The October 1^st First Friday meeting was called to order at 9:19. Someone said today is 38 in binary.

There was no quorum. Sam Lubell read the last minutes. Sam S asked, "Are we solvent?" Steve answered, "You have a background in chemistry. If not part of the solution, you are part of the precipitate." Treasurer's report is in the print version: Steve emailed saying, "I filed reports with Virginia (on time) and Maryland (late) to bring us up to date with all our State stuff. John Pomeranz is working on getting things straightened out with the Feds -- the long-awaited amnesty has come around, and will end on October 15th, so it has to get done by then." Specific details are in the print version. Don't owe anything other than paper.

Capclave present - Cathy said meeting next Saturday at Peggy Rae's. Put flyers up at groceries and libraries. Sam S. said that as of late August we're on target. Cathy said a whole bunch of memberships came in. Sam S said should break even.

Capclave Future - Cathy said has GoH. Her guests will be Carrie Vaughn and Catherynne M. Valente. This will be Carrie's first East Coast con. Her books are NYT mass market bestsellers. Cathy gave both writers' bibliography. Valante is fiction editor for Apex magazine and has an active web presence. Far future had nothing to report.

Entertivities: Paul, Gayle, and Cathy <Sam was there but couldn't find them> were at the book festival. There was less space this year so no SF tent. We put out Capclave bookmarks, but only the fiction and mystery tent let us put bookmarks out.

No old business. New business. Take flyers, distribute. We met the room block.

First meeting: Three people were here for their first meeting. Lisa Gregory is a foreign service officer here from Russia. She writes fan fiction and found out about us through the Internet. Ken Bryer is a friend of George Shaner. He came to see how he can help. He goes to Balticon and Dragoncon. Dan Zeidler is a business analyst for Geo-Science-World. A friend got an email about Capclave and forwarded it. He likes to write science fiction and fantasy. Cecilia Carey is here for her third meeting, she has been a writer since kid. She reads both horror and sf. She went to two Worldcons and one Balticon, and wants to connect with other writers. She is looking forward to Capclave.

Announcements: Barry said there were 265 members for Capclave including 80 guests. This is slightly ahead of last year. Sam S. - No major accidents from Australia. Worldcon okay. Around 1,800, half Aussies. Went to Darwin and Queensland, snorkeled the great barrier reef. Lee Strong announced that baby Charles Abel V arrived. Charlie has a job in Idaho, teaching at several schools. There will be a John Carter of Mars movie June 8, 2012, centennial of the publication of A Princess of Mars. Lee Strong has a contract with the Edgar Burroughs Society to write a book, possibly next year, more likely 2012. Tentative title: A Soldier of Poloda. Lee is donating some of the advance to his college. Meeting unanimously adjourned 9:45.

Attendance: Drew Bittner, Cathy Green, Bill Lawhorn, Brian Lewis, Sam Lubell, Sarah Mitchell, Barry Newton, Mark Roth, Judy & Sam Scheiner, George Shaner, Lee Strong, Ivy Yap, Ken Bryer, Charity Helton, Dan Zeidler, and Cecilia Carey.

2010: A Writing Odyssey Too

Dear Washington Science Fiction Association,

Odyssey is an internationally known, six-week workshop for writers of science fiction, fantasy, and horror. Held every summer at Saint Anselm College in Manchester, NH, it offers developing writers intensive, professional critiques and lectures on the major elements of genre writing.

 Odyssey is the only program of its kind run by an editor. Jeanne Cavelos, the director and primary instructor, is a best-selling author and former senior editor at Bantam Doubleday Dell Publishing, where she won the World Fantasy Award for her work.

 The workshop also attracts top writers in the field to serve as guest lecturers. Authors such as Harlan Ellison, Terry Brooks, Ben Bova, Jane Yolen, George R. R. Martin, Patricia McKillip, Steve Rasnic Tem, Melanie Tem, Nancy Kress, and Dan Simmons have taught at the workshop and shared their insights into writing and the writing life.

