This is a stable, regularly updated* version of my @ISTeahouse Twitter thread collecting free/low-cost science fiction/fantasy (sff) and related online conventions for the fall and winter of 2020.
All events are online and cost $50 or less (most are free!). Please share, and if you know of any other events**, contact me (preferably via Twitter, though you can also use the contact form).
These events span the globe, so remember to convert day/time! https://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/converter.html
I created this listing because I like conventions, I think they’re useful for writers and other creators, and I want more people to be able to participate in them. If you’re not familiar with US convention culture and have questions about registering or attending a US-based online event, please contact me and I’ll try to help out. (For non-US events, go ahead and ask—I’ll RT on Twitter and ask around myself.)
September 2020
🆓 Dragoncon, Sept. 3-7, 2020 (live streams free, $10 to access recorded streams for 1 year)
Giant pop culture con with costume contests, gaming, performances, voice actors, writers, more
https://www.dragoncon.org/virtual/
🆓 Space Moms Launch: A Literary House Party, Sept. 8, 2020
Readings, Q&As, baking, book chats, more. Hosted by @valerievaldes and @karenthology, with @meganeokeefe, @clpolk, @mikechenwriter, @andreagstewart, and other excellent authors!
http://www.karenosborne.com/2020/09/01/registration-space-moms-launch/
🆓 LadiesCon, Sept. 9-13, 2020
Panel topics include Indigenous Women in Geek Culture, Magical Girls: Influence and Legacy, Black Stories Matter, and more
🆓 PixelPop Festival, Sept. 12-13
Indie games (any media) event, including game spotlights, panels on topics such as player agency, inclusive board games, and sex-positive game mechanics
pixelpopfestival.com
@PixelPopFest
🆓 PAXonline, Sept. 12-20, 2020
24/7 programming with games, events, concerts, panels on topics including Collaborative Homebrew 101, Neurodiversity and Accessibility in Tabletop Gaming, Being Black in Game Audio, Indigenous Game Design of Turtle Island, more
🆓 FutureCon, Sept. 17-20, 2020 (donations accepted)
Internationally-focused, programming includes panels on Future Latin America, Decolonize the Future: Strategies & Solutions to Emerge from the Shadow of AngloSF, and more
🆓 Comic Con Africa, Sept. 24-27, 2020
Cosplay, gaming, artist’s alley, performances, and more. Details to come
https://www.comicconafrica.co.za/
🎟 Robercon, Sept. 26-27 ($15)
This convention is a fundraiser for the Roberson Museum & Science Center. Please consider supporting them! Programming includes a sff-writing track, science panels, cosplay contest, watch parties, more
October 2020
🎟 Futuricon (Eurocon 2020/Rikon 23), Oct. 2-4 (€10, ~$12)
Cosplay, games, sff programming mostly in English (prelim schedule here: https://futuricon.eu/news/futuricon-programming-revealed/ )
🆓 C’monfluence (Confluence), Oct. 2-4, 2020 (donations accepted)
Martha Wells is GOH; other guests include Tobias Buckell, Tochi Onyebuchi, Mary Soon Lee, Tamora Pierce. Pre-reg for workshops and more info
https://confluence-sff.org/schedule/
🆓 Monsterama/Spy Con, Oct. 9-11, 2020
Panels, events, vendors, screenings. Details to come
https://www.monsteramacon.com/
🆓 Octocon: The National Irish Science Fiction Convention, Oct. 9-11, 2020
Panels, interviews, fan chats. Details to come
🆓 MultiVirtual (MultiverseCon), Oct. 16-18, 2020
“Panels, a virtual art show & dealers room, gaming, social spaces, and more”
https://www.multiversecon.org/
🎟 FIYAHCON, Oct. 17-18 2020 ($40)
Panels & presentations, office hours, informal discussions, cooking and food culture, a music room for writing, more.
https://theconvention.fiyahlitmag.com/
🆓 opening day + fringe programming https://theconvention.fiyahlitmag.com/product/friday-registration/
🎟 Capclave, Oct. 17-18 2020 ($10, or $55 for both this year’s online event & a membership to the 2021 convention)
A “small relaxed literary convention” generally focused on short fiction. Guests of Honor are Peter S. Beatle and Troy L. Wiggins
https://www.capclave.org/capclave/capclave20/
🆓 Sirens at Home, Oct. 22-24, 2020 (starts today!)
Events include panels (such as ‘Here Be Dragons: Gender and Speculative Spaces,’ and ‘Anxiety, Rage, and Attempting the Impossible in a World on Fire’), discussions, and networking
https://sirensconference.org/at-home/
🎟 Mile-Hi Con, Oct. 23-25, 2020 ($15)
“The convention will feature authors, artists, speakers and programming on every aspect of the science fiction and fantasy genres.”
November 2020
🆓 CONfab, Nov. 7-8, 2020 (donations accepted)
“A celebration of fandom with panels and structured events,” also a fanvid show. Details to come
🆓 Exoplanet Demographics academic conference, Nov. 9-12 2020
This is aimed at scientists, but it may be OK for laypeople to participate by listening and learning as audience members
https://nexsci.caltech.edu/conferences/exodem/
To be added when/if there’s more information: GeekGirlCon, Can*Con, Philcon
* I hope