An excellent and prolific writer of both novels and short fiction, Michael has been nominated multiple times for the Hugo (in all four fiction categories), the Nebula, and the World Fantasy Award. He has won a Nebula and a World Fantasy Award, and has just won his first Hugo--for Short Story. Buy lots of his books from the dealers in the Hucksters' Room (including the Boskone 37 Guest of Honor book--Moon Dogs).
A multiple award winner, Rick Berry is an accomplished painter and pioneering digital artist. As well as illustrating book covers, games and comics, he contributed special effects to the 1995 film Johnny Mnemonic. He was Artist GoH at the 1995 World Fantasy Convention and won Best of Show at Boskone 35. In addition to his participating on the program, look for Rick's excellent art showcased in the Boskone 37 Art Show.
A British Fan of All Trades, Peter's many and varied activities include founding the longest-lived fan group in the U.K., editing the Andromeda series of original anthologies, chairing the Seacon '79 Worldcon, and editing Speculation. For years, Peter's foundry has cast the rocket ships for the Hugo Awards; the bases are the fault responsibility of the individual Worldcon committees.
Jordin, author of "Fire in the Sky" and "Heart of the Apple Lisa" among many others, first encountered filking at Boskone XII; we're delighted to help him celebrate his 25th anniversary in the field. (Yes, he is a Rocket Scientist.)
FANAC Fan History Project: Be part of the FHP, dedicated to preserving our science fiction and fannish heritage and making this material available to the present-day fan. Check out the web page at http://fanac.org. There are fannish reference works and thousands of photographs on the web site. You may even find your own picture there!
We will be at Boskone to archive our past. We'll have a scanning station to record photos, and a small display to tell you more about us. If you have some unusual items, we'll try to photograph or record them at the convention. If you have any photos, fanzines, publications, or other memorabilia that you might be interested in donating to the FHP collection, contact Joe Siclari at jsiclari@gate.net or talk with him at the convention. All donations are tax-deductible.
Friday evening--Fantiques Roadshow: hot off its triumphant debut at Tropicon, the Fantiques Road Show comes to Boskone. Ever wonder how much a 1940s-era propellor beanie is worth? A complete set of Campbell's Unknown? An original Wesso cover illustrating one of E. E. Smith s "Skylark" stories? How about the special-edition Star Wars poster that was distributed in 1976? A first edition Dune hardback? Several expert appraisers from fields such as books, art, movie memorabilia, fannish memorabilia and collectible toys will be on hand Friday evening in the Grand Ballroom.
Each appraiser will be at a separate station in the ballroom beginning at 8pm. You may bring along multiple items for appraisal, but you may need to go to the back of the line after each appraisal, depending on the length of the line. Starting at about 9pm, the appraisers will present the most interesting, surprising, and valuable items to the audience at large. Note--this is NOT an auction, but an opportunity to show off the items deemed "most collectable" to a larger audience and to talk and learn about rare stfnal stuff..
If this sounds like fun, please stop by any time after 8pm. A cash bar will be available, and snacks will be served.
Saturday afternoon--a concert by our featured filker, Jordin Kare.
Saturday evening--after the Boskone banquet (at 9 PM) we'll present for your edification and enjoyment a speech by Guest of Honor Michael Swanwick--seating will be available for those not partaking of the banquet.
Sunday afternoon--a Regency Soiree. Learn the proper way to dance, play cards, and drink tea (albeit not all at the same time). There will be a Dancing Master to teach and call contra dance (all skill levels are welcome), and instructors in whist and vingt-et-un. Regency period costume is appreciated but not required, spectators are invited (and invited to become participants!).
