Missoula's Science Fiction & Fantasy Convention

Most of the Cantina is arranged for general hanging out and/or open gaming throughout MisCon. The bar will be open for business throughout. The Artist's Corner is marked and will be in use for scheduled fun activities.

If you need a break from the hustle and bustle of the convention, come hang out here. You can bring your own comfy camp chairs or whatever you want/need in order to relax. You can also use ours. Just don't get in the way of other people doing the same thing in this area.

Drop off your miniatures for MisCon 39's Miniature Painting Contest. DBring them to the Info Table in the Cantina and check in with staff at the Info booth. The contest rules are on the website.

More info to come about our EGaming/Pinball events.

Here's your first opportunity to meet and hang out with MisCon 39's artists. You can talk art, ask questions, have a cup of coffee (or something stronger), get things signed, whatever you want. Just come hang out.

Of course you don't need to be fit to cosplay, but if you're interested in getting in better shape, come to this panel. Cosplayer and certified fitness trainer William Sutton will discuss routine and how to set yourself up for fitness success.

Ever wanted to dress up like your favorite video game, anime, or comic book character? Now's your chance! We'll provide the materials, you provide the imagination!

Join us for an informal meet & greet/hangout with a bunch of MisCon's writers and editors. This isn't a formal panel with panelists up on the stage discussing a topic. Instead, everyone will grab chairs in the pavilion, and the moderator will get things going. Then we'll open things up so small group hangouts can happen until the end of the hour. This is your chance to informally meet a bunch of the people you'll see on panels all weekend.

Join in a Discussion of animal companions, how deep the human relationship to our furred and feathered friends goes, and how to write, and run games where your animal companion has more character than just a walking pile of hit points with a +5 attack bonus.

Cosplayers of all skill levels are encouraged to attend this informational panel about MisCon's Costume Contest. We'll review how to enter the contest, what to expect during judging, and how to present your costume to the adoring public. We'll then cover some basic advice for all cosplayers to help make the contest and presentation easy and fun.

Watch artist Jeff Sturgeon work on a painting.

Most of the Cantina is arranged for general hanging out and/or open gaming throughout MisCon. The bar will be open for business throughout. The Artist's Corner is marked and will be in use for scheduled fun activities.

Part of what defines a culture is its system of shared beliefs--not only religious, but also secular. Designing and understanding the belief systems of your characters adds depth to the world in which they live, so let's discuss how to do so.

Let's discuss the importance of networking and collaboration for authors of all kinds.

Author Rafael Hohmann took over David Wolverton's international creative writing courses upon his death and also leads the Apex writer's group (a group of well over 700 active and aspiring authors) in the hopes of establishing more collaboration and support systems for new and up-and-coming authors.

Join us for a Q&A session with Cosplay GoH Casey Renee from Casey Renee Props.

Watch the best of MisCon 39's International Film Festival's Horror film shorts submissions.

Join our Guests of Honor at MisCon 39's Opening Ceremonies and find out what's going on throughout the weekend.

Come and taste both local and international flavors and styles of this growing category of ancient and storied brew.

More details to come.

If you like flashy colored lights and fun music, come try your hand at karaoke.

Learn all about creating your own embroidery files for cosplay with Casey Renee Cosplay! Casey will share the ins and outs of digitizing lace, recreating screen accurate embroidery files, and creating your own textiles through embroidery.

Most of the Cantina is arranged for general hanging out and/or open gaming throughout MisCon. The bar will be open for business throughout. The Artist's Corner is marked and will be in use for scheduled fun activities.

Join Valhalla's Workbench to learn about forge construction (both propane and solid fuel) and how to build your own blacksmithing tools.

Let's discuss how to show why characters do what they do without giving big info dumps or lecturing.

Pick your mini or bring your own, then settle in & personalize to your heart's content.

Bring your questions to our panel of professional editors for real-world answers.

Learn basic hand sewing skills and take home your own dice bag! Join us for a guided craft session with sewing experts and printed instructions. Learn how to wield a needle like an expert! Tools and notions are supplied.

