Foolscap is a new kind of convention. We bring together writers, artists, fans, thinkers and makers to create a weekend-long conversation about the things that excite us. Everyone is interesting at Foolscap. By bringing together a community of diverse interests and experiences, we make a space where we all learn from each other.

Foolscap's guiding principles are the "Four 'B's":

Belonging Bridges
Brains Bravery

Brains

We believe ideas make the best toys. We take them apart to see how they work, and put them together in new, better ways.

What ideas do you want to explore?

Belonging

We come together to form a community. We share food and conversation, stories and books. We welcome you to join us.

What makes you feel at home?

Bridges

We connect communities by giving them a place to show their most interesting side. Foolscap fosters the unexpected connections that help communities grow.

Who are you hoping to meet?

Bravery

We take risks along the way to making things better. If we've been doing something well for years, then it's time for us to try to do it better. We may stumble, but we'll always learn.

How would you make a better community?

Our philosophy shapes our convention. Find out how.

Foolscap Newsletter for November

Saturday Writing Workshop

Announcing Foolscap’s Saturday writing workshops: Manny Frishberg, Amy Thomson and Edd Vick will do a workshop on how to collaborate on a multiple-author project and we’re putting together a second workshop session on giving great readings. More details (and sign-up information) on the Foolscap website in early December.

In a hurry to sign up? Write to workshops@foolscap.org

Save The Date for Foolscap 2021

Mark down Feburary 12-14 2021 for Foolscap 2021!

Boneshaker is 10 year old!

Cover of Boneshaker by Cherie Priest

2009 post at BoingBoing: Boneshaker: Cherie Priest's swashbuckling steampunk Seattle story

Norwescon Bookclub is discussing Boneshaker on Nov 24th 4pm - 6pm at Panera Bread in Kent

newsletter archived here

Newsletter - Norwescon Report

Seattle WorldCon 2025 Bid

Seattle is up against Perth, Australia. Details should appear on facebook, possibly in July.

Kathy Bond is the chair for the Seattle WorldCon 2025 Bid. She was Legal Advisor to WorldCon 73, Sasquan, Spokane; and Operations Division Head for WorldCon 76, San Jose 2018.

Norwescon

We had a table table at Norwescon. We talked about Foolscap with potential and past members.

Captain and Fist on Deck

Past GoH Gossip

So what have past Foolscap GoH's been up to lately? Well, Seanan McGuire has her Spider-Gwen comics (inquire at your local comic shop). Her latest book, Middlegame, came out in May. Wearing her other author hat, Mira Grant's Alien: Echo is in stores now and Subterranean Press is putting out In the Shadow of Spindrift House later in June.

Patricia Brigg's latest Mercy book, Storm Cursed, came out in May, as did Ted Chiang's Exhalation: Stories. Michael Kaluta's comic adaption of The Abyss gets a new edition to celebrate the 30 year annivery of the movie.

Nancy Perl was a GoH at Norwescon last month, and I caught her talk on how to recommend books. Anyone else catch up with her there?

newsletter archived here

Foolscap 2020 Guest of Honor Cherie Priest

Foolscap Announces Cherie Priest as 2020 Guest of Honor

We are delighted to welcome author Cherie Priest as our GoH in 2020. Seattle is featured prominently in her influential steampunk novel Boneshaker.

Photo of Cherie Priest
Photo by Libby Bulloff

Cherie Priest is the author of nearly two dozen books and novellas, most recently modern horror project Brimstone and haunted house thriller The Family Plot – as well as the hit young adult project I Am Princess X. But she is perhaps best known for the steampunk pulp adventures of the Clockwork Century, beginning with Boneshaker. She has been nominated for the Hugo Award and the Nebula Award, and the Locus award – which she won with Boneshaker.

Cherie has also written a number of urban fantasy titles, and composed several pieces (large and small) for George R. R. Martin’s shared world universe, the Wild Cards. Her short stories and nonfiction articles have appeared in such fine publications as Weird Tales, Publishers Weekly, and numerous anthologies – and her books have been translated into nine languages in eleven countries.

