(Note: These are excerpts from the original newsletter that was published on this date. The Queen's Own address has been updated. The current President of Queen's Own is Herald-Mage Adept Danya Winterborn. For more information, see http://www.dragonlordsnet.com/qo.htm.)
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Dear Misty Fans,
Coming this month from Baen is Four & Twenty Blackbirds, Book IV of Bardic Voices. The cover illustration is bv Darrell K. Sweet.
"A magical murderer is loose in Alanda. The victims are always women, always lower-class, and the weapon is always a three-sided stiletto, most often found among Church regalia. But the killers are never churchmen, and they always commit suicide immediately after the bloody deed.
"Tat Rufen is just a simple constable. But he really cares about his job, and when one of these murder/suicides happens on his beat he becomes obsessed. His superiors don't care -- the victims will never be missed, and their murderers are already justly dead. But every instinct Tat Rufen has cries out that he has seen only one small piece of a bigger and much nastier puzzle . . . "
Other books in the Bardic Voices series are The Lark & the Wren, The Robin & the Kestrel, and The Eagle & the Nightingales. For more about Ardis and the Kingsford fire, read Bardic Choices: A Cast of Corbies, co-written with Josepha Sherman.
Four & Twenty Blackbirds is a hardcover, with a list price of $22.
Good news for all of us who enjoyed Owlflight, there will be an Owlflight II. And, Michael Longcor is working on an Owlflight album.
Holiday cards for Misty and Larry can be sent to them in care of their business address: Highflight [Ed. note 2005: Out-of-date info withheld.]. If you would like to show your appreciation for their books with more than a card, consider a donation to The Alex Foundation, their favorite charity. Misty says, "The Alex Foundation supports the research of Dr. Irene Pepperberg of the University of Arizona in her research into the intelligence, cognitive, and speaking abilities of African Grey Parrots. What she has learned so far has contributed to great advances in the treatment and therapy of learning-disabled children. Dr. Pepperberg raises more than half the money for her research herself, criss-crossing the country to lecture and give demonstrations--on top of her full-time research position! .
" . . . This is a unique opportunity for ordinary folk to support basic research into patterns of learning. All contributions to The Alex Foundation are tax deductible . . . "
Send your donations to The Alex Foundation [Ed. note 2005: Out-of-date info withheld.].
Dr. Pepperberg's web page is at [Ed. note 2005: Out-of-date info withheld.]. Check Firebird's site ([Ed. note 2005: Out-of-date info withheld.]) for information on a "silent auction" fund raiser. The auction features mostly items hand made by Misty or Larry. (Mostly by Misty, she says, since her hobbies are handicrafts of various sorts.)
A parrot named Grey plays an important part in Misty's story "Grey" in issue #37 of Marion Zimmcr Bradley's FANTASY Magazine. A single issue is [Ed. note 2005: Out-of-date info withheld.]. Send your order to [Ed. note 2005: Out-of-date info withheld.], checks payable to Marion Zimmer Bradley.
Misty provides the lyrics for the songs on "Magic, Moondust, & Melancholy," a cassette available from Firebird. One of the songs, "Gil-shalos," particularly intrigued me so I read the Barbara Hambly books that inspired it. If you too are a fan of those who battle the Dark, you'll be as pleased as I was to discover that a new Darwath book by Barbara, Icefalcon's Quest, is coming in February. Icefalcon's Quest is a Del Ray hardcover.
Barbara Hambly will be the Guest of Honor at Fantasy Worlds Festival in Berkeley next Labor Day weekend. Details will be available on the MZB web page [Ed. note 2005: Out-of-date info withheld.] and in future MZB FANTASY Magazines and QO newsletters.
Do your holiday shopping at Firebird Arts & Music. Their latest catalog has just been mailed. If you're not yet on their mailing list, send [Ed. note 2005: Out-of-date info withheld.], or browse through their on-line catalog at [Ed. note 2005: Out-of-date info withheld.]. You'll find Misry's books and music, Larry's art in portfolios and on T-shirts, Amberdrake's favorite massage oils, patterns for Valdemar costumes, the books of Tanya Huff and Charles de Lint, both Babylon 5 soundtracks, Indian Nation T-shirts, the Kate Shugak mysteries, the Lord of the Dance video . . . Truly, there's something for everyone. Call [Ed. note 2005: Out-of-date info withheld.] to place an order.