| Area | Friday | Saturday | Sunday |
| Registration | 4 PM to 10:30 PM | 9:30 AM to 6 PM | 9:30 AM to Noon |
| Art Show | 8 PM to 10 PM | 10 AM to 10 PM | 10 AM to Noon |
| Con Suite | 5 PM to 1 AM | 9 AM to 1 AM | 9 AM to 4 PM |
| Dealers' Room | 5 PM to 8 PM | 10 AM to 6 PM | 10 AM to 4 PM |
| Information | 4 PM to 9 PM | 10 AM to 6 PM | 10 AM to 4 PM |
| Dragonslair* | 7 PM to 9 PM | 10 AM to 9 PM | 10 AM to 4 PM |
| Space Cadets* | 7 PM to 10 PM | 9:30 AM to 10 PM | 9:30 to 4 PM |
| *Note: closed for lunch and dinner breaks. | |||
The Boskone 37 program offers panels, talks, discussion, and workshops on many aspects of the science fiction and fantasy field. We have discussions of hard SF (such as a talk on "What You Can't Get Away with Any More in Hard SF (and How to Do Anyway)"), fantasy (a discussion of J. R. R. Tolkien as a Modernist), science (on discovering new planets), literature ("On the Influence of the Mainstream on SF"), movies (on Ray Harryhausen), and TV (on Buffy and Deep Space 9). There will be discussions on SF art, regencies, Harry Potter, Zenna Henderson, and E. E. Smith. There will also be an Anime Video room--our gurus have assembled the new, the chic, the fun, and the specials. Pick up your schedule at Information.
Writers' Workshop--Boskone 37 will host a private writers workshop (run along Clarion lines) organized by David Alexander Smith, where 2-3 professional writers critique works submitted by 3-4 amateur writers. To apply, submit up to 7,500 words of fiction (a self-contained short story, chapters from a novel, or an outline). Submissions are open from now through two weeks before the con. Those selected to be in the workshop will be notified and provided with a list of the other attendees, a summary of workshop procedures, and other background.
The workshop will run about three and a half hours (on Sunday morning beginning at 8:30am).
To apply or for more information, send submissions directly to David A. Smith, 112 Avon Hill Street, Cambridge, MA 02140, +1.617.661.3223, or via email at Dsmith@recapadvisors.com.
Kaffeeklatsches--Interested in participating in an informal discussion with one of our program participants over coffee or tea? Sign up for Kaffeeklatsches at Information.
Autographing--Get an autograph from your favorite pro! Signings will be held in the front room of the Con Suite--check your Pocket Program to see when!
Readings--Come hear writers read and discuss their own works; the Pocket Program tells all but...check Helmuth, the daily newsletter, for errata, addenda, and corrigenda.
Discussion Groups--We are particularly interested in setting up small-scale program items that appeal specifically to you. We'll need your help! This year we want to offer numerous Discussion Groups where you can meet people with similar interests. Some of these will be pre-arranged (check the Pocket Program), but we'll have space available for you to form last-minute groups at-con as well. Sign up at Information.
Of course, our Guests--Michael Swanwick, Rick Berry, Peter Weston, Jordin Kare--will be there.
In addition, confirmed participants as of 16 December 1999 are: Andrew Adams, Catherine Asaro, Ellen Asher, Lisa A. Barnett, Stephen Boucher, Ginjer Buchanan, Michael A. Burstein, Jeffrey A. Carver, Hal Clement, Brenda W. Clough, Glen Cook, Bruce Coville, Don D'Ammassa, Keith R. A. DeCandido, Daniel P. Dern, Debra Doyle, Thomas A. Easton, Bob Eggleton, Gary Ehrlich, Michael F. Flynn, Esther Friesner, Denise Gendron, Barry Gold, Lee Gold, Geary Gravel, Leigh Grossman, Nancy C. Hanger, Jennifer Jackson, William Keith Jr, Mark Keller, Daniel Kimmel, Rosemary Kirstein, Sharon Lee, Evelyn C. Leeper, Mark R. Leeper, Frederick Andrew Lerner, Paul Levinson, Anthony, Lewis, Timothy E. Liebe, James D. Macdonald, Mark Mandel, Lois H. Mangan, Jim Mann, Laurie Mann, Patrick Nielsen Hayden, Teresa Nielsen Hayden, Emmet O'Brien, Mark L. Olson, Priscilla Olson, Tamora Pierce, Charles Ryan, Steven Sawicki, Darrell Schweitzer, Melissa Scott, Josepha Sherman, Cortney Skinner, David A. Smith, Allen Steele, Ian Randal Strock, Jo Walton, Jerry Weist, Ben Yalow, Jane Yolen, Ann Tonsor Zeddies
Boskone Banquet--Our Saturday evening begins with a buffet of Southron victuals--perfect for a New England winter's evening--and ends with a delightful speech by our Guest of Honor, Michael Swanwick. For those whose taste buds have been shot off, Gay Ellen Dennett has procured hot sauces in N'awlins to spice things up.
