WHY JOIN THE ODS, pages 556-557

In addition to bringing together a whole “space fauna” passionate about speculative fiction, science fiction, fantasy, etc. and so many learned researchers of strange universes, the ODS is an active association that organizes or coordinates many events in the fields that interest us.

It's a fact that the fanzine publishing activity, which was its primary focus in its early days, has been transferred to our publishing house, EODS (Les Editions de l'Oeil du Sphinx), due to a lack of dedicated readers in a sector that has gradually shifted to the web. Some magazines have disappeared, while others have emerged as a result. We are forced to adapt to the potential of today's readership, and here we are in the 21st century!

However, while adapting, we at the ODS are committed to preserving the convivial atmosphere that has always been the primary motivation for our association's existence. This is why we continue to focus primarily on organizing meetings, conferences, congresses, themed dinners, and other scientific missions centred around the topics we care about. Participating in these numerous activities, organizing them, or enabling certain guests to present their work – this is the ODS's mission today. Thus, throughout the year, you are invited to join us for informal dinners, such as the New Year's dinner in January, and all sorts of themed “on-the-spot” meetings, depending on the schedule of authors visiting the Paris region, as well as high-level conferences, including those organized in Rennes-le-Château (ARTBS) or in Paris, such as the Fortéen Congress, the Heuvelmans Days, or the Jacques Bergier Days, etc. You are also welcome to visit us at the booths of the many conventions we attend.

Organizing these events and participating in those organized by others has become our main activity, as it's what keeps our literary world alive and preserves the unique character we cherish. While some reading formats are gradually disappearing in favor of more modern media – from fanzines to webzines, from discussion lists to social networks, etc. – we all remain attached to original books in printed format, not only to the physical object that can now be ordered with three clicks, but especially to everything that surrounds it: the encounters, the discussions, the sharing, and the potential collaborations that arise spontaneously from the initiatives of our most passionate members, and, of course, the pleasure of reading!

Everyone's participation in this vibrant literary activity is coordinated as simply as possible through our association, and this is the very reason for ODS's existence. By joining, and especially by participating through your presence and contributions to these gatherings, as well as to the creation and realization of new projects, you help us to prolong the life of our literary multiverse. Welcome to all, and thank you for being here!

Emmanuel Thibault, member of the AODS Council.