Wow, where was I when this was happening last year?
(Oh, yeah, getting the bookstore up and running.) I wish
all the SFWA members good luck in the election!

Someone asked above about Russell Davis’s books – the
latest one I have is the anthology “If I Were an Evil
Overlord,” edited by Martin Greenberg and Russell Davis.
Hey, *I* liked it. Maybe it’s my Inner Evil Overlord
coming out.

Speaking as a board member of a local service org, I hope
one of the things y’all do first is FIX that Conflict of
Interest issue where the VP can become chair of the
committees. However you choose to fix it – it’s a loaded
gun.

Nice job, Mr. Scalzi – very well executed, and thanks
for offering a locale where everyone can comment.
Lauretta
Constellation Books, Reisterstown, MD

I just wanted to say that I, personally, think things are getting more active and vibrant again in the field in general. In addition to Russell’s commentary about “the house next door,” which is absolutely true, the traditional aspects seem on the rise again also, and it’s really from last fall to now, and I see no signs of abatement.

That’s the most important thing to me. If I’m going to try to do my part, I want to be part of something real. That’s the core reason why I didn’t really want to get involved in recent years (after my initial time after joining). It seemed removed from reality. Now, the gap is so big everyone can see it. If Russell is elected, we have a chance to close that gap and be close to the real situation for real writers, of all stages of their careers.

I have no problem letting someone join after 3 shorts, but I don’t think it’s unreasonable to require a minimal level of continuing sales, say, one story every five years.

There’s enough three-short dorks however, that no proposal of such will ever get enough votes to become policy.

Ordinarily, protest candidates siphon votes away from (semi-)legitimate candidates. I don’t think that will be a problem this time. The legitimate candidate or candidates will get enough votes to win anyway.

I’d make an honest run, but the massive load of assorted stuff I have to do this year, most of which I can’t talk about and would be boring if I did, preclude that. Since I can’t promise to do a good job, I’m promising not to do the job at all. Quoting Rodney Dangerfield, “Kids! They don’t know how to delegate!” Vote for me and learn what delegation really means, if you dare.

And don’t forget my real campaign for the Highest Office: http://www.MadMikeIn08.com

Because voting for the lesser evil has FAILED.

First: Thanks for the really interesting discussion. :D I gave up most of my ambitions on writing after the weight of rejection notices snapped the mailbox post in half, but I love reading about how things tend to work, and I’ve been very interested in what’s going on with SFWA since Burt first reared his head at the internets last year.

Second: Finally managed to find a copy of Old Man’s War in Columbus (surprisingly hard to do! You’d think they’d give you better stock rates in your home state…), and it was intensely awesome. I hope my $7 contributes to a cheeseburger in your near future.

Third: As ZT approaches, are you planning to do any readings or suchlike around the state, either pre or post release?

“About Aburt…

By way of executive experience, over the past twenty years I’ve been CEO of . . .”

Either he is in the habit of referring to himself as Aburt or he, perhaps, should not be promoting himself as a “writer.”

Not role models?

#$&@!

I say Doctorow, Stross and Buckell start their own organization, elect John as president and Nick Mamatas as their trusted Tyler.

Hell yeah, secret handshakes for all.