NewsList

September BSFA London Meeting: Diana Wynne Jones discussion - 22nd September 2010

Tony Keen — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 16:06:30 GMT

On Wednesday 22nd September 2010* from around 7pm:
Charlie Butler (University of the West of England) and Farah Mendlesohn (University of Middlesex) will discuss the work of DIANA WYNNE JONES.

(Note change from originally advertised guest. Matt Brooker will now come in February 2011.)

(Note also that Diana Wynne Jones will not herself be present.)

Venue:
Upstairs Room
The Antelope Tavern
22, Eaton Terrace
Belgravia
London
SW1W 8EZ

Nearest Tube: Sloane Square (District/Circle)
Map: here.
All welcome! (No entry fee or tickets. Non-members welcome.)
Discussion will commence at 7.00 pm, but the room is open from 6.00 (and fans in the downstairs bar from 5).
There will be a raffle (£1 for five tickets), with a selection of sf novels as prizes.

FUTURE EVENTS:

27th October 2010 – N.K. JEMISIN interviewed by Niall Harrison**
24th November 2010 – COLIN HARVEY interviewed by Dave Mansfield

(No meeting in December)

26 January 2011 – FRANCES HARDINGE interviewed by Farah Mendlesohn

* Note that this is a month with five Wednesdays. The meeting will be on the fourth, not the last, Wednesday of the month.

** Please note the change from the originally advertised guest. Colin Harvey will now come in November 2010.

Live Recording Lauren Beukes interviewed by Jonathan McCalmont

SuperUser . — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 09:39:32 GMT

Lauren Beukes, author of Moxyland and Zoo City reads from her latest novel Zoo City (released in September) and is interviewed by Jonathan McCalmont (blogger of ruthless culture fame) at the July monthly meeting of the BSFA.

Recorded live at The Antelope Inn, Sloane Square, London on 28th July 2010. Running time: 1hr 13 mins File size: 53 mb

* Recorded, published and hosted by those nice folk over at WordPunk

The Sirens of Titan Land in London

SuperUser . — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 22:06:09 GMT

The London Bubble Theatre Company (based in Rotherhithe and operating across South-East London) are an internationally acclaimed theatre company who are currently adapting Kurt Vonnegut's classic novel 'The Sirens of Titan' for a unique series of 'promenade style' performances in South-London Parks this summer.

The performances take place at:

- Sydenham Wells Park (24-27 July)

- Southwark Park (29 July- 1st August)

- Oxleas Woods (3rd August- 9th August)

- Hilly Fields Park (11-14th August)

http://www.londonbubble.org.uk/fanmadetheatre

The Terry Pratchett Anywhere but Here, Anywhen but Now First Novel Prize!

SuperUser . — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 22:11:02 GMT

Courtesy of Lynsey Dalladay, Transworld Publishers

Sir Terry Pratchett and Transworld Publishers are proud to launch a new award for aspiring debut novelists, The Terry Pratchett Anywhere But Here, Anywhen But Now Prize. Transworld will offer the winning author a publishing contract with a £20,000 advance.

The award will be judged by the esteemed Sir Terry Pratchett, the wise Tony Robinson, the savvy Mike Rowley from Waterstone’s and two members of the editorial team at Transworld Publishers.

Sir Terry Pratchett had this to say: “Anywhere but here, anywhen but now. Which means we are after stories set on Earth, although it may be an Earth that might have been, or might yet be, one that has gone down a different leg of the famous trousers of time (see the illustration in almost every book about quantum theory).

We will be looking for books set at any time, perhaps today, perhaps in the Rome of today but in a world where 2000 years ago the crowd shouted for Jesus Christ to be spared, or where in 1962, John F Kennedy's game of chicken with the Russians went horribly wrong. It might be one day in the life of an ordinary person. It could be a love story, an old story, a war story, a story set in a world where Leonardo da Vinci turned out to be a lot better at Aeronautics. But it won’t be a story about being in an alternate Earth because the people in an alternate Earth don’t know that they are; after all, you don’t.

But this might just be the start. The wonderful Peter Dickinson once wrote a book that could convince you that flying dragons might have existed on Earth. Perhaps in the seething mass of alternate worlds humanity didn't survive, or never evolved -- but other things did, and they would have seen the world in a different way. The possibilities are literally endless, but remember, it’s all on Earth. Maybe the continents will be different and the climate unfamiliar, but the physics will be the same as ours. What goes up must come down, ants are ant-sized because if they were any bigger their legs wouldn't carry them. In short, the story must be theoretically possible on some version of the past, present or future of a planet Earth.”

The deadline for submissions will be 31 December 2010 and a shortlist of six entries will be announced on the 31 March 2011. The winner will be announced by the end May 2011.

Entrants must be over 18, have no previous published full-length works of fiction and live in the UK, Ireland or the Commonwealth. Submissions should be emailed to:

pratchettprize@transworld-publishers.co.uk

For full terms and conditions visit www.terrypratchett.co.uk

John Birchby, 1930-2010

Tony Keen — Sun, 30 May 2010 14:38:05 GMT

BSFA Announcement of Annual General Meeting

Tony Keen — Mon, 24 May 2010 18:59:01 GMT

DOWNLOAD AGM MINUTES, ACCOUNTS AND PROXY FORM! Notice is hereby given that the Annual General Meeting of the British Science Fiction Association Ltd will be held at:

The Royal Astronomical Society, Burlington House, London on Saturday 19^th June 2010 at 12:00pm for the following purposes:

1. To approve the Minutes of the previous Annual General Meeting (see below).

2. To receive and consider the Annual Review of the Year.

3. To approve the accounts for the year ended 30 September 2009 and receive Treasurer’s Report.

4. The following Council Members retire by rotation and offer themselves for re-election: D R Langford, A Sawyer and M T Potts

5. Any Other Business

2009 BSFA Award Winners

SuperUser . — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 09:12:25 GMT

The 2009 British Science Fiction Awards ceremony took place at the 61st Eastercon convention, Odyssey 2010, at the Radisson Edwardian Hotel, Heathrow, London, UK. The lavish ceremony was hosted by Ian Watson and Donna Scott, and the following awards were presented:

Best Novel 2009 - China Mieville, 'The City and the City'
Best Short Fiction 2009 - The Beloved Time of Their Lives Ian Watson and Roberto Quaglia

Best Non-Fiction 2009 - Mutant Popcorn by Nick Lowe
Best Artwork 2009 - Cover of 'Desolation Road' by Stephen Martiniere

The awards were presented by Iain M Bank, Liz Williams, Alastair Reynolds and Mike Carey.

The BSFA Awards are voted for by members of the BSFA and Eastercon. The shortlist was drawn up earlier this year from nominations received by members of the BSFA and the final vote was held on the 4^th April 2010, followed by the ceremony. Works published in the UK for the first time in 2009 were eligible for these awards,

If you should have any questions regarding the BSFA Awards, please contact the Awards Administrator, Donna Scott atawards@bsfa.co.uk

The BSFA @ Eastercon

SuperUser . — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 08:25:33 GMT

It is that time of year once again when we all get the opportunity to gather at the annual Eastercon convention. The BSFA will be there as usual in anticipation of the BSFA Awards and the BSFA Lecture.

We will also be dicsussing the BSFA Survey that should have reached all our members by now.

So please come along and help us celebrate the awards and get involved in some lively discussions:

Friday
BSFA Survey of British SF Writers - the Conclusions. 5pm-6pm.
Room 12. Over eighty British writers were asked questions such as, 'How British do you think your work is?', 'How is it received elsewhere?', and 'Do you consider your work to be SF or fantasy, and if so why?' A panel of readers discuss the results. Claire Brialey, Niall Harrison (mod), David Hebblethwaite, John Jarrold and Caroline Mullan.

Sunday

BSFA Lecture: 2001 and the Narratology of Transcendence. 4pm- 5pm. Connaught. Why does film, the most vivid and visceral of narrative media, struggle to capture the deepest, most powerful SF experiences?
The bizarre untold story of the script of 2001, and the strange trajectory of screenwriting theory since, suggest why SF film remains trapped on
BSFA Awards. 6pm-7pm. Commonwealth. The British Science Fiction Association Awards, hosted by Ian Watson and Donna Scott. Iain M.
Banks, Mike Carey, Alastair Reynolds, Donna Scott, Ian Watson and Liz Williams.

