AMAZING NEWS: 4-11-21

If you read our recent press release, you’ll know why we’re asking you to visit our Patreon page and sign up for exclusive content.  If not, please read our Press Release and then visit our Patreon page.

This post from BSFA analyzes films based on their looks.  The look of the spaceships in them.

David A. Hardy, recent birthday boy, shares his version of Monty Python’s Universe Song

Loki Trailer

According to this post, SNL thinks it’s hip to mock Boomers.  (s’ok.  All those mockers are going to end up being “Boomers” for far longer than the Boomers will have been Boomers.)

This is what the leader of a robot rebellion looks like when she’s taking time off from rabble rousing

Dale Russell reviews Allen Steele’s latest Captain Future tale 1,500 Light Years From Home 

New Ellison release in pre-order:  The Deadly Streets

The world-wide hyperloop system might look like this

In Search of Tomorrow is a sci-fi documentary that’s all about 1980s SF movies

Speaking of 1980s SF Films:  A version of 1984 was produced in 1984 and may be where the press coverage of Search of Tomorrow got this headline:  “In Search of Tomorrow is a sci-fi documentary of epic proportions that must be enjoyed by genre fans at every level…”.  My concern will grow if they announce that the documentary is being shown in room 101.  On the other hand, I’m thinking of applying for a job as an enforcer.  (“Now just relax while the nurse puts on your eye clamps, we don’t want you to miss a second…”)

A review of some Simak

Some things you might not have known about Luc Besson’s The Fifth Element, like, did you know its based on French SF?  (Nooo, you don’t say!)

Yawn?  New effort promises Fusion by 2030

Star Trek got an unprecedented two pilots before being approved for airing.  Why was the first pilot rejected?

David Gerrold has moved boxes and now has stuff for sale.  Visit his Patreon to learn more.

New Trek Film gets 2023 release date.  What’s it about?  What’s it called?  Who’ll direct?  What will the Klingons look like?  Details not forthcoming.

Another birthday boy, David Langford, has added a new book to his TAFF Library – Creative Random Harris by Chuck Harris

The Guardian rounds up some new releases

FROM OVER THE TRANSOM – EMAILS AND PRESS RELEASES FROM AROUND THE WEB

From VIz Media

Japan’s Award Winning, Up-and-Coming Manga Arrives

Undead Unluck, Vol. 1

All Fuuko wants is a passionate romance like the one in her favorite shojo manga. Unfortunately, her Unluck ability makes that impossible. But just as Fuuko hits rock bottom, Andy sweeps her off her feet—literally! Now she’s become Andy’s unwilling test subject as he works to find a way to trigger a stroke of Unluck big enough to kill him for good. However, when the pair discovers a secret organization is hunting them, it puts Andy’s burial plans on hold.
Learn More

Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead, Vol. 2

Zom 100 – a new series by the creator of the smash-hit Netflix show Alice in Borderland

Akira and Kencho make an impromptu trip to Ikebukuro to snag a widescreen TV. But before they can find one, they wind up trapped by zombies in a department store along with a couple of beautiful girls. As Akira tries to cozy up to one of them, the conversation shifts to childhood dreams, and he realizes it’s time to embrace his own—by becoming a superhero!
Learn More

Anime Tie-ins!

New Releases

The King’s Beast, V.2

Rangetsu knows she must keep a low profile in the palace if she’s to have any hope of tracking down her brother’s killer. But when an Ajin is wrongly accused of murder, can Rangetsu stand idly by knowing that Prince Tenyou has the power to prevent another horrible injustice?
Learn More

The Way of the Househusband, V.5

Tatsu is ambushed by a yakuza with a beef, and there’s only one way to settle things—an epic rap battle! But this throwdown is only a warm-up for the buffet battle yet to come, because when you’re the Immortal Dragon, you don’t choose the househusband life, it chooses you!
Learn More

Fly Me to the Moon, V.5

Nasa and Tsukasa may be temporarily homeless, but life isn’t all bad for the newlyweds. Nasa finally manages to plan a simple date. Tsukasa finally gets a cell phone. And the artist finally gives in to the temptation to draw Tsukasa in a maid uniform.
Learn More

Love Me, Love Me Not, V.8

Love and friendship have become quite complicated for these four friends. Yuna and Rio have started dating, and Akari and Kazuomi are growing closer. But now that Akari’s ex-boyfriend wants her back, will Kazuomi find the right time to tell Akari how he feels?
Learn More

