It is with great regret that we let you know that Robin McKinley will not be able to attend Boskone 52 in February 2015 due to unforeseen personal issues. Please join us in wishing her the very best. We are looking forward to a fantastic convention filled with some of the most talented writers, artists, scientists, and musicians in fandom.

• Steven Brust, Guest of Honor
• Charles Lang and Wendy Snow-Lang, Official Artists
• Maya and Jeff Bohnhoff, Featured Filkers
• Robert K. Wiener, Special Guest
• Dave Clements, Science Speaker
• Vincent DiFate, NESFA Guest

UPDATE: Unfortunately, Robin McKinley is no longer able to make it to Boskone this year due to personal reasons. However, we are excited to announce that New York Times bestselling author Steven Brust will be joining us as Boskone 52’s Guest of Honor. Please help us in welcoming him to the convention.

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Memberships for Boskone 52 are on sale! You can buy your membership now at b58.boskone.org and take advantage of the 2014 pricing. We’re in the process of revamping our website, but the purchase links are live and ready to go. Our guests for Boskone 52 include:

• Guest of Honor: Robin McKinley
• Official Artists: Charles Lang and Wendy Snow-Lang
• Featured Filkers: Maya and Jeff Bohnhoff
• Special Guest: Robert K. Wiener, FN

We’ve also got a beautiful new flyer that you can download and either tack up on your wall in anticipation of February 2015 or you can print it out and share it with a friend. Here’s the link to the file Boskone 52 Flyer #1…and here is a preview of the flyer. The image is by our official artists Charles Lang and Wendy Snow-Lang.

People interested in being considered for the Boskone 52 program should contact our Program Committee at program@boskone.org.

Thank you to everyone who entered
the NESFA Science Fiction and Fantasy Short Story Contest.

Entries are now closed and the winners will be announced at Boskone 52, which will be held February 13-15, 2015.

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NESFA Science Fiction & Fantasy Short Story Contest
Winners to be announced at Boskone 52.
February 13-15, 2015.

Short Story Contest Rules

NESFA will run a science fiction/fantasy short story contest, with prizes to be awarded at Boskone 52, in February 2015.  The deadline for submissions is September 1, 2014. All submissions should be made via email to storycontest@boskone.org in flat text, rich text, or any format readable by MS Word, or Open Office.The contest will be limited to the first 100 qualifying entries. We reserve the right to cancel the contest if fewer than 10 submissions are received by the deadline.The purpose of this contest is to encourage amateur writers to reach the next level of proficiency. We will look for engaging openings, good character development, well structured plotting, powerful imagery, witty or humorous language, unique word or phrasing choices, and convincing endings.

A qualifying entrant is a writer who has not had a short story, novella, or novel published in a paid, professional forum, book, magazine, etc. at the time of submission, and who has received no more than $250 for any previously published short story or other work of fiction.

To be considered, a story submission must have strong science fiction or fantasy elements and must be shorter than 7,500 words.

Judges will provide feedback for all contest entries as soon after Boskone as possible. First round judges will consist of NESFA members and volunteers. Winners will be chosen by a final panel of judges, including at least one professional writer.

The winner, runners-up and honorable mentions will be announced during the awards ceremony at Boskone 52, in NESFA’s newsletter following Boskone, and in various electronic media, including the Boskone and NESFA websites, blogs, Facebook pages, newszines, and e-zines.

Winner will receive a certificate of achievement, three NESFA Press books, and a free membership to either Boskone 52 or Boskone 53.

Runners-up will receive a certificate, and two NESFA Press books. Honorable mentions will receive a certificate and one NESFA Press book.

Winner, runners-up, and honorable mentions will be encouraged to select their books at Boskone 52 and either take them immediately or ask for them to be shipped later.

There is no entry fee. You may submit only one entry to the contest. Prize recipients may be required to sign an acceptance form for prizes won.

Stories must be original works of fiction, submitted by their authors. No reprints, fan fiction, or poetry please.

Please provide us with contact information (email, phone, and postal address). We will not use it for anything other than contacting you about this contest. Winners will be asked later for information they want to be part of any public announcement.

Although the Early Registration rate has passed,  you can still plan ahead. No need to stretch your holiday money,  purchase your Boskone 52 memberships now and be worry free in time for February. February 13-15 to be exact.

• Adult rate: $50 Buy
• College student rate: $35 Buy
• High school student and under rate: $25 Buy

Boskone 52′s Guests:

• Guest of Honor: Robin McKinley
• Official Artists: Charles  Lang and Wendy Snow-Lang
• Featured Filkers: Maya and Jeff Bohnhoff
• Special Guest: Robert K. Wiener

“Join us” photo credit to Flickr user dopey

Did you miss the early registration rates for Boskone 52 (February 13-15, 2015)?

