Letter From the President

It’s been a fascinating — and sometimes pretty darned bumpy — ride for me on the Broad Universe starship. I attended the birth of this organization at WisCon in 1999 at the panel World Domination 101 that Amy Hansen, Suzy McKee Charnas, Alyx Dellamonica and others put together to question why we women writers of genre fiction weren’t getting the perks, the applause, the REVIEWS, and the PUBLICATIONS the boys get, when clearly, we deserved them. The answer from the stage and the audience was loud and immediate: Do Something. Start a Club! Broad Universe was the result. If memory serves, the name came from a shout out from the audience, and I think I’m the one who rather gleefully followed up with “And we could call ourselves Broads!” I remember that only because it was my first WisCon, and I was amazed that I had the spunk to stand up and say something from the floor. BU wasn’t even formed and it gave me encouragement!

The first Rapid Fire Readings were in party rooms at WisCon, and once, because we didn’t have a party room, in a corner of the Dealers’ Room. That may have been the first one. I wasn’t at the reading, so I can’t vouch for the year. We’ve grown up since then, as the commitment grew and the membership grew. The first book tables were at WisCon as well. I don’t know whose idea that was, but it came from the Motherboard back then. Now that we’re a non-profit, the rules around the tables have to change, but we will still be making them available.

I’d take up all my time to thank everyone I need to thank for helping Broad Universe steer the course from a club to a non-profit organization with a rosy and very ambitious future while I’ve been on the boards, and I won’t even try, except to thank Grace O’Malley for mentoring me when I first took over as prez, and Kathy Sullivan and JJ Pionke for keeping the website going smoothly when it sometimes seemed as if we’d crashed into a black hole. Check the members list here and you’ll find stars beside the names of the founders.

I am ridiculously happy with our current Motherboard— with its energy and innovative ideas, and decided now was the time to step down. We’re in very good hands, everyone. I’m not going very far, just laterally to the Advisory Board again, for now. Remember, we’re an all volunteer organization, and that means — if you want BU to hold the course we’re on (or take a jog to visit something new) — get involved, volunteer; it’s a satisfying endeavor. It has not only been fun, but great networking and very satisfying to meet other members at conventions, at book tables, at Rapid Fire Readings, and on the Internet. The contacts I’ve made have led to friendships and to publication. A very nice perk indeed.

I wish all of you success. Keep your hearts light. Keep writing, reading, thinking, celebrating. Most of all — keep kicking that bottom brick. If enough of us kick that brick, the wall comes a-tumblin’ down. I’m delighted to hand the helm to Trisha Wooldridge. Trish, you have the watch.

We’re always open to suggestions about how we can encourage and help each other. If you have an idea, an issue, a gripe, a suggestion, send it over. You can reach our new president Trish at prez@broaduniverse.org.