Ticket deadline approaching for Dallas Comic Con: Fan Days

Fans wanting to avoid delayed entry into the upcoming Dallas Comic Con: Fans Days have until midnight Tuesday (Oct. 1) to pre-order tickets at www.fandays.com. Tickets also will be available on show days but will not be sold until all pre-registered guests already in line when the doors open have entered the building. The show runs Oct. 4-6 at the Irving Convention Center, 500 W. Las Colinas Blvd.

“This new policy will allow customers who pre-order tickets to get into the show faster,” said Ben Stevens, co-owner of C2Ventures, which produces Dallas Comic Con. “Box office ticket sales may be delayed until at least noon on Saturday – our busiest day – so anyone wanting to avoid the wait should pre-order as soon as possible.”

The three-day show will feature more than 50 actors and artists signing autographs, meeting fans and answering questions during special panels. Other events include adult and children costume contests, special effects make-up workshops, Q&A panels, a CosPlay Red Carpet, photo opportunities, and dozens of vendors and exhibitors.

Guest actors include Ron Perlman (Hellboy, Sons of Anarchy, Beauty and the Beast), John Barrowman (Arrow, Torchwood, Doctor Who), Robert Patrick (True Blood, The X-Files, Terminator II), Katee Sackhoff (Longmire, Riddick), Giancarlo Esposito (Breaking Bad, Revolution), Charles Baker (Breaking Bad, Splinter), Steven Yeun (The Walking Dead), Jason David Frank (Mighty Morphin Power Rangers), Tom Felton (“Draco Malfoy” in the Harry Potter movies) and Lou Ferrigno (The Incredible Hulk). Also scheduled to appear are Star Wars actors Anthony Daniels (“C-3PO”), Peter Mayhew (“Chewbacca”), Daniel Logan (young “Boba Fett”) and Tom Kane (voice of “Yoda” and narrator of Star Wars: The Clone Wars).

 Artists on the agenda include Neal Adams (Batman, Conan the Barbarian), Herb Trimpe (co-creator of Wolverine, artist of The Incredible Hulk, Godzilla, G.E. Joe), Simon Bisley (Lobo, Heavy Metal), Michael Golden (The ‘Nam, Doctor Strange), Kelley Jones (Batman, covers for Detective Comics), and a rare U.S. appearance by Canadian artist Cary Nord (Conan, X-O Manowar).

Show hours are 2 to 8 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. The box office opens one hour prior to show time on Friday and Sunday, and two hours prior to show time on Saturday.

Tickets are $25 Friday, $40 Saturday and $30 Sunday. Children ages 5 to 12 are $5, and ages 4 and under are free. Parking is $5, with shuttles provided for extended lots.

To pre-order tickets or for more information, please visit www.fandays.com.

Video of WorldCon 71 / LoneStarCon 3 Firefly Shindig

Feast your eyes! One of the highlights of the WorldCon/LoneStarCon was a recreation of the ball from the episode “Shindig.” Friday night, August 30th, there was a huge gathering in the main ball room and some folks were dressed to the nines. There a two ladies that were wearing beautiful gowns and I found out that this was their twentieth WorldCon. Man, that has got to be expensive! But, it is a great show, so well worth it.

Music was provided by Lissa Bengston and the Lost and Nameless Orchestra out of Austin. Lissa was the caller like you’d find at a square dance and this was very similar. The song is called “Russian Orange Dressing” and I’ve been trying to find a copy of it, because it is so Firefly. If any of you can place it, let me know.

WorldCon 71 / LoneStarCon 3 Firefly Shindig Contra Dance

It’s taken me a while to post this. I’ll add a post later that tells of my trip overall and why it took me so long to get back into the swing of things. If any of you were there, drop me a line!

TV Review: Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.

Welcome to the new world and it’s located in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

I’ve been very excited about the new show “Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. and I was not disappointed. As the show opens, you are given a look at the first superhero that isn’t on the roster at S.H.I.E.L.D. HQ. We are also re-introduced to old agents and the new ones. It’s never said how they bring back Colson, but it’s very obvious that he is the only one unaware of his secret.

