If there’s a sci-fi movie or TV show that you enjoy, there’s a good chance it’s based on a book, and there’s an even better chance that book has won a HUGO AWARD. 

From Afrofuturist Octavia E Butler to Sci-Fi legends Frank Herbert and Ursula Le Guin, the Pacific Northwest has been home to several winners of one of the most prestigious honors in speculative fiction, fantasy and sci-fi. 

What you may not realize is that the Hugo Award Ceremony happens each year at a gathering called “Worldcon.” And this year, the convention is being held right here at the Seattle Convention Center.

Worldcon is the is the official convention of the World Science Fiction Society. Events and programming began Wednesday and festivities run through Sunday.

GUEST: Kathy Bond, Chair of WorldCon 2025

RELATED LINKS: 


Seattle Worldcon 2025 


Worldcon 2025 celebrates the past and future of science fiction — and the part Seattle has played - GeekWire

Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes

Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

If there&rsquo;s a sci-fi movie or TV show that you enjoy, there&rsquo;s a good chance it&rsquo;s based on a book, and there&rsquo;s an even better chance that book has won a HUGO AWARD.&nbsp;
From Afrofuturist Octavia E Butler to Sci-Fi legends Frank Herbert and Ursula Le Guin, the Pacific Northwest has been home to several winners of one of the most prestigious honors in speculative fiction, fantasy and sci-fi.&nbsp;
What you may not realize is that the Hugo Award Ceremony happens each year at a gathering called &ldquo;Worldcon.&rdquo; And this year, the convention is being held right here at the Seattle Convention Center.
Worldcon is the is the official convention of the World Science Fiction Society. Events and programming began Wednesday and festivities run through Sunday.
GUEST: Kathy Bond, Chair of WorldCon 2025
RELATED LINKS:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://seattlein2025.org/">Seattle Worldcon 2025</a>&nbsp;
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.geekwire.com/2025/worldcon-2025-past-future-science-fiction-seattle/">Worldcon 2025 celebrates the past and future of science fiction &mdash; and the part Seattle has played - GeekWire</a> 
</li>
</ul>
Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to <a href="http://kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes">kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes</a>
Soundside&nbsp;is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

Soundside

WorldCon 2025 takes place in Seattle this weekend for the first time since 1961! Home of the Hugo Awards, it’s the annual convention of the World Science Fiction Society. We’re talking to the Chair of the convention about what makes it tick, and why Seattle holds a special place in Science Fiction history.

Advertisement