It's a Wrap!

We have Diversicon-ed! For the 16th time!

Many thanks to everyone who came and made D16 a wonderful experience -- especially to our author guests, our panel participants, our dealers, and our volunteers.

Special thanks also to everyone who filled out a member survey form. We'll be compiling and digesting the feedback once we catch our breath. One bit of data that's very gratifying is the response to this question: Will you attend Diversicon again? Respondents had a choice of definitely yes, maybe yes, don't know, maybe not, and definitely not. 100% of respondents say Definitely Yes! That's so gratifying. And SF Minnesota will work hard to make the con even better.

Even better? That means there's another con? Yep, Diversicon 17. Guest of Honor is noted SF author Kay Kenyon. Also honoring Edgar Allan Poe and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Dates are July 31 - August 2, 2009. Location TBD, probably in a week or so. And we'll be blogging the con here as it takes shape.

National Marrow Donor Program

Hours until Guest of Honor Anne Frasier's reading at DreamHaven: 3
Hours until Convention Opening Ceremonies: 28

Many thanks to Tamu Townsend, both for supporting Diversicon and for making us aware of bone marrow registry, an opportunity to save lives. Bone marrow matches are most often found between people of the same ethnic background. Many people are waiting for compatible donors, and donors of all ethnicities are needed. However, persons of color are underrepresented in the donor registry, making matches less likely. Whatever your background, please learn more about this opportunity to save a life.

National Marrow Donor Program (U.S.): www.marrow.org

Emru's Story: www.healemru.com

What's the Weather?

Days until Guest of Honor Anne Frasier's reading at DreamHaven: 2
Days until Convention Opening Ceremonies: 3

Looks as though it's going to be a nice weekend to be inside an air-conditioned hotel -- and to take the occasional stroll outside followed by a cold drink. Highs around 90, lows in the high 60s, no rain. If that changes (and when is the forecast ever entirely right?), one place to find the latest is at Wunderground.com.

The crossing of t's and dotting of i's continues to make sure we have an organized, enjoyable convention. Hard to believe that by this time next week, we will have conned!

Neighborhood/Parking Map

Days until Guest of Honor Anne Frasier's reading at DreamHaven: 2
Days until Convention Opening Ceremonies: 3

Unfamiliar with Minneapolis? Or just unfamiliar with the West Bank neighborhood? Here's a good map, courtesy of the U of Minnesota. It shows the Holiday Inn (right where it says "Seven Corners" in large letters) and highlights three parking ramps of interest: C86, 19th Avenue, and 21st Avenue.

Good restaurants at a variety of price points are located next to the hotel, across the street(s), and down Cedar Avenue.

Hospitality suite shopping is scheduled for Thursday morning. We're in the final countdown!

Insight News!

Days until Guest of Honor Anne Frasier's reading at DreamHaven: 5
Days until Convention Opening Ceremonies: 6

Diversicon 16's Special Guest Nnedi Okorafor-Mbachu, PhD, will be interviewed by Al McFarlane, editor-in-chief of Insight News, a Minneapolis-based African American newspaper. Mr. McFarlane also hosts Conversations with Al McFarlane on Tuesdays from 11 AM to noon on KFAI, a local public radio station (90.3; 106.7).

We're also excited that Sheree Renee Thomas (Diversicon 13's Guest of Honor and winner of two World Fantasy Awards) has contributed a wonderful biography of Nnedi Okorafor-Mbachu for the convention Program Book, illuminating the interweaving connections between the author's cultural backgrounds, life experiences, and body of work.

Less than a week until con!!!

PFLAG!

Days until Guest of Honor Anne Frasier's reading at DreamHaven: 7
Days until Convention Opening Ceremonies: 8

We're delighted to announce that the Saint Paul/Minneapolis Chapter of Parents, Families, Friends of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered persons (PFLAG) is once again supporting Diversicon, this year with an ad in our Program Book.

PFLAG promotes the health and well-being of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered persons as well as their families and friends through

support, to cope with an adverse society;

education, to enlighten an ill-informed public; and

advocacy, to end discrimination and to secure equal rights.

PFLAG provides opportunities for dialogue about sexual orientation and gender identity and acts to create a society that is healthy and respectful of human diversity.

The St Paul/Minneapolis chapter sponsors a monthly program and confidential support group (third Sunday of the month, 2:00–5:00 PM, Mayflower United Church of Christ, 106 East Diamond Lake Road, Minneapolis). It also provides numerous resources for GLBT persons and their friends and families, including a library of books, articles, and videos open to members and nonmembers.

Press Release

Days until Guest of Honor Anne Frasier's reading at DreamHaven: 11
Days until Convention Opening Ceremonies: 12

Tonight is the Con Comm's final meeting before the convention. We're planning some fun little flourishes this year as well as the usual high-quality programming. In addition, we're pleased that MiniCon and the Magazine of Speculative Poetry will be hosting parties with us this year.

Last week, we put out our final press release concerning Diversicon 16.

Don't forget! If you have concerns about the parking situation, information about less expensive or even free parking options is here.

And, if you've tried to reserve a hotel room in the convention room block and been told it is full or too late, that information was incorrect. Please contact the hotel liaison at paulafleming[ AT ]comcast.net; Paula will make sure you get a room at the block rate.