51st World Science Fiction Convention
| ConFrancisco, the 51st World Science Fiction Convention | |
|---|---|
| Genre | Science fiction |
| Venue | Moscone Convention Center |
| Location(s) | San Francisco, California |
| Country | United States |
| Inaugurated | September 2–6, 1993 |
| Attendance | 6,602 |
| Organized by | San Francisco Science Fiction Conventions, Inc. |
| Filing status | Non-profit |
The 51st World Science Fiction Convention (Worldcon), also known as ConFrancisco, was held September 2–6, 1993, at the ANA Hotel, Parc Fifty Five, and Nikko Hotels, and the Moscone Convention Center in San Francisco, California, United States.
The supporting organization was San Francisco Science Fiction Conventions, Inc. The chairman was David W. Clark. The Guests of Honor (called "Honored Guests") were Larry Niven, Alicia Austin, Tom Digby, Jan Howard Finder, and Mark Twain (Dead GoH). Mark Twain was "channeled" by Jon deCles. The toastmaster was Guy Gavriel Kay. Total attendance was 6,602, of 7,725 paid memberships.
ConFrancisco was the last Worldcon not to have its own official website.[1]
The original plan of San Francisco Science Fiction Conventions, Inc. was to hold the convention at the futuristic San Francisco Marriott Marquis, designed by the noted architect Anthony J. Lumsden, which is topped with a jukebox shaped glass tower that makes it look like a skyscraper from a Flash Gordon comic strip by Alex Raymond. This building is a notable example of futurist architecture. However, the hotel backed out of the contract when a more lucrative larger convention wanted to schedule there on the same weekend.
Awards
The Hugo Awards, named after Hugo Gernsback, are presented every year for the best science fiction or fantasy works and achievements of the previous year. Results are based on the ballots submitted by members of the World Science Fiction Society. Other awards, including the John W. Campbell Award for Best New Writer, are also presented each year at Worldcon.[2]
Hugo Awards
- Best Novel:[3]
- A Fire Upon the Deep by Vernon Vinge
- and Doomsday Book by Connie Willis (tie)
- Best Novella: "Barnacle Bill the Spacer" by Lucius Shepard
- Best Novelette: "The Nutcracker Coup" by Janet Kagan
- Best Short Story: "Even the Queen" by Connie Willis
- Best Non-Fiction Book: A Wealth of Fable: An informal history of science fiction in the 1950s by Harry Warner, Jr.
- Best Dramatic Presentation: "The Inner Light" (Star Trek: The Next Generation episode)
- Best Professional Editor: Gardner Dozois
- Best Professional Artist: Don Maitz
- Best Original Artwork: Dinotopia by James Gurney
- Best Semiprozine: Science Fiction Chronicle, edited by Andrew I. Porter
- Best Fanzine: Mimosa, edited by Dick & Nicki Lynch
- Best Fan Writer: Dave Langford
- Best Fan Artist: Peggy Ranson
Other awards
- Special Award: Takumi Shibano
- John W. Campbell Award for Best New Writer: Laura Resnick
Notable events
At this convention, as one of the "Honored Guests", Larry Niven was carried around the convention in a sedan chair by his fans while wearing a crown.
See also
References
- ↑ "ConFrancisco (Worldcon 1993)". San Francisco Science Fiction Conventions, Inc. Retrieved March 5, 2011.
- ↑ "Hugo Award FAQ". The Hugo Awards. World Science Fiction Society. Retrieved October 11, 2013.
- ↑ "1993 Hugo Awards". The Hugo Awards. World Science Fiction Society. Retrieved March 4, 2011.
External links
| Preceded by 50th World Science Fiction Convention MagiCon in Orlando, United States (1992) |
List of Worldcons 51st World Science Fiction Convention in San Francisco, United States (1993) |
Succeeded by 52nd World Science Fiction Convention ConAdian in Winnipeg, Canada (1994) |