Worldcon: Glasgow 2005
 

Anyone here seriously planning to attend the Worldcon in Glasgow, 2005?

Re: Worldcon: Glasgow 2005
 

[QUOTE=I, Brian]Anyone here seriously planning to attend the Worldcon in Glasgow, 2005?[/QUOTE]I'm giving it serious consideration. How long does it last? I've not really done any research yet, but I was almost convinced by a recent conversation with Juliet McKenna that I SHOULD be there.

Edit: That sounded really pompous didn't it!:o What I meant was that I should be there to network with other authors and get a feel for the whole author/publishing relationship on a bigger scale. I probably will go, so if you are thinking of having a get together, then count me in. :)

Re: Worldcon: Glasgow 2005
 

I'd love to go and I've just researched into flights up there and it'll only cost £36 from Bristol!

edit - sadly reading more literature on it you have to be a member, is this true?

Re: Worldcon: Glasgow 2005
 

Have just discovered that my work will pay all the travel and accommodation costs for me to go, so I'll definitely be there now. :) The only question remains as to whether I will take on a stand in the dealer's room or not.

Re: Worldcon: Glasgow 2005
 

I might try and get there if I can..err..what is it? Does it sell beer? :)

Re: Worldcon: Glasgow 2005
 

I would like to go if some of you people are going. When exactly is it?

Re: Worldcon: Glasgow 2005
 

You have to pay to become a member, it is quite pricey. I would love to attend.

Re: Worldcon: Glasgow 2005
 

[QUOTE=Esioul]I would like to go if some of you people are going. When exactly is it?[/QUOTE]4-8 Aug 05, Lou. It would be nice to get a little gathering. :)

Silk, yes it does look as though you have to be a member to go to everything, but surely the general public are not going to pay £110 to wander around an event like this? I'm guessing that if you enquire, you will find that the tickets per day to look around and attend some of the talks will probably be less than this.

Re: Worldcon: Glasgow 2005
 

Cool, I'll definatly do that and let ya'll know what I find out :)

Re: Worldcon: Glasgow 2005
 

Wish I could be there! Any one of you with a digital camera better take some photos so we can vicariously enjoy the event through you!

Re: Worldcon: Glasgow 2005
 

Ok, I've spent most of the day emailing one of the guys from the Interaction event and bombarding him with questions the sum of which is this

[font=Arial][size=2][color=#0000ff][i]The convention is only open to the members - in fact it is their memberships[/i][/color][/size][/font]
[left][font=Arial][size=2][color=#0000ff][i]which pay for the whole event (membership income represents more than[/i][/color][/size][/font][/left]
[left][font=Arial][size=2][color=#0000ff][i]half the total budget), and as you can imagine, hiring major convention[/i][/color][/size][/font][/left]
[left][font=Arial][size=2][color=#0000ff][i]centres is expensive ...[/i][/color][/size][/font][/left]
[left][/left]

[left][font=Arial][size=2][color=#0000ff][i]Depending on where you are coming from and how much of the event you[/i][/color][/size][/font][/left]
[left][font=Arial][size=2][color=#0000ff][i]want to see, there are options for reducing or spreading the cost. There[/i][/color][/size][/font][/left]
[left][font=Arial][size=2][color=#0000ff][i]is an installment plan which spreads the cost into 3 installments over[/i][/color][/size][/font][/left]
[left][font=Arial][size=2][color=#0000ff][i]6 months. We will also be selling day admissions from around 1st July [/i][/color][/size][/font][/left]
[left][font=Arial][size=2][color=#0000ff][i]onwards, these will probably cost £30 - £40 and will provide access for[/i][/color][/size][/font][/left]
[left][font=Arial][size=2][color=#0000ff][i]a single day. [/i][/color][/size][/font][/left]


[left][font=Arial][size=2][color=#0000ff][i]One thing to note is that, unlike some media conventions, the cost[/i][/color][/size][/font][/left]
[left][font=Arial][size=2][color=#0000ff][i]is an inclusive one, so once you are inside the convention, everything else[/i][/color][/size][/font][/left]
[left][font=Arial][size=2][color=#0000ff][i]is normally free to enter including all the programme tracks, autographing sessions,[/i][/color][/size][/font][/left]
[left][font=Arial][size=2][color=#0000ff][i]dealers room, artshow etc.[/i][/color][/size][/font][/left]

