Diversicon 16

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Paula L. Fleming, PR/publications
E-mail: paulafleming[ AT ]comcast.net
http://www.diversicon.org/

 

16th Annual Diversicon to Be Held in Twin Cities


Convention Celebrates Diversity in Speculative Fiction Fields

 

Minneapolis, MN -- July 14, 2008 -- Diversicon 16, a convention celebrating and exploring multicultural speculative fiction (SF), will be held August 1–3, 2008, in Minneapolis, MN. Sponsored by SF Minnesota, Diversicon provides programming (panel discussions, author/artist readings and lectures, films, art show) and social opportunities to encourage the exploration of SF by those both within and outside of the traditional SF community.

The relatively recent entry of many women, gay-lesbian-bisexual-transgendered (GLBT), and racially and ethnically diverse persons has transformed the speculative fiction field. Formerly focusing on white, male characters who solved problems through rational thought and muscle, SF now features characters of all kinds doing the same—and looks more often at ambiguous problems of sexuality, class, and identity.

This year's guest of honor is Anne Frasier, a local author of 19 novels spanning the genres of romance, mystery, science fiction, and horror and featuring compelling characters across the human spectrum. Her work has been recognized with the RITA and Daphne du Maurier awards for romantic suspense. Her novels include Hush (2002), Sleep Tight (2003), Play Dead (2004), Before I Wake (2005), Pale Immortal (2006), and Garden of Darkness (2007). She is now working on a book of creative nonfiction, part memoir and part literary suspense.

Our other special guest is author, journalist, and professor Nnedi Okorafor-Mbachu, PhD, from Chicago. A daughter of Nigerian (Igbo) immigrants, Okorafor-Mbachu has visited Nigeria and uses both her Nigerian (Igbo) and American backgrounds in her fiction: the novels Zahrah the Windseeker (2005) and The Shadow Speaker (2007), the play Full Moon, and numerous published short stories.

Diversicon will also honor film director Sir Alfred Hitchcock (1899–1980); Scheherazade (ca 800), legendary narrator of The Book of One Thousand and One Nights, a compilation of Persian, Arabic, Indian, and other folktales; and author and teacher Jack Williamson, PhD (1908–2006), whose professional career spanned nine decades and who, in 2001, became the oldest author ever to have won both the Hugo and Nebula awards.

Proposed programming includes the following:

  • Interviews with and discussions of the work of our featured guests
  • Panels on the craft and business of writing
  • Viewing and discussions of classic films
  • Panels on scientific topics, including “the state of the solar system” and the extinction of species
  • Discussions of contemporary issues—the changing nature of the concept of race, GLBT acceptance, immigration, religion—in the context of speculative fiction

Diversicon 16 will be held at the Holiday Inn Metrodome, 1500 Washington Avenue South, Minneapolis. In addition to three tracks of programming, it will host a dealers' room, an art show, an informal hospitality suite, and nightly parties. Held in the Twin Cities area every year since its inception in 1992, Diversicon prides itself on presenting distinguished guests of honor and stimulating programming in a welcoming, hospitable atmosphere. Membership for Diversicon 16, which includes all convention activities, is $40 ($30 for students ages 5–21).

 

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For further information on Diversicon 16 (August 1–3), including to arrange interviews with convention organizers and/or guests of honor, please contact paulafleming[ AT ]comcast.net.