Ah, the 83rd World Science Fiction Convention is upon us! Just when we thought we’d run out of ways to gather in a hotel and debate the merits of space llamas versus time-traveling toasters, Seattle is ready to welcome us with open arms—and overpriced coffee.

John Hertz is here to remind us that even the classics of science fiction need a little love, or at least a lukewarm cup of imagination. And let’s not forget the thrill of waiting for a response from the con committee about that brilliant offer you sent them—because nothing says “we value your input” like radio silence.

Mark your calendars, folks! It’s time to celebrate the literature that made us the socially awkward geniuses we are