Introducing the Convention Portal!

There is so much more to Seattle Worldcon than what appears on the surface. The convention portal is your gateway to the convention Discord, virtual programming, and signups for sessions with limited participation. The way to log on to the portal is similar to how you log on to register, or exercise WSFS rights like voting for Hugo Finalists. If you encounter problems, consult our instructions page. Some of the things you can do within the portal are described in the items below.

Signup Process for Limited Participation Workshops, Table Talks, Writing Classes, and Virtual Games

You may have noticed our table talks and many of our in-person workshops and other sessions have limited participation and require advance signup. But how? Seattle is using a process similar to the 2024 Glasgow Worldcon. Signups for limited participation sessions (now including virtual games!) will be available from 8 a.m.–6 p.m. on the session’s previous day. So, for example, you can sign up for limited access Saturday sessions on Friday. Signups for Wednesday sessions will open at 8 a.m. on Sunday, August 10, and close at 6 p.m. Tuesday, to accommodate travel needs.

Admission to events which are oversubscribed will be strictly by lottery—meaning there is no advantage to signing up early, and no lines! Within a few hours after the signup period closes, each member will receive an email informing them if they have been admitted to the session or not, or whether they have been placed on a waiting list in case a last-minute space opens.

Signups can be made electronically—the easiest way!—through the convention portal. Once inside the portal, choose “Sign-ups for items with limited space.” From there, follow the prompts to select from the list of available sessions. Alternatively, in-person attending members can sign up for sessions in the Summit Building at the Info Table on the second floor concourse, or in Program Ops (Room 326). These are unique opportunities for engagement, so we hope you will participate. Good luck!

The Discord is Open! Log on to Start Your Worldcon Today!

Conversations have started already on the Seattle Worldcon Discord server. Go there to meet people, socialize, and talk about the things you’re excited about! We have also planned a virtual scavenger hunt and a playthrough of “If I Ran the Zoo Con” to occur before the convention starts.

During Worldcon, the Discord will be your home online for post-panel discussions, virtual socials, and virtual gaming, along with whatever else you can dream up! One of the best parts of any Discord are the unexpected parts. Come add your thoughts, ideas, and dreams to our virtual community.

Access to the Discord is limited to attending and virtual attending members of the Worldcon; you get there through the convention portal. Trouble logging on? See our instructions page.

Virtual Worldcon—For Members Inside and Outside Seattle!

We are so excited about the content we are able to offer digitally. Five panel rooms inside the Seattle Convention Center | Summit will stream out live content in addition to the ballrooms and stages which will stream our biggest concerts and events. Additionally, we have two exclusively virtual rooms (with extended hours to benefit international members and panelists) that will put the World in Worldcon with amazing international content. Many of the streaming and all-virtual panels and events will be available to all virtual attending and attending members for replay on demand after the convention. And you guessed it—all this content is available through the convention portal. We can’t wait to share it.

Get the Restaurant Guide

Some very hungry and talented SFF fans have made a Restaurant Guide (1.1 MB PDF) for you to educate you about food options near the Convention Center Summit Building and neighborhoods throughout Seattle, including specialized information for dietary needs. Physical copies will be available at con at the Info Table while supplies last. Our website’s food page has also been updated with information about the food outlets inside the convention center. The best way to say thanks is to tip well and clean your plate!

Program Options Expand to Include Concerts, Overseas Content, and More!

The program schedule and lineup of participants keeps expanding since it was first released on July 9. The latest includes a full lineup of concerts in the Signature Room, where award-winning filkers and other musicians will make you laugh, feel, and sing along, and about 60 all-virtual panels from around the globe on topics ranging from Southeast Asian SFF Publishing to New Speculative Fiction From Eastern Europe to SFF’s Role in Revolution on the African Continent. We won’t stop updating the schedule until the convention closes, so check back often.

Got Ribbons? We Do!

Collecting ribbons at Worldcon is a long-standing tradition, and we have several to get you started! Some ribbons will be available at registration (My First Worldcon, Business Meeting Attendee, Hugo Awards Voter, Virtual Worldcon, and more!), as well as multiple “Ask Me About” ribbons available in the second floor exhibit hall if you are seeking conversation starters. You can also get ribbons for participating in various events, such as our single pattern contest or prop contest, donating to some of our charity partners, or wearing an excellent hall costume.

Volunteers Needed for the Masquerade

The whole modern world of cosplay evolved from the Worldcon Masquerade, which got its start when Myrtle Douglas and Forrest Ackerman showed up to the first Worldcon wearing futuristic costumes in 1939. You can be part of the magic in many meaningful ways (besides competing!). Volunteers are needed for the Masquerade Pre-Registration Desk and to be Den Moms, den assistants, catchers, photography escorts, and stage crew during the show and rehearsals. You can go to our website for an explanation of volunteer roles, and email [email protected] to get involved during con.

