I had a good time at
DemiCon 29 this year. It's an intimate convention, about 500 or so attendees, and as with all science fiction convention experiences, each person's reaction may differ. The things I look for in an sf con tend to be
networking opportunities, a good Art Show, and interesting panels (to be on, and to attend).
Networking
Since it was a smaller convention,
there weren't as many attending writers and artists as one tends to see at larger cons. This can be both good and bad. It's
a chance to get to know a few of one's fellow "pros" better because of frequent interaction--but you make a
limited number of contacts. Since I get along well with most people, I generally find at least a few people with whom to have a good conversation.
Smaller conventions also are great if you like more interaction with fans. The panel discussions tend to be
more interactive, which offers an opportunity for delving deeper into ideas and information a given audience wants to explore. You never know
who you may meet, or what areas of unexplored expertise or new ideas they may have.
Art Show
Smaller conventions
often have smaller art shows, but DemiCon had a pretty good representation of "the usual mail-in suspects," including
Sarah Clemens,
Theresa Mather, and
David Lee Pancake, as well as attending artists.
Smaller conventions are places where local artists and talented beginners can gain a better showcase. The
Artist Guest of Honor was
Christine Mitzuk. I enjoyed interacting with her at programming events, and having a chance to see her beautiful work.
Panels
I would have liked a somewhat wider range of panels, but as I gathered (after the fact), to get a panel scheduled, one of the would-be panelists had to suggest it beforehand. If I'd figured that out sooner, I'd have suggested several more ideas, myself! I'm used to a different system--but never mind. I enjoyed the panels in which I did participate.
I especially enjoyed the readings, though I unfortunately had to miss the readings by
Lettie Prell. I did get a chance to hear
Adam Whitlatch,
Rachel Aukes, and
Shannon Ryan. I also had a chance to
do a reading--but unfortunately, they scheduled mine opposite the
Masquerade (
DemiCon is WAY into costumes and cosplay). I had a small but enthusiastic audience of one (and he wasn't even related to me! My son Ty was scheduled for something else
opposite my reading).
One
highlight was the chance to work on several panels with Rob Howell. I'd met him earlier, and I've been on panels with him before.
He brings a sense of humor and a rich depth of knowledge to every discussion.
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| The Trans-Iowa Canal Company takes a curtain call at the end of their humorous DemiCon 29 Opening Ceremonies performance. |
Other highlights
DemiCon offered a range of other activities besides panels, readings, and the art show. As noted above,
there was a Masquerade, there were
room parties every night, and
Opening Ceremonies, as usual offered a new performance by the Trans-Iowa Canal Company, or TICC, a group of comedic actors who present skits with an sf or fantasy bent.
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| Assorted visions from DemiCon 29: (L-R) Susan Leabhart, Fan Guest of Honor, with friend; the laser-light show at the Karaoke party Friday night; Something you just don't see every day, a giant pink inflatable flamingo in the hotel lobby. |
IMAGES: All photos except the one with Jan in it (which is by Tyrell Gephardt) are by Jan S. Gephardt, taken with permission where applicable. If you wish to re-post them, please don't alter them, but do please give an attribution, and embed a link back to this post. Thanks!
