Category Archives: Books

Hemingway’s Nobel Acceptance Speech

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This is something I read at the Shebeen Club’s long-ago Hemingway’s Birthday Party. James Sherrett was kind enough to be one of our readers that night, with an excerpt from his very Hemingwayesque novel Up in Ontario.

Up in Ontario 

Our other reader was Lucan Charchuk, who has now read twice, as well as presenting some of his artwork.

Luke the Olive Vase 

When Lori Dunn and I began the Shebeen Club, we hoped that within a year we’d be using it to present living Canadian authors, instead of dead foreign celebrities. This was the first event at which we managed to do both, and almost a year ahead of schedule! There were challenges to be overcome, of course. Our event occurred during a bicycle race whose track completely encircled and cut off the pub, but our public was not to be thwarted, and we had a relatively full house. The readings went very well. Despite the dangerous concentration of so much masculinity in one room, violence was averted and a sense of calm, if really testosterone-fuelled calm, reigned.

This is the speech that a very ill Hemingway had the US Ambassador read as he accepted the Nobel Prize for Literature on Hemingway’s behalf. It tells you something about the courage of the two men above that they had the fortitude to read their own work after hearing this. Hemingway is, as always, honest to the point of acute pain. He sets the bar very high; may we all attain that height, if only for a moment.

Hemingway’s Nobel Acceptance Speech

Having no facility for speech-making and no command of oratory nor any domination of rhetoric, I wish to thank the administrators of the generosity of Alfred Nobel for this Prize.

No writer who knows the great writers who did not receive the Prize can accept it other than with humility. There is no need to list these writers. Everyone here may make his own list according to his knowledge and his conscience.

It would be impossible for me to ask the Ambassador of my country to read a speech in which a writer said all of the things which are in his heart. Things may not be immediately discernible in what a man writes, and in this sometimes he is fortunate; but eventually they are quite clear and by these and the degree of alchemy that he possesses he will endure or be forgotten.

Writing, at its best, is a lonely life. Organizations for writers palliate the writer’s loneliness but I doubt if they improve his writing. He grows in public stature as he sheds his loneliness and often his work deteriorates. For he does his work alone and if he is a good enough writer he must face eternity, or the lack of it, each day.

For a true writer each book should be a new beginning where he tries again for something that is beyond attainment. He should always try for something that has never been done or that others have tried and failed. Then sometimes, with great luck, he will succeed.

How simple the writing of literature would be if it were only necessary to write in another way what has been well written. It is because we have had such great writers in the past that a writer is driven far out past where he can go, out to where no one can help him.

I have spoken too long for a writer. A writer should write what he has to say and not speak it. Again I thank you.

a f*cking great idea

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f*ck eraser

I’m not sure how I feel about that. I do know one thing, though. Fuck, I want one of those!

You can buy them here. Thanks to Daily Candy for the link, and no, I didn’t get any money for this. I am just a huge fucking advocate of the word “fuck,” particularly in a cancer-based context.

The Shebeen Club: A History in Press Releases

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So here, to give some background, are the press releases announcing each of our Shebeenmonthly Shebeen Club events.

What it is: a group for practicing literati, whether or not they are making money at it: agents, editors, publishers, spoken word performers, starving students, and even writers!

We do a lot of talking, a wee bit of learning, and a great deal of boasting. Drinking has also been known to play a part in our evenings.

What it is not: a hand-holding support group featuring aromatherapy-enhanced, tearful rounds of "Kumbyah," an open mic night (I've suffered at the hands of too many bad live performances), a boring old lecture series, or a critique group. I always say, they don't pay to publish me; they pay to edit me. Wouldn't mind being in a critique group, but it would get too expensive for the others.

The Procedure: Every month we have a new speaker do a brief presentation on some aspect of the literary. It's been everything from licensing your characters to a guided group reading of James Joyce set to the accompaniment of a conch shell horn. As is only right and traditional…um, right? Anyway, after the speaker stops talking (about a half-hour after they start, unless they've had quite a snootful) we all hang out and jabber about what we're doing now, what we want to be doing, how little we got paid for what we DID do, etc etc. White Rock may soon get a Writer's Festival, and the seed was planted at the Shebeen Club, last fall.

When I get the chance, I send out a roundup of community announcements and literary job listings to those who have actually attended, who automatically become members in our listserv; yes, you have to show up to get the joblistings. These will become more regular as I get back to jobhunting myself now.

I'm the only one who pays attention to the dress code, don't worry. I don't get to wear that bustle skirt nearly often enough!

Sean Heather makes sure we have a light dinner and alcoholic beverage included in the admission price, and keyed to the night's theme. An example was Joyce's favorite wine and sandwich on Bloom's Eve, of course. If you want more, you can always order off the Irish Heather menu or the Shebeen House whisk(e)y list, featuring something like 160 different kinds of hooch.

So, here, in reverse order, are the Shebeen Club Press Releases, once and for all. Archivists one day will thank me. Aw c'mon, sure they will. You may note that our pre-announced speakers don't necessarily synch up with our actual speakers; shift happens.

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For immediate release: post/forward at will! T Paul sez hi!

Who: The Shebeen Club presents Vancouver Spoken Word Performers 

What: Thundering Fundraiser for T Paul Ste. Marie!  

When: 7-10 pm Tuesday, June 20th, 2006 (3rd Tuesday ea month)    

Meet & Mingle 7-7:30

Listen & Learn 7:30-8

Poetry Slam Dancing and other Tipsy Cultural Mashups 8-10 

Where: The Shebeen, behind the Irish Heather, 217 Carrall

Why: Because Vancouver’s proudly homegrown talentT Paul shows off his pompadour regularly beats the best in the world. Because that talent grew in an environment pioneered by T Paul, founder of Thundering Word Heard. And because T Paul recently suffered a brain aneurysm and needs a helping hand rent-wise, there being little in the way of pensions and sick leave for Entrepreneurs of the Word, Spoken or Otherwise. 

How (much)? $15 before June 16th, $20 thereafter, includes dinner

All profits for the evening will be donated to the T Paul fund.

Instead of our usual door prizes, we will do a T Paul 50/50 draw. 

Reservations and media inquiries: lorrainedotmurphyatgmaildotcom

New Format: Our new, lower admission price includes your choice of bangers and mash or vegetarian pasta, plus a glass of beer or wine. 

Background: Our New Shebeen Club Blog 

Bio: Our Spoken Word presenters are TBA and TK, but I guarantee you they will kick posterior to a TKO. As for our honoree, let’s go to the interview with Pandora’s Collective here: http://www.pandorascollective.com/inttpaul.html

T Paul says he started Thundering Word Heard with the idea that he wanted to create a place where both music and spoken word could come together and be given a place that was their own. And he has done just that. After three years the room is still full every Sunday night even on a long weekend. It takes a lot of time, commitment and a big heart to keep putting on something like this every single week. But it has paid off. Thundering Word continues to be a great success and T Paul’s reputation as a host and organizer continues to grow as well.

   “ I have my hands in a million and one things that all seem to have the center in that hub Thundering Word Heard.”

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For immediate release: post/forward at will!

Who: The Shebeen Club, Vancouver's monthly literary gathering

What: Edgar Allan Poe's 170th Wedding Anniversary! No gifts please.

When: 7-9pm Tuesday, May 16th, 2006 (3rd Tuesday ea month)

Where: The Shebeen, behind the Irish Heather, 217 Carrall

Why:  To honour the master of horrors, on this, the day of his ultimate horror. Although I'm sure the bride could say the same.

How (much)? $20 before May 12th, $25 thereafter; reservations and media inquiries: lorraine DOT murphy AT gmail DOT com.

Admission includes a Poe-tastic dinner/drink combo specially selected for appropriate thrills, plus door prizes embodying the grandeur of fallen gentility, a Poe-themed presentation, and a horribly good time!

Dress: Anything antique, anything Goth, anything shabby-genteel. Bonus prize for anyone who turns up with an actual raven, dead or alive.

Background: https://raincoaster.wordpress.com/2006/03/18/the-shebeen-club-a-history-in-press-releases/ ie right here!

Come with us, our clothes all tatty, we're Vancouver's literati,

Writing many a quaint and curious volume of best-selling(?) lore,

As we celebrate Poe's wedding, you can join us; they're both deading,

As they both croaked long ago, long ago, in days of yore.

"Bride and Groom, long dead," Sean mutters, "long ago, in days of yore; Missed the party, ever more."

And two ravens, never flitting, still are sitting, still are sitting

On the old Blood Alley railings just beyond the Shebeen's door;

And their eyes have all the seeming of some ghostlings that are dreaming.

And the streetlamp o'er them streaming shows their shadows on the floor;

And the Shebeen Club, under their gaze that steals in from outdoors Shall be uplifted—evermore!

Meet & Mingle 7-7:30 Listen & Learn 7:30-8 Whispered tales of undying madness and horror, like the mortifying time you confused August Derleth with Lord Dunsany 8-whenever Berenice comes for us.

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For immediate release: post/forward at will!

Who: The Shebeen Club presents Jeremy Hainsworth, crime reporter extraordinaire

What: My Life in Crime!

When: 7-9pm Tuesday, April 18th, 2006 (3rd Tuesday ea month)

Where: The Shebeen, behind the Irish Heather, 217 Carrall

Why: Voyeurism runs deep, baby! Find out what it really takes to do this job. It's not all fedoras and dive bars.

How (much)? $20 if you reserve before April 14th, $25 thereafter; email lorraine dot murphy at gmail dot com to reserve.

Includes a criminally good set light dinner and drink combo!

Putting the "laughter" in "manslaughter." With patented black humour, Jeremy will lead us down the dark and twisted alleys of a crime reporter's life. From paperwork to prison visits, we'll become one with the sordid underbelly of Vancouver. It's Blood Alley, so we're halfway there!

Jeremy will also be discussing (and bringing a copy of) the publication ban on the Pickton trial.

Dress: Clark Kent, Lois Lane, or Raymond Chandler. Ann Rule doesn't know how to dress!

Bio: Jeremy Hainsworth is one of a handful of journalists writing for the international media from Vancouver. As B.C correspondent for the AP, he has had the dubious honour of covering the ongoing hearings of alleged serial killer Robert Pickton and the Air India terrorism case. He has freelanced for Reuters, was senior crime reporter for The Calgary Herald, senior editor of Sterling News Service (his office was below that of Conrad Black's partner David Radler), and managing editor of the Dawson Creek daily paper where he covered his first murder from seeing the body to the release of the convicted youths. He has a diploma in journalism from Langara and a BA from UBC. His work has appeared in many of the world's major newspapers on every continent except Antarctica where penguins cannot read.

Meet & Mingle 7-7:30

Listen & Learn 7:30-8

Wistful reminiscences of hookers with hearts of gold 8-9 

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raincoaster media ltd presents:   The Shebeen Club: Tax Tips for Literary Professionals

When: 7-9pm, Tuesday, March 21, 2006

Where: the Shebeen, behind nope, nevermind; this time we're in the Reading Room, upstairs at the Irish Heather, 217 Carrall Street, Vancouver BC

How: reserve by emailing lorrainedotmurphyatgmaildotcom

How Much: $20 to March 17th, thereafter $25 space-available; limited to 40

What: Mingling, presentations, and a special literary-themed light dinner & drink combo: maybe Po' boys?

Who: Why not you? Our presenter this month is author and tax specialist Sylvia Lim.

For more info or media passes contact : Lorraine @ raincoaster media 

This month the Shebeen Club welcomes two-time author and tax specialist Sylvia Lim for an educational presentation on tax tips to help practicing writers, editors and publishers get ready for T-Day.

Can you deduct the laptop? Maybe. The Editor's Association Membership? Probably. The blonde wig and sunglasses? Sorry, JT.  

Potted bio: Sylvia Lim, CFP, CGA, is the author of two books – the "Personal Budgeting Kit " (2nd edition, 2005), a step by step guide to methodically organize one's day to day finances; and "Finances After 55", a retirement and eldercare planning guide to help people live a full and successful retired life. You can reach Sylvia through her website: www.SylviaLim.com

Famous dead celebrities celebrating birthdays today include Charlotte Bronte , poet Phyllis McGinley, and Canada's own immortal Madame Benoit , so the dress code is accountant, repressed petticoat feminist, emo librarian, or crazy Quebecois chef . Chacun à son gout!  

Meet and Mingle 7-7:30

Listen and Learn 7:30-8

Frantic receipt-hunting and drunk-dialing your agent  8-9  

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What: The Shebeen Club: Vancouver's Literary Gathering: The Science and Fiction of Financing Your Publishing Project

When:                  7-9pm, Tuesday, February 21

Where:                 The Shebeen, behind the Irish Heather, 217 Carrall

How(much)?       $20 cash includes space-tastic set menu!

Why:                    Learn about this "Money" thing. Science, fiction, art?

The Science and Fiction of Financing your Publishing Project   with Sandford Tuey, author of The Morphine Chronicles, screenwriter of Galactic Gladiators, comic book empresario, Robert Ludlum boardgame designer, and force of nature.Learn from the unstoppable Sandford Tuey how to plan ahead for success, overcome obstacles, and keep a businesslike focus while still remaining true to your literary vision. From IPOs to business plans, venture capital road shows to cafe poetry slams, Sandford has been there, done that, and somehow made money at it. I wonder what that's like?

$20 cash covers the presentation as well as one Pangalactic Gargleblaster, plus cosmic In-Flight Tray of munchies. Can't beat that with a lightsaber!

Tuesday, February 21st @ the Shebeen behind the Irish Heather, 217 Carrall Street, Vancouver  

Meet and Mingle 7-7:30

Listen and Learn 7:30-8

Boozy Spock impressions and origami phaser construction 8-whenever they beam us up. 

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The Shebeen Club: Vancouver's Literary Gathering: A Very Bronte Birthday

When:                  7-9pm, Tuesday, January 17

Where:                 The Shebeen, behind the Irish Heather, 217 Carrall Street

How(much)?       $20 before January 13th, $25 thereafter

Why:                    Because it's been months since we celebrated a dead celebrity!

Our Story: We're the Shebeen Club, Vancouver's monthly Literary Gathering, and heirs to last year's Stammtisch. On the third Tuesday of every month we bring together BCers from every corner of the alphabet for networking, readings, launches, discussions, and serious drinking. Dorothy Parker would be so proud.

Our Names:  Lorraine Murphy and Lori Dunn . Writers. Editors. Teachers. Drinkers. So we're perfect for this.

Our Future:   Our next Literary Gathering is Tuesday January 17th from 7-9pm at the Shebeen; the theme is Anne Bronte's Birthday. We will be enjoying a traditional English meal of ham and cucumber sandwiches, washed down with sherry in true spinster fashion. We will also enjoy (?) a presentation on early petticoat feminism featuring guest appearances by Mary Wollstonecraft, George Sand, and other early feminists in addition to the birthday girl. If we finally decide who to blame for Camille Paglia, we'll let you know.

