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VCON 41 has ended
Welcome to the VCON 41 Online Schedule!

VCON is the oldest general-interest science fiction, fantasy, and games convention in Canada and the Pacific Northwest. This 100% volunteer fan-organized convention has promoted the interests of science fiction and fantasy culture in Vancouver BC and its environs since 1971, offering events and exhibits focused on a variety of Science Fiction and Fantasy fandom interest areas such as literature, art, media, music, costumes, comics, tabletop games, electronic games, etc. For more detailed information visit our website: www.vcon.ca.

VCON 41 will be held Sep 30 - Oct 2, 2016, at the Sheraton Vancouver Guildford hotel. The convention’s main theme is "Muppets, Puppets & Marionettes" with a secondary theme of "The Small Press Cabal".

Please take a moment to check out the "Sponsor" tab to see who has helped support this year’s event.
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SESSIONS ARE ALWAYS SUBJECT TO CHANGE 

SEPTEMBER 17, 2016: The schedule is now as "final" as it ever gets! Which means that, yes, there will probably still be changes here and there, but generally only to resolve when we’ve accidentally placed one panelist on two panels at the same time, or if a panelist has to cancel.)

-Jenni Merrifield, VCON 41 Programming Coordinator
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avatar for Karl Johanson

Karl Johanson

Neo-opsis Science Fiction Magazine
Editor
Victoria, BC
VCON 41 Editor Guest of Honour

Karl Johanson is not just an exceptional editor of a marvelous magazine, he is—behind his unassuming exterior—a mad genius whose team is, against all logic, constantly pulling off these completely astounding projects.

During the 1990s, Karl co-edited the Canadian SF newsletter, Under the Ozone Hole with John Herbert. The UTOH team, which included Stephanie Johanson as illustrator and Monica Spencer as proofreader, racked up an astonishing four Aurora Awards during its run. By providing news, reviews, and eclectic (often satirical) content, UTOH was one of the key factors in developing a cohesive national Canadian fandom.

In 1994 Karl applied to work at Sanctuary Woods Multimedia, because why not ask? While chatting with the general manager, Karl happened to mention that one of his hobbies was spotting science flaws in SF shows such as Star Trek, and trying to justify them during the commercials. He had the job before he got home: turned out part of the job was to ‘science up’ the ideas of head writer, Lee Sheldon’s (whose writing credits include work on Star Trek: The Next Generation) so they were scientifically valid—or at least plausible. (Karl still regularly runs amusing and informative “Justify the Science Flaw” panels at conventions, some of which can be seen at his YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/karljohanson42.)

After Sanctuary Woods, Karl worked for Disney Interactive. The studio’s manager referred to Karl as a Swiss Army Knife because Karl could do whatever he needed done at the moment. Much of what Karl did was fact check educational computer games.

When Disney Interactive’s studio in Victoria closed, Karl and wife Stephanie missed working on creative projects, so they decided to start Neo-opsis Science Fiction Magazine and it is as editor of Neo-opsis that Karl is Editor Guest at the convention.

Neo-opsis focuses on Canadian writers, and frequently features work by Canadian superstars such as Spider Robinson, Dave Duncan and Matthew Hughes, but includes fiction from all over the world. Neo-opsis has also helped launch the careers of dozens of emergent writers; indeed, one of the distinguishing characteristics of Neo-opsis is their persistent efforts to provide constructive feedback on submissions, which—as any acquisition editor will tell you—is above and beyond the job description. Neo-opsis includes SF convention and book reviews and Karl’s regular science column—which is unlike any other science column, ever.

Not only a fan favourite, Neo-opsis also manages to attract readers new to SF&F. If you are not already familiar with the magazine, I urge you to pick it up: it’s good to hold something impossible in your hands.

And if you haven’t talked to Karl yet, let us assure you that he is completely approachable. He’s easy-going, upbeat, and thoughtful public speaker, and an entertaining raconteur. He loves science and science fiction and has a wide-ranging knowledge that makes him the Swiss-Army Knife of panelists. And he is, of course, one hell of an editor.

My Panelists Sessions

Friday, September 30
 

12:00 PDT

15:00 PDT

16:00 PDT

17:00 PDT

 
Saturday, October 1
 

14:30 PDT

16:00 PDT

17:30 PDT

19:00 PDT

 
Sunday, October 2
 

10:00 PDT

17:00 PDT

 

My Moderators Sessions

Saturday, October 1
 

14:00 PDT