Bubonicon, and NM Science Fiction & Fantasy

Perhaps it is the altitude. Or the presence of the National Labs. Or the stimulating and evident cultural mix. Or just the grand scale, wide skies and ever-changing beauty of the Land of Enchantment. But for whatever reason, New Mexico is blessed with a particularly high concentration of

Science Fiction and Fantasy authors.

And not just authors, but also fans of the genres. Authors and fans will converge August 24-26 to celebrate their mutual interests when

The 44th Annual Bubonicon

occurs at the Albuquerque Marriott Uptown.







Bubonicon (in classic fan humor fashion, the name a wry nod to the fact that NM is the only state with annual cases of bubonic plague) is one of the largest such conventions in the Southwest, but still noted for having a welcoming atmosphere. The con is also famous for the distinguished group of local authors likely to attend, many of whom have themselves been guests of honor at other conventions worldwide. Look below for a list of New Mexico's science fiction and fantasy authors.

With so many authors in attendance it is not surprising that Bubonicon (or "B-con", to its intimates) also has a reputation as a "readercon", a gathering leaning more to print works than other media. But do not fear a dry professional conference -- while there are discussion panels which may verge on the scholarly, there is always a fun and lively recognition of science fiction and fantasy in movies and television, and the possibilities inherent in the genres. Costumes are always appreciated (this year's theme is "Mayan Apocalypse"), from "hall costumes" up to the often clever and elaborate presentations during Saturday evening's Costume Contest. The con also celebrates New Mexico's own filmmakers, with screenings of locally-produced films.

Other media are represented in the Art Show, where SF/F-themed works are on view and many are for sale. A Dealer's Room offers current and hard-to-find books, SF/F-themed clothing and jewelry, and a wide range of interesting odds and ends to catch the eye of anyone venturing inside.

This year's Guest of Honor is well-known author Brandon Sanderson; kicking things off as Toastmaster is author and screenwriter Michael Cassutt. Guest Artist is book illustrator Ursula Vernon. Many of the authors in attendance will be available for book signings.

While many of the hundreds attending Bubonicon each year are regulars (some sporting T-shirts from B-cons decades passed) new blood is always welcome and visitors are guaranteed a memorable experience. Day passes and weekend passes are available at the door.

Visit the Bubonicon website for the full schedule of events. And continue on below for an overview of New Mexico's science fiction and fantasy authors, many of whom are likely to be in attendance at Bubonicon 44.

Bubonicon website

Brandon Sanderson's website

Michael Cassutt's Wikipedia entry

Ursula Vernon's website

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New Mexico's science fiction and fantasy authors are not just numerous and productive, but also highly talented and respected. In the list below you will find New York Times bestselling authors, Hugo (the highest award presented by the World Science Fiction Society) and Nebula (presented by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America) award winners, and authors whose works have been turned into movies and television series. (And authors who have worked on movies and television series.) Lifelong New Mexican Jack Williamson (1908-2006) was the second author to be named a Grand Master of science fiction, and many of these authors have garnered other awards and recognition.

While distinguishing themselves in SF/F, many of these authors have also written in other genres, including detective/noir, horror, western, historical fiction and romance.

Many of these authors are likely to be in attendance at Bubonicon 44, and available for book signings.

Link to Weekly Alibi article about NM's SF/F authors

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Daniel Abraham

Titles in the Collection       Author's website

        also writes as M.L.N. Hanover

        Titles in the Collection       Author's website

        also writes as James S.A. Corey

        Titles in the Collection       Author's website

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Doug Beason

Titles in the Collection       Author's website

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Suzy McKee Charnas

Titles in the Collection       Author's website

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Stephen R. Donaldson

Titles in the Collection       Author's website

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Steven Gould
Titles in the Collection      Author's website
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Darynda Jones

