Dear Sponsors,
This will be a short note because . . . oh my . . . is work busy right now. But, mostly in a good way. I'm rushing to get ready for the sheetrock at the new building, as well as getting the plans in place for our big event with N. K. Jemisin next month. Speaking of that event, I've got some information and a question for you.
Information first. The seating at the event is not going to be assigned, so it'll be first-come, first-seated. In light of that, we'll be letting sponsors and their guests in a half-hour early at 5:30 pm. That'll give you plenty of time to get good seats and such. But -- because of the size and complexity of the event, we won't be able to check names against a list of sponsors. So, make sure you have your sponsor card. You can just flash that at the door and we'll whisk you right in (along with however many friends you brought with you). If you don't have your card (or, can't find it), no problem. You can stop by the store anytime to get a replacement _or_ you can drop me a line (by replying to this email) and we'll mail a copy out to you.
And now, the question. Despite talking with some expert friends of mine, I've been having a hard time figuring out just how serious and bad Coronavirus (COVID-19) is going to be. It seems that it might be more contagious than the usual flu and the case-mortality rate certainly seems to be higher as well.
Actually, it's more accurate that I'm trying to figure out how seriously _I_ should take it since it's obviously not possible for anyone to know how serious it's going to be. So, here's what I'm wondering -- relative to that, what steps should I take with Borderlands and when should I take them? The biggest question is, at what point (if any) should I cancel the event with N. K. Jemisin? The lesser question is when (and if) should I close up the shop; at some point; for some period of time?
As sponsors, you've a vested interest in Borderlands, which is why I'm asking for your opinions. Further, based on my personal knowledge and relationships with many of you, our sponsors are a very smart and broadly educated group. All the other times I've asked you all for advice, I've gotten some truly valuable information so I'd be a fool not to ask you about this. So, let me know what you think. You can reply to this email or you can email me directly at abeatts@borderlands-books.com.
Warmest Regards,
Alan
Upcoming Events -
The Arroyo Abrilongo <https://www.portugalist.com/smallest-international-bridge/> bridge version:
(1) Sunday, March 22nd at 3:00 pm -- Chana Porter reading from and signing THE SEEP
(2) Sunday, March 29th at 6:30 pm -- SF in SF with author Dominica Phetteplace at American Bookbinders Museum
(3) Tuesday, March 31 at 7:00 pm -- Sponsors' General Meeting [Sponsors and Guests only]
(4) Thursday, April 2nd at 7:00 pm (Doors at 5:30 pm for sponsors, 6:00 pm for the public), Castro Theatre -- N.K. Jemisin, reading from and signing THE CITY WE BECAME
(5) Saturday, April 4th at 3:00 pm -- Max Barry reading and signing PROVIDENCE
(6) Saturday, May 9th at 3:00 pm -- Maggie Tokuda-Hall signing for THE MERMAID, THE WITCH, AND THE SEA, in conversation with Annalee Newitz.
The King Fahd Causeway <http://www.bahraincustoms.gov.bh/king_causeway.php> version:
(1) Sunday, March 22nd at 3:00 pm -- Chana Porter reading from and signing THE SEEP. We are delighted to welcome Chana Porter to Borderlands Books for their debut novel, THE SEEP. This new utopian novel eschews sci-fi tropes and will keep you glued to every twist and turn. From the publishers' website: "Chana Porter is a playwright, teacher, MacDowell Colony fellow, and co-founder of The Octavia Project, a STEM and fiction-writing program for girls and gender non-conforming youth from underserved communities. She lives in Brooklyn, New York, and is currently at work on her next novel."
(2) Sunday, March 29th, 6:30 pm -- SF in SF with author Dominica Phetteplace at American Bookbinders Museum, 355 Clementina St, San Francisco, CA -- (Suggested donation $10.) Doors and bar at 6:00 pm, event begins at 6:30 pm. We're so happy to participate in the Science Fiction in San Francisco reading series! This month we're joined by the fabulous Dominica Phetteplace! The author will read a selection from her work, followed by Q&A from the audience moderated by Terry Bisson. The author will schmooze & sign books after. Books will be available for sale. Seating is limited, so first come, first seated. Bar proceeds benefit the American Bookbinders Museum. Questions? Email sfinsfevents@gmail.com.
