Dear Misty Fans,
(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,
Last month we learned about some of the birst that share the "Eerie Aerie," Misty and LArry's home: a Blue-Streak Lory named Visyr; Jayde, a Yellow-Collar Mini Macaw; Harlie Quinn, a Blue-And-Gold Macaw; and Ikaika, an Umbrella Cockatoo. There are more!
From Misty: "The bird that loves Larry more than anything in the world is another small bird, our Goffin's Cockatoo, Kechara. She has the same personality as the character Kechara, as you might well imagine. Goffin's Cockatoos are small, about the size fo a Mini-Macaw, white with peach shadings to the feathers of the head and neck, and a tiny 'shark fin' crest. Everything is a bird-toy for Kechara: her wings, the laptop computer, your hair . . . They are quite sweet and playful, and they make the strangest sounds! When Kechara is babbling, it sounds as if I have a house-full of aliens! When people want a cockatoo but have an apartment or are not ready for a big bird, I suggest a Goffin's.
"The third cockatoo in the house was my Christmas present, Kirin (for the Chinese unicorn) was abandoned by his owner at my vet's office, and Dr. Paul Welch asked me if we wanted to buy him, because Paul knew I ad lost a Moluccan Cockatoo two years ago and was heartbroken. Seabreeze had been my first big bird, and he caught a rare form of salmonella and died in thirty-six hours. We went in to look at Kirin, and to my amazement he was almost exactly like Seabreeze; the same size, sex, personality, and the same age that Seabreeze would have been if he were still alive. I fell in love, and LArry bought him on the spot for me. Moluccan Cockatoos are the same general shape as Umbrellas, but they are bigger and heavier--and pink! The crest-feathers under the top layer are a bright salmon-pink, which gives them the name 'Salmon-Crested Cockatoo.' Both breeds come from Indonesia originally, but of course, all my birds are hand-raised and domestically bred, not wild-caught. You should never buy a wild-caught bird; it is ilegal to import most of them anyway, and a wild-caught bird will never be able to be the loving pet that a hand-raised bird will be. Kirin is not as cuddly as Ikaika, but he is much more playful; he is learning to play 'fetch,' and I have had him only a couple of weeks.
"This brings us to the 'Brains of the Outfit'--Elsie B., my African Grey, who was the Christmas present for last year and the next several years from the Wollheims at DAW. Elsie is an Agrican Grey Parrot; although Greys are supposed to be very reserved, you would never know if from the way Elsie plays with her toys and with me. She is very much a two-person bird, however; she seldom lets anyone but me or Larry approach her, and she has a nasty bite, worse than even Harlie's! Elsie picks up sounds, words and phrases without any of us ever teaching them to her. She whistles the beginning of the 'Colonel Bogie March' (Bridge on the River Kwai) and the beginning of the 'Star-Spangled Banner.' She makes a sound like a gun, sneezes like Larry, says 'Wooo!' when we play with Ikaika, laughs like me, and imitates all the other sounds the other birds make, plus has a huge variety of clicks, clucks, barks, and whistles. She says 'Sega! Hello Elsie, Hello love, I'm sorry, Okay, Well, Up' and says ' love you, Pretty bird, Hi Baby,' in Ikaika's voice! She is also a tattle-tale; when Harlie or Ikaika are yelling too loud, she shouts 'Kaika!' or 'Harlie!' in a voice of total disgust!
"If all this sounds delightful, and you can't wait to get a bird of your own, you should be aware that having an exotic bird means work and a lot of responsibility. Exotic birds are highly intelligent adn need stimulation and attention. By nad-raising and socializing these young birds, we are making ourselves the substitute for their flock; we must now provide all the socieal contact adn stimulation they need and crave, not just once in a while, but every day." (More about the care and feeding of birds in future newsletters . . . )
The Winds of Change Portfolio, tewnety-five 8 x 11 prints by Larry Dixon and even more beautiful than the illustrations in the book, is availabel now from Firebird Arts and Music! If you're not on Firebird's mailing list just write to them at [Ed. note 2005: Out-of-date info withheld.]. Other treasures from Firebird include Misty's songs, including "Lovers, Lore & Loss," which continues the songs of the HEralds of Valdemar, Jody Lee prints, Companion stationery and Sorbey and TEMPEST (and Clannad and Enya and Patrick Ball and Golden Bough . . . ), soft sculpture dragons and fire lizards, and much, much more.
The White Gryphon is available in most book stores now. This is a hardcover, priced at [Ed. note 2005: Out-of-date info withheld.]. Look, too, for Vampire Detectives, edited by Martin H. Greenberg (with a story by Tanya Huff), and MZB's Sword and Sorceress XII, containing stories by Misty and Elisabeth Waters. Both anthologies are [Ed. note 2005: Out-of-date info withheld.] paperbacks.
