Madame Askew and The Grand Arbiter

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This past weekend, I had the pleasure of returning to TusCon for its 50th year. TusCon is one of those old style, fan-run conventions. There’s an intimate scale to the event that really nurtures a sense of community and connection. Guests, panelists, and attendees are able to spend time geeking out together whether in the halls, over food and drink in the con suite, or in panel rooms. These small conventions are an endangered species in the world of conventions, but when there is one locally, I highly recommend checking it out!

In the case of TusCon, I have had some truly magical experiences in the past. Full disclosure, I’ve also experienced a handful of terrible moments over the years. This is the double edged nature of the small, intimate scale of the older fan-run conventions. As easy as it is to meet wonderful humans, the troublemakers can be as equally easy to find. (A strong, transparent policy about harassment etc can really help with this at any convention but especially at smaller cons.) This year, however, I honestly only had marvelous moments! This was such a tremendously good year, and I am thrilled at some of the positive changes I was seeing.

In addition to the wonderful moments with old friends, there were more new to me folks whom I got to chat with, and I had the pleasure of meeting several delightful first timers at TusCon. In truth, one of my favourite things at any convention is to meet and welcome first timers! I adore being part of the welcoming party, as it were, and sharing my personal convention highlights. Beyond that, new folks are essential to the well being of any convention but especially a smaller one like TusCon. Seeing folks return who hadn’t been in awhile is also a positive sign for the community. Beyond the boost to my own personal joy, I feel a little glow of happiness when a community is opening its doors to be more hospitable.  There has been a real effort at TusCon, especially from the programming and marketing teams, to make sure folks know they are welcome. There is always more work to be done of course, but I am happy to know that there is a sincere effort being made which is definitely starting to show results.

Speaking of programming, I am a little biased as I did 7 hours of programming at the convention. I joined the wonderful ladies of the Rhoynish Turtle Conservation Society for 5 glorious panels, and then presented a TusCon edition of the Cog Match Game and reprised my Actual Factual History of Tea panel which is never the same twice. I felt like our shared panels were exceptionally good and I was so very pleased with both of my personal offerings. The only negative was that I was unable to live stream as I planned. Not only did the hotel have truly abysmal wifi–the worst I’ve experienced in more than a decade–but my little Tesla powered tricorder could not connect to the data from the service provider. (I recorded what I could but  I could not capture the tea panel or Cog Match game, such a loss as they were both on fire this year!)

Traditionally, TusCon has some of the most interesting panels with a fantastic array of regional panelists and guests. Having helped behind the scenes in years past with some of the programming, I have the privilege of a little insight into the programming. I know that the team, led by the very charming Joe Palmer this year, focuses on fun, engaging, and interesting panel ideas. In classic style, they throw this list of panels out to their community to see who is game to present each year. It’s an egalitarian approach that has fostered many great conversations over the years.

Of course, any system has its weaknesses and one of the things that makes me so proud of Joe and his team is that they see this. They have clearly been working to address some of those pitfalls, and they were open to folks like me and the Rhoynish Turtles Conservation Society coming in with our own programming already created. They’ve also been reaching out to more diverse guests and panelists which I think strengthens and improves the convention overall.

Whilst I could not get to many panels and events that were not my own, I have to laude them for their efforts because I could see their effects through the evidence of new faces and new friends! I heard many folks discussing this and that panel, how much they loved it or how excited they were to attend. As always, I wish I were able to attend more author panels as there are so many fantastic writers at this convention! Highlights for me are always seeing Linda Addison, Bob Nelson and Sharon Skinner from Brick Cave Media, and David Lee Summers.

TusCon welcomed back Chaz Kemp as the artist guest of honour. Chaz sat on some of our panels and was such a brilliant addition. He is as insightful as he is kind, thoughtful and generous. An absolute pleasure to share panel space with! Not only that but his art is just so beautiful! He’s a steampunk gem and he has not gotten enough attention from the wider steampunk community. Robert Kurtzman also joined TusCon this year as a special guest and he was an absolute treat! With an incredible CV and decades of experience as a Special Effects Makeup Artist, Mr Kurtzman shared not only a wealth of knowledge but also brought his own generous approach to panels. Everyone seemed thoroughly smitten with him as a guest!

