Queen’s Own newsletter — September 2004

Queen's Own

The Official Mercedes Lackey Fan Club

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

Series 3, Vol. 5, No. 9 September 1, 2004

Heyla, Misty fans!

Is everyone getting ready for school to start again?

For those of you who are old enough to feel old at this information <g>, August 19th was the 30th anniversary of the publication of the rules for Dungeons and Dragons (D&D). (I don't know about Moonstar, but that's very scary for Danya. That means I've been playing D&D since two years after it was published … ::shudder::.)

Publication News:

Look for the paperback of Exile's Valor and the hardcover version of Phoenix and Ashes in early October 2004.

The paperback edition of The Fairy Godmother will be released in November 2004.

Stoned Souls (with Josepha Sherman) has a release date of Jan. 1, 2005, but you can preorder your copy at http://www.dragonlordsnet.com/bkfanml.htm. A portion of all proceeds from orders placed through the Dragonlords' Bookstore goes to support Queen's Own. This is how we keep memberships free, so we really appreciate your support!

Editors and Chapter Presidents: Please check your information at Chapter directory and in the QO newsletter to make sure that it's up-to-date and accurate. If you have any changes, please send them to Danya at shashtah@gmail.com. Also, we'd love to hear from all of you! If you get a chance, please drop us a line about what is going on with your chapter/publication.

We have a special treat this time: another review, this one of The Book of Earth: Volume One of The Dragon Quartet from Adept Starfeather K'Valdemar. Enjoy!

Zhai'helleva,

Herald-Mage Adept Danya Winterborn and Healer Adept Moonstar

The Book of Earth: Volume One of The Dragon Quartet Marjorie B. Kellog Daw Books 334 pgs ISBN#: 0-88677-574-4 Price (US and Canada): US $4.99 CDN $5.99

Reviewed by Adept Starfeather K'Valdemar

I picked up The Book of Earth after listening to the cover artist, Jody Lee, speak at Conquest 35 in Kansas City this year. I really liked Ms. Lee's discussion of the cover painting in her slide show, and thought the book sounded interesting.

Ms. Kellog tells the story of Erde, a young girl in alternate Germany. When her father, the Baron, succumbs to a monk telling stories of God's wrath and a chance encounter places Erde at risk, her father locks her away. With the help of a family friend, Erde slips away into the mountains where she meets a Dragon.

The story starts before Erde finds earth and tells the tale of both of them finding themselves and coming to learn their place in the mixed-up world. Because it is part of a series of four books, there definitely is an unfinished feel to this volume. But, as the story of a young girl growing up, it is a fascinating read. The supporting characters are just as rich as the main character.

I found this to be an enjoyable read, especially for fans of dragon stories.

Ren Faires:

Here are the Faires we know about for September. 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.

California

THE INTERNATIONAL JOUSTING CHAMPIONSHIP. Site Address: 220 Southgate Dr.Sonora, California, 95370-5054. Dates: 9/11/04-9/12/04.

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA RENAISSANCE FAIRE. E-mail: Michael@norcalrenfaire.org, information@norcalrenfaire.org. Website: http://www.norcalrenfaire.org. Site Address: Casa de Fruta, Hollister, CA. Dates: 9/18/04-10/24/04. Open/Close: 10:00 AM ' 6:00 PM.

OJAI RENAISSANCE AND PIRATE FAIRE. E-mail: goldcoastprod@msn.com. Website: http://www.goldcoastfestivals.com. Address: Condit Wixon, Gold Coast Productions, 2219 Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks, CA 91362. Site Address: Lake Casitas, Ojai, CA. Dates: 9/25/04 ' 9/26/04. Open/Close: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM.

SAN DIEGO RENAISSANCE FAIRE. Site Address: Veterans War Memorial Grounds 2115 Park Blvd., San Diego, CA,92101. Dates: 9/18-9/19.

TRUCKEE RENAISSANCE FAIRE. Site Address: Truckee River Regional ParkBrockway RoadTruckee, California. Dates: 9/25/04-9/26/04.

Colorado

GRAND VALLEY RENAISSANCE FAIRE. Site Address: Intermountain Veterans Memorial Park 2785 Hwy 50 South Grand Junction, Colorado, 81503. Dates: 9/10/04-9/12/04.

LONG PEAKS SCOTTISH/IRISH FESTIVAL. E-mail: staff@scotfest.com. Website: http://www.scotfest.com. Address: Dr. James Durward, P.O. Box 1820, Estes Park, CO, 80517. Site: Stanley Park Fairgrounds, Estes Park, CO. Dates: 9/8/04-9/12/04. Open/Close: 8:00 AM ' 5:00 PM.

Connecticut

CONNECTICUT RENAISSANCE FAIRE. E-mail: brian@ctfaire.com. Website: http://www.ctfaire.com. Address: Brian Harvard, 390 Woodstock Ave, Putnam, CT, 06260. Site Address: Woodstock Fairgrounds, Route 169, Woodstock, CT. Dates: 9/25/04 ' 10/17/04. Open/Close: 10:00 AM ' 5:00 PM.

