Placeholder for a revised Montreal ad, or more artwork. Westin Waterfront Hotel Boston, Massachusetts ARISIA 2015 January 16–19, 2015 Writer Guest of Honor Appreciation by Kate Elliott 10 Bibliography 11 N. K. JEMisin L’Alchimista 13 Fan Guest of Honor Appreciation by John Glindeman & 20 COLETTE H. FOZarD Tim Roberge Artist Guest of Honor Appreciation by Scott Lefton 22 LEE MOYER Portfolio 23 Message from the ConChair 3 Message from the President 3 Code of Conduct & Policies 4 Convention Committee & Staff 6 Program Participant Bios 31 Arisia History 50 The Arisia Souvenir Book is Copyright © 2015 by Arisia, Incorporated, a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation. Bylined articles are copyright by their authors. Cover and interior artwork is copyright by Lee Moyer, and used with permission. Arisia is a service mark of Arisia, Incorporated. www.arisia.org 1 Message from the ConChair by Michael J. Sprague elcome to Arisia. Since then, I’ve been back every year. I’ve met sev- As I look out and see the faces of all those eral Guests of Honor, danced until dawn, and made Wthat come to entertain, educate, work, or attend our some of the best friends I’ve ever had. Every year brings convention, I ask the question that many convention something new, unexpected, and brilliant. Every year, chairs have asked over the course of fandom history. we add something or try to make things better, and in How the hell did I get here? a lot of ways we succeed. This is in part due to one of For me, it was a circuitous route. Growing up, I the core values of Arisia. We believe there is a place was the resident geek in my neighborhood. I was into at Arisia for everyone, so long as you make a place reading SF/F novels and comic books, playing video for others. Regardless of ethnicity, religion, gender, games and tabletop RPGs, and an SF TV show or mov- and/or class, we are here to celebrate the things we ie that I hadn’t already seen was a rare thing. I’d heard think are cool and want to share with others. We are about conventions, but they were always far away from not here to be gatekeepers and sit in judgement over where I lived. In college I met other fans and took a who is a “true fan” or not. Whether this is your first road trip to my first convention. It was like walking Arisia or your 26th you are welcome here. There’s a into Neverland. It was three strange days filled with saying about life, “you get out of it what you put into geeky conversations, games, parties, and staying up it”, and that’s true of Arisia as well. If you’d like to get later than any sane person should. Soon after I heard to know more people, see how things run behind the of a new con starting up in Boston. scenes, or both, volunteer for a shift or two. It’s a good It was called Arisia. way to meet new people, and without fans like you There were a little over 800 of us crammed into a we wouldn’t have the small downtown hotel that year. It was friendly, cool, amazing convention brilliant, funny, and filled with passionate people cele- that we get to experi- brating the things they love—all the things you want a ence every year. I hope good convention to be. The following year a friend told you all have a fantastic me that if I helped out during move-in and move-out, Arisia. Now put down not only could I get in for free, but I also got free pizza. this souvenir book and It was the free pizza that did it. go do something fun. , Message from the President by Conor Walsh thing I’ve always loved about Arisia is that every room) and say hello. Or, part of the con is someone’s favorite part. We if you want to tell us Adon’t put too much stock in tradition, so everything what your favorite part we’ve done is because someone once thought it would is after the con, drop be a great idea, and everything we keep doing is be- us a line at arisia.org/ cause they were right. It’s not always easy, but the end feedback. Or if we’ve result is more than worth it: a fantastic mix of thou- screwed something up, sands of people moving from one thing to another, tell us that too! saying Hi to friends, waving to people they recognize We’re all volunteers from previous panels, or just smiling happily as they and can’t always imple- pass each other in the hallways, headed to totally ment every good idea, different things. At Arisia we love to say yes, and this but all of us who work means we have a zillion great things, and this also on the con do it because we want the weekend to be means it takes a zillion people to make this all work. as amazing as possible. As Arisia grows, we’re going to So if you’ve got a favorite part of the con you want to need more and more feedback from our attendees (and keep happening, or if you’ve got one that doesn’t exist staff) to make the right decisions, so don’t be shy—and yet, come on down to Team Arisia HQ (in the Quincy thanks for being a part of my favorite community. , 3 Code of Conduct and Behavior Policies To help ensure our members’ happiness and a Student Memberships for ages 13–25 re- child to participate in, either with or without successful convention, we have established a quire a current valid student ID for students adult supervision Code of Conduct and Behavior Policies for all aged 18 and older. Please review the separate Children’s Pol- members and staff. Please read this document icies for a full description and restrictions. and help us have a safe and welcoming con- Children as Fans & Companions vention for all. Note: In this section where “Parent” is Costume and Masquerade used, it can mean a parent, guardian, or per- Guidelines Arisia reserves the right to revoke, son charged with a child’s welfare. All costumes are welcome at Arisia, without refund, the membership of anyone Arisia makes every effort to protect fans whether created by the wearer or not. How- for just cause. This may also lead to being of all ages and provide a healthy environment ever, purchased and rented costumes are not banned from future Arisia conventions. with many opportunities for fun and learn- eligible for awards. Awards are made to the Persons violating the law may be turned ing. Children are a valued part of our mem- creator of the costume, not the wearer. over to the police or the hotel security bership, and we welcome their appropriate Costume weapons are permitted, but force. We will refund the membership fee participation. must be peace-bonded by Arisia Security of anyone who finds the policies contained All children aged 8 and under must be upon arrival at the convention, unless worn herein unacceptable prior to accepting their with an adult, in Turtle Track (Childcare), or solely for the masquerade as part of an on- badge. The general principles of this Code in Fast Track (Children’s Programming) con stage costume. The use of any weaponry as of Conduct apply to the Arisia convention areas. part of your costume, as well as the use of any and also to all the activities of the conven- Parents of children ages 9–12 who be- special effects, must first be approved by the tion committee, whether before or after the lieve their children are mature enough (and Masquerade Director. Remember, it’s okay to convention. who have their own paid membership) may surprise the audience, but not the staff. choose to allow their children to freely roam During the masquerade, flash photogra- General Demeanor the convention on their own. Any child who Arisia expects its members to respect each phy and laser pointers are forbidden. If you excessively misbehaves or engages in inap- other and behave in a generally civilized fash- take photos or videos during the Masquerade, propriate, disruptive or dangerous behavior is ion. Members should respect common sense do not obstruct the view of other audience subject to having free-roaming privileges or rules for public behavior, personal interac- members. All electronic devices (e.g., cell their entire membership revoked. tion, common courtesy, and respect for pri- phones, pagers, tablet computers) must be Children under 12 years old may attend vate property. If you wouldn’t do it in public, silenced and their screens must be dimmed. with either their own paid convention mem- please don’t do it here. Additionally, all Staff Participants in the masquerade must read bership, or with a free Kids-in-Tow member- are representatives of Arisia and therefore are and agree to the terms contained in a separate ship (with and under the supervision of an held to a higher standard of behavior, even costumer release and masquerade rules. authorized adult at all times). Arisia requires when off duty. that there be at least one supervising adult Parties in Guest Rooms Reminder: The hotel is not dedicated com- with a membership accompanying every For individuals or groups wishing to host pletely to our use for the weekend. Members three Kids-in-Tow members.