Welcome
This website aims to collate knowledge from people who have helped run the popular not-for-profit science fiction convention known as "Eastercon".
It also has information for those of you wanting to attend Eastercon.
If you want to take part in a discussion about the future of Eastercons, and the sort of things that might be useful to carry forward from year to year, then there's a discussion going on on the Eastercon Wordpress site.
Supporting the Future of Eastercon
News
What's new on the site.
For the moment, the easiest thing to do is click on Recent Changes in the navigation menu to the left of the screen.
We try to keep news of bids and any major changes (new guests, change of hotel) on this front page.
We're looking for new articles and new areas to write about, so if you have any questions, suggestions, or want to update or edit any of the articles (or want to write new stuff), then please get in touch!
Do you want to help?
Due to the large number of spam accounts that were being set up, to be added as an editor/writer, please email me (Chris O'Shea) at chris.oshea@gmail.com and I'll set you up with an account.
In the meantime I'm collecting lists of pages to update, and ideas for new pages ... so even if you don't want to write it yourself, please email me a the same address and I'll add it to the request list below ...
What is an Eastercon?
Eastercon is the annual British National Science Fiction Convention. It has been held over the Easter weekend every year since 1955. Before 1955 it was usually held over the Whitsun weekend.
Eastercon attracts 800-1,200 fans of Science Fiction, Fantasy and similar genres. Programme events usually include a fancy dress competition, an Art Show, a large Dealers Room selling books and other items, panels, quizzes, workshops, competitions and talks. Items range from hard science through writing workshops to the fun and silly. People are encouraged to take part.
Because it is considered to be a place for fans to meet and take part, rather than sit and listen to presentations, it's a convention and not a conference. Similarly when you pay your money to take part, you buy a membership in Eastercon and not a ticket.
The current cost of attending an Eastercon is approximately £50-£60 British pounds for the membership (discounts are usually available for the unwaged and for those younger than a certain age) plus you will have to pay for your own food and accommodation. Most people stay in the convention hotel and special lower room rates are negotiated.
If this sounds fun, then start by looking at Membership. If you are tempted to run an Eastercon, then start with Departments
Future Eastercons
2016
- Mancunicon, Hilton Deansgate, Manchester, 25-28 March 2016.
Guests: Aliette de Bodard, Dave Clements, Ian McDonald and Sarah Pinborough.
2017
- Innominate "The Con with No Name" 14th to 17th April 2017
The Hilton Metropole, NEC, Birmingham
Note: The website is in progress, so may not be available before 1st May 2016.
Guests:
- Pat Cadigan
- Judith Clute
- Colin Harris
- Note: Pasgon has had to cancel. Contact them for refunds.
2018
- Follycon 30th March to 2 April 2018
The Majestic Hotel, Harrogate
Guests:
- Kieron Gillen
- Christina Lake
- Nnedi Okorafor
- Kim Stanley Robinson
Committee: Michael Abbott, Liz Batty, Steve Davies, Kari, Alice Lawson, Caroline Mullan, Phil Nanson, Alison Scott, and Paul Taylor
Past Eastercons
Recent
- 2015 - Dysprosium
- 2014 - Satellite 4
- 2013 - EightSquaredCon
- 2012 - Olympus 2012
- 2011 - Illustrious 2011
- 2010 - Odyssey 2010
- 2009 - LX2009
- 2008 - Orbital 2008
Before 2008
Full list of previous Eastercons
Reproducing old Eastercon publications
Archived websites
- 2007 Contemplation
- 2006 Concussion
- 2005 Paragon2
- 2004 Concourse
- 2003 Seacon03
- 2002 Helicon 2
- 2001 Paragon
- 1996 Evolution
Traditions
Eastercons have many traditions
Advice on attending an Eastercon
Do it! Membership, We Do It Differently Here
Advice on running an Eastercon
See the advice section for tips on bidding, adding fun and many other areas of Eastercon convention running
General Eastercon articles
Caroline Mullan's thoughts
Evolution did a survey of Eastercon attendees' demographics in 1996 (John has preserved the web pages in case the Internet Archive loses them)
How do I edit this Wiki
This wiki was getting too many edits by people wanting to spam us. If you want to edit this wiki then please send an email to Chris OShea, John Bray, or Alex McLintock to ask them to add you. Your first challenge will be trying to convince one of us that you are known to us and a real person.
We will then (logged in as admins) visit this page to create an account for you