PROSPECT RENAISSANCE FAIRE. Site Address: Prospect, Connecticut. Dates: 9/11/04 - 9/12/04.

Illinois

ILLINOIS RENAISSANCE FAIRE. E-mail: illinrenfaire@yahoo.com. Website: http://www.prairieplayerstheatreacademy.org or http://www.illinoisrenaissancefaire.com. Address: Illinois Renaissance Faire, P.O. Box 11084, Champaign, IL, 61826-1084. Site Address: Champaign County Fairgrounds, 902 North Coler, Urbana, IL. Dates: 9/4/04 ' 9/5/04. Open/Close: 10:00 AM ' 6:00 PM.

Iowa

INTERNATIONAL HORSE ARCHERY FESTIVAL. Website: http://www.intlhorsearchery.org. Address: Meg Beshy, 1127 Avenue B, Fort Dodge, IA, 50501. Site Address: Webster County Fairgrounds. Dates: 9/9/04-9/12/04.

**IOWA RENAISSANCE FESTIVAL & HARVEST FAIRE.**E-mail: gregfest@netins.net. Website: http://www.festint.com. Address: Greg Schmidt, Festivals Intl., 508 4th Ave. N., Clear Lake, IA, 50428. Site Address: Middle Amana Park, Amana Colonies, near Iowa City, off I-80. Dates: 9/4/04 ' 9/6/04. Open/Close: 11:00 AM ' 6:00 PM.

Kansas

GREAT PLAINS RENAISSANCE FESTIVAL. E-mail: davidrguy@usa.com. Website: http://www.greatplainsrenfest.com. Address: David Guy, P.O. Box 16326, Wichita, KS, 67216. Site Address: Kansas Coliseum. Dates: 9/25/04-9/26/04. Open/Close: 10:00 AM ' 6:00 PM.

KANSAS CITY RENAISSANCE FESTIVAL. E-mail: renfest@kcrenfest.com. Website: http://www.kcrenfest.com. Address: Carrie Shoptaw, 207 Westport Rd., Ste 206, Kansas City, MO, 64111. Site Address: 628 N. 126th St., Bonner Springs, KS. Dates: 9/4/04 ' 10/17/04. Open/Close: 10:00 AM ' ' 7:00 PM.

Massachusetts

KING RICHARD'S FAIRE. E-mail: info@kingrichardsfaire.net. Website: http://www.kingrichardsfaire.net. Address: Bonnie Shapiro, 140 Gideon's Point Rd., Tonka Bay, MN, 55331. Site Address: Rt. 58, S. Carver, MA. Dates: 9/4/04 ' 10/24/04. Open/Close: 10:30 AM ' 6:00 PM.

Michigan

MICHIGAN RENAISSANCE FESTIVAL. E-mail: Katparker47@aol.com. Website: http://www.michrenfest.com. Address: Michigan Renaissance Festival, 12600 Dixie Hwy, Holly, MI, 48442. Site Address: Exit 106 (Grand Blanc) on I-75 and head S. on Dixie Hwy; located bet. Pontiac and Flint, MI. Dates: 8/14/04 ' 9/26/04. Open/Close: 10:00 AM ' 7:00 PM.

Minnesota

MINNESOTA RENAISSANCE FESTIVAL. E-mail: info@renaissancefest.com. Website: http://www.renaissancefest.com. Address: Mid-America Festivals, Stacy Bruesewitz, 1920 1244 Canterbury Rd. S., Ste 306, Shakopee, MN, 55379. Site Address: Shakopee, MN. Dates: 8/14/04 ' 9/26/04. Open/Close: 9:00 AM ' 7:00 PM.

Nebraska

NEBRASKA RENAISSANCE FAIRE & MED PAGEANT. E-mail: gregfest@netins.net. Website: http://www.festint.com. Address: Greg Schmidt, Festivals Intl., 508 4th Ave N, Clear Lake IA, 50428. Site Address: CJ Holling Camp, Ashland, NE, just off I-80 between Omaha and Lincoln. Dates: 9/25/04 ' 9/26/04. Open/Close: 10:00 AM ' 7:00 PM (Sun. 5 PM).

New Jersey

LAKEWOOD LIONS CHARITY RENAISSANCE FAIRE. E-mail: dbroker@aol.com. Website: http://community.nj.com/cc/lakewoodlions. Address: Don Alemany, PO Box 1446 Lakewood, NJ, 08701. Site Address: Pine Park, Country Club Road, Lakewood, NJ. Dates: 9/18/04 ' 9/19/04. Open/Close: 10:00 AM ' 5:00 PM.

New Hampshire

NEW HAMPSHIRE RENAISSANCE FAIRE. Site Address: Hanson Pines ParkRochester, New Hampshire, 03867. Dates: 9/26/04 - 9/27/04.

New Jersey

LAKEWOOD LIONS CHARITY RENAISSANCE FAIRE. Site Address: Pine ParkLakewood, New Jersey, 08701. Dates: 9/18/04 - 9/19/04.

