Bruce Pelz
Encyclopedia
Bruce Edward Pelz was a US
science fiction
fan
. He was highly active in the Los Angeles Science Fantasy Society
(LASFS) and a major SMOF
, co-chairing the 30th World Science Fiction Convention
. He also wrote filksongs and was a master costumer.
) and encountered science fiction fandom
for the first time.
In 1959 he moved to Los Angeles
to study library science at the University of Southern California
, and joined LASFS.
Pelz came into fandom
before the hobby had speciated, when fans commonly participated in many areas of the hobby. Pelz published general interest fanzines ("genzines") and newszines, assisting Ron Ellik with Starspinkle (1962–1964), then starting his own Ratatosk (1964–1968).
Pelz also became an omniapan, joining all fannish amateur press association
s then in existence — FAPA
, SAPS, OMPA, and The Cult, and later two local APAs: APA-F (published weekly at the alternating meetings of the Fanoclasts and FIStFA in New York City
and APA-L (published weekly at LASFS and still ongoing). Even when a special "fractional" issue of APA-L was produced at a LASFS social event (a "Fanquet") without telling him, Pelz arrived with a fanzine to contribute, keeping his unbroken string. The only person with a longer unbroken string of contributions is Fred Patten
, who has never missed an issue since APA-L was founded in 1964, even when in the hospital with pneumonia and later with a stroke.
Pelz spent a lifetime assembling one of the greatest privately-held fanzine collections, which now is part of the J. Lloyd Eaton Collection at the University of California, Riverside
.
in the 1960s and early 1970s. He wrote several classic filksongs, including musical settings for 3 poems from Silverlock
by John Myers Myers
, and published The Filksong Manual, originally in four slim volumes, later re-issued as a single volume with added material.
In later life, Pelz was best known for his activities in organizing science fiction conventions, sometimes referred to as SMOF
Fing. He was heavily involved with nearly every convention held in Los Angeles
from the mid-60s until his death. Pelz was instrumental in convincing the LASFS to start holding an annual convention, Loscon, and he chaired Loscon X (1983). He co-chaired the 30th World Science Fiction Convention
in 1972, with Chuck Crayne. He co-chaired the 1969 Westercon
, and served as chair of the 1976 and the 2002 Westercon
(his wife Elayne Pelz, also an experienced conrunner, assumed leadership upon his death and the con was held successfully).
He was Fan Guest of Honor of the 38th World Science Fiction Convention
in Boston
in 1980. Pelz also lent his time and expertise to conventions held in other cities, even outside of North America
. His leadership was instrumental in rescuing the ill-fated 1966 Westercon
, Westercon XIX, in San Diego. For many years he drove a car with the license plate "SMOF 2".
Pelz also found time for other projects, including the Fantasy Showcase Tarot. He arranged for 78 artists to paint one Tarot
card each, and arranged for the deck to be published. It is still available for sale. The project grew to include four non-standard cards, and several of the original artists had to be replaced because the promised paintings were never delivered, so the list of artists eventually grew to nearly 100.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
science fiction
Science fiction
Science fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with imaginary but more or less plausible content such as future settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, aliens, and paranormal abilities...
fan
Science fiction fandom
Science fiction fandom or SF fandom is a community or "fandom" of people actively interested in science fiction and fantasy and in contact with one another based upon that interest...
. He was highly active in the Los Angeles Science Fantasy Society
Los Angeles Science Fantasy Society
The Los Angeles Science Fantasy Society, Inc., or LASFS is a science fiction society with its headquarters in Van Nuys, a neighborhood in Los Angeles, California. Van Nuys is located in the San Fernado Valley, north of Los Angeles...
(LASFS) and a major SMOF
SMOF
SMOF is an acronym which stands for "Secret Master Of Fandom" and is a term used within the science fiction fan community. Its coining is generally attributed to science fiction author Jack L...
, co-chairing the 30th World Science Fiction Convention
30th World Science Fiction Convention
The 30th World Science Fiction Convention was L.A.con I, which was held in Anaheim, California, US from September 1 to September 4, 1972. The venue for 30th Worldcon was the International Hotel. The organising committee was co-chaired by Charles Crayne and Bruce Pelz.The convention had 2,007...
. He also wrote filksongs and was a master costumer.
Early life
Pelz spent most of his childhood in New York State. He went to college in Florida, where he developed an interest in spelunking (initially as an attempt to conquer claustrophobiaClaustrophobia
Claustrophobia is the fear of having no escape and being closed in small spaces or rooms...
) and encountered science fiction fandom
Science fiction fandom
Science fiction fandom or SF fandom is a community or "fandom" of people actively interested in science fiction and fantasy and in contact with one another based upon that interest...
for the first time.
In 1959 he moved to Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
to study library science at the University of Southern California
University of Southern California
The University of Southern California is a private, not-for-profit, nonsectarian, research university located in Los Angeles, California, United States. USC was founded in 1880, making it California's oldest private research university...
, and joined LASFS.
Fan career
Pelz served at least two terms as LASFS President ("Director", or later "Procedural Director") and was Treasurer for nearly a decade, shepherding the club to ownership of its own building, an idea originally proposed by Paul Turner. Even after he retired from that position, he remained active on the corporate Board of Directors, serving as Chairman and later as corporate treasurer ("Comptroller"). He was a respected elder statesman of the club until his death in 2002.Pelz came into fandom
Science fiction fandom
Science fiction fandom or SF fandom is a community or "fandom" of people actively interested in science fiction and fantasy and in contact with one another based upon that interest...
before the hobby had speciated, when fans commonly participated in many areas of the hobby. Pelz published general interest fanzines ("genzines") and newszines, assisting Ron Ellik with Starspinkle (1962–1964), then starting his own Ratatosk (1964–1968).
Pelz also became an omniapan, joining all fannish amateur press association
Amateur press association
An amateur press association is a group of people who produce individual pages or magazines that are sent to a Central Mailer for collation and distribution to all members of the group.-Organisation:...
s then in existence — FAPA
Fantasy Amateur Press Association
The Fantasy Amateur Press Association or FAPA is science fiction fandom's longest-established amateur press association . It was founded in 1937 by Donald A. Wollheim and John Michel. They were inspired to create FAPA by their memberships in some of the non-science fiction amateur press...
, SAPS, OMPA, and The Cult, and later two local APAs: APA-F (published weekly at the alternating meetings of the Fanoclasts and FIStFA in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
and APA-L (published weekly at LASFS and still ongoing). Even when a special "fractional" issue of APA-L was produced at a LASFS social event (a "Fanquet") without telling him, Pelz arrived with a fanzine to contribute, keeping his unbroken string. The only person with a longer unbroken string of contributions is Fred Patten
Fred Patten
Frederick Walter Patten is known for his work as a historian in the science fiction, anime, manga, and furry fandoms, where he has gained great distinction through a substantial contribution to both print and online books, magazines, and other media....
, who has never missed an issue since APA-L was founded in 1964, even when in the hospital with pneumonia and later with a stroke.
Pelz spent a lifetime assembling one of the greatest privately-held fanzine collections, which now is part of the J. Lloyd Eaton Collection at the University of California, Riverside
University of California, Riverside
The University of California, Riverside, commonly known as UCR or UC Riverside, is a public research university and one of the ten general campuses of the University of California system. UCR is consistently ranked as one of the most ethnically and economically diverse universities in the United...
.
Costume
Pelz also took part in costume competitions and won several prizes at World and regional conventions, including- Heavy Trooper (from The Dragon Masters by Jack VanceJack VanceJohn Holbrook Vance is an American mystery, fantasy and science fiction author. Most of his work has been published under the name Jack Vance. Vance has published 11 mysteries as John Holbrook Vance and 3 as Ellery Queen...
), WesterconWesterconWestercon is a regional science fiction and fantasy convention founded in September 1948 by Walter J. "Doc" Dougherty of the Los Angeles Science Fantasy Society...