Coming in April/May is Holly Lisle's Mind of Magic. Faia Rissedotte is a powerful mage, perhaps the most powerful Arhel has ever seen. But, she's never really learned how to follow the rules, nor does she truly realize her potential for magical power. After upsetting a system of magic hundreds of years old while a mere teenager, now all Faia wants to do is settle down to raise her rambunctious young daughter in peace. And then the gods come to call . . . ([Ed. note 2005: Out-of-date info withheld.]).
Queens Own is having its own track of programming at NASFiC/Dragon*Con in Atlanta in July. THere should be a flyer about it tucked in with your newsletter. Remember, Misty & Larry will NOT be attending, but we can all get together and talk about them. If you have photos of Misty & Larry from other cons, bring them along and share them. Hope to see you there!
Jennifer Roberson is Guest of Honor at COASTCON XVIIII in Biloxi, Mississippi, March 31-April 2. Send SASE to [Ed. note 2005: Out-of-date info withheld.].
Lois McMaster Bujold is GoH at EASTERCON '95/CONFABULATION April 14-17 at the Britannia International Hotel in London, England. For information, send a SASE [Ed. note 2005: Out-of-date info withheld.].
Marion Zimmer Bradley is GoH at MAGIC CARPET CON III april 28-30 in Dalton, Georgia. [Ed. note 2005: Out-of-date info withheld.].
MARCON 30 is May 5-7 at the Hyatt Regency in Columbus, Ohio. Among the Guests are KAtherine Kurtz and Spider & Jeanne Robinson. Look for QO member Wendy Zdrodowski aka Magpie on the costuming panels. Send a SASE to [Ed. note 2005: Out-of-date info withheld.]. O> Tanya Huff plans to attend CANCON in Ottawa, May 12-14. Write to [Ed. note 2005: Out-of-date info withheld.].
OASIS 8 is May 19-21 in Altamonte Springs, Florida. GoH is Alan Dean Foster; other Guests include Ben Bova and Mike Resnick. Send your SASE to [Ed. note 2005: Out-of-date info withheld.].
Barbara Hambly is GoH at WISGON 19 in Madison, Wisconsin May 26-29. For more info, write to [Ed. note 2005: Out-of-date info withheld.].
Renaissance Herald (formerly the Renaissance Shopper) is a quarterly newsletter filled with articles, ads, and Ren Faire information. Do you want to learn blackshimthing? take jousting lessons? order custom-made armour? The addresses are in Renaissance HErald. To subscribe, [Ed. note 2005: Out-of-date info withheld.].
[Ed. Note 2005: We have omitted the remaining Ren Faires from the online version because it is out-of-date.]
To all who write and publish: I've heard from a lot of different sources that an increase of at least 37% in the cost of paper is coming soon. If you buy your own paper, stock up now. This price increase is going to hurt us all.
SUPPORT OUR ZINES!! All the zines listed in Member News need contributors adn subscribers. Artists, Poets, Writers--please share your talent.
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 QO address for this 12 page booklet.
To all who are riding circuit in or around Nottingham Castle in England: There will be a Medieval-Renaissance Faire on Sat./Sun., 3rd/4th June 95, 10 am - 5 pm both days. Write to [Ed. note 2005: Out-of-date info withheld.]. Make your own arrangements for a Way-station and stabling your Companion, but get in touch for a Heralds Revel in the evening on Saturday. From Joanne aka Herald-Trainee Y'larna Finnareth.
ATTEMTION JORDAN FANS! Under the Dragon Banner is here, or at least it will be, with your help. We need [Ed. note 2005: Out-of-date info withheld.] . . . heck, we need darn near everything! All suggestions are welcome, but please include a SASE. For more info or to submit something, write to [Ed. note 2005: Out-of-date info withheld.].
Attend The Founding! A new chapter of Queen's Own is about to be born, but we need submissions from you. THis newsletter welcomes Heralds, Healers, Bards, Tayledras, and everyone who shares a love of reading, art, song and friendship. Prompt replies for all those who respond--so--for more information, send a SASE to [Ed. note 2005: Out-of-date info withheld.].
Anyone out there enjoy writing and reading poetry? Well, this new QO chapter will have poetry as well as the occasional short story as well as the normal stuff like pen-pals and personas. We're trying to focus ont he NEw England area, but all are welcome. Send a SASE to Herald Brynn [Ed. note 2005: Out-of-date info withheld.].
Heyla out there to all you teens! The teens-only newsletter is in full swing, and we welcome more members. We share stories, poems, adn humor written by kids aged 12-18. send a SASE to Herald Rydia [Ed. note 2005: Out-of-date info withheld.] for a free copy of our first issue and more information.
