Love to read?
The MonSFFA SIG for avid readers is scheduled for January 17, 13:00h.
MonSFFen will be sent the URL to zoom by email. Visitors are welcome, contact <webmaster@monsffa.ca> to request the link.
Monthly Archives: January 2026
DO PLANETARY ALIGNMENTS AFFECT SOLAR ACTIVITY?
DO PLANETARY ALIGNMENTS AFFECT SOLAR ACTIVITY?
There’s a planetary alignment this week. Could it affect solar activity? One researcher says “yes,” and explains how on today’s edition of Spaceweather.com.
Above: Jupiter, Earth, Venus and Mars are arrayed in an approximate line this week, exerting their “spring tides” on the sun. Can these feeble tides affect solar activity?
JANUARY 2026 ISSUE OF IMPULSE NOW AVAILABLE!
The latest issue of Impulse (January 2026) can now be viewed or downloaded here! (This issue will shortly be distributed directly by e-mail to club members.)
This and past issues of the club’s news bulletin are also archived on this Website. Visit the “Impulse” page, or for this latest edition, just click here: Impulse January
CLUB’S FIRST EVENT OF 2026 SET FOR THIS SATURDAY, JANUARY 10!
MonSFFA’s first event of 2026 is the club’s January e-meeting, scheduled for this Saturday, January 10, just five days from now!
We’ll be comparing artificial intelligence as depicted in SF with the AI models currently in development in the real world! As well, we’ll feature a primer on perspective as a useful guide to producing striking works of sci-fi art, and we’ll remember fondly the classic SF&F toys of our collective childhood! Finally, we’ll also select our Executive Committee for the coming year.
Join our ZOOM-Chat this Saturday, January 10, from 1:00PM to 5:00PM for all this, and more…
Note that MonSFFA’s peak winter meetings are conducted exclusively online via ZOOM; February’s e-meeting is slated for Saturday, the 21st. We return to in-person meetings at our downtown conference room in March, as winter wanes.
Fanzine Roundup
Fanzine Roundup
From Matt Mitchell: De Profundis #616 – January 2026
I present to you the new issue, the first of 2026. Feel free to distribute this among your membership. Thank you.
Los Angeles Science Fantasy Society
From Nic Farey, who says: “Any fool can criticize, condemn and complain – and most fools do.” TH 94r contains important info regarding Corflu and the FAAn awards.
From Garth Spencer: Obdurate Eye 58
The first person you encounter on Mars says:
“Hello. We’ve been trying to contact you about your overdue account …”
“Hello. We’ve been trying to contact you about your overdue account …”
From Bill Burns:
Just when I thought I had safely closed out 2025, four new fanzines arrived dated December 31st. Then on New Year’s Day, the first issue of 2026 arrived.
All these are now at https://efanzines.com
- Opuntia #617, edited by Dale Speirs
- J.L. Farey’s JenZine #13
- Nic Farey’s This Here…#94
- Journey Planet #92 & 93, edited by James Bacon, Chris Garcia, et al
CLUB’S FIRST EVENT OF 2026 SET FOR SATURDAY, JANUARY 10!
MonSFFA’s first event of 2026 is the club’s January e-meeting, scheduled for Saturday, January 10, a little over a week from now!
We’ll be comparing artificial intelligence as depicted in SF with the AI models currently in development in the real world! We’ll also feature a primer on perspective as a useful guide to producing striking works of sci-fi art, and we’ll remember fondly the classic SF&F toys of our collective childhoods!
Join our ZOOM-Chat on Saturday, January 10, from 1:00PM to 5:00PM for all this, and more…
Note that MonSFFA’s winter meetings are conducted exclusively online via ZOOM; February’s e-meeting is slated for Saturday, the 21st. We return to in-person meetings at our downtown conference room in March.
Locus list of upcoming book releases
JANUARY 2025
- MONIQUILL BLACKGOOSE • To Ride a Rising Storm • Penguin Random House/Del Rey, Jan 2026 (tp, eb)
- JIM BUTCHER • Twelve Months • Orbit UK, Jan 2026 (hc, eb)
- JIM BUTCHER • Twelve Months • Ace, Jan 2026 (hc, eb)
- ROSHANI CHOKSHI • The Swan’s Daughter • St. Martin’s/Wednesday Books, Jan 2026 (v, hc, eb)
- NICOLE GLOVER • The Starseekers • Harper Voyager US, Jan 2026 (tp, eb)
- ISABEL IBAÑEZ • Graceless Heart • St. Martin’s/Saturday Books, Jan 2026 (hc, eb)
- DEAN KOONTZ • The Friend of the Family • Amazon/Thomas & Mercer, Jan 2026 (a, hc, eb)
- SEANAN MCGUIRE • Through Gates of Garnet and Gold • Tordotcom, Jan 2026 (na, hc, eb)
- K.J. PARKER • Sister Svangerd and the Not Quite Dead • Orbit US, Jan 2026 (tp, eb)
- K.J. PARKER • Sister Svangerd and the Not Quite Dead • Orbit UK, Jan 2026 (tp, eb)
- CHARLES STROSS • The Regicide Report • Tor, Jan 2026 (na, hc, eb)
