Sfbook at WorldCon 2024

I was lucky enough to attend the 82nd World Science Fiction Convention (WorldCon), held at the Scottish Events Campus (SEC) in Glasgow. It's the first time I've had the opportunity to attend and I highly recommend the WorldCon experience, it's something that is well worth doing if you can.

 

So what exactly is WorldCon?

WorldCon is one of the biggest Science Fiction Conventions in the world, held annually at a different city around the world each time. It's a mixture of meetings, exhibitions, events and the opportunity to meet like-minded fans, not to mention authors, creators and industry professionals who are all involved in speculative fiction. The actual content of the programmes vary from year to year and will invariably showcase talent from the host city along with others from around the world (and I do mean all around the world). It originated all the way back in 1939, when it was held in New York city with about 200 attendees (mostly from the East Coast of the USA). It was actually named WorldCon due to being held in conjunction with New York's World Fair, which was themed as the world of tomorrow, but has since grown in to the name to become a global event, attracting people from the far corners of the earth.

The Hugo awards, sometimes called the "Oscars of science fiction", are presented during WorldCon, with winners being previously voted for by anyone who has paid for membership of the World Science Fiction Society (WSFS). Membership of WSFS is an annual thing and becoming a member for that year gives you access to nominate and vote for authors, writers and content creators - provided you join before the deadline, which is usually the end of the January the year the WorldCon is going to be held. You can attend WorldCon either physically or virtually, for an additional fee, even if you didn't get chance to vote for the Hugo's.

WorldCon is not like other cons, with a vast amount of scheduled programmes on offer from morning to night - this year for example, spread over 5 days, there were events daily from 0900, with a daily "walk with the stars" all the way to late in the evening with parties, an opera and even a symfony. There were also dealer areas to buy any speculative fiction merch you can think of, many stalls from a myriad of organisations - such as the British Science Fiction Asociation (BSFA) and British Fanasy Society (BFS), along with charities, live board games, role plays, signings and table talks (where you get to chat to your favourite authors).

To give you a sense of scale, over the 5 days there were a possible 596 scheduled programmes, attended by thousands of people, all of whom shared an interest in the fantastic.

 

What was it like?

Amazing. Overwhelming. Inclusive. Friendly.

It's a strange feeling, being surrounded by thousands of people who share the same passion for speculative fiction, many of them feeling the same - shy, perhaps a little introverted, but at the same time eager to share their experience with others. I think that's why audience participation in the programmes was a life-saver, encouraging people to talk, ask questions and of course speak to the panelists. All the authors, creators and professional speculative fiction peoples I met were friendly, knowledge-able and seemed as happy to talk about the various subjects as the audience was. Fellow SFBook reviewer Allen Stroud, who is also chair of the BSFA, accomplished writer, University Lecturer and all round good guy (and his partner) allowed me to stalk him some of the time and made me feel very welcome.

 

The programmes themselves were highly varied, covering a vast array of subjects. The ones I attended included:

