September 23, 2014

September's Creative Corner

By Bryan Thomas Schmidt
For Creative Corner this month, we bring the following news.
Local Authors’ New Projects:
Robin Wayne Bailey will be editing the SFWA 50th Anniversary Anthology, an exciting collection celebrating the organization's upcoming anniversary. 

Meanwhile, he sold "Tombaugh Station" to Bryan Thomas Schmidt for the Baen anthology Mission: Tomorrow which features near future stories about space travel from Earth in a post-NASA dominated age. Congrats to Robin!

Aaron Hollingsworth's second science fantasy epic novel, The Geohex of Wraith County, second in his Four Winds, One Storm series, is now available via Amazon and all major outlets. Amazon has it on sale in paperback at $17.27 or you can buy it for Kindle.  Congrats to Aaron! The book was copyedited by our own Bryan Thomas Schmidt.

Bryan Thomas Schmidt has sold CHOICES, a YA anthology, to Edge Science Fiction and Fantasy.

He also is developing a potential anthology in coordination with KacSFFS Press and MidAmeriCon II.  More details are coming.  The book will feature stories set in the local area and/or be written by authors with strong local ties.


Boyd Morrison Speaks at Barstow School, October 1
On Wednesday, October 1,  Science Fiction author Boyd Morrison will talk at 7:00 pm and hold a book signing after the presentation. The Barstow School is located at 11511 State Line Road, Kansas City, MO.

Charles Darwin, the Loch Ness Monster, international terrorists, and a post-modern hero named Tyler Locke: these characters collide over time and space in Boyd Morrison’s new novel The Loch Ness Legacy

Some of Morrison's other books include The Catalyst, Rogue Wave, and his Tyler Locke Series.  To find out more information about him, you can visit his website.

Before becoming a thriller author, Morrison earned a PhD in industrial engineering, worked on the space station project at Johnson Space Center, patented 14 inventions at RCA, and developed video games at Microsoft. 

Calls for Submissions:
A new online magazine, Acidic Fiction, edited by Steven X. Davis of Lawrence, KS, has launched. It is seeking submissions of 6000 words or fewer, and pays $35 per story on acceptance. Stories must be "contemporary speculative fiction, which includes science fiction, fantasy, horror, slipstream, and magic realism. As a general guideline, stories should take place within roughly the past 100 years or the next 10. Stories should be completely original and self-contained. I’m looking for innovative, well-written stories that explore the amazing aspects of everyday life through the lens of speculative fiction. Subtlety is crucial." See the Submission Guidelines page for complete details and a submission link.
 
Steven H. Silver has issued a call for articles: 
"On November 23, I'll be publishing this year's issue of Argentus. As that day coincides with the centennial of Wilson Tucker's birth, I plan to include a memorial section dedicated to him. I'm asking for articles about Bob. They can be biographical, personal recollections, stories about Tucker, or a look at his writing. My deadline for submissions is October 20. If you're interested in submitting, please let me know." 

Argentus is a science fiction fanzine that has been published annually by Steven H. Silver since 2001.  It has received numerous recognitions, including several Hugo nominations. 

Wilson "Bob" Tucker was an award-winning sf writer who was renowned for many novels, and much beloved at sf conventions, especially among Midwestern fandom. He lived in Champaign, IL during much of his life.

Two SF Cons in Wichita:
Air Capitol Comic Con, Nov. 16








Emerald City Steampunk Expo, Nov. 21-23 





That's all for this month! Keep creating! (Then let us know about it!)
Please send your news about attending conventions, book signings or appearances, publications or other sales, art shows, or other creative-business updates to "Creative Corner" editor Bryan Thomas Schmidt.

IMAGE CREDITS: The SFWA logo is from the organization's website.  The cover art for Aaron Hollingsworth's book is courtesy of Amazon Books. Many thanks to Boyd Morrison's website for his book cover art.  The title for Acidic Fiction is from the magazine's website. The image of Wilson "Bob" Tucker is from Midamericon's Wilson Tucker page. The Air Capitol Comic Con image is from the convention's website opening page.  The Emerald City Steampunk Expo logo is from their website's masthead

September 20, 2014

SF &F Literati Meet September 22, 2014

The Grace of Killing
TITLE: Graceling
AUTHOR: Kristin Cashore
WHERE:  
Barnes & Noble #2352 at Oak Park Mall
11393 W. 95th St., Overland Park, KS 66214
On 2nd floor by the windows.
WHEN:  
Monday, September 22, 2014, 7:00 p.m.
AVAILABLE FROM: Barnes & Nobles and other fine booksellers. 

Overview from Barnes & Noble:

Kristin Cashore’s best-selling, award-winning fantasy Graceling tells the story of the vulnerable yet strong Katsa, a smart, beautiful teenager who lives in a world where selected people are given a Grace, a special talent that can be anything from dancing to swimming. Katsa’s is killing. As the king’s niece, she is forced to use her extreme skills as his thug. Along the way, Katsa must learn to decipher the true nature of her Grace . . . and how to put it to good use. A thrilling, action-packed fantasy adventure (and steamy romance!) that will resonate deeply with adolescents trying to find their way in the world.

Awards: Winner of the Mythopoeic Fantasy Award for Children's Literature, winner of the SIBA Book Award/YA, Indies Choice Book Award Honor Book, ALA Best Book for Young Adults, 2008 Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year, 2008 School Library Journal Best Book of the Year, Amazon.com’s Best Books of 2008, 2008 Booklist Editors’ Choice, Booklist’s 2008 Top Ten First Novels for Youth, 2009 Amelia Bloomer List, BCCB 2009 Blue Ribbon List

Don’t miss the sequel Fire, also a New York Times bestseller and ALA Best Book for Young Adults, winner of the 2010 Cybil for YA Fantasy/Sci Fi and the Amelia Elizabeth Walden Award.

