Windycon (Chicago con)

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Convention
Name: Windycon
Dates: 1973-present
Frequency: Annual
Location: Chicago, IL
Type: fancon
Focus: science fiction and fantasy
Organization: ISFiC (Illinois Science Fiction in Chicago)
Founder:
Founding Date: 1973
URL: http://www.windycon.org/
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Windycon is a fan run science fiction and fantasy convention held in Chicago, Illinois. It is organized by the ISFiC (Illinois Science Fiction in Chicago).

flyer for the 6th Windycon

A timeline can be found here.

a fan's collection of badges

A History

From ISFiC's history page:

"When you pay to join Windycon, you’re actually joining ISFiC, the organization that runs Windycon and continues to have a presence throughout the rest of the year. Your membership in ISFiC allows you to attend other ISFiC events.

In 1962, Chicago fandom brought the world together for the twentieth World Science Fiction Convention, known variously as Chicon II or Chicon III. After that event, which boasted a massive membership of 550 people, Chicago fandom splintered. Although there were some fannish activities, such as Advent:Publishers or small get-togethers, Chicago fandom entered a period of dormancy.

ISFiC, Illinois Science Fiction in Chicago, was founded in the early 1970s by a group of science fiction fans who decided that it would be a good idea to get con-running experience so they could run a Worldcon. They later realized that this was a silly thing to do, but by that time, they had founded Windycon, a general science fiction convention held for the first time October 25-27, 1973 at the Blackstone Hotel in Chicago. Joe Haldeman and Lou Tabakow were the guests of honor and Bob Tucker served as toastmaster.

The original board of directors of ISFiC was made up of Larry Propp, Mark and Lynn Aronson, Ann Cass, Jon and Joni Stopa, and Mike and Carol Resnick. Under their early guidance, Windycon became an annual event, with the Aronsons chairing the first three events before passing the chairmanship reins on to Larry Propp, who would use his knowledge to co-chair Chicon IV in 1982.

Although ISFiC was organized in part to help run conventions to give people experience for a Worldcon and bring Chicago fandom together, ISFiC has never actually run a Worldcon, leaving that activity up to individually created organizations.

So, what does ISFiC do when it isn’t running Windycon?

After Chicon IV, ISFiC had successfully attained the goal of building an ongoing committee that could run Windycon from year to year, at least — as much as any local group can be said to. ISFiC thought about what could be done to make Windycon a better convention. One factor in this was that Windycon’s excess funds were starting to pile up. As a 501(c)3 corporation, ISFiC is supposed to use the excess funds for the benefit of fandom. So, rather than let the money pile up ISFiC decided to put the money back into Windycon in creative ways. One way was in providing grants to Windycon to bring in special guests over and above the normal guests of honor. In this manner, Windycon was able to compensate for the fact that most SF authors and editors live on the East and West Coasts.

ISFiC looked further afield and also provided grants to other groups in Illinois that wanted to help increase the range, breadth, and depth of fandom. Other conventions, both in Chicagoland and downstate came to ISFiC looking for either money or resources. ISFiC’s charter made providing this assistance a key goal. Some of the other organizations that have benefited from ISFiC largesse include Chambanacon, Whatcon, Capricon, Duckon, and the Speculative Literature Foundation. Not just financial assistance is given. In some cases, the Windycon art show hangings are rented for a nominal fee (to cover maintenance and upkeep costs). ISFiC is always interested in hearing from groups running Illinois conventions that have a specific project they would like some assistance with.

While ISFiC was running a convention in November, many of the people who ran the convention realized that even though they got to see fleeting glimpses of friends, their con-running duties kept them too busy to fully socialize. Looking for another excuse to get together for fannish camaraderie, and because there was no summer Chicago con at the time, in 1986 ISFiC created Picnicon, an annual picnic held in a variety of forest preserves and parks over the years. As a relaxacon, ISFiC provides the hamburgers, hotdogs, and grills and asks the attendees to drop a couple (literally) of bucks in the hat and bring a side dish or desert. Think of Picnicon as a massive outdoor con suite.

