(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.)
[Begin Excerpt]
Dear Misty Fans,
Jinx High, Misty's third Diana Tregarde book, will be out sometime this summer. Winds of Fare, the first of The Mage Wars trilogy has a release date of November first. In the meantime, try a copy of Marion Zimmer Bradley's FANTASY Magazine. Diana Tregarde and Andre appear in issue 10, and Misty has a slightly different kind of horror tale in issue 9. It's called "Roadkill," and you'll never look at roadside trash the same way again. A subscription to FANTASY Magazine is [Ed. note 2003: Out-of-date subscription information withheld.]
Misty and Larry are raising an injured kesstrel named Vincent who accompanied them in the RV on their honeymoon. Here's news about Cinvent from Misty, courtesy of Michelle Lutz and Genie:
"Just before we left Las Vegas we found a vet who is also a falconer: He treated Vincent for a cracked beak, and x-rayed the wing, and it's good news! We'll be able to release him in about a year! Meanwhile he is coming along well as a trained falcon; comes to the fist for food now, and goes happily into his cage under his own power. In fact, this afternoon he was waiting, pacing at the door of the cage when he saw me with dinner, and POUNCED on the fist."
A few days later . . . "Oh, anybody know how to get a mouse out of a Suzuki? We bought Vincent three, but the box came open and we only found two . . . gonna be a mouse-cicle for Vincent if we don't find it soon."
Five days later . . . "We found the mouse-cicle, hidden under the seat of Skandranon, the Black Gryphon (our unstoppable Suzuki Sidekick). Vincent said 'Oooh! A frozen treat, for lil' ol' me?!' and ate it. Deferring details of falcon mouse-eating habits for those of you with weaker stomachs . . . Larry pointed out that we certainly do have a unique relationship, what with dialog like:
"Honey, I found that dead mous in Skan . . . "
"You did? Excellent! It isn't bloated yet is it?"
"Nope, looks just fine!"
"Thus the reasons falconers are not invited to dinner parties."
Jody Lee, the artist who did the covers for The Heralds of Valdemar and The Last Herald-Mage, has the cover roughed out for Winds of Fate. It will feature Elspeth and Darkwind k'Sheyna and Gwena on the front cover and some nasty Changechildren and Mournelithe Falconsbane on the back. And interior illustrations by Larry Dixon.
Who is Mournelithe Falconsbane? He's the "sexy villain" of the trilogy. Let Misty describe him: "If you can imagine a corss between Vincent of B&B and David Bowie, with a generous helping of Rutgar Hauer, you have Mournelithe Falconsbane."
Jody says the Vanyel series prints should be ready for sale any day. [Ed. note 2003: Out-of-date information withheld.] The prints are of the whole image--front and back covers. [Ed. note 2003: Out-of-date information withheld.]
Misty and Larry will be attending:
CoastConXIV The Year of the Dragon, March 15-17 in Biloxi, Mississippi. [Ed. note 2003: Out-of-date information withheld.]
BamaCon, April 19-21, in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
Roc-Kon 15, May 3-5 in Little Rock, Arkansas. [Ed. note 2003: Out-of-date information withheld.]
DeepSouthCon29/ConCat 3, June 7-9 at Downtown Knoxville Hilton in Knoxville, Tennessee. [Ed. note 2003: Out-of-date information withheld.]
Contradiction 11, Niagra Falls, New York, September 27-29. Misty is GoH and Larry, Guest Artist. [Ed. note 2003: Out-of-date information withheld.] This is an ideal con for you youngsters to attend; your family can come along and enjoy sightseeing while you enjoy the con activities. Queen's Own has been invited to present a panel discussion--our choise of topic. I still need ideas!
Misty and Larry will visit me in North Jersey during hte weekend of June 1-4. Misty is DAW's featured author at the American Bookseller's Association annual convention in Manhattan. Naturally, her duties there come first but we're planning a one day mini-con for QO members. I'll give more details as we work them out. Please let me know if you plan to attend. The New York metropolitan area is high priced; I don't recommend stopping by on the spur of the moment unless you live within easy driving range.
