6:30-7:45 PM
DreamHaven Books, 2301 E 38th St, Minneapolis
Reading & Autographing by/Reception for Tananarive Due & Steven Barnes. Part of the monthly Speculations Readings Series, co-hosted by DreamHaven and Diversicon’s Sponsor, SF Minnesota.
All subsequent events at the Best Western-Bandana Square, St Paul.
1:30 PM
Registration Table (Lobby) opens
2:00-4:00 PM
Krushenko’s Annex (Northern Pacific Room)
Film (redacted online, see program book)
4:00 PM
Vendor Room (Milwaukee Room; Dealers & Art) opens
4:00 PM
SF Minnesota Tables open
4:00-4:55 PM
Mainstage (Soo Line Room)
Panel: Do We Still Need “The New Heinlein” (or the New _______), or is it Time to Retire This Meme?
Does speculative fiction still need a defining writer or writers, or is the label no longer meaningful to what SF has become?
— Rick Gellman, mod.; Rob Callahan, Edward E. Rom
5:00 PM
Hospitality Suite (Room 107? See signage) opens
5:00-5:55 PM
Mainstage (Soo Line)
Panel: E-Book Marketing
Looks at KDP Select Marketing and other forms of marketing ebooks.
— Joan Marie Verba, mod.;Rob Callahan
5:00-7:00 PM
Krushenko’s Annex (Northern Pacific)
Film (redacted online, see program book)
6:00-6:55 PM
Mainstage (Soo Line)
Panel: The North Country Gaylaxians
Find out about, and talk with, this long-running Twin Cities LGBT speculative fiction book-discussion group.
— Joseph Agee, Don Kaiser, Claudia Pauline, Jason Tucker
7:00-7:30 PM
Mainstage (Soo Line)
Opening Ceremonies
— Scott Lohman, MC; Steven Barnes, Tananarive Due, Eric M. Heideman; Charles Dickens, Andre Norton, in absentia
7:30-8:25 PM
Mainstage (Soo Line)
Tananarive Due and Steven Barnes Interviewed
— Eric M. Heideman and John Everett Till, interviewers
8:30-9:00 PM
Mainstage (Soo Line)
Carl Brandon Society Awards Announcements
The Carl Brandon Society’s mission is to increase racial and ethnic diversity in the production of and audience for speculative fiction. Diversicon 20 is proud to host the announcement of the winners of and shortlists for the Brandon Society’s Parallax and Kinsman Awards.
— Victor Raymond, presenter
9:00 PM
Vendor Room closes
Registration & SF Minnesota Tables close
9:00-9:55 PM
Mainstage (Soo Line)
Panel: The Politics of Steampunk
Does steampunk as a genre have a politics? Is it just light-hearted fun? Is it even science fictional? Does it perpetuate or challenge our ideas about science, technology, labor, race, gender, and empire?
— John Everett Till, mod.; Catherine Lundoff, Mark Tersteeg
9:00-10:25 PM
Krushenko’s Annex (Northern Pacific)
Discussion: Science Fiction/Fantasy Films: The Year in Review
Diversicon’s annual look at what’s new in speculative cinema.
— Melissa S. Kaercher, mod.
9:15 PM-2:00 AM
Krushenko’s (Room 101)
A Party for Readers and Viewers
Hosted by Second Foundation, a Twin Cities speculative and science fiction book discussion group that has met regularly since 1983. The party includes Dave & Eric Sit Around & Talk About Films (see below)
10:00-10:55 PM
Mainstage (Soo Line)
Wordplay Seminar
Earn a Bachelor’s or Bachelorette’s of Wordplay from Dr. Knowledge. This seminar will include: 1.) Wordfacture. It’s often necessary to use a lot of words to describe a thing or situation because we haven’t thought of one economical word for it. Let’s remedy that. 2.) Retirement Party for Cliches. We’ll identify clichés that need to be euthanized and think of clever new phrases to replace them. 3.) Jabberwacky. We’ll A.) identify silly-sounding words that already exist and B.) make up silly-sounding words that may or may not be accompanied by silly definitions.