Also, in 1986, ISFiC elected to run an amateur writers contest, open to all members of ISFiC (Windycon), or people living in Illinois or a bordering state (including Michigan, ’cause on a clear day you can see it across the lake). That first year, the contest was won by Richard Chwedyk, who would go on to become a professionally published author and winner of a Nebula Award. The ISFiC Writers Contest is held most years in conjunction with Windycon. The winner receives con membership, a gold coin, and publication of their story in the ISFiC Program book.

In 2005, ISFiC created ISFiC Press. Each year, this arm of ISFiC publishes a hardcover book at Windycon, generally, but not always, by the Windycon author guest of honor with a cover by the Windycon artist guest of honor. ISFiC Press’s first book, Relativity, by Robert J. Sawyer, received an Aurora Award, the Canadian National Award presented by fans. In addition, ISFiC Press has published unrelated science fiction novels and the Hugo Award-nominated Worldcon Guest of Honor Speeches.

The ISFiC board of directors has nine members, with three directors coming up for re-election each year for a three-year term. Any Illinois fan who is a member of ISFiC (see the first paragraph of this article) is eligible to be elected; come to the ISFiC board meeting at Windycon (held on Sunday afternoon) and nominate yourself. Meetings of the ISFiC board are normally held at Windycon and Capricon. The meetings are open to the public."[1]

1974

1975

1976

1977

1978

1979

1980

Con Reports: 1980

(To "My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean")

In Chicago, there was a convention,
Windycon Seven, its name;
Its attendance was too large to mention.
All fans of the ol' SF game.
The panels they had were quite boring,
The ones that came off were too few.
The draw was the films they were showing,
And all of the art there to view.
Tell a tale of an SF con
In a well-known windy town
Where elevators take forever
And your car is never found.
The hucksters were hucking as always.
The GT's were making some fog;
The filk sang in their rooms and in hallways
While the hotel staff wrote in their logs.
A masked ball on Friday's a bother
When many-sized Leias compete.
Three Vaders, ten Whos and the others—
Such fame in a crowd is no treat.
Tell a tale of an SF con
In a well-known windy town
Where registration takes forever
And the chairman's never found.
The con suite ran out on the first night;
The fen all complained, but they coped.
The next day, stocks lasted till daylight—
What more could a fannish drunk hope?
I don't know why I go to conventions;
It's not for the "kind" hotel staff;
I'm crazy. I loves science fiction.
But at those hotel folk, I laugh.
Tell a tale of an SF con
In a well-known windy town
Where elevators take forever
And your car is never found. -- filk by Kyym Kimpel, from Shadowstar #1

1981

1982

1983

1984

1985

1986

  • Location: Hyatt Regency Woodfield
  • Dates: November 14-16
  • GoH: Harry Harrison
  • Artist GoH: Arlin Robins
  • Editor GoHs: Donald & Elsie Wollheim of DAW Books
  • TM: Marta Randall
  • Chair: Debra A. Wright
  • Program Book Cover: Arlin Robins
  • ISFiC Writers’ Contest Winner: Richard Chwedyk, “Getting Along with Larga”

1987

1988

1989

  • Location: Hyatt Regency Woodfield
  • Dates: November 10-12
  • GoH: Barry B. Longyear
  • Artist GoH: David Lee Anderson
  • Editor GoH: Beth Fleischer
  • Fan GoH: Mike Glyer
  • TM: Bob Tucker
  • ISFiC Guests: Yuri Kagarlitsky, Kathy Tyers, Mitchell Burnside Clapp
  • Chair: Lenny Wenshe
  • Program Book Cover: David Lee Anderson

1990

  • Location: Hyatt Regency Woodfield
  • Dates: November 9-11
  • GoH: Barbara Hambly
  • Artist GoH: Bob Eggleton
  • Publisher GoH: Brian Thomsen
  • Fan GoH: Martha Beck
  • TM: Mike Resnick
  • ISFiC Guest: Mark Rogers
  • Chair: Lenny Wenshe
  • Program Book Cover: Bob Eggleton
  • ISFiC Writers’ Contest Winner: Robin Leigh Michaels, “Ailin's Castle”

