69th World Science Fiction Convention
Encyclopedia
The 69th World Science Fiction Convention (Worldcon
), also known as Renovation, was held in Reno
, Nevada
, August 17-21, 2011, at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center (RSCC). The Atlantis Casino Resort
served as the headquarters/party hotel, with additional rooms supplied by the Peppermill Hotel Casino
and Courtyard by Marriott. The convention committee was chaired by Patty Wells.
, Ellen Asher
, Boris Vallejo
, and the late Charles N. Brown
, whose contribution was still honored. Special Guests included Tricky Pixie and Bill Willingham
. Other notabile guests included author George R. R. Martin
, radio legend Dr. Demento
, and artist Julie Bell
. Special events include the Renovation Independent/Fan Film Festival 2011, Music Night on Wednesday, and an Art Night festival celebrating the visual arts in SF on Thursday. The Chesley Awards
were presented on August 18 as part of Art Night, the Masquerade was held on Friday the 19th, and the 2011 Hugo Awards were presented on Saturday August 20th, with the Masquerade and Hugo Awards both held at the Peppermill and most other events happening at the RSCC.
A pair of autographed shooting script
s for the HBO television series Game of Thrones
were stolen in transit from Belfast
to Reno. The theft of the scripts, donated by author George R. R. Martin
whose books are the basis for the series and intended for sale at Renovation's charity auction, made international headlines. Shipped via registered mail, only the cover letter in a "battered" envelope arrived in Reno. The scripts were signed by executive producers Dan Weiss and David Benioff
plus director Alan Taylor
.
in Montreal
in 2009.
s, named after Hugo Gernsback
, are given every year for the best science fiction
or fantasy
works and achievements of the previous year. Results are based on the 2100 valid ballots submitted by current members of the World Science Fiction Society. The 2011 Hugo Award statue base was designed by Marina Gelineau.
, as the host city for the 71st World Science Fiction Convention
, "LoneStarCon 3", to be held in 2013. With 760 valid ballots cast, Texas received 694 votes, 25 ballots expressed no preference, 14 votes were cast for none of the above
, and write-in candidates included Xerpes with 6 votes, Minneapolis with 5, Denton
with 5, Boston with 3, plus a number of single-vote entries.
Worldcon
Worldcon, or more formally The World Science Fiction Convention, is a science fiction convention held each year since 1939 . It is the annual convention of the World Science Fiction Society...
), also known as Renovation, was held in Reno
Reno
Reno is the fourth most populous city in Nevada, US.Reno may also refer to:-Places:Italy*The Reno River, in Northern ItalyCanada*Reno No...
, Nevada
Nevada
Nevada is a state in the western, mountain west, and southwestern regions of the United States. With an area of and a population of about 2.7 million, it is the 7th-largest and 35th-most populous state. Over two-thirds of Nevada's people live in the Las Vegas metropolitan area, which contains its...
, August 17-21, 2011, at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center (RSCC). The Atlantis Casino Resort
Atlantis Casino Resort
Atlantis Casino Resort Spa is a hotel and casino in Reno, Nevada. The property is currently owned by Monarch Casino Resort Inc . The three hotel towers have combined 1,000 guest rooms and Jacuzzi suites. The casino floor spans 67,000 sq ft and is one of Reno's most profitable and luxurious...
served as the headquarters/party hotel, with additional rooms supplied by the Peppermill Hotel Casino
Peppermill Hotel Casino
The Peppermill Resort-Spa-Casino is a resort located in Reno, Nevada currently owned by Peppermill Resorts Inc It first opened in 1971, and includes a Tuscan themed pool deck, 1,600 hotel rooms, 600 suites, as well as convention facilities. The resort also contains a casino draped in neon...
and Courtyard by Marriott. The convention committee was chaired by Patty Wells.
Programming
The Guests of Honor were Tim PowersTim Powers
Timothy Thomas "Tim" Powers is an American science fiction and fantasy author. Powers has won the World Fantasy Award twice for his critically acclaimed novels Last Call and Declare...
, Ellen Asher
Ellen Asher
Ellen Asher is an American science fiction editor who served as editor-in-chief of the Science Fiction Book Club for thirty-four years, from February 8, 1973, through June 1, 2007...
