yep

The WSFS also sponsors the World Science Fiction Convention (Worldcon) which is when the silver rocket trophies are awarded to the winners in fiteen different categories, from Best Novel to Best Fan Artist.

The nominees for the 2010 Hugos were recently announced, and have been posted on the Hugo Award website. Some works, like Charles Stross‘ “Palimpsest” and “Overtime” are even available online for free.

Compared to other awards that are based on the criteria of a few people, the Hugo nominations and the awards themselves are based on the votes of fans from around the world. In order to cast a vote for a potential nominee, you must have been a member of the previous or current WorldCon. This means you’ve purchased at least a “supporting membership” to the convention – you don’t have to actually attend. To vote on the final ballot, you much be at least a supporting member of the current WorldCon. For 2010, that means AussieCon 4.

The Hugos are also unique in that the trophy, a shiny silver finned rocket, is always the same, but the base it rests upon changes. Each WorldCon committee is responsible for design the base for that year’s awards. Having seen, and briefly held a Hugo trophy, I can tell you these bases are works of art in and of themselves.

So if you would like to have a say in who is nominated and who wins future Hugo Awards, become at least a supporting member of WorldCon. And if you go to the convention, try and attend the awards ceremony – it is a thrill to see the winners accept their statues. You can even imagine yourself up there some day.

John Locke: Hugo!
- LOST, “Confirmed Dead”, 4.2

It took me a few conventions to figure this out, but now, even if I have to walk past rows of seats filled with people, I’ll make my way to the front of the room to find an empty chair.

Reasons to sit up front (especially at panels)

• You can see the panelists faces since no one is blocking your view
• You can read the panelists name cards/tents
• You can easily hear what the panelists are saying, even if there is trouble with the microphones

anyway you can

And a final reason to sit in the front row – the panelists can see you.

It’s unlikely they can read the name on your badge, but they will have seen your face. If you’re taking notes during the panel, they might remember that. If you asked a question, they have a face to the voice.

So when you see them again, be it during an autographing session or in the bar, they will have seen you before, and may even remember you.

It’s a touch point, a shared moment, a topic of conversation.

The rest is up to you.

Fhloston Hostess: You have a seat reserved, front row, next to RU-BY RHOD! He’s so talented, don’t you think? I just love him… he’s so sexy…
- The Fifth Element

spring spockets

In its ninth year, ConDFW is a “science fiction and fantasy event.” It’s held in Dallas, in February, and takes its changes with whatever Texas weather will turn out that weekend.

Composed of writing stuff, art stuff, science stuff, gaming stuff, costuming stuff, and a dealer’s room full of stuff related to science fiction and fantasy, its a great convention to meet the pros and make new friends.

As with most conventions, the membership price is less the earlier you register. But even at the door, the adult 3-day pass is only $35 and the child 3-day pass is $15.

This year’s guests are Elizabeth Moon, Jack McDevitt, and Vincent Villafranca. I’ve had the honor to meet Elizabeth Moon and Vincent Villafranca before, and look forward to seeing them again.

As a writer, I find too many panels I want to attend and not enough time. The writing craft panels are useful, the art panels are visually amazing, and the science panels generate story ideas I don’t think I can complete, but are fun to think about anyway.

ConDFW is a small, casual scifi/fantasy convention. People attend room parties Friday and Saturday nights, and both panelists and attendees show up to the 10 am Sunday morning events. It’s a friendly place, and making new friends can add a tremendous amount to your convention experience. Attend a panel/demonstration/game/party of your interest and you will find like-minded people there to share in the fun with you.

Nikola Tesla: Things don’t always go as planned, Mr. Angier. That’s the beauty of science.
- The Prestige

forgot someone?l

Admission - Most conventions happen around the same time each year. For example,
World Fantasy is held at the end of October. Cons will often have ‘early registration’ discounts on their admission tickets, so check out the con website as soon as you know you want to attend to buy your ticket.

Hotel - Depending on the size of the convention, there may be multiple hotels, some of which are cheaper, but you may have to walk or take public transportation between them and the main hotel to attend most of the activities. For very large conventions, like DragonCon, the main hotels can sell out quickly (within hours), so keep an eye on the con website. If you can share a hotel room with friends, that cuts your costs. If you can share a friend’s house, use the money you save to take them out to a nice dinner.

Travel - How are you getting to the convention? If you are driving, make sure to account for gas costs, and a check-up on your car if you are going a large distance. If you are flying, keep an eye on airfare sales from all airlines, consider joining a frequent flyer program, or, if you can afford the time, take a flight with stops instead of direct. Don’t forget about travel to the hotel if you are flying. Does the hotel have a free shuttle? Or will you need to pay for a taxi or schedule a shared ride?

Food – Plan for at least 2 meals a day. Convention websites do a good job of listing other eating places than what is located inside the hotel. And gas station convenience stores and Starbucks also carries sandwiches.

Fun – Bring a bit of cash to have some fun. If that means buying a photo-op with a celebrity, or getting the latest hardcover collection to be autographed by your favorite author, make sure you have some extra money to spend on you. And maybe some souvenirs for your friends who couldn’t make it out to the con this time.

Now that you have an idea of the main costs of attending a convention, you can start setting aside the money you will need. Whether it’s a total of $100 or $1757 dollars, you can make it happen … if you want to.

Jeeves: Travel is highly educational, Sir.
- Jeeves and Wooster

• No masquerade and very few costumes
• No gaming
• No films or videos, unless directly related to the literature

So what does the World Fantasy Convention have?

