Sime~Gen Perspectives Newsletter

APRIL 2008

Contents:
*RELAY FOR LIFE
*ECUMENICON REPORT
*SIMECENTER
*SIME-GEN'S READERS/REVIEWERS CHOICE AWARDS
*COAL FOR CHRISTMAS
*JOAN WINSTON
*DENVENTION - Denver Worldcon
*JOIN THE REVIEWERS
*NEW REVIEWS
*BORDERLANDS UPDATE
*NEW ITEMS FROM ARTISTS AND AUTHORS AT CAFE PRESS
*STARRED CROSS JEWELRY
*HELP WANTED
*PUBLICATION SCHEDULE
*AVAILABLE RELEASES
*SITES TO REMEMBER
*SUBSCRIPTION AND CONTACT INFORMATION
**COPYRIGHT NOTICE**

*****RELAY FOR LIFE******

Once again it's that time when we honor the growing number of cancer survivors and remember those who have lost the battle. Today we are winning the battle against cancer. Treatments are more effective. More patients are surviving longer. Treatments for some forms of cancer are so effective that now doctors use the word "cure" for them.

All this progress is possible because of ongoing cancer research, and I am now twice over a beneficiary of that research. Seven years ago I got cutting-edge treatment for breast cancer. Then just under a year ago I developed endometrial cancer--a separate disease and NOT a recurrence of the breast cancer. For thesecond time, EARLY DIAGNOSIS was the key to my recovery--and with this particular kind of cancer I have been pronounced cured.

The surgery for endometrial cancer was much more extensive and painful than that for breast cancer, but no further treatment was required. My six-month exam showed everything fine. I'm in a program of Exercise and Cancer Recovery, run by Dr. Matt Wiggins of Murray State University. Everyone in the program gets stronger and more flexible, but I'm so far the only person who had a second cancer surgery after being in the program for some time.

The result was amazing: a week after radical abdominal surgery I was able to drive without pain (my surgeon's instructions were "Try anything you want to do, and if it hurts, stop. Try again a week later.") Ten days after surgery my doctor sent me back to the exercise program, and Matt helped me slowly build back my strength over the next couple of months. In August I went to Japan, where I was able to keep up with the rest of the people on the pre-WorldCon tour, and do everything I wanted to do. Japan, as you may know, is a series of mountain tops sticking out of the sea. EVERYTHING is up and down, so you're constantly climbing. I went everywhere, and had a grand time. I definitely attribute my enjoyment of that trip to the exercise program.

So, I am very much involved in the Relay for Life, the largest fund-raising program for cancer research--my way of giving back for the help I've been given. If you do not have a Relay for Life team, won't you please contribute through mine?

Jean

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******ECUMENICON REPORT

FRIENDS - OLD AND NEW

The last weekend in March, I was a guest at Ecumenicon where I taught an "intensive" series of advanced classes using Tarot, Astrology and the Bible to explore propositions about the nature of life, reality, and the purpose of life.

The substance of what I was presenting is discussed in my January to June 2007 SF/F Review columns at: http://www.simegen.com/reviews/rereadablebooks/2007/.

Also see my January 2008 Review column.

In addition, I made a number of printouts for the class which we discussed in a rapid fire, bullet-point, stay-on-your-talking-points style, skipping over hundreds of really deep supporting issues. The chairman of the convention sat in on this class and kept reminding me to stay on topic -- or I might not have.

Ecumenicon is more of a conference than a convention -- it is organized around classes that meet for morning and afternoon sessions and require a final exam for which you will get actual academic credit.

So the group (limited to 12 students) worked hard, kept coming back for the next session, read the handouts for homework between sessions, and brought in many interesting questions and observations from many traditions to widen the discussion.

It was very hard work for me, too, taking many hours to organize and prepare the material. Because of the scheduling and the exhaustion component, I didn't get to attend any of the other program tracks, and only saw the dealer's tables (fabulous stuff!) because they were set up in the broad hallway outside the classrooms. But that was fine because the convention paid me and were, therefore, entitled to all my time.

