Kimmo Lehtonen Publishes New Novel Under Creative Commons

Kimmo Lehtonen’s new novel LUEMINUT (README) will be published serialized on Babeknabel starting tomorrow (March 30).

From the author:

LUEMINUT is a multifaceted story about a world where people, ideas and coincidence form an open network — — a forgotten city is breaking away from the bonds of the past, into a more free future where hackers, anarchists and other radical groups challenge the European Union — — Kimmo Lehtonen rejuvenates the tradition of utopic literature of dreams and alternatives created by the imagination, without which there can be no real freedom. LUEMINUT is also a political statement, a call for an open society, inspired by the communities formed by Interent, Linux and open source developers.

The book will be published under Creative Commons licence (it’s reported to be the first of its kind in Finland), and the whole story will be made available later. A print version can also be bought in the Print-on-demand shop in Lasipalatsi.

(from Babeknabel)

Nebula Stories at Mafia Next Month

At the April mafia (April 6, in two weeks) we’ll be discussing this year’s Nebula short story nominees. They are all available on the net, so grab a copy of them and come join the discussion!

The nominees are:

• K.D. Wentworth: Born-Again
• Dale Bailey: The End of the World as We Know It
• Carol Emshwiller: I Live With You
• Nancy Kress: My Mother, Dancing
• Margo Lanagan: Singing My Sister Down
• Anne Harris: Still Life With Boobs
• Richard Bowes: There’s a Hole in the City

(Of course, not everybody will be taking part in the discussion, so you are just as welcome to attend if these short stories don’t interest you.)

Finncon Accommodation Announced

Finncon 2006 has accommodation info on its LiveJournal:

• Con hotel is Radisson SAS Plaza (Mikonkatu 23); 90 €/night for a single room and 105 €/night for a double
• Sokos Hotel President (Eteläinen rautatiekatu 4); 70 €/night for a single, 88 €/night for a double
• Sokos Hotel Helsinki (Kluuvikatu 2); 76 €/night for a single, 93 €/night for a double
• Hostel Erottajanpuisto is an example of a cheaper accommodation; prices starting from 22.50 €/night for a bed; private rooms available for 1–7 persons

The prices mentioned are Finncon specials. For details on reservations and contact info see the original post.

KopulaCon in Turku on Friday

KopulaCon is a minicon by the Kupittaa local section of STK. It’s held on Friday March 24 starting at 5. The theme is “speculative families, easycare summer children and alternative fridges; things that connect people in ways reminding of biology”. All interested are welcome to attend.

Below is an excerpt from the original announcement:

Ohjelma
17:15 kolportööri Soikkeli alustaa aiheesta "Ydinperheen punasiirtymä eli scifin uudet vakiot"
17:45–19:00 Muut alustukset & vapaata jutustelua
19:00 Elokuva Valve unessa (Waking life, 2001, 96 min)
21:00 Lisää olutta ja/eli warppaus lähikapakkaan

KopulaConin yhteydessä julkaistaan Kosmospenaalin kevätnumero 2006. Aihe on sama kuin conissa: perheet ja lapset.

Kupittaan osasto ja KopulaCon sijaitsevat Turussa osoitteessa Sirkkalankatu 13 B 28, c/o Henriksson & Soikkeli

Time Flies

150

days to Finncon

Bus to Finncon from Turku

TSFS is thinking about organizing a bus transport to Finncon next August. The trip would be for Saturday only, and would be quite inexpensive (maybe around 15 to 18 € per person, depending on the amount of participants). If you think you might be interested in a day trip to the convention (very warmly recommended, if you are not able to go for the whole weekend), contact <bussi@tsfs.fi> and let them know this would be a good idea.

Also (just occurred to me): if you are coming to the con from Sweden via Turku on Saturday (on the morning ferry), it might be possible to use the bus connection (no guarantees, since no timetables have been set). If anybody’s interested, drop me an e-mail and I’ll make inquiries.

Update: Some info about the time table. The departure from Turku will be at 9 in Maistraatinpuisto (if anybody will be coming from the ferry, the bus will pick you up). The bus will be at con at noon(ish). The way back will start at about 9 PM.

French Author Rufin in Helsinki Today

The French author Jean-Christophe Rufin is visiting Finland today and tomorrow. Tonight he will be interviewed by Kimmo Lehtonen at seven (Mannerheim-sali, Uusi ylioppilastalo, Mannerheimintie 5 A, 5th floor; free admittance) at an event organized by HYSFK and his publisher Tammi.

Rufin’s book Globalia just came out in Finnish.

Turku Comics Meeting on Thursday

The Turku comics club spring meeting will be held tomorrow (March 16) at Cosmic Comic Cafe at 5. All interested are welcome to discuss comics and future activities of the club.