Queen’s Own The official Mercedes Lackey and Larry Dixon fan club

Queen’s Own newsletter — December 2003

Queen's Own

The Official Mercedes Lackey Fan Club

P.O. Box 749 Laguna Beach, CA 92652 USA

Series 3, Vol. 4, No. 12 December 1, 2003

2003 Holiday Gift by L.A. Malcor

Heyla, Misty fans!

Happy Holidays, everyone! We hope you all have a great holiday season. We're hoping to see some new faces around here soon, since Christmas break is a time that a lot of newcomers tend to have time to finish their personae. With luck, Danya will have the chat room working again soon so we'll have a chance to meet some of them there. Meanwhile, don't forget about the message boards in our Delphi Forum. Several new and returning club members have been posting there. Do visit, if you get the chance.

This coming February will mark the 16th year of publication for Queen's Own! May 2004 will be the fourth year of newsletters produced by Healer Adept Moonstar and Herald-Mage Adept Danya Winterborn. (Time flies when you're having fun <g>.) We have 585 approved personae and 134 active members! (Please check below if you haven't heard from us for a while. You may be on our inactive list because the e-mail address we had for you stopped working.) Also, there are 145 people currently working on personae for QO! In the next month or so, we expect to have the 100,000th visitor to our website since it went up in April 2000. Internationally, we have members in almost a dozen countries. The complete list of chapters associated with QO is now available at Chapter directory. We hope to have the complete list of fanzines up soon.

Our gift to you, this holiday season is the attached graphic [See above]. Members of QO have our permission to use it on your personal websites and/or your home computers. Happy holidays!

We'd hoped to have a personal greeting for you from Misty, but we didn't get our request in on time. (She's an extremely busy lady, as you can tell from the list of her upcoming publications below!) We will try to get something from her to you in the near future; please be patient.

Publication news: For those of you who are still doing your holiday shopping, Sun In Glory (A Valdemar Anthology is slated to start shipping on December 8th; this collection will contain the story of how Talia became a Sun Priest. If the anthology does well, there are hopes that several more such anthologies will be published while we are waiting for the next Valdemar novel. So definitely consider this book for a holiday purchase! You can pre-order this collection now at the Valdemar bookstore page in the Mercedes Lackey section (http://www.dragonlordsnet.com/bkfanml.htm) of the Dragonlords' Bookstore (http://www.dragonlordsnet.com/bkstore.htm). Remember, a portion of the proceeds of all sales through this bookstore goes to Queen's Own. This is how we keep memberships in the club free, so we greatly appreciate your support.

This Rough Magic, with Eric Flint and David Freer, is out! The Shadow of the Lion, the first book in the series, is now available in paperback as well.

The Fairy Godmother is still on track for a January 2004 release. This is Misty's new offering from Harlequin. (Yes, it's an adult romance novel, not fantasy fiction.)

In February 2004, This Scepter'd Isle, with Roberts Gellis, should be released in hardcover.

Altan, Book Two in the same series with Joust, will be out in hardcover come March 2004. Joust should be released in paperback at that same time.

Stoned Souls, with Josepha Sherman, is currently slated for release in January 2005. A Circus Of Witches, Queen of Air and Darkness and Phoenyx and Ashes are also pending publication, but we do not have release dates for them yet.

Harlequin Books: We received this information from Harlequin regarding Misty's upcoming book, The Fairy Godmother:

"Harlequin Books presents

"The first imprint in the marketplace solely dedicated to women and the fantasy fiction genre.

"Luna books focus on strong female characters, adventurous plots, and satisfying romantic storylines. Original paperback novels by fantasy queens Mercedes Lackey, Catherine Asaro, and Sarah Zettel are just some of the writers to look forward to under the Luna name beginning January 2004.

"Lackey will be the first to kick off the Luna imprint with, The Fairy Godmother, a tale of a fiery princess turned Fairy Godmother and her struggle with the breaking of tradition. With both fantastical elements and a lovely romantic subplot present, this book is the first to show how Luna is able to crossover between genres, providing a unique forum in which readers can have the best of both worlds."

Online newsletters: The online newsletter project is moving forward once more, thanks to Eric Dooley's greatly appreciated secretarial services. You'll notice art popping up in the old newsletters as well as the e-copies that have not yet been posted online. You can find what we've posted so far at

Newsletter publication and submission guidance

Pending Persona: We keep working with anyone who submits a persona until that persona is approved. When we don't hear from someone who was working on a persona for over a year, however, we move those files to deep storage. We have recently moved the following personae have been moved to deep storage:

To reactivate your files, all you have to do is send us the material (usually a rewrite) that we are waiting for and let us know that the files are in deep storage. We'll haul them out and begin working with you again.