1991

1992

  • Location: Hyatt Regency Woodfield
  • Dates: November 6-8
  • GoH: Robert Shea
  • Super GoH: Julius Schwartz
  • Artist GoH: Todd Cameron Hamilton
  • Fan GoH: Wolf & Rick Foss
  • TM: Rick & Wolf Foss
  • ISFiC Guests: John Varley and Dean Ing
  • ISFiC Special Guests: Spider & Jeanne Robinson
  • Chair: Marie Bartlett-Sloan
  • Program Book Cover: Todd Cameron Hamilton
  • ISFiC Writers’ Contest Winner: Sheila Insley, “Make-Up Magic”

1993

  • Location: Hyatt Regency Woodfield
  • Date: November 12-14
  • GoH: Joe Haldeman
  • Artist GoHs: Kelly Freas & Laura Brodian-Freas
  • Editor GoH: Algis Budrys
  • Fan GoH: Bill Higgins
  • TM: Barry B. Longyear
  • ISFiC Guest: George Alec Effinger
  • Chair: Dina S. Krause
  • Program Book Cover: Kelly Freas
  • ISFiC Writers’ Contest Winner: C. T. Fluhr, “Dead Chute”

1993: Con Reports

This year, Dave & I dragged a bunch of the Canadians along. They are not use to getting that far west very often, and seemed to have a great time. Heather and I rushed to get space because upon entering the hotel, we were told space was going fast. And it did! There were only a few panels left by Saturday morning, and those sold out quickly. Vikki Bone (the show director) tells me this is the first year they've sold out. They always have a great compliment of 3D work here, and this year was no exception. Beth Willinger did some of her slate work, and noted that it was very popular again. There was a beautiful case of jewelry that I wish I had more time to look at. There were lotsa people at the show, and we had a great time talking to everyone. Todd Hamilton asked me if I'd do the ASFA Quarterly for him if he won the presidency (I said yes, but have no thought of giving up AE). David Lee Anderson had nothing but praise for us. Nobody kicked Heather or I out of the ASFA meeting, so we told them all about AE, and might get some new members for the list. Micheal Whelan was at the con!! I could just die! I'm a big fan of his art. I could kill myself for not having his new book with me for an autograph, oh well. Maybe someday I'll get up the nerve to talk to him further than 'hi'. The Auction was long, and there was some money to be had. Astronomicals seemed to be very popular with this crowd. Both Heather and I didn't have great sales, but enjoyed the con anyway.

Heather decided we should have an artist's party (very last minute), so we did. Not much drawing going on, but a lot of really good talk. Frank Gembeck even sold some of his pictures from his Press Book. [There's a good idea. A notebook with sheet protectors filled with cheap prints -clearly labeled- for people to buy.] The party stayed open for a good long time, and I had a couple of great conversations with Lucy Synk and Erin McKee. Lucy and I wondered how we managed to stay up so late. Check out of the art show was complicated with the fact that the Treasurer got swept into a meeting, and did not get all the artist's checks done. There was a great cluster of artists talking outside the art room - waiting for checks (it was payment at the end of the con). We pulled up chairs and chatted until I had to get on theroad. Jim Groat's fiance, Rebeckah Rogge, picked up my check and mailed it to me.

