[This is a text-only version of the Minicon 9 program book, created in 2009. It does not attempt to reproduce the formatting of the original (except when doing so is trivial), but rather is meant to be as accessible to people and computer programs as possible. This file does not contain the text of advertisements. Errors may have been made in transcription, others are lovingly reproduced from the original. Check the scans if it matters to you which are which.] Minicon 9 Program Booklet ... Made Possible by a Grant from Daytons! Guests of Honor Lester and Judy-Lynn del Rey are the moving forces behind a good deal of what happens in the modern science fiction field. Lester is an editor for Universal Publishing and Distributing, publishers of Galaxy and If; Judy-Lynn, who was once assistant editor for Galaxy and If, now works for Ballantine Books. "Lester del Rey," according to Gordon R. Dickson, esquire, "is the only person I know--with the exception of Phil Klass--who can argue in whole paragraphs and who can think in terms of whole logical systems. "I once saw Lester and Phil argue for four hours solid," Gordy said. "First one would make his point completely, and then the other would make his view know. They wouldn't go from point to point, as most people would; they had already thought out their whole arguments and were ready to deliver them in a classical manner. It was marvelous to see!" Lester told and interesting tale at Noreascon, the 1971 World Science Fiction Convention. He said, eulogizing John Campbell, that Campbell was the only person he ever met who could out-argue him. About 1941--it must have been early in the year--del Rey and Campbell were discussing the German invasion of Russia. Lester finally convinced Campbell that it was not likely that Hitler would invade; Campbell then asked del Rey out to his home for supper. On the train that evening, Campbell began discussing the invasion with a fellow commuter; to Lester's surprise, Campbell had devised a completely original argument to suggest that Germany would not invade the Soviet Union, in contradiction to Campbell;s original viewpoint. History proved them both wrong, of course, since the sublimely rational mind can never quite believe that anybody--even a Hitler--can be completely irrational. Lester said that this was the one occasion on which he won a debate with Campbell. Judy-Lynn has started a new series of original science fiction stories, called Stellar. The paperback series is, of course, published by Ballantine. In an effort to fill the void left by the passing of Fred Pohl's Star series, Judy-Lynn has asked for "stories that will entertain an reader out there and will leave him with a feeling of genuine satisfaction...." Since the Star series--which published one of Lester's most striking novellas, For I Am A Jealous People--was published by Ballantine, it is fitting that the new series follow from the same concern. Also, since Star was edited by an old friend and colleague, Fred Pohl, Judy-Lynn may have begun Stellar as a personal trust: for it was one of Pohl's principles of editing, when he had charge of Galaxy and If, to publish science fiction that was _fun_ to read. That is what Judy-Lynn says she hopes to do with her new series. Judy-Lynn and Lester del Ray were married in 1971 and live in New York City--though there hearts may be, in a way, right here. Lester was born in southeastern Minnesota, and Judy-Lynn says she has fallen in love with Minneapolis. [map of the convention] Program Many of the program items listed here are part of the Twin Cities Science Fiction Festival, sponsored by the Minneapolis Public Library. The Festival is not part of Minicon, although it has been aided and abetted by members of the Minnesota Science Fiction Society (Minn-Stf). Membership in the Minicon does not assure you of a seat at the Festival. The Library does not expect to have seats enough for everyone--in other words, they anticipate turning part of the crowd away. To be sure of seating, early arrival is suggested. FRIDAY 11 OCTOBER 1974 Noon Hucksters and art show begin set-up at hotel 2:00 PM Registration opens at the hotel 7:00 PM Free showing of Metropolis at the library 9:00 PM Second showing of Metropolis at the library 9:00 PM Minicon hospitality suite opens (9th floor, hotel), for Minicon members only SATURDAY 12 OCTOBER 1974 9:00 AM Registration opens at the hotel 9:20 AM Films Omega and Ark shown at the library 10:00 AM Panel: "Science Fiction: How It Came To Be," with Cliff Simak, Fred Pohl, and Lester del Rey, at the library Noon Luncheon break in the library program 1-2 PM "The Star Trek Phenomenon," with Allan Dean Foster and Ruth Berman, and a workshop on "Teaching Science Fiction," with James Gunn , Tom Clareson and Ivor Rogers; held in separate rooms at the library 2-3 PM Film and discussion: Lunch With John Campbell, with commentary by James Gunn and Gordy Dickson, at the library 3-4:30 PM Panel: "Science Fiction Writing, Editing, and Publishing," with Fred Pohl, Ben Bova, Gordy Dickson, and Allan Dean Foster, at the library 5:30 PM Play: The musical spoof "Enterprise," based on Star Trek, at the library 5:30 PM Cocktail hour at the Coronation Room (5th floor of hotel) open to Minicon members 6:30 PM Banquet in Coronation Room (open to Minicon members with banquet tickets) followed by after-dinner speeches (open to all Minicon members) 9:00 PM Minicon hospitality suite opens (9th floor, hotel), for Minicon members only SUNDAY 13 OCTOBER 1974 Noon Slides and film of Discon, at the hotel, in the Emperor Room 1:30 PM Auction in the Emperor Room 3:00 PM Art Show and Huckster Room close 3:00 PM Check-out time for hotel guest rooms Minicon 9 Banquet The Saturday evening banquet, which will be held in the Coronation Ballroom (5th floor), will feature a choice of chopped sirloin or baked ham. The man course will be accompanied by tossed salad, French-style green beans, baked potato, followed by vanilla ice cream. The ice cream is pleasant enough, but it sings off-key. The price for all this is a mere $5.25. In New York, you could get tube steak for that.... convention committee Don Blyly -- Cochairman Jim Young -- Cochairman Bev Swanson -- Registration Dick Tatge -- Art Show Ken Fletcher -- Art Show Denny Lien -- Auction Gerry Wassenaar -- Huckster's Room Mark Hansen -- Party Supplies Jan Applebaum -- Treasurer Margie Lessinger -- Recorder Fred Haskell -- Official Happy Deadwood --And Supported By A Cast of Thousands--