you want a revelation

Nov. 13th, 2012 at 11:25 AM

So I help organize a convention in Minneapolis every June. It's called 4th Street Fantasy.

It's an awesome, small, intimate, and very nerdy place to talk about books a lot, and it's my favorite convention of all the conventions there are.

I'd love it if you'd consider coming, but registration caps around 230, so... you probably need to decide.

Current Mood: impressed
Current Music:Florence + The Machine - No Light, No Light (Radio Paradise - DJ-mixed modern & classic rock, world, electronica & more - info: radioparadise.com)

Comments

( 16 comments — Leave a comment )

la_marquise_de_

Nov. 13th, 2012 04:47 pm (UTC)

It's a con I'd love to go to, but that pesky Atlantic...

Link | Reply | Thread

matociquala

Nov. 13th, 2012 04:49 pm (UTC)

CURSES!

Link | Reply | Parent | Thread

remus_shepherd

Nov. 13th, 2012 04:49 pm (UTC)

I didn't know you were helping organize 4th Street, Bear. Maybe you can tell me if the focus has shifted any. When the con reappeared it was very much a discussion about the craft of writing. A few years after that it had become just another fan convention. There are plenty of conventions about being book fans, but I would love to find a convention that focused on craft.

I know that Steven doesn't see a difference, but I disagree with him. I can contribute to a discussion about craft; I cannot contribute to discussions about books that I haven't read (which, judging from past years, is about 90% of the books mentioned at the con.)

Link | Reply | Thread

matociquala

Nov. 13th, 2012 04:53 pm (UTC)

What we've done is split off a writer's seminar, which takes place before the con proper.

I tend to think there's a lot of discussion of both writing and reading throughout the convention, however. Not all attendees are writers; not all conversations are going to be about writing.

However, we do really focus on the idea of the *conversation*, and the ethos that everybody in attendance has things to add to it. So I would hesitate to call it "just another fan convention." I think we're a bit more socialized than most.

Link | Reply | Parent | Thread

remus_shepherd

Nov. 13th, 2012 05:02 pm (UTC)

Yeah. Being antisocial as I am, though, there isn't much that appeals to me in that kind of format. I like the structure of having teachers and students.

Link | Reply | Parent | Thread

matociquala

Nov. 13th, 2012 05:03 pm (UTC)

You might or might not like the writer's seminar. It's a series of interviews and panels on aspects of writing science fiction.

Link | Reply | Parent | Thread

remus_shepherd

Nov. 13th, 2012 06:55 pm (UTC)

I was at the writer's seminar the first year you held it.

You will never not forget who I am, will you? :)

Link | Reply | Parent | Thread

matociquala

Nov. 13th, 2012 08:22 pm (UTC)

I know exactly who you are. But I don't presume to have any knowledge of your response to the seminar.

Link | Reply | Parent | Thread

fadethecat

Nov. 13th, 2012 05:34 pm (UTC)

Ooo. It is that time of year!

...during which awesome cons open registration, but I don't yet know at all what I'll be doing that far in advance, or what finances will be like. Argh! But I will keep an eye on registration. I certainly want to go; I had such a marvelous time last year.

Link | Reply | Thread

phialastring

Nov. 13th, 2012 05:37 pm (UTC)

I want to go, and have for years.

Must contemplate the options...

Link | Reply | Thread

kitgordon

Nov. 13th, 2012 06:50 pm (UTC)

I plan to be there, probably with charming spouse and other friends. Really looking forward to is, since it's my only con (don't much like crowds . . . ).

Link | Reply | Thread

dichroic

Nov. 13th, 2012 07:34 pm (UTC)

I'd really like to go to Fourth Street some time, but I am pretty sure this is not going to be my year for doing anything that requires lots of preplanning!

Link | Reply | Thread