Lots of news from Misty in this issue.
(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,
Lots of news from Misty in this issue.
First, a note of warning: Misty says, "If you see a flyer with our names on it, as apparently happened for a convention called CONJUNCTION in Arkansas in January, the con committee is either lying or has been approached by my imposter. Yes, I have an imposter out there. If you meet someone claiming to be me at a convention, turn her in to the convention committee immediately! As for convention committees, evidently some people are convinced that if they claim we are going to be a guest we will be 'forced' to attend. We are not even going to the Queen's Own mini-con at *NASFIC this year . . . . it's right in the middle of hacking-out season for my rehab birds, and stupid-fledgling season when young birds get hurt a lot. No matter what you see or hear, if you don't hear about it from us, here, it isn't true. If we decide to start attending conventions, I will announce it first here, but at the moment, it is not very likely, as the birds need us more."
(If you see a flyer for a con claiming to have Misty and Larry as guests, please send it to QO. If Misty and Larry decide to attend a con, I promise that it will be front page news in the newsletter. -Judith)
Here's more about the birds that share Misty & Larry's home.
From Misty: "Judith tells me that some of you want to know about my menagerie, so this month I will tell you about my 'babies.' We have a total of eight 'large' exotic birds ('large' meaning bigger than a cockatiel), plus a parakeet and six finches.
"The smallest of our birds is my first one; a Blue-streaked Lory named Visyr---if this name sounds familiar to you, it is because Visyr was named after a character Larry invented a long time ago, an avian like T'fyrr who has the some coloring and markings as my bird. He is mention in The Eagle and the Nightingales and will be a character in Overflight. Lories are amazing little birds; the hand-raised ones are so playful it is hard to believe. Visyr wrestles and plays 'fetch.' He is mainly a bright fire-engine read with black markings on his wings and tail, and his neck patches are streaked with electric blue; he has dark blue eye-patches and a bright red beak. Lories are wonderful pets---except for one thing. They are fruit and nectar eaters, and what goes in liquid, comes out liquid! Still, if you have a way to cope with the mess (some people build cages out of shower-stalls), hand-raised, captive-bred Lories can't be beat.
"Next is a bird that Larry calls my 'dry Lory.' Jayde is a Yellow-Collar Mini Macaw; for someone who wants a small bird (he's not much bigger than a cockatiel) with a big-bird personality, the Mini Macaws are great. The smallest of the minis is the Hahn's Macaw, the Noble Macaw is a little bigger, the Yellow-Collar a bit bigger than that, and the Severe Macaw is about the size of an Amazon Parrot. Jayde has almost as much energy as Visyr (who never stops) but he is not a cuddler; he would much rather wrestle and play. He is the best friend to the largest of our birds, Harlie.
"Harlie Quinn is a Blue-And-Gold Macaw. Both she and Jayde just turned one year old last month, but Jayde, because he is a smaller species, is already mature while Harlie is still a 'bappy' (that's a 'baby parrot'). Harlie does like to cuddle; when you scratch her head or neck, all of the 'hair' on her head (her feathers, of course) stands straight up, she's so happy! She can be amazingly gently with that big beak of hers; when she 'kisses' Larry or me she never even scratches us. She also likes to wrestle and play; she and Jayde have a favorite game where I sit on the floor with a piece of cloth over my knees like a tent and they run in and out of it. But Harlie, though she is the biggest bird in the flock, is very shy with strangers, and seldom wants to go to them, like Ikaika.
"Ikaika, who name is Hawaiian for 'strong', is my darling lover bird. She is and Umbrella Cockatoo. Umbrella cockatoos have a backward-curving crest like and Indian headdress; they are all white with just a little bit of yellow shading on the big feathers in their wings and tail. 'Kaika' loves to snuggle and cuddle; every day begins with both of us snuggling and cuddling for about twenty minutes, and ends with a half hours of snuggling, we call her our 'cuddle-too.' She loves everyone, and everyone loves here; she has actually converted Australians to being cockatoo-lovers! (Most Australians consider cockatoos to be pests, the way we think of starlings.) She will go to and absolute stranger and beg for a cuddling, and a small child can handle her safely." (To be continued in the next newsletter...)
*NASFIC/DRAGONCON 95 is July 13-16 in Atlanta. Queen's Own will have its own track of programming and Mark Shepherd plans to attend but remember, Misty and Larry will NOT be there. We'll have panels, activities, workshops, filking, and lots of time to greet old and new friends [Ed. Note 2002: Useless Registration Info withheld. This was a VERY fun year!]
The cover of The White Gryphon is reproduced on the January Firebird catalog. If you are not on Firebird's mailing list just write them [Ed. Note 2002: Old contact info withheld. Visit their site http://firebirdarts.com.]. Other treasures from Firebird are Misty's songs, including "Lovers, Lore & Loss," which continues the songs of the Heralds of Valdemar, Jody Lee prints, Companion Stationery and T-shirts designed by Misty and Larry, Hawkbrother feather jewelry, all of Tanya Huff's books, the music of Lief Sorbye and TEMPEST, soft sculpture dragons and fire lizards, and more
The White Gryphon has an April release date. Books are sometimes shipped early, watch for it anytime after March first. This is a hardcover, priced at $21.95.
I mentioned Marjorie B. Kellogg's The Book of Earth in the last newsletter because it had such a beautiful Jody Lee cover. I've since had time to read it and can wholeheartedly recommend it. I wrote to Marjorie and asked about her background.
