Midwestcon is a science fiction convention held annually in the Cincinnati, Ohio area by the Cincinnati Fantasy Group. Midwestcon is an informal type of convention known as a "relaxacon," which means that it has no programming. Instead it is notable as a means for science fiction fans to get together and talk to each other without the distractions of other conventions.

History

The 1949 Worldcon took place in Cincinnati, and the first Midwestcon followed in 1950, and has been held every year since, making it the second longest-running SF convention to be held in the same city, and the third oldest in the U.S. Many significant figures in science fiction have attended Midwestcon, including

Isaac Asimov yi, יצחק אזימאװ , birth_date = , birth_place = Petrovichi, Russian SFSR , spouse = , relatives = , children = 2 , death_date = , death_place = Manhattan, New York City, U.S. , nationality = Russian (1920–1922)Soviet (192 ...

and

Arthur C. Clarke Sir Arthur Charles Clarke (16 December 191719 March 2008) was an English science-fiction writer, science writer, futurist, inventor, undersea explorer, and television series host. He co-wrote the screenplay for the 1968 film '' 2001: A Spac ...

. Wilson Tucker served as the perennial toastmaster for many years. Other notable Midwestcon attendees have included: *

Robert Bloch Robert Albert Bloch (; April 5, 1917September 23, 1994) was an American fiction writer, primarily of crime, psychological horror and fantasy, much of which has been dramatized for radio, cinema and television. He also wrote a relatively small ...

* Jack L. Chalker * Robert Coulson *

Harlan Ellison Harlan Jay Ellison (May 27, 1934 – June 28, 2018) was an American writer, known for his prolific and influential work in New Wave speculative fiction and for his outspoken, combative personality. Robert Bloch, the author of '' Psycho'' ...

* Phyllis Eisenstein * Lloyd Arthur Eshbach * Philip Jose Farmer * Randall GarrettMidwestCon #2 1951 photos
/ref> * Joe Haldeman * David H. Keller * Stephen Leigh * George R.R. Martin * Bea MahaffeyMidwestCon #1 1950 photos
/ref> *

Julian May Julian Clare May (July 10, 1931 – October 17, 2017) was an American science fiction, fantasy, horror, science and children's writer who also used several literary pseudonyms. She is best known for her ''Saga of Pliocene Exile'' (''Saga of the ...

Midwestcon #3 1951 photos
/ref> * Andrew J. Offutt *

Alexei Panshin Alexei Panshin (August 14, 1940 – August 21, 2022) was an American writer and science fiction critic. He wrote several critical works and several novels, including the 1968 Nebula Award–winning novel ''Rite of Passage''Nicholls 1979, p. 447 ...

Midwestcon #19 1968 photos
/ref> * Mike Resnick *

Frank M. Robinson Frank Malcolm Robinson (August 9, 1926 – June 30, 2014) was an American science fiction and techno-thriller writer. He was a speechwriter for gay politician Harvey Milk and Milk's designated successor in the event of his death but decli ...

* Dick Smith * E. E. "Doc" Smith * Ted White Howard DeVore and Margaret Ford Keifer attended all 56 Midwestcons held from 1950 to 2005. First Fandom was founded at the 1959 Midwestcon.

External links

Official site

References

{{Reflist Science fiction conventions in the United States