The 10-15-10 October Third Friday WSFA meeting opened with President Judy presiding. "Let's have a meeting. 9:25. The third Friday in October." Bill said, "If you're here, you know that Capclave didn't start tonight." Bob put in, "Or we are all very late..."

Sam read minutes which were accepted as amended. The club told Bill to shut up. Mike Walsh moved that we table Bill. Bill said that Sarah's parents would not approve. "They like me." But Sarah pointed out, "They're in Michigan, how will they know?" Paul said, "If you're a table, you'll be able to support them." Debate over who owns the condo and the couch. Candy offered to let him use hers.

President had no report. Sam said that he will have a journal by Capclave but people should submit. Colleen said her husband has guns so she will only submit in the literary sense. More jokes. Hunting white boy. Judy gaveling. WSFA on a sugar high.

Steve gave his treasurer's report which appears in the print version. He said he thinks this should be enough for a con. We have been having fun with PayPal who insist on referring to me as Kristina Abel. Bill, said, "You have more hair on your face." Problems with names on account have been solved. <The club declared him treasurer for life.> Sulfurous messages with what they are pleased to call customer support. It involves state tax forms. They need official piece of paper with the treasurer's name on it.

Various tax doings are in the print version. Sam asked Cathy how much of this goes online. Steve and lawyer for club think the tax situation 90% resolved. Steve said, "The form 990 that we've been filing are public." Cathy said, "That's the appropriate place, but not the meeting notes."

Cathy said, "About three years ago now, when John had first started working on tax stuff, the club voted to get John a thank you gift. I think someone should have a word with Kathi." Bob said he will talk to her. Trying to put books together, getting them in a form John liked was a bear." Bill asked about filing for 2010. Bob said the date for corporations is May 15. Bill asked for reminder put in minutes for February. <Steve, when February comes, make sure you do our taxes.> Steve said that the way the federal things go, all we have to file is a postcard 990M which takes two minutes. Cathy said, 'You just have to remember to do it. Unless Capclave takes off." Paul said, "Make it the treasurer's responsibility to file taxes." Brian asked if there was an amount limit for the gift somewhere in the original motion." Colleen said, "John wants to make soap. So let's get him a big bucket." Cathy, "Tax lawyers bill 500 an hour so he's done a lot for us. He did us a big favor." Colleen called for a round of applause for Steve. <Club applauded>. Bill called for getting him a bucket too. Steve said he doesn't know how long it will take to get tax exemption. Bob said, "John has those billable hours he has to get through."

Trustees: No report. Two new members. Entertivities - Colleen proposed going to see a Bollywood movie, The Robot, a singing dancing robots movie. It was released in the U.S. and India at the same time. John suggested doing a Meetup. Someone suggested a Fifth Friday event, but that goes under new business.

Publications: Sam asked for journal submissions. WSFA Press: Paul said that only six WSFA members have preordered the books. Playing havoc with numbers. We are in the process of numbering them. 500 signed and numbered of each. Signed by author, and person who wrote intro/afterwards. We sold 70 copies total. $1,400 just for new books. We will sell more at Capclave. Paul said once Capclave is over the price goes up. The website is working. We need people to get things for WSFA site. Buttons for 2010 populated. Capclave 2011 has placeholders. Lots of comments from non-WSFAns about Capclave. Colleen said doing SFWA auction at Capclave. Lots of stuff. We will accept any donation. John said he is organizing a Meetup next week at Capclave at 7:00 pm for whomever wants to show. Maybe do one Saturday. Gayle said to avoid doing at same time as book launches. Colleen suggested 6 - 8. Colleen said once you get them there you can sell them on Capclave.

