Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Day
Tuesday, June 23rd, 2009 09:56 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
rolanniToday is the day: Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Day. Tell an SFF writer you love 'em -- or, at least that you appreciate their influence on your life.
I'm looking at the shelf here next to my desk, where the books that I reach for often live. My intention is to write a note today to each of these authors to thank them for the joy their work has given me. Unfortunately, as I look along the shelf, I see that there are some people to whom I cannot write a note.
The books, in no particular order:
Hellspark, Janet Kagan
My Father's Dragon, Ruth Stiles Gannett
Starwell, The Thurb Revolution, and Masque World, Alexei Panshin
Tryst, Elswyth Thane
The Magician out of Manchuria, Charles Finney
The Witches of Karres, James H. Schmitz
The War for the Oaks, Emma Bull
Bridge of Birds, Barry Hughart
The Blue Sword, Robin McKinley
Hellflower, eluki bes shahar
Creatures of Light and Darkness, Roger Zelazny
There are writers who are not represented on the shelf, but whose influence on my life is undeniable. You might say that their stories have sunk into my bones: Anne McCaffrey, Andre Norton, Peter Beagle, Ursula LeGuin, Ray Bradbury, CJ Cherryh, Harlan Ellison.
Yeah.
So, today, I'm writing notes, to those who can still receive them, and maybe re-read a passage or two in memory of those who aren't on email anymore.
Oh, and I'm going to do one more thing -- sort of a Hobbit Celebration. I'm going to give one lucky person a gift.
I have here in my hand one shiny Advanced Reading Copy of Fledgling. You see where this is going, right?
Yep. Tell me in comments what you're doing/have done for SFF Writers Day -- links and photos count! The ARC goes to the person who has, in the sole judgment of the blog-owner (that's me), celebrated with Coolth, Panache, and Wit. Anonymous Folk: remember to sign your names.
Felicitations of the Day!
I'm looking at the shelf here next to my desk, where the books that I reach for often live. My intention is to write a note today to each of these authors to thank them for the joy their work has given me. Unfortunately, as I look along the shelf, I see that there are some people to whom I cannot write a note.
The books, in no particular order:
Hellspark, Janet Kagan
My Father's Dragon, Ruth Stiles Gannett
Starwell, The Thurb Revolution, and Masque World, Alexei Panshin
Tryst, Elswyth Thane
The Magician out of Manchuria, Charles Finney
The Witches of Karres, James H. Schmitz
The War for the Oaks, Emma Bull
Bridge of Birds, Barry Hughart
The Blue Sword, Robin McKinley
Hellflower, eluki bes shahar
Creatures of Light and Darkness, Roger Zelazny
There are writers who are not represented on the shelf, but whose influence on my life is undeniable. You might say that their stories have sunk into my bones: Anne McCaffrey, Andre Norton, Peter Beagle, Ursula LeGuin, Ray Bradbury, CJ Cherryh, Harlan Ellison.
Yeah.
So, today, I'm writing notes, to those who can still receive them, and maybe re-read a passage or two in memory of those who aren't on email anymore.
Oh, and I'm going to do one more thing -- sort of a Hobbit Celebration. I'm going to give one lucky person a gift.
I have here in my hand one shiny Advanced Reading Copy of Fledgling. You see where this is going, right?
Yep. Tell me in comments what you're doing/have done for SFF Writers Day -- links and photos count! The ARC goes to the person who has, in the sole judgment of the blog-owner (that's me), celebrated with Coolth, Panache, and Wit. Anonymous Folk: remember to sign your names.
Felicitations of the Day!
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2009-06-23 02:36 pm (UTC)Thank you also for your brilliant suggestion for Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Day.
no subject
Date: 2009-06-23 02:46 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-06-23 02:51 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-06-23 02:55 pm (UTC)I have on my shelves many of the same writers that you mentioned, and count Lee/Miller, Kagan, McCaffrey and Huff among my most favorite rereads.
no subject
Date: 2009-06-23 02:56 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-06-23 02:58 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-06-23 03:05 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-06-23 03:06 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-06-23 03:15 pm (UTC)Back when I was in university the first time, I ran across Agent of Change, Conflict of Honors and Carpe Diem. I got to the end of Carpe Diem and that poor book was abused as I flung it across the computer room I was in at the time, crying out for MORE! It just couldn't end there! I mean, seriously?