Titles in the Collection       Author's website

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Jane Lindskold
Titles in the Collection       Author's website
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George R.R. Martin
Titles in the Collection       Author's website
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Victor Milan
Titles in the Collection       Author's website
       also writes as Alex Archer (in the Rogue Angel series)
       also writes as James Axler (in the Deathlands series)
       also writes in the Jake Logan western series
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John Jos. Miller
Titles in the Collection       Author's Wikipedia page
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Laura J. Mixon
Titles in the Collection       Author's website
        also writes as M.J. Locke    
        Titles in the Collection     Author's website
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Pati Nagle
Titles in the Collection       Author's website
        also writes as P.G. Nagle     
        Titles in the Collection     Author's website
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Scott S. Phillips
Titles in the Collection     Author's website
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John Maddox Roberts
Titles in the Collecton      Author's Wikipedia entry
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Melinda Snodgrass
Titles in the Collection       Author's website
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S.M. Stirling
Titles in the Collection       Author's website
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Sheri S. Tepper
Titles in the Collection       Author's website
       also writes as E.E. Horlak
       also writes as B.J. Oliphant (Shirley McLintock series)
       also writes as A.J. Orde (Jason Lynx series)
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Ian Tregillis
Titles in the Collection       Author's website
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Robert E. Vardeman
Titles in the Collection       Author's website
        also writes as Karl Lassiter
        Titles in the Collection     Author's website
        also writes as Jackson Lowry
        Titles in the Collection     Author's website
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Sage Walker
Titles in the Collection      Author's Wikipedia entry
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Walter Jon Williams
Titles in the Collection      Author's website

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Gone But Far From Forgotten

Fred Saberhagen (1930-2007)
Titles in the Collection      Author's website
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Jack Williamson (1908-2006)
Titles in the Collection      Wikipedia entry
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Roger Zelazny (1937-1995)
Titles in the Collection      Author's website
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Link to Weekly Alibi article about Saberhagen, Williamson, and Zelazny

Marvelous & Strange Stories

There are times when nothing but a short story will do.  I enjoy the form, & sometimes it's just the amount of reading I have time for (& doesn't leave you hanging like a chapter in a book might).  Also,  I think it's handy if you want to check out some new authors without committing to a big book.  With that in mind, here are my two latest finds, which I think might appeal to sci-fi/fantasy fans & those who are looking for the fiction in the Hunger Games style:

Steampunk!: An Anthology of Fantastically Rich and Strange Stories edited by Kelly Link and Gavin J. Grant
Billed as "A collection of fourteen fantasy stories by well-known authors, set in the age of steam engines and featuring automatons, clockworks, calculating machines, and other marvels that never existed", this collection features stories by well known young adult authors such as Cassandra Clare, Libba Bray, Cory Doctorow, M.T. Anderson, & Garth Nix, alongside Dylan Horrocks, Ysabeau Wilce, & others.

Zombies vs. Unicorns edited by Justine Larbalestier and Holly Black
This book marks my first encounter with a short story collection with something to prove:  it contains "twelve short stories by a variety of authors seek[ing] to answer the question of whether zombies are better than unicorns".  Libba Bray, Garth Nix, & Cassandra Clare are again featured here, with  Meg Cabot, Naomi Novik, Margo Lanagan, & others also contributing.

In a slightly darker vein, also consider:
The Weird: A Compendium of Strange and Dark Stories edited by Ann and Jeff VanderMeer
Contains a vast array of literary legends at their most peculiar, including William Gibson, George R. R. Martin, Stephen King, Angela Carter, Kelly Link, Franz Kafka, China Miéville, Clive Barker, Haruki Murakami, M. R. James, Neil Gaiman, Mervyn Peake, and Michael Chabon.

For diehard fans of Suzanne Collins, might we also recommend her earlier work, The Underland Chronicles?  Beginning with Gregor the Overlander, this series is the story of eleven-year-old Gregor and his two-year-old sister, who are pulled into a strange underground world. Their arrival triggers an epic battle involving men, bats, rats, cockroaches, and spiders while on a quest foretold by ancient prophecy.

Featured Author: Gail Carriger

Q: What do you get when you mix paranormal romance, steampunk, Victorian fashion, adventure action, humor and parasols?

A: The Parasol Protectorate series by Gail Carriger.

"Alexia Tarabotti is laboring under a great many social tribulations. First, she has no soul. Second, she's a spinster whose father is both Italian and dead. Third, she was rudely attacked by a vampire, breaking all standards of social etiquette.

"Where to go from there? From bad to worse apparently, for Alexia accidentally kills the vampire -- and then the appalling Lord Maccon (loud, messy, gorgeous, and werewolf) is sent by Queen Victoria to investigate.

"With unexpected vampires appearing and expected vampires disappearing, everyone seems to believe Alexia responsible. Can she figure out what is actually happening to London's high society? Will her soulless ability to negate supernatural powers prove useful or just plain embarrassing? Finally, who is the real enemy, and do they have treacle tart?

"Soulless is a comedy of manners set in Victorian London: full of werewolves, vampires, dirigibles, and tea-drinking."

