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Is there life on Mars?
Welcome to the August edition of The Sci Fi Reporter.
Latest news from
NASA tells us there is water on Mars and where there is water
there is life!
I am amazed as I walk around the city and see our technological
age breeze past us, as we humans simply cannot keep up with the
endless forms of electronic gadgets being offered to us to ease
the strain of our busy lifestyles, and yet we still cannot find a
cure for the common cold!
One form of technology often debated around the SF and Fantasy
community is that of Books versus E- Books and Audio Books.
For me, one of life's simple pleasures is the tactile feel
associated with a book, the unique smell it carries with it often
reminds me of my overseas vacations to one of my favourite Book
Stores,
Shakespeare and Co, located on the Left Bank in Paris -
France.
As you enter the store you become part of history as all that
have visited before you are recorded for posterity and you are in
good company with Writers like Jack Kerouac and Allan Ginsberg
having lived in the store and slept on one of the many beds that
are tucked in amongst the bookshelves throughout this retreat for
Writers and Poets and is still to this day, a haven for
travellers to pay homage.
A bookshelf full of titles read, pays tribute to the Author and
acts as a resource for conversation or passing on for another
Reader to enjoy the journey.
Other mediums like Palm Tools and MP4 players are making their
way into the market and marketing professionals of the various
companies are telling us their products are the books of the
future but is this so?
In Australia there are 1,700 public libraries with over 12
million registered users frequenting their local library with a
staggering 100 million visits each year. Over 70 million books
are sold in Australia each year with only one percent of the
population using E-Books and Audio Books.
We pose the question..
What do you prefer..Do you like to curl up with a book under the
covers on a cold winters night and let imagination and atmosphere
bring your story to life, or are you someone on the go that likes
to enjoy a short story on the way to work whilst sitting on the
bus or train and let the Narrator take you away to distant
lands?
Post your comment
Books Vs E-Books and Audio Books on our latest blog or send
us an e-mail
We would like
to hear from you.
Have a great month ahead, and all the best.
Stuart and Maryanne
Want to receive Sci Fi Reporter regularly? Add your
email address via the "Join Our Mailing List" section of this
newsletter.
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| Convention Listing Oz - valid @ August 2008 |
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Note: Only new or updated listings are given
Promoters: if your event is not listed here or you have new
information advise
us for inclusion.
Animania Festival 2008
Sydney - August 23 and 24
Brisbane - September 20
Cosplay, Artist expo, gaming and more..
Full touring information
Buffy and Angel convention
Sydney - August 9
Melbourne - August 10
Presenting..
Amy Acker, Juliet Landau, Larry Bagby and R.D Price
Hub Productions Buffy and Angel information
The Adelaide Pop Culture Festival
South Australian Museum - Adelaide
August 16 to 24 from 10am to 4pm daily
Retro SF quiz night, Alien makeup and costume construction
workshops, Stargate costume and prop exhibition, Retro SF film
festival and special appearances by Star Trek Deep Space Nine's -
Aron Eisenberg
Festival information
Star Wars film night with Matt Doran
Presented by Gifts for the Geek - Geelong
Monday August 18
Matt Doran will be signing autographs at the store followed by a
Q&A session at a private screening of the new animated Star
Wars film.
Gifts for the Geek event information
Trasharama A-Go -Go
Australian tour 2008
Festival of the nastiest horror short films
Entries now open
Trasharama information
Conflux 5
Conflux 5 - The Nation's Capital
October 3 to 6 2008 - Canberra
The Marque Hotel
Event information
Armageddon Expo
Auckland, New Zealand - October 25 to 27
Melbourne, Australia - November 1 and 2
Gaming, Costuming, Collectible fair and a host of visiting pop
culture actors including the original and best Batman - Mr Adam
West!
Armageddon Expo information
Stop The Press!
Terra Nova Events Presents..
A Day on the Promenade
Adelaide - South Australia
August 22 to 24, 2008
Featuring Aron Eisenberg from Star Trek Deep Space Nine and Sean
Williams, Author of the new Star Wars book - The Force
Unleashed
Three days of activities including a full day convention, Fully
escorted wine tour with Aron, VIP dinners, a unique fan evening,
exclusive and authentic Stargate costume and prop exhibition and
more!
Event hotline is:0431262257
Terra Nova information
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| Read - See - Hear |
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 SF and Fantasy book reviews
Reported by Maryanne Scutella
Vehicle of Vengeance
Book 1 of the Servant to Lust series
By The Fae Gatekeeper of Dreams
Vehicle of vengeance is book one of the servant to lust series.
