Electronic OtherRealms #22 Fall, 1988 Part 8 Copyright 1988 by Chuq Von Rospach All Rights Reserved OtherRealms may not be reproduced without written permission from Chuq Von Rospach. The electronic edition may be distributed or reproduced only in its entirety and only if all copyrights, author credits and this notice, including the return addresses remain intact. No article may be reprinted, reproduced or republished in any way without the express permission of the author. One Writer's Journey M. Elayn Harvey Copyright 1988 by M. Elayn Harvey Becoming a professional writer has been a road of painful lessons, but one where I've collected a wayside bouquet of self-discoveries. I started the journey with two certainties and a knapsack full of idealistic expectations. The two things of which I was certain were: I enjoyed the process of writing, and in that, I was a kin to my literary fore-mothers and fathers. And people who read my work enjoyed it. So I was encouraged to consider that maybe I had what it takes to be successful. Writers have an untiring love for the look and mental texture of the written word. It's an inner compulsion to put words on paper that drives us to get the funny, important, and wonderful things of life on a page. Somehow, writing it down makes it more real. It can be a personal incident, or an overheard conversation, an event related by a friend, a dream, an idea, a single line; we need to write it down before it's lost. But writing and publishing, I discovered, are two different aspects of the work. The first can be energizing; the second, the business end, can sap our energy. I didn't know this when I started out. I knew only that writing was intimate work. We create from our own personal bedrock of feelings, longings, and desires. We write about what is deeply meaningful to us, the visions we most care about. Warhaven came from my utopian vision of a people who resisted violence by non-violent means in a unique way. Instead of improving the situation by eliminating the dangerous person, ala Rambo, my people changed the situation by enlightening the awareness of the person. This idea was and is important to me, especially in our times. I feel peace in the outer world will happen only when we can foster peace in our inner world. From each individual's dedication to tolerance and caring it can be done. And I need to write about this. So, ignorant of the precarious way, I set out. It took me four years to write Warhaven; I was also raising a family. The second book of the trilogy will take one year. I learned the difference lies in dedication to the task. Practicing the craft, writing every day. The harder we work toward our goal, the faster we reach it. So logical, but I had to experience it to know its truth. Someone once said, "Writing is ten percent talent, ninety percent work." I've found they were right. In 1979, I finished the novel. From my Writer's Market, I found a Seattle house that published Science Fiction, and sent them the manuscript. Names and blame isn't important to me, only the wisdom I learned from the obstacles they placed in my path. Anyway, in a few weeks, the editor called, saying he liked the book and would publish it. We signed a contract. I thought I had it made. I didn't. The publisher went out of business. Looking back over the contract, I noticed there was no obligation to publish clause, nor a time limit. I made certain of these in my future contracts. It took me a year to get my book back, with the help of the Better Business Bureau. I read my novel again and saw it needed a lot