If anyone has any other questions there is a Live Journal Forum at

[font=Arial][size=2][color=#0000ff][url="http://www.livejournal.com/community/inter_action/"]http://www.livejournal.com/community/inter_action/[/url][/color][/size][/font]

[font=Arial][color=black]Personally I'm thinking a day pass is the way forward as full membership is quite expensive.[/color][/font]

[font=Arial]If we could pick a day when there are going to be a few of us attending it would be a good opertunity to say hello as well.[/font]

Re: Worldcon: Glasgow 2005
 

I went over to the website for Worldcon to check out this "memberhsip" thing. Except for the price, don't let the word "membership" fool you or dismay you - all that means is that you've paid to get in. For example, by paying the entry fee, I became a member of LosCon this year.

Also, while I was exploring, I discovered that the 2006 Worldcon will be held in Southern California, at the Anaheim Convention Center. That's where we had our Phi Theta Kappa international convention a few years ago, and it's a great place for a convention. It also means that it will be close enough for me to attend. It is also right across the street from Disneyland. Woo hoo! Even better, the 2006 Worldcon starts on my birthday! I think all of that means that I [i]must[/i] attend.:D

Re: Worldcon: Glasgow 2005
 

Hi,

I just thought I'd introduce myself. My name is David Stewart and I am head of the Promotions Division of Interaction, the 2005 World Science Fiction Convention. We have a lot of information about the convention on our Website [url]http://www.interaction.worldcon.org.uk[/url] and we have a Live Journal community at [url]http://www.livejournal.com/community/inter_action[/url] and you should be able to find the answers to most questions there. However, do feel free to post here and I'll do my best to answer.

On the question of 'membership' we use that term to indicate the participatory aspect of the event. Everyone involved in the running of the convention is paid-up member. The authors and other programme participatnts you will see at the convention will also have paid to be members.

Membership differs from admission in one important respect. As a member, you are entitled to nominate and vote for the Hugo Awards. Anyone who is a member before January 31 2005 is entitled to nominate their five favourites works in 14 different categories. The final ballot is then prepared based on those nominations and anyone who is a member before polling closes may vote.

Members of Interaction will also be entitled, upon payment of a voting fee, to participate in the process to select the venue for the 2008 convention. Due to a change in the selection process, that decision will be made in 2006.

There are two types of membership: Supporting and Attending.
Supporting Membership costs £30 and entitles you to receive all publications of the convention and to vote in the Hugos and site selection ballots. Supporting members do NOT have the right to attend the convention.
Attending membership currently costs £110 and entitles you to the same rights as a supporting member plus, of course, the right to attend.

We will be making Day Admissions available but these do not qualify the holder to voting rights or to convention publications.

A final word about our rates. Some people have said that £110 is expensive. But consider this. For that you get five days of panel sessions, workshops, extravaganzas (Hugo Awards Ceremony, Masquerade presentation), a top-quality art show, parties, a fully accredited academic programme and much, much more. To put it into perspective, you'd pay £40 to see Rod Stewart in the same venue. And he'd be on stage for what, 90 minutes, 2 hours?

Anyway, I hope that's added some clarity.

David Stewart

Re: Worldcon: Glasgow 2005
 

But, it doesn't mean that "voting members" cannot attend the con, right David? Which, I think, was what was concerning some forum members. And, actually, I think the price of attendance is fairly reasonable for those who have the money. I mean, for the amount of things to do and see...your comparison to concert ticket prices was very apt, I think.

littlemissattitude, at the library:D

Re: Worldcon: Glasgow 2005
 

Just two questions, do you for £30 receive all the Hugo nominee, and is this membership open to foreigners ?

Re: Worldcon: Glasgow 2005
 

Fiona: Anyone who pays an attending membership or purchases a day admission may attend the convention. If you already have a supporting membership and wish to purchase an attending membership the cost of the supporting membership will be credited to you i.e. you only pay the difference. There is no discount available if you decide to purchase a day admission.

Leto: The convention is the WORLD science fiction convention and we are anxious to have as many countries as possible represented. We already have members from 33 different countries including France, Gambia, Spain, the UK, the US and The Vatican. I'm not quite sure what you mean by the first part of your question.

