Tuesday, December 5, 2017

Dispatches from the Border, December 2017

Events and News From Borderlands Books

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Help with Our New Building
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As you're probably aware, we've just bought a 1902 building on Haight Street that will be the permanent home for Borderlands.  The place needs a fair amount of work and we're happy to accept help doing the work, if you'd like to give it.  You'll be working with a pretty fine group of people and you'll have a chance to learn a bunch about how buildings are put together and restored.  If that sounds interesting, please drop Alan a line at abeatts@borderlands-books.com or you can just reply to this email.

There's another sort of help we're looking for as well.  And, if you're a long-time SF resident, you might have what we need.  Alan and Zach (our historian) are looking for pictures of the south side of Haight Street between Masonic and Central.  The older the better but even shots from as short a time as five years ago would be very welcome.  We're putting together a history of the building and finding photographs has been surprisingly difficult.  If you've got something, please let Alan know.

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Limited Edition 20th
Anniversary Hoodie
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We unveiled the special Borderlands Books 20th anniversary hoodie last month at our party, and we still have some left for sale.  They feature a lovely silk-screened design courtesy of sponsor Michelle Rapp, and will only be available for a limited time.  We're happy to ship them world-wide or you can stop by the shop to pick one up.  If you'd like one shipped, please call the shop during business hours toll-free at 888 893-4008 or you can email us to make arrangements.  The hoodies are $55 each, plus any shipping charges, and they are sized from small to XXXL.  One note about sizing -- they are quite a trim fit, and so you might want to go a size larger than usual unless you like your clothing snug.

Check out Alan modeling one here - https://borderlands-books.blogspot.com/2017/12/20th-anniversary-hoodie.html (There's also a bonus picture of a Sponsor wearing one of the first ones sold, positioned to dominate our fair city).

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Upcoming Events
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Sisters in Crime / Mystery Writers of America Northern California Holiday Party, Saturday, December 9th at 2:00 pm

Writers With Drinks (at the Make-Out Room, 3225 22nd St, San Francisco) with authors Becky Chambers, Alyssa Cole, David D. Levine, Dean Rader, Lauren Sanders and Danna Staaf, Saturday, December 9th at 6:30 pm

SF in SF (at the American Bookbinders' Museum, 355 Clementina St. San Francisco) with authors Ben Loory and Ken Scholes, Sunday, December 10th at 6:30 pm

Steve Ryfle, ISHIRO HONDA: A LIFE IN FILM, FROM GODZILLA TO KUROSAWA (Wesleyan, Hardcover, $32.95) Saturday, January 6th, 2018 at 3:00 pm

Seanan McGuire, BENEATH THE SUGAR SKY (Tor.com, Hardcover, $17.99)  Thursday, January 11th at 6:00 pm

Kate Elliott presents "Do Not Be Satisfied With Stories: Narrative Structure and Expectations" Friday, January 12th at 6:00 pm

(for more information check the end of this newsletter)

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Borderlands Opinionated Holiday Gift Guide
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I was delighted to see that most retailers this year actually waited until Thanksgiving was over before putting out their holiday decorations (or worse, turning up the holiday music)!  Last year, I swear, it seemed like a bunch of stores were moving in Christmas lights, menorahs, and New Year's noisemakers on July 5th, so I appreciate the restraint this time 'round.  However, winter is well and truly here now, and I'm personally thrilled that the gift-giving season has arrived, because there are just so many absolutely wonderful books to brighten the days of your friends and family.

We here present our usual Opinionated (and Digression-Filled) Gift Guide to help you out.  However, if you don't see something appropriate here, we're always happy to make custom suggestions for you or anyone in your life.  We'll even wrap 'em for you!  (A special note to those of you purchasing presents: we're glad to gift wrap upon request, although our typical caveats apply: first, if we're busy, you may have to wait a bit to have things wrapped, and, second, some staff members are MUCH better than others at it.  It is possible that your package may resemble a brightly wrapped Lovecraft-ian, batrachian, rugose, Thing of No Human Shape.  For some customers, this is not a problem . . ."better than I can do!," they say.  However, if you are concerned about our, ahem, abilities, we're also happy to just hand you the gift wrap, scissors and tape.)

Now, onward!

Let's start with a huge selection of signed books.  We're quite spoiled with all the marvelous local authors who have dropped by to sign their work recently, and we currently have signed books from Charlie Jane Anders, S.G. Browne, Gail Carriger, Richard Kadrey, Ellen Klages, Nick Mamatas, Seanan McGuire (no longer local, but still in our hearts and willing to sign books on the tailgate of the store's truck in a random parking lot in San Lorenzo in a giant rush, which surely looked like the world's strangest drug deal),  Christopher Moore,  Annalee Newitz, and many, many more!   Also, Marie Brennan and Becky Chambers be around in the next week or so, so feel free to request personalized copies -- we'll make it happen if we possibly can.

One of my favorite new titles is MIXED UP: Cocktail Recipes (and Flash Fiction) for the Discerning Drinker (and Reader) edited by Nick Mamatas and Molly Tanzer.  This is a collection of more than two dozen classic recipes, hot tips on ingredients and preparations, and also new cocktail-themed short stories.  It's just great fun.  Another fun option is KILLER FASHION: Poisonous Petticoats, Strangulating Scarves, and Other Deadly Garments Throughout History by Jennifer Wright, which might appeal to the Edward Gorey fan in your life.  Stunning and unusual is ABOVE THE TREELINE by artist and author Gregory Manchess, and you just have to see this one!

Two beautiful anniversary editions you might want to consider: NAME OF THE WIND TENTH ANNIVERSARY EDITION (with incredible illustrations by Dan dos Santos, and more than 50 pages of new material!) and THE PRINCESS BRIDE 30TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION: this stunning new release features foil and embossing on the cover, an interior printed on elegant uncoated cream stock with rough-cut edges, fifty (!) full-page color illustrations by Michael Manomivibul, full-color chapter openers, and a gorgeous color map printed on the endpapers.  It really is "inconceivably" lovely.

New science fiction releases -- INFINITE STARS edited by Bryan Thomas Schmidt shouldn't be missed; it's a collection of some of today's most prestigious and talented science fiction authors writing original short fiction in their most famous worlds.  It contains new stories by Catherine Asaro, Lois McMaster Bujold, Jack Campbell, David Weber and many, many others.  ARETMIS by Andy Weir just came out, and although it is getting mixed reviews, it seems to be one of those "black licorice books" that people either love or hate, but no in-between.  Great news for The Expanse fans among you -- book six, PERSOPOLIS RISING -- comes out December 5th!  AUTONOMOUS by Annalee Newitz is deservedly getting almost universally positive reviews, and we've got signed copies for that special someone.  There're also two super-cool little pocket-sized hardcovers; a gift edition of OLD MAN'S WAR by John Scalzi, and the SIX MONTHS, THREE DAYS, FIVE OTHERS, expanded from a Tachyon chapbook, by Charlie Jane Anders.

If fantasy is more to your taste, we've definitely got you covered.  CREATURES OF WILL AND TEMPER by Molly Tanzer just came out, and it's a delightful feminist DORIAN GREY while simultaneously incorporating comedy of manners elements from SWORDSPOINT and Victorian theatre a la Forest Leo's THE GENTLEMAN (also recommended).  I'm doing a poor job of explaining this one because it is hard to categorize, but that's all the more reason to read it!  Speaking of hard to categorize, also just released is a wonderful new short story collection from Peter S. Beagle, beloved author of THE LAST UNICORN, called THE OVERNEATH.  I personally think Beagle is at his very strongest in the short-story form, and you really shouldn't miss this one.  LA BELLE SAUVAGE by Philip Pullman returns to the world of THE GOLDEN COMPASS to tell more of Lyra's story.  IN OTHER LANDS by Sarah Rees Brennan didn't get the attention that it should have, and I hope to at least partially remedy that here.  Snarky, self-aware, smart, funny, and tremendously sweet, IN OTHER LANDS works equally well for adults and genre-versed young adults.  A fantasy that came out almost a year ago but deserves tons of attention is Ellen Klages' PASSING STRANGE, which is a love-note to the complicated 1940's queer culture in San Francisco, as well as a sweet story with just a hint of magic.  DOWN AND OUT IN PURGATORY shows off the short fiction of stylist Tim Powers, and it's very worth checking out.

Bestsellers -- books that have been flying off the shelves around here include all three books of N.K. Jemisin's Hugo-winning Broken Earth Trilogy; Cixin Liu's THREE-BODY PROBLEM (translated by Ken Liu); Charlie Jane Anders' ALL THE BIRDS IN THE SKY; Brandon Sanderson's OATHBRINGER (the third book of The Stormlight Archive); THE GIRL WITH ALL THE GIFTS and its (relatively) new prequel THE BOY ON THE BRIDGE by M.R. Carey.

If your gift-ee just has to have the newest and the latest, check out STRANGE WEATHER by Joe Hill, a brilliant collection of four short novels that's NOT AT ALL like his dad Stephen King's DIFFERENT SEASONS.  We've also just got A WAR IN CRIMSON EMBERS, number 3 in Alex Marshall's Crimson Empire books, which is one of my very favorite recent fantasy series.  It's like Scott Lynch, Joe Abercrombie, and George R.R. Martin all collaborated on this work, and it's hugely fun.  Brand new from Gail Carriger is ROMANCING THE WEREWOLF, a holiday romance novella set in the SOULLESS world.  Just out from Mira Grant is INTO THE DROWNING DEEP, a terrifying tale of very dangerous mermaids, and SOURDOUGH by Robin Sloan, author of MR. PENUMBRA'S 24-HOUR BOOKSHOP.

Classics: we have beautiful, gift-worthy editions of THE HOBBIT,  ALICE'S ADVENTURES IN WONDERLAND, DUNE, NEUROMANCER, LEFT HAND OF DARKNESS, THE COMPLETE WORKS OF SHERLOCK HOLMES, oversized illustrated editions of the Harry Potter books, and many, many more familiar favorites!

Recently in media: Many great options!  We have Stephen King's wonderful Dark Tower series, and the books are easily a million times better than the movie, despite the excellent acting of Idris Elba and others (frankly, I'd watch Idris Elba read a phone book, but even he, Matthew McConaughey, and Tom Taylor, the terrific young actor who played Jake, couldn't fix a movie that tried to cram seven books and a prequel into 90 minutes of screen time).  Much better movies include "The Arrival", based on the story of the same name in Ted Chiang's STORIES OF YOUR LIFE AND OTHERS.  Coming in February 2018 will be Netflix's version of Richard Morgan's ALTERED CARBON, and I have to say I am cautiously optimistic about it.  I'm more enthusiastic about the movie based on A WRINKLE IN TIME by Madeleine L'Engle, since the preview looks AMAZING.  Also great is CHANCE by Kem Nunn, recently made into a TV series that features the noir-est San Francisco ever, with Hugh Laurie.  The opposite of noir is Kerry Greenwood's Phryne Fisher mysteries, also now a TV series with droll dialogue and fabulous clothes in 1920's Australia.

Oddities are always an entertaining choice.  You might choose THING EXPLAINER: COMPLICATED STUFF IN SIMPLE WORDS by Randall Munroe; 199 CEMETERIES TO SEE BEFORE YOU DIE by Loren Rhoads, a gorgeous coffee-table style book at a regular hardcover price; LITERARY WONDERLANDS: A JOURNEY THROUGH THE GREATEST FICTIONAL WORLDS EVER CREATED, edited by Laura Miller; or PAPERBACKS FROM HELL: THE TWISTED HISTORY OF 70's AND 80'S HORROR FICTION by Grady Hendrix.  We've also got signed copies of the perennial Christmas favorites LAMB, THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO BIFF, CHRIST'S CHILDHOOD PAL, and THE STUPIDEST ANGEL, A HEARTWARMING TALE OF CHRISTMAS TERROR, both by Christopher Moore.

As always, we're happy to make personalized recommendations and practice our Psychic Bookseller Skills when you're stumped.  If you just can't decide, we also offer gift certificates in any amount.

We wish everyone a very peaceful, hopeful, and happy holiday season.  As the Counting Crows say, "A long December/ and there's reason to believe/ maybe this year will be better than the last."  Here's hoping that each one continues to get better.

- Jude Feldman

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News
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*Overheard in the Store:
"If I never hear the phrase 'Cyber Monday' again, it will be way too soon."

"I have body piercings older than most of the cafe employees!"

"Okay, gluten-free, artisanal strippers, then."

*Overheard at Writers With Drinks:

"Our motto for 2018 is going to be 'Aftercare, Hydration, and Lots of Cuddles!'"

"I don't know which version of the Bible you prefer-- I like the Queen James version."

* We're sorry to hear of the death of wonderful author Julian May, who wrote well over 200 books.  She's best known among SF/F fans for her two series "Saga of the Plioscene Era" and "Galatic Milieu", as well as co-writing the first Trillium novel with authors Marion Zimmer Bradley and Andre Norton.  https://chicago.suntimes.com/entertainment/julian-may-who-weaved-worlds-in-sci-fi-fantasy-novels-dead-at-86/

* This article about the idea of robot rights is great.  There's no real conclusion, but there is a lot of food for thought about human rights and the potential abuse of created beings.  https://daily.jstor.org/do-we-have-moral-obligations-to-robots/

* Over at The Verge, Devon Maloney uses the new "Star Trek" series as a window to explore the troubling trend of visual science fiction not straying too far from the near future and/or recycled plots.  The article explores the variety of reasons this might be the case.  https://www.theverge.com/2017/11/6/16604190/star-trek-discovery-science-fiction-stories-afraid-of-the-future

* In related news: the Reboot Apocalypse is near.  Den of Geek lists over 100 reboots in the works and at least 90% of them seem completely unnecessary. http://www.denofgeek.com/us/movies/reboots/248590/126-movie-remakes-and-reboots-currently-in-the-works

* The Root has provided a Guide to Fantasy and Science Fiction Made for Black People, by Black People with many excellent short film, book, graphic novel, webseries, and even convention recommendations.  http://www.theroot.com/a-guide-to-fantasy-and-science-fiction-made-for-black-p-1820396166

* Hedy Lamarr was a famous Golden Age Hollywood actress whose inventions have affected both warfare and personal technology.  http://bust.com/feminism/15055-how-hedy-lamarr-gave-us-the-cell-phone.html

* Enjoy N.K. Jemisin's latest round of reviews about what's new in SF/F!  As always she is honest and thoughtful while acknowledging books' triumphs and failures.  https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/03/books/review/seventh-decimate-stephen-donaldson-new-science-fiction.html

* Jo Walton has fully funded a series of intimate science fiction conventions in Montreal called Scintillation.  Check out the (now-finished) Kickstarter here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/2027413000/scintillation

* Floating cities may no longer be science fiction, and from the way the article frames "seasteading", it seems like only a matter of years before warring island nations  become science fact too!  https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/13/business/dealbook/seasteading-floating-cities.html

* If you’re jonesing for an AI POV like we are, then here are four books for you to check out: http://beta.latimes.com/books/jacketcopy/la-ca-jc-robot-sci-fi-20171122-story.html

* Listen to creators Drew Hayden Taylor, Minister Faust and Danis Goulet talk about the way African and Native voices are limited in mainstream science fiction, and what they are doing to change that: http://www.cbc.ca/radio/thecurrent/the-current-for-november-14-2017-1.4400378/how-indigenous-and-black-artists-are-using-science-fiction-to-imagine-a-better-future-1.4400425

* GRRM's new space-opera-meets-slasher TV series "Nightflyers" should premiere this July on Syfy.  Check out more info here: https://www.elitedaily.com/p/george-rr-martins-nightflyers-wont-be-set-in-westeros-but-youll-still-want-to-watch-6738517

* JY Yang’s Tensorate series is getting praise all over.  Here's another glowing review of the series which comprises two novellas from Tor.com so far. https://blackgirlnerds.com/tensorate-series/

* "Shada", the famous Doctor Who story arc that was written by Douglas Adams and partially filmed but never completed is now being released!  Because animation!  Tom Baker recorded vocals and it's dropping soon!  http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/15694907.How_a_North_East_Dr_Who_fan_helped_to_finish____lost____episode/


* Seven animated cartoon movies for adults.  We personally believe that all cartoons are for adults if they want them to be, but these are definitely intended for adults and span 70's surreal film Fantastic Planet to early 2000 anime Paprika to recent release Anomalisa.  Check out the whole list here: http://www.sltrib.com/artsliving/movies/2017/11/29/not-just-kiddie-cartoons-7-animated-movies-made-for-adults/

* Bustle has compiled the nine best SF/F books by women in 2017 according to Amazon: https://www.bustle.com/p/the-9-best-sci-fi-fantasy-books-written-by-women-in-2017-according-to-amazon-3255319


*A discussion of N.K. Jemisin's Broken Earth trilogy and the similarities to current weather patterns.  https://www.thedailybeast.com/have-we-goaded-mother-earth-into-becoming-an-angry-parent

* Book your tickets now! A virtual reality theme park is opening next month in China and we want to go so badly! https://www.lonelyplanet.com/news/2017/11/06/china-virtual-reality-theme-park/

* Tansy Rayner Roberts on her new novella about a "post-modern millennial bisexual vlogger" saving her mother from a "terrifying extra-dimensional space tyrant".  (You can't tell us you're not super-interested right now.)  https://www.themarysue.com/girl-reporter-cover/

* Amazon has announced a new "Lord of the Rings" TV Series, which just seems like a terrible idea.
- The Verge wrote a post on why TV studios should stop playing it safe when it comes to fantasy.  https://www.theverge.com/2017/11/16/16649934/amazon-studios-fantasy-genre-tv-adaptation
- Entertainment Weekly chimes in with three book series that would make better TV http://ew.com/books/2017/11/13/lord-of-the-rings-three-fantasy-novels-better-tv/
- The Mary Sue also has a list of 8 fantasy novels that would be better ideas. https://www.themarysue.com/8-other-fantasy-series/

* The fantastic cult film "Galaxy Quest" is getting a second life as a TV show: https://www.cinemablend.com/television/1726920/how-the-galaxy-quest-tv-show-will-tie-into-the-movie

* If you’ve already mainlined "Stranger Things" Season 2 and are wondering what to watch now, The Insider has ten suggestions here: http://www.thisisinsider.com/stranger-things-shows-to-watch-next-2017-11

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Award News
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The African Speculative Fiction Society has announced the winners of the 2017 Nommo Awards!  Check out the full list, with a video of the awards ceremony here: http://www.africansfs.com/home

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From The Office
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Well, there's a lot in this month's newsletter, so I'm going to keep this short.  Don't worry though, I'll have much more news and information about our new building in the next newsletter.  But, here's the quick version.  The previous owner and occupant of the retail space has packed all his stuff and is out.  I've met both of the residential tenants, and they both seem like lovely people.  I've also met most of the neighbors, and they're equally nice.

So now we're really digging into getting the work done.  Weekend before last we removed the decades of ivy from the backyard and cleaned it up.  Turns out that, under a foot of leaves, mulch and dirt, there's a concrete pad that covers most of the yard.  One of our next outside jobs is going to be breaking that out and hauling it away.  Once that's done, we can start the hardscape (probably dry-laid brick), and then get working on the planters and plantings.  Our gardener and designer, Melinda Rose <http://botanikagardens.com/index.html>, and I will be working on the layout over the next few weeks.