of work. I thought about giving up. But I didn't. I took some writing classes from Green River College and rewrote the book. I learned the valuable lesson of distancing. Now, after I finish a story, I put it away for at least a week. Then reread it. I always see where it could be improved. In 1982, I made contact with a Seattle agent. She read the book, loved it, and agreed to handle it. We worked with a simple exchange of letters; she agreed to put six months into the project, I agreed to allow her that time for my interests. She had it for a year without success. I got the manuscript back after being surprised with a $200 copying bill (24 copies). Another valuable lesson: always get the details down on paper, especially my financial obligations. I've learned since then that a reputable agent deducts a ten to fifteen percent commission upon the sale, and I'm not responsible for any expenses incurred beforehand. When I got the book back and reread it, I saw it could use more work. And I thought about giving up. I'd been trying to sell short stories during this period, and getting nothing but rejection slips for my effort. I wrote a good friend, who was living in Guatemala at the time, telling her I was considering shelving my writing muse. She called me long distance (from Guatemala!) and said, "Don't you dare quit!" She'd read the book. "You've got talent, kid. Don't stop." Here's where I learned the value of a supportive friend. If you've got one, cherish her, or him, and take their advice. Persistence pays. I can't get anywhere letting my failures paralyze me. I had to learn from them, study my mistakes, and use them as stepping stones to better my skill. In 1986, I entered Warhaven in the Pacific Northwest Writer's Conference contest. To my surprise, it won second place in the adult novel division. How I wish I'd had more faith in my abilities; even after being notified that I was in the top ten, I still wasn't courageous enough to attend the awards banquet. I deprived myself of a rewarding experience simply because I felt I wasn't worthy. I believe in myself a little more, now. Later that same year, I read in Locus that a New York editor was looking for works by new authors. I sent the first three chapters of Warhaven along with a copy of the award notice (pays to brag in this case) to Charles Platt, who was working for the Franklin Watts publishing house. He called a few weeks later to say Watts had agreed to publish the novel. Within the month, the carefully scrutinized contract was signed. Did I have it made? Well, no. They wanted the book doubled in size. This was December, and they needed it by March. I was in a state of panic. But by working everyday, 8 to 10 hours a day, I finished it on time. I found that being professional meant sacrifice. Sitting down and working, whether feeling like it or not, doing the job. It took more than I ever dreamed it would. But it was in this test that I found out I had it in me to meet the challenge. For the first time, I felt I'd earned the privilege to call myself a writer. I sent in the final draft. I thought the work was done? Nothing to do but wait for the money? Wrong. Within two months Watts sent me the galleys, those large-sized copies of what each page will look like in book form. I was asked to check the copy against my original manuscript for accuracy: typos, spelling, and punctuation. Every word of all 62,000 words, every comma, semicolon, and period had to be scrutinized, not once, but twice, three times to be certain. They wanted it back by Federal Express on Tuesday, which meant I had to mail it Monday, and this was Thursday afternoon. A published writer soon becomes familiar with deadlines, something I hadn't had to face before. I learned that meeting them is a mark of being a professional. So this first novel has been, for me, a journey of lessons on the very real work of writing. Seeing my book in print is my reward. When I held my first copy, I thought of all the times I almost gave up. I'm glad I didn't. Do I think I've "made it"? No. There's no lofty pinnacle, no end to the road, no stopping now. There's another book to write, always another idea popping up for a short story; one day soon I'll break into that market. Despite the business potholes, I haven't lost my love of writing. There's something mysterious and wonderful about starting with a blank piece of paper in the morning, and in the evening finding on that page fascinating people, places, adventure, and love -- an entire world created where one didn't exist before. It's extremely self-fulfilling work. Praise is quickly forgotten, money is quicker to vanish; only the satisfaction and pride of a well-crafted story stays. I learned that's what keeps us writers writing. Stuff Received Ace Asprin, Robert & Abbey, Lynn. Uneasy Alliances, 258pp, August, 1988, $3.50, 0-441-80610-4. Thieves' World #11. Robinson, Spider. Time Pressure, 243pp, August, 1988, $3.50, 0-441-80933-2. Wurtz, Janny. Keeper of the Keys, 269pp, August, 1988, $3.50, 0-441-43275-1. The Cycle of Fire #2. Avon Abbey, Lynn. Conquest, 262pp, August, 1988, $6.95, 0-380-75354-5. Unicorn & Dragon Vol. 2. Bisson, Terry. Wyrldmaker, 176pp, August, 1988, $2.95, 0-380-75359-6. 1981 reprint. Broderick, Damien. Striped Holes, 180pp, November, 1988, 0-380-75377-4. Cover, Arthur Byron. Planetfall, 298pp, August, 1988, $3.95, 0-380-75384-7. Forstchen, William R. & Morrison, Greg. The Crystal Warriors, December, 1988, $3.50, 0-380-75272-7. Gardner, Craig Shaw. Wishbringer, 248pp, August, 1988, $3.95, 0-380-75385-5. An Infocom/Bryon Preiss book. Long, Duncan. Anti-Grav Unlimited, 170pp, August, 1988, $2.95, 0-380-75357-X. A first novel. Martinne-Barnes, Adrienne. The Rainbow Sword, 211pp, September, 1988, $3.50, 0-380-75455-X. Preuss, Paul. Maelstrom, 267pp, September, 1988, $3.95, 0-380-75345-6. Arthur C. Clarke's Venus Prime Vol. 2. Ryan, David. Haunting Women, 210pp, October, 1988, $3.95, 0-380-89981-0. Simak, Clifford D. All the Traps of Earth, 278pp, July, 1988, $3.50, 0-380-45500-5. Reprint collection. Smith, L. Neil. Taflack Lysandra, 230pp, December, 1988, $3.50, 0-380-75323-5. Sullivan, Tim. Destiny's End, 305pp, July, 1988, $2.95, 0-380-75352-9. Sullivan, Tim. Tropical Chills, 257pp, November, 1988, $3.95, 0-380-75500-9. Zelazny, Roger. Sign of Chaos, 217pp, July, 1988, $3.50, 0-380-89637-0. Zelazny, Roger & Randall, Neil. Roger Zelazny's Visual Guide to Castle Amber, 222pp, November, 1988, $8.95, 0-380-75566-1. Baen Adams, Robert. Stairway to Forever, 265pp, September, 1988, $3.50, 0-671-65434-9. Allen, Roger MacBride. Farside Cannon, 406pp, August, 1988, $3.95, 0-671-65428-4. Anderson, Poul. Hrolf-Kraki's Saga, 277pp, August, 1988, $2.95, 0-671-65426-8. Reprint of a 1973 book. Bretnor, Reginald. The Spear of Mars, 312pp, July, 1988, $3.50, 0-671-65423-3. The Future at War Vol. 2. Bujold, Lois McMaster. Falling Free, April, 1988, $3.50, 0-671-65398-9. Caidin, Martin. Four Came Back, 280pp, September, 1988, $2.95, 0-671-65433-0. Reprint. Cherryh, C.J. The Paladin, 383pp, July, 1988, $3.95, 0-671-65417-9. de Camp, L. Sprague and Catherine. The Incorporated Knight, 245pp, September, 1988, $3.50, 0-671-65435-7. Dickson, Gordon R. Beginnings, 282pp, August, 1988, $3.50, 0-671-65429-2. Drake, David. The Sea Hag, 334pp, august, 1988, $3.95, 0-671-65424-1. Beginning of the new World of Crystal Walls series. Gemmel, David. The Jerusalem Man, 343pp, July, 1988, $3.95, 0-671-65421-7. McLoughlin, John. Toolmaker Koan, 344pp, September, 1988, $3.50, 0-671-69779-X. Pournelle, Jerry. The Burning Eye, 366pp, July, 1988, 0-671-65420-9. War World Vol 1. Sakers, Don. The Leaves of October, 276pp, July, 1988, 0-671-65422-5. Tremayne, Peter. Bloodmist, 310pp, August, 1988, $3.50, 0-671-65425-X. Wellman, Manly Wade. John the Balladeer, 306pp, July, 1988, $3.50, 0-671-65418-7. The complete collection of Silver John stories. Zahn, Timothy. Time Bomb and Zahndry Others, 312pp, September, 1988, $3.50, 0-671-65431-4. Bantam Aronica, Lou & McCarthy, Shawna. Full Spectrum, 483pp, September, 1988, $4.95, 0-553-27482-1. Asimov, Isaac. Fantastic Voyage II: Destination Brain, 385pp, October, 1987, $4.95, 0-553-27327-2. Estes, Rose. Spirit of the Hawk. 246pp, September, 1988, $3.95, 0-553-27408-2. Saga of the Lost Lands volume III. Farmer, Philip Jose. Venus on the Half Shell, 178pp, September, 1988, $3.95, 0-553-27531-3. Reprint of a parody novel 'written' by a Kurt Vonnegut character. Gerrold, David. When H.A.R.L.I.E. Was One, Release 2.0, 287pp, July, 1988, $3.95, 0-553-26465-6. A new version. Harrison, Harry. Return to Eden, 368pp, August, 1988, $18.95 0-553-05315-9. End of the West of Eden series. Harrison, Harry. The Stainless Steel Rat Gets Drafted. 262pp, July, 1988, $3.95, 0-553-27307-8. Lansdale, Joe R. The Drive In, 158pp, August, 1988, $3.50, 0-553-27481-3. Lupoff, Richard. The Black Tower, 339pp, August, 1988, $3.95, 0-553-27346-9. The Dungeon Volume 1. MacAvoy, R.A. A Trio For Lute, 680pp, July, 1988, $4.95, 0-553-27480-5. Omnibus edition of the novels Damiano, Damiano's Lute, and Raphael. Moran, Daniel Keys. Emerald Eyes, 243pp, July, 1988, $3.50, 0-553-27347-7. Roessner, Michaela. Walkabout Woman, 275pp, September, 1988, $3.95, 0-553-27545-3. Spinrad, Norman. Little Heroes, 563pp, August, 1988, $4.95, 0-553-27033-8. Weis, Margaret & Hickman, Tracy. Triumph of the Darksword, 350pp, September, 1988, $3.95, 0-553-24706-6. Volume III of the Darksword Trilogy. Wylie, Jonathan. The Mage-Born Child, 277pp, July, 1988, $3.95, 0-553-27270-5. Servants of the Ark Volume 3. Carroll & Graf Asimov, Isaac. The Mammoth Book of Classic Science Fiction Short Novels of the 1930's, 572pp, $8.95, 0-88184-410-1. Works by Lovecraft, Bates, Russell, Johnson, de Camp, Weinbaum, Gold, Wollrich, Campbell, Leinster, Williamson. Dick, Philip K. Dr. Bloodmoney,304pp, $3.95, 0-88184-389-X. Reprint of a 1964 novel. Moorcock, Michael. The Brothel in Rosenstrasse, 192pp, September, 1988, $6.95, 0-88184-406-3. DAW Asimov, Isaac & Greenberg, M.H. The Great SF Stories 18 (1956), 366pp, August, 1988, $4.50, 0-88677-289-3. Bradley, Marion Zimmer. Sword and Sorceress V, 284pp, August, 1988, $3.95, 0-88677-288-5. Bradley, Marion Zimmer. Lythande, 238pp, August, 1988, $3.95, 0-88677-291-5. 1986 Reprint. Gear, W. Michael. The Warriors of Spider, 367pp, August, 1988, $3.95, 0-88677-287-7. Green, Sharon. Mists of the Ages, 317pp, September, 1988, #3.95, 0-88677-296-6. Hughes, Zach. Life Force, 269pp, September, 1988, $3.95, 0-88677-297-4. Lackey, Mercedes. The Oathbound, 302pp, July, 1988, $3.50, 0-88677-285-0. Vows and Honors Book I. Reichert, Mickey Zucker. Godslayer, 222pp, August, 1987, $2.95, 0-88677-207-9. Bifrost Guardians #1. Reichert, Mickey Zucker. Shadow Climber, 300pp, July, 1988, $3.50, 0-88677-284-2. Bifrost Guardians #2. Roberson, Jennifer. Sword-Dancer, 286pp, September, 1988, $3.50, 0-88677-152-8. 1986 reprint. Recommended. Roberson, Jennifer. Sword-Singer, 382pp, September, 1988, $3.95, 0-88677-295-8. Sequel to Sword-Dancer. Smith, Stephanie A. Snow-eyes, 222pp, July, 1988, $3.50, 0-88677-286-9. Doubleday/Foundation Strete, Craig. Death in the Spirit House, 179pp, July, 1988, $14.95, 0-385-17826-3. Tepper, Sheri. The Gate to Women's Country, 278pp, September, 1988, $18.95, 0-385-24709-5. Nolacon Press Resnick, Mike. Shaggy B.E.M. Stories, 262pp, $14.95. Available from Nolacon II, P.O. Box 8010, New Orleans, LA 70182. Pageant Books Black, Robert. Death Angel, 256pp, October, 1988, $2.95, 0-517-00835-1. Kline, Robert Y. Ancestors, 384pp, November, 1988, $3.95, 0-517-00676-6. Siciliano, Sam. Blood Farm, 416pp, September, 1988, $3.95, 0-517-00660-X. Townsend, Tom. Panzer Spirit, 288pp, December, 1988, $3.50, 0-517-00819-X. Woods, Jack. Wolffile, 352pp, September, 1988, $3.50, 0-517-00043-1. Pocket Asherman, Allan. The Star Trek Interview Book. 278pp, July, 1988, $7.95, 0-671-61794-X. Duane, Diane. Spock's World, 310pp, September, 1988, $16.95, 0-671-66851-X. Niven, Larry; Pournelle, Jerry & Barnes, Steven. The Legacy of Heorot, 383pp, August, 1988, $4.50, 0-671-64928-0. Paul, Barbara. The Three-Minute Universe, 265pp, September, 1988, $3.95, 0-671-65816-6. Whelen, Patrick. Monastery, September, 1988, $3.95, 0-671-66187-6. A first novel. St. Martin's Press Datlow, Ellen & Windling, Terri. The Year's Best Fantasy, First Annual Collection, 491pp, September, 1988, $12.95, 0-312-01852-5. Easton, M. Coleman. Spirits of Cavern and Hearth, 293pp, December, 1988, $16.95, 0-312-02887-5. Evans, Christopher, Writing Science Fiction, 97pp, June, 1988, $10.95, 0-312-01849-5. Ferman, Edward L. & Jordan, Anne. The Best Horror Stories from The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction, 403pp, July, 1988, $22.95, 0-312-01894-0. Hinz, Christopher, Anachronisms, 304pp, August, 1988, $17.95, 0-312-01729-4. Nighbert, David E. Timelapse, 294pp, August, 1988, $17.95, 0-312-0835-5. A first novel. Shirely, John. Kamus of Kadizhar: The Black Hole of Carcosa, 184pp, October, 1988, $2.95, 0-312-91173-4. Tor Bickham, Jack M. Day Seven, 314pp, July, 1988, $17.95, 0-312-93066-6. Bova, Ben. The Peacekeepers, 337pp, August, 1988, $17.95, 0-312-93080-1. Cave, Hugh B. Disciples of Dread, 376pp, September, 1988, $17.95, 0-312-93101-8. Engh, M.J. Wheel of the Wind, 377pp, September, 1988, $18.95, 0-312-93095-X. Farris, John. Scare Tactics, 310pp, July, 1988, $17.95, 0-312-93085-2. Ing, Dean. The Big Lifters, 243pp, July, 1988, $16.95, 0-312-93067-4. Norton, Andre. Tales of the Witch World #2, 376pp, July, 1988, $16.95, 0-312-93078-X. Pohl, Frederik & Williamson, Jack. Land's End, 370pp, August, 1988, $18.95, 0-312-93071-2. Resnick, Mike. Ivory: A Legend of Past and Future, 374pp, September, 1988, $17.95, 0-312-93093-3. Tiptree, James Jr. Crown of Stars, 340pp, September, 1988, $17.95, 0-312-93105-0. Wilde, Kelley. The Suiting, 239pp, August, 1988, $16.95, 0-312-93069-0. Wilson, F. Paul. Black Wind, 465pp, September, 1988, $18.95, 0-312-93064-X. Yolen, Jane. Sister Light, Sister Dark, 244pp, October, 1988, $16.95, 0-312-93091-7. TSR Parkinson, Dan. Starsong, 314pp, June, 1988, $3.95, 0-88038-536-7. Warner Books Bear, Greg. Eternity, 432pp, October, 1988, $16.95, 0-446-51402-0. Longyear, Barry. Naked Came the Robot, 213pp, November, 1988. Watkins, William John. The Last Death Ship Off Antarres, 