Will you brave the secrets of God's City?

Next month's selection for the SF&F Literati is Emma Newman's Planetfall. The meeting is set for July 25!

Have you ordered your copy yet? It's available from meeting host Barnes & Noble, and other find booksellers!

Here's what other writers have said about Planetfall:

“Planetfall is gripping, thoughtful science fiction in the vein of Tiptree or Crispin. Emma Newman has crafted a story that turns inward on itself in a beautiful spiral; the written equivalent of the golden mean. I have been waiting for this book for a very long time.” —Seanan McGuire, New York Times bestselling author of A Red-Rose Chain (NOTE: also the ConQuesT 47 Toast, last May!)

“You’ve never read a science fiction book like this. A masterful study of mental illness, with the ruins of an enigmatic alien race serving as therapist for one of the most unsparingly drawn fictional characters you’ll ever read.” —Melinda M. Snodgrass, screenwriter, author of the Edge series

“Newman has crafted a thrilling tale of murder, mystery and madness on a world where humanity is still its own worst enemy. Horrifying and heartbreaking in equal measure, the catastrophe driving this narrative will keep you riveted until the very last page. Don’t miss this one.” —Kameron Hurley, author of The Mirror Empire

“We have a destiny waiting for us among the stars, and now it’s calling to us. A great genre debut, and beautifully written: an unfolding alien mystery, and complex, utterly believable characters. You will want to believe.” —Stephen Baxter, National Bestselling Author of Ultima

“Filled with wonders, revelations, and edge-of-the-seat suspense, Planetfall is a fascinating, heartbreaking exploration of love and loneliness set against an awe-inspiring backdrop. An instant classic of the genre.” —Gareth L. Powell, BSFA Award-winning author of Ack-Ack Macaque 

Image: Many thanks to Em’s Place, Emma Newman’s author website, for the cover art image (and the collection of author endorsements).

September 2013 KaCSFFS Meeting

Tonight: George R. R. Martin Program
Who: You, we hope!
What: Monthly KaCSFFS Meeting
When: BoD 5:30 p.m., General meeting 7:00 p.m. TONIGHT Sept. 21, 2013
Where: The Writers Place, 3607 Pennsylvania Ave., Kansas City, MO 64111
Why: Because it's fun and interesting! 
Food Theme: Cookies and Salad (NO broccoli; it's an exercise in futility)

GRRM in the Land of Enchantment:
Founding member Ken Keller (AKA Sir Kennos of Kayce) traveled to visit his friend George R. R. Martin in August, and we are the richer for it, tonight.  As Ken announced in a message on the KAXFEN list:

Jean Cocteau Cinema: Santa Fe's new/historic gem.

 

"I'll be presenting and narrating a photo show I shot in early August while visiting George and his wife Paris in Santa Fe, NM. I was in Santa Fe for the grand reopening of the Jean Cocteau Cinema, which George had purchased in early 2013 and then had completely refurbished.
 
"The first film shown at the theater was the classic Forbidden Planet, George's favorite science fiction film. One of the film's most famous stars was also in attendance at the theater' s sold-out first screening; many pictures were taken with this celebrity by everyone, including me.
 

George R. R. Martin

"I'll also be giving a photo tour of George's large office house, his personal working office, his astonishing collection of medieval miniatures and original art, and I'll have photos of most of his staff, too.
 

Melinda M. Snodgrass

"Concluding the show will be my and George's visit to SF writer Melinda Snodgrass' beautiful mountain vista custom home in the wilds of Santa Fe. Melinda is one of George's oldest friends and writing collaborators, having been his right-hand in the on-going (for 26 years!) Wild Cards series from Tor Books. Melinda has also worked in Hollywood on many of TV's science fiction and fantasy series, including Star Trek, The Next Generation, among others. Melinda is also a past Writer Guest of Honor here at ConQuesT."

Swap & Shop Tonight:
President Ty Gephardt has scheduled a Swap & Shop event tonight, in addition to Ken's presentation, and a general business meeting; however, we do not have an advance-list of anyone who may be bringing things to sell.  

Next Month: Halloween Costume Party!  

Photo Credits: the image of the Cocteau Cinema is from its website. The profile pic of George is from his "Not a Blog" on LiveJournal. The photo of Melinda M. Snodgrass is from her website.