Dress poke bonnet optional, petticoats encouraged except on Luc. Includes light dinner and first drink. Full menu also available a la carte, and 100+ whiskies!

Reserve: by emailing Lorraine

7-7:30 Meet & Mingle

7:30-8 Listen and Learn

8-Whenever Gender Wars and Yorkshire Puddings at fifty paces

Coming up next month: Creative Ways to Realize Your Project, with Sandford Tuey

Coming in March, The Hero's Journey with Ginger Grant.

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The Shebeen Club: A Literati's Christmas In Gastown

When: 7pm till whenever, Tuesday, December 20th, 2005

Where: Upstairs @ the Irish Heather, 217 Carrall Street, Gastown, Vancouver BC

How: just show up and order off the menu. Easy! Or email Lorraine if you feel like it

How Much: pay for what you order. Don't forget to tip! 

What: Literary mingling, celebrating, season-keeping, festing (festivating?), and merry-making of all descriptions

Who: The usual suspects and anyone who wants to hang out and drink with Vancouver's literati

Special Instructions: Bring your friends and the name and author of your favorite holiday story. We'll be putting together a list of everyone's favorites and posting it on the website for deeply scholarly research purposes. Ho, ho, ho!

Join the Shebeen Club regulars for a brief respite from spending time with beloved family members. 

"We learn many things from our parents, as Hamlet can attest: abuse, deceit, vulgarity, condescension, hypocrisy, corruption, invasions of privacy, authoritarianism – and murderous rages." Quentin Crisp

So why hang out with them? Take a break and a drink with us. The evening will be unstructured, with no presentations. Drop in, drop out, and hang out with the Shebeeners. We'll do separate bills, and don't forget that this once, the Shebeen Club will be in the Irish Heather, upstairs where the tourists usually go. There will be a special seasonal beverage TBA, but I can promise you it won't be Hot Tom & Jerry, no matter how charming one may find it in Runyon's "Dancin' Dan's Christmas". One was once traumatized by a Hot Tom & Jerry or ten. I…uh…read it somewhere.

Bring the title of your favorite literary winterlude and its author (well okay, if he's dead just leave him there), and we'll make up a list of the Shebeener's Seasonal Favorites to pass around and show how erudite and shit we all are. Charles Dickens, Dylan Thomas, Henry VIII, Thomas Ligotti, Charles Schultz: you name it! Yes, scripts count too, but if you're going to list one of those, toss in a book or story for good measure.

Meet and Mingle       7-Whenever

Listen and Learn        ibid

 Wanton Wassailing, Sodden Carol-Singing, and Passionate Argument About the Word "Goodbyeing" ibid.

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Calvin and Hobbes

11/16-11/16: Shebeen Club: Playing the Numbers

raincoaster media ltd presents: The Shebeen Club: Letter to Ferlinghetti/Playing the Numbers A twofer!

When: 7-9pm, Wednesday, November 16th, 2005

Where: the Shebeen, 7 Gaoler’s Mews, behind the Irish Heather, Gastown, Vancouver BC

How: email lorraine.murphy@gmail.com

How Much: $20 to November 13, door $25 space-available, limited to 40

What: Literary mingling, door prizes, job listings, gastro-porn themed dinner and drink included!

Who: Lucan Charchuk, White Rock poet and artist, presents A Letter to Ferlinghetti

Who Else: Lori Dunn of the Shebeen Club presents Playing the Numbers, a gimlet-eyed look at the economics of publishing

Part the First: Shebeen Club stalwart Lucan Charchuk presents a preview of his November 23rd Co-op radio appearance: A Letter to Lawrence Ferlinghetti.

Charchuk’s work explores themes of identity, freedom and contemporary masculinity in a seemingly gender-neutral time, within the context of the New Beat tradition. Armed with a keen eye and human sensitivity, Lucan speaks with subtle satire and wit. The paintings ain't bad, neither.

Part the Second: Shebeen Club neural cortex Lori Dunn presents Playing the Numbers, a comparative analysis of the profitability of various kinds of books from the publisher’s point of view: from Gastro Porn to Literary Fiction, Textbooks to Self-publishing.

Come find out why Dave Eggers isn’t as rich as you think, why the Chicken Soup guy can buy and sell you, and where Martha really gets her money!

Meet and Mingle 7-7:30

Listen and Learn 7:30-8

Drown Sorrows and Vow to Buck the System  8-9 or, really, the rest of your life.

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raincoaster media ltd presents:   the Shebeen Club: Bookmakers Unite!  

When: 7-9pm, Wednesday, October 19, 2005

Where: the Shebeen, behind the Irish Heather, 217 Carrall Street, Vancouver BC

How: reserve by emailing lorrainedotmurphyatgmaildotcom

How Much: $20 to October 15, thereafter $25 space-available; limited to 40

What: Literary mingling, presentations, announcements, job listings, and a special literary-themed light dinner beverage combo. Liter-a-licious!

