Welcome to the very first issue of the West Coast Speculative Fiction Association (WCSFA) Newsletter! We’re thrilled to launch this new way to connect with our community, celebrate speculative fiction in all its forms, and keep you informed about the latest in fandom. Each issue will bring you exciting updates on WCSFA events, highlights from similar organizations, and a mix of reviews, stories, and articles from our members. Whether you’re into sci-fi, fantasy, horror, or anything in between, we hope this newsletter becomes your go-to source for all things speculative fiction in BC and beyond. Stay tuned, and let’s build something amazing together!
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Upcoming WCSFA Events
WCSFA In-Person Meetup
April 26
Our monthly meetups, held on the 4th Saturday of the month starting at 1 pm, are an opportunity for members of our community to meet up outside of the various events we host. This April, we’re headed back to a tried and true location – the Sapperton District Taphouse on E. Columbia in New Westminster, BC – for good beers, great people, making connections and playing board games. Come out and have some fun!
Minors are welcome to join us – the establishment is open to minors until 8 pm.
Fandom Bazaar
May 31
Fandom Bazaar is a 1-day flea-market-style event at the Sapperton Community Hall in New Westminster, BC, where you will find people selling items from their collections, well-cared-for used items, crafted goods, and other treasures, typically connected to genre fandom. Anything from anime and comics to sports cards and jewellery is fair game. Only $5 to get in, and WCSFA members get in FREE!
Fandom Bazaar is also an important fundraiser for our organization, a big part of our rebuilding effort towards bringing back VCON, our flagship event and Canada’s oldest and longest-running fan-run convention!
Get Involved With WCSFA!
Volunteer Opportunities
We are always looking for dedicated volunteers to help with our programs and events. Whether you have a few hours to spare or want to commit to a regular schedule, we have a place for you.
Become A Member
Want to join the society as a member? Our annual membership fee is only $5. In addition to supporting our ongoing programs, membership has its perks, including $5 off tickets at all WCSFA Events, accessing “member-only” areas of our Discord server, voting in society elections and running to set on the Executive Board..
Join A Committee
Is there a particular project you’d like to help out with? Creating new conventions? Reviewing and revising our society’s structure? Maybe even putting out this newsletter? Check out what committees are spinning up this year and fill out the form at the link below if you’d like to help out.
Coming Up in April
Spring, Writers, Makers, and Gaming!
The weather has suddenly turned so much sunnier (we hope!) and we all want to take advantage of it as much as possible. While we have quite a few inside activities for you, we found quite a few outdoor events as well, and we hope to see you there!
Vancouver Comic and Toy Show
April 5 & 6
If comics are your thing, head to the Vancouver Comic and Toy Show. Geek out with fellow fans, win door prizes and chat with cool guests.
Sakura Days Japan Fair
April 12 & 13
Admire the colours of spring for the Sakura Days Japan Fair. Sakura Days Japan Fair takes place in the spectacular VanDusen Botanical Garden (5251 Oak Street) and celebrates all things Japan – from Japanese food, drink and performances, to music and art. Participate in a traditional tea ceremony, try Japanese festival food, sample premium sake, learn new Japanese games, and enjoy a range of cultural performances.
“Vampire Hunter D”
40th Anniversary Screening
April 12
Anime Expo Cinema Nights presents a special 40th Anniversary screening of the cult-classic VAMPIRE HUNTER D. In the year 12,090 AD, technology and the supernatural have overtaken the world, leaving the land desolate and despotic. The remnants of humanity are scattered into small communities and live in fear of vampires who compose the ruling Nobility. When Count Magnus Lee tastes the blood of Doris Lang, she is forcibly chosen to be his next wife. In an effort to escape her ill-gotten fate, she hires a mysterious vampire hunter known only as D, who comes from a peculiar lineage.
Trumpeter Salute
April 11 – 13
The Trumpeter Salute Tabletop Games Convention features Historical, Science Fiction & Fantasy Miniatures Gaming, Board Games, RPGs, Hobby Vendors, Bring-&-Buy tables, and numerous Prize Draws throughout the event. It is Canada’s largest and oldest annual miniatures gaming convention & the second-largest in the Pacific Northwest.
Sakura-Con
April 18 – 20
Come on out for Sakura-Con, where all of the excellent programming you’ve come to expect will be back in abundance. Gaming, cosplay, cultural panels, dances, concerts, art contests, AMV’s, industry guests, over 100,000 square feet of exhibit hall, guests of honor, and more!
Dine and Dice @ Reverie Kitchen
April 19
Come to the monthly Dine and Dice @ Reverie Kitchen (formerly “La Fontana Cafe”) for an evening of fun games, tasty food and awesome people.
North Shore Writers Festival
April 24 – 26
Nestled between the towering, white-capped North Shore mountains and the deep blue waters of the Burrard Inlet, the North Shore Writers Festival brings Canadian authors and readers together to celebrate Canadian literature.
Harumatsuri
April 26
Harumatsuri is an annual 1-Day Japanese event held in the spring, hosted by the same people who put on Anime Evolution. Harumatsuri is made of the words for spring (haru, 春) and festival (matsuri, 祭り) and is held with a special focus on Japanese arts and culture.
Party for the Planet
April 26
B.C’s largest Earth Day event is back! With Performances, A Sustainable Marketplace, and a Plant Sale, come to Party for the Planet in Surrey Civic Plaza.
Witch’s Flea Market
April 26
Welcome to the Witch’s Flea Market! We are excited to offer this magical event at our new location in Port Moody! At the Witch’s Flea Market, find unique second-hand treasures and local artisans who will have some of their handmade creations- all witchy or metaphysical in nature, of course!
WCSFA Recommends
It’s Storytime with Wil Wheaton
A new speculative fiction podcast, “Storytime with Wil Wheaton”, dropped its first episode on Wednesday, March 26. In each episode, Wil, who (in addition to being a very geeky actor) is an established audiobook narrator, shares a speculative fiction short story with you by reading it aloud. In the first episode, he read “Rock, Paper, Scissors, Love, Death”, by Caroline M. Yoachim – a wonderful time-travel & love story. New episodes drop every Wednesday and are available in most places where podcasts are distributed (the link we’ve provided is to Spotify).
In addition, sometime in their first season, we can expect to hear him read a story from at least one Canadian author. Wil explicitly mentions On Spec – The Canadian magazine of the fantastic as one of the sources he has pulled stories from.
Well, that’s all for today! We hope you enjoyed learning about our upcoming events and all the geeky/nerdy events coming up over the next month.
Until next time!
– WCSFA Social Media Team
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