But around that core of committed hours, I had a number of really wonderful experiences.

I was astonished by how smoothly the trip from Phoenix to Baltimore went -- considering that this was the weekend when several airlines took hundreds of planes out of service for inspection, leaving passengers to crowd onto all the other flights. My flight left on time and arrived on time -- (totally astonishing considering my recent travel experiences).

The Phoenix airport was jammed to capacity when I left, and Baltimore was busy if not at capacity when I arrived. I had a group of friends meeting me, friends I had not seen for years since I'd moved West. And despite the years, I recognized them!

Then the odds tilted sharply in my favor -- my checked luggage actually arrived, and intact. (I'd had broken suitcase issues the last few times I traveled.)

I can't tell you how thankful I am for these friends in my life, and how much effort they put into meeting me. They're shy or I'd throw names around. My bag was heavy with material for the class, and I needed some help. I came home much lighter and was able to manage.

At the hotel, I put in an appearance at the first evening's banquet event, and then met with the friends who had picked me up.

To my utter and complete surprise, they threw a little birthday party for me. I don't even remember how many years it's been since anyone put a candle on a cake for my birthday -- I wished mightily and blew hard! -- and even gave me a present, and some room-food to eat during the con.

The next morning, at 9AM, the con's opening ceremonies went without a hitch (I think maybe because the con-suite had the coffee ready and a good breakfast to grab and go), and before you knew it, there we all were gathered for the first class.

As usually happens, I tended to just sit in the room (or take a quick bio-break) and continue talking to individuals during the formal breaks in the schedule.

I remember it being 10:30 AM -- then about fifteen minutes later, it was 4PM. That happens all the time when I'm writing a novel or book. At SF con panels, it's not so usual. All I can say is, I think that means I had fun.

Friday night, I did the usual and went to sleep early. And I slept in. Luckily I remembered I was meeting the class at 10:30 AM to discuss their personal natal charts and how to apply the theory presented the previous day to an individual's personal life. About half an hour later, it was 7PM. We got kicked out of the classroom on schedule, before 4PM -- but our discussion adjourned to a hotel room and was still going strong at 7PM. I don't exactly know what happened to all those hours. Miraculously, I didn't get laryngitis, as I usually do at talk-fests.

I collapsed, slept well, woke early, and did the last of the class sessions on Sunday.

One of the students in the class had never read any of my novels but mentioned a brand new interest in learning screenwriting and was bemused when she discovered I'd been diverted into screenwriting recently. She signed up for the Worldcrafters Guild (simegen.com writing school) even before classes were over for the weekend.

Then, before the closing ceremonies, I got a fabulous thank-you gift from one of the class members. There was a professional offering soft-tissue massages among the dealers, and my student bought me a great massage that wiped out most of the fatigue collected that weekend. Considering that people paid convention membership plus an additional fee for my classes, that extra was totally unexpected.

After closing ceremonies, my friends who had met me at the airport took me out to dinner.

One more shock, and the convention was finished -- at dinner, they had the waitress sneak a candle onto my desert cake and sang me a great big public Happy Birthday. I can't recall that ever happened to me before. It was really kewl.

Monday, I had breakfast with my friends where we discussed the "real" world we were about to rejoin, and then the trip home was likewise uneventful, as travel should be.

I felt that Baltimore's BWI airport was not filled to capacity. The plane took off on time. It landed on time. It was great to be home! My bag arrived (undamaged). And I had the shortest wait for my ride home that I ever have had at PHX.

It was a charmed weekend, a weekend outside of time, a weekend of beating the odds, and of truly appreciating friends. When a friend is involved, "out of sight" is not "out of mind."

Jacqueline Lichtenberg
http://www.simegen.com/jl/

******

****** SIMECENTER NEWS ******

Simecenter once again features a brand new author (new to us anyway). The intriguing story is:

     REBIRTH, by Alice Klein
     - and life goes on

Alice is one of our simegen.com review staff, as well as being a professional writer.The accompanying artwork is the beautiful:

     MOON DANCE, by Michael Cox
     - contemplating time

Michael has allowed us to post his amazing artworks in more than half of the SimeCenter pages during the life of this project, from September 2000 to now!!

