Minicon 48 is over. Please see the main Minicon page for information about the upcoming Minicon. This page remains as a historical record. Please contact [arDONOTTYPETHISchivist |at| mnstf |dot| org] with questions or comments.

 

Minicon is a fan run science fiction and fantasy convention run by the Minnesota Science Fiction Society, or MNStF. It is held yearly on Easter weekend. Never been to an SF convention? Here's a short introduction to what we're all about.

Minicon 48 will be held March 29-31, 2013 in Bloomington, Minnesota.

Minicon features panel discussions, readings, signings, costuming, films, gaming (open and organized), an art show, dealers, kids' programming, a science room, filk and folk music, a consuite and bar, room parties, and various special events.

You can register online or by mail. Please check out the details on our hotel: where it is and how to get a room.

Our Guests of Honor will be Julie Czerneda (author) and Richard Tatge (fan).

Publications

Here is the Progress Report 1 e-mail that most people received, and the postcard that people without good e-mail addresses got.

Here is a PDF of Progress Report 2, sent on paper to most people and by e-mail to those without good street addresses.

Here are the Bozo Bus Tribunes (our at-con newsletter): #1, #2, #3, #4.

Here is the program book. Sadly, it is a scan because we were never able to make a proper PDF.

Here are the two denominations of dealers' dollars, featuring the faces of our GoH.

Here's the t-shirt. It was printed on a variety of colors of tie-dye. The back is blank.

Minicon 48 t-shirt front

We also sold a hoodie with the program book cover art on it.

Registration

Hotel Reservations

Registration Hours


Pre-registration is closed, but you can still register at the door. See here for details.

Registration will be open Thursday night in the consuite (room 215) for pre-registered members only.

For pre-registered members or to buy a membership at the door, registration hours are:

  • Friday 10am–10pm
  • Saturday 9:30am–8pm
  • Sunday 9:30am–4pm

Memberships for Minicon 49 can be purchased any time the registration desk is open as well as at the Dead Dog party Sunday evening in the bar (room 218).

As usual, we're at the DoubleTree (previously known as the Sheraton).

You can reserve your room by calling 952-835-7800 or online here. Our rate for reservations made by March 5 is $89 for both regular rooms and poolside cabanas.

Filling hotel rooms is how we pay for our function space, so we would very much appreciate it if you stayed in the DoubleTree. Please also avoid booking your room through a travel agency or discount site. These will not count towards our block!

The DoubleTree Bloomington

7800 Normandale Blvd
Bloomington, MN 55439
Google Maps | Mapquest

Minicon News

Minicons 49 and 50

For those of you who like to get a jump on things, Minicon 49 will be April 18, 19 and 20, 2014. Our Guests will be Catherynne Valente, Janny Wurts and artist Don Maitz. As you may have heard, there are many plans for Minicon 50 to be extra special. Minicon 50 in April 2015 is very proud to announce publisher Tom Doherty of Tor Books as our most recently confirmed Guest of Honor. Mr. Doherty will be joining our already announced guests Brandon Sanderson, Larry Niven, Jane Yolen and Adam Stemple.... more >>
A jog down a garden path sentence. on April 21, 2013, 6:56 pm PDT

The Great Minicon 48 Haggle Game

At Minicon 48, my father designed a trading card game in the vein of Sid Sackson's Haggle.  I facilitated its creation and scored its entries at the con.  Haggle is a game where half the challenge is figuring out the rules, and several players were interested in knowing all the rules after the game was finished.  I printed out 34 copies of the rules for the Dead Dog Party, but I expect not everyone was able to get a copy who wanted one.  I'll therefore post them here.... more >>
Thorin N. Tatge on April 2, 2013, 2:26 pm PDT

'Spirited' has been Released!

