Conflux: The 43rd Australian National Science Fiction Convention

Never been to a SF convention?

When people think of sci-fi or SF conventions, images of adolescent young men in lurid t-shirts, spandex costumes and latex ears spring to mind, no thanks to the mass media and their notorious “fluff pieces”. You already have an interest in science fiction and fantasy otherwise you wouldn’t be reading this website. Ever wondered just what does happen at a SF convention?

Some conventions focus on a particular aspect of science fiction, such as Star Trek and these can be a lot of fun. However, other conventions have a broader appeal and cover science fiction, fantasy and horror in literature, film or on TV.

These types of conventions typically will be multi-streamed with a formal structure of panel sessions seriously discussing such topics as writing, world building, publishing, 3D-animation, map making and a whole lot more by major authors and other industry professionals. There will be guest speeches, book launches, book readings, workshops and other presentations or demonstrations as well.

Who attends these types of conventions? Generally, published, emerging or aspiring authors, editors, booksellers, publishers, movie makers, academics and other enthusiasts of speculative fiction. People don’t usually ‘dress up in costume’ to attend, though some enthusiasts might for a particular program item. Casual, comfortable clothing is the norm.

Most SF conventions, no matter their focus, are organised by volunteers in their spare time for no payment other than the pleasure they derive from running these types of events. These people put in many hours of work, usually after putting in a normal 8-hour day earning their livelihood. Volunteers, or fans as they are more commonly called, have been doing this in Australia for over 50 years. In the USA, fan-run SF conventions have been happening since the 1930s — well before the advent of Star Trek and ‘Trekkie’ conventions!

Conflux, the 43rd Australian National Science Fiction Convention is such a convention: to be held over the Anzac Day long weekend in Canberra in 2004 it is a four-day event focusing on all aspects of Australian speculative fiction, especially the science fiction, fantasy and horror genres in the literary, film or TV media. Guests are Greg Benford, and Sean McMullen and supported by the cream of the Australian speculative fiction industry. Draft program is now available from the Conflux website www.conflux.org.au. Check it out, you just might be surprised and find something to pique your interest.

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