Sci-Fi Storm

Emily Epstein writes “MileHiCon, the Rocky Mountain Region’s largest literary science fiction convention will be celebrating its 40th anniversary October 24-26 at the Hyatt Regency Tech Center-Denver. Run entirely by volunteers, MileHiCon will feature more than 80 authors and speakers, programming on every aspect of the science fiction and fantasy genres, the largest science fiction/fantasy art show
in the region, round-the-clock gaming, 19 dealers of science fiction-, fantasy-, and horror-related materials, and a masquerade (costume contest). The convention will also feature video and anime rooms, plus a special programming track especially for children (but grownups are welcome too). The Critter Crunch, the first robotic combat competition from which all others came, will be held on Sunday, and its younger aquatic sibling, the Critter Flotilla, will be held Friday night.” Read More for more details.

“MileHiCon has been run by local science fiction fans since its beginning in 1969. The convention, which has approximately 1,000 attendees, is still run and staffed entirely by volunteers. Its purpose is to further interest in reading and writing science fiction and related genres, although it has long since branched out to include television, film, anime, and gaming.

This year’s guests of honor will be authors Jim Butcher, Tim Powers, and Patricia Briggs, artist Michael Carroll, and visual effects supervisor Ed Kramer. Butcher is best known as the author of the Dresden Files, a series of novels about wizard/detective Harry Dresden, which served as the basis for the 2007 television series on the SciFi Channel. His newest title is scheduled to debut on October 14. Powers? works are usually based on actual historical events, with a supernatural twist. He received the World Fantasy Award for his novels Last Call and Declare. Briggs, an award-winning fantasy author known for her lifelike characters and humorous dialogue, has been writing Fantasy since the early 1990s. Carroll, who lives in Littleton, Colorado, is best known for his accurate paintings of astronomical and palaeontological subjects. He is also an internationally published science journalist and has written several
children?s books. This year?s toastmaster will be Carrie Vaughn, the Boulder author best known for her series of fantasy works about Kitty Norville, combining the topics of werewolves, vampires, and talk radio. Ed Kramer, this year’s media guest of honor, is a 12-year veteran of Industrial Light and Magic, and is now VFX supervisor
at Impossible Pictures in Denver. Kramer has worked on visual effects for over 20 movies, including titles in the Star Wars, Harry Potter, and Pirates of the Caribbean series.

In addition to the guests of honor, MileHiCon will be attended by other science fiction, fantasy, and horror authors, many of them local. They will give readings of work in progress and participate in programs on various aspects of writing and publishing. They and other special guests will also give presentations and participate in panels on topics including science, literature, and media. Artists whose works are displayed in the art show will give demonstrations and lead tours of the art show throughout the weekend. Most of the works on display will be available for purchase at the art auction on Sunday.

The MileHiCon annual literacy auction of science fiction-, fantasy-, and horror-related materials will be held on Saturday night, while the masquerade judges deliberate. This year?s recipient of the auction proceeds will be Hope Communities, whose services to low-income individuals and families in Denver include literacy programs for adults and children. More information on this organization can be found at their website: http://www.hopecommunities.org.

The dance troupe Serpent Moon a MileHiCon favorite, will be returning for a third year to perform and teach an interstellar bellydancing workshop on Saturday. Odd Austin, the parody singer/songwriter from Longmont, will entertain MileHiCon attendees
on Saturday evening, immediately before the masquerade. Several songs from his new album, which will debut at the convention, have already been hits on the Mad Music Dementia Top 20, and one was featured on The Dr. Demento Show.

MileHiCon programming will begin at 3 p.m. on Friday and run continuously through Sunday. All activities will be at The Hyatt Regency Tech Center-Denver, located at 7800 E. Tufts Avenue. For more information, see the convention website: http://www.milehicon.org/“