If you know me, you know how much I love going to science fiction conventions. Yes, I love speaking on panels, yes, I love bidding on random things in the fan fund auction, and yes, I love running around squeeing to other people about mutual fandoms. But most of all, fan run conventions are really important to me, because they gave me a place to feel like I belonged.
I spent a lot of my primary school years being bullied, called too smart, fat and ugly. I used to hide out in the library, because it was the one place that was always under supervision in lunch breaks. Truly, librarians save lives. Science fiction and fantasy was my escape. At age 11, in the worst year of bullying, I read 164 books.
For me, fan conventions are the opposite feeling to that hideous loneliness of my childhood. When they’re at their best, they’re a room full of people who want to connect over our nerddoms, our favourite TV shows, our Lego collections. It’s a place where you’re welcome, no matter what you’re into. You might actually meet someone who gets your Varric Tethras obsession (I did, and we presented a whole panel on it).
It’s this feeling of connection and opening the circle that I’ve tried to cultivate over the past decade of my involvement in Australian fandom.
So this year, I’ve put my hat in the ring to be the GUFF delegate to Worldcon.
What is that, you may ask? The GUFF is a fan fund that helps science fiction fans get up and over to the northern hemisphere to attend the World Science Fiction Convention, which is in Glasgow this year.
The delegate is decided by a popular vote from people active in fandom. If you’ve attended a convention, are a writer, artist or someone who participates in the SF community, you’re active in fandom. I’ve outlined the steps on how to vote below.
As part of the voting process, I was asked to provide a platform for why I’d like to be the delegate. You might not know me, so I’ve put it here:
I’m Kat Clay, and I’ve been a part of Australia’s fan community for more than a decade. For the past two years, I’ve won Australia’s Ditmar Award for Best Fan Writer for my blog and YouTube channel. I’ve helped organise Melbourne’s local convention, Continuum, and you’ll always find me at the Fan Fund Auction – it’s my convention highlight!
I’m also passionate about raising the profile of science fiction from the Asia Pacific and have hosted panels and written reviews featuring work from the region.
I would love to be the GUFF delegate to act as a ‘Fanbassador’ from down under!
How to vote for the GUFF
Now that you’ve read my platform, I’d appreciate if you took a moment to vote. I’ve outlined the steps here, but basically you need to pay a voting fee then submit your vote via a form. Funds raised go to support the trip.
- Pay GBP6, EUR7, AUD10, NZD10, or the equivalent in other currencies via PayPal to the coordinators:
Simon at [email protected]
OR
Alison at [email protected] - Make sure to cover the PayPal fees with your payment, by either choosing ‘Friends and Family’ or adding 10% extra with your contribution.
- Fill out your vote on this online form. Choose ‘Kat Clay’ as your preference. Confirm you have paid your voting fee. In the notes section, you may wish to note how you’re involved in fandom e.g. conventions, creative work etc.
- Press submit to send the form.
Voting will close on:
- 22 April 2024 at 23:59 British Summer Time
- 22 April 2024 at 00:59 Central European Summer Time
- 23 April 2024 at 08:59 Australian Eastern Standard Time
If you’d like more details on the process, the organisers have provided this helpful PDF. And I’m more than happy to answer your questions about the process, or around my involvement with fandom.
Many thanks to my kind nominators Belle McQuattie, TR Napper, Cat Sparks, Jukka Halme, and Marcin Kłak. And thanks to you, now or future fan friend!
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