Science Fiction Writers’ Week

Writing app ProWritingAid is running a free online event, Science Fiction Writers’ Week, August 29 – September 2, 2022. The event will include:

  • Over 30 free training workshops for writers
  • Interviews with best-selling authors like Andy Weir (The Martian)
  • Workshops to improve writing, editing and marketing
  • Software demos for popular writing programs
  • Networking events to share work and meet other authors

Speakers include authors Samit Basu, Emmi Itäranta, ...Read More

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2022 Locus Awards Online Report

The Locus Awards took place online on June 22-25, 2022, in its third year as a virtual-only event. Connie Willis emceed the awards ceremony, with editor-in-chief of Locus Liza Trombi co-hosting. There were over 150 registrations, and full members received a Locus Awards t-shirt or gift book, and the awards pro­gram. There was also a sliding scale, attendance-only membership rate.

A mini-convention, the online events had eight reading sessions, scheduled ...Read More

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ICFA 44 Guests of Honor

Oghenechovwe Donald Ekpeki has been announced as guest of honor for the 44th International Conference on the Fantastic in the Arts (ICFA), with Isiah Lavender III announced as guest scholar.

ICFA 44, hosted by the International Association for the Fantastic in the Arts (IAFA), will take place March 15-18, 2023 at the Marriott Orlando Airport Lakeside in Orlando FL.

For more information, see the convention website.

While you are here, ...Read More

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StokerCon 2023 Announcements

StokerCon 2023 announced on their blog that Wrath James White will join Daniel Kraus and Cynthia Pelayo as Guest of Honor. The event will be held June 15-18, 2023 at the Sheraton Pittsburgh Hotel at Station Square in Pittsburgh PA, and will will include the Bram Stoker Awards banquet. Early registration is $150 until October 1, 2022, when the rate raises to $200.

For more information, see the official website. ...Read More

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New GoHs for WFC

Iris Compiet has been announced as the artist guest of honor for the 2022 World Fantasy Convention, with Brandon O’Brien joining as an author special guest, and Nisi Shawl as the featured guest. All three will join the previously announced guests Ginjer Buchanan, Andrei Codrescu, Caitlín R. Kiernan, Victor LaValle, Jo Walton, and Toastmaster Ursula Vernon.

The convention will be held November 3-6, 2022 in New Orleans LA at the ...Read More

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2022 SFWA Nebula Conference Report

The 2022 SFWA Nebula Conference was an online event, held May 20-22. Of 563 registered members, 556 attended, down from 2021’s online event with 812 attending members, but still high compared to in-person numbers. 2020’s online event had 808 members and 2019’s in-person event in Los Angeles saw a record-breaking 475 registered members.

SFWA Executive Director Kate Baker said one of the changes for programming this year was incorpo­rating suggestions ...Read More

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Chicon News

Chicon 8, the 80th World Science Fiction Convention has announced with regret that that Floyd Norman is unable to participate in Chicon 8 as Artist Guest of Honor.

We do hope that all our members take some time and delve into the career of this amazing artist, animator, and filmmaker, whose work with Disney and other animation companies has provided an introduction to the Science Fiction and Fantasy genre for ...Read More

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2022 Imadjinn Awards Winners

Winners for the 2022 Imadjinn Awards have been announced, including several categories of genre interest.

Best Science Fiction Novel

  • WINNER: Revolution, James Fox (Dawnrunner)
  • Why Not Wichita, Peter Catania (self-published)
  • Smuggler’s Run, William Joseph Roberts & Christopher Woods (Theogony)
  • Sea Serpent, John S. Worth (Three Ravens)

Best Fantasy Novel

  • WINNER: The Watchers in Exile, Barbara V. Evers (New Mythology)
  • Sword of Cho Nisi Book 1
...Read More Read more

FantasyCon 2022 Returns

We previously announced that FantasyCon 2022 was cancelled. The British Fantasy Society (BFS) has now announced that FantasyCon will be held after all, as a two-day event rather than three.

FantasyCon 2022 will take place at the Radisson Red Hotel in Heathrow from September 17-18, 2022.

More information about the event can be found here.

While you are here, please take a moment to support Locus with a one-time or ...Read More

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FantasyCon 2022 Cancelled

The British Fantasy Society (BFS) has announced the cancellation of this year’s FantasyCon, their annual conference, originally scheduled for September 16-18, 2022 in London:

On Thursday, Lee [Harris] informed the BFS Executive Committee that the con as he had planned it was not financially viable and therefore he would be cancelling the convention and refunding all ticket-holders.

