Iridescence Bursary Scheme Now Open Need support with attending Iridescence? We’ve got a bursary scheme to help. The scheme is open to anyone in the UK or Ireland. First deadline: 31 October 2025 Full details and the application form eastercon2026.org/bursary-sche...

There are roles both pre-con or at-con. There is no minimum contribution, be it for on an hour or the whole weekend, your contribution makes a real difference. Come join the team and be part of the con spirit! Any questions then don't hesitate to email [email protected]

We are looking for volunteers. Volunteering is at the heart of Eastercon. It is what makes the convention possible! By giving a little of your time, you help shape the experience for everyone while joining a welcoming, creative community. The form is on our website eastercon2026.org/volunteering

It's clearly my month to be on podcasts. This time I'm talking about fiction about the English Civil Wars. podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/t...

Apply now to secure your spot and be part of one of the busiest, most vibrant parts of the convention! Deadline for applications: 31st January 2026 Any questions email [email protected]

Dealers applications launched! Step into the excitement of the Iridescence Dealers’ Room and bring your artistry and merchandise to an eager audience ready to discover something new and wonderful. Form to apply can be found on our webpage eastercon2026.org/dealers

Come be part of the celebration of our community and reserve your fan table slot now. Form to apply can be found on our webpage eastercon2026.org/fan-tables Deadline for applications: 31st January 2026 Any questions email [email protected]

Fan table applications launched Fans are the heart of Iridescence, the passion and glue that keeps our community together. So, whether you’re representing a club, a project, or a cause, fan tables are a place to gather, share, and celebrate what makes fandom special.

If you're a newbie writer but not reading established authors' newsletters, why not? @matociquala.bsky.social's recent "Networking is just making friends, a how-to guide to conventioning for authors" is full of VITAL info to help you progress & avoid embarrassment. buttondown.com/matociquala

“I mean, your society’s broken, so who should we blame? Should we blame the rich, powerful people who caused it? No let’s blame the people with no power & no money & these immigrants who don’t even have the vote, yeah it must be their fucking fault.” —Iain Banks www.theguardian.com/books/2013/j...

Hotel Booking: Opening Dates, Rates, and Access Notifications. We are excited to announce that we will shortly be opening hotel bookings for the Hilton Birmingham Metropole! Hotel booking will be via a link, sent to members. If you’re not yet a member, then join now! eastercon2026.org/register

I stopped by the Trope-ology Podcast with @themythofchris.bsky.social to natter on about Goblin Markets! Have a listen if you fancy! Available in the usual places! open.spotify.com/episode/1cfs...

✨ Guest Liaison Help create a fantastic convention experience for one of our Guests of Honor. You will serve as the liaison between the GoH and the convention, assisting with guest/con logistics, and ensuring that all Divisions and guests communicate effectively to have their needs met.

It's two months until publication and events are starting to open for tickets! I'm so very excited to be talking with Sam K Horton @samkhorton.bsky.social and Meg Macdonald @megintransition.bsky.social in November www.waterstones.com/events/sam-k...

Help us build our Programming at LAcon V! There are two ways to get involved in this by visiting our site.

Came across this through work today and I cannot think for the life of me why it might be a useful thing in recent discourse. namedrop.io

You can also find more info on our programme page: eastercon2026.org/programme Help us bring you the best programme possible!

Programme klaxon! The programme team are working on lots of ideas to bring you a brilliant programme, but we need to hear from you! We’ve created a *very* short survey for you to pass on your suggestions and to tell us if you’d also like to take part in programme: forms.office.com/e/rN9T4wEX1N

If you've not received it yet then check your spam and if it still isn't there then please email [email protected] We will be posting a series of updates in the coming weeks so do check your email and our socials. Still to get membership? Grab it at eastercon2026.org/register

Hello lovely Easterconners - We've been busy in the background getting things in place to bring you an amazing Eastercon next year! If you're a member you should have received an update email today. We're sorry if you got it more than once, we're tech wrangling and grateful for your patience.

If you missed the live recording of the Murderbot interview episode at WorldCon, you can watch it here:

New episode up now. The Tombs of Atuan (1970) by Ursula K. Le Guin, the second part of Earthsea, with guest Frank Cottrell-Boyce in conversation with Una McCormack and Andy Miller. @frankcottrellboyce.bsky.social @iammilliam.bsky.social @unamccormack.bsky.social open.spotify.com/episode/0sc5...

Home grown on my 3rd floor flat window ledge. Not too shabby.

Thank you so much to everyone who came along to @waterstonesargyle.bsky.social last night, and especially to @annabelcwrites.bsky.social @cameronjohnston.bsky.social and @megintransition.bsky.social. I look forward to hearing what you all think about The Damned King.

Great book launch last night for @justinleeanderson.com The Damned King, with @annabelcwrites.bsky.social and @cameronjohnston.bsky.social hosted by @megintransition.bsky.social - free flowing & joyful conversation between friends. Thank you @waterstonesargyle.bsky.social !

The Joy of the Epic at Waterstones Glasgow where (l-r) @cameronjohnston.bsky.social , @annabelcwrites.bsky.social , @justinleeanderson.com talk to @megintransition.bsky.social to celebrate the launch of Justin's third book in this series, The Damned King. And a damned fine bunch they are!

Epic book chat tonight. @justinleeanderson.com launching his new one, The Damned King, with @annabelcwrites.bsky.social and @cameronjohnston.bsky.social. And the magical @megintransition.bsky.social asking the Big Questions. Love these events. Thank you @waterstonesargyle.bsky.social !

This is tomorrow, friends! I’m really looking forward to chatting all things epic and fantastic with these wonderful people! Both Justin and Cameron’s books are ridiculously good, so come and be tempted into buying your next favourite read. 👀

LAcon V is just about a year away, and we're still looking to fill a few volunteer positions. Check our previous posts for some specific roles we're looking to fill, or read on.

As of 2025, @naomikritzer.bsky.social has joined an exclusive club of only 21 authors who have earned at least four Hugo Awards in the prose categories (novel, novella, novelette, short story, or series). It's the same number of wins that Heinlein managed.

(7/7) We regret that we didn’t examine our use of this iconography and language. We will do better. We appreciate the members of our community who have held us to the standards this community deserves. Thank you. We will continue to listen and improve.

(6/7) The leadership of this convention recognizes and abhors the violence and horror that were perpetrated by white settlers and colonizers against Indigenous peoples throughout the Americas, and that experience is commonly erased in American culture.

(5/7) Unfortunately, some of the iconography and language we chose did not accurately reflect that, and instead served to imply that the convention would be a celebration of Westward Expansion. This was never our intention but was obvious when pointed out.

(4/7) ...We’re not just explorers of mountains, oceans, or galaxies. We’re pioneers of imagination. We traverse magical kingdoms, navigate mythical seas, walk through enchanted forests, and soar with dragons.”

(3/7) The theme of LAcon V, the 84th World Science Fiction Convention, is “Adventure Awaits.” Our intention is to celebrate the adventures that science fiction and fantasy explore. When we launched our bid, we described our theme: “We don’t just explore places, we uncover stories...

(2/7) When this was brought to our attention, we immediately made changes to our website. Over the course of the next few days, we will make sure that language and iconography is not reflected anywhere on the website.

(1/7) LAcon V apologizes for using words and icons that connote Westward Expansion and the displacement and colonization of Indigenous peoples. This does not reflect the vision or values of the convention. Our statement is available at the link and given in full: www.lacon.org/2025/08/21/s...

Really looking forward to this next week, especially since the excellent @megintransition.bsky.social will be chairing! 👇🏻

Get a ticket for @waterstonesargyle.bsky.social with @justinleeanderson.com @annabelcwrites.bsky.social @cameronjohnston.bsky.social Politics, magic, fundamental truths of the self, battles. There may be dragons.....there are definitely demons. It will be epic. www.waterstones.com/events/fanta...

Lower Decks’ win is the first time in 30 years that a Star Trek story has won a Hugo Award. The last one was “All Good Things” in 1995.

*And* the video games industry doesn't *pulverize* crucial natural environments like the sea bed the way the wasteful and destructive trawler fishing industry does (people should watch David Attenborough's Ocean film to learn more about that but, be warned, it is deeply upsetting at times).

2034?

The organising and timetabling last year was exemplary. Queuing was limited and being turned away from panels very rare. The best Worldcon I have been to in that regard.

A year! How has it been a year? Those days flew so fast but meant to much. Can't be at @seattlein2025.org but I wish everyone going a very wonderful time and all those amazing volunteers who are busily building it, setting up exhibits, fan & dealers tables, tech, ops the very very best time!

I'm really excited about the Sidewise Award this year because there are quite a few works I think particularly highly of. The award is being announced at @seattlein2025.org on Friday, August 15 at 6 p.m. in Room 320. (I don't know who won.) www.uchronia.net/sidewise/

Thank you to @angelaslatter.bsky.social for this fabulous endorsement of @rainewilson.bsky.social 's THE SALT ORACLE -"An intricate and compelling tale: a dystopian dark academia murder mystery...heart-wrenching and hopeful." Preorder: geni.us/saltorac Netgalley: geni.us/SolarisNG

So all y'all con running types @glasgow2024.bsky.social has bursaries to help folk get to @smofcon42.bsky.social Fan cons are run by volunteers and this is our chance to help folk come together & support each other to run amazing fan cons for the whole community. #FansMakeWorldcon #FansMakeFanCons

Want to help shape the future of fan cons? Glasgow 2024 is offering up to 18 bursaries (for aspiring & experienced conrunners alike) to attend SMOFcon 42 in Stockholm this December! Deadline: 31st August 2025 (1/2)

Voting on the #HugoAwards closes in 10 days. This year, more than most, it would mean a lot if we had your support on the final ballot. I think we did some of our best work in 2024. But also, if we ever win, I'd like to do so while my mom is still here. seattlein2025.org/wsfs/hugo-aw...

I'm quite proud of this story. It's angry.