, Boris Vallejo
Boris Vallejo
Boris Vallejo is a Peruvian-born American painter. He immigrated to the United States in 1964, and he currently resides in Allentown, Pennsylvania. He frequently works with Julie Bell, his wife, painter, and model....
, and the late Charles N. Brown
Charles N. Brown
Charles Nikki Brown was the co-founder and editor of Locus, the long-running news and reviews magazine covering the genres of science fiction and fantasy literature. He was born on June 24, 1937 in Brooklyn, New York. He attended City College until 1956, when he joined the military ; he served in...
, whose contribution was still honored. Special Guests included Tricky Pixie and Bill Willingham
Bill Willingham
Bill Willingham is an American writer and artist of comics.-Career:Willingham got his start in the late 1970s to early 1980s as a staff artist for TSR, Inc., where he illustrated a number of their role-playing game products...
. Other notabile guests included author George R. R. Martin
George R. R. Martin
George Raymond Richard Martin , sometimes referred to as GRRM, is an American author and screenwriter of fantasy, horror, and science fiction. He is best known for A Song of Ice and Fire, his bestselling series of epic fantasy novels that HBO adapted for their dramatic pay-cable series Game of...
, radio legend Dr. Demento
Dr. Demento
Barret Eugene Hansen , better known as Dr. Demento, is a radio broadcaster and record collector specializing in novelty songs, comedy, and strange or unusual recordings dating from the early days of phonograph records to the present....
, and artist Julie Bell
Julie Bell
Julie Bell is an American painter. A fantasy artist and wildlife artist, she is a former bodybuilder and fantasy model for her husband, painter Boris Vallejo.-Career:...
. Special events include the Renovation Independent/Fan Film Festival 2011, Music Night on Wednesday, and an Art Night festival celebrating the visual arts in SF on Thursday. The Chesley Awards
Chesley Awards
The Chesley Awards were established in 1985 by the Association of Science Fiction and Fantasy Artists to recognize individual artistic works and achievements during a given year. The Chesleys were initially called the ASFA Awards, but were later renamed to honor famed astronomical artist Chesley...
were presented on August 18 as part of Art Night, the Masquerade was held on Friday the 19th, and the 2011 Hugo Awards were presented on Saturday August 20th, with the Masquerade and Hugo Awards both held at the Peppermill and most other events happening at the RSCC.
A pair of autographed shooting script
Shooting script
A shooting script is the version of a screenplay used during the production of a motion picture. Shooting scripts are distinct from spec scripts in that they make use of scene numbers , and they follow a well defined set of procedures specifying how script revisions should be implemented and...
s for the HBO television series Game of Thrones
Game of Thrones (TV series)
Game of Thrones is an American medieval fantasy television series created for HBO by David Benioff and D. B. Weiss. Based on author George R. R. Martin's best-selling A Song of Ice and Fire series of fantasy novels, the first of which is called A Game of Thrones, the television series debuted in...
were stolen in transit from Belfast
Belfast
Belfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...
to Reno. The theft of the scripts, donated by author George R. R. Martin
George R. R. Martin
George Raymond Richard Martin , sometimes referred to as GRRM, is an American author and screenwriter of fantasy, horror, and science fiction. He is best known for A Song of Ice and Fire, his bestselling series of epic fantasy novels that HBO adapted for their dramatic pay-cable series Game of...
whose books are the basis for the series and intended for sale at Renovation's charity auction, made international headlines. Shipped via registered mail, only the cover letter in a "battered" envelope arrived in Reno. The scripts were signed by executive producers Dan Weiss and David Benioff
David Benioff
-Early life:Born David Friedman in New York City, he changed his name to David Benioff, his mother's maiden name. He is the youngest of three children....
plus director Alan Taylor
Alan Taylor (director)
Alan Taylor is an American television and film director, television producer, and screenwriter. Taylor has directed for numerous programs on both network television and premium cable, most notably on HBO...
.
Site selection
Reno's bid to host the Worldcon was formally unopposed and won with 650 out of the 763 cast ballots at Anticipation67th World Science Fiction Convention
The 67th World Science Fiction Convention , also known as Anticipation, was hosted in Montréal, Québec, Canada, on 6–10 August 2009, at the Palais des congrès de Montréal...
in Montreal
Montreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
in 2009.
