Campbell Conference
and Awards Ceremony
July 10-12, 2009

Updated Friday, July 10, 11:45am

Information Map
2009 Conference
Special Guests for 2009
Schedule of Events
Registration and Costs
Housing
Transportation to and from the Airport
Maps of KU and Lawrence
Enrollment Forms
Reports from Previous Campbell Conferences

Campbell Conference book signing from 2008
Kij Johnson, James Gunn, Chris McKitterick, and Frederik Pohl.

In 2009, the Campbell Conference took place on July 10 - 12, 2009 in Lawrence, Kansas. The topic was, "What's Old, What's new: The New Space Opera, the New Hard SF, the New Weird."

In 2008, we met in conjunction with SFRA and offered a special seminar, "Teaching Science Fiction," led by distinguished SF teachers and authors, including keynote speaker James Van Pelt. The Campbell Conference is the concluding event of the Writers Workshop in Science Fiction, the Novel Writers Workshop in Science Fiction, and the beginning of the Intensive English Institute on the Teaching of Science Fiction. Held regularly at the University of Kansas since 1973 (except for the special joint event in 2007 with SFRA and the Heinlein Centennial), the Conference provides a setting for the presentation of three science-fiction honors:

• Since 1979, the John W. Campbell Memorial Award for the best science-fiction novel of the year.
• Since 1987, the Theodore Sturgeon Memorial Award for the best short science fiction of the year.
• From 1996 - 2004, the induction of honorees into the Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame.

The Awards Banquet takes place on Friday evening. Winners of both awards take home lucite trophies and have their names engraved on the permanent trophies that remain on display at the Center's office.

The Kansas Union Oread Bookstore also holds a signing and often hosts readings with the attending authors on the Saturday of the Conference. See the full schedule of events for more information.

All the Campbell and Sturgeon Award trophies to 2004; this was the year we sent them to all former winners.

Be sure to register early for savings!

In addition to area authors and regular guest authors, the Campbell Conference usually brings to Lawrence the winners of the Campbell and Sturgeon Awards as special guests. CSSF Director James Gunn is our permanent special guest. Check back for updates about guests and events!

Note: This is a preliminary list that will grow and could change as planning progresses. Guests expected for the 2009 Campbell Conference will include the following luminaries:

• Robin Wayne Bailey is a fantasy and science fiction author and recent president of SFWA. Mr. Bailey was a key player in the 1996 creation of the Science Fiction & Fantasy Hall of Fame, and is on the advisory board of the Science Fiction Museum and Hall of Fame in Seattle. Mr. Bailey was the Master of Ceremonies for last year's Heinlein Centennial.
• Paul Carter is a science-fiction scholar and long-time John W. Campbell Memorial Award juror. His work, The Creation of Tomorrow: Fifty Years of Magazine Science Fiction, is a highly regarded historical look at SF in the magazines.
• Cory Doctorow is an SF author, blogger, and technology activist. He co-edits Boing Boing and contributes to many publications including Make, the New York Times, Popular Science, Salon.com, and Wired. He was formerly Director of European Affairs for the Electronic Frontier Foundation. His fiction has been nominated for all the major awards and won the Locus Award and the Sunburst Award. Doctorow speaks frequently about copyright, technology, and post-scarcity economics. His novel, Little Brother, won this year's John W. Campbell Memorial Award.
• James Alan Gardner is a Canadian science-fiction novelist and short-story writer whose work has garnered the Aurora Award and the Grand Prize in the Writers of the Future contest. His story, "The Ray Gun: A Love Story," won this year's Theodore Sturgeon Memorial Award.
• Jude-Marie Green has published short stories in a variety of publications. She is also Associate Editor of Abyss & Apex.
• James Gunn is a science fiction author and historian, KU professor emeritus of English, director of the Center for the Study of Science Fiction, and SFWA Grand Master. He is a past president of SFWA and is chair of the Campbell Award jury to select the best science-fiction novel of the year. Dr. Gunn is on the advisory board of the SF Museum and Hall of Fame.
• Kij Johnson is an author of several fantasy and SF novels and short stories which have been nominated for all the major awards. She is a documentation manager for Real Networks, teaches writing, is a Sturgeon Award juror (and 1994 winner), Nebula Award finalist, and teaches the Center's Science Fiction & Fantasy Novel Writing Workshop.
• Ian R. MacLeod's work has garnered nominations for all the major awards, his novels have won the Sidewise Award and the Arthur C. Clarke Award, and his short fiction has won several awards. He lives in the West Midlands of the UK, where he writes and teaches English and creative writing. His novel, Song of Time, won this year's John W. Campbell Memorial Award. Mr. MacLeod will share writerly advice during the final two days of the Writers Workshop.
• Christopher McKitterick is an author, editor, technical writer, and teacher at the University of Kansas, where he also serves as CSSF Associate Director and co-teaches the Writers Workshop in Science Fiction, the Intensive Institute on the Teaching of Science Fiction, and the Science, Technology, and Society class. His first novel is due out in 2009.
• Eric T. Reynolds is the publisher/editor of Hadley Rille Books and writes about science, space, and archaeology.
• Lane Robins is a Lawrence novelist currently working on her fourth novel.
• The year's Campbell and Sturgeon Award winners - see above!
• More guests TBA!

