Space-Ex 84

[ffutures]

I just created a page for Space-ex 84, the horribly doomed SF/media con that never quite happened, on fanlore.org

http://fanlore.org/wiki/Space-Ex_84

I think I've got the story more or less right, but if anyone spots anything wrong please edit it or let me know.

Comments

[history-monk.livejournal.com]

That all looks right. I seem to remember another Ansible piece to the effect that people who'd paid were told at some point that they'd only paid a deposit, and needed to cough up rather more money to actually attend, but I am not certain of it.

I'm not sure that the lack of publicity was deliberate so much as the result of massive incompetence on Mike Parry's part, plus a refusal to admit it. I met him at Seacon '79 and belonged to ISTRA for a year, but it was clear that it wasn't actually an organisation, more of a soap-bubble dream of one.

[ffutures.livejournal.com]

I've only found those three articles in Ansible, but it's possible I've missed something. I think the entry needs to be in there as a horrible example of the sort of thing that can go wrong.

[history-monk.livejournal.com]

Found it, in Ansible 39. http://news.ansible.uk/a39.html

[ffutures.livejournal.com]

Thanks!

[stevegreen.livejournal.com]

I recall covering the various announcements in my Matrix column, and coming under quite a lot of fire from an aggrieved organiser, possibly Parry, whose plans clearly had no root in reality.

[ffutures.livejournal.com]

Not even slightly surprised. Is any of it on line anywhere?

[stevegreen.livejournal.com]

Knowing the BSFA, I very much doubt it.

[ffutures.livejournal.com]

Thanks anyway. I think what I have is probably enough, it's just unfortunate that all of the references are one source (Ansible).

[stevegreen.livejournal.com]

Maybe someone can access old issues of Matrix for you. Mark Plummer, perhaps?

Those were the days when the BSFA still evidenced some interest in fandom, of course.

[ffutures.livejournal.com]

Do you have an email address for him?

[stevegreen.livejournal.com]

Mark and Claire used to be here as fishlifter, but just in case, I forwarded your query to Mark direct.

[ffutures.livejournal.com]

Thanks - it looks like that account hasn't been used in ten years, so direct contact is very helpful.