Hell’s Paradise: Jigokuraku, V.8

The survivors stage a desperate raid on Horai, even as the new landing party closes in. Battling these supernatural beings is a life-and-death proposition, requiring total focus and extreme skill. A moment’s distraction could be fatal. Will Gabimaru and Sagiri overcome the odds and survive this gauntlet?
Learn More

Fullmetal Alchemist: Fullmetal Edition, V.13

In an alchemical ritual gone wrong, Edward Elric lost his arm and his leg, and his brother Alphonse became nothing but a soul in a suit of armor. The mysterious origins of the homunculi are revealed, and the brothers’ father positions himself for the coming conflict against these foes.
Learn More

Black Clover, V.25

The Spade Kingdom’s Dark Triad has launched an all-out attack on the Heart Kingdom and the Black Bulls. While Asta and company have gotten stronger, can they stand up to these new devil-possessed mages? This might be the perfect time for Yami to save the day!
Learn More

Haikyu!!, V.44

Hinata and Kageyama finally meet again, this time in the V.League. Even amid the high-level plays between the top-tier Adlers and Black Jackals, Hinata shows off all that he can do and makes big waves on the court! Once again facing Hinata as an opponent, Kageyama watches him with growing excitement as he navigates the court.
Learn More
VIZ Media May street titles are now available for request on NetGalley.
For interview requests, review copies, artwork, or to find out the latest from VIZ Media, please contact: publicity@viz.com.
VIZ Media, LLC, P.O. BOX 77010, San Francisco, CA 94107

***

From The Avram Davidson Universe

The Avram Davidson Universe
Episode 8 of The Avram Davidson Universe Podcast goes live today. In this episode we sit down with Scott Bradfield. We also play an audio version of “Dragon Skin Drum” Originally published in Kenyon Review, Winter. It is amazing that the podcast has been listened to in over 60 countries.
The audio version of The Investigations of Avram Davidson has been released. It is narrated by actor Marc LeVasseur. He brings the stories to life. I particularly like the introduction by Dick Lupoff. I have some free codes. Just ask.
Please join the The Avram Davidson Universe Facebook Group. An intimate page to share Avram stories and pictures.
Thank you to Susan Emshwiller for sharing the amazing video below! Susan is the daughter of Carol Emshwiller and sci-fi illustrator, avant-guard filmmaker Ed Emshwiller. Ed filmed this amazing footage.
Please continue to share video, audio, pictures and letters.
Avram at the Milford Writer's Workshop (best guess 1959)
The Podcast
Episode 1: Ethan Davidson “Or All The Seas With Oysters”
Episode 2: Eileen Gunn & “The Affair At Lahore Cantonment”
Episode 3: Henry Wessells “O Brave Old World!”
Episode 4: Michael Swanwick & “My Boy Friend’s Name Is Jello”
Episode 4.5 (Holiday Special), : Ethan Davidson & “Addrict” December 20.
Episode 5: Jack Dann & “Goslin Day” – January 2021
Episode 6: Alan Dean Foster & “Help! I Am Dr. Morris Goldpepper” February 2021
Episode 7: Greg Benford & “Now Let Us Sleep” March 2021
Episode 8 Scott Bradfield & “Dragon Skin Drum” April 2021
Episode 9 Michael Kurland & “The Montavarde Camera” May 2021
Episode 10 Melissa Rogers & “What Strange Stars and Skies” June 2021
Episode 11 Susan Emshwiller & “The Woman Who Thought She Could Read” July 2021
New Releases / Free Codes
Audiobook – The Investigations of Avram Davidson- Avram Davidson – Free Codes
Audiobook – Marco Polo and the Sleeping Beauty – Avram Davidson & Grania Davis – Free Codes
Audiobook – The Enquiries of Doctor Eszterhazy- Free Codes
Audiobook – The Avram Davidson Treasury – Avram Davidson
Audiobook – Dr. Grass – Grania Davis
Audiobook – The Boss in The Wall – Avram Davidson and Grania Davis
Audiobook – Moonbird – Grania Davis
Audiobook – Rainbow Annals – Free Codes
Audiobook – The Other Nineteenth Century – Free Codes
COMING SOON
A New Avram Davidson Novel
Coming later this year!