Harris explained:

We’re currently around £24,000 away from break-even point, and while memberships
...Read More Read more

WisCon 45 Report

WisCon 45 was held May 27-30, 2022, in person at the Concourse Hotel in Madi­son WI, as well as online. Sheree Renée Thomas and Rebecca Roanhorse were guests of honor; Roanhorse participated virtually. Zen Cho and Yoon Ha Lee, also originally scheduled as guests of honor, were unable to participate but were honored nonetheless. There were 763 memberships, with 216 virtual memberships and an estimated 407 in-person attendees. Programming offered ...Read More

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Chicon 8 Guests of Honor

Chicon 8, the 80th World Science Fiction Convention, has announced Steven Barnes and Tananarive Due as guests of honor. They join previously announced guests of honor Floyd Norman, Joe Siclari & Edie Stern, and Erle Korshak (posthumously), plus special guests Eve L. Ewing, Gene Ha, and Eric Wilkerson. Toastmasters are Charlie Jane Anders and Annalee Newitz. As previously announced, Charles de Lint stepped down as guest of honor.

Chicon 8 ...Read More

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StokerCon Report

StokerCon, sponsored by the Horror Writers Association (HWA), was held May 12-15, 2022, on the virtual Hopin platform as well as in-person at the Curtis Hotel in Denver CO. Guests of honor were Linda D. Addison, Ernest Dickerson, Gemma Files, Brian Keene, John Edward Lawson, Jennifer McMahon, and Sheree Renée Thomas, with Kevin Wetmore as Stoker Awards emcee. Jo Fletcher, Nancy Holder, and Koji Suzuki received Lifetime Achievement Awards. Co-chair ...Read More

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Mercedes Lackey Removed From Nebula Conference

The Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association (SFWA) announced the removal of this year’s SFWA Grand Master, Mercedes Lackey, from the virtual conference on May 22, 2022. The official statement said:

We learned yesterday that while participating in the “Romancing Sci-Fi & Fantasy” panel, Mercedes Lackey used a racial slur. First, we apologize to our attendees and the other panelists who were subjected to that slur. We’ve disabled access to ...Read More

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Williamson Lectureship

The 45th Williamson Lectureship, held April 7-9, 2022 in Portales NM, was a smaller event after two years of COVID, but those who attended were happy to see each other. “I’m so glad we’re in-person this year,” Connie Willis said at Friday’s luncheon. “It’s so nice to see people’s faces, whether masked or not. I am so pleased we’re here today, and not on Zoom.”

“Speculative Fiction: Never the Same ...Read More

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Gaiman and Willis to Host Nebula Awards

The Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association (SFWA) has announced that Neil Gaiman and Connie Willis will be Toastmasters at the 2021 SFWA Nebula Awards, to be presented in an online ceremony on May 21, 2022.

President Jeffe Kennedy says, “I’m delighted that Connie and Neil have so graciously taken time from their busy schedules to lend their voices and dynamic presences to the Nebula Awards ceremony. I’ve caught a ...Read More

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Norwescon 44 Report

Norwescon 44 was held April 14-17, 2022 in SeaTac WA at the DoubleTree by Hilton Seattle Airport. This was the first time the convention has been held in person since 2019; the 2020 event was postponed, and in 2021 it was virtual. This year’s theme was ‘‘The Stars of Home.’’ Guests of honor were writer Cat Rambo, artist Rob Carlos, and special guests Connor Alexander and Lydia K. Valentine. Fairwood ...Read More

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2022 Writers & Illustrators of the Future

The 38th Writers of the Future Awards and 33rd Illustrators of the Future Awards gala event took place on Friday, April 8, 2022 at the Taglyan Complex in Los Angeles CA. The Writers of the Future Golden Pen Award went to Desmond Astaire for story ‘‘Gallows’’, and the Illustra­tors of the Future Golden Brush Award went to Zaine Lodhi for the illustration of ‘‘Agatha’s Monster’’. Each Golden Award winner received ...Read More

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2022 International Conference on the Fantastic in the Arts Report

The 42nd International Conference on the Fantastic in the Arts (ICFA 43) returned as an in-person event this year, held in sometimes sunny, sometimes overcast, but always muggy Or­lando FL on March 16-20, 2022, at the Orlando Airport Marriott Hotel. The theme was “Fantastic Communities”. Nisi Shawl was the guest of honor, and Farah Mendlesohn was guest scholar. Academics, writers, publishers, editors, artists, students, independent scholars, and more gathered for ...Read More

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IAFA Announces 2022 Guests of Honor

The International Association for the Fantastic in the Arts (IAFA) has announced that Tananarive Due will be Guest of Honor and and Bodhisattva Chattopadhyay will be the Guest Scholar for the 2022 online conference, scheduled October 7-9. “The Global Fantastic” is the theme.  Submissions for paper proposals open June 1. IAFA invites proposals “responding to, but not limited to” themes and topics including Afrofuturism, Indigenous futurisms, theories of the fantastic ...Read More

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Nebula Conference Scholarships

The Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association have announced more than 200 scholarship opportunities to help “members of underserved communities to attend” the 2022 Nebula Conference Online, being held virtually May 20–22, 2022. The deadline for applications is May 1, 11:59pm Pacific Time. Opportunities include:

  • Scholarship for Black and/or Indigenous Creators: This scholarship is open to Black and/or Indigenous creators in the United States and abroad. (quantity: 80)
  • Scholarship for
...Read More Read more

TorCon 2022 Virtual Convention

In partnership with Den of Geek, Tor Books, Forge Books, Tordotcom Publishing, Tor Teen, and Nightfire have announced TorCon, a virtual convention to be held June 9, 2022.

