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Sci-fi convention to feature authors, Japanese animation, auction
By Celia Malm/Gate City Correspondent
The aliens are coming! At least it may look that way this weekend. Keokuk's first science fiction convention, Keokon, will bring sci-fi fans together on Saturday at the Holiday Inn Express.
Organizer Per Malm calls the convention “something new and different” that has been needed in the Tri-State Area.
“A lot of science fiction and fantasy fans feel that they are all alone, that no one else is interested in the same things they're interested in. This is a chance for those people to connect,” he said.
The convention will have a little of something for everyone, including panels on writing, showings of Japanese animation and a new kind of tournament that will appeal to video game fans. Dealers also will have sci-fi, fantasy and anime books, DVDs and merchandise for sale.
Three Iowa authors will share their writing philosophies and read from their work. Retired Army translator-turned-author Tyree Campbell of Cedar Rapids has been nominated for this year's prestigious James Tiptree Award for his short story collection, “A Nice Girl Like You.”
Campbell's other works include “Nyx” and “The Dog at the Foot of the Bed,” original novels about a female assassin in a complex future world. He is also the managing editor of Sam's Dot Publishing, a small sci-fi press.
Bill Albert of Amana is a longtime Doctor Who fan, president of Iowan Timelords and author of the Doctor Who novel “Shadows of the Past.” He will head up a panel discussion on the popular British sci-fi TV program. Albert also recently published an original fantasy novel, “The Secrets of Starpoint Mountain.”
Verity Brown of Keokuk is the author of “A Merciless Affection,” a fan-fiction novel set in the Harry Potter universe. Fan-fiction (unofficial stories written by fans of various books, movies and TV shows) is a fun way for new authors to try their hand at writing, says Brown, who has been writing fan-fiction since the early 1980s. Fan writers sometimes go on to publish original work, something Brown hopes to do in the future.
“I never intended to write a Harry Potter story,” she says. “But my work on my original novel had hit a roadblock, and the creative energy had to go somewhere.”
Fantasy fans and history buffs will be interested in the medieval demonstration at 2:15 p.m., presented by the Flynthill Shire (Burlington area group) of the Society for Creative Anachronism.
Japanese animation, known by fans as “anime” (pronounced an-uh-MAY) has become increasing popular with a wider audience in recent years, largely due to films like “Kiki's Delivery Service” and “Spirited Away.” Keokon's video room will show a series of anime films throughout the day selected by Peyton Culbertson of Keokuk. A panel discussion on anime will take place at 3:15 p.m.
The Makoto Arena tournament will begin at 5:15 p.m. The Makoto Arena is an interactive, live-action video game - players enter a triangular arena where they must strike at flashing lights with a plexiglass staff. Malm describes the game as “a test of your Jedi skills,” combining martial arts with modern technology. Players may enter the tournament for free, but there are a limited number of slots available, so early entry is encouraged. The arena will be set up throughout the day for play and practice.
The evening will round out with a charity auction at 7:15 p.m. Fans are encouraged to bring items to donate to the auction, which will benefit the local homeless shelter. The convention will conclude with a costume contest and “filk” singing - folk music about sci-fi and fantasy subjects. Malm calls it “sci-fi open mike.”
Registration for the convention starts at 9 a.m. Saturday in the Holiday Inn Express Convention Center. The opening ceremonies will begin at 10 a.m. Admission is $12 for adults; attendees who come in costume will get a $2 discount. Admission for ages 8-15 is $5; kids under 8 are free with a paying adult.
Celia Malm of Keokuk also is an adjunct professor at Southeastern Community College. She has previous newspaper experience as a production manager in Topeka, Kansas, a typesetter in Mill City, Ore., and an ad typesetter in Stayton, Ore. She has a bachelor's degree in English from Washburn University and a master's degree in English from Kansas State University.
Organizer Per Malm calls the convention “something new and different” that has been needed in the Tri-State Area.
“A lot of science fiction and fantasy fans feel that they are all alone, that no one else is interested in the same things they're interested in. This is a chance for those people to connect,” he said.
The convention will have a little of something for everyone, including panels on writing, showings of Japanese animation and a new kind of tournament that will appeal to video game fans. Dealers also will have sci-fi, fantasy and anime books, DVDs and merchandise for sale.
Three Iowa authors will share their writing philosophies and read from their work. Retired Army translator-turned-author Tyree Campbell of Cedar Rapids has been nominated for this year's prestigious James Tiptree Award for his short story collection, “A Nice Girl Like You.”
Campbell's other works include “Nyx” and “The Dog at the Foot of the Bed,” original novels about a female assassin in a complex future world. He is also the managing editor of Sam's Dot Publishing, a small sci-fi press.
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Verity Brown of Keokuk is the author of “A Merciless Affection,” a fan-fiction novel set in the Harry Potter universe. Fan-fiction (unofficial stories written by fans of various books, movies and TV shows) is a fun way for new authors to try their hand at writing, says Brown, who has been writing fan-fiction since the early 1980s. Fan writers sometimes go on to publish original work, something Brown hopes to do in the future.
“I never intended to write a Harry Potter story,” she says. “But my work on my original novel had hit a roadblock, and the creative energy had to go somewhere.”
Fantasy fans and history buffs will be interested in the medieval demonstration at 2:15 p.m., presented by the Flynthill Shire (Burlington area group) of the Society for Creative Anachronism.
Japanese animation, known by fans as “anime” (pronounced an-uh-MAY) has become increasing popular with a wider audience in recent years, largely due to films like “Kiki's Delivery Service” and “Spirited Away.” Keokon's video room will show a series of anime films throughout the day selected by Peyton Culbertson of Keokuk. A panel discussion on anime will take place at 3:15 p.m.
The Makoto Arena tournament will begin at 5:15 p.m. The Makoto Arena is an interactive, live-action video game - players enter a triangular arena where they must strike at flashing lights with a plexiglass staff. Malm describes the game as “a test of your Jedi skills,” combining martial arts with modern technology. Players may enter the tournament for free, but there are a limited number of slots available, so early entry is encouraged. The arena will be set up throughout the day for play and practice.
The evening will round out with a charity auction at 7:15 p.m. Fans are encouraged to bring items to donate to the auction, which will benefit the local homeless shelter. The convention will conclude with a costume contest and “filk” singing - folk music about sci-fi and fantasy subjects. Malm calls it “sci-fi open mike.”
Registration for the convention starts at 9 a.m. Saturday in the Holiday Inn Express Convention Center. The opening ceremonies will begin at 10 a.m. Admission is $12 for adults; attendees who come in costume will get a $2 discount. Admission for ages 8-15 is $5; kids under 8 are free with a paying adult.
Celia Malm of Keokuk also is an adjunct professor at Southeastern Community College. She has previous newspaper experience as a production manager in Topeka, Kansas, a typesetter in Mill City, Ore., and an ad typesetter in Stayton, Ore. She has a bachelor's degree in English from Washburn University and a master's degree in English from Kansas State University.
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LOL wrote on May 9, 2008 3:49 PM: