About Us

Readercon centers on the writers, editors, critics, and readers of written science fiction, fantasy, and the wider realm of imaginative literature that involves some element of the fantastic.

We feature a near-total focus on the written word. No art show, no costumes, no gaming, almost no media — just a thought-provoking program, a well-stocked Bookshop, and of course some parties.

The program consists of two tracks each of panels, readings, and discussions/talks, plus kaffeeklatsches and autograph signings, and covers the complete range of imaginative literature from hard sf to "slipstream." Our program page lists the full programs of our last eight conventions.

We publish a Souvenir Book whose pages of content rival a Worldcon's in number, and a separate Program Guide (we were the con that pioneered their separation) with comprehensive bio-bibliographies of all the Program Participants. We have the lowest ratio of general attendees to pro guests of any convention we know of — about 3.5 : 1. Total attendance is usually about 500 to 600.

Talk About Us

Do you LibraryThing? LibraryThing.com is an easy way to catalog your personal library online and network with readers all over the world. There's even a Readercon discussion group! Whether you do or you don't (but you're intrigued), join us at this year's Readercon for a discussion by users of one of the most fascinating services for readers the internet has to offer. Watch for further details in the program.

Join Us

It's traditional; we always ask for help, and our highly-appreciated at-con volunteers have been crucial to the success of every Readercon. We still need at-con people as much as we ever did, but there are other needs we don't talk about as much. In that, we've been remiss.

The Readercon committee is one of the smallest convention committees we know of (for an event of our size and scope) and growing smaller. People move, lives change (in some cases, sadly, lives end). Our ranks are seriously in need of replenishment.

If the things that make the Readercon experience unique are important to you, if you think of us as more than just another stop on the convention circuit, if you'd really, really miss us if we went away, then there is certainly something you can do to help ensure the survival of Readercon!

We need people to step up and help out in almost every area of pre-convention planning; web design (forms-based especially), record-keeping, publications, program, dealers, publicity and more. Or if you've been an at-con volunteer in the past, you might want to think about managing an area you've gotten familiar with.

We're not going to lie. Putting on Readercon is serious work, some might say hard work. There is no remuneration. Obviously, no one would put time and energy into Readercon year upon year if there were no intrinsic rewards. Want to find out what they are?. If you are interested, let us know about any experience or skills you might have to contribute and what you might like to do.

Meet Us

If you would like to attend a Readercon committee meeting, please contact us, telling us why and which meeting you would like to attend and we will get back to you with the relevant location details.

Contact Us

Email: readercon@gmail.com

Snail Mail:
Readercon
PO Box 65
Watertown, MA 02472 (USA)

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