Novacon - our annual convention

The first NOVACON was organised by the University of Aston SF Group in 1971. At that time there was only one annual SF convention in the UK which took place over Easter weekend and the ASFG in its youthful exuberance realised that there was more than enough support for another one to be held midway between these.
 

After a year or so of hard work and worry NOVACON (NOV- November, NOVA - New) was held during the first weekend of November 1971, taking over a small hotel in the centre of Birmingham with the programme running from lunchtime on Saturday to lunchtime on Sunday, although most fans stayed from Friday to Sunday evening to meet and chat with old friends.

The weekend proved such a success that its members voted to make it an annual event so the ASFG formally handed it onto the recently formed Birmingham Science Fiction Group to ensure continuity from year to year. Since then NOVACON has developed into a fan centred rather than academic convention, based around a single stream structured Programme and intended to let its members circulate and talk to one another if they wish as well as attend programme items.

NOVACON attendees are drawn from all over the UK while a fair number come from Europe, to provide an eclectic mixture of SF knowledge and opinions. Although there is a Programme of science fiction orientated panels, talks and other items there is also a Book Room with a variety of booksellers and other dealers, an Art Room to view and buy, an Art Auction and a Book Auction while a licensed Bar serves as a centre for discussions or just relaxing.

The 2012 NOVACON will run from Friday night to Sunday night 9th to 11th November. Guest of Honour will be Jaine Fenn, author of the far-future sf novels "Principals of Angels" and "Consorts of Heaven".

Interested? Then look at the website:

http://www.novacon.org.uk

Or write to: Steve Lawson, 379 Myrtle Road, Sheffield, S2 3HQ

Or get more information at a BSFG meeting.

THE NOVACON SPECIALS – Limited edition chapbooks published by the Birmingham SF Group each year celebrating work by their Guest of Honour. Unless specified otherwise the cost of the
item also includes the Programme Book for the event which includes bibliographies and articles on the GoH. The Specials all have cover art in colour by David A Hardy.
NOVACON 35 (2005) - Sold Out
NOVACON 36 (2006) - Ken MacLeod, THE INVASION DREAM, 2 short pieces - 23pgs. 300 numbered copies. £8.00
NOVACON 37 (2007) - Sold Out
NOVACON 38 (2008) - Sold Out
NOVACON 39 (2009) - Justina Robson, ERIE LACKAWANNA SONG (STORM FRONT). 24pg story. 250 numbered copies. £8.00
NOVACON 40 (2010) - Iain M Banks, THE SPHERES. 2 pieces, “The Spheres” and “The Secret Courtyard”, omitted from recent novels TRANSITION and MATTER. 39pgs. 500 numbered copies.
£8.00
NOVACON 41 (2011) – John Meaney, STUDY IN SHADOW. Short story, 41pgs. 300
numbered copies. £8.00
 
Please note that these can only be purchased from Rog Peyton by cheque or through
PayPal - not by credit card. Postage is extra – please contact rog.peyton@btinternet.com for invoice total.