Also of interest:

Announcement of the 2010 Hugo Award Nominations. 10pm-11pm.
Connaught. The 2010 Hugo Awards will be presented at Aussiecon 4, the 2010 Worldcon in Melbourne, Australia. The list of nominations will be announced live by this year's Hugo Administrator, Vincent Docherty, here at Odyssey. The Hugos are considered by many to be the SF's top award for achievement and there will be wide interest in the results. Come along to make the announcements a big event and to congratulate any nominees who are here at the con! Vincent Docherty.

NewCon Press and Constable & Robinson Book Launch. 6pm-7pm.
Royal C+D. Four new titles are being launched. Free drinks plus discounts on books, with many of the contributing authors present to sign and dedicate. David L Clements, Una McCormack, Gareth L Powell, Ian Watson and Ian Whates.
And as always we will have a table in the dealers room where you can buy back copies of our magazines and talk to us face to face.

We hope to see you there.

BSFA Goodies

SuperUser . — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 09:49:32 GMT

The latest issue of Focus – no. 55 – is at the printers (at last) and should be going in the post to members early next week. Here’s the cover:

And here’s some of the contents:

What does happen next?
So you’ve published your first book, now what? Gareth L Powell reflects

Christopher Priest’s Masterclass 6: Research
Christopher Priest discusses the value of research and the internet as a research tool

Poems from the stars
Poetry from Steve Sneyd & Edward Kenna (and me!)

Escape from the Tauran moon
Are some stories too good to be true? Dev Agarwal investigates…

Here be earthworms
Nina Allan considers what writers can learn from the things that obsess them

How to write a press release?
Gareth L Powell on an essential PR tool

Is this the real thing 7
Michaela Stanton on the Cola Factory

Also in the envelope with Focus will be the latest Vector, no. 262, which looks like this:

Obviously Vector has nothing to do with me, but this is a chunky issue with loads of good stuff in it.

In that envelope you’ll also get (barring last minute disasters) the BSFA 2009 Awards booklet…

I’m pretty sure some of my BSFA committee colleagues will never forgive me for the cheesy cover of the Awards booklet – but sometimes we all need a bit of cheese and I needed a cover quickly – and the slightly more stylish and restrained version I’d planned to use was giving me a nightmare when I tried to convert to CMYK – so giant spaceships with laser beams over North America it was. Hurrah!

And finally, coming to BSFA members in a separate mailing (and which will also be going in the post early next week, unless Martin Potts suddenly comes to his senses and flees with his family to the Andes while there’s still time) is a big, big project for the BSFA. Two Surveys is as comprehensive overview of the state of British science fiction over the last twenty years as you’re likely to find anywhere with a fantastic list of contributors saying some really fascinating things. Niall Harrison has done a fantastic job wrangling this book into shape. I laid it up and it was one of those jobs where I kept getting distracted with reading the text instead of putting the words down on the page – I hope I haven’t ruined it. Here’s the cover, which I also designed, based on an idea from Niall which I think worked out pretty bloody well.

So, if you’re not a BSFA member, none of that will be dropping through your door in the next fortnight or so. Jealous? You should be…

British Science Fiction & Fantasy: A Survey

SuperUser . — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 12:40:07 GMT

Who writes sf and fantasy? How do they perceive their work, and how is it received?

The two surveys collected here answer these questions, and many more.
With in-depth responses from over 120 writers, and detailed analysis,
Twenty Years, Two Surveys offers a comprehensive view of the state of British science fiction
and fantasy, and charts the changes that have taken place in the field over the last twenty years.

* All current BSFA members (as of March 2010) receive a free copy of this publication.

ISBN 978-0-9558662-1-0
Paperback.
Pages:

Limited stock available. First come first served.

Unit Price: £7.99
Shipping Price: £1.24 (UK) or £4.35 (rest of world)

BUY NOW.

http://www.bsfa.co.uk/tabid/59/CategoryID/2/ProductID/8/Default.aspx (UK)

http://www.bsfa.co.uk/tabid/59/CategoryID/2/ProductID/9/Default.aspx (rest of world)

BSFA Awards Ballot

SuperUser . — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 23:51:14 GMT

It's that time of year again when we all get to vote on the BSFA Awards shortlist. And in standing with tradition voting is open to all BSFA Members and Eastercon attendees.

The official ballot will be in the post to all BSFA members, but due to postal constraints we have also published an electronic version here for you to download and complete.

The process is simple:

Mark your choices in each category in order of preference: ‘1’ for first place, ‘2’ for second place, and so on. You are not required to rank all the nominees in any category; if you decide not to vote in a given category, leave it blank.

Voting closes on April 4^th at 12:00pm. You may only vote once even if you are a member of both the Eastercon and the BSFA. Any duplication of votes already submitted by post or email from BSFA members will cancel out the previous vote. Please place your votes in the boxes provided.

How to vote by email if not using a pdf: List your choices in each category in order of preference: ‘1’ for first place, ‘2’ for second place, and so on. You are not required to rank all the nominees in any category; if you decide not to vote in a given category, leave it blank.
All votes must include your name and membership number to be counted as valid.
By email: Email votes may be sent to awards@bsfa.co.uk – include your name, membership number, and votes in order of preference as described above, and put AWARD BALLOT in the subject line.

How to save on stamps: come along to the BSFA meeting on 24th March - this Wednesday - at the Antelope, 22 Eaton Terrace, SW1W 8EZ:
http://www.bsfa.co.uk/MatrixNews/tabid/108/smid/551/ArticleID/189/reftab/36/t/BSFA-Awards-Panel---meeting-24th-March/Default.aspx

- you can hand your form to me in person, then!

BSFA Awards Panel - meeting 24th March

Donna Scott . — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 21:52:04 GMT

BSFA meeting 24^th March*

Come and join us at The Antelope.

Have you been feverishly reading the shortlist trying to pick your favourite out ahead of the final vote on 4^th April? Has the shortlist excited you? Or did your favourite miss out?

On Wednesday, March 24^th, the ever-impartial Donna Scott, BSFA Awards Administrator, will be joined by renowned critic and seasoned literary judge, Graham Sleight as well as writer and regular blogger for The Guardian, Damien G. Walter, for what is promising to be a lively discussion about the BSFA Awards shortlist.

Come along and have your say!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Free copy of Paolo Bacigalupi's "Windup Girl"

SuperUser . — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 19:52:36 GMT

io9's February bookclub meeting will be discussing Paolo Bacigalupi's "Windup Girl". To help with the discussion the publisher Night Shade Books are offering a free ebook (pdf) version of the novel. Simply email Night Shade Books at I09Windup@nightshadebooks.com requesting a copy*.

The bookclub meeting begins on Tuesday 23rd Feb over at the io9 website.

*You will be signed up for Night Shade Books' email newsletter when you get the free PDF - you can unsubscribe later if you don't like it

BSFA Award Shortlist.

Del . — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 10:08:23 GMT

The results are in, all nominations have been counted and we have great pleasure in announcing the BSFA Award Shortlist.

Congratulations to all the nominees! Note that there are only four nominees in the Best Novel category, and six nominees in the Best Short Fiction and Best Artwork categories due to ties for fifth place. The Awards will be presented at this year’s Eastercon, Odyssey .