Inside, it's demolition time.  Last weekend we took out the ill-advised acoustical ceiling and much of the drop ceiling as well.  There's still a bit more to go, but most of the "bones" of the building are visible,   and they look pretty good.  Beams are oversized by current standards, a full 2" thick, and old-growth, clear fir.  There don't seem to be any notable problems other than some fire damage in the stairway area (probably dating to 1973).  I still need to open up the walls in a couple of places to see what's there, but the building looks to be as solid as I thought it was.

I met with our architect, Kevin Short <https://kjs-arch.com>, today and he agrees with me that the place looks really good.  I'm still "learning" the building -- figuring out what was done, why and when (with a great deal of help from our historian, Zachary Harper).  I'm sure that there'll be some surprises as we go along (because there always are) but I don't think that there are going to be any bad ones.

The question that I'm asked the most is when we'll be moving.  Obviously we're not doing that until we've got all the work done at the place.  Since some of my plans include things like an ADA accessible restroom, refinishing the floors, and building all new bookshelves, the construction isn't going to be a fast process.  So, at this point, there are too many variables to make even an educated guess at how long the process will take.  That said, I'm hoping for a May opening but, please, don't hold me to that.

In closing, I want to thank all the people who have helped out with the work so far.  They are, in no particular order: Melinda, Eloise, Garrett, Jane, Laura, Claud, Russ, Colleen, Marie, Jay, Carl, April, Kestrel, Starling, Zach, Dave, Elizabeth, Emily, Ramon and, last but far from least, Salem and Jude.  Without their generous, cheerful, and profoundly aggressive help, I would still be standing in the middle of the backyard, knee deep in ivy, and cursing nature.

-- Alan Beatts

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Best Sellers
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Borderlands Best-Selling Titles for November, 2017

Hardcovers
1. Oathbringer by Brandon Sanderson
2. Edgedancer by Brandon Sanderson
3. Artemis by Andy Weir
4. Arcanum Unbounded by Brandon Sanderson
5. La Belle Sauvage by Philip Pullman
6. Autonomous by Annalee Newitz
7. Six Months, Three Days, Five Others by Charlie Jane Anders
8. Name of the Wind Tenth Anniversary Edition by Patrick Rothfuss
9. Provenance by Ann Leckie
10. Strange Weather by Joe Hill

Trade Paperbacks
1. The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin
2. All the Birds in the Sky by Charlie Jane Anders
3. The Three-Body Problem by Cixin Liu, translated by Ken Liu
4. Romancing the Werewolf by Gail Carriger
5. The Stone Sky by N.K. Jemisin
6. The Overneath by Peter S. Beagle
7. Tales of Falling and Flying by Ben Loory
8. Ghostland: An American History in Haunted Places by Colin Dickey
9. Passing Strange by Ellen Klages
10. An Excess Male by Maggie Shen King

Mass Market Paperbacks
1. The Wrong Stars by Tim Pratt
2. The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson
3. Hundred Thousand Kingdoms by N.K. Jemisin
4. Words of Radiance by Brandon Sanderson
5. Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson
6. Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss
7. Ready Player One by Ernest Cline
8. Who Fears Death? by Nnedi Okorafor
9. American Gods by Neil Gaiman
10. Heroine Complex by Sarah Kuhn

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Book Club Information
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The QSF&F Book Club will meet on Sunday, December 10th, at 5 pm to discuss WHO FEARS DEATH by Nnedi Okorafor.  Please contact the group leader, Christopher Rodriguez, at cobalt555@earthlink.net, for more information.

The Science Fiction and Fantasy Book Club will meet on Sunday, December 17th, at 6 pm to discuss HYPERION by Dan Simmons. The book for the following month will be.  Please contact bookclub@borderlands-books.com for more information.

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Upcoming Event Details
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Sisters in Crime / Mystery Writers of America Northern California Holiday Party, Saturday, December 9th at 2:00 pm - Join us and more than two dozen fabulous local mystery writers for a fun holiday party!  There will be light refreshments and the chance to mingle with, and get books signed by, fantastic authors.  Don't miss this chance to meet so many writers all at the same time, and enjoy a rousing kick-off to the party season -- we'll be joined by Dale Berry, Mysti Berry, Susan Bickford, John Billheimer, Thomas Burchfield, Jen Dornan-Fish (Ellison Cooper), Ted Haynes, Wendy Hornsby, Jerry Kennealy, Laurie R. King, Bette Lamb, JJ Lamb, S. S. Mausoof, Catriona McPherson, Beth McMullen, Gigi Pandian, Eileen Rendahl (Kristi Abbott), Kirk Russell, Terry Shames, and Nancy Tingley, and many, many more!  This event is open to the public, and we do hope you'll be able to attend!

Writers With Drinks (at the Make-Out Room, 3225 22nd St, San Francisco) with authors Becky Chambers, Alyssa Cole, David D. Levine, Dean Rader, Lauren Sanders and Danna Staaf, Saturday, December 9th at 6:30 pm - Writers With Drinks is the most awesome spoken-word variety show in the world, hosted by Charlie Jane Anders, and we're always happy to participate!  The amazing lineup this month includes authors Becky Chambers (A Closed and Common Orbit), Alyssa Cole (An Extraordinary Union), David D. Levine (Arabella and the Battle of Venus), Dean Rader (Self Portrait as Wikipedia Entry), Lauren Sanders (The Book of Love and Hate), and Danna Staaf (Squid Empire: Rise and Fall of the Cephaolpods).  Cost: $5 to $20, no-one turned away for lack of funds.  All proceeds benefit local non-profits. Doors open at 6:30 and Borderlands will be on hand to sell books.

SF in SF (at the American Bookbinders' Museum, 355 Clementina St. San Francisco) with authors Ben Loory and Ken Scholes, Sunday, December 10th at 6:30 pm - (Suggested donation $10, no one turned away for lack of funds.)  Doors and bar at 6:00 pm, event begins at 6:30 pm.  We're so happy to participate in the Science Fiction in San Francisco reading series!  The authors will read a selection from their work, followed by Q&A from the audience moderated by author Terry Bisson.  The authors will schmooze & sign books after.  Books available for sale courtesy of Borderlands Books.  Seating is limited, so first come, first seated.  Bar proceeds benefit the American Bookbinders Museum.   Phone (night of event) 415-572-1015.  Questions? Email sfinsfevents@gmail.com.

Steve Ryfle, ISHIRO HONDA: A LIFE IN FILM, FROM GODZILLA TO KUROSAWA (Wesleyan, Hardcover, $32.95) Saturday, January 6th, 2018 at 3:00 pm - From the book description: "Ishiro Honda was arguably the most internationally successful Japanese director of his generation, with an unmatched succession of science fiction films that were commercial hits worldwide.  From the atomic allegory of Godzilla and the beguiling charms of Mothra to the tragic mystery of Matango and the disaster and spectacle of Rodan, The Mysterians, King Kong vs. Godzilla, and many others, Honda’s films reflected postwar Japan's real-life anxieties and incorporated fantastical special effects, a formula that appealed to audiences around the globe and created a popular culture phenomenon that spans generations. Now, in the first full account of this long overlooked director's life and career, authors Steve Ryfle and Ed Godziszewski shed new light on Honda’s work and the experiences that shaped it -- including his days as a reluctant Japanese soldier, witnessing the aftermath of Hiroshima, and his lifelong friendship with Akira Kurosawa. ISHIRO HONDA: A LIFE IN FILM FROM GODZILLA TO KUROSAWA, features close analysis of Honda's films (including, for the first time, his rarely seen dramas, comedies, and war films) and draws on previously untapped documents and interviews to explore how creative, economic, and industrial factors impacted his career. The authors cover Honda's non-science fiction films for the first time in any language. Fans of Honda, Godzilla, and tokusatsu (special effects) film, and of Japanese film in general, will welcome this in-depth study of a highly influential director who occupies a uniquely important position in science fiction and fantasy cinema, as well as in world cinema."  We certainly hope you'll join us to meet author Steve Ryfle -- bring your questions!

Seanan McGuire, BENEATH THE SUGAR SKY (Tor.com, Hardcover, $17.99)  Thursday, January 11th at 6:00 pm - We're just thrilled to welcome Seanan McGuire back to Borderlands!  This time Seanan's showing off the sweet, third entry in the Wayward Children series (sequel to EVERY HEART A DOORWAY and DOWN AMONG THE STICKS AND BONES).  The tone of this volume is very different, but just as brilliant.  From the book description: "When Rini lands with a literal splash in the pond behind Eleanor West's Home for Wayward Children, the last thing she expects to find is that her mother, Sumi, died years before Rini was even conceived.  But Rini can’t let Reality get in the way of her quest -- not when she has an entire world to save! (Much more common than one would suppose.)  If she can't find a way to restore her mother, Rini will have more than a world to save: she will never have been born in the first place.  And in a world without magic, she doesn’t have long before Reality notices her existence and washes her away. Good thing the student body is well-acquainted with quests. . .  A tale of friendship, baking, and derring-do.  Warning: May contain nuts."  We do hope you'll join us!

Kate Elliott presents "Do Not Be Satisfied With Stories: Narrative Structure and Expectations" Friday, January 12th at 6:00 pm - We're thrilled to welcome author and sponsor Kate Elliott, who will be doing a (rescheduled) fascinating powerpoint lecture (all images or short clips! no boring text slides!) on how the expectations we bring to a story influence how we engage with the story, with a particular emphasis on how opening paragraphs (and opening sequences in films) often rely on familiarity and cultural knowledge to draw us in.  Kate will focus on science fiction and fantasy stories, most of which will be familiar to Borderlands Books' customers.  Kate has given versions of this presentation to acclaim at Sasquan/Worldcon 2015 and at the Sirens Conference 2015.  She will be happy to answer questions and sign books after the lecture.  We hope you'll join us for this interesting and practical event!

Borderlands event policy - all events are free of charge.  You are welcome to bring copies of an author's books purchased elsewhere to be autographed (but we do appreciate it if you purchase something while at the event).  For most events you are welcome to bring as many books as you wish for autographs.  If you are unable to attend the event we will be happy to have a copy of any of the author's available books signed or inscribed for you.  We can then either hold the book(s) until you can come in to pick them up or we can ship to you.  Just give us a call or drop us an email.  If you live out of town, you can also ship us books from your collection to be signed for a nominal fee.  Call or email for details.

This newsletter is distributed monthly free of charge and may be distributed without charge so long all the following information is included.

Dispatches from the Border
Editor - Na'amen Gobert Tilahun
Assistant Editor - Jude Feldman

All contents unless otherwise noted are the property of Borderlands Books, 866 Valencia St.
San Francisco CA 94110
415 824-8203
http://www.borderlands-books.com
Comments and suggestions should be directed to editor@borderlands-books.com

* * * * * * *

Monday, November 13, 2017

Dispatches from the Border, November 2017

DISPATCHES FROM THE BORDER
Events and News From Borderlands Books
November 2017

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Upcoming Events
----------------------

Brandon Sanderson, OATHBRINGER (Tor, Hardcover, $34.99), Wednesday, November 15th at 6:00 pm

Meet Our New Building, Thursday, November 16th from 4:00 to 8:00 pm (at 1377 Haight Street at Masonic)

Borderlands 20th Anniversary Party, Saturday, November 18th, 10:00 am to 6:00 pm

SF in SF with authors Annalee Newitz and Robin Sloan (at the American Bookbinders Museum, 355 Clementina Street, San Francisco), Sunday, November 19th at 6:30 pm

Sisters in Crime / Mystery Writers of America Northern California Holiday Party, Saturday, December 9th at 2:00 pm

(for more information check the end of this newsletter)

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News
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* Overheard in the Store:

"You're kidding! I got all dressed up, and NO ONE'S going to notice, because there's a three-drink minimum!"

"After this, ice cream first? Or chai?" #ValenciaStreetProblems

* Someone has mapped the most read book in each of the fifty states, and some of these choices . . . .
https://www.vox.com/culture/2017/11/1/16585432/most-popular-books-50-states-map

* Do you like San Francisco?  Do you like Jello?  Why not combine them! http://mymodernmet.com/stunning-models-of-san/

* Nick Mamatas' noted writing workshop, "Fabulist Fiction" begins November 4th, and they're accepting late signups.  From the organizers: "Exciting plots and larger-than-life characters are the cornerstones of popular fiction and the emphasis of this course.  In this course, we’ll workshop your short stories and novel chapters, explore the history of the genres, perform writing and idea-generating exercises, and discuss the magazines and publishers looking for your sort of fiction.  Classes will run on Saturdays from November 4th through December 16th from 2 - 5 PM at 25 Taylor Street in San Francisco." https://sfwriting.institute/fabulist-fiction-fall2017/

* Horror is bleeding into science fiction and fantasy, says PW.  Although some would argue there has always been a very close relationship between the two. https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/new-titles/adult-announcements/article/75016-horror-bleeds-into-speculative-fiction-science-fiction-and-fantasy-2017-2018.html

* Friend of the store and all-around delightful person Charlie Jane Anders has closed a deal with Tor Teen for a Space Adventure trilogy.  We can’t wait! https://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2017/10/tor-teen-acquires-trilogy-by-charlie-jane-anders.html

* Invisibility might be happening soon!  (Thank goodness. We're done with all these people and their eyes with their looking.) https://qz.com/1105538/five-methods-for-turning-invisible-ranked-by-the-inventor-of-a-real-life-invisibility-cloak/

* Fall Flashback!  Ursula K. LeGuin’s classic 2015 essay "Up the Amazon with the BS Machine" http://bookviewcafe.com/blog/2015/06/01/up-the-amazon/

* Huge congratulations to our neighbor and fellow San Francisco indie bookstore Dog Eared Books on 25 great years! https://missionlocal.org/2017/10/a-cultural-oasis-at-dog-eared-books-celebrating-25-years-in-business/

* A collection of science fiction featuring Iraqi writers imagining their country 100 years after the 2003 invasion by the U.S. http://www.ozy.com/presidential-daily-brief/pdb-81545/dunes-81554

* What (could) happen to your body when you donate it to science?  The answer may be darker than you think. http://www.reuters.com/investigates/special-report/usa-bodies-brokers/

* When the dead do rise?  It'll likely be in Colma.  https://ww2.kqed.org/news/2017/10/26/why-are-so-many-dead-people-in-colma-and-so-few-in-san-francisco/

* Another month, another piece about inventions that science fiction predicted.  (Although this list has a couple that others forget about.) https://sanvada.com/2017/10/23/eight-ground-breaking-inventions-that-science-fiction-predicted/

* It's not October anymore, but everyone knows that hauntings happen year 'round.  If you're planning to visit Britain, why not test your mettle by staying in a haunted hotel?  https://www.visitbritain.com/us/en/halloween-britain-most-haunted-hotels#OUjbmIK1OzBI8tXA.97

* Horror can be so great, but not when it's relying on outdated stereotypes.  That's why you should check out this list of horror stories with complex women characters.  https://www.barnesandnoble.com/blog/sci-fi-fantasy/7-horror-stories-women-victims/

* Listen to N.K. Jemisin, Annalee Newitz and Cory Doctorow talk about world building: if it has changed, and experiencing those worlds in different ways. https://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/writing-the-fantastic-in-2017/

* What if we zoned all of the planet as residential?  That's what some are saying would solve the energy crisis Australia is going through. http://www.news.com.au/technology/science/tv-scientist-offers-outthere-solution-to-australias-energy-crisis/news-story/bfcd87aacbdde85e336e6943e1ad9d7a

* A fun and interesting guide for anyone with an interest in science fiction -- 31 essential terms and where they all came from. https://io9.gizmodo.com/31-essential-science-fiction-terms-and-where-they-came-1594794250

* Female robots, their history in fiction, the disturbing truth, and the hope for the future or robotics: http://theconversation.com/robotics-science-fiction-and-the-search-for-the-perfect-artificial-woman-86092

* Women warriors take center stage in three new fantasy novels!  https://www.seattletimes.com/entertainment/books/3-new-science-fictionfantasy-titles-about-warrior-women/

* "Beyond Skyline" sounds like the best of trashy mind candy science fiction.  If you need a distraction from the world?  Check it out! https://www.theverge.com/2017/11/3/16603736/beyond-skyline-review-cinepocalypse-premiere-frank-grillo-iko-uwais

* If you have an interest in mad scientists (and let's be honest -- who doesn't?) this article seems like a gateway to deeper and darker research. http://www.abc2news.com/newsy/these-reallife-mad-scientists-are-straight-out-of-science-fiction

* The JFK papers are being released on a rolling basis.  Which science fiction theory do you think came closest to the truth of how he died?  Time travel? Mutant?  Alien?  Or is he still living on the moon?  https://www.inverse.com/article/37792-jfk-assassination-scifi-conspiracy-theories-quantum-leap-xfiles

* If you have time on your hands, and an interest in history and science fiction?  Why not transcribe one of the hundreds of science fiction fanzines the University of Iowa has scanned and put up online?  More information here: http://www.slate.com/articles/technology/future_tense/2017/10/the_university_of_iowa_s_hevelin_collection_of_science_fiction_fanzines.html

* The Evening Standard claims that these ten films are the best science fiction films of all time.  Na'amen  disagrees -- what do you think? https://www.standard.co.uk/goingout/film/the-10-best-scifi-films-of-all-time-from-blade-runner-to-the-matrix-a3660911.html

* The reboot of the Jetsons in comic book form looks like an interesting and well thought-out look at dystopia and survival, (unlike the horrible Scooby Doo comic).  https://www.theverge.com/2017/11/3/16598440/jetsons-dystopia-dc-comics-future-apocalypse

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Award News
------------------

* Congratulations to all the nominees and winners of the World Fantasy Awards!  Clare North won the Best Novel award for THE SUDDEN APPEARANCE OF HOPE.  http://www.worldfantasy.org/awards/most-recent/

* The WSFA (Washington Science Fiction Association) has announced the winner of the Small Press Short Fiction award.  Congratulations to Ursula Vernon for her story "The Tomato Thief": http://www.wsfasmallpressaward.org

* Congratulations to Carmen Maria Machado, who won the Bard Prize for her collection HER BODY AND OTHER PARTIES.  The award comes with a $30,000 check and becoming writer-in-residence for one year.  http://www.bard.edu/bfp/

* The 2017 Sunburst Awards have been announced!  http://www.sunburstaward.org/2017-sunburst-winners

* Colson Whitehead's great award-winning novel THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD has won another award!  This time it's The Hurston/Wright Foundation Legacy Award.  http://www.hurstonwright.org/hurstonwright-foundation-announces-2017-legacy-awards/

* The shortlist for the 2018 Andrew Carnegie Medals for Excellence has been released and there are a couple titles on the fiction list.  Check it out here: http://www.ala.org/awardsgrants/carnegieadult/short-lists

--------------------
From The Office
--------------------

So, You Bought a Building.  Now What?

You've probably heard the news already but, in case you missed the last couple of emails -- We managed to buy the building we were looking at on Haight Street!  This is a pretty huge accomplishment and I want to thank everyone who made it possible -- Borderlands' staff, our sponsors, all our customers who have supported us for 20 years, Dan Marshall and Lance Fulford (our realtors), and, most of all, the 49 people who lent the money that made it a reality. I'm more excited about where we're going to take Borderlands than I've been since I signed the lease for the cafe more than ten years ago.

The payment has been transferred already and escrow will close on the purchase on Tuesday, which will complete the transfer of ownership.  After that, the fun really starts.  But, it's going to be a slow start at first.  The previous owner of the building is also the owner of Recycled Records, the tenant in the retail space on the ground floor.  He's retiring, and is going to be packing up his inventory and shutting down his shop over the next couple of days.  Per the terms of the purchase contract, he has 15 days to leave the place "broom clean".  Until he's out, there isn't much work that can start (though, there are a few things I can get started on while he's still there -- basement and backyard clean up, specifically).

