This page archives some of the early documents of Oklahoma Science Fiction Writers.
In 1977, C.J. Cherryh wrote to twenty-four individuals in Oklahoma proposing a writing group for those interested in science fiction. This letter resulted in the founding of Oklahoma Science Fiction Writers.
Skip to PDF contentLater that same year, Stephen J. Kimmel wrote to the recipients of the Cherryh letter who lived in NE Oklahoma, proposing a “Tulsa Section” of the Oklahoma Science Fiction Writers. This section is the group that survives today.
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Soon after founding, the group started a monthly newsletter, the Journal of the Great Pagoda Insurance Company, or GPIC. The origin of the newsletter’s name is obscure, but appears to be an oblique reference to the 1962 movie King Kong Versus Godzilla. Perhaps there was a discussion of insurance coverage for the pagoda in this still from that movie?
The Tulsa branch thrived, although the Oklahoma City branch soon foundered. Here’s the June, 1979 OKC GPIC issue which predicts doom for at least the Oklahoma City section of OSFW.
Skip to PDF contentWhatever happened down south, the Tulsa section survived and still prospers today. The Tulsa newsletter became known as “Son of GPIC,” after the OKC original.
Today, we use the webpage instead of publishing a newsletter. However, our monthly meetings include a regular “GPIC” item where members can bring up news that’s of general interest. While there does not appear to be a complete archive of Tulsa Son of GPIC issues, we do have a ZIP file with with newsletters from between 1994 and 2004 that is available on request.