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

Queen’s Own newsletter — January 2004

Queen's Own

The Official Mercedes Lackey Fan Club

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

Series 3, Vol. 5, No. 1 January 1, 2004

Battle by Devin Harris

Heyla, Misty fans!

Happy New Year! We hope you all had a wonderful holiday season. It's looking as if 2004 will be an exciting (and hectic <g>) year as the club continues to grow. We are very grateful to all the wonderful people who have stepped forward to help us out. A thousand thanks! We couldn't run QO without you!

Later this month Danya has been invited to visit the Magic Castle, the Academy of Magical Arts in Hollywood, CA. She's really looking forward to it. The club is "Members Only," but, if you are lucky enough to know a member, you can be invited to attend certain events as a guest. Danya's alumni association at Occidental College has managed to get invitations for a limited number of alumni, and Danya snared three of those for her husband, her son and herself. (She's really excited about Joe being able to attend, since anyone under 21 is usually not admitted.) To find out more about this really neat place, visit their website at http://www.magiccastle.com/f/. Danya will be reporting on her visit in the next newsletter.

Holiday Message from Mercedes Lackey: This message from Misty ran in the Firebird Arts newsletter:

"It's been a long year full of hard work for us; I've published, alone or in collaboration, five books. I've written just about as many. I was chosen as the inaugural author for a brand new line of books. It's been quite a ride, and next year is going to be similar. It means a break from Valdemar, but the beginning of altogether new projects. I'm looking forward to it, and I hope that you are, too.

"The moment of the 'turning of the year' is a fairly objective moment. Some cultures place it around the Winter Solstice, some at the Autumnal Equinox, some in the spring at the Vernal Equinox, some at Harvest, some at Planting, and some at dates determined by religion. For all of us, though, the turning of the year is a time for reflection. When intolerance is not directed at you, it is tempting to ignore it and not confront it. When rights are restricted or challenged, but they are not *your* rights, it is tempting to shrug your shoulders. When others will not stand up for what is right, it is tempting to be one of the crowd. When those in authority abuse their power, but what they do does not affect you, it is tempting to ignore the abuse, especially when they do so in the name of 'self-defense' or 'making the country safe.' But when you give in to those temptations, not only do you make it possible for others to be harmed, you make it easier for those who abuse their authority to come after you next time. And they will, because those who abuse their authority are never satisfied until they have full and complete control of everything and everyone they can see. It is difficult to fight for tolerance, but it is a fight that is absolutely necessary.

"Mercedes Lackey Tulsa, Oklahoma December 23, 2003" Publication News: The Fairy Godmother is now available online and in a bookstore near you! (See below for the review.)

To read an excerpt of The Fairy Godmother, follow this link: http://www.bookdivas.com/excerpts/thefairygodmother.html

Misty's newest novella, "Counting Crows," can be found in Charmed Destinies, which came out in November 2003 from Silhouette, an imprint of Harlequin. The description reads "In Lady Gwynhefar's dark, lonely court, her only ally was noble Sir Elloran, a warrior willing to fight for her honor. But would her powerful spell capture his heart — or tumble the kingdom into chaos?"

This Scepter'd Isle, with Roberts Gellis, comes out in February. The sequel, Ill Met By Moonlight, also with Roberta Gellis, is in progress.

Look for Alta, the sequel to Joust, in March. (Joust should be released in paperback at the same time.) Sanctuary, the third book in the series, is scheduled for release in October 2004. (Misty reports that "Phoenyx and Ashes [has been] postponed because I need more research and felt more like hitting the ground with the sequel to Alta.)"

Wizard of Karres, with Flint and Freerm is scheduled for release by Baen in June 2004.

Stoned Souls, with Josepha Sherman, is still on track for January 2005.

Shadow of the Lion, the first book in the Heirs of Alexandria series, is now available in the Baen Free Library. The second book in the series, This Rough Magic has been available in hardcover since November 2003. The third book, Much Fall of Blood, is currently being written.

Misty is also working on To Light a Candle, with James Mallory, which will be the sequel to Outstretched Shadow, as well as the sequel to Mad Maudlin, Music to My Sorrow, with Rosemary Edgehill.

Remember, you can find these and other titles in the Mercedes Lackey section of the Dragonlords' Bookstore at http://www.dragonlordsnet.com/bkfanml.htm. A portion of each sale through this site goes to support QO. This is how we keep memberships in the club free, so we greatly appreciate your support.

Book Review: Danya has finished reading The Fairy Godmother and can't wait for the next book in the series! Although the book is a romance novel, it is set in a brand new fantasy world where the Five Hundred Kingdoms are ruled by The Tradition, a force that tries to steer everyone's life down the path of the plot of a familiar fairy tale or ballad. The Fairy Godmother explores what happens when a Cinderella's prince is totally unsuitable (He's only eleven years old.)

Mercedes Lackey's attention to detail and riveting characters make this new world come vividly alive. She has done extensive research in various folk traditions to create this marvelous tapestry of "fractured fairy tales" (Danya couldn't help but remember the original "Fractured Fairy Tales" segment from The Bulwinkle Show, which premiered as Rocky & His Friends in 1959 <g>. Those of you who are slightly younger may know the segment from The Hoppity Hooper Show or Dudley Do-Right.).

If you would like to find out which character you are most like in the new series, you can take Luna's quiz by following this link: http://www.electricartists.com/luna/quiz

This is a truly fun and engaging new world, and the story is compelling (What else would we expect from our favorite author <g>?). Do check it out!

Trivia: Did you know that Larry Dixon supplied some of the research for the creation of the eagles in The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King? Here's what he told one fan who asked him about it:

"According to Larry, 'Well I didn't do a WHOLE lot... I supplied the digital photography that the digital model was made from... about 5 gig of jpgs. Also did resin castings of the beak & talons and so forth. Also sent some video. Wasn't a huge contribution, about a month's work... but it sure was fun :-)'

Stacey: no... not much at all!!!! that's a *lot* of pictures!

Larry: Yup it was every feather mapped out and colormatched, from multiple angles.'"

Fan Mail Reminder: We're once again getting a lot of fan mail intended for Misty or Larry at the QO PO Box. We're in completely different states, folks. If you want to send something to Mercedes Lackey and/or Larry Dixon, you need to send it to

Mercedes Lackey or Larry Dixon c/o High Flight Arts and Letters P.O. Box 2970 Claremore, OK 74017

We have been forwarding the misdirected mail, but this is starting to get expensive. If you want to request something directly from Misty or Larry or if you want to send them a holiday or birthday greeting, please send those sorts of things to Oklahoma, where Misty lives. Material related to the fan club, such as persona submissions or books for review, should be sent to

Queen's Own P.O. Box 749 Laguna Beach, CA 92652

since Danya and Moonstar live in California. Thanks!

Open Auditions, 2004 Virginia Renaissance Faire: We have been asked to pass along the following information to our membership:

January 10 - NOVA Geo.Mason Regional Library 7001 Little River Turnpike, Annandale, VA 22003-5975

January 24 - Richmond Atlee Community Church 7171 Verdi Lane Mechanicsville, VA 23116

February 7 -Fredericksburg C Melvin Snow Library 8800 Courthouse Rd Spotsylvania, VA All auditions: 10 am- 3 pm

Scripted and Nonscripted Parts. All ages encouraged to audition. All training provided. Volunteer & Crew applications also accepted: EMT, Security, Grounds, & Sales. Renaissance Faire runs weekends 5/1/04-6/13/04. Rehearsals begin in March. Our Faire has a family and educational focus. Produced by Out of the Woodwork Productions, a 501(c)3 volunteer educational entertainment non-profit organization. For more information call (703) 508-5036 or visit http://www.VaRF.org.