— Rick “Dr. Knowledge” Gellman, instructor
10:30-11:25 PM
Krushenko’s (Room 101)
Discussion: Dave & Eric & Whoever Cares to Join us Sit Around & Talk About Films for an Hour
The 11th in our annual semi-formal lateish night discussions on a variety of film topics. (Part of A Party for Readers and Viewers)
— David Christenson & Eric M. Heideman, co-mods.
11:30 PM-12:15 AM
Krushenko’s Annex (Northern Pacific)
Video (redacted online, see program book)
9:00-9:55 AM
Mainstage
(Soo Line Room)
Tai Chi Instruction
— Steven Barnes, instructor
9:00-9:55 AM
Krushenko’s Annex (Northern Pacific Room)
Cartoons
10:00AM
Hospitality Suite (Room 107? See signage) opens
10:00 AM Registration & SF Minnesota Tables (Lobby) open
10:00 AM
Vendor Room (Milwaukee Room; Dealers & Art) opens
10:00-10:55 AM
Mainstage (Soo Line)
Panel: Witchworld Creator: The Life and Works of Andre Norton, 1912-2005
Norton’s fantasy and science fiction novels dealt persuasively with characters of both sexes and many cultures.
— Rebecca Marjesdatter, mod.;Terry A. Garey, David Lenander, Edward E. Rom, Mark Tersteeg
10:00-10:55 AM
Krushenko’s Annex (Northern Pacific)
Panel: The Future of Marvel and DC Comics
DC and Marvel are both undergoing significant changes. For better and/or for worse?
— Roy C. Booth, mod.; Rob Callahan
11:00-11:55 AM, Mainstage (Soo Line)
Fiction Reading: Tananarive Due
Our Guest of Honor reads from her work.
11:00-11:55 AM
Krushenko’s Annex (Northern Pacific)
Panel: E-Publishing and the Writer
About how e-publishing is affecting your writing and sales. The impact of this trend on the writer.
— Rick Gellman, mod.; Roy C. Booth, Rob Callahan
Noon-12:55 PM
Mainstage (Soo Line)
Panel: The Planetary Romance, 100 Years Later: How is Mars Holding up These Days?
2012 saw the release of the movie John Carter, close to a century after the publication of Edgar Rice Burroughs’ A Princess of Mars. Let’s talk about the film and the novels on which it was based, and about the genre—the planetary romance—unto which it helped to give birth.
— John Everett Till, mod.; Eleanor Arnason, Edward E. Rom, Mark Tersteeg
Noon-12:55 PM
Krushenko’s Annex (Northern Pacific)
Fiction Reading: Catherine Lundoff
Catherine Lundoff reads from her freshly printed novel, Silver Moon.
Noon-12:55 PM
Krushenko’s (room 101)
Panel: What’s the Difference Between Geeks and Nerds?
A deja-versicon lifestyle panel re-visited from D10. How have definitions changed?
— Eric M. Heideman, mod.; Martha A. Hood, Scott Lohman
1:00-1:55 PM
Mainstage (Soo Line)
Panel: Collaborating on the Speculative Fiction Novel
How does collaborating on a speculative fiction novel compare to writing one on your lonesome?
— Roy C. Booth, mod.; Eric M. Heideman
1:00-1:55 PM
Vendor Room (Milwaukee Room; Dealers & Art)
Meet the Artists/Dealers
Explore our dealers’ wares. Listen to our artists talking about their work.
1:00-1:55 PM
Krushenko’s Annex (Northern Pacific)
Panel: Barnabas Collins Made Me Gay!
A popular panel at many cons is “X” made me gay—Saturday morning cartoons, Batman & Robin, Wonder Woman, etc. At Diversicon 20 we’ll look at the affectional influence of Collinwood’s own sympathetic vampire, Barnabas Collins—played by Ben Cross, Johnny Depp, and, especially, Jonathan Frid.
— Joseph Agee, mod.; Don Kaiser, Jason Tucker
2:00-2:55 PM
Mainstage (Soo Line)
Panel: The Art of Alternate History
Once you’ve decided to change history, how far do you go? Do you use characters from real history? Is it better to work on a large scale or small?