The best way to describe it is a cross between Buffy the Vampire
Slayer and ever popular romance novels by Mills and Boon. It is a
novel filled with vampires and a vampire slayer but has a
distinct romance aspect that is evident throughout the novel. It
can also be a little graphic in this regard in certain parts so
is probably not suitable for children. The author explains the
premise for the novel and the intricacies of the world in detail
very early on in the novel. It is fast paced from the very
beginning which unfortunately does not provide a chance to
introduce the characters before the main story takes affect.
However there is some interesting character development
throughout the novel particularly for the main character,
Karla.
The concept of a woman scorned and broken hearts is a predominate
theme within the story. The book centres around two types of
Vampires, Renegades and Elementers. Elementers control aspects of
the world such as love, lust, destiny and vision and Renegades
are typical Vampires in that they randomly kill humans. Karla,
the main character in the story is trying to kill Renegades, in
particular her ex-lover Karl. I would personally say that
although there is a horror aspect to this book, that it is
predominately a romance novel. It is therefore worth a read if
you like romance novels. Check out the website for more info and
for some interesting pictures of the book
Servant to Lust information
Star Wars: The Force Unleashed
By Sean Williams
Star Wars: The Force Unleashed is the latest part of the Star
Wars series and takes place between Episode III and Episode IV
(between the original and newer trilogies for those that are not
up to date on the latest Star Wars references). The story follows
the life of Darth Vader's secret apprentice and his mission to
hunt down the Jedi. Whilst on this journey he meets some
interesting characters that could affect his mission. The Force
Unleashed is being launched as a video game and as a book by Sean
Williams. The book is the official tie in with the video game
which is shortly to be released by Lucas Arts. Sean Williams is a
local Australian author based in Adelaide South Australia.
According to his
website, he has over sixty published short stories and twenty
five novels. He is also a New York Times best selling
author.
The book is due to be released on August 19th and Sean will be
appearing at the Adelaide Pop Culture Expo on August 24th. Sean
will be talking about the novel and will be autographing copies
of the novel that can be purchased at the
event.
Trekkie Central
A SF fan film directory
Reported by Stuart Blair
Trekkie Central was started in June 2007, and was designed to
give Star Trek fans an idea of what fan based projects are
available via the Internet. The website slowly grew to what it is
today with a new website being launched soon at
www.trekkie-central.com. Currently They have released seven
issues, featuring Star Trek Odyssey, Star Trek Hidden
Frontier, Starship Farragut and Intrepid with a further three now
available for viewing.
The publication has spawned as a solution to the magazine's
creator - Richard Miles desperately needing to fill in the gaps
of a relationship breakup and this immediately reminded me of the
Star Trek documentary -
Trekkies Two feature on
Tony Alleyne who transformed his home in the north of England
into a replica of the USS Enterprise as therapy during a time of
divorce.
The magazine has grown from just having Richard writing and
producing everything and currently he has five staff members and
writers."I am amazed at how much it has grown in such a short
space of time." Said Richard.
Audio Books
1984 - By George Orwell
George Orwell depicts a gray, totalitarian world dominated by Big
Brother and its vast network of agents, including the Thought
Police, a world in which news is manufactured according to the
authorities' will and people live tepid lives by rote.
Winston Smith, the hero with no heroic qualities, longs only for
truth and decency. But living in a social system in which privacy
does not exist and where those with unorthodox ideas are
brainwashed or put to death, he knows there is no hope for
him.
The year 1984 has come and gone, yet George Orwell's nightmare
vision in 1949 of the world we were becoming is still the great
modern classic of negative Utopia.
About the Author: George Orwell (1903-1950), the pen name of Eric
Arthur Blair, was an English novelist, essayist, and critic. He
was born in India and educated at Eton. After service with the
Indian Imperial Police in Burma, he returned to Europe to earn
his living by writing and became notable for his simplicity of
style and his journalistic or documentary approach to
fiction.
Brothers in Arms
By Lois McMaster Bujold
Lead by Admiral Naismith (a.k.a. Lord Miles Vorkosigan), the
Dendarii Mercenaries have pulled off the daring interspace rescue
of an entire Cetagandan POW camp. But they have made some deadly
enemies. Having finally outrun the infuriated Cetagandans, the
Dendarii arrive on Earth for battle, shuttle repair, and a well
deserved rest.
But Miles realises he's in trouble again. First the Mercenaries'
payroll doesn't arrive on time, and then someone tries to murder
him. Now Miles must juggle both his identities at once to unravel
the complicated plot against him-and to reveal an unexpected
ally. Just who is trying to assassinate which of his persona's,
and why?