Hi! For those of you who may have heard me mention it during the convention, I'm very pleased to announce the release today of my first full-length novel, 'Spirited!' as an e-book from Champagne Book Group!... more >>
Skylarker on April 2, 2013, 11:34 am PDT

internet access at Minicon 48

If you have a room at the hotel, you'll have access to both wired & wireless access in your room. The first time you connect to the "GlobalSuiteWireless" network, a browser window (or equivalent) should pop up asking you for a name the room is under & room number. You'll have the option of using their complimentary internet access or paying $10.95/day for "enhanced" access, though we've not found any details on what the enhancements are. You'll be given a code at that time which is good for access for 24 hours-- you'll want to make note of that code to use it wherever you roam in the hotel.... more >>
on March 29, 2013, 3:39 pm PDT

Minicon 48 schedule for iOS devices

Dean Gahlon says: "I've got a version of the Minicon 48 schedule available for iOS devies. The app is pSchedule, in the App Store. Once you have the app, the Minicon 48 information can be retrieved via Prefs -> Data Updates."
on March 29, 2013, 7:19 am PDT

Commuting to Minicon?

Ride Share While many attendees take rooms at the convention, those who live in the vicinity and choose to commute to the convention, please consider participating in the Minicon Rideshare program.... more >>
Skylarker on March 25, 2013, 6:59 pm PDT

Minicon schedule

The pocket program and a list of panels by title (with description, panelists) are available from the Minicon 48 Programming page on the website.
on March 25, 2013, 3:25 pm PDT

Weather forecast for Minicon (you might want to bring warm clothes)

Highs in the mid-forties, lows in the low thirties, partly to mostly cloudy with a 30% chance of rain Saturday and Saturday night.
Kevin G. Austin on March 25, 2013, 12:01 pm PDT

Pre-Minicon Work Party, Wednesday, March 27

Now it's only two DAYS away. Here are the plans, pretty well finalized. Anyone may attend, as long as they will work if needed. Jonathan and I certainly welcome anyone. Kids who can be left unattended may watch movies in the TV room if they wish--we have lots of Disney plus other animation, Star Wars, etc. Other kids are welcome on a wrangle-your-own basis. (This house is not in any way child-proofed.)... more >>
Carol Kennedy on March 25, 2013, 11:35 am PDT

anybody still need a roommate?

I have a whole room, and would be delighted to only pay for half of it!
et in Arcadia egoboo on March 21, 2013, 11:16 am PDT

Pre-Minicon Work Party, Wednesday, March 27

OK, it's only two weeks away. Here are my current plans, in case anyone wants to know. My understanding is that anyone may attend, as long as they will work if needed. Jonathan and I certainly welcome anyone. Kids who can be left unattended may watch movies in the TV room if they wish--we have lots of Disney plus other animation, Star Wars, etc. Other kids are welcome on a wrangle-your-own basis. (This house is not in any way child-proofed.)... more >>
Carol Kennedy on March 14, 2013, 1:24 pm PDT

Final Day for Minicon Pre-Registration!

According to the most recent Progress Report available here in handy PDF form, Minicon Pre-Registration is open through today - March 5, 2013. ... more >>
A jog down a garden path sentence. on March 5, 2013, 2:20 pm PST

DW/LJ Party at Minicon?

iraunink and I will be unable to co-host. Anyone interested?
Scott Raun on March 4, 2013, 5:28 pm PST

Preregistration deadline is Tuesday

The deadline for pre-registering for Minicon 48 is Tuesday, March 5. Head on over to http://www.mnstf.org/minicon48/register to pay online, or print this out and get it in the mail by Tuesday: http://www.mnstf.org/minicon48/m48regform.pdf... more >>
Matthew Strait. Wait, too clear, I mean — Aaaahhh! on March 2, 2013, 10:57 am PST

Concom Meeting at Mnstf Pool Party

We will have our antepenultimate concom meeting at the Mnstf Pool Party this Saturday. It will be at 2pm at the DoubleTree Bloomington, a.k.a. the Minicon Hotel, a.k.a. the RadishTree. We'll be in the room commonly known as "the consuite", overlooking the pool.... more >>
Matthew Strait. Wait, too clear, I mean — Aaaahhh! on February 19, 2013, 12:26 pm PST

