MidSouthCon

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Coordinates: 35°06′N 90°00′W / 35.1°N 90.0°W / 35.1; -90.0

MidSouthCon
StatusActive
GenreLiterature, Art, Comics, Gaming, Music, etc...
VenueMemphis Hilton (Memphis, Tennessee)
Location(s)Memphis, Tennessee
CountryUnited States of America
Inaugurated1982
Most recent2019
Next event2021
Attendance>1300[1]
Organized byMid-South Science & Fiction Conventions, Inc.
Websitemidsouthcon.org

MidSouthCon is an American science-fiction convention held each March in Memphis, Tennessee, since 1982, evolving from similar events in the late 1970s. Focusing mainly on science fiction literature, it provides basic programming geared to other genres: fantasy, science, comics, horror, and gaming.[2][3] It is also the event at which the Darrell Awards Jury presents its annual Darrell Awards.

History[]

Memphis Fandom got restarted in 1970 (after a small group in the early 1940s was dissolved upon being drafted for World War II) with the formation of the Mid-South Fantasy Association (MSFA). In the late 1970s, they decided to put on a relaxacon, and after its success, decided to start putting on a yearly science fiction convention. Several different names were used, before choosing MidSouthCon as the permanent name for the convention. It was decided to start the numbering of this new MidSouthCon at 2 since the name had been used before: MidSouthCon 1 was held in Huntsville, Alabama, on June 20–22, 1980, and the very first DeepSouthCon in 1963 was also named MidSouthCon.

There was no convention in 2020 as officials blamed the COVID-19 pandemic as grounds for cancellation.

Past conventions[]

Precursor events[]

Steve & Don's Memphis Halfacon/Relaxicon was held in December 1977 at the (former) Holiday Inn Overton Square in Memphis, TN. There were no guests of Honor per se. ConComm included the CoChair-beings and Don Markstein, as well as , , and Greg Bridges.

Just Imagicon was held May 24–27, 1979, at the (former) Rivermont Hotel in Memphis, TN. The Guests of Honor included include authors L. Sprague and , artist Kelly Freas, master of ceremonies , and fan .

Imaginitzacon was held in September 1980 at the (former) Holiday Inn Overton Square in Memphis, TN. The Guests of Honor included include author Robert Asprin, and fan .

Imagicon was held September 25–27, 1981, at the (former) Holiday Inn Overton Square in Memphis, TN. The Guests of Honor included author Andrew J. Offutt, and fan .

1980s[]

MidSouthCon 2 was held August 20–22, 1982, at the (former) Quality Inn Riverview in Memphis, TN. The Guests of Honor included include author Wilson "Bob" Tucker, fan , and toastmaster/artist , and author Darrell C. Richardson.

MidSouthCon 3 was held March 16–18, 1984, at the (former) Quality Inn Riverview in Memphis, TN. The Guests of Honor included include author C. J. Cherryh, artist Steve Dodd, fan Margaret Middleton, and toastmaster .

MidSouthCon 4 was held March 22–24, 1985, at the (former) Quality Inn Airport in Memphis, TN. The Guests of Honor included include author Fred Pohl, artist , filker Suzette Haden Elgin, fan , toastmaster John Steakley, and special guests Robert Jordan and Sharon Webb.

MidSouthCon 5 was held June 6–8, 1986, at the (former) Ramada Inn SW Airport in Memphis, TN. The Guests of Honor included include author Joe Haldeman, artist David Cherry, toastmaster Andrew J. Offutt, and fan .

MidSouthCon 6 was held March 27–29, 1987, at the (former) Wilson World Hotel in Memphis, TN. The Guests of Honor included include author Hal Clement, toastmaster Julius Schwartz, artist , toastmaster Wilson "Bob" Tucker, and fan .

MidSouthCon 7 was held March 18–20, 1988, at the (former) Memphis Marriott Hotel in Memphis, TN. The Guests of Honor included include authors Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle, toastmaster Julius Schwartz, artist , filker Margaret Middleton, fan Darrell C. Richardson, and actors Paul Darrow (had to cancel) and Michael Keating.

MidSouthCon 8 was held in conjunction with DeepSouthCon 27, a Southern U.S. regional convention, was held June 9–11, 1989, at the (former) Memphis Marriott Hotel in Memphis, TN. The Guests of Honor included include author Orson Scott Card, toastmaster C. J. Cherryh, artist , filker , fan , and special guest Wilson "Bob" Tucker.