Balticon 32 is April 10-12 at the Baltimore Omni Inner Harbor Hotel. Author Guest of Honor is Harry Turtledove, and the Artist Guest of Honor is Jody A. Lee. You've seen Jody's work on the covers of Misty's Valdemar series. Convention rate is $35 until December 31, $40 until March 14, and $45 at the door. Special hotel rate for convention goers is $104 plus tax per night. To reserve a room, call the Omni at 1-410-752-1100. For more information on the convention, write to Balticon 32 [Ed. note 2005: Out-of-date info withheld.].
Arrows Online meets in the Fantasy Fiction Chat Room on AOL. For details, AOL folk can e-mail the Dean of Westhaven Collegia at [Ed. note 2005: Out-of-date info withheld.]. Or, if you want to take a look from afar, come to the Lackey Fan forum, located in the listbox of the Fantasy forum of Fictional Realm [Ed. note 2005: Out-of-date info withheld.] on AOL. Look for the Message board named "Arrows OnLine." Non AOL folk can learn a bit about us by visiting our web page at [Ed. note 2005: Out-of-date info withheld.].
Austral'a'in--For more information, write to Cassandra Vuksa [Ed. note 2005: Out-of-date info withheld.]. Austral'a'in's first zine, PEOPLE OF THE SOUTH, is ready for sale. Cost within Australia is $8 or twenty 45 cent stamps, and for overseas it's $12 Australian or twenty IRCs.
Companion's Choice--Shanara Ravensong [Ed. note 2005: Out-of-date info withheld.].
The Farflying Arrow: Achtung, an alle deutschsprechenden Misty-Fans!! Write to Gwendolen c/o Daniela Scheele Wiesenstr. [Ed. note 2005: Out-of-date info withheld.].
The Herald's Companion--Herald's Companion c/o Karen Bertke [Ed. note 2005: Out-of-date info withheld.]. So that's where feezils come from! Also recipes, book reviews, and poetry.
Outkingdom--Y'larna Finnareth c/o Joanne Thwaites [Ed. note 2005: Out-of-date info withheld.].
Pacific Northwest Collegium--c/o Laura Cameron [Ed. note 2005: Out-of-date info withheld.]. The latest issue of The Collegium Chronicles contains news of local conventions and other noteworthy events.
R.C.M.H.--Contact Pam Dziedzic [Ed. note 2005: Out-of-date info withheld.].
Michael Praed--Michael Praed Network NewsLetter c/o Kate Raymond [Ed. note 2005: Out-of-date info withheld.].
Doctor Who and other Media--The Prydonians of Prynceton [Ed. note 2005: Out-of-date info withheld.]. Dues are $12 ($22 for first class postage) for their monthly newsletter, The Prydonian Renegade. Tanya Huff--NINE ABOVE! [Ed. note 2005: Out-of-date info withheld.].
Anne McCaffrey/Pern--Sunfall Weyr has a web site at [Ed. note 2005: Out-of-date info withheld.] or contact them c/o [Ed. note 2005: Out-of-date info withheld.].
Adrian Paul of Highlander--Peace APFC [Ed. note 2005: Out-of-date info withheld.] or Peace-APFC [Ed. note 2005: Out-of-date info withheld.].
Lois Bujold can be reached at Imbujold([Ed. note 2005: Out-of-date info withheld.] "The Bujold Nexus" is at [Ed. note 2005: Out-of-date info withheld.].
Pandemonium--the official Melanie Rawn club invites you to join their ranks. Sase for more information: Irena Pereira [Ed. note 2005: Out-of-date info withheld.].
For definitions of our fannish jargon, read "Pros & Cons: An Introduction to Fandom" written by Elizabeth Barrette. Send [Ed. note 2005: Out-of-date info withheld.] to the Q0 address for this 12 page booklet.