-- from the back cover

The Parasol Protectorate series gives readers a clever, cheeky, saucy romp through an alternate Victorian London where airships soar above, vampires are Lords, and army officers are werewolves. Alexia Tarabotti is a heroine well before her time, busy dealing with her own special nature, the restrictions of "proper behavior for a lady", and the challenge of staying fashionably dressed while having extraordinary adventures. Author Gail Carriger is herself something of a fashion statement, known for attending events in authentic 1950s ensembles. Her website is an entertainment all by itself and worth a visit, full of information about Victorian London, links to steampunk sites, and of course fashion advice.

• Soulless (The Parasol Protectorate, Book the First)


• Changeless (The Parasol Protectorate, Book 2)


• Blameless (The Parasol Protectorate, Book 3)


• Heartless (The Parasol Protectorate, Book the Fourth)


• Timeless (The Parasol Protectorate, Book 5)

The Shatnerverse

William Shatner.  Love him or hate him, he's ubiquitous & larger than life.  This 80-year old sci-fi icon is always juggling his many hats: actor, author, spokesperson, equestrian, self-promoter. A keyword search of his name brings up 34 items in the library catalog that he's been involved in on some level, from The Encyclopedia Shatnerica to Over the Hedge to Star Trek: I'm Working on That - A Trek from Science Fiction to Science Fact.

Like the Energizer Bunny, Shatner just keeps going...and going...and going.  ABC Libraries features 3 brand-spanking-new items by William Shatner in the catalog in 3 different mediums!  They are:

Shatner Rules: Your Guide to Understanding the Shatnerverse and the World at Large
Nobody works his personal mythology better than Shatner. A tongue-in-cheek guide for living which features rules for common & uncommon situations, including turning 80, & "Fun Factners".

The Captains, a film by William Shatner
A vanity project, but one that diehard Trekkers won't want to miss! Shatner "travels around the globe to interview the elite group of actors who have portrayed the role of Enterprise Captain, giving fans an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the pop culture phenomenon".

Seeking Major Tom
As Amazon.com puts it, "William Shatner returns to the final frontier of music recording with this space-themed concept album that boldly goes where no man has gone before!"  This 2-disc music CD includes Shatneriffic covers of "Space Oddity", "Rocket Man", "She Blinded Me with Science", even Duran Duran's "Planet Earth". The supporting cast includes Lyle Lovett, Bootsy Collins, Sheryl Crow, & Peter Frampton.

It's time to accept it.  We are living in the Shatnerverse. Might as well live as large as Shatner.

Unconventional Conventions

Photo by Donna

Due to the myriad of film and television productions that have been produced and filmed here in New Mexico, an interesting advantage has started to creep into the local comic book and sci-fi scene! Albuquerque has been lucky enough to have had three conventions this year catering to fans of comics, science fiction, manga, anime and horror. 

The Albuquerque Comic-Con held this past January had over 10,000 fans descend on the HIlton Hotel, the Comic Expo presented at the convention center also had huge crowds, and the Sci-Fi Expo had over 5,000 fans purchase tickets to mingle with some of their favorite stars.  Celebrities that attended some of these events were Ray Park (X-Men, Star Wars: Episode 1), Daniel Logan (Star Wars: The Clone Wars), Dean Stockwell (Compulsion, Quantum Leap), Sean Patrick Flanery (30 Days Until I'm Famous), Norman Reedus (Boondock Saints), Walter Koenig (Star Trek), Edward Furlong (American History X), Charisma Carpenter (The Expendables), Dean Haglund (The X-Files), Jeremy Bulloch (Star Wars: Episode 3, The Revenge of the Sith), Richard Hatch (Battlestar Galactica), Jim Kelly (Enter the Dragon),  and Peter Mayhew (Star Wars: Episode IV, A New Hope), amongst a host of others. 

On August 26th-28th, the local literary convention, Bubonicon will have a variety of guests from the science fiction genre, many of whom live here in New Mexico.  Some of the authors attending include George R.R. Martin, Ben Bova, Diana Gabaldon, Jane Lindskold, John Jos. Miller, and Melinda Snodgrass, among others. 

If you are a fan of comics, sci-fi, manga, anime or gaming, the library has a variety of books and movies to check out to help you prepare for the next Albuquerque Comic-Con which is to be held at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in January 2012. 

