Picocon 34: 'Origins'

Picocon 34 will be held on Saturday 18th February 2017, in Imperial College' Blackett Building.

What is Picocon?

Picocon is the annual Science Fiction & Fantasy convention run by the Imperial College Science Fiction and Fantasy Society, ICSF. It usually takes place on a Saturday in February, in Imperial College's Blackett Building. We try not to clash with other conventions around the same time.

It is a small (hence the name), affordable and convenient convention for students and fans in or near London. Registration opens at 9am, with the first scheduled events kicking off at around 9:30. The schedule concludes in the evening.

At a Picocon you will encounter:

Guests of Honour doing talks and panels
The Destruction of Dodgy Merchandise, typically with liquid nitrogen and an enormous hammer. (Donations welcome!)
Stalls selling books, ICSF t-shirts, and other stuff
Quiz and silly games
h bar

Guests of Honour

Jaine Fenn is the author of numerous published short stories and the Hidden Empire series of character-driven Space Opera novels. After studying linguistics and astronomy her first career was in IT, an experience which has left her with a distrust of technology unusual in an SF author. She was originally a guest at Picocon in 2009, shortly after the first Hidden Empire book, Principles of Angels, came out from Gollancz.

Paul McAuley , one of the most widely-praised authors in British science fiction, has published more than twenty novels, over a hundred short stories, and a BFI Film Classic monograph on Terry Gilliam’s film Brazil. His fiction has been nominated for numerous prizes and has won the Arthur C. Clarke Award, the Philip K Dick Memorial Award, and many others. After working as a research biologist and university lecturer in botany, he is now a full-time writer.

Al Robertson is a writer, poet, and marketer, whose first novel ,'Crashing Heaven, came out last June. His second novel, ‘Waking Hell’, was released last October with Gollancz. He's been publishing SF, fantasy and horror stories and novellas for the last ten years or so - these have appeared in Interzone, Black Static, Postscripts and elsewhere.

Justina Robson has spent a lot of her life writing Science Fiction. This has included ten novels, a collection of short stories, and a Transformers book. Her debut novel, Silver Screen, was shortlisted for the Arthur C Clarke award and the BSFA award. She currently lives in Leeds.

and Stuart Ashen presenting the Destruction of Dodgy Merchandise

Provisional Timetable

9:00	Front Desk/registration opens
09:30	Author's Talk - Jaine Fenn
10:00	Author's Talk - Jaine Fenn
10:30	Author's Talk - Paul McAuley
11:00	Author's Talk - Paul McAuley
11:30	Author's Talk - Al Robertson
12:00	Author's Talk - Al Robertson
12:30	Lunch Destruction of Dodgy Merchandise (starts 13:00)
13:00
13:30
14:00	Author's Talk - Justina Robson
14:30	Author's Talk - Justina Robson
15:00	Authors' Panel
15:30	Authors' Panel
16:00	Turkey Readings Silly Games
16:30
17:00
17:30	Harmless Fun (definitely not a fish duel)
18:00	Pub quiz (with authors leading teams!)
18:30	Pub quiz (with authors leading teams!)

Prices

Entry:

£8 for ICSF members;
£10 concessions (with valid ID) - students/DWP/OAP/children;
£12 full price;
FREE for past Guests of Honour.

Discounts for large parties (e.g. other University SF societies) are potentially available (email the Picocon Sofa).

Please note that neither ICSF nor Union membership is required to attend Picocon; all are welcome.

Food will be served between 12:30-13:30 in h-bar.

Directions to Picocon

Here's a general map of the area, pointing at the entrance to Beit Quad (which houses the Union) off Prince Consort Road.

By London Underground

The tube is probably easiest way to get to Picocon; both Gloucester Road Station and South Kensington Station are within easy reach.

Both stations are served by the Circle, District, and Piccadilly lines. There are planned engineering works on some other Underground lines .

These maps show the routes we suggest from both Gloucester Road Station and from South Kensington Station.

By Public Bus

Both the Royal Albert Hall and the South Kensington bus stop groups are near by - the Royal Albert Hall itself is next door to the Union. From South Kensington stops, follow the route map from South Kensington Station.

These stops are served by buses C1, 9, 10, 49, 52, 70, 74, 345, 360, 414, 430, and 452.

By Bike

There are three hire cycle docking stations on Prince Consort Road, which also houses the Union. Search for 'SW7 2BB' on the Cycle Map.

Note: If you get lost around South Kensington trying to find Beit Quad, ask for directions to the Royal Albert Hall, and once there, Beit Quad is the building on the left of the RAH as you face it's main entrance (if you arrive form the Hyde Park side, you will be at the rear of the RAH).

For more information, please contact Elizabeth Windo, the Picocon Sofa (comfier than a chair), at picocon@icsf.org.uk.

Picocon 34 — ‘Futurism: Oh, the humanity!’ 18th February 2017