First Transfer

June 1987

STOP THE PRESSES

JACQUELINE HAS SOLD A BOOK

TITLED THOSE OF MY BLOOD

From the Sosectu's Desk

Fellow fans! This is such an exciting time! I scarcely know where to begin. So much has been happening lately that my head is literally spinning and if it were not for the wisdom and stability of a few good channels that I know, I'd be in the Tecton psych ward by now.

First let me extend a warm welcome to S/G Fandom to those of you who are receiving this for the first time. We're very glad you've joined us.

Jacqueline's book is about vampires and has been bought by St. Martin's Press. She's taking SASEs for both hardcover and paperback. She's also asked me to pass the word that she's very busy and has no time. So, I would like to encourage you to write to me or a member of the Wel instead of Jacqueline if at all possible for the time being. This would be of tremendous help to her as she is under a deadline.

Another fantastic thing has happened. Somebody has donated two tape recorders for the Taping project. They were sent to Hajene Kerry (Schaefer) ambrov Zeor unsigned, with starred crosses taped to each one. To say we're all grateful is a vast understatement.

The Wel has two new members, Linda Whitten who will be our robinmaster, and Mark Kadey who will help with contacts. I'm very glad they have chosen to join us.

I've made a few changes in the format for this issue. I'm dropping temporarily the Q&A section because Householding Chanel is putting together a zine devoted to questions. See the announcement page for details.

In its place we will be running, at least for the next few issues, a vocabulary list. Fannish terms can get confusing.

And I've added a Review Section. This may or may not be temporary. But for now, two reviews are listed that I think you will enjoy reading.

Karen (Litman) ambrov Chanel has asked the Wel for help with the taping project. Details are on the announcement page. This project is very important to all of us, and any help you can give would be greatly appreciated.

For those of you who have read the March issue of FT, you may notice that some material is repetitious. My apologies, but that's the nature of the beastie. Since FT was created primarily for our new friends, a lot of stuff will of necessity be rerun. However, I hope to include enough new stuff in each issue to make it worth your while.

And, finally, First Transfer is open to anyone who wants to make announcements or communicate with other fen. Just let me know what you want, and I'll try to do it.

Yours in Unity,

Marjorie Robbins, Sosectu in Chanel

Some channel jokes

by Sosectu Meryl (Gross) ambrov Mitar

Q. How many Keon members does it take to change a light bulb?

A. Look, you shouldn't force it, freedom, y'know?

Q. How many Tigue channels does it take to change a light bulb?

A. One, but it will take her twice as long.

Q. How many Farris channels does it take to change a light bulb?

A. Don't worry about me. I'll just zlin in the dark by my own nager. I don't mind.

Q. How many Tecton channels does it take to change a light bulb?

A. 9: one to find the regulation, one to clear the procedure, one to change the light bulb, one to observe the procedure, and five to fill out the forms afterwards.

Announcements

Zeor Forum #6 is ready for printing. Katie Filipowicz is taking advance orders. Sase her for details. She also has some back issues available. (street address removed), Spring Valley, NY 10977.

Companion in Zeor #9 is experiencing printing difficulties, but Karen assures me it will be ready soon in spite of this. SASE her or watch this column. She has some back issues available. Karen Litman (street address removed), Somers Pt., NJ 08244

Ambrov Zeor #15 is now available from Kerry Schaefer. SASE her at Box 39, (street address removed), S. Yarmouth, MA 01664. She also has back issues of AZ, Postsyndrome, a one shot zine on sexuality in the S/G universe, and the songbook.

Karen Litman needs people to make lists of the names and made up words so Jacqueline can make a pronunciation tape for the readers. Karen is overseeing the putting of S/G material on tape for the blind and handicapped. If interested SASE Householding Chanel.

Chanel is putting together a one shot zine called (of course) Householding Chanel Inquirer. It will be devoted to questions on any of Jacqueline's universes. A complimentary copy of the zine will be offered for any questions accepted for publication. All questions submitted will be answered. So get your pencils out, put your brain to work and send your questions to Householding Chanel in care of Sosectu Marjorie Robbins. Any not used will be held for possible publication in FT or another zine.