Characters/Plot

I’ve been very excited about the new show “Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. and I was not disappointed. As the show opens, you are given a look at the first superhero that isn’t on the roster at S.H.I.E.L.D. HQ. We are also re-introduced to old agents and the new ones. It’s never said how they bring back Colson, but it’s very obvious that he is the only one unaware of his secret. The characters are standard fare for a TV show. Nothing really different from any other character on TV, except that they all work for this cool organization. I was surprised to see Ron Glass on the show as Dr. Stretlan as I didn’t see any news about it. I may have just never gotten the memo. I like the characters, though there isn’t too much background given right now. I’m sure that will come out in later episodes. Min-Na Wen’s character, Melinda May, seems to have some issues with being in the field, so I can’t wait to find out why.

Tech/Weapons

The tech in this show is going to be a big centerpiece. From small drones that can do the work of an entire forensics team to really cool transportation, this is going to really get the fanboys and fangirls. And there are lots of tie-ins to the main Marvel Universe, with lots of references to our favorite superheroes. This will also be a favorite point of the show, listening for obscure references.

Special Effects

Nothing to really mention on this points as it is pretty good in general for television. Again, they may have some really cool stuff later on down the line, but for now, it’s looks good.

Final Say

I’m hooked and can’t wait for the next episode. If you watched, what did you think?

Synopsis

Joss Whedon (MARVEL’S THE AVENGERS, Buffy the Vampire Slayer) shows us not all heroes are super with MARVEL’S AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D. Fresh from his role in the summer’s box office smash, MARVEL’S THE AVENGERS, Agent Phil Coulson (Clark Gregg) returns to the worldwide law enforcement organization S.H.I.E.L.D.  He puts together a small, highly trained, team of Agents to tackle the cases that haven’t been classified yet, the new, the strange and the unknown.  That team consists of straight arrow Agent Grant Ward (Brett Dalton), an expert in combat and espionage; pilot and martial artist Agent Melinda May (Ming-Na Wen); and brilliant if socially awkward scientists Agent Leo Fitz (Iain De Caestecker) and Agent Jemma Simmons (Elizabeth Henstridge). They’ll be joined by civilian new recruit and computer hacker Skye (Chloe Bennet). Prepare for an epic adventure that showcases the hope and wonder of the human spirit. This is a world of Super Heroes, aliens and the unusual – of action, spectacle and world spanning stories. The show will speak to the human condition through the lens of our very human, non-powered S.H.I.E.L.D agents – that together we are greater than we are apart, and that we can make a difference in the world. Executive Produced and co-written by Joss Whedon, Jed Whedon & Maurissa Tancharoen (Dollhouse, Dr.Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog), Jeffrey Bell (Angel, Alias) and Jeph Loeb (Smallville, Lost, Heroes) comes Marvel’s first live-action TV series, MARVEL’S AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D. ~Press release from ABC

The Dark Knight Trilogy: Ultimate Collector's Edition [Blu-ray] (2013) Now Available

The Dark Knight Trilogy: Ultimate Collector’s Edition on Blu-ray has just been released. This is a blatant call for “I Want!” Yep, pretend I’m your father and it’s Father’s Day and this is the only thing that will bond us beyond Father/Child status.

The set contains six DVDs with all three films and new 90 minute special features disc. And to make this the “ultimate,” it includes five Mondo “Villain” prints, reproductions of the Tumbler, Bat-pod, and the Bat, a large 48-page photo book of the trilogy with rare images, and a letter from Christopher Nolan.

Yes, this would make me very happy. But, I know you. You’re that kid that buys a tie and calls it even. Yeah, I’ll end up buying it for myself. Thanks for nothing.

Oh, and this is an Amazon affiliate link. If you purchase it through here, I might be able to earn enough to get it myself. But I’m not holding my breath.

The Dark Knight Trilogy: Ultimate Collector's Edition [Blu-ray]: Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Gary Oldman, Morgan Freeman, Christopher Nolan: Movies & TV ASIN: B00DUCXFUC

Dallas Fan Days is Coming!

Dallas Fan Days is just a little over a week away and you can already feel the excitement in the air! With a list of guests that will make the fattest wallet deflate in no time, some decisions will have to be made. VIP tickets have sold out, and though I’m not bragging, I’ve got mine. What remains to be seen is whether it’s worth it.

While I could go on and on about who I want to meet, I want to give a heads up on who has cancelled. We will be missing Carrie Fisher, Dave Prowse, and John Rhys Davies. They all will attempt to reschedule some time in the future.

I will give you my top four celebs that I want to meet.