Re: Worldcon: Glasgow 2005
 

[QUOTE=David Stewart]Hi,
Supporting Membership costs £30 and entitles you to receive all publications of the convention and to vote in the Hugos and site selection ballots. Supporting members do NOT have the right to attend the convention.
[/QUOTE]
I'd just like to know if "all publications of the convention and to vote", also comprise the books which are nominees for the Hugos ?

Re: Worldcon: Glasgow 2005
 

No. The official convention publications are: The Progress Reports which provide information on various aspects of the convention including how to book a hotel room, how to get to Glasgow etc. and the Souvenir Book which contains articles about the guests of honour and other SF-related stuff. If you want to read the Hugo nominated books (or watch the videos) you have to buy them yourself.

Re: Worldcon: Glasgow 2005
 

Just to let you all know, I'm in talks about setting up a stall at the Worldcon, to promote the chronicles network. Promotion of the site will touch a new gear next year, and taking up a position at Worldcon to help connect with the wider science fiction world is simply a part of that.

This isn't going to be billed as a general "chronicles network meet" because I appreciate that not everyone would want to pay to attend. However, there will be a few members already going, and an exhibit stall may serve as a focus point for a few meetings. :)

And hi, David, and thanks for stopping by to help answer questions raised - much appreciated. :)

Re: Worldcon: Glasgow 2005
 

[QUOTE=Leto]I'd just like to know if "all publications of the convention and to vote", also comprise the books which are nominees for the Hugos ?[/QUOTE]As David Stewart said, Worldcon membership does not include the Hugo Award-nominated books; however, in recent years, most or all of the works nominated in the shorter fiction categories (Novella, Novellette, Short Story) have been available to read online.

The [url="http://www.interaction.worldcon.org.uk/hugo.htm"]Hugo Awards[/url] actually include thirteen standard categories, including Best Dramatic Presentation (Long Form and Short Form). In addition, Interaction has decided to use its authority to create a one-shot special category, in this case [url="http://www.interaction.worldcon.org.uk/pressr15.htm"]Best Web Site[/url].

The Hugo Award ballot also includes the [url="http://www.sff.net/campbell-awards/"]John W. Campbell Award[/url] for Best New Writer, sponsored by Dell Publications. The Campbell Award is also presented at the Hugo Awards Ceremony.

As its name suggests, membership in the [url="http://www.wsfs.org/"]World Science Fiction Society[/url] is open to anyone in the world. When you join the Worldcon, you become a member of WSFS -- indeed, that's the [i]only[/i] way to become a member of WSFS! A supporting membership gets you publications and the right to nominate and vote for the Hugo Awards (and to vote on where a future Worldcon will be held), but not the right to attend the Worldcon itself. An attending membership includes all of the membership rights, plus the right to attend the convention itself. A single-day admission allows you to attend one of the five days of the convention, but does not include voting rights.

By tradition, each Worldcon is individually named. [url="http://www.interaction.worldcon.org.uk/"]Interaction [/url]is the name of the 63rd World Science Fiction Convention. Future Worldcons include [url="http://www.laconiv.org/"]L.A.con IV[/url] in Anaheim CA, August 23 - 23, 2006, and [url="http://www.nippon2007.org/"]Nippon2007[/url] in Yokohama Japan, August 30 - September 3, 2007.

I'm another member of the Interaction committee besides Dave Stewart who is here and available to answer questions. I co-chaired the 2002 Worldcon, [url="http://www.fanac.org/conjose/"]ConJosé[/url], and I'm managing Interaction's Events division -- the Hugo Awards Ceremony, Worldcon Masquerade, and other major events such as the play we'll be staging on Friday night. The official WSFS functions (Hugo Award administration and the official [url="http://www.interaction.worldcon.org.uk/wsfs-bm.htm"]Business Meeting[/url], where changes to the governing documents of WSFS are debated and discussed -- all attending members may propose change, debate, and vote on them in a "town meeting" style of government.) are also my responsibility.

Worldcons are truly international activities, with our committee drawn from all over the world. (I live near San Francisco, for instance.) I've attended every Worldcon since 1989 (including Worldcons in The Hague in 1990, Glasgow in 1995, and Melbourne in 1999), and I enjoy explaining how they work.

Worldcons rarely come to the same region more than about once a decade, so if you have any interest in SF & Fantasy literature, art, fandom, etc., I heartily recommend trying to make it to Worldcon when you get the chance.

