Play That Filky Music White Boy!
Most denizens of the Science Fiction Convention
circuit are acquainted with "Filking" although, in the interest of
fairness, it should be pointed out that the majority do not participate
and more than a few flee in horror. If you are unfamiliar with the term,
much less it's actual practice, start with this introductory article in
the Wikipedia.
While I don't filk as much as I used to, I do have
the distinction of having my filking reviewed in
Fantasy & Science Fiction Magazine.
I don't know that it's a "first," but it's enough of a rarity that I
feel very honored. Particularly since the reviewer was
Algis Budrys!
Review from Fantasy & Science Fiction, August
1992
*Filk Review Update*
I've been reviewed again! This time at Mr. Gadget's
Blog site. While attending his first Science Fiction Convention (ConQuest
38 over Memorial Day weekend 2007), Mr. Gadget blogs about his
experiences, including encountering my novel Habeas Corpses in the
dealers' room and attending my solo filk concert on the final afternoon
of the Con. It's a lengthy audio file/podcast and you can find
most of my references about two-thirds of the way in, if you're the
impatient type. Here's the link:
MrGadgets Almanac of Techie Wizardry & Travel Compendium.
Another podcast covering my writing and filking took
place at FenCon IV later that year with Chris Merle for his Cubicle 17
Blog. It was recorded in his room with a microphone and a laptop
and I was fighting a cold and intense sleep deprivation at the time so I
was inclined to babble. Here's the link:
http://www.escapefromcubicle17.com/2008/03/10/efc17-006-wm-mark-simmons/.
Simmons: