61st World Science Fiction Convention explained

Torcon 3, the 61st World Science Fiction Convention
Dates:	28 August–1 September 2003
Organizer:	Toronto World Science Fiction Convention in 2003
Filing:	Non-profit
Website:	www.torcon.org

The 61st World Science Fiction Convention (Worldcon), also known as Torcon 3, was held from 28 August to 1 September 2003 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre and at the Fairmont Royal York and Crowne Plaza (now the InterContinental Toronto Centre) hotels in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

This convention was also the 2003 Canvention, and therefore presented the Prix Aurora Awards.

Participants

Guests of Honour

• George R. R. Martin (pro)
• Frank Kelly Freas (artist), unable to attend due to illness
• Mike Glyer (fan)
• Spider Robinson (toastmaster)
• Robert Bloch (GoHst of honor)

Other notable programme participants

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Stephanie Bedwell-Grime Russell Blackford David Brin Jack L. Chalker Hal Clement John Clute Julie Czerneda Ellen Datlow Cory Doctorow Candas Jane Dorsey Sheila Finch Esther Friesner Neil Gaiman James Alan Gardner Elizabeth Hand

Harry Harrison Nalo Hopkinson Tanya Huff James Patrick Kelly Ellen Klages Nancy Kress Geoffrey A. Landis Paul Levinson Jacqueline Lichtenberg China Miéville Steve Miller Elizabeth Moon Larry Niven Fiona Patton Frederik Pohl

Terry Pratchett Eric Raymond Mike Resnick Robert J. Sawyer Stanley Schmidt Mark Shainblum Charles Stross Cecilia Tan Michelle Sagara West Liz Williams Walter Jon Williams Connie Willis Robert Charles Wilson Sarah Zettel

Awards

2003 Hugo Awards

This was the first time that the 'Best Dramatic Presentation, Long Form' and 'Best Dramatic Presentation, Short Form' awards were presented as separate categories.

• Best Novel: Hominids by Robert J. Sawyer
• Best Novella: Coraline by Neil Gaiman
• Best Novelette: "Slow Life" by Michael Swanwick
• Best Short Story: "Falling Onto Mars" by Geoffrey A. Landis
• Best Related Book: Better to Have Loved: The Life of Judith Merril by Judith Merril and Emily Pohl-Weary
• Best Dramatic Presentation, Long Form:
• Best Dramatic Presentation, Short Form: "Conversations with Dead People", Buffy the Vampire Slayer
• Best Professional Editor: Gardner Dozois
• Best Professional Artist: Bob Eggleton
• Best Semiprozine: Locus
• Best Fanzine: Mimosa
• Best Fan Writer: David Langford
• Best Fan Artist: Sue Mason

Prix Aurora Awards

This Worldcon being also the 2003 Canvention, it awarded the Prix Aurora Awards. They are given out annually for the best Canadian science fiction and fantasy literary works, artworks, and fan activities from that year, and are awarded in both English and French.

• Best Long-Form Work in English: Permanence by Karl Schroeder
• Best Long-Form Work in French: Le Revenant de Fomalhaut by Jean-Louis Trudel
• Best Short-Form Work in English: "Ineluctable" by Robert J. Sawyer
• Best Short-Form Work in French: "La Guerre sans temps", Sylvie Bérard
• Best Work in English (other): Be VERY Afraid! by Edo van Belkom
• Artistic Achievement: Mel Vavaroutsos
• Fan Achievement (publication): Made in Canada Newsletter, webzine, edited by Don Bassie
• Fan Achievement (organizational): Georgina Miles (Toronto Trek 16)
• Fan Achievement (other): Jason Taniguchi, one-man SF parody shows

Other awards

• John W. Campbell Award for Best New Writer: Wen Spencer

Future site selection

Two site selection votes were held at Torcon 3.

• Los Angeles, California won the vote for the 64th World Science Fiction Convention in 2006.
• Seattle, Washington won the vote for the 8th North American Science Fiction Convention in 2005.

Committee

• Chair: Peter Jarvis
• Vice-chair: Ken Smookler

Division heads

• Programming: Terry Fong
• Finance/Legal: Larry Hancock, Ken Smookler
• Facilities: Murray Moore
• Operations: Robbie Bourget
• Events: Kathryn Grimbly-Bethke
• Exhibits: Elaine Brennan
• Communications: Michelle Boyce
• Administration: Kent Bloom
• Member Services: Lance Sibley

Board of directors

• President: Ken Smookler
• Directors: Peter Jarvis, Larry Hancock, Murray Moore, Jody Dix, Linda Ross-Mansfield, Hope Leibowitz

Bid

• Bid Chair: Larry Hancock

See also

• Hugo Award
• Science fiction
• Speculative fiction
• World Science Fiction Society
• Worldcon

External links

• Official website