Fandom Month: Conventions and Community
From the Golden Age of Science Fiction to the Present, conventions have been a place of celebration and community.
In his introduction to our Fandom month here at SciFi Camp, Andrew mentioned that the first science fiction convention was held in 1939. When I read this, I really wasn’t surprised. As someone intrigued by the history of sci-fi, it made perfect sense. After all, they were in the midst of the “Golden Age” of science fiction with the rise of pulp novels and science fiction magazines. Many of the most influential classic science fiction authors wrote for these mags. Not only did fans devour these stories, they wrote in to the editors, the authors, and each other. In a manner not so different from today, fans would debate with each other through the letter columns. They would develop connections, friends, and enemies. While the internet makes it a mite easier to find like-minded nerds, it hasn’t eliminated our need to connect with each other. To meet with each other in person and maybe not feel quite so alone in our fandom.
As mentioned above, in 1939, a group of science fiction fans came together during the World’s Fair and held the first ‘World Science Fiction Convention.’ Over the years, this convention would become better known as ‘World Con.’ In attendance were luminaries such as Ray Bradbury, Harry Harrison, Isaac Asimov, and John W. Campbell. For some this was even before they were famous. In a reminder that there is nothing new under the sun, there was already fan schisms at this first convention. The Futurians (of which Frederick Pohl was a member) were excluded from the con for basically being ‘too political.’ Even with the controversy, it can be said that over all, the very first World Con was success. Though there were only about 200 attendees, they started something that would last.
Fast-forward 87 years and you can still attend World Con today. With only a four year hiatus for WWII and a digital only con in 2020, World Con has been an annual even since 1939. Like many of the pop culture cons where their city is an important part of their name, World Con attempts to make the ‘world’ an accurate part of their name. They have no home city or permanent residence. Instead, every year a different city hosts the event. While most years it is held somewhere in the United States, they do try to make it truly global. Every few years, it is held in a city from across the globe. The location is decided by several cities making a bid to be a future host city, then trying to convince members to vote for them. This process becomes one of the many communal aspects of the convention.
Unlike many cons these days, World Con is not a pop culture con. It’s not about the celebrities who attend. Although there are moments like in 1976, where a pre-release Star Wars was being promoted to a standing room only audience and Mark Hamill was also present. Rather, World Con is about the genre(s) we love—science fiction (and fantasy). What many conventions might consider the smaller panels, are instead a major part of World Con. These panels cover a myriad of topics. There are panels cover everything from science fiction themes or tropes to writing and publishing advice, to literary analysis, to Regency dance lessons, to live performances, to technology, to so much more. If it is trending in science fiction, it is likely represented in a panel. Of course, it’s not all lit and tech panels. Like many pop culture cons, you’ll also find cosplay competitions and late night dances. The market area is smaller and there is more of a focus on community. There are meet and greets and book signings. Favorite authors will have packed panels and fan groups will have informal meetups. Blood drives with Heinlein’s ‘Pay it Forward’ motto are a frequent part of World Con. At each con guests of honor—both professionals and fans—are celebrated. It’s a celebration of science fiction and the fans which make a fandom a community.
A highlight of each World Con is the Hugo Awards. These awards are some of the most well known, if not most prestigious, awards in science fiction. They were named after Hugo Gernsback, the editor of the Amazing Stories science fiction magazine from back in the Golden Age of science fiction. There’s something fitting about the editor of one of the magazines which first drew science fiction fans together being memorialized by an award given out by the fans. While there is some controversy around the awards (which we are not discussing at the moment—but remember what I said at the beginning, controversy is nothing new to science fiction and its fans), there is something special about attending this even and being part of history in the making.
If we wind the calendar back about a decade, I had the opportunity to attend World Con. It was an amazing experience. I attended panels, met authors, danced, donated blood, collected ribbons, and was surrounded by a world of like-minded fans. The people were friendly, and they were welcoming to newcomers. Each type of convention has its own way of running things. Just because you went to your local comic con, it doesn’t mean you know how a World Con or Dragon Con or fandom specific con run. At times, I felt a little lost, but there was always someone around to help explain things and point me in the right direction. Even with my introverted and anxious self keeping me on the quieter side of things, I felt like I among friends. The overall experience was definitely a 10 out of 10, would do again. I hope to someday attend a World Con again.
Until that day, I will continue attending other conventions. My city has a local comic con. It’s busy and crowded and exciting. While no where near the level of the cons like San Diego Comic Con or New York Comic Con where entertainment and comic industry announcements are dropped, and new products are launched, it is still a fun experience. Despite the name, it focuses more on pop culture than comics. Celebrity guests and the marketplace are more of the focus and draw rather than the smaller panels. But, you can still meet authors and commission art pieces from artists. I had amazing conversations about art, comics, and fandom with the people I met. These are the people who know the same obscure characters you love. (I was able to talk about Jaina Solo without having to explain her whole history first. Yay!). You’re welcomed into a community of fans and fandoms and where your joy is celebrated and dismissed.
But, there’s something special about being able to meet like minded fans in person. We can see the community around us and, even if we all have different special interests, we know we are not alone.
Conventions allow fans an opportunity to gather together. It gives us a chance to not feel so alone in our geekery. Even with the World Wide Web at our fingertips, it can still feel very lonely when it seems like no one in our day-to-day, non-digital life are fans of the same thing. Sure we can post on Tumblr, join Discord communities, and write fanfiction. It even helps. But, there’s something special about being able to meet like minded fans in person. We can see the community around us and, even if we all have different special interests, we know we are not alone. This has been true since those early days of fandom in the 1930s. Those fans of science fiction from across the country and around the world who connected to each other through letter columns and writing letters, still wanted to meet in person. They created the first science fiction con. We continue that tradition though our letters our now digital, and they speed across the world at a much quicker pace, we still make connections, friends, and enemies and long to meet them in person.
So, until next time, we hope to see you at the con!
🛸Sci-Friday FANDOM COMMUNITY NOTES:
We present to you all fine science fiction enthusiasts, the FANDOM COMMUNITY NOTES SECTION, made up of readers and writers and SciFi lovers just like you (and maybe you’ll guest in here as well)!
J. Davis Mallory shared her convention experience:
Jon Schindehette shares this fabulous anecdote:
Charlotte Henley Babb shared:
This years WorldCon is in LA, August 27-31