Diversicon is an annual

speculative fiction Speculative fiction is a term that has been used with a variety of (sometimes contradictory) meanings. The broadest interpretation is as a category of fiction encompassing genres with elements that do not exist in reality, recorded history, na ...

(science fiction and fantasy, or SF) convention held in July or August in the Minneapolis-Saint Paul,

Minnesota Minnesota () is a state in the upper midwestern region of the United States. It is the 12th largest U.S. state in area and the 22nd most populous, with over 5.75 million residents. Minnesota is home to western prairies, now given over to ...

area. Diversicon provides programming and social opportunities to encourage the multicultural, multimedia exploration and celebration of SF by those within and outside of the traditional SF community. Diversicon includes both live and posthumous guests. It is sponsored by

SF Minnesota SF Minnesota (not to be confused with SF-Finn) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to speculative fiction (science fiction and fantasy, or SF) education. Founded in February 1992 in Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota, it describes itself as "a ...

Programming

Diversicon's programming—typically three simultaneous tracks—focuses on literature but also includes items related to film, TV, comics, art, science, and other subjects.

Science fiction Science fiction (sometimes shortened to Sci-Fi or SF) is a genre of speculative fiction which typically deals with imaginative and futuristic concepts such as advanced science and technology, space exploration, time travel, parallel unive ...

fantasy Fantasy is a genre of speculative fiction involving Magic (supernatural), magical elements, typically set in a fictional universe and sometimes inspired by mythology and folklore. Its roots are in oral traditions, which then became fantasy ...

, horror, and

slipstream A slipstream is a region behind a moving object in which a wake of fluid (typically air or mustard) is moving at velocities comparable to that of the moving fluid, relative to the ambient fluid through which the object is churning. The term slip ...

/ magic realism genres are all represented. Programming topics are solicited from preregistered attendees.Diversicon 16 Media Guide
. 2008. "Profile: Diversicon and SF Minnesota co-founder, past convention chair, and Diversicon 16 programming chair Eric M. Heideman." p. 4. Programming items often focus on authors and/or fictional characters from underrepresented groups; how work deals with themes of race, ethnicity, class, gender, religion, sexual orientation, dis/ability, and other definitions of "difference"; and how contemporary issues around diversity influence the reading and writing of SF. Most programming items are panel discussions. In addition, guests of honor are interviewed and participate in Q&A with the audience. Other formats include roundtable discussions, film screenings, informational presentations/workshops, and concerts. The convention includes an Art Show; displaying artists are encouraged to attend and be available to discuss their work with attendees. It also includes a Dealers' Room where various jewelry, books, magazines, clothing/accessories, and other items are for sale. The ConSuite is a room with comfortable, informal seating and light food and drink. Parties are held each evening.Diversicon 15 Media Guide
. 2008. "Diversicon 16: A preview." p. 6. In addition, there is an auction of speculative fiction books, collectibles, and other items to raise money for

.''SF Minnesota website''
SF Minnesota
" Retrieved January 26, 2016.

History

Diversicon is sponsored by

, a nonprofit organization. SF Minnesota was founded in February 1992 by a group that wanted to create a Twin Cities speculative fiction convention with a different tone and focus from what already existed. They decided that Diversicon would celebrate and explore the connections between speculative fiction (SF) and diversity, particularly in three areas:Diversicon 16 Media Guide
. 2008. "Diversicon: A brief history." p. 2. * Cultural diversity. Slightly more than two thirds of Diversicon's guest professionals have been women. A number of guests have been persons of color. A number of guests have been openly gay, lesbian, or bisexual and/or have written SF that explores issues of alternate sexuality. * Diversity of fan groups. Diversicon would be openly welcoming, friendly, and respectful to the wide range of SF-related organizations in the area, ranging from book clubs to writing groups, Star Trek and anime clubs, creative anachronists and futurist organizations, and anyone else who shared an interest in diversity and the imagination. * Diversity in media. Recognizing that different people come to SF through different paths, Diversicon would be inclusive of all media. In addition to a strong core of literary programming—including items for both writers and readers—the convention also includes a rich sampling of panels and discussions related to SF in film, TV, graphic arts, and other media as well as speculative science. Diversicon 1 premiered in June 1993 and subsequently settled on August as its regular month. The convention hosted the James Tiptree, Jr. Award in 2000.

