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I just realised, or re-remembered, that this year marks 20 years since my first Swancon!
In recent years I seem to have become the guy that many clubs and cons come to for advice, perspective, history, or help fixing a problem.
We leave for Melbourne tomorrow,
and I just lost this evening to fandom stuff that appeared out of the blue. And as Continuum Foundation Chair, it's what I believe organisations like ConFound should do a lot more of - actively helping the community.
I really don't mind helping out, especially when that help doesn't require a commitment of work from me, and is mainly down to me talking to the right people and offering some suggestions.
On the other hand, did it have to be tonight?
In the absence of any chance of sweaty snugglebunnies, time for chocolate!
Edit - And Doctor Who!
We leave for Melbourne tomorrow,
and I just lost this evening to fandom stuff that appeared out of the blue. And as Continuum Foundation Chair, it's what I believe organisations like ConFound should do a lot more of - actively helping the community. I really don't mind helping out, especially when that help doesn't require a commitment of work from me, and is mainly down to me talking to the right people and offering some suggestions.
On the other hand, did it have to be tonight?
In the absence of any chance of sweaty snugglebunnies, time for chocolate!
Edit - And Doctor Who!
Tags:
Let me make this as clear as possible - the next person who says to me, in a matter-of-fact tone, that Continuum can't run a convention in 2010 because of the WorldCon, I will skin. I will then tan the hide, and wear it as a warning to others.
Given that the Worldcon in '99 knocked out Melbourne fandom for two years either side of its running, I should think it's even more important that we continue to operate.
Given that the Worldcon in '99 knocked out Melbourne fandom for two years either side of its running, I should think it's even more important that we continue to operate.
This weekend I will be wearing my Continuum Foundation hat as I talk to a group of people who are running a major event in Melbourne this year. It's not actually a science fiction convention as such, but they are a fannish community of their own, and they came to us wanting advice.
The Continuum Foundation is all about encouraging fandom(s) and helping where we can. Our primary goals are to help new people find fandom, and training up the next generation of con-runners through the Continuum Conventions.
Continuum 5 is coming, by the way - 2009 - so start saving now!
One of the things I say is that if ConFound isn't doing what it can to help out, then what's the point? ( Read more... )
The Continuum Foundation is all about encouraging fandom(s) and helping where we can. Our primary goals are to help new people find fandom, and training up the next generation of con-runners through the Continuum Conventions.
Continuum 5 is coming, by the way - 2009 - so start saving now!
One of the things I say is that if ConFound isn't doing what it can to help out, then what's the point? ( Read more... )
Tags:
Some people seem to think that the only reason someone would want to encourage new people into fandom is because it will create bigger conventions, be good for fandom, etc. These things may happen, but they are only side effects of welcoming in more people. I could do a big diatribe on growth versus stagnation. I could talk about how it's really easy to say we have enough people coming to cons when you're one of the folks who already attend and you know you're welcome, but it's not relevant to why I want to see more newbies in fandom.
I want to see more new fans for their sake, not ours.
Maybe it's because I've been doing 'so it's your first con' panels for over a decade, but I've seen a hell of a lot of people at those panels who turned up knowing no-one, not a single person at the con. Some of them stick around, but many do not, and not all of those that leave can be fobbed off with the oh-so-easy 'it just wasn't for them' comment.
The whole 'most people are drawn into fandom with their friends' argument is a really easy one to make when you're surrounded by your mates, or that is indeed how you found fandom. I've talked to people who spent an hour or more outside a club or convention, absolutely terrified about going in because this was it! This was where they finally hoped to fit in, be welcomed, find people like themselves. They stayed outside because they were scared that they'd find that they wouldn't even fit in here, and if they didn't fit in here, that's it, they really were the loser, freak, and weirdo that their family and the people at school or work thought they were.