  • Online writers communities and critique groups, chaired by authors David Goodman and Nicholas Binge
  • The gaming tabletop: digital and analogue, chaired by Erin Roberts, Janne, Ric Bretschneider and Soph Williams.
  • Opening ceremony, hosted by the Chair of WorldCon Esther MacCallum-Stewart
  • Morrow's Isle opera, written by WorldCon guest of honour Ken McLeod
  • Predicting the shape of things to come, chaired by Allen Stroud, Emma Johanna Puranen, P R Ellis, Stew Hotson and Tess Tanebaum
  • Edinburgh SFF writers book party, with A Y Chao, Annabel Campbell, Catriona Silvey, David Goodman, Genopveva Dimova, L R Lam, Lorraine Wilson, Nicholas Binge and Shana Lawless
  • 50 years of TTRPGs, with A Ming has no name, Allen Stroud, C M Lowry, Helena Nash and Lola
  • Big smart objects: sentient starships in SF Fiction with Aliette Bodard, Elizabeth Bear, Gareth L Powell, Katherine Inskip and S B Divya
  • African cultural influences in fantasy, with Ehigbor Okosun, M H Ayinde, Marve Michael Anson, R S A Garcia, Rogba Payne and T L Huchu
  • Publishing in the UK, with Marcus Gipps
  • Table Talk with Allen Stroud
  • NewCon Press book launch with Chris Baker (Fangorn) Erin Hunter, G W Dexter, Ian Watson and Ken McLeod
  • An apple for the robot? The future of educational technology with Cameron Bolinger, Chloe Smith, Christopher Kastensmidt, Gabriel Elvery and Heather Valentine
  • Flame Tree press book launch with Allen Stroud and Francesco Verso
  • Urban fantasy settings with Carrie Vaughn, J L Doty, Seanan McGuire and T L Huchu
  • What are reviews for? Balancing critique, recommendation, promotion and the art of criticism in the written review with Graham Sleight, John-Henri Holmberge, Liz Bourke, Paul Kincaid and Roseanna Pendlebury
  • 3D Printing: What's available, getting started and current trends, with James Bryant, Mark Knighton, Mitchell Burnside Clapp and Scott Lefton
  • Hugo awards ceremony, hosted by Esther MacCallum-Stewart
  • Baldurs Gate 3 with Allen Stroud, Emma French, Kat Clay, Kevin VanOrd and Sewn Vinck 

 

The Hugo awards

the hugo awards 2024

 

The Hugo awards are the eminent speculative fiction awards in the industry, the pinnacle of achievement and occasionally likened to the Oscars of speculative fiction. Noted winners have included Arthur C Clarke, Isaac Asimov, Ursula K Le Guin, Philip José Farmer, Philip K Dick, Anne Leckie and Martha Wells (to name a few). The awards include those for novels, shorter fiction, film, TV and even Media.

It's also worth noting that despite being organised by the World Science Fiction Society, the Hugo's can be won by any media encompassed within the spectrum of speculative fiction. Even the film Barbie was not just nominated but short-listed this year (losing out to Dungeon's and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves).

You can see the Hugo awards event below, it's worth watching just for the Sea Cucumbers / T Kingfisher acceptance speech (winning Best Novella for her story Thornhedge) which has to be one of the funniest stories told during an awards ceremony.

 

 

The Winners of the Hugo awards were:

 

Best Novel

  • Some Desperate Glory by Emily Tesh (Tordotcom, Orbit UK)
  • The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi by Shannon Chakraborty (Harper Voyager, Harper Voyager UK)
  • The Saint of Bright Doors by Vajra Chandrasekera (Tordotcom)
  • Starter Villain by John Scalzi (Tor, Tor UK)
  • Translation State by Ann Leckie (Orbit US, Orbit UK)
  • Witch King by Martha Wells (Tordotcom)

 

Best Novella

  • Thornhedge by T. Kingfisher (Tor, Titan UK)
  • “Life Does Not Allow Us to Meet”, He Xi / 人生不相见, 何夕, translated by Alex Woodend (Adventures in Space: New Short stories by Chinese & English Science Fiction Writers)
  • Mammoths at the Gates by Nghi Vo (Tordotcom)
  • The Mimicking of Known Successes by Malka Older (Tordotcom)
  • Rose/House by Arkady Martine (Subterranean)
  • “Seeds of Mercury”, Wang Jinkang / 水星播种, 王晋康, translated by Alex Woodend (Adventures in Space: New Short stories by Chinese & English Science Fiction Writers)

 

Best Novelette

  • “The Year Without Sunshine” by Naomi Kritzer (Uncanny Magazine, November-December 2023)
  • I AM AI by Ai Jiang (Shortwave)
  • “Introduction to 2181 Overture, Second Edition”, Gu Shi /〈2181序曲〉再版导言, 顾适 translated by Emily Jin (Clarkesworld, February 2023)
  • “Ivy, Angelica, Bay” by C.L. Polk (Tor.com 8 December 2023)
  • “On the Fox Roads” by Nghi Vo (Tor.com 31 October 2023)
  • “One Man’s Treasure” by Sarah Pinsker (Uncanny Magazine, January-February 2023)

