Just a quick note to let you all know that Donald Sydney-Fryer has
safely arrived in Texas - has now seen the Alamo and the Riverwalk,
and that he and I have renewed our friendship where it left off in
1968, and are delighting one another with a steady flow of high wit
and humor, and the sharing of knowledge and experience around common
interests wherein the point and counterpoint of our individual perspectives is opening new insights for us both. What a delight?
I wish we could easily record all of this - possibly the last gathering
of men who knew Clark Ashton Smith personally - and to whom that fact
matters. Don is living proof that youthful enthusiasms need neither
abate nor grow stale with familiarity.

Dr. Farmer

Amen to that, Doctor. I only wish that my finances allowed me to attend, not the least because I would dearly love to visit the Alamo myself, having been successfully indoctrinated by the Duke and Disney years ago! Best, Scott

I can just imagine the fine time you both are having! I know Don is a most appreciative and entertaining house-guest, and that Dr. Farmer knows all about the fine art of Southern Hospitality. If you get a chance, please let us know how the event turns out, and hope you all have a great time!
-Ron

I don't even have as good of an excuse as most of you, as I live in Austin. I really wanted to attend the book signing, but I couldn't get off work tomorrow! Dratted minimum wage student jobs! To Scott, the Alamo is often a disappointment to many, seeing as how downtown San Antonio has grown up around it completely. It's not very romantic or impressive to see it dwarfed by modern buildings. As I hail from South Texas, I've always enjoyed visiting the missions and the Presidio in Goliad (the town where the massacre of Col. Fannin and his men took place).
-Daniel Harris

The book signing event went nicely, Don's performance was superb,
and we had a bit of media coverage. Best of all a long time CAS
fan emerged from the crowd; a local attorney who had read Smith first
in a reprint of Weird Tales. We, of course, directed him to the
Web site. While the base of devotees is growing, it is still like
finding gold to unearth someone who already knows Clark's work.

As to touring other sites nearby with DSF, time constraints and the
rain have restricted us somewhat, but Don has had a good run at
South Texas cuisine - and we made the circuit around the bay and
gave him a run on South Padre Island - the dolphins were out on
the ferry crossing so the treat was complete. Also, to ATROPOS,
if you are in Austin, for heaven's sake you have some time regardless
of the time of the week, come and visit.
Dr. F

Glad to hear that there was some media coverage. I hope that you will share with us any write-ups that may have emerged from the signing, and also any tv spots, although I doubt if the broadcast media cares two nits about a poet, especially a sf writer-poet. Sad but true. Best, Scott