Orson Scott Card’s InterGalactic Medicine Show

The finalists were chosen from over one hundred speculative fiction stories published in Brazil during 2009 and 2010.  Over half of the entries came from print anthologies and the rest from magazines, single-author collections, blogs, websites, and other assorted publications.

“(História com desenho e diálogo)” (in English – “(Story with Pictures and Conversation)”) was originally published in the limited edition magazine Portal Fundação by the Projeto Portal cooperative.  Brontops Baruq, born in São Paulo in 1973, is the author’s pseudonym.  He has published stories in the anthologies Livro Negro dos Vampiros, Anno Domini, Alterego, and Cartas do Fim do Mundo, beyond appearing multiple times in the Projeto Portal magazines captained by award-winning author and editor Nelson de Oliveira.  Brontops has a personal blog at http://brontops.blogspot.com.

“Por um Fio” (in English – “By a Thread”) was originally published in the Steampunk anthology published by Tarja Editorial.  Flávio Medeiros Júnior lives in his home town of Belo Horizonte in the state of Minas Gerais.  He graduated in Medicine from UFMG in 1988, specializing in ophthalmology.  He published his first novel, Quintessência, in 2004: a detective story in a science fiction setting.  In 2010, he published the novel Casas de Vampiros, which combines horror and science fiction.  He has also published stories in the anthologies Paradigmas 2, Imaginários volume 1, Vaporpunk, and Assembleia Estelar.  He continues writing compulsively and publishing his opinions at http://a-quintessencia.blogspot.com.

“Eu, a Sogra” (in English – “I, Mother-in-Law”) was first published in the first volume of the Imaginários anthologies by Editora Draco.  Giulia Moon is a writer, illustrator, editor, and creative director in marketing.  She has published three short story collections: Luar de Vampiros (Scortecci, 2003), Vampiros no Espelho & Outros Seres Obscuros (Landy, 2004) and A Dama-Morcega (Landy, 2006).  She was at one time editor of the FicZine fanzine and co-editor of Scarium Megazine.  In 2009, she published her first novel, Kaori: Perfume de Vampira (Giz Editorial, 2009), which was followed in 2011 by Kaori 2: Coração de Vampira.  You can find out more about Giulia at http://www.giuliamoon.com.br.

Edmund R. Schubert, editor of IGMS, writes: “This has been an exciting partnership and I’m thrilled to be able to bring the best of Brazilian speculative fiction to a wider audience.  I give the highest marks to Christopher Kastensmidt for bring it together so well, and I look forward to reading more from all of the writers involved.”

Christopher Kastensmidt, competition organizer writes: “The fact that Orson Scott Card’s Intergalactic Medicine Show has agreed to publish not just one, but two of the stories provides wonderful validation for the entire Brazilian speculative fiction community, one which works tirelessly but receives almost no recognition outside the borders of Brazil.  Many thanks once again to IGMS, our Brazilian judges, and everyone else involved for making this contest such a success.”

The Hydra Competition is a partnership between writer Christopher Kastensmidt and Orson Scott Card’s Intergalactic Medicine Show, seeking to expose Brazilian fantastic literature to the English-speaking world.  The contest also depended on the participation of Brazilian judges Tiago Castro (Universo Insônia) e Ana Carolina Silveira (Leitura Escrita).

About Orson Scott Card’s InterGalactic Medicine Show

Founded by multiple-award winning author Orson Scott Card, and edited for the past five years by Edmund R. Schubert, IGMS is an award-winning bimonthly online magazine publishing illustrated science fiction and fantasy short stories, audio stories, interviews, reviews, and more. Authors range from established pros like Peter Beagle and David Farland to first-time authors making their professional debut.  IGMS can be found at www.intergalacticmedicineshow.com.

About The Elephant and Macaw Banner

The Elephant and Macaw Banner is a fantasy series set in sixteenth-century Brazil.  The stories tell the adventures of Gerard van Oost and Oludara, an unlikely pair of heroes who meet in Salvador.  News, artwork, and in-depth explanations of historical and cultural references from the series can be found at the website www.eamb.org.

RioContentMarket (March) – Not much to say here.  I went to make some contacts, and this was the only event all year in which I wasn’t invited to speak.

Nebula Awards (May) – What can I say about this?  I never expected to be nominated for a Nebula, and being there was a dream come true.  Beyond the banquet and speaking with all the wonderful attendees, I got to participate in a panel with Joe Haldeman, N. K. Jemisin, Michael J. Sullivan, and Jack McDevitt.  Unforgettable.

GamePad (May) – This was an academic event, but I did present my first paper on digital narratives, something I’ll be working with more in the future.

Game Craft (June) – I keynoted the event, and while my speech wasn’t specifically about EAMB, I did discuss it.

Fantasticon (August) – This event is bigger and better every year, with a large percentage of the Brazilian specultaive fiction writers in attendance.  This year I had an autograph session and a panel with Roberto de Sousa Causo, Max Mallmann, and Ana Cristina Rodrigues.  This is one of my “must attend” events every year.

Worldcon (August) – Six panels, one reading, and an autograph session.  This convention was work and fun all rolled into one, and I plan on doing it all again next year.