Once he's out, we'll be doing a bit of demolition.  The ceiling is on its last legs, and so we'll strip that down to the joists (those are the big pieces of framing that hold up the floors above).  We'll also pull up the old carpeting so that I can get a good look at the existing flooring.  Once that is done, we'll really be able to see what we've got to work with, as well as letting our structural engineer and architect take a look.  That part is very important since it will affect the next big job -- a soft-story retrofit.

Buildings like ours have mostly windows at the front and no walls that run across the place from side-to-side.  In an earthquake it's possible for the lower story of the building to slump sideways, much like a shoe-box with both ends cut off.  In construction-speak this is . . . very bad.  Especially if you happen to actually be in the building when it happens (in medical-speak that is . . . pretty awful).

Although buildings like ours are not required to be retro-fit (yet), it's not a bad idea.  Given that earthquake insurance is very, very expensive and that a soft-story collapse would most likely result in the effective destruction of the building, I'm leaning very strongly towards getting the retrofit done. However, I'll need to get a much clearer idea of what will be involved in doing the work before I decide.  Which is why getting the place cleared out is first on the to-do list.

Assuming we go forward with that job, it's going to be a time-consuming process.  We're going to need full building plans, plan-check reviews, and a bunch of permits.  And then there's the time it'll take to get the work done.  But, this is one of those jobs that you really don't want to try to do once the place is occupied, so it's a now-or-never sort of deal.  If I were going place bets on it, I'd say this job will take three months or so (especially since we're about to hit the holiday season, when everything goes more slowly).

Once that work is done, it'll be time to determine whether we're going to lease out the place for one to two years or move immediately.  We've got the option to lease it out because we've got three years left at the Valencia St. location.  It might be nicer to lease the Haight Street place, take our time planning the move (and getting some of the construction work done), and then move later.  On the other hand, I'm not getting any younger and it would be pretty neat to get into our new home sooner rather than later.

So, the current outline is retrofit completed sometime around the end of February and then rent or move.  If rent, then moving won't be until early 2019 or 2020.  If we don't rent it out, say two to three months for other construction and moving in May or June of 2018.  I'll keep you posted on all this as we go along.

Oh, but I left out the first thing that we're going to do -- show the place off.  If you'd like to come down, take a look at the place, say hi, and chat with me about layout and future plans:  I'll be at the new building on Thursday, November the 16th from four to eight pm.  I'd love to see you and show off our new House on the Borderland.  The address is 1377 Haight St. and it's just east of Masonic Avenue.  It even has a creepy basement!

All Best,
Alan

PS  If you're wondering what will happen with the Cafe when we move, the answer is, "Nothing".  It's under a separate, longer lease than the bookstore and its operations are completely independent from the store.  So, I'm going to continue to operate it on Valencia Street for the foreseeable future.

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Best Sellers
----------------
Borderlands Best-Selling Titles for October, 2017

Hardcovers
1) La Belle Sauvage by Philip Pullman
2) Plague of Giants by Kevin Hearne
3) Mistress of All Evil by Serena Valentino
4) Autonomous by Annalee Newitz
5) 199 Cemeteries to See Before You Die by Loren Rhoads
6) Machine Learning by Hugh Howey
7) Provenance by Ann Leckie
8) Vallista by Steven Brust
9) It Devours! by Joseph Fink and Jeffrey Cranor
10) Down Among the Sticks and Bones by Seanan McGuire

Trade Paperbacks
1) Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin
2) All the Birds in the Sky by Charlie Jane Anders
3) Three-Body Problem by Cixin Liu edited by Ken Liu
4) Damn Fine Story by Chuck Wendig
5) Updraft by Fran Wilde
6) Obelisk Gate by N.K. Jemisin
7) Passing Strange by Ellen Klages
8) Machine Learning by Hugh Howey
9) Stone Sky by N.K. Jemisin
10) Ghostland: An American History in Haunted Places by Colin Dickey

Paperbacks
1) Red Mars by Kim Stanley Robinson
2) Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss
3) Rosemary and Rue by Seanan McGuire
4) Excession by Iain M. Banks
5) Heroine Complex by Sarah Kuhn
6) Uploaded by Ferrett Steinmetz
7) Blade Runner (Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?) by Philip K. Dick
8) The Gunslinger by Stephen King
9) Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett
10) Old Man's War by John Scalzi

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Book Club Information
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The QSF&F Book Club will meet on Sunday, December 10th, at 5 pm to discuss WHO FEARS DEATH by Nnedi Okorafor.  Please contact the group leader, Christopher Rodriguez, at cobalt555@earthlink.net, for more information.

The Science Fiction and Fantasy Book Club will meet on Sunday, November 19th, at 6 pm to discuss CITY OF STAIRS by Robert Jackson Bennett. The book for the following month will be HYPERION by Dan Simmons.  Please contact bookclub@borderlands-books.com for more information.

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Upcoming Event Details
------------------------------

Brandon Sanderson, OATHBRINGER (Tor, Hardcover, $34.99), Wednesday, November 15th at 6:00 pm - We're always thrilled to welcome the fabulous Brandon Sanderson to Borderlands!  This time Brandon will be showing off OATHBRINGER, the third in the Stormlight Archive series.  We do hope you'll join us for this reading, Q&A, and signing.  This event will be first-come, first seated.  We'll be giving out (free) tickets as attendees arrive to mark their place in the signing line, and we'll call folks up in groups of 20 or so once signing starts, so they don't need to wait in line for such a long time.  If you miss your numbered group, you can join the next line when you're ready.  New protocol: Express vs. Non-Express lines: At the publisher's direction, because of the size of Brandon's signings, there is a new 2-line signing protocol in place.  Please choose an Express or Non-Express ticket when you arrive.  We'll still call folks up by ticket number, and attendees can choose which line they prefer.  There will be an express line and a non-express line: Brandon will sign books for three people from the express line for every one person from the non-express line.  The people in the express line get one personalized book per person only, no questions or posed photo.  The non-express line is normal signing protocol, with three personalized books per person, any number of non-personalized signed books, a question and/or a posed picture.  No purchase is necessary to attend and have books signed, but we always appreciate it if attendees purchase something at the event.  Contact us at office@borderlands-books.com or 888 893-4008 if you have questions.

Meet Our New Building, Thursday, November 16th from 4:00 to 8:00 pm (at 1377 Haight Street at Masonic) - Alan will be hanging out at our soon-to-be new bookstore home from 4 to 8 pm.  If you'd like to take a look and the place and talk about our future plans, please do stop by.  He'll show you the basement, backyard, and you can look at the rest of the joint.  Plan on taking some pictures because you're not going to believe how we're going to transform it.

*****
Borderlands 20th Anniversary Party, Saturday, November 18th,  Noon to 6 pm - We're celebrating two decades of bookselling with an all-day party.  At noon, the store will open to the general public and the fun really starts.  We'll have a rotating lineup of some of our favorite local authors signing their work in half-hour blocks.  The schedule is:

12:00 pm: Dana Fredsti, Nick Mamatas, Megan E. O'Keefe, and Tim Pratt; 1:00 pm: Peter S. Beagle, Michael Blumlein, Becca Gomez Farrell, and Nancy Jane Moore; 2:00 pm: Richard Kadrey, Ellen Klages, and Pat Murphy; 3:00 pm: Charlie Jane Anders and Annalee Newitz; 4:30 pm: Cara Black and Kelli Stanley; 5:00 pm: Steve Boyett & Ken Mitchroney, Gail Carriger, and Katherine Kerr.

Also, as long as supplies last, we'll have our staff's selection of their all-time favorite books for sale at our cost as a "thank you" for 20 wonderful years of bookselling.  Last but not least, we'll be unveiling our limited edition anniversary hoodie featuring a lovely design by Michelle Rapp.  It's right on time for the chilly season and would make a great holiday present for the booklover in your life.

At four, the music starts, courtesy of DJ Steve Boyett of Groovelectric and Podrunner fame - http://www.groovelectric.com (since there's going to be music, we might just have to start our afternoon cocktails around then, too).  Also at four there will be an extraordinary cake, thanks to the incomparable Madeleine Robins.

Then come 6 pm we'll be closing early to get ready for our last sponsor party of 2017.  If you're not a sponsor, you'll have a chance to sign up on Saturday for both the remainder of 2017 and all of 2018.  Just ask about it at the bookstore counter.
*****

SF in SF with authors Annalee Newitz and Robin Sloan (at the American Bookbinders Museum, 355 Clementina Street, San Francisco), Sunday, November 19th at 6:30 pm - (Suggested donation $10, no one turned away for lack of funds.)  Doors and bar at 6:00 pm, event begins at 6:30 pm.  We're so happy to participate in the Science Fiction in San Francisco reading series!  The authors will read a selection from their work, followed by Q&A from the audience moderated by author Terry Bisson.  The authors will schmooze & sign books after.  Books available for sale courtesy of Borderlands Books.  Seating is limited, so first come, first seated.  Bar proceeds benefit the American Bookbinders Museum.   Phone (night of event) 415-572-1015.  Questions? Email sfinsfevents@gmail.com.

Sisters in Crime / Mystery Writers of America Northern California Holiday Party, Saturday, December 9th at 2:00 pm - Join us and more than two dozen fabulous local mystery writers for a fun holiday party!  There will be light refreshments and the chance to mingle with, and get books signed by, fantastic authors.  Don't miss this chance to meet so many writers all at the same time, and enjoy a rousing kick-off to the party season -- we'll be joined by Laurie King, Nick Mamatas, and many, many more!  This event is open to the public.

