Hugo-finalist Journey Planet returns with a new issue dedicated at fantastical, mythical, and really just super cool musical instruments.
Jean Martin joins Chris Garcia and James Bacon in bringing together looks at musical instruments and the music they produce in everything from Futurama to Dune to Dungeons & Dragons to Star Trek and much much more! There are also a few pieces that look at the roles real-life musical instruments play and how they can become mythical in and of themselves!
This is an 85-page look into worlds both real and imagined! Available now here.
Table of Contents
Editorial by Chris Garcia Musical Instruments in Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings by Jean Martin Exploring Instruments in Dungeons & Dragons: The Instruments of the Bards by Robert Pleasant Gurney Halleck Sings for Us by Allison Hartman Adams The Baliset by Chris Garcia Vulcan Lute by Christopher Erickson Star Trek: The Musical Generation by Sarah Gulde The Sounds of Star Wars by James Bacon Native American Flutes by Jade Falcon Fan Art by Terry Jeeves Exploring the Oud: A Musical Time Machine for Ancient and Futuristic Soundscapes by Michael Larsen Captain Eo: The Crew IS the Music by Chris Garcia Play holophonor for me by Ann Gry (anngry.com) “Of Holophonors” by Peppard Saltine Fico in Flash Gordon by James Bacon Pure Will, True Will, and The Hydrogen Sonata or How Aleister Crowley met Iain M. Banks by Richard Smothers Music in the Works of Alan Moore Or Alan, Eno, and Me by Pádraig Ó Méalóid On kings and fiddlers and the harp unstrung by Ethan Hay, MA Instruments from the Moon to Gaia (via North Queensferry, Scotland) with Two Plugs by Gary Lloyd A Refrigerator for Music – The Samson Box by Chris Garcia Under The 5000 Fingers by James Langdell Animusic by Chris Garcia The Legend of Zelda – The Magical Instrument by David Ferguson Enditorial by James Bacon
Journey Planet 74 is an issue by and about Vincent Docherty, an insightful, personal and thoughtful journey through the life of a Scottish Fan and two-time Worldcon Chair.
Vincent marks 45 years in fandom this year, and in time for Satelite 8 in Glasgow, (https://eight.satellitex.org.uk/) the Journey Planet team have worked with him for 18 months and produced a 55,000 word 108-page issue, focused on Vincent’s life.
With contributions from Sara Felix, Shana Worthen, Henry Balen, Theresa TR Renner, Steve Cooper, Ian Sorensen, Kees Van Toorn, Martin Easterbrook, Colin Harris, Alice Lawson and a cover by Iain Clark, this is a very in depth look at the life of a fan.
Vincent Docherty walked into Faircon ’78 in Glasgow as a teenager and so began a journey in fandom, which would see him bring the Worldcon to Glasgow twice (1995 and 2005).
In this issue of Journey Planet, Vincent takes us through that, with both intimacy and insight, starting with how he became interested in Science Fiction. He speaks about being involved with Glasgow and 4S fandom, helping with and then chairing his first convention, Invention in 1983. He speaks of his role as the Hugo Awards director at the 1987 Worldcon, Conspiracy, and offers, thanks to reportage from David Langford, a view from the audience.
As his involvement with fandom grew, so did his real life job. He shares his passions and anxieties, as well as failings, openly and honestly. With this issue of Journey Planet, many will learn of the trials and tribulations, the tragedy of timing, and life for someone very intelligent and also different, and therefore at times, alone.
This issue addresses hard matters which may resonate with readers: being different, yet invisible; horrible difficulties such as bullying; love in a different time; AIDS in the 80s. Vincent is open and honest, sharing matters of close family as well as heartfelt reflection.
Vincent considers what has gone well and also what could be improved, and shares what he has come to love: helping others, empowering and enabling, as well as the great musical extravaganzas that he has stewarded. There is value to be found in this history, potentially much in it for conrunners to learn, as serious consideration is given for Worldcons and conrunning in general, and so for us, elements that are useful and good to be aware of.
