WisCon 46

WisCon 46 was held May 26-29, 2023 at the Concourse Hotel in Madison WI, as well as online, with Rivers Solomon and Martha Wells as guests of honor. There were approximately 570 warm bodies, plus 154 online memberships. Programming had 181 items scheduled, offering approximately 80 in-person panels and 30 online panels, all focused on SF/F literature, diversity, feminism, disability, criticism, and more, such as ‘‘Trope Subversion vs. Embracing with Caveats’’ with Charlie Jane Anders, Naseem Jamnia, Mia P. Manansala, and Charlie Jane Anders and ‘‘Dystopias are Easy. Utopias are Hard.’’ with Kate JohnsTon, Susan Lee, Benjamin Rosenbaum, and Annalee Newitz. There were 12 group readings, such as the Broad Universe Rapid Fire Reading and the Fantasy Magazine Author reading, plus GoH and the Otherwise winner readings, a gaming track, an academic track, and five official parties – one of them completely virtual, three in-person with a discord channel component for remote participation and post-party discussion, and one fully hybrid (a Vid Party, with live viewing of fanvids and a simultaneous livestream on Zoom). The surrounding neigh­borhood offered quality eateries, cafes, and pubs.

Highlights included the Gath­ering/Opening Ceremonies; the popular Dessert Salon, utiliz­ing a take-a-number system to mitigate the long lines of 226 seats sold; inspiring guest of honor and Otherwise winner speeches; the art show with 17 participating artists, earning over roughly $9,400; an often lively dealer’s room, featuring 16 deal­ers such as PM Press, Aqueduct, and bookseller A Room of One’s Own; and the ‘‘SignOut’’ mass signing. There were five critique sessions with different pros, aswell as other ‘‘workshop’’ category possibilities, such as ‘‘Theatre Camp’’ and ‘‘Writing Through Hard Times’’. Ryka Aoki and Rivers Solomon were crowned the 2021 Tiptree Award winners for Light From Uncommon Stars (Tor) and Sorrowland (MCD; #Merky) respectively.

Fundraising efforts included the Tiptree Auction, with Sumana Harihareswara as auctioneer, a silent auction, direct sales, and more, altogether earning $3,231. Funds are utilized for ‘‘fellowships that support and recognize new voices who are making visible the forces that are changing our view of gender today,’’ as well as the Tiptree Award prize, and more.

WisCon has announced a hiatus for 2024; information has not been released for future events. More info at their website.

This report and more like it in the July 2023 issue of Locus.

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