Welcome
This website aims to collate knowledge from people who have helped run the popular not-for-profit science fiction convention known as "Eastercon".
It also has information for those of you wanting to attend Eastercon.
If you want to take part in a discussion about the future of Eastercons, and the sort of things that might be useful to carry forward from year to year, then there's a discussion going on on the Friends of Eastercon site.
News
What's new on the site.
The wiki has been ported from Alex's machine to Wikia, http://www.eastercon.org points to http://eastercon.wikia.com
For the moment, the easiest thing to do is click on Recent Changes in the navigation menu to the left of the screen.
We try to keep news of bids and any major changes (new guests, change of hotel) on this front page.
We're looking for new articles and new areas to write about, so if you have any questions, suggestions, or want to update or edit any of the articles (or want to write new stuff), then please get in touch!
Do you want to help?
Due to the large number of spam accounts that were being set up, to be added as an editor/writer, please email me (Chris O'Shea) at chris.oshea@gmail.com and I'll set you up with an account.
In the meantime I'm collecting lists of pages to update, and ideas for new pages ... so even if you don't want to write it yourself, please email me a the same address and I'll add it to the request list below ...
What is an Eastercon?
Eastercon is the annual British National Science Fiction Convention. It has been held over the Easter weekend every year since 1955. Before 1955 it was usually held over the Whitsun weekend.
Eastercon attracts 800-1,200 fans of Science Fiction, Fantasy and similar genres. Programme events usually include a fancy dress competition, an Art Show, a large Dealers Room selling books and other items, panels, quizzes, workshops, competitions and talks. Items range from hard science through writing workshops to the fun and silly. People are encouraged to take part.
Because it is considered to be a place for fans to meet and take part, rather than sit and listen to presentations, it's a convention and not a conference. Similarly when you pay your money to take part, you buy a membership in Eastercon and not a ticket.
The current cost of attending an Eastercon is approximately £50-£60 British pounds for the membership (discounts are usually available for the unwaged and for those younger than a certain age) plus you will have to pay for your own food and accommodation. Most people stay in the convention hotel and special lower room rates are negotiated.
If this sounds fun, then start by looking at Membership. If you are tempted to run an Eastercon, then start with Departments
Future Eastercons
2018 Follycon
30th March to 2 April 2018 The Majestic Hotel, Harrogate
Guests:
- Kieron Gillen
- Christina Lake
- Nnedi Okorafor
- Kim Stanley Robinson
Committee: Michael Abbott, Liz Batty, Steve Davies, Kari, Alice Lawson, Caroline Mullan, Phil Nanson, Alison Scott, and Paul Taylor
2019 Ytterbium
19th to 22 April 2019 The Park Inn, Heathrow
Guests:
- Frances Hardinge
- John Scalzi
- Sydney Padua
- DC
Committee: Judi Hodgkin, Tim Cook, Paul Taylor, Sarah Shemilt, Sarah Brider, John Harold
Past Eastercons
Recent
- 2017 - Innominate
- 2016 - Mancunicon
- 2015 - Dysprosium
- 2014 - Satellite 4
- 2013 - EightSquaredCon
- 2012 - Olympus
- 2011 - Illustrious
- 2010 - Odyssey
- 2009 - LX2009
- 2008 - Orbital
Before 2008
Full list of previous Eastercons
Reproducing old Eastercon publications
Fancyclopedia's gateway article on Eastercons in fannish history. The conventions there have a treasure trove of PRs, newsletters, ReadMes, Programme and Souvenir books.
Fanac.org have a good selection of photos and reports from 1973 to 2000.
Archived websites
- 2007 Contemplation
- 2006 Concussion
- 2005 Paragon2
- 2004 Concourse
- 2003 Seacon03
- 2002 Helicon 2
- 2001 Paragon
- 1996 Evolution
Traditions
Eastercons have many traditions
Advice on attending an Eastercon
Do it! Membership, We Do It Differently Here
Advice on running an Eastercon
See the advice section for tips on bidding, adding fun and many other areas of Eastercon convention running
General Eastercon articles
Caroline Mullan's thoughts
Evolution did a survey of Eastercon attendees' demographics in 1996 (John has preserved the web pages in case the Internet Archive loses them)
How do I edit this Wiki
This wiki was getting too many edits by people wanting to spam us. If you want to edit this wiki then please send an email to Chris OShea or John Bray to ask them to add you. Your first challenge will be trying to convince one of us that you are known to us and a real person.
To backup visit Admin Dashboard/Advanced/Wiki data and tools/Statistics, and request a dump. Wait a few days and download