Capclave: Gayle said that Capclave is next weekend. We have the hotel. Cathy joked, "They are doing their best to make us think that moving to a new hotel is a good idea." Colleen said, "The room for readings was no included in the contract so will be in a hotel room. We'll call them bedtime stories." Gayle said that Spectra giving us a bunch of books for their anniversary. We'll be auctioning them for SFWA medical fund. The VanderMeers' last drink bird award at the awards ceremony. Lots of parties. Lots of good programming. Workshops. Lots of people signing up for workshops online. Colleen added, "Not all workshops are limited. All have space at the moment except for the VanderMeers' workshop." Gayle said there are about 85 online registration, more than in past. Online registration closes midnight Sunday. We're good to go. Cathy said that the preliminary schedule is online.

Capclave Future: Cathy said she has her guests of honor. This will be the first east coast con for Catherine Valente and she put it on her Live Journal. Paul said that registration will go live after 2010. Cathy said that her Capclave will be at the Gaithersburg Hilton which is run by a different management company. We will have fan tables at Philcon and Arisia and other cons. The publicity committee doing spectacular bookmarks and rack cards. Also more standard flyers with forms at the back by World Fantasy. We will sell Capclave 2011 memberships starting Saturday afternoon.

There was nothing for Far Future. The Committee to talk about SF will discuss the September Asimov's Magazine. The Literary Award Committee will give award out next Saturday at Capclave. Paul joked, "There's this thing called E-bay..." Colleen said that some of the nominees will be there, including the publisher of the Australian story. Go to ballroom at ninish, next Saturday. Several finalists will be there. Cathy said that the number of submissions has grown more diverse. International. The award is becoming better known. Barry was reminded about the check for the winner.

No old business. New business: Any volunteers to host a fifth Friday. No volunteers. Bill suggested having fifth Friday on fourth Friday at Capclave. Gayle said there has been some talk with Cathy's GOHs to see if they'd be interested in a book if the club approves it. They are so we'll put together some figures. This is a heads up.

Barry did not make a motion but said this is something for people to think about. Rather than have Cathy tell the secretary every few minutes to redact, let her get to approve them. Cathy: Corporate minutes aren't transcriptions but summaries. <But these are as close as I can get to transcriptions, otherwise they'd be dry and boring without the interesting bits like...> Sam said, "I nominate Cathy for Lord Censor." Cathy protested, "I want to be Witchfinder General." Steve said, "Official club information has to be stored somewhere. Official minutes. What my wife's church does is they publish the secret minutes as an encrypted pdfs but not for the general public." Paul said he had no problem with it being on the printed version but not on the web. Judy said, "I understand your concerns for putting them on the web." Cathy explained, "It is like waiving attorney client privilege which is a bad idea." Bob said that most of the time not much different. Cathy said, "And put an edited version up online." Brian suggested making a list of things for the secretary. Colleen said, "If we don't have a lawyer in the club someone will have to do the best they can." Brian said that there should be a set of guidelines. Cathy offered to write something up. Sam said, "There will be a printed version without anything redacted. Then I'll send to Cathy to go through and make suggested edits. The Secretary will then go through and accept and send to webmasters." Mike said, "Cathy will come up with a title and give it to us next meeting."

Brian looked online and said that The Robot is playing at Gaithersburg, Falls Church, and Herdon. John said that we started Meetup six months ago with a six month membership. It has been successful at bringing in new people. Do we want to keep it? Colleen moved that we continue the Meetup membership. It was seconded and passed in a vote with one abstaining.

Meagen Voss was here for her first meeting. She found WSFA through Meetup. She lives in College Park and is a freelance writer and recovery scientist.

Announcements: Candy is putting in solar panels. Colleen sent What If info. Museum of Natural history has a hyperbolic crochet coral reef exhibit. Saturday October 16, 2010. Gayle wants volunteers to sell books. Brian offered to take stuff to World Fantasy. Discuss space with him. Mike has books for sale.

Meeting unanimously adjourned at 10:40.

Attendance: Colleen Cahill, Carolyn Frank, Cathy Green, Paul Haggerty, Bill Lawhorn, Brian Lewis, Sam Lubell, Bob Macintosh, Candy & John Madigan, Sarah Mitchell, Barry& Judy Newton, Evan Phillips, Steve Smith, Bill Squire, Gayle Surrette, Mike Taylor, Michael Walsh, Ivy Yap, Cecilia Carey, and Meagen Voss.