Guest authors, artists, editors, and fans

Source:Diversicon 16 Media Guide
. 2008. "Guest authors, artists, editors, and fans." p. 3. Diversicon 29 (2022) * T. Aaron Cisco Writer *

Sybil Smith Sybil Smith (born November 23, 1966) is an American former collegiate swimmer. She is the first African-American female swimmer to be named a first-team Division I All-American, and the only All-American in Boston University women's swimming his ...

Fan Diversicon 28 (postponed from 2020 to 2021) * Michael Merriam Writer * Abra Staffin-Wiebe Writer Diversicon 27 (2019) *

Nisi Shawl Nisi Shawl (born 1955) is an African-American writer, editor, and journalist. They are best known as an author of science fiction and fantasy short stories who writes and teaches about how fantastic fiction might reflect real-world diversity of ...

Writer * Ben Huset Space evangelist Diversicon 26 (2018) *

Charlie Jane Anders Charlie Jane Anders is an American writer and commentator. She has written several novels, published magazines and websites, and hosted podcasts. In 2005, she received the Lambda Literary Award for work in the transgender category, and in 2009, t ...

Writer *

Bryan Thao Worra Bryan Thao Worra (born January 1, 1973) is a Laotian American writer. His books include ''On The Other Side Of The Eye'', ''Touching Detonations'', ''Winter Ink'', ''Barrow'' and ''The Tuk Tuk Diaries: My Dinner With Cluster Bombs''. He is the fir ...

Poet and writer * Ursula Murray Husted Artist Diversicon 25 (2017) *

Melissa Scott Melissa Scott (born 1960, in Little Rock, Arkansas) is an American science fiction and fantasy author noted for her science fiction novels featuring LGBT characters and elaborate settings. Biography Scott studied history at Harvard College and B ...

Writer *

Eleanor Arnason Eleanor Atwood Arnason (born December 28, 1942) is an American author of science fiction novels and short stories. Arnason's earliest published story, "A Clear Day in the Motor City", appeared in ''New Worlds'' in 1973. Her work often depicts cul ...

Writer Diversicon 24 (2016) *

Jessica Amanda Salmonson Jessica Amanda Salmonson (born January 6, 1950John Clute and John Grant,Salmonson, Jessica Amanda, in ''The Encyclopedia of Fantasy'', pp. 832–833, Orbit, London / St Martin’s Press, New York (1997).) is an American author and editor of fant ...

Writer *

Naomi Kritzer Naomi Kritzer is an American speculative fiction writer and blogger. Her 2015 short story " Cat Pictures Please" was a Locus Award and Hugo Award winner and was nominated for a Nebula Award. Her novel, ''Catfishing on CatNet'' won the 2020 Lod ...

Writer Diversicon 23 (2015) * Ytasha L. Womack SF writer and filmmaker *

Rob Callahan Rob or ROB may refer to: Places * Rob, Velike Lašče, a settlement in Slovenia * Roberts International Airport (IATA code ROB), in Monrovia, Liberia People * Rob (given name), a given name or nickname, e.g., for Robert(o), Robin/Robyn * Rob ...

SF writer and journalist Diversicon 22 (2014) *

Carolyn Ives Gilman Carolyn Ives Gilman (born 1954) is an American historian and author of science fiction and fantasy. She has been nominated for the Nebula Award three times, and the Hugo Award twice. Her short fiction has been published in a number of magazine ...

SF writer * Terry A. Garey SF writer and editor Diversicon 21 (2013) * Roy C. Booth SF writer, http://www.salgado-reyes.com/roy-c-booth/ *

Jack McDevitt Jack McDevitt (born April 14, 1935) is an American science fiction author whose novels frequently deal with attempts to make contact with alien races, and with archaeology or xenoarchaeology. Most of his books follow either superluminal pilot Pri ...

SF writer, http://www.jackmcdevitt.com * Catherine Lundoff Fantasy writer, http://www.catherinelundoff.com Diversicon 20 (2012) *

Steven Barnes Steven Barnes (born March 1, 1952) is an American science fiction, fantasy, and mystery writer. He has written novels, short fiction, screen plays for television, scripts for comic books, animation, newspaper copy, and magazine articles. Career ...

SF writer, http://diamondhour.com/ *

Tananarive Due Tananarive Priscilla Due ( ) (born January 5, 1966) is an American author and educator. Due won the American Book Award for her novel '' The Living Blood''. She is also known as a film historian with expertise in Black horror. Due teaches a cours ...

