Looking down from the balcony on the main floor at the Tor.com fifth birthday party. Photo by Ian Randal Strock.

Wednesday night, Tor.com celebrated its fifth birthday with a massive party at New York City’s Housing Works Bookstore and Cafe. The open party filled the space to the brim, and offered beverages, food, a trivia contest, and (as with any birthday party), cake.

The web site is personified by their rocket logo, affectionately named Stubby, who was celebrated on the banner, in the buttons they gave away, and in the tote bags containing a few Tor books that were also gifts for the attendees.

The ceremonies were opened by Tor.com Creative Director Irene Gallo, who turned it over to emcee-for-the-evening Ryan Britt. Britt then hosted a game-show format sf trivia contest with competitors author Michael Swanwick, new Tor.com consulting editor Ellen Datlow, author Genevieve Valentine, and author Lev Grossman.

After the show (which Datlow won), the crowd returned to socializing, until Gallo cut up the cake (which was very good; much better than supermarket sheet cake).

Also in attendance, in quieter capacities, were Publisher Tom Doherty, Editor Patrick Nielsen Hayden, and Editor Liz Gorinsky.

Lev Grossman, Michael Swanwick, Ellen Datlow, and Genevieve Valentine, about to compete in the Tor.com fifth birthday party trivia contest. Photo by Ian Randal Strock.

Irene Gallo cutting the Tor.com fifth birthday party cake. Photo by Ian Randal Strock.

The photos here don’t do the event justice. Tor does events like this very, very well.