World Fantasy Convention 2020 Goes Virtual

World Fantasy Convention 2020 has joined the ranks of virtual sff events. The convention had been planned for October 29–November 1 in Salt Lake City, but last week their hotel cancelled all in-person meetings for the rest of 2020, forcing them to move online.

The committee announced today:

The membership fee to participate in this year’s virtual World Fantasy Convention is $125. Plans have already begun to transition many of the traditional physical experiences you’ve come to expect from World Fantasy Convention. We’ll be ironing out the details in the coming months, but we hope to provide a variety of online offerings, including:

  • A full schedule of panel discussions by professionals in the fantasy genre
  • Readings by your favorite fantasy authors
  • Demonstrations by fantasy artists
  • Spotlight interviews with our honored guests: Stephen Gallagher, David Cherry, Anne Groell, CJ Cherryh, Cindy Pon, Stephen Graham Jones, Brandon Sanderson, and Tracy and Laura Hickman
  • The ability to interact in a small group setting with some of the authors, editors, agents, and artists who participate in the World Fantasy Convention program
  • Lots of time to chat with other World Fantasy Convention members online
  • An exhibit hall with links to our dealers
  • An art show, with the opportunity to purchase artwork directly from fantasy artists
  • A collector’s item souvenir book that includes high-quality artwork by our artist Guest of Honor David Cherry, fiction by our honored guest authors, appreciation articles, bios, World Fantasy Convention history, and more
  • The World Fantasy Award ceremony, which recognizes outstanding people, fiction, art, semi-professional and professional contributions in the fantasy and horror genre
  • We’re even working on ways to get autographs for your favorite fantasy books!

Information about how they’re handling reimbursements and cancellations is on their website.

WFC 2020 Chair Ginny Smith concluded:
 
We share the disappointment many of you feel as you read this announcement. We wanted to throw a party – a huge, fabulous, fun party! – with 900 friends who share our love for the literature and artwork of fantasy and horror. We’re going through a period of grieving as we watch our plans crumble. But we are in a unique position to do something inventive, innovative, and really, really fun in a virtual World Fantasy Convention. We hope you’ll join us!

[Based on a press release.]

2 thoughts on “World Fantasy Convention 2020 Goes Virtual

  1. We wish 2020 WFC the best of success! Thanks for the timely announcement.

  2. Thank you so much for this coverage and helping us get the word out to fantasy enthusiasts who would enjoy or benefit from this convention!

    Best,

    Cara O’Sullivan
    Press Liaison
    World Fantasy Convention 2020 Committee

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