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PRESS RELEASE #15
Outreach Initiative Invites Comics and Media Fans to Read a Book
Renovation
press@renovationsf.org FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Monday, November 29, 2010 Reno, Nevada, USA - Renovation has joined other fan organizations in supporting a new initiative to introduce comics and media fans to science fiction fandom, especially Worldcons. The calling card? Books! A team of science fiction fans is planning to go to WonderCon in April 2011 and give away six pallets of FREE BOOKS! WonderCon, held annually in San Francisco, attracts 34,000 people to a celebration of comics and media. A group of fans affiliated with the World Science Fiction Convention intend to establish an outpost at WonderCon, and reach out to the potential science fiction and fantasy readers who pass through the exhibit hall. Along with a free book, these readers will be given information about the amazing things going on in the "fannish" community, ranging from Worldcons to regional conventions to local sf club gatherings. The theory behind the initiative is simple. "As a book reader and comic reader, if I saw free sf/f books, would I be attracted to that booth, and perhaps listen to the folks giving them away? Of course I would," says James Bacon who is coordinating the initiative. Experience from similar events in London has shown that book fans do attend these comics events. "At London Film and Comic Con and Collectormania, we have given away books and seen the returns in convention memberships. We want the book readers. We want the potential fans that like books and want to talk about them, and will appreciate meeting like minded folks. We have found a way to attract and talk to the book readers: giving away science fiction and fantasy books." Flyers and brochures about conventions and other fan-sponsored events will be distributed in the booth. Renovation, Chicon 7 and Worldcons in general will be a focus. Each book given away will contain a bookmark listing upcoming Worldcons and other conventions. Volunteers from Renovation will be on hand to answer questions about the 69th World Science Fiction Convention and sell memberships. "We have been pleased with the response from the staff of WonderCon, and we have booked two booths for the event. Our hope now is to reach out to the incredible fannish community and ask for help in making this a successful event" said Helen Montgomery, another member of the team organizing the initiative. Many fans have often contemplated a trimming of their book collections. Don't just recycle your books -- donate them to this project so they can be the lure for new fans! The team will be carrying out book drives at area conventions, beginning with Loscon in late November. "We're also talking to SorcererCon, SMOFcon and Potlatch, so stay tuned -- this just the beginning," says Chris Garcia. How You Can Help If you are an sf/f publisher and are willing to donate new books to our cause, please contact us. We would like to hear from fans who can provide temporary storage or transportation of books to the Bay Area, We are also seeking volunteers to join us at WonderCon -- meet new fans, match them with book they will love and welcome them to the community. We're just getting started. Please get in touch if you think you can help. Thanks to RCFI, Chicon 7, SFSFC Inc., the London in 2014 Worldcon bid and a very generous private donor, the Science Fiction Outreach Project is under way. Thanks to Loscon for hosting the first book drive. Join us! How to Get in Touch The Outreach Project can be reached by email at sfoutreach@renovationsf.org. The Project also has a Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Science-Fiction-Outreach-Project-USA/106866149386050?v=wall. The Facebook page includes news from the Project and an open discussion forum for anyone who would like to help or know more. ENDS Memberships for Renovation may be purchased at www.renovationsf.org. For more details on the convention, visit www.renovationsf.org. We encourage your input to help us create a memorable Worldcon. Direct press questions, or requests to be removed from the Renovation press release mailing list, to press@renovationsf.org. General queries to info@renovationsf.org. "World Science Fiction Society", "WSFS", "World Science Fiction Convention", "Worldcon", "NASFiC", "Hugo Award", and the distinctive design of the Hugo Award Rocket are service marks of the World Science Fiction Society, an unincorporated literary society.
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