Worldcon 2015 site selection and the writers workshop angle

[adriennef]

This year we're seeing the first contested bidding for the 73rd World Science Fiction Convention (aka Worldcon 73) that the community has seen in several years. Among the three contending bids to host in 2015 are Spokane, Washington; Orlando; and Helsinki. All full-attending and supporting members of this year's Worldcon, aka LoneStarCon 3, are

Comments

[adriennef]

The following response is from another member, Lisa Hertel, of Helsinki bidcom. It was originally posted on Gather

[nojay]

Assuming Helsinki win the bid for 2015 then there will be a NASFiC that year which can, if the organisers wish, hold a writer's workshop and other program items aimed at tutoring and advancing aspiring and apprentice writers based in the US. If Spokane or Orlando win the 2015 Worldcon not many Europeans or other non-American-continent fans will attend since the US is no longer a welcoming place for visitors. It's not just the fingerprinting at immigration, it's the preclearance paperwork, the necessary registration with the local embassy, the fees to get permission to enter the US and the threat that you might be turned back for no good reason at US immigration even with preclearance -- this happened to at least one well known British fan a few years back and she is still persona non grata in the US despite her efforts to clarify her status with the US authorities

[adriennef]

I assume this well known British fan you're referring to is Cheryl Morgan. I am acquainted with her and familiar with her case. Her case is atypical. She was frequently traveling back and forth between countries and that sets off red flags with the authorities, as that is activity that mimicks what some of our high profile terrorists have done before they've attacked our country. I know she's not involved in anything like that, but when the authorities can't see a persuasive reason to justify that kind moving about, they're going to be suspicious. I highly doubt there are very many fans who match her level of traveling.

[kevin_standlee]

Adrienne, I know you personally, and therefore I'm sure you don't intend it, but this sounds remarkably patronizing, blame-the-vicitm, and "O Noes Terrorists Everywhere," all things that make Americans look like The Bad Guys to everyone else in the world. As an "honorary Canadian," I take umbrage at an American saying, "Oh, it's okay to harrass furriners, because they're all terrorists, you know," which is the implication of what you're saying.

[adriennef]

The following response was originally posted on Gather