The Hugo Voter packet

[Stefan, Group Founder + Moderator (Retired)]

Has anyone here purchased a Supporting Membership for the upcoming 2011 WorldCon? I just discovered that the $50 Supporting Membership comes with the "Hugo Voter Packet", which contains e-versions of almost all the nominated works - which is really quite a good deal, if you think about it: all the nominated novels, novellas, novelettes, short stories, non-fiction works, anthologies, graphic novels, even some magazine issues and JPG's of artwork, and so on. You get all of that for $50, plus the (in my mind) very neat opportunity to actually vote for the Hugos this year, AND nominate works for next year. If you're as passionate about SFF as I am, that has to be exciting :) Given that e-books of just the novels alone would cost about $50, it's really a nice deal.

I just found about this recently (yep, I'm slow) and am about to purchase mine, but thought I'd put the link here in case anyone else is interested:

http://www.renovationsf.org/hugo-pack...

(I actually considered buying the Attending Membership, which means you can go to the convention - it's in Reno this year, which is not too far away from where I live in San Diego... but that's probably not realistic, given that I have never even found the time to go to ComicCon, which practically takes place in my backyard.)

[Jim]

That's very cool, Stefan. Thanks for posting this. I might just do that as well. First I have to find out why the idiot light is on in my wife's truck to see if I can afford it.

[Marty]

yes. I bought a supporting membership. I had already purchased 3 of the 5 novel nominees interestingly enough but working my way through the others and I haven't yet read one of the ones I bought. I will read the other forms(stories and novellas etc) of nominees, as well to be a responsible voter. I don't think I can vote in the editor categories but other than that. I'm thinking it is really self-indulgent way to spend the $ but I am doing it anyway. I read that I could do it on Scalzi's blog "Whatever" a few weeks ago I think.

[Ken]

Scalzi mentioned this on his Blog a couple weeks ago. Kinda of a neat idea. As for the Con. Reno is a bit of a trip for me and I am not big on crowds.

[Ken]

Here is the link to Scalzi Blog entry about this
http://whatever.scalzi.com/2011/05/24...

[Christine]

I'm seriously considering becoming a supporting member...

[Stefan, Group Founder + Moderator (Retired)]

Well, I finally purchased my Supporting Membership and downloaded the HUGE Hugo Voter Packet - it's about half a gigabyte of material in compressed format. All the nominated novels, novellas, novelettes and short stories, some anthologies, some graphic novels, a bunch of issues of the nominated magazines - it's a wealth of material that's worth much more than the $50 fee. Plus, it allows you to vote in this year's Hugo's and nominate works for next year. If they keep offering this same package every year, I'll sign up for life :)

And now I have to start reading all of this so I can cast my votes...

[Marty]

I couldn't get it all waded through but I voted in the categories which I did have time to familiarize myself with. I will definitely want to repeat the experience next time (although I hope I know about this and am able to get the packet earlier so I can get more categories done.) Luckily I had already read or attempted to read 2 of the Hugo novel nominees. I never have enough time to do everything I want to do or for that matter need to do.

[Stefan, Group Founder + Moderator (Retired)]

I filled out my ballot last night. I also didn't voted in all the categories, but I did read all the novels, everything in the 3 short form categories, and enough of the magazines and anthologies to be able to cast votes for the Editor, Short Form category. Want to compare ballots after the voting deadline (tomorrow)?

[Marty]

I did not vote in very many categories but sure. I don't think we probably agree on much though.