204pp, January, 1989. Westgate Press Wendell, Leilah. The Book of Azrael, 208pp, August, 1988, $8.95, 0-944087-01-9. Non-fiction metaphysical work. Fan and Other Zines Argos #3, quarterly from P.O. Box 2109, Renton, WA. 98056. Small professional fiction magazine, this issue includes stories by Mike Resnick, Keith Laumer, Thomas Easton, a new column by Keith Laumer, and more. Worth the $3.00 to check out ($2.50 plus p/h) if you can't get enough with the major fiction magazines. Resnick's The Inn of the Hairy Toad is a real hoot. Caprician #3, Lillian Edwards & Cristina Lake. A perzine from this years TAFF winners. Available from Lillian Edwards, 1 Braehead rd., Thortonhall, Glasgow, G74 5AQ, Scotland or Cristina Lake, 47 Wessex Avenue, Horfield, Bristol, England, B57 ODE. Delineator #6, Alan White, ed. Irregular from 455 E. 7th Street #4, San Jacinto, CA. 92383. The Dilinger Relic #58, Arthur Hlavaty, ed. Irregular from Box 52028, Durham, NC 27717. Hlavaty is a finalist for the 1988 Best Fan Writer Hugo. Extrapolation V29#1, Thomas D. Clareson, ed. $5.00, $15.00/yr (4 issues) from Kent State University Press, Kent, Ohio, 44242. Literary criticism of the Science Fiction genre. Fosfax, Timothy Lane, ed. $1, or $9/yr (12 issues) from FOSFA, Box 37281, Louisville, KY, 40233-7281. A 1988 Hugo finalist for best Fanzine. A review oriented fanzine, definitely of interest to readers of OtherRealms. Gegenschein 55 & 56, Eric Lindsay, Ed. Irregular from 6 Hillcrest Avenue, Faulconbridge, NSW 2776, Australia. Holier Than Thou #27, Marty Cantor, ed. The final issue for a while from 11825 Gilmore #105, North Hollywood, CA. 91606. The Insider, St. Louis SF Society. Monthly clubzine from P.O. Box 1058, St. Louis, MO 63188. Lan's Lantern #26, Lan Laskowski, ed. Irregular from 55 Valley Way, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48013. A Hugo Finalist for best fanzine, probably the best first fanzine for fans interested in what fanzines are about. Locus, Charles Brown, ed. $28/yr (12 issues) from Box 13305, Oakland, CA, 94661. Multiple Hugo winning news magazine for the Science Fiction field. Recommended for anyone serious about SF or Fantasy. Mad 3 Party #27&28, Leslie Turek, Ed. $1/issue (to $10) from Box 46, MIT Branch PO, Cambridge, MA. 02139. 1988 Hugo finalist for Best Fanzine. Leslie is a finalist for Best Fan Writer. The fanzine of Noreascon 3. Fascinating to anyone interested in what happens while people put together a major convention. Nebulousfan, David Thayer, ed. from 7209 DeVille Dr. North Richland, TX 76180. Thayer's (aka artist Teddy Harvia) perzine. The New York Review of Science Fiction, Teresa Nielsen Hayden, ed. $24/year from Dragon Press, Box 78, Pleasantville, NY 10570. New monthly semi-prozine of criticism on the field. Has many interesting contributors, including Samuel R. Delany, David Hartwell, the Neilsen Haydens, Debbie Notkin and Tom Weber. Pirate Jenny #1, Pat Mueller, ed. Available from 618 Westridge, Duncanville, TX 75116. Mueller is the ex-editor of the Texas SF Enquirer, now with her own publication. As good as TSFE was, this is much better (without the limitations forced on her by F.A.C.T. In issue 1: the coup at F.A.C.T. and why Pat's no longer with TSFE. Fascinating. Pat won the Best Fanzine Hugo for her tenure at Texas SF Enquirer, and is well on her way to winning it for Pirate Jenny. Renaissance Fan #3, Rosalind Malin and Dick Pilz, Jr. from 2214 SE 53rd, Portland, OR 97215. A hard to classify fanzine, each issue is themed, and each copy hand finished with custom coloring. Gorgeous covers, and a real