Ann Gry and Allison Hartman Adams joined Christopher J. Garcia and James Bacon with this 108-page issue, which began at Smofcon Europe in Lisbon in December 2021 and has been a massive undertaking by all involved, as the information was extracted from Vincent through dozens of interviews, edited multiple times and crafted into the issue that is offered to readers.
A father, brother, son and friend. He is very good to the community of SF fans. Winner of the Big Heart, he epitomizes what the award is for: someone who gives so much of themselves and helps the community of book-loving science aficionados come together and share their interests and friendships.
A tremendous amount of work has gone into this fanzine, and we hope readers concur that it is very much worth it.
By Susan de Guardiola: Earlier this year, Harvard’s Houghton Library (their rare book depository) put on an exhibit on self-publishing which, among many other interesting zines, featured a few sfnal ones. Apparently Harvard alumnus Paul Clarkson ’57 was a fan and left his collection to the university. Among the fanzines in the exhibit was one by Ted White that is not in the Fancyclopedia.
Apologies for the weird angles; all the cases were directly under fancy chandeliers which made it hard to get photos without reflections.
If anyone is interested in viewing the collection, I read regularly at Houghton and can help them through the procedures. Seems like some fanhistorian ought to dig into this, if it hasn’t already been done.
Australian fan Alan Stewart has been tracking down all the little mementoes that Worldcons give to Hugo Nominees. In doing so he was helped by many fans, seeking images and information.
Alan joined Chris Garcia and James Bacon on Journey Planet 73 – Hugo Nominee Gifts, as they sought to share the research and photos, of the wondrous things that have been gifted. And who knew that such a list existed?
Gifts for Hugo Nominees were generally given to nominees at the Hugo Losers party by the subsequent Worldcon, often seen as a promotional activity as well as welcome to those the community have celebrated to come to the following year’s Worldcon.
A variety of fans have contributed the images, and a number have written for the issue including Evelyn Leeper, Steven H Silver, Guy Lillian III, Michael A Burstein, Deb Geisler, Rose Mitchell, Helen Montgomery, Sarah Gulde, Alison Scott, Craig Miller, Ian McDonald and Henry Balen who all share insight
It’s a list you might not know existed, and one that’s kind of fun.
Letters of Comment from Rob Hansen and Kerry Kyle also feature, as they both respond to issue 71, the Hugo Base issue.
James Bacon adds, “We are currently working on an issue with Jean Martin about futuristic, mythical, fictional and imagined musical instruments with an end of June deadline and would love to hear from interested contributors.”
Letters of comment welcome at [email protected] on this or any issue.
The latest issue of Journey Planet makes for difficult reading as James Bacon and Christopher J. Garcia present 20,000 words on the British military amphibious landing and military action on July 31, 1972 in Derry, Northern Ireland.
Operation Motorman saw an innocent boy and innocent man gunned down. With landing craft deploying Centurion AVRE tanks directly to the city streets, the official view of a successful counter insurgency operation is considered and challenged.
Families have spent decades fighting for justice, against immediate lies, denial and misrepresentation and the results of their perseverance is reflected on and documented.
The subsequent murderous and pointless retaliation mere hours later by terrorists saw nine civilians killed in the small village of Claudy. This atrocity saw no one brought to justice. The collusion between the British Government and Catholic Church to protect the perpetrator is presented.
Shrouded in cover up and lies, much has come to light in the fifty years since these sad events occurred, as James attempts to present utilizing quotes and judgments for readers to draw their own conclusions, while reflecting on the research work and offering his own views especially on how the subject is presented by “strategists”.
This special edition of Journey Planet includes photographs of the day by Eamon Melaugh who vividly captured the action. At 49 pages this single subject issue has been worked on for over fourteen years.
The sadness of the loss for the families can never be undone.
“Pamphlets, amateur press publications and Fanzines hold a historical place in the ability to independently present to readers views, opinions and subjects which are valid but often overlooked. The format allows for freedom of expression, without external editorial pressure to curtail or censor and so here we present an issue on a subject that is difficult but we hope a compelling, informative and provoking read.”