Novel

China Mieville - The City and the City, Macmillan
Stephen Baxter - Ark, Gollancz,
Adam Roberts - Yellow Blue Tibia, Gollancz
Ursula Le Guin - Lavinia, Gollancz

Short

Ian Watson & Roberto Quaglia - The Beloved Time of Their Lives - The Beloved of My Beloved, Newcon Press
Eugie Foster - Sinner, Baker, Fabulist, Priest; Red Mask, Black Mask, Gentleman, Beast - Interzone
Ian Whates - The Assistant - The Solaris Book of Science Fiction Volume 3
Ian McDonald - Vishnu at the Cat Circus
Kim Lakin-Smith - Johnnie and Emmie-Lou Get Married - Interzone
Dave Hutchinson - The Push, Newcon Press

Art

Adam Tredowski - cover of Interzone 220
Adam Tredowski - cover of Interzone 224
Adam Tredowski - cover of Interzone 225
Nitzan Klamer - 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, cover, art project published online (http://www.flickr.com/photos/kipizki/3753443748/in/set-72157621759215456/)
Stephanie Pui-Min Law- Emerald - http://www.shadowscapes.com/image.php?lineid=23&bid=512
Stephan Martiniere - Cover of Desolation Road by Ian McDonald: http://www.angel.org/will/site/files/ian-mcdonald-desolation-road.jpg

Non-Fiction

Nick Lowe - Mutant Popcorn, Interzone
John Clute - Canary Fever, Beccon
Deepa D - I didn't Dream of Dragons -
Farah Mendlesohn and Edward James - A Short History of Fantasy

BSFA members and attendees of the Eastercon convention may now submit votes based on this shortlist (a form will go out in the next mailing to BSFA members to assist with this), to reach my email or postal address by Monday 29th March:

awards@bsfa.co.uk

Donna Scott

11 Stanhope Road, Queen's Park, Northampton, NN2 6JU

Please remember, if sending me your votes, to include the following: your BSFA membership number OR your Eastercon badge number for this year. If you are a BSFA member who cannot remember your membership number, please contact me in advance of the deadline for assistance. If we are unable to verify your voting eligibility, we will not be able to count your vote.

How to vote: Mark your choices in each category in order of preference: ‘1’ for first place, ‘2’ for second place, and so on. You are not required to rank all the nominees in any category; if you decide not to vote in a given category, leave it blank.

Those attending Eastercon, Odyssey 2010 at the Radisson Edwardian, Heathrow from 2nd-5th April will also be able to vote on the shortlist at the convention where forms will also be available. Votes will close at 11 am on Sunday, April 4th. The winners will be announced at a ceremony in the main hall at 6pm, and will be followed by a reception hosted by the BSFA. All attending the convention are welcome to attend the ceremony, which will begin with a presentation from Ian Watson and Paul Cornell.

Congratulations to everyone who made the shortlist, and thank you to all BSFA members who voted and contributed to the awards discussion. I received sackfuls of nominations and it has clearly been a fantastic year for all things SF.

BSFA London Meetings - date changes

Tony Keen — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 11:24:09 GMT

Please note that, due to circumstances beyond our control, two London meetings in 2010 will not be on the traditional fourth Wednesday of the month.

April (guest: Kari Sperring): This meeting will take place on the third Wednesday, April 21st. This is to avoid conflict with the Arthur C. Clarke Award ceremony.

June (guest: TBC): This meeting will take place on the fifth Wednesday, June 30th. This is because the Antelope's upstairs room is showing a World Cup match on June 23rd.

BSFA Awards 2009 - Nominations

SuperUser . — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 10:36:51 GMT

The deadline is approaching for your nominations for the BSFA Awards 2009. You have until January 16th, only 8 days to go.Here is the list of works nominated to date to give you some inspiration. If your favourite is not on the list nominate now! (and don't forget to leave a comment - free registration required)Novel

Author	Title	Publisher
Tony Ballantyne	Twisted Metal	Tor
Stephen Baxter	Ark	Gollancz
Lauren Beukes	Moxyland	Angry Robot
Eric Brown	Xenopath	Solaris
Mike Carey	The Naming of the Beasts	Orbit
Kristin Cashore	Fire	Gollancz
David Anthony Durham	The Other Lands	Doubleday
Warren Fahy	Fragment	Harper
Gary Gibson	Nova War	Tor UK
Lev Grossman	The Magicians	Macmillan
Robert Holdstock	Avilion	Gollancz
Gwyneth Jones	Spirit, or the Princess of Bois Dormant	Gollancz
Ursula Le Guin	Lavinia	Gollancz
Jonathan Maberry	Patient Zero	Gollancz
Paul McAuley	Gardens of the Sun	Gollancz
Ian McDonald	Vishnu at the Cat Circus
China Mieville	The City and the City	Macmillan
Patrick Ness	The Ask and the Answer	Walker
Helen Oyeyemi	White is for Witching	Picador
Terry Pratchett	Unseen Academicals	Doubleday
Adam Roberts	Yellow Blue Tibia	Gollancz
Kim Stanley Robinson	Galileo's Dream Harper	Voyager
Ali Shaw	The Girl with Glass Feet	Atlantic Books
Marcel Theroux	Far North	Faber and Faber
Kaaron Warren	Slights	Angry Robot
Kit Whitfield	In Great Waters	Jonathan Cape Ltd

Short Story

Author	Title	Publication
Daniel Abraham	The Best Monkey	The Solaris Book of New Science Fiction Volume Three
Pauline J Alama	After the Revolution	Abyss & Apex
Nina Allen	Microcosmos	Interzone 222
Bernard Beckett	Genesis	novella, Quercus Publishing PLC
Deborah Biancotti	Diamond Shell	A Book of Endings, Twelfth Planet Press
Deborah Biancotti	Problems of Light and Dark	A Book of Endings, Twelfth Planet Press
Stephanie Burgis	After the Change	Future Bristol, ed C. Harvey, Swimming Kangaroo Press
David L. Clements	Re-Creations	Footprints
Alan DeNiro	Tyrannia	Strange Horizons, November 2009
Eugie Foster	Sinner, Baker, Fabulist, Priest; Red Mask, Black Mask, Gentleman, Beast	Interzone 200
Gail Hareven	The Slows	New Yorker, May
Carlos Hernandez	Fembot	Daybreak
Eric Hoel	All the Anne Franks	Strange Horizons
Dave Hutchinson	The Push	novella, Newcon Press
Alex Irvine	Seventh Fall	Subterranean
Kij Johnson	Spar	Clarkesworld
Helen Keeble	A Journal of Certain Events of Scientific Interest from the First Survey Voyage of the Southern Waters by HMS Ocelot, As Observed by Professor Thaddeus Boswell, Dphil, MSc or A Lullaby	Strange Horizons
Sam S Kepfield	Galatea's Stepchildren	The Future Fire 16
Kim Lakin-Smith	Johnnie and Emmie-Lou Get Married	Interzone 222
Eugene Mirabelli	Love in Another Language	Not One of US 42
Suzanne Palmer	Silence and Roses	Interzone 223
Jennifer Pelland	Minya's Astral Angels	The Solaris Book of New Science Fiction Volume Three
Sarah Pinborough	The Language of Dying	PS
Tim Pratt	Troublesolving	Subterranean
Tim Pratt	Unexpected Outcomes	Interzone 222
Roberto, Ian Quaglia, Watson	The Beloved Time of their Lives The Beloved of my Beloved	Newcon Press
Veronica Schanoes	Lily Glass	Strange Horizons, 27 April
Grace Seybold	Unrest	Beneath Ceaseless Skies
Bruce Sterling	Black Swan	Interzone 221
Rachel Swirsky	Eros, Philia, Agape	Tor.com, March
Lavie Tidhar	The Shangri-La Affair	Strange Horizons
Catherynne Valente	The Radiant Car Thy Sparrows Drew	Clarkesworld, August
Peter Watts	The Island	The New Space Opera 2
Jack Westlake	Out of Time	Murky Depths 8
Ian Whates	Glitch in the System	The Gift of Joy, Newcon Press
Ian Whates	The Assistant	The Solaris Book of New Science Fiction Volume Three
Ian Whates	Ghosts in the Machine	The Gift of Joy, Newcon Press
Lilah Wild	Infected	Not One of US 41