Although she was born in Florida on the day Jimmy Hoffa disappeared, for the last twenty years Cherie has largely divided her time between Chattanooga, TN, and Seattle, WA – where she presently lives with her husband and a menagerie of exceedingly photogenic pets. Her most recent non-writing project is the loving restoration of a late mid-century modern named Rockford Place (because she loves James Garner).

Cover of Boneshaker by Cherie Priest

also appearing in newsletter

Newsletter: Foolscap 2020 at Norwescon, Send Feedback, Book Your Room

We Will Have a Table at Norwescon

We will be at Norwescon with Foolscap colored M&M's. This is a great
chance to get in front of like-minded people. If you would like to
help, reply to the newsletter and we will
get in touch.

Foolscap Feedback - Now with Prizes!

Reply to this newsletter with answers these questions by May 1st to
enter a drawing (powered by random.org) $20 Gift Card for a local
bookstore.

  • What did you enjoy from Foolscap 2019?
  • What would you would change for Foolscap 2020?

Today is the First Day to Book Your Room

Join us at the Sea-Tac Hilton and don't worry about driving home. Use
code FOOL20 or follow this link to get our special
rate.

Thank You for Making Foolscap's 21st Special

🚀Captain's Log, Stardate 47634.44, USS Foolscap (ANS-42)🚀

Thanks!

I had a great time at Foolscap 2019, and I appreciate all of you who helped make it a great weekend. Particular thanks to Nancy Kress, our wonderful GoH who really embraced the spirit of Foolscap. I had good discussions, learned some things, picked up some good books and even more good book recommendations, and even managed to put in a few puzzle pieces.

It was a privilege and a pleasure to serve you as Captain for the past two years. I’m handing on the Captaincy to Doug Beal, who makes everything work better, so I’m expecting to enjoy Foolscap 2020 even more. See you all next year!

-Retiring Captain Beth Mitcham

🚀Captain's Log, Stardate 47634.44, USS Foolscap (ANS-42)🚀

Foolscap came to my attention when Ursula Vernon mentioned she was the GoH in 2015. But it captured my heart with panels like "Lawn Crayfish are Real (and other weird nature stuff)" and "Craft 'n Meet". Soon I was helping with tear down, decompressing at a post con meal, and helping out on the concom. In my eyes, Open Programming really elevates the experience at Foolscap from other conventions.
We weathered some rough times together and came through stronger. I look forward to continuing Foolscap's proud traditions.

-Freshly Minted Captain Douglas Beal

📆 Foolscap 2020 - Save the Date - Feb 7-9 📆

Foolscap 2020 will return to the Hilton Seattle Airport on the second weekend in February (7th through 9th).

🎉Applause for Nancy Kress 🎉

We’d like to thank Nancy Kress for her graceful turn as Foolscap Guest of Honor. She managed to out-Foolscap Foolscap with her reading and ensuing discussion of the roles of stories in affirming or challenging our ethical worldviews. As fitting for our theme of Coming of Age, Nancy provides a great example of adulthood both in her works and in her personality. I hope I grow up to be cool like her!

🎙 The Voices of Foolscap 🎙 Podcast Teaser

Listen to a short preview of the new Foolscap podcast. Start By Looking Back: First Bite

🚧Participate in Building Foolscap🚧

Foolscap is a small convention, but it still needs a committee to make it happen. Please join our convention committee March 6th (or April 3rd) in Queen Anne! Our concom is particularly in need of someone who knows how to communicate on social media, or how to do publicity in general. If you want to help out in that or any other capacity, or just to watch for a year to see if there is anything you are interested in, come join us! Send an email to volunteers@foolscap.org for meeting details. 🍬

Signed

  • Outgoing Foolscap Captain Beth Mitcham
  • Incoming Foolscap Captain Douglas Beal

We want to hear your voice at Foolscap. To join us, you just need a membership to the convention.

Your membership makes you a part of Foolscap; your support keeps the conversation going. What will you shape Foolscap into?

We can't wait to find out.
Join the conversation.
Get your membership.