Writer, http://www.tananarivedue.com/ Diversicon 19 (2011) *

David Hartwell David Geddes Hartwell (July 10, 1941 – January 20, 2016) was an American critic, publisher, and editor of thousands of science fiction and fantasy novels. He was best known for work with Signet, Pocket, and Tor Books publishers. He was also no ...

SF editor, http://www.davidghartwell.com/ * John Calvin Rezmerski Poet and writer, http://authors.wizards.pro/authors/writers/john-calvin-rezmerski * Lyda Morehouse SF writer and mystery writer "Tate Hallaway", http://www.lydamorehouse.com/ *

Joan Slonczewski Joan Lyn Slonczewski is an American microbiologist at Kenyon College and a science fiction writer who explores biology and space travel. Their books have twice earned the John W. Campbell Memorial Award for Best Science Fiction Novel: ''A Door i ...

Scientist and writer, http://biology.kenyon.edu/slonc/slonc.htm Diversicon 18 (2010) *

William F. Wu William F. Wu (born March 13, 1951) is a Chinese-American science fiction, fantasy, and crime author. Literary career Born March 13, 1951, in Kansas City, Missouri, Wu had his first professional fiction publication, a short story, published in 1 ...

short story and

science fiction Science fiction (sometimes shortened to Sci-Fi or SF) is a genre of speculative fiction which typically deals with imaginative and futuristic concepts such as advanced science and technology, space exploration, time travel, parallel unive ...

writer, http://www.williamfwu.com *

Rob Chilson Robert Chilson (born 1945) is an American science fiction author. Robert was born in Oklahoma, about age six he decided to be a writer. He was discovered by John W. Campbell and wrote stories for ''Analog'', including collaborations with William ...

writer, http://www.robshilson.com Diversicon 17 (2009) *

Kay Kenyon Kay Kenyon (born July 2, 1956 ) is an American science fiction and fantasy writer currently living in Wenatchee, Washington Wenatchee ( ) is the county seat and largest city of Chelan County, Washington, United States. The population within t ...

- novelist in

genre * Michael Levy college professor and SF/fantasy reviewer * Sandra Lindow SF poet Diversicon 16 (2008) *

Anne Frasier Theresa Weir (born 1954), better known by her pen name Anne Frasier, is an American author of numerous genres. Biography Anne Frasier was born in Burlington, Iowa and attended Artesia High School in Artesia, New Mexico. Her parents divorc ...

—

feminist Feminism is a range of socio-political movements and ideologies that aim to define and establish the political, economic, personal, and social equality of the sexes. Feminism incorporates the position that society prioritizes the male po ...

novelist in

, horror,

mystery Mystery, The Mystery, Mysteries or The Mysteries may refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media Fictional characters *Mystery, a cat character in ''Emily the Strange'' Films * ''Mystery'' (2012 film), a 2012 Chinese drama film * ''Mystery'' ( ...

, and

romance Romance (from Vulgar Latin , "in the Roman language", i.e., "Latin") may refer to: Common meanings * Romance (love), emotional attraction towards another person and the courtship behaviors undertaken to express the feelings * Romance languages, ...

genres *

Nnedi Okorafor Nnedimma Nkemdili "Nnedi" Okorafor (formerly Okorafor-Mbachu; born April 8, 1974) is a Nigerian-American writer of science fiction and fantasy for both children and adults. She is best known for her ''Binti Series'' and her novels ''Who Fears ...

—

Nigerian-American Nigerian Americans ( ig, Ṇ́dị́ Naìjíríyà n'Emerịkà; ha, Yan Najeriyar asalin Amurka; yo, Àwọn ọmọ Nàìjíríà Amẹ́ríkà) are an ethnic group of Americans who are of Nigerian ancestry. The number of Nigerian immigran ...

(

Igbo Igbo may refer to: * Igbo people, an ethnic group of Nigeria * Igbo language, their language * anything related to Igboland, a cultural region in Nigeria See also * Ibo (disambiguation) * Igbo mythology * Igbo music * Igbo art * * Igbo-Ukwu, a ...

) author, playwright, journalist, and teacher Diversicon 15 (2007) *

Andrea Hairston Andrea Hairston (born 1952) is an African-American science fiction and fantasy playwright and novelist. Her novel '' Redwood and Wildfire'' won the James Tiptree, Jr. Award for 2011. ''Mindscape'', Hairston's first novel, won the Carl Brandon P ...