Borderlands event policy - all events are free of charge.  You are welcome to bring copies of an author's books purchased elsewhere to be autographed (but we do appreciate it if you purchase something while at the event).  For most events you are welcome to bring as many books as you wish for autographs.  If you are unable to attend the event we will be happy to have a copy of any of the author's available books signed or inscribed for you.  We can then either hold the book(s) until you can come in to pick them up or we can ship to you.  Just give us a call or drop us an email.  If you live out of town, you can also ship us books from your collection to be signed for a nominal fee.  Call or email for details.


This newsletter is distributed monthly free of charge and may be distributed without charge so long all the following information is included.

Dispatches from the Border
Editor - Na'amen Gobert Tilahun
Assistant Editor - Jude Feldman

All contents unless otherwise noted are the property of Borderlands Books, 866 Valencia St.
San Francisco CA 94110
415 824-8203
http://www.borderlands-books.com
Comments and suggestions should be directed to editor@borderlands-books.com

Friday, October 13, 2017

Dispatches from the Border, October 2017

Hello Everyone,

It's been quite a while since I've written something for this newsletter, but something is going on at Borderlands that is so big, so exciting, and (to be honest) so scary that I wanted to tell you about it.

This week I made an offer on a building that is meant to be a permanent home for Borderlands.  On Wednesday that offer was accepted by the seller.  This is a huge event in the lifetime of the store.

The building is a three-story Victorian built in 1902.  There are two flats upstairs and a retail space on the ground floor.  There is also a backyard and a full basement.  It's located just a bit east of Masonic Ave.  It's a little bit smaller that our current spot but, by putting the office and storage in the basement and being smarter with the layout, I think we can fit all our current stock and more.  Sadly, there is no room to accommodate the cafe. (Please note -- that does not mean I'm planning on closing the cafe.)

The address of the store is 1373 Haight.  If you try to look at it on Google street view, the place that pops up is actually across the street so "turn" South.  Currently it's the location of Recycled Records but, when we move we're not going to displace them.  The owner of the record shop owns the building and he's planning on retiring.  He'll be closing up shop and moving out shortly after the sale closes.  He's still open for now so, if you'd like to take a look at the place, you can.  But, if you decide to visit, please don't worry about the condition of the interior -- both the bookstore and the cafe were in much, much worse shape when we arrived.  When we're done, it will be beautiful.

But (you knew there had to be a "but"), due to a number of factors, not the least of which being a lower-than-normal down payment, the institutional lenders that I have talked with are not interested in financing the purchase.  So, if I'm going to make this work, I need to find individuals who would be willing to lend directly to the company.  If you or someone you know would be interested in talking about making a loan for this purchase, please get in touch with me by either replying to this email or reaching me directly at abeatts@borderlands-books.com.  I'm not looking for a single person who can loan the entire amount that I need (I'm not opposed to the idea but it's quite a lot of money). Instead my idea is to find a number of people (15 or more) who will be taking a not-too-large risk but who, together, can provide the sum that is needed.  Aside from the obvious, the idea is attractive because I much prefer the prospect of paying interest to you, our customers, rather than to a bank.

Lest you think that I'm trying to build a real-estate empire, let me tell you how I came to be shopping for a building: The sponsorship program that we started in 2015 caused a major shift in how I viewed the business.  Previously I had considered it my personal project; one that I would stop either when I could no longer do it or when I died.  But, after so many people were willing to contribute to allow it to continue to operate, I began to see it more as a public trust than something that was solely my possession.

With that attitude change, I began to look for a way to ensure that Borderlands could continue to operate after I was unwilling or unable to run it.  The conclusion that I came to was that the first and biggest obstacle to that sort of longevity was the perilous nature of commercial rentals in San Francisco. Having realized that, a year and a half ago I began working with a realtor to find a building that could house the store and that we could afford.  The first part was easy, the second not so much so.

On Haight Street I've found a place that satisfies both requirements, barely.  If I can arranged the financing, I'm confident that carrying the debt and costs of the building is within reach.

Accomplishing that will mean more than giving Borderlands a home.  This store has been my life's work and I wish to see it continue after my life is done. Further, I truly believe that bookstores are a critical part of the creative and intellectual life of our society as well as being an element of our city's soul.  I am in the lucky position of having already provided for the people in my life -- which means that there is no need for me to make Borderlands part of my financial legacy to them.

I have a dream that is bigger than just purchasing a building in which Borderlands can live.  With that achieved, I'll be able to pursue the rest of my dream -- when I'm no longer able to run Borderlands, I can make the business a non-profit and bequeath the building to it.  With that in place, it is possible that San Francisco will have a bookstore for as long as there are books to sell and people to buy them.

I'd like you to help me make that dream real.

All Best,
Alan Beatts

PS  Although we usually send newsletters only once a month, this process is so significant to the business I think that it's important that we keep our customers up to date about how it is progressing.  I will be sending out weekly updates on our progress.  I hope that it will not be intrusive.

----------------------
Upcoming Events
----------------------
Litquake LitCrawl Phase 2 (Borderlands Books) with authors Sarah Gailey, Sarah Kuhn, Loren Rhoads, and Carter Scholz, Saturday, October 14th from 6:30 - 7:30 pm

Litquake LitCrawl Phase 3 (Borderlands Cafe) with authors Robyn Bennis, Dana Fredsti, Ayize Jama-Everett, and Ellen Klages, Saturday, October 14th from 8:00 - 9:00 pm

Editors Nick Mamatas and Molly Tanzer with guests Jim Nisbet, Tim Pratt, and Dominica Phetteplace, MIXED UP: COCKTAIL RECIPES (AND FLASH FICTION) FOR THE DISCERNING DRINKER (AND READER) (Skyhorse, Hardcover, $14.99) Sunday, October 15th at 3:00 pm

Kevin Hearne (A PLAGUE OF GIANTS), Chuck Wendig (DAMN FINE STORY: MASTERING THE TOOLS OF A POWERFUL NARRATIVE), Fran Wilde (HORIZON) Panel, Tuesday, October 17th at 6:00 pm

Hugh Howey, MACHINE LEARNING (John Joseph Adams, Hardcover, $28.00 and Trade Paperback $15.99) Thursday, October 19th at 6:00 pm

Writers With Drinks (at the Make-Out Room, 3225 22nd St, San Francisco) with authors Chris Brown, Thomas Centolella, Celeste Chan, Shawna Kenney, Devorah Major, and Margaret Rhee, Saturday October 21st at 6:30 pm

Michael Blumlein, "The Body As Story" presentation, Sunday, October 29th at 3:00 pm

SF in SF Women in Horror event with authors Dana Fredsti, Erika Mailman, and Loren Rhoads (at the American Bookbinders Museum, 355 Clementina Street, San Francisco), Sunday, October 29th at 6:30 pm

Stories and Songs with Greg Roensch, Friday, November 10th at 7:00 pm

Kate Elliott presents "Do Not Be Satisfied With Stories: Narrative Structure and Expectations", Saturday, November 11th at 3:00 pm

Writers With Drinks (at the Make-Out Room, 3225 22nd St, San Francisco) with authors Stephen Elliott, Ben Loory, Annalee Newitz, and Maggie Shen King, Saturday, November 11th at 6:30 pm

Tim Pratt, THE WRONG STARS (Angry Robot, Mass Market, $7.99), Sunday, November 12th at 3:00 pm

Brandon Sanderson, OATHBRINGER (Tor, Hardcover, $34.99), Wednesday, November 15th at 6:00 pm

Borderlands 20th Anniversary Party, Saturday, November 18th, 10 am to 6 pm

SF in SF with authors Annalee Newitz and Robin Sloan (at the American Bookbinders Museum, 355 Clementina Street, San Francisco), Sunday, November 19th at 6:30 pm

Sisters in Crime / Mystery Writers of America Northern California Holiday Party, Saturday, December 9th at 2:00 pm

(for more information check the end of this newsletter)

-------
News
-------
* Overheard in the Store:
"I told him, 'This tastes really carcinogenic,' and he got SO offended!"

* Overheard at the Con: (Thanks to a great anonymous sponsor for all these great "overheards" from DragonCon)
"I mess with people, but I do it stoically."

"Please take your tail out of my cleavage."​

"What do you mean, Stephen King doesn't come to DragonCon?"

"No honey, you can't go to the football game dressed as a W​hite Walker."

"This has totally ruined my trip - I just found out the people I most wanted to see here are dead."

"The eight cups of coffee I have at breakfast are essential to getting me through the day here."

​"​I'm sorry, but I just get so tired of being doofusy all the time, ya know?​"​

​"​Can I pet your snake?  OH MY GOD IT'S A REAL SNAKE!!!!​"​ <runs away screaming>

​(Woman to her husband, very definitively): "Oh yes, some ​p​anda porn is definitely coming home with us​!"​

​"​I've just been called "ma'am" by Darth Vader."​

"Walk in back of me, damn it - your sword keeps hitting me in the boobs."

"I'm buying this book for my wife - she doesn't know I'm here with my girlfriend, but she'll forgive me for the signed book."

