The North American Discworld Convention

The North American Discworld Convention, a.k.a. NADWCon, is a biennial science fiction convention

Science fiction convention

Science fiction conventions are gatherings of fans of various forms of speculative fiction including science fiction and fantasy. Historically, science fiction conventions had focused primarily on literature, but the purview of many extends to such other avenues of expression as movies and...

held in North America on odd-numbered years. This is done to accommodate the UK Discworld Conventions, which are held on even-numbered years. The first NADWCon was held in 2009 and sponsored by LepreCon, Inc. (which also sponsors Leprecon

Leprecon

LepreCon is an annual science fiction convention with an emphasis on art held in and around Phoenix, Arizona usually in May around Mother's Day weekend. It is the second oldest science fiction convention in Arizona. It is sponsored by Leprecon, Inc., an Arizona non-profit corporation...

and other Arizona conventions). The next is planned for 2011.

The NADWCon is a fan-run convention designed to celebrate the works of Sir Terry Pratchett

Terry Pratchett

Sir Terence David John "Terry" Pratchett, OBE is an English novelist, known for his frequently comical work in the fantasy genre. He is best known for his popular and long-running Discworld series of comic fantasy novels...

, and focusing primarily on his long-running series of Discworld

Discworld

Discworld is a comic fantasy book series by English author Sir Terry Pratchett, set on the Discworld, a flat world balanced on the backs of four elephants which, in turn, stand on the back of a giant turtle, Great A'Tuin. The books frequently parody, or at least take inspiration from, J. R. R....

novels. The program includes several large-scale events, such as the Gala Banquet, Maskerade (spelled in this manner due to Pratchett's novel of the same name

Maskerade

Maskerade is the eighteenth novel in the Discworld series by Terry Pratchett. The witches Granny Weatherwax and Nanny Ogg visit the Ankh-Morpork Opera House to find Agnes Nitt, a girl from Lancre, and get caught up in a story similar to The Phantom of the Opera.-Plot summary:The story begins with...

), Charity Auction, and Guest of Honor Interview. The 2009 convention also featured a convention-wide Seamstress Guild Party on the opening night. These large events are mixed with smaller panels, discussion groups, games, guest klatches, and other activities.

History

Discworld Conventions have been held in the UK since 1996, but prior to 2009 one had not been successfully attempted in North America. On Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2005, Pratchett did a booksigning and Q & A session for Thud! at Olsson's Books & Records in Arlington, VA, and was asked during the Q & A portion (by the future Vice Chair of NADWCon2009) whether he would be willing to attend a North American convention if one were to be organized for him - to which he heartily answered "yes." Planning for the convention began that night and gained momentum until, after securing sponsorship from LepreCon, Inc. and acquiring a number of experienced convention runners for its chair and committee positions, registration for the 2009 convention opened in November 2007. Registration capped out and closed prior to the 2009 convention, at approximately 1,040 members.

#	Year	Dates	City	Motto	Guest of Honor	Other Guests	Size
1st	2009	Sept. 4-7	Tempe, Arizona	The Turtle Moves!	Sir Terry Pratchett Terry Pratchett Sir Terence David John "Terry" Pratchett, OBE is an English novelist, known for his frequently comical work in the fantasy genre. He is best known for his popular and long-running Discworld series of comic fantasy novels...	Jennifer Brehl, Diane Duane Diane Duane Diane Duane is an American science fiction and fantasy author. Her works include the Young Wizards young adult fantasy series and the Rihannsu Star Trek novels.-Biography :... , Esther Friesner Esther Friesner Esther Mona Friesner-Stutzman, née Friesner is an American science fiction and fantasy author best known for her humorous pieces.- Life :... , Anne Hoppe, Peter Morwood Peter Morwood Peter Morwood is primarily a fantasy novelist and screenwriter, though he has also written works of science fiction. His best-known works include the Horse Lords series and the Tales of Old Russia series.-Biography :... , Bernard Pearson Bernard Pearson Bernard Pearson is an artist best known for his sculptures of Discworld characters and buildings. He initially produced figurines at Clarecraft, which he co-founded, and upon leaving began his series of highly detailed Discworld buildings, most notably a multiple-piece Unseen University.He... , Isobel Pearson, Colin Smythe, Rob Wilkins	1,040
2nd	2011	July 8–11	Madison, Wisconsin	More Ankh, Morpork!	Sir Terry Pratchett Terry Pratchett Sir Terence David John "Terry" Pratchett, OBE is an English novelist, known for his frequently comical work in the fantasy genre. He is best known for his popular and long-running Discworld series of comic fantasy novels...	Stephen Baxter, Jennifer Brehl, Rod Brown, Esther M. Friesner, Anne Hoppe, Ian Mitchell, Bernard Pearson Bernard Pearson Bernard Pearson is an artist best known for his sculptures of Discworld characters and buildings. He initially produced figurines at Clarecraft, which he co-founded, and upon leaving began his series of highly detailed Discworld buildings, most notably a multiple-piece Unseen University.He... , Stephen Player, Kristine Smith Kristine Smith Kristine Smith is an American science fiction and fantasy author. In 2001 she won the John W. Campbell Award for Best New Writer. She lives in northern Illinois.... , Colin Smythe, Reb Voyce, Rob Wilkins, More TBA	TBA

NADWCon2009

NADWCon2009 ran from Sept. 4 - 7, 2009. There was also a pre-convention event on Sept. 3, and a library appearance by Sir Terry (made possible by NADWCon, but not part of the official convention) at the Glendale, AZ library on September 8.

The convention was considered a great success by all, and Sir Terry Pratchett declared it "the best Discworld Convention" he'd ever been to.

NADWCon2011

NADWCon2011 will be held in Madison, Wisconsin, on July 8–11, 2011, at the Madison Concourse Hotel and Governor's Club.

Infrastructure

Following the successful conclusion of NADWCon2009, an oversight and sponsorship committee, dubbed The Guild of Chelonavigators, was formed to decide the location of the next convention and to maintain any archives and assets of the conventions from year to year. The Guild currently consists of a chair, four voting members, and a consulting member. The Guild is not actively involved in planning the biennial conventions; rather, it acts as an advisor to the convention's planning committee, and a sponsor to the convention as needed.

Marks

The logo for NADWCon2009 featured the convention name encircling a stylized turtle and the number '2009.' The motto of the convention was, "The Turtle Moves!" The turtle seal was designed by Emily S. Whitten, Vice Chair and Webmaster of NADWCon2009, who owns the rights to the design. The Guild of Chelonavigators has adopted the stylized turtle, with permission, for its logo.

The logo for NADWCon2011 features a black owl with a white ankh defining its beak and doubling as chest-markings for the owl, sitting on the "2011," and encircled by the convention name in yellow and red. The owl is grasping sausage links in its claws, which trail down to encompass the 2011 convention logo: "More Ankh, Morpork!" The owl seal was designed by Jon Lemerond, Vice Chair of NADWCon2011.

External links

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