Flights of Fantasy [Ed. note 2005: Out-of-date info withheld.] specializes in new and used science fiction & fantasy, mystery & suspense and romance books, and roleplaying, table top gaming, and collectible card games. Owner Maria Perry says "If we don't have it in stock, we do special orders--any genre. Give us your want list--we'll do our best for you! We handle mail order; both local and international!" For orders [Ed. note 2005: Out-of-date info withheld.]. Flights of Fantasy accepts orders from inmates.
A new 'zine is starting: Come join us as we ride CIRCUIT. Each issue of CIRCUIT will focus on 2 separate areas of Velgarth. CIRCUIT will feature recipes, poetry, songs, short stories, and a limited amount of pictures, all based on the area featured in each issue. The first issue will focus on the non-collegium ports of the city of Haven and the Dhorisha Plains. The next will feature Hawk's Nest, Sorrows, and Bolthaven. Please limit your submissions to these 5 areas. For questions, guidelines, and submissions please send. a SASE to CIRCUIT [Ed. note 2005: Out-of-date info withheld.].
Rea begins her usual monologue . . . "If you missed the last announcement, issue 1 of DA is finally done. It costs $4 for an issue; if you are a contributor, you pay only $3. We prefer cash, but you can make a check or money order out to "Erin Frost." Outkingdorners are not charged extra for postage. Don't have the money? Are you an editor willing to trade 'zines or perhaps a partial subscription to your newsletter? We negotiate: issues 3 & 4 are now open for submissions. We are accepting artwork, poetry, articles, commentaries, Letters to the Editors, stories, and a lot of other things. If you think we might publish it, just send it! When writing for guidelines, please specify whether you wish the Artists' or Writers' guidelines. Submissions should be Velgarth, Fantasy, or Fantasy-related. Also, we'll now accept stuff on disc. Mac or PC, Word (any version), Powerpoint (any version), Works, Write, or Notepad. For guidelines and more info you need only to send a SASE or 2IRCs and a legible address! So what are you waiting for? Find out what we're all about!" Please, because of the age of the editors, no mail from inmates. DON'T ARGUE WITH THE VOICE c/o Rea Wildfire [Ed. note 2005: Out-of-date info withheld.].
All good things must come to an end so they say. Sadly, I must announce the end of the short-lived zinc SPELL AND STEEL. Reality does take its toll, and it, has reared its ugly head in my fantasy life big 'time! Send your great submissions to someone else's zine. My sincere thanks for everything that was sent to me. I am currently working on getting it back to you. Oh, I still have copies of Issue #3. I will combine it with fragments of #1. This all-in-one issue is yours for only $3; get them while they last! Michelle Woods [Ed. note 2005: Out-of-date info withheld.].
Remember to save the stamps, from your holiday mail (everyday mail too of course) and send them to White Deer [Ed. note 2005: Out-of-date info withheld.]. They will become part of the Stamps for Life program, benefitting the Manchester Children's Clinic in England. With the stamps already collected, the Clinic was able to purchase a second EKG machine, but two more are needed. This is such air easy way to make a difference in someone's life. Remove the used postage stamps from all your mail, drop them in an envelope, and mail to the Pittsburgh address. White Deer will pay to mail them all to England.
Xmas stockings--Dragon or Companion-like designs, only $10. Please make check or money order out to Lisa Brawner and send to [Ed. note 2005: Out-of-date info withheld.]. Colors may vary.
[Ed. note 2005: Content withheld.]
Are you interested in creating a persona who will be recognized in the QO newsletter? All it takes is your imagination and your time. Develop your persona by daydreaming yourself into the world of Velgarth. You can be the real you or as different as you please. Write at least three pages about yourself; what are your emotional characteristics? What do you look like? What makes you happy? What are you afraid of?
Now, create your family and friends. Describe their likes and dislikes, your relationship to them, their strongest character traits. Again, write at least three pages. (A page should be double-spaced, on one side of 8.5 by 11 inch paper or a similar size. If you have to handwrite or print your material, please be as neat as possible.)
