Hey there you Aussies

A message to all my Australian friends:
The Fan Fund of Australia and New Zealand (FFANZ) election race is now on for somebody to attend the 2007 NZ natcon here in Welly. I expect one or more of you to be on the ballot. You will need a Kiwi nominator - first one to ask gets my nomination (I can arrange others if necessary).

Balanced pulp - ASIM #22

I started reading a book today that had very small print. It just seemed like too much hard work when ASIM #22 was just waiting there for me. So obviously I read the ASIM instead, especially since there is a story by a Kiwi author in there.

Tansy Rayner Roberts edited this one. It is always interesting to see how each editor interprets the pulp thing. I liked the balance of this issue. It has a number of very short funny stories mixed with longer (but still short) old fashioned '50s style SF stories. By old fashioned I mean the type of story told, not the writing style or sensibilities that went with those times - those are current. These types of stories appeal to me - well told with variations on classic themes. The examples in the issue are all good. It is just a lot of fun.

I particularly liked The Last Cyberpunk by Will McIntosh. Capturing the impact of the disconnecting effects of old age while poking a bit of borax at the whole cyberpunk style. It fulfils the pulp requirement but still has interesting depths.

Apart from that one I would also make mention of Marco's Tooth by Trent Jamieson and Black Box by Miles Deacon. The latter having a real Campbell era feel to it. But there are no bad stories here and I am sure others would pick different favourites.

So when is the next one due...