There are a number of small press operations in the SF&F field. How do they
operate?
Eric Heideman, Steven Vincent Johnson, Aaron Larson
So I Wrote the Book, So What?
Treat authors just like real people. Authors get to tell their favorite
"Misery" stories.
L.A. Taylor, Allen Steele
Someday My Prints Will Come
Following the long, sometimes tortuous trail from artist's original to print,
be that limited edition, lithograph, seriograph, photo, or offset print. How are
they made? What are the differences? Should the buyer really care?
Ctein, Crystal Marvig, Erin McKee, Ishtar, Steven Vincent Johnson
Star Trek Technology
A discussion of all the technology in the Star Trek Universe: Romulan,
Klingon, Borg, Cardassian, Federation, Bajor, and Gamma Quadrant.
Larry Lura, Sarah Seigel
Style vs. Style
Different people prefer different sorts of prose style. Readers and writers
talk about what they like and what they hate about different kinds of writing.
Jane Yolen, Jen Wolter, Mark W. Tiedemann, Dierdre Murphy, Amanda Elg
Taping Your Convention
How to make a good tape for your con (and maybe get it shown on Network '73
next year). Prerequisites: "Intro to Video" and "CamCorder Operation Basics."
Rick Lancaster, Network '73
Tattoo One: Body Art in Fiction and Real Life
Is tattooing, piercing, etc. really more popular or just less marginalized?
What are the attractions?
Ishtar, Star
Tattoo Too: Aquiring Body Art
How to get your tattoos and piercings safely and keep them. Does is really
hurt more on your ankle?
Ishtar, Star, Doug Nowlan
True Lies
SF&F is a lie that can effectively convey truths about our culture. How does
this happen? Which writers are best/worst at this?
Marhsall Willis, Danith McPherson, James Frankel, Mark W. Tiedemann, Chris Bender
UFOs and Government Conspiracy
What are they hiding?
Keith Spears, Jim Groat, Steven Vincent Johnson, David Perlman, Joel Henry
Vampires on a Bed of Rice
The long-awaited movie has finally been released after much buildup and controversy.
Discussion of the film as well as the newest book in the Vampire Chronicles
Joe Agee, Andrew Bertke, Victory Starbourne
Visions of Cyberspace
Possible incarnations of the Information Super-Highway.
Don Bailey, Steve Deyo, Vernor Vinge, Earl Joseph, George Kurbik
X-Philes
A discussion of the popular X-Files TV program featuring FBI agents
Fox Mulder and Dana Scully and their strange, sometimes frightening, but always thought-
provoking cases.
Bill Willis, Sarah Seigel, Melanie Peterson, Joelle Riley
War is Bad, Peace is Good
The nature of war varies according tot he culture and level of technology. When is war a useful
adjunct to diplomacy? Can wars be necessary, even desirable? Is SF&F a useful place to explore
these questions?
Marshall Willis, Mark W. Tiedemann, David Perlman
What's Wrong with the Publishing Industry
Is there anything wrong with the industry? This panel will explore the topic
with reference to David Westlake's "A Likely Story."
Pat Wrede, James Frenkel, Don Blyly, Barbara J. Gislason
What an Aspiring Author Needs to Know
The ever-popular panel on how to prepare a manuscript, send a query letter, submit to
agents or editors, etc. Spiced up with ways not to get published that various people have
recommended or attempted.
Dierdre Murphy, Jane Yolen, David Perlman, Barbara J. Gislason
The Wheels of If Go Round and Round
Alternate history is a perennial subject for SF writers. What are the less obvious
branch points and what might have come of them?
Aaron Larson, John M. Ford, Hank Lederer, Brian Toren
Why Isn't There More SF in Our SF Bookshelves?
Why is so little hard SF being produced today? Or are we looking in the wrong
place?
Eleanor Arnason, Mark W. Tiedemann, L.A. Taylor, Russell Letson
Aliens in Trek: Cardassia and the Dominion
Last year it was Borg and the Bajorans, now the other side of the Bajor/Cardassia
conflict. Who are the true rulers of Cardassia? Will other returnees to the Dominion
find the shapeshifters as Odo did?
Joe Agee, Matt Goldmann, Sarah Seigel, Larry Lura
Christian Fandom: A Special Interest Meeting
A discussion of Christianity in SF&F.
Joan Marie Verba, Marty Helgesen
Bedtime Stories with Jane Yolen
Tales from the oral tradition for children and adults.
Jane Yolen
Build a Castle/Space Station
Constructions using milk cartons and other recycled objects.
Faun Bonewitz
Children's Juggling Workshop
How many can you keep in the air? Let Ruth show you how.
Ruth Anderson
Children's Magic Workshop
Learn simple tricks to amaze your friends.
Wild Phogg
Chocolate Ceremony
A craft ritual honoring the Xocatl.
Michelle Clark
Ask Dr. Mike
He returns to answer your remaining questions.
John M. Ford
The Fantastic Art of Jody Lee
A slide show by the Artist GoH.
Jody Lee
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Mars
It's time to bring to light the secrets of why we are all still bound
to Planet Earth.
Victory Starbourne, Bill Willis, Matt Goldman, Sarah Seigel
Galactic Gourmet
Sample an interesting collection of delicacies rumored to be from around a
galaxy. A chance to risk your taste buds (no one has died yet).
Brin Willis, Deb Nicelson
The Work of Vernor Vinge
James Frenkel talks to Vernor Vinge about his work.
James Frenkel, Vernor Vinge
Kid's Gaming
Come and play.