Hugo Awards
The Hugo AwardHugo Award
The Hugo Awards are given annually for the best science fiction or fantasy works and achievements of the previous year. The award is named after Hugo Gernsback, the founder of the pioneering science fiction magazine Amazing Stories, and was officially named the Science Fiction Achievement Awards...
s, named after Hugo Gernsback
Hugo Gernsback
Hugo Gernsback , born Hugo Gernsbacher, was a Luxembourgian American inventor, writer, editor, and magazine publisher, best remembered for publications that included the first science fiction magazine. His contributions to the genre as publisher were so significant that, along with H. G...
, are given every year for the best science fiction
Science fiction
Science fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with imaginary but more or less plausible content such as future settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, aliens, and paranormal abilities...
or fantasy
Fantasy
Fantasy is a genre of fiction that commonly uses magic and other supernatural phenomena as a primary element of plot, theme, or setting. Many works within the genre take place in imaginary worlds where magic is common...
works and achievements of the previous year. Results are based on the 2100 valid ballots submitted by current members of the World Science Fiction Society. The 2011 Hugo Award statue base was designed by Marina Gelineau.
- Best NovelHugo Award for Best NovelThe Hugo Awards are given every year by the World Science Fiction Society for the best science fiction or fantasy works and achievements of the previous year. The award is named after Hugo Gernsback, the founder of the pioneering science fiction magazine Amazing Stories, and was once officially...
: Blackout/All ClearBlackout/All ClearBlackout and All Clear are the two volumes that comprise a 2010 science fiction novel by American author Connie Willis. Blackout was published February 2, 2010 by Spectra. The second part, the conclusion All Clear, was released as a separate book on October 19, 2010...
by Connie WillisConnie WillisConstance Elaine Trimmer Willis is an American science fiction writer. She has won eleven Hugo Awards and seven Nebula Awards. Willis most recently won a Hugo Award for Blackout/All Clear... - Best NovellaHugo Award for Best NovellaThe Hugo Awards are given every year by the World Science Fiction Society for the best science fiction or fantasy works and achievements of the previous year. The award is named after Hugo Gernsback, the founder of the pioneering science fiction magazine Amazing Stories, and was once officially...
: The Lifecycle of Software ObjectsThe Lifecycle of Software ObjectsThe Lifecycle of Software Objects is a novella by Ted Chiang originally published in 2010 by Subterranean Press. It won the 2011 Locus Award for Best Novella and the Hugo Award for Best Novella....
by Ted ChiangTed ChiangTed Chiang is an American speculative fiction writer. His Chinese name is Chiang Feng-nan.He was born in Port Jefferson, New York and graduated from Brown University with a Computer Science degree. He currently works as a technical writer in the software industry and resides in Bellevue, near... - Best NoveletteHugo Award for Best NoveletteThe Hugo Awards are given every year by the World Science Fiction Society for the best science fiction or fantasy works and achievements of the previous year. The award is named after Hugo Gernsback, the founder of the pioneering science fiction magazine Amazing Stories, and was once officially...
: "The Emperor of Mars" by Allen SteeleAllen SteeleAllen Mulherin Steele, Jr. is an American science fiction author.Steele began publishing short stories in 1988. His early novels formed a future history beginning with Orbital Decay and continuing through Labyrinth of Night... - Best Short StoryHugo Award for Best Short StoryThe Hugo Awards are given every year by the World Science Fiction Society for the best science fiction or fantasy works and achievements of the previous year. The award is named after Hugo Gernsback, the founder of the pioneering science fiction magazine Amazing Stories, and was once officially...
: "For Want of a Nail" by Mary Robinette KowalMary Robinette KowalMary Robinette Kowal is an American author and puppeteer. She also served as art director for Shimmer Magazine and in 2010 was named art director for Weird Tales... - Best Related WorkHugo Award for Best Related WorkThe Hugo Awards are given every year by the World Science Fiction Society for the best science fiction or fantasy works and achievements of the previous year. The award is named after Hugo Gernsback, the founder of the pioneering science fiction magazine Amazing Stories, and was once officially...
: Chicks Dig Time Lords: A Celebration of Doctor Who by the Women Who Love It by Lynne M. Thomas and Tara O'Shea (Mad Norwegian PressMad Norwegian PressMad Norwegian Press is an American publisher of science-fiction guides and novels. The company has worked with authors such as Peter David, Harlan Ellison, Robert Shearman, Lance Parkin, Elizabeth Bear, Mary Robinette Kowal, Seanan McGuire, Jody Lynn Nye, Catherynne M...
) - Best Graphic StoryHugo Award for Best Graphic StoryThe Hugo Awards are presented every year by the World Science Fiction Society for the best science fiction or fantasy works and achievements of the previous year. The award is named after Hugo Gernsback, the founder of the pioneering science fiction magazine Amazing Stories, and was once officially...
: Girl Genius, Volume 10: Agatha Heterodyne and the Guardian Muse, written by Phil FoglioPhil FoglioPhilip "Phil" Foglio is an American cartoonist and comic book artist best known for his humorous science fiction and fantasy work.-Early life and career:...
and Kaja FoglioKaja FoglioKaja Foglio is a Seattle-based writer, artist, and publisher. Foglio co-won the first Hugo Award for Best Graphic Story in 2009 for Girl Genius, Volume 8: Agatha Heterodyne and the Chapel of Bones, and has continued to co-win two Hugo Awards the following years.-Early life and education:Born in...
, art by Phil FoglioPhil FoglioPhilip "Phil" Foglio is an American cartoonist and comic book artist best known for his humorous science fiction and fantasy work.-Early life and career:...
, colors by Cheyenne Wright - Best Dramatic Presentation, Long Form: InceptionInceptionInception: The Subconscious Jams 1994-1995 is a compilation of unreleased tracks by the band Download.-Track listing:# "Primitive Tekno Jam" – 3:23# "Bee Sting Sickness" – 8:04# "Weed Acid Techno" – 8:19...
, screenplay by Christopher NolanChristopher NolanChristopher Jonathan James Nolan is a British-American film director, screenwriter and producer.He received serious notice after his second feature Memento , which he wrote and directed based on a story idea by his brother, Jonathan Nolan. Jonathan went to co-write later scripts with him,...
; story by Christopher Nolan; directed by Christopher Nolan (Warner Bros.Warner Bros.Warner Bros. Entertainment, Inc., also known as Warner Bros. Pictures or simply Warner Bros. , is an American producer of film and television entertainment.One of the major film studios, it is a subsidiary of Time Warner, with its headquarters in Burbank,...
) - Best Dramatic Presentation, Short Form: Doctor WhoDoctor WhoDoctor Who is a British science fiction television programme produced by the BBC. The programme depicts the adventures of a time-travelling humanoid alien known as the Doctor who explores the universe in a sentient time machine called the TARDIS that flies through time and space, whose exterior...
, "The Pandorica OpensThe Pandorica Opens"The Pandorica Opens" is the twelfth episode, and first in a two-part story, in the fifth series of British science fiction television series Doctor Who, broadcast on 19 June 2010. The Doctor's friends send him a warning; he deals with a message on a cliff, a mysterious box and a love story that...
"/"The Big BangThe Big Bang (Doctor Who)"The Big Bang" is the 13th and final episode in the fifth series of British science fiction television series Doctor Who. It is the second part of a two-part season finale started with "The Pandorica Opens", at the end of which The Doctor is trapped, the TARDIS destroyed, and Amy Pond has been shot...
", screenplay by Steven MoffatSteven MoffatSteven Moffat is a Scottish television writer and producer.Moffat's first television work was the teen drama series Press Gang. His first sitcom, Joking Apart, was inspired by the breakdown of his first marriage; conversely, his later sitcom Coupling was based upon the development of his...
, directed by Toby HaynesToby HaynesToby Haynes is a British television director, notable for his work on Doctor Who, Five Days, Being Human and M.I. High.He is a graduate of the National Film and Television School.-Credits:-External links:* at the Curtis Brown Agency...
(BBC Cymru Wales) - Best Professional Editor, Long Form: Lou AndersLou AndersLou Anders is an American editor, author and journalist, primarily of science fiction/fantasy novels, articles and short stories.-Biography and journalism:...
- Best Professional Editor, Short Form: Sheila WilliamsSheila Williams-Biography:Sheila grew up in a family of five in western Massachusetts. Her mother had a master's degree in microbiology. Ms. Williams’ interest in science fiction came from her father who read Edgar Rice Burroughs books to her as a child. Later Ms...
- Best Professional ArtistHugo Award for Best Professional ArtistThe Hugo Awards are given every year by the World Science Fiction Society for the best science fiction or fantasy works and achievements of the previous year. The award is named after Hugo Gernsback, the founder of the pioneering science fiction magazine Amazing Stories, and was once officially...
: Shaun TanShaun TanShaun Tan is the illustrator and author of award-winning children's books such as The Red Tree, The Lost Thing and The Arrival... - Best SemiprozineHugo Award for Best SemiprozineThe Hugo Awards are given every year by the World Science Fiction Society for the best science fiction or fantasy works and achievements of the previous year. The award is named after Hugo Gernsback, the founder of the pioneering science fiction magazine Amazing Stories, and was once officially...
: Clarkesworld MagazineClarkesworld MagazineClarkesworld Magazine is an American online fantasy and science fiction magazine. The first issue was published October 1, 2006 and it has maintained a regular monthly schedule since, publishing fiction by authors such as Sarah Monette, Catherynne Valente, Elizabeth Bear, Caitlin R...
, edited by Neil ClarkeNeil Clarke (editor)Neil Clarke is a Hugo Award-winning and World Fantasy Award-nominated American editor and publisher. He is the owner of Wyrm Publishing and the publisher/editor of Clarkesworld Magazine, an online science fiction/fantasy magazine....
, Sean WallaceSean WallaceSean A. Wallace is an American science fiction and fantasy editor and publisher.-Career:Wallace began publishing fiction in 1997, when he launched Cosmos Books, with Philip Harbottle. Their début title, Fantasy Annual, was an anthology of British authors including E.C. Tubb, John Russell Fearn,...
, and Cheryl Morgan; podcast directed by Kate Baker - Best FanzineHugo Award for Best FanzineThe Hugo Awards are given every year by the World Science Fiction Society for the best science fiction or fantasy works and achievements of the previous year. The award is named after Hugo Gernsback, the founder of the pioneering science fiction magazine Amazing Stories, and was once officially...
: The Drink Tank, edited by Christopher J. Garcia and James Bacon - Best Fan WriterHugo Award for Best Fan WriterThe Hugo Awards are presented every year by the World Science Fiction Society for the best science fiction or fantasy works and achievements of the previous year. The award is named after Hugo Gernsback, the founder of the pioneering science fiction magazine Amazing Stories, and was once officially...
: Claire Brialey - Best Fan ArtistHugo Award for Best Fan ArtistThe Hugo Awards are presented every year by the World Science Fiction Society for the best science fiction or fantasy works and achievements of the previous year. The award is named after Hugo Gernsback, the founder of the pioneering science fiction magazine Amazing Stories, and was once officially...
: Brad W. FosterBrad W. FosterBrad W. Foster is an American illustrator, cartoonist, writer and publisher. He is a fixture at the Hugo Awards, where he holds the record for most awards for "Best Fan Artist." As of 2011, since 1984 he has been nominated 23 times, and won 8...
Other awards
- John W. Campbell Award for Best New Writer: Lev GrossmanLev GrossmanLev Grossman is an American novelist and journalist, notably the author of the novels Warp , Codex , The Magicians and The Magician King...
- Forrest J AckermanForrest J AckermanForrest J Ackerman was an American collector of science fiction books and movie memorabilia and a science fiction fan...
Big Heart Award: Gay Haldeman
Future site selection
In an uncontested election, the members of Renovation selected San Antonio, TexasTexas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
, as the host city for the 71st World Science Fiction Convention
71st World Science Fiction Convention
The 71st World Science Fiction Convention , also known as LoneStarCon 3, will be held in San Antonio, Texas, on August 29-September 2, 2013, at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center and Marriott Rivercenter. The convention committee is co-chaired by Laura Domitz and Bill Parker. The convention...
, "LoneStarCon 3", to be held in 2013. With 760 valid ballots cast, Texas received 694 votes, 25 ballots expressed no preference, 14 votes were cast for none of the above
None of the above
None of the Above or against all is a ballot option in some jurisdictions or organizations, designed to allow the voter to indicate disapproval of all of the candidates in a voting system...
, and write-in candidates included Xerpes with 6 votes, Minneapolis with 5, Denton
Denton, Texas
The city of Denton is the county seat of Denton County, Texas in the United States. Its population was 119,454 according to the 2010 U.S. Census, making it the eleventh largest city in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex...
with 5, Boston with 3, plus a number of single-vote entries.