81st World Science Fiction Convention explained

2023 Chengdu, the 81st World Science Fiction Convention
Native Name Lang:zh-cn
Logo Alt:Logo of 2023 Chengdu Worldcon
Status:Finished
Genre:Science fiction
Location:Chengdu, Sichuan
Country:China
Dates:18–22 October 2023
Prev:Chicon 8
Next:Glasgow 2024

The 81st World Science Fiction Convention (Worldcon), also known as 2023 Chengdu Worldcon, was held on 18–22 October 2023 in Chengdu, Sichuan, China.[1] [2] The co-chairs were Chen Shi, Ben Yalow, and Hongwei He.[3]

Some fans and authors criticized the location due to human rights in China, and over 100 authors wrote an open letter asking for the convention to be moved. After the convention, some American websites commented that a number of Hugo Award ballots were rejected, and that the administrators excluded some nominees from the awards process for political reasons.

Participants

Guests of Honor

Awards

The winners were:

Category Winner[4] Notes
Best NovelNettle & Bone, by T. Kingfisher
Best NovellaWhere the Drowned Girls Go, by Seanan McGuire
Best Novelette"The Space-Time Painter", by Hai Ya
Best Short Story"Rabbit Test", by Samantha MillsThe author disavowed the win due to the ballot controversy.[5]
Best SeriesChildren of Time series, by Adrian TchaikovskyThe author disavowed the win due to the ballot controversy.[6]
Best Graphic StoryCyberpunk 2077: Big City Dreams, by Bartosz Sztybor, Filipe Andrade, Alessio Fioriniello, Roman Titov, Krzysztof Ostrowski
Best Related WorkTerry Pratchett: A Life With Footnotes, by Rob Wilkins
Best Dramatic Presentation, Long FormEverything Everywhere All at Once, written by Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert, directed by Daniel Kwan and Daniel Sheinert
Best Dramatic Presentation, Short FormThe Expanse

"Babylon’s Ashes", written by Daniel Abraham, Ty Franck, Naren Shankar, directed by Breck Eisner

Best Professional Editor, Short FormNeil Clarke
Best Professional Editor, Long FormLindsey Hall
Best Professional ArtistEnzhe Zhao
Best SemiprozineUncanny Magazine
Best FanzineZero Gravity Newspaper, by RiverFlow and Ling Shizhen
Best FancastHugo, Girl!, by Haley Zapal, Amy Salley, Lori Anderson, and Kevin Anderson
Best Fan WriterChris M. Barkley
Best Fan ArtistRichard Man
Lodestar Award for Best Young Adult BookAkata Woman, by Nnedi OkoraforNot a Hugo Award; presented by the World Science Fiction Society
Astounding Award for Best New WriterTravis BaldreeNot a Hugo Award; presented by Dell Magazines

Site selection

The following committees announced bids for hosting the convention:[7]

The site was selected by members of the 79th World Science Fiction Convention.[14] After Chengdu was selected, the organizers of the Winnipeg, Canada bid pivoted to bid for the 2023 North American Science Fiction Convention, at which they were successful.[15]

Controversies

Site controversy

In an article on the Esquire magazine, Jason Sanford, a three-time Hugo finalist, said that “There were concerns that a couple thousand people from China purchased memberships [in the World Science Fiction Society] that year to vote for Chengdu. It was unusual, but it was done under the rules.”[16]

More than 100 authors, including Hugo winners and Uyghur writers, signed an open letter in March 2022 calling for the hosting to be reconsidered due to ongoing human rights violations in the Uyghur region.[17] The choice of location was criticized due to the possible effects of the Chinese government's censorship regime and the exclusion of authors publicly critical of human rights in China.

Hugo controversy

The voting statistics for the Hugo Awards, Lodestar Award, and Astounding Award were published on January 20, 2024,[18] much later than usual. Questions quickly arose amongst authors surrounding several works that had been marked as ineligible without justification, such as author Xiran Jay Zhao, The Sandman episode 6, "The Sound of Her Wings", and Babel by R. F. Kuang, which had been favored to win.[19] [20] [21] Further scrutiny has been leveled towards possible inconsistencies or anomalies in the statistics themselves.[22]

Commenters on the Facebook page where the statistics were released asked Dave McCarty, a veteran of the awards committee, to explain why the four works were found ineligible. He said that he could not share exactly why but pointed them to the organization's constitution and rules. When commenters were unable to find a rule or constitutional provision that sufficed, the exchanges grew heated, with McCarty sometimes questioning or disparaging the intellectual capacity of his interlocutors, behavior he later apologized for. Emails leaked by Hugo committee member Diane Lacey, acting as a whistleblower indicated that these works had been excluded due to self-censorship by the Hugo Award administrators in order to appease the Chinese government, which has a strict censorship regime.[23] [24] [25] [26] Additionally, an unknown number of nomination ballots from Chinese voters were rejected because the award administrators considered them to be too similar to a recommendations list published by Science Fiction World, and thus equivalent to a slate. Locus wrote that this occurred even though "there is no provision in the WSFS constitution to remove slates from the ballot".[27]