, 1963 and again at WorldconWorldconWorldcon, or more formally The World Science Fiction Convention, is a science fiction convention held each year since 1939 . It is the annual convention of the World Science Fiction Society...
, 1968 - Fafhrd (with Ted Johnstone as the Gray Mouser and Dian as Ningauble of the Seven EyesNingauble of the Seven EyesNingauble of the Seven Eyes is one of two wizards in Fritz Leiber's Lankhmar tales of Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser. The patron warlock of Fafhrd the northerner, Ningauble is so named due to his roving seven glowing eyes...
, from Fritz LeiberFritz LeiberFritz Reuter Leiber, Jr. was an American writer of fantasy, horror and science fiction. He was also a poet, actor in theatre and films, playwright, expert chess player and a champion fencer. Possibly his greatest chess accomplishment was winning clear first in the 1958 Santa Monica Open.. With...
's Fafhrd and the Gray MouserFafhrd and the Gray MouserFafhrd and the Gray Mouser are two seminal sword-and-sorcery heroes appearing in stories written by Fritz Leiber . They are the protagonists of what are probably Leiber's best-known stories....
stories), WorldconWorldconWorldcon, or more formally The World Science Fiction Convention, is a science fiction convention held each year since 1939 . It is the annual convention of the World Science Fiction Society...
, 1963 - Gorice of Carce (from The Worm OuroborosThe Worm OuroborosThe Worm Ouroboros is a heroic high fantasy novel by Eric Rücker Eddison, first published in 1922. The book describes the protracted war between the domineering King Gorice of Witchland and the Lords of Demonland in an imaginary world that appears mainly medieval and partly reminiscent of Norse sagas...
, with his first wife Dian as Lady Sriva), WesterconWesterconWestercon is a regional science fiction and fantasy convention founded in September 1948 by Walter J. "Doc" Dougherty of the Los Angeles Science Fantasy Society...
1965 and again at WorldconWorldconWorldcon, or more formally The World Science Fiction Convention, is a science fiction convention held each year since 1939 . It is the annual convention of the World Science Fiction Society...
, 1970. - The Fat Fury (from Herbie PopneckerHerbie PopneckerHerbie Popnecker is a fictional character, who first appeared in Forbidden Worlds #73 in December 1958, published by American Comics Group. He was created by Richard E. Hughes "Shane O'Shea") and Ogden Whitney...
comics, with Dian as Ticklepuss), WesterconWesterconWestercon is a regional science fiction and fantasy convention founded in September 1948 by Walter J. "Doc" Dougherty of the Los Angeles Science Fantasy Society...
, 1966 - Chun the Unavoidable (from The Dying EarthThe Dying EarthThe Dying Earth is a 1950 collection of fantasy short stories by author Jack Vance. It is the first book in the Dying Earth series. It was nominated for the Retro Hugo in 2001.-Stories:*Turjan of Miir*Mazirian the Magician*T'sais...
by Jack VanceJack VanceJohn Holbrook Vance is an American mystery, fantasy and science fiction author. Most of his work has been published under the name Jack Vance. Vance has published 11 mysteries as John Holbrook Vance and 3 as Ellery Queen...
), WorldconWorldconWorldcon, or more formally The World Science Fiction Convention, is a science fiction convention held each year since 1939 . It is the annual convention of the World Science Fiction Society...
, 1966 - Barquentine (from Titus Groan), Westercon, 1967
- Countess Gertrude (from Titus Groan by Mervyn PeakeMervyn PeakeMervyn Laurence Peake was an English writer, artist, poet and illustrator. He is best known for what are usually referred to as the Gormenghast books. They are sometimes compared to the work of his older contemporary J. R. R...
), WorldconWorldconWorldcon, or more formally The World Science Fiction Convention, is a science fiction convention held each year since 1939 . It is the annual convention of the World Science Fiction Society...
, 1968 - Nick van Rijn (from Poul AndersonPoul AndersonPoul William Anderson was an American science fiction author who began his career during one of the Golden Ages of the genre and continued to write and remain popular into the 21st century. Anderson also authored several works of fantasy, historical novels, and a prodigious number of short stories...
