Apr 02 2009
Convention Profile: Writercon 2009
One of my readers recently sent me a link to a unique little convention called Writercon, which is is a gathering of “writers, poets, editors, and fans of writers, poets, and editors”. Now in its third year, Writercon 2009 will be taking place in Minneapolis on July 3o - August 2, 2009 (but it does change locations yearly)!
According to convention organizers:
Although our roots are in the Jossverse, we’re officially going multi-fannish in 2009! We’ll still be talking Buffy, Angel, Firefly, and anything else Joss Whedon comes up with, but you’re just as likely to hear discussion of Supernatural, Doctor Who, Stargate, Torchwood, Battlestar Galactica, and much more. (We’ve posted a public fandom poll so you can see what other attendees are into–and so we can make sure to tailor our programming to what our audience wants!)
Writercon 2009 is a fan-run, and fan-supported con. Although they do invite guests, they consider themselves to be all about “the fans”.
One important things to note about this convention: All Writercon attendees must be over the age of 18 by the start of the convention: July 30, 2009. If you’ll be over 18 but under 21, you are welcome to attend. Your badge will have a notice on it to make sure alcohol isn’t served to you.
Registration for Writercon 2009 is available online. Tickets are $84 for the weekend. Tickets to the cocktail party are extra, and they cost $13. You can purchase tickets on the Writercon website.
One thing that really makes Writercon special, is that it offers a scholarship to those who cannot afford to attend the convention. Here is what the website says about it:
The Writercon scholarship program has been running since 2004 as a way to help members of fandom who are struggling to afford the cost of the convention.
Scholarship applications will be open from March 1 - March 15, 2009. Recipients will be chosen in a lottery and awarded up to $400 (based on need). The only requirements are that recipients must be active members of fandom (which includes not just writers but betas, readers and other involved fans) and must do four hours of (non-programming) volunteer work at the convention.
Even thought the deadline for applying has closed, I wanted to mention it here because it is something I have not really seen from other conventions before. For those who may want to help, Writercon does take donations to help fund this scholarship.
There are a ton of great events and programming options, all of which you can read about on the official website. You can expect more to be posted as the convention draws closer.
If you attend Writercon 2009, be sure to come back here and post links to your photos, videos, and con reports! Check out profiles for other upcoming fandom conventions here!
It’s so nice to see this write-up of our unique Convention. I attended the second WriterCon and loved every minute! It’s inspired me, impressed me and emboldened me.
I’m looking forward to July!
Nice to see your write-up. Writercon is an amazing experience…truly one of the best I’ve ever had. I don’t write fanfic, but I do read it. Readers really are just as welcome as writers, and all fandoms are embraced. The panels and workshops are interesting and fun, and the people are great. I attended the first two, and look forward to the third this summer.