Don’t worry! We have extended early registration through March 16th, which means you still have time to purchase next year’s Boskone membership at this year’s price.

Early Registration Rates for Boskone 52 (through March 16th):

• Adult rate:  $40 Buy
• College student rate: $30 Buy
• High school student and under rate: $20 Buy

Boskone 52’s Guests:

• Guest of Honor: Robin McKinley
• Official Artists: Charles  Lang and Wendy Snow-Lang
• Featured Filkers: Maya and Jeff Bohnhoff
• Special Guest: Robert K. Wiener

We look forward to seeing you next year at the Westin Waterfront in Boston, MA!

On Sunday morning during the convention, Boskone held its first Flash Fiction Slam.
Eleven writers took up the challenge of writing and reading a short story in under three-minutes. A panel of esteemed judges not only scored the participants but gave short critiques on how to make their stories better.

The winner of this year’s Flash Fiction Slam was Sean Robinson. Sean won a membership to Boskone 52 and an opportunity to participate in the NH Literary Flash Finals sponsored by the NH Writers’s Project. Second place went Julie C. Day and third place went to Rob Greene.

Special thanks to judges Nancy Holder, James Patrick Kelly, Paul Di Filippo and Walter Jon Williams as well to the eleven writers who participated: Sean Robinson, John Wiswell, Rob Greene, Mike Douton, Carrie Cuinn, Michael Deluca, Julie C. Day, Kristabelle, Daniel Dern, George G. and Don Pizarro.

Each year at Boskone, the New England Science Fiction Association (NESFA) announces the winner of the Gaughan Award for Emerging Artist and the Skylark Award. The awards were announced as part of the Saturday evening program.

The Gaughan Award honors the memory of Jack Gaughan, a long-time friend of fandom and one of the finest SF artists of the 20th century. Because Jack felt it was important to encourage and recognize new blood in the field, The New England Science Fiction Association, Inc., presents the Gaughan Award annually to an emerging artist (an artist who has become a professional within the past five years) chosen by a panel of judges.

This year’s winner of the Gaughan Award is Sam Burley.

The Edward E. Smith Memorial Award for Imaginative Fiction (the Skylark) is presented annually by NESFA to some person, who, in the opinion of the membership, has contributed significantly to science fiction, both through work in the field and by exemplifying the personal qualities which made the late “Doc” Smith well-loved by those who knew him.

This year’s winner o the Skylark Award is Robert J. Sawyer. He is a Hugo and Nebula Award-winning Canadian science-fiction writer, author of 22 novels including FLASHFORWARD.

Find him on Twitter @RobertJSawyer

Friday kicked off Boskone 51 with a bang. Here are some Twitter highlights from Day 1.

From Michael Robertson (@michaels2cents): Notes on day 1 of #boskone http://t.co/sMWJI7Ezn3 “James Patrick Kelly can moderate the hell out of a panel.”

From Richard Shuford (@richardshuford): “Holmes! Look behind you. The lizard has a rocket launcher!” #boskone panelist literary favorite quote.

From Sean Robinson (@Kesterian):@mightymur introduced me to @seananmcguire . I didnt barf. I win. #Boskone

From Elizabeth Bear (@matociquala): Photo: Blurry Beth Meacham, Teresa Nielsen Hayden, Ginjer Buchanan: How To Edit Your Fiction #Boskone http://t.co/V1cwWxCtRn

From Mallory O’Meara (@sexoskeleton): Just corrected a professional film critic on Wolfman facts on my Classic Monsters panel at Boskone. High point in my nerd life.

Boston has great food options for everyone. Not sure where to start? Try our updated Restaurant Guide or use the companion Google map to help make finding directions a snap.

[googlemaps https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=207615967234653304726.0004d37c687daf4fb0108&msa=0&ie=UTF8&t=h&ll=42.345921,-71.05442&spn=0.029657,0.04416&output=embed&w=425&h=350]

Additionally, during the con, hard copies of the restaurant guide, as well as sample take-out menus, can be found at Information.

Using your smart phone, tablet, laptop or other fun mobile device at Boskone? No worries, we have you covered. Here’s a handy guide to help you stay connected.

Schedule
Use KonOpas, similar to Guidebook you can view the schedule, updates and mark the panels you want to see. https://b58.boskone.org/guide

Tweet out your experience
Use #boskone to share your thoughts on Twitter.

Internet Access
The hotel lobby offers free access.

Those staying at the Westin, select a Silver level* internet access from your room. At checkout, tell the clerk you have attended Boskone & the fee will be removed.

* Only applies to Silver level; does not apply to Gold level internet services.

Photo credit to Flickr user Rakka