoo Conference Centre 10th October. See www.thehubproductions.com/events/nana-visitor/home (Reported by Thomas Bull)

ARMAGEDDON : Melbourne October 16-17 Venue Melbourne Exhibition Centre. GoHs include NANA VIDITOR, MICHAEL SHANKS, CLAUDIA CHRISTIAN, JULIET LANDAU, SYLVESTER McCOY and SOPHIE ALDRED (See <http://armageddonexpo.com/au/> for more information)(Update from Thomas Bull)

THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK 30th ANNIVERSARY CHARITY DINNER. October 23rd, Rydges, Swanston St, Carlton ( Melb) Tickets $80 includes 3 course meal and entertainment. Costume or formal attire. Hosted by Australian Star Wars Fandom. See http://www.empire30th.com (Reported by Darren Maxwell)

GATE TO THE SANCTUARY Sydney, 11th Dec , The Sebel, 350 Church St, Parramatta. GOH's AMANDA TAPPING, (others to be announced) see <cultureshockeents.com> GATE TO THE SANCTUARY Melbourne, 12th Dec, GoH's AMANDA TAPPING, CARMEN ARGENZIANO, EYAN ROBBINS, CHUCK CAMPBELL (Venue to be announced? EH) See <cultureshockevents.com> (Reported by Thomas Bull)

SUPANOVA Pop culture Expo (SF, TV, books, comics, trading cards, music, fantasy, cartoons, animation and heaps more) Brisbane 2011 1-3 April RNA Showgrounds, Melbourne 2011. April 8-10 Melbourne Showground. See: http://www.supanova.com.au for more information./ (Reported by Royd Burgoyne)

THE YEAR OF SF & FANTASY with PAUL COLLINS Course. Join Paul, author of over 120 novels and 140 short stories, editor and publisher (Ford Street Publishing) as he guides you through the process of writing your own novel. Participants will benefit from brainstorming ideas with others through the year and the outcome should be a completed, polished novel ready to submit to publishers.25 September, 27 November, 10am – 4pm Cost: $600, Members $540/$500 Victoria Writers Centre, 176 Little Lonsdalel St, Melbourne

CONVENTIONS: GoH = Guest of Honour, OCP = Other Commitments Permitting, tba= to be announced.

AU CONTRAIRE, NZ Natcon, Fri 27-Sun 29th August, 2010 (the week before Aussiecon 4 for those northern hemisphere fans looking to extend their antipodean SF experience) Quality Hotel, Wellington. Full attending membership currently NZ $60. Day & supporting memberships also available. See http://aucontraire.org.nz/ for full details. Snail mail address is PO Box 10104, Wellington NZ.

CHANGING THE CLIMATE: Utopia, Dystopia and Catastrophe, The Fourth Australian Conference on Utopia, Dystopia and Science Fiction.30 Aug – 1 Sept 2010. Monash Conference Centre, Level 7, 30 Collins St, Melbourne. (See http://www.arts.monash.edu.au/cclcs/conferences/utopias/4/ for more information.)(Thanks to Thomas Bull for this.)
THE TOLKIEN SOCIETY and Australian Smial, TOL HANDOR are presenting "TOLKIEN's ODYSSEY: MIDDLE EARTH AND BEYOND" on Saturday 28th August (The weekend before Aussiecon 4) in Melbourne. ) and are currently calling for papers seeking presentatioins of 20 minutes and 45 minutes in length. Melbourne Artist, TONY GALDAMEZ has been commissioned to create artwork on a Tolkien theme for the Moot. See http://tolhandor.org/seminar09.html for full details.

AUSSIECON 4. Worldcon in Melbourne. 2-6 September 2010, Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, Southbank. GoH's: Kim Stanley Robinson, Shaun Tan, Robin Johnson.Aussiecon 4 is now taking bookings for the Art Show <http://www.facebook.com/l/14896;www.aussiecon4.org.au/index.php?page=56)>and the Dealers Room <http://www.facebook.com/l/14896;www.aussiecon4.org.au/index.php?page=57)>Please see the relative pages under the Exhibits section at http://www.facebook.com/l/14896;www.aussiecon4.org.au. Queries can be directed to Steve Francis (Dealers Room Manager) or Emma (Art Show Curator).

DUDCON, the 49th Australian National SF Convention (Natcon) that will be held in conjunction with Aussiecon 4, 3-5th September, 2010, and will be responsible for the serious natcon stuff of running the Ditmars and holding the business meeting for the natcon Fan Guest of Honour: Jacob Blake. Other GoH's to be announced. Various memberships on offer starting with Cheapskate member for $10, Generous member $20, Friend of the Ditmars m/ship $30, Protector of Kittens m/ship $40, All around good bloke/blokess m/ship $50, and Absolute Fucking Legend m/ship $100. Contact details, Paul Ewins, e-mail paulewins@optusnet.com.au, or PO Box 1126, North Melbourne. VIC 3132. (Reported by Bruce Gillespie.)

Gen Con™ Australia 23rd-26th September. Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre. Electronic gaming, anime, card games, board gamesm celebrity appearances, clothing manufacturers, comic and alternate stores for enthusiasts. anime, cos play, board games, card games, war gaming, computer games, guest appearances from sci-fi/fantasy authors. Currently seeking businesses & organizations to book exhibition spaces (attendances expected to be over 10,000 over 4 days.

The Hub Productions have author CHARLAINE HARRISat events in Sydney and Melbourne on 25th and 26th September. (See <www.thehubproductions/com/events> for full details.

RENOVATION is the Worldon in Reno, Nevada, USA August 17-21, 2011. GoH's: Tim Powers, Ellen Asher, fantasy artist Boris Vallejo/ Venue: Reno-Sparks Conventioin Centre & The Atlantis Hotel main venues. See <http://renovationsf.org/> for more details. Australian Agent: Jean Weber

WORLD FANTASY CONVENTION 2010 will be held October 28-31 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, Columbus, Ohio (USA) Attending membership US $125. Snail mail WFC 2010, 3824 Patricia Dr, Upper Arlington, OH 43220, USA. Or see <www.contextsf.org/WFC> for more details. (Thanks to Thomas Bull for the update)

SFContario, Toronto, Canada. November 19-21, 2010. Ramada Plaza Hotel in Toronto. GoHs: Michael Swanwick, Hugo- and Nebula-award winning author of Bones of the Earth, Patrick and Teresa Nielsen Hayden, Tor Books editors, Geri Sullivan & Karen Linsley. Attending mshipCAN $45. Seet <http://sfcontario.ca >

NULLUS ANXIETAS III. 8-11 April 2011.Panthers World of Entertainment, Penrith, NSW.Membership prices until 30 June 2010: $150 (full), $100 (concession),$60 (child), $30 (supporting).(See http://ausdwcon.org/ for more information.) (reported by Thomas Bull)

SWANCON THIRTY SIX | NATCON FIFTY. 21-25 April 2011 Hyatt Hotel, Adelaide Tce, Perth. Membership prices until 6 Sept 2010: $185 (full), $140 (concession) $20 (supporting). See <http://2011.swancon.com.au/> for more information. (reported by Thomas Bull)

CONTINUUM 7 10-13 June, 2011. Memberships will be launched at Aussiecon 4, and will be available from their website http://www.continuum.org.au/ (Reported by James Allen)

ConText: The 2011 New Zealand National Convention. Literary Guest Catherine Asaro, Fan GoH Lynelle Howell website: http://context.sf.org.nz/wiki/index.php/Main_Page e-mail address: mailto:enquiries@context.sf.org.nz (NB: this is for initial enquiries only.
Postal address: PO Box 74-013 Market Rd Auckland 1543 New Zealand Phone: +64-9-9629806

CON9 FROM OUTER SPACE< Old style fannish convention celebrating SF movies, TV and radio pre-1965. Melbourne, June, 2012. See http://www.con9fromouterspace.com.

OTHER INFORMATION RESOURCES:

The Inkspillers web site, < http://www.inkspill ers.com> is a great source of market information for SF writers that is always being updated by Tony Plank.

For links to books, movies and television shows see John Tipper's homepage <http://www.collectingbooksandmagazines.com>

Sci-fi REPORTER is a SF news service covering cons, fan clubs and media, edited by Stuart Blair. To subscribe to this list send an e-mail to scifireporter@yahoo.com

SMW Editing & Proof reading services for academic (including theses), fiction & non-fiction. For more details or arrange a quote, e-mail s.murraywhite@gmail.com (Please note new e-mail address.)

KopperKat Manuscript Assessment and Editing service. Industry professional with many years' experience as an editor and best-selling author goes beyond the norm to assist you with your writing. Enquiries: kopperkat@gmail.com

If you want a great fanzine resource offering fanzines in PDF format, go to http://efanzines.com where Bill Burns hosts the electronic versions of a wide variety of the world's best fanzines, including many Australian fanzines.

Looking for hand-made original ceramics and silk with a SF or Fantasy (and increasingly horse and donkey) theme? Check Edwina's CELESTIAL COBBLER SILK and CERAMICS see www.celestialcobbler.com. Say you read the Bullsheet and get a "staff discount"

For no sufficiently explained reason, and possibly for the last time, this Fanzine still supports The Minneapolis in '73 Worldcon Bid