Zhai'helleva,

Herald-Mage Adept Danya Winterborn and Healer Adept Moonstar

Calling Down the Moon by Devin Harris

Ren Faires:

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

Arizona

ARIZONA RENAISSANCE FESTIVAL. Fax: 520-463-2026. E-mail: arizonarenfest@royalfaires.com. Website: http://www.renfestinfo.co. Address: 12601 East Highway 60, Apache Junction, AZ, 85219. Dates: 2/07/04 - 3/28/04. Open/Close: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM.

Florida

FLORIDA RENAISSANCE FESTIVAL SOUTH. FAX: 954-771-7045 E-mail: info@ren-fest.com. Website: http://www.ren-fest.com. Address: 801 NW 57th St., Ft. Lauderdale, FL, 33309-2826. Site Address: Quiet Waters Park, Deerfield Beach, FL. Dates: 1/31/04 - 2/01/04. Open/Close: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM.

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.

Arizona

DARKCON 2004 — "DARKCON CONVERGENCE". Website: http://www.darkcon.org. E-mail:shadowstalker@darkones.org. Address: Embassy Suites Phoenix North, Phoenix, Arizona. Dates: 1/9/04 - 1/11/04.

California

ANCIENTS & MEDIEVAL CONFERENCE. Website: http://www.nasamw.org/tournaments02.htm. E-mail:Parmenio@msn.com. Address: San Ramon Marriott, San Ramon, California. Dates: 1/31/04 - 2/1/04.

FURTHER CONFUSION. Website:http://www.furtherconfusion.org. E-mail:info@furtherconfusion.org. Address: San Jose DoubleTree, San Jose, California. Dates: 1/22/04 - 1/26/04.

XENA. Website: http://www.creationent.com/. E-mail: tickets@creationent.com. Address: Hilton Burbank Airport and Convention Center, Burbank, California. Dates: 1/30/04 - 2/1/04.

Colorado

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.

Florida

FLORIDA EXTRAVAGANZA. Website: http://www.fxshow.com/. E-mail: bzalkin@aol.com. Address: Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, Florida. Dates: 1/10/04 - 1/11/04.

JONESCON. Website: http://www.jonescon.org. E-mail: afn53824@afn.org. Address: Holiday Inn, Gainesville, Florida. Dates: 1/16/04 - 1/18/04.

Georgia

GAFILK 2004. Website: http://www.gafilk.org/. E-mail: michael@gafilk.org. Address: Ramada Atlanta Airport South, Atlanta, Georgia. Dates: 1/9/04 - 1/11/04.

SIEGE OF AUGUSTA. Website: http://www.nasamw.org/tournaments02.htm. E-mail: dbirdseye@knology.net. Address: Sheraton Hotel, Augusta, Georgia. Dates: 1/16/04 - 1/18/04.

Illinois

CAPRICON 24. Website: http://www.capricon.org. E-mail: info@capricon.org. Address: Sheraton Chicago Northwest, Chicago, Illinois. Dates: 1/29/04 - 2/1/04.

Indiana

JANCON. Website: http://www.jancon.org. E-mail: vicechairman@jancon.org. Address: Holiday Inn Select North At The Pyramids, Indianapolis, Indiana. Dates: 1/9/04 - 1/11/04.

Massachusetts

ARISIA 2004. Website: http://www.arisia.org. E-mail: info@arisia.org. Address: Boston Park Plaza Hotel and Towers, Boston, Massachusetts. Dates: 1/16/04 - 1/18/04.

VERICON. Website: http://www.vericon.org. E-mail: conchair@vericon.org. Address: Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts. Dates: 1/30/04 - 2/1/04.

Michigan

CONFUSION 2004. Website: http://www.stilyagi.org/cons/confusion.html. E-mail: confusion@stilyagi.org. Address: The Troy Marriott, Troy, Michigan. Dates: 1/23/04 - 1/25/04.

Minnesota

SUPERCON XI. Website: http://www.visi.com/~spk/supercon/. E-mail: supercon@impsec.net. Address: AmericInn, Austin, Minnesota. Dates: 1/23/04 - 1/25/04.

Missouri

CONFLATION 2004. Website: http://fluidicimpulsesofthesoul.com/Conflation/index.html. E-mail: conflation@lycos.com. Address: Six Flags Ramada, Eureka, Missouri. Dates: 1/30/04 - 2/1/04.

