Microcon
Encyclopedia
Science fiction
Science fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with imaginary but more or less plausible content such as future settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, aliens, and paranormal abilities...
and fantasy
Fantasy
Fantasy is a genre of fiction that commonly uses magic and other supernatural phenomena as a primary element of plot, theme, or setting. Many works within the genre take place in imaginary worlds where magic is common...
convention
Science fiction convention
Science fiction conventions are gatherings of fans of various forms of speculative fiction including science fiction and fantasy. Historically, science fiction conventions had focused primarily on literature, but the purview of many extends to such other avenues of expression as movies and...
, held annually at the University of Exeter
University of Exeter
The University of Exeter is a public university in South West England. It belongs to the 1994 Group, an association of 19 of the United Kingdom's smaller research-intensive universities....
in Exeter
Exeter
Exeter is a historic city in Devon, England. It lies within the ceremonial county of Devon, of which it is the county town as well as the home of Devon County Council. Currently the administrative area has the status of a non-metropolitan district, and is therefore under the administration of the...
, Devon
Devon
Devon is a large county in southwestern England. The county is sometimes referred to as Devonshire, although the term is rarely used inside the county itself as the county has never been officially "shired", it often indicates a traditional or historical context.The county shares borders with...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
since 1982, usually over the first weekend in March. It is organised by the Exeter University Science Fiction and Fantasy Society.
History and guest speakers
- Microcon (12 - 13 March 1982): Lisa TuttleLisa TuttleLisa Tuttle is an American-born science fiction, fantasy, and horror author. She has published over a dozen novels, five short story collections, and several non-fiction titles, including a reference book on feminism. She has also edited several anthologies and reviewed books for various...
- Microcon II (5 - 6 February 1983): According to a contemporary report, there was no guest of honour at this event.
(As the numbering increased by five in just four years, it appears likely it jumped a digit during 1984 - 1986)
- Microcon 7 (1987): Tom ShippeyTom ShippeyThomas Alan Shippey is a scholar of medieval literature, including that of Anglo-Saxon England, and of modern fantasy and science fiction, in particular the works of J. R. R. Tolkien, about whom he has written several scholarly studies. He is widely considered one of the leading academic scholars...
- Microcon 8 (1988): Terry PratchettTerry PratchettSir Terence David John "Terry" Pratchett, OBE is an English novelist, known for his frequently comical work in the fantasy genre. He is best known for his popular and long-running Discworld series of comic fantasy novels...
, Iain BanksIain BanksIain Banks is a Scottish writer. He writes mainstream fiction under the name Iain Banks, and science fiction as Iain M. Banks, including the initial of his adopted middle name Menzies...
, Neil GaimanNeil GaimanNeil Richard Gaiman born 10 November 1960)is an English author of short fiction, novels, comic books, graphic novels, audio theatre and films. His notable works include the comic book series The Sandman and novels Stardust, American Gods, Coraline, and The Graveyard Book...
, Dave Langford, Diana Wynne JonesDiana Wynne JonesDiana Wynne Jones was a British writer, principally of fantasy novels for children and adults, as well as a small amount of non-fiction...
, Colin GreenlandColin GreenlandColin Greenland is a British science fiction writer, whose first story won the second prize in a 1982 Faber & Faber competition. His best known novel is Take Back Plenty , winner of both major British science fiction awards, the 1990 British SF Association award and the 1991 Arthur C...
, John BrunnerJohn BrunnerJohn Brunner may refer to:* Sir John Brunner, 1st Baronet , a.k.a. John Tomlinson Brunner, British industrialist and Liberal Member of Parliament* John L...
, John Grant, Fox, Fay Sampson, Chris Bell
- Microcon 9 (1989): David V. BarrettDavid V. BarrettDavid V. Barrett is a British author who has written on religious and esoteric topics. He is also a regular contributor to The Independent, Fortean Times, and the Catholic Herald....
, Adrian Cole, Storm ConstantineStorm ConstantineStorm Constantine is a British science fiction and fantasy author, primarily known for her Wraeththu series.- Life and work :Since the late 1980s Constantine has written more than 20 novels, plus several non-fiction books...