Re: Worldcon: Glasgow 2005
 

Thanks for the information, Kevin - and welcome to the chronicles network. :)

Michelle's now put me through to Marah for more information on setting up an exhibit there - should be interesting to see what arrangements I need to make, having never done a major con before.

[quote]
Worldcons rarely come to the same region more than about once a decade, so if you have any interest in SF & Fantasy literature, art, fandom, etc., I heartily recommend trying to make it to Worldcon when you get the chance.[/quote]
I absolutely agree - for those in the UK with a serious interest in SFF, it sounds like an ideal opportunity. Especially for those with a working interest in writing, art, publishing, or production, for the potential networking opportunities.

Re: Worldcon: Glasgow 2005
 

Which Fantasy authors will be in attendence?

I have to convince my girlfriend that attending this conference is a 'good' idea. :)

Re: Worldcon: Glasgow 2005
 

Kevin, welcome to chronicles-network from another Californian. And thanks for the information.:)

Re: Worldcon: Glasgow 2005
 

I'm not actually sure there will be any specific fantasy authors present - WorldCon, so far as I understand it, is a specifically Science Fiction convention:

[url="http://www.interaction.worldcon.org.uk/goh.htm"]http://www.interaction.worldcon.org.uk/goh.htm[/url]


For Fantasy conventions, I think you would need the [url="www.chronicles-network.net/forum/showthread.php?t=4051"]WorldFantasy convention[/url]

[url="http://www.worldfantasy.org/2005/"][/url]

Re: Worldcon: Glasgow 2005
 

[QUOTE=Lacedaemonian]Which Fantasy authors will be in attendence?[/QUOTE]One of our guests of honour, Jane Yolen, has been a well respected figure in fantasy for decades. As to others, we've had quite a few "big names" buy memberships (everyone except the Guests of Honour has to pay his/her own way, as do all of us working on the convention, even the convention chairs), but we are not sure what their plans are yet. We are in the process of writing to them to check that they would be happy to be on panels, do signings and so on.

We expect to be able to start making announcements about programme participants sometime in January, and I expect that we'll have a list on the convention web site listing those people who have told us they will attend. That list, of course, is likely to be constantly changing, and will be subject to last-minute cancellations, particularly because everyone is attending on their own.

[QUOTE=Lacedaemonian]I have to convince my girlfriend that attending this conference is a 'good' idea. :)[/QUOTE]What sorts of thing would you (and her) consider the most compelling reasons to attend? To meet authors? To see the Art Show and Dealers' Room? To attend the Hugo Awards Ceremony? To see the many different program items that will be on offer? To look at the many exhibits about science fiction, fantasy, and fandom? To meet other SF & F fans from around the world?

[QUOTE=I, Brian]I'm not actually sure there will be any specific fantasy authors present - WorldCon, so far as I understand it, is a specifically Science Fiction convention.[/QUOTE]Good heavens, no: While the convention name is "World Science Fiction Convention," the term "science fiction" includes "fantasy" in this context. Indeed, if you look at the [url="http://www.interaction.worldcon.org.uk/wsfs-con.htm#article3"]definition of the Hugo Award[/url], you'll see that it reads:
[QUOTE][b]3.2.1[/b]: Unless otherwise specified, Hugo Awards are given for work in the field of science fiction [i]or fantasy[/i] appearing for the first time during the previous calendar year. [emphasis added][/QUOTE]I happen to have a spare Hugo Award trophy left over from 2002, and the plaque on the base reads:

[center]2002 HUGO AWARD[/center]
[center]for Achievement in[/center]
[center]Science Fiction and Fantasy[/center]

As I mentioned above, one of our Guests of Honor is well-known for her fantasy writing. While once again the list of guests for any other Worldcon is no guarantee that any of those people will appear at another one, a look at the [url="http://www.noreascon.org/program/participants.html"]list of program participants at the 2004 Worldcon[/url] should show that Worldcon is a "big tent" gathering, covering the full spectrum of science fiction and fantasy literature, as should [url="http://www.noreascon.org/program/"]the 2004 Worldcon's program list[/url].

Besides, it's sufficiently difficult to define "science fiction" and "fantasy" (think about [i]The Dragonriders of Pern[/i], to use a common example) that drawing any hard-and-fast line between them is usually a waste of time.