New York

LORD BRANDON'S BAWDY BETROTHAL FEAST. Site Address: The Huntington Townhouse124 E. Jerich Tpk., Huntington Station, New York, 11756. Dates: 9/11/04, 9/18/04, 10/02/04, 10/09/04, 10/30/04, 11/06/04.

NEW YORK RENAISSANCE FAIRE. E-mail: joeg@recfair.com. Website: http://www.renfair.com. Address: Joe Gargiulo, REC, 600 Rte. 17A, Tuxedo, NY, 10987. Site Address: Sterling Forest, Rt. 17A, Tuxedo, NY. Dates: 8/7/04 ' 9/26/04. Open/Close: 10:00 AM ' 7:00 PM.

Ohio

BAYCRAFTERS RENAISSANCE FAYRE. E-mail: info@baycrafters.com. Website: http://www.baycrafters.com. Address: Sally Irwin Price, 28795 Lake Rd., Bay Village, OH, 44140. Site Address: Huntington Reservation of Cleveland Metro Parks, 13 mi west of Cleveland, OH on Lake Erie. Dates: 9/4/04 ' 9/6/04. Open/Close: 10:00 AM ' 6:00 PM.

SOUTHEASTERN OHIO RENAISSANCE FAIRE. Site Address: Cambridge City ParkN. 8th Street & Edgeworth AvenueCambridge, Ohio, 43725. Dates: 9/18/04 - 9/19/04.

Oklahoma

STRATFORD MEDIEVAL FAIRE. E-mail: katyjones@direcway.com. Website: http://www.stratfordmedieval.us. Address: Kathy or Mike Jones, Rt 2, Box 22b, Stratford, OK, 74872. Site Address: Stratford, OK City Park. Dates: 9/10/04 ' 9/11/04. Open/Close: 10:00 AM '6:00 PM.

Oregon

SHREWSBURY RENAISSANCE FAIRE. E-mail: shrew@shrewfaire.com. Website: http://www.shrewfaire.com. Address: The Shrew, PO Box 604, Philomath, OR, 97370. Site Address: Kings Valley, OR. Dates: 9/11/04 ' 9/12/04. Open/Close: 10:00 AM ' 6:00 PM.

Pennsylvania

GREATER PITTSBURGH RENAISSANCE FESTIVAL. Site Address: 112 Renaissance Lane West Newton, Pennsylvania, 15089. Dates: 8/21/04 - 9/26/04.

VILLAGE RENAISSANCE FAIRE. E-mail: villagefaire@att.net. Website: http://www.villagefaire.org. Address: Village Library of Wrightstown, 727 Penns Park Rd, Wrightstown, PA, 18940. Site Address: Middletown Grange Fairgrounds, Penns Park Rd., Wrightstown, PA. Dates: 9/18/04 ' 9/19/04. Open/Close: 11:00 AM ' 6:00 PM.

Tennessee

MEDIEVAL AND RENAISSANCE FESTIVAL. Site Address: Knoxville, Tennessee. Dates: 9/9/04 - 9/11/04.

Texas

TABLEROCK FANTASY FAIRE. E-mail: Pangea@vvm.com. Address: TFF c/o D.R. Hood, P.O. Box 283, Salado, TX, 76571. Site Address: Tablerock Theater, Salado, TX, Exit 284 on IH-35. Dates: 9/18/04 ' 9/19/04. Open/Close: 10:00 AM ' 6:00 PM.

Washington

GREENSPIRE MEDIEVAL ARTS FESTIVAL. Website: http://www.greenspire.org. Address: Blessed Sacrament Church, 5041 9th Ave. NE, Seattle, WA. Site Address: Blessed Sacrament Church, 5041 9th Ave. NE, Seattle, WA. Dates: 9/11/04 ' 9/12/04. Open/Close: 10:30 AM ' 5:00 PM.

Wisconsin

BRISTOL RENAISSANCE FAIRE. Site Address: Kenosha, Wisconsin. Dates: 7/10/04 - 9/6/04.

Canada

ONTARIO RENAISSANCE FESTIVAL. FAX: 905-878-6043. E-mail: orf@globalserve.net. Website: http://www.rennfest.com/orf/index.html. Address: P.O. Box 486, Milton, ON, L9T-4Z1. Site Address: 6252 8th Line, Hornby, ON, LOP 1EO. Dates: 7/31/04 - 9/06/04. Open/Close: 10:30 AM - 7:00 PM.

ROYAL MEDIEVAL FAIRE. E-mail: info@royalmedievalfaire.org. Website: http://www.royalmedievalfaire.org. Address: City of Waterloo, 100 Regina St. S., Waterloo, ON, N2J 4A8. Site Address: Waterloo Park W., Waterloo, Ontario. Date: 9/18/04. Open/Close: 11 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

COPPERCON 24. Website: http://www.coppercon.org. E-mail: cucon@casfs.org. Address: Embassy Suites Phoenix North Hotel, 2577 W. Greenway Rd., Phoenix, AZ 85023. Dates: 9/3/04 - 9/5/04.