Michael Kauper
Toys in Space
Kids plan for L-5
Anne Shefee
Kirk is Dead! Long live Picard!
The greatest hero fo the Federation is dead. Can the Next Generation fill the
shoes of the larger-than-life characters of classic Trek?
Joe Agee, Victory Starbourne, Diane Murphy, Joelle Riley
The Straightening of Hollywood
Films...
Don Kisser, Joe Agee, Sybil Smith, Robin Wylie, Eleanor Arnason
Make Your Own Puppet
Make puppets from socks and scraps, then perform with them.
Laura Krentz, Kay Marsalek
Men in Tights II
Wouldn't it be fun to watch all the men strut their stuff in opaque pantyhose?
The gauntlet has been thrown. Who will brave the stage this year?
Deb Nickelson, Brin Willis, Andrew Bertke
Multi-Cultural/Multi-Species Religious Ceremony
Join us Sunday morning to celebrate differences and similarities. A presentation
featuring the religious ceremonies of the diverse spectrum of human and alien kind
featuring Christian, Jewish, Pagan, Mimbari, Klingon, Centari, Narn and others.
Brin Willis, Victory Starbourne, Sara Tesh
Origami Workshop
Make amazing art by folding paper.
Lynda Sherman, Elizabeth Bramwell Colter
Beth Eastman Memorial Pun-el
Pun to remember! Once again, Minicon's punsters gather to mutilate the
language without fear of flying fruit.
Ed Eastman
What do I Read Next?
Recommendations.
Scott Imes, Michael Levy, Russell Letson
Reading by Steven Brust
Steven Brust
The Fiction of Robert Forward
Second Foundation's annual discussion of the work of a GoH.
Eric Heideman, Robert Forward, Second Foundation, Jen Wolter
SF Writing Groups: the 1995 Scene
Minnesota Imaginative Fiction Writers' Alliance Meeting. A regular meeting, only at Minicon.
Klingon Dating Game
Sponsored and Staffed by the IKV Rakehell.
Bill Hedrich, Jennifer Peck, Laura Thurston, George Richards, Mary Bertelson
Robert Forward Slide Show
Space tethers or FTL methods.
Robert Forward
Physics X
Everything you ever wanted to know about physics but were afraid to ask.
Robert Forward
Freewheeling Speculation on Minicon 31
Next year's concom answer or dodge all your questions, accept nominations for the
theme, and compile a list of GoH suggestions for Minicon 32.
Glen Tenhoff, Kay Drache, Thomas Juntunen, with Kate Carey, Victor Raymond
Poetry Reading
A two-hour reading.
Terry Garey, Jane Hansen, Sandra Lindow, Jane Yolen
Filk Sing
Original and published filk songs.
Brin Willis
Star Trek News and Views
Latest news and info on Star Trek, etc.
Scott Hill
Star Trek Revival Meeting
Old Time Religion meets the 23rd Century.
Lynn Tauer
Star Trek vs. the TV Universe
Trek analysis and controversy.
Scott Hill, Joe Agee
War for the Oaks: The Movie...Status Report 3
The producers tell what's happening now.
Will Shetterly, Rob Ihinger
Investment for the Future
An investment broker suggests how to invest your money so you can continue going to
cons when you retire.
Tom Ingram
Bronze Casting Slide Show
The ceramic sheel process of casting bronze sculpture.
Butch Honeck
Homoerotica in SF&F
How it affects or appeals to the reader. How did you feel when
you first encountered the genre? Come share your insights, opinions,
and feelings.
Brin Willis, Victory Starbourne, Joe Agee, Andrew Bertke
H.G. Wells' Time Machine
Discussion of the novel on its 100th anniversary; the text and George
Pal's motion picture.
Kurk Marston, Blair Keith, Wayne McCloud, Eric Heideman
Dr. Who Regenerates
The TV show that wouldn't die...
Kurk Marston, Wayne McCloud, Greg Bakun
Is Time Travel Possible in our Lifetimes?
Einstein says no. Minkowski and others say maybe.
Kurk Marston, Celestial Affiliation of Timelords
Missing Scenes from Star Wars
Did Lucas leave something on the cutting room floor?
Eric Jon Larson
Creating Languages for Other Cultures
Or, "How to Swear in Elvish." How to you swear in cultures without
Christianity? Language comes out of culture comes out of language...
Katie Clapham
Terminator: A Feminist View
Feminist panel discussion of Terminator and T2
Sara Connor
Clowning Workshop
How to make 'em laugh (by accident on purpose).
Andre Guirard
Good Writers and the People Who Don't Read Them
Why are some excellent writers not selling books? Is it failure to
find a market? Or a case of lowest common denominator?
Joyce Scrivner, Russell Letson, Bob Cornett, Phil Jennings
Magic Show
Wilde Phogg performs feats of prestidigitation.
Wilde Phogg
Star Trek Fashion Show
The crews and friends of local starships present their costumes.
R.O.G. Ceremony
Relentless Outerworld Garrison (pronounced "rogue") SF Theatre awards
medals to honor its outstanding officers.
Dragon Making
Artist Julie Bowman provides fabric scraps, findings, and instruction.
Dwarves/Dwarfs in Tolkein & Lewis
Discussion/meeting of the local Rivendell Group of the Mythopoeic Society.
Arabian Nights
Send your camel to bed and join the Dancers of the Desert Moon at
the oasis for a performance of Middle Eastern Belly Dancing. Experience the
heart-centered rythyms of a dance that emphasizes life's joyfulness. Dancers are
members of the Guild of Oriental Dance.