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BIZARROCON 2009 OCTOBER 22-25
Edgfield Manor
2126 S.W. Halsey St.
Troutdale, OR 97060
The largest gathering of bizarro fiction authors on the planet!
"I can say without any doubt that if you are a Literary Freak, then BizarroCon is the gathering for you." - Jess Gulbranson
"BizarroCon, it's like an enema for the soul..." - Andersen Prunty
"I got drunk with Kevin L Donihe and he stole my wallet!" - Jeff Burk
"Come! Let me steal your wallet!" - Kevin L. Donihe
"If you attend only one gathering of America's strangest small press novelists, let it be this one!" - Garrett Cook
PRICING
FULL WEEKEND PASS
(Price includes saturday awards dinner, saturday breakfast, and sunday brunch)
$50 (if paid before June 30th)
$60 (if paid before September 30th)
$70 (if paid before October 20th)
$80 (at the door)
SATURDAY-ONLY PASS
(includes saturday awards dinner)
$25 (if paid before October 20th)
$50 (at the door)
REASONS TO COME TO BIZARROCON
NETWORKING!
Meet other writers, editors, and readers of bizarro fiction. Make new friends. Pitch ideas to editors. Last year so many projects were brainstormed that it was difficult to count.
  
(Eckhard Gerdes, Carlton Mellick III, Forrest Armstrong, Jeff Burk, Garrett Cook, Daniel Scott Buck, Gretchen and Andersen Prunty)
READINGS!
There will be many readings by bizarro authors at BizarroCon. If you like readings there will be plenty of them. If you don’t like readings, there are plenty of other things to do around Edgefield. If you would like to have a reading, email us at bizarrocon@yahoo.com. We will try to give a reading slot to everyone who wants one.
   
(Mykle Hansen, Bruce Taylor, Kevin L. Donihe, Daniel Scott Buck)
WORKSHOPS! PANELS! DISCUSSIONS!
All day Friday, there will be bizarro writing workshops and discussions on marketing and other important topics related to the business of bizarro writing. There will also be the meeting of the Bizarro Writer’s Association where we discuss the future of bizarro fiction. Come to BizarroCon and you will improve your skills as a bizarro writer and assist in the development of this burgeoning fiction movement.
  
(planning world domination over pitchers of beer)
PARTIES!
Really, BizarroCon is just one giant 4-day party. There’s nothing more fun than drinking with a group of people who share the same passion as you do. This is where the weird impromptu events occur, such as pinky-wrestling tournaments, Prince Lemon dance-offs, and Kevin Donihe levitations.
 
(a bunch of bizarros)
THE BIZARROEST HOTEL IN THE NORTHWEST!
BizarroCon is at Edgefield Manor, one of the most interesting hotels in the country. It is a historical building that has been restored by McMenamins brewing company. The European style hotel has been described as a “Down the Rabbit Hole Experience,” which is a perfect place for BizarroCon and The Wonderland Book Awards. On the property, there is a brewery, winery, and distillery; there are 3 restaurants, 8 bars (including a whiskey and cigar bar), a pool hall, a movie theater, a 3-par golf course, a teahouse, a soaking pool, and a lot of surreal artwork covering the walls. At the center of BizarroCon is the Ad House, a private 6 bedroom house on the property that will act as BizarroCon headquarters.
For more information, check out their website at: http://kennedyschool.com/index.php?loc=3&id=30
Make reservations early, because rooms sell out fast. We have a block of rooms reserved, so tell them you're with "BizarroCon." If rooms are sold out before you get a chance to reserve one, try searching for other hotels in the area. There are many hotels within a mile away from Edgefield.
 
(Edgefield Manor)
THE WONDERLAND BOOK AWARDS!
Saturday night, in the banquet hall, will be the annual Wonderland Book Awards, honoring authors who have excelled in bizarro fiction. Eat a nice dinner as the winners of best bizarro novel and best bizarro story collection of 2008 are announced. Everyone attending BizarroCon will be allowed to vote for the winners of the Wonderland Book Awards. To vote, you must be registered for BizarroCon (this includes those registered for the $25 Saturday-only pass). Voting begins July 1st and ends September 30th. Email your votes for best novel and best collection to bizarrocon@yahoo.com. Nominees in each category will be posted here soon.
Last year’s winners were “Dr. Identity” by D. Harlan Wilson in the novel category and “13 Thorns” by Gina Ranalli and Gus Fink in the collection category.
 
(Rose O'Keefe, Gina Ranalli, and the G-Force 13)
THE ULTIMATE BIZARRO SHOWDOWN!
This is the biggest event at bizarrocon! After the Wonderland Book Awards Dinner