Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Daylight Savings

Q: How will daylight savings impact the online session times?

A: In Canada (and the US), daylight savings ends on Sunday, November 7th, at 2:00 am. Posted Sunday sessions reflect the local time in Montreal, Quebec. You will need to adjust your login times if your locale does not participate in daylight savings.

Current Covid Restrictions

Q: Do I need a current covid test to enter Canada?

A: Yes, you will need a negative covid test to drive across the border or fly into Canada.

Q: Do I need a covid test to leave Canada?

A: (As of October 16th, 2021) If you are driving, no. If you are flying, you will need a negative covid test before you are allowed on the plane. Different airlines have different time frames (24 hours-72 hours before departure) so check with your carrier.

Q: What are the current covid restrictions in the US?
A: You can check with the CDC here https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/testing-international-air-travelers.html and also here https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/ea/covid-19-information1.html

Q: What are the current covid restrictions in Canada?

A: You can check here: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/coronavirus-disease-covid-19.html

Registration

Q: Can I purchase a membership on the day of the convention?

A: Yes, although day-of rates will be higher than pre-registration rates.

Q: I am unable to attend. Can I transfer my membership to my friend?

A: Yes. See here under Transfer Membership: https://wfc2021.org/membership/how-to-register

Online convention/ zoom rooms

Q: How do I change the name people see in Zoom?

A: There will be a rename option when you hover over your picture.

Q: There are two program items at the same time I want to see. Will I be able to watch a recording at a later time?

A: Virtual program items and the World Fantasy Awards will be recorded and available to members through the end of November. Readings and in-person panels will not be recorded.

Q: I’m unavailable at the times scheduled for the programs I want to see (different time zone, etc.). What can I do?

A: Virtual program items and the World Fantasy Awards will be recorded and available to members through the end of November. Readings and in-person panels will not be recorded.

Q: How do I access the recordings of previous sessions?

A: Members will be sent an access link.

Q: How can I find a list of all sessions for a particular speaker or panelist?

A: The schedule is posted on the website.

Q: If I change my mind, can I leave a session and enter another session?

A: Yes and no. If you are attending the convention virtually, you can only enter sessions marked “hybrid” or “virtual”. The sessions marked “in-person” are not being streamed for virtual attendees.

Q: How do I login to the online events?

A: Members will be sent an access link.

Q: I can’t login with my credentials. Who do I contact?

A: Email address coming soon!

In-person Attendees

Q: When does pre-con registration start?

A: 9 am on Thursday, Nov 4th

Q: Can an in-person membership attend a virtual session?

A: Attending memberships also include access to all virtual events.

Q: I wasn’t able to attend my in-person session. How do I watch the recording?

A: In-person events will not be recorded.

Q: Can I buy a ticket for the banquet at the registration desk?

A: Yes, although numbers and/or food options may be limited.

Q: If I do not purchase a banquet ticket, can I still attend the award ceremony?

A: Yes, members will be admitted following the banquet so they can attend the award ceremony.

Q: If I am unable to travel at the last minute, can I convert my ticket to ‘virtual’ and get a refund for the cost difference?

A: You can convert the membership. However, we are unfortunately unable to offer refunds.

Q: Will I be required to the social distance at the event?

A: Yes. You will also be required to wear a mask.

Q: What are the current requirements for covid compliance in Montreal?

A: See: Measures in force in Montreal

In addition to masking and social distancing, Quebec has implemented a Vaccine passport. Non-Quebecers may present their vaccine card as well as photo ID. Note that the convention is also legally required to check that you have been fully vaccinated against Covid-19.

You can check the current requirements for Canada in general here. https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/coronavirus-disease-covid-19.html

Dealer Room and Author Alley

Q: What are the hours for the dealer room?

A: Thursday: 1pm-6pm

Friday, Saturday: 10am-6pm

Sunday*: 10am-2pm

* Note that we switch from daylight savings time to 2 am Sunday morning. All times specified are local.

Q: What is Author’s Alley?

A: A set of tables where authors can sell their work directly. The alley will be open on Saturday from 10 am-6 pm. Each author may rent a table in 4-hour blocks.

Autograph Session

Q: What is the Autograph Session?

A: The Autograph Session is a highly-anticipated World Fantasy Convention tradition, during which every attending member can autograph copies of their books. Attending members can bring books from home, purchase them in the dealers’ room, or purchase them directly from authors.

Q: When will the Autograph Session be held?

A: The session will be held on Friday night, beginning at 7:00 p.m. EST.

Q: I’m an author. Can I sign my books at the Autograph Session?

A: If you are an attending member of WFC 2021, you may participate in the Autograph Session and sign your books.

Q: Do I need to register to participate in the Autograph Session as an author?

A: Pre-registration is not required but is strongly recommended. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, this year’s session is structured to maintain a safe social distance, with wide aisles and each 6’ table occupied by only one author. Pre-register before the convention by sending your name and your intention to participate to Ginny at .

You may also register at the convention on Thursday or Friday morning, but we strongly advise you not to wait.

