At age nine I joined the International Wizard of Oz Club after it was mentioned in an article by Martin Williams that my mom cut out of the newspaper. I’d been writing and drawing my own Oz stories for years, so eventually I submitted a short story to the Oz Club for consideration for Oziana, the club’s fiction magazine. Though Oziana published my story (heavily rewritten by the editor), it wasn’t until I was fifteen that I attended my first Oz Club convention and my greater involvement with the Oz Club began. 

I illustrated stories for Oziana (and wrote a few more, too), created posters and program covers and other artwork for Oz conventions, drew pictures for the club’s annual Oz Calendar, eventually became the calendar’s art director for ten years, and much more. My love for Oz fueled all this activity.

One of the Oz Club’s strengths is that it provides an outlet for such unbridled enthusiasm. Another of its strengths is the incredible variety of its members. Meeting people through a common interest in Oz is one reason I’ll forever be grateful to the Oz Club. I’ve met writers, artists, designers, theatre folks, university professors, an Egyptologist, a person involved with the O.J. Simpson trial, old, young, even my life partner. Many of these people

continue to be among the most enduring friends in my life. I expect to meet more fascinating folks through my connection with the Oz Club. I look forward to it.

Eric Shanower