Artwork

Author	Title	Publication
Andy Bigwood	Unknown	Future Bristol, ed C. Harvey, Swimming Kangaroo Press, cover
Andy Bigwood	Unknown	The Push by Dave Hutchinson, Newcon Press, cover
Vincent Chong	Unknown	The Gift of Joy, Newcon Press
MS Corley	Unknown	Alternate cover for Harry Potter And The Philosopher's Stone, art project
Unknown	Unknown	The Edge of the Country and Other Stories by Trevor Denyer, Immediate Direction Publications
Jon Foster	Unknown	Boneshaker - Cherie Priest, cover
Hardy Fowler	Unknown	The Solaris Book of New Science Fiction Volume Three
Dominic Harman	Unknown	Starship Fall by Eric Brown, Newcon Press, cover
Nitzan Klamer	Unknown	20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, cover, art project published online (http://www.flickr.com/photos/kipizki/3753443748/in/set-72157621759215456/)
Raphael, David Lacoste, Stevenson	Unknown	The Caryatids by Bruce Sterling, cover
Stephanie Law	Emerald	http://www.shadowscapes.com/image.php?lineid=23&bid=512
Chris Moore	Unknown	Murky Depths 7, cover
Jacqueline Nasso Cooke	Unknown	Desolation Road by Ian Mcdonald, cover
Jon Sullivan	Unknown	Twisted Metal by Tony Ballantyne, Tor UK, cover
Adam Tredowski	Unknown	Interzone 200, cover
Adam Tredowski	Unknown	Interzone 224, cover
Adam Tredowski	Unknown	Interzone 220, cover
Adam Tredowski	Unknown	Interzone 221, cover
Adam Tredowski	Unknown	Interzone 225, cover
Unknown	Unknown	The Final Empire by Brandon Sanderson, UK cover
Unknown	Unknown	Retribution Falls by Chris Wooding, Gollancz, cover
Unknown	Unknown	The Windup Girl by Paolo Bacigalupi, cover
Unknown	Unknown	Galileo's Dream by Kim Stanley Robinson, cover
Unknown	Unknown	Journey into Space by Toby Litt, cover

Non Fiction

Author	Title	Publication
Charlie Jane Anders	Michael Bay Finally Made an Art Movie: Review of Transformers 2	io9, June 24
John Berlyne	Powers: Secret Histories	PS Publishing
Mark Bould, China Mieville	Red Planets: Marxism and Science Fiction	Wesleyan University Press
Butler, Bould, Roberts, Vint	Routledge Companion to Science Fiction	Routledge Companion to Science Fiction
John Clute	Canary Fever	Beccon
Istvan Csisceray Ronay Jr	The Seven Beauties of Science Fiction	The Seven Beauties of Science Fiction
Deepad	I Didn't Dream of Dragons	http://deepad.livejournal.com/29656.html?view=278744
Hal Duncan	Notes on Strange Fiction Seams	http://notesfromthegeekshow.blogspot.com/2008/08/notes-on-strange-fiction-seams.html
Hal Duncan	Ethics and Enthusiasm	http://notesfromthegeekshow.blogspot.com/2009/06/ethics-and-enthusiasm.html#comments
Neil Easterbrook	Alterity and Ethics	Routledge Companion to Science Fiction
Nader Elhefnawy	The Rise and Fall of the Military Techno-Thriller	Internet Review of SF, November
Dan Hartland	On Orbus	http://www.strangehorizons.com/reviews/2009/10/orbus_by_neal_a.shtml
Edward James, Farah Mendelsohn	A Short History of Fantasy	A Short History of Fantasy
Gwyneth Jones	Imagination/Space	Essays and Talks on Fiction, Feminism, Technology and Politics
Matt Jones	The City is a Battlesuit for Surviving the Future	Future Metro
David Langford	Starcombing
Martin Lewis	On the Ask and the Answer	http://www.strangehorizons.com/reviews/2009/08/the_ask_and_the-comments.shtml
Farah Mendelsohn	The Intergalactic Playground	The Intergalactic Playground
Farah Mendelsohn	On Joanna Russ	On Joanna Russ
Helen Merrick	The Secret Feminist Cabal	A Cultural History of Science Fiction Feminisms
Arika Okrent	In the Land of Invented Languages	In the Land of Invented Languages
Adam Roberts	On The Legend of Sigurd & Gudrun	http://www.strangehorizons.com/reviews/2009/07/the_legend_of_s.shtml
Kim Stanley Robinson	Introduction	The Very Best of Gene Wolfe, PS Publishing
John Scalzi	Whatever	whatever.scalzi.com
Graham Sleight	On A.E van Vogt	http://www.locusmag.com/Reviews/2009/10/yesterdays-tomorrows-e-van-vogt.html
Graham Sleight	Yesterday's Tomorrows: Brian Aldiss	Locus, December
Dave Smith	Quantum Sorcery	Immanion Press
Michael Swanwick	Hope Mirlees	Hope Mirlees
Sherryl Vint	China Mievill special	Extrapolation
Sherryl Vint	Joanna Russ's The Two of Them in an age of Third-Wave Feminism	On Joanna Russ, ed. F Mendelsohn
Tat Wood	About Time 3: The Unauthorized Guide to Doctor Who: Expanded Second Edition

Send you nominations to Donna Scott BSFA Awards Administrator at awards@bsfa.co.uk.Remember only BSFA members can nominate, so if you have not joined the BSFA why not use this opportunity to Join and nominate your favourite work of 2009.

Full details of eligilibility can be found here

BSFA Meeting: Jim Burns Interview.

SuperUser . — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 12:29:43 GMT

On 27th January 2010 from around 7pm
Jim Burns (winner of the Hugo award for best professional artist three times—the only non-American ever to have won it—and has also been awarded 12 BSFA Awards.) will be interviewed by Pete Young.

Vector #261 Out Now

SuperUser . — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 11:49:54 GMT

The latest mailing to BSFA members should have arrived with BSFA members by now. Not only the latest copy of Vector (#261) but also a free book by Colin Harvey called Wintersong published by the wonderful folk over at Angry Robot

Make Wyndham a Star!

SuperUser . — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 08:39:15 GMT

There’s a campaign afoot (pun not entirely unintended) to gain celebrated SF author John Wyndham a star on Birmingham’s Walk of Stars in the city’s Broad Street.

Born in Knowle, Warwickshire, Wyndham spent most of his childhood years in Edgbaston, yet there is little or nothing commemorating the author’s links to the city. To date, the Walk of Fame has selected mainly people from the worlds of sport and music, with five for the former and three for the latter from the first dozen awarded. None for any literary figures (let alone genre).

To help support this campaign, all that’s required is a visit to http://www.walkofstars.net/?page_id=20

Once there, please:
1) Put John Wyndham in the ‘name of star’ field
2) Enter your name and email address.
4) Click submit.
It’s as simple as that.

Many thanks to Andy Sawyer for first bringing this to our attention.

INTO THE LAND OF THE RISING SUN

SuperUser . — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 08:33:22 GMT

Lizzy Mitchell from Warwick Conferences has been in touch to tell us about one of the UK’s largest celebrations of Japanese culture, which they staged at the University of Warwick over a weekend in September.

More than 1,200 colourfully dressed enthusiasts paid tribute to Japanese comic book, animation and pop music characters to celebrate the sixth Ayacon festival at the conference and events arm of the University of Warwick.

Activities included an introduction to the Kimono, Taiko drumming workshops and the extravagant masquerade, which brought a fitting climax to the spectacle, with attendees donning make-up, wigs and an outlandish array of costumes to replicate Japanese cult heroes.

There were Samurai Warriors as well as iconic anime characters, including Princess Mononoke and Kenshin. In keeping with the far eastern theme, the venue’s chefs also brought a taste of Tokyo to attendees by specially preparing a selection of tasty Asian delicacies.

Rachael Bartlett, head of sales and marketing at Warwick Conferences, said: “We’ve worked with Ayacon for several years and we always challenge ourselves of improving the client experience at each subsequent event.”

Here’s to Ayacon 2010!

BSFA Meeting: Ian McDonald Interview.

SuperUser . — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 11:05:22 GMT

On Wednesday 28th October 2009, from around 7pm
IAN MCDONALD (award-winning author of River of Gods, Brasyl, short story collection Cyberabad Days, The Dervish House [due out 2010], and others) will be interviewed by Tony Keen (London meetings organizer).
Venue:
Upstairs Room
The Antelope Tavern
22, Eaton Terrace
Belgravia
London
SW1W 8EZ

Nearest Tube: Sloane Square (District/Circle)

Map: here.

All welcome! (No entry fee or tickets. Non-members welcome.)

Interview will commence at 7.00 pm, but the room is open from 6.00 (and fans in the downstairs bar from 5).