Who: Why not you? Our presenter this month is Ann Vicente. For more info contact: Lorraine Murphy of raincoaster media ltd: lorrainedotmurphyatgmaildotcom

Artists' Books:  Where The Medium is the Message
and the Large is Something Else Entirely

Join bookmakers of all descriptions for an introduction to the art of handmade artist's books. Prominent lecturer Ann Vicente from Emily Carr and UBC will discuss these works integrating the literary and visual arts, and show us her newest series of works, The Four Seasons. We'll also discuss the highly creative 1000 books project, raising money for the Queen Alexandra elementary school literacy fund. For those interested, a list of resources and classes will be available at the event as well as on our website.

Meet and Mingle 7-7:30

Listen and Learn 7:30-8

Drunken Origami Attempts and Fisticuffs over Thai vs French handmade paper 8-9  

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Who: The Shebeen Club (formerly Vancouver's Literary Gathering)

What: Appies, mingling and an exclusive screening of Scribes: So You Want to Be a Writer, a documentary filmed at the Surrey International Writers' Conference (www.siwc.ca).

Also, attend and get on our Literary Job Mailing List!

When: Wednesday, September 21, 7-10pm

Where: The Heritage Grill, 447 Columbia Street, one block from Columbia Skytrain Station

Why: Because it's that very special Wednesday, and you'll want to be anywhere but the Downtown EastSide!

Join us on the road for a very special presentation by Rusty Nixon, head of Antic Films (www.anticfilms.com) and former coordinator for the SIWC.

How: reserve your place by emailing lorrainedotmurphyatgmaildotcom: $20 before September 15, $25 thereafter. Price includes an appy plate and glass of wine from the wonderworking house elves of the Heritage Grill. Cash only at the door, please; full menu is also available; veggies, please let us know in advance. Strictly limited to 40 spaces, so give it a click and save your space. We know you like your space…share it with us!

* Supercongrats to Nan Gregory, storyteller extraordinaire and winner of our Naming Contest. Thanks to Nan, we are now the Shebeen Club; Shebeeners for short. Nan's haul includes a bottle of wine from Gracious Host Events and a 90-minute stress-relief massage from TribalGlobe Massage.

This month the Artist Formerly Known as the Literary Gathering hits the pavement (or at least the Skytrain) and shares the luv with New Westminsterians of all descriptions at the funky new Heritage Grill on Columbia Street. Join all the usual suspects plus Rusty Nixon for a screening of his documentary Scribes featuring Diana Gabaldon, Jack Whyte, Terry Brooks, Michael Slade, Anne Perry and a collection of the best writing teachers, agents and writers ever to hit the Great White North. Bonus appearance by top New York literary agent and filmmaker's muse Donald Maas.

Rusty will be on hand to answer questions about the film and yours truly will be on hand in my alter ego as a Director of the SIWC to answer questions about the Conference, the largest public event in the City of Surrey.

Each year the SIWC brings together writers, publishers, agents and editors from all over the world for an intensive three-day immersion in the world of words.

Coming October 19: Artist's books and visual tomes, featuring Ann Vicente

November 16: Videopoetics

December 21: Holidays, you fool! So take some time off!

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When: 7-9pm, Wednesday, August 17th, 2005

Where: the Shebeen, behind the Irish Heather, 217 Carrall Street, Vancouver BC

How: reserve online @ https://secure.clearpro.com/literary/registration.asp

How Much: $20 to August 15, door $25 space-available; strictly limited to 40 places

What: Literary mingling, presentations, community announcements, literary job listings (if any!), light Bukowskian dinner and one Bukowskian drink (red meat and red wine?). Yankeelicious!

Who: For more information contact: Lorraine Murphy of raincoaster media ltd  lorrainedotmurphyatgmaildotcom, 604-874-5051.

Got a little Barfly in you? Would you like some? Come out to the Downtown EastSide and experience with us the sordid wonders of Bukowski's Hangover (day after his birthday). The magic of the mackinaw; the poetry of the pilsner; the living death of the next morning… how can you resist?

Special guest, "the Norman Mailer of Vancouver, the sensitive Bukowski" Dennis E. Bolen will end a road trip from Banff by dropping by and introducing us to the wonders of his DTES novels Toy Gun, Stand in Hell, Stupid Crimes, Krekshuns, and the collection Gas Tank and Other Stories.

We'll also announce the winner of our Naming Contest ("Literary Gathering" just doesn't do it for us anymore…we've moved on). If you've got a better name for us, shoot me an email at lorrainedotmurphyatgmaildotcom with "Contest" in the subject line and you could win a 90-minute stress relieving massage and a bottle of wine. http://www.tribalglobe.com) and Gracious Host Events (http://www.gracioushost.ca), as well as door prize sponsor BeautyMark Cosmetics.

Join Vancouver's Monthly Literary Gathering for presentations ranging from Gaius Valerius Catullus through Bukowski to Vancouver BeatPunk. Dress barfly, think Mozart and you\'re halfway there. Door prizes include a copy of the Vancouver punk classic, Hard Core Logo.