If you can't wait for more adventures such as Children of the Night, Knight of Ghosts and Shadows and the novels of the SERRAted Edge, the SILVER SHADOWS is the zine for you! SILVER SHADOWS is an urban fantasy zine featuring eight pages of news, poetry, contests, reviews, artwork, articles and stories. It is printed eight times per year and currenly costs [Ed. note 2005: Out-of-date info withheld.]. Send inquiries and submissions to [Ed. note 2005: Out-of-date info withheld.].
ATTENTION ALL WRITERS! If you write dark fantasy or science fiction that's just a bit "over the edge," read on! THRESHOLDS is a new literary magazine with a mission to explore the boundarie. We will publish mostly dark fantasy, sci-fi, and surreal stories, but we'll also be printing some original artwork. Send submissions with SASE to [Ed. note 2005: Out-of-date info withheld.].
Under Kal'enel's Care is a newsletter designed for htos ewho are interest in the Shin'a'in. For a sampel, newsletter.[Ed. note 2005: Out-of-date info withheld.].
From MOONLIGHT MASQUERADE [Ed. note 2005: Out-of-date info withheld.].
"RED ALERT! RED ALERT! A ship is de-cloaking, it's the Romulans. Lieutenant, ready to fire phasers," called the Captain. DO you enjoy role playing? Do you like the world of Star Trek: The Next Generation? Then the U.S.S. FRONTIER is for you. For more information [Ed. note 2005: Out-of-date info withheld.].
FANTASY STATIONERY & BOOKMARKS--mythological creatures, Shin'a'in, Heralds and Companions, and more Misty-related and unrelated designs. For a limited time I will be offering B↦W illustrations (reproductions) of mine, signed and titled; write for details. Send SASE for my booklet to [Ed. note 2005: Out-of-date info withheld.].
I have Herald material that has no name on it. The return address has been smeared--all I can read is "Fayettenille, North Carolina, 28304." Please tell me who you are, and everyone else, please, please, put your name on everything you send. (Dating your letters and persona material is a good idea, too.)
Anyone interested in joining the Mercenaries Guild and working on a mercentary persona can send a SASE for persona guidelines to [Ed. note 2005: 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 2005: address withheld] 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 ([Ed. note 2005: address withheld]) 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 nad her worlds. Send the release form (you do NOT need to include the story) to Misty at [Ed. note 2005: address withheld]. 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.
Welcome to all new members, and special thanks to all who have renewed. I enjoy your letters; I'm glad you're still enjoying QO.
Fandom is for fun, but sometimes we learn things in fandom that are very useful in Mundania. In the "Pet P-raed" column of the issue of The Michael Praed Netweork/Newsletter was a reminder that all of us who have pets should make arrangements for those pets in case of an emergency. Prepare a release form that says something like "I (your name), the undersigned, hereby give permission to the bearer of this letter to take charge of my animals (list them all), in the event of an emergency.". Sign it and give a copy to your designated "pet sitter" and leave one copy where it can be easily found. If you were suddenly taken ill or injured (or worse) and the police were called in, your pets could end up in an Animal Shelter and be put to sleep before your family or friends rememebred them.
Do you have an up-to-date address for Saibel, Rhy Gaffney, or Tasha Leong? The post office returned their newsletters to me, but they have months left on their memberships. Rhy is paid up until December 1996! Please ask them to write me.
ATTENTION ALL NORTH JERSEY MAILING DAY HELPERS: Ana Casacuberta Little has colunteered to hos a Summer Mailing Day at her home in Montclair. Probable Mailing Days are June 17 and July 29. Do you have a choice? Call Ana at [Ed. note 2005: address withheld] and let her know. The date will be listed in the May 6th newsletter. What's a day at the beach when you can stay inside and fold newsletters and stuff envelopes?
Good news from Kendall Harris: the time one spends reading Fantasy isn't subtracted from one's life. (Well, at least it shouldn't be.)
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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.
Next Mailing Day: May 6, 1995--Call [Ed. note 2005: Out-of-date content withheld.] for directions. Call before coming, family emergencies can cancel mailings.
Editor, President, Dogsbody, Housemother - Judith Louvis [Ed. Note 2005:personal info withheld]
Archivist and Organizer extraordinaire - Patricia Riggs [Ed. Note 2005: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 2005:address withheld]
Newsletter Border Design - Page 1 Heather l. Wedo; page 6 Meredith Hulka
Mailing Day Helpers (last issue) - Meredith Baldino, Helen Edwards and Rusty, Barbara Leflar Jackson, and Steve Louvis.
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
