For the third year in a row Worldcon members cast a record-breaking number of Hugo nominating ballots. Renovation received 1006 votes, far in excess of the records set by Aussiecon 4 in 2010 (864) and Anticipation in 2009 (799). There were nominations made by fans in 21 countries on 6 continents.

And who was nominated?

That will be revealed Easter Sunday, April 24, starting at 2:00 PM PDT, during simultaneous ceremonies at Norwescon 34 and Illustrious, the British National Science Fiction Convention (Eastercon).

The Worldcon’s press release says fans around the world will be able to follow the announcement live but nothing specific was said about how they might do that. I checked Cheryl Morgan’s website which says she and Kevin Standlee will attempt to provide live coverage. When I see something specific from them, on the official Hugo website, or from anyone else I will post the news.

The full press release follows the jump.

Renovation, The 69th World Science Fiction Convention

Reno, Nevada – August 17-21, 2011

http://www.renovationsf.org/

[email protected]

Postal queries to: RCFI, PO Box 13278, Portland, OR 97213-0278

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Reno, Nevada, USA – Renovation, the 2011 World Science Fiction

Convention, is delighted to report that the finalists for this year’s Hugo Awards and John W. Campbell Award for Best New Writer will be announced Easter Sunday, April 24, starting at 2:00 PM PDT.

The announcement will be made jointly from Norwescon 34, the Pacific Northwest’s premier science fiction and fantasy convention, and Illustrious, the British National Science Fiction Convention (Eastercon). Science Fiction fans around the world will be able to follow the announcement live and celebrate the authors, editors, artists, and works that have been selected as the best of 2010.

Renovation is also proud to announce this year’s nomination process set a new record, with over 1000 ballots received for the first time in the long history of the Hugo Awards. Renovation received a total of 1006 nomination ballots, compared to the 864 nomination ballots received in 2010, and 799 in 2009. Nominations were received from 21 countries on 6 continents.

Chair of Renovation, Patty Wells, said “We are delighted to have had this record level of participation in the Hugo nomination process this year. The Hugos have a long record of highlighting the best in the genre and that relies on the active participation of the diverse membership of the Worldcon.”

After the announcement the final voting process will begin, and

Attending, Young Adult, and Supporting members of Renovation will be able to cast final ballots until July 31, 2011 midnight PDT. The winners will be announced Saturday, August 20 during the Hugo Awards Ceremony at Renovation, the 69th World Science Fiction Convention, in Reno, Nevada.

For additional information, contact us at

[email protected].

ENDS

Renovation is the 2011 World Science Fiction Convention (“Worldcon”). The first Worldcon occurred in New York City in 1939 and Worldcons have been held annually since then except for 1942-45 when there was no event due to World War II. Renovation’s Guests of Honor are Ellen Asher, Charles N. Brown (in memoriam), Tim Powers and Boris Vallejo.

For more details about the convention or to purchase memberships,

visit http://www.renovationsf.org/. Send press questions, or requests to be removed from the Renovation press release mailing list, to [email protected]. Send general queries to [email protected].

“World Science Fiction Society”, “WSFS”, “World Science Fiction

Convention”, “Worldcon”, “NASFiC”, “Hugo Award”, and the distinctive design of the Hugo Award Rocket are service marks of the World Science Fiction Society, an unincorporated literary society.