Some titles you might find interesting include:

Darth Maul: Shadow Hunter by Michael Reaves

Star Wars, Episode 1: The Phantom Menace by Terry Brooks

Star Wars, Episode 2:, Attack of the Clones by R. A. Salvatore

Star Wars, The Clone Wars, Character Encyclopedia

Star Wars: The Clone Wars (DVD)

Star Wars: Episode I, The Phantom Menace,  (DVD)

The X-Files: I Want to Believe (DVD)

The Nit-Pickers Guide for X-Philes by Phil Farrand

A Game of Thrones: A Song of Fire and Ice, Book 1 by George R.R. Martin

Mars by Ben Bova

Voyager by Diana Gabaldon

Thirteen Orphans by Jane Lindskold

Wild Cards, Vol. 1

The Edge of Reason by Melinda Snodgrass

The Very Large Array: New Mexico Science Fiction and Fantasy

Reading Comics: How Graphic Novels Work and What they Mean by Douglas Wolk

A Career Guide to Your Job in Hell edited by Robert E. Vardeman and Scott S. Phillips

Unsafe on Any Screen: Cinematic Sleaze and Cheese by Scott S. Phillips

Fans of Dean Stockwell who missed him at the Sci Fi Expo might want to stop by the Albuquerque Film Festival, which runs August 18-21!  The Quantum Leap star will be making another Albuquerque appearance this weekend to receive the 2011 AFF Dennis Lee Hopper Award. Also, Michael Madsen, who appeared in Frank Miller's Sin City, will also be on hand-he's won the 2011 AFF Maverick Award.

A Brave New World: Dystopian Fiction and Film

Perhaps you may have noticed the tremendous amount of post-apocalyptic books, movies, and video games available. Why the upsurge in these depressing views of the future? Theories range from the inundation of information in our lives, 24 hours a day from around the globe, to our increasingly public digital lives, now available to anyone, including the government, on the internet. Pessimistically, the world is going to implode, explode, or become a mass experiment by some government or another.

Whatever the cause for these views, the end result of this media trend is not necessarily negative. Teens report feeling more aware of how good they really have it: iPods, Facebook, and family, but also medicine, law, and SHOWERS. Another upside to any apocalypse paranoia is an excuse to start learning old fashioned skills like sewing, canning, and survivalism.

The name for this genre, Dystopia, comes from Thomas More's use of Utopia, meaning nowhere in Latin, and the Latin prefix dys, meaning bad. If you want to escape the relative calm and stability of the present, check out these dystopian offerings:


Books
1984,by George Orwell
Anthem, by Ayn Rand
Brave New World, by Aldous Huxley
Cloud Atlas, by David Mitchell
The Forest of Hands and Teeth, by Carrie Ryan
The Giver, by Lois Lowry
The Handmaid's Tale, by Margaret Atwood
The Hunger Games, by Suzanne Collins
The Maze Runner, by James Dashner
Never Let Me Go, by Kazuo Ishiguro
The Road, by Cormac McCarthy
Shades of Gray, by Jasper Fforde

Movies
Blade Runner
Children of Men
A Clockwork Orange
I am Legend
Mad Max
Minority Report
WALL-E

Albuquerque Comic Con

"Albuquerque Comic Con 2011 was an amazing success and a testament to the amazing people of New Mexico. Every celebrity guest that attended said that it was you, the people and fans of this event that made this one of the most memorable experiences of their convention lives. With over 10,000 of you passing through the doors for the 2 day event, we met so many great friends and can't wait to start planning 2012. ACC will begin selling tickets to our 2012 event as well as booth spaces to all of you vendors who enjoyed your time with us. Guest list is currently in the works. Any thoughts on who you would like to see? Let us know."
~from the website

Science fiction & fantasy & comic fans, keep an eye out for this fun event next year! Events at this year's ACC, which took place January 15th & 16th, included: Star Wars Costuming and Armor Building with 501st Dewback Legion; Self Publishing 7000 BC and others; Mixed Martial Arts with Herb Dean and Michael Westbrook; & a film festival. Special guests included Gil Gerard, Erin Gray, Peter Mayhew, & Lou Ferrigno.

One of our library staff members attended the wildly successful Albuquerque Comic Con & brought back these pictures!

The Ubiquitous Steampunk

I've been reading a lot about the steampunk phenomenon this year, so the Omnivoracious blog's post "Steampunk Unloaded, Uploaded, Reloaded, Remixed, Cooked, Stuffed, and Codified" made me wonder why I had not written more about it (although in August I recommended Cherie Priest's Boneshaker). Not familiar with the steampunk genre? Check out this New York Times article, "Steampunk Moves Between Worlds", or "Steam Dream" from the Boston Phoenix. Also TVTropes has a good explanation of the genre, which they start by summing up as "Retro-style Speculative Fiction set in periods where steam power is king."