Meet and Mingle 7-7:30

Listen and Learn 7:30-8

Drunken Disagreements and Wild Accusations 8-9 or whenever you get thrown out into the street. Explain it to your editor as "an AUTHENTIC experience, man!"

Bongos and prison records optional.

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What: Vancouver's Literary Gathering: Hemingway's Birthday

When: 7-9pm, Wednesday, July 20th

Where: The Shebeen

How(much)? $20 before July 15th, $25 thereafter

Why: Not? Like you're doing something better on a Wednesday?

Our Story: We're Vancouver's monthly Literary Gathering, heirs to last year's Stammtisch. On the third Wednesday of every month we bring together BCers from every corner of the alphabet for networking, readings, launches, discussions, and serious drinking. Dorothy Parker would be SO proud. Our Names: Lorraine Murphy and Lori Dunn. Writers. Editors. Teachers. Drinkers. So we're perfect for this.

Our Future: Our next Literary Gathering is Wednesday, July 20th from 7-9pm at the Shebeen; the theme is Hemingway's Birthday. Canadian author James Sherrett will be reading Hemingway-inspired work from his new book. The event will feature Hemingway's favorite Daiquiri (no blender in sight!) and an authentically macho, game-based light dinner.

Dress safari or expat; bonus points for epaulettes. Tickets $20 to July 15th, thereafter $25. Includes light dinner and first drink. Full menu also available a la carte, and 100+ whiskies!

Reserve online: https://secure.clearpro.com/literary/registration.asp.

Both props and shout-outs to our sponsors for this month, because NOTHING is too good for these people: Beautymark Cosmetics in Yaletown, Urban Mixer www.urbanmixer.com, the Surrey International Writer's Conference www.siwc.ca, and TribalGlobe Massage www.tribalglobe.com. Q&A, 411, to get on our mailing list and more information: Lorraine Murphy Lorrainedotmurphyatgmaildotcom

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Bloom's Eve Celebration @ Vancouver's Monthly Literary Gathering

To commemorate Bloom's Day, the day on which James Joyce's book Ulysses takes place, Vancouver's monthly Literary Gathering will feature Joycean entertainment, presentations, food and drink. In the fine tradition of last year's Bloom's Day Marathon, selections from Joyce will be performed, and the authentically Irish setting of the Shebeen can only add to the green-tinged festivities, not to mention the green-tinged faces of the overindulgent the next morning.

Vancouver's Monthly Literary Gathering Returns!

7pm-9ish, third Wednesday of each month @ the Shebeen reservations: $20 lorrainedotmurphyatgmaildotcom till June 10th, at the door $25

DETAILS: Heir to last year's popular Stammtisch, created by Christoph Kapp of McGraw Hill, the Vancouver gathering will revive the warm camaraderie and vicious rivalry that has characterized all great literary meetings from the days of the Algonquin Round Table to last week at Granta. The pen is mightier than the sword, so ditch the Kingdom of Heaven tix, stuff a sack with manuscripts, adjust your berets, and head down to Gastown's own Shebeen. Sink into a warm velvet banquette and enjoy our programme: your basic meet-and-mingle from 7-7:30, followed by a riveting, yet brief presentation, anything from poetry slam to State of the Modern Novel polemics, book launches to Exquisite Corpse storytelling, followed by Q&A and then breaking up into casual groups for wandering, boozy reminiscences of the time you saw Allen Ginsberg thrown out of the Carnegie Centre, etc etc.

There are only 40 spaces available for this event, so be sure to RSVP to reserve your spot at the table. Or the bar. Whatever. Reservations made in advance are $20 per person; four days before or at the door lorrainedotmurphyatgmaildotcom, $20 to June 10th, thereafter $25 space-available only

Media contact: Lorraine Murphy of raincoaster media ltd, lorrainedotmurphyatgmaildotcom, 604-874-5051 Payable in cash, please. Hors d'oevres and a drink are included in the price, and match the theme of each month's meeting. A full menu is available, as well as over a hundred different whiskies at the Shebeen, near the Gassy Jack statue, just behind the Irish Heather, down Blood Alley, and behind the red door. How could you resist an address like that, eh? Oh, fine. In the alley off Carrall near Water Street, 217 Carrall, to be precise. Happy now?

Allen Ginsberg was thrown out of the Carnegie. I'll tell you the story at the meeting if you ask nicely!

Literary Gathering 7pm, Wednesday, June 15th, 2005

Shebeen, 217 Carrall Street, Vancouver BC

Reservations: lorrainedotmurphyatgmaildotcom, $20 to June 10th, thereafter $25 space-available only

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Fun with Dorks

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Because all dorks are not created equal. Lord of the Rings dorks, ferinstance, are unequal, generally being superior, particularly to the kind of dork who sees your “186,000 miles per second isn’t just a good idea: it’s the Law” Einstein t-shirt and comes over to say “Actually, it’s 186,282.397 miles per second,” and then wonders why he sleeps alone.

And if you still doubt the Bond-like coolitude of LOTR fans, you can look here, here, here, or here for proof of cred, you doubting trolls! Meanwhile, you can enjoy this stunning work of art, a video of the SandwichQuest of the Rohirrim and the Last Snack Ride of Theoden. Remember to bring a hankie for the melodramatic finale!

Comments by the Author(s) of Theoden, Horsemaster

A little movie about Theoden, King of the Mark. Theoden PlateWe made this as a little “preview” for the third installment of our Lord of the Rings Parody: Special Edition. The storyline is made all by ourselfs, we came up with the idea during Return of the King. If you like Lord of the Rings, you’ll probably like this as well. We hoped it would be a small/short movie, but as you can see it turned out to be quite different. Enjoy!

* Team Lorio *

P.S. December 17 – Happy Birthday to Bernard Hill!!!

And from the same awe-inspiring team of filmmakers, we have this, the shortest of all LOTR musicals, which features a special guest star, sure to be popular with those loyal Gilbert & Sullivan fans, our fogey contingent.

Index of the 100 science fiction books you just have to read

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DorkAt least, that’s what these people say.

Eh well, so quite a raging snotload of these books aren’t science fiction at all; it’s okay, as long as you let the fantasists claim Burroughs, Carroll and Ellison, too. Share nicely. Let us call it “A List of 100 Really Important Works of Speculative Fiction” but it can’t be the top 100, since it doesn’t contain The Lord of the Rings, ferinstance. Nor any Poe or HP Lovecraft, nor The House on the Borderland, nor any Thomas Ligotti, although I don’t expect any of you to know who that is; I think he’s imaginary. The book, were it on here, would be Songs of a Dead Dreamer.

1.  Childhood’s End Written by Arthur C. Clarke YEP
 
2.  Foundation Written by Isaac Asimov YEP
 
3.  Dune Written by Frank Herbert NOPE
 
4.  Man in the High Castle Written by Philip K. Dick YEP
 
5.  Starship Troopers Written by Robert A. Heinlein NOPE
 
6.  Valis Written by Philip K. Dick NOPE
 
7.  Frankenstein Written by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley YEP
 
8.  Gateway Written by Frederick Pohl YEP
 
9.  Space Merchants Written by C.M. Kornbluth & Frederick Pohl YEP I think…not sure.

10.  Earth Abides Written by George R. Stewart NOPE
 
11.  Cuckoo’s Egg Written by C.J. Cherryh YEP
 
12.  Star Surgeon Written by James White NOPE
 
13.  The Three Stigmata of Palmer Eldritch Written by Philip K. Dick YEPPERS!
 
14.  Radix Written by A.A. Attanasio YEP
 
15.  2001: A Space Odyssey Written by Arthur C. Clarke YEP
 
16.  Ringworld Written by Larry Niven NOPE
 
17.  A Case of Conscience Written by James Blish NOPE but have read other Blish
 
18.  Last and First Man Written by Olaf Stapledon I think so
 
19.  The Day of the Triffids Written by John Wyndham YEP, all the Wyndham. The Trouble with Lichen is a bit more to the point lately, though. And of course, The Kraken Wakes, for Giant Squiddy goodness.
 
20.  Way Station Written by Clifford Simak YEP
 
21.  More Than Human Written by Theodore Sturgeon YEP
 
22.  Gray Lensman Written by E. E. “Doc” Smith I THINK SO
 
23.  The Gods Themselves Written by Isaac Asimov YEP
 
24.  The Left Hand of Darkness Written by Ursula K. Le Guin YEP
 
25.  Behold the Man Written by Michael Moorcock YEP

26.  Star Maker Written by Olaf Stapledon NOPE
 
27.  The War of the Worlds Written by H.G. Wells YEP
 
28.  20,000 Leagues Under the Sea Written by Jules Verne YEP, luv me some Verne
 
29.  Heritage of Hastur Written by Marion Zimmer Bradley NOPE: She wrote Chtulhu Mythos tales? Howcum nobody told ol’ raincoaster, eh? What do you think the Comments button is there for, eh? EH?
 
30.  The Time Machine Written by H.G. Wells YEP LOVE ME SOME WELLS, TOO
 
31.  The Stars My Destination Written by Alfred Bester YEP
 
32.  Slan Written by A.E. Van Vogt NOPE but read some other stuff
 
33.  Neuromancer Written by William Gibson YEP and met him repeatedly; such a sweet guy. I was in Book Warehouse one day and saw him browsing the SciFi section. Took a quick look, and no Gibson. I caught his eye and said, “They must have sold out.”
 