* Some good news, for a change: Governor Brown has signed AB228, which amends California's dreadful, cumbersome, intrusive, ineffectual, & unenforceable autographed-collectibles law.  The new law specifically excludes signed books (among other categories of items,) and is focused, as originally intended, on sports and entertainment memorabilia. https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=201720180AB228

* R.I.P. Jerry Pournelle; the award winning author died in his sleep at age 84.  Read John Scalzi’s obituary here: https://whatever.scalzi.com/2017/09/08/rip-jerry-pournelle/

* A ranking of the 40 Stephen King adaptations from worst to best.  Theatrical release only, so it excludes the truly wonderful written for TV miniseries "Storm of the Century" which is in many peoples' top five King productions for sure. http://www.vulture.com/2017/09/every-stephen-king-movie-ranked-from-worst-to-best.html

* R.I.P. Kit Reed -- a prolific and well-respected science fiction author who passed away last month.  https://boingboing.net/2017/09/25/rip-kit-reed-brilliant-giant.html

* More sad news: we're going to lose the nearly 40-year-neighborhood-fixture Aardvark Books because their building is up for sale: http://hoodline.com/2017/09/after-39-years-final-chapter-for-church-street-s-aardvark-books

* Minneapolis Public Radio talked to Jude (Borderlands' General Manager) about some book recommendations: https://www.mprnews.org/story/2017/09/29/seven-fantasy-and-scifi-recs-from-diehard-reader

* Want a chance to win $12,000 for a short story?  Check out the Into The Black contest!
https://medium.com/economicsecproj/into-the-black-a-short-fiction-contest-with-a-big-prize-f91cd6553967

* N.K. Jemisin's trilogy gets high praise in the New York Times, and with a TV adaptation on the way she stands to become of the biggest names in speculative fiction. Well-deserved for such an immense talent.
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/26/books/review/nk-jemisin-stone-sky-broken-earth-trilogy.html

* Is the backlash to dystopian futures finally beginning?  Some authors like Cory Doctorow think there should be some pushback and room for optimism at the very least.  https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Society/2017/1006/Blade-Runner-2049-Why-some-science-fiction-writers-are-tired-of-dystopias

* Amazon is focusing on science and science fiction for its children's programming and perhaps their adult programming will take the same path.  https://www.theverge.com/2017/10/5/16427902/amazon-pilot-season-2017-will-vs-the-future-skybound-stem-for-children

* African Science Fiction continues to rise: https://lareviewofbooks.org/article/african-science-fiction/#!

* We had never heard of The Osiris Child: Science Fiction Volume One until now, but thanks to its name and this review, Na'amen's now obsessed with this film. http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-et-mn-mini-osiris-child-review-20171003-story.html

* A selection of science fiction works that focus on personal relationships and the bonds of human connection.  https://www.newscientist.com/article/2148878-science-fiction-picks-sound-wedding-bells-and-other-alarms/

* Perhaps you don’t care about personal relationships as much as crime and punishment in science fiction? Check out this list instead: http://www.latimes.com/books/jacketcopy/la-ca-jc-science-fiction-20170921-story.html

* Futurists who imagine the shape of the world in the decades to come are being hired by companies you wouldn’t exactly expect.  https://www.ft.com/content/f603e438-a4ba-11e7-9e4f-7f5e6a7c98a2

* For a competing POV, here's Lawrence Krauss on why the next technological innovation is pretty much unpredictable. We're not sure we agree but it's an interesting counterpoint.  http://www.slate.com/articles/technology/future_tense/2017/09/why_science_fiction_writers_couldn_t_imagine_the_internet.html

* This review for the upcoming film "Downsizing" points out that even as the film is aware of injustice and parodies, it still relies on unfortunate racial assumptions at its core.  https://io9.gizmodo.com/downsizing-is-a-clever-big-idea-science-fiction-comedy-1819010098

* Charles Yu and John Joseph Adams appear on the latest episode of Geek's Guide to the Galaxy to discuss the Best American Science Fiction & Fantasy series, among other projects: https://www.wired.com/2017/09/geeks-guide-charles-yu/

* Speaking of podcasts!  To celebrate their 25th anniversary the Syfy network has released a 15 part podcast featuring discussions with various veterans of science fiction TV and film.  https://www.space.com/38075-syfy25-origin-stories-adam-savage-podcast.html

* And the last of a triptych of podcasts for you!  Here's SFWA president Cat Rambo, with hundreds of published short stories to her name, giving advice on becoming a science fiction writer to Geekwire: https://www.geekwire.com/2017/want-write-science-fiction-tips-president-science-fiction-fantasy-writers-america/

* It's the 40th anniversary of "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" and the movie is being rereleased in theaters.  Here's an article on how it changed how we viewed aliens forever.  http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/features/steven-spielberg-close-encounters-of-the-third-kind-richard-drefus-aliens-et-contact-arrival-jodie-a7956851.html

* SFWA has put out their annual call for grants.  Check out the rules and deadlines here: http://www.sfwa.org/2017/09/call-grants-2017/

* "Star Trek: Discovery" has seen a broad spectrum of reactions and reviews by the science fiction community. Here's a review of the third episode that praises it for the "science" part of science-fiction.  https://www.inverse.com/article/37003-star-trek-discovery-s1ep3-recap-review-context-kings

 ------------------
Award News
------------------
* The winners of the 2017 British Fantasy Awards have been announced!  https://www.tor.com/2017/10/01/announcing-the-2017-british-fantasy-award-winners/

* The 2017 Salam Award winner, for a short story written by an author currently living in Pakistan or of Pakistani birth/descent, has been announced: http://thesalamaward.com/index.php/the-award/2017-winners/

* The longlist for the 2018 Andrew Carnegie Medals for Excellence has been released and there are quite a few genre-adjacent titles on the fiction list.  Check it out here: http://www.ala.org/awardsgrants/carnegieadult/longlists

* The winners of the Sixth Annual Copper Cylinder Award have been announced.  http://coppercylinderaward.ca/2017-winners

* N.K. Jemisin has won the Eugie award for her story "The City Born Great" on Tor.com.  Check out the announcement and most of the nominees here: http://www.eugiefoster.com/eugieaward

----------------
Best Sellers
----------------
Borderlands Best-Selling Titles for September, 2017

Hardcovers
1) Provenance by Ann Leckie
2) The Brightest Fell by Seanan McGuire
3) Autonomous by Annalee Newitz
4) Paradox Bound by Peter Clines
5) In Other Lands by Sarah Rees Brennan
6) Down Among the Sticks and Bones by Seanan McGuire
7) Spoonbenders by Daryl Gregory
8) Every Heart a Doorway by Seanan McGuire
9) Collapsing Empire by John Scalzi
10) Null States by Malka Older

Trade Paperbacks
1) Taste of Marrow by Sarah Gailey
2) The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin
3) Ruin of Angels by Max Gladstone
4) River of Teeth by Sarah Gailey
5) All the Birds in the Sky by Charlie Jane Anders
6) The Three Body Problem by Cixin Liu, trans. by Ken Liu
7) The Stone Sky by N.K. Jemisin
8) Noumenon by Marina J. Lostetter
9) Passing Strange by Ellen Klages
10) It by Stephen King

Mass Market Paperbacks
1) The Uploaded by Ferrett Steinmetz
2) Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss
3) Red Mars by Kim Stanley Robinson
4) Wise Man's Fear by Patrick Rothfuss
5) Rosemary and Rue by Seanan McGuire
6) Heroine Complex by Sarah Kuhn
7) The Gunslinger by Stephen King
8) American Gods by Neil Gaiman
9) The Rise of Io by Wesley Chu
10) Immortal Architects by Paige Orwin

------------------------------
Book Club Information
------------------------------
The QSF&F Book Club will meet on Sunday, November 12th, at 5 pm to discuss THE ILLUMINATUS TRILOGY by Robert Anton Wilson.  The book for December will be WHO FEARS DEATH by Nnedi Okorafor.  Please contact the group leader, Christopher Rodriguez, at cobalt555@earthlink.net, for more information.

The Science Fiction and Fantasy Book Club will meet on Sunday, October 15th, at 6 pm to discuss LOOK TO WINDWARD by Iain M. Banks.  The book for November will be CITY OF STAIRS by Robert Jackson Bennett.  Please contact bookclub@borderlands-books.com for more information.

------------------------------
Upcoming Event Details
------------------------------
Litquake LitCrawl Phase 2 (Borderlands Books) with authors Sarah Gailey, Sarah Kuhn, Loren Rhoads, and Carter Scholz, Saturday, October 14th from 6:30 - 7:30 pm - We are delighted to once again take part in one of the most exciting literary events in San Francisco - the LitCrawl.  This is a three-hour pub-crawl-style literary event with dozens of venues and hundreds of authors, all taking place right here in the Mission District.  Phase 2 will take place in the bookstore, and will feature: Sarah Gailey, an internationally published author of fiction and nonfiction, and a regular contributor for Tor.com and Barnes & Noble.  She tweets @gaileyfrey.  Learn more at www.sarahgailey.com; Sarah Kuhn, the author of the Heroine Complex series—starring Asian American superheroines—and assorted comics about love, geeks, aliens, and Barbie; Loren Rhoads, who zips from space operas called THE DANGEROUS TYPE and NO MORE HEREOS to nonfiction about the 199 CEMETERIES TO SEE BEFORE YOU DIE; and Carter Scholz, a Bay Area writer, composer, and pianist whose recent novella, Gypsy, was nominated for the Sturgeon Award!

Litquake LitCrawl Phase 3 (Borderlands Cafe) with authors Robyn Bennis, Dana Fredsti, Ayize Jama-Everett, and Ellen Klages, Saturday, October 14th from 8:00 - 9:00 pm - We are delighted to once again take part in one of the most exciting literary events in San Francisco - the LitCrawl.  This is a three-hour pub-crawl-style literary event with dozens of venues and hundreds of authors, all taking place right here in the Mission District. Phase 3 will take place in the Cafe and will feature Robyn Bennis, who works in biotech but dreams of airships. She lives in Mountain View and THE GUNS ABOVE is her debut novel; Dana Fredsti, the author of the Ashley Parker series, touted as Buffy meets The Walking Dead, and the dark fantasy series Spawn of Lilith; Alize Jama-Everett, who was born in Harlem NYC in 1974.  His books are THE LIMINAL PEOPLE, THE LIMINAL WAR, and THE ENTROPY OF BONES; and Ellen Klages, an award-winning genre-bending author (PASSING STRANGE) who lives in San Francisco in a small house full of strange and wondrous things.