She said, "The Book of Earth is my first fantasy, and my first book for DAW, though I look forward to many more. Sheila Gilbert at DAW was my editor at NAL when I did my first book there back in 1983. I've written four science fiction novels for NAL (now Penguin/ROC), the most recent of which was Harmony, in 1992. The second book of The Dragon Quartet will be called The Book of Water, due out in Spring of '96.
"I don't attend conventions very often (though I was at ReaderCon in Worcester last summer and enjoyed it very much) and I don't (yet) write short fiction. I'm not as prolific as many writers due to the heavy time requirements of my other career as a theatrical set designer. I've come to writing a bit later in life, and the theatre is ferociously demanding of one's time and energy. But on discipline very nicely feeds the other, I find, so I'll continue to try to balance them both."
Marjorie sends New Year's greeting to all of us in QO and adds "yes, fans are certainly welcome to write to me c/o DAW Books."
If a book or particular cover giver you pleasure don't hesitate to say thank you. You may write to any author or cover artist in care of his or her publisher. Include a SASE if you would like a reply. (You may not get a reply anyway but your words of praise will be appreciated.)
[Ed. Note 2002: We have omitted the Convention News from the online version because it is out of date.]
[Ed. Note 2002: We have omitted the Ren Faires from the online version because it is out of date.]
[Ed. Note 2002: Lots of ads for 'Zines and stationery sellers and other artistry stuff omitted because the information is out of date.]
QO Member Jim Woosley spotted a flyer for Chrome Circle in the background of the comic book store set used in "The Comic Book Murders" episode of The Cosby Mysteries. Where will Misty turn up next?
Anyone interested in join the Mercenaries Guild and working on a mercenary persona can send a SASE for persona guidelines to Mercenaries Guild, c/o John Hurst [Ed. note 2002: Address withheld].
We have individual handouts for aspiring Heralds, Healers, and Bards, and instructions on how to work for Herald-Mage status if you are already a Herald. Guidelines for Tayledras and Shin'a'in are incomplete but are enough to get you started. Send a SASE to the Guardian's NEW ADDRESS [Ed. note 2002: Address withheld] or to QO and specify which handout you are requesting. No SASE, No answer!
Creativity in achieving extra credit points is admired but please follow the basic rules for your persona. Why do a contrary few of you insist on putting shape-changers in Valdemar?
You need a release form (send the Guardian or me a SASE) if you write a story set in Misty's worlds or using any of her characters. You do not need a release for a character sketch, poem, or filk. All Misty wants to do is protect her characters and her worlds. Send the release form (you do NOT need to include the story) to Misty at High Flight [Ed. note 2002: See contact info below.]. Do NOT include the release form with your persona material, send it to Misty.
Herald material should be sent to the QO address, only Herald-Mage personas to the Guardian of the Web. [Ed. note 2002: See submission information below.]
Kirstie Baker introduces Herald Katia Lawless, Chosen by Ciardyn and gifted with Mindspeech, Fetching, and Animal Mindspeech. Besides the necessary biographical information, Kirstie sent a ballad and a recipe. She knows how to ride and care for a horse and is studying karate.
Welcome to all new members. I mentioned last issue that I might have to raise dues. Many of you have added a few (or more than a few!) extra dollars to your renewal. Thanks to your generosity, dues will remain at $8 for all of '95 for everyone except overseas members. As of September 1995, overseas dues will be $10. [Ed. note 2002: QO no longer charges dues.]
All checks received by 2/13 have been deposited, all renewals received by 2/16 have been recorded and your mailing label should show this. If there is a question about your membership please tell me when and how you renewed. My organizational skills don't seem to be improving with age so I need all the help I can get.
I'm trying to send out a newsletter every 5 or 6 weeks. I'll still skip April, August, and November or December, but the gap won't be so noticeable. Probable Mailing Days are March 25, May 6, June 17, July 29, September 9, October 28, and December 9. Information for the newsletter should reach me no later than two weeks before the Mailing Date.
I was asked about QO's relationship with groups mentioned in the newletter. Sometimes QO members are members there too, sometimes there is no connection other than I think you might find the information interesting.
A sample copy of the newsletter is sent to anyone who requests it. The newsletter is routinely sent to prisons in at least five states. If you are concerned about your address falling into unfriendly hands don't place a fan message! You may answer fan messages with out ever placing one yourself. I reserve the right to edit - and shorten! - all messages.
The only "fee" for a fan message is to write to two other people. If your mail box is empty, don't complain - write letters!
Most of you agree that a first class stamp is a fair price for a Personal. As of now, it's a voluntary donation. If you have a Personal of more than two lines, and can easily afford it, please send a stamp along with your message.
[Ed. Note 2002: Personals are not being posted online because of the personal information they contained.]
Editor, President, Dogsbody, Housemother - Judith Louvis [Ed. Note 2002:personal info withheld]
Archivist and Organizer extraordinaire - Patricia Riggs [Ed. Note 2002:address withheld] write to Patricia with your questions about the club. You may register your persona and Companion names with Patricia before completing the requirements.
Herald-Mage Registrar/Dispenser of handout sheets - Guardian of the Web [Ed. Note 2002:address withheld]
Newsletter Border Design - Hanna Bruin
Mailing Day Helpers (last issue) - Meredith Baldino, Frank Burkhead, Helen Edwards and Rusty, Barbara Leflar Jackson, and, of course, Steve Louvis.
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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)
The featured artists for this edition of the newsletter was Hanna Bruin. If you would like your art to be featured in the online version of the QO newsletter, send .gifs or .jpgs to Legend@malcor.com or hardcopy to Queen's Own, P.O. Box 749, Laguna Beach, CA 92652.
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
