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.

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Upcoming Events
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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)

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News
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* 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

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Award News
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* 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

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Best Sellers
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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

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Book Club Information
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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.

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Upcoming Event Details
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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.