***

From D. L. Gardner

Monthly

Newsletter

Greetings everyone. I hope you had a wonderful holiday and I hope too the weather is to your pleasing. April is here in the US with its daffodils and tulips ready to bud. The sky is cerulean blue with a puff of clouds here and there and sometimes a thunderhead floats over. I’ve planted some corn and tomato seeds and my husband is building a gate to keep the deer out of the cornfield this year, we also have Rose of Sharon we had to protect from wildlife and we built little cages for them.

As far as writing and my books, today is the last day Hoarfrost to Roses will be on sale for .99 so if you can grab it, please do. It’s a sweet historical romance with a little bit of mystery and a ghost. It’s getting praise on Amazon, so do take a look. I would hate for my subscribers to miss the sale!

While discussing the world of publishing with a friend, I was given the link to Dean Weasley, who’s a well-known author, and who has a teaching course for writers. One of his courses, a free one, is on publishing with Kickstarter. If you’ve followed me through the years, you’ll know I’m familiar with crowdfunding, having funded our short film Ian’s Realm through a crowdfunding campaign, so I was immediately curious how it worked for books. Well, I guess Kickstarter has a whole new setup just for funding novels, and they even have a book shop for novels that have had successful campaigns. So of course, being the adventurer that I am, I decided to try something new with Sword of Cho Nisi, the high fantasy/romance series I’ve been working on. And so on April 11 I will be launching my campaign.

 

One thing about fundraising campaigns, it’s not all about giving money, but rather about getting some awesome awards for supporting the campaign. I would hope you’d think what I’m offering is awesome.
The books both digital and paperback, short stories about the world and the characters that you’ll not find anywhere else, customer stories with you or a loved one in them, and some beautiful graphics by my cover artist Mario Teodosio and maps by cartographer John Renehan. To make sure you hear about the launch, sign up at Kickstarter and you’ll get an email the moment the campaign becomes live..

What We’re Up To

I do hope you’ll check out the Kickstarter link and grab a copy of Hoarfrost to Roses. I love to write and to create these worlds. Reading is such an enjoyable pastime. I’ve been doing a lot of it lately as well as writing. Books I’ve read in the last few months: Great Expectations, Divide the Dawn, and Pride and Prejudice are just a few of my more recent reads.  Remember the best thing you can do for an author if you enjoy their book is to leave a review!

Get in Touch

***

From Reanimus Press

ReAnimus Press News

JUST RELEASED! HURRAH!

THE BURNING by James Gunn

FAR OUT by Damon Knight

ONE SIDE LAUGHING: STORIES UNLIKE OTHER STORIES by Damon Knight

…and lots more…

Book cover for The Burning

 

THE BURNING by James Gunn

The Burning

    • ReAnimus Press store:

www.ReAnimus.com/1652

    • Amazon:

www.Amazon.com/dp/B08LH9LLL8/?tag=reanimus-20

    • Also available in paperback

 

 

Scientist John Wilson cannot deny the accusations coming from the beautiful blonde girl with the burning eyes, nor can he refuse her offer. But in accepting her proposal, John must forgo his first love, science, and resign himself to the will of a higher power—magic. Now the door to his past has slammed shut with terrifying finality, and his future holds a horror that no rational mind can fathom. Will The Burning separate John from the comfort of the reality he loves so dearly or will it open doors in his mind that had been locked… until she arrived?

 

 

FAR OUT by Damon Knight

Far Out

    • ReAnimus Press store:

www.ReAnimus.com/1681

    • Amazon:

www.Amazon.com/dp/B08PVWSQNM/?tag=reanimus-20

    • Also available in paperback

 

 

SFWA Grandmaster Damon Knight was primarily known for his short stories, and this is his first collection of his finest stories.

“To Serve Man”

“Idiot Stick”

“Thing of Beauty”

“The Enemy”

“Not with a Bang”

“Babel II”

“Anachron”

“Special Delivery”

“You’re Another”

“Time Enough”

“Extempore”

“Cabin Boy”

“The Last Word”

 

 

ONE SIDE LAUGHING: STORIES UNLIKE OTHER STORIES by Damon Knight

One Side Laughing: Stories Unlike Other Stories

    • ReAnimus Press store:

www.ReAnimus.com/1692

    • Amazon:

www.Amazon.com/dp/B08TVW1SZW/?tag=reanimus-20

    • Also available in paperback

 

 

One of science fiction’s preeminent writers for more than forty years, Damon Knight has always been considered a master of the short story. Deemed “a brilliant craftsman who can handle any story form with crisp finesse” by Alfred Bester, and considered “one of the very finest short-story writers ever to work in the genre” by Gardner Dozois, Damon Knight has authored classics such as “To Serve Man,” “Four in One,” “Stranger Station,” and “The Big Pat Boom.”