First Transfer is the official newsletter of the Sime/Gen Welcommittee sponsored by Householding Chanel under the authority of the Tecton printing office. It will be published quarterly with content to depend on contributions from fans.

We're looking for anything anyone wants to do in any of JL's universes (except poetry and fan fiction). Articles and con reports from other areas of SF are welcome, and we can always use jokes, puzzles and other goodies.

The current issue of FT is available to new contacts as part of their welcome to S/G fandom. Otherwise file a SASE with Sosectu Marjorie Robbins, (street address removed), Cedar Rapids, IA 52404.

Householding Chanel also has a penpal database available for anyone looking for new friends.

Special Thank Yous

A special thank you goes to Mark (Kadey) ambrov Kamali, Sectuib in Kamali for a most generous donation to First Transfer. Newsletters don't grow on trees and this is deeply appreciated.

I'm also indebted to Lisa (Calhoun) ambrov Takear, Sectuib in Takear. She does all the typing and strip-up work for this publication. Without her good work, you'd probably be getting a dot-matrix print out, sans art, from my computer. Not too thrilling a prospect.

Welcommittee Staff

Marjorie Robbins, (street address removed), Cedar Rapids, IA 52404

Torun Almer, (street address removed), Sacramento, CA 95825

Linda Whitten, (street address removed), Anaheim, CA 92805

James Bryson, (street address removed), Manakawkin, NJ 08056

Beth Ann Wempe, (street address removed), Redlands, CA 92373

Mark Kadey, (street address removed), Oshawa, Ontario L1J-5X8 Canada

Joan Panachella, (street address removed), Avenel, NJ 07001

Lisa Calhoun. POB 397, Roberta, GA 31078

Review

+ Fantasy Review November 1987 has run a more or less favorable review of Zelerod's Doom that you might find interesting. If you're going to read it, read Jacqueline's Corner and be prepared to chuckle.

+ Lan's Lantern #22 has a very nice review of Zelerod's Doom by David M. Shea that is more of a review of the entire universe than just the book. But I think you'd enjoy reading it.

+ Locus, November 1986, has a review of "Worlds of IF", which mentions Kerry Schaefer's story.

Vocabulary

Sosectu's note: For the next few issues I'll be attempting to define some of the more common fannish terms. If something confuses you let me know, and I'll try to include it in this column.

fen - plural of fan

con/convention - a gathering of fans

mundane - someone who doesn't know what's what in fandom and could care less

fan fic - fiction, poetry, or prose written by fans. All that good stuff in the zines

zine - short for fanzine or fan magazine; an amateur publication devoted to a particular SF universe

Jacqueline's Corner

People often argue about the correct order in which to read the S/G novels, and reviewers confuse matters more by declaring that this or that title is only for the aficionado of the S/G universe.

From the POB 290 mail, I have learned that it truly does not matter which S/G novel you read first, you will find a complete and satisfying story in it. You will believe fervently that the one you read first is the correct place to start.

As you read another novel, you'll likely discover that you completely misunderstood that first novel, NOW you really have it all down pat.

When you've read a third or fourth novel, you will begin to reread the books and find that they are totally different books than you thought in the beginning, but Now you really do understand what was actually happening. And so on with each new novel you read, until you are also telling people, as the reviewers do, that you can't start with this newest novel, but have to read all the others first before you have any hope of understanding this one.

But, actually, this newest novel (whichever it is) is now being read as a first S/G novel by new people who are convinced it is the best place to start, and that they fully understand this simple story.

The fact is that every S/G book contains within it many novels, most of which are invisible to the first time S/G reader. And every S/G book contains one easy-to-understand novel, which appears to be the whole content of the book.

It is only when you start applying what you've learned from other novels to the current one that you begin to see what was really going on, and you begin to realize that the new readers are hopelessly confused.

Only they aren't. A lot of them are perfectly happy.

Now, there are always a few readers who have "double vision" and begin to see into the deeper stories before they've applied all the background from the other books. Such people may be frustrated and confused, or get the feeling that the books are unclear. That's because they are unusually perceptive. Most of them get hooked very quickly, and are soon writing stories of their own.