Looking for steampunk fiction in the catalog? Our collection is small, but growing! Click here to see some titles.

Also consider visiting The Steampunk Workshop & Steampunk Magazine. Steampunk.com has many book reviews.

Check out this video from the steampunk episode of ABC's show Castle!

Back to the Hugos

Science fiction fans! The Guardian is currently running a blog series called "Back to the Hugos". Blogger Sam Jordison is posting about each Hugo Award winner, starting from the beginning. For more Hugo Award history, check out the Hugo website.

Teen Reads-But Not Just for Teens!

For fans of dystopian fiction, or adventure stories and who don't mind reading Young Adult fiction, put your name on the waiting list for "The Hunger Games" by Suzanne Collins. While it is not for the faint of heart, it is still a story to be savored, with characters who draw you inside and make you want to see the book to its conclusion. If you click on the book jacket after bringing up the title, you can click on reviews to get a feel for what this book offers to readers of all ages. The second book in the trilogy "Catching Fire" is already out and has a long waiting list of eager fans. If you like this book, you might want to try the Scott Westerfeld series "Uglies", "Pretties", and "Specials", which is also hugely popular with library customers, young and old alike.

30th Anniversary of Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

Wow! Have I been living under a rock? Today is the 30th anniversary of Douglas Adams' The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy and, in England, Eoin Colfer's continuation of Adams' series And Another Thing was just published (our library system does have it on order!). To hear Eoin Colfer talk about his sequel, check here. Read about the enduring appeal of the series here. & finally, I recommend the audiobook version, read by Stephen Fry.

Speculative fiction, science fiction, and fantasy

In a recent review, Margaret Atwood reiterated her idea that she doesn't write "science fiction," but speculative fiction. The reviewer states that "she prefers 'speculative fiction.' If we have to have a label, that’s a better one, since part of Atwood’s mastery as a writer is to use herself as a creative computer, modeling possible futures projected from the available data — in human terms, where we are now."

Far be it from me to dispute such a long-standing SF luminary as Margaret Atwood, but in this case, she and the Times reviewer seem to be operating on an odd definition of "science fiction."

"Science Fiction" is one category under the umbrella of speculative fiction. The other major strain is fantasy. A third, less common, is alternate history. Broadly speaking, alternate history is fiction in which a fact of known history has been changed, and the speculation is about how that would change the present, and what the implications are. Fantasy supposes a change in natural law--a magical environment. Science fiction supposes a change in science and technology, and speculates on what that would mean. In other words, if a wizard creates a race of elves, it's fantasy. If a scientist creates a genetically modified species of human, it's science fiction. Ms. Atwood's latest book is the latter.

Now, the categories within speculative fiction overlap frequently. It's a very fluid genre. One or another usually emerges as the dominant form, but there's a lot of freedom inside the genre. An alternate history might be based on a technological change or a magical one (Kenneth Oppel's Airborn is a good example of an alternate history with different technology). A fantasy world with an advanced technology might be done. And there's no special reason an elf can't pilot a starship, though (unless you call him a Vulcan and suppose a different planet of origin) it would be hard to market to the science fiction fan base, which draws a hard line on fantasy elements entering science fiction.

There is not, however, a hard line about the time in which science fiction might be set, or what sorts of science might be the "guinea pigs" for the alteration or development. Any decent science fiction will involve "using [one]self as a creative computer, modeling possible futures projected from the available data — in human terms, where we are now." That, in fact, is a fairly succinct definition of the genre.

Is there a gosh-wow segment of science fiction? Sure, and it's as valid as the Sword and Sorcery segment of fantasy (for those not used to speculative fiction, there are quite a lot of sub-categories inside of each of the major ones--sword and sorcery, dystopian, utopian, etc). But it's certainly not the definition of science fiction. Isaac Asimov's Foundation--a, well, foundational book in the genre--is largely based on, of all things, political science. Orson Scott Card's Ender books use psychometrics and genetics, as well as sociology. Brian Aldiss's Helliconia trilogy deals with the impact of climate on societies in a binary star system. The list goes on. There's almost no scientific concept that can't be tweaked for science fiction. Ms. Atwood chose genetic manipulation. Excellent. And the branch of speculative fiction into which that falls is... science fiction.

Instead of saying "This isn't science fiction, it's good literature!", why not say, "Look! Science fiction is good literature!"?