Jon Arfstrom is best know to our eclectic community as one of the artists for Weird Tales. But his career encompassed so much more than that.

Later this year the Anoka County Historical Society will be hosting a grand exhibit of many of Jon’s original paintings, as well as recreating the working corner of his studio.

On October 11th they will have a reception to kick off the exhibit, and it will be a great chance to see Jon Arfstrom’s work up close, and meet up with some of his many other enthusiasts.

On Wednesday, December 7 from 6:30-7:30 p.m., there will be a special Speculations memorial edition celebrating the life and work of JOHN CALVIN REZMERSKI (1942-2016).

Also known as Rez. Mr. Rezmerski was born in Pennsylvania, and again in Ohio, then again in Kansas, and at least three times more in Minnesota. He was a member of Lady Poetesses from Hell by virtue of the fact that he channeled Grace Lord Stoke (via email), from whom he learned a great deal. He published over 20 books, chapbooks, and anthologies, including _The Frederick Manfred Reader_, a screenplay, and three plays. He performed his work for schools, libraries, bookstores, science fiction conventions, clubs, professional organizations, senior centers, museums, festivals, fairs, coffee houses, bars, and on television, and on radio, including National Public Radio’s _Wha’d Ya Know?_, and collaborated with painters, sculptors, photographers, musicians, dancers, theatrical troupes, and scientists. Over 35 years, he taught creative writing, journalism, linguistics, science fiction, and storytelling at Gustavus Adolphus College. His poetry includes _22 from TOTU_ and _Breaking the Rules: Starting with Ghazals_. He had been planning to do a Speculations Reading this fall, consisting of a single long poem–the complete text of his recently published chapbook, “Cataloging the Flow: Elegy” published by Red Dragonfly Press.

For the December 7 memorial, people are invited to bring a favorite poem or poems by Rez to read, and/or an anecdote about him to share.

Batman Authors at DreamHaven Books Saturday, December 10th at 2:00pm

Bob Garcia and Joe Desris, authors of the new coffee-table book from Titan Books, Batman : A Celebration of The Classic TV Series, will be at DreamHaven Books (2301 E. 38th St. in Minneapolis) on Saturday, December 10th at 2:00pm. They will talk about and sign this detailed look at the still-popular television series which aired 50 years ago.

Oversized, hardcover, packed with high quality photos, 255 pages for $50.00.

Please join us for what’s sure to be a fun afternoon!

Our distributor says:

Batman: A Celebration of the Classic TV Series is the definitive book for all fans of the popular Sixties show. Presented in a lavish hardcover edition, the book features classic images, rare stills, photography and production art and serves as the ultimate tribute for fans of the series.
Now at long last, collectors and Bat-fans alike can indulge in a detailed and in-depth look at the show that inspired generations.

Titan Books adds:

KA-POW! This is the book Batman Fans have been waiting for! For the first time, the classic 1960s TV series, starring Adam West and Burt Ward as Batman and Robin, gets the lavish, in-depth coffee table book tribute it so richly deserves. From the Rogues Gallery of Villains, including the Penguin, the Joker and Catwoman, to the car every kid wanted – the Batmobile – it’s all here! Holy History Batman!

The book will provide an in-depth and highly visual overview of the show, and the cultural impact it had, defining the Dynamic Duo for a generation, and bringing Pop Art to Primetime.

From the creation of the show, through the production of its 120 episodes over 3 seasons, to its legacy and afterlife in continual syndication around the world, the book will relive favorite moments, uncover behind the scenes secrets, and celebrate the people both in front of and behind the camera who brought Batman to the screen.

Filled with classic images, and rare and previously unseen photos and production art from archives and the private collections of Adam West, among many others, this will be the definitive companion to the series, both for long-standing fans, and newcomers discovering the show’s charms for the first time.

BATMAN and all related characters and elements are trademarks of and (c) DC Comics.

DreamHaven plans to exhibit at the upcoming Fat Albert Toy Show on Sunday December 18th!

Greg has recently acquired a vast and diverse assemblage of antique and vintage toys – not just rockets and robots this time. While he’s put together some very nice displays here in the bookstore, this toy show provides the structure to bring everything out of the basement at one time. And perhaps attract the the attentions of people who aren’t familiar with the bookstore yet.

It’s a short window – the regular entry fee is $1.00, which gets you in between 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM. Or you could pop for the early access fee of $5.00 and get in at 8:00 AM, and scoop all those best deals for yourself.

So, bundle up for what looks to be one of our coldest days on record, and check out a Toy Show!

On Wednesday, January 18th 2017, Speculations will sponsor its third annual ROUND ROBIN READINGS.

Readers bring three selections from their poetry and/or prose, each about five minutes’ worth, and we’ll keep reading till 7:30 or until we run out of selections, whichever comes first.

