Newspapers / Daily Tar Heel (Chapel … / Nov. 2, 2000, edition 1 / Page 8
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8 Thursday, November 2, 2000 UNC Grad Barlow Wins Place in Sci-Fi Anthology The former comic took first prize in the L. Ron Hubbard Writers of the Future contest for new sci-fi writers. By Joanna Pearson . Staff Writer A long time ago (1999, actually), in a galaxy far, far away (that’s Durham), UNC alumnus Dan Barlow was named one of the best up-and-coming writers of science fiction. Apparendy, the force was with him. Barlow won first place in the interna tionally recognized L. Ron Hubbard Writers of the Future Contest for new and aspiring writers of speculative fic tion. Along with a cash prize and an all expense paid trip to Hollywood to hob nob with the best science fiction writers in the business, Barlow’s winning story has also been published in “L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future- Vol. XVI." Not bad for a guy who’d never even read science fiction before entering the contest. “I’ve never really been interested in it It’s pretty new," Barlow said. “But my wife’s been writing it since before we were married, and she’s been entering (the Writers of the Future Contest) for awhile.” After hearing about the contest from t Suffering from Empty n. Pocket Syndrome? Participate in our life-saving & financially (' nlfelKYv rewarding plasma donation program. IMMEDIATE COMPENSATION! J Donors Earn up to S2OO per Month! -★ New donors earn $25 for first visit $35 for the second visit within 7 days. Regular donors receive $25 per donation. Ca// or stop by: parking validated Sera-Tecßiologicals;J|! Under New Management 109'/; E Franklin St, Chapel Hill 942-0251 • M-Th 10-6, Fri 10-4 F'' Asthma I P Studies for Adullsages 18 to 50 *f>ee T-*Afrt to Quaii fact* • US Environmental Protection Agency research • Several studies available • Payment for screening & studies • Out-of-town travel reimbursed 966-0604 fCta TAt (tuAiet Pivifif* if m tAe UNC-CH emfm i nu Stevo Madden />!<• ■■mfe Kenneth Cole f 1 |f i&m Nine West iDKNV bciu; Coach •• • |H hehe jj f Vi* M .ind more... /] ■ \ \ SOHO mmk % SHOES % % . N"', ;; ,„eM.,1l his wife, Barlow decided he had an idea for a story. The idea evolved into a short story about a famous scientist and a friend who discuss a contraption that has appeared in the scientist’s house, and whether or not this contraption is a time machine. Unlike other stories in the genre, Barlow’s story aims for a little laugh ter. “My story is more humor than sci ence fiction,” he said. This is not surprising considering Barlow’s background as a humorist. He has worked as stand-up comedian and written humorous columns and essays for various publications. Barlow has also published several books on a rather unusual topic - the card game cribbage. After winning the 1980 National Open Cribbage Tournament, Barlow wrote a lot about the strategy of the game. As an L. Ron Hubbard Writer of the Future, Barlow and his wife were whisked to Hollywood for a gala awards ceremony with all the major names in the world of science fiction, along with a writing workshop led by acclaimed authors Algis Budrys and Tim Powers. “We were put up in a hotel, there were limo rides, it was almost like being at the Oscars," Barlow said. With his recent success, Barlow has turned his attention more seriously to science fiction. Besides boning up on the science-fiction classics like “Dune" and DIVERSIONS Miniiiiiiii jmm* : - -1, Ji mmm' % VBSf ** ■HHDt . ar hi iiimiTirf I jaaMf f DTH/CHRISTINE NGUYEN UNC alumnus Dan Barlow's first work of science fiction appears in "Writers of the Future Vol. XVI," which hits bookstores this month. “The Martian Chronicles," Barlow said he has found anew favorite author, Philip K. Dick, and anew set of aspira tions. “I’m about a third of the way through a funny sci-fi novel. I’m also trying to start a small press for science fiction and fantasy," Barlow said. This former math-turned-English major is serious about his plans to affect the science-fiction writing and publish ing scene. “For the last 25 or 30 years, I thought I should have stayed in math, but now possibilities are opening up. I’m going to be focused more on the press for a lit tle while. I’m getting lots of manu scripts, and I’m a slow reader,” Barlow ■foe south t fliott/uvuL • CfalUxjp- • Kits*. • 929-fit? From the Dirtctor of Tm Horse Wi.i.isper tr and A River Rons Tiimuii It ' Will Smith Matt Damon Charuze Theron N() I Till NOS CAN T (V f [; EAU\I D.. T ITT Y Mu.s 1 |v) l\ IMI \! !-1 U I 10. DWiflGii iiMtfflffl'TtifOXw itDWliwc * RQImREDFORDi; MIM v iDAffi Umm .