John Foyster John Foyster i(A15897 works by) (a.k.a. John Maxwell Foyster)
Also writes as: John Ossian
Born: Established: 13 Apr 1941 Cobram, Cobram area, Yarrawonga - Cobram - Nathalia area, Northern Victoria, Victoria, ; Died: Ceased: 5 Apr 2003 Adelaide, South Australia,
Gender: Male
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BiographyHistory

Widely published as a literary critic, John Foyster became involved in science fiction fandom in the late 1950s. He published his first fanzine, Emanation in 1961, followed by FNAC (it was later published as an electronic version, eFNAC). In 1966 Foyster became the main organizer of the Melbourne Eastercon. It has since been credited with relaunching Australian fandom. A few years later he was one of the organisers of the Nova Mob, a Melbourne-based group which met the homes of other members to critically discuss science fiction works. He was later involved with Critical Mass, a similar group from Adelaide.

In 1970 Foyster won first Ditmar Award, this being for his fanzine The Journal of Omphalistic Epistemology. Around this same period he also began a campaign that ultimately led to Aussiecon I (the 1975 Worldcon). Two years later he helped establish the Down Under Fan Fund (DUFF) and the following year won his second Ditmar - for the story 'Let it Ring' (written as John Ossian). He won his third Ditmar in 1979 for his fanzine Chunder!. That same year he became the inaugural winner of a Guff award (known either as the Get Up-and-Over Fan Fund or the Going Under Fan Fund - depending on the direction of travel). He published his trip report in Stranger in Stranger Lands.

As a member of the Science Fiction Collective, he helped revive and publish the Australian Science Fiction Review from 1986 to 1991. He was also involved in all three Australian World SF Conventions (1975, 1985 and 1999). In addition to being active in fanzine publishing, Foyster was a fan historian with broad knowledge of the field. Around the time of Aussiecon 3, for example, he wrote Australian Fan History:1953-1966. A long time member of the Fantasy Amateur Press Association, he was responsible for contributing the zine, Candiru.

On his 60th birthday, Yvonne Rousseau, Juliette Woods and Damien Warman produced a special commemorative fanzine named Festzine. The following year Foyster received the A. Bertram Chandler Award for services to Australian science fiction and fandom.

Foyster died in early April 2003 froma brain tumour, having suffered a stroke in September 2001. He was a few days short of his 62nd birthday.


Sources: 'Obituary' eidolon.net; Australian Science Fiction Foundation; Fancyclopedia 3 and Science Fiction 46 (2009)

Most Referenced Works

Personal Awards

2002 A. Bertram Chandler Award
1988 shortlisted Ditmar Awards William Atheling Jr Award For 'Review of Trillion Year Spree' (ASFR no.7).
1985 shortlisted Ditmar Awards William Atheling Jr Award For an article on George Turner in ASFN.

Awards for Works

y separately published work icon Doxy Norwood : John Foyster , 1990- 7489818 1990 periodical science fiction fantasy

Genre-fiction fanzine run out of South Australia.

1991 shortlisted Ditmar Awards Best Fan Website/Zine
y separately published work icon Australian Science Fiction Review. Second Series Australian SF Review. Second Series 1986 Melbourne : Ebony Books , 1986-1991 Z1810204 1986 periodical The second series of Australian Science Fiction Review began in 1986 following a period of hibernation that began in 1974. The first series, published between 1966 and 1969, was formerly known as the Australian Science Fiction Newsletter (1958-1966). In December 1969 the zine's editor John Bangsund relaunched it as Scythrop (1969-1973/74). In all 27 issues of series two were published by Ebony Books for the Science Fiction Collective in six volumes before its final issue in March/May 1991.

Contributors included: John Bangsund, John Baxter, John D. Berry, Martin Bridgstock, Damien Broderick, Bruce Gillespie, Mark Linneman, Rosaleen Love, Joanna Russ, Norman Talbot, Michael J. Tolley, George Turner, Cherry Wilder, and Jack Williamson.

Australian Science Fiction Review won the Ditmar Award for Best Fanzine in 1991.
1991 winner Ditmar Awards Best Fan Website/Zine
1990 shortlisted Ditmar Awards Best Fan Website/Zine
1989 shortlisted Ditmar Awards Best Fan Website/Zine
1988 shortlisted Ditmar Awards Best Fan Website/Zine
y separately published work icon Chunder! 1978 Melbourne : John Foyster , Z1923161 1978 periodical (1 issues) The winner of the 1979 Ditmar for Best Fanzine, Chunder! was edited and published by John Foyster from around 1978.
1980 shortlisted Ditmar Awards Best Fan Website/Zine
1979 winner Ditmar Awards Best Fan Website/Zine
1981 shortlisted Ditmar Awards Best Fan Website/Zine
Last amended 17 Jun 2014 09:28:50
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