1990s[]

MidSouthCon 9 was held March 16–18, 1990, at the (former) Memphis Marriott Hotel in Memphis, TN. The Guests of Honor included include author Robert Jordan, toastmaster Robert Asprin, artists and , fan , actor Mark Ryan, and filker .

MidSouthCon 10 was held March 22–24, 1991, at the (former) Memphis Airport Hotel in Memphis, TN. The Guests of Honor included include author Harry Turtledove, artist , and fans .

MidSouthCon 11 was held March 27–29, 1992, at the (former) Memphis Airport Hotel in Memphis, TN. The Guests of Honor included include author Nancy Springer, artist , and fan .

MidSouthCon 12 was held March 26–28, 1993, at the (former) Memphis Airport Hotel in Memphis, TN. The Guests of Honor included include author Alan Dean Foster, artist Carl Lundgren, and fan Wilson "Bob" Tucker.

MidSouthCon 13 was held March 25–27, 1994, at the (former) Best Western Airport Hotel in Memphis, TN. The Guests of Honor included include author , artist Larry Elmore, actress Robin Curtis, and fan .

MidSouthCon 14 was held March 24–26, 1995, at the (former) Best Western Airport Hotel in Memphis, TN. The Guests of Honor included include author Timothy Zahn, artist Alan Gutierrez, and fan .

MidSouthCon 15 was held March 22–24, 1996, at the (former) Brownstone Downtown Hotel in Memphis, TN. The Guests of Honor included include author Barry Longyear, artists Frank Kelly Freas and , fan .

MidSouthCon 16 was held March 28–30, 1997, at Sam's Town Hotel and Casino in Robinsonville, MS. The Guests of Honor included include author , artist , and fan .

(The noted gap here for the year 1998 was due to a last minute contract dispute between the convention and the hotel. With very little time before the event, they were forced to cancel the convention for that year.)

MidSouthCon 17 was held March 26–28, 1999, at the (former) Sheraton Four Points Hotel in Memphis. The Guests of Honor included include author James P. Hogan, artist , and fan .

2000s[]

MidSouthCon 18 was held March 24–26, 2000, at the Holiday Inn Select Airport in Memphis. The Guests of Honor included include author Fred Saberhagen, artist Robert Daniels, and actress .

MidSouthCon 19 was held March 23–25, 2001, at the Holiday Inn Select Airport in Memphis. The Guests of Honor included include author Laurell K. Hamilton, artist Alan Clark, toastmaster , and special guests Jack McDevitt and Algis Budrys.

MidSouthCon 20 was held March 22–24, 2002, at the Holiday Inn Select Airport in Memphis. The Guests of Honor included include author C. J. Cherryh, artist Thomas Kidd, game designer Steve Jackson, actor Michael Sheard, and special guests Jane Fancher and .

MidSouthCon 21 was held March 28–30, 2003, at the Holiday Inn Select Airport in Memphis. The Guests of Honor included include author Robert J. Sawyer, artists Frank Kelly Freas and , NASA's own Les Johnson, game designer Jolly Blackburn, and actor Michael Sheard.

MidSouthCon 22 was held in conjunction with DeepSouthCon 42, a Southern U.S. regional convention, at the Holiday Inn Select Airport in Memphis on March 26–28, 2004. The Guests of Honor included include author David Brin, artist Todd Lockwood game designer , effects guru toastmaster Michael Sheard, and fan .[4]

MidSouthCon 23 was held April 1–3, 2005, at the Holiday Inn Select Airport in Memphis. The Guests of Honor included include author Esther Friesner, artist , comics illustrator Steve Rude, game outlet Games Workshop, filker , actress Brinke Stevens, astrophysicist , and toastmaster Michael Sheard.

MidSouthCon 24 was held March 26–29, 2006, at the Holiday Inn Select Airport in Memphis. The Guests of Honor included include authors David Weber and Glen Cook, artist , comics writer John Jackson Miller, game designer Rich Burlew, filker Tom Smith, effects guru , costumer , and our own .