Sara Felix joins Christopher J. Garcia and James Bacon for issue 71 of Journey Planet as fans consider the physical Hugo Awards. Download it here.
The construction, the actual bases, the bases that fans contemplated, and aspects about the awards that one may not have thought of are reflected upon and shared.
The Hugo awards capture the imagination and it is through hard work mixed with imaginative creativity that the physical awards manifest.
How many fans have had an idea for a Hugo base? We have a number shared in this issue.
The process is looked at with a level of expertise and experience in a reprinted article excerpt by Peter Weston on “Making the Hugos”, and an article on “Hugo base design” by Vincent Docherty.
Proposals, anecdotes, imaginings and the experience of designing and making a base all get coverage in this issue that features a beautiful cover by Sara Felix.
Contributors of articles and art also include David Thayer, Janice Gelb, Constanze Hofmann Steven H Silver, Brad Foster and James Shields.
The importance of the Hugo Awards, how fandom recognizes great professional and fan work and of course the pride and celebration that come with the awards underpins this issue.
Eagle eyed fans may notice that the issue cover is numbered 63*, giving a secret insight into the Journey Planet team’s hopes and aspirations and the realities of busy fans enjoying themselves in-between the realities of life.
Meanwhile a future issue of Journey Planet will be co-edited with Alan Stewart who has undertaken research into the gifts that Hugo nominees have received over the years. Photos are still being sought of:
A Moomin mug, presented by Worldcon 75 at MidAmeriCon II.
Chicago in 2000 trading cards, presented by Chicon 2000, at Aussiecon Three, 1999
And the Torcon 3 loser gift at ConJose in 2002 if one was given.
Contact journeyplanet at Gmail dot com if you happen to have a photo of any of these gifts please.
Regina Kanyu Wang, Yen Ooi and Arthur Liu join Chris Garcia and James Bacon to co-edit an issue of Journey Planet dedicated to Chinese science, science fiction, space and fandom, with over 20 articles and interviews, all both in Chinese and English in parallel text.
This issue has exceeded expectations in regard to volume of content, and the editors decided that they would split the issue into two parts. Part 1 was released on December 31, and Part 2 now. The dates are chosen to connect both the western and Chinese New Year, echoing with the initial intention of this issue, to build a cultural bridge.
Part 2 features a cover art Three Worlds by Sinjin Li. The artist designs the symbol on the flag, which represents an eye straining to perceive all three dimensions at once – above / on / below, past / present / future etc.
Following the contents on game, location, fiction, movie, and art in Part 1, Part 2 includes contents on art, comic, animation, fan, space, and more. Contents in this issue include:
1. Space is Terrifying – Interview with Sinjin Li
Interviewer: Mia Chen Ma and Yen Ooi
Translator: Olivia Cat
2. Revamping Sci-Fi Writing Through Sci-Fi Art: An Introduction to “Morning Star Cup”, China’s Original Science Fiction Art Competition
Author: Ma Guobin and Zhao Hongyin
Translator: Ana Padilla Fornieles
3. Ten Thousand Worlds in the Nijigen Universe
Author: Fly Cat
Translator: J. Xu
4. A Review on Night Bus by Zuo Ma
Author: James Bacon
Translator: Lin Pingxiu
5. A Review on Split Earth by Joey Yu, Zephyr Zheng and Monica Ding
Author: James Bacon
Translator: Que Shizi
6. Space Food, Future Food, and Food in Science Fiction
Author: Qian Cheng and Serene Hu
Translator: Andy Yang, Serene Hu, and Chen Qinglong
7. From a SF Fan to a SF Entrepreneur- An Interview with Sun Yue
Interviewer: Regina Kanyu Wang
Translator: Kelly Zhang
8. A Brief History of Science Fiction Societies in Chinese Universities
Author: RiverFlow
Translator: Stefan Harvey
9. A Brief History of the Development of Chinese SF Fanzines
Author: RiverFlow
Translator: Ana Padilla Fornieles
10. The Humanity in the Future: A Viewpoint Developed after Meeting with Russian and the U.S. Astronauts
Author: Tan Kai
Translator: Li Siqi
11. An Encounter in Space and Science Fiction – Interview with Liu Cixin, Ken Liu, and Kjell Lindgren
Interviewer: Regina Kanyu Wang
Translator: Liu Shuli
The brilliance of Andor captured the imagination and excitement of many fans.
