Guest of Honour: Stephen Baxter



So good, even the Martians are coming…


PROGRESS REPORT ONE

NOVEMBER 1998

What is Seccon? We aim for it to be a small, enjoyable general-interest science fiction convention that will allow sf fans to have a relaxing and enjoyable weekend together whilst still providing an interesting and varied programme. Our intention is to run an event that is more social than a literary-themed 'sercon' but with more programming than a low-key 'relaxacon'. We hope that the resulting convention will be one that you will enjoy attending even more than we enjoy running.

Stephen Baxter was born in Liverpool in 1957 and studied mathematics at Cambridge before undertaking a PhD in Engineering. He came to the attention of the sf scene with the appearance of The Xeelee Flower in Interzone in 1987. He has since published nine novels and over eighty short stories, together with two collections and a short novel in the juvenile Web series. Another Web novel and Mammoth, a young adult novel, are forthcoming, whilst a novel-length collaboration with Sir Arthur C Clarke is in the works. More recently he has dipped his toe into the world of TV sf, writing an episode of Space Island One and acting for a time as script consultant for Invasion Earth.

Stephen has received many awards for his work, including the Philip K Dick Award and the John W Campbell Memorial Award, and has twice won the BSFA Award. A full-time professional writer since 1995, he lives near Great Missenden, Buckinghamshire.

We are holding Seccon in the Hertfordpark Hotel, Stevenage. The Hertfordpark Hotel is no stranger to small conventions, having been the venue for Mexicon 6 in 1994 and Precursor in 1995; the main change since then is that the bar has been enlarged! It is centrally located in Stevenage, a short walk from the main-line railway station and within staggering distance of numerous restaurants. Room rates are now confirmed as £25pppn.

We hope Seccon's relaxed programme will be intellectually stimulating and even talk about (shock horror!) science fiction, as well as featuring fun items and discussion of burning fannish issues. Please let us know if you are interested in volunteering to help out or participate.

Due to a long-standing prior booking, the main function space in the Hertfordpark will not be available to the convention during Saturday evening (the bar area and restaurant will, however, remain open and unaffected). As such we are planning a Saturday Night Event for our members outside the hotel. Further details will be announced nearer the convention!

We will be running a small Dealers' Room - please contact the committee at the address overleaf for further details.

Attending membership of Seccon costs £17.50 until November 16^th 1998, then £23 until May 1^st 1999. Cheques, payable to 'Seccon' should be sent with name (plus badge name if you wish) and contact details to:

The Seccon Committee are Simon and Bridget Bradshaw. For further details of Seccon, contact us at the above address or via our email or Web site as below: