Minicon is a science fiction and fantasy

convention Convention may refer to: * Convention (norm), a custom or tradition, a standard of presentation or conduct ** Treaty, an agreement in international law * Convention (meeting), meeting of a (usually large) group of individuals and/or companies in a ...

in Minneapolis usually held on Easter weekend. Started in 1968 and running approximately annually since then, it is one of the oldest science fiction conventions in the midwest United States. It is run by the Minnesota Science Fiction Society, a non-profit organization that is "dedicated to furthering the appreciation of science fiction and fantasy literature". Minicon has had many guests of honor over the years, including Gordon R. Dickson, Poul Anderson, Clifford D. Simak, Lester del Rey,

Frederik Pohl Frederik George Pohl Jr. (; November 26, 1919 – September 2, 2013) was an American science-fiction writer, editor, and fan, with a career spanning nearly 75 years—from his first published work, the 1937 poem "Elegy to a Dead Satelli ...

, Octavia E. Butler,

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'' ...

, Larry Niven, and Terry Pratchett.

Features

Staples of modern Minicons are: * Several tracks of panel discussions * Readings * Gaming, formal and informal * The ''Bozo Bus Tribune'', convention newsletter * Art show * Dealers room * Kids' programming * Science room * Filk and folk music * Consuite and bar * Parties

History

The first Minicon was held on 6 January 1968 in Coffman Union at the University of Minnesota and had approximately 60 attendees. In all subsequent years it was held in area hotels. Attendance grew fairly steadily for many years, culminating in a series of conventions that drew over 3000 people and used as many as 4 hotels. However, in 1999, Minicon downscaled dramatically due to a feeling among some organizers that it had strayed too far from its roots and had become unmanageable. Recent Minicons have had between 400 and 700 attendees. Around the time that Minicon reduced its size, some other conventions sprang up in the area, including CONvergence and MarsCon. Minicon should not be confused with MinnCon, a dark fantasy/horror convention founded in 1971 by fans living in

St. Paul, Minnesota Saint Paul (abbreviated St. Paul) is the capital of the U.S. state of Minnesota and the county seat of Ramsey County. Situated on high bluffs overlooking a bend in the Mississippi River, Saint Paul is a regional business hub and the center o ...

. MinnCon changed its name to

Arcana Arcana may refer to: Music * Arcana (American band), an American jazz band * Arcana (Swedish band), a Swedish dark wave band * Arcana (record label), a French classical record label * Arcana (album), ''Arcana'' (album), a 2001 album by Edenbridge ...

in 1988 to avoid confusion but many area fans still refer to the convention by its older name. The term "minicon" is often used informally in science fiction circles for any small convention.

Latest convention

Minicon 50 was held April 2–5, 2015 at the DoubleTree Bloomington Hotel in

Bloomington, Minnesota Bloomington is a suburban city in Hennepin County, Minnesota, on the north bank of the Minnesota River, above its confluence with the Mississippi River, south of downtown Minneapolis. As of the 2020 census, the city's population was 89,987, ma ...

. The guests of honor scheduled were authors Jane Yolen, Larry Niven and

Brandon Sanderson Brandon Winn Sanderson (born December 19, 1975) is an American author of high fantasy and science fiction. He is best known for the Cosmere fictional universe, in which most of his fantasy novels, most notably the ''Mistborn'' series and ''The ...

; publisher

Tom Doherty Tom Doherty (born April 23, 1935) is an American publisher and the founder of the science fiction and fantasy book publisher Tor Books. He started as a salesman for Pocket Books and rose to be Division Sales Manager. From there, he went to Simo ...

; musician

Adam Stemple Adam Stemple is a Celtic-influenced American folk rock musician, based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He is also the author of several fantasy short stories and novels, including two series of novels co-written with his mother, writer Jane Yolen. Stem ...

and artist Michael Whelan. Minicon 51 was held on Easter Weekend 2016 (March 25-27), and featured guests of honor author Seanan McGuire and artist Sara Butcher Burrier. Minicon 52 was held on Easter Weekend 2017 (April 14-16), and featured guests of honor

Jim C. Hines Jim C. Hines (born April 15, 1974) is an American fantasy and science fiction writer. Life and work Hines was a volunteer crisis counselor in East Lansing and worked as the Male Outreach Coordinator for the Michigan State University, MSU Safe ...

, Brother

Guy Consolmagno Brother Guy J. Consolmagno, Society of Jesus, SJ (born September 19, 1952), is an Americans, American research astronomer, physicist, Brother (Christian), religious brother, director of the Vatican Observatory, and President of the Vatican Obser ...

, Mark Oshiro, and Jeff Lee Johnson Minicon 53 was held on Easter Weekend 2018 (March 30 - April 1) and feature guests of honor

Lyda Morehouse Lyda Morehouse (born November 18, 1967) is a science fiction and fantasy author. Her first four books, the AngeLINK series (''Archangel Protocol'', ''Fallen Host'', ''Messiah Node'', and ''Apocalypse Array''), blend cyberpunk technology with u ...

and Rachel Swirsky and feature the art of Jon Arfstrom

References

External links

{{Commonscat
Minicon website

Minnesota Science Fiction Society website
[https://web.archive.org/web/20070927032507/http://www.smithway.org/history/fathers2.html Part two
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Science fiction conventions in the United States Conventions in Minnesota Culture of Minneapolis Fantasy conventions Tourist attractions in Minneapolis