WisCon
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WisCon, the Wisconsin Science Fiction Convention, is generally acknowledged as the world's leading feminist-oriented science fiction convention and conference. It is held annually throughout the four day weekend of Memorial Day, in Madison, Wisconsin. Sponsored by the Society for the Furtherance and Study of Fantasy and Science Fiction or (SF)³, WisCon gathers together women and men: fans, writers, editors, publishers, scholars and artists from around the world to discuss science fiction and fantasy, with emphasis on issues of feminism, gender, race and class.
Guests of Honor have included Eleanor Arnason, Iain M. Banks, Lois McMaster Bujold, Emma Bull, Pat Cadigan, Avedon Carol, Terry Carr, Suzy McKee Charnas, Buck & Juanita Coulson, Samuel R. Delany, Charles de Lint, Beverly DeWeese, Gardner Dozois, Suzette Haden Elgin, Carol Emshwiller, Karen Joy Fowler, Esther Friesner, Jeanne Gomoll, Nicola Griffith, Barbara Hambly, David Hartwell, Nina Kiriki Hoffman, Nalo Hopkinson, Nancy Kress, Ursula K. Le Guin, Elizabeth A. Lynn, R. A. MacAvoy, Katherine Maclean, George R. R. Martin, Maureen McHugh, Vonda N. McIntyre, Patricia A. McKillip, Judith Merril, China Miéville, Pat Murphy, Trina Robbins, Mary Doria Russell, Jessica Amanda Salmonson, Pamela Sargent, Melissa Scott, Stu Shiffman, Sheri S. Tepper, John Varley, Joan D. Vinge, Elisabeth Vonarburg, Howard Waldrop, Connie Willis, Terri Windling, Don & Elsie Wollheim, Susan Wood, and Chelsea Quinn Yarbro.
The James Tiptree, Jr. Award, an annual literary prize for science fiction or fantasy that expands or explores our understanding of gender, originated in a discussion at a prior WisCon, and the Tiptree Ceremony is often held at WisCon. Broad Universe, an organization with the primary goal of promoting science fiction, fantasy, and horror written by women, also originated in a discussion at a prior WisCon; as did the Carl Brandon Society, which is dedicated to addressing the representation of people of color in science fiction, fantasy and horror.
WisCon 30 (May 26-29, 2006) was an anniversary Wiscon, and many previous Guests of Honor attended.