California

**GATEWAY 2004.**Website: http://www.strategicon.net. E-mail: ravengeist@aol.com. Address: Los Angeles Airport Westin Hotel, Los Angeles, California. Dates: 9/3/04 - 9/6/04.

Colorado

NAN DESU KAN. Website: http://www.ndk.cc. E-mail: Genkidenki@hotmail.com. Address: Holiday Inn DIA, Denver, Colorado. Dates: 9/17/04 - 9/19/04.

Georgia

ANIME WEEKEND ATLANTA. Website: http://www.awa-con.com/. E-mail: awaweb@awa-con.com. Address: Sheraton Gateway Hotel & Georgia International Convention Center, Atlanta, Georgia. Dates: 9/24/04 - 9/26/04.

DRAGONCON. Website: http://www.dragoncon.org/. E-mail: dragoncon@dragoncon.org. Address: Atlanta Hyatt Regency, Atlanta, Georgia. Dates: 9/3/04 - 9/6/04.

Illinois

ARCHON. WEBSITE: http://www.archonstl.org/. E-mail: archon_hotline@archonstl.org. Address: Gateway Convention Center, Collinsville, Illinois. Dates: 9/30/04 - 10/3/04.

THE CHICAGOLAND ENTERTAINMENT COLLECTORS EXPO. Website: http://www.nonsportcardexpo.com. E-mail: nonsportcardexpo@aol.com. Address: Ramada O'Hare, Rosemont, Illinois. Dates: 9/10/04 - 9/12/04.

CHICAGOLAND TOY & GAME FAIR. Website: http://www.chitag.com. E-mail: info@chitag.com. Address: Navy Pier, Chicago, Illinois. Dates: 9/3/04 - 9/5/04.

**I-CON 2004.**Website: http://www.mecca-anime.com/I-Con/i-con.html. E-mail: Paul@mecca-anime.com. Address: Crowne Plaza, Springfield, Illinois. Dates: 9/3/04 - 9/5/04.

Iowa

ANIMEIOWA. Website: http://www.animeiowa.com. E-mail: info@animeiowa.com. Address: Hotel Fort Des Moines, Des Moines, Iowa. Dates: 9/17/04 - 9/19/04.

Massachusetts

NOREASCON 4. Website: http://www.mcfi.org. E-mail: info@mcfi.org. Address: Sheraton Boston Hotel & Towers, Copley Marriott, & Hynes Convention Center, Boston, Massachusetts. Dates: 9/2/04 - 9/6/04.

Ohio

ADVANCE THE COLORS. Website: http://www.hmgsgreatlakes.org. E-mail: atc@hmgsgl.com. Address: Holiday Inn, Springfield, Ohio. Dates: 9/17/04 - 9/19/04.

Tennessee

MEPHIT FURMEET. Website: http://mephitfurmeet.org/. E-mail: furmeet@mindspring.com. Address: Holiday Inn - Memphis East, Memphis, Tennessee. Dates: 9/3/04 - 9/6/04.

Texas

**ANIMEFEST!**Website: http://www.animefest.org. E-mail: info@animefest.org. Address: Dallas, Texas. Dates: 9/3/04 - 9/6/04.

FENCON. Website: http://www.fencon.org. E-mail: fenconinfo@fencon.org. Address: Dallas-Fort Worth Area, Dallas, Texas. Dates: 9/24/04 - 9/26/04.

Virginia

**GAMEFEST-RICHMOND.**Website: http://www.gamefestseries.com. E-mail: linzee@gamefestseries.com. Address: Greater Richmond Convention Center, Richmond, Virginia. Dates: 9/17/04 - 9/19/04.

Canada

VANCOUVER COMICON. Website: http://users.uniserve.com/~lswong/Comicon.html. E-mail: lswong@uniserve.com. Address: Heritage Hall, Vancouver, British Columbia Canada. Dates: 9/12/04.

United Kingdom

THE OTHER PARTIZAN 2004. Website: http://www.innotts.co.uk/irregulars/. E-mail: laurence@innotts.co.uk. Address: Kelham Hall, Newark, Notts, UK. Dates: 9/12/04.

