Fantasy GenreCon brings magic, dragons, and adventure to KC on Aug. 8
Courtesy of MidContinent Public Library
Fantasy has taken the literary world by storm, with hits like Fourth Wing and A Court of Thorns and Roses holding a spot in most readers’ TBR (To Be Read) lists. For fans interested in this increasingly popular genre, MidContinent Public Library is offering a way for people to gather with like-minded individuals, hear from authors, and explore fantasy through their first-ever Fantasy GenreCon on August 8 at The Auditorium at Woodneath Library Center from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The library has hosted Romance GenreCon for the past eight years and True Crime GenreCon as its first divergence from romance this past April, and is now extending this experience to readers of fantasy. There is a lot of preparation that goes into setting up these events, with Programming and Events Manager Colleen Norman and her team starting more than nine months before.
“We start looking at who the top authors are in the genre right now, and at the library checkout history and circulation data to see what library customers are checking out,” Norman explains. “Of course, we love to see what the big trends are that are popular across the country, but also what our customers actually want to see.”
An important aspect of all GenreCons is bringing in local Kansas City authors and creatives. At True Crime GenreCon, two KC-based podcasts were featured as part of the lineup. For Fantasy GenreCon, MidContinent Public Library is also working with KC Book Beat, which is bringing in a panel of Kansas City indie authors.
“We look at who is new on the scene, who is local to Kansas City, and who we have right in our own backyard that would be a good addition,” says Norman. “We talk with our local bookstores to see what kind of activity they are seeing, what people are coming in and excited about purchasing.”
This year, The Gilded Page is assisting with the popular bi-annual book fair that is always a part of the GenreCons. There is an application open for authors who would like to be featured at the book fair. Employees will be onsite, helping attendees purchase books either from the fair or from authors showcased at Fantasy GenreCon, and librarians will be assisting in creating book lists and reading recommendations so that people can walk away with completely new TBR lists.
Past events with authors have included Q&As and moderated interviews, where audiences can hear how these writers started, their history and background, and about their writing process.
GenreCons have also had authors who come and give talks about publishing, as well as writing workshops where authors give tips on writing in the genre. Two local authors, EC Garrett and Amber A. Logan, are offering writing workshops this year.
“I am always excited to bring in new authors. Seeing how attendees and customers react, and the excitement they have around the event; the connections they are making, whether that’s with an author or someone they meet throughout the day and share a love of the genre. Being able to provide an opportunity for people to engage with authors, artists, and fellow fans is really my favorite part of GenreCon.”
Registration for Fantasy GenreCon is now open. If you are interested in going to a MidContinent Public Library event but cannot make this one, registration for their Young Adult convention LitUp opens in August and is being held on September 19.