I had a cold start, knowing nobody, and it was absolutely terrifying. I spent a fair while outside Space Age Books before going in. And my very first experience of another fan was the gruff guy at the front counter being, well, gruff with me. Not unfriendly, not nasty, but my self esteme was low, and I was shy and nervous enough that I nearly left then and there. I already felt like an outsider who was at best to be tolerated. It was touch and go, and rather than walk up the stairs at the back of the shop to go to the Melbourne Science Fiction Club, I nearly ran out the front door.
If I had I would have missed out on a range of friends and experiences. Would never have done song-vids, run conventions, written fiction, gotten into 3D animation, had the friends and lovers that have enriched my life. I wouldn't have met Sharon.
So why wouldn't I, in all good conscience, want to give other people the same chances I've had?
How many people have been lost from clubs and cons over the years? Where their first experience was their last? It's not just people we lose when this happens. I want to see more new fans for our sake as well.
Every person who never attends or returns represents the loss of potential friends, lovers, con-runners, writers, editors, artists, directors... For all the good or bad they may have done our lives, the community, or the genre, they may as well have never existed.
There will always be people who are lost to us. Some people are too sensitive or scared, some bad experiences are unavoidable, and we can't be held accountable for every lost fan. I don't talk to every new person at a con, and I sure as hell don't expect others to. But the less we do to encourage these people, to try to find ways to make things that little bit more welcoming for them, and the more we sit on our collective arses saying, "they'll find us when they're ready," or "someone would bring them in anyway," the poorer our community becomes.
If you don't believe that, then think on this - If I had chosen the door instead of the stairs...
No Mitch, and no Mitch? collections.
No Pancakes at Carillion.
No Continuum conventions.
I want to see more new fans for their sake, not ours.
Maybe it's because I've been doing 'so it's your first con' panels for over a decade, but I've seen a hell of a lot of people at those panels who turned up knowing no-one, not a single person at the con. Some of them stick around, but many do not, and not all of those that leave can be fobbed off with the oh-so-easy 'it just wasn't for them' comment.
The whole 'most people are drawn into fandom with their friends' argument is a really easy one to make when you're surrounded by your mates, or that is indeed how you found fandom. I've talked to people who spent an hour or more outside a club or convention, absolutely terrified about going in because this was it! This was where they finally hoped to fit in, be welcomed, find people like themselves. They stayed outside because they were scared that they'd find that they wouldn't even fit in here, and if they didn't fit in here, that's it, they really were the loser, freak, and weirdo that their family and the people at school or work thought they were.
I had a cold start, knowing nobody, and it was absolutely terrifying. I spent a fair while outside Space Age Books before going in. And my very first experience of another fan was the gruff guy at the front counter being, well, gruff with me. Not unfriendly, not nasty, but my self esteme was low, and I was shy and nervous enough that I nearly left then and there. I already felt like an outsider who was at best to be tolerated. It was touch and go, and rather than walk up the stairs at the back of the shop to go to the Melbourne Science Fiction Club, I nearly ran out the front door.
If I had I would have missed out on a range of friends and experiences. Would never have done song-vids, run conventions, written fiction, gotten into 3D animation, had the friends and lovers that have enriched my life. I wouldn't have met Sharon.
So why wouldn't I, in all good conscience, want to give other people the same chances I've had?
How many people have been lost from clubs and cons over the years? Where their first experience was their last? It's not just people we lose when this happens. I want to see more new fans for our sake as well.
Every person who never attends or returns represents the loss of potential friends, lovers, con-runners, writers, editors, artists, directors... For all the good or bad they may have done our lives, the community, or the genre, they may as well have never existed.
There will always be people who are lost to us. Some people are too sensitive or scared, some bad experiences are unavoidable, and we can't be held accountable for every lost fan. I don't talk to every new person at a con, and I sure as hell don't expect others to. But the less we do to encourage these people, to try to find ways to make things that little bit more welcoming for them, and the more we sit on our collective arses saying, "they'll find us when they're ready," or "someone would bring them in anyway," the poorer our community becomes.