, Mary GentleMary Gentle-Literary career:Mary Gentle's first published novel was Hawk in Silver , a young-adult fantasy. She came to prominence with the Orthe duology, which consists of Golden Witchbreed and Ancient Light ....
, Fox, Colin GreenlandColin GreenlandColin Greenland is a British science fiction writer, whose first story won the second prize in a 1982 Faber & Faber competition. His best known novel is Take Back Plenty , winner of both major British science fiction awards, the 1990 British SF Association award and the 1991 Arthur C...
, John Grant, Dave Langford, Pete LovedayPete LovedayPete Loveday is a British underground cartoonist. He drew many comics charting the adventures of hippie character Russell including Big Bang Comics, Big Trip Travel Agency, Plain Rapper Comix printed by AK Press....
, Terry PratchettTerry PratchettSir Terence David John "Terry" Pratchett, OBE is an English novelist, known for his frequently comical work in the fantasy genre. He is best known for his popular and long-running Discworld series of comic fantasy novels...
, Fay Sampson, Ron Tiner, Diana Wynne JonesDiana Wynne JonesDiana Wynne Jones was a British writer, principally of fantasy novels for children and adults, as well as a small amount of non-fiction...
- Microcon 10 (1990)
- Microcon 11 (1991)
- Microcon 12 (29 February - 1 March 1992): John BrunnerJohn Brunner (novelist)John Kilian Houston Brunner was a prolific British author of science fiction novels and stories. His 1968 novel Stand on Zanzibar, about an overpopulated world, won the 1968 Hugo Award for best science fiction novel. It also won the BSFA award the same year...
- Microcon 13 (6 - 7 March 1993): Colin GreenlandColin GreenlandColin Greenland is a British science fiction writer, whose first story won the second prize in a 1982 Faber & Faber competition. His best known novel is Take Back Plenty , winner of both major British science fiction awards, the 1990 British SF Association award and the 1991 Arthur C...
- Microcon 14 (5 - 6 March 1994): Geoff RymanGeoff RymanGeoffrey Charles Ryman is a writer of science fiction, fantasy and surrealistic or "slipstream" fiction.Ryman currently lectures in Creative Writing for University of Manchester's English Department. His most recent full-length novel, The King's Last Song, is set in Cambodia, both at the time of...
, John CluteJohn CluteJohn Frederick Clute is a Canadian born author and critic who has lived in Britain since 1969. He has been described as "an integral part of science fiction's history."...
, Colin GreenlandColin GreenlandColin Greenland is a British science fiction writer, whose first story won the second prize in a 1982 Faber & Faber competition. His best known novel is Take Back Plenty , winner of both major British science fiction awards, the 1990 British SF Association award and the 1991 Arthur C...
, Stephen MarleyStephen Marley (writer)Stephen Marley is a British author and video game designer, best known for his Chia Black Dragon series. He was born in Derby of Irish parents and was educated in Bemrose School in Derby and at Nottingham. He graduated in Social Anthropology in 1971 in London, gained an M.Sc in the Sociology of...
, Richard MiddletonRichard MiddletonRichard Middleton may refer to:*Richard Middleton , English theologian, philosopher and Lord Chancellor*Richard Barham Middleton , British poet and ghost story writer...
- Microcon 15 (4 - 5 March 1995): Ramsey CampbellRamsey CampbellJohn Ramsey Campbell is an English horror fiction author.Since he first came to prominence in the mid-1960s, critics have cited Campbell as one of the leading writers in his field: T. E. D. Klein has written that "Campbell reigns supreme in the field today", while S. T...
- Microcon 16 (2 - 3 March 1996): Diana Wynne JonesDiana Wynne JonesDiana Wynne Jones was a British writer, principally of fantasy novels for children and adults, as well as a small amount of non-fiction...
, Fay Sampson
- Microcon 17 (1 - 2 March 1997): Christopher Priest, Leigh KennedyLeigh KennedyLeigh Kennedy is an American science fiction writer who has lived in the United Kingdom since 1985.Kennedy's story "Her Furry Face" was a nominee for the Nebula Award for Best Short Story....