Then we’ll go hang out at a bistro.

Speculations is a co-production of DreamHaven Books and SF MINNESOTA, a multicultural speculative fiction organization that also hosts a midsummer SF convention, DIVERSICON, the 25th edition of which will be held July 21-23, 2017, in the Twin Cities, with Guests of Honor ELEANOR ARNASON and  MELISSA SCOTT.

On Wednesday, February 22 at 6:30 MICHAEL MERRIAM reads from his work. Michael Merriam is an author, actor, poet, playwright, and professional storyteller. His debut novel, Last Car to Annwyn Station, was named a Top Book in 2011 by Readings in Lesbian & Bisexual Women’s Fiction and his novella, Should We Drown in Feathered Sleep, was long-listed for the Nebula Award. His scripts have been produced for stage and radio and he has appeared on stage in the Minnesota Fringe Festival, Tellebration!, StoryFest Minnesota and over the air on KFAI and Minnesota Public Radio. Michael is the co-organizer of the Minnesota Speculative Fiction Writers and a member of the Artists with Disabilities Alliance, the Steampunk Artists and Writers Guild, and Story Arts Minnesota. Visit his homepage at www.michaelmerriam.com .

On Wednesday, March 15 at 6:30 p.m. LOIS McMASTER BUJOLD reads from her fiction. Ms. Bujold was born in 1949, the daughter of an engineering professor at Ohio State University, from whom she picked up her early interest in science fiction. She now lives in Minneapolis, and has two grown children. She began writing with the aim of professional publication in 1982. She wrote three novels in three years; in October of 1985, all three sold to Baen Books, launching her career. Bujold went on to write many other books for Baen, mostly featuring her popular character Miles Naismith Vorkosigan, his family, friends, and enemies. Her fantasy from HarperCollins includes the award-winning Chalion series and the Sharing Knife series. Most recently she has been exploring self-e-publishing with the novella-length tales of the sorcerer Penric in the World of the Five Gods. Ten times nominated for the Hugo Award for Best Novel, she has won in that category four times, in addition to garnering another Hugo for best novella, three Nebula Awards, three Locus Awards, the Mythopoeic Award, two Sapphire Awards, the Minnesota Book Award, the Forry Award and the Skylark Award. In 2007, she was given the Ohioanan Career Award, and in 2008 was Writer Guest of Honor for the 66th World Science Fiction Convention. A complete list may be found here: http://www.sfadb.com/Lois_McMaster_Bujold  Her works have been translated into over 20 languages. More information on Bujold and her books is archived at www.dendarii.com and her blog at                https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16094.Lois_McMaster_Bujold/bkog

On Wednesday, April 19, at 6:30 p.m., CATHERINE LUNDOFF reads from her fiction. Catherine Lundoff is an award-winning author and editor (and newbie publisher) from Minneapolis, where she lives with her wife and fabulous cats. She toils in IT by day and writes all the things by night. Her recent stories have appeared in “Callisto: A Queer Fiction Journal,” “Respectable Horror,” “The Cainite Conspiracies: A Vampire the Masquerade V20 Anthology,” “The Mammoth Book of Jack the Ripper Tales” and “The Mammoth Book of the Adventures of Professor Moriarty.” Her short story collection “Out of This World: Queer Speculative Fiction Stories,” is now available from Queen of Swords Press and she teaches writing classses at the Loft Literary Center.
www.catherinelundoff.com

Speculations is a co-production of DreamHaven Books and SF MINNESOTA, a multicultural organization that also sponsors a midsummer speculative fiction convention, DIVERSICON, the 25th edition of which will be held July 21-23, 2017 at the Best Western Plus–Bandana Square, St Paul, with Guests of Honor ELEANOR ARNASON and MELISSA SCOTT.

Our latest in the SPECULATIONS reading series —

In a departure from the usual speculative readings, Dr. Lisa C. Freitag will read from her
upcoming book on caregiving called “Extreme Caregiving : The Moral Work of Raising Children with
Exceptional Needs”.  Dr. Freitag is a retired pediatrician with a Masters Degree in Bio-Ethics,
and is a long time member of the local SF fan community. After reading from her book she will also
answer questions about the current politics of caregiving.

On Wednesday, June 14 at 6:30 p.m. TYLER TORK reads from his fiction. Tyler is a local, not yet famous writer and a frequent panelist at local science fiction conventions. His works include the steampunkish novel Doctor Dead, and the non-fictional “One-Hour Author Website.” Having decided he’s ready to sell out, he’s currently at work on a lesbian candy shop cozy.  Tyler grew up in Louisiana, among other places. Little known fact: Donald Duck comics were banned from Finland because he doesn’t wear pants. Tyler is seeking representation, and has a Master’s degree — in Science!