Jornada Nacional de Literatura (Nacional Literary Journey) (August) – This and the Nebula ceremony were not just the highlights of the year, they were the highlights of my entire writing career.  Over two days I spoke in front of 12,000 adolescents, and it felt like magic.

Feira do Livro de Torres (Torres Book Fair) (September) – Gave a nice outdoor panel on sword & sorcery to a few dozen people, along with friends Duda Falcão and Cesar Alcázar.

Feira do Livro de Porto Alegre (Porto Alegre Book Fair) (October) – Another chance to talk about sword & sorcery with Duda and Cesar, and a book lauch for Sagas 3.

I also had two book launches in Porto Alegre for the series Duplo Fantasia Heroica.

For 2012, I once again start the year planning on just four events (so we’ll see what happens):

Odisseia de Literatura Fantástica (Fantastic Literature Odyssey) (April) – I’m one of the organizers for this event in Porto Alegre, which will bring together over fifty writers and editors from around Brazil.

Festival Literária de Paracatu (Pracatu Literary Festival) (May) – This event got held over from 2011, which should make it bigger and better.

Fantasticon (Augsut) – I can’t confirm until I know the dates, but as long as there’s no conflict, I’ll be there.

Worldcon/Chicon 7 (August) – My only foreign trip planned so far.  I hope to be on the programming once again.

Here’s hoping to see you all in 2012!

Locus Online published my article “A Journey to Remember” about the 14th National Literary Journey in Passo Fundo this year.  In it, I discuss the event and the experience of speaking to thousands of adolescents.

From the article:

“Passo Fundo is known as the Literary Capital of Brazil, and for good reason. The national average of non-school-related books read per year in Brazil is 1.5 per person. In Passo Fundo, the average is an impressive 6.5.”

Locus also published a great picture from the event in their print edition.

Thanks so much Locus!

This National Literary Journey is HUGE

This year I was one of the authors invited to speak at the event, an immense honor.  I was proud to have “The Fortutious Meeting of Gerard van Oost and Oludara” named as a work “of special merit in the formation of young readers”.  Inspiring young readers is what inspires me.

Over two days, I spoke to eleven groups of junior high and high school aged children.  I never felt like a rock star until I participated in the event.  Each time I walked into one of the circus tents, the master of ceremonies would speak my name and over a thousand children would scream and applaud.  In all, I spoke to around 12.000 students.

Speaking to a captive audience – one of eleven…

I saw children reading books, buying books, and most importantly, discussing books.  For a writer, the event was a spiritual high.  It refueled my faith in the next generation.

Interacting with young readers was the best part

At the end, I was presented with the Vasco Prado Trophy for my participation.  It was a great honor to be able to participate and interact with the real stars of the show: the readers.  They are our future, and they’re doing just fine.

Vasco Prado Trophy

(Photographs by Christopher Kastensmidt and National Literary Journey staff)

The room was packed–standing room only with people spilling out into the hallway.  We spent an hour discussing fantasy series that break away from the typical Medieval Western European settings, and the crowd loved it.  All the panelists were amazing, and fielded some pointed questions from the audience.  The panel proved there is a great demand out there for fantasy series like The Elephant and Macaw Banner.  I had people stopping me in the halls to congratulate me for the rest of the con.

The Untitled Convention Project filmed the panel and put about a quarter of it online.  I hope you enjoy it!

Watch Non-Medieval Fantasy in SciFi & Fantasy | View More Free Videos Online at Veoh.com

Wendesday, August 17

14:00 – 15:00, Adventures in Gaming: The Business of Game Design (Panel), A02 (RSCC)
The business and production aspects of gaming, both board and video games.
Maurine “Mo” Starkey (M), Jennifer Brozek, Christopher Kastensmidt, Mur Lafferty ,  Tom Lehmann

16:00 – 17:00, Interview with Aliette de Bodard (Interview),  A09 (RSCC)
Aliette de Bodard, Christopher Kastensmidt (M)
This should be fun.  I’ll be conducting an interview with my good friend Aliette.

Thursday, August 18

13:30 – 14:00, Reading: Christopher Kastensmidt (Reading), A15  (RSCC)
At this one, I’ll be reading from an upcoming The Elephant and Macaw Banner story.  Hear it here first!

14:30 – 16:00, SFWA Dealer’s Table (Hall 2)
I’m volunteering at the SFWA table most of Thursday afternoon.  This is a great chance to stop by for a chat, and to learn more about the SFWA.

Friday, August 19

16:00 – 17:00, F*** Your Knight and the Horse He Rode in on: Fantasy Series not Based on Medieval European Culture (Panel), A10  (RSCC)
An irreverent panel where young writers challenge the predominance of medieval-inspired settings in fantasy.
Christopher Kastensmidt (M), Saladin Ahmed, Aliette de Bodard, Ken Scholes
This was a panel I invented and it’s going to be a blast.  A lot of fun, talented panelists and a tongue-in-cheek subject.  This is my “DON’T MISS” panel of the week.