Keep your eye out for papers, talks, and readings by and about these special guests! We will continue to update the guest list until shortly before the Conference begins.

Special Guests from 2004
George Zebrowski (Campbell Award 1999 winner and Sturgeon Award juror), Frederik Pohl (the only two-time Campbell winner, 1978 and 1985), Gregory Benford (Campbell 1981), Jack McDevitt (Campbell 2004), Brian Aldiss (1983 Campbell winner, SF&F Hall of Fame inductee, and First Fandom Hall of Fame inductee), and Hall of Fame inductee Harry Harrison. Aldiss and Harrison created the Campbell Award in 1972. Photo courtesy Karen Gunn.

Please note that this schedule might grow and change as we firm up plans. Updated Thursday, July 9, 11:30am.

Campbell Award, Sturgeon Award, and SFRA Pilgrim Award together in 2007
Photo courtesy Keith Stokes

Friday

• 1:00pm: "The Secrets of Successful Science Fiction" with our attending guest authors.
  Location: Templin Hall 5th Floor dorm lobby (Workshop meeting space) on the KU campus. Though this is of special interest to our Workshop attendees, all Campbell Conference registrants are welcome to join.
   
• 7:00pm - 9:00pm: Awards Ceremony and Banquet for the John Campbell Award for best SF novel of the year and the Theodore Sturgeon Award for best short SF of the year. The Banquet costs extra, but all Conference attendees are invited to attend the Awards Ceremony (starts at about 7:50pm) that follows the meal; however, you must contact Lydia Ash (lash@ku.edu) in advance (by 4:00pm on Wednesday, July 8) so we can arrange for seating.
  Location: Events Room in Mrs. E's (aka Ekdahl Dining Commons), adjacent to Lewis Hall on the KU campus. Parking is free in the dorm lots.
   
• Evening: Reception immediately following Awards Ceremony.
  Location: Templin Hall 5th Floor dorm lobby.

Saturday

• 9:00am – 11:30am: Round-table discussion.
  Location: Kansas Room on the 7th Floor of the Kansas Union on the KU campus. Parking is free in the adjacent garage from Friday 5:00pm until Monday 7:00am.
   
• 11:30am – 12:45pm: Break for lunch. Click here for a good list of downtown restaurants.
   
• 12:45pm – 1:45pm: Autograph session.
  Location: Oread Books in the Kansas Union.

 
• 2:00pm - 4:00pm: Cory Doctorow will announce a new publishing project, and he, James Alan Gardner, and Ian MacLeod will discuss the future of the publishing industry.
  Location: Kansas Room in the Kansas Union.
   
• 8:00pm: Informal reception after a break for dinner.
  Location: Templin Hall 5th Floor dorm lobby.

Sunday

• 9:30am – noon (or later): Meet our special guests in an informal gathering. Paul Carter will read from a paper entitled "The Absurdity of Nature."
  Location: Events Room in Mrs. E's (aka Ekdahl Dining Commons), adjacent to Lewis Hall on the KU campus. Parking is free in the dorm lots.
  Note: Come to the north side of the building and enter the room through the patio doors.

Campbell Conference round-table discussion, 2007
Photo courtesy Keith Stokes

To attend some or all of the Conference activities, please send a check made out to Center for the Study of Science Fiction (CSSF will do) to:

CSSF
c/o Chris McKitterick
English Department
University of Kansas
Wescoe Hall
1445 Jayhawk Blvd, Room 3116
Lawrence Kansas 66045-7590

Here is the list of items that include a cost:

• Campbell Conference membership ($30 by June 29, $40 thereafter).
• Campbell and Sturgeon Awards banquet ($25). Includes a nice dinner with choice of entree, sides, salad, beverages, and dessert.

Feel free to drop us an email with any questions: Lydia Ash (lash@ku.edu) or Chris McKitterick (cmckit@ku.edu)

Our official dorm housing is Templin Hall, a renovated residence located at the top of the hill. Most rooms in these dorms have a private bathroom as well as a sink and counter space for a microwave or other small kitchen equipment. Dormitory rooms are available to out-of-town attendees at the rate of approximately $38 or $76 ($38 for a double, $76 for a single room); if you want the double rate, you will need to work out a roommate in advance, because the Center is charged per room, not per occupant. If you wish to stay longer (we have Sunday activities!) or arrive earlier (to participate on Thursday-night activities), please let us know in advance; this will add $19 per night double, $38 per night single to the total.

Participants must make reservations before July 1 - by early June if at all possible - in order to secure a room through KU Housing. Please pay for your room in advance and make this check payable to CSSF (you may combine checks for CSSF).

Use this form to reserve a dorm room.

See this map of the University of Kansas to find your way to the dorm: http://www.ku.edu/~parking/ParkingMap.pdf

Check out VisitLawrence.com for local hotel information.

Meals are available in a variety of wonderful restaurants, and Lawrence offers at least one fine micro-brewery. Check out Lawrence.com for a list of just a few of the local eating establishments.

Campbell and Sturgeon winners from 2007
James Gunn, Campbell Award winner Ben Bova, and Sturgeon Award winner Robert Charles Wilson.
Photo courtesy Keith Stokes.

The shuttles most people use to get to and from the Kansas City International (MCI) airport to Lawrence are:

• KCI Airport Shuttle (also known as the "Roadrunner Shuttle"). Full information here (scroll to the bottom of the page for rates). Toll-free phone contact number: (800) 747-2524 or call your travel agent.
• Ground Transportation, Inc. (a local Lawrence business) 888-467-3729 or 785-838-4500. See a schedule here.

Here's a cropped map of the University of Kansas (click the image to see it in full-screen size):
 

Here's a map showing where KU is located in Eastern Kansas:
 

University of Kansas map (in .pdf format):
http://www.ku.edu/visit/maps.shtml

Kansas Union map (in .pdf format):
http://www.union.ku.edu/kansasuniondirect.pdf

Lawrence map (a bus-route map, but very useful, in .pdf format):
http://www.lawrencetransit.org/maps/ltspage2.pdf 

Google Maps (just input where you wish to go and it will provide the maps).

Both an electronic form and a printable text form are available on line. To only reserve a dorm room, use this form.

Lawrence in the Summer

For anyone who hasn't visited, Lawrence is wonderful, a lively small city in the Kaw River valley, filled with art, events and activities. The location of the University of Kansas, Lawrence is situated about 40 miles from Kansas City and 20 miles from Topeka. Summers can be hot, but classrooms and housing are air-conditioned.

Among its many amenities, the University of Kansas has a large science-fiction collection and good reference collections; museums of natural history and art; and sports, theater, and concerts. Lawrence has excellent restaurants and shopping and recreational opportunities. Kansas City is less than an hour away.

The nearest major airport is Kansas City International, about 55 miles from Lawrence. Transportation to Lawrence from Kansas City International can be arranged through one of several airport shuttle services. By car, Lawrence is at the intersection of U.S. 59 and I-70 (Kansas Turnpike). The west interchange is closer to the campus. Lawrence can also be reached by Kansas Highway 10.

Find out all about Lawrence - its history, stores, museums, observatories, and SFnal activities - here.

Contact us for any logistical help you might need in getting settled for your stay:

Chris McKitterick ( cmckit@ku.edu )

Click the links below to see reports about previous Campbell Conferences.

Photos from Past Conferences

Click the links below to see Keith Stokes' MidAmerican Fan photo-archives of previous years' activities.