— Greg L. Johnson, mod.; Steven Barnes, Eleanor Arnason, Edward E. Rom
2:00-2:55 PM
Krushenko’s Annex (Northern Pacific)
Panel: By the Light of the Moon: Reading, Writing and Watching Werewolves
Werewolf legends can be found all around the world and remain a nearly endless source of fascination and inspiration. What's the allure? What are some of our favorites? Werewolves we love to hate? What kinds of changes have we seen in their depictions over time?
— Catherine Lundoff, mod.; Rebecca Marjesdatter
2:00-2:55 PM
Krushenko’s (Room 101)
Panel: Twelfth Annual Yugo Awards Book Review
The Yugo, created by Laura Thurston, calls attention to “Best SF Works That Should Have Been Written.” Past winners include Pirates of the Petro-Leum, An Inconvenient Curse, by Al Gore & Gore Verbinski.
— Carole Ashmore & Hank Lederer, co-mods.
3:00-3:55 PM
Mainstage (Soo Line)
What’s Up With All the Reboots!
We’re seeing a lot of reboots these days, and while it’s prevalent in speculative genres, it’s not exclusive. In film: Batman, Fright Night, Planet of the Apes, Spider-Man, Superman, X-Men. In television: Battlestar Galactica, My Little Pony. We’re also seeing some old things coming back in a new venue – Transformers was a familiar cartoon (aka a really long advertisement for toys) for a lot of Gen-xers, now it’s live action movie franchise (likewise for GI Joe). Is this what happens when producers get misty-eyed and nostalgic? Are there no new ideas? Are these reboots really good ideas that we just can’t let go of? Is someone totally milking the cash cow? What are some good reasons for taking another try at something that has already been done? Which reboots have deserved the success they’ve had? Which ones baffle you? What would you like to see rebooted? Which rumored reboots have you cringing?
— S.N. Arly, mod.; Joseph Agee, Rob Callahan, Rebacca Mar jesdatter, Joan Marie Verba
3:00-3:55 PM
Krushenko’s Annex (Northern Pacific)
Presentation: Roving Mars Again…
Here’s the inside scoop on Curiosity Rover, scheduled to land on Mars Sunday night!
— Ben Huset, presenter
3:00-3:55 PM
Krushenko’s (room 101)
Panel: October Country: The Life and World of Ray Bradbury, 1920-2012
On the prose poet who did as much as anyone to popularize science fantasy.
— Eric M. Heideman, mod.; Don Kaiser, Brian K. Perry, Paul F. Richards
4:00-4:55 PM
Mainstage (Soo Line)
Panel: Anti-Heroism Defined
What is an anti-hero (or anti-heroine)? What characteristics make a character an anti-hero? Can an anti-hero become a regular garden variety hero (and if so, how)? What is the draw or appeal of an anti-hero over the regular variety? Are anti-heroes more realistic than more classical heroes (and how does this impact the audience)? Who is particularly good at writing anti-heroes? Who are some current popular anti-heroes ? Who are some really irritating anti-heroes?
— S.N. Arly, mod.; Joseph Agee, Cynthia Booth, Martha A. Hood
4:00-4:55 PM
Krushenko’s Annex (Northern Pacific)
Panel: Film Noir
Each year we consider a film genre. This year we deja-vu a previously considered topic, the brooding, complex world of film noir.
— David Christenson, mod.; Cynthia Booth, Eric M. Heideman
4:00-6:00 PM
Railroad Lobby
Roleplaying Game: “The Lion’s Blood, the Witch, and the Wardrobe: Consider the Alternatives!”
In this fun, thought-provoking roleplaying event, you get to play a different Timelord and Tardis crew, AND adventure in alternate worlds inspired by the works of current and past Diversicon Guests, including Steven Barnes, Tananarive Due, Andrea Hairston, and Nnedi Okorafor! No previous roleplaying experience required; game rules are simple and will be taught. Two hours Saturday.
— John Everett Till, game-master
:45-6:55 PM
Krushenko’s Annex (Northern Pacific)
Film (redacted online, see program book)
5:00-5:30 PM
Railroad Lobby
Massive Autographing
— Tananarive Due, Steven Barnes, et al.
6:00 PM
Vendor Room Closes
6:00 PM
Registration & SF Minnesota Tables close
6:00 PM
1st floor (see signage)
Minneapolis in 2073 Party
The Minnesota Science Fiction Society (Minn-stf) is bidding to host the 131st Worldcon in Minneapolis. Pre-Supporting Memberships are available to keep the bidding strong for the next 61 years. You can also learn about other Minn-stf activities at our party, including our monthly parties, Conjecture, and Minicon.