Based on complaints about the 2023 Hugo award process and official statements made about those complaints, Worldcon Intellectual Property (WIP), the non-profit organization that holds the service marks for the World Science Fiction Society, censured McCarty and two individuals who presided over the Hugo Administration Committee of the Chengdu Worldcon. WIP also reprimanded the chair of the WIP board of directors. Both the director of WIP and chair of the WIP board of directors resigned.[28] [29]

In February 2024, as a result of the controversy, Esther MacCallum-Stewart, chair of the 2024 Worldcon, to be held in Glasgow, announced the following commitments for the 2024 Hugo Awards: the reasons for any disqualifications of potential finalists will be published no later than April 2024; the full voting results, nominating statistics and voting statistics will be published immediately following the awards ceremony on 11 August 2024; and immediately following the awards ceremony on 11 August 2024, the Hugo administration subcommittee will publish a log explaining any decisions that they have made in interpreting the WSFS Constitution.[30] [31] [32]

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Chengdu Wins the Bid to Host 81st World Science Fiction Convention (2023 Worldcon) . WFMZ.com . 2021-12-20 . 2021-12-26 . 2021-12-21 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211221160840/https://www.wfmz.com/news/ap/ap-business/correcting-and-replacing-chengdu-wins-the-bid-to-host-81st-world-science-fiction-convention-2023/article_2bade7ad-c260-56a7-9bbe-099ea4aaf25f.html . live.
  2. Web site: Chengdu Worldcon Changes Dates to October 2023 . Mike Glyer . . 2021-01-19 . 2021-01-19 . 2023-01-20 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230120043346/https://file770.com/chengdu-worldcon-changes-dates-to-october-2023/ . live.
  3. Web site: Committee and Staff . 2023 Chengdu Worldcon . 24 September 2024.
  4. Web site: 2023-10-24 . The 2023 Hugo Award Winners Are Here . 2024-02-21 . . en . 2023-10-24 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231024225921/https://gizmodo.com/hugo-award-winners-2023-nettle-bone-kingfisher-best-nov-1850955404 . live .
  5. Web site: 2024-02-18 . "Rabbit Test" unwins the Hugo . 2024-02-18 . SAMANTHA MILLS . en . 2024-02-18 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240218190057/https://samtasticbooks.com/2024/02/17/rabbit-test-unwins-the-hugo/ . live .
  6. Web site: Tchaikovsky . Adrian . A Statement on the 2023 Hugo Awards . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240221192928/https://adriantchaikovsky.com/ . 2024-02-21 . 2024-02-21 . adriantchaikovsky.com.
  7. News: 2016-05-15 . Worldcon Bids . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20180823174052/http://www.worldcon.org/worldcon-bids/ . 2018-08-23 . 2020-02-03 . Worldcon . World Science Fiction Society.
  8. Web site: Chengdu 2023 . usurped . https://web.archive.org/web/20211223011158/http://www.worldconinchina.com/index-e.html . 2021-12-23 . 2023-02-28.
  9. Web site: Memphis in 2023 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20200203135813/https://www.memphis23.org/ . 2020-02-03 . 2020-02-03.
  10. Web site: Mike Glyer . 2021-10-18 . Memphis In 2023 Worldcon Bid Has Folded . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20211216043551/http://file770.com/memphis-in-2023-worldcon-bid-has-folded/ . 2021-12-16 . 2021-12-26 . File 770.
  11. Web site: Nice 2023 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20200203141359/http://nice2023.com/en/home/ . 2020-02-03 . 2020-02-21.
  12. Web site: Mike Glyer . 2020-07-25 . Nice in 2023 Worldcon Bid Folds . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20211208010548/http://file770.com/nice-in-2023-worldcon-bid-folds/ . 2021-12-08 . 2021-12-26 . File 770.
  13. Web site: Winnipeg in 2023 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210614202954/https://main.winnipegin2023.ca/ . 2021-06-14 . 2021-06-14.
  14. Web site: 2016-05-15 . About Bidding . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230929125223/https://www.worldcon.org/worldcon-bids/about-bidding/ . 2023-09-29 . 2020-02-03 . World Science Fiction Society.
  15. Web site: locusmag . 2022-09-07 . NASFiC 2023 Site Selection . 2024-09-21 . Locus Online . en-US.
  16. Morgan . Adam . January 27, 2024 . Inside the Censorship Scandal That Rocked Sci-Fi and Fantasy's Biggest Awards . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240204041158/https://www.esquire.com/entertainment/books/a46612912/science-fiction-hugo-awards-2024/ . February 4, 2024 . February 4, 2024 . Esquire.
  17. News: Brown . Lauren . 14 March 2022 . Authors come out against China as 2023 WorldCon host . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220314152600/https://www.thebookseller.com/news/authors-come-out-against-china-as-2023-worldcon-host . 14 March 2022 . 10 August 2023 . The Bookseller.