KiddieCorps Drop-Off Childcare Hours Adjusted

We’ve adjusted the hours available to our members for drop-off childcare with KiddieCorps based on the hours people have reserved. We’re now offering childcare 10 a.m.–8 p.m. Wednesday–Saturday and 10 a.m.–3 p.m. on Sunday. Please book early!

Discover Hidden Treasures in the Freebies Lounge

The Freebies Lounge is now fully stocked and ready for your next literary adventure! Pallets of books are staged in the warehouse, just waiting to be browsed, discovered, and enjoyed. While the dealer’s room offers a fantastic selection of books for purchase, don’t miss the chance to explore the Freebies Lounge and take a chance on an unknown author, or try your luck finding one of many goodies and literary gems.

In the Freebies Lounge you will find:

• Author copies: personal donations from some of your favorite authors.
• ARCs, galleys, & new releases: generously provided by Hugo-nominated publishers including Tor, Penguin Random House, Bloomsbury, Dark Horse Comics, Aqueduct Press, and more.
• Magazines: issues from Asimov’s, Analog, Alfred Hitchcock, Clarkesworld, and others.
• Award-winning indie titles: discover hidden gems and support small press and self-published authors by reading and reviewing their work.
• Second-hand books: Curated from the impressive personal libraries of our members.

New this year: we’re hosting book signings right in the Freebies Lounge!

Authors: stop by to sign up for a slot.

Fans: check the schedule board in the Lounge to meet your favorite writers.

Whether you’re looking to find your next great read, meet authors, volunteer, or just relax with a good book, the Freebies Lounge is the place to be.

For more information, email us at [email protected].

A Daily ‘Zine That’s For You and By You

Seattle Worldcon 2025, as many Worldcons before it, will have a Daily ’Zine. The ’Zine is a twice-a-day official news sheet that is full of information and some interactive fun for you each day of the convention – and some of that comes from you!

We welcome your submissions.

Did you have a memorable or funny meeting with one of our honorable guests or another con attendee? Send in a short paragraph!

• Did you overhear something wonderfully odd and nerdy (things you’re only going to hear at a sci-fi and fantasy convention that have you chuckling with fannish delight)? Send that line or short dialog to us!
• Did you attend a gathering, party or event you want to crow about? Send in a blurb!
• Are you an artist with a great, geeky sense of humor? Submit your single-panel comic!
• See something cool – costumes, groups having fun, a visiting time traveler who missed the World’s Fair by 63 years? A photo is always welcome – send it in!

Email your content and ideas to [email protected].

The ‘Zine will be available each morning and afternoon of Seattle Worldcon – on the website, in Guidebook, at the Information Desk, in Safer Spaces lounges and in the Worldcon Cantina.

What Are We Forgetting?

Oh yeah, the Film Festival, Fringe events, Regency ball, group costume day, live musical theater, guest of honor signings and events, walk-up volunteer opportunities, site selection voting, the frakkin’ Hugo Award Ceremony—well we could go on. We’re most excited to see you at our convention (in-person or virtually) in less than two weeks! Eep!

Save Time and Download Guidebook Before Con!

Our amazing mobile app lays out much more than just the convention schedule, but shows other information about the art show, dealers’ room, and many other activities, all connected to maps and other convention information. Guidebook is a download to your phone, and downloading it in advance will save you time and bandwidth onsite, where your phone or tablet will only need to download updates. And you can start building your personal schedule today! Just search for Guidebook at your favorite app store and search within it for the Seattle Worldcon 2025 guide, or go straight to our Guidebook webpage which presents similar information as the mobile app and includes a scannable QR code.

https://seattlein2025.org/2025/08/03/newsletter-august-2025-how-to-information-included/

#Childcare #ConventionPortal #Discord #FreebiesLounge #Guidebook #Masquerade #RestaurantGuide #Ribbons #schedule #Virtual

Newsletter August 2025: ‘How To’ Information Included!: Our convention portal is open, with access to our Discord, virtual panels, panel and workshop signups, and more; our restaurant guide is posted; our programming just keeps expanding; ribbon collecting; calling for masquerade volunteers; chi (#Childcare #ConventionPortal #Discord #FreebiesLounge #Guidebook #Masquerade #RestaurantGuide #Ribbons #schedule #Virtual)

Full post: https://seattlein2025.org/2025/08/03/newsletter-august-2025-how-to-information-included/

Writing Contest Winners Announced!