—

African-American African Americans (also referred to as Black Americans and Afro-Americans) are an Race and ethnicity in the United States, ethnic group consisting of Americans with partial or total ancestry from sub-Saharan Africa. The term "African American ...

novelist and playwright; professor of Afro-American studies and theater at

Smith College Smith College is a Private university, private Liberal arts colleges in the United States, liberal arts Women's colleges in the United States, women's college in Northampton, Massachusetts. It was chartered in 1871 by Sophia Smith (Smith College ...

Northampton, Massachusetts The city of Northampton is the county seat of Hampshire County, Massachusetts, United States. As of the 2020 census, the population of Northampton (including its outer villages, Florence and Leeds) was 29,571. Northampton is known as an acade ...

* Christopher Jones—

comics a medium used to express ideas with images, often combined with text or other visual information. It typically the form of a sequence of panels of images. Textual devices such as speech balloons, captions, and onomatopoeia can indicate ...

and

graphic novel A graphic novel is a long-form, fictional work of sequential art. The term ''graphic novel'' is often applied broadly, including fiction, non-fiction, and anthologized work, though this practice is highly contested by comic scholars and industry ...

s artist * Melissa S. Kaercher—

and

s artist Diversicon 14 (2006) *

Kelly Link Kelly Link (born July 19, 1969) is an American editor and author of short stories. While some of her fiction falls more clearly within genre categories, many of her stories might be described as slipstream or magic realism: a combination of sci ...

—

author of

interstitial An interstitial space or interstice is a space between structures or objects. In particular, interstitial may refer to: Biology * Interstitial cell tumor * Interstitial cell, any cell that lies between other cells * Interstitial collagenase, ...

work, editor, and teacher; winner of the

World Fantasy Award The World Fantasy Awards are a set of awards given each year for the best fantasy literature, fantasy fiction published during the previous calendar year. Organized and overseen by the World Fantasy Convention, the awards are given each year a ...

Nebula Award The Nebula Awards annually recognize the best works of science fiction or fantasy published in the United States. The awards are organized and awarded by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA), a nonprofit association of profe ...

, and James Tiptree, Jr. Award among other honors *

—

Laotian American Laotian Americans ( lo, ຄົນອາເມລິກາລາວ) are Americans who trace their ancestry to Laos. Laotian Americans are included in the larger category of Asian Americans. The major immigrant generation were generally refugees ...

author, journalist, and community activist Diversicon 13 (2005) * Sheree R. Thomas—

author and journalist, editor, artist, and teacher; winner of two

s among other honors * Minister Faust (aka Malcolm Azania)—

Black Canadian Black Canadians (also known as Caribbean-Canadians or Afro-Canadians) are people of full or partial sub-Saharan African descent who are citizens or permanent residents of Canada. The majority of Black Canadians are of Caribbean origin, though t ...

author whose work includes a novel making in-depth use of

African mythology African or Africans may refer to: * Anything from or pertaining to the continent of Africa: ** People who are native to Africa, descendants of natives of Africa, or individuals who trace their ancestry to indigenous inhabitants of Africa *** Ethn ...

, broadcaster, actor, teacher, and community activist Diversicon 12 (2004) * S. P. Somtow (aka Somtow Papinian Sucharitkul)—

Thai Thai or THAI may refer to: * Of or from Thailand, a country in Southeast Asia ** Thai people, the dominant ethnic group of Thailand ** Thai language, a Tai-Kadai language spoken mainly in and around Thailand *** Thai script *** Thai (Unicode block ...

author, filmmaker, composer, and artistic director of the Bangkok Opera and the Siam Philharmonic Orchestra; past president of the

Horror Writers Association The Horror Writers Association (HWA) is a worldwide non-profit organization of professional writers and publishing professionals dedicated to promoting the interests of Horror and Dark fantasy writers. Overview HWA was formed in 1985 with t ...

* Mark Rich—

Asian-American Asian Americans are Americans of Asian ancestry (including naturalized Americans who are immigrants from specific regions in Asia and descendants of such immigrants). Although this term had historically been used for all the indigenous people ...

author, journalist, artist, and musician; numerous

Rhysling Award __NOTOC__ The Rhysling Awards are an annual award given for the best science fiction, fantasy, or horror poem of the year. Unlike most literary awards, which are named for the creator of the award, the subject of the award, or a noted member of t ...

nominations for speculative poetry Diversicon 11 (2003) *

—

lesbian A lesbian is a Homosexuality, homosexual woman.Zimmerman, p. 453. The word is also used for women in relation to their sexual identity or sexual behavior, regardless of sexual orientation, or as an adjective to characterize or associate n ...

author and teacher; winner of the

John W. Campbell John Wood Campbell Jr. (June 8, 1910 – July 11, 1971) was an American science fiction writer and editor. He was editor of ''Astounding Science Fiction'' (later called ''Analog Science Fiction and Fact'') from late 1937 until his death ...

and several

Lambda Literary Award Lambda Literary Awards, also known as the "Lammys", are awarded yearly by Lambda Literary to recognize the crucial role LGBTQ writers play in shaping the world. The Lammys celebrate the very best in LGBTQ literature.The awards were instituted i ...

s * Martha A. Hood—

author and longtime Diversicon panel participant Diversicon 10 (2002) *

—

bestselling novelist and TV writer, martial artist, and Lifewriting teacher *

—

novelist and teacher; musician and a member of

Stephen King Stephen Edwin King (born September 21, 1947) is an American author of horror, supernatural fiction, suspense, crime, science-fiction, and fantasy novels. Described as the "King of Horror", a play on his surname and a reference to his high s ...

's author band; winner of the

American Book Award The American Book Award is an American literary award that annually recognizes a set of books and people for "outstanding literary achievement". According to the 2010 awards press release, it is "a writers' award given by other writers" and "the ...

and New Voice in Literature Award among other honors Diversicon 9 (2001) * Stephen Pagel—founder and editor of

Meisha Merlin Publishing Meisha Merlin Publishing was an independent publishing company founded in 1996 by former New York book editor Stephen Pagel and Kevin and Brian Murphy. The Decatur, Georgia–based company specialized in publishing fantasy and science fiction t ...

and co-editor of the GLBT Bending the Landscape anthology series with

Nicola Griffith Nicola Griffith (; born 30 September 1960) is a British-American novelist, essayist, and teacher. She has won the Washington State Book Award, Nebula Award, James Tiptree, Jr. Award, World Fantasy Award and six Lambda Literary Awards. Persona ...

; winner of

and

among other honors *

Keith Hartman Keith Hartman (born 1966) is an American writer of speculative fiction and a self-described "struggling film-maker". He has also written non-fiction books on gay and lesbian issues. He has been nominated a number of times for the Gaylactic Spect ...

—author of fiction and nonfiction exploring

GLBT ' is an initialism that stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender. In use since the 1990s, the initialism, as well as some of its common variants, functions as an umbrella term for sexuality and gender identity. The LGBT term is ...

themes including "gay, multi-species SF-horror- detective novels," choreographer, and actor; winner of two

Gaylactic Spectrum Awards The Gaylactic Spectrum Awards are given to works of science fiction, fantasy and horror that explore LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender) topics in a positive way. Established in 1998, the awards were initially presented by the Gaylactic ...

among other honors Diversicon 8 (2000) *

Lois McMaster Bujold Lois McMaster Bujold ( ; born November 2, 1949) is an American speculative fiction writer. She is an acclaimed writer, having won the Hugo Award for best novel four times, matching Robert A. Heinlein's record (not counting his Retro Hugos). Her no ...

—bestselling author; winner of the

Locus Locus (plural loci) is Latin for "place". It may refer to: Entertainment * Locus (comics), a Marvel Comics mutant villainess, a member of the Mutant Liberation Front * ''Locus'' (magazine), science fiction and fantasy magazine ** ''Locus Award' ...

Nebula A nebula ('cloud' or 'fog' in Latin; pl. nebulae, nebulæ or nebulas) is a distinct luminescent part of interstellar medium, which can consist of ionized, neutral or molecular hydrogen and also cosmic dust. Nebulae are often star-forming regio ...

Hugo Hugo or HUGO may refer to: Arts and entertainment * ''Hugo'' (film), a 2011 film directed by Martin Scorsese * Hugo Award, a science fiction and fantasy award named after Hugo Gernsback * Hugo (franchise), a children's media franchise based on a ...

, and

Mythopoeic Awards The Mythopoeic Awards for literature and literary studies are given annually for outstanding works in the fields of myth, fantasy, and the scholarly study of these areas. Established by the Mythopoeic Society in 1971, the Mythopoeic Fantasy Awar ...

among other honors *

Laurel Winter Laurel Winter (born Laurel Anne Hjelvik in Columbus, Montana; April 22) is an author of fantasy, science fiction, and poetry. In childhood, she attended a one-room schoolhouse. Her first published fantasy story was "Mail Order Eyes" in 1988. She ...