Minicon 48 Beer Poll

In the Minicon Bar this year there will be a selection of beers provided by homebrewers, some commercial beers, and a beer to be voted on in a poll. This is that poll.  The available homebrews will include, but not be limited to: Honey Porter (similar to Sam Adams Honey Porter), Pale Ale (similar to Summit Pale Ale), Smoky Scotch Ale, and a dry hard cider.  The descriptions of the beers in this poll are as follows:... more >>
A jog down a garden path sentence. on January 20, 2013, 11:47 am PST

January meeting

We'll have a concom meeting on Jan 19, location and time TBA. They're TBA because we'd like to try to have it at the Minn-stf meeting that day, but we don't yet know who the host is. The time will almost certainly be noon or 2pm. When we know more, I'll post again.
Matthew Strait. Wait, too clear, I mean — Aaaahhh! on December 1, 2012, 9:04 pm PST

October concom meeting

There will be a Minicon 48 concom meeting on Sunday Oct 7 at 12:30 at the home of Joel Phillips, 6323 Excelsior Blvd, Saint Louis Park, MN. (Yes, we're having them at all sorts of random times and days this year.)... more >>
Matthew Strait. Wait, too clear, I mean — Aaaahhh! on September 19, 2012, 4:20 am PDT

our party at Chicon 7

The Minneapolis in '73/Minicon/Minn-StF party at Chicon 7 (Worldcon) is tonight in room 3471 starting at 9pm. (Other groups from MN will be hosting parties in that same room, starting at the same time, on other nights of Chicon7.)... more >>
on August 30, 2012, 3:25 pm PDT

September 15 concom meeting

There will be a Minicon 48 concom meeting on Saturday Sept 15 at noon at the home of Joel Phillips, 6323 Excelsior Blvd, Saint Louis Park, MN. As always, our meetings are open and informal. They're a great way to find out what you might be able to help with, or just if you'd like to see what goes on behind the scenes. You can also read about the structure of Minicon at http://www.mnstf.org/minicon48/about
Matthew Strait. Wait, too clear, I mean — Aaaahhh! on August 25, 2012, 7:41 pm PDT

August concom meeting

There will be a Minicon 48 concom meeting on Saturday Aug 11 at 4pm at the home of Joel Phillips, 6323 Excelsior Blvd, Saint Louis Park, MN. The meeting will primarily be for brainstorming ideas for Minicon 48.... more >>
Matthew Strait. Wait, too clear, I mean — Aaaahhh! on July 19, 2012, 11:37 am PDT

Reminder: concom meeting Sunday

We will have our first Minicon 48 concom meeting on Sunday July 15 at 4pm at the home of Joel Phillips, 6323 Excelsior Blvd, Saint Louis Park, MN. The goal of the meeting is to decide what section(s) of the hotel we are going to use this year.... more >>
Matthew Strait. Wait, too clear, I mean — Aaaahhh! on July 9, 2012, 1:45 pm PDT

July 15 concom meeting

We will have our first Minicon 48 concom meeting on Sunday July 15 at 4pm at the home of Joel Phillips, 6323 Excelsior Blvd, Saint Louis Park, MN. This will be a focused meeting with the topic, roughly put: What side of the hotel will we use this year? In other words, do we want to go back to what we did for Minicon 44-46, or do what we were forced to do last year due to the remodeling, or something else? We won't nail down every last niggly detail, of course, like where the Bozo Bus Tribune office is, or whether we're using N or N+1 rooms for panels. But we plan to make a firm decision about the big picture, for instance, we might decide we are not using any space in the short tower, or that we are *only* using the function rooms in the short tower. ... more >>
Matthew Strait. Wait, too clear, I mean — Aaaahhh! on June 10, 2012, 1:35 pm PDT

Tee shirts

If there is any 3 or 4 XL tees from the past few Minicons I'd like to buy one for each year. TIA. Tony von Krag 612 703 6573 vonkrag at gmail dot com
von_krag on May 27, 2012, 7:05 am PDT