- Microcon 18 (28 February - 1 March 1998): Brian StablefordBrian StablefordBrian Michael Stableford is a British science fiction writer who has published more than 70 novels. His earlier books were published as by Brian M. Stableford, but more recent ones have dropped the middle initial and appeared under the name Brian Stableford...
- Microcon 19 (6 - 7 March 1999): Dave Langford
- Microcon 20 (4 - 5 March 2000): Nick RedfernNick RedfernNicholas "Nick" Redfern born 1964 in Pelsall, Walsall, Staffordshire is a British best-selling author, Ufologist and Cryptozoologist now living in Dallas, Texas, U.S.....
(originally planned to be Kim NewmanKim NewmanKim Newman is an English journalist, film critic, and fiction writer. Recurring interests visible in his work include film history and horror fiction—both of which he attributes to seeing Tod Browning's Dracula at the age of eleven—and alternate fictional versions of history...
, who apparently didn't receive the invitation)
- Microcon 21 (3 - 4 March 2001): Jon Courtenay GrimwoodJon Courtenay GrimwoodJon Courtenay Grimwood is a British science fiction and fantasy author.He was born in Valletta, Malta, grew up in Britain, Southeast Asia and Norway in the 1960s and 1970s. He studied at Kingston College, then worked in publishing and as a freelance writer for magazines and newspapers including The...
- Microcon 22 (2 - 3 March 2002): Gwyneth JonesGwyneth Jones (novelist)Gwyneth Jones is an English science fiction and fantasy writer and critic, and a young adult/children's writer under the name Ann Halam.-Biography and writing career:...
- Microcon 23 (1 - 2 March 2003): Jasper FfordeJasper FfordeJasper Fforde is a British novelist. Fforde's first novel, The Eyre Affair, was published in 2001. Fforde is mainly known for his Thursday Next novels, although he has written several books in the loosely connected Nursery Crime series and begun two more independent series: The Last Dragonslayer...
- Microcon 24 (6 - 7 March 2004): Geoff RymanGeoff RymanGeoffrey Charles Ryman is a writer of science fiction, fantasy and surrealistic or "slipstream" fiction.Ryman currently lectures in Creative Writing for University of Manchester's English Department. His most recent full-length novel, The King's Last Song, is set in Cambodia, both at the time of...
- Microcon 25 (5 - 6 Mar 2005): Keith BrookeKeith BrookeKeith Brooke is a science fiction author, editor, web publisher and anthologist from Essex, England. He is the founder and editor of the infinity plus webzine. He also writes children's fiction under the name Nick Gifford.- Biography and publishing history :...
, Richard Freeman, Mags Halliday, Paul Hinder, Ben JeapesBen JeapesBen Jeapes is an English science fiction writer living in Abingdon, Oxfordshire.-Early life and education:According to the Biography section on his website, Jeapes was born in Belfast in 1965. He was educated at Hampton Dene Primary School, Hereford, Little Chalfont Primary School, Lorraine...
, Mark Leyland, James LovegroveJames LovegroveJames Lovegrove is a British writer of speculative fiction. His first novel was The Hope, published by Macmillan in 1990. He was short-listed for the Arthur C. Clarke Award in 1998 for his novel Days and for the John W. Campbell Memorial Award in 2004 for his novel Untied Kingdom...
, Fay Sampson, Nick WaltersNick Walters (writer)Nick Walters is a British writer. He has written many spin off novels based on the BBC science fiction television series Doctor Who, as well as cowriting one featuring Bernice Summerfield.Walters is a regular guest at the science fiction event Microcon....
, Beth WebbBeth WebbBeth Webb is a British children's author. Her books include the popular Fleabag Trilogy and her novel for young adults Star Dancer, published by Macmillan Publishers....
, Lee Wood
- Microcon 26 (4 - 5 March 2006): Fay Sampson, Nick WaltersNick Walters (writer)Nick Walters is a British writer. He has written many spin off novels based on the BBC science fiction television series Doctor Who, as well as cowriting one featuring Bernice Summerfield.Walters is a regular guest at the science fiction event Microcon....
, Christina Lake, Richard Freeman, Joanne Hall, Mark Leyland, Paul CornellPaul CornellPaul Cornell is a British writer best known for his work in television drama as well as Doctor Who fiction, and as the creator of one of the Doctor's spin-off companions, Bernice Summerfield....