About the Author: Lois McMaster Bujold burst upon the
science-fiction world in 1986 with
Shards of Honor, the first of the Vorkosigan Saga novels. She
has won the Hugo Award four times and the Nebula Award twice. The
mother of two, she lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
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| Fan Club Focus |
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 Australian Costumers Guild
New members most welcome.
Costumers Guild are conducting workshops at The Adelaide Pop
Culture Festival this coming August 16 to 24, 2008 as well as
attending costumed events around Australia.
Annual Costume Ball is on August 31, 2008
Visit their website for all information
Costumers Guild
Les aventures de Tintin
Tintin in cyberspace is a group for fans of the classic comic and
cartoon Icon by Herge.
The group meets online as a resource for Tintin memorabilia and
upcoming events.
Sign up to receive regular updates on the upcoming Tintin movie
trilogy being directed by Steven Spielberg and Peter
Jackson
You can contact the group here.
Tintin in cyberspace
Terra Australis Garrison
The 501st Legion boasts over four thousand members worldwide and
now have members based in all states of Australia. Star Wars fans
can feel right at home with this group of dedicated Stormtroopers
and you can contact them via their website at
www.501tag.com
"Out there Social club" Adelaide
You find a lot of queer things in outer space, so it's only
natural to have a queer Sci Fi group for all the "Homo" sapiens
who are out...there.
The group meets monthly to share a meal and indulge in a little
Fantasy! Members range from 30+, Contact Rod on 0402027891, they
are also located on Yahoo Groups at
Out There Sci Fi Group
SA Dr Who fan club
Club meetings
August 16
Adelaide High School - 3pm till late
Pub Meeting - September 6
Buckingham Arms Hotel
Meeting at 5pm
SFSA info
Star Wars Costume Alliance of Australia
Actively recruiting new members around Planet OZ
Star Wars Costume Information
Austrek Club Events
Actively recruiting new members.
Club Meeting
September 6
2pm to 5pm
Northcote Town Hall - Melbourne
Logon to their website for regular updates and activities for
2008.
Austrek Events information
Dr Who Club of Victoria
Details contact the club on Mob:0412947012 or e-mail Dr Who club
at..grassojb@yahoo.co.uk
Star Walking
The Star Wars Appreciation Society of Australia. Ph 05005
Jedis
Club Meeting, Sydney - August 31
Club Dinner - Dance, Melbourne - August 23
See national website for meeting venues.
Starwalking Information
StarshipMawson.com - Adelaide's Sci Fi fan
Organisation
Club Meeting - September 14
Away Mission to Crossroad Bowl
Pancake Meeting dates for Winter 2008
August 8 and September 5
From 730pm
Pancake Kitchen - off Hindley St, Adelaide
Starship Mawson is a member of The International Federation of
Trekkers - The Official Star Trek fan association fully endorsed
by the Roddenberry family and The Official fan club of Star Trek
New Voyages.
Club Hotline is Ph: 0431262257
Explore the Starship Mawson website
Starship Mawson Information
Quest - sci fi fan club, Queensland
Join the most active club in the state!
Club meetings held on the second Sunday of each month
Club Contact - President, Mary Kemp
Ph:0732904243
E-mail: jmkemp@bigpond.net.au
Quest Information
Colonial Defense Forces
Australian Battlestar Galactica Chapter
Free membership!
Part of the world wide BSG fan organisation.
CDF Information
Lost in Space association
One of the largest fan clubs in the world
Informative website and active e-mail group
Lost in Space Information
South Australian Fan Force
Very active Star Wars club with a great selection of
bloggs!
Combined Star Wars club activity at the Greater Union cinema in
the City of Adelaide
August 10 from 10am
Storm Troopers and more!
SAFF Information
Aus sci fi
Shore leave is on the second Sunday of each month from 4pm to
8pm
Hillcrest Community Centre
27-31 Queensborough St - Hillcrest
Information at Ph: 08 83962517
E-mail: ufpclub2@bigpond.net.au
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| In the next edition of The Sci Fi Reporter |
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-- Our annual product review
-- Another exclusive interview!
-- Film releases for Summer 2008!
And a plethora of news ....
The Staff at the Sci Fi Reporter wish all our subscribers a
fantastic month ahead and remember....If you like what we are
doing, please forward a copy to your friends!
The Sci Fi Reporter...
Suggestions for our next issue - tell us!
Website
coming soon - what would you like to see?
