The February 2026 newsletter for Norwescon 48.

• Philip K. Dick Award Nominees and Ceremony Update
• Catan Championship Qualifier
• Registration
• Reserve Your Hotel Room for Norwescon Today!
• Guest of Honor Spotlight
• Join Us for Three Nights of Dance at Norwescon 48
• Teen Engagement Is Looking at YOU, Teens!
• Artist List on Website
• Supplies Needed for Teen & Tween Panels
• Single Pattern Contest!
• Meetup Sign-Ups Are Open!
• Announcing the Norwescon Music Mixer
• Norwescon Charity for Page Ahead

News From Norwescon February 2026

Philip K. Dick Award Nominees and Ceremony Update

This year’s Philip K. Dick Award nominees were announced on January 13. This year there are seven nominated works:

• Sunward by William Alexander (Saga Press)
• Outlaw Planet by M.R. Carey (Orbit)
• Casual by Koji A. Dae (Tenebrous Press)
• The Immeasurable Heaven by Caspar Geon (Solaris)
• Uncertain Sons and Other Stories by Thomas Ha (Undertow Publications)
• Scales by Christopher Hinz (Angry Robot)
• City of All Seasons by Oliver K. Langmead and Aliya Whiteley (Titan Books)

If you track your reading using the book tracking website The Storygraph, we have set up a reading challenge. How many of this year’s nominees can you read before the award ceremony on Friday, April 3, at Norwescon?

And speaking of this year’s award ceremony—the ceremony will be returning to the conversation tables in Grand 2! Join us shortly before the ceremony for conversation and chances to meet the attending authors, then enjoy readings of excerpts from the nominated works (some read by the authors themselves) before the winners are announced.

It’s another excellent lineup of nominees. We’re looking forward to another fun ceremony, and we hope you join us on Friday evening!

Catan Championship Qualifier

Norwescon is hosting an official CATAN United States National Championship Qualifier tournament. We will have three preliminary rounds followed by a final round. There will be 24 seats available. The Qualifier winner will win a guaranteed seat at the 2026 CATAN United States National Championship tournament.

Bring your best game and compete with fellow enthusiasts for a chance to become the ultimate settler of CATAN. Whether you’re a seasoned player or a newcomer, this event is the perfect opportunity to learn, compete, and have fun.

Registration

Did you get your membership yet? Right now it’s $110. Visit the Memberships page of our website for the link to register and instructions on how to register others. Email us with any questions. Get your membership before the convention begins!

Also, this year we are opening sales for single-day memberships to the convention on Saturday, February 14. It’s not always easy to get four days off from work or school, but we still want you to join us for some Norwescon fun! Single-day badges may only be picked up on the day they are valid prior to 8:00 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, or 3:00 p.m. on Sunday. Reach out to Registration with any questions.

• Thursday: $40
• Friday: $70
• Saturday: $70
• Sunday: $40

Reserve Your Hotel Room for Norwescon Today!

Stay on-site and don’t miss a moment of the fun at Norwescon! Visit our Hotel page to make your reservation today.

Guest of Honor Spotlight

Writer Guest of Honor—Ursula Vernon, aka T. Kingfisher

Ursula Vernon, aka T. Kingfisher, is the author and illustrator of far more projects than is probably healthy. She has written over fifteen books for children, at least a dozen novels for adults, an epic webcomic called Digger, and various short stories and other odds and ends.

The daughter of an artist, she spent her youth attempting to rebel but eventually succumbed to the siren song of paint (although not before getting a degree in anthropology). Ursula grew up in Oregon and Arizona, went to Macalester College in Minnesota, and stayed there for ten years until she finally learned to drive in deep snow and was obligated to leave the state.

Having moved across the country several times, she eventually settled in Pittsboro, North Carolina, where she works full-time as an artist and creator of oddities. She lives with her husband and his chickens.

Her works have won many awards, including Hugos, Nebulas, Locus Awards, British Fantasy Awards, and many others. In addition to writing and making art, Ms. Vernon gardens, feeds the birds, and has an unhealthy obsession with mulch.

Join Us for Three Nights of Dance at Norwescon 48

Join us for Norwescon 48 in the Grand Ballrooms for three nights of dance favorites and fun!

• Thursday: First Contact Galactic Gala. Leap into the cosmos and celebrate the thrill of discovery. Dress stellar, dance interstellar!
• Friday: Black Light Rave. Glow under the neon lights and dance wild through the night.
• Saturday: The Goblin Ball. Enter the realm of fantasy and mischief where masks, magic, and music collide.