The cost is $32 per person, which includes all applicable taxes and gratuities. Tickets are required for the banquet: please see the registration form. If you have any dietary restrictions, please get in touch with us and we ll see what we can do. Any tickets not picked up by noon Saturday may be re-sold.
Filksinging--Filksongs are fandom's folk songs, with themes of SF, fantasy, and fandom. The Filk Program begins with group singing on Friday evening. On Saturday afternoon, there will be concert sets by local and visiting performers and a music workshop. Saturday evening, there will be more concert sets. There will be open filking on Friday and Saturday nights, and dead dog filking on Sunday afternoon.
Gaming Room--This year the Boskone Game Room will have a demonstration by Steve Jackson Games. We will also have another Magic: The Gathering sealed deck workshop by Leslie Turek. There are no plans at this time for a Magic tournament. We have an RPG Master who will be looking for players. People interested in running their own gaming events should be in contact with Joe Rico c/o Boskone.
Art Show & Print Shop--Our Art Show includes a special exhibit of the works of our Official Artist Rick Berry plus over 80 panels and tables full of original SF artwork, most of which is available for bid and/or purchase at the con. Also check out our Print Shop for many great buys.
Dealers' Room--The Dealers' Room (aka The Hucksters' Room) will feature a wide variety of science fiction, fantasy, and genre books, jewelry, clothing, and all manners of tchotchkes. Check the Boskone web site <http://www.nesfa.org/boskone/> for a list of dealers scheduled to attend.
Con Suite--The Boskone 37 Con Suite is at the hub of the universe convention. Fans can join program participants for party-type refreshments, interesting conversation, and special events. There will be a toddler play area in the Con Suite, so you may relax while supervising your children. Children may not be left unattended in the Con Suite.
Dragonslair & Space Cadets--Dragonslair is children's programming for ages 7 to 12. We are planning some fun and interesting things, such as a radio play to be performed with costumes and effects, both made/performed by the kids/participants; scary stories to be told late at night around a campfire (9 PM each night); and a chapbook written by the participants (so start thinking about what you want to write!). We'll also create some artwork (to be hung in the art show) and have free play. We have firm hours of operation (see list earlier in this PR) and will close for lunch and dinner on Saturday. We reserve the right to collect a fee for children not picked up at these times. Let us know if you will be using Dragonslair--come and have fun!
Space Cadets is for active children 2.5 to 6 years old, with plenty of energetic play, and simple arts and crafts. On Friday and Saturday evenings, Space Cadets will host a party and movie geared to a younger audience.
Purchase of a Boskone membership entitles a child to attend either or both of these programs. Advance registration is requested to assist us in planning and preparation. A child younger than 2.5 is welcome to attend Boskone as a child-in-tow (at no cost). You must attend your child at all time. We do not provide baby-sitting, but we will assist parents in making private baby-sitting arrangements if requested (please write us).
Information--Seeking knowledge? Whether it's details on area restaurants, or the location of the secret staircase, Information on the Grand Promenade can help. It's also the place to go to pre-register for a discussion group, kaffeeklatsch, or other event that requires sign-up; drop off items for the convention newsletter; or get the latest copy of Helmuth. Stop by the Information table on the Grand Promenade and see what we can do for you!
Body Snatchers (Volunteers)--The best way to meet other people at a convention is by volunteering, and Boskone needs you! Science fiction conventions run on blood, sweat, and volunteers. Body Snatchers allocates volunteers among the many different areas that need them--opportunities are available for all physical and mental abilities. If you are willing to help, please fill out the volunteer form (including a Release Form) at Information. Those who work at least six hours will receive a gift. If you are under 18, your parent or guardian must sign the Release Form (but you'll only have to work 4 hours for your gift).
Club & Bid Tables--Want to publicize your club, convention, or bid? We will have tables available for this purpose on the Promenade. Table space is limited, so please write or email us in advance.
Registration--Registration for Boskone will be open on the Promenade (outside the Grand Ballroom) all weekend. Get your convention material and name badge there. Everyone--committee, staff, artists, program participants, dealers--registers here. We will make it as painless an experience as we can! You can help: bring your "Quickie Sheet" with you. (It's the back cover of this Progress Report.) If you arrive late, ask at the Convention Office about after-hours registration. If you haven't yet bought a membership and wish to do so before the convention, please fill out the form in this PR and return it to us by January 17, 2000.