(3) Tuesday, March 31 at 7:00 pm -- Sponsors' General Meeting [Sponsors and Guests only]. Join us for a recap of the prior year and our goals for the upcoming year, including the status of our move to Haight Street.
(4) Thursday, April 2nd, 7:00 pm, Castro Theatre (Doors at 5:30 pm for sponsors, 6:00 pm for the public) -- Borderlands Books is pleased and excited to host N.K. Jemisin, the three-time Hugo Award winning and NYT Bestselling author of The Broken Earth Trilogy (The Fifth Season, The Obelisk Gate, and The Stone Sky), at the historic Castro Theater!
TICKETS <https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/4526884>
Her most recent novel is The City We Became; "Five New Yorkers must come together to defend their city from an ancient evil in this stunning new novel. Every great city has a soul. Some are as ancient as myths, and others are as new and destructive as children. New York City? She's got six. But every city also has a dark side. A roiling, ancient evil stirs in the halls of power, threatening to destroy the city and her six newborn avatars unless they can come together and stop it once and for all."
Ms. Jemisin will present a reading from her new novel and then answer questions from the audience. Afterwards, she will be available to sign a limited number of copies of her work, which will be available for sale at the event.
A Note About Ticket Prices
Due to the number of people who would like to attend this event, Borderlands has chosen to rent a larger venue than the bookstore. As a result, we are asking for a suggested donation of $20 to help cover the associated costs. However, no one will be turned away for lack of funds. If $20 is beyond your budget, please choose one of the lower ticket prices. Or, if even $10 is too much, please arrive at the event and donate what you can. As long as there are available seats, everyone is welcome. After our costs have been recovered, the excess funds will be retained to allow Borderlands to host events of this size in the future.
(5) Saturday, April 4 at 3:00 pm -- Max Barry reading and signing PROVIDENCE -- We are happy to welcome Max Barry to Borderlands! Max is the author of LEXICON, MACHINE MAN, and many other novels, but this current one may be his most inventive yet. From the publisher: "Seven years after first contact, Providence Five launches. It is an enormous and deadly warship, built to protect humanity from its greatest ever threat. On board is a crew of just four -- tasked with monitoring the ship and reporting the war's progress to a mesmerized global audience by way of social media. But while pursuing the enemy across space, Gilly, Talia, Anders, and Jackson confront the unthinkable: their communications are cut, their ship decreasingly trustworthy and effective. To survive, they must win a fight that is suddenly and terrifyingly real."
(6) Saturday, May 9th at 3:00 pm -- Maggie Tokuda-Hall signing THE MERMAID, THE WITCH, AND THE SEA, in conversation with Annalee Newitz. Please join us for another entertaining adventure with local favorite Maggie Tokuda-Hall, who will be thrilling us with her latest work (and first novel)! From the publisher: "The pirate Florian, born Flora, has always done whatever it takes to survive -- including sailing under false flag on the Dove as a marauder, thief, and worse. Lady Evelyn Hasegawa, a highborn Imperial daughter, is on board as well --accompanied by her own casket. But Evelyn's one-way voyage to an arranged marriage in the Floating Islands is interrupted when the captain and crew show their true colors and enslave their wealthy passengers. Both Florian and Evelyn have lived their lives by the rules, and whims, of others. But when they fall in love, they decide to take fate into their own hands --no matter the cost. Maggie Tokuda-Hall's sweeping fantasy, full of stolen memories, illicit mermaid's blood, double agents, and haunting mythical creatures, conjures an extraordinary cast of characters and the unforgettable story of a couple striving to stay together in the face of myriad forces wishing to control their identities and destinies." Maggie will be in conversation with local author, journalist, and podcaster Annalee Newitz!
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