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

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:

• Arrows OnLine: Contact: Adept Grayfeather k'Varis (Kristi Reed). E-mail: DragonMamaK@aol.com. Arrows OnLine is the AOL chapter of QO. Chats will be held the first and third Wednesdays of each month from 8-10 PM ET. Topics will be posted prior to chat, hopefully as soon as a month in advance for book discussions. Although we have the scheduled chat, the Companion's Grove is open 24/7, and anyone can come in for informal chat. As far as instructions on how to get there … there are lots of hoops to jump through now. Go to the books community, find the message board link, then find the "Author A-Z" message board, and find your way to the Mercedes Lackey boards from there. She's no longer a keyword, but hopefully with more traffic in the future that will change. If you don't want to jump through hoops, you can e-mail me directly, and I'll give you the links. The links to the chatroom will be on my "signature" on the boards.
• German Heartstone: Website: http://www.heartstone.de. Contact: Sunny@heartstone.de or Shae@heartstone.de. A new chapter of Queens Qwn FanClub started in Germany for all German-speaking people within a brand new Misty-Fanpage on http://www.heartstone.de! For more information contact Sunny@heartstone.de or Shae@heartstone.de.
• Golden Grove: Website: Golden Grove. Contact Theresa Young. Membership is open to all. Send all questions to Golden Grove, c/o Theresa Young, 2573 Blue Heron Dr., Hudson, OH 44236. To query by e-mail, contact minna@adelphia.net. Visit our website at Golden Grove for more information. (See ad below.)
• Heartland Arrows: Website: http://www.marymuse.com/heartlandarrows/. Contact Mary Wilson. This chapter is for Queen's Own members in Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, & Wisconsin. For information e-mail mary@marymuse.com, or send a SASE to: Mary Wilson, P.O. Box 235, Mitchellville, IA, 50169. Our new homepage is http://www.marymuse.com/heartlandarrows/. (Formerly Illinois Arrow.)
• Herald's Waystation: Website: http://deserthorses.com/heraldswaystation. Contact: heraldauralynn@hotmail.net and HeraldEnyo@gmail.com. This chapter covers the Gulf Coast Region, Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Louisana, and adjacent. We plan to hold get-togethers during a Rennie Faire centered in these states; details to be announced later. We will have a quarterly snail mail newsletter called Companion's Quarterly. We are not going to charge new members for the first 3 newsletters; after that it will be 75 cents per newsletter. We will also have an online, nonfiction newsletter. Look for details and other fun stuff when we launch our chapter website. Snail mail: Jan Tallevast, Rt 1 Box 137, Milford, Tx 76670.
• Sapphire and White: Editor Ronald Glaser. E-mail: luckystar@abe.midco.net. We want members from all over the United States, but we technically cover the Great Lakes region, including South Dakota, North Dakota, Minnesota, Nebraska and Iowa. Heyla there, everyone! Sapphire and White is looking for people who are interested in Mercedes Lackey and her works such as the Valdemar series and the many other books that she has written. You can contact me for more info at luckystar@abe.midco.net. I hope to have a chat list and maybe a fanzine going soon, but i am looking for submissions for that when it gets up and running.
• Sonoran Collegium: Website: Sonoran Collegium. Contact: Laura Felton. Our Region: THE SOUTHWEST (Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas; however, anyone is welcome). Snail mail: Laura Felton, (aka Herald-Mage Apprentice Ryha), Lubbock, TX.
• Southern Arrow: Website: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/gaqueensown/ Contact: Herald Sitara. E-mail: ravindraanima@gmail.com. Heralds unite! Southern Arrow is up and running again, and we'd love to have you along! I'm planning on fanzines, trips to cons, and much, much more. If you would like to sign up for the newsletter, or the fanzine you can go to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/gaqueensown/ and you will but automatically included. I'm also looking for someone to help me out with this, and maybe pull up a website. If interested contact me at sblackwell@knology.net. And if you'd like to contact me about any ideas or suggestions, please put it on the board, I would love to hear what you have!
• The Vanyel Fan Club: Website: Vanyel Fan Club. Contact: herald_bastian@hotmail.com. The Vanyel Fan Club is a chapter of QO that started out as an independent fan organization. The chapter is devoted to fans of Herald-Mage Vanyel Ashkevron from The Last Herald-Mage Trilogy by Mercedes Lackey.

Zines and Newsletters:

• Austral'a'in: Editor: Cassandra Vuksa. We print fiction (both fanfic on Velgarth and other fantasy stories), poetry, art, reviews, recipes, articles, personas, pen pal ads and stacks more! This fanzine is up for adoption. Austral'a'in is up for adoption. If you are interested in adopting the chapter, contact Cassandra Vuksa, garou@netspeed.com.au.

• Children of Velgarth: Editor: Kendra Renaud, P.O. Box 749, Laguna Beach, CA 92652. E-mail: healermoon@gmail.com. I publish new and old personae, even previously published persona if asked by members in this new, official QO zine. I will only accept what was sent in for your persona to Queen's Own to be recognized. Any fan fiction written later should be sent to one of the other zines who really need it to keep their zines going. This fanzine will be published periodically when it reaches 80 pages or so to keep costs at $5.00 payable in U.S. funds or 12 IRCs. Make checks payable to "Kendra Renaud". The fee covers the cost of printing and mailing; you may share (but not duplicate!) copies of the fanzine. Watch the Queen's Own newsletter for release dates. Issues 4, 5 and 6 are currently in the editing stages! Each zine will have about 10 personas for a total of 30 personas that have been accepted in the last couple of years. For the contents list for issues 1,2, and 3 and additional information, visit Children of Velgarth.

