The Society for Canadian Content in Speculative Arts and Literature is holding a “Can-Con” convention later this month to unite Ottawa’s science fiction, fantasy and horror community in a fantastical smorgasbord.
The gathering, which runs Oct. 31-Nov. 1, invites fans to interact with their favourite authors and publishers in an open, welcoming setting. It’s taking place this year at the Sheraton Hotel on Albert Street and is expected to draw hundreds of visitors.
Can-Con was founded in 1991 and had a couple of runs before revamping and rebooting in 2010, according to the organization’s website.
The aim of the convention is to celebrate literature, films and other multimedia projects from Canadian speculative fiction writers, editors and artists “to bring a focus on the book back to Ottawa science fiction and fantasy events.”
Derek Kunksen, chair of Can-Con 2015, says the event is “almost a mirror image” of Ottawa Comic-Con – the annual celebration of all things pop culture – because Comic-Con focuses more on sales of merchandise. “We have a dealer’s room but the real emphasis is on fans getting together to talk,” Kunksen says. Can-Con’s dealer’s room is mainly comprised of the books written by the authors that appear at the convention.
Kunksen says Can-Con welcomes a wide variety of guests, ranging from authors and editors to cognitive scientists and biochemists.
The convention brings these two radically different groups together over a subject they know well – science, he says. “It’s a bit of putting people together and networking rather than standing in line and paying a lot of money for an autograph.” The norm at Comic-Con is fans paying money to meet and take pictures with their favourite celebrities. The prices vary depending on the popularity of the guest.
“As a science fiction writer, I really appreciate the opportunity to meet and talk to scientists and hear what the cutting edge of science is,” says Hayden Trenholm, author of award-winning science fiction collections and a recurring guest at the convention.
Trenholm is also a playwright and owner of Bundoran Press, a science fiction publishing house located in Ottawa. He started writing short stories in the mid-1990s and has been published by magazines and publishing houses alike. Trenholm has attended science fiction conventions all across Canada and has returned to Can-Con every year since its relaunch in 2010.
Trenholm says the loyalty of returning visitors helps keep the convention alive.
While the convention does have a price for admission, the fans that come back think its worth the cost.
In addition to invoking a sense of community among authors and fans, Kunksen says Can-Con is special because it also has a lot of programming available to fans. Marie Bilodeau, vice-chair of Can-Con 2015, says she is excited about Blue Pencil Café, where people have the opportunity to have their writing reviewed by a professional author.
This year, Can-Con had to shift its timing from its traditional mid-October date to the weekend of Halloween to secure the Sheraton Hotel as the convention venue, says Kunksen.