joy. Riverside Quarterly, Vol 8. #4, Leland Sapiro, ed. $6/4 from Box 464, Waco, TX 76703. Rune 78, Jeanne Mealy & David Romm, ed. From Minnesota SFS, Box 8297 Lake Street Station, Minneapolis, MN 55408. Secant #4, Greg Hills, ed. GPO 972G, Melbourne, Australia, 3001. Scavengers Newsletter, Janet Fox, ed. $8/yr (12 issues) from 519 Ellinwood, Osage City, KS 66523-1329. Small Press marketzine. Science Fiction Chronicle, Andy Porter, ed. $2.25, $27/yr (12 issues) from Box 2730, Brooklyn, NY 11202-0056. The other major news magazine for the Science Fiction field. Thrust #30, Donald Fratz, ed. $2.50, $8.00/yr (4 issues) from 8217 Langport Terrace, Gaithersburg, MD 20877. Very disappointing issue; small, boring, after skipping the Spring issue completely, erratic typography and very poor proofreading made this issue a chore. Generally better than this issue. Weberwoman's Revenge #30 & #31, Jean Weber, ed. Irregular from 6 Hillcrest Avenue, Faulconbridge, NSW 2776, Australia. Discusses the Australian "Door for DUFF" campaign. YHOS 44, Art Widner, Ed. 231 Courtney Lane, Orinda, CA 94563. Art's personal/apazine. Publishing Notes Hill House Publishers has announced a 500 copy, limited edition of Ray Feist's Fairie Tale, with a cover by Don Maitz and interior illustrations by Lela Dowling. The price is $75.00. For more details, contact Hill House Press, Box 1783 Grand Central Stations, New York, NY 10163. Avon October books include: Blood of the Colyn Muir by Paul Edwin Zimmer & Jon de Cles (first novel for Zimmer, second for de Cles); Piers Anthony's Heaven Cent, a Xanth novel; The Last Defender of Camelot by Roger Zelazny, a reprint collection; Vale of the Vole by Piers Anthony, a Xanth reprint. November books include Chess With a Dragon by David Gerrold (recommended), Striped Holes by Damien Broderick; Arienne Matrine-Barnes' The Fire Sword and Roger Zelazny's Visual Guide to Castle Amber with art by Neil Randall. Avon's November list includes Tropical Chills, an anthology of tropical horror edited by Tim Sullivan; Chess With A Dragon by David Gerrold (recommended by OtherRealms); Striped Holes by Damien Broderick; The Visual Guide to Castle Amber by Roger Zelazny and Neil Randall; and The Fire Sword by Adrienne Martine-Barnes. In December, they will publish Crystal Warriors by William Fortschen & Greg Morrison, Taflak Lysandra by L. Neil Smith (sequel to Brightsuit MacBear) and Still Forms on Foxfield by Joan Slonczewski. Avon's December releases are: Crystal Warriors by Wiliam R. Fortschen and Greg Morrison, Taflak Lysandra by L. Neil Smith, and Still Forms on Foxfield by Joan Slonczewski. Avon January releases include Free Zone by Charles Platt and Cluster, a reprint from Piers Anthony. Coming in October from Baen: Deadman Switch by Timothy Zahn; The Fall of Atlantis by Marion Zimmer Bradley, Divided Allegiance by Elizabeth Moon (The Deed of Paksenarrion, Book 2); The Armor of Light by Melissa Scott and Lisa A. Barnett and Unknown, edited by Stanley Schmidt. Pocket book October releases: Weaveworld by Clive Barker in paperback; The Firebrand by Marion Zimmer Bradley in paperback; The Final Nexus by Gene Deweese (Star Trek #42); The Star Trek that never was compiled by Allan Asherman A new review-oriented magazine is starting up. Called The New York Review of Science Fiction, it is be a monthly review of the field. The folks involved include Kathryn Cramer, David G. Hartwell, Patrick & Teresa Nielsen Hayden, Susan Palwick & Tom Weber. A one year, 12 issue subscription is $24 from P.O. Box 78, Pleasantville, NY, 10570. ---- End of Part 8