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Mars Today:
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March 2001
Greetings!
Spring is coming soon, it's true... honest... and so is MarsCon! We have under two months to go before the convention happens. Progress Report #2 will be sent to everyone on our mailing list this month, and it will be made available via the web site as well. Now is the time to start thinking about registering and reserving your hotel rooms or party cabanas if you or your friends haven't done so already. Also, the next rate increase will take place on April 16th! Very soon. Here is the latest:
Programming News - The Programming Department owes many thanks to individual fans, fan groups, our Guests of Honor (Jane Yolen, Bill Blair, Carl Talliaferro, Michael Liebmann, and Chris Jones), Featured Guest Joan Marie Verba, and Returning Guests (Debbie David and Lisa Getto) for their wonderful contributions to this year's list of programming events. In addition, we wish to acknowledge and thank some other noteworthy authors who plan to participate in MarsCon Programming. They include:
- Eleanor Arnason - She is an award-winning author of such novels as DAUGHTER OF THE BEAR KING, RING OF SWORDS and TO THE RESURRECTION STATION. Her short stories have appeared in New Improved Sun, A Room of One's Own, and New Women of Wonder, to name just a few. Eleanor will also be a Featured Guest at CONvergence and a Special Guest at Arcana in 2001. Try this link to for more info about Eleanor Arnason's writings: http://www.tc.umn.edu/~d-lena/Eleanor%20&%20trog.html
- Ruth Berman - Ruth is one of the co-authors of the new novel AUTUMN WORLD. Her numerous speculative fiction poems and short stories (such as "The Dragon's Skin," "How to Tell Time Travelers," and "Wizard's Road") have been featured in magazines and anthologies including Dragon Fantastic, Tales of the Unanticipated, Amazing Stories, Isaac Asimov's Science Fiction Magazine, Analog Science Fiction/Science Fact, and Weird Tales. Her book DEAR POPPA: THE WORLD WAR II BERMAN FAMILY LETTERS (Minnesota Historical Society Press, 1997), was nominated for a Minnesota Book Award. For more on Ruth & AUTUMN WORLD try: http://www.stonedragonpress.com/bk_aw01.html or try http://www.tc.umn.edu/nlhome/m391/d-lena/RuthBermanPage.html.
- Paula Fleming - Paula's stories have been published on-line as well as in various printed sf anthologies, and they include "Outer Darkness" and "Unblinking." Her story "Polyformus Perfectus" was recently featured in the theme anthology Such a Pretty Face: Tales of Power and Abundance (Meisha Merlin, 2000). Paula Fleming's website may be found at: http://home.att.net/~p.fleming/index.html.
- P.M.F. Johnson & Sandra Rector - Peter and Sandra have co-written many stories such as "And All I See Are Dark Eyes," "A Dwelling in the Evening Air," "Desert Angel," "Color Me Dead," and "Till Death Do Us Part." Their stories have been featured in various anthologies and fantasy story collections, i.e., Witch Fantastic, Amazing, Whatdunits, and Xanadu 2.
- Pam Keesey - She is a writer, editor, and self-proclaimed vampirologist. Pam served as editor for the lesbian vampire story anthologies Daughters of Darkness and Dark Angels. She specializes in writing non-fiction about horror. Pam's other works include Women Who Run with the Werewolves, Vamps: An Illustrated History of the Femme Fatale, and Sci-Fi Womanthology. Her Daughters of Darkness website may be found at: http://www.pamkeesey.com/.
- Peg Kerr - Peg is the author of novels EMERALD HOUSE RISING and THE WILD SWANS, as well as numerous short stories including "Lethe," "Athena Keramitis," and "Free Day." Her stories have appeared in such publications as Pulphouse, Tales of the Unanticipated, and Amazing Stories. Here is a link to more information: http://www.tc.umn.edu/~d-lena/PegKerrBibliog.html.
- Harry LeBlanc - Otherwise known as H. Courreges LeBlanc, his sf writing has been featured in Tales of the Unanticipated and Terra Incognita. He is a member of the Wyrdsmiths writers' group His short stories include "Euphonasia" and "The Ecstasy Array." Harry participated in programming at our first MarsCon back in 1999, and he has been a guest speaker at Wiscon and Diversicon.
- Catherine Lundoff - Catherine has written numerous short stories which have been published in various anthologies. Her short story "El Tigre" was included in Cherished Blood (an anthology of erotic vampire stories), and her fable-like story "Vadija" was also recently featured in the theme anthology Such a Pretty Face: Tales of Power and Abundance (Meisha Merlin, 2000).
- Lyda Morehouse - Lyda has published numerous sf and fantasy stories (i.e. "Everything in it's Place" and "Irish Blood") in magazines and anthologies such as SF Age, Dreams of Decadence, Dark Moon Sisters, Nocturnal Ecstasy Vampire Coven, and Tales of the Unanticipated. Her new novel ARCHANGEL PROTOCOL is scheduled to be released by Roc on May 8, 2001. For more info about Lyda and her new novel, try this link: http://www.lydamorehouse.com/.
- Patricia C. Wrede - She authored the "Lyra" series of novels and "The Chronicles of the Enchanted Forest" series, along with several short stories and other books. Her novels include SHADOW MAGIC, DAUGHTER OF WITCHES, TALKING TO DRAGONS, THE HARP OF IMACH THYSSEL, MAIRELON THE MAGICIAN, AND THE RAVEN RING. Here is a link to an excellent site about Patricia C. Wrede: http://www.dendarii.demon.co.uk/Wrede/.
