Campbell Conference

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

This year, Campbell Conference will take place on July 9 - 12, 2009 in Lawrence, Kansas. This year's topic is TBD but will likely focus on "The Shape of Things to Come." Stay tuned for more information. Last year, 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.

Winners of both awards receive lucite trophies to take home and have their names engraved on the permanent trophies that remain on display at the Center's office.

The Kansas Union Oread Bookstore also usually holds a signing and readings with the attending authors on the Saturday of the Conference. See the full schedule of events for more information. We plan for all Conference attendees to be able to pick up a copy of the Sturgeon Award-winning short story at the Bookstore during the signing - just present your badge.

Campbell and Sturgeon awards

Be sure to register early for savings!

Special Guests for 2009

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.
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.
Elizabeth Anne Hull is an author, politician, past president of the Science Fiction Research Association, and noted scholar in the field.
Kij Johnson is an author of several fantasy and SF novels and short stories. 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.
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.
Frederik Pohl has been involved in science fiction since the 1930s as a fan, magazine editor, and author. He is a SFWA Grand Master, was inducted into the Science Fiction & Fantasy Hall of Fame in 1998, and is a Sturgeon Award juror. Mr. Pohl is a long-time friend of the Center, attending almost every Conference since its inception.
Lane Robins is a Lawrence novelist currently working on her third book of fantasy.
The year's Campbell and Sturgeon Award winners.
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.

Campbell Award winners and Hall of Fame inductees
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.

Schedule of Events

Please note that this schedule will grow and change as we firm up plans. What you see below is only a portion of the schedule; the Conference will also likely include readings and other events of interest to SF scholars and educators. Conference details below.

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

Thursday

Afternoon: TBD.

Friday

Afternoon: "The Secrets of Successful Science Fiction" with our special guest authors. Location: Dorm lobby (Workshop meeting space).
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. Location: Kansas Room of the Kansas Union.
Evening: Off-campus reception to follow.

Saturday

9:00am – noon: Round-table discussion. Location: Malott Room in the Kansas Union.
Noon – 12:45pm: Lunch break.
12:45pm – 1:45pm: Autograph session in Oread Books in the Kansas Union.
Evening: Off-campus reception to follow.

Readings

Sunday

9:00am – noon: Meet our special guests in an informal gathering in the dorm meeting space.

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

Costs

Costs to attend the "Teaching Science Fiction" seminar plus all other Campbell Conference activities:

Event	Registration includes	By June 1, 2009	After June 2, 2009
Campbell Conference only	Thursday events Friday events Awards ceremony on Friday Book signing on Saturday Readings on Saturday Sunday morning gathering with guests	Registration cost: $30	Registration cost: $40
Campbell Conference with Awards Banquet	All above events Meal during Friday evening Awards Ceremony Soft drinks and iced tea	Registration cost: $TBD	Registration cost: $TBD

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 1, $40 thereafter).
Campbell and Sturgeon Awards banquet ($TBD).

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

Housing for the 2009 Campbell Conference

Our official dorm housing is 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. The Workshops meet in a lounge area on our dorm floor. Dormitory rooms are available to out-of-town attendees at the rate of approximately $266 - $532 ($19 per night double, $38 per night single); 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. To stay for the Campbell Conference, add $57 - $114 for the weekend.

Participants must make reservations by May 28. 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.

Transportation from Airport to Lawrence

This year's Conference takes place in Lawrence, Kansas.

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.

Maps

University of Kansas map:
http://www.ku.edu/visit/maps.shtml

Kansas Union map:
http://www.jayhawks.com/union/images/KansasUnionMap2.pdf

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

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

Registration and Request Forms

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.