7:00-10:00 PM
Mainstage (Soo Line)
SF MINNESOTA AUCTION
Includes:
8:40-8:50 PM
Mainstage (Soo Line)
Flash Fiction Contest, Round Five! (During Auction Halftime)
The Flash Fiction Contest, introduced by Diversicon 16 Guest of Honor Anne Frasier, was judged for D20 by D19 Special Guest Lyda Morehouse. We sought stories up to 250 words (firm) related to the Convention Theme, “Deja-Versicon” (i.e., stories on some aspect of deja-vu). Entries were judged on the creative interpretation of the theme, the quality of the writing, and emotional/intellectual impact. The winner gets a cool certificate, the honor of winning, and the opportunity to read his/her work out loud at our Auction Halftime. No entry fee was charged, but the contest was open only to registered, attending members of the convention. Writers of any experience level were allowed to submit. The Diversicon Chair, the Programming Director, and the SF Minnesota Board were ineligible. The winner and other submitters retain all rights to their stories.
10:05-11:25 PM
Krushenko’s Annex (Northern Pacific)
Discussion: Science Fiction/Fantasy TV: The Year in Review
Our annual look at the speculative small screen.
— Scott Lohman, mod.
10:05 PM-2:00 AM
Krushenko’s (Room 101)
Tales of the Unanticipated Party
Meet staff of and contributors to this long-running Twin Cities speculative fiction magazine/anthology. If all goes well, TOTU #31, the Silver Anniversary Issue, will be out in late summer or early fall.
10:30-11:25 PM
Mainstage (Soo Line)
Panel: LGBT Speculative Fiction
On the treatment of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender characters in literary and other media, old and new.
— Don Kaiser, mod.; Joseph Agee, David Lenander
11:30 PM-Midnight
Krushenko’s Annex (Northern Pacific)
Video (redacted online, see program book)
9:00-9:55 AM
Krushenko’s Annex (Northern Pacific Room)
Cartoons
10:00 AM
Hospitality Suite (Room 107? See signage) opens
10:00-10:55 PM
Mainstage (Soo Line room)
Panel: Hath Not a Ferengi Eyes: The Space Alien as Racial Stereotype
A Deja-Versicon revisit to a panel from D2 or thereabouts. Why are so many extraterrestrial civilizations in fiction, film, comics, and TV portrayed as representing a single characteristic?
— Eric M. Heideman, mod.; Rob Callahan, John Calvin Rezmerski, Edward E. Rom
10:00-11:35 AM
Krushenko’s Annex (Northern Pacific)
Film (redacted online, see program book)
11:00 AM
Vendor Room (Milwaukee Room; Dealers & Art) open
11:00 AM
Registration & SF Minnesota Tables open
11:00-11:55 AM
Mainstage (Soo Line)
Fiction Reading: Steven Barnes
Our Guest of Honor reads from his work.
Noon
Hospitality Suite closes. Some supplies transferred to Krushenko’s Annex
Noon-12:55 PM
Mainstage (Soo Line)
Panel: What do I Read Next?
Our annual look at primarily—though not exclusively—fantasy and science fiction novels, collections, and anthologies published primarily—though not exclusively—in the past year and a half.
— Michael Levy, mod.; Greg L. Johnson, David Lenander
Noon-12:55 PM
Krushenko’s Annex (Northern Pacific)
Panel: Avengers Assemble!
A 49+ year retrospective on Marvel’s flagship super-team, from its beginnings in June 1963 to this May’s finally assembled feature film, and beyond.
— Eric M. Heideman, mod.; Roy C. Booth
1:00-1:55 PM
Mainstage (Soo Line)
Panel: Mankind Was My Business: The Art, Fantasies, and Politics of Charles Dickens, 1812- 1870
We’ll look at the diverse and durable fiction of Dickens, with special attention to his fantasies. Besides producing a highly entertaining body of work, Dickens sought, in his writing and his life, to advance a far-ranging social agenda. We’ll also talk about his politics and how they have influenced his times and ours.