—

author, speaker, and

energy medicine Energy medicine is a branch of alternative medicine based on a pseudo-scientific belief that healers can channel "healing energy" into a patient and effect positive results. Practitioners use a number of names including various synonyms for ...

practitioner; winner of the

World Fantasy In its most general sense, the term "world" refers to the totality of entities, to the whole of reality or to everything that is. The nature of the world has been conceptualized differently in different fields. Some conceptions see the worl ...

and

s and recipient of a McKnight Artist Fellowship among other honors *

Suzy McKee Charnas Suzy McKee Charnas (October 22, 1939 – January 2, 2023) was an American novelist and short story writer, writing primarily in the genres of science fiction and fantasy. She won several awards for her fiction, including the Hugo Award, the N ...

—

author and teacher; winner of the

, and James Tiptree, Jr. Awards and a James Tiptree Jr. Retrospective Award among other honors; inducted into the Gaylactic Spectrum Hall of Fame Diversicon 7 (1999) * L. A. Graf (aka Julia Ecklar and Karen Rose Cercone)—Julia Ecklar is an author and musician and winner of the

John W. Campbell Award for Best New Writer The ''Astounding'' Award for Best New Writer (formerly the John W. Campbell Award for Best New Writer) is given annually to the best new writer whose first professional work of science fiction or fantasy was published within the two previous ...

; Karen Rose Cercone is an author and a professor of

geoscience Earth science or geoscience includes all fields of natural science related to the planet Earth. This is a branch of science dealing with the physical, chemical, and biological complex constitutions and synergistic linkages of Earth's four spheres ...

. *

Nalo Hopkinson Nalo Hopkinson (born 20 December 1960) is a Jamaican-born Canadian speculative fiction writer and editor. Her novels ('' Brown Girl in the Ring'', ''Midnight Robber'', '' The Salt Roads'', ''The New Moon's Arms'') and short stories such as thos ...

—

queer ''Queer'' is an umbrella term for people who are not heterosexual or cisgender. Originally meaning or , ''queer'' came to be used pejoratively against those with same-sex desires or relationships in the late 19th century. Beginning in the lat ...

Caribbean-Canadian author, editor, and teacher; winner of the Prix Aurora,

Sunburst A sunburst is a design or figure commonly used in architectural ornaments and design patterns and possibly pattern books. It consists of rays or "beams" radiating out from a central disk in the manner of sunbeams. Sometimes part of a sunbur ...

, and

among other honors. Diversicon 6 (1998) *

Karen Joy Fowler Karen Joy Fowler is an American author of science fiction, fantasy, and literary fiction. Her work often centers on the nineteenth century, the lives of women, and alienation. She is best known as the author of the best-selling novel ''The Jan ...

—

author and teacher; winner of the

, and Commonwealth Award for Best First Novel among other honors; co-founder with Pat Murphy of the James Tiptree, Jr. Award * Pat Murphy—

author and teacher; winner of the

Philip K. Dick Award The Philip K. Dick Award is an American science fiction award given annually at Norwescon and sponsored by the Philadelphia Science Fiction Society and (since 2005) the Philip K. Dick Trust. Named after science fiction writer Philip K. Dick, ...

, and

Theodore Sturgeon Memorial Award The Theodore Sturgeon Memorial Award is an annual literary award presented by the Theodore Sturgeon Literary Trust and the Center for the Study of Science Fiction at the University of Kansas to the author of the best short science fiction story ...

s; co-founder with

of the James Tiptree, Jr. Award Diversicon 5 (1997) *

Tanya Huff Tanya Sue Huff (born 1957) is a Canadian fantasy author. Her stories have been published since the late 1980s, including five fantasy series and one science fiction series. One of these, her '' Blood Books'' series, featuring detective Vicki Ne ...

—prolific

Canadian Canadians (french: Canadiens) are people identified with the country of Canada. This connection may be residential, legal, historical or cultural. For most Canadians, many (or all) of these connections exist and are collectively the source of ...

author, some of whose novels are the basis for the TV series Blood Ties * Pam Keesey—

author, editor, technical writer, and horror scholar and founder o
MonsterZine.com
Diversicon 4 (1996) *

Maureen F. McHugh Maureen F. McHugh (born February 13, 1959) is an American science fiction and fantasy writer. Career McHugh's first published story was published as a ''Twilight Zone'' under a male pseudonym in 1988. It was followed by a pair of publication ...

