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What's a ...
Science Fiction Convention
A group of people of all ages get together to have
fun, discuss science or speculative fiction and fantasy, take part
in or watch a variety of programmed items, meet old and new
friends and hang out in the bar. There is often an opportunity to
buy or sell items such as books, art, jewellery etc., dress in
costume, meet authors or artists, listen to or play music, or
volunteer to get involved. There are few or no actor guests,
autograph sessions are limited to short book-signing sessions with
authors. Guests of Honour (GoHs) are chosen by the committee and
play a vital role in the programme and in the social life of the
convention. Membership money is used to run the convention, and
should accidental profits be made they are passed on to other
conventions or ploughed back into the community in some way. They
are run by volunteers, who take on roles from long-term planning
to appearing on a programme item or helping for an hour or so on
the day. All members are given an opportunity and encouraged to
volunteer in some way. Conventions range in size from under a
hundred members to nearly 5,000. If you are interested in
attending a convention, there are many listings on the web.
Eastercon
Since 1948 (or 1937, depending), there has been a large convention
in the spring which has come be called Eastercon, or the British
national science fiction convention. It is now traditionally held
over the Easter Bank Holiday weekend, and ranges in size from 500
to 1,000 members. It is custom and practice that members of
Eastercon vote who will run the convention, by a show of hands to
choose the committee to run the one 2 years from now. So at
Paragon2 in 2005 you will get the opportunity for vote in the
committee for Eastercon 2007. Eastercons traditionally have a
large programme, with several things going on at the same time, a
dealers' room, an art show and auction, evening activities, and an
active bar area. If you are interested in the history and
background, Pat McMurray maintains the http://www.Eastercon.org
website. The Eastercon for 2006 is Concussion.
Dealer's Room / Art
Show
If you would like to book a table in the dealers’ room, or
exhibit in the art show, please tick the relevant boxes on your
membership form or just let us know. Dealers’ tables are cheap
and you can have a small one or string several together.
Traditional dealers range from large booksellers through games,
toys, artefacts, clothes, jewellery and craft items. I want a
tattoo parlour, but the health and safety people won't let me.
Badge Name
When you join a convention, you may be offered the
option of having a Badge Name. Your given name will not be shown
on your membership badge at the convention, but will be replaced
with a name of your own devising - an alias or nickname. Some fans become so well known
by their badge names that their given names are only known to
holders of membership databases. It is a matter of courtesy that a
badge name becomes your public name as far as the convention is
concerned. It will be used in any publication of the membership
list and in any mention of you in the programme. For this reason
we ask that you do not give your ordinary first name as your
badge name. If there are 5 Frans on a panel item and 6 in the
audience it can get very confusing for everyone. If your real name
is shown in the PRs you get and you would prefer a badge
name, please let John Dowd know at memberships@paragon2.org.uk
Progress Report
Often called a PR, Progress Reports are publications about the
convention. They are usually issued to members only. We are not
publishing PRs on this website, but the articles will be edited
for the web and added to the site on the relevant pages. PR1 for
an Eastercon also goes to members of the Eastercon which has just
happened, so you may have received a copy of our PR1 if you are
not a member of Paragon2 but went to Seacon 03. PRs for Eastercons
are traditionally issued 4 times: November 2 years before the con,
the Easter before the con, the next November, and in January /
February before the con. They contain information about the
guests, the people running the con, and the venue. A list of
members shows you who else is coming. Articles about events and
programme give you advance information about how you can
contribute, by making and bringing costumes and other items, or
volunteering to take part. Forms are often included with the PRs,
for you to book your hotel room, for example. Other conventions,
organisations, dealers etc. can advertise in PRs. Our rates are
shown below. Swaps can be made for adverts in your own
publications, and we can also arrange to mail out your leaflets
with our PRs.
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Professional |
Fan |
| Full Page |
£75 |
£35 |
| Half Page |
£40 |
£20 |
| Quarter Page |
£25 |
£10 |
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