And then I kept looking in the book stores, every time I went. Check under Lee, check under Miller, check in Sci-Fi, check in Fantasy. Cry.
And cry.
And Cry more.
Until the day, long after I'd given up hope, about 10 years later, when I totally accidentally found Local Custom in a book store, and danced my way to the checkout with it. (And proceeded to hook at least 5 or 6 friends in the process.)
So, uhm, yeah.
Thank you.
SF&FWD
Date: 2009-06-23 03:47 pm (UTC)Since I read _Have Space Suit Will Travel_ in about 1960, I have had more enjoyment from reading science fiction and fantasy, and writing it, than any other vertical endeavor. The shape of my personal world is much like a mashup of Future History, Middle Earth, Liad, Barsoom, Manticore, Dune, 1632, The Federation (several of them) and many many more.
May we all continue to write in joy!
Walt
no subject
Date: 2009-06-23 03:48 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-06-23 03:50 pm (UTC)We made it up.
I'd like to learn more...!
The post that started it all: http://rolanni.livejournal.com/439604.html
no subject
Date: 2009-06-23 04:00 pm (UTC)I would have liked to post Arthur C. Clarke a note, telling him how much his unbroken optimism that humanity will manage to rise above itself has influenced me as a child; it's been sad news when he passed away.
Another author who's work I find to have been deeply influential is Philip E. High, I read his novel "Reality Forbidden" over and over again.
AUTHORS WHO HAVE FED MY CURIOSITY
Date: 2009-06-23 04:46 pm (UTC)I first started reading Heinlein and Clarke and Burroughs before I started high school. This was back in the days of age censorship. My father or mother would go to the library with me and check out the books I wanted. Thank God for parents who believed in fairy tales, even if they took place on a different planet. And I must admit my father also read those authors.
Then when I got married and had sons - I was lucky enough to marry a man who loved to read, and he often stated "there wasn't a room in our house (including the bathroom) that didn't have at least one book in it. Our children grew up reading the same authors we did, and it was always a celebration when I brought home a new book from the store/library. If I started reading and then had to cook dinner, my husband grabbed it and then the children would sneak a few pages when they got a chance.
Now my husband is meeting some of those long gone authors, and my children and I still swap books we've enjoyed.
My list of favorite authors is too long to mention but I wish them all a Happy Day and Many Thanks for the long hours of enjoyment they gave me.
My curiousity about "what happens" has been satisfied many times by all of you, and (I'm 74) I hope I have time to read many more stories.
Edith
no subject
Date: 2009-06-23 04:47 pm (UTC)I have showcased some fantasy series I adore that I haven't yet reviwed, and their authors in my post Authors and Series to Check Out (http://bit.ly/o2gAE).
I'm also holding a contest for David Eddings' Pawn of Prophecy (http://tinyurl.com/ne7464).
I'm also compiling a list of links to blogs that are celebrating SFF Writers Day :) Not posted yet.
Jo
Email: joannestapley[at]googlemail[dot]com
no subject
Date: 2009-06-23 04:57 pm (UTC)But since I believe you to be going to send me a genuine Fledgling copy signed at some point later in the year I hereby rule myself out of competition
no subject
Date: 2009-06-23 05:10 pm (UTC)Thank-you
Date: 2009-06-23 05:49 pm (UTC)One day, about... oh... four years later as I recall, I mentioned this book and my frustration to some friends. One of them jumped up exclaiming, "Oh we have those!! If you will swear... I mean, swear that you will take care of them as if they were your own and bring them back, we will let you borrow them." Oh my. ::hand to heart:: Ooooooh my. At that point I yearned for my own copies.
Then Partners in Necessity came out. I grabbed like a demented woman. I think I read it at least twice that week, if not more. Immediately I wanted more.