See them at http://www.simegen.com/simecenter/.

These enjoyable works were donated in support of the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life.

When you donate to this worthy organization, be sure to tell them you were referred by SimeCenter.

Send your comments, questions, etc.--about the site, the stories and art...whatever--to the address below. [Mention 'SimeCenter' in the subject so I'll know it isn't spam.]

In Service to Unity,
Kaires Tevesu

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******SIME~GEN READERS/REVIEWERS CHOICE AWARDS******

Coming In Spring 2008 - The Re-launch of Sime~Gen's Readers Choice Awards

Sime~Gen's Reviews Department is gearing up for the Spring 2008 rebirth of our Reviewer's Choice Awards. We will be awarding biannual awards in the following categories: Favorite E-Book, Favorite Paper Book, Favorite Publisher Web Site, Favorite Author Web Site, Gatemaster's Favorite Book, and Favorite Sime~Gen Reviewer.

All active participants in the reviews process - from Sime~Gen Reviewers, Staffers, and Gatemasters to Authors, Editors, and Publishers - will be eligible to nominate and vote in the various categories. There is much behind-the-scenes work to be done, and many parameters yet to be worked out. We ask for and appreciate your input. To date, we have settled on a definition of "active participation."

   1) Eligibility to Nominate - must have been active within the last six months.
   2) Eligibility to Vote - must have been active within the last three months.

Keep watching for updates on procedures as they are worked out.

******

******COAL FOR CHRISTMAS**********

COAL FOR CHRISTMAS by Lois Wickstrom and Jean Lorrah reached the semi-finals in the Fade-In Writers Network competition.

It would be great to win one of these contests, but even making the semi-finals is a minor credential in our quest to sell our scripts to Hollywood.

Coal for Christmas has not won any contests yet, but it is currently under consideration at one major studio and two independent production companies. What that means is that after reading our logline and synopsis, they have asked for and are reading our script. BTW, multiple submissions are not only the norm, but are virtually REQUIRED in Hollywood. We have had to learn a whole new set of rules, very different from the rules for book publishing.

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******JOAN WINSTON******

As you know, everything on simegen.com has an underlying Star Trek Connection, so I'm assuming you all want this news about Joan Winston, my co-author on Star Trek Lives! and author of several non-fiction books about Star Trek.

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

FROM DEVRA LANGSAM: Joanie Winston is currently (March 2008) in a rehab hospital. Anyway, she is currently at:
Hebrew Home for the Aged
5901 Palisdae Ave
Riverdale NY 10471

She is in R14 Door. I know that she would love to hear from you. Cheerful or Trekkish cards would be most welcome!

Since everything connected to Sime~Gen is connected to Star Trek, one way or another, Karen MacLeod, editor of Companion in Zeor, has launched a project for Companion In Zeor's 30th anniversary to acknowledge the contribution of Joan Winston to the origin of the Star Trek phenomenon.

Read my essay on Joan at http://www.simegen.com/sgfandom/rimonslibrary/cz/cz24/JoanWinston.html and send in your own story of how the Star Trek Conventions and 'zine fandom affected you. If you ever attended a Star Trek convention, heard Joanie speak, read any of her books, (or Star Trek Lives! with her chapter on the conventions), or read Kraith or any of Joanie's stories about Riker -- please e-mail your recollection to be posted on this web page to the links found on the page. Please note in your subject line JOAN WINSTON, to stand out from the spam this address receives.

E-mailing your recollection with "Joan Winston" in the subject line constitutes permission to post your comments online. Use a pen name if you choose, and include a "title" if you like. Additional recollections and tributes have been posted at http://www.simegen.com/sgfandom/rimonslibrary/cz/cz24/JoanWinston2.html. Additional pages are planned with photos, and other surprises as available.

