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]

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)
  • edited by Ron Smith
  • 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, , 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.^{[citation needed]}

See also[]

• World Science Fiction Society

References[]

External links[]

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

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