Minicon 2023

My schedule for this year's Minicon (in Saint Louis Park, MN): http://mnstf.org/minicon56/

FRIDAY

8:30 PM

Gender & AI (Park 2)

Androids and AI in science fiction disrupt the idea of a gender binary: what purpose is there for an Android and/or AI to have gender? Could an Android/AI be trans, gender-fluid, and/or non-binary? How will that affect how we as a society see gender as a construct?

Justin Grays, Naomi Kritzer, Lyda Morehouse, Ian Young

SATURDAY

1:00 PM

Humor in genre fiction (Orchard)

A serious discussion of funny F/SF and horror.

Eleanor Arnason, Mike Aurelius, F. J. Bergman, Lyda Morehouse, Douglas Van Dyke Jr

2:30 PM

LGBTQ+ Representation in SF/F (Orchard)

Queer characters are showing up in both YA and adult F/SF. Where can you find queer characters? Are their authors getting it right? Which books/shows are the best? And, maybe, assuming that such representation merely a good start, what is the next step?

Justin Grays, David Lenander, Catherine Lundoff, Lyda Morehouse, David Paschal-Zimbel

SUNDAY

10:00 AM

The Power of Play (Park 1)

The concept of play includes many ideas such as stress relief, a path to creativity, connection with others (and our younger selves), and more. Science fiction and fantasy fans enjoy playing around mentally, after all. Silly hats, clothes, footwear, and toys are encouraged for panel members and attendees.

Jeanne Mealy, Lyda Morehouse, Laramie Sasseville, Crystal Therese

Minicon Schedule -- April 15-17, 2022

 

I will be *gasp* IN-PERSON at Minicon 55 (April 15-17, 2022).  Below is my schedule for the weekend. I hope to see some of you there!

Lyda at Minicon : https://programming.minicon.org/programming/

SATURDAY


11:30
The Whole Entire Everything of MCU Movies
Park 2
Category: Media
Participants: Bill Higgins, Beth Kinderman, Katie Clapham, Lyda Morehouse
What are some thoughts on the entirety of this very ambitious project? Marvel has released movies, short series, and regular TV series, all within the same (well maybe) universe. What is this about? Is this the modern equivalent of Saturday serials? What were some important themes? What worked well and what didn't? How well or poorly did they deal with ethical issues?


13:00
Utopias aren't what they used to be!
Orchard Room
Category: Literary
Participants: Magenta Griffith, Bill Thomasson, Eric Heideman, Lyda Morehouse
Utopias used to be authors' dreams of an ideal or perfect, or at least, better society. Sometime in the last 20 years, DYStopia took over. Can we get back those rose-colored dreams of a better life or is it too late? What are the important utopian novelsby SF authors? How have utopian visions changed over time? Utopia vs metopia! What are some past and present examples of utopia?


17:30
Lyda Morehouse Reading
Park 2
Category: Literary
Participants: Lyda Morehouse


20:30
Page 117
Orchard Room
Category: Literary
Participants: Danith McPherson, Lyda Morehouse, Emily Stewart, Martin Summerton, Scott K. Jamison, Jacqueline Stoner
Can you judge a book by a random page? Let's find out! Our panelists will take turns reading the 117th page of books that are surprises to them and the audience, followed by a discussion about what kind of book we think it is, and whether we'd want to read the rest. Then... the reveal!



SUNDAY

11:30
Mentioning Unmentionables in SF/Fantasy
Park 2
Category: Literary
Participants: Lyda Morehouse, Adam Stemple, Katie Clapham, Naomi Kritzer
What are the things people don't talk about in SF/F? How do people use the toilet on a space station? How do women deal with their periods? What do you do with a dead body in space?


14:30
Anime and Manga for Speculative Fiction Fans
Park 2
Category:
Participants: Lyda Morehouse, Scott Mattson, Scott K. Jamison, Jason Otting
What's new/good in Japanese science fiction, horror, and fantasy Anime and Manga? What are good starting points, and what are some good options for people who want to dig deeper?