Gaylaxicon '91 is July 19-21 in Tewksberry, Massachusetts. It is a small con (about 125 people last year) and it is specifically for gay people and their friends. The Guest of Honor is Samuel R. Delaney, Guest Artists are Hannah G. Shapero and Tristan Alexander. Write to [Ed. note 2003: Out-of-date information withheld.]. If you are under 18, a parent or guardian must attend with you.
There are copies of The Girebird Flyer, the special Mercedes Lackey edition, available from [Ed. note 2003: Out-of-date information withheld. Firebird's website is at http://www.firebirdarts.com.].
Those listed here have followed the guidelines set down in "The Helpful Handout of How to Become a Herald." If you would like to earn your Whites but don't know how, [Ed. note 2003: Out-of-date information withheld. Current information is located at http://www.dragonlordsnet.com/qohandouts.htm.] There will be certificates for everyone who has met the requirements, but I honestly don't see how they will be ready before the summer. [Ed. note 2003: Did anyone ever receive these certificates? Your current editors have never seen a copy. If you have one, could you please scan the image and send it to Herald-Mage Adept Danya Winterborn at Legend@malcor.com?]
Welcome, Herald Deborah of Aardanel. Deb Segal tells us Deborah was chosen by the Companion Yasmin and has the gift of Mindspeech and can talk to any Companion. Debi sent stories of her persona and two other Heralds, two poems, and a map.
Welcome, Herald Rea Tuvara, chosen by the Companion Stonen. Laura Bidwell tells us Rea's gifts are Mindspeech, Getching, and ForeSight. Laura sent stories of Rea and her best friend, a poem and a map.
Welcome, Healer Tam Windstorm. Kevin Thomas tells us Tam's gifts are Empathy, Mindhealing, and Speedhealing. Kevin sent his persona, a story and two drawings.
Welcome, Herald Eirlyn Llewdor, introduced to us by Mike Jones, chosen by the Companion Ayrgent. Herald Eirlyn's gifts are Mindspeech, Empathy, and very weak Healing. Mike sent descriptions of Eirlyn and his best friend, a story of their meeting, a Herald and Companion list, and a study of the Heraldic Gifts.
Welcome, Herald Talorc Kieanth, introduced to us by Jacqueline Moikeha. Talorc's gifts are very strong Mindspeech and sporadic Foresight. He was chosen by the Companion Karatin. Jackie sent along his history, a drawing, a song, and a 28-page story.
Our Queen's Own zines are:
Arrow's Message, edited by [Ed. note 2003: Out-of-date information withheld.].
Companion's Rest, edited by [Ed. note 2003: Out-of-date information withheld.].
Honors, edited by [Ed. note 2003: Out-of-date information withheld.].
Harken all Heralds, Harpers and Healers! A new zine called Herald's Haven is being created. It will be a zine for the appreciation of Valdemar and other fantasy worlds. For more information [Ed. note 2003: Out-of-date information withheld.].
If you would like to buy a zine or submit art, poetry, or a story to any one or all, [Ed. note 2003: Out-of-date information withheld.]. Send only copies of stories and poems to a zine, keep the original for yourself. The post office does occasionally lose things. If you want your work returned, send along enough postage. Be a little generous when you can--zine editors labor for love, not for profit, and most of us in fandom are pleased if we come close to breaking even.
Tales of Valdemar and Beyond, I've been reassured, is nearly ready. Those of you who sent your checks to Nathaniel some months ago can expect your copy of TOVAB by the end of this month.
Do you have something to sell? Are you looking for a gift for someone or even for yourself? Then check out The Valdemar Merchant. This quarterly flyer brings together information about the different goods and services QO members offer. The last issue offered wares as varied as handamde musical instruments, quilts and vests, and runic readings. Ads for the May issue must be in by April 8th. For guidelines, [Ed. note 2003: Out-of-date information withheld. The current incarnation of The Valdemar Merchant is a message board in the QO Delphi Forum.].