1. Ron Perlman – My first recollection of Ron Perlman was the movie ICE PIRATES with Robert Urich. In fact, this movie had a ton of great actors in it.
2. John Barrowman – I had seen Barrowman on DOCTOR WHO and heard that there was a spin-off. The first episode I watched was “Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang” and the fight scene sealed it . . . with a kiss? ! ? !
3. Anthony Daniels – Who can pass up a chance to talk with the man who brings the World’s Greatest Protocol Droid to life?
4. Shelley Duvall – BERNICE BOBS HER HAIR. This is where I was first introduced to Shelley Duvall. It was a TV movie, don’t know why I watched it, but I definitely remember her character. THE SHINING and POPEYE followed four years later.
5. Katee Sackhoff – BATTLESTAR GALACTICA (NEW) or BIONIC WOMAN or even as Howard’s self-love interest on BIG BANG THEORY, she’s beautiful and talented. If you haven’t seen RIDDICK yet, then check it out, because she kicks butt!

I may even have to get Jon Heder to autograph a book for me. The movie BUDDY HOLLY IS A LIVE AND WELL ON GANYMEDE, named after the book by Bradley Denton, is in production. Well, it’s been there since about 2009, but they do now have a website for it and a trailer. So, hopefully, it will come to fruition pretty soon.

Here’s the link to Dallas Fan Days. Plan carefully folks, there are a lot of things to do and see. Choose wisely.

Who or what are you looking forward to at Dallas Fan Days?

RetroPalooza! The Retro Gaming and Toy Event of the Year

RetroPalooza! is a little event put on by Rotoscope Productions and The Game Chasers to bring together fans of yesterday’s toys and games. With vendors on hand to buy/sell/trade, you’ll find retro games, retro toys, art, special guests, free play games, door prizes, a charity raffle, and more! A Cosplay Contest will be hosted by Taffeta Darling. She’ll also be promoting her Fangirls show as they stream live with McCort Entertainment. There will also be live music on hand so remember to be at the Bob Duncan Center on Saturday, September 28, 2013 from 11 AM until 5 PM. The Bob Duncan Civic Center is at 2800 South Center Street, Arlington, Texas, 76014. $3 to get in the door.

The event will be followed by the Official RetroPalooza After Party at Alley Cats Family Entertainment Center. You’re invited to come by after the show and have a more fun with the production crew. Fun starts at 6:30 PM.

Check out the RetroPalooza Facebook Fan Page for guests and updates.

The Taffeta Darling is a local costumer, media personality, and model and hosts Fangirls: Dames of the Round Table, a show that brings lady geeks to the table (pun intended) and let’s them give voice to their favorite passions and hobbies.

Pre-Screening of CATCHING FIRE to Benefit Tarrant Area Food Bank

You can get a chance to see CATCHING FIRE before the midnight showing and help feed hungry families in North Texas!

Muggles For Life is a group that supports charities in the area that help those that are in need. By purchasing a ticket to this event you will be helping the Tarrant Area Food Bank and you’ll see CATCHING FIRE before anyone else in the area. You can go to the Muggles For Life Facebook Page for more info.

When: Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Where: Cinemark Tinseltown, 911 State Hwy 114 W., Grapevine, Texas  76051

What time: 7 PM

Price: $18 and includes two tickets to the Grand Prize Raffle

You can get your tickets at Tickets for Catching Fire Pre-Screening.

Alamo Drafthouse Presents THE ULTIMATE WILLY WONKA PARTY

Alamo Drafthouse Presents THE ULITMATE WILLY WONKA PARTY Tuesday, September 24, 2013, at 7 PM. Actors Paris Themmen and Julie Dawn Cole, Mike Teevee and Veruca Salt respectively, will be in attendance.

This is what the Alamo calls an Action Pack or it’s put on by the Action Pack, I’m not sure which, but the deal is that it’s very interactive. Themmen and Cole will be part of a Q&A after the movie, Charlie & The Chocolate Factory. During the movie, there will be bubbles, candies just like in the movie, and more! Check out the link to read all the small print, because it is 18 and up, with provisions.

Alamo Drafthouse - THE ULTIMATE WILLY WONKA PARTY

Alamo Drafthouse Dallas/Fort Worth Screens TEEN WOLF (1985) with James Hampton in Attendance

That’s right, kids! Tonight! James Hampton will be talking and signing at the show, so get there. That’s tonight at the Alamo Drafthouse Dallas/Fort Worth which is actually in Richardson (confusing, huh?)

