Well, travel planning time is upon me again.  One event I wish I could attend is the annual Locus Awards (I’ve only attended once, and that was back in 1997).  This year’s awards are being held June 15-16, 2012 in Seattle, Washington. Basic info is below the cut…

Here is the basic info:
Tickets for the SF Awards Weekend are $40 and include all Locus events — including readings, a kickoff meet-and-greet, panels with leading authors, an autograph session, the lunch banquet, and the annual Hawai’ian shirt contest judged by the fabulous Connie Willis, who will MC the ceremony and present the Locus Awards — all followed by the Clarion West Party on Saturday night honoring Clarion West supporters, awards weekend ticket holders, and special guests. The events are held across the street from the Seattle Center, home to the SF Hall of Fame and the Experience Music Project, with excellent access to the light rail and trolley systems.

In addition, non-profit literary organization NW Media Arts is sponsoring special Awards Weekend writers workshops with James Patrick Kelly and Connie Willis at the nearby Richard Hugo House. Additional fees apply.* Click here to learn more.

Special room rates, $131 per night, will be available from Wednesday, June 13 through Sunday June 17 at the Best Western Executive Inn at 200 Taylor Avenue North, Seattle WA 98109, directly across the street from the Seattle Center and Experience Music Project/SF Museum. For hotel reservations, call Joseph Ambler at (206) 674-6616 and mention the “Science Fiction Awards Group”, or you may call the general number at 1(800) 351-9444. Please make reservations by May 4, 2012 in order to secure the special room rate. If you need to book additional days, please e-mail Locus or call us at (510) 339-9196 and we will arrange it for you.
Tentative Schedule:

Friday, June 15

Evening: Author readings by Connie Willis and James Patrick Kelly in the Whidbey-Shaw Room at the Best Western Executive Inn, presented by NW Media Arts and University Book Store. Followed by an evening meet-and-greet in the lounge.

Saturday, June 16

10:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m.: Panel with leading authors, topic TBA.

10:55 a.m. to 11:40 a.m.: Panel with leading authors, topic TBA.

12:00 p.m. to 12:30 p.m.: Autographing session with books available for purchase thanks to University Book Store.

12:45 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.: Locus Awards Lunch Banquet and Ceremony at the Best Western Executive Inn with M.C. Connie Willis, who will present the awards and judge the annual Hawai’ian Shirt Contest.

Evening: Clarion West Party in the Whidbey-Shaw Room at the Best Western Executive Inn.

Schedule is subject to change without notice. Don’t forget to wear your most outlandish Hawai’ian shirt to the Locus Awards!

Presented by NW Media Arts
SF in Seattle Fantastic Fiction Writers Workshops with Connie Willis & James Patrick Kelly

* Tickets will soon be available for workshops with James Patrick Kelly and Connie Willis at the nearby Richard Hugo House, which will be ticketed separately through non-profit literary organization NW Media Arts. Additional fees apply and workshop registration is limited. Check back later for information on purchasing tickets.

Thanks to 123-Awards.com and NW Media Arts for their assistance and sponsorship of the Locus Awards events.