—

author and teacher; winner of the

Lambda Literary The Lambda Literary Foundation (also known as Lambda Literary) is an American LGBT literature, LGBTQ literary organization whose mission is to nurture and advocate for LGBTQ writers, elevating the impact of their words to create community, prese ...

, and James Tiptree, Jr. Awards * Doug Friauf (July 8, 1955 – April 25, 2007)—A longtime avid SF fan, film and book reviewer,

Shockwave Radio Theater ''Shockwave Radio Theater'' was broadcast for 28 years on Fresh Air Radio, the community radio station KFAI, 90.3FM Minneapolis, 106.7FM St. Paul from 1979 to 2007. Much of Shockwave Radio is archived on archive.org or on the audio page of Dave Rom ...

performer, and "Minneapolis fandom's rolling ambassador" to the international SF community, Doug Friauf died due to complications from muscular dystroph

* Rodger Gerberding—artist, longtime art director for

Tales of the Unanticipated ''Tales of the Unanticipated'', known as ''TOTU'', is a semiprozine that was founded under the auspices of the Minnesota Science Fiction Society (known as Mn-STF or Minn-STF), and has since become independent. Like contemporaries such as ''Cran ...

, and disabled artists activist Diversicon 3 (1995) * L. A. Taylor, aka Laurie Aylama Taylor Sparer (September 3, 1939 – May 29, 1996)—

author and world traveler *

—author and professor of

biology Biology is the scientific study of life. It is a natural science with a broad scope but has several unifying themes that tie it together as a single, coherent field. For instance, all organisms are made up of cells that process hereditary i ...

* Earl C. Joseph—technical computing expert, coiner of terms

computer architecture In computer engineering, computer architecture is a description of the structure of a computer system made from component parts. It can sometimes be a high-level description that ignores details of the implementation. At a more detailed level, t ...

and smart machines, holder of three patents, and professional

futurist Futurists (also known as futurologists, prospectivists, foresight practitioners and horizon scanners) are people whose specialty or interest is futurology or the attempt to systematically explore predictions and possibilities abou ...

Diversicon 2 (1994) *

Paul Park Paul Claiborne Park (born October 1, 1954, in North Adams, Massachusetts) is an American science fiction author and fantasy author. He teaches a course in reading and writing science fiction at Williams College. He has also taught at the Clarion ...

—trailblazing author of "humanist" SF and teacher * Bruce Hyde—actor, including role of Lt. Kevin Riley in the original

Star Trek ''Star Trek'' is an American science fiction media franchise created by Gene Roddenberry, which began with the eponymous 1960s television series and quickly became a worldwide pop-culture phenomenon. The franchise has expanded into vari ...

, and chair of the Theater, Film Studies, and Dance department at St. Cloud State University * Sybil M. Smith—

fan with a special interest in slash; 2007 president of

Diversicon 1 (1993) *

—

author; winner of the James Tiptree, Jr. Award, Mythopoeic Fantasy, and

Minnesota Book Awards The Minnesota Book Awards are presented annually for books created by writers, illustrators or book artists who are Minnesotans. The award, originally established in 1988, is organized by The Friends of the Saint Paul Public Library. History ...

* A. C. Crispin—bestselling author, teacher, and past vice president of

Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America The Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America, doing business as Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association, commonly known as SFWA ( or ) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization of professional science fiction and fantasy writers. While ...

(SFWA) and founder of SFWA's Committee on Writing Scams; recipient of the 2004 Service to SFWA Award *

Ruth Berman Ruth Berman is an American writer of weird science fiction and speculative poetry. In 2003, she won the Rhysling Award for Best Short Poem. She was also the winner of the 2006 Dwarf Stars Award for her poem ''Knowledge Of''. In 1973, she was a f ...

—author, editor, teacher, and translator and founding member of The Rivendell Group and th
Minnesota Science Fiction Society
(Minn-StF); winner of the

References

External links

Diversicon Web site

Diversicon 16 Media Guide (PDF document)

(July 14, 2008)

{dead link, date=December 2016 , bot=InternetArchiveBot , fix-attempted=yes (April 30, 2008) Science fiction conventions in the United States Conventions in Minnesota