14th World Science Fiction Convention



The 14th World Science Fiction Convention (Worldcon), also known as NyCon II or NEWYORCON, was held on 31 August–3 September 1956 at the Biltmore Hotel in New York City, United States.

The chairman was David A. Kyle.

Participants
Attendance was approximately 850.

Guests of Honor

 * Arthur C. Clarke
 * Robert Bloch (toastmaster)

1956 Hugo Awards

 * Best Novel: Double Star, by Robert A. Heinlein
 * Best Novelette: "Exploration Team", by Murray Leinster
 * Best Short Story: "The Star", by Arthur C. Clarke
 * Best Professional Artist: Frank Kelly Freas
 * Best Professional Magazine: Astounding
 * Best Fanzine: (tie)
 * Inside, edited by Ron Smith
 * Science Fiction Advertiser, edited by Ron Smith
 * Best Feature Writer: Willy Ley
 * Best Book Reviewer: Damon Knight
 * Most Promising New Author: Robert Silverberg

Future site selection
The primary bid for the 15th World Science Fiction Convention was for London. This would be the first Worldcon outside North America, and there was a small but vocal jingoistic faction of Americans who argued for retaining the Worldcon in North America, claiming "If we let them have it they'll never give it back". Their campaign against the London proposal was opposed by other Americans, most audibly Anthony Boucher, and the London bid won by an ample margin, to loud cheers. There were reportedly petty efforts even after the vote was over to sabotage the London bid, but they failed to hinder it.