 

Best Short Story

  • “Better Living Through Algorithms” by Naomi Kritzer (Clarkesworld May 2023)
  • “Answerless Journey”, Han Song / 没有答案的航程, 韩松, translated by Alex Woodend (Adventures in Space: New Short stories by Chinese & English Science Fiction Writers)
  • “How to Raise a Kraken in Your Bathtub” by P. Djèlí Clark (Uncanny Magazine, January-February 2023)
  • “The Mausoleum’s Children” by Aliette de Bodard (Uncanny Magazine, May-June 2023)
  • “The Sound of Children Screaming” by Rachael K. Jones (Nightmare Magazine, October 2023)
  • 美食三品 (“Tasting the Future Delicacy Three Times”), 宝树 / Baoshu (银河边缘013：黑域密室 / Galaxy’s Edge Vol. 13: Secret Room in the Black Domain)

 

Best Series

  • Imperial Radch by Ann Leckie (Orbit US, Orbit UK)
  • The Final Architecture by Adrian Tchaikovsky (Tor UK, Orbit US)
  • The Last Binding by Freya Marske (Tordotcom, Tor UK)
  • The Laundry Files by Charles Stross (Tordotcom, Orbit UK)
  • October Daye by Seanan McGuire (DAW)
  • The Universe of Xuya by Aliette de Bodard (Gollancz; JABberwocky Literary Agency; Subterranean Press; Uncanny Magazine; et al.)

 

Best Graphic Story or Comic

  • Saga, Vol. 11 written by Brian K. Vaughan, art by Fiona Staples (Image Comics)
  • Bea Wolf, written by Zach Weinersmith, art by Boulet (First Second)
  • Shubeik Lubeik, Deena Mohamed (Pantheon); as Your Wish Is My Command (Granta)
  • 三体漫画：第一部 / The Three Body Problem, Part One, adapted from the novels by 刘慈欣 (Liu Cixin), written by 蔡劲 (Cai Jin),戈闻頔 (Ge Wendi), and 薄暮 (Bo Mu), art by 草祭九日东 (Caojijiuridong) (Zhejiang Literature and Art Publishing House)
  • The Witches of World War II written by Paul Cornell, art by Valeria Burzo (TKO Studios LLC)
  • Wonder Woman Historia: The Amazons written by Kelly Sue DeConnick, art by Phil Jimenez, Gene Ha and Nicola Scott (DC Comics)

 

Best Related Work

  • A City on Mars by Kelly Weinersmith and Zach Weinersmith (Penguin Press; Particular Books)
  • All These Worlds: Reviews & Essays by Niall Harrison (Briardene Books)
  • 中国科幻口述史, 第二卷, 第三卷，(Chinese Science Fiction: An Oral History, vols 2 and 3) ed. 杨枫 / Yang Feng (8-Light Minutes Culture & Chengdu Time Press)
  • The Culture: The Drawings, by Iain M. Banks (Orbit)
  • 雨果X访谈 (Discover X), presented by 王雅婷 (Tina Wong)
  • A Traveller in Time: The Critical Practice of Maureen Kincaid Speller, by Maureen Kincaid Speller, edited by Nina Allan (Luna Press Publishing)

 