If your persona's name appears on this list by mistake, message Danya at shashtah@gmail.com, and she will clear up the confusion.

Congratulations: Herald Jhenna Leisater has given birth to a daughter! Kathleen Margaret Guynes was born on 11/06/03 at 3:30 PM. She weighed 7 lbs. 9 oz, and was 21 inches long.

We wish you and yours a Blessed Yule, Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukah, and Holiday Greetings! And Best Wishes for the New Year! See you in 2004!

Zhai'helleva,

Herald-Mage Adept Danya Winterborn and Healer Adept Moonstar

So Shoot Me by Stephanie Blackwell

Ren. Faires:

Here are the Faires we know about for December. Faires are indexed alphabetically by state. Have any information about any other Ren. Faires in your area? Send it to us at shashtah@gmail.com

Florida

PIRATES IN PARADISE FESTIVAL. E-mail: info@piratesinparadise.com. Website: http://www.piratesinparadise.com. Address: Julie McEnroe, PO Box 1153, Key West, FL, 33041. Site Address: Historic Seaport, Mel Fisher Maritime Heritage Museum and Key West Museum of Art & History at the Custom House, Key West, FL. Dates: 11/27/03 - 12/7/03. Open/Close: 9 AM - 7 PM.

Louisiana

THE LOUISIANA RENAISSANCE FESTIVAL. Website: http://www.larf.org. Address: 46468 River Road, Hammond, LA, 70401. Dates: 11/1/03 - 12/7/03.

For additional Ren Faire information, visit the Renaissance Faire Homepage at http://www.renfaire.com/ and the Renaissance Magazine site at http://www.renaissancemagazine.com.

Conventions:

These are the upcoming cons we know about. Have any information about conventions in your area? Send it to us at shashtah@gmail.com.

Alabama

GRAND-SON OF NONCON. Website: http://home.earthlink.net/~editink/. E-mail: editink@earthlink.net. Address: Country Inns and Suites, Huntsville, Alabama. Dates: 12/12/03 - 12/14/03.

California

GEN CON SO CAL. Website: http://www.gencon.com. E-mail: lindsay@gencon.com. Address: Anaheim Convention Center, Anaheim, California. Dates: 12/11/03 - 12/14/03.

Colorado

1ST ROCKY MOUNTAIN WARS. Website: http://www.nasamw.org/tournaments02.htm. E-mail: wbroadhead@rmc-consultants.com. Address: Valhalla's Game Center. Wheat Ridge, Colorado. Dates: 12/6/03.

**BROOKFEST.**Website: http://home.attbi.com/~the_egg_race/Brookfest/. E-mail: the_egg_race@attbi.com. Address: Valhalla's Game Center, Wheat Ridge, Colorado. Dates: 12/26/03 - 1/1/04.

Connecticut

ANONYCON 2003. Website: http://www.anonycon.com. E-mail: info@anonycon.com. Address: Holiday Inn, Stamford, Connecticut. Dates: 12/5/03 - 12/7/03.

Florida

RUSTY WALLACE RACE CAR CHAMPION CRUISE. Website: http://www.swainworldcruises.com/wallace. E-mail: Susan@Swaintours.com. Address: Carinval Victory Caribbean Cruise, Miami, Florida. Dates: 12/7/03 - 12/14/03.

SCI-FI SEA CRUISE. Website: http://members.aol.com/sfcruise/. E-mail: WhoCruiser@aol.com. Address: Norwegian Cruise Line's fantastic luxury liner, the Norwegian Wind, Miami, Florida. Dates: 12/6/03 - 12/13/03.

**VIRGINIA HEY CRUISE.**Website: http://www.SwainWorldCruises.com. E-mail: Susan@Swaintours.com. Address: Holland America Cruise Line, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Dates: 11/30/03 - 12/7/03.

Illinois

**SILVER AXE.**Website: http://www.nasamw.org/tournaments02.htm. E-mail: jshauber@yahoo.com. Address: Joliet, Illinois. Dates: 12/13/03.

Louisiana

**THE LOUISIANA RENAISSANCE FESTIVAL.**Website: http://www.larf.org. Address: 46468 River Road, Hammond, LA, 70401. Dates: 11/1/03 - 12/7/03. Note:Herald Enyo of the Heralds' Waystation is planning to attend.