If you don't believe that, then think on this - If I had chosen the door instead of the stairs...
No Mitch, and no Mitch? collections.
No Pancakes at Carillion.
No Continuum conventions.
Tags:
I'm not going to have much 'net access for the next few days, so before I vanish I want to ask another question.
Fan Guests, what do you think?
I really want to hear mostly from the people who don't like/understand having Fan Guests. And I want any replies from people to those folks to be respectful of their points-of-view and not rude or pushy, or I will delete them at the first opportunity.
If we want to encourage new people to join in, we have to allow them to voice their opinions without being shouted down.
Fan Guests, what do you think?
I really want to hear mostly from the people who don't like/understand having Fan Guests. And I want any replies from people to those folks to be respectful of their points-of-view and not rude or pushy, or I will delete them at the first opportunity.
If we want to encourage new people to join in, we have to allow them to voice their opinions without being shouted down.
Tags:
This post is taken from a bunch of replies on a friend's journal, that it was decided we should stop hijacking and move the discussion somewhere else.
The problem is that a lot of fans want to get along, and many longer term fans don't like change, so the old fans don't change and the new fans try to fit in. The newer folks aren't encouraged to exptress their ideas, and fans have always been good at shouting down those they see as wrong.
I tend to think that when one is well-known and respected in the scene, they have a responsibilty to the newer folks to keep an open mind and to give them the chance to express themselves.
For instance, I have the newer people in Melbourne saying they don't see the point of having fan guests. I disagree with their opinion, but respect and understand that if they feel that way, then many more new folks will as well. So I either need to justify why we do it well enough that they can see my point-of-view, or rethink having fan guests in order to be relevant to the newer folks.
Though that said, I think the fan guest issue is a tiny one compared to how magnificently irrelevant our style of cons currently are to the new crop of fans.
New fans aren't coming to cons. They see them as over-priced, they don't see that they will get any value for money, and when they do come along, they have a hard time making friends because they're shy and because many of us are shy, we're more comfy talking to people we already know.
And then they hear us slagging off 'mundanes' and similarly showing fandom's intolerance for those not like themselves. So to new folks we come across as more exclusive than inclusive.
So discuss... and especially if you're one of the newer fans, please, please, please speak up and tell us what you'd like to see at cons, and what you think needs to be changed.
The problem is that a lot of fans want to get along, and many longer term fans don't like change, so the old fans don't change and the new fans try to fit in. The newer folks aren't encouraged to exptress their ideas, and fans have always been good at shouting down those they see as wrong.
I tend to think that when one is well-known and respected in the scene, they have a responsibilty to the newer folks to keep an open mind and to give them the chance to express themselves.
For instance, I have the newer people in Melbourne saying they don't see the point of having fan guests. I disagree with their opinion, but respect and understand that if they feel that way, then many more new folks will as well. So I either need to justify why we do it well enough that they can see my point-of-view, or rethink having fan guests in order to be relevant to the newer folks.
Though that said, I think the fan guest issue is a tiny one compared to how magnificently irrelevant our style of cons currently are to the new crop of fans.
New fans aren't coming to cons. They see them as over-priced, they don't see that they will get any value for money, and when they do come along, they have a hard time making friends because they're shy and because many of us are shy, we're more comfy talking to people we already know.
And then they hear us slagging off 'mundanes' and similarly showing fandom's intolerance for those not like themselves. So to new folks we come across as more exclusive than inclusive.
So discuss... and especially if you're one of the newer fans, please, please, please speak up and tell us what you'd like to see at cons, and what you think needs to be changed.
I'm sitting here still in mild shock. To my left is a certificate that says, in part, "For making an overwhelming contribution to WA Science Fiction Community."
And it was awarded to me.