So to you, and your husband, I say thanks with all my heart. If you would please pass on my thanks to him (no need to clog up the blog so to speak). Your world is complete unto itself. It makes sense. When I finish reading the newest work, I yearn for more. I never tire of reading your work. This, is the mark of a good author for me.
I am not concerned with contests... but others might be interested in seeing what I did for this day...
my lj (http://katmoonshaker.livejournal.com/949930.html) this was crossposted to
additional comments
Date: 2009-06-23 05:58 pm (UTC)Marion Zimmer Bradley and Darkover. E R Burroughs for John Carter of Mars, Lee/Miller for Liad, David Weber with Honor Harrington, Lois Bujold for Miles Vorksigan, Andre Norton for Witch World, Ron Hubbard and Battlefield Earth, "Doc" Smith and the Lensman series, and less we forget M. K. Wren and the Phoenix Legacy. And many, many more......
no subject
Date: 2009-06-23 06:07 pm (UTC)SF Writer's DAY
Date: 2009-06-23 06:25 pm (UTC)One of the first books my sister read aloud to me was Heinlein's 6th Column. I was six years old. While certainly not his best, it captivated my attention, and as she continued reading her favorite authors to me I started reading my Dad's copies of "If","Analog" and later "Asimov" and found out about editors and writers and short stories and novella's and have never stopped reading and sharing my love for science fiction. When I was teaching full time I always had a selection of sci fi/fantasy books in my classroom for my students, and as we alternated genres I always included science fiction.
I write for my own pleasure now and then (which proves I am not a real writer who is driven by their passions to write no matter what), but I think that makes me appreciate the hard work writing is on a day-in, day-out basis.
My favorite sci fi/fantasy authors- LeGuin, McKinley, Lackey, Lee and Miller, Anne McCaffrey, David Webber, Poul Anderson, Arthur C. Clarke, C.J. Cherryh, Patricia Briggs, J.K. Rowland, and I guess I could fill up colums just with books and characters.
What I am doing to celebrate authors, aside from sending this, is donating ten books to my old school library, which is in a low-wealth district in California. (Since we rank almost last in all school spending, this is saying something!). It is not much, but I add more books each year so I have made a
dent in the library over the years.
I read your blog at lunch each day. Thank you so much for your wonderful writing, and what you share with all your readers in your blogs. It makes my day job much more enjoyable. Kathy
no subject
Date: 2009-06-23 07:37 pm (UTC)Since then add Lee & Miller, Cherryh, Weber, Cznerada,Foster ... too many to name but as much as I care for my books, they've been read and re-red numberous times.
I actually came across Lee & Miller hunting for something new to read and I am so greatful for their talents. My absolute favorite books are those where the characters & environment seem real and you want to learn more about them. The Liaden stories share top rank with Darkover & Harrington & Pyanfar.
Thanks.
Lorna
no subject
Date: 2009-06-23 08:24 pm (UTC)Kagan & McKinley
Date: 2009-06-23 08:41 pm (UTC)I've written to Neil Gaiman, whose blog I like almost more than his fiction (almost), and Steven Brust, and Diane Duane. As time allows this afternoon I'll hopefully be able to write to Jim Butcher and David Brin and Lee & Miller ---oh, right.
Did I mention Happy SFFW Day? And that I love your work? That Partners in Necessity and Carpe Diem are two of the handful of books that I've read over and over and over?
Thanks for beginning this wonderful tradition. May it bring you much joy and positive reader feedback over the years.
Cheers,
Susan Mellinger
"I can no other answer make than thanks, and thanks, and ever thanks."
Date: 2009-06-23 09:41 pm (UTC)This is a lovely tradition. May it enjoy the success it deserves.
Felicitations to you, as well
Date: 2009-06-23 10:47 pm (UTC)Sisters are doin' it for themselves - part 1 (http://estara.livejournal.com/10958.html)
no subject
Date: 2009-06-23 10:49 pm (UTC)So now I feel chuffed that my instincts were correct.