Saturday, August 20

10:00 – 11:00, Life Lived in the Extremes (Panel), A04 (RSCC)
What is it like to live in “extreme  environments” like Alaska?  in Viet Nam?  in Brazil?  in the desert?  in tornado alley?
Christopher Kastensmidt (M), Beth Meacham, Robert Reed

12:00 – 13:00, Practical Considerations in Game Design (Panel),  A13 (RSCC)
This panel addresses game design issues for the broad spectrum of game types.
Dave Howell (M), Jennifer Brozek, Christopher Kastensmidt, Gregory A. Wilson, Tom Lehmann, Steve Jackson
This is going to be another great panel with an all-star cast of game designers.  And me.

17:00 – 18:00, Autograph session,  (Hall 2)
I will be sitting all alone in a corner of Hall 2, watching fans queue up for autographs of other authors.  Please drop by and say hello!

Sunday August 21

Sun 11:00 – 12:00, Revolutions in SF, Fantasy, and the Real World (Panel), A03 (RSCC)
Revolutions vary from the disparate traditional tropes of the French and American revolutions to non-violent revolution (Gandhi’s India),   The entrenched power may be colonial, class-based, or simply authoritarian.  How well does SF & F represent the ideals and ambiguities of revolution, the need to rebuild, and the cultural stresses that result.
Christopher Kastensmidt (M), Bradford Lyau, Walter Jon Williams, Nick Mamatas

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The complete Worldcon schedule can be found in PDF format here.

A searchable database of Worldcon programming can be found here.

]]> http://www.eamb.org/2011/08/worldcon-2011-schedule/feed/ 0 http://www.eamb.org/2011/08/two-weeks-three-events/ http://www.eamb.org/2011/08/two-weeks-three-events/#comments Mon, 08 Aug 2011 13:56:58 +0000 Christopher Kastensmidt http://www.eamb.org/?p=1115 I have a long writer’s journey ahead…in three acts.  Starting on August 12th, I will participate in three major literary events during a two-week period.  The events include Fantasticon (Sao Paulo, Brazil), Worldcon (Reno, Nevada), and the Jornada Nacional de Literatura (Passo Fundo, Brazil).

During those two weeks, I’ll travel over 15,000 miles by plane, and another 400 by car.  I’ll appear on seven panels, give eleven lectures, participate in four autograph sessions, give one reading, and have at least one interview.  At the Jornada alone, I’ll speak to over 12.000 people.  At the other events, hundreds more.

And I’m looking forward to every minute of it.  Worldcon and Fantasticon are two events I’ve done before, and I enjoy them both immensely.  They are a chance to catch up with dozens of friends from the industry.  The Jornada invite is a once-in-a-lifetime honor.  It is South America’s largest “Literary Journey”, one of the largest events of its type in the world.  It occurs only once every two years, and there are so few authors invited that they don’t tend to repeat very often.

These are two weeks that could change my life, and give me a chance to change in some small way the lives of many others.  For that I’m enormously greatful.  I hope I can live up to the faith the organizers of these events have put in me.

I’ll be posting the agendas shortly.  Fantasticon and the Jornada I’ll put on the Portuguese site, and Worldcon on the English website.

And I hope to see some of you there!

This interview never appeared on the show, it was done during the Fast Forward interviewing workshop.  In it, we discuss “The Fortuitous Meeting”, The Elephant and Macaw Banner series, and how my work with video games has influenced my writing.

Many thanks to Fast Forward for the workshop and for letting me put this online!

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004H4XQ1U

Thanks so much!

Christopher

“I am called Piraju, but long ago I was known as Miguel.  I was a sailor on the Spanish carrack Madre de Dios, which shipwrecked here in the Bay of All Saints in 1535. Most who survived the wreck were killed by the Indians, but some twenty of us were taken prisoner, to be used in one of their cannibalistic feasts. Just as they prepared to cook us, Caramuru arrived and convinced them to set us free. Most of my shipmates eventually returned to Spain, but Caramuru’s daughters with the Indian princess Paraguacu were the most beautiful women I had ever laid eyes on, so I convinced one of them to marry me and I joined the tribe.”

The carrack Madre de Dios did indeed shipwreck off the coast of Brazil in 1535, on the island of Boipeba.  Over 100 of the 110 sailors made it to shore, but most of them were massacred by Tumpinambá natives.  Seventeen escaped on on a small boat to the nearby Tinharé Island.  There they were captured by other natives and would have been slain if not for the arrival of the famous Caramuru, who convinced the natives to let them go.

Shipwreck by Joseph Vernet

A famous legend arose from this event, that Caramuru went seeking the survivors because his wife Paraguaçu dreamt of a shipwreck.  In her vision, she saw a shipwreck of many men, dead or exhausted, and among them a single woman carrying a child.  Caramuru discovered the shipwreck and found only men, but inside the wreckage he recovered a statue of the Virgin Mary with child, the very own “Madre de Dios” his wife had seen in her vision.

Painting by Manuel Lopes Rodrigues representing Paraguaçu’s vision

Whatever the case, Caramuru rescued the survivors, and while most returned to Spain, four of them remained to live with him and his tribe in Bahia.  The Holy Roman Emporer Charles V wrote a letter to Caramuru thanking him for the aid given to the survivors.