NUMA REI-NO CON. Website: http://www.numareinocon.com/. E-mail: liondancepro@aol.com. Address: Quality Hotel and Conference Center, Metairie, Louisiana. Dates: 12/12/03 - 12/14/03.

Maryland

1948: SIGNALS. Website: http://www.1948-signals.org/. E-mail: contact@1948-signals.org. Address: Days Hotel, Timonium, Maryland. Dates: 12/6/03 - 12/7/03.

Massachusetts

BOSTON COMIC BOOK SPECTACULAR. Website: http://monkeyhouse-entertainment.com. E-mail: primatepro@aol.com. Address: Boston Radisson Hotel, Amesbury, Massachusetts. Dates: 12/7/03.

New Jersey

GARDEN STATE GAMEFEST - WINTER 2003. Website: http://www.newoa.com/collectorsden. E-mail: dragon101253@aol.com. Address: Bergen Mall, Paramus, New Jersey. Dates: 12/20/03.

**LAIRE - LIVE ACTION ROLEPLAYING EXPERIENCE.**Website: http://www.laire.com. E-mail: rhondaatlaire@yahoo.com. Address: Camp Sacajawea Girl Scout Camp, Sparta, New Jersey. Dates: 12/12/03.

**SVAHA: COSMIC ENCOUNTERS.**Website: http://www.wildgazebo.com/. E-mail: GM@wildgazebo.com. Address: Sheraton Raritan Center, Edison, New Jersey. Dates: 12/5/03 - 12/7/03.

Ohio

DARK X-MAS. Website: http://www.darkxmas.com. E-mail: FrequencyLost@aol.com. Address: Youngstown Inn, Youngstown, Ohio. Dates: 12/5/03 - 12/7/03.

Oregon

STAR TREK. Website: http://www.sfedora.com/. E-mail: Sfedora1@aol.com. Address: Eugene, Oregon. Dates: 12/6/03.

STAR TREK. Website: http://www.sfedora.com/. E-mail: Sfedora1@aol.com. Address: Salem, Oregon. Dates: 12/7/03.

Pennsylvania

PHILCON. Website: http://www.philcon.org. E-mail: info@philcon.org. Address: Marriott Center City, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Dates: 12/12/03 - 12/14/03.

Texas

RGC GAME DAY. Website: http://RecGaming.com. E-mail: info@recgaming.com. Address: Bob Duncan Community Center, Arlington, Texas. Dates: 12/6/03.

SANTACON. Website: http://www.nasamw.org/tournaments02.htm. E-mail: Harlan.D.Garrett@Worldnet.ATT.Net. Address: 3327 Flamingo Basin, San Antonio, Texas. Dates: 12/6/03 - 12/7/03.

Virginia

CAPITAL ASSOCIATES. Website: http://www.capicons.com/. E-mail: comicshow@aol.com. Address: Tysons Westpark Hotel, McLean, Virginia. Dates: 12/7/03.

Washington

STAR TREK. Website: http://www.sfedora.com/. E-mail: sfedora1@aol.com. Address: Seattle, Washington. Dates: 12/8/03.

Canada

THE GATHERING OF THE FELLOWSHIP. Website: http://www.tolkiengathering.com. E-mail: ed.rodrigues@tolkiengathering.com. Address: Sheraton Centre Hotel, Toronto, Ontario. Dates: 12/15/03 - 12/17/03.

Puerto Rico

SEATREK 2003. Website: http://www.scifi-cruises.com/. E-mail: cpaigetrvl@aol.com. Address: Royal Caribbean's Adventure Of The Seas: San Juan/Sea/Aruba/Curacao/Sea/St.Maarten/St.Thomas/San Juan, San Juan, Puerto Rico. Dates: 12/7/03 - 12/14/03.

United Kingdom

DRAGONMEET 2003. Website: http://www.dragonmeet.com. E-mail: info@dragonmeet.com. Address: Kensington Town Hall, London, England. Dates: 12/13/03.

JEDICON. Website: http://www.scifishows.com/. E-mail: info@scifishows.com. Address: Basildon Sports Centre, Nethermayne, Basildon, Essex. Dates: 12/14/03.

NOSFERATU NIGHTS. Website: http://www.sector14.co.uk/. E-mail: enquiries@sector14.co.uk. Address: Pages Bar, London, England. Dates: 12/20/03.

For additional Convention information, visit Convention Outpost by Jenga at http://go.to/conventions.