It's still nagging time: Please, please, put a return address and your full name on every letter you send to me or a penpal. Check your address label for misspelling. If a newsletter is returned to me by the post office, I look through my records to make sure I spelled everything correctly. If the rejected address matches the one on file, my responsibility is ended. I will not try again. When you move, send me a change of address; when you go home from school for the summer, send me your home address. There are now about 550 of us. I need all the help I can get to keep things straight.
Speaking of help: Ana Casacuberta comes by twice a month to help me get hte filing under control. By actual count, I received 84 letters last week alone. (I've answered 69 at the time I'm tying this.) The letters are in boxes and piles. ana records the membership information I've scribbled on the envelopes and we put the letters in the file cabinet. Yes, I save all my mail. Thank you, Ana, for allowing me to dream of one day being truly organized.
Queen's Own now has a member in Norway and one in Guam. In last week's mail was a request for information from Italy. We are growing!
We need a new QO button design! All ideas gratefully considered. Many of you draw beautiful Companions, but I'd like something different--something broader. Misty's books are expanding into new territories; I'd like the button design to somehow reflect that.
Some QO members opted to pay me just half their duest back in September and never made a second payment. Their membership ended with the February issue. If the date by your last name on the address label is 3/91, this is your last issue.
For Whom the Bell Tolls (FWTBT) is a role playing writer's club set in an alternate Valdemar. For information, [Ed. note 2003: Out-of-date information withheld.]. Personas must be approved before they can participate. Unapproved personas have a heavy casualty rate. The newsletter, The Haven Herald, lists deaths, births, and other important events of the FWTBT world.
Haven Sent is our Texas chapter, open to all Texans. They have a bimonthly newsletter that features book reviews, bios on current members, and updates on Herald business. Membership is free; the editors, [Ed. note 2003: Out-of-date information withheld.], ask only that you send items for the newsletter. "If you share your news, we charge no dues." [Ed. note 2003: Out-of-date information withheld.]
Illinois Arrow wants you! If you live in Illinoir or a neighbor state, and are interested in joining, [Ed. note 2003: Out-of-date information withheld.].
From Dawn Walker: "I'm proud to announce that the MElanie Rawn fan club is finally under way!! Anyone interested should send [Ed. note 2003: Out-of-date information withheld.].
Douglas Lent has volunteered to answer questions about gaming, from FURPS to rules for AD&D. [Ed. note 2003: Out-of-date information withheld.]
Heather Lantz is our Star Trek and ST:TNG expert. She says "Somehow I sort of fell into Star Trek and have loved it since then. Find out what you're missing!" For information on ST cons, merchandise, organizations, trivia, zines, etc., [Ed. note 2003: Out-of-date information withheld.].
[Ed. Note 2003: Fan messages are not being posted online because of the personal information they contained.]
[Ed. Note 2003: Personals are not being posted online because of the personal information they contained. Remainder of the newsletter was out-of-date contact info, and has been withheld.]
[Ed. note 2003: Out-of-date subscription information withheld.]
Queen's Own is the official Mercedes Lackey Appreciation Society. We are a not-for-profit organization. Address of publication: [Ed. note 2003: Out-of-date information withheld.]. This newsletter is published solely to inform and entertain the club's membership; no infringement of anyone's copyrights is intended.
Editor, President, Dogsbody, Housemother--Judith Louvis [Ed. note 2003: Out-of-date information withheld.]
Chancellor of the Exchequer--Steve Louvis
Archivist, Registrar, Organizer extraordinaire--Patricia Riggs
Mailing Day Helpers (last issue)--Suzanne Brenner, Ana Casacuberta, Linda Gumkowski, Cris Martins and Joanne Mattern.
What happened to our punsters? I hate seeing an empty space here!
[End Excerpt]
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