MnStf Meeting Notice

Tomorrow, vanaabegra and I will be hosting the MnStf meeting/party. There will be conversation, card games, board games, maybe a bonfire, and definitely some beer. Everyone is welcome. We are at 2829 Alabama Avenue South in Saint Louis Park, MN 55416. Park on either side of the street. The festivities start at 2:00PM, though many people do not arrive until about 4:00PM. We will probably go until latish. ... more >>
A jog down a garden path sentence. on April 20, 2012, 7:11 pm PDT

minicon: We at Mnstf excited for this weekend! Are you? Here's a picture from our last Concom meeting! See you guys on Friday! http://t.co/LF0sw86liV
March 25, 2013, 10:50 am PDT

minicon: Minicon 48 is less than a week away! Our theme this year is The Game of Life and you should be there! See you @ Opening Ceremonies on Fri!
March 24, 2013, 3:27 pm PDT

minicon: This year local artist Jeff Johnson will be conducting a digital drawing demonstration and group drawing workshop near the art show. Woohoo!
March 10, 2013, 11:27 am PDT

minicon: Concom meeting today! And guess what! There's only 20 days until Minicon! :) Can't wait for the awesomeness to start!
March 9, 2013, 6:30 am PST

minicon: We're proud to announce that Don Maitz will be our Artist GoH for Minicon 49 and his wife Janny Wurts will be our 2nd Author GoH!
February 25, 2013, 8:03 pm PST

minicon: Pool party today at the RadiSh Tree! See you there!
February 23, 2013, 11:11 am PST

minicon: Don't forget the Mnstf Pool Party! Sat, Feb 23rd @ 2pm @ the Double Tree Bloomington! It's gonna be great so make sure you're there!
February 7, 2013, 5:15 pm PST

minicon: What are some of your favorite board games that you would like to see available on the open gaming tables? Retweet your answers! Thanks!
January 27, 2013, 3:22 pm PST

minicon: If you want to learn more about Catherynne Valente, check out her website here: http://t.co/sMBu1TNY Thanks all!
December 13, 2012, 6:45 pm PST

minicon: Minicon 49 will be held Easter weekend April 18-20 2014, so make sure to be there! Remember, Catherynne Valente will be our Author GoH!!
December 13, 2012, 6:43 pm PST

minicon: As a reminder, Minicon 50 will be held Easter weekend April 3rd-5th 2015. Help us celebrate this grand occasion with incredible people!
December 13, 2012, 6:41 pm PST

minicon: Goodness, so many awesome people, so much to say! We've got another for you! Adam Stemple will be our Music Guest of Honor at Minicon 50!
December 13, 2012, 6:40 pm PST

minicon: Oh! Hello again everyone! Minicon 50 is excited again to announce that Brandon Sanderson will be one of our Author Guests of Honor!
December 13, 2012, 6:38 pm PST

minicon: Hi everyone!! Minicon 49 is happy to announce Catherynne Valente will be our Author Guest of Honor! Lots of excitement tonight! Stay tuned!
December 13, 2012, 6:37 pm PST

minicon: Minicon 50 is excited to say that Larry Niven has agreed to return as Author Guest of Honor for Minicon! Keep watch for other announcements!
December 13, 2012, 6:36 pm PST

minicon: Minicon proudly announces that Jane Yolen has agreed to be one of our Author Guests of Honor at Minicon 50. More announcements to come!
December 13, 2012, 6:31 pm PST

minicon: Concom meeting at Joel's just finished, here's a pic from the meeting! http://t.co/m1YZxxyH
November 18, 2012, 1:49 pm PST

minicon: Go to Minicon, but haven't been to a Minn-StF Fallcon before? Our Fallcon is low-key casual fun. This weekend. More info at @mnstf
October 20, 2012, 12:14 pm PDT

minicon: The Minneapolis in '73/Minicon/Minn-StF party @ #Chicon7 is in 3471 starting at 9 tonight.
August 30, 2012, 3:16 pm PDT