There is an award that means the world to me on the years when it's given out - The Mumfan. The Mumfan is basically an award for the people who make the con-going and fan community experience more enjoyable for others. Not by doing big things, obvious things, but by doing small things that are often more important. All those little, unglamourous jobs that never get noticed, supporting people, helping out, welcoming new people... Why it means so much was summed up by one of the winners last night - 'this isn't an award for writing or art, this is an award for who I am, who we are, as people.'
I've always said that what I love about The Mumfan is that it's an award I could never receive.
I get noticed, I get accolades and receive recognition for writing, or video-clips, or other things. Hell, over the years in Perth I have been a Fan Guest, Special Guest, and National Guest. You can't say I haven't been noticed.
The Silver Swan has only been awarded twice before in thirty-three years - to Grant Stone, one of the loveliest people you could ever have the good fortune to meet, and a major influence and contributor not only to West Australian fandom, but Australian fandom as a whole - and the other to the team that produced Eidolon, one of the most important magazines in Australian SF history, and naturally enough given the nature of the award, produced in Western Australia.
It's a WA award. I wasn't born here, nor have I ever lived here. I come from the other side of the country. I describe myself as a Perth fan, and I love West Australian fandom, but in strict geographical terms I come from the Eastern States.
It's one of the many reasons this award has so much impact for me. I'm not being recognised for a single achievement or a body of work, but for who I am and how I choose to live my life, and ways in which I try to enrich the community I am a part of.
It's funny writing that because this is the con that has gotten me fired up again. Since the first day I have been planning a handful of pieces on things like the 2010 Worldcon bid, programming, etc. Some are just thoughts and bits of advice, but others are a full-on arse-kicking aimed at those who do claim to be looking after fandom, but are in fact mainly looking after themselves, sometimes at the expense of the greater community.
And upon receiving the Silver Swan, I suddenly thought that maybe it's ungracious to receive a major award, and then go on the attack shortly afterwards. That maybe I shouldn't write anything that is overly critical of the way people handle or approach some of the things I want to talk about.
Except then I realise I don't care about whether it's ungracious or not. Because often the actions of these people are motivated by their own self-agrandisment, and desire to be a part of something big and important, rather than caring about the very people it's all meant to be for.
The speech that was read out before I was presented with the award means a lot to me, because it showed that the folks over here 'get' me. They know where I'm coming from.
At the presentation, Anna Hepworth gave a brief summation of what the Silver Swan is, and informed folks that it had only been given out twice before. She was then followed by Grant and Simon, who gave me their speeches, which I have copied below.
Grant Watson
"Sometimes the biggest impact a person can make is not seen in what they do, but what others do after them.
We all learn by example: we are inspired by others and want to do the things they do, we are enchanted by their talent, swept along by their enthusiasm - they make a difference to their community.
If we're very lucky, these inspirational figures respond to this attention - not with a burst of ego but by enthusiasm and excitement of their own.
The winner of the third ever Silver Swan isexactly that kind of person, not only for their own immeasurable contribution to the WA science fiction community, but in the reflection they leave on the rest of us.
I can say in all honesty that my own drive to participate in this community is inspired by one person's outstanding contribution, example, and boundless enthusiasm.
I'm sure both Simon and Anna would say the same. I'm sure half theroom could say the same.
I should point out that Grant was crying so hard by this point that I was sure that someone had died and the Silver Swan was being given to the person posthumously, which I felt was rather a shame. I was also wracking my brain trying to think who had died, because anyone this big in the perth SF scene I should have known of.
Simon Oxwell
A great man once said "Perth fans don't know how lucky they are." But wedo know how lucky we are, and that is why the third Silver Swan is awarded to Danny Oz.
Cue me, open mouthed, shambling up to the microphone, squeaking 'you bastards...' in a tiny little voice, and crying continuously for a few minutes while I tried to come up with something to say to do justice to the huge honour I had just been given. I knew exactly what a big deal this was, and there was no way I could ever begin to show just how amazingly touched and honoured I was and still am.
I have cried a few more times today.