TorCon will feature panels and presentations with ten authors, including Olivie Blake, Nghi Vo, Catriona Ward, Rita Woods, and Neon Yang.

TorCon is free, but registration is required to watch each panel. For registration links and more information, see their event page. ...Read More

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2022 HWA Specialty Awards

The Horror Writers Association (HWA) announced Jo Fletcher, Nancy Holder, and Koji Suzuki as recipients of the Lifetime Achievement Award, given annually by the Board of Trustees to “individuals whose work has substantially influenced the horror and dark fantasy genres.”

Valancourt Books won the Specialty Press Award, given “to a publisher whose work has substantially influenced the horror and dark fantasy genres.”

The Richard Laymon President’s Award, “presented to a ...Read More

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De Lint Steps Down as GoH from Chicon

Chicon 8, the 80th World Science Fiction Convention has announced with regret that Charles de Lint will be stepping down as guest of honor of this year’s convention.

We were utterly thrilled in 2020 when Mr. de Lint agreed to be our Author Guest of Honor and have been looking forward to having him at the convention. However, we completely understand that his current situation will not allow him to ...Read More

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Chengdu Membership Q&A

Chengdu Worldcon 2023, the 81st World Science Fiction Convention, to be held August 23-29, 2023 in Chengdu, China, has posted a list of 12 questions and answers about fees and membership.

The organizers note, “If you bought a 2023 Advance Supporting Membership from DC3, you don’t have to do anything to upgrade…. You automatically have WSFS MEMBERSHIP, and you have been given a full ATTENDING MEMBERSHIP for free, both in-person ...Read More

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Chengdu Worldcon News

The 81st World Science Fiction Convention, to be held August 23-29, 2023 in Chengdu, China, has an official name: Chengdu Worldcon, as announced on Twitter.

The convention has also released membership rates: full attending memberships with voting rights are $120, while attending memberships without voting rights are $70. Supporting memberships (which grant voting rights but not attendance) are $50. Virtual memberships with voting rights are $60, while basic virtual memberships ...Read More

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SLF Convention Grant Recipients

The Speculative Literature Foundation (SLF) has named WisCon (May 27-30, 2022) and the Outer Dark Symposium on the Greater Weird as recipients of Convention Support Grants for fantasy, SF, and literary conventions with significant speculative literature content. Grants of $500 to $1,000 will be awarded throughout the year, for a total of $10,000.

For more information, see the SLF website.

While you are here, please take a moment to support ...Read More

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WFC Artist Guest of Honor

The 2022 World Fantasy Convention (WFC) has announced that Iris Compiet will be the artist guest of honor.

She joins the other previously announced guests: Ginjer Buchanan, Andrei Codrescu, Caitlín R. Kiernan, Victor LaValle, Jo Walton,  and toastmaster Ursula Vernon.

WFC 2022 will be held November 3-6, 2022 in New Orleans LA at the Hyatt Regency. The theme is “Old Souls and New Rhythms.”

For more information, see the World ...Read More

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DisCon III Report and 2021 WSFS Business Meeting

DisCon III, the 79th World Science Fiction Convention, took place December 15-19, 2021 at the Omni Shoreham in Washington DC. Guests of honor were John Harris and Nancy Kress, with special guests Andrea Hairston, Malka Older (who attended virtually), and Sheree Renée Thomas, plus fan guest of honor Ben Yalow. CoNZealand (Worldcon 78 in 2020) was the first entirely virtual Worldcon, and DisCon III was the first hybrid Worldcon, with ...Read More

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2022 World Fantasy Awards Judges Announced

The judges for the 2022 World Fantasy Awards have been empaneled.

The judges will read and consider eligible materials from 2021 between now and June 1, 2022. To be considered for awards, all materials must be received by all five judges and Peter Dennis Pautz by June 1, 2022. “If… something is received on May 31 the judges may well have only one day to read it before their deliberations

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2022 Hugo Awards Nomination Period Open

Nominations are now open for the 2022 Hugo Awards, the Astounding Award for Best New Writer, and the Lodestar Award for Best Young Adult Book.

The 2022 Hugo Awards will be presented at the 80th World Science Fiction Convention, Chicon 8, to be held September 1-5, 2022 at the Hyatt Regency hotel in Chicago Illinois. Members with an attending or supporting membership for Chicon 8 or DisCon III are eligible ...Read More

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