There will be a raffle (£1 for five tickets), with a selection of sf novels as prizes.

FUTURE EVENTS:

25th November 2009 – MICHAEL MARSHALL / SMITH interviewed by Kate Bodley
(No meeting in December)
27th January 2010 – JIM BURNS interviewed by Pete Young
24th February 2010 – DAVID EDGERTON interviewed by Shana Worthen.

September BSFA Monthly London Meeting - CLAIRE BRIALEY & MARK PLUMMER Interview

SuperUser . — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 11:49:02 GMT

On Wednesday 23rd September 2009,* from around 7pm

CLAIRE BRIALEY & MARK PLUMMER (editors of Hugo-nominated fanzine Banana Wings) will be interviewed by Tony Keen (London meetings organizer).

Venue:
Upstairs Room
The Antelope Tavern
22, Eaton Terrace
Belgravia
London
SW1W 8EZ

Nearest Tube: Sloane Square (District/Circle)

Map: here.

All welcome! (No entry fee or tickets. Non-members welcome.)

Interview will commence at 7.00 pm, but the room is open from 6.00 (and fans in the downstairs bar from 5).

There will be a raffle (£1 for five tickets), with a selection of sf novels as prizes.

FUTURE EVENTS:

28th October 2009 – IAN MCDONALD interviewed by Tony Keen
25th November 2009 – MICHAEL MARSHALL / SMITH interviewed by Kate Bodley
(No meeting in December)

27th January 2010 – JIM BURNS interviewed by Pete Young

* Note that this is a month with five Wednesdays

August BSFA Monthly London Meeting - Ian Watson Interview

SuperUser . — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 10:07:41 GMT

On Wednesday 26th August 2009, from around 7pm IAN WATSON (versatile author, from The Embedding onwards, most recently co-writer of The Beloved of My Beloved) will be interviewed by Ian Whates (short story writer and editor of NewCon Press anthologies). Venue: Upstairs Room The Antelope Tavern 22, Eaton Terrace Belgravia London SW1W 8EZ Nearest Tube: Sloane Square (District/Circle) Map: here. All welcome! (No entry fee or tickets. Non-members welcome.) Interview will commence at 7.00 pm, but the room is open from 6.00 (and fans in the downstairs bar from 5). There will be a raffle (£1 for five tickets), with a selection of sf novels as prizes. FUTURE EVENTS: 23rd September 2009 – TBC* 28th October 2009 – IAN MCDONALD interviewed by Tony Keen 25th November 2009 – MICHAEL MARSHALL / SMITH interviewed by Kate Bodley (No meeting in December) * Note that this is a month with five Wednesdays

LiveAudioCast: Andrew McKie interviewed by Paul Kincaid.

SuperUser . — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 10:03:58 GMT

LiveAudioCast: Andrew McKie interviewed by Paul Kincaid.

Event: BSFA Monthly Meeting: Andrew McKie interviewed by Paul Kincaid.
Date of recording: Wednesday 22nd July 2009
Place of recording: The Antelope
Duration: 1hr

Many thanks to Chad Dixon for the recording.

Download the file as an mp3 from here http://www.frequency-response.com/audio/AndrewMcKieDraft.mp3

Graphic Novel Essential Reading: FP give their top 25.

SuperUser . — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 15:47:28 GMT

Our friends over at Forbidden Planet have listed their top 25 essential graphic novels. They are not numbered so I assume these are in no partuclar order. Looks like I have a bit of reading to do.

http://forbiddenplanet.com/picks/essential-graphic-novels/

Transition by Iain Banks launches via podcast.

SuperUser . — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 13:59:53 GMT

Iain Bank's new novel Transition will be released over 12 weeks as an abridged podcast via iTunes. The first instalment of the podcast will be broadcast on 3rd September, with 23 further 15-minute episodes released on iTunes in the UK and US every Thursday and Saturday for 12 weeks.

Sarah Shrubb, editorial director of Hachette Digital, said: "This is the first time an audio has been serialised in this way, and we're very excited to be doing something so groundbreaking."

Source: The Bookseller

Grotesque is too grotesque...

SuperUser . — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 13:37:12 GMT

The British Board of Film Classification has banned the DVD release of Japanese helmer-scribe Koji Shiraishi’s "Gurotesuku" (Grotesque) for what it called violence so extreme that it was inappropriate for audiences.

The BBFC described the straight-to-DVD horror pic, distributed in the U.K. by 4Digital Media, as an "an unrelenting and escalating scenario of humiliation, brutality and sadism."

Source variety.

Avatar Trailer now online.

SuperUser . — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 13:17:13 GMT

Release date is not until December 18th 2009.

Source Empire.

Philip K. Dick short story The Adjustment Team coming to the big screen.

SuperUser . — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 13:01:51 GMT

Philip K. Dick's "Adjustment Team" tells the story of Ed Fletcher, a real estate salesman, who discovers that our world is really, in effect, one large soundstage controlled by strange and mysterious guardians.

The planned movie called The Adjustment Bureau will feature a smooth-talking congressman (Matt Damon) whose political future is thrown in doubt by uncontrollable events and the arrival in his life of a mysterious ballerina (Emily Blunt). The film is to be directed by George Nolfi.

22nd July 2009 - BSFA Monthly Meeting - Andrew McKie interview

SuperUser . — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 10:11:27 GMT

Andrew McKie will be interviewed by Paul Kinclaid.

Venue:
Upstairs Room
The Antelope Tavern
22, Eaton Terrace
Belgravia
London
SW1W 8EZ

Nearest Tube: Sloane Square (District/Circle)

Map: here.

All welcome! (No entry fee or tickets. Non-members welcome.)

Interview will commence at 7.00 pm, but the room is open from 6.00 (and fans in the downstairs bar from 5).

There will be a raffle, with a selection of sf novels as prizes.

Alien artifacts or space junk? Get a piece of the auction.

SuperUser . — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 14:28:57 GMT

As reported by the BBC, self-proclaimed meteorite chaser Robert Elliott is auctioning 171 piecee of space artefatcs.

As well as buying and selling, Rob has spent many years hunting for meteorites in the hot deserts, mainland Europe, and also much closer to home in the British Isles. Two notable British meteorites stand out from his successful meteorite hunting finds: the Glenrothes meteorite (lot 70), which he found in Fife in 1998, and the particularly rare Hambleton meteorite (lots 122 & 123) discovered in North Yorrkshire in 2005. These remain the only meteorites that have ever found by chance in the United Kingdom.

Other items of note include: Wold Cottage (lot 32), a witnessed fall in Yorkshire in 1795 which became a major piece in gaining acceptance that stones do sometimes fall from the sky; the ‘Christmas’ meteorite (lots 68 & 69), which fell on the village of Barwell, Leicestershire on the 24th December 1965; and a helium tank from the Russian Salyut 7 spacecraft (lot 171), which went out of control and fell to earth as a fireball in 1991.

Now retired as a dealer and collector, he is hoping to fund his dedication to meteor hunting by running the auctioning off his one of a kind collection. The collection is expetced to net over £500,000.

If you have a few pounds to spare you can bid on the lots at the auction held by Lyon & Turnball on 18th August.

More info

2009 Hugo Award Winners

SuperUser . — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 19:02:33 GMT

Presented at: Anticipation, Montréal, Quebec, August 6-10, 2009

Toastmaster: Julie Czerneda, with translation by Yves Menaud

Base design: Dave Howell

Awards Administration: Jeff Orth

Best Novel: The Graveyard Book, Neil Gaiman (HarperCollins; Bloomsbury UK)
Best Novella: “The Erdmann Nexus”, Nancy Kress (Asimov’s Oct/Nov 2008)
Best Novelette: “Shoggoths in Bloom”, Elizabeth Bear (Asimov’s Mar 2008)
Best Short Story: “Exhalation”, Ted Chiang (Eclipse Two)
Best Related Book: Your Hate Mail Will Be Graded: A Decade of Whatever, 1998-2008, John Scalzi (Subterranean Press)
Best Graphic Story: Girl Genius, Volume 8: Agatha Heterodyne and the Chapel of Bones, Written by Kaja & Phil Foglio, art by Phil Foglio, colors by Cheyenne Wright (Airship Entertainment)
Best Dramatic Presentation, Long Form: WALL-E Andrew Stanton & Pete Docter, story; Andrew Stanton & Jim Reardon, screenplay; Andrew Stanton, director (Pixar/Walt Disney)
Best Dramatic Presentation, Short Form: Doctor Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog, Joss Whedon, & Zack Whedon, & Jed Whedon, & Maurissa Tancharoen, writers; Joss Whedon, director (Mutant Enemy)
Best Editor Short Form: Ellen Datlow
Best Editor Long Form: David G. Hartwell
Best Professional Artist: Donato Giancola
Best Semiprozine: Weird Tales, edited by Ann VanderMeer & Stephen H. Segal
Best Fan Writer: Cheryl Morgan
Best Fanzine: Electric Velocipede edited by John Klima
Best Fan Artist: Frank Wu

And the John W. Campbell Award for Best New Writer (presented by Dell Magazines): David Anthony Durham

A full voting breakdown is available here.

Full nominations details are available here.

More info from The Hugo Awards website

Small Press Novel Wins Major Awards

SuperUser . — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 18:23:22 GMT

All right, I realise Pete Crowther’s PS Publishing hardly deserves to be considered ‘small’ these days, but it’s the principle that counts. I was delighted to see one of their books, Ian R. MacLeod’s beautifully understated Song of Time, win the Clarke Award earlier this year; not only because Ian R. MacLeod is one of the very best writers around, but also because the book’s success highlights yet again how important the small presses can be when it comes to producing quality genre fiction.

Okay, I might have a vested interest in saying that, but it remains true none the less.

If any further proof were needed that Song of Time is a work of quality, it has just been provided. The novel has been announced as the joint winner of this year’s Campbell Award, sharing the honour with Cory Doctorow’s Little Brother (the first time the Campbell has been tied).

I understand that one or two major US publishers, who had previously shown no interest in Ian’s quiet masterpiece, are now reassessing their position. Now there’s a surprise.

The Human Genre Project

SuperUser . — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 18:18:03 GMT

Ken MacLeod has been quietly getting in touch with people to tell them about a fascinating (not to mention fun) new project. When I asked him to explain what this was all about, he sent through the following:

“The Human Genre Project is a collection of new writing in very short forms – short stories, flash fictions, reflections, poems – inspired by genes and genomics.

“Starting with just a few pieces at its launch in July 2009, the collection will grow and develop over time, so it's worth checking back regularly to see what has been added.

“The project was conceived by BSFA member Ken MacLeod, writer in residence at the Genomics Forum, who also edits the collection. It was inspired, Ken says, by looking at the US Govt poster 'Human Genome Landmarks' after browsing Michael Swanwick's Periodic Table of Science Fiction.

“The Human Genre Project is an initiative of the ESRC Genomics Policy and Research Forum, based at The University of Edinburgh.”

In all honesty, the best way to find out about the project is to visit the site and see for yourselves: http://www.humangenreproject.com/index.php And watch out for a few familiar names hidden behind the chromosomes!

Bequest From Book Dealer Secures Rare Book For Science Fiction Foundation

SuperUser . — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 18:16:01 GMT

A bequest from one of British science fiction’s most respected book dealers has secured a rare and important work for the Science Fiction Foundation Collection, one of the world’s most important research collections of science fiction and related literatures.

The Collection, owned by the Science Fiction Foundation and administered by the University of Liverpool Library’s Special Collections and Archives division, recently obtained a rare copy of Lieut. Gullivar Jones: His Vacation (1905), the best-known work by British writer Edwin L. Arnold (1857-1935). This book was purchased with the help of a bequest to the Science Fiction Foundation from Ken Slater, who until his death in 2008 ran the book and magazine service Fantast/Medway.
An interplanetary romance in which the hero travels to Mars to rescue a princess and engage in swashbuckling adventures, Lieut. Gullivar Jones sold poorly on its initial publication. Since 1964, however, it has grown in reputation since the parallels between it and the best-selling “John Carter of Mars” novels by Edgar Rice Burroughs were pointed out by author Richard Lupoff in an American reprint. Burroughs’ Under the Moons of Mars (later reprinted as A Princess of Mars) was serialised in All-Story magazine in 1912. Copies of the first edition of this influential book rarely come on the market, and its purchase would not have been possible without the bequest from Ken Slater.

From the late 1940s, when he established Fantast/Medway as a way of re-establishing links between science fiction fans, Ken was one of the most important and best-loved members of British sf fandom and his knowledge of and love for the field made him many friends and admirers all over the world. The Science Fiction Foundation is delighted to use this generous bequest to acquire books which it would be otherwise impossible to purchase; and especially to add this particular work to its collection in the memory of one of its greatest friends.

Other books purchased by the Science Fiction Foundation with the assistance of the Ken Slater Bequest include first editions of H. G .Wells’s When the Sleeper Wakes (1899) and John Wyndham’s The Day of the Triffids (1951) plus early “future-war” novels not held by the Foundation Collection such as The Gas War of 1940 by “Miles” [Neil Bell] (1931) and Hindenburg’s March into London by Paul Georg Munch (1916).

For further information about the Science Fiction Foundation Collection, contact Andy Sawyer , (asawyer@liv.ac.uk) www.sfhub.ac.uk.

For further information about the Science Fiction Foundation go to www.sf-foundation.org

Tony Roberts - The Science Fiction Years

SuperUser . — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 18:13:24 GMT

Artist Tony Roberts is very keen to stress that, contrary to the statement made in a certain Science Fiction encyclopaedia, he did not die following a fall off of Glastonbury Tor… That was a completely different Tony Roberts.

In fact, the news from Tony’s perspective is pretty positive at the moment, with the launch of a new website showcasing his science fiction artwork. During the 1970s and 1980s, Tony illustrated the covers of many an SF great, including the likes of Asimov, Heinlein, van Vogt, Silverberg, Le Guin, Bradbury, Pohl, Disch, Delany, Benford, Varley… even some bloke called Ian Watson!

In 2001, one of Tony’s early SF paintings became the centre of controversy when it was 'appropriated' by the Turner Prize shortlisted artist Glenn Brown for his work, 'The Loves of Shepherds, (after Double Star by Tony Roberts) 2000’, which was exhibited at Tate Britain. Following legal action, an out of court settlement was eventually reached.

Tony, who lives in rural East Sussex with wife and some ‘low hounds’, currently serves on the organising committee of OpenArt. – a Sussex biennial art event. Also, he is managing artist for FreeFour – a group of independent painters. Although still working as an artist he has not produced any new SF art in many years, but admits to being delighted by the attention the website has garnered from around the world. He suspects he knows at least part of the reason this new showcase is proving so popular, saying, “Perhaps it has a nostalgic quality which would not be there if I was still working within the genre.”

Tony’s work can be seen at: www.tonyrobertsart.co.uk

Top 100 SF Films

SuperUser . — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 09:49:11 GMT

The best books of the past 60 years???

SuperUser . — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 10:06:11 GMT

The Times Online have published their list of the best 60 books for the past 60 years. 1 book per year, which is a bit misleading and restrictive. It is a bit odd to have JK Rowling, Arthur C Clarke, Stephenie Meyer and Philip K Dick in the same list. Do you agree with their choices?

More here...http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/books/article6735478.ece

This is who I am...

SuperUser . — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 09:28:47 GMT

Empire magazine are running a nice little quiz to find your movie DNA. Answer some multiple choice questions and get your own personal movie DNA. And if you enter your details you have a chance of attending an audience with Terry Gilliam.

http://thisiswhoiam.empireonline.com

Doctor Who and The Waters of Mars - Trailer

SuperUser . — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 12:56:23 GMT

Locus magazine founder Charles N Brown dies

SuperUser . — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 16:57:32 GMT

PS snap up SF novella by Chaz Brenchley

SuperUser . — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 16:54:23 GMT

John Jarrold has sold an SF novella by Chaz Brenchley, Rotten Row, to Peter Crowther at PS Publishing. Rotten Row is set in the same universe as his short story Terminal, which was shortlisted for the BSFA award and will be reprinted together with the novella.