In these seventeen tales, ranging from visions of the infinite to perceptions of the pedestrian, Damon Knight remains relentlessly at the top of his form. His vorpal wit glitters in “The Time Exchange,” while “La Ronde” glows with polished beauty; the utopian insight of “I See You” is as sharp as the jagged pain of “Each Prisoner Pent.” “The Very Objectionable Mr. Clegg” turns things on their heads, while “Strangers on Paradise” depicts a world set right—perhaps too right. Throughout these stories runs a deep commitment best called art.

Frequently reprehensible, consistently unclassifiable, elegantly beautiful, and entirely enjoyable, One Side Laughing is a collection of vintage Damon Knight. As powerful as they are pleasurable, these tales are treasures to be read, and read, and read again. Forever.

 

Praise for Damon Knight

“[Damon Knight] has not only a scintillating imagination but also the mastery of words necessary to describe his visions beautifully.”
—James Michener

“Damon Knight’s own writing has always been a showcase for the best of New Wave ideals. He knows English; he thinks through implications; but his characters live and breathe, and any of the stories in this book may shake your notion of what shape a story may have.”
—Larry Niven

“The fiction of Damon Knight…has that unpretentious ease and rightness which a reviewer calls, for lack of a more analytical term, readability. Though it deals always with ideas and often with technologies, it is miraculously clear even to the reader who has never before encountered science fiction. Knight is surely one of the most civilized of science-fiction writers.”
—Anthony Boucher

“Knight is a man of stature and quality, a writer of importance, and a writer whose works will be a new and perhaps jarring experience for many people.”
—Barry N. Malzberg

 

And lots more…

See the list of our newest books here. Lots of stuff you’ll love!

***

From FANAC the Fan History Project
Forthcoming Zoom cast schedule

April 17Saturday – 2pm EDT, 11AM PDT, 7PM London –  Early Star Trek Fandom, with Ruth Berman and Devra Langsam.  Stories and anecdotes from Ruth and Devra about their entry into fandom, about the origins of Star Trek fandom, and how they came to publish T-Negative and  Spockanallia. For those of us that came into fandom later, here’s a chance to hear how Star Trek was received in general fandom, how Trek fandom got started, who the BNFs were and what they were they like.  How did the first Trek fanzines and Trek conventions affect fandom, and how did Trek fandom grow  and become its own thing.
April 27Tuesday – 4pm EDT, 1pm PDT,  9PM London. An Interview with Erle Korshak by Joe Siclari. Erle Korshak is one of our remaining FIrst Fans (inducted into the First Fandom Hall of Fame in 1996) and a Guest of Honor at Chicon 8 (2022 Worldcon). Erle was an organizer of the first Chicon,  the 1940 Worldcon, and was one of the Worldcon auctioneers for many years. He started Shasta Publishers, one of the first successful specialty SF publishers.  He was also involved with early SF movies. In this session, fan historian Joe Siclari  will interview Erle and his son Steve about early fandom, early conventions (including Worldcons), Shasta, and both Erle and Steve’s continuing interest in illustration art. Note: this is a midweek session. 
May 22Saturday – 2pm EDT, 11AM PDT, 7PM London – An Interview with Bjo and John Trimble. Bjo and John Trimble have had an enormous impact on fandom from the 1950s onward. They’ve pubbed their ish, and some of the zines are available on FANAC.org. Bjo created the convention art show as we know it today (pre-pandemic) with Project Art Show, and published PAS-tell to share info with interested fans everywhere. In LASFS,  Bjo had a large role in reviving a flagging LASFS in the late 50s. Her most famous contribution was the successful Save Star Trek campaign which resulted in a 3rd year of the original series. Bjo was one of the organziers of Los Angeles fandom’s film making endeavors.  John is a co-founder of the LASFS clubzine, De Profundis and an editor of Shangri-L’Affaires. Bjo and John were Fan Guests of Honor at ConJose (2002), and were nominated twice for Best Fanzine Hugos. Bjo was nominated for Best Fan Artist Hugo. In this interview, expect stories and anecdotes of Los Angeles fandom, how the art show came to be, Save Star Trek and more.