With short story submissions from all over the world, the competition in the Seattle Worldcon 2025 Short Story Writing Contest was fierce. The theme was “Building Yesterday’s Future—For Everyone.” This theme was selected to invoke nostalgia for the hopeful science-fictional era of the early 1960s, when Seattle held its first Worldcon, followed up by the Century 21 Exposition, showing the world a vision of its technological future, complete with freshly built Monorail and Space Needle.

We are pleased to announce the winners of the Seattle Worldcon 2025 Short Story Writing Contest!

Winners:
Youth category: “The Dream Terminal” by Michelle J. Diaz
Adult category: “Follow for More: Captain Garvey Fights the Space Junk!” by Sarah Darbee

Prizes include a membership to Seattle Worldcon 2025 for the winners (and for the guardian of the Youth winner), publication on the Seattle Worldcon 2025 website, and publication in a forthcoming anthology by Grim Oak Press.

Congratulations to the winners! Seattle Worldcon 2025 thanks all of the authors who submitted stories to the contest.

Visit the Worldcon Cantina!

Step into a lively space where fans come together to relax, create, and connect. Whether you want to continue an epic panel discussion, unleash your artistic side by adding to our community scroll, or dive into your favorite craft, the Cantina is the perfect place to do it all.

Need a quick costume fix or want to learn a new technique? We’ve got you covered at our costume repair station and crafter’s lounge area, which will host open crafting circles and periodic meetups throughout the con. Looking for a new game to play or a free book to take home? This is where you’ll find our Freebies Lounge. Looking for nourishment or refreshment? We have food and beverage outlets. It’s all here. Come hang out, share your passions, grab a bite to eat, and meet fellow fans who love the same things you do.

The Worldcon Cantina isn’t just a space—it’s where memories are made and friendships begin.

Business Meeting Proposals Are Due June 4

With the approach of summer, the deadline for submission of new business also draws near. This year it comes in a few short weeks at the end of day (Pacific time) on June 4, 2025.

Proposals, which must include a short title, the text of the proposed change with
markup, the names of at least two sponsors who are WSFS members, and any rationale you wish to provide, can be sent to [email protected].

Please look for a detailed email soon from the WSFS Division about the business meeting and other topics. Meanwhile, you can read more about the Business Meeting and submitting proposals on our website.

New Community Fund Grants Available—Eligibility Expanded

The Seattle Worldcon Community Fund has been given additional funding, which allows us to add a fifth application focus group! We are now able to offer grants to people who are both disabled and low income. For example, someone who receives SSI- however, you do not need to be on SSI to qualify. Please visit our web page at Seattle Worldcon 2025 Community Fund for information and to apply.

We are also still accepting applications for all other focus groups, and if you have already applied, you are still in consideration for a grant.

The deadline for our third round of grant awards is May 18th, with disbursements expected on or around May 30th. With the additional funding, continued donations, and our grant recipients occasionally changing their plans, we anticipate a limited amount of funds to be available almost up to the date of the convention. Our goal is to award as much of the available money as possible.
We are still gratefully accepting donations. If you wish to help bring fellow fans to Seattle Worldcon, donate here.

Take Our Childcare Interest Survey

At Worldcon we support everyone having a good experience, which is why it is important to make accommodations for parents and our youngest fans. We are supporting families with preteen children in two ways: with children’s programming available daily in the convention center in the space we call Welcome to Asteroid Kids!, and with drop-off childcare options reservable in advance of the convention provided by Kiddiecorp. We need your help, however, to optimize our childcare options. Take our survey to learn more and provide feedback that will help us provide the right level of services.

Announcing Worldcon Masquerade Directors!

Seattle Worldcon 2025 would like to introduce you to the directors of the Seattle Worldcon Masquerade: Sue Finkle and Richard Stephens. They will be providing rules and web sign up forms shortly. If you have questions about the Masquerade, please email [email protected]!

Business Meeting Consultative Vote Is Open Now Through May 31

As previously announced, Seattle Worldcon is holding a consultative vote of WSFS members on two of the proposed Constitutional amendments passed on from the Glasgow 2024 Business Meeting to the Seattle Worldcon: the proposed revisions of the Hugo Award categories for best professional artist and best fan artist, and the proposed amendment to abolish the Retro Hugo Awards.

The purpose of the consultative vote is to test whether this type of vote is feasible, in case the practice is someday adopted as a formal part of the WSFS decision-making process. These proposals were chosen because they have clearly generated wide interest among the Worldcon community.

The consultative vote runs from May 1 to May 31 and is accessed through the member registration portal in the same manner as the Hugo Award voting—so you can do both at the same time! More information is available on the Consultative Vote Webpage.