12th Night. Website: http://www.12th-night.org/. E-mail: alesia@12th-night.org. Address: Radisson Hotel Clayton, St. Louis, Missouri. Dates: 1/8/04 - 1/11/04.

New Jersey

DREAMATION 2004. Website: http://www.dexposure.com/d2004.html. E-mail: dreamation@dexposure.com. Address: The East Brunswick Hilton, East Brunswick, New Jersey. Dates: 1/22/04 - 1/25/04.

New York

GENERICON XVII. Website: http://genericon.union.rpi.edu/. E-mail: chair@genericon.org. Address: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York. Dates: 1/16/04 - 1/18/04.

RUNNING GAGG VIII: WINTER HOARDING. Website: http://runninggagg.org. E-mail: director@runninggagg.org. Address: MacVittie College Union, SUNY Geneseo Campus, Geneseo, New York. Dates: 1/23/04 - 1/25/04.

Ohio

DECONPRESSION. Website: http://www.deconpression.org. E-mail: info@deconpression.org. Address: Clarion Hotel, Columbus, Ohio. Dates: 1/16/04 - 1/18/04.

OHAYOCON 4. Website: http://www.ohayocon.com/. E-mail: OhayoConPrez@aol.com. Address: Hyatt Regency, Columbus, Ohio. Dates: 1/23/04 - 1/25/04.

South Dakota

VERMINCON 2004. Website: ttp://www.mage-page.com/games/. E-mail: charitycassasnova@hotmail.com. Address: Continuing Education Building On The Universtiy Of South Dakota Campus, Vermillion, South Dakota. Dates: 1/16/04 - 1/18/04.

Tennessee

CHATTACON XXIX. Website: http://www.chattacon.org/. E-mail: chairman@chattacon.org. Address: Clarion Hotel, Chattanooga, Tennessee. Dates: 1/16/04 - 1/18/04.

CHATTANOOGA RAIL GAMING CHALLENGE. Website: http://home.chattanooga.net/~derrick/gaming.htm. E-mail: derrick@chattanooga.net. Address: Country Inn and Suites, Chattanooga, Tennessee. Dates: 1/16/04 - 1/18/04.

SHADOWCON VIII. Website: http://www.shadowcon.org/. E-mail: Kane1Lissa@aol.com. Address: Days Inn Hotel, Memphis, Tennessee. Dates: 1/2/04 - 1/4/04.

Texas

FAN APPRECIATION DAY. Website: http://www.scifiexpo.com/. E-mail: scifiexpo@aol.com. Address: Richardson Civic Center, Richardson, Texas. Dates: 1/3/04.

THE TEXAS SUPERHERO & SCI-FI COLLECTORS EXPO. Website: http://www.texassuperhero.com. E-mail: ctr21001@yahoo.com. Address: Crockett Center , 6301 Hwy 290 E Austin, TX, 78723. Dates: 1/9/04 - 1/10/04.

Virginia

EVECON 21. Website: http://www.fantek.org/fantek2/econ/index.html. E-mail: bruce@fantek.org. Address: Sheraton Reston Hotel, Reston, Virginia. Dates: 1/2/04 - 1/4/04.

MARSCON. Website: http://www.marscon.net. E-mail: info@marscon.net. Address: Ramada Inn and Conference Center, Williamsburg, Virginia. Dates: 1/23/04 - 1/25/04.

Washington

RUSTYCON 21. Website: http://www.rustycon.com/. E-mail: Turned2@nwlink.com. Address: SeaTac Radisson Airport Hotel, Bellevue, Washington. Dates: 1/16/04 - 1/18/04.

Australia

CANCON 2004. Website: http://www.cgs.asn.au/cancon/cancon.htm. E-mail: ecnsimon@aol.com. Address: Canberra, Australia . Dates: 1/24/04 - 1/26/04.

