Frequently Asked Questions
Question: What is SuperNOVA about?
SuperNOVA is about writing. Importantly, it is about writing speculative fiction (SF): science fiction, fantasy, horror, magic realism, new weird . . . and so on. Although members do occasionally stray into other genres, the heart of SuperNOVA is anchored in the realm of 'other'. Founded in 1999, SuperNOVA is probably the most active SF writing group in Melbourne-and one of the most active in Australia. We have around 20 members who meet regularly (although usually not all at once) to talk about SF writing-such as aspects of structure, expression, inspiration, publishing markets and conventions. Whereas the atmosphere is informal, SuperNOVA's intent is serious, with most members striving to make writing their day-time job (as opposed to part-time addiction). If nothing else, SuperNOVA provides a social forum for SF writers, freeing us periodically from the otherwise solitary struggle of storytelling.
Question: How often do you meet?
SuperNOVA meets monthly, usually at someone's house. The location changes each month, and ranges from Altona in Melbourne's west, to Preston in the north and Ringwood in the east. Generally we meet on the first Sunday of the month at 2pm (until about 6pm).
Question: What do you do at meetings?
The main aim of the meetings is to workshop/critique short stories written by members. Stories are e-mailed out (and posted on the website) around a week before the meeting to give everyone time to read them beforehand and think about comments. The idea is for members to arrive at each meeting with marked-up manuscripts. Comments are delivered by one person at a time, with author's right of reply at the end. The group will workshop typically two to four stories per meeting.
Question: What about those rumours of drunken feasting?
Feasting is the secondary aim of each meeting, although it can give workshopping a run for its money. Members bring food and drink contributions to each meeting. Those with stories under review are particularly diligent at the drinking part.
Question: Haven't I seen you hanging round at Cons?
The SF community holds a number of conventions around Australia each year, and in recent years SuperNOVArians have shown great predilection for attendance at these-particularly the NatCon (Australian national convention) and any conventions in Melbourne. They are a great opportunity to socialise and network with other writers and industry professionals.
Question: Are any of you actually published?
Most SuperNOVA members have had stories published in a range of prominent Australian and international SF journals, plus other media (e-zines, multi-media art etc). Selling short stories remains a primary goal of many in the group; however, quite a few focus instead on longer works (novels).
Question: Can I join?
SuperNOVA is not seeking new members at the moment. However, we are talking to those who have been referred to us by others in the industry. We request that new members attend a meeting prior to submitting any work for critique.
Question: What is New Weird?
The New Weird is a slippery subgenre of fantastic fiction that might be best defined as an attempt to dissolve the boundaries between genres. In The Third Alternative forum is the following comment (by Al on Saturday, June 07, 2003 - 10:03 am): 'I'd see The New Weird... as a resistance - making its point that the value of literature lies not in its ability to service specific niche marketplaces, or to provide a specific secure reading experience on tap... but rather in its ability to confound and challenge expectations, surprise readers, and introduce something shockingly, rawly new into your life.' As literary sf, it has a lot of precedents, most prominently the 1960s writing of Moorcock, Ballard and others, featured in Interzone. But as Keith Stephenson points out in his editorial to Aurealis Magazine issue 33, 'It's called The New Weird right now, but it's always been around in some form or another and, thank God, it always will be.'There are two species of New Weird writer. The first, typified by China Mieville, is characterised by the dark palette of their writing -- the colours and textures of decay -- rust and crumbling brick, corrupt beauty, buildings made of bones etc (see New Crobuzon, China Mieville's fictional city featured in Perdido Street Station and Iron Council). These are writers who never got over the experience of reading Mervyn Peake's Groan books when they were younger. The second species, typified by Rudy Rucker, is lighter, airier, their characters blonder and less tortured than those of, say, China Mieville's books. They owe less to the precedent of Gormenghast than to the gonzo journalism of Hunter S. Thompson.
Some other exponents of The New Weird are China Mieville, Justina Robson, M John Harrison and Steve Cockayne. But, as has been pointed out, it is a slippery genre, and any sf writer currently working in a literary style might be included in the list.