Last year, as head of programming, I focused on developing a full science track (which was well received) to add to the programming mix,. This year the science track will be back, and to give it a push Dr. Charles Sheffield will be our Science Guest of Honor, a category new this year at OryCon. Please look at his biography on our website (www.orycon.o./index.html).

Book keeping information: As usual, the Dealer's Room is already sold out, Art Show still has openings. Our membership stands at 393 at last count (about the same as last year). So remember OryCon 21 expects to sell out; get your memberships early (and often). Memberships cost $30 until 7-15, rise to $35 until 10-15, and (if any are left) will be $45 at the door.

Hotel: When calling the DoubleTree Columbia River (1-800-222-TREE), ask for the OryCon rate. The room cost is the same as last year, but room taxes increase.
 

First, our Guest of Honor Artist is Nene Thomas, a professional fantasy artist, who has done over 150 original art pieces for Wizards of the Coast.

Our Guest of Honor Writer is Nicola Griffith, winner of the 1996 Nebula Award for Best Novel.

Guest of Honor Editors Warren LaPine and Angela Kessler are the senior editors for DNA Publications, which includeAbsolute Magazine, Dreams of Decadence, and Weird Tales.

New this year as Guest of Honor Scientist is Charles Sheffield, Chief Scientist of Earth Satellite Corp, a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, Past President of the American Astronomical Society and Past President of the Science Fiction Writers of America. He won the Hugo for his short story, Georgia On My Mind.
 

Participation is limited to registered members of OryCon 21, and as usual, we need your stories well ahead of the convention so that we can match and distribute manuscripts. We need to receive submissions to this year's workshops by September 13, 1999.

We will accept submissions this year in two divisions. Submissions should follow basic professional manuscript format (double spacing, non-proportional type, 1" margins, etc.). Participants may submit only one (1) manuscript and participate in only one (1) division. The number of workshop sessions in each division will depend on availability of space and critiquing professionals.

SHORT STORY: Max. length 30 manuscript pages (about 7500 words).

NOVEL: Maximum length 60 manuscript pages, consisting of 2-3 chapters and an outline/synopsis.

To submit, send one (1) copy of your manuscript to the address below. Submissions must be accompanied by a $10 fee to cover costs of photocopying and mailing. Checks should be payable to OryCon 21.

    John C. Bunnell
    OryCon 21 Writers' Workshop
    6663 SW Beaverton-Hillsdale Hwy. #326
    Portland, OR 97225-1403

Please also either complete and attach the form below, or supply the information requested on a separate sheet of paper. Answering the questions for each division will help us place you in a workshop section and help our pro critiquers to give you the most appropriate possible advice.

    Name
    Address
    City/State/ZIP
    Phone #
    E-mail Address (if available)
    Badge # (if known)
 

SHORT STORY DIVISION:

Have you attended a convention writer's workshop before?
If Yes, about how many such workshops have you attended?
Have you had one or more short stories professionally published?
If Yes, about how many stories have you sold?

NOVEL DIVISION:

Have you completed a draft of the novel of which your submission is a part?
Have you completed any other novel-length manuscripts?
Have you submitted a novel manuscript to a professional publisher?
 

"WHAT NOW?": Are you stuck in the middle of a story? Do you have an ending but no beginning? A great character and nowhere to go? Five pages of fantastic description and no plot? This workshop is for you. Submit up to twelve (12) manuscript pages (about 3000 words) of material, and our pro writers will help you figure out how to take what you have and create a solid story. Note that twelve pages is a maximum - if you only have five or six, that's fine, too.

"FINAL POLISH": If you have a complete story ready to submit, this division is for you. Send us the manuscript (up to 12 pages, or about 3000 words); our pro writers will give it a careful reading and meet with you at the con to discuss what it needs to make it really sparkle.

You need to be a registered member of OryCon 21 to participate, and we need your submissions in hand by August 31, 1999 (but sooner is better; don't wait till the deadline!). To submit material to StoryWorks, make sure that it's neatly typed or computer-printed (double spacing, non-proportional type, 1" margins, etc.), enclose a payment of $5 to cover copying and mailing costs (checks should be made out to OryCon 21), and send it to:

    John C. Bunnell
    OryCon 21 -- StoryWorks
    6663 SW Beaverton-Hillsdale Hwy. #326
    Portland, OR 97225-1403

Please include the following with your submission, and be sure to mention which division you're interested in. (One submission per person, please.)

    Name
    Address
    City/State/ZIP
    Phone #
    E-mail Address (if available)
    Badge # (if known)
    Age (as of November 1, 1999)
    Parent/Guardian Signature
  

There will be no direct sales until Saturday, just like last year, so be prepared for the auction. Thank you for all of your support over the last three years I really appreciate it. With Nene Thomas as the Artist GOH it should be a beautiful and entertaining show.
 

Young Fan: Anyone 13 and under.

Novice: Anyone who has not previously won at a world class competition (i.e. Worldcon or Costume Con) and has won no more than two times as a Novice.

Journeyman: Anyone who is an amateur and has had up to three wins at the world class Journeyman level.

Master: This division is open to anyone, but the following must compete at this level: Anyone who has more than three wins at the Journeyman level.

Professional Costumer: Best of show winner at a world class competition.
 

Please review the following rules:

1. No purchased, rented, or commercial costumes; credit must be given for all make-up and costume construction.

2. No pyrotechnics, fog machines, wind machines, Jacob's Ladders, or Oscillation Overthrusters (whatever those are).

3. No real firearms. Handle realistic-looking firearms with care. In fact, no dangerous or potentially dangerous props will be allowed without the close inspection of the weapons master. No weapons will be pointed at the judges and any other weapon play must be approved by the director.

4. This Masquerade is rated PG-13. As much as I might enjoy it personally. I will have to insist on no nudity or partial nudity. Lack of costume is not a costume.

5. No flash photography of contestants on stage. Offstage, please get permission from the costumer before you flash. Remember, there may be people around you who are sensitive to your flash.

6. Presentation time limits: One minute for a group of 1-4 people, two minutes for a group of 5-8, and three minutes for a group of nine or more. Additional time may be given by the Masquerade Director on a case by case basis.

7. No live mikes! If your presentation includes dialog, please add it to your soundtrack tape.

8. The Masquerade Director has the final say.

And finally, the obligatory no peanut butter rule: No messy substances--that is, nothing that will ruin another costume or make the floor sticky, gritty, slippery, slimy, bumpy, lumpy, scorched, toxic, or nonexistent.