Hi Everyone and Happy New Year!
I hope that your holidays were good and that 2020 is treating you very well thus far. At the shop we've all been catching our breath (and catching some sleep . . . finally). Looking back, 2019 really was one hell of a year. It actually had all the earmarks of being a pretty awful one (starting with Cary's death last January and continuing from there) but, surprisingly, none of us feel like it was. Hard, sure, and tiring, without a doubt, but not awful. I hope that you can say (at the very least) the same. Looking forward into 2020 it's seeming like it's going to be another hard one but, I hope, in a positive way rather than in a difficult one.
As I've mentioned here before, we have a self-imposed deadline to be open at the new building and selling books there by May 25th at the very latest. Making that deadline is going to take a lot of work but I'm (pretty) confident we'll make it. Granted, I'm willing to accept that "open and selling books" might mean a functioning rest-room and me at a card-table piled with books on the sidewalk, but I think we can do better than that. Check out the regular store newsletter (arriving in your mail box very soon) for more details about our moving plans and such-like.
This year we're also going to be losing a member of our staff - Dave Fitzgerald is going to be heading out of SF for Eureka. He and his wife have found a lovely little house up there so; they've decided to stop making their landlord rich in favor of owning a home and being able to pay more attention to their writing. We're damn sad to see Dave go; he's a hell of a fine bookseller on top of fitting in well with the rest of the inmates at The Borderlands Home for Those Who Read Too Much. It's looking like he'll be splitting at the end of February. I've got a bit more to say about that in a moment, but first there's an expected piece of business I need to mention . . . .
With the beginning of the year, it's time for sponsorship renewals. Things are looking good so far, in as much as we already have 186 (give or take) sponsors for 2020. But, as always, we need to reach 300 by March 31st if we're going to stay open. So, if you feel like continuing to support our shop and our vision of what a bookstore can be, now is a good time to renew. You can do so online at https://borderlands-books.com/buysponsorship.html . You're also welcome to renew in person at the store (and, we always love to see you when you come by). Finally, if you'd like to renew by mail (and, in case you're wondering, yes, people do still do that!), please feel free to send a check to: 866 Valencia St. SF CA 94110. Sponsorship continues to be $100 per person for the year. I truly appreciate your trust and support over all these years. I'll have a bit more to say about that next month but I don't want to take up too much space in this note because . . . .
(OMITTED FROM BLOG)
All Best,
Alan
Upcomming Sponsor (and other) Events
The Fairyfly Version:
Monday, January 13th at 7:30 pm -- Astronomy Lecture, Morrison Planetarium, California Academy of Sciences in Golden Gate Park
Sunday, January 12th at 6:30 pm -- SF in SF (at the American Bookbinders Museum, 355 Clementina St. San Francisco) with authors Cecelia Holland and Kim Stanley Robinson
Saturday, February 8th at 3:00 pm -- Juliet Wade, signing for MAZES OF POWER with Deborah J. Ross
Saturday, February 8th at 7:30 pm -- Writers With Drinks (at The Make Out Room, 3225 22nd Street, San Francisco) with authors Tracy Clark Flory, Barbara Tomash, Juliette Wade, and Charles Yu
Tuesday, February 11th at 6:00 pm -- Sarah Gailey, signing for UPRIGHT WOMEN WANTED
Saturday, February 22nd at 5:00 pm -- Katharine Kerr, signing for SWORD OF FIRE
Saturday, February 22 at 7:00 pm -- Sponsor Social at Borderlands Books [Sponsors and Guests only]
Saturday, February 29th at 6:00 pm -- Seanan McGuire, signing for COME TUMBLING DOWN and IMAGINARY NUMBERS
Friday, March 6th -8th - FOGcon in Walnut Creek
Tuesday, March 31 at 7:00 pm -- Sponsors' General Meeting [Sponsors and Guests only]
The Titan Beetle Version:
Monday, January 13th at 7:30 pm -- Astronomy Lecture featuring Catherine Espaillat at Morrison Planetarium, California Academy of Sciences (55 Music Concourse Dr, San Francisco). $15.00. If you've not had a chance to hear a lecture at the Academy of Sciences, you are in for a treat. This lecture in particular caught our eye and we hope you can join us. From the website: "We know that planets are born in the protoplanetary disks that surround stars when they are young. How these disks evolve into planetary systems is a fundamental question in Astronomy. Observations have revealed remarkable structures in disks that may indicate the presence of newly born planets. This talk will review these key observations and compare them to current theoretical predictions of planet formation. To conclude, possibilities for future progress in the field will be discussed." Tickets are $15.00 for non-museum members, $12.00 for members and seniors. As usual, if you'll let us know you're going, well keep an eye out for you - just reply to this email to RSVP. For tickets: https://www.calacademy.org/events/benjamin-dean-astronomy-lectures/baby-planets-and-their-nurseries
Sunday, January 12th at 6:30 pm -- SF in SF (at the American Bookbinders Museum, 355 Clementina St. San Francisco) with authors Cecelia Holland and Kim Stanley Robinson - (Suggested donation $10, no one turned away for lack of funds.) Doors 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! The authors will read a selection from their work, followed by Q&A from the audience moderated by author Terry Bisson. The authors will schmooze & sign books after. Books available for sale courtesy of Borderlands Books. Seating is limited, so first come, first seated. Bar proceeds benefit the American Bookbinders Museum. Questions? Email sfinsfevents@gmail.com.