— Eric M. Heideman, mod.; Martha A. Hood, David Lenander, Brian K. Perry
1:00-1:55 PM
Krushenko’s Annex (Northern Pacific)
Recital: Lady Poetesses from Hell
Come hear Minnesota’s own speculative poetry performance art group!
— Terry A. Garey, host; Ruth Berman, Sandra Lindow, Rebecca Marjesdatter, K. Cassandra O’Malley, John Calvin Rezmerski
1:00-1:55 PM
Krushenko’s (Room 101)
Panel: Alternate History: What if DC Power Generation Had Won?
What would our society look like if we had chosen different technological plants?
— Mike Schoenberg, mod.; Ellen Kuhfeld
2:00-2:55 PM
Mainstage (Soo Line)
Panel: Dark and Creepy
Dark fiction continues to sell and creepy movies continue to get made. What is it about dark creepy things that brings readers/viewers back again and again? In the past we saw a trend toward traditional scary creatures becoming cuddly and noble (most obviously seen with vampires and the faye). Now we're seeing a lot of those beings moving back toward their monstrous origins. Why the shift? Given that our modern world has plenty of real darkness (war, famine, climate change, plague, bad haircuts, etc), why do we seekout the fantastical?
— S.N. Arly, mod.; Tananarive Due, Cynthia Booth, Rob Callahan, Brian K. Perry
2:00-2:55 PM
Krushenko’s Annex (Northern Pacific)
Panel: Speculative Poetry: The State of the Art
What’s going on in the world of speculative poetry? How are the markets? Who are the names to watch? What problems does the genre face?
— Terry A. Garey, mod.; Sandra Lindow, John Calvin Rezmerski
3:00-3:55 PM
Mainstage (Soo Line)
Talk: Lifewriting
On the value of using mythology scholar Joseph Campbell’s model of The Hero’s Journey in both writing and life.
— Steven Barnes, instructor
3:00-3:55 PM
Krushenko’s Annex (Northern Pacific)
Panel: The State of the Solar System: 2012
Our annual look at what’s new in astronomy and space exploration, in our solar system and beyond.
— Michael Kauper, Hank Lederer, Paul F. Richards
3:00-3:55 PM
Krushenko’s (Room 101)
Generic Panel
Wide-ranging discussion of various topics. These are usually continuations of topics explored at other panels. New topics will also be welcomed.
— Arthur C. Johnson, mod.; Ellen Kuhfeld
4:00 PM
Vendor Room closes
4:00-4:55 PM
Mainstage (Soo Line)
Panel: Fairytale Retellings
From new takes on Snow White to Once Upon a Time to Ella Enchanted, reworked old tales are nearly everywhere. What’s the appeal? The best and the worst? Which ones are you hoping to see?
— Catherine Lundoff, mod.; Don Kaiser, David Lenander, Rebecca Marjesdatter.
4:00-4:55 PM
Krushenko’s Annex (Northern Pacific)
Panel: Know What You Write, Write What You Know
The maxim write what you know will show up in nearly any good introductory class on writing, from journalism to fiction. Often we are told to write about things that are familiar to us. But what happens when you get an idea that includes elements that you aren't familiar with - a scientific principle, a culture, or a part of the world? Or in the case of SF/F, you want to write about things that you can't necessarily find good research on (magic and science beyond our current level)? This kicks in the corollary to write what you know - know what you write. How do you learn what's necessary to tell the story or pass along the information that you want to? And how do you stop researching once you get started?
— S.N. Arly, mod.; Brian K. Perry, Edward E. Rom, Mark Tersteeg.
4:00-4:55 PM
Krushenko’s (Room 101)
Discussion: Deja-Versicon: Diversicons Past, Present, and Future
— Scott Lohman, Diversicons 20 & 21 Chair, mod.
5:00-5:30 PM
Mainstage (Soo Line)
Closing Ceremonies
— Scott Lohman, MC; Steven Barnes, Tananarive Due, Eric M. Heideman; Andre Norton, Charles Dickens, in absentia
5:45 PM
Registration Table closes
7:15 PM-
There’s Still Life in the Old Dog Party
Includes:
For Further Information:
Diversicon 20
PO Box 8036
Lake Street Station
Minneapolis MN 55408-0036
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