's Polesotechnic League stories), WesterconWesterconWestercon is a regional science fiction and fantasy convention founded in September 1948 by Walter J. "Doc" Dougherty of the Los Angeles Science Fantasy Society...
, 1978
Other
Pelz was also active in filk musicFilk music
Filk is a musical culture, genre, and community tied to science fiction/fantasy fandom and a type of fan labor. The genre has been active since the early 1950s, and played primarily since the mid-1970s. The term predates 1955.-Definitions:As the Interfilk What Is Filk page demonstrates, there is...
in the 1960s and early 1970s. He wrote several classic filksongs, including musical settings for 3 poems from Silverlock
Silverlock
Silverlock is a novel by John Myers Myers published in 1949. The novel's settings and characters, aside from the protagonist, are all drawn from history, mythology, and other works of literature....
by John Myers Myers
John Myers Myers
John Myers Myers was an American writer, best known for his literary fantasy novel Silverlock.-Life:Myers was born in Northport, Long Island on January 11, 1906 to John Caldwell Myers and Alice MacCorry Myers and grew up in various places in New York, including New Paltz and NYC. He knew from the...
, and published The Filksong Manual, originally in four slim volumes, later re-issued as a single volume with added material.
In later life, Pelz was best known for his activities in organizing science fiction conventions, sometimes referred to as SMOF
SMOF
SMOF is an acronym which stands for "Secret Master Of Fandom" and is a term used within the science fiction fan community. Its coining is generally attributed to science fiction author Jack L...
Fing. He was heavily involved with nearly every convention held in Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
from the mid-60s until his death. Pelz was instrumental in convincing the LASFS to start holding an annual convention, Loscon, and he chaired Loscon X (1983). He co-chaired the 30th World Science Fiction Convention
30th World Science Fiction Convention
The 30th World Science Fiction Convention was L.A.con I, which was held in Anaheim, California, US from September 1 to September 4, 1972. The venue for 30th Worldcon was the International Hotel. The organising committee was co-chaired by Charles Crayne and Bruce Pelz.The convention had 2,007...
in 1972, with Chuck Crayne. He co-chaired the 1969 Westercon
Westercon
Westercon is a regional science fiction and fantasy convention founded in September 1948 by Walter J. "Doc" Dougherty of the Los Angeles Science Fantasy Society...
, and served as chair of the 1976 and the 2002 Westercon
Westercon
Westercon is a regional science fiction and fantasy convention founded in September 1948 by Walter J. "Doc" Dougherty of the Los Angeles Science Fantasy Society...
(his wife Elayne Pelz, also an experienced conrunner, assumed leadership upon his death and the con was held successfully).
He was Fan Guest of Honor of the 38th World Science Fiction Convention
38th World Science Fiction Convention
The 38th World Science Fiction Convention , also known as Noreascon Two, was held 29 August – 1 September 1980 at the Sheraton-Boston Hotel and Hynes Civic Auditorium in Boston, Massachusetts, USA.The chairman was Leslie Turek....
in Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
in 1980. Pelz also lent his time and expertise to conventions held in other cities, even outside of North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
. His leadership was instrumental in rescuing the ill-fated 1966 Westercon
Westercon
Westercon is a regional science fiction and fantasy convention founded in September 1948 by Walter J. "Doc" Dougherty of the Los Angeles Science Fantasy Society...
, Westercon XIX, in San Diego. For many years he drove a car with the license plate "SMOF 2".
Pelz also found time for other projects, including the Fantasy Showcase Tarot. He arranged for 78 artists to paint one Tarot
Tarot
The tarot |trionfi]] and later as tarocchi, tarock, and others) is a pack of cards , used from the mid-15th century in various parts of Europe to play a group of card games such as Italian tarocchini and French tarot...
card each, and arranged for the deck to be published. It is still available for sale. The project grew to include four non-standard cards, and several of the original artists had to be replaced because the promised paintings were never delivered, so the list of artists eventually grew to nearly 100.