‘Although Chaz is known for his fantasy and dark fantasy, this is a wonderful SF story, it feels as if he’s been writing in the genre for decades,’ said John Jarrold.

Source: SFCrowsnest

SF or Sci-Fi or now SyFy?

SuperUser . — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 16:42:53 GMT

The US arm of the SciFi channel have recently undertaken a complete rebranding (and renaming) of the channel. No longer will they be know as the SciFi Channel, now it is simply SyFy (with a tag line of imagine greater or some such nonsense).
That has been much consternation from the interwebs with many a SF fan asking why they feel the need to dilute the SF message.

SyFy's response? They wanted to make the SciFi Channel more accessible.

They are planning a global roll out of the new brand soon.

Gungrave and The Lone Wolf to go live action.

SuperUser . — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 16:07:39 GMT

Convergence Entertainment has locked down the rights to develop two fantasy properties as live-action films, the Japanese manga Gungrave, created by Yasuhiro Nightow (who also created the popular outer space western Trigun) and British author Joe Dever's Lone Wolf series of game books (in the vein of the "Choose Your Own Adventure" books popular in the 1980s), according to Variety.

Yasuhiro Nightow's Gungrave is about Brandon "Beyond the Grave" Heat, a member of a crime syndicate who rises from the grave to seek revenge against Millenion, an outfit run by Heat's former best friend that uses undead monsters as enforcers. Gungrave began as a third-person shooter created by Red Entertainment for PlayStation 2. It was later developed as a manga comic book published in the US by Dark Horse and an anime series.

The Lone Wolf series of game books began publication in 1984, and takes place in an alternate medieval world called Magnamund. The plot concerns the last member of a warrior caste who seeks revenge against the evil forces that destroyed his order. There are 28 books in the series, so far.

Both features will have budgets in the range of $30 million to $35 million.

Nicholas Cage in talks for 'Green Hornet'?

SuperUser . — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 15:52:51 GMT

Columbia Pictures are in talks with Nicolas Cage to play the gangster villain in "The Green Hornet".

Cameron Diaz is negotiating to play a reporter and love interest in the Michel Gondry-directed pic that stars Seth Rogen as the masked crime fighter.

The picture is moving full steam ahead for a fall start date, even as the studio looks to replace Stephen Chow, who was going to play sidekick Kato. Rogen and Evan Goldberg wrote the script and Neal Moritz is producing through his Original Films banner.

The picture is set for release next summer.

Source: Variety

Sam Raimi brings WoW to the screen.

SuperUser . — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 15:41:07 GMT

Famed producer of the Evil Dead, Sam Raimi has signed on to direct "Warcraft," the live-action film adaptation of the fantasy videogame franchise "World of Warcraft."

Legendary Pictures and videogame publisher Blizzard Entertainment are mounting the film, and Warner Bros. will co-finance and distribute. The team boasts an impressive pedigree: In addition to the director of "Spider-Man," the partners have added "The Dark Knight" producer Charles Roven to the creative mix.

British SF Author Wins Major Literary Award

SuperUser . — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 13:29:38 GMT

Chris Beckett's Elastic Press collection The Turing Test has just been awarded the 2009 Edge Hill Short Story prize.

The Edge Hill Short Story Prize is the UK's only award for a short story collection by a single author. The announcement was made at a ceremony in Liverpool on Saturday 4th July. The other shortlisted authors included one Booker Prize winner in Anne Enright, and two authors who have been shortlisted for the Booker in Ali Smith and Shena Mackay. Chris's appearance on the Edge Hill shortlist came as a bit of a surprise, particularly to the author. As for his winning it...?

Judge James Walton, journalist and chair of BBC Radio 4's "The Write Stuff" said: "I suspect Chris Beckett winning the Edge Hill Prize will be seen as a surprise in the world of books. In fact, though, it was also a bit of surprise to the judges, none of whom knew they were science fiction fans beforehand.

"Yet, once the judging process started, it soon became clear that The Turing Test was the book that we'd all been impressed by, and enjoyed, the most—and one by one we admitted it."

Ironically, the author was one of the last people to discover he had won. An announcement to that effect was made via the internet on the Friday evening, but by then Chris had already travelled to Liverpool in preparation of the official ceremony, and remained unaware of his success until the event itself the following evening.

Exclusive! Win a pair of tickets to any screening at the BFI.

SuperUser . — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 10:09:01 GMT

The BFI Celebrate the moon landing anniversary.

SuperUser . — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 10:10:21 GMT

One Giant Leap

This July the 40th anniversary of the Apollo moon landings on 20 July 1969 will be remembered by people across the world. This year will also mark the 400 years since the invention of the telescope and happens to be the International Year of Astronomy. To celebrate these cosmic events BFI Southbank is collaborating with the Science Museum in presenting One Giant Leap, a season of documentaries, feature films, television and artworks focusing on the dream and reality of space travel, the Cold War space race and the American space programme of the 1960s and 1970s. One Giant Leap will look at how factual and fictive approaches to making films have articulated humankind’s aspiration to colonise space, and investigate how our desire and ability to break free of the earth’s gravitational field have stimulated some of the most creative thinkers from the worlds of cinema, television and the visual arts.

Speaking to Congress on 25 May 1961, President John F Kennedy challenged the United States of America to put a man on the moon and return him safely to earth by the end of the decade. Eight years and 26 days later, the lunar module Eagle touched down on the Sea of Tranquility and Apollo 11’s commander Neil Armstrong stepped on to the lunar surface exclaiming, ‘That’s one small step for (a) man, one giant leap for mankind’.

Hundreds of millions of people were watching on television as Armstrong became the first person to step onto another world. The moon landing attracted arguably the biggest live audience in history, and news coverage from around the world indicated that it was seen as a triumph not just for the Americans, but also for all humanity. Wherever he went afterwards, Apollo 11’s command module pilot Michael Collins noted that, ‘People said we did it, we the human race, we – people – did it,’ and contemporaneous television broadcasts reflect on a technological and logistical feat that seemed to ignore national borders and the competing political ideologies of the day.

Yet the fact remains that barely 500 people have been into space and only 12 individuals have ever set foot on the moon. Although this number is sure to increase in the near future, especially with the advent of space tourism, the rest of us have had to be content with a mediated experience. Collectively, our comprehension of space flight in general and the moon landings in particular is inextricably linked to the moving image.

To complement the Science Museum’s Centenary celebrations, the BFI Southbank will host a number of screenings and events that will appeal to everyone, from Kubrick’s seminal 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968), For All Mankind (1989) with a score by Brian Eno, and an exclusive preview of Moon (2009) plus a live interview with it’s directorDuncan Jones, to classic Doctor Who (1967) and Space: 1999 (1975). There will also be free screenings in the Studio, exhibitions in the Gallery and in the Atrium, a Lunacy Weekender(Friday 17 – Sunday 19 July) and an out of this world Film Funday.

One Giant Leap Events

Preview: Moon + Q&A with Duncan Jones

Moon is an assured debut feature from Jones, who has previously made an impact with work for advertising and music promos. Moon is a philosophical and ultimately touching film in which Jones and writer Nathan Parker create an insightful character piece about memory and identity. We are delighted to welcome Duncan Jones to the BFI Southbank stage to take part in a post-screening Q&A.

UK 2009 Dir Duncan Jones With Sam Rockwell 97min

Wed 8 July 18:30 NFT1Tickets £12.90, concs £9.65 (Members pay £1.40 less)

Trips to the Moon

The idea of travelling to the moon didn’t start in the 19th century, but it received a powerful boost from Jules Verne’s popular tale about an American gun club’s project to build a giant cannon. Film historian and Verne enthusiast Ian Christie scans the skies for Apollo 11’s earliest forerunners in this illustrated tour, culminating in Méliès’ recently restored landmark 1902 film, Le Voyage dans la Lune.

Wed 1 July 18:30 NFT1

Flights of the Imagination

Méliès’ magical trip to the moon in 1902 had a profound influence on an international community of film pioneers. BFI National Archive curator Bryony Dixon conjures a dazzling programme of early film’s greatest tricks including work by Georges Méliès, Émile Cohl, RW Paul and Walter Booth, Ladislaw Starewicz and Segundo de Chomón.