Karen is looking to post images she has come across of Joan that she would like to use, but can't, because the photographer(s) are unknown. There are several images taken of Joan on the Star Trek Original Series Sound Stages with William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley and James Doohan. There is also a photograph of Joan with two unidentified men, likely taken at the same time. There is also a photograph of a panel discussion from TorCon, a Star Trek Convention held in Toronto, Canada, in 1976. Panelists include: Bjo Trimble, her husband, Jacqueline, and Joan. If you can identify these photos from this description, and can give permission for their use, please contact Karen through the e-dress on Joan's pages. You will be given photographer's credit.

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******Denvention - Denver Worldcon******

Jean and I are making plans for Denvention (Aug 6-10, 2008). Kaires is looking to stay in the Party Hotel to run the Simegen Party, possibly with other participants such as Broad Universe. She'll need all the help you can give her.

I'm planning to have badge-ribbons made with the image Patric made for the tattoos we've been giving away at cons. Jean, Torun Almer and I expect to room together in Hotel #1 on the Denvention hotel site.

The convention says the hotel will take reservations at the discounted convention rate starting Jan 21, so now's a good time to start hunting for others who will brave the altitude. Denver is lovely once you re-learn how to breathe!

Denvention has posted my bio with a mention of the Sime~Gen party at: http://www.denvention3.org/programming/bios2.php#lichtenberg.

Live Long and Prosper,
Jacqueline Lichtenberg

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******JOIN THE REVIEWERS

As Coordinator of our Reviews Department, I ask for your help. With the current upsurge in e-book publishing that is sweeping the Internet, we daily receive an increasing number of books to review. Yet, in counterpoint, we have a shortage of reviewers, and many of our reviews staff are several books behind.

We are eagerly and actively seeking new people to review for us. As with all of Sime~Gen, our reviewers are volunteers. When they write a review, it is posted with their byline, and they get to keep the review copy of the books they have read and reviewed.

For more information on our Reviewers Agreement, visit: http://www.simegen.com/agreements/revagr.html.

Please help us by passing this information along to anyone you know who might want to join our happy band. If interested, they can e-mail me at rvcoord@simegen.com or send a note expressing their interest to Jean.

Midge Baker
Reviews Coordinator

******

******NEW REVIEWS********

These reviews are a sample of this month's new postings. Our Reviews Department is continuously posting new reviews. Find a list at http://www.simegen.com/reviews/. Use our domain Google Search box on http://www.simegen.com to find books by a particular author.

Armageddon in Retrospect by Kurt Vonnegut Jr

The Orpheus Deception by David Stone

Matter by Iain M. Banks

Blood Trail by C. J. Box

Do You Believe in Magic? by Ann Macela

His Brain; Her Brain by Walt Larimore, MD & Barb Larimore

The Bunko Babes by Leah Starr Baker

Let Us Share by Lou Dunn Diekemper

Highway from Hell by Moonstone Star White

The Queen's Bastard by C. E. Murphy

The Hollow by Nora Roberts

******

******BORDERLANDS UPDATE******

Part 24 of Borderlands, is posted at http://www.simegen.com/sgfandom/fans/bev/boom/index.html#part.24.

This one's very different from the rest. It's a story within the story,framed by Marvin telling it to Ammenia on a long train journey, with her occasional interruptions. It's set at least 200 years ahead of the rest of Borderlands, soon after the canon short story "Operation High Time."

If you do decide you don't like life in "20th century Simerica," as one of our participants calls it, nothing happens in this Part that's essential to the continuity of future Parts. However, you will miss the full impact of the surprise at the end of the last episode. Watch the left margin indents.

These episodes were played nearly a year ago, so there's still plenty of backlog. We'll start working on preparing the next few parts ASAP. Feedback tends to motivate us to do so more quickly, of course (hint,hint).

******

******NEW ITEMS FROM ARTISTS AND AUTHORS AT CAFE PRESS

A SIME~GEN postage stamp is now available to order on cafe press. It can be used just as you would use a a regular postage stamp. Be the first on YOUR block to have them!