GENGHISCON. Website: http://www.genghiscon.org/. E-mail: Shadowmint@mailcity.com. Address: St. Catherine's College, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia. Dates: 1/04.

Ireland

WARPCON. Website: http://www.warpcon.com. E-mail: warpcon@gameeire.com. Address: University College Cork, Cork, Ireland . Dates: 1/30/04 - 2/1/04.

New Zealand

KAPCON XIII: WE KNOW WHAT YOU ROLEPLAYED LAST SUMMER... Website: http://kapcon.rpg.net.nz. E-mail: kapcon@lycos.com. Address: Wellington High School, Wellington, New Zealand. Dates: 1/17/04 - 1/18/04.

United Kingdom

OXCON. Website: http://come.to/oxcon. E-mail: mark@34dartdrive.freeserve.co.uk. Address: Mitre, High Street, Oxford, England. Dates: 1/24/04 - 1/25/04.

SCI-FI-LONDON. Website: http://www.sci-fi-london.com/. E-mail: scifi@catalyticcommunication.com. Address: Curzon Soho/Metro Cinema/The ICA, London. Dates: 1/29/04 - 2/1/04.

STAR TREK. Website: http://www.creationent.com/. E-mail: tickets@creationent.com. Address: Hilton Metropole Hotel, London, England. Dates: 1/9/04 - 1/11/04.

WINTER STABCON. Website: http://www.philm.demon.co.uk/RPGs/conventions.htm. E-mail: bookings@stabcon.org.uk. Address: Britannia Hotel, Stockport. Dates: 1/2/04 - 1/4/04.

For additional Convention information, visit Convention Outpost by Jenga at http://www.geocities.com/jengacons/.

Dragons by Devin Harris

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:

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

Fear Me by Devin Harris

From Healer Adept Moonstar:

Happy New Year! I hope everyone's Winter Celebrations, whatever they may be, were wonderful, festive and spent with family and friends. I hope we were all good boys and girls this year. Santa's sleigh was guided to my door with Magical Reindeer Food that my son made at school.

The winter season at the box office was too much to resist for Erik and me, and we found ourselves at the theatre nearly every weekend in November. Here, in my opinion, were the hits and misses:

"Elf" was worth seeing but better off as a video store rental. This would be the tale of a human who snuck into Santa's bag as an orphan. At 30 he realizes that he is not an elf and hikes to New York to reunite with is real father and bring the Christmas spirit to the holiday season.

"Master and Commander" is a great "guy movie." Although I personally only really liked the little boy and doctor, the other characters were very real. The story is about a high sea epic voyage by an obsessive English sea captain as he chases after the French vessel he is ordered to capture or destroy.

"Love Actually" is my favorite movie I saw this year. It was even better because I know I will have to see it several more times to completely understand the complexities of how the stories are intertwined. The film is a wonderful story about how love is really what makes our lives go round even if it is in the most unexpected and unwanted places.

"The Last Samurai" is a "must see" on the big screen. The epic film is about a man haunted by what he has done in his past and how he finds redemption. This movie had the audience laughing and clapping and provided a wonderful experience, full of fight scenes and humor ("You a lady's man, Bob?").

"Brother Bear" was a great family film. My son and I had a great time and lots of popcorn. A boy desperately wanting to be a man is gifted with the totem of love, a bear. His journey reminds us that taking care of others is really the center of a life with love.

I still have several movies on my wish to see list: "Lord of the Rings: Return of the King," "Peter Pan," "Something's Gotta Give," and "Big Fish," to name a few. I hope to get the theatre this month to see one and perhaps all of them.

Beyond my movie adventures, Erik's and my cars died, and we spent the better part of a Friday evening in December in a Toyota dealership to end up with two car payments per month (for the next 5 years ' <sigh>), but we are both much happier with what we are driving. Our old cars will be donated to help M.A.D.D. out in their causes.

Joy to all in the New Year. Remember to write 2004 on all your assignments and checks as the case may be. I know it won't be until March I get the hang of it. <grin>

Hugs-

Moonstar

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 artist for this newsletter is Devin Harris 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