55th World Science Fiction Convention

The 55th World Science Fiction Convention (Worldcon), also known as LoneStarCon 2, also known as "The Second Occasional LoneStarCon Science Fiction Convention & Chili Cook-off", was held on 28 August–1 September 1997 at the Marriott Rivercenter, Marriott Riverwalk, and the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center in San Antonio, Texas, United States. The first LoneStarCon, held in Austin, Texas, had been the North American Science Fiction Convention (NASFiC) in 1985, when the 43rd Worldcon was held in Australia.

The supporting organization was the Austin Literary Arts Maintenance Organization (ALAMO). The chairman was Karen Meschke.

Participants
Attendance was 4,634, out of 5,614 paid memberships.

Guests of Honor

 * Algis Budrys (pro)
 * Michael Moorcock (pro)
 * Don Maitz (artist)
 * Roy Tackett (fan)
 * Neal Barrett, Jr. (toastmaster)

1997 Hugo Awards

 * Best Novel: Blue Mars by Kim Stanley Robinson
 * Best Novella: "Blood of the Dragon" by George R. R. Martin
 * Best Novelette: "Bicycle Repairman" by Bruce Sterling
 * Best Short Story: "The Soul Selects Her Own Society: Invasion and Repulsion: A Chronological Reinterpretation of Two of Emily Dickinson's Poems: A Wellsian Perspective" by Connie Willis
 * Best Non-Fiction Book: Time and Chance: an Autobiography by L. Sprague de Camp
 * Best Dramatic Presentation: "Severed Dreams" (Babylon 5 episode)
 * Best Professional Editor: Gardner Dozois
 * Best Professional Artist: Bob Eggleton
 * Best Semiprozine: Locus, edited by Charles N. Brown
 * Best Fanzine: Mimosa, edited by Nicki Lynch & Rich Lynch
 * Best Fan Writer: Dave Langford
 * Best Fan Artist: William Rotsler

Other awards

 * John W. Campbell Award for Best New Writer: Michael A. Burstein