55th World Science Fiction Convention

55th Worldcon (1997)

LoneStarCon 2, the 55th World Science Fiction Convention

Genre| Science fiction
Dates| 28 August–1 September 1997
Venue| Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center
Location(s)| San Antonio, Texas
Country| United States
Attendance| 4,634
Organized by| Austin Literary Arts Maintenance Organization, Inc.
Filing status| 501(c)(3) non-profit
Website| alamo-sf.org/lonestarcon2

The 55th World Science Fiction Convention (Worldcon), also known as LoneStarCon 2, also known as "The Second Occasional LoneStarCon Science Fiction Convention & Chili Cook-off", was held on 28 August–1 September 1997 at the Marriott Rivercenter, Marriott Riverwalk, and the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center in San Antonio, Texas, United States.[1][2] The first LoneStarCon, held in Austin, Texas, had been the North American Science Fiction Convention (NASFiC) in 1985, when the 43rd Worldcon was held in Australia.[3]

The supporting organization was the Austin Literary Arts Maintenance Organization (ALAMO). The chairman was Karen Meschke.

## Participants

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Attendance was 4,634, out of 5,614 paid memberships.

### Guests of Honor

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[4][1][5][6]

* Algis Budrys (pro)
* Michael Moorcock (pro)
* Don Maitz (artist)
* Roy Tackett (fan)
* Neal Barrett, Jr. (toastmaster)

## Awards

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Main article: Hugo Award

The World Science Fiction Society administers and presents the Hugo Awards,[7] the oldest and most noteworthy award for science fiction. Selection of the recipients is by vote of the Worldcon members. Categories include novels and short fiction, artwork, dramatic presentations, and various professional and fandom activities.[7][8]

Other awards may be presented at Worldcon at the discretion of the individual convention committee. This has often included the national SF awards of the host country, such as the Japanese Seiun Awards as part of Nippon 2007,[9] and the Prix Aurora Awards as part of Anticipation in 2009. The Astounding Award for Best New Writer and the Sidewise Award, though not sponsored by the Worldcon, are usually presented, as well as the Chesley Awards, the Prometheus Award, and others.[9][10][11]

### 1997 Hugo Awards

[edit]

* Best Novel: Blue Mars by Kim Stanley Robinson[12]
* Best Novella: "Blood of the Dragon" by George R. R. Martin
* Best Novelette: "Bicycle Repairman" by Bruce Sterling
* Best Short Story: "The Soul Selects Her Own Society: Invasion and Repulsion: A Chronological Reinterpretation of Two of Emily Dickinson's Poems: A Wellsian Perspective" by Connie Willis
* Best Non-Fiction Book: Time and Chance: an Autobiography by L. Sprague de Camp
* Best Dramatic Presentation: "Severed Dreams" (Babylon 5 episode)
* Best Professional Editor: Gardner Dozois
* Best Professional Artist: Bob Eggleton
* Best Semiprozine: Locus, edited by Charles N. Brown
* Best Fanzine: Mimosa, edited by Nicki Lynch & Rich Lynch
* Best Fan Writer: Dave Langford
* Best Fan Artist: William Rotsler

### Other awards

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* John W. Campbell Award for Best New Writer: Michael A. Burstein

## See also

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* Hugo Award
* Science fiction
* Speculative fiction
* World Science Fiction Society
* Worldcon

## References

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1. ^ a b Abell, Joe (1997-08-24). "Sci-fi meets the Alamo: World convention to draw thousands of genre's fans and luminaries". San Antonio Express-News. Retrieved 2009-09-09. "A galaxy of the brightest stars in the science-fiction universe will coalesce over San Antonio Thursday when the 55th World Science Fiction Convention kicks off the Labor Day weekend at the Convention Center."
2. ^ Varney, Allen (1997-09-19). "Not Just for Geeks: Gaming at Worldcon 97". The Austin Chronicle. Austin, TX: Nick Barbaro. Retrieved 2013-09-11.
3. ^ Faires, Robert (1997-09-19). "From Scully to Spock: The Sights and Sounds of Worldcon". The Austin Chronicle. Austin, TX: Nick Barbaro. Retrieved 2013-09-11.
4. ^ Martini, Adrienne (1997-09-19). "Beyond the Multiverse: Author Michael Moorcock". The Austin Chronicle. Austin, TX: Nick Barbaro. Retrieved 2013-09-11.
5. ^ "Quotes From Lonestarcon2". The Austin Chronicle. Austin, TX: Nick Barbaro. 1997-09-19. Retrieved 2013-09-11.
6. ^ Shindler, Dorman T. (1997-08-31). "Sci-fi convention toastmaster prefers life a bit 'off the wall'". San Antonio Express-News. Retrieved 2009-09-09.
7. ^ a b "Article 3: Hugo Awards". WSFS Constitution. World Science Fiction Society. 2008. Archived from the original on May 20, 2011. Retrieved April 5, 2009.
8. ^ Franklin, Jon (October 30, 1977). "Star roars: this year's champs in science fiction". The Baltimore Sun. Baltimore, MD. p. D5. Archived from the original on March 8, 2013. Retrieved March 3, 2011.
9. ^ a b "Awards". Nippon2007: 65th World Science Fiction Convention. Archived from the original on August 2, 2018. Retrieved March 15, 2009.
10. ^ "1997 Hugo Awards". The Hugo Awards. World Science Fiction Society. Archived from the original on 2011-05-07. Retrieved 2011-02-28.
11. ^ Abell, Joe (1997-08-31). "Sci-fi practitioners honored at convention". San Antonio Express-News. Retrieved 2009-09-09.
12. ^ "Hugo Award Winners 1997". The Austin Chronicle. Austin, TX: Nick Barbaro. 1997-09-19. Retrieved 2013-09-11.

## External links

[edit]

* LoneStarCon 2, the 1997 Worldcon: Internet Information Center
* NESFA.org: The Long List
* NESFA.org: 1997 convention notes Archived 2007-02-09 at the Wayback Machine
* Hugo.org: 1997 Hugo Awards

Preceded by

54th World Science Fiction Convention
L.A.con III in Anaheim, California, United States (1996)

|  List of Worldcons
55th World Science Fiction Convention
LoneStarCon 2 in San Antonio, Texas, United States (1997)  | Succeeded by

56th World Science Fiction Convention
BucConeer in Baltimore, Maryland, United States (1998)

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