Monday, August 08, 2016

Arcana 46: A Convention of the Dark Fantastic, October 21-23


Coming to Minnesota in October is the 46th Arcana convention. This year, their special guest of honor Kathe Koja. Koja won the Bram Stoker Award and the Locus Award for her first novel The Cipher, which was also nominated for the Philip K Dick Award. She also won a Deathrealm Award for Strange Angels.

With roots in Detroit, Michigan, she wrote at an early age but began taking it more seriously following a Clarion workshop. Her body of work also includes theater and writing for young adults. Presently, much of her short fiction is considered uncollected.


Arcana will once again be held at the Best Western Hotel in Bandana Square in Saint Paul. Currently, the rate for attendance is $40 until October 1st. Afterwards, the price is $50 at the door. Additional panels, films a vendor room, and other activities will be a part of the convention. A full schedule of events will be announced in the coming weeks ahead.

They will also present this year's Minnesota Fantasy Award. The Minnesota Fantasy Award is presented annually to a person or persons with ties to Minnesota in recognition of their contributions to the fields of fantasy, science fiction and horror.

Aracana first began in 1971, originally coming to be known as Minncon, but choosing to change its name to Arcana in 1988. Past guests of honor have included Catherine Lundoff, S.T. Joshi, Anthony Tollin, Joe Bob Briggs, Ramsey Campbell, Neil Gaiman, and Gahan Wilson.


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