You may enjoy a trailer for this book: 



Come with ideas for new books to read!
This is Decision Month, when the selections for October, November, January, and February will be chosen!  Let your opinions be heard! 

IMAGE CREDITS: The cover image for Existence came from MacMillan, the book's publisher. The image for Graceling came from GoodReads.

September 11, 2014

KC Horror Book Club September 2014 Meeting

3 Short Stories

The Colour Out of Space
By H. P. Lovecraft 

The Willows
by Algernon Blackwood 

The Yellow Wallpaper
by Charlotte Perkins Gilman

Details:
Date and Time: September 13, 2013 (Saturday) from noon to 1:30.
Location: The Green Room Burgers and Beer
Address: 4010 Pennsylvania Avenue, Suite D, Kansas City, MO.

Event Notes:

We will be discussing the following three short stories:


  • The Colour Out of Space
  • [A] short story written by American horror author H. P. Lovecraft in March 1927. In the tale, an unnamed narrator pieces together the story of an area known by the locals as the "blasted heath" in the wild hills west of Arkham, Massachusetts. The narrator discovers that many years ago a meteorite crashed there, draining the life force from anything living nearby; vegetation grows large, but tasteless, animals are driven mad and deformed into grotesque shapes, and the people go insane or die one by one.








  • The Willows

  • [O]ne of Algernon Blackwood's best known short stories. American horror author H.P. Lovecraft considered it to be the finest supernatural tale in English literature. "The Willows" is an example of early modern horror and is connected within the literary tradition of weird fiction. 













  • The Yellow Wallpaper

  • [A] 6,000-word short story by the American writer Charlotte Perkins Gilman, first published in January 1892 in The New England Magazine. It is regarded as an important early work of American feminist literature, illustrating attitudes in the 19th century toward women's physical and mental health. The story depicts the effect of confinement on the narrator's mental health and her descent into psychosis.
    Come and discuss and grab some food too. -PUBLISHERS & Earline Beebe





     



    Check the Facebook Event Page for more information.

    Please contact Earline Beebe for more information on the Facebook event page.
    Book covers copyrighted by their respected publishers.


    September 09, 2014

    Laser Rangers 2014 September Meeting (Part 2)

    Shōgun (Part 2)
    Date: September 13, 2014
    Time: 4:50pm
    Location: David Sooby’s home theater with 51-inch Samsung HDTV, a 5.1 Surround Sound Dolby Digital sound system, a full set of audiophile-grade speakers, and upgraded seating for about 15 people without crowding.
    Captain Laser: Ken K.
    Food: Japanese
    Costume: Kimono, Field Jacket, traditional Japanese wardrobe

    To learn more, please visit our Facebook Event Page.


    Short features will be shown before each feature. Don't miss them!

    Feature Presentation!

    Shōgun (Episodes 4-5)

    (1980, 420 minuets) Directed by: Jerry London

    Starring: Richard Chamberlain, Toshiro Mifune, Yoko Shimada, Damien Thomas, John Rhys-Davies

    A English navigator becomes both a player and pawn in the complex political games in feudal Japan. -IMDB

    Watch the trailer here!

    ~~~~~
    During the break, please join us for a potluck dinner. Bring something to share. It can follow the theme, or be something you prefer.
    ~~~~~




    The home of the Laser Rangers is located about four miles north of the Kansas Speedway, NW of the intersection of I-70 and I-435 on the Kansas side of the Greater Kansas City area.

    IMAGE CREDITS: The information for all of these shows come from the invaluable IMDB. The movie posters come from Wikipedia or the movie's respected distributors. 


    The movie screen frame image used for the Laser Rangers contact information is courtesy of Psychology Today Online. Many thanks to these websites!

    September 05, 2014

    Laser Rangers 2014 September Meeting

    Shōgun (Part 1)
    Date: September 6, 2014
    Time: 4:15pm
    Location: David Sooby’s home theater with 51-inch Samsung HDTV, a 5.1 Surround Sound Dolby Digital sound system, a full set of audiophile-grade speakers, and upgraded seating for about 15 people without crowding.
    Captain Laser: Ken K.
    Food: Japanese
    Costume: Kimono, Field Jacket, traditional Japanese wardrobe

    To learn more, please visit our Facebook Event Page.


    Short features will be shown before each feature. Don't miss them!

    Feature Presentation!

    Shōgun (Episodes 1-3)

    (1980, 420 minuets) Directed by: Jerry London

    Starring: Richard Chamberlain, Toshiro Mifune, Yoko Shimada, Damien Thomas, John Rhys-Davies

    A English navigator becomes both a player and pawn in the complex political games in feudal Japan. -IMDB

    Watch the trailer here!

    ~~~~~
    During the break, please join us for a potluck dinner. Bring something to share. It can follow the theme, or be something you prefer.
    ~~~~~




    The home of the Laser Rangers is located about four miles north of the Kansas Speedway, NW of the intersection of I-70 and I-435 on the Kansas side of the Greater Kansas City area.

    IMAGE CREDITS: The information for all of these shows come from the invaluable IMDB. The movie posters come from Wikipedia or the movie's respected distributors. 


    The movie screen frame image used for the Laser Rangers contact information is courtesy of Psychology Today Online. Many thanks to these websites!