Saturday, February 8th at 3:00 pm -- Juliet Wade, MAZES OF POWER - We're delighted to welcome local author Juliette Wade, showing off her debut novel MAZES OF POWER! From the book description: "The cavern city of Pelismara has stood for a thousand years. The Great Families of the nobility cling to the myths of their golden age while the city's technology wanes. When a fever strikes, and the Eminence dies, seventeen-year-old Tagaret is pushed to represent his Family in the competition for Heir to the Throne. To win would give him the power to rescue his mother from his abusive father, and marry the girl he loves. But the struggle for power distorts everything in this highly stratified society, and the fever is still loose among the inbred, susceptible nobles. Tagaret's sociopathic younger brother, Nekantor, is obsessed with their family's success. Nekantor is willing to exploit Tagaret, his mother, and her new servant Aloran to defeat their opponents. Can he be stopped? Should he be stopped? And will they recognize themselves after the struggle has changed them?" Join us to meet this up-and-coming author who is soon to be a superstar! Juliette will be in conversation with author Deborah J. Ross.
Saturday, February 8th at 7:30 pm -- Writers With Drinks (at The Make Out Room, 3225 22nd Street, San Francisco) with authors Tracy Clark Flory, Barbara Tomash, Juliette Wade, and Charles Yu - Writers With Drinks is the most awesome spoken-word variety show in the world, hosted by the incredible Charlie Jane Anders, and we're always happy to participate! The amazing lineup this month includes Tracy Clark Flory, Barbara Tomash, Juliette Wade, and Charles Yu! Cost: $5 to $20, no-one turned away for lack of funds. All proceeds benefit local non-profits. Doors open at 7:00 and Borderlands will be on hand to sell books. http://www.writerswithdrinks.com/
Tuesday, February 11th at 6:00 pm -- Sarah Gailey, UPRIGHT WOMEN WANTED - We couldn't be more excited to welcome Sarah Gailey, who will be showing off their brand-new novella UPRIGHT WOMEN WANTED! Jude can't stop raving about this book and we're convinced you'll love it, too. Here's the description from the publisher: "Esther is a stowaway. She's hidden herself away in the Librarian's book wagon in an attempt to escape the marriage her father has arranged for her -- a marriage to the man who was previously engaged to her best friend. Her best friend who she was in love with. Her best friend who was just executed for possession of resistance propaganda. The future American Southwest is full of bandits, fascists, and queer librarian spies on horseback trying to do the right thing." Join us to meet Sarah and hear all about your next favorite book!
Saturday, February 22nd at 5:00 pm -- Katharine Kerr, SWORD OF FIRE - We're always happy to welcome the beloved Katharine Kerr to Borderlands! She's back with the first a new trilogy that will re-introduce readers to Deverry! From the book description: "The bards are the people’s voice -- and their sword. All over the kingdom of Deverry, the common people are demanding reform of the corrupt law courts. In Aberwyn, the situation catches fire when Gwerbret Ladoic, second in authority only to the High King, allows a bard to starve to death rather than hear their grievances. Guildwoman Alyssa, a student at the local scholars' collegium, and Lady Dovina, the gwerbret's own daughter, know that evidence exists to overthrow the so-called traditional legal system, if they can only get it into the right hands. The powerful lords will kill anyone who threatens their privileges. To retrieve the proof, Alyssa must make a dangerous journey that will either change her life forever -- or end it." Don't miss this near-legendary author who is at the height of her creative powers right now!
Saturday, February 22 at 7:00 pm -- Sponsor Social at Borderlands Books. [Sponsors and Guests only] Join us for food, drink, and merriment as we talk about books, buy books, and maybe even win some free books in the raffle! This is our first sponsor social of the year, and we hope you'll come by to meet fellow sponsors and toast the absolutely incredible fact that YOU made it possible for the store to survive. Bring your favorite treat or drink to share, be super-social, or simply find a book and a quiet corner to commune -- we're just delighted to have you.
Saturday, February 29th at 6:00 pm -- Seanan McGuire, COME TUMBLING DOWN and IMAGINARY NUMBERS - Details to come!
Friday, March 6-8 -- FOGcon in Walnut Creek. Once again we will be setting up shop at the Walnut Creek Marriott for the 10th (!) FOGcon. This year's featured guests include Mary Anne Mohanraj and Nisi Shawl. Find more details and register here: https://fogcon.org/
Tuesday, March 31 at 7:00 pm — Sponsor General Meeting [Sponsors 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.
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