James Hampton who plays Michael J. Fox’s dad, will be there for a special retrospective Q&A and autograph signing. The Alamo Drafthouse is located at 100 South Central Expressway, #14 Richardson, TX 75080. The movie starts at 7 PM local time.

High school means big changes, and for ordinary teenager Scott Howard that means discovering he's a werewolf! Now, he's the big wolf on campus, a basketball hero and a hit with the ladies. But will Scott's newfound popularity go to his head, or will he realize that underneath all that fur he's just like everybody else? Michael J. Fox stars in this classic 80s comedy. ~MGM.com

 

 

 

Big Fan Boy has passes that will get you in for free! Check it here!

Movie Review: Riddick

Riddick is the third installment in the Riddiverse that started with PITCH BLACK (2000) and was followed by THE CHRONICLES OF RIDDICK (2004). Vin Diesel is back as our favorite butt-kicking anti-hero in the film written and directed by David Twohy.

The plot focuses on the anti-hero Riddick; he has been left for dead on a desert planet where he finds himself fighting for his life against alien predators far more viscious than any human he has ever faced. Riddick is forced to use a beacon to alert the very bounty hunters he has been evading to come and collect him as this is the only way he can possibly escape.

The mercs that arrive are even more lethal than any Riddick has faced before, and onboard one of the ships is a captain who has a very personal score to settle.

Vin Diesel is joined on the cast by Karl Urban who reprises the role of Vaako, former WWE wrestler Dave Bautista who plays Diaz and Katee Sackhoff who plays Dahl.

~ www.Riddick-movie.com

Scenery/Special Effects/CGI

After the lack-luster showing of 2004’s THE CHRONICLES OF RIDDICK where it barely made back what it spent, RIDDICK used a mere $38 million to produce. This was a little evident in some areas of the CGI. At times, you could tell the actors were on a sound stage. Also, the hoverbikes were a neat idea, but didn’t play out well on the screen. The animals that passed for dogs, being a cross between hyenas and great danes, was a good attempt, but the killer scorpion-whatever-thingys were really cool!

Weapons/Tech

When you have two rival merc groups descending on the planet to take the head of the universe’s baddest outlaw, you expect some awesome tech to show up. And it does. Betweeen the electro-guns and the weapons used by the Necromongers, there’s some fun ways to kill someone. What disappointed me though, was the bikes. They looked like hogs with ape-hangars. You know, the choppers with the big, tall handlebars? But, when viewed in action, they lost a little of the awesome due to bad CGI.

Plot/Acting

The plot was a simple hodge-podge of a lot of sci-fi stories, but the characters helped to move it along fairly well. Riddick finds himself alone on this savage planet and soon in trouble due to a natural phenomenon that he knows he won’t survive. He sets off a beacon at a merc way-station, expecting to get a ride out, one way or another. Instead, two groups show up. One group is led by Santana (Jordi Mollà), who is just a little off his rocker, and the other is a military-style outfit led by Boss Johns (Matt Nable). Boss has a personal reason to be after Riddick, but Santana just wants his head in a box so that he can collect the reward. Which is double if Riddick is dead.

There’s some humor in this movie, also. Riddick get’s to train one of the alien dogs to be a protector/companion and you get some great moments between the two of them. Dahl (Katee Sackhoff) is Boss’ right-hand woman and can take on any man, which she does in some great scenes. Diaz (Dave Bautista) is in Santana’s group and he gets to throw around a few good lines himself. One of the best scenes though is when Santana doesn’t know if Riddick has tampered with a locker that is locked with an explosive lock. It’s a riot to watch, not know what’s gonna happen! There are an occasional “did they really just say that?” moments when the writing could have been better, but for the most part, the rest of the writing makes up for it.

RIDDICK is a fun romp across a desert planet, with a boy and his dog. Bad guys are inbound and don’t know what they are getting in to and it ends on a good note. I liked it and will watch it again. I hope you enjoy it, too.

Have you seen it already? What did you think?

Monster-Con Shambles Into San Antonio September 28-29, 2013

Monster-Con will be held at the Wonderland of the Americas in San Antonio September 28-29, 2013.

• Monster-Con
• September 28-29, 2013
• Wonderland of the Americas
• 4522 Fredericksburg Road, San Antonio, Texas  78201
• Hours Saturday 10 AM – 9 PM and Sunday 12 PM – 6 PM
• Admission is FREE!
• Guests – Stratum Comics, DJ Crescendoll, Brimstone, Victor Miller, Parrish Randall, Gunnar Hansen, Joseph Klagger, Billy Blair, Greg Ingram

South Texas Collectors Expo

South Texsa Collectors Expo is this Saturday and Sunday, September 21-22, 2013, at the Laredo Civic Center Ballroom in Laredo, Texas.

