GUFFSTUFF 5 – February 1988
comes to you courtesy of your friendly local administrator, namely:Eve Harvey, 43 Harrow Road, Carshalton, Surrey SMS 3QH, UK
Just when you thought it was safe to start a new year what happens? ... Australia's bicentennial and Guffstuff 5! It can only get better from here. I always make very serious resolutions at New Year – I view it as an opportunity to wipe the slate clean of all the mistakes made in the past, forget all the times I fell short of my own expectations and start afresh. Well, I've already broken two of those resolutions but the most wide-ranging may last a little longer – to be more efficient! Not to keep putting off answering those letters; not to sit and watch tv when I could be gainfully employed at the word processor; not to spend half of my time thinking up even better excuses for being late... you know the sort of thing. I had intended to get this flyer out for the first Wellington meeting of the year, but didn't. I don't view that as a failure of my resolution, however, since I completely forgot what I had decided on. That isn't (in my present resolution, anyway) as serious as knowing I had the work to do, but not getting round to putting word on screen.
I'm letting you back into the swing of things quite slowly, though, with only a flyer this time to let the millions of you who want to stand for GUFF know the timetable Irwin and I decided on in our inimitably democratic style. So let's get the important stuff out of the way first.
THE 1989 GUFF RACE
(Europe – Swancon 14, Perth, Australia)Sunday, 20 March 1988 Nominations close
Anyone wishing to stand should supply the UK Administrator with the following:
- Written nominations from 5 active fans, 3 from Europe, 2 from Australia/New Zealand. If you think I may not know any one of the nominators then provide me with the name of someone I could contact to ascertain the 'activity'. In basic terms, the same definition of 'active' will be used for nominators as is used for voting.
- A platform of around 200 words.
- A written commitment that, apart from Acts of God, you will attend the Easter National Convention to be held in Perth in 1989.
- A £5 bond.
All the above must be received by me before the closing date – i.e. your last chance is to call around at 11.57 p.m. on Saturday night. Because of the possible problems with post from Australia, receipt by Irwin of written confirmation from Australian nominees by the deadline (Australian time) will be acceptable.
Monday, 21 March 1988 Voting opens
Sunday, 27 November 1988 Votes counted and winner advised
24-27 March 1989 Swancon 14: 28th Australian National SF convention, Perth, W Australia
Well that's the boring administration bit out of the way. Swancon 14 should be fun (so long as they've got the right weekend!). Although I was unwell during my stay in Perth in 1985, I did see enough to know that it is very beautiful, laid-back and totally different to Sydney or London. A small con by UK standards, there should be plenty of chance to meet and talk to people; and to make us feel at home there'll even be Bob Shaw as one of the Guests of Honour. Additionally, there'll be John and I, but I won't stress that too much in case it puts anyone off! I can't wait to get back to Australia and the friends I made there in 1985, which is the best advertisement I can think of for the place and people – after a mere 4 weeks in 1985 I was completely smitten. So let's have your entries, I want a good, clean fight... etc
As far as GUFFSTUFF is concerned, 1988 should (if I keep my resolution) see quite a change. Having had a year off from fanzine production, I now feel a temptation to produce a zine again and GUFFSTUFF win be the recipient, she main purpose of the publication will still be dissemination of information about GUFF and to carry out the postal auctions, but don't be surprised if you find the odd little article creeping in. Talking of which, I'm hoping that one of the first will be from Wendy Hirsh. That's if I can nag her enough to get some thoughts on her trip. Come on Wendy, it's all up to you now.
Well, that's it for now folks. I've already sent out all the material purchased in previous postal auctions and am now about to catalogue the rest. Once this is done. I'll start the 1988 auction round with GUFFSTUFF 6 which should be out at the end of March, complete with your first ballot form.
See you all soon.
ARTICLES FOR SALE:
Next issue will contain a full list of auction items, but we still have a limited number of the following two booklets for sale.
- Bob Shaw: Serious Science
– Bob's Serious Scientific Talks 1982-1984
Beyond Cosmos; Conning Your Way; Ten Years, But Not Decayed
£1.50 including postage- Fanfoodery
– Conspiracy Fanroom Publication produced by John and Eve Harvey containing a plethora of recipes, anecdotes, ephemera that your life will be unfulfilled without.
£2.00 including postage