Mythopoeic Society

What is Mythcon? Why would I want to go?

The annual conference of the Mythopoeic Society is referred to as “Mythcon” – it’s a lot of fun. It’s something like a cross between a literary conference and a science fiction convention and a joyful family reunion.

Guests of Honor – Writers, Scholars, Artists

Past guests have included Christopher Tolkien, Neil Gaiman, Ursula K. LeGuin, Connie Willis, Madeleine L’Engle, Jane Yolen, Peter Beagle, Tim Powers, and the late Poul Anderson and Clyde S. Kilby. Our guests not only make a presentation but they are active participants in other programming and, because of our intimate scale, very accessible.

Pageantry

We celebrate our Opening Ceremonies by wearing costumes, cloaks or academic regalia, or carrying colorful banners and processing from our gathering place to the site of our Opening Ceremonies.

Programming

There are scholarly papers, but don’t start snoring! These are fascinating, illuminating, stimulating, and frequently very funny. There are panel discussions featuring interesting individuals on specific themes, usually allowing for questions and discussion with members of the audience. There is an evening film program for folks who enjoy esoteric and mythic films.

Fun Evening Entertainment

From concerts and plays to Bardic Circles (singers, poets, musicians bring pieces to share, and take turns performing and listening) and country dancing. The Mythcon masquerade is a rare opportunity for spontaneous fun as well as showcasing lovely costumes (we confess it’s a bit of a caucus race: everyone gets a prize, ah, but which prize?) and we have hard to explain entertainments, like the Not-Ready-For-Mythcon Players – all we can tell you is that it will incorporate sheets …

Community

Because Mythcon is usually held on a college or university campus, we share meals throughout the weekend, which is a wonderful opportunity to get to know new friends and catch up with old friends. Seasoned Mythcon attendees are always willing to direct or give suggestions to newbies at their first conference. We have a wonderful banquet on Sunday evening, followed by the Mythopoeic Awards presentations and culminating with one of our guests speaking. Mythcon ends on Monday, shortly before noon, with the annual Members’ Meeting of the Mythopoeic Society (non-members are welcome to attend) followed by our closing ceremonies where we exercise the most civil, entertaining and even joyful gripe session known to modern man.

Miscellany