Editors Nick Mamatas and Molly Tanzer with guests Jim Nisbet, Tim Pratt, and Dominica Phetteplace, MIXED UP: COCKTAIL RECIPES (AND FLASH FICTION) FOR THE DISCERNING DRINKER (AND READER) (Skyhorse, Hardcover, $14.99) Sunday, October 15th at 3:00 pm - We're happy to welcome Nick Mamatas, Molly Tanzer, and a bunch of wonderful contributors to this event for a cool new mash-up of cocktail recipes and flash fiction!  From the editor: "A cocktail is like an excellent story -- bitter and sweet and over too quickly, but the memory of it stays with you.  From the Pimm's Cup to Smoking Bishop, the Manhattan to the Moscow Mule, MIXED UP features not only more than two dozen classic recipes and hot tips on ingredients and preparations, but new cocktail-themed short stories from some of today's most popular and acclaimed writers, including Jeff VanderMeer, Cara Hoffman, Benjamin Percy, and many more."

Kevin Hearne (A PLAGUE OF GIANTS), Chuck Wendig (DAMN FINE STORY: MASTERING THE TOOLS OF A POWERFUL NARRATIVE), Fran Wilde (HORIZON) Panel, Tuesday, October 17th at 6:00 pm - We're thrilled to welcome these three amazing authors to Borderlands!  Kevin, Chuck, and Fran will be discussing their new titles and signing books.  Bring your questions and your sense of humor!

Hugh Howey, MACHINE LEARNING (John Joseph Adams, Hardcover, $28.00 and Trade Paperback $15.99) Thursday, October 19th at 6:00 pm - We're thrilled to host the somewhat-elusive sometime circumnavigator Hugh Howey!  Here's what the publisher has to say about his new collection: "Hugh Howey is known for crafting riveting and immersive page-turners of boundless imagination, spawning millions of fans worldwide, first with his best-selling novel WOOL, and then with other enthralling works such as SAND and BEACON 23.  Now comes MACHINE LEARNING, an impressive collection of Howey's science fiction and fantasy short fiction, including three stories set in the world of Wool, two never-before-published tales written exclusively for this volume, and fifteen additional stories collected here for the first time.  These stories explore everything from artificial intelligence to parallel universes to video games, and each story is accompanied by an author’s note exploring the background and genesis of each story."

Writers With Drinks (at the Make-Out Room, 3225 22nd St, San Francisco) with authors Chris Brown, Thomas Centolella, Celeste Chan, Shawna Kenney, Devorah Major, and Margaret Rhee, Saturday, October 21st at 6:30 pm - Writers With Drinks is the most awesome spoken-word variety show in the world, hosted by Charlie Jane Anders, and we're always happy to participate!  The amazing lineup this month includes authors Chris Brown (Tropic of Kansas), Thomas Centolella (Almost Human), Celeste Chan (Queer Rebels), Shawna Kenney (Live at the Safari Club, I Was a Teenage Dominatrix), Devorah Major (Brown Glass Windows, and then we became) and Margaret Rhee (Radio Heart; or, How Robots Fall Out of Love)  Cost: $5 to $20, no-one turned away for lack of funds.  All proceeds benefit local non-profits. Doors open at 6:30 and Borderlands will be on hand to sell books.

Michael Blumlein, "The Body As Story" presentation, Sunday, October 29th at 3:00 pm - Mutation!  Injustice!  Resilience!  Sex!  And more!  Our bodies tell a million stories.  Some are tragic, some triumphant.  Some beggar belief.  Drawing from a lifetime's work as a writer and physician, Michael Blumlein will narrate our bodies: the history that is written in them, the ongoing story, and what lies ahead.  Join us for an absolutely fascinating presentation on "The Body as Story," from this distinguished physician, writer, and teacher.

SF in SF Women in Horror event with authors Dana Fredsti, Erika Mailman, and Loren Rhoads (at the American Bookbinders Museum, 355 Clementina Street, San Francisco), Sunday, October 29th at 6:30 pm - (Suggested donation $10, no one turned away for lack of funds.)  Doors and bar at 6:00 pm, event begins at 6:30 pm.  We're so happy to participate in the Science Fiction in San Francisco reading series! The authors will read a selection from their work, followed by Q&A from the audience moderated by author Terry Bisson.  The authors will schmooze & sign books after.  Books available for sale courtesy of Borderlands Books.  Seating is limited, so first come, first seated.  Bar proceeds benefit the American Bookbinders Museum.   Phone (night of event) 415-572-1015.  Questions? Email sfinsfevents@gmail.com.

Stories and Songs with Greg Roensch, Friday, November 10th at 7:00 pm - Join us for stories & songs by Borderlands sponsor Greg Roensch.  Greg will read from his collection of quirky, bite-sized tales, BREAKFAST WITH THE ALIEN AND OTHER SHORT, SHORT STORIES, and perform acoustic versions of music from his album, SPIRAL NOTEBOOK PROJECT.  In 2017, Greg completed work on these two long-incubating creative projects and is celebrating the double-barreled achievement with this special event at Borderlands.  For more information about both projects, go to www.gregroensch.com.

Kate Elliott presents "Do Not Be Satisfied With Stories: Narrative Structure and Expectations", Saturday, November 11th at 3:00 pm - We're thrilled to welcome author and sponsor Kate Elliott, who will be doing a fascinating powerpoint lecture (all images or short clips! no boring text slides!) on how the expectations we bring to a story influence how we engage with the story, with a particular emphasis on how opening paragraphs (and opening sequences in films) often rely on familiarity and cultural knowledge to draw us in.  Kate will focus on science fiction and fantasy stories, most of which will be familiar to Borderlands Books' customers.  Kate has given versions of this presentation to acclaim at Sasquan/Worldcon 2015 and at the Sirens Conference 2015.  She will be happy to answer questions and sign books after the lecture.  We hope you'll join us for this interesting and practical event!

Writers With Drinks (at the Make-Out Room, 3225 22nd St, San Francisco) with authors Stephen Elliott, Ben Loory, Annalee Newitz, and Maggie Shen King, Saturday, November 11th at 6:30 pm - Writers With Drinks is the most awesome spoken-word variety show in the world, hosted by Charlie Jane Anders, and we're always happy to participate! The amazing lineup this month includes authors Rumpus founder Stephen Elliott (The Adderall Diaries), New Yorker contributor Ben Loory (Tales of Falling and Flying), Annalee Newitz (Autonomous), and Maggie Shen King (An Excess Male). Cost: $5 to $20, no-one turned away for lack of funds.  All proceeds benefit local non-profits. Doors open at 6:30 and Borderlands will be on hand to sell books.

Tim Pratt, THE WRONG STARS (Angry Robot, Mass Market, $7.99), Sunday, November 12th at 3:00 pm - We're happy to welcome Tim Pratt back to Borderlands!  This time he's coming with a brand-new space opera adventure.  From the publisher: "The shady crew of the White Raven run freight and salvage at the fringes of our solar system.  They discover the wreck of a centuries-old exploration vessel floating light years away from its intended destination and revive its sole occupant, who wakes with news of First Alien Contact.  When the crew break it to her that humanity has alien allies already, she reveals that these are very different extra-terrestrials. .  . and the gifts they bestowed on her could kill all humanity, or take it out to the most distant stars."

Brandon Sanderson, OATHBRINGER (Tor, Hardcover, $34.99), Wednesday, November 15th at 6:00 pm - We're always thrilled to welcome the fabulous Brandon Sanderson to Borderlands!  This time Brandon will be showing off OATHBRINGER, the third in the Stormlight Archive series.  We do hope you'll join us for this reading, Q&A, and signing.  This event will be first-come, first seated.  (We'll be giving out (free) tickets as attendees arrive to mark their place in the signing line, and we'll call folks up in groups of 10 or so once signing starts, so they don't need to wait in line for such a long time.  If you miss your numbered group, you can join the next line when you're ready.)  No purchase is necessary to attend and have books signed, but we always appreciate it if attendees purchase something at the event.  Contact us at office@borderlands-books.com or 888 893-4008 if you have questions.

Borderlands 20th Anniversary Party, Saturday, November 18th, 10 am to 6 pm - We're celebrating two decades of bookselling with an all-day party.  We'll open early at 10 am for a private sale for readers of this newsletter.  Everything in the store will be 10% off, we'll have some carefully chosen staff favorites on sale at near our cost, and, as we almost never do, our rare and collectable section will be 20% off for two short hours.  And we'll have mimosas and snacks to get your day started.  At noon we'll open to the public with a huge line up of authors signing their work, music, and other fun and games including the unveiling of our limited edition 20th anniversary hoodie.  You won't want to miss this so mark your calendar now.  More details in the next monthly newsletter.

SF in SF with authors Annalee Newitz and Robin Sloan (at the American Bookbinders Museum, 355 Clementina Street, San Francisco), Sunday, November 19th at 6:30 pm - (Suggested donation $10, no one turned away for lack of funds.)  Doors and bar at 5:30 pm, event begins at 6:30 pm.  We're so happy to participate in the Science Fiction in San Francisco reading series!  The authors will read a selection from their work, followed by Q&A from the audience moderated by author Terry Bisson.  The authors will schmooze & sign books after.  Books available for sale courtesy of Borderlands Books.  Seating is limited, so first come, first seated.  Bar proceeds benefit the American Bookbinders Museum.   Phone (night of event) 415-572-1015.  Questions? Email sfinsfevents@gmail.com.

Sisters in Crime / Mystery Writers of America Northern California Holiday Party, Saturday, December 9th at 2:00 pm - Attendees and details TK.

Borderlands event policy - all events are free of charge.  You are welcome to bring copies of an author's books purchased elsewhere to be autographed (but we do appreciate it if you purchase something while at the event).  For most events you are welcome to bring as many books as you wish for autographs.  If you are unable to attend the event we will be happy to have a copy of any of the author's available books signed or inscribed for you.  We can then either hold the book(s) until you can come in to pick them up or we can ship to you.  Just give us a call or drop us an email.  If you live out of town, you can also ship us books from your collection to be signed for a nominal fee.  Call or email for details.