34.  Ender’s Game Written by Orson Scott Card YEP
 
35.  In Conquest Born Written by C.S. Friedman NOPE
 
36.  Lord of Light Written by Roger Zelazny NOPE Can’t stand the bugger, actually
 
37.  Eon Written by Greg Bear NOPE
 
38.  Dragonflight Written by Anne McCaffrey NOPE
 
39.  Journey to the Center of the Earth Written by Jules Verne YEP
 
40.  Stranger in a Strange Land Written by Robert Heinlein YEP, adequate
 
41.  Cosm Written by Gregory Benford NOPE
 
42.  The Voyage of the Space Beagle Written by A.E. Van Vogt NOPE
 
43.  Blood Music Written by Greg Bear NOPE
 
44.  Beggars in Spain Written by Nancy Kress NOPE
 
45.  Omnivore Written by Piers Anthony NOPE
 
46.  I, Robot Written by Isaac Asimov YEP
 
47.  Mission of Gravity Written by Hal Clement NOPE
 
48.  To Your Scattered Bodies Go Written by Philip Jose Farmer YEP, although I cannot say he’s the greatest prose stylist the universe has ever seen.
 
49. Brave New World Written by Aldous Huxley YEP; it is slowly becoming nonfiction. E, anyone?
 
50.  The Man Who Folded Himself Written by David Gerrold YES
 
51.  1984 Written by George Orwell YES; also becoming nonfiction, although only in the US so far
 
52.  The Strange Case of Dr. Jeckyl And Mr. Hyde Written by Robert Louis Stevenson YEP but I agree with his wife that Markheim was superior.
 
53.  Snow Crash Written by Neal Stephenson YEP
 
54.  Flesh Written by Philip Jose Farmer NOPE
 
55.  Cities in Flight Written by James Blish NOPE
 
56.  Shadow of the Torturer Written by Gene Wolfe NOPE
 
57.  Startide Rising Written by David Brin NOPE
 
58.  Triton Written by Samuel R. Delany NOPE but have read other stuff
 
59.  Stand on Zanzibar Written by John Brunner NOPE
 
60.  A Clockwork Orange Written by Anthony Burgess NOPE
 
61.  Fahrenheit 451 Written by Ray Bradbury YEP
 
62.  A Canticle For Leibowitz Written by Walter Miller NOPE but I have heard so much about it that I damn well should.
 
63.  Flowers for Algernon Written by Daniel Keyes NOPE
 
64.  No Blade of Grass Written by John Christopher NOPE
 
65.  The Postman Written by David Brin NOPE
 
66.  Dhalgren Written by Samuel Delany NOPE
 
67.  Berserker Written by Fred Saberhagen NOPE although it sounds familiar. Then again, maybe that’s because of the crowd I hang out with?
 
68.  Flatland Written by Edwin Abbot YEP; it should really be published on a single sheet of paper, don’t you think?
 
69.  Planiverse Written by A.K. Dewdney NOPE
 
70.  Dragon’s Egg Written by Robert L. Forward NOPE
 
71.  Downbelow Station Written by C.J. Cherryh NOPE
 
72.  Dawn Written by Octavia E. Butler YEP
 
73.  Puppet Masters Written by Robert Heinlein YEP one of his better works
 
74.  The Doomsday Book Written by Connie Willis NOPE
 
75.  Forever War Written by Joe Haldeman NOT SURE
 
76.  Deathbird Stories Written by Harlan Ellison YEP, own several copies actually. The Whimper of Whipped Dogs isn’t becoming nonfiction; it never was fiction.
 
77.  Roadside Picnic Written by Boris Strugatsky & Arkady Strugatsky NOPE

78.  The Snow Queen Written by Joan Vinge YEP
 
79.  The Martian Chronicles Written by Ray Bradbury YEP
 
80.  Drowned World Written by J.G. Ballard NOPE
 
81.  Cat’s Cradle Written by Kurt Vonnegut NOPE
 
82.  Red Mars Written by Kim Stanley Robinson NOPE
 
83.  Upanishads Written by Various NOT WHOLLY
 
84.  Alice in Wonderland Written by Lewis Carroll YEP and have the original illustrations too
 
85.  Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy Written by Douglas Adams NOPE AND QUIT BUGGING ME ABOUT IT, OKAY?
 
86.  The Lathe of Heaven Written by Ursula K. Le Guin NOPE
 
87.  The Midwich Cuckoos Written by John Wyndham YEP

88.  Mutant Written by Henry Kuttner YEP, loved it!
 
89.  Solaris Written by Stanislaw Lem NOPE
 
90.  Ralph 124C41+ Written by Hugo Gernsback NOPE
 
91.  I Am Legend Written by Richard Matheson YEP
 
92.  Timescape Written by Gregory Benford NOPE
 
93.  The Demolished Man Written by Alfred Bester NOPE
 
94.  War with the Newts Written by Karl Kapek NOPE
 
95.  Mars Written by Ben Bova YEP I think, but not totally sure
 
96.  Brain Wave Written by Poul Anderson NOPE
 
97.  Hyperion Written by Dan Simmons NOPE, but he was a great horse.
 
98.  The Andromeda Strain Written by Michael Crichton YEP, Crichton isn’t as bad as they say, actually. Or wasn’t.
 
99.  Camp Concentration Written by Thomas Disch NOPE but have read plenty of other stuff
 
100.  A Princess of Mars Written by Edgar Rice Burroughs YEP