I hope this reassures people that both science fiction and fantasy will be well-represented at Worldcon.

Re: Worldcon: Glasgow 2005
 

I'll just reiterate what Kevin has said. The World Science Fiction Convention celebrates all forms of fantastic fiction. Many of the former Worldcons still have active Websites where you can take a look at the sort of programming they ran. For a list go to http:/www.worldcon.org. (You will also find links there to the 2006 and 2007 conventions.)

Re: Worldcon: Glasgow 2005
 

Thanks for the clarification, Kevin and DAvid - much appreciated. I had actually laboured under the misapprehension that the sff conventions were split under Worldcon for Science Fiction, and WorldFantasy for Fantasy. :o

[quote]
Which Fantasy authors will be in attendence?
[/quote]
Peter, have you checked last year's participation list Kevin linked to? That's one heck of an industry gathering.

Re: Worldcon: Glasgow 2005
 

[QUOTE=I, Brian]Thanks for the clarification, Kevin and DAvid - much appreciated. I had actually laboured under the misapprehension that the sff conventions were split under Worldcon for Science Fiction, and World Fantasy for Fantasy. :o [/QUOTE]The World Fantasy Convention is certainly (and by design) a convention much more highly focused on fantasy. With its membership limits and general tone, WFC is more of a conference for Professional Fantasy Authors with some fans allowed to attend if they behave themselves. Worldcon, OTOH, is the "gathering of the tribes" event; it's bigger, more boisterous, and covers more territory than focused events like WFC or the World Horror Convention.

Cheryl Morgan, whose online fanzine [url="http://www.emcit.com/"][i]Emerald City[/i][/url] won the Hugo Award for Best Fanzine last year, attends both Worldcon and WFC, and you can read her reviews of the most recent WFC in [url="http://www.emcit.com/emcit111.shtml"]issue 111[/url] and of the most recent Worldcon in [url="http://www.emcit.com/emcit109.shtml"]issue 109[/url], along with pictures and reviews of other previous WFCs and Worldcons in the [url="http://www.emcit.com/emcit.shtml"]EmCit archives[/url]. [Bias alert: I'm one of [i]Emerald City's[/i] proofreaders and a good friend of Cheryl's, and she's my assistant running the Events division at Interaction, so I can't be expected to be all that objective.]

Re: Worldcon: Glasgow 2005
 

That's a huge list! I have family in Glasgow too, so lodgings will not be necessary. Food for thought.

Glasgow Worldcon Blog
 

Interaction, the 2005 Worldcon in Glasgow, has started an [url="http://blog.interaction.worldcon.org.uk/"]Interaction Announcements Blog[/url] where we'll be making announcements about the convention. For example, a recent announcement was that the [url="http://www.interaction.worldcon.org.uk/hugovote.htm"]Hugo Awards Nominating Ballot[/url] is now online, both in downloadable PDF and online voting form. You need to [url="http://www.interaction.worldcon.org.uk/joining.htm"]become a member of Interaction[/url] by the end of January in order to nominate.

In case it wasn't clear by the messages above: anyone in the world may become a member of the Worldcon, and if you want to become a member so you can vote, but don't think you can attend the convention, you can buy a "supporting membership" that gives you the right to vote and to receive the convention's publications.

Re: Worldcon: Glasgow 2005
 

Not sure I can make the event now. My girlfriend convinced me that a few days away in Rome would be money better spent. Saying that it is costing the grand total of £40 for the pair of us to get to rome and back. Apparently the return flight cost a whopping £1.99. Anyway I will have to see how cheap the hotel's are in Rome.

Re: Worldcon: Glasgow 2005
 

I see there [i]is[/i] a best website category. :)

Definitely need to spruce this place up for that. :)

Re: Worldcon: Glasgow 2005
 

[QUOTE=I, Brian]I see there [i]is[/i] a best website category. :)[/QUOTE]That's right. Best Website is not one of the regular, ongoing categories; however, every Worldcon has the right to add one Special Category, good for that year only, and Interaction has decided to add Best Website. (ConJose in 2002 also had a Best Website category.) This decision is good only for the 2005 Hugo Awards; other Worldcons may decide to add a different Special Category, or not to add one at all (most Worldcon do not add a Special Category).