Showed 9, sold 5. Money was okay. [2]

Well, after a couple of year's of trying I finally attended a Windycon. We arrived Friday night and as we were unloading the van we heard that the art show was just about full. Diana and I hustled our butts right in and got some of the last space available. This Chicago con is one of the larger regionals but the show takes only walk in art, first come, first served. A tad odd and I must admit it might have been aggravating if I was too late to get space. As far as I know they do not allow you to hold space ahead of time. The check in was painless but we then discovered that they had run out of pegs for the pegboard hangings. Arrghhh. We were told by the friendly and easy to work with staff that the show filled up faster than it had in two or three years and they had already bought more hook earlier and could find no more in the area. Apparently, this was the first time in a long time that thes how had actually filled up and the staff were very pleased. We didworksomething out with not too much trouble. The room was a tad tiny and so it was cramped around the panels. They used the wonderful swing 'v' panels from Chicon. I just love them. It was a wide and varied show with an excellent assortment of 3D and flat art. A nice variety ot subject matter with a mild leaning toward astronomicals. Chicago seems to have a good artist community; add to that it's central location and it's a good draw. Kelly and Laura Freas were the artist guests of honour and Michael Whelan threw a nice launch party for his new set of prints. There was some good art programming and a nice slide show by the Freas. I threw one of my regular artist parties after the auction and was supriscd to find that no one has done this before. Shame on them! At any rate we had a small but lively party and got some good networking done. Thanks especially to Erin McKee for answereing our questions on Ren Fairs and Lucy Snyk for info on printers. A good time was had by all, the party rapping up at around 4.30 AM. If I make it down to Capricon in Feb. I'll be throwing another party. You are attending have been warned! Back to the art show. It was well attended, always seeming to have a good number of people milling about. Bidding was a tad slow as per usual at shows until the last minute. There were a lot of pieces in the art show (I think soinewhere are 120 if I remember properly). A bit too large, I think they need to raise their bids to auction next year. I got six peices into theauciton and got good prices for all of them. The auctioneers were energetic and full of schtick. A little too much at times but they kept the audience interesed, amused and bidding. An excellent auction overall. Oh yes, hot at this show and auction were astronomicals which were a large percentage of sales. Checking out next day was a tad slow and there was a hold up with the checks. I was lucky that my last name started with a B so mine was ready pretty quickly but others had to wait much longer. 'We eventually got someone to pick up Diana's check when it came out and headed for home.

I still haven't gotten worked out a problem with monies owed me by this show from last year but it's not completely their fault. It should be all cleared up soon, I hope. Vicki (the art directer) has been pleasant to deal with and I'm contented with her attempts to fix up the situation. A good show overall and an excellent con. Best for me was the chance to meet a number of artists that I have only known through the mail, the phone or their art. A good time and recommended as a con to attend. [3]

1994

  • Location: Hyatt Regency Woodfield
  • Date: November 11-13
  • GoH: Sharyn McCrumb
  • Artist GoH: Janny Wurts
  • Scholar GoH: Dr. Clark E. Wilmarth
  • Fan GoH: Alice Bentley
  • TM: Barbara Hambly
  • ISFiC Guest: George Alec Effinger
  • Chair: Dina S. Krause
  • Program Book Cover: Janny Wurts
  • ISFiC Writers’ Contest Winner: Emmett Gard Pittman, “Packers”

1995

1996

1997

  • Location: Hyatt Regency Woodfield
  • Date: November 7-9
  • GoH: David M. Weber
  • Artist GoH: Doug Rice
  • Editor GoH: Charles Ryan
  • Fan GoHs: Tim Lane and Elizabeth Garrott
  • TM: Yale Edeiken
  • ISFiC Guest: Christian Ready
  • Chair: Ross Pavlac (Rick Waterson served as at-Con Chair when Ross was hospitalized two days before the con.)
  • Program Book Cover: Doug Rice
  • ISFiC Writers’ Contest Winner: David W. Crawford & Carol Johnson, “Little Girl Lost”

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

  • “A Visit to Newford”
  • Location: Hyatt Regency Woodfield
  • Dates: November 8-10
  • GoH: Charles de Lint
  • Artist GoH: Lisa Snellings
  • Editor GoH: Shawna McCarthy
  • Fan GoHs: Mark & Evelyn Leeper
  • TM: Bob Eggleton
  • Chair: Steven H Silver
  • ISFiC Press CD Release: A Walk on the Windy Side
  • Program Book Cover: Lisa Snellings