Best Dramatic Presentation, Long Form

  • Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves, screenplay by John Francis Daley, Jonathan Goldstein and Michael Gilio, directed by John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein (Paramount Pictures)
  • Barbie, screenplay by Greta Gerwig and Noah Baumbach, directed by Greta Gerwig (Warner Bros. Studios)
  • Nimona, screenplay by Robert L. Baird and Lloyd Taylor, directed by Nick Bruno and Troy Quane (Annapurna Animations)
  • Poor Things, screenplay by Tony McNamara, directed by Yorgos Lanthimos (Element Pictures)
  • Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, screenplay by Phil Lord, Christopher Miller and Dave Callaham, directed by Joaquim Dos Santos, Kemp Powers and Justin K. Thompson (Columbia Pictures / Marvel Entertainment / Avi Arad Productions / Lord Miller / Pascal Pictures / Sony Pictures Animation)
  • 流浪地球2 / The Wandering Earth II, based on the novel by 刘慈欣 Liu Cixin, screenplay by 杨治学 Yang Zhixue, 郭帆 / Frant Gwo, 龚格尔 Gong Geer, and 叶濡畅 Ye Ruchang, script consultant 王红卫 Wang Hongwei, directed by 郭帆 / Frant Gwo (中影创意（北京）电影有限公司 / CFC Pictures Ltd, 郭帆（北京）影业有限公司 / G!Film (Beijing) Studio Co. Ltd, 北京登峰国际文化传播有限公司 / Beijing Dengfeng International Culture Communication Co, Ltd, 中国电影股份有限公司 / China Film Co. Ltd)

 

Best Dramatic Presentation, Short Form

  • The Last of Us: “Long, Long Time”, written by Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann, directed by Peter Hoar (Naughty Dog / Sony Pictures)
  • Doctor Who: “The Giggle”, written by Russell T. Davies, directed by Chanya Button (Bad Wolf with BBC Studios for The BBC and Disney Branded Television)
  • Loki: “Glorious Purpose”, screenplay by Eric Martin, Michael Waldron and Katharyn Blair, directed by Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead (Marvel / Disney+)
  • Star Trek: Strange New Worlds: “Those Old Scientists”, written by Kathryn Lyn and Bill Wolkoff, directed by Jonathan Frakes (CBS / Paramount+)
  • Star Trek: Strange New Worlds: “Subspace Rhapsody”, written by Dana Horgan and Bill Wolkoff, directed by Dermott Downs (CBS / Paramount+)
  • Doctor Who: “Wild Blue Yonder”, written by Russell T. Davies, directed by Tom Kingsley (Bad Wolf with BBC Studios for The BBC and Disney Branded Television)

 

Best Game or Interactive Work

  • Baldur’s Gate 3, produced by Larian Studios
  • Alan Wake 2, developed by Remedy Entertainment, published by Epic Games
  • Chants of Sennaar, developed by Rundisc, published by Focus Entertainment
  • DREDGE, developed by Black Salt Games, published by Team17
  • The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, produced by Nintendo
  • Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, developed by Respawn Entertainment, published by Electronic Arts

 

Best Editor Short Form

  • Neil Clarke
  • Scott H. Andrews
  • 刘维佳 (Liu Weijia)
  • Jonathan Strahan
  • Lynne M. Thomas & Michael Damian Thomas
  • 杨枫 (Yang Feng)

 

Best Editor Long Form

  • Ruoxi Chen
  • Lindsey Hall
  • Lee Harris
  • Kelly Lonesome
  • David Thomas Moore
  • 姚海军 (Yao Haijun)

 

Best Professional Artist

  • Rovina Cai
  • Micaela Alcaino
  • Galen Dara
  • Dan Dos Santos
  • Tristan Elwell
  • Alyssa Winans

 

Best Semiprozine

  • Strange Horizons, by the Strange Horizons Editorial Collective
  • Escape Pod, editors Mur Lafferty and Valerie Valdes; assistant editors Benjamin C. Kinney, Premee Mohamed and Kevin Wabaunsee; hosts Tina Connolly and Alasdair Stuart; producers Summer Brooks and Adam Pracht; and the entire Escape Pod team
  • FIYAH Literary Magazine, publisher and executive editor DaVaun Sanders, poetry editor B. Sharise Moore, special projects manager L. D. Lewis, art director Christian Ivey, acquiring editors Rebecca McGee, Kerine Wint, Joshua Morley, Emmalia Harrington, Genine Tyson, Tonya R. Moore, sponsor coordinator Nelson Rolon
  • GigaNotoSaurus, editor LaShawn M. Wanak, associate editors Mia Tsai and Edgard Wentz, along with the GNS Slushreaders Team
  • khōréō, produced by Aleksandra Hill, Zhui Ning Chang, Kanika Agrawal, Isabella Kestermann, Rowan Morrison, Sachiko Ragosta, Lian Xia Rose, Jenelle DeCosta, Melissa Ren, Elaine Ho, Lilivette Domínguez, Jei D. Marcade, Jeané Ridges, Isaree Thatchaichawalit, Danai Christopoulou, M. L. Krishnan, Ysabella Maglanque, Aaron Voigt, Adil Mian, Alexandra Millatmal, E. Broderick, K. S. Walker, Katarzyna Nowacka, Katie McIvor, Kelsea Yu, Marie Croke, Osahon Ize-Iyamu, Phoebe Low, S. R. Westvik, Sara S. Messenger
  • Uncanny Magazine, publishers and editors-in-chief: Lynne M. Thomas and Michael Damian Thomas; managing editor Monte Lin; nonfiction editor Meg Elison; podcast producers Erika Ensign and Steven Schapansky.

 

Best Fanzine

  • Nerds of a Feather, Flock Together, editors Roseanna Pendlebury, Arturo Serrano, Paul Weimer; senior editors Joe Sherry, Adri Joy, G. Brown, Vance Kotrla.
  • Black Nerd Problems, editors Omar Holmon and William Evans
  • The Full Lid, written by Alasdair Stuart and edited by Marguerite Kenner
  • Idea, editor Geri Sullivan
  • Journey Planet, edited by Michael Carroll, Vincent Docherty, Sara Felix, Ann Gry, Sarah Gulde, Allison Hartman Adams, Arthur Liu, Jean Martin, Helena Nash, Pádraig Ó Méalóid, Yen Ooi, Chuck Serface, Alan Stewart, Regina Kanyu Wang, James Bacon and Christopher J. Garcia
  • Unofficial Hugo Book Club Blog, editors Olav Rokne and Amanda Wakaruk

 

Best Fancast

  • Octothorpe, by John Coxon, Alison Scott, and Liz Batty
  • The Coode Street Podcast, presented by Jonathan Strahan and Gary K. Wolfe
  • Hugos There, presented by Seth Heasley
  • Publishing Rodeo, presented by Sunyi Dean and Scott Drakeford
  • 科幻Fans布玛 (Science Fiction Fans Buma), production team 布玛（Buma)，刘路（Liu Lu)，刘倡（Liu Chang)
  • Worldbuilding for Masochists, presented by Marshall Ryan Maresca, Rowenna Miller, Cass Morris and Natania Barron

 

Best Fan Writer

  • Paul Weimer
  • Bitter Karella
  • James Davis Nicoll
  • Jason Sanford
  • Alasdair Stuart
  • Örjan Westin

 

Best Fan Artist

  • Laya Rose
  • ​​Iain J. Clark
  • Sara Felix
  • Dante Luiz
  • Alison Scott
  • España Sheriff

 

Lodestar Award for Best YA Book

  • To Shape a Dragon’s Breath by Moniquill Blackgoose (Del Rey)
  • Abeni’s Song by P. Djèlí Clark (Starscape)
  • Liberty’s Daughter by Naomi Kritzer (Fairwood Press)
  • Promises Stronger than Darkness by Charlie Jane Anders (Tor Teen)
  • The Sinister Booksellers of Bath by Garth Nix (Katherine Tegen Books, Gollancz and Allen & Unwin)
  • Unraveller by Frances Hardinge (Macmillan Children’s Books; eligible due to 2023 U.S. publication by Amulet)

 

Astounding Award for Best New Writer (sponsored by Dell Magazines)

  • Xiran Jay Zhao (eligibility extended at request of Dell Magazines)
  • Moniquill Blackgoose (1st year of eligibility)
  • Sunyi Dean (2nd year of eligibility)
  • Ai Jiang (2nd year of eligibility)
  • Hannah Kaner (1st year of eligibility)
  • Em X. Liu (1st year of eligibility)