The Freebies Lounge is Accepting Donations

The Seattle Worldcon Freebies Lounge is currently accepting donations! So far, we’ve received a fantastic collection of genre books to give away to attending members.

Attendees can look forward to a wide selection of new releases, galleys, ARCs, and back stock from both traditional publishers and self-published authors. Some well-known authors are also donating personal copies, and if you’re lucky, you might find a signed edition. Additionally, many of our members are pruning their libraries and donating pre-loved books.

The Freebies Lounge is a great place to discover new authors. Quality indie SFF titles can be hard to find because they are not usually stocked in brick-and-mortar stores and don’t receive the same level of publicity that traditional publishers enjoy. We’ll have a great selection of award-winning fantasy and science-fiction indie authors for you to explore.

If you are interested in donating books, please the Freebies Lounge page for more information.

Single-Day Passes Now on Sale!

With 90 days to go until the start of Seattle Worldcon 2025, we have put single-day passes on sale. A single day pass allows daily admission to the Worldcon and its events, but does not include WSFS rights (voting in the Hugo Awards, site selection, and the Business Meeting). With variable rates for adults, young adults, and teens, it is an affordable way to get a taste of Worldcon and meet your favorite authors. Single day passes may be purchased through the registration portal, and price information may be found on our Memberships page.

There are many open volunteer positions! Come and share your talents!

Volunteer positions are currently available and many more will be opening up as the convention approaches. Be sure to peruse the Volunteer page on the website, and check back frequently if something you want to do is not yet available.

Here are a few of the currently open positions:

• Staff Lounge Monitor
• Volunteer Desk Staff
• Assistant Dockmaster
• Move In/Move Out Staff
• Rovers/Safety Staff
• Art Show Staff
• Cantina Staff
• Dealers’ Area Assistant
• Exhibit Hall Staff
• And so many more!

If you are unsure what position to apply for, you can fill out the Volunteer Interest Form and add your name to the database by selecting one or several areas of interest.

Check Your Settings in the Registration Portal

Are you ready for the registration line? To make sure, login to our registration portal to make sure you’ve accepted the code of conduct and that your registered or legal name matches your ID, so we can give you your badge.

And did you know that your 2025 WSFS membership gives you nomination rights for the 2026 Hugo Awards? To activate, edit your profile to make sure you’ve checked the box to allow us to pass your info on to future Worldcons. We never use this for marketing—only WSFS rights!

Reminder: Virtual Business Meeting Dates and Times

As previously announced, the main sessions of the WSFS Business Meeting will be held virtually before the convention this year, at the following dates and times (Pacific Daylight Time):

• Friday, July 4, 9 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
• Sunday, July 13, 9 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
• Saturday, July 19, 9 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
• Friday, July 25, 9 a.m.–12:30 p.m.

More information about the business meeting may be found on the website.

https://seattlein2025.org/2025/05/18/writing-contest-winners-announced/

#BusinessMeeting #Cantina #Childcare #CommunityFund #FreebiesLounge #Masquerade #Volunteering #WritingContest

Writing Contest Winners Announced!: Writing contest winners announced; about the Worldcon Cantina; business meeting proposals due 6/4, consultative vote open through 5/31, and virtual meeting dates; new community fund grants; childcare interest survey; masquerade directors; freebies lounge seeking donations; single-day… (#BusinessMeeting #Cantina #Childcare #CommunityFund #FreebiesLounge #Masquerade #Volunteering #WritingContest)

Full post: https://seattlein2025.org/2025/05/18/writing-contest-winners-announced/

Freebies Lounge wants your book donations!

Did you visit the Glasgow Worldcon’s popular Freebies Library? We are bringing it back, under the name Freebies Lounge. This will be a centrally-located event space where attending members are welcome to take books for free, and hang out to read or write. This is both our way to share great books with a wide audience and a place for discovering new authors.

Seattle Worldcon is actively seeking new and used book donations from traditional publishers, small publishers, self-published authors, and convention members like you. Publishers and authors are encouraged to donate new releases or backlist items. Donate as few or as many as you want! This is a great way to expose your work to new readers, or, if you are an avid reader, to clear out your shelves.

Since we are a convention featuring speculative fiction, please donate books in the fantasy, science fiction, and horror genres, adjacent historical fiction, or nonfiction relevant to SFF readers. Adult, young adult, middle-grade, children’s books, and graphic novels are all welcome.

We have a climate-controlled warehouse where you can ship books. Limited pickup in the Seattle area may be available. Or, hand-carry books to the event and simply drop them off at the Freebies Lounge. Authors using print-on-demand can print and ship in the U.S. to avoid international shipping costs. U.S.-based donations can be shipped using U.S. Postal Service media mail.

