ara*doxa is a critical journal that focuses on all forms of paraliterature. Otherwise known as genre fiction, this field includes SF, horror, mystery fiction, westerns, romance, and much more ... almost anything, in fact, except mainstream literary fiction. This magazine's official site, as one might expect, offers a taste of Para*doxa, a sampling of articles and excerpts from recent issues, as well as links to writers and other friends of the journal.
Para*doxa looks closely at the criteria that separate literature from its often slightly regarded cousin, paraliterature. In a section about the journal's mandate, SF author Samuel R. Delany discusses the need for genre writers and researchers to move beyond defensiveness about the legitimacy of their writing, shifting instead to a focus on critical thinking and research. Elsewhere, Ursula Le Guin struggles with the very word "paraliterature," while Michael Moorcock and Interzone editor David Pringle tackle other aspects of this same question. These authors—and the others featured on the site—love genre fiction. Their affection for the topic infuses everything in this page, making it a delight to read.
Unlike journals that exist strictly in an online format, Para*doxa does not offer a complete archive of its articles on the Web. What it does have is a solid sample of content for those who might be interested in subscribing or picking up a single issue. A quick glance through any given issue's table of contents will be enough to intrigue most visitors: The most
recent focuses on the fiction of the 1950s, and includes book reviews by L. Timmel DuChamp, an interview with author Richard Matheson, and an article by Justine Larbalestier and Helen Merrick, one temptingly entitled "The Revolting Housewife: Women and Science Fiction in the 1950s."
For readers who take their SF (or other genre) fiction seriously, Para*doxa provides a strong dose of heady, thought-provoking and sheerly inspiring material.
— A.M. Dellamonica
Site of the Week—October 27, 2003
ans who have been amazed or delighted by William Shatner's latest forays into being a self-mocking goof will want to drop in on the actor's official Web page. Offering a dose of his (somewhat less zany) online persona, the site is the home of the man once known as Capt. James T. Kirk. It is also a unique mix of fan activity, celebrity news and Star Trek kitsch.
Despite a recent spate of hammy performances in television advertisements, not to mention movies like Free Enterprise, Shatner keeps his home page relatively serious. It is the base for his official fan club, Shatner and Friends, and also hosts weblogs by both Shatner and his daughter, Lisabeth. Visitors will find a calendar of events and Shatner appearances, discussion forums and even information on the charity paintball tournaments that the actor participates in annually.
This in no way implies that Shatner's association with Star Trek has not left a heavy footprint on the site. In fact, it offers gloriously cheesy links to Web campaigns such as "Bring Back Kirk!" (for fans who want to see the Kirk character resurrected from the dead, on film) as well as a store that has Trek and Shatner merchandise. Visitors can also purchase the film Mind Meld, a documentary that consists of a conversation between Shatner and Leonard Nimoy, a sort of mutual interview about their time together on the series.
Ultimately, Shatner's site is a resource that makes a genuine SF icon—love him or no—accessible to fans in a way that has only recently become possible, a radical change from the time the show was originally produced. It is a cozy haven on the Web for those interested in Star Trek's first captain and the current doings of the man who brought him to life.
— A.M. Dellamonica
Site of the Week—October 20, 2003
lacing its focus on historical accuracy and in-depth research into the martial tradition of Western Europe, the Association for Renaissance Martial Arts is an organization devoted to the study and practice of armed and unarmed combat, especially fencing in a variety of forms. For SF and fantasy readers curious about whether a favorite author has gotten the details of a hand-to-hand battle correct, or for anyone interested in learning more about European swordfighting, this group's web site is the place to seek out answers.
The members of ARMA are up-front about their passion for no-nonsense fighting. The organization does not research or recreate medieval costumes, or engage in any form of role-playing. What it does instead is learn everything possible about European fighting techniques and weaponry, passing the knowledge on to interested students of the martial arts. To cover the research end of their project, ARMA maintains an active roster of expert consultants who help provide the copious stream of information available on this site.
The organization's Web site serves not only as a research tool but a gathering place for the fencing community it serves, offering discussion forums, a calendar of ARMA events and gatherings, and essays on martial technique and history with intriguing titles like "To Spar or Not to Spar?" or "The Myth of Cutting vs. Thrusting Swords." It has a reading and reference library, photos and videos of ARMA practice and training activities, reviews of research books, and links to other martial-arts sites.
The degree of commitment and sheer affection for fencing shown on this site is outstanding. The ARMA page is something of a wonder, simultaneously demonstrating how much an average person doesn't know about Western martial arts ... and then providing that same visitor with a head start on getting the scoop.
— A.M. Dellamonica
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