Worldcon is an annual convention for science fiction & fantasy that emphasizes books and fandom. This would be in contrast to the megacons, such as San Diego Comic Con, which lean toward movies and corporate involvement.
This year was Seattle Worldcon. I attended virtually. Since I do not enjoy panels as a method for presenting information, my membership was more by way of a gesture of support back when travel to the US was becoming problematic. [Foot Follow Up]
Therefore, I had a low bar for entertainment. I listened to lectures, popped by panels, and checked out the chat on Discord.
Thoughts & notes, in no particular order.
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First the venting.
If I have one commercially viable skill, it is to ask questions. In almost every interview, the person I’m talking with says, “That’s a good question.” Therefore, I have limited patience with folks who ask off topic, rambling questions.
I also immensely dislike folks who interject too much of themselves into the situation. If I’m listening to a session with Big Name, I want to hear that person. Unless you have a Hugo, STFU. This is not a new rant. [Clinic Report: Muffie Seaton]
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Advantages to virtual over IRL. Hoping from room to room. On phone, the ability to move around while listening.
Disadvantage. On desktop, reduced to staring at yet another screen. Movement even more limited than being in the hall.
Camera in back gives virtual folks a sea of heads. Camera in front blocks the IRL audience view.
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Pokemon Sleep, gamify your sleep habits.
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Bridget Landry is a most excellent speaker, both informative and entertaining. I would watch her videos anytime. Seattle: GoHs.
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Start Times
On my Desktop, the convention app displayed the times in my timezone. On my phone, I used the Discord which gave times in PDT & in 24-hour time. So I had to remember which was which and whether or not I need to convert. In the afternoons, I had to do a double conversion from PDT & 24, which ended up being minus 10. Which was easy, as long as I remembered.
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Overall, I was not in the right head space for this. I want to be doing the thing, not talking about the thing. I want to be the one in the ring, not watching other people ride. I’m happy to talk about the thing, but as a break from doing the thing, not instead of. Ditto riding.
General Worldcon Links
Whatever: 20 Years of Science Fiction Conventions, Scalzi 2023
British Fantasy Society: Five Things I Wish I Knew Before I Attended My First Worldcon, pre Glasgow which was last year, but the advice gives a flavor of the event
Seattle Worldcon Links
Whatever: Brief Worldcon Report + an Anniversary Note, of Sorts, Scalzi, August 18, 2025
Rainbow War Blog: Seattle Day 6, Seattle Worldcon 2025 Day 1, Juan Sanmiguel, August 14, 2025
Lucina Press: Seattle Bound for WorldCon 2025, July 15, 2025. Blog Illustrator [Letter Art: Letters in Darkness]
Unofficial Hugo Book Club Blog: Worldcon In An Age Of American Truculence, 12 April 2025
Creative Adventures: Seattle 2025: A Virtual Worldcon Experience. From an earlier post, “Knitting and crotchet were very common.” CA: Glasgow 2024: A First Time WorldCon Experience
The Library of Dresan: Worldcon 2025: Day One
Nicola Griffith: Worldcon Report
It was not all books and badge ribbons. Grigory Lukim.com: When People Giggle at Your Name, or the 2025 Hugo Awards Incident
Previous Posts
Travel [Foot Follow Up, Morning Walk Stories]
Start [Notes from a Successful Saddle Seat Lesson]
MOPOP [F is for Fuchsia, F is for Fabric, Colorwork Alphabet]
Fiction, with the prompt Science Fiction Convention [Attending a Science Fiction Convention with an Alien Disguise, Fiction Fragment]
Coda
On a personal note. We’ve all seen the defensive response, Not All Men! a) obviously but, b) enough men, & c) way to make it about you. It hath been easy to sneer. I get it now. When I saw the title of the American truculence post, my first thought was Not All Americans! a) obviously but, b) enough Americans, including those in power, & c) way to make it about me.
Onwards!
Katherine
Virtual Brush Box 