• All those industry professionals – writers, artists, editors and agents
• Friday night group autographing session
• Sunday banquet and World Fantasy Awards ceremony

b&w artist

This year was the first time I have attended the World Fantasy Convention but it will not be the last. The atmosphere is relaxed, the programming interesting but not overwhelming, and reading sessions occur all weekend from some of the finest genre writers around today.

If you are serious about a writing career in fantasy literature, this is the convention to attend. For a more detailed rational, please read David B. Coe’s World Fantasy post at Magical Worlds.

Con:World Fantasy Convention
When: yearly, near the end of October/beginning of November
Where: different city each year
Cost: Attending Membership – $100-$125, Supporting Membership – $35 (publications and voting rights only)

Molly Grue: But you do. You have magic. Maybe you can’t find it, but it’s there. You called Robin Hood, and there is no Robin Hood. You have all the power you need if you dared to look for it.
- The Last Unicorn by Peter s. Beagle

merry halloween

For most conventions, there is some kind of kick-off event that usually happens the evening of the first day. That event is called “opening ceremonies”.

If you can handle it, go to opening ceremonies*.

Because one of the great things about opening ceremonies is that the guests of the convention are introduced. Maybe you are already familiar with each guest, and could easily spot them across the room. If not, this is your chance to put a face to the name, and hear that name pronounced correctly.

I find this immensely useful, especially if the guests are people whose faces I usually don’t see on the book jacket, such as agents, editors, and publishers.

Sometimes the convention program book will contain photos of guests and other panel attendees. Sometimes those photos were taken several years ago and their facial hair, haircut, or hair color has changed.

Going to opening ceremonies takes the guess work out of it because you see them as they are at that convention.

* Note for Introverts: It took me at several years to get to the point where I would take a seat close enough to really see their faces. Open ceremonies are a popular event at most conventions, so there will be many folk there, just so you know.

Butch Cassidy: That’s not an outlaw name. You don’t have an outlaw face, either. You better do something about that.
- Butch and Sundance: The Early Days

robot flowers

As I am interested in writing fantasy and science fiction, there are two local conventions I attend every year, ConDFW and FenCon.

For the past two years I have attended the World Science Fiction Convention (WorldCon) and this will be the first year I go to the World Fantasy Convention.

Since joining the DFW Writers Workshop, I attend their writing conference every year as well – great place to pitch an agent, BTW.

Conventions are a great place to meet authors, sometimes agents and editors, and other people who like the same kinds of things you do. You don’t have to attend the parties, you don’t have to go to a panel every hour, and it’s okay if you don’t hang out at the bar. Some day you may want to do one or more of those things because they can be fun. It’s taken me a few years to get to that point myself, so it is possible.

But you’ll never know until you pick a convention and go to it.

Grail Knight: You have chosen… wisely.
- Indiana Jones & The Last Crusade

PROS

• easy access to your room if you need a break from the masses
• a close place to store all the stuff you buy in the dealer’s room so you don’t have to haul it around all day
• you never know who you’re going to see or meet

CONS

• may also be the “party hotel” so be prepared for late night noise
• elevators can get overloaded and sometimes have a line
• likely more expensive than other hotels associated with the convention

goal one

For me, the last Pro – you never know who you’re going to see or meet – outweighs all the Cons.

I don’t enjoy loud, crowded parties, so my chance to talk and meet with people happen during the day-to-day activities of a convention.

Talking to John Picacio in an elevator at Worldcon, sitting and listening to Bernard Pearson tell stories in the courtyard at the first North American Discworld Convention, having dinner with Peter S. Beagle and Connor Cochran at ConDFW are moments I treasure.

And all of those happened because I stayed at the main hotel of the convention, and was at a right place at a right time.

I can control what hotel I stay at. The ‘right place at the right time’ is something I trust will happen on it’s own because I’m making the effort to be there and be engaged in what’s going on. And it does.

Mr. Ecko: Don’t mistake coincidence for fate.
- Lost, “What Kate Did”

Worldcon is held in a different city each year. In 2008 it was held in Denver, Colorado. In 2010, it will be held in Melbourne Australia. Hopefully, Worldcon 2013 will be held in San Antonio, Texas, my home state and a city that is less than a day’s drive from my house.

My first Worldcon was last year. I had been to many local science fiction and fantasy conventions, but this was “Worldcon” and I wasn’t sure what I was in for. Turns out, more of the same. The same approachable authors. The same love of fandom. The same excitement and vibrant energy of people talking about what they love in hallways and restaurants and bars until they get kicked out or order breakfast. And more: editors from major publishing houses, scientists, professional artists, dealers selling books you can’t find in retail chains without knowing to ask for them.

worldcon II

This year was my second Worldcon; it was even more fun than the first. I Strolled with the Stars, saw panels and editor/author interviews, caught up with old friends and made new ones. I went to two parties (a big deal for my introverted self) and willingly signed up to have my picture taken for a potentially published project (an even bigger deal for my introverted self). I waited in line to get a ticket to wait in another line, bought a famous someone dinner, and hung out with a posse.

My shelves now have ten new books, six of which are from authors I have never read before, but now that I know them, I will. One of the ten is a portfolio book of cover illustrations that I bought as a result of an elevator conversation about my Texas badge. And I have three books that now contain personalized autographs and that will make fabulous Christmas presents.

If you like science fiction, if you write or read that genre and want to talk to those authors and editors, set aside the money and time to attend a Worldcon. It’s a phenomenal amount of fun.

Douglas Anders: Science fiction is an existential metaphor that allows us to tell stories about the human condition. Isaac Asimov once said, “Individual science fiction stories may seem as trivial as ever to the blinded critics and philosophers of today, but the core of science fiction, its essence, has become crucial to our salvation, if we are to be saved at all.
- Stargate SG-1, Season 10, “200″