For more information, and to request the shipping address, please email [email protected].

See you there!

Facilities Update: Party Suite Applications Open; New Rooms Coming Soon at Sheraton Grand!

Apply for a Party Suite at Sheraton Grand

Seattle Worldcon has suites available for parties at the Sheraton Grand, our headquarters hotel. Any person with a room in the Sheraton may use that room for a party. However, if you or your group wishes to use a suite for a party, please submit a request for a suite by emailing [email protected]. Provide your name, your group name, and the night or nights that you wish to request a suite. If you are only requesting one or two nights, please provide alternate dates in the event we cannot accommodate your first choice. Only a limited number of suites are available, but we will do our best to satisfy as many requests as we can.

Rooms Soon to be Added to Sheraton Grand Room Block

Room availability has been scarce in our room block hotels, and the block at the Mayflower Park has closed entirely. There is good news—we are in the process of executing agreements to increase our room block at the Sheraton Grand by 100 nights on Wednesday–Thursday and 125 nights on Friday–Sunday of the convention week (August 12–17). Watch for an announcement or check the link from our Hotels and Accommodations page. To add nights to an existing reservation, you must rebook for the full desired stay and then cancel your original reservation. Please cancel rooms promptly if you know you won’t be using them, so they can be returned to the block.

Con-Verse Launched with Poet Laureate Brandon O’Brien

Seattle Worldcon’s Yesterday, Today, & Tomorrow blog is launching a new column, Con-Verse, with Poet Laureate Brandon O’Brien. New columns to run every Monday. Check it out to learn all about speculative poetry, get ready to nominate finalists for our special Hugo Award for best poem, and maybe be inspired to write some verse of your own!

Attending Membership Rates Increased in January; Will Go Up Again in March and May

The adult attending membership rate for Seattle Worldcon 2025 increased to $250 on January 2. Future rate increases are scheduled to occur March 1, to $280, and May 1, to $300. Please note the WSFS membership portion of this membership, worth $50, is non-transferable based on requirements of the WSFS Constitution. For more information and to see our full rate schedule please visit our registration page.

How to unsubscribe from this newsletter:

Are you a member who tried to unsubscribe to the newsletter but find you are still receiving it? To unsubscribe, please log into the Seattle Registration Portal, choose edit your profile, and uncheck the box “Please send me the newsletter and convention announcements.”

If you have never used the Seattle Registration Portal, or even if you have, please check the portal and make sure we have your most recent information. Check back regularly as we occasionally provide new items for you to look at!

Don’t Forget the Seattle Worldcon Writing Contest—Submissions Now Open!

Remember the submissions window for the Seattle Worldcon 2025 Writing Contest is January 5–20. Any submissions received after that date will be deleted unread. The winners in the adult and young adult categories will be published in an upcoming anthology from Grim Oak Press and paid $0.10/word.

Nominations for Hugo, Lodestar, and Astounding Awards to Open Soon!

Seattle Worldcon expects to open nominations for the 2025 Hugo Awards, the Lodestar Award, and the Astounding Award in the very near future. If you want to participate in nominations, you must have purchased at least a WSFS membership from Seattle Worldcon 2025 by January 31, or have had at least a WSFS membership in Glasgow 2024, a Worldcon for Our Futures.

We will accept nominations in the 18 traditional Hugo categories and this year’s special Hugo category for best poem, as well as for the Lodestar Award and the Astounding Award. For the final ballot, only members of Seattle Worldcon 2025 with WSFS voting rights will be able to vote.

Please watch for further announcements. We’ll send a direct email with further instructions to all Seattle Worldcon 2025 members and Glasgow Worldcon members when nomination voting opens.

https://seattlein2025.org/2025/01/14/newsletter-january-2024-seeking-book-donations/

#AstoundingAwards #BrandonOBrien #ConVerse #FreebiesLounge #Hotels #HugoAwards #LodestarAwards #Memberships #PartySuites #WritingContest

Newsletter January 2025: Seeking book donations!: The Freebies Lounge is looking for book donations, party suites may be requested, hotel room availability updates, announcing the Con-Verse blog column with Brandon O’Brien, membership rate increases, how to unsubscribe from the newsletter, w… (#AstoundingAwards #BrandonO'Brien #ConVerse #FreebiesLounge #Hotels #HugoAwards #LodestarAwards #Memberships #PartySuites #WritingContest)

Full post: https://seattlein2025.org/2025/01/14/newsletter-january-2024-seeking-book-donations/