• Companions' Grove: still needs stories, and artists to illustrate stories! (Remember, all contributors get a free copy of the zine in which their work appears.) Volume Eight is full, and awaiting the illustrations and final layout. ** If you contributed a story or promised me artwork for Volume Eight and have not heard from me recently, please get in touch with me, as I had to reformat my hard drive and lost my zine correspondence and address book earlier this year. If I don't hear from you by September 2003, I will have to drop your contribution from the zine. ** Volume Nine is open to submissions. Current prices (not including shipping) are:

  • Companions' Grove Volume One - $4.75 (40 pages, color cover)
  • Companions' Grove Volume Two - $6.35 (56 pages, color cover)
  • Companions' Grove Volume Three - $5.95 (51 pages, color cover)
  • Companions' Grove Volume Four - $4.95 (42 pages, color cover)
  • Companions' Grove Volume Five - $7.75 (69 pages, color cover)
  • Companions' Grove Volume Six - $6.55 (57 pages, color cover)
  • Companions' Grove Volume Seven - $5.95 (52 pages, color cover)
  • The Danya Winterborn Saga - $5.20 (52 pages, b/w front and back covers)
  • Endgame - $3.85(36 pages, b/w cover)
  • Fire Eyes - $4.40 (43 pages, b/w cover)
  • Shards of Autumn - out of print, see note below
  • The Sum of Duty - $5.80 (57 pages, b/w cover)
  • Do or Dye: A Guide to Companion Camouflage - $1.25 (20 pages, digest size, b/w cover, saddle stapled)
  • Cat's Cradle - $7.60 (76 pages, monochrome green cover)

  For orders shipping in the US, I've instituted a maximum shipping cost of $3.85. Multi-zine orders, which can be shipped in a flat rate envelope (usually 3 of the smaller zines, or 2 of the larger zines), will be sent Priority Mail; larger orders will be sent Media Mail Insured, which is only slightly slower and doesn't have the zone rates (which wouldn't work with my shopping cart). Smaller orders will be sent First Class.

  I take credit cards via PayPal, which is the cart's only payment option, but the cart can be used to calculate shipping, and checks/money orders mailed to Green Dragon Press, c/o Devin Harris, 4531 N. Kelishan St., Pahrump, NV 89060.

  Except as noted, zines are printed on high-quality, bright white paper, comb bound, with cardstock covers. Story excerpts and cover art-as well as submission guidelines and PayPal ordering information-can be found at http://www.greendragonpress.net/misty.htm. To order via snail mail, send check or money order (payable to Devin Harris; US funds only) to Green Dragon Press, c/o Devin Harris, 4531 N. Kelishan St., Pahrump, NV 89060.

  Note regarding Shards of Autumn: While this zine is officially out of print and no longer available on the website, a few copies are left over from convention appearances. Any remaining copies from MediaWest will be available at that con until they sell out; the others are being returned to me and will be auctioned off at http://www.auctionfen.com until they are gone. I also occasionally auction off zines which returned from cons a bit shopworn, so it's a good site to check periodically.

• Companion's Quarterly. The snail mail newsletter of Herald's Waystation (See chapter description above.). We are not going to charge new members for the first 3 newsletters; after that it will be 75 cents per newsletter. Snail mail: Jan Tallevast, Rt 1 Box 137, Milford, Tx 76670. E-mail: heraldauralynn@hotmail.net and HeraldEnyo@gmail.com. For more information visit our website at http://deserthorses.com/heraldswaystation.

• Golden Grove: Editor: Theresa Young. E-mail: minna@adelphia.net. A subscription to the newsletter is $4 US or twelve stamps per year. Foreign subscriptions are nine IRCs a year. Send your subscription requests and all questions to Golden Grove, c/o Theresea Young, 2573 Blue Heron Dr., Hudson, OH 44236. Visit our website at Golden Grove for more information.

• Herald's Companion: Editor: Karen Bertke, 5694 Scarborough Dr., Cincinnati, OH 45238. If anyone has friends stationed overseas for the war, let us know and we'll send them a feezil mascot (to make anything feezilable). E-mail:submission instructions:

  1. Subject line must read "For Karen." (Anything else will be erased as a potential virus hazard.)
  2. Do not use strange fonts, which my computer will not recognize.
  3. E-mail:it to gbertke@fuse.net. (This is my father's e-mail address. Use it for submissions for Herald's Companion only.)

• Riding Circuit, a quarterly zine of Velgarth fanfiction seeks submissions. The first issue is due out in early April, and I look forward to stories of Heralds, Hawkbrothers, Bards and other people of Velgarth. Art and poetry are also welcome. Submissions may be sent by mail to: Mary Wilson, P.O. Box 235, Mitchellville, IA, 50169 or e-mailed to adeptstarfeather@marymuse.com. Visit our website http://www.marymuse.com/HeartlandArrows/RC.html for more information.