The cost of advance memberships is $36. We accept Visa, MasterCard, checks, and money orders. At-con rates are: Full membership--$45, Friday--$15, Saturday--$33, Sunday--$17. We also accept cash at the con.
The cost of Dragonslair and Space Cadets is included in the con membership, so all children who use these services must be convention members. There is no reduced rate for children. However, children under 10 who stay with their parents at all times are considered "kids-in-tow" who need not have memberships ("kids-in-tow" do not receive any convention materials).
Transferring Memberships. Boskone does not refund memberships. However, you may transfer your membership to someone else. All membership transfers must be done in writing. Your transferree will be able to register much more quickly at the convention if you write to us in advance to let us know of the transfer and have your transferee bring a copy of your transfer letter and your "Quickie Sheet" to Registration. Please note that life memberships are not transferable.
Newsletter--Helmuth, Speaking for Boskone, the convention newsletter, features updates and changes to the program as well as lists of parties and other news. Copies of Helmuth will be distributed around the hotel--Art Show, Hucksters' Room, Con Suite, et al. You can always find copies at Information on the Grand Promenade.
NESFA Press--This year there is a Boskone book--Moon Dogs--with a selection of Swanwick's stories and essays including the previously unpublished title story. The book will be available in both a trade and boxed state from the NESFA Sales table in the Hucksters' Room. Cover art and design is by our Official Artist--Rick Berry.
| We will also have the latest "NESFA's Choice" book at Boskone--Rings--a collection of four novels of Charles L. Harness. |
Hotel--Boskone's hotel is the Sheraton in Framingham, Masstts, located on Route 9 (west from exit 12 of the Mass Pike), a short distance from several restaurants and shopping malls. The hotel rates per night are: single or double $99, triple or quad $109 (please contact us for suite availability). Phone +1.508.879.7200 for reservations by 5 PM EST January 26, 2000, and be sure to mention "Boskone" to get the convention rate. [Note: Do not call the "800" number for Sheraton, they are likely to make mistakes with the rate.]
Special Requests: A limited number of handicap-access rooms and non-smoking rooms are available, so please let the hotel know right away if you have any special needs. Likewise, rollaway beds and cribs are in short supply, so let them know if you think you'll need one. (There is a $15 charge for a cot.)
Check-in and Check-out: Check-in begins at 3 PM. Check-out time is 12 noon. A late check-out of 2 PM may be available. You can avoid morning check-out lines by pre-paying as early as the night before!
Late Breaking News--Last-minute information about Boskone will be available in the week preceding Boskone on our answering machine (+1.617.625.2311), or, for the electronically inclined, on the web at http://www.nesfa.org, USENET (newsgroup rec.arts.sf.announce), and CompuServe (SFLIT Forum, Section 21). In addition, the near-final Program will be uploaded to the aforementioned services and our Web page about a week before the con.
By Car--The Sheraton Framingham is on Route 9 west at the Framingham exit (exit 12) of the Mass Pike (Interstate 90), about halfway between I-495 and Route 128 (I-95). The hotel is a castle (you can't miss it!--trust us!), clearly visible from both the Pike and Route 9. Take the Mass Pike to Exit 12 (Framingham) and bear left after the tolls onto Route 9 west. Drive 150 yards to the Sheraton on the right. Parking is free!
By Air--if you fly into Boston's Logan Airport: from any terminal at Logan take the Logan Express to Framingham. (There are Logan Express buses to other destinations, so be sure you get on the right one.) It costs $8 one-way ($14 round trip); accompanied children under 12 are free; you pay at the Framingham end. The ride take about 30-45 minutes. It leaves the airport every half-hour essentially the entire time that fans will be traveling Friday or Sunday. The Saturday schedule is hourly. The last bus leaves the airport at midnight. For information, phone 800.23.LOGAN at any time for details, or see www.massport.com/logan/. Once you are at the Framingham terminal, use the Shuttle Bus, below, to get to the hotel. Failing that, we suggest you take a taxi. There are an enclosed waiting room, phones, and lists of taxi companies at the Logan Express Framingham terminal which is next to Shoppers' World, just off Route 30.