Once all seats are assigned, no others will be available.

Q: I’m planning to participate in the Autograph Session as an author. Can I sell my own books?

A: Though we love to support our dealers at WFC, not all authors’ books will be offered for sale in the dealers’ room. If your books aren’t carried in the dealers’ room, you may sell your own books during the Autograph Session. You must comply with local tax laws.

Q: If I sell my own books, do I need to pay sales tax?

A: See the Canada Revenue Agency’s website for details: https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/forms-publications/publications/rc4027/doing-business-canada-gst-hst-information-non-residents.html

You can voluntarily register. If you register, you must collect GST on all sales. To claim any GST you paid, you must be registered.

Q: Can I bring my books from home to be signed by attending authors?

A: Yes! Take a look at the attending member list here, and feel free to bring any books by these authors with you to be signed during the autograph session. Please note that rolling carts will not be permitted in the ballroom during the Autograph Session, and the number of books a person can bring in at one time will be limited to 5. If you have more than 5 books to be signed, you may check them into a designated Book Drop, which will be located near the Autograph Session, and retrieve them for signing 5 at a time.

Q: How is the Autograph Session different from the Author Alley?

A: Participation in the Autograph Session is free, whereas table space in the Author Alley is rented. The Autograph Session is one of the major events of the convention, and people are generally eager to participate. Participation in the Author Alley, which is more intimate, does not prevent participating in the Autograph Session as they occur at different times.

Q: I’m attending the convention virtually. Can I still talk to authors and purchase books from them?

A: Yes, virtual members can request an appointment with specific authors. A staff member will circulate the Autograph Session room with a laptop and will allow virtual members to chat with an author as that author signs a book the virtual member has purchased.

Q: I have books by authors who are participating virtually. Can I get them signed?

A: Yes! The Guests of Honor are being supplied with bookplates, which can be signed and sent to you. (Only GoH’s)

Virtual Signings

Q: What is a virtual signing?

A: Due to the hybrid nature of WFC 2021, some Guests of Honor will only be attending remotely. This virtual signing is a way for members to have a few minutes of personal time to chat with those Guests and receive a personalized bookplate delivered by mail after the convention.

Q: How do I sign up to meet a Guest of Honor?

A: Once you have filled out the form: (here for Brandon O’Brien https://forms.gle/nkaVqf2rq249w9Aa8) or (here for Nisi Shawl https://forms.gle/9Tp8541ULDeZtFyM9) you will receive an email with an appointment time, a zoom link, and an invoice for 3 CAD per bookplate to cover our printing and shipping costs.

Q: How long can I speak with the Guest of Honor?

A: Depending on traffic, we’d request that you keep your time to a few minutes so that everyone has a chance to share their appreciation with the Guests.

Q: Can I speak with the Guests of Honor without buying a bookplate?

A: Yes, of course. If you’d like a few minutes to chat with the Guests without having a bookplate sent to you, please sign up, and put 0 (zero) for the number of bookplates required.

Q: When in the waiting room, how long can I expect to wait?

A: Our team will make sure to connect you within 5 to 10 minutes of your appointment time.

Q: When will I receive my bookplates after the convention?

A: Please allow 4 to 6 weeks for the bookplates to arrive. We will do everything we can to hurry them along.

Q: What if I would like something signed by an author attending the Mass Signing Event?

A: There is a special signup form for mass signing here https://forms.gle/xRVAEEDJ4ZXx9XTf6.

We will be able to carry a device connected to you at home via Zoom from table to table in order to help you get bookplates personalized by several guests at once. Unfortunately, due to time constraints, we will not be able to serve members looking only to chat and not order signed bookplates at the mass signing.

Virtual Shopping

Q: What is Virtual Shopping?

A: A Virtual Attendee can sign up for an appointment here (insert link) with one of our Personal Shoppers. During the appointment, the Shopper will enter a one-on-one Zoom room with the Attendee on a mobile device and then walk around the in-person dealer's room and art show, directing the camera as requested by the Attendee, and helping complete purchases. At the end of the appointment, we will package and ship all purchases to the attendee at the lowest rate available, in one package.

Q: What times are available for appointments?

A: All day during Dealer's Room hours on Friday (10 am - 6 pm) and limited hours on Saturday, if necessary.

Q: I did not see everything or complete all the purchases I wanted during my first appointment. Can I make a second one?

A: Depending on availability, yes. We have limited staff and will be giving priority to people making first appointments, but would rather be busy than not!

Q: Are there any fees?

A: Not for the service. Only the cost of what you purchase, and the cost we pay to ship items to you. If you only browse and don't end up buying anything, there will not be any charges!

Q: What happens if I purchase something, and then don't pay for shipping?

A: Then we will return your item to the dealer at the end of the convention, and you will need to contact the dealer directly about either a refund or negotiating shipping with them.

Q: How do I perform virtual shopping?

A: Fill out this form (https://forms.gle/RgQyXCj7MGyYbGbQ9) to receive an email with your Zoom link and appointment time for a personal shopper to show you around the dealer's room and art show!