Quick note that we’ve opened up our convention support grant for the fall, until September 15. The SLF gave out four grants in the spring, and have funds available for about five grants this fall.
Application details here: https://speculativeliterature.org/…/convention-support…/
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Here’s a quick run-down of what our selected applicants sent in this spring, to help anyone applying think through what they might apply for:
• Astronomicon: $1000. Run by the Rochester Fantasy Fans non-profit, Astronomicon is looking to make a return after 8 years of not holding the con. Will use funds to get more rooms for their breakout sessions at the con, as well as purchase extra sanitizing supplies like wipes and masks. Taking place in Rochester, New York, they say that they will be the first science fiction con happening in New York since the pandemic began.
• FIYAHCON: $1000. FIYAHCON is a virtual con dedicated to the members of the BIPOC community who’ve contributed to speculative fiction. Their first con was last year, with 1200 participants and a Hugo nomination for Best Related Work. They’re looking to use any funds they can get to expand their programming, including a “Dealers Row” element for art exhibitors, vendors, and sponsors. They’re also looking to upgrade to the “Airmeet” platform, which comes with a hefty $16,000 price.
• Loscon: $860. This con is being run by The Los Angeles Science Fantasy Society (LASFS), “the world’s oldest continuously active science fiction and fantasy club (founded Oct. 27, 1934)”! They’re expecting around 1000 participants, so they want to make sure they have enough sanitizing supplies, as well as temporal thermometers, tape to mark off social distanced lines, and signage to use for the con. Taking place at the Marriott Los Angeles Airport Hotel, Loscon is looking to put on a family-friendly programming with “panels, discussions, activities, a film festival, an art show, and shopping with a focus on the science and people involved with the genre.”
• Estcon: $1000. Estcon will be taking place in Estonia, and it will be put on by the Estonian Science Fiction Association, which has been active since 1995 . “It’s about literature, comic books, LARP, films, animations and having a good time during a weekend in July with friends and barbecue.” What Estcon is asking for is a little different: they want to purchase a Sennheiser AVX-MKE2 LAVALIER PRO Wireless Microphone Set, which will greatly improve the audio quality of their recordings.
Best of luck to all convention planning committees this year!