We've got a new page for Cafe Press items from our artists and authors. Now you can get t-shirts, greeting cards, clocks, mugs, and other great stuff with work from your favorite artists. You can even buy books about Nessie, the Orange Forest Rabbit and The Reluctant Spy that aren't available anywhere else. http://simegen.com/marketplace/cafepress/ is a direct link to all our items and merchandise stores. Use of this page will give the domain extra income.

If there is an item that you wish to see that isn't offered, just write Lois and she'll get it ready for you to order.

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*******STARRED CROSS JEWELRY

Think about magnificent, hand-crafted Starred-Cross Jewelry for your holiday giving:

The image comes in four designs:
- silver & enamel brooch *
- silver & gold brooch
- silver & gold outline pendant
- small silver pin
(The first three are 1-1/2" square; the pin is about half that size.)

* Enamel can be almost any color - think Householding colors! How do you describe the color you want? Try http://www.w3schools.com/html/html_colornames.asp.

Follow the link to the artist's own page for ordering.

******

******HELP WANTED

The spotlights section of Simegen.com currently needs interviewers, spotlight posting personnel, an assistant spotlights gatemaster, and a keygifts store manager. We are also requesting an Assistant Reviews Co-coordinator - duties include covering when other staff are unable to perform tasks. We are almost finished revamping our reviews section and expect activity to be at a constant high level. We're looking for a versatile quick learner able to put in some time daily. Pluses are: A good command of the English language (syntax, grammar, punctuation, in that order), some computer experience or ability to learn, and an interest in books. Direct all inquiries to simegen@simegen.com.

Individuals to take over, or assist with the SIMECENTER Site -- It isn't at all hard, but a bit time-consuming...and very rewarding ("meeting" these marvelous authors and artists, if only via EMail and their websites). Please write me, Kaires Tevesu, if you are interested.

******

******PUBLICATION SCHEDULE********

We have had to withdraw the entire Sime~Gen project from Meisha Merlin for a wide range of reasons. They missed several deadlines for publication of TO KISS OR TO KILL and showed no signs of intention to get it out any time in the foreseeable future. That stalled everything else. It was very disappointing.

So we are now actively in search of another publisher.

THE UNITY TRILOGY should continue to be available for some time -- they have the right to dispose of all stock in the Meisha Merlin warehouse.

******

******AVAILABLE RELEASES***********

~ the Omnibus reprint of Jean Lorrah's SAVAGE EMPIRE: DARK MOON RISING -- is #1 in the reprint program.

~ Trade Paperback edition of DREAMSPY from BenBella Books and you can order on Amazon and some other places. Read the comments here: http://www.simegen.com/writers/luren/dreamspy/dreamspyreviews.html.

~ SAVAGE EMPIRE: PROPHECIES is #2 in Jean Lorrah's and Winston Howlett's omnibus reprint of the Savage Empire series.

Still Available in Trade Paperback, SIME~GEN: THE UNITY TRILOGY.

******

***** Sites to Remember *****

Author spotlights

Chats

Romance articles

Reviews of books by Jacqueline Lichtenberg

Reviews

Shopping

Sound files of Jacqueline Lichtenberg pronouncing Sime~Gen vocabulary words can be found at http://www.simegen.com/jl/nivetsoundfiles/index.html.

To sign up for classes, go to http://www.simegen.com/school/SchoolForms.html.

To volunteer, go to http://www.simegen.com/agreements/helpwanted.html for the latest openings.

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To unsubscribe from this list, send an e-mail to listserv@simegen.com with no subject and the text "unsubscribe NEWSLETTER-L".

To contact editor for any reason, please e-mail Lisa Saunders at simegen@simegen.com.

*Please Note all material posted on Official Virtual Tecton is copyright © by Sime~Gen Inc. and all rights are reserved. To get your Sime~Gen(tm) material sanctioned for web posting or to get permission to repost from official materials, e-mail ambrovzeor@aol.comor contact simegen@simegen.com. Sime~Gen (tm) is the trademark of a fictional universe copyright © by Jacqueline Lichtenberg, 1969, 1974, 1977, 1978, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1984, 1986 and Sime~Gen Inc. 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008.