• South Texas Collectors Expo
• September 21-22, 2013
• Laredo, Texas
• Laredo Civic Center Ballroom
• 2400 San Bernardo Ave, Laredo, TX 78040
• $5-15
• Guests – Jeremy Bulloch, Nicole Marie Jean, David Yost, Tom Kane, D. D. Lewis, Vernon Wells, Greg Valentine

Salute to Supernatural in Dallas September 20-22, 2013

Dallas welcomes Salute to Supernatural this weekend September 20-22, 2013.

• Salute to Supernatural
• September 20-22, 2013
• Westin Park Central
• 12720 Merit Dr., Dallas, Texas  75251
• 9 AM until 7 PM
• Tickets Options

Red Bull Flugtag Comes to Dallas/Fort Worth

Red Bull Flugtag will take place at Lake Carolyn in Las Colinas on September 21st, 2013.

• Red Bull Flugtag – Dallas/Fort Worth
• September 21, 2013
• Lake Carolyn, Las Colinas, Texas
• Hangars open at 11 AM
• First Flight at 1 PM
• Event is FREE and open to the public

DFW GI Joe and Action Figure Show

The Dallas/Fort Worth G.I. Joe Collectors Club are back with their second annual DFW GI Joe and Action Figure Show on September 21, 2013.

• DFW GI Joe and Action Figure Show
• Saturday, September 21, 2013
• The Grapevine Convention Center
• 1209 South Main Street, Grapevine, Texas  76051
• 10 AM until 4 PM
• $5 per person or $10 a family
• Boy Scouts in uniform or Military, Police, Fireman, or other Law Enforcement Personnel free with current and valid identification.

Mark Reznicek Signs BUZZKILL #1 at Zeus Comics

Mark Reznicek will signing copies of BUZZKILL #1 at Zeus Comics and Collectibles this Wednesday September 18, 2013, from noon until 6 PM.

• Mark Reznicek, drummer for the Toadies
• 12 PM until 6 PM
• Zeus Comics and Collectibles
• 1334 Inwood Rd., Dallas, Texas  75247
• BUZZKILL Preview from Dark Horse Comics
• BUZZKILL Signing Facebook Event Page

The Passing of A. C. Crispin

I didn’t get a chance to mention this last week due to being on the road, but A. C. Crispin passed away on September 5, 2013.

Though I have a few of her novels, titles fail me, I do remember enjoying them. I read several pieces penned in her memoriam and realized that she had written much more than I was aware. Her first novel was YESTERDAY’S SON in 1983 for the Star Trek franchise. She continued to write tie-in novels and did so well that this year she was named a Grandmaster by the International Association of Media Tie-In Writers.

I will have to put her on my list of authors to read. In doing so, what book would you suggest I start with?

In Memoriam: A. C. Crispin – Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America

A. C. Crispin

(Photo from A. C. Crispin’s Facebook Page)

Encore Performance of RiffTrax Live: STARSHIP TROOPERS

Back by popular demand, RiffTrax will present an encore performance of RiffTrax Live: STARSHIP TROOPERS.

• RiffTrax: STARSHIP TROOPERS
• Thursday, September 12, 2013
• 7:30 PM
• Cinemas Nationwide – click to find out where
• Prices vary

Lewisville Science Fiction Book Group Discusses EARTH UNAWARE by Orson Scott Card

The Lewisville Science Fiction Group will meet to discuss Orson Scott Card’s novel, EARTH UNAWARE.

• Lewisville Science Fiction Book Group
• Literary Science Fiction Group
• Friday, September 13, 2013
• 7:30 PM
• IHOP – 2345 Stemmons Fwy, Lewisville, Tx  75067
• EARTH UNAWARE by Orson Scott Card
• No membership fees

Brony Fan Fair in Austin, Texas

Brony Fan Fair takes place in Austin, Texas, this weekend September 13-15, 2013.

• Brony Fan Fair
• My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic Fans
• September 13-15, 2013
• Austin, Texas
• Holiday Inn Austin Midtown
• $30-75(ish)
• Industry Guests – Matt Hill, Sam Vincent
• Community Guests – Amelie Belcher, Celestia Radio, Drawponies, Holly Gloha, Paleo, Rina-chan, & Ponyville Live!