It is unfortunate that some people are frustrated like this, but it seems inevitable, because my philosophy is that books cost too much. To make it worth your while to buy a book, I feel I must provide you with more than 2 or 3 hours of entertainment. So I layer my novels in such a way that the more you know, the more different stories you find inside the book, the more times you can reread the book. I try to make my books re-readable so you'll get your money's worth.

I can only hope I've succeeded.

Jacqueline Lichtenberg

The National Fantasy Fan Federation

--by Beth Ann Wempe

To begin with, the name National Fantasy Fan Federation (referred to hereafter, as N3F) is a bit of a misnomer. The organization is a general science/fantasy fandom club, and membership is not restricted to the US. N3F was founded in 1941 by a group which included Damon Knight, and today has a membership that ranges from professional writers to the newest fan.

There is one requirement for membership in N3F--payment of the $8 annual dues. For these $8 a member receives both of the N3F zines and is eligible for participation in any N3F activity. A person can be as active or inactive as she/he desires. For the most part, N3F is a correspondence club.

The two zines are Tightbeam, a letterzine for Neffers who want to speak to the whole club. Articles and book reviews are included. The other zine is The National Fantasy Fan, or TNFF. This one carries news, articles, and all official business.

Some of the activities of N3F are:

Artists' workshop--the purpose of this activity is to match up fan artists with fan publishers.

Conventions--TNFF carried a listing of upcoming cons each issue. The N3F usually tries to have a table, room, or party at every WorldCon and as many other cons as possible.

Membership News and Activities--the bureau tries to match up members with those activities which they enjoy.

New Fanzine Appreciation Society--members receive various and sundry fanzines, in return for which, they promise to reciprocate by sending a LoC, contribution, etc.

Short Story Contest--an annual contest--winners receive cash and paperback books. The top winners often have their stories published professionally. Kerry Schaefer was a first place winner.

Round robins--circulating on over 50 authors and subjects. More are being started all the time.

Neffer Amateur Press Association--Members can learn all about publishing their own fanzine or just working with others.

There are other N3F activities (including romance, Lola Andrew, N3F Treasurer, has become engaged to William Center, a member on the board of directors). But I'm about to run out of space. for more information write to: T. Kevin Atherton, (street address removed), Chicago, IL, 68657.

Householding News

Sosectu's note: While I will print almost anything a Sectuib or Sosectu wants to send me on his/her householding, the Wel does not take any responsibility for the contents of this page. Again, I apologize for not running the Householding registry. I RAN OUT OF ROOM! SOB! SOB! SOB!

For a complete list of Householdings sase Pat Munson-Siter.

HOUSEHOLDING KAMALI

Marjorie asked me to write about what was happening in Householding Kamali. That is very easy because nothing is happening. Why? Because I am the only member.

If there is anyone who would like to pledge Kamali, our colors are amber and silver, our business is exploring the universe. Our virtue is truth. Our motto: a lie is most destructive when you tell it to yourself.

If anyone wishes to pledge my address is as follows. Thanks. Kylee Miles Teg, Sectuib in Kamali, c/o Mark Kadey, (street address removed), Oshawa, Ont. L1J 5X8 Canada.

HOUSEHOLDING GLEN EYRIE

Glen Eyrie is open to new members, and will be putting out a paper soon. We have currently gained a new member, a Companion of great promise, James Bryson. We extend our best wishes to all. Sosectu Char Dickens, (street address removed), Aravada, CO 80003.

HOUSEHOLDING TURAN

Turan reports that the Householding has been hibernating the past few years but is working on getting active again.

Sosectu Julie Hines, (street address removed), Louisville, KY 40206

Crest: two mountains and a tree

colors: palomino gold and brown

Virtue: wholeness

membership: open

business: mundane, assisting the Wel, Fictional, lumber, toys, puzzles, furniture

Motto: from division to Unity.

The following Houses have recently accepted pledges:

Glen Eyrie - James Bryson

Takear - Linda Whitten, Marjorie Robbins

Chanel - Donell Meadows, Karen Litman, James Bryson, Lisa Calhoun