After these, we’ll go on break until September. With good weather coming, and vaccines available, we don’t want to stay home on a Saturday and I suspect you don’t either. Thanks for your interest.

***
From Orbit Books

Get The Tower of Fools for only $2.99!

“A fantastic novel that any fan of The Witcher will instantly appreciate.” —The Gamer

Andrzej Sapkowski’s Witcher series has become a fantasy phenomenon, finding millions of fans worldwide and inspiring the hit Netflix show and video games. Now the bestselling author introduces readers to a new hero on an epic journey in The Tower of Fools, the first book of the Hussite Trilogy.

Buy for only $2.99!
Read an excerpt
Add it on Goodreads

***
From Heliosphere

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Hi Everyone,
We hope this finds all of you healthy and safe.

When we had to cancel HELIOsphere 2020 because of the coronavirus, we were sad, but we made the best of it with HELIOsphere: Beyond the Corona! (BTC)

We were so hoping to be able to meet in person this year.  Unfortunately, that also wasn’t meant to be.

However, this misfortune has also provided a unique opportunity.  FilKONtario discovered that their virtual convention was scheduled on the same weekend as us, and reached out to us to suggest that we blend our programs into one. We loved the idea!

So this weekend, FilKONtario and HELIOsphere have united to bring to you:

BTC & FK-NO!
(a virtual event)
Join us while we all #StayHome! 
We’ve highlighted a few items below, but please check our website for the most up-to-date information:
Filk Hall of Fame Awards
Filk Hall of Fame is an award for lifetime (and ongoing) achievement within the Filk Community presented each year at FilKONtario, and this year, virtually.
All-Weekend Gaming
Our resident game master, Galen, who runs our game room and vends out of there, too, will be online much of the weekend at Boardgame Arena and would love it if you joined him for some games!  His username is Galen_Mac_Byrne.  Enjoy! (and Good Luck!)
Songwriting Contest
FilKONtario’s 2021 Topic: “The Light at the End of the Tunnel?”
Cookin’ with Stacy: Let’s Make Perogi!

You know her as one of our friendly Registration staff members, but Stacy Masiello is an excellent cook!  Join her in her kitchen as she shows us how to make Cheese Perogi!

Stacy chose to share this recipe in honor of First Contact Day on April 5, 2063, when the Vulcans detect warp drive capability on The Phoenix. Though we will be celebrating late, she felt we should make Zefram Cochrane’s favorite dish to honor the momentous day in our future!

Cheese Pierogi
Pierogi Dough:
250g of plain flour
1 large egg beaten
pinch of salt
40 ml lukewarm water
Combine all ingredients in a bowl until it makes a raggedy looking dough. Turn out onto a floured surface and knead until smooth and pliable. Roll it into a bowl and wrap in plastic wrap and set aside to rest while making the filling.
Cheese filling
1 fine diced onion. (I ran it through the food processor)
150g drained and room temperature ricotta cheese (you can also use farmers cheese)
1 egg
s&p to taste (you can use whichever you like but I prefer white pepper for the aesthetic)
1- 2 tsp vegetable oil
Heat the oil in frying pan over medium heat until shimmery. Add the onions and cook gently for about 6 minutes, until your onions are soft and translucent. Remove from the pan and allow to cool to room temperature.
Put the cheese in a bowl and mash it well with a fork then add the egg, s&p. Add in the onions and stir them through the mixture.
Put the filling to the side and cut your dough in half. Cover the half you are not using yet and roll out the dough to about 5 mm thickness. Use a floured glass or cookie cutter to make round cutouts. Place a spoonful of filling into the center of the dough and then pinch the edges together to crimp them, you can use a fork as well. Repeat this process until you have used up the dough and filling while setting a pot with salted water to boil. Place the pierogi, 4-5 at a time in the boiling salted water until they rise to the top and allow 2 extra minutes before removing them to a bowl with butter (to prevent sticking) Repeat this process until you have cooked all the pierogi.  You may serve it immediately on a large platter with sour cream or you can also fry the pierogi to crisp and brown them in butter and serve them with a garnish of green onion and sour cream.
Looking forward to “seeing” you this weekend!
Please stay safe and healthy! We want to see all of you in person next year.

Signing Off,
Liz & Catelynn , BTC
Sally & Peggi, FK-NO
& the Staff of HELIOsphere 2021  and FilKONtario 2021

Schedule: https://btc.heliosphereny.org

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***

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