14th World Science Fiction Convention

The 14th World Science Fiction Convention, also known as NyCon II or NEWYORCON, was held August 31–September 3, 1956, at the Biltmore Hotel in New York, New York, United States.[1]

NyCon II, the 14th World Science Fiction Convention
Genre	Science fiction
Dates	31 August–3 September 1956
Venue	Biltmore Hotel
Location(s)	New York City, New York
Country	United States
Attendance	850
Filing status	non-profit

The chairman was David A. Kyle. The Guest of Honor was Arthur C. Clarke. The toastmaster was Robert Bloch. Total attendance was approximately 850.

Snapshot from the 14th World Science Fiction Convention, also known as NyCon II or NEWYORCON, held August 31–September 3, 1956, at the Biltmore Hotel in New York, New York, USA.

Awards

The Hugo Awards, named after Hugo Gernsback, are presented every year for the best science fiction or fantasy works and achievements of the previous year. The results are based on the ballots submitted by members of the World Science Fiction Society. Other awards, including the Astounding Award for Best New Writer (since 1973; named "John W. Campbell Award for Best New Writer" until 2019), are also presented at each year's Worldcon.[2] [3]

Hugo Awards

• Best Novel: Double Star by Robert A. Heinlein
• Best Novelette: "Exploration Team" by Murray Leinster
• Best Short Story: "The Star" by Arthur C. Clarke
• Best Professional Artist: Frank Kelly Freas
• Best Professional Magazine: Astounding
• Best Fanzine: (tie)
  • Inside edited by Ron Smith
  • Science Fiction Advertiser edited by Ron Smith
• Best Feature Writer: Willy Ley
• Best Book Reviewer: Damon Knight
• Most Promising New Author: Robert Silverberg

Fan politics

It was at this Worldcon that a group of fans (including Bob Tucker, Boyd Raeburn, Dick Eney, Ron Ellik and Ted White) who had not paid the $7 fee for the convention banquet chose to sit in the balcony and listen to the Guest of Honor speeches. Convention chair Kyle had a messenger tell the "Balcony Insurgents" that Kyle had said they could not sit there. Since almost every fan who wrote about the convention reported the incident, "Dave Kyle Says You Can't Sit Here" became a fannish catchphrase.[4]

("Balcony Insurgents") 14th World Science Fiction Convention, 1956.

The primary bid for the 15th World Science Fiction Convention was for London. This would be the first Worldcon outside North America, and there was a small but vocal jingoistic faction of Americans who argued for retaining the Worldcon in North America, claiming "If we let them have it they'll never give it back". Their campaign against the London proposal was opposed by other Americans, most audibly Anthony Boucher, and the London bid won by an ample margin, to loud cheers. There were reportedly petty efforts even after the vote was over to sabotage the London bid, but they failed to hinder it.

See also

• World Science Fiction Society

References

1. "Invasion From Mars". The New York Times. August 31, 1956. Retrieved 19 January 2011. The Martians are invading New York today. No, that's not quite correct. Rather, it's the men who write about Martians who'll do the invading. Gotham will be the science fiction capital of the world this week-end.
2. "Hugo Award FAQ". The Hugo Awards. World Science Fiction Society. Retrieved 2018-11-11.
3. "1956 Hugo Awards". The Hugo Awards. World Science Fiction Society. Archived from the original on May 7, 2011. Retrieved March 7, 2011.
4. Brown, Rich (August 1, 2005). "Balcony Insurgents". Dr. Gafia's Fan Terms. Archived from the original on 8 June 2011. Retrieved 2 July 2011.

External links

• "1956 convention notes". nesfa.org. Archived from the original on 9 February 2007. Retrieved 3 March 2007.