Join us for MisCon's annual First Page Idol! Here's how it works: Hand in the FIRST PAGE of your story at the start of the panel. Pages will be randomly chosen and read aloud. Our panelists will indicate when, had the submission come across their desk, they'd stop reading and tell us why. Submissions will be anonymous and will not be returned. (All submissions may not be read).

Come see how a portable forge works.

Magical healing is found in many fantasy (and science fiction, depending on your definition of “magical”) stories. What are the limits of it, and what are the costs to either the caster or the recipient? Can magic heal mental trauma as well as physical? If the mind can be healed with magic, does it require something different than physical healing?

Large events like conventions can be difficult to manage from a mental health perspective, particularly if you have a history of something like depression or anxiety. This panel is a chance to speak with a mental health professional about some of the challenges you might face and to gain some tools for managing the stress or anxiety of not just this convention, but other large social events as well.

Let's discuss how to write realistic chase scenes and get cars right.

Experience the arts of mentalism, magic and illusion at first hand. Watch Lord Alden mystify with magical manipulation of objects uncommon and arcane, while Sir James the Magnificent captivates your imagination with cards, creations, and changing wonders. Playing the odds or wondering what to do next? Join Madame Azira in the mysteries of dice, things that move with a mind of their own.

Join us for a Q&A session with Special GoH Doug Hemphill. Let's take a look at Doug's 46-year career in Hollywood.

Let's discuss the relevancy of the Star Wars series Andor's themes in today's bleak real world landscape, and how they enhance, deepen, and reflect the original ideas of escapist fantasy and heroism, getting to the core of what Star Wars truly means while both deconstructing and humanizing the combatants.

This panel covers the basics of corset making, terms, where to get materials, resources for corset panels and although it's not possible to make the panel a demonstration or workshop, examples of different types of corsets, corseting material as well as corsets in a few stages of the corset process can be brought to share for the panel.

How to Show up Ready to Perform, build rapport, and have fun during the most stressful part of many actor's experiences.

We're living in an era of remakes from Disney to The Karate Kid. Should remakes even exist and are they even any good?

Staff will set up for IRON NOODLE! which begins at 2pm. If you want to participate in the contest, show up some time during this hour.

Let's take a look at how to build a writing career. More details to come.

Improv is about much more than pop culture references, and Tabletop Games are about much more than hogging the stage. This panel will teach you how to use long form improv techniques to tell the stories you want to tell, but also, how to support the other players at your table to have fun!

Do you love ramen? How about an eating contest? Join us outside for some free lunch (for those who participate) and laughs for the crowd.

Frog and Esther Jones lead their well-loved workshop on story outlining. Watch as they create an entire novel outline using nothing but audience interaction--and be part of the audience that does the interaction. Create a story that will never be written--but will live on in the hearts of all that attend regardless.

What are tropes, how are they used, and how can we use them effectively as story-telling tools without falling back on the same old cliches?
Tropes are one of the building blocks of stories, but they can be misused, overused, and just plain worn out. How can you use tropes effectively in your writing? What are some stories that have done to well? Let's talk about using tropes, with and without flipping them around.

How and what can you volunteer for at MisCon, and possibly at other nearby conventions.

Is Demon Slayer the best anime? Dororo? Bleach? Tokyo Ghoul? Ok, these might not be the best anime out there, but if not, which ones are? Why? Our panelists will encourage audience participation.

Attendees are welcomed to take turns posing in costume while we capture them in timed figure drawings (3-10 minutes each.) Model your costume, draw, or do both! Fun for artists and for costumers who want to be sketched.

Wearing your amazing cosplay is one thing, but now you want to share your cosplay with the world via Instagram or YouTube! In this panel we will discuss how to grow and build engagement on social media, reasons why you would want to do that and ultimately how to beat the social media blues.

Bust, waist, hips, oh my! Everything with costumes starts with knowing your measurements and in this panel we'll walk you through how to take them properly. You'll get to walk away with a handy dandy sheet with the most important ones written down so you can start your shopping, commissioning, and sewing adventures!!

Steve will demo how to painting miniatures.

Werewolves & Bigfoots & Ghosts, oh my! Join the Bozeman Paranormal Group for a discussion on reported paranormal sightings in Montana. Attendees are encouraged to share their own experiences.

Qigong is an embodied mindfulness practice from China. We will talk a little about the history and theory of Qigong and practice a form to increase mental and physical relaxation

This panel talks about the basics of Embellishments from rhinestones to "goldwork" embroidery. This panel is tailored to the knowledge of the participants in the panel, it can be anywhere from the where to buy beads to tambour embroidery and more.

Come meet-up with fellow Furs from Western Montana to chatter and chitter!

Watch the best of MisCon 38's International Film Festival's science fiction films submissions.

Most of the Cantina is arranged for general hanging out and/or open gaming throughout MisCon. The bar will be open for business throughout. The Artist's Corner is marked and will be in use for scheduled fun activities.

Come join MisCon's Mead Lover's Club in their fifth annual Mead Tasting! We'll mostly sample local meads and perhaps a few non-mead honey drinks. Membership is $25 at the door.

Explore how to get started in crafting your own leather armor, and building a functional/realistic kit.

This year we're putting on a talent show! More details to come.

Most of the Cantina is arranged for general hanging out and/or open gaming throughout MisCon. The bar will be open for business throughout. The Artist's Corner is marked and will be in use for scheduled fun activities.

Most of the Cantina is arranged for general hanging out and/or open gaming throughout MisCon. The bar will be open for business throughout. The Artist's Corner is marked and will be in use for scheduled fun activities.

This restricted event is only open to people with submissions accepted into the writers' workshop.

So you have the perfect costume, perfect
hair, and perfect makeup, but need some help to capture your perfect picture?
Got your camera ready to take the best photo ever but aren't sure how to talk to models?
Need some photography tips and tricks?
We've got you covered! This panel will go over ways to put your
best foot forward to get irrefutable evidence of your magic cosplay moment. Discuss how to get the perfect picture from experienced Cosplayers and Photographers.

In this hands-on class, beginning writers will explore the structure and best practices of what goes into crafting a work of fiction. Stories will be built together in class, so be prepared to be creative!

Improv is about much more than pop culture references, and Tabletop Games are about much more than hogging the stage. This panel will teach you how to use long form improv techniques to tell the stories you want to tell, but also, how to support the other players at your table to have fun!

A gathering of military veterans. Come discuss whatever you want without judgement. Veterans (including foreign military vets) only, please. No children or spouses. No exceptions

Who is Goku's mom? What is the most common filler episode trope? Who is the most annoying character in My Hero, and why is it Mineta? Come battle your wits against other anime aficionados over questions like these at 2023s ANIME TRIVIA!!

Wanna know what your fabric is made of?
Light it on fire!
This panel will take a look at different fabrics, what they're made of, how to take care of them, and what projects they're best used for.

Experience the arts of mentalism, magic and illusion at first hand. Watch Lord Alden mystify with magical manipulation of objects uncommon and arcane, while Sir James the Magnificent captivates your imagination with cards, creations, and changing wonders. Playing the odds or wondering what to do next? Join Madame Azira in the mysteries of dice, things that move with a mind of their own.

What does canon mean to us? Is it the “final say” in choosing a cosplay? Learn about ways we can harness creative liberty in our cosplays, and making changes for personal comfort!
Matty and Koko have been in the cosplay community for a collective 20+ years, and take great joy in being able to offer thoughts and advice to our fellow cosplayers!

The 20-books movement is a perfectly viable business plan to make money as an author, but it's had an unfortunate side effect on readers. If you have a slow, hand-crafted, revised, and perfected novel--what do you do with it in the middle of a market controlled by an algorithm that prefers quantity to quality?

Required for Costume Contest Contestants.
This hour is for checking in with coordinators, getting a rundown of the timeline, and other important contest details.
Please be on time so ensure you get all necessary information

Do you love cosplay but starting baffles you? Come learn where to shop, get tutorial, and more hot tips!

Learn how to get started on your sewing machine and how to keep it running properly. Sewing Machines are friends not foe!

Our panelists will discuss how they create engaging anthologies, from concept to taking submissions, then sorting, selecting, compiling, and editing them into a finished book.

Our panelists will discuss mistakes and epic blunders they've made while working in comics.