Herald Sitara by Stephanie Blackwell

Member News:

For definitions of our fannish jargon, read the 12-page booklet "Pros & Cons: An Introduction to Fandom" written by Elizabeth Barrette. Send $1.00 and a $0.37 stamp (or $1.00 and 2 IRCs) to Queen's Own, P.O. Box 749, Laguna Beach, CA, 92652. Make checks payable to "Linda Malcor" in US funds only.

Local chapters:

Zines and Newsletters:

Other Fandoms:

Collegium News:

We have individual handouts for aspiring Heralds, Healers, Bards, Blues, Mercenaries, Tayledras, Shin'a'in, and White Winds Sorcerers/Sorceresses and instructions on how to work for Herald-Mage status if you are already a Herald or for a Kal'enedral if you are already a Shin'a'in. You can find these handouts online at Persona handouts and submission instructions.

You need a release form (online at Release form instructions) 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 c/o High Flight Arts and Letters, P.O. Box 2970, Claremore, OK 74017. Do NOT include the original of the release form with your persona material; send it to Misty. Send a copy to us.

All personae materials should be sent to the QO address or submitted by e-mail to shashtah@gmail.com and healermoon@gmail.com. We have no new personae to announce in this issue, but several people are very close to approval.

Formerly approved members who are returning to QO include

If you are a returning member who has recently activated your membership in Queen's Own and we have forgotten to list you, message Danya at shashtah@gmail.com, and she'll make sure you are greeted in the next newsletter.

Lost …

One of the challenges running an online club is that people don't always leave a forwarding address when they move <g>. We are missing current e-mail addresses for the following members:

Scout Skyfire k'Chona (liquid_twinkie@hotmail.com)

If you know any of these folks, please have them contact Danya at shashtah@gmail.com with a current e-mail address.

Lavan and Kalira by Stephanie Blackwell

From Herald-Mage Adept Danya Winterborn:

Heyla, everyone!

I'm really looking forward to the holidays this year. My kids are at great ages (two, three and seven) for enjoying all the fun. My husband is eyeing me with more than a little bewildered amusement as we're turning our home into a magical wonderland for the holidays. I've gone a bit overboard on animated lighted figures and such this year <g>, but you'd understand if you saw our neighborhood. Everyone goes completely nuts with decorations on our streets; there's more than a little friendly competition going on for those holiday decoration prizes our association hands out every year <g>. I'm also teaching Sunday school this year, and I'm having a lot of fun guiding the kids through the Advent season. My husband and I will be celebrating our 16th wedding anniversary on December 19th (probably by viewing the next installment of LotR, which has become something of a tradition for us over the last couple of years). Where does the time go <G>?

Looking ahead to 2004, I hope to get back to work on the book that I'm co-authoring about the Sword in the Stone. At the very least I want to take one of the chapters to an academic conference in the spring and see how our colleagues think we're doing. I'm also consulting on the new King Arthur film that's in production and that should be released next summer.

Joe is now in first grade, and Kassie has started preschool. That's giving me a couple days alone with John every week, which is proving to be a lot of fun. I have an annual pass to Disneyland, so I pop up there about once a week with my youngest and let him run amok while his siblings are in school. When John starts preschool in fall of 2004, I'm hoping to start making a serious dent in my pending writing assignments again.

Meanwhile, I still have plans to put up the rest of the stuff that's been floating around my desk for a couple of years on the FAQ pages for the QO site. (Some volunteers are helping to type in some of the data so I can simply format it.) I'm also hoping (with Eric Dooley's help) to get the rest of those old QO newsletters up online, as I promised you we would so long ago. We're making some serious progress! I haven't forgotten about the request to put up more of the books coauthored and/or edited by Misty and those that contain her short stories. I now have a fairly complete list, and I simply have to come up with the time to code it.

Do let me know if any of you are going to be in the Southern California area. I'd love to set up a time to meet with you. My best to all of you through the holidays and in the coming year!

Zhai'helleva,

Danya

Personals:

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.

Co-Editor/Co-President Herald-Mage Master Danya Winterborn (L.A. Malcor; AOL-IM SN Shashtah; shashtah@gmail.com)

Co-Editor/Co-President Healer Adept Moonstar (Kendra Renaud; AOL-IM SN healermoon; healermoon@gmail.com)

The featured artists for this newsletter are Stephanie Blackwell and L.A. Malcor. All drawings in this newsletter are © to the credited artist. All rights reserved. If you would like your art to be featured in the online version of the QO newsletter, send .gifs or .jpgs to shashtah@gmail.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 Master Danya Winterborn and

Healer Adept Moonstar