Re: Felicitations to you, as well
Date: 2009-06-23 10:52 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-06-23 10:53 pm (UTC)Re: AUTHORS WHO HAVE FED MY CURIOSITY
Date: 2009-06-23 11:25 pm (UTC)I certainly have done so in just the last two years alone, heh.
I'm 42 now and it heartens me to see you enjoying the same things I do at 74. I aim to emulate you.
Thanks for the memories....
Date: 2009-06-24 12:27 am (UTC)I've said thanks to you and Steve before, I'm doing it again and I'm sure I'll be saying it many more times.
The author I wish I could say thanks to but cant is: Andre Alice Norton, née Alice Mary Norton (b. February 17, 1912 in Cleveland, Ohio – d. March 17, 2005
My first time for both science fiction and fantasy.
Thank You
Date: 2009-06-24 12:32 am (UTC)Maureen Riley
no subject
Date: 2009-06-24 01:10 am (UTC)But, today is your day as well - THANK YOU for sharing your visions, for your compulsion to WRITE!
My daughter and I ...
Date: 2009-06-24 01:52 am (UTC)So tonight, I took a quick run through the shelves, pulling out 4 YA Heinlein's, a copy of "Pawn of Prophecy" (story so good he told it twice), "Dragonsinger" and "Dragondrums". I went through each book, rattling off major characters, what I liked, whether they were scary or funny, if they had sequels, if there were girls. I talked about other books the author had written, if I liked them, and answered questions. Told how I felt reading these books, how the authors made me feel. Thoroughly fun. I had forgotten how much I liked Menolly.
My copy of "Dragonsong" is around somewhere, but it will be interesting to see what she likes. "A Wrinkle in Time" is, well, in a tesseract somewhere. She's read several Harry Potter books, and a passel of youth fiction, so we'll see. I decided to wait on "Balance of Trade", because some of my hardcovers are in boxes somewhere downstairs.
Cherryh doesn't have an YA stories does she? Nor Bujold really. Not sure giving her a copy of Conan would be a good idea. I confess, it was odd going through my collection looking for stuff a 9-year-old would like.
Picture of a girl and her books at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/47852532@N00/3655148261/
Re: My daughter and I ...
Date: 2009-06-24 04:24 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-06-24 04:49 am (UTC)I Tweeted:
and I blogged, (http://redpimpernel.livejournal.com/128738.html) with a special nudge to my librarian friends.
Today, after reading this post I was inspired to see if one of the authors who has lived in my heart since I read one of his short stories in Asimov's in 1980, whom I've never written to, and who I thought my very well be dead, was in fact alive. I can't tell you how thrilled I was to find out that not only is Barry B. Longyear alive, but he is happily (he's happy!) living and *writing* in Maine. (What is it about Maine & authors? Is there no income tax there?) Every single time I go into a bookstore I look for books by Mr. Longyear, and aside from the Enemy Papers a few years ago, I have not seen one of his books in 15 or more years. But I still look. Now to find out that he is writing again, that I have a healthy backlog of his books to catch up on *and* that I can write to him and tell him how much I have treasured his stories over the years, that is a wondrous gift for today! Hurray for SF&FW Day!
Re: My daughter and I ...
Date: 2009-06-24 02:21 pm (UTC)Not a Mercedes Lackey fan.
Friesner and Henderson are new to me so I'll check them out.
Thanks!
Happy belated sf writers day
Date: 2009-06-24 04:50 pm (UTC)The aftermath
Date: 2009-06-24 08:44 pm (UTC)I had a big display for SFFWD up in the shop.
I had Jeri Smith-Ready in on Saturday for a signing (technically urban fantasy, though how urban is Westminster?).
I had Father's Day Sunday.
That display sold QUITE a few SFF books...for Jeri, for Father's Day, for birthdays, etc. It was good. :)
Lauretta (Constellation Books)
no subject
Date: 2009-06-25 06:05 am (UTC)Re: My daughter and I ...
Date: 2009-06-25 06:37 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-06-25 06:40 pm (UTC)I made bibliographies and put up displays at the library, for Adults, Teens, and Children. I also encouraged my children to write to their favorite sff authors, but don't know if they followed up on it.