Review of Tom Schwartz's Spaceship Earth

By Mark Roth

But Her Husband Has Guns

The First Friday November 11/5/10 meeting was called to order at 9:25 with President Judy presiding. Sam S said we had a quorum. The secretary summarized the minutes which were approved as read. No reports from the president or vice. Secretary Sam said he had a new Journal and a communication from IRS. Steve gave the treasurer's report, saying we did something that brought in some money. WSFA's official <not-so secret> agent Sam L. turned over communication from IRS so we get to keep our tax exempt status as long as our check passes. Cathy asked if it means we can request a tax exempt form. Steve said, for small organizations, the IRS is surprisingly sloppy. Not retroactive. What's the date on the letter? Judy S said if not tax exempt when we signed the contract can't claim it now. Cathy said we can use it for next year. Trustees said an election in seven months. Judy N said, wasn't there just one, oh that's the real world.

For Entertivities, Ernest said today is Colleen's birthday so he suggesting calling her on the speakerphone and singing. There was a debate over whether it is too late. Ernest said, "Not that I care." Mike said, "But her husband has guns." Tom asked, "What are these things called home phones?" Sung. "You have now been an Entertivity. You can go back to bed now." Sam S. said the Turner Classics Movie Channel is playing the new version of Metropolis ether this weekend or next. Gayle sent a link to the Winkle in Time theatrical performance playing in Roundhouse theater in Dec. Most of month of December 1 - 26. Ernest suggested organizing this at Meet up. Barry asked about the Meetup dinners at Capclave, Gayle said six or seven people each night.

The WSFA meeting for the Third Friday of November, 2010 commenced at 9:16 at the Madigan residence. Due to the lack of a secretary the reading of the minutes was waived. The current money levels are $HA HA HA <What, you expected a ho ho ho?>; that'll change once we pay off this year's hotel.

In publications news, while we are paid up with the publisher and the artist for the 2010 Capclave books, some more money might be required, due to covers having been printed off-set and a replacement run being needed. Speaking of which, some 250 of the VanderMeer and 450 of the Willis books have been sold. We are rapidly liquidating the stock; particularly of the Willis book.

Trustees had nothing to report. Entertivities noted that the Bollywood SF epic "The Robot" has regretfully left the area before an outing could be organized. Colleen Cahill noted that things have been quiet on the Facebook front.

CAPCLAVE NEWS: The books on Capclave 2010 have not yet been closed, due to confusion on the part of the Rockville Hilton as to having received our deposit. Capclave 2011 is undertaking a walk through of what will be the dealer's room this coming Monday at the Gaithersburg Hilton. Capclave 2012 is still awaiting word from their first choice for guest of honor.

Literary Awards Committee: No particular news.

Old Business: None.

New Business: Brian Lewis suggested the notion of printing a WSFA Small Press anthology, but it was pointed out that publishing realities made this a non-viable concept. There was also some discussion of whether WSFA was the right venue for a writer's group. Charity Helton suggested her group as being an option.

On the membership front Harvey Schubert was a first time attendee.

As for announcements, these included Tad Daly showing off his new book "Apocalypse Never," Paul Haggerty talking about his adventures in seeking federal employment, and Candy Madigan speaking of being the proud owner of a new Roomba. In the last case the cat of the house has shown no interest in riding on it. The meeting ended soon after at some indifferent time.

Attendance: Steve Smith, George Shaner, Carolyn Frank, Paul Haggerty, Gayle Surrette, Barry & Judy Newton, Meagen Voss, Brian Lewis, Ernest Lilley, John & Candy Madigan, Harvey Schubert, Thomas Woldering, Bob MacIntosh, Colleen Cahill, Tad Daly, Ivy Yap, Charity Helton, Sarah Mitchell, and Bill Lawhorn.