The heart of TusCon and most small, fan-run conventions is the programming! We arrive to unabashedly geek out and the convention is deeply committed to making that experience thrive. However, there are many little gems at TusCon. The vendor hall is always filled with wonderful local and regional artists. I found some particular treasures this year from Twists and Turns and my dear friend Natalia Lopez. Mostly Books was also there making certain that we could all walk away with mostly books!

I would be deeply remiss if I did not mention the crown jewel of TusCon, the Con Suite! Run from time immemorial by Marji Kosky, the TusCon con suite is legendary! The snacks are first rate, the drinks copious and cool, and the space extremely cosy. Marji and her hardworking team make sure that attendees and guests alike can enjoy sublime refreshments throughout the weekend. Whilst one should not plan to manage full meals in the con suite, you will not walk away famished either. Marji and company always make certain that the snacks are abundant and varied. There are old fandom favourites like nachos but also glorious little surprises like caprese salads on a stick. Smashing every year!

My favourite part of any convention is always the people who make up that community. I know it is the people who make the magic, the people who stay up late to make sure badges are ready and program books are printed. It’s the people who make the space welcoming and the people who lose sleep over funding the show for another year. Without wonderful communities of dedicated humans, there would be no fan spaces. TusCon is no different! The humans behind the scenes and wandering the halls are the real treasure. This year, I was reminded of that again again! There is something about the last three years that has truly distilled the most important elements of connecting to each other in community spaces. I was deeply grateful for every hug that I shared at TusCon 50.

But we did say goodbye to some stalwart members of the convention committee, the long time chair Sue thing retired along with her dedicated co-chair James Kosky. Sue has been an incredible captain of the proverbial ship and kept TusCon upright and sailing through all sorts of metaphorical seas over the decades. Frances Gross and Brian Gross have been steadfast guest liaisons and I can attest personally that they have always been marvelous in this role. They have all more than earned stepping down from volunteer positions to enjoy the convention.

In short, this year was a celebration, a return to that sense of community, and an all around fun experience! I felt like the marvelous team–and I have only named a small number of the incredible, hardworking folks behind the scenes–really celebrated the 50th year by putting in one of the very best TusCons I’ve had the pleasure to attend.  I know not everyone can attend TusCon but you may have a little gem of a convention like this in your city, region, province or state. If you do, give it a try! You may discover a little haven of community and geekery. If, however, you are able to make it to Tucson, please do join me at TusCon in the future!

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I wrote this review shortly after TusCon wrapped this year, and before I could share it with you, we suffered a heavy loss as a community. My friend, exceptional author and longtime TusCon denizen, Weston Ochse, passed away suddenly from health complications. I am deeply saddened and I know I am not alone in grieving Weston’s passing. He was an exemplar of what is best at in author spaces and our TusCon community.  Weston was more than a wonderful storyteller–if you enjoy Horror as a genre, I recommend his work to you!–he was a stalwart champion of his friends and colleagues. A true blue human who loved his dogs, lived life with gusto, and was a force for goodness in our community. He is survived by his amazing wife, Yvonne Navarro, who is a brilliant author in her own right and writes riveting speculative fiction novels, including a number of absolutely terrifying horror books. My heart is with Yvonne and all who knew and loved Weston. If you would like to celebrate his memory, please consider picking up one of his books for yourself or as a gift. Currently, I am unaware of any memorial fund, but if that changes, I shall certainly share.


With all my love and gratitude to you, my darlings! Please remember that you are irreplaceable treasures and that you make the world ever so much more magical every day. Please take good care of yourselves, get your boosters, drink the good tea, and enjoy a favourite book.

~Madame