Hugo Speech. Clip from livestream. Video edit: Patrick Pho. Photos below credit: Locus Magazine and Viengsamai Fetters.


Hugo speech transcript given LA WorldCon 2026 / the 84th WorldCon at the Anaheim Convention Center on August 30, 2026.
Official livestream via YouTube


(I wrote this during the reception, so if there are any typos, only I can see them.)

One word echoes in my head, said by so many this evening: despite.

We are here, we’re alive, despite everything.

So say it with me right now: we are here, we are alive, despite everything.

Despite wildfires and heat waves, despite fascism and genocide, despite war, despite death drones, and AI and decrepit presidents and zombie senators, despite detention centers, despite this Big Fugly Bill, despite border police and ICE in our streets, despite fear and hate and parasites that will literally make your butt explode!!

Despite, despite is motivated by spite, by life, by the time we have on Earth which is limited but the love and drive we have knows no bounds.

LA Con says “Adventure Awaits!” across the street is a Californian Adventure, but let us keep in our spirits the spite, the fight and the adventure. And for those who are against those values of love and acceptance, in the words of a great man: “Change your heart or die.”

Deepest appreciation to the WorldCon community for your support. I love my work. I love my authors, and my colleagues at Erewhon and Kensington: may we show up for each other every day.

Thank you to my family: Dau, Patrick, Kim and Danny. Thank you to my friends, past and present. Thank you to my wife, Ashley, my forever love, and to Emji, Cordelia, Pam, Dave and Xio, my heart family.

Thanks to my colleagues in editorial: of course, Viengsamai (remember that name), Jaymee, Lee, Carl, Joe, Jenni, Scott, Jennifer, Neil, Michael, and dear, sweet Shelia. Thank you Maurice, because I forgot to thank you before the first time.

Thank you Dolly. Thank you Tim.

Thank you to my uncle, Phuong Thai Pho, who I knew as Bac Hai. I will always remember your laughter, your delight, your hard work to build a life for your parents and siblings, including my dad. And the books you gave to me as a child to encourage my reading habit. May your spirit be welcomed by our ancestors today. This award is, in part, because of you.  Cảm ơn rất nhiều, Bac Hai.

May the light shine inside us all. Thank you.