  18. Web site: Kevin . Standlee . 2023 Nominating and Final Ballot Statistics Published . The Hugo Awards . 20 January 2024 . 22 January 2024 . 21 January 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240121234839/https://www.thehugoawards.org/2024/01/2023-nominating-and-final-ballot-statistics-published/ . live.
  19. News: Hawkins . Amy . 2024-01-24 . Science fiction awards held in China under fire for excluding authors . 2024-01-25 . . en-GB . 0261-3077 . 2024-01-24 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240124172853/https://www.theguardian.com/books/2024/jan/24/science-fiction-awards-held-in-china-under-fire-for-excluding-authors . live.
  20. Web site: Moher . Aidan . Astrolabe 36: Panic! At The Hugos . 20 January 2024 . 22 January 2024 . 21 January 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240121173325/https://astrolabe.aidanmoher.com/astrolabe-36-panic-at-the-hugos-2023-controversy/ . live.
  21. Web site: Gennis . Sadie . Polo . Susana . Hugo Awards under fire over censorship accusations, and SFF writers want answers . Polygon . 24 January 2024 . 25 January 2024 . 25 January 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240125031718/https://www.polygon.com/24049021/hugo-awards-controversy-china-censorship-babel . live .
  22. Web site: Jones . Heather . A Comparison of Hugo Nomination Distribution Statistics . 22 January 2024 . 22 January 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240122002221/https://alpennia.com/blog/comparison-hugo-nomination-distribution-statistics . live.
  23. Web site: Cole . Samantha . Leaked Emails Show Hugo Awards Self-Censoring to Appease China . 404 Media . 16 February 2024 . en . 15 February 2024 . 15 February 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240215191954/https://www.404media.co/leaked-emails-show-hugo-awards-self-censoring-to-appease-china/ . live .
  24. News: Hawkins . Amy . February 15, 2024 . Authors 'excluded from Hugo awards over China concerns' . February 17, 2024 . . en-GB . 0261-3077 . February 16, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240216100944/https://www.theguardian.com/books/2024/feb/15/authors-excluded-from-hugo-awards-over-china-concerns . live .
  25. News: Alter . Alexandra . February 17, 2024 . Some Authors Were Left Out of Awards Held in China. Leaked Emails Show Why. . subscription . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240217153206/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/17/books/booksupdate/hugo-awards-china.html . February 17, 2024 . February 17, 2024 . The New York Times.
  26. Web site: The 2023 Hugo Awards: A Report on Censorship and Exclusion. Chris M. Barkley, Jason Sanford. 14 February 2024. File 770. 2 March 2024. 1 March 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240301135605/https://file770.com/the-2023-hugo-awards-a-report-on-censorship-and-exclusion/. live.
  27. Web site: March 5, 2024 . Hugo Awards Tampering Expanded . March 8, 2024 . . en-US . March 6, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240306024313/https://locusmag.com/2024/03/hugo-awards-tampering-expanded/ . live .
  28. Web site: McCarty, Standlee, and Others Censured or Reprimanded . Locus Online . January 31, 2024 . February 1, 2024 . January 31, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240131222236/https://locusmag.com/2024/01/mccarty-standlee-and-others-censured/ . live .
  29. Web site: Stewart . Sophia . February 1, 2024 . Resignations, Censures Follow in Wake of Hugo Awards Controversy . February 17, 2024 . . en . February 3, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240203194351/https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/awards-and-prizes/article/94229-resignations-censures-follow-in-wake-of-hugo-awards-controversy.html . live .
  30. Web site: Glasgow 2024 Hugo Awards Statement. Glasgow 2024 Worldcon. 15 February 2024. 16 February 2024. 15 February 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240215163009/https://glasgow2024.org/chairs-statement-15th-february-2024/. live.
  31. Web site: Stewart . Sophia . February 16, 2024 . Glasgow Worldcon Chair Vows Transparency Following Chengdu Hugos Censorship . February 17, 2024 . . en . February 17, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240217014701/https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/awards-and-prizes/article/94356-glasgow-worldcon-chair-vows-transparency-following-chengdu-hugos-censorship.html . live .
  32. Web site: February 15, 2024 . Glasgow Worldcon Apologizes for 'Damage' Caused by 2023 Hugo Awards Controversy . February 17, 2024 . Gizmodo . en . February 16, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240216230918/https://gizmodo.com/hugo-awards-2023-eligibility-controversy-apology-china-1851261196 . live .

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