Thank you everyone for your kindness and allowing me to do what I do. I may not always get things right, but that so many people recognise my love and passion for this community, one that has given me so much joy over the years, well, I just wish you could all see into my mind for just a moment, to see just how deeply moved and honoured I am.
I shall do my best to continue to be thought worthy of this in the future.
Thank you.
And it was awarded to me.
There is an award that means the world to me on the years when it's given out - The Mumfan. The Mumfan is basically an award for the people who make the con-going and fan community experience more enjoyable for others. Not by doing big things, obvious things, but by doing small things that are often more important. All those little, unglamourous jobs that never get noticed, supporting people, helping out, welcoming new people... Why it means so much was summed up by one of the winners last night - 'this isn't an award for writing or art, this is an award for who I am, who we are, as people.'
I've always said that what I love about The Mumfan is that it's an award I could never receive.
I get noticed, I get accolades and receive recognition for writing, or video-clips, or other things. Hell, over the years in Perth I have been a Fan Guest, Special Guest, and National Guest. You can't say I haven't been noticed.The Silver Swan has only been awarded twice before in thirty-three years - to Grant Stone, one of the loveliest people you could ever have the good fortune to meet, and a major influence and contributor not only to West Australian fandom, but Australian fandom as a whole - and the other to the team that produced Eidolon, one of the most important magazines in Australian SF history, and naturally enough given the nature of the award, produced in Western Australia.
It's a WA award. I wasn't born here, nor have I ever lived here. I come from the other side of the country. I describe myself as a Perth fan, and I love West Australian fandom, but in strict geographical terms I come from the Eastern States.
It's one of the many reasons this award has so much impact for me. I'm not being recognised for a single achievement or a body of work, but for who I am and how I choose to live my life, and ways in which I try to enrich the community I am a part of.
It's funny writing that because this is the con that has gotten me fired up again. Since the first day I have been planning a handful of pieces on things like the 2010 Worldcon bid, programming, etc. Some are just thoughts and bits of advice, but others are a full-on arse-kicking aimed at those who do claim to be looking after fandom, but are in fact mainly looking after themselves, sometimes at the expense of the greater community.
And upon receiving the Silver Swan, I suddenly thought that maybe it's ungracious to receive a major award, and then go on the attack shortly afterwards. That maybe I shouldn't write anything that is overly critical of the way people handle or approach some of the things I want to talk about.
Except then I realise I don't care about whether it's ungracious or not. Because often the actions of these people are motivated by their own self-agrandisment, and desire to be a part of something big and important, rather than caring about the very people it's all meant to be for.
The speech that was read out before I was presented with the award means a lot to me, because it showed that the folks over here 'get' me. They know where I'm coming from.
At the presentation, Anna Hepworth gave a brief summation of what the Silver Swan is, and informed folks that it had only been given out twice before. She was then followed by Grant and Simon, who gave me their speeches, which I have copied below.
Grant Watson
"Sometimes the biggest impact a person can make is not seen in what they do, but what others do after them.
We all learn by example: we are inspired by others and want to do the things they do, we are enchanted by their talent, swept along by their enthusiasm - they make a difference to their community.
If we're very lucky, these inspirational figures respond to this attention - not with a burst of ego but by enthusiasm and excitement of their own.
The winner of the third ever Silver Swan is
I can say in all honesty that my own drive to participate in this community is inspired by one person's outstanding contribution, example, and boundless enthusiasm.
I'm sure both Simon and Anna would say the same. I'm sure half the
I should point out that Grant was crying so hard by this point that I was sure that someone had died and the Silver Swan was being given to the person posthumously, which I felt was rather a shame. I was also wracking my brain trying to think who had died, because anyone this big in the perth SF scene I should have known of.
Simon Oxwell
A great man once said "Perth fans don't know how lucky they are." But we
Cue me, open mouthed, shambling up to the microphone, squeaking 'you bastards...' in a tiny little voice, and crying continuously for a few minutes while I tried to come up with something to say to do justice to the huge honour I had just been given. I knew exactly what a big deal this was, and there was no way I could ever begin to show just how amazingly touched and honoured I was and still am.
