title: ISFiC
text: # ISFiC
  
  ISFiC, or "Illinois Science Fiction in Chicago", is a non-profit organization best known for running the Windycon science fiction convention.
  
  ISFiC was formed in 1973 as a coalition of the various science fiction clubs in Chicago, Illinois, United States. In addition to being the parent organization for an annual convention, it would also serve as a clearing house for fan activities in Illinois. The founders of the organization included Larry Propp, Mark and Lynne Aronson, Ann Cass, Jon and Joni Stopa and Mike and Carol Resnick.
  
  Each summer, ISFiC holds a small picnic, named Picnicon after the generally accepted science fiction naming conventions.
  
  ## ISFiC Press
  
  In 2004, ISFiC started up a small press, ISFiC Press. Their first book was Robert J. Sawyer's Relativity. It was released on November 12, 2004, and included an introduction by Mike Resnick, an afterword by Valerie Broege and a cover by Jael. They have published additional books annually, with works winning the Aurora Award and being nominated for the Hugo Award.
  
  ## ISFiC Writers Contest
  
  In addition to sponsoring Windycon, ISFiC also sponsors an annual writing contest for new authors. The first winner of the ISFiC Writers Contest was Richard Chwedyk in 1986. Chwedyk would go on to win the Nebula Award.
  
  The winners of the ISFiC Writers Contest include
  
  * 1986: Richard Chwedyk, "Getting Along with Larga"
  * 1987: Eugenia M. Hayden, "The Library"
  * 1988: Richard Chwedyk, "A Man Makes a Machine"
  * 1989: No winner
  * 1990: Robin Leigh Michaels, "Ailin’s Castle"
  * 1991: Vanessa Crouther, "Soul to Take"
  * 1992: Sheila Insley, "Make-Up Magic"
  * 1993: C.T. Fluhr, "Dead Chute"
  * 1994: Emmett Gard Pittman, "Packers"
  * 1995: William McMahon, "In Memoriam"
  * 1996: C.T. Fluhr, "All Through the House"
  * 1997: David W. Crawford & Carol Johnson, "Little Girl Lost"
  * 1998: Susan L. Wachowski, "Grandpa"
  * 1999: Sharon L. Nelson, "Passing Through"
  * 2000: No winner
  * 2001: No winner
  * 2002: No winner
  * 2003: John D. Nikitow, "True Worth"
  * 2004: Chris Krolczyk, "Orbital One"
  * 2005: No winner
  * 2006: Francisco Ruiz, "Ad Alienos"
  * 2007: Joe McCauley, "Ivan and the Plate of Fried Chicken"
  * 2008: No winner
  * 2009: John M. Cowan, "Oracle"
  * 2010: Mary Mascari, "Lost and Found"
  * 2011: Mary Mascari, "The Pod"
  * 2012: No award
  * 2013: Liz A. Vogel, "Windy Van Hooten’s Was Never Like This"
  * 2014: Siobhan Duffey, "Under the Hill"
  * 2015: M. Aruguete, "Catamount"
  * 2016: Siobhan Duffy, "The Furrier"
  * 2017: No award
  * 2018: No award
  * 2019: John M. Cowan, "Dead Man Stalking"
  