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'Across the Multiverse': Bubonicon 54 set to celebrate the best in science fiction, fantasy and horror
An illustration by artist Rachel Mayo, who will also be at Bubonicon 54 in Albuquerque.
Rebecca Roanhorse, Carrie Vaughn, Rachael Mayo, Ness Brown, J.C. Cervantes, Stephen R. Donaldson, Melinda M. Snodgrass, David Lee Summers 鈥� and George R.R. Martin.
These are just a few of the authors and artists that will be participating in Bubonicon 54. The three-day event kicks off Friday, Aug. 25, and runs through Sunday, Aug. 27, at the Albuquerque Marriott Uptown.
Bubonicon, which began the same year as the Apollo 11 moon landing and Woodstock, focuses primarily on the literature of science fiction, fantasy and horror.
It is one of hundreds of such conventions held each year around the world, and is considered smaller, drawing less than a 1,000 people each August. Fans come together to meet their favorite authors, socialize, admire art work, play games, have fun and celebrate science fiction.
鈥淚t鈥檚 our second in-person event post pandemic,鈥� says Craig W. Chrissinger, event co-chair. 鈥淭his year there is no mask mandate, but we are encouraging people to wear masks.鈥�
Chrissinger says the line-up for this year鈥檚 event fell into place during the months of planning.
This year鈥檚 theme is 鈥淎cross the Multiverse (Alternate Dimensions, Parallel Worlds.)鈥�
Chrissinger says there鈥檚 a lot of appeal in science fiction/fantasy for slightly different space/time continuums and universes.
鈥淭he idea of a multiverse has shown up in classic 鈥楽tar Trek,鈥� the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Philip K. Dick鈥檚 鈥楾he Man in the High Castle,鈥� 鈥楾he Gods Themselves鈥� by Isaac Asimov, celebrated film 鈥楨verything Everywhere All At Once,鈥� Greg Bear鈥檚 鈥楨on,鈥� 鈥楽tranger Things,鈥� 鈥楧octor Who,鈥� and many other books, films and TV series.鈥�
A portion of the convention proceeds will benefit Eastern New Mexico University鈥檚 Williamson Library Collection, the local Roadrunner Food Bank, and World Central Kitchen.
Chrissinger says this year鈥檚 convention features talent from the Southwest, East Coast, South and Canada.
Co-Guests of Honor are Roanhorse of New Mexico, and Vaughn of Colorado; Guest Artist is Mayo of Missouri; Toastmaster is Kelly Robson of Toronto, Ontario; and Science Speaker is New York鈥檚 Ness Brown, astrophysicist graduate student and debut author.
Roanhorse is a New York Times bestselling and Nebula, Hugo and Locus Award-winning speculative fiction writer, and the recipient of the 2018 Astounding Award for Best New Writer. She has published multiple award-winning short stories and six novels, including two in 鈥淭he Sixth World鈥� series, 鈥淪tar Wars: Resistance Reborn,鈥� 鈥淩ace to the Sun鈥� for the Rick Riordan imprint, and two in the epic fantasy 鈥淏etween Earth and Sky鈥� trilogy 鈥� 鈥淏lack Sun鈥� and 鈥淔evered Star,鈥� with the final novel in the trilogy set to release in 2024.
She has also written for Marvel Comics and for television, and had projects optioned by Amazon Studios, Netflix and AMC Studios.
Chrissinger says Santa Fe resident and 鈥淎 Song of Ice and Fire鈥� author Martin will also be at the convention.
鈥淕eorge has always been a huge supporter of Bubonicon,鈥� he says. 鈥淲e have J.C. Cervantes here for the first time. There will also be panels throughout the event where guests can hear some interesting stories from their favorite authors.鈥�
Chrissinger is expecting Bubonicon to track pre-pandemic numbers.
鈥淚 think it will be a really good Bubonicon,鈥� he says. 鈥淕uests will get to meet other fans while meeting some authors and artists. It will be really cool to get back to normal after the pandemic.鈥�
