Keycon 40
Keycon is Manitoba’s premier Science Fiction & Fantasy Literary Convention. It focuses on science fiction, fantasy and related literary genres in any form. It includes, but is not limited to, writing, visual arts, television and film.
The staff of Keycon 40 have had to make the difficult decision to postpone Keycon 40 and Keycon Lite to 2024.
This decision was not an easy one to come to. Several factors contributed to this decision. A big one is the time needed to implement the recommendations of our retooling committee, which includes an improved marketing campaign. Another is simple COVID fatigue among the volunteer base. Those factors, along with a number of others, made this an important but necessary decision.
The Chairs are working in consultation with our stakeholders and formed a plan to use this year as a chance to refine and improve the convention experience for all that are involved. We understand this may be disappointing for our members; however, we are excited to bring you the best convention experience possible!
We will be back in 2024 for the 40th edition of Keycon – Choose your own Adventure, a convention to remember! We thank everyone for your support in this decision.
We look forward to seeing you in the community at events like Game-itoba this month and Pemmi-con later this year. Please come out to the events that we will be involved in including Pride, the summer picnic, Keycon Lite 2024 and show your support for the community that is Keycon.
If you wish to transfer your membership to 2024, then no action is needed. If you no longer wish to have a membership, please send an email to registration2024@keycon.org.
Your Conchairs,
Carol Leblond & Alex Stornel
Guests
C. S. Friedman - Author Guest of Honour
Born in New York City in 1957, Celia inherited the writing bug from her father, technical writer Herbert Friedman. She discovered science fiction at the age of 12, and has been creating her own worlds ever since. Celia’s original career as a costume designer left little time for writing, but she managed to squeeze in enough time between dress rehearsals to complete her first novel, In Conquest Born, making her a finalist for the John Campbell Award. She has published many novels for DAW Books, including her best-selling Coldfire Trilogy (Black Sun Rising, When True Night Falls, Crown of Shadows). In August 2022, Deadline reported that Bohemia Group, a global management firm, was shopping a potential television series based on The Coldfire Trilogy, which was a finalist for NPR's Science Fiction and Fantasy Vote in 2011. Her SF novel This Alien Shore was a New York Times Notable Book of the Year, and its sequel This Virtual Night was on the Washington Post’s list of “25 Must-Read Books” of 2020. She has also published a collection of short stories (The Dreaming Kind) and a sourcebook for White Wolf’s Vampire game. In 2011 she launched Tridac Publishing, to reprint historical works of interest to writers and designers. She lives in Virginia with one very spoiled cat who likes to help with the typing.
Bear Sailor Moon - Media Guest of Honour
Bear Sailor Moon is a Master level cosplayer from Toronto. His love for the classic anime and iconic take on the character has made him a cosplay staple in the Toronto cosplay scene! Bear Sailor Moon sends a message of love and body positivity through his cosplay and always wants his cub scouts to “Let their star seeds shine bright”. He is known for hosting “Bear Sailor Moon's Lip Sync Extravaganza” at conventions and has crowned over 13 winners! Bear Sailor Moon is also known for his vocal talent and you can catch him singing live at a convention or just hang around Disney karaoke long enough! Keep up to date with BSM by following him on all social media platforms @Bearsailormoon
Jennifer Llewellyn - Artist Guest of Honour
Jenn was born and raised in Winnipeg. Jenn Graduated from John Taylor Collegiate, Go Pipers! Jenn moved to Vancouver in 2000 to attend Vanarts (Vancouver Institute of Media Arts) During College Jenn started working in hand drawn animation on the Christmas Orange, followed by Sinbad. Jenn has worked for Disney, Warner Brothers, Nickelodeon, Chorus, Nelvana, TLC, Treehouse, Peacock, Blizzard, Big Fish Games, Pop Cap Games, Apple, Amazon TV, Netflicks, Telus, Westjet, App Lovin, and many more. Jenn has worked on properties such as Firebuds, Super Natural Academy, Hotel Transylvania, Pete the Cat, Alpha Beta, DnAce, Mysticons, Strawberry Short Cake, Skunk Fu, Ed Edd and Eddie, World of War Craft and many more. Jenn returned to Winnipeg in 2021, She is currently Art Director on Disneys Firebuds Created by Craig Gerber. Jenn is looking forward to connecting with fans and local artist's, to encourage them on their journeys. It's these moments that we can learn and grow.
Website: https://jenniferllewellyn.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennllewellyn/
Christopher Ambler - Fan Guest of Honour
Christopher Ambler has been a fan as far back as he can remember, with members of his family assuring him that he watched the original Star Trek in first run. Having been less than a year old at the time, he takes their word for it, as it does seem in character. He attended his first convention at the age of ten, where he saw William Shatner speak and then went with his group to see Star Wars. That’s all it took. By high school, he was regularly volunteering, starting with the typical gopher duties and working through various roles of fanac. H was the guy who rewired the elevator at Timecon ’84. In 2018, he was head of IT for the 76th World Science Fiction Convention in San Jose, California. He says he’s done serving on concoms, but his cat says he lies.
Christopher’s choice fandoms include Star Trek, Logan’s Run, and Land of the Lost. Don’t judge. He is a huge fan of alternative history, time travel, hard science fiction, and will throw down in a pun competition any time.
In 2020, Christopher made the joke, gallows humor, that with the shutdown of fandom due to the COVID pandemic, a convention should be cancelled before it could even be announced. Thus was born Concellation®, the perpetually cancelled convention. A Facebook group was set up, and all expected a few days, perhaps a week, of memes and jokes. Now, almost a year-and-a-half later, the group has over 50,000 “non-members” and is going strong. To date, sales of logo merchandise have raised over $10,000 for worthy charities. A gathering place for fans without their conventions, many consider Concellation the sanity-maintaining convention that never was. As conventions have now returned, Concellation continues to be the source of fan communication between the welcoming ceremonies and the dead dog parties.
Christopher writes science fiction short stories, but make no mistake, he prides himself on being an amateur, still learning, and optimistic about making his first sale. Some day.
Christopher is a native Californian who has also spent considerable time living in the Pacific Northwest (and is still a Seahawks fan). He currently resides in the San Francisco area with his wife and two arrogant cats, and unsurprisingly works in the Internet industry.
His speaking fee is one donut and he says this is non-negotiable.
Concellation Group on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/concellation
Concellation Web Site: https://www.concellation.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thedogberry
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cambler/