Need to unsubscribe?
Simply click on the "safe unsubscribe" link at the bottom of the
newsletter and you will be removed from our mailing list.
The contents of this newsletter are copyright 2008 The Sci Fi
Reporter. All Rights Reserved. No material contained herein may
be duplicated without express written consent of the owners.
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We're at the Helm, with Aron
Eisenberg!
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One of the most satisfying aspects of a television show
is watching a characters development as a show progresses.
Lt Nog of Star Trek Deep Space Nine started his life on the
Station as a young delinquent nephew of a colourful and sometimes
crooked, enterprising Innkeeper.
Aron Eisenberg excelled in his role as Nog and from the pilot
episode through to the shows finale seven years later, we
witnessed his character interact with many of the main cast
members as he enjoyed a record forty seven appearances focusing
on his character.
On the eve of his Australian convention appearance we are pleased
to present our exclusive interview with Aron
Eisenberg.
SFR: Aron, Deep Space Nine has been quoted as the
thinking person's Star Trek..What did you like most about the
show?
Aron: I think it was awesome!! The writers really cared
about the show and worked very hard to present their vision of
the best show possible. I love how they took risks in the show
and made the audience look at Star Trek in a completely different
way.
SFR: Your character..Nog, enjoyed a record 47 recurring
episodes over the shows seven year run, Were you happy with the
direction of your character's development on DS9?
AE: Honestly, I couldn't have been happier..unless they
made me a lead character in the show!! HAHA..It was so much fun
to play that character. They gave me so many great things to play
with in that show. I was very blessed on how they developed Nog.
I remember thinking on the last episode, "WOW, I made it to the
end!! I can't believe it! What a ride...!!!"
SFR: You seemed to be having a great time with James
Darren on the show, how did you find working with him?
AE: An absolute pleasure! I remember getting a call from
Ron Surma, the casting director, that James wanted to set-up some
time to rehearse. I was floored!! What an honour. And we did
rehearse and I think that brought a lot to the episode. I was
very fortunate to have the opportunity to work with him.
SFR: The Magnificent Ferengi..Can you tell us about your
co-stars Armin, Max and Jeffery, did you have a lot of contact
away from the set during the shows run?
AE: Well, Max, Armin and I became friends throughout the
show. I met Armin on my first day of my make-up test. I always
looked up to Armin as a role model. He is a true actor and I
highly respected his wisdom, talent and advice. Max is so
talented as well and I spent more time with him throughout the
years going to conventions and putting on a play. They were the
two closest friends that I was fortunate to make on the show. I
still speak to them every so often.
SFR: Jake and Nog..From the very beginning of DS9 a
friendship was formed that grew into great loyalty and mutual
respect for each other, how did you find working with Cirroc
Lofton on the show?
AE: Ya know, it was always a blast. He first saw me in
make-up and thought I was his age so we always joked around
together. It was a bit before he saw me out of makeup and
realised that I was a lot older than him. But I have always been
a kid at heart so our chemistry never changed. We were always
found goofing around and joking with each other. He's a great guy
and an absolute pleasure to work with...
SFR: Were you satisfied with the Shows finale "What You
leave Behind" and can you tell us about your time with Avery
Brooks on the show?
AE: Honestly, I didn't have any expectations about the
finale. I didn't die, so I was happy!!! Avery is a remarkable man
and actor. My scenes with him were always intense and strong. He
made me a better actor when I worked with him. I felt I always
came out of the scene a better actor when I was one on one with
him. It was exhilarating...
SFR: What do you like most about your convention
appearances, is there a favourite moment you can share with
us?
AE: Meeting the fans and travelling are the bonuses. It is
an honour to have an opportunity to visit with the people that
kept me working and say "Thanks!" Not many actors really get a
chance to say that. I'm very fortunate to be able to have that
opportunity and I will forever be grateful that I got to be a
part of this Star Trek Universe.
SFR: Are you working on any new projects at the
moment?
AE: Currently, my time has been given to my family. I look
forward to the day when I get to walk back on the set and play.
But life always takes interesting turns and for the last several
years, family has taken the front seat. It will be nice to be
able to come to a con some day and let everyone know my next
project....
SFR: Thanks Aron..Do you have a message for your fans in
Australia?
AE: Thanks for coming out to see me and being a part of
this Star Trek universe!! I'm looking forward to meeting all of
you and having a great time in Australia...
The Sci Fi Reporter wishes Aron a safe journey as he makes
his way Downunder...
You can read more about Aron via the website link
below.
View Aron's Bio here! |
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