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Many works of speculative fiction aren’t hard science fiction and can’t easily be defined as traditional fantasy, including elements of technology, magic, and myth. Think rockets and dragons, robots and wizards, computers and spell books, laser guns and magical lances. That blurring between genres is often called science fantasy. In our February 5th meeting, we will solicit attendee thoughts and opinions on existing works, as well as on incorporating science fantasy themes into your own stories, possibly overcoming writing blocks you may be having trying to make your science fiction- or fantasy-only ideas work.

Moderator: Alan Vincent Michaels

Location: Barnes & Noble, Pittsford
Meeting Time: February 5, 2013 from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.

In our January 1 meeting, attendees are invited to read from their current or in-progress works -- older or sold stories and poems are also welcome. Short pieces or a portion of a longer work (up to 2,000 words) are preferred, so everyone has sufficient reading time and attendees, if they desire, may provide their feedback. After the readings conclude and as time permits, attendees may share with the group what they are currently reading.

Moderator: Alan Vincent Michaels
Location: Barnes & Noble, Pittsford
Meeting Time: January 1, 2013 from 7:30 - 9:00 p.m.

Our November 6 meeting will be a presentation and open discussion on "Asteroid Mining," the exciting possibility of exploiting raw materials found in asteroids, spent comets, and near-Earth objects, then bringing the mined materials back to Earth or to use them to construct orbital stations and space vessels for colonizing the Moon, Mars, and beyond. The presentation will focus on the positive and negative effects of such endeavors, recent announcements from NASA and private enterprises about space mining, and some of the dreams of past and present science fiction authors that may soon become reality.

Presenter: Alan Vincent Michaels
Location: Barnes & Noble, Pittsford
Meeting Time: November 6 from 7:30 - 9:00 p.m.

In our October 2 meeting, attendees are invited to read from their current or in-progress works -- older or sold stories and poems are also welcome. Short pieces or a portion of a longer work (up to 2,000 words) are preferred, so everyone has sufficient reading time and attendees, if they desire, may provide their feedback. After the readings conclude and time permitting, attendees can share with the group what they are currently reading.

Moderator: Alan Vincent Michaels
Location: Barnes & Noble, Pittsford
Meeting Time: October 2 from 7:30 - 9:00 p.m.
[Note to readers: Please check in with the moderator before the meeting starts at 7:30 p.m.]

TheTuesday, August 8, saw readings from Alan Michaels (who read a short currently under consideration), Frank Glove rand Eric Scoles, as well as discussion of upcoming meeting topics. 

In June, Frank Glover helped us understand why this is such an exciting time for the space program. Frank began with an overview of the vehicles being developed privately as part of NASA’s Commercial Crew program (with a natural emphasis on SpaceX's recently completed resupply mission with its Dragon capsule, first ever by a private company). We've added links to resources mentioned during Frank's presentation in the form of his own post-presentation notes. 

This month, I'd like to discuss 2012 Nebula nominees (full text of many of the shorter pieces is available online) -- but I'm particularly interested in one nominee, Jake Kerr's "The Old Equations," a recasting of the old Tom Godwin chestnut "The Cold Equations." As usual, attempts to derail will be entertained (and encouraged in proportion to their enthusiasm).

Also of interest: Microsoft invests heavily in Barnes & Noble. What (if anything) does it mean for publishing -- particularly independent publishing?