This is a splendid idea: a way for readers (and viewers and listeners and gamers and cosplayers) to give their thoughts on who they’d like to see honoured at a Worldcon—the international jamboree that is the annual gathering of f/sf enthusiasts and professionals.

The is excerpted from SFSFC’s website. (Via Cheryl Morgan).

The San José in 2018 Worldcon bid is asking the science fiction & fantasy community’s assistance in ensuring worthy candidates are not overlooked as the bid considers its choices for Guests of Honor for the 76th World Science Fiction Convention.

Worldcon’s Guest of Honor appointments function as a sort of lifetime achievement award for contributors to SF & F literature, arts and the community. SJ in 2018 asks people to send guest recommendations to goh@sjin2018.org, and to include in their recommendation how the candidate meets the basic criteria for consideration and why they think the candidate should be honored.

Recommendations will be accepted through December 15, 2015.

The traditional criteria for Worldcon Guest of Honor consideration are:

  • An established career, usually considered to be 30 years from entry into the field.
  • Current relevance, usually considered to be current activity and notability. In the case of writers, availability of their back catalog in print/distribution is an excellent yardstick.
  • No prior recognition as a Worldcon Guest of Honor (list of past guests)

San José in 2018 is considering honoring guests in the following genre fields:

  • Writing
  • Editing
  • Art
  • Music
  • Science
  • Fandom

Andy Trembley, the bid chair, and Kevin Roche, the convention chair, ran Westercon 66, where Kelley and I were co-GoHs in 2013. It was fantastic, a beautiful convention (I wrote about why here). Want to see a science writer or musician of colour honoured? A QUILTBAG writer or artist basking in the limelight? Eager to listen to and talk with a woman editor or podcaster? Here’s your chance. Crowdsourcing is a great way to diversify the pool of potential honorees, so do take the time to email your suggestions to goh@sjin2018.org.

Thank you!