Pros Attending Worldcon
 

In response to those who asked what industry professionals (authors, editors, artists, etc.) will be attending Worldcon, Interaction has just posted its [url="http://blog.interaction.worldcon.org.uk/index.php?p=10"]first list of attending professionals[/url] to their announcements blog. This is just the first batch of people who have said they expect to attend and participate in programming. There will be many more as we get closer to the convention.

Of course, these lists are subject to change without notice. Everyone buys their own memberships and pays their own way to the convention, and personal circumstances inevitably cause some people to have to cancel at the last minute. However, I hope announcements such as this will give people here a better idea that Worldcon really is a major gathering of both fans and professionals in the field of science fiction and fantasy.

If you are planning to attend Interaction and think you might have something to offer Programming, please have a look at our [url="http://www.interaction.worldcon.org.uk/progpart.htm"]Program Participants' Page[/url] and fill out the questionnaire there. As it says there, "if you don't tell us you are coming, we won't know you want to be involved!"

Want to Get Involved?
 

Interaction is holding [url="http://www.interaction.worldcon.org/cstn4.htm"]ConStruction IV[/url], the fourth in a series of committee/staff/volunteer planning meetings, in Glasgow on the weekend of February 4-6, at the Moat House Hotel (the main Worldcon hotel, located next to the Scottish Exhibition and Convention Centre). All of the convention's top managers and many of the area heads and staff will be there.

Worldcons rely extensively on volunteers. Worldcons are among the largest all-volunteer-run events in the world. Hundreds of people donate their time, effort, and money to make the event happen. We can use all the help you can give us. If you're interested in getting involved with helping us put on the Worldcon this year and can get to Glasgow that weekend, I encourage you to drop in and find out what's going on.

Re: Pros Attending Worldcon
 

The list of people who have agreed to be on panels at Interaction continues to grow. Most Worldcons have hundreds of SF & Fantasy professionals attending and participating in the convention programming. We recently added some more names to the [url="http://www.interaction.worldcon.org.uk/proglist.htm"]Interaction Program Participant List[/url], and we will continue to add names to this list as more people agree to participate, so check that page periodically (or subscribe to the [url="http://blog.interaction.worldcon.org.uk/"]Interaction Announcements Blog[/url]) for updates.

Re: Pros Attending Worldcon
 

Okay - will be adding this to the [url=http://www.chronicles-network.com/news/]News[/url] feature here. :)

Re: Worldcon: Glasgow 2005
 

Just to keep you guys updated on the ever-growing programme participant list, we have recently added the following: Jack Cohen, David Hartwell, Ellen Kushner, Paul McAuley, Sean McMullen, William Meikle, Richard Morgan, Kim Newman, Alastair Reynolds, Geoff Ryman, Pamela Scoville, Delia Sherman, Jo Walton, Sheila Williams, Connie Willis.

The full [url="http://www.interaction.worldcon.org.uk/proglist.htm"]Programme Participant List[/url] hasn't been updated with those yet, but we like to get the word out fast. ;)

By the way, Newman and McAuley will be your hosts for the Hugo Award Ceremony on the Sunday night of the convention.

Re: Worldcon: Glasgow 2005
 

Cheryl,
Thanks for this - are there still tickets available?
The idea of Kim Newman as a compare has finally tipped the scales from "would love to go" to "must see!" :D

Re: Worldcon: Glasgow 2005
 

[QUOTE=Winters_Sorrow]Thanks for this - are there still tickets available?[/QUOTE]Short Answer: Yes, definitely. Worldcon will not be sold out, even on the day of the event. You can buy a membership online or through the post: See the [url="http://www.interaction.worldcon.org/joining.htm"]How to Join Interaction page[/url].

Longer Answer: FYI, Worldcons, like most fan-run science fiction conventions, don't sell "tickets." We sell "memberships," and when you join the Worldcon, you become a member of the World Science Fiction Society -- in fact, that's the [i]only[/i] way to become a member of WSFS. Join now and you'll be able to vote on this year's Hugo Awards. (The Hugo Awards shortlist should be announced in a couple of weeks.)

[QUOTE]The idea of Kim Newman as a compare has finally tipped the scales from "would love to go" to "must see!" :D[/QUOTE]Great! I hope you'll have a great time at Interaction.