Veejane ([info]veejane) wrote,
@ 2004-07-21 17:39:00
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Good afternoon. I have questions about World Con. Like, what I can expect from it, what happens there, how the day is scheduled. How many people will be there? Will it be just Boskone 5x, or more like a Bon Jovi concert? Will I be compelled to stay till 4am several days in a row, talking about physics problems I don't entirely understand? Is the balance bookish, or media-ish, or gamey, or a mix of all? Do you think good deals can be had in the hucksters' room? Should I care about the Hugos, really (especially if I've read almost nothing nominated) (although I've read several of the retro-Hugo noms, by the hugest of coincidences)? Am I required to make my own tinfoil beanie? (Okay, I know the answer to that last one.) The web site for Noreascon 4 is utterly devoid of detailed programming information, so I am turning to the experts. Please post or email me with funny stories, advice, warnings, mash notes, and whatever else may possess you.

Please don't make me rely on that book Science Fiction Culture by Camille Bacon-Smith, because while she can tell me all the details in the world about the Boskone/Arisia schism, she does not seem to get around to describing how long the bathroom lines tend to be and whether I will need to carry a big stick to beat my way through to the book tables.

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[info]vampry
2004-07-21 05:02 pm UTC (link)
They most likely don't have the schedule set yet.

The largest worldcon so far was over 10,000 but that was in LA some years ago. I'd say you're more in line for between 4 and 5 thousand people.

You won't be *compelled* to do anything you don't want to. There are usually panels scheduled well into the night but unless you find something that is totally capitvating, or people you want to listen or speak to, you don't need to stay that late. It's mostly a bookish convention, with a leavening of film and television stuff. Some of the most well-attended panels at the last one I went to (Philly in 2001) were about Buffy though.

Good deals can be had in the huckster room. But again, that partly depends on your definition of good deal and what you're looking for. A lot of collectors go to Worldcon and so some prices will be set towards them. The huckster room at a worldcon is enormous though, so there will be something for everyone in most price ranges.

You will not need a stick to beat your way to the book tables. Unless it is the one run by Larry Smith. Which is usually very well flocked to and he sells new books too.

The bathroom lines. Well, if it's in the convention center as the last Boston Worldcon was, there are plenty of very large bathrooms. No lines that I remember at all.

Does that help?

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[info]kate_nepveu
2004-07-21 06:11 pm UTC (link)
I'd love to hear the answers to this too, because it's my first Worldcon as well--but I'm expecting it to be a bigger Boskone since it's basically the same people running it, I think.

Come to [info]marykaykare's LJ/blog/Usenet party on Thursday night!

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[info]veejane
2004-07-22 07:19 am UTC (link)
I did see notice of MKK's party. I'll probably attend.

And we'll actually get a face-on look at each other!! Amazing!

Knowing it's the same people as ran Boskone, at least I know that there will be plenty of free snacks.

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[info]kate_nepveu
2004-07-22 08:20 am UTC (link)
Yes, and I'll even obviously be me, as RL name = name on badge = username.

I'm really looking forward to Worldcon, actually.

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[info]oracne
2004-07-22 08:48 am UTC (link)
LJ party! Will there be signs up?

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[info]kate_nepveu
2004-07-22 09:13 am UTC (link)
I have no idea, and MKK is a little busy right now. As it's been announced publicly here and on her blog, I'm sure there will be some easy public way of finding it--if all else fails, the Sheraton room is booked under my name, and we can be lost together. =>

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[info]oracne
2004-07-22 09:19 am UTC (link)
Cool. I will try and find you.

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[info]oracne
2004-07-22 06:37 am UTC (link)
Noreascon will be my 4th Worldcon, so I guess I can answer this!

It will be huge, and there's no way one can do everything--usually there are numerous Program tracks. I've noticed, though, that even though there are lots of panels at a Worldcon, they're not necessarily as unique as panels at, say, Readercon or what I've heard Boskone is like--I think it's because a Worldcon committee is trying to please a wider range of people. Or, possibly, it might be a subjective side effect because my brain is always so scattered due to So Much Input, So Many People at a Worldcon. I've also heard people say they think Worldcon panels aren't as good because the panelists have all been up all night partying, and the con is longer so the effects are cumulative.

You shouldn't have any trouble getting to tables in the Dealers' Room. There were times at TorCon when it wasn't crowded at all. Also, the Dealers' Room is huge, usually bigger than a regular con. Bargains, not so much, except towards the end when individual dealers might be trying to lighten their load before they go home.

Balance is a mix of all. I never notice the gamers much, b/c I think they are, well, off somewhere gaming.

The Hugos can be entertaining, sort of in the way a Beauty Pageant is entertaining--you get to see people all excited over winning. Sometimes there are funny speeches. The nominees dress up, sometimes in interesting ways. The Masquerade is usually worth attending--it's big and flashy and there are often humorous entries.

The only parties I've been to have been the nightly publishers' parties, and last year the Hugo Losers party because I was subbing for a nominee who couldn't be there (no, he didn't win). Those tend to be very crowded and hot and you have to speak loudly, yet I stayed at them for a long time.

The way I stay sane is: always taking a break between panels (unless I'm on two in a row and have no choice). If I'm not enjoying a panel, leave rather than become frustrated (people panel-hop a lot, so it's not considered rude to quietly slip out). I try and arrange at least a few meetings with friends beforehand, because otherwise it can be hard to locate people. For this reason, I'm considering getting a cell phone. I usually don't even try to attend any of the movie showings.

If you want, I'd be happy to drag you along with me for a bit. Some of my fellow workshoppers will be there, as well--I think you met Judith at Readercon. I was hoping to see you even if you don't go to the actual con.

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[info]veejane
2004-07-22 07:17 am UTC (link)
I've pretty much decided I'm going to the actual con; I'm just a little weirded out that I'm ponying up with no idea what will actually be going on during those 4-5 days.

I did meet Judith at Readercon, and again (with Anne Zeddies) at Boskone. Not altogether likely they'll remember me, but I remember them.

I think you're right, that planned assignations are probably the way to go. The ICA is huge enough that it's possible, nay easy to spend a whole day without ever running into someone you'd casually planned to meet.

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[info]oracne
2004-07-22 07:43 am UTC (link)
Oh, good, you know Ann. She will be at Noreascon, too, with husband Timothy.

The ICA is huge enough that it's possible, nay easy to spend a whole day without ever running into someone you'd casually planned to meet.

Totally, if it's anything like the previous venues.

Though I've found serendipity happens, too, and I run into folks I didn't know were even going to be there, like when I ran into my friend Barb on the street in Toronto last year.

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