LoneStarCon3 has some top names in the first wave of acceptances from those invited to be on the Worldcon program.

Ben Bova, Joe Haldeman, Robin Hobb, Mary Robinette Kowal, Nancy Kress, Jay Lake, Tim Powers, Alastair Reynolds, Patrick Rothfuss, Robert J. Sawyer, Robert Silverberg, Jo Walton, and Gene Wolfe. Participating editors include David G. Hartwell (Tor), Beth Meacham (Tor), Toni Weisskopf (Baen), and Sheila Williams (Asimov’s). The list also includes graphic storytellers Phil and Kaja Foglio (“Girl Genius”) and Howard Tayler (“Schlock Mercenary”), as well as Irene Gallo (Tor.com), artist John Picacio, and games designer Steve Jackson.

That’s 23 names in the press release, 73 names total on the website at this writing.

I was glad to find John Picacio’s name on the list, after he recused himself from program at last year’s Worldcon in response to the “gender parity” campaign.

And I was surprised John Scalzi’s name was missing – Chicon 7’s toastmaster and a writer with one of the largest followings in the genre. Turns out there was no reason for me to be surprised – he blogged about his plans in January —

It’s likely I will be at LoneStarCon 3, this year’s Worldcon in San Antonio, although this hasn’t been confirmed.

The full press release follows the jump.

Press Release #9

LONESTARCON 3 ANNOUNCES INITIAL LIST OF PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS

LoneStarCon 3, The 71^st World Science Fiction Convention
San Antonio, Texas
August 29 – September 2, 2013

[email protected]
www.LoneStarCon3.org

Postal queries to: P.O. Box 27277, Austin, TX 78755

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, March 5, 2013

SAN ANTONIO, Texas – LoneStarCon 3, the 71^st World Science Fiction Convention (“Worldcon”), has today released its first confirmed list of program participants.

The addition of this diverse group of over 80 writers, artists, editors, scientists, critics, and fans to our programming is just the beginning. With over 500 hours of programming planned, LoneStarCon 3 expects well over 400 participants, and we will be adding further names to the list regularly between now and the start of the convention on August 29. Add in our distinguished five Guests of Honor, two Special Guests, and Toastmaster, and LoneStarCon 3 will thus be presenting participants from every corner of the science fiction and fantasy world.

The confirmed program participants thus far include writers Ben Bova, Joe Haldeman, Robin Hobb, Mary Robinette Kowal, Nancy Kress, Jay Lake, Tim Powers, Alastair Reynolds, Patrick Rothfuss, Robert J. Sawyer, Robert Silverberg, Jo Walton, and Gene Wolfe. Participating editors include David G. Hartwell (Tor), Beth Meacham (Tor), Toni Weisskopf (Baen), and Sheila Williams (Asimov’s). The list also includes graphic storytellers Phil and Kaja Foglio (“Girl Genius”) and Howard Tayler (“Schlock Mercenary”), as well as Irene Gallo (Tor.com), artist John Picacio, and games designer Steve Jackson.

The full list of confirmed participants can be found on the LoneStarCon 3 website at www.lonestarcon3.org/guests/appearing.shtml.

ABOUT OUR GUESTS

LoneStarCon 3’s Guests of Honor are editor Ellen Datlow; author, academic, and critic James Gunn; Texas bookseller and fan Willie Siros; author Norman Spinrad; and artist Darrell K. Sweet (in memoriam). The Toastmaster is British author Paul Cornell. LoneStarCon 3’s Special Guests are filk music pioneer Leslie Fish, and author Joe R. Lansdale.

ABOUT THE WORLD SCIENCE FICTION CONVENTION

Founded in 1939, the World Science Fiction Convention is one of the largest international gatherings of authors, artists, editors, publishers, and fans of science fiction and fantasy. The annual Hugo Awards, the leading award for excellence in the fields of science fiction and fantasy, are voted on by Worldcon membership and presented during the convention.

LoneStarCon 3 is sponsored by ALAMO, Inc., (Alamo Literary Arts Maintenance Organization), a 501(c)(3) organization. For information about memberships or hotel accommodation, please visit our website at www.LoneStarCon3.org. Please send press questions, or requests to be removed from the LoneStarCon 3 press release mailing list, to [email protected], and 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.