Contestants in the Novice Category should report to the tent at this time for judging.

Jamie wears one. King Charles wears one. So do bagpipers, highland dancers, and stylish individuals. Maybe you want to wear them, and even make your own. Learn about the parts and guts of traditional hand-sewn kilts, how to judge their quality, and how to wear them.

Magical healing is found in many fantasy (and science fiction, depending on your definition of “magical”) stories. What are the limits of it, and what are the costs to either the caster or the recipient? Can magic heal mental trauma as well as physical? If the mind can be healed with magic, does it require something different than physical healing?

Watch artist Jeff Sturgeon work on a painting. You can ask him questions while you watch him work.

Ten years ago, Jason showed up at MisCon wearing a black hat and sunglasses, looking for people to help him playtest the word list he had developed for the English-language version of Codenames. Since then, the game has been translated into 30 languages and sold over 15 million copies. Now it is being inducted into the board game Hall of Fame at Origins. Come celebrate by playing Codenames with Jason. Two-hour event. Walk in anytime, preferably while we still have cookies.

Contestants in the Journeyman Category should report to the tent at this time for judging.

Are you ready to elevate your costuming? Sit down with our local cosplayers and get their perspective, tips, and tricks!

Watch the best of MisCon 39's International Film Festival's fantasy submissions.

Contestants in the Master Category should report to the tent at this time for judging.

MisCon artist John Barba will demonstrate the old art form of repousse and chasing (beating sheets of metal into shapes and designs).

Most of the Cantina is arranged for general hanging out and/or open gaming throughout MisCon. The bar will be open for business throughout. The Artist's Corner is marked and will be in use for scheduled fun activities.

Come see the International Film Festival favorites that embody this year's Theme: Dark Forest. We may sneak some best of if time!

MisCon's Costume and Skit Contest! Participants will show off their costumes, some may even share some fun skits, and awards will be given for the best as well as the winners in each category. MisCon's own Lacy Zee will emcee the event, so get ready to have fun and be entertained!

Come bid on your favorite piece from the Art Show. Start bidding wars with your friends and support your favorite artists. Don't make them take their art home with them. Weather permitting, we will hold this just outside the Commercial Building in front of the big staircase.

Lights, loud music, and dancing in a bar. Come party with the nerds!

This year instead of limiting ourselves to Scotch's peaty, smoky, fruity, or sweet flavors, we're going to branch out into other interesting whiskeys from around the world. Don't worry, we'll still have plenty of scotch varieties on hand. Join MisCon's Whiskey Lover's Club in the Presidential Suite, room 436, for the MisCon 39 Whiskey Tasting! Membership is $35 at the door.

Most of the Cantina is arranged for general hanging out and/or open gaming throughout MisCon. The bar will be open for business throughout. The Artist's Corner is marked and will be in use for scheduled fun activities.

Let's talk wigs! This isn't your typical tutorial panel. Bring your OWN wig styling tips and tricks to discuss with other costuming/wig enthusiasts!

This year we're combining our craft swap, cosplay craft corner, and meet and greet! Come meet fellow cosplayers, cosplay groups, and more at this laid-back and easy-going cosplay hangout.

Let's take a deep dive into the garments that make up the foundation of your ballgown or historical costume. Hoop skirts, petticoats and corsets OH my! There's so much that goes into the silhouette of a gown and I am here to dish the tea. This panel focuses on undergarments for cosplay but the panelist has knowledge on historical underwear as well and can answer your questions at the end of the panel.

Spice up your patterning with a modern approach. Let’s deep dive into to making your own sewing digital patterns, a crash course in Clo 3D

Most of the Cantina is arranged for general hanging out and/or open gaming throughout MisCon. The bar will be open for business throughout. The Artist's Corner is marked and will be in use for scheduled fun activities.

Zootown Tea is back again! We wouldn’t exist without our wonderful community and to express our love and admiration we’re throwing a small thank you party! There will be swag, treats, and a beautiful slide show of all our memories. If you’ve never been to a Zootown Tea this will also be a great time to learn about our season schedule, who we are, and what we're about!!

Finish out MisCon 39 in style, and catch a sneak peek at what's in store for you next year at MisCon 38.