2003

  • “Space Station Windycon”
  • Location: Hyatt Regency Woodfield
  • Dates: November 7-9
  • GoH: Gregory Benford
  • Artist GoH: Vincent di Fate
  • Science GoH: John G. Cramer
  • Publisher GoH: Tom Doherty
  • Fan GoHs: Mark & Lynne Aronson
  • 30th Anniversary GoH: Phyllis Eisenstein
  • Chair: Steven H Silver
  • Program Book Cover: Vincent di Fate
  • ISFiC Writers’ Contest Winner: John D. Nikitow, “True Worth”

2004

  • “Innerspace”
  • Location: Wyndham O’Hare Hotel
  • Dates: November 12-14
  • GoH: Robert J. Sawyer
  • Artist GoH: Jael
  • Science GoH: Gil Pearson
  • Filk GoHs: Barry & Sally Childs-Helton
  • Fan GoH: Dermot Dobson
  • TM: Christian Ready
  • Chair: Bonnie Jones
  • Program Book Cover: Jael
  • ISFiC Writers’ Contest Winner: Chris Krolczyk, “Orbital One”
  • ISFiC Press Release: Robert J. Sawyer Relativity

2005

  • “Alternate History”
  • Location: Wyndham O’Hare Hotel
  • Dates: November 11-13
  • Author GoH: Harry Turtledove
  • Artist GoH: Bill Holbrook
  • Science GoH: Mark Osier, Ph.D, D.A.B.T., D.I.
  • Media GoHs: Erin Gray and Gil Gerard (Mr. Gerard was unable to attend because of illness.)
  • Filk GoHs: Nate & Louie Bucklin
  • Fan GoH: Jim Rittenhouse
  • TM: Esther Friesner
  • Chair: Bonnie Jones
  • Program Book Cover: Bill Holbrook
  • ISFiC Press Releases: Harry Turtledove Every Inch a King * Jeff Duntemann The Cunning Blood

2006

  • “First Contact”
  • Location: Wyndham O’Hare Hotel
  • Dates: November 10-12
  • GoH: Jack McDevitt
  • Artist GoH: Stephan Martiniére
  • Science GoH: Seth Shostak of SETI
  • Editor GoH: Jacob Weisman of Tachyon Publications
  • Fan GoHs: Mark and Priscilla Olson
  • TM: Tom Smith
  • Chair: Pat Sayre McCoy
  • Program Book Cover: Stephan Martiniére
  • ISFiC Writers’ Contest Winner: P.R. Gomez, “Ad Alienos”
  • ISFiC Press Release: Jack McDevitt Outbound

2007

  • “The Worlds of the Others”
  • Location: Wyndham O’Hare Hotel
  • Dates: November 9-11
  • Author GoH: Tanya Huff
  • Artist GoH: Jody A. Lee
  • Editor GoH: Toni Weisskopf of Baen Books (Ms. Weisskopf was unable to attend because of the death of her husband shortly before the Con.)
  • Fan GoH: George W. Price
  • TM: Richard Chwedyk
  • Special Media Guest: Richard Hatch
  • Chair: Pat Sayre McCoy
  • Program Book Cover: Jody A. Lee
  • ISFiC Writers’ Contest Winner: Joe McCauley, “Ivan and the Plate of Fried Chicken”
  • ISFiC Press Release: Tanya Huff Finding Magic

2008

  • “Military SF”
  • Location: The Westin Lombard, Lombard, Illinois
  • Dates: November 14-16
  • Author GoH: John Ringo
  • Artist GoH: David Mattingly
  • Military GoH: LTC Ryan Yantis, USA (Retired)
  • Media GoH: Walter Koenig
  • Fan GoH: Kim Williams
  • TM: Eric Flint
  • Chair: Rick Waterson
  • Program Book Cover: David Mattingly
  • ISFiC Press Release: Eric Flint & Mike Resnick (Eds), When Diplomacy Fails

