The Secret Masters

Publisher/Editor/Graphic Designer: Michael D. Pederson
Mike Pederson is the publisher/editor/graphic designer responsible for the wildly successful semiprozine, Nth Degree. Mike began life as a semi-pro in 1988 when his SF short story, "Dust Storm," won first place in a local writing contest. In the 1990s he wrote and published the Raven comic book series and edited and published Scene, a Virginia-based entertainment magazine. Then – after a couple of dark years when he wasn't publishing anything and barely attended any cons – Mike was asked to participate in a costume presentation at the 2001 World Science Fiction Convention. The presention (Pre-Emptive Strike) went on to win "Best in Class – Master Division" at the Millennium Philcon Masquerade and helped to re-invigorated Mike's interest in fandom. In the two years since starting Nth Degree Mike has attended over 50 conventions. He is also an active member of the Washington Science Fiction Association and a less-than-active member of NESFA.

Associate Editor/Cartoonist: Robert Balder
Rob Balder is creator of the clip-art comic strip PartiallyClips, which runs weekly in 10 US newspapers. A book collection of his strips came out in late 2003, but will be temporarily available while a new publisher is sought. Rob teamed up with Pete Abrams of Sluggy Freelance to create "Get Nifty," a stand-alone card game themed around Pete's comic. The game will be on store shelves from Steve Jackson Games in September of 2004. Rob regularly contributes fiction, poetry, comics, and filks to the pages of Nth Degree. A collection of his filks on CD will be available soon, featuring a song composed by Tom Smith.

Webmaster: Brandon Blackmoor
Brandon Blackmoor would like you to believe he was born in London of parents recently emigrated from Amsterdam, made a large fortune as a stockbroker, and eventually was elected to Parliament, but that's hooey. He's Nth Degree's Webmaster extraordinaire. It's amazing what we can get people to do for peanuts.

Artist: J. Andrew World
While taking breaks from running for his life, J. Andrew World has designed record label logos, provided illustrations for Nth Degree, and fulfilled his ultimate dream by playing a goth in a folk music video. J. Andrew's second greatest moment in the sun was when his hat was featured in Sluggy Freelance. Someday he hopes to achieve great success as a science fiction illustrator and, perhaps, finally upstage his wardrobe.

Cover Artist: Doug Welsh
Doug Welsh is an award-winning Richmond, VA artist who has an intense interest in history and has no idea how he got hooked up with a bunch of Sci-Fi fans and Gamers. His artwork has graced the covers of Nth Degree and can be viewed in our online gallery. Reproductions of his artwork are for sale (without the cover graphics!). Contact Mike Pederson for more info.

Writer: Susan Blackmoor
Susan is part of the dynamic writing team of Blackmoor & Blackmoor creating the wildly popular Peer Pressure column for Nth Degree. What do you think about a particular movie or book? Don't know? Susan will tell you what you should think. Now that's service.

Writer: Erik Cotton
Erik. Erik. Erik. What else can we say? His writing says it all. Unfortunately, he only writes his name. His pet monkey does the rest.

Writer: Lloyd Montgomery
When Lloyd is not reinacting Civil War battles, brewing beer and collecting weapons of mass destruction, he's working diligently to help make Nth Degree the powerhouse of publishing it is today. Yay, Lloyd!