• Tales of the Southern Bard: TOTSB needs members and submissions. TOTSB will be a quarterly, snail-mail zine and will feature short stories, poetry, reviews and artwork of fantasy, science fiction, and horror genres. Aimed specifically for the South all are welcome to join. If interested please contact Herald Valana/Rachel Valentine at SouthernBard@eudoramail.com for submission guidelines and information on how to join or visit TOTSB's homepage: http://www.angelfire.com/zine2/southernbard/Tales_of_the_Southern_Bard.htm.

• Tales of the Unicorn: After a decade hiatus it's back … Tales of the Unicorn. Tales seeks fantasy fiction of all types, though we are most open to sword and sorcery, high fantasy, and magical fantasy. Tales will be published quarterly with the first issue coming in late April. Art and poetry are also welcome. Visit our website at http://www.marymuse.com/HeartlandArrows/TotU.html for more information. Submissions may be sent to adeptstarfeather@marymuse.com or by mail to Mary Wilson, PO Box 235, Mitchellville, IA, 50169.

Other Fandoms:

• Lois Bujold: Lois Bujold can be reached at lois@dendarii.com. "The Bujold Nexus" is at http://www.dendarii.com. You can receive information about their newsletter, the "Dendarii Dispatch" by contacting Lyn Belzer, Editor, 25-16 18th St., #2 Long Island City, NY 11102.
• CrossGen Comics: Exciting New Fantasy Comic Books. Follow Prince Ethan's adventures the third Wednesday of each month as he gains the powerful sigil and accidentally puts his world on the brink of war. Meridian, on sale the fourth Wednesday of each month, is the fantastic saga of a teenage girl and her plight to save her floating island home. Go to http://www.crossgen.com, or call 1-888-COMICBOOK for details on a retail location near you.
• Tanya Huff: Nine Above! is a list for fans of author Tanya Huff. This list provides announcements about Tanya's latest work, publication dates, and personal appearances. NA! also provides a forum for Tanya's fans to communicate with each other, and will have discussion as well as announcements. Lurking is fine, but participation is encouraged. When you join, we'd love for you to send a "hello" to the group at large, telling us who you are! To start sending messages to members of this group, simply send email to nineabove@egroups.com.
• L.A. Malcor: Dragonlords of Dumnonia: L.A. Malcor, http://www.dragonlordsnet.com, shashtah@gmail.com.
• Adrian Paul of Highlander: **Peace,**APFC P.O. Box 4593, North Hollywood, CA 91617 or **Peace,**APFC P.O. Box 519, Broley, Kent, BR29WX, England.
• Michael Praed: Michael Praed Network Newsletter, c/o Kate Raymond, P.O. Box 516, Midlotioan, IL 60445.
• Melanie Rawn: Pandemonium- The official Melanie Rawn club invites you to join their ranks. SASE for more information: Irena Pereira, P.O. Box 18A146 , Los Angeles, CA 90018.
• N3F is one of the oldest general interest SF/F clubs, started in 1941. Members meet by snail mail and E-mail to discuss SF, Fantasy, and Horror genres. (Some gather at cons, too.) We have plenty to offer the hungry SF/F/H fan! Members receive Tightbeam, the club's quarterly zine, and The National Fantasy Fan, our bi-monthly zine. For inquiries, please snail mail me at N3F Secretary, Dennis Davis, 25549 Byron Street, San Bernadino, CA, 92404-6403. Check out our website at http://www.simegen.com/fandom/n3f.
• Star Trek: The USS Starfire is a writing group that writes original fiction set in the Star Trek universe. To find our more about our group, please visit our website at http://www.epix.net/~ckocher/starfire.html or e-mail us at trek01@epix.net.
• Doctor Who and other Media: **The Prydonians of Prynceton,**P.O. Box 3194, Princeton, NJ 08543-3194.

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.

• Welcome to Herald Wynndi Ylsashke, Chosen by Reonn and Gifted with Mindspeech and Empathy. Briana Falb-Joslin wrote about Wynndi and her family and friends, created a recipe for potato stew, composed lyrics for a song and wrote a poem.

If you were working on a persona who is no longer listed at Club chat guidance that means we have not heard from you in over a year. To revive your persona, simply message Danya at shashtah@gmail.com and tell her that your persona is in "Deep Storage." She will pull it out for you and reactivate your submission.

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:

• Bard Valiena (laughsong@aol.com)
• Guardsman Faolan Ixran (Timmeu@scubadiving.com)
• Healer Darnellon Gaither (mdprier@aol.com)
• Healer Tamesin na Coille (brindle@bellsouth.net)
• Herald Alia Melyngar (aliamelyngar@aol.com)
• Herald Constantine Rief (maciain@pathway.net)
• Herald Deborah (sjupiterdebi@home.com)
• Herald Fiona L'Aren (divagypsy@yahoo.com)
• Herald Ian Hawkwood (ianhawke1@aol.com)
• Herald-Mage Apprentice Kadia Linder (Kadia@aol.com)
• Herald Kendryl Shadowwolf (kscarpat@altavista.com)
• Herald Keri Starfire/Mountainheart (WaltherM@imefdf.usmc.mil)
• Herald Lisbeth Maye (wizardshome@hotmail.com)
• Herald Liselle Aravon (rusalka@nac.net)
• Herald Miracle Oceanfire (rhyme_reason@hotmail.com)
• Herald Paf (jaro@attbi.com)
• Herald Taras Taltos (billernoe@hotmail.com)
• Tayledras Healer Adept Sierra k'Treva (katsanders@buffymail.com)
• Tayledras Mage Autumnwynd k'Vaia (autumnwynd@aol.com)
• Tayledras Blackwolf k'Vala (HRHIce@aol.com)
• Tayledras 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.