Extra point requirements vary depending on what role you've chosen for yourself. Each category has requirements that will add to the growth of your character. All of us can be a~volunteer and learn CPR, and many of us can be a regular blood donor.
Send a SASE to the QO address for specific handouts--Herald, Healer, Bard, Mercenary, Shin'a'in. Tayledras, White Winds Sorcerer/ess--with more information and a release form so you can write a story set in Misty's world. (Biographical information, even in the form of a story, does not need a release form.)
Come, enroll in the Collegium!
By the way, you may NOT create a Kestra'chern persona. Re-read the Gryphon books. What skills do you expect to learn for extra credit?
May the coming holidays be a time of joy for all of you and your family and friends. May we all get new books by Misty and the time to read them leisurely.
Most of my family gathered at our house for Thanksgiving dinner. We fed 30 people, ranging in age from 87 to 16 months. The next day our son Frank decorated the yard and outside of our house with white lights on the eaves, shrubs, garage and workshop. Steve and I will add wreaths and red bows. Now it's time to plan my cookie baking.
If you sent a SASE for a specific handout and never got it, please send a postcard telling me what you want. The copier refused to work at one time and requests were put to one side until it was fixed. It's now fixed, but I've misplaced your SASEs.
I have a favor to ask--I'm scheduled for laser treatment (because of glaucoma) on January 12th. Please send your prayers, healing energy, white light, best wishes, whatever you believe may help, because I'm frankly terrified. Intellectually I know it's painless, I know it's routine, my mom had it done when she was 84 years old. Emotionally, the idea makes me feel ill. Help!
[Ed. note 2005: Content withheld.]
Queen's Own [Ed. note 2005: Out-of-date content withheld.], for 9 issues of the newsletter. Sending out only nine issues per year will let me keep the dues at [Ed. note 2005: Out-of-date content withheld.] and still nearly break even. Please make checks payable to Queen's Own in US funds only--my bank charges me $10 to cash a foreign currency cheque. You may pay [Ed. note 2005: Out-of-date content withheld.] if you wish. The $8 fee covers the cost of printing and mailing; I have no objection to your sharing a newsletter. Check the date on your address label to see when your membership ends.
Queen's Own is the official Mercedes Lackey Appreciation Society. Our purpose is to share our enjoyment of Misty's worlds. We are a fan-run not-for-profit organization not a business. Our address of publication: [Ed. note 2005: Out-of-date content withheld.]. This newsletter is published solely to inform and-entertain the club's membership; no infringement of anyone's copyrights is intended.
Deadline for next newsletter contributions: January 10--earlier is better.
Next Mailing Day: January 17, 1997--Call [Ed. note 2005: Out-of-date content withheld.] for directions. Call before coming, emergencies can cancel mailings.
Editor, President, Dogsbody, Housemother--Judith Louvis [Ed. note 2005: Out-of-date content withheld.] (Call only before 10 pm and let it ring.)
Border design on back page--Kathryn Heald
Mailing Day Helper (last issue)--Barbara Leflar Jackson.
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Queen's Own is the official Mercedes Lackey Appreciation Society. Our purpose is to share our enjoyment of Misty's worlds. We are a fan-run not-for-profit organization, not a business. Our address of publication: P.O. Box 749, Laguna Beach, CA 92652 USA. This newsletter is published solely to inform and entertain the club's membership; no infringement of anyone's copyrights is intended.
Newsletters are published on (or near) the first of each month.
Editor/President Herald-Mage Adept Danya Winterborn (L.A. Malcor; AOL-IM SN Shashtah; Legend@malcor.com)
Mercedes Lackey does not receive mail at the Queen's Own address. Fanmail to Mercedes Lackey and releases for fan fiction should be sent to:
Mercedes Lackey
c/o High Flight Arts and Letters
P.O. Box 2970
Claremore, OK 74017
Zhai'helleva,
Herald-Mage Adept Danya Winterborn