“THEIEGEKDOFIAGGfmNCF ; liKtl# lUDlAS\^i\l\Ko\m - v.HgRCORiVIN. ARiv CR\iC -> CttRIyBRIGHAM HEIDV KAREN TENKHOFF >IEV[KrRE^fIFtD m . "-"ifiEmßir g mwm m I PG 13 PAHf NTS STRONGLY CAUTIONEOTS /Q Of UKIAIVIVVAUtK.S for rating reasons, go tb www fjimralings.com D*STHiBtnED-By Dreamworks dstributionLLP tm a 0 OiTicialthc Legend of Bagger Vance website at amazoncofm .amazon com baggcr\ante ; OIWNN NOVLMBLK o I: VI RA Will I'.l said. “If it’s successful, I’ll stick with the press. It’d be nice to put out some best sellers." And who knows? Maybe some of those bestsellers will end up being writ ten by Barlow - or his wife. She, after all, told him about the contest in the first place. “She was mildly annoyed that I won the first time,” Barlow said. “But she’s already entered again.” For more information on the Writers of the Future contest and anthology, see www.writersofthefuture.com. The Arts & Entertainment Editor can be reached at artsdesk@unc.edu. Conniving Caroline Sucks The Interest Out of College As registration has come and gone (for me, at least), I’m left with a slight burning deep within the cockles of my heart. It is not from the thought of the bittersweet farewell kiss that I will blow to Carolina upon my graduation in May. Nor is it from the acknowledgement of the fact that I have but half a year left of these four “best years of my life.” No, my dear friends, the burning deep inside is actually one of intense hatred and rage, contempt and loathing. After being shut out for the umpteenth and final time from every single class that I had ever even slightly considered enrolling in out of genuine interest in the topic, I now have a mission. I am going to hunt down this so called “Caroline,” throw her down a flight of stairs, set fire to her hair and plant my foot so far up her “request denying” ass that she’ll be spitting out toe jam. Registration is a complete joke, and although I have no suggestions on how to improve the process, I don’t believe that should stop me from berating the people responsible for the utterly wretched current state of affairs. To those responsible for setting up the current registration system, I say, “You suck!" Who decided that everyone should register on the same day? Didn’t they stop for a second to think about whether that was going to be logistically possible? Even the Carolina Athletic Association can come up with better ways to fairly and equitably A Triangle Women's Health Clinic Low cost termination to 20 weeks of pregnancy. Call for an appointment Monday - Saturday. FREE Pregnancy Testing Dcpo-Provera & Morning After Pill available “Dedicated to the Health Care of Women. ” 942-0011 www.womanschoice.com 101 Conner Dr., Suite 402 Chapel Hill, NC across from University Mall ABORTION TO 20 WEEKS (Elip Saily (Ear Uppl ■ DAVID POVILL 50... HOW'S YOUR GIRL? address student needs. And they’re a bunch of Communists! Certainly, there are students who are happy with the process, the ones who smiled at me on Monday asking, “How did your registration go? Mine was so easy. I got into ‘lntro to Sleeping’ and my ‘History of Pez Dispensers: From Popeye to Pickachu,’ and I have no classes before one and no class on Fridays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Mondays!” To these people, I say, “You die! You die, and you go to hell!” Not that I wish these people any actual physical harm. I just think they might enjoy hell, as they can see how it measures up to Dante’s “Inferno,” which they had to read for their “Daily . Double: All You Need to Know to Win at Jeopardy” class. I once heard that everything you learn in your undergraduate career is good for one thing: feigning intelligence at dinner parties. Well, personally, 1 had planned to attend many a dinner party in my lifetime, until I came to Carolina. Here, my dreams of one day waxing philosophical on the cultural subtexts of Coltrane’s “Alabama” were dashed, leaving me to only hope that I might be able to pontificate on the technological advancements in rice cultivation injava to a crowd of uninterested N.C. State University students who are waiting impatiently for me to finish, so they might counter by explaining to me the finer points of poultry science (“Ya gots ta pluck ’em before ya cook ’em, see.”) I’m going to found my own college, and things will be different; I can promise you that. For starters, the cur riculum will be selected by students, and ample faculty will be available to teach each and every student who decides that he or she might like to learn about which toilet paper holds up the best under repetitive use, or a life-skills course entitled, “Oodles of Noodles: 365 Ways to Spice Up Your Ramen.” There will be a telephone registration system, but the omnipotent voice on the other end of the line will be named Guy, and when forced to deny a request, will say empathetically, “Aww, man. Sorry, buddy. I bet you wouldn’t have liked that course anyway. You’re too smart for that.” To which the slight ly disheartened student will reply, with a twinkle of hope in his eye, “Thanks. Guy. You’re the coolest registration sys tem ever.” David Povill can be reached at pfunk@email. unc. edu. /frfhvxycjß93t {top/ten/ tam, 1. Don Caballero American Don (Touch and Go) 2. Nobody Soulmates (Übiquity) 3. Kev Hopper Whispering Fools (Drag City) 4. Analogue Rock Proper (Rubric/Op Pop Pop) 5. Malt Swagger The Lost Pilot (self-released) 6. Terem Quartet No, Russia Cannot Be Perceived by Wit (Intuition) 7. Various Artists Deep River of Song: Virginia and the Piedmont (Rounder) 8. Hot Club of Cowtown Dev’lish Mary (Hightone) 9. Lucky Stars Hollywood & Western (Ipecac) 10. Datch’i We are Always Well Thank You (Caipirinha) LOOK OUT CASUAL CLOTHING OUTLET Iff Weenie k<lf i$ Mf tk* fITiCC'. ♦ ♦ ♦ ilB E. MAIN ST. UNIVERSITY MAIL 706 NINTH ST. (ARRBORO CHAPEL Hilt DURHAM 933-5544 928-0100 286-7262 ♦ ♦ ♦
Daily Tar Heel (Chapel Hill, N.C.)
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Nov. 2, 2000, edition 1
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