We are very pleased to announce that actor Andrei Sterling will also be participating in programming at MarsCon this year. Andrei played the Annari Commander Brell in an episode of Star Trek: Voyager entitled "Nightingale" (7th season). He also appeared on a couple episodes of The X-Files as Absalom, an alien abductee who returned to Earth with agent Fox Mulder (8th season). He is currently working with Jeremy Irons and Halle Berry on The Time Machine, a film being directed by Simon Wells (the grandson of H.G. Wells). He is also slated to star as Kane in Dominion, a feature-film based on the popular Vampire: The Masquerade game, being produced by Clive Barker. Andrei is a Minneapolis native who studied acting at Hollywood's renowned Van Mar Academy. In addition to his sci-fi / horror roles (which he says are his favorite), he can regularly be seen on ABC's drama Once & Again. Andrei's official website may be found at: http://www.andreisterling.com.
Other programming participants of note include publisher Clarke J. Stone of StoneDragon Press, as well as MUFON [Mutual UFO Network] Field Investigation Coordinator Craig R. Lang, and Joel Henry, MUFON Field Investigator and Webmaster of the Minnesota MUFON Journal.
A preliminary program schedule has been posted on the official MarsCon website, and programming participants are encouraged to take a look and let Christine know if corrections need to be made to the schedule prior to its inclusion in the Program Book. For anyone interested in doing additional programming at MarsCon, it's not too late, but the deadline is fast approaching. All programming titles and descriptions must be received in their final form for printing in the Program Book by March 17th. Everyone's participation in programming is welcome and appreciated!
Planned Parties - Parties will be centered around the pool area, along with the Con Suite (in cabana 218), Blue Mars (film/video room in cabana 215), Krushenko's (literary-oriented programming room in cabana 118) and the Martian Music Room (in cabana 115). All of the parties promise to be a blast, but there's still room for a few more, so contact Malasondra via one of the methods listed below before April 23rd if you would like to reserve a party cabana. Here are a few of the parties planned:
- IKV Rake Hell - The End of the World as You Know It
- The Matrix
- Celestial Affiliation of Time Lords
- U.S.S. Behr'ak
- U.S.S. Czar'ak
- Second Foundation Party for Readers and Writers
- D-Notice
- The Eccentric Artists
- Diversicon Party
- The Source: Comics & Games
- Close En-Cow-nters - a Cow Party/Bridal Shower
- Space Pirate Alliance (S.P.A.)
- Taurean Birthday Party
- Chernobyl in 2011: WorldCon Bid by MISFITS / CONvergence
- Minnesota Space Frontier Society
- Gravediggers' Union
Dealers / Vendors / Fun Stuff To Buy - The Dealer's Room will be open 2pm - 7pm Friday, 10am - 7pm Saturday, and 10am - 3pm Sunday during the convention. Here's a sample of the Dealers planning to come to MarsCon with their wares:
- Ann's Woodland Expressions - Herb & Incense Blends, Oils, Soap, Charms, Elemental Scents, Candle Holders, Thematic Floral Decor (Suns, Moons, Stars), Terra Cotta Goddess Boxes
- Bridget's Field Farm - Middle Eastern Dance Scarves, Belts, Skirts, Veils, Zills, Canes, Kirlian Pictures (Aura Pictures)
- Clovis Enterprises - Leather Hats, Caps, Gloves, Belts, Pouches and Other Costume Accessories
- Dreamscapes / Dragon's Den / Keth's Kreations - Handmade Silver and Gemstone Jewelry
- Emerald's Fashions - Toys, Carved Stones w/ Stands, Pyramids, Jewelry
- FTL Publications / Joan Marie Verba - Books
- Infinite Diversity - Books, Magazines, Fanzines / Small Press, Collectible Game Cards, Comics, Action Figures, Video Tapes, T-shirts, Sports or Non-Sports Cards, CD's / Tapes, ST Hot Chocolate, Coffee
- The Lazy Dragon - Fantasy & Historical Clothing
- Martin Creations / Fantasy World Pewter - Original Art, Jewelry, Action Figures, Pewter Sculptures
- Fred Meine - Software, Comics, Toys, Magazines, Collectibles
- MO'R Designs - Stones, Crystals, Meteorites & Minerals
- Never Ending Halloween - Special Effect Contact Lenses, Prosthetics, Teeth and Other Special Effect / Halloween Related Items
- Northern Sun - Posters, Bumper Stickers, Buttons, Darwin Fish, T-shirts
- OffWorld Designs - SF & Fantasy Airbrushed T-shirts
- The Source: Comics & Games - Games, Manga, Cards, Toys, Models, Magazines & Books
- Stardust - Handcrafted Jewelry
- Tarot by Annie - Tarot Readings
- Art Vaughn Books - SF & Fantasy New & Used Paperback Books, Hardcovers and Audio Books
- John Whitt - SF Toys & Collectibles
- Wayne's World - Collectibles & Memorabilia
Upcoming Concom Meetings - Here are dates & times for upcoming ConCom meetings. ConCom Meetings are held on Sunday afternoons at the Radisson South Hotel in Bloomington, Minnesota, the same place where the convention is held. Directions & other information about the Radisson South may be found here. ConCom meetings are open to the public, and you are welcome to attend whether as a spectator or an active participant in planning the convention. Our February meeting will also feature a Programming Breakout Session and volunteer training for the Registration Department.
- ConCom Meeting - Mar. 18, 1-4pm, Radisson South, Bloomington, MN
- ConCom Meeting - Apr. 15, 1-4pm, Radisson South, Bloomington, MN
- ConCom Meeting - Apr. 29, 1-4pm, Radisson South, Bloomington, MN
- ConCom Meeting - May 6, 1-4pm, Radisson South, Bloomington, MN
- MarsCon happens - May 11-13, 2001!
Hope to see you there!
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