, Jasper FfordeJasper FfordeJasper Fforde is a British novelist. Fforde's first novel, The Eyre Affair, was published in 2001. Fforde is mainly known for his Thursday Next novels, although he has written several books in the loosely connected Nursery Crime series and begun two more independent series: The Last Dragonslayer...
- Microcon 27 (3 - 4 March 2007): Jasper FfordeJasper FfordeJasper Fforde is a British novelist. Fforde's first novel, The Eyre Affair, was published in 2001. Fforde is mainly known for his Thursday Next novels, although he has written several books in the loosely connected Nursery Crime series and begun two more independent series: The Last Dragonslayer...
, Richard Freeman, Colin Harvey, Joanne Hall, Mark Leyland, Fay Sampson, Nick WaltersNick Walters (writer)Nick Walters is a British writer. He has written many spin off novels based on the BBC science fiction television series Doctor Who, as well as cowriting one featuring Bernice Summerfield.Walters is a regular guest at the science fiction event Microcon....
- Microcon 28 (1 - 2 March 2008): Pat Cadigan, Richard Freeman, Steve GreenSteve Green (journalist)Steve Green is a former newspaper reporter turned freelance journalist, who has also written short fiction and poetry...
, Joanne Hall, Colin Harvey, Michelle Parslow, Nick WaltersNick Walters (writer)Nick Walters is a British writer. He has written many spin off novels based on the BBC science fiction television series Doctor Who, as well as cowriting one featuring Bernice Summerfield.Walters is a regular guest at the science fiction event Microcon....
- Microcon 29 (21 - 22 February 2009): Doug Bell, Val Cornish, Richard Freeman, Steve GreenSteve Green (journalist)Steve Green is a former newspaper reporter turned freelance journalist, who has also written short fiction and poetry...
, Christina Lake, Mark Leyland, Fay Sampson, Nick WaltersNick Walters (writer)Nick Walters is a British writer. He has written many spin off novels based on the BBC science fiction television series Doctor Who, as well as cowriting one featuring Bernice Summerfield.Walters is a regular guest at the science fiction event Microcon....
(Jasper FfordeJasper FfordeJasper Fforde is a British novelist. Fforde's first novel, The Eyre Affair, was published in 2001. Fforde is mainly known for his Thursday Next novels, although he has written several books in the loosely connected Nursery Crime series and begun two more independent series: The Last Dragonslayer...
had to cancel at the last minute)
- Microcon 30 (6 - 7 March 2010): Richard Freeman, Steve GreenSteve Green (journalist)Steve Green is a former newspaper reporter turned freelance journalist, who has also written short fiction and poetry...
, Ben JeapesBen JeapesBen Jeapes is an English science fiction writer living in Abingdon, Oxfordshire.-Early life and education:According to the Biography section on his website, Jeapes was born in Belfast in 1965. He was educated at Hampton Dene Primary School, Hereford, Little Chalfont Primary School, Lorraine...
, Joel LaneJoel LaneJoel Lane is a British novelist, short story writer, poet, critic and anthology editor. He has twice received the British Fantasy Award.-Works:...
, Nick WaltersNick Walters (writer)Nick Walters is a British writer. He has written many spin off novels based on the BBC science fiction television series Doctor Who, as well as cowriting one featuring Bernice Summerfield.Walters is a regular guest at the science fiction event Microcon....
(Alasdair Stuart had to cancel at the last minute)
- Microcon 2011 (5 - 6 March 2011): Mark ClaphamMark ClaphamMark Clapham is a British author, best known for writing fiction and reference books for television series, in particular Doctor Who in his book : Who's Next....
, Richard Freeman, Joanne Hall, Colin Harvey, Beth WebbBeth WebbBeth Webb is a British children's author. Her books include the popular Fleabag Trilogy and her novel for young adults Star Dancer, published by Macmillan Publishers....
, Nick WaltersNick Walters (writer)Nick Walters is a British writer. He has written many spin off novels based on the BBC science fiction television series Doctor Who, as well as cowriting one featuring Bernice Summerfield.Walters is a regular guest at the science fiction event Microcon....