Intro to the Potlatch Sci Fi Con
Potlatch Science Fiction Convention FAQs Answered by Kate Schaefer
Potlatch 17 science fiction convention Chairperson Kate Schaefer describes what makes Potlatch a different convention experience for spec-fic readers, writers and fans.
What should one expect when attending the roaming speculative fiction convention called Potlatch? Potlatch 17 Chair Kate Schaefer discusses the unique aspects of the Potlatch speculative fiction convention in this interview with Suite101.com.
Some sci-fi (aka SF) conventions (or "cons", as they are fondly called) attract thousands of fans, stage elaborate costumed theme parties and re-enact the entire first season of Star Trek non-stop in a 48-hour period. Then there is Potlatch, the mild-mannered speculative fiction con that focuses on readers and writers. While things can get fairly lively, attendees don't need to bring their light sabers to Potlatch.
How Does Potlatch Differ from Other SF Cons?
"Potlatch is like an intricate literary conversation going on for a whole weekend," says Ms. Schaefer. "It differs from most other SF conventions in the northwest in being deliberately small, with a membership limit of 200, so that it's possible to talk with everyone at the con during the con.
"In many ways, Potlatch is an assemble-it-yourself convention. We provide the hotel (with fabulous ambiance, a good restaurant and bar, a coffee stand, comfy rooms, and a marvelous con-suite), a select set of program items, a dealers' room centered on books, a few clues that you're going to run into people who like to talk about the same kinds of things you like to talk about (literary science fiction, politics, race, gender, justice, influence of technology on social trends, how much garlic is enough, chocolate, whisky, music, good television, bad movies, the meaning of life, that sort of thing).
"You provide the energy. You provide the talk, whether you're a panel participant, or reading your work aloud, or sitting around in the con suite or the bar, or going out to dinner with two people you've known for years and three you've never seen before."
Who Would Benefit from or Most Enjoy Attending a Potlatch?
"It's aimed at people who are interested in written science fiction," says Ms. Schaefer, "and in the more literary or political strains of written science fiction and fantasy at that, by authors such as Ursula Le Guin, John Crowley, Samuel R. Delany, Gene Wolfe, Ted Chiang, Octavia Butler, Maureen McHugh, Cordwainer Smith, or James Tiptree, Jr.
"Most of those who attend also like SF movies, television, animation, art, costuming, and games as well, but this convention doesn't focus on those aspects of the subculture and would probably not be interesting to anyone who wants to focus on them."
How Was the Idea for Potlatch Developed?
"When we set up the convention," Ms. Schaefer begins, "Our founding committee had worked on a number of conventions together and apart, including world SF conventions, world fantasy conventions, Norwescons (the largest general interest SF convention in the Seattle area), and Corflu (a very small fanzine convention held in different cities all over North America).
"We chose to include only features we like ourselves -- why work on something we wouldn't enjoy? -- and only features that don't cost a lot and don't require large staffs, so we could keep the convention small without going broke."
What Does Potlatch's Chairperson Do?
"I was one of the founders and chaired the first Potlatch in 1992," says Ms. Schaefer. "I run the meetings, keep people focused on what needs to get done next, and pitch in to pick up the slack when something goes wrong. Something always does go wrong, but that's true of everything in life. We have enough flexibility to be able to deal with it."
What Does Potlatch Need To Be a Continuing Success?
According to Ms. Schaefer, "the trick with a small convention is to keep a steady supply of new people coming along. I know there are folks we haven't met yet who want just this kind of conversational weekend and don't know where to find it."
For more detailed information about the upcoming Potlatch 17 being held in Seattle, Washington, from February 29 through March 2, 2008, read Potlatch 17 Sci Fi Con in Seattle.
Source
E-interview with Kate Schaefer, Chair of Potlatch 17, in January 2008.