Wed 1 July 20:45 NFT1

Joint ticket available with Trips to the Moon £12.90, concs £9.65 (Members pay £1.40 less)

FREE Studio Screenings: Smoking Moon

Smoking Moon is an uncanny representation of the moon; comical yet unsettling, it demonstrates David Austen’s exploration of the darker side of the human psyche and the displacement of the moon from reality to myth. This work is Austen’s first moving image piece, an example of the artist’s distinct use of fragmented narrative.

UK 2006 Dir David Austen 13min

Sat 4, 18, 25; Sun 5, 26 July 11:00-16:00 Studio

FREE Studio Screenings: Untitled (The Remake)

Untitled (The Remake) combines archival footage from the years of the 1967-1973 military dictatorship in Greece with Tsivopoulos’ own video footage. For this work, the artist reconstructed a late-60s TV studio, complete with period technical equipment.

2007 Dir Stefanos Tsivopoulos 14min

Sat 11; Sun 12, 19 July 11:00-16:00 Studio

TV Preview: Moonshot: The Flight of Apollo 11 + Q&A

A fine new TV docu-fiction, Moonshot interweaves cinematic drama with hi-definition NASA footage in presenting glimpses of life behind the scenes in Houston alongside edge-of- your-seat moments in space. We welcome Richard Dale, head of research Dan Parry and (hopefully) cast members for a Q&A.

Dangerous Films for ITV 2009 Dir Richard Dale With Daniel Lapaine, James Marsters, Andrew Lincoln 69min

Fri 3 July 20:45 NFT1

FREEAtrium: Untitled (Apollo-Soyuz Test Project) 1 July – 2 Aug Atrium

To accompany our One Giant Leap season we are showing Untitled (Apollo-Soyuz Test Project), 2003, by visual artist Stefan Gec. This work focuses on the extraordinary moment in Cold War history when in July 1975 two spacecraft, Apollo (US) and Soyuz (USSR) docked in space for the first ever collaborative mission.

Lunacy Weekender

FREEDark Fibre

Dark Fibre is the BFI’s brand new club event that will peer into the darker corners of live cinema and audiovisual performance, and all points between. Hosted in partnership with the people behind London’s AV Social, Dark Fibre’s first edition will be suitably Lunar. Headlined by a rare UK performance by Hamburg collective Incite, the lineup is completed with Secret Films, Blinkin Lab, a surprise film remix collaboration between Dan Tait and Oli Sorenson, as well as exclusive screen works by Semiconductor.

Fri 17 July 22:00 til late - benugo bar.

Was the Moon Landing Faked?

In 1961 John F Kennedy gave NASA until the end of the decade to land a man on the moon. Join the discussion, led by esteemed King’s College academics Dr Mark Miodownik, Head of the KCL Materials Research Group and Prof Simon Wessely of the KCL Institute of Psychiatry, could it be that this impossible mission was faked for television?

Sat 18 July 13:00 NFT1 Tickets £5

Kubrick’s Moon

As part of his meticulous research for 2001: A Space Odyssey, Stanley Kubrick interviewed 21 of the world’s great scientific minds, asking them to speculate on the future and man’s place in the cosmos. Will Whitehorn, President of Virgin Galactic, explores Kubrick’s designs for space travel, then joins discussion with Tony Frewin, Kubrick’s long-time assistant , Chris Riley, producer of In the Shadow of the Moon, and writer Simon Ings.

Sat 18 July 15:15 NFT1Tickets £5

Live From the Moon

The race to the moon was always conceived as a televisual spectacle, but the Apollo astronauts were uncomfortable starring in the first reality TV show in space. Launching his new book, Live From the Moon: Film, Television and the Space Race, Mike Allen explores the complex interactions between

developing space travel and media technologies as an extended introduction to American Experience:

Race to the Moon. A book signing follows in the Filmstore.

Sat 18 July 18.20 NFT2

Moonwalk One

We are delighted to premiere this newly remastered Director’s Cut in high definition. Theo Kamecke’s vision for the film – commissioned by NASA to cover their historic Apollo 11 moonshot – was to create something which would mark the historic, philosophical and epic nature of this greatest of endeavours. We hope to welcome the director for a post-screening Q&A.

USA 1970 Dir Theo Kamecke 110min.

Sun 19 July 18:20 NFT1

Time and Space

These three films, made within two years of the Apollo 11 landing by artists who were pioneers in the

development of conceptual art in Britain, capture a contemporary fascination on the part of artists

and public alike with the events and imagery of space exploration. A satellite event of the exhibition ‘Earth-Moon-Earth’ (Djanogly Gallery, University of Nottingham, 20 June – 9 August), presented in collaboration with Flat Time House, John Latham’s home in Peckham, the films are introduced by the exhibition’s curators, Nicholas Alfrey and Joy Sleeman.

One (1971-2003, Ian Breakwell & Mike Leggett, 15min, video) + A Study of Relationships between Inner and Outer Space (1969, David Lamelas, 20min) + Erth (1971, John Latham, 25min)

Sun 19 July 18:10 NFT2Tickets £5

Gravity Sucks: An Expanded Lecture by Simon Faithfull

Man’s tragic longing to escape from the pull of gravity is explored by Simon Faithfull in this multi-screen performance lecture. The artist, whose work is featured in the Gallery this month, takes to the skies with a montage of madcap flying machines, scientific theories and existential longing.

Sun 19 July 16:00 NFT2Tickets £5

The Future Film Institute presents: Lunar Madness

The Future Film Institute is an organisation of young people at the BFI dedicated to bringing film

screenings and events to a young audience. Legend has it that the new moon can make people go a bit crazy, so this month we’ve picked a suitably nutty crop of films and TV containing spectacular space voyages, mad machines, bonkers brainwaves and loony tunes. For just a fiver you can witness the spectacle of Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey in a glorious 70mm print (see p37), travel by TARDIS to Dr Who: The Moonbase (see p42), and board our Flights of the Imagination (see p10). Not mental enough for you? Then come and join our flashmob as we howl at the full moon on Tue 7 July or check out our Future Film Mediatheque collection where you can watch more weird and wonderful titles from the BFI Archive.

Full Moon Flashmob – Tue 7 July 21:30 meet outside The Riverfront

Chine Miéville talks about The City & The City.

SuperUser . — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 10:15:30 GMT

British science fiction and fantasy: a panel

SuperUser . — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 10:26:37 GMT

As announced last week on Torque Control, the BSFA is carrying out a survey of British
science fiction and fantasy writers, updating an earlier survey carried out in conjunction with the Mexicon III convention twenty years ago.

As a sort of launch for the survey, at the BSFA/Science Fiction Foundation joint AGM event on Saturday 27th June, there was a panel to discuss some of the questions asked in the survey, chewing over how writers perceive their work -- in terms of genre, and in terms of
Britishness -- and how others perceive it. The panelists were Nick Harkaway, Paul Kincaid, Paul McAuley, Juliet McKenna, and Kit Whitfield, with Niall Harrison moderating. We're pleased to be able to present a recording of the panel, which you can listen to below, or download as an mp3 file from http://www.frequency-response.com/audio/survey.mp3

Any writers who are interested in participating in the survey should contact Niall Harrison.
The deadline for responses will be August 16th, 2009.

24th June 2009 - BSFA Monthly Meeting - Ian Whates interview

SuperUser . — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 10:35:21 GMT

BSFA/SFF AGM guests and programme announced

SuperUser . — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 10:32:51 GMT

The 2009 BSFA AGM will be held on 27th June 2009 at midday at Conway Hall, 25 Red Lion Square, London.

The guests for the BSFA/SFF AGM will be Nick Harkaway for the BSFA, and Paul Kincaid for the SFF.

The programme will be:

10:00 Welcome by the SFF
10:05 BSFA Panel - Launch of the British Science Fiction Survey 2009
11:00 SFF Guest - Paul Kincaid
12:00-12:30 BSFA AGM
12:30-13:30 lunch break
13:30-14:00 SFF AGM
14:00 BSFA Guest - Nick Harkaway
15:00 SFF Closing Panel - tba
16:00 Closing remarks by the BSFA

BSFA AGM - 27th June 2009

SuperUser . — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 12:10:31 GMT