Awesome Toy Collector Show–Fort Worth, Texas

Awesome Toy Collector Show–Fort Worth, Texas, September 8, 2013

• Dallas/Ft. Worth Toy Show
• Sunday, September 8, 2013
• 11 AM to 5 PM
• Holiday Inn – Fossil Creek, 4635 Gemini Place, Ft. Worth, Texas, 75106
• $2 – 12 and under free with paying adult
• EARLY BUYER HOUR ADMISSION:$5.00 (10AM -11AM ONLY)
• Win a $25.00 shopping spree! Drawings at 12:30pm and 4:30pm
• http://www.awesomecollectorshows.com/toy.html

Kim Stanley Robinson Signs SHAMAN and Speaks With Fans

A small group greeted Kim Stanley Robinson Wednesday night at the Barnes & Noble Lincoln Park location. He read four passages from his new book SHAMAN which tells the story of a Shaman-in-training and his coming of age during the Ice Age. I asked him why the reverse in direction as to a time period and Robinson said that to look forward we have to look back especially when looking at ourselves. I’m really looking forward to reading this and if any of you do or have already, feel free to let me know what you think.

Photos of Kim Stanley Robinson Book Signing

Naughty Bits–A Video Game Burlesque Review

Pin Curl Magazine presents Naughty Bits – A Video Game Burlesque Review on Friday, September 6, 2013.

• Lakewood Theater
• 1825 Abrams Parkway, Dallas, Texas, 75214
• Friday, September 6, 2013
• Doors open at 8 PM, show starts at 9 PM
• Starring Minxie Molotov, Vivienne Vermuth, and Divertida Devotchka
• Hosted by Emcee Dapper John
• Tickets at Viva Dallas Burlesque

When Life Gives You Lemons, Loose Photon Torpedoes

I’m a little late on getting the rest of WorldCon Recap put together due to the circumstances on the return from San Antonio. It would seem that my 11 year-old SUV has had enough of life and wants to die. I’m not letting it happen. We were just 20 miles south of Austin returning to Dallas when we over-heated. Seems an earlier repair (six months ago) wasn’t done right and now I’m in for about $1200, and a three day car rental and gas to return to Dallas then back to Austin and back to Dallas.

Sometime next week, I’ll have a breakdown of this years WorldCon. Keep your fingers crossed.

Oh, did I mention the busted water valve on my washer?

Science Fiction Author Frederik Pohl Passes At Age 93

Frederik Pohl, who developed a love of science fiction in his life and never lost that love, passed away on Monday at the age of 93.

I have in my possession from LoneStarCon 3, the pamphlet that they handed out at the Hugo Awards ceremony. It’s actually two pamphlets-in-one, where the back half is a guide to the 1939 Retro Hugos. These are Hugos that will be awarded in London at the LondonCon 2014 to works from 1939. No Hugos were given that year and this is a way of honoring past works.

In this pamphlet, Frederik Pohl tells a story of 1938. A year that was a turning point for he and his friend, Isaac Asimov. They both were fans of science fiction and in their enjoyment of it, wrote stories. But this year, they decided to do more than be fans. They wanted to be pros, to be considered among the greats of that day.

So, he goes on to tell how he and Asimov, using different techniques, got into the publishing business. Asimov wrote several stories and submitted them to John Campbell until one was bought. Pohl on the other hand, didn’t want to copy Asimov’s move and there was only one Campbell, so he goes and starts asking editors at the pulps if they needed an assistant to help in reading all those submissions. He reasoned that would leave them more time to take care of other important things and he would then be considered a professional.

All turned him down saying that it wasn’t in the budget, but someone told him to check out Harry Steeger. Steeger was rumored to have several pulps that he was starting and the idea was maybe he would give Pohl one to edit. And he did. And the rest is history.

Frederik Pohl, Science Fiction Master Who Vaporized Utopias, Dies at 93 - The New York Times

Kim Stanley Robinson to Sign SHAMAN

Science Fiction author Kim Stanley Robinson will be signing his new book Shaman at Barnes & Noble Lincoln Park at 7 PM Wednesday, September 4, 2013. The Lincoln Park Barnes & Noble is located at 7700 West Northwest Highway, Suite 300, across from the North Park Mall in Dallas.

