A Mile Closer to the Stars

Frequently Asked Questions About Denvention 3

• What Is a Worldcon?
• How Can I Buy a Ticket to Denvention?
• When Will the Confirmed List of Author Attendees for Denvention 3 Be Posted?
• When Can I Make a Hotel Reservation?
• Can I Vote for the Hugos?

What Is a Worldcon?

The Worldcon is an eclectic mix of annual meeting, exhibition, awards ceremony, opportunity for making publishing deals, and old home week for science fiction fans and professionals. The Worldcon is an opportunity to share ideas, experience, and the love of the fantastic. Unlike many other genre conventions, the Worldcon prides itself on being run by and for its membership, not for profit.

Each Worldcon selects a few guests to honor during the convention. The guests of honor for Denvention 3 are Hugo-award winning author Lois McMaster Bujold, astronomical and Star Trek artist Rick Sternbach, guitarist and singer Kathy Mar, and longtime fan and bookseller Tom Whitmore. Our toastmaster will be science and fiction writer Wil McCarthy. We also have a "Ghost of Honor," with special items based around Robert A. Heinlein (who was the Guest of Honor at Denvention 1 back in 1941). In addition to these guests, several hundred other writers, artists, scientists, editors and fans will participate in convention programming.

Over 1,200 science fiction books were published last year, demonstrating the continuing vitality of the science fiction industry. Science fiction movies are among the most-watched movies of all time, and science fiction on television has undergone a resurgence. While Worldcons emphasize the science fiction publishing industry, all types of science fiction are exhibited and discussed during the five day convention.

Worldcons have grown impressively since their humble beginnings in New York City in 1939. The first Worldcon had about 50 young male attendees, mostly from the East Coast. Since then, Worldcons have attracted up to 8,400 members (in Los Angeles, 1984); nearly half of the Worldcon attendees are female; and attendees come from all over the world (except for Antarctica). In 2007, the Worldcon took place in Japan for the first time. In 2009, the Worldcon will be in Montreal. Worldcons are also one of the few large conferences run exclusively by volunteers.

Activities at a Worldcon include:

• one of the largest science fiction art exhibitions and sales of the year
• a dealer's room that sells books, magazines, prints, and video tapes, as well as a wide variety of hand-crafted jewelry and costume accessories, art prints, and souvenirs
• hundreds of hours of panel discussions, readings, and autograph sessions with authors
• the presentation of the Science Fiction Achievement Awards (Hugo Awards)
• a glittering masquerade
• a huge science fiction exhibit hall, which will include literary exhibits, movie exhibits and fan history mementos
• fund raisers to benefit a variety of activities in fandom, including the fund raising
• manu live music concerts
• presentation of other awards in the science fiction field, such as the Chesley awards for artistic achievement
• hundreds of hours of movies

More descriptions of "What Is a Worldcon?" from recent Worldcon Websites:

• Nippon 07 (Yokahama, Japan, 2007) - About Worldcon
• L.A.con IV (Los Angeles, California, 2006) - What Is a Worldcon?
• Interaction (Glasgow, Scotland, 2005) - What Is the Worldcon?
• Noreascon IV (Boston, Massachusetts, 2004) - Worldcon, the Fannish Family Reunion
• Torcon 3 (Toronto, Ontario, 2003) - What Is Worldcon?

The World Science Fiction Society is overseer of the Worldcon process. WSFS holds business meetings at each Worldcon.

Every year, Worldcon members give out the Hugo Award. This ceremony will be Saturday night at Denvention.

How Can I Buy a Ticket to Denvention?

Worldcons don't sell tickets, they sell memberships. An attending Denvention membership gives you the right to attend Worldcon, vote for the site of the 2010 Worldcon, receive publications, and vote for the Hugo Awards (if you buy your membership before the voting deadline).

When Will the Confirmed List of Author Attendees for Denvention 3 Be Posted?

Program participants are typically not announced until the winter or spring before the Worldcon

For an idea of who generally attends a Worldcon, check the list of L. A. Con IV (Worldcon 2006) program participants.

When Can I Make a Hotel Reservation?

Hotel booking information is up

Can I Vote for the Hugos?

If you are a member of Denvention or Nippon, you may nominate for the Hugos between now and March 1, 2008. You can vote with a printed ballot or online (if you have your PIN number from a Denvention mailing label).

After the nominees are announced, you may vote for the Hugos themselves if you are a Denvention member. More information on that when it becomes available.