About Readercon 22
Readercon is an annual conference or convention devoted to "imaginative literature" — literary science fiction, fantasy, horror, and the unclassifiable works often called "slipstream."
A typical Readercon features over 150 writers, editors, publishers, and critics, attracting prominent figures from across the U.S., and from Canada, the U.K., and occasionally even Australia and Japan. They are joined by some 500 of their most passionate and articulate readers for a long weekend of intense conversation.
Readercon 22
July 14-17, 2011
Burlington Marriott, Burlington, Massachusetts.
Guests of Honor:
TBA
Memorial Guest of Honor:
TBA
Registration:
$45 through September 15, 2010
$50 from September 16, 2010 through February 21, 2011
$55 from February 22, 2011 through June 15, 2011
Readercon Nominated for World Fantasy Award
The Readercon concom is pleased to announce that Bob Colby, B. Diane Martin, David Shaw, and Eric M. Van are finalists for the World Fantasy Award in the Special Award - Non-Professional category, in honor of their dedication to creating and sustaining Readercon over the past quarter-century. Anyone who's been to Readercon knows that Bob, Diane, David, and Eric work incredibly hard to make the convention even better every year, and this recognition for their efforts and the accomplishments of Readercon is well-deserved.
We also extend our congratulations to past Readercon guests of honor Ellen Datlow, Karen Joy Fowler, China Miéville, and Gene Wolfe, and all the other finalists. The full list is available on the Locus website.
About Readercon
Although Readercon is modeled on "science fiction conventions," there is no art show, no costumes, no gaming, and almost no media. Instead, Readercon features a near-total focus on the written word.
In many years the list of Readercon guests rivals or surpasses that of the Worldcon in quality. Readercon is the only small convention regularly attended by such giants of imaginative literature as Gene Wolfe, Samuel R. Delany, John Crowley, Barry N. Malzberg, Kit Reed, and Jonathan Lethem.
The program consists of two tracks each of panel discussions, author readings, and solo talks or discussion groups, plus kaffeeklatsches (intimate gatherings with an author) and autograph signings. The program also currently features the presentation of three major genre awards: The Cordwainer Smith Rediscovery Award for a neglected author, the Rhysling Awards for sf poetry, and the Shirley Jackson Awards for dark fantasy and psychological suspense.
There is a large Bookshop full of new, used, and rare and collectible books and magazines (and yet more great conversation; if a Readercon attendee is not at a program item, they're probably here).
There's more. We publish a Souvenir Book whose pages of content rival a Worldcon's in number, and a separate, comprehensive Program Guide. There is a hospitality suite well-stocked with munchies; and, yes, there are parties. And Readercon is proud to host a number of charitable efforts.
"The reason I love Readercon is that it's all about the words. The people who read them mix effortlessly with the people who write them… The panels are lively and unusual, the panelists ardent and articulate."
"Readercon is my favorite convention."
"I will miss a Worldcon, but never a Readercon."
"We support the subversive notion that thinking is fun."