I had the pleasure of sitting in on a panel at the 71st World Science Fiction Convention or LoneStarCon 3 in San Antonio this weekend. The panel was titled Reclaiming the Solar System and discussed how stories about our solar system weren’t told as much as the worlds that lay outside of it’s boundaries. As our space probes pressed on to other stars, our imaginations went with them. Robinson, along with Joe Haldeman, Greg Benford, and Alistair Reynolds spoke of possible new stories to come and the different locations within our system that would make great locations for a tall tale.

Robinson’s new book, Shaman, takes place on our own planet back in the days of early man.

There is Thorn, a shaman himself. He lives to pass down his wisdom and his stories -- to teach those who would follow in his footsteps.

There is Heather, the healer who, in many ways, holds the clan together.

There is Elga, an outsider and the bringer of change.

And then there is Loon, the next shaman, who is determined to find his own path. But in a world so treacherous, that journey is never simple -- and where it may lead is never certain.

SHAMAN is a powerful, thrilling and heartbreaking story of one young man's journey into adulthood -- and an awe-inspiring vision of how we lived thirty thousand years ago.

Are you a fan of Kim Stanley Robinson? What is it about his writing that you like?

WorldCon 71 / LoneStarCon 3 Day 4–Hugo Awards

These are the continuing journeys of me, James Pickering, and Les Webster of The Fellowship of the Geeks, as we ply the crowds at our first 71st World Science Fiction Convention or known as Lone Star Con 3!

Again, it’s another late night, but we had so much fun. The Hugo Awards are a once in a lifetime event, but I am truly going to try and do this again. I seriously could do this for the rest of my life. To be in the same room with so much talent is just a great experience.

 

Congratulations to all the winners, which I will list below. We’ve got one more day and I’ve got to prepare for it. Good night.

• Best Novel-Redshirts: A Novel with Three Codas, John Scalzi (Tor)
• Best Novella-The Emperor’s Soul, Brandon Sanderson (Tachyon Publications)
• Best Novelette-“The Girl-Thing Who Went Out for Sushi”, Pat Cadigan (Edge of Infinity, Solaris)
• Best Short Story-“Mono no Aware”, Ken Liu (The Future is Japanese, VIZ Media LLC)
• Best Related Work-Writing Excuses Season Seven, Brandon Sanderson, Dan Wells, Mary Robinette Kowal, Howard Tayler and Jordan Sanderson
• Best Graphic Story-Saga, Volume One, written by Brian K. Vaughn, illustrated by Fiona Staples (Image Comics)
• Best Dramatic Presentation, Long Form-The Avengers, Screenplay & Directed by Joss Whedon (Marvel Studios, Disney, Paramount)
• Best Dramatic Presentation, Short Form-Game of Thrones, “Blackwater”, Written by George R.R. Martin, Directed by Neil Marshall. Created by David Benioff and D.B. Weiss (HBO)
• Best Editor, Short Form-Stanley Schmidt
• Best Editor, Long Form-Patrick Nielsen Hayden
• Best Professional Artist-John Picacio
• Best Semiprozine-Clarkesworld, edited by Neil Clarke, Jason Heller, Sean Wallace and Kate Baker
• Best Fanzine-SF Signal, edited by John DeNardo, JP Frantz, and Patrick Hester
• Best Fancast-SF Squeecast, Elizabeth Bear, Paul Cornell, Seanan McGuire, Lynne M. Thomas, Catherynne M. Valente and David McHone-Chase
• Best Fan Writer-Tansy Rayner Roberts
• Best Fan Artist-Galen Dara
• The John W. Campbell Award for Best New Writer-Mur Lafferty

Thanks to The Hugo Awards website for the extra info. I can only write so fast in a darkened ballroom with a camera in one hand.

Here are the links to the photos.

Hugo Award Photos on Facebook

Hugo Award Photos on Flickr

WorldCon / LoneStarCon 3 Day 3

These are the continuing journeys of me, James Pickering, and Les Webster of The Fellowship of the Geeks, as we ply the crowds at our first 71st World Science Fiction Convention or known as Lone Star Con 3!

 

It is 1:22 AM Sunday morning. I’m exhausted. But. The Masquerade (hosted by Paul Cornell) photos are getting loaded up. I also have photos of authors from panels talking about space stuff. Below are the links. Have fun. I’m going to bed.

Selected WorldCon/LoneStarCon 3 Masquerade Photos