2009

  • “Steampunk”
  • Location: The Westin Lombard, Lombard, Illinois
  • Dates: November 13-15
  • Author GoH: James P. Blaylock
  • Artist GoHs: Phil and Kaja Foglio, creators of Girl Genius Online Comics
  • Fan GoH: Chris Garcia
  • Filk GoH: Tom Smith
  • TM: Christian Ready
  • Chair: Joseph Stockman
  • Program Book Cover: Phil and Kaja Foglio
  • ISFiC Writers’ Contest Winner: John M. Cowan, “Oracle”
  • ISFiC Press Release: James P. Blaylock The Shadow on the Doorstep

2010

  • “The Lands of Fae and Back Again”
  • Location: The Westin Lombard, Lombard, Illinois
  • Dates: November 12-14
  • Literary GoH: Steven Barnes
  • Artist GoH: Nene Thomas
  • Costuming GoH: Animal X
  • Filk GoHs: Tricky Pixie
  • Fan GoH: Jason Schachat
  • TM: Eric Flint
  • Chair: Joseph Stockman
  • Program Book Cover: Nene Thomas
  • ISFiC Writers’ Contest Winner: Mary Mascari, “Lost and Found”
  • ISFiC Press Release: Steven Barnes Assassin and Other Stories

2011

  • “The Periodic Table of the Science Fiction Elements”
  • Location: The Westin Lombard, Lombard, Illinois
  • Dates: November 11-13
  • Literary Guest: Catherine Asaro
  • Special Guest: Greg Adams
  • Artist Guest: Joe Bergeron
  • Fan Guest: Hugh Daniel
  • Music Guest: Frank Hayes
  • Science Guest: Mike Brotherton
  • TM: Christian Ready
  • Chair: Richard France
  • Program Book Cover: Joe Bergeron
  • ISFiC Writers’ Contest Winner: Mary Mascari, “The Pod”
  • ISFiC Press Release: Catherine Asaro Aurora in Four Voices

2012

  • “Zombies”
  • Location: The Westin Lombard, Lombard, Illinois
  • Dates: November 9-11
  • Literary Guest: Seanan McGuire
  • Artist Guest: Pete Abrams (Mr. Abrams was unable to attend because his home was struck by Hurricane [“Superstorm”] Sandy.)
  • Fan Guest: Eric S. Raymond
  • Music Guest: Amy McNally
  • Gaming Guest: Steve Jackson
  • Chairs: Richard France & Bill Roper
  • ISFiC Press Release:Seanan McGuire Velveteen vs. The Junior Super Patriots

2013

2014

  • “Grimm Tales”
  • Location: The Westin Lombard, Lombard, Illinois
  • Dates: November 14-16
  • Author Guest of Honor: A. Lee Martinez
  • Editor Guest of Honor: Lou Anders
  • Artist Guest of Honor: Peri Charlifu
  • Social Media Guest(s) of Honor: SF Squeecast
  • Music Guests of Honor: Bill & Brenda Sutton
  • Costuming Guest of Honor: Sara Howard (Matrices)
  • Fan Guest of Honor: Lauren Faits (Geek Girl Chicago)
  • Toastmaster: Ursula Vernon
  • Chair: Deb Kosiba
  • ISFiC Writers’ Contest Winner: Siobhan Duffey, “Under the Hill”
  • ISFiC Press Release: SF Squeecast Harvest Season

2015

  • “Hitchhiker's Guide to the Windycon”
  • Location: The Westin Lombard, Lombard, Illinois
  • Dates: November 13-15
  • Author Guest of Honor: Christopher Moore
  • Artist Guest of Honor: Christopher Moore
  • Gaming Guests of Honor: Andy and Kristin Looney
  • Music Guests of Honor: Kaathryn Maya Bohnhoff & Jeff Bohnhoff
  • Fan Guest of Honor: Maurine Starkey
  • Toastmaster: Mark Oshiro
  • Chair: Steven H Silver
  • ISFiC Writers’ Contest Winner:

References

  1. ^ What's an ISFiC?
  2. ^ from Artistic Endeavors #15
  3. ^ from Artistic Endeavors #15
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