MidSouthCon 25 was held March 23–25, 2007, at the Holiday Inn Select Airport in Memphis. The Guests of Honor included include author Terry Pratchett, artist Don Maitz, comics writer Mark Waid, game designer Sean Preston, filker Leslie Fish, actor Bill Blair and makeup artist , and toastmaster .[3][5]

MidSouthCon 26 was held March 21–23, 2008, at the Holiday Inn Select Airport in Memphis. The Guests of Honor included include author Eric Flint, futurist Ben Bova, artist Bob Eggleton, comics writer Len Wein, game designer Shane Lacy Hensley, author , musicians The FuMP featuring Rob Balder, and toastmaster Selina Rosen.

MidSouthCon 27 was held March 20–22, 2009, at the Whispering Woods Conference Center in Olive Branch, Mississippi, on March 20–22, 2009. Guests of Honor included author Mike Resnick, artist Vincent Di Fate,[6] comics writer John Ostrander, game designers Jolly Blackburn and , filkers , fan film creator John Hudgens, nuclear physicist Stanton Friedman, editor Ann VanderMeer, author Jeff VanderMeer, and toastmaster Jane Fancher.

2010s[]

MidSouthCon 28 was held March 12–14, 2010, at the Whispering Woods Conference Center in Olive Branch, Mississippi.[2] The Guests of Honor included include author Kevin J. Anderson, author Rebecca Moesta, artist , comics writer Gail Simone, game publisher James Ernest, editor Lou Anders, musician and podcaster Marc Gunn, special guest Sherrilyn Kenyon, and toastmistress .

MidSouthCon 29 was held March 25–27, 2011, at the Memphis Hilton in Memphis. Guests of honor included author GoH Mary Robinette Kowal, artist GoH Nene Thomas, gaming GoH Monte Cook, comics GoH Kurt Busiek, costuming GoH Kelldar, science GoH Les Johnson, editor GoH Jackie Gamber, and toastmaster The Great Luke Ski.[1]

MidSouthCon 30 was held March 23–25, 2012, at the Memphis Hilton in Memphis, Tennessee. Guests of honor included Author GoH Michael Stackpole, Artist GoH , Comics GoH , Editor GoH Cat Rambo, Science GoH Ethan Siegel, and Media GoHs Mark Goddard and Marta Kristen.[7]

MidSouthCon 31 was held March 22–24, 2013, at the Memphis Hilton in Memphis, Tennessee. Guests of honor included Author GoH Cherie Priest, Artist GoH John Picacio, Comics GoH Terry Beatty, Science GoH Richard A. Lovett, Editor GoH , Gaming GoH Steve Jackson, and Anime GoH .

MidSouthCon 32 was held March 21–23, 2014, at the Memphis Hilton in Memphis, Tennessee. Guests of honor included Author GoH Kelley Armstrong, Artist GoHs and , Comics GoH , and Fan GoH Toni Weisskopf.

MidSouthCon 33 was held March 20–22, 2015, at the Memphis Hilton in Memphis, Tennessee. Guests of honor included Author GoH Cory Doctorow, Artist GoH , Science GoH Ethan Siegel, Comic GoH Ethan Van Sciver, Gaming Guest of Honor Shane Hensley, Costuming GoH , and Editor GoH Elizabeth Donald.

References[]

  1. ^ a b Meek, Andy (March 25, 2011). "MidSouthCon 29 to Unite Sci-Fi Fans". The Daily News. Memphis, TN. Archived from the original on May 20, 2011. Retrieved March 29, 2011.
  2. ^ a b "MidSouthCon Comic & Science Fiction Event". Memphis, TN: Fox 13 News. February 11, 2010.
  3. ^ a b Itzikoff, Dave (May 4, 2007). "Welcome, Interstate Satyrs". The New York Times.
  4. ^ "More Con News". TheOneRing.net. March 23, 2004.
  5. ^ "Events for March 22, 2007". Memphis Daily News. March 22, 2007.
  6. ^ Van Tuyl, Chris (March 21, 2009). "Fans in sci-fi heaven at annual MidSouthCon in Olive Branch". The Commercial Appeal. Memphis, TN.
  7. ^ Beifuss, John (March 22, 2012). "'Lost in Space' duo remember '60s sci-fi at MidSouthCon 30". Memphis Commercial Appeal. Retrieved March 26, 2012.

External links[]

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