ConFluence 1996

FORGED IN IRON

BUILDING THE BEST CON

The Pittsburgh area's 9th annual Science Fiction and Fantasy conference

Guest of Honor: Michael Swanwick

(photo by M. C. Porter)

Sheraton Inn, Mars, PA

July 26-28, 1996

Mined from the dark imaginations of the Pittsburgh Fen, blasted by their fiery excitement, and tempered by their drive for excellence...

We're prospecting for the finest minds:

Catherine Asaro ..... Rand Bellavia ..... Flonet Biltgen ..... C. Dale Brittain ..... Brenda W. Clough ..... Lawrence Connolly ..... Maia Cowen ..... Katherine Cramer ..... John DeChancie ..... Susan Dexter ..... Andy Eigel ..... Janis Eisen ..... Timons Esaias ..... Richard Fisher ..... Stephen Fisher ..... Ron Frenz ..... George Gatewood ..... Gordon Van Gelder ..... Alexis A. Gilliland ..... Kenneth Von Gunden ..... David Hartwell ..... Sandra Hutchinson ..... David Huth ..... Alan Irvine ..... Nancy Janda ..... Dr. Allen Janis ..... J. Andrew Keith ..... William H. Keith, Jr. ..... Fruma Klass ..... Judy Klass ..... Dr. Mortan Klass ..... Geoffrey Landis ..... George "Lan" Laskowski ..... Mary Soon Lee ..... Jim Mann ..... Laurie Mann ..... Ken Meltzer ..... Christopher Moeller ..... Robin J. Nakkula ..... Charles Oberndorf ..... Nick Pollotta ..... John-Allen Price ..... Sandhya Rao ..... Ted Reynolds ..... Dr. Regina Schulte-Ladbeck ..... Mike Short ..... Dr. Phil Smith ..... Dr. David Snoke ..... John Taylor ..... Karen E. Taylor ..... William Tenn ..... Mark Tiedemann ..... David Tucker ..... Elizabeth Wein ..... Albert Wendland ..... Gene Wolfe ..... Robin Wood ..... Xavier the Robot ..... Pat York ..... Sarah Zettel

  • MEET THE GUESTS: A small intimate convention, we give you plenty of chances to pick their brains: "Late Night at Confluence" where the guests are interviewed, panels, authors' readings, autographing, and the "Saturday Night Banquet with the Guests."

  • TONS OF PROGRAMMING: As many as four tracks on Saturday; panel discussions, science talks, presentations, and art demonstrations.

  • FORGING NEW WRITERS: Our Writers' Workshop is lead by experienced authors. They provide valuable critique and direction to a limited group. Sorry folks, the workshop is now full.

  • DIGGING FOR THE BEST SHORT STORY: In our SHORT STORY CONTEST, the winner receives $100 and is published in the program book. This year's theme is "Iron." Please write for rules and details. This year's contest winner has been selected, but there will be another contest at ConFluence '97.

  • BLAST FURNACES OF FILM: This year we will be running two video rooms! Come see new and old sf treasures and interviews with with SF greats in one room. The other will feature non-stop Japanimation and Asian fantasy! Our Audio Room returns with live storytelling and classic old radio shows including The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.

  • A GOLD MINE OF COOL STUFF:Our Dealers' Room promises to be well stocked! We feature a Book Extravaganza -- new, hard-to-find, and out-of-print books! We'll also have an eclectic collection of really cool stuff that you rarely find in the "real world."

  • CASTING ABOUT FOR ART? ConFluence is proud of it's Art Show and Auction, which is large for the Con's size. proud of We charge no hanging fee; there is a 10% commision on sales.

  • THE CONFLUENCE CONSUITE -- A real steel: One ot the best (if not THE best!) ConSuites going. We feature 5 varieties of soup, a salad bar, and unusual tasty munchies, and the Saturday Afternoon Regional Beer Tasting.

  • MOLDING YOUNG MINDS: On Saturday, there will be a Children's Programming track with arts, crafts, story telling, and more) for kids 7 to 12. Babysitting for kids, 6 and under, available only on written request.

  • IN THE ENTERTAINMENT VEIN,: Story telling by Allen Irvine and Mike Short. A masquerade MC'ed by Animal X with prizes for best literary costume. Poetry readings, a filk concert, and more filking!

  • A FEAST FIT FOR KINGS...er, ADULTS AND MINERS! Saturday Night Banquet with the Guests is only $25, though seating for the buffet is limited.

  • A FIST FULL OF DOLLARS: All this fun for only $20 until June 30, 1996, and $28 thereafter. Kids' memberships are $10 until June 30, 1996, and $15 thereafter. Kids under 10 are free if they remain with you at all times.

  • A FEW DOLLARS MORE: ConFluence 96 will once again be at the beautiful Sheraton Inn, Mars, PA. The Sheraton is conveniently located near the PA Turnpike (I-76) exit #3 and I-79 Cranberry exit. It is only minutes from downtown Pittsburgh by way of I-279 North. The Sheraton features a large atrium with many conversation nooks, 2 resturants, 2 bars, an indoor-outdoor pool, a jacuzzi, and a sauna. Every room comes with a coffee machine. All the fast food franchises, many of the restaurant chains, and several pizza stores are handy.

    Rates are $70 single/double, $80 triple/quad. Please call (412) 776-6900 for reservations and mention that you are with ConFluence. The room block expired June 30, 1996. Last year the hotel was sold out shortly after the room block closed. If this happens again this year, there is a Days Inn right next door, phone 1-800-DAYS-INN for reservations.

  • Here's a look at the Confluence '96 Photo Album.
    OUR ADDRESS: For a registration form, send a self-addresed, stamped envelope to:
    ConFluence '96,
    P.O. Box 3681,
    Pittsburgh, PA 15230-3681,
    phone: (412) 344-0236

  • Make all checks payable to PARSEC.

  • E-mail PARSEC at parsec-home@netcom.com.

  • Click here for links to other pages that may or may not be related to our con.

    Here's a map to the hotel! Note that:

  • Exit 3 from I-76 and Exit 25 from I-79 are both marked "Cranberry".
  • Exit 25 is on the south side of the hotel if coming from the south, and puts you onto route 19 one light from the hotel turnoff (on the right).

    • Some information on ConFluence '97 is available.

  • Created by Greg Armstrong, 1/23/96.