Three nights. Three worlds. One epic weekend of Norwescon dances! Check the schedule for times and locations, and don’t forget to suggest music in advance using our form found on the Norwescon Dances page.

Teen Engagement Is Looking at YOU, Teens!

Already been to the art show? Tired of being dragged to panels? Come and hang out with people your own age!

The Shire involves kids (13 to 18 years) by helping them develop social and self-guided skills, encouraging them to play games, and giving them roles in running the con. We’re in the Teen Lounge at various times throughout the convention. Come and meet the Elders who are available for gentle guidance if you would like it.

For our kickoff meet-n-greet, we’ll be at the Root Beer Float Social on Friday afternoon.

We look forward to meeting you!

Artist List on Website

The list of artists to be featured in our art show is now live on the website. Get a sneak peek of who is exhibiting art at Norwescon 48. During the convention, visit our gallery-style space starting at 10:00 a.m. on Friday to see some amazing art and bid on something special to take home.

Supplies Needed for Teen & Tween Panels

The Teen & Tween track has some supply needs for their panels. If you have anything you would like to donate to them, please bring it to the March meeting or drop it off at Cascade 1 during the convention. Please email Programming if you can help and/or plan on bringing anything. Thank you for your help! Specific needs we have include the following:

• Magazines for black-out poetry and vision boards
• Costume/cosplay items
• Clothes to use for costuming
• Miscellanea that would be good for creating costumes and accessories out of (trim, jewelry, jewelry crafting items, baubles, hats, belts, fabric, and so much more)
• Duct tape
• Zip ties
• Chainmail rings
• Hat wire

Single Pattern Contest!

Each year the Single Pattern Contest challenges creative, sewing, and crafting skills by choosing one pattern as the basis for your creativity! The object of the competition is to construct a one-of-a-kind creation using this pattern. Some adjustments or changes to the pattern are allowed as long as the end product reflects the original pattern.

Norwescon is excited to announce the two pattern options for this year’s Single Pattern Contest:

• Hooded Duster Coat
• McCall’s Misses’/Men’s Lined and Unlined Cape (M4139)

Competition awards will include, but are not limited to, best workmanship, best use of convention theme, and best in competition. Awards will be given out during the masquerade halftime.

Meetup Sign-Ups Are Open!

Got a great idea for a meetup during the convention? Anything can work, whether it’s a fandom hangout, industry mixer, writer’s lounge, or just an opportunity to find other fen like you. Go to the Meetup webpage for more information and the link to the application.

Announcing the Norwescon Music Mixer

Join us for an evening of sound on Friday, February 20, featuring ethereal electronic synthesizer and solo guitar filk/folk performances, curated by Norwescon volunteer and Gallery 1412 member Mark Kerrigan. Gary Davis and Alexander James Adams, featured on the mixer, will also be performing at Norwescon 48 in April. All proceeds go to support the performers and the venue, and advance tickets are available but not required.

• Venue: Gallery 1412 in Seattle, WA
• Date: Friday, February 20, 2026, at 8 p.m.
• RSVP here

Featured Local Performers

• Meadowgoat: seasonal synths
• Synthiak: electronic
• Gary Davis: folk
• Alexander James Adams: fantasy folk

More details

• Doors open at 7 p.m., music starts at 7:30 p.m.
• All ages, no alcohol, entrance is accessible but bathrooms are not
• Parking available on neighborhood streets
• $10 suggested donation

Since 2004, Gallery 1412 in Seattle Central District is an intimate storefront venue run by a collective of artists and musicians focused on supporting experimental and avant-garde music.

Norwescon Charity for Page Ahead

We are pleased to announce that Page Ahead will once again be the recipient of charity sale proceeds in the art show. To make a donation, just bring it to the art show in Grand 1, and while you are there, you can check out what is for sale to support this charity.

We will also be accepting donations of items that are fannish in nature at the convention, such as art, jewelry, books, and games. Items will be available for sale in the art show throughout the convention or used as volunteer prizes.

And, of course, please be sure to join us in the art show to purchase donated items. It all goes to a great cause. If you have questions, please email us about making a donation.

Page Ahead provides new books and develops reading activities that empower at-risk children. Founded in 1990, Page Ahead’s Children’s Literacy Program has given more than four million new books to more than one million children through collaborations with schools, social service agencies, preschools, and early childhood programs across Washington.

Norwescon is proud to be working with Page Ahead to help eliminate book deserts and get books into the hands of under-resourced children in the greater Seattle area, as well as other areas in the state of Washington. You can also donate a book directly to Page Ahead through the Norwescon Book Drive Wish List via Amazon, or you can donate money directly at GiveDirect Fundraising Platform: Page Ahead Children’s Literacy Program.