I have cried a few more times today.
Thank you everyone for your kindness and allowing me to do what I do. I may not always get things right, but that so many people recognise my love and passion for this community, one that has given me so much joy over the years, well, I just wish you could all see into my mind for just a moment, to see just how deeply moved and honoured I am.
I shall do my best to continue to be thought worthy of this in the future.
Thank you.
It's been good for all the reasons Swancon is usually good - loads of people turning up wanting to have a good time. Personal highlights for me have been getting to meet Robert Shearman again, finally getting to have good conversations with Kendra and Shasta (who I would dearly like to work on something - costume, panel, act, etc. - with), catching up with Sean, Mitch, Mondy, and generally partying like mad.
That's been one thing. The train trip over was handled the way I thought I'd have to be handling the con, and indeed, it's been the way I have had to handle other cons, 1-3 hours out at events, panels and chatting to people, the rest of the time resting in my room.
Except I seem to have had one of my exceptional periods, where I'm suddenly capable of running around a lot, partying, and generally like my old self. I've partied late every night, done big panels and events like the auction and masquerade, and I'm still going strong. I'm actually surprised and not a little bit stunned by how well I'm doing. I'm in lots of pain, but my balance is good, which makes life so much easier. I fully expect to crash and burn at any time, but hey, the con's nearly over, so it doesn't matter. It's the first con since the stroke where I haven't felt like I was wasting money because I got to see/do so little.
Photos soon-ish.
That's been one thing. The train trip over was handled the way I thought I'd have to be handling the con, and indeed, it's been the way I have had to handle other cons, 1-3 hours out at events, panels and chatting to people, the rest of the time resting in my room.
Except I seem to have had one of my exceptional periods, where I'm suddenly capable of running around a lot, partying, and generally like my old self. I've partied late every night, done big panels and events like the auction and masquerade, and I'm still going strong. I'm actually surprised and not a little bit stunned by how well I'm doing. I'm in lots of pain, but my balance is good, which makes life so much easier. I fully expect to crash and burn at any time, but hey, the con's nearly over, so it doesn't matter. It's the first con since the stroke where I haven't felt like I was wasting money because I got to see/do so little.
Photos soon-ish.
All going well, ![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
shazgirl and I will be at the MSFC tonight, and at the Bourke St Mall Pancake Parlour, Sunday 17th Feb from 5pm - 7:30pm.
If you're wanting to go to PP, and haven't already said, please reply on here to let us know so we can give them approx. numbers.
Cheers!
shazgirl and I will be at the MSFC tonight, and at the Bourke St Mall Pancake Parlour, Sunday 17th Feb from 5pm - 7:30pm.If you're wanting to go to PP, and haven't already said, please reply on here to let us know so we can give them approx. numbers.
Cheers!
Tags:
"...they don’t think they need saving. I mean, they haven’t changed for years, have they? They’re not designed to be wanted because they don’t want to be wanted, not really. They want to be left alone to do their thing, and they don’t want any loud new people in the room. They serve a dwindling audience, and they have to be aware of that — so they have to be in it to simply serve that audience, to provide that presumably cosy experience to their people until the last light goes out. Otherwise they would have done something different years ago."
That's Warren Ellis talking about sf magazines, but he could be talking about the majority of sf fan clubs and conventions in Australia.
Just because your friends turn up, doesn't mean it's good.
Just because it breaks even, doesn't mean it's a success.
Just because something runs, that doesn't mean it's still relevant.
More on this later...
That's Warren Ellis talking about sf magazines, but he could be talking about the majority of sf fan clubs and conventions in Australia.
Just because your friends turn up, doesn't mean it's good.
Just because it breaks even, doesn't mean it's a success.
Just because something runs, that doesn't mean it's still relevant.
More on this later...
.