From Healer Adept Moonstar:

Here is fall already and many of us are heading back to school. I am in the midst of my second class for my MBA at University of Phoenix and my son is chomping at the bit to start kindergarten. Through it all I know we will find time to escape into Valdemar.

I know whenever the homework gets to be too much or events at work become too much that little escape with Misty and Vanyel is always a welcome respite. I enjoy reading your works of fiction in our various fanzines. The only chapter who seems print a zine or newsletter any more is "Herald's/Feezil's Companion." If this is in correct please let us know. I know there are various chapters operating under our Queen's Own umbrella. Please check your advertisements and be sure everything is up to date.

We are still editing the next three issues of Children of Velgarth. I hope to get them out by the end of the year. I am hoping we have more submissions so I can get to work on issue 7; we are still about 5 personas shy to get it together.

I know many of our pending members want to have the "unique" background. Can I just say I am getting really bored reading the characters that are beaten up by the neighborhood bullies and/or parents/stepparents? I much prefer reading about normal kids who were studying for one or more professions, perhaps they hadn't made of their mind yet. That have parents that love them and are disappointed and happy their child is Chosen. They have a few friends, and who they look forward to seeing during holidays. Believe or not these are the characters that are much more likely to be approved the first or second time we read them. Those with complicated pasts are likely to be sent back several times! I know you all have read Danya's thoughts on this situation, and I thought I would add my two cents.

I look forward to reading your stories and personas, and yes even regular letters. I haven't had a chance to answer my E-mail as regularly as I would like so please do not be offended if it takes awhile to get back to you.

Hugs-

Moonstar

Personals:

• From Ellen Million: Not only is Ellen Million Graphics still around (ten years last October!), but I now offer an array of gorgeous new work by new artists, on many new products (including t-shirts!) and a brand new character portrait service. Ordering is available on-line or by snail mail: http://www.ellenmilliongraphics.com. I'd also love to get back in touch with lost penpals! (Use the contact form on the website to avoid death-by-spam-filters!)
• From Herald Valana Dorrandale/Rachel Valentine: 21-year-old college student needs relief from mundania! I enjoy Misty, Anne Rice, Mickey Zucker Riechert, Robert Jordan, Fiona Patton, Tanya Huff, C.S. Friedman etc. B5, Star Trek, Star Wars, Highlander, LOTR,all kinds of music, scaly and furry animals, Garfield, writing, drawing, singing, playing guitar, horseback riding, traveling and much more. Do you like this stuff?? Write me! TO: Robin S., Bess H., Bard Shiana, Harold P.: Are you all still QO members?? Please write me; I've missed you guys! E-mail: raeval23@yahoo.com.
• From Jennifer M. Mackay/Herald Mallea D'Lar. My interests are wide and long, so write me to find out more! Currently, I enjoy reading mostly Fantasy and SF. Some of my favorite authors are: Misty, JRR Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Kate Elliott, Patricia Kenneally-Morrison, Morgan Llewellyn, and many more! I am an unpublished author working on an SF novel and a fantasy novel, plus various short stories. I enjoy watching movies, going to the beach, the mountains, and the bookstore! I also love listening to music (My tastes vary.). If you write or e-mail, I'm sure we can find something in common! Letters via Post Awful: Jennifer M. Mackay, P.O. Box 66408, Portland, OR 97290-6408. E-mail: mackayjennifer@netscape.net, mackayjenn@hotmail.com.
• From White Winds Sorceress Cime Shadow Weaver. To All. Shadows of Goddess is now an online store. I offer 10 % discount to Queen's Own members. Be sure to tell me you are though. (:) I offer new items weekly. http://www.ebaystores.com/shadowsofthegoddess. My e-mail address is cimeshadow@aol.com.
• From: Healer Adept Moonstar. To: All. Re: Release Forms for Personas. I still need release forms from many of you for your personas. I received most of the releases for Issue 1, and only one release for each of Issue 2 and Issue 3. Please send copies of your release forms to: Queen's Own, P.O. Box 749, Laguna Beach, CA 92652.
• From Herald-Mage Danya. To: All. Re: Cookbook. If you've read my persona submission in CoV, you know that I like making up medieval-style recipes. I'm thinking about compiling a cookbook based on meals that Misty describes in the Velgarth series. If anyone is currently reading the books, could you note the book and page any food items are mentioned on and send them to me at shashtah@gmail.com? Thanks!

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 Jan Tallevast 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