Prometheus and Hall of Fame Finalists, 1987

Five finalists have been chosen for the 1987 Prometheus Award for libertarian fiction. They are Circuit by Melinda M. Snodgrass, a fast-paced novel of justice and injustice in space; L. Neil Smith's stylistic breakthrough, The CryStal Empire; A Door Into Ocean by Joan Slonczewski, which is reviewed in this issue; Margaret Atwood's cautionary story about conservative Christianity run amok, The Handmaid's Tale; and the very weird and fascinating Marooned in Realtime by Vernor Vinge. All five deserve careful consideration. Reviews of three of these titles were published previously in Prometheus, and copies are inserted in this issue.

This is the last year in which two winners are to be selected for the Hall of Fame Award. The ten candidates include Ayn Rand's Anthem, Alfred Bester's The Stars My Destination, and Ursula K. Le Guin's still-controversial The Dispossessed [See Joseph P. Martino's discussion of The Dispossessed on page six, and a complete list of finalists on page three.]

Because this year's Worldcon will be held in Brighton, England, the Prometheus awards will be presented at the 1987 NASFIC, Cactuscon, which will be held from September 3^rd through the 6^th at the Phoenix Hilton, the Civic Plaza Convention Center, and the Hyatt Regency in Phoenix, Arizona. General convention information can be obtained through Cactuscon, Box 27201, Tempe, Arizona 85232, (602) 960-5673.

Although we don't know yet which room we'll be doing our presentations in, we do know that Victor Milán, author of last year's Prometheus winner—The Cybernetic Samurai has graciously agreed to present the Prometheus award. For information as it develops the best bet is probably to contact the editor (Victoria Varga) by phone 716-245-3112 after the 10^th of August.