Caught up in this enthusiasm are this issue of Journey Planets Co-Editors, Erin Underwood, John Coxon, James Bacon and Chris Garcia. They decided a matter of weeks ago that it would be fabulous to consider how enjoyable the TV series was and share views, insights and thoughts with an whole issue dedicated to Andor.
With a stunning cover by Iain Clark, this issue contains an eclectic selection of views and thoughts. Get it here.
Andor: The Center of the Star Wars Storyverse by Erin Underwood
Andor Season 1 – Putting faces to the Empire and a cause for rebellion by James Mason
ANDOR: Star Wars Finally Grows Up by Tony Peak
Andor: Real People and the Rebellion by Chelsea Mueller
Star Wars Storytelling Matures with Andor by R. B. Wood
Andor: Faced with Violence by Brenda Noiseux
Vive la résistance! by John C. Foster
Based on by Peppard Saltine
We Always Knew There Was More to Star Wars by Carrie Vaughn
Shaping the Conflict: The Ominous Geometry of Andor by Hannah Strom-Martin
The Complexities of Revolution in Andor by Rich Horton
Droid Boy by Alexis & Kenneth Taylor-Butler
Andor – a rebellion, a consideration comparison and contrast of Andor with the Irish Rebellion of the early 20th century by James Bacon
Andor: An Awakening by Edward Lazellari
Less Fan Service of Better Storytelling? by John Coxon
Jack ‘Gunner’ McCarthy and Captain of Intelligence Mary McGrath by James Bacon
Shadows of the British Empire by Dan Hartland
The Sounds of Andor by James Bacon
Instant Fanzine: Andor featuring Joelle Renstrom and Oghenechovwe Ekpeki
Regina Kanya Wang, Yen Ooi and Arthur Liu join Chris Garcia and James Bacon to co-edit an issue dedicated to Chinese science, science fiction, space and fandom, with over 20 articles and interviews, all both in Chinese and English in parallel text.
Featuring a stunning cover From Ocean in the Sky by Sharksden, there is a wide variety of articles, interviews and art.
This issue has exceeded expectations in regard to volume of content, and the editors decided that they would split the issue into two parts, with Part 2 planned for publication in the Chinese New Year.
Contents in this issue include:
If I Have a Dyson Sphere, I Can _______ – The Independent Science Fiction Game Dyson Sphere Program and Its Player Ecology by Bill Black. Translated by Scarlet Zhang
An Encounter with Mars at Lenghu by Arthur Liu. Translated by Shaoyan Hu
Twelve Space-Themed Chinese SF Novels In the 2020s by Arthur Liu
The Female Body and the Future of Humanity by Mia Chen Ma. Translated by Wang Jin and Lily Rathbone
“The Wandering Earth”: Should I Leave Behind the Heavy Shell? by Lyu Guangzhao
The Wandering Fan – A Diaspora View of Chinese Science Fiction by Kin-Ming Looi. Translated by Jiang Qingying
Hunt for the Hidden Treasures of Republican-Era Science Fiction by Ren Dongmei, edited by RiverFlow. Translated by Jack Hargreaves
Dugu Yue Refuses to Be Alone by Zhong Tianyi. Translated by Qing Zhao
Imagining Outer Space in Chinese Science by Huang Mingfen. Translated by Zhou Danxue
Original Art: Lunar Photosynthesis by Angela YT Chan
Narrating Fantastic Stories with Visual Arts – Interview with Feifei RuanInterviewer: Regina Kanyu Wang. Translated by RiverFlow
My Best Art is Always the Next Piece – Interview with Sharksden Interviewer: Regina Kanyu Wang, Translated by Scarlet Zhang