Worcester Airport Limo, +1.800.660.0992, provides transportation from Logan directly to the Sheraton at $22 per person, one way. Reservations are strongly recommended; 48 hours notice is requested.
Knight's Limo Service is another company serving Logan, +1.800.822.5456, which costs $27/1 person, $54/2, $57/3, $64/4, $70/5. Reservations are strongly recommended; 48-hour notice is requested.
If you fly into Worcester's airport: Worcester Airport Limo, +1.800.660.0992, provides transportation from the Worcester airport to the Sheraton at $79+20%, or about $95 per car, one way. There is no regular service. Reservations are required; 48-hour notice is requested.
Amtrak--Framingham has a twice-a-day Amtrak service from New York. The station is in downtown Framingham (officially Framingham Junction) about five miles from the hotel. We recommend taking a taxi from there to the hotel (taxi cost is about $15). The route 128 terminal (about 15 miles from the hotel) has Amtrak trains from points east and west which run several times a day, seven days a week. Call 800-USA-RAIL or your local Amtrak office for schedule and ticketing information, or see www.amtrak.com.
Commuter Rail--Framingham has about 20 daily commuter rail trains weekdays. Trains leave from Boston's South Station. The cost is $3.25 one way. In Framingham, the station is about five miles from the hotel. We recommend taking a taxi to the Sheraton (cost is about $15). Call MBTA Commuter Rail at +1.617.222.3200, +1.800.392.6100, and hearing-impaired +1.TDD.222.5246 for schedules, or surf to: www.mbta.com.
Bus from Boston--You can get to Framingham from Boston from the bus terminal at South Station. The bus runs every 2 hours on Friday and somewhat less frequently on Saturday and Sunday. The one way fare is $5.85 each way. Call Peter Pan Bus Lines, +1.800.343.9999, for schedule and ticketing information, or see www.peterpanbus.com. See below for Shuttle Bus information.
Shuttle Bus--Boskone will have a shuttle bus running between the Sheraton and the Framingham Logan Express bus terminal next to Shoppers' World on the Route 30 side. The service will run continuously, taking about 40 minutes for the loop. It will run Thursday from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM, Friday from 4 PM to 10 PM, and Sunday from noon to 7 PM. The bus will be labeled "Sheraton Shuttle." Otherwise taxi service is available through Tommy s Taxi, +1.508.872.3500.
(Banquet tickets must be picked up by noon Saturday at the convention! Tickets not picked up by then may be resold)
| Boskone 37 Buffet Banquet | ____ | meals at $32.00 | _____ |
| Boskone 37 Pre-registration until January 17, 2000 | ____ | memberships at $36.00 | _____ |
| Moon Dogs--trade state @ $15.75 ($15.00 + $0.75 tax) | _____ | ||
| Moon Dogs--boxed state @ $22.68 ($21.60 + $1.08 tax) | _____ | ||
| I would like book # ____, ____, ____, ____ | |||
| 1-175 boxed state, 176-1000 trade state | |||
| Advance order books must be picked up at the NESFA Sales table in the Hucksters' Room. They will not be mailed. Book prices increase to $25/$36 after Boskone | |||
| Total | _____ | ||
The above prices include taxes. Payment must accompany order. We accept checks, money orders, Visa, and MasterCard. Please don't mail cash.
| I am paying by: __check/money order __Visa __MasterCard | |||||
| Credit Card # | ____________________________ | Exp. Date: | ___________ | ||
| Name on card: | _______________________________________________________________ | ||||
| Signature: | _______________________________________________________________ | ||||
| Name(s): | _______________________________________________________________ | ||||
| _______________________________________________________________ | |||||
| Address: | _______________________________________________________________ | ||||
| _______________________________________________________________ | |||||
| City: | _______________ | State: | _____ | Zip/Postal Code: | __________ |
| Country: | _______________ | Email Address: | _____________________ | ||
| Telephone: | (_______) _______ - __________________________________ | ||||
Please send me information about:
__Volunteering __Joining NESFA
(Please attach any additional memberships and addresses. Thank you!)
Mail to: Boskone 37, PO Box 809, Framingham, MA 01701
Fax to: 617.776.3243 (only Visa and MasterCard on fax orders)