Other Organizations

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We call the three groups listed below “children of WisCon.” These organizations were formed at WisCon and receive continuing support from WisCon, though as they’ve grown, the support has definitely become mutual.

  • Otherwise Award
    In February of 1991 at WisCon, award-winning SF author Pat Murphy announced the creation of the James Tiptree, Jr. Award, an annual literary prize for science fiction or fantasy that expands or explores our understanding of gender. Pat created the award in collaboration with author Karen Joy Fowler. The aim of the award is not to look for work that falls into some narrow definition of political correctness, but rather to seek out work that is thought-provoking, imaginative, and perhaps even infuriating. In 2019 the award was renamed the Otherwise Award.
  • Broad Universe
    Broad Universe is an international organization with the primary goal of promoting science fiction, fantasy, and horror written by women. Anyone excited about that project is welcome to join.
  • Carl Brandon Society
    The mission of the Carl Brandon Society is to increase racial and ethnic diversity in the production of and audience for speculative fiction. CBS envisions a world in which speculative fiction, about complex and diverse cultures from writers of all backgrounds, is used to understand the present and model possible futures; and where people of color are full citizens in the community of imagination and progress.

Conventions

  • OdysseyCon
    Odyssey Con is Madison’s general interest Science Fiction and Fantasy convention featuring literary guests, panel discussions, demonstrations,film reviews, art work, musical acts, and much more.
  • ConBust
    ConBust is a sci-fi/fantasy/anime/gaming convention put on each spring by students at Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts. This three-day event provides fans of various geekdoms the opportunity to gather and enjoy their interests as a whole. Panels and workshops, as well as movie and anime showings, can be found in great abundance throughout the weekend. What sets ConBust apart from most other sci-fi, fantasy, anime, and/or gaming conventions is its focus on the female members of the participating community. While the various realms of geekdom remain stereotypically male-dominated, ConBust is held to celebrate the work of women amongst these genres.
  • ThinkGalacticon
    ThinkGalactic credits Wiscon as its model; its goal is to create a space in which leftists can discuss politics and speculative fiction in an intelligent, engaging, and fun fashion. Multiple tracks of programming expands the boundaries of typical discussions. The convention explores issues of oppressive hierarchies, confronting topics of race, gender, sexuality, class and more.

Online

  • MadSF
    a general announcement and discussion list for SF fans lliving in and around Madison, Wisconsin. The local conventions all have their own discussion lists; this one is used for more casual meet-ups, conversations and announcements. Subscribers receive reminders of the weekly get-together at a local restaurant or bar (the venue changes regularly).

Activities

  • SF3 Science Fiction Book of the Month Group
    Each year the group chooses a list of books to read for the next year, assigning dates and a host-member for each book.
  • The Fantasy Book Discussion Group
    Meets once a month at homes of members. For more information contact danaerland@aol.com.
  • Science Fiction Without Borders – Book Discussion Group
    Meets on the third Tuesday of each month at the westside Madison Wisconsin Frugal Muse Book Store. Members of this list can check the calender for meeting dates and book titles or engage in on-line discussion of the books.
  • University of Wisconsin Tolkien Society
    Discusses Tolkien’s work as well as critical essays and adaptations of Tolkien’s work. In addition they discuss works of the Inklings and other F and SF writers, the literature of the Middle Ages, world mythology, and invented language. The Tolkien Society meets on Sundays once a month at the Kurt F. Wendt Library, 215 Randall Avenue, Madison, WI.