WisCon
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WisCon, the Wisconsin Science Fiction Convention, is generally acknowledged as the world's only feminist-oriented science fiction convention and conference. It is held annually throughout the four day weekend of Memorial Day, in Madison, Wisconsin. Sponsored by the Society for the Furtherance and Study of Fantasy and Science Fiction or (SF)³, WisCon gathers together women and men: fans, writers, editors, publishers, scholars and artists from around the world to discuss science fiction and fantasy, with emphasis on issues of feminism, gender, race and class.
Guests of Honor have included Ursula K. Le Guin, Katherine Maclean, Vonda McIntyre, Susan Wood, Suzy McKee Charnas, John Varley, Joan D. Vinge, David Hartwell, Beverly DeWeese, Octavia Butler, Chelsea Quinn Yarbro, Don & Elsie Wollheim, Buck & Juanita Coulson, Terry Carr, Suzette Haden Elgin, Elizabeth A. Lynn, Jessica Amanda Salmonson, Connie Willis, Esther Friesner, Samuel R. Delany, Avedon Carol, R. A. MacAvoy, George R.R. Martin, Howard Waldrop, Stu Shiffman, Iain M. Banks, Emma Bull, Pat Murphy, Pamela Sargent, Trina Robbins, Eleanor Arnason, Lois McMaster Bujold, Maureen McHugh, Karen Joy Fowler, Barbara Hambly, Nancy Kress, Nicola Griffith, Judith Merril, Sheri S. Tepper, Charles de Lint, Jeanne Gomoll, Elisabeth Vonarburg, Nalo Hopkinson, China Miéville, Carol Emshwiller, Patricia A. McKillip, Mary Doria Russell, Gardner Dozois, Pat Cadigan, Terri Windling, and Melissa Scott.
The James Tiptree, Jr. Award, an annual literary prize for science fiction or fantasy that expands or explores our understanding of gender, originated in a discussion at a prior WisCon, and the Tiptree Ceremony is often held at WisCon. Broad Universe, an organization with the primary goal of promoting science fiction, fantasy, and horror written by women, also originated in a discussion at a prior WisCon; as did the Carl Brandon Society, which is dedicated to addressing the representation of people of color in science fiction, fantasy and horror.
External links:
- WisCon website (http://www.sf3.org/wiscon)
- (SF)³ website (http://www.sf3.org)
- Tiptree Award website (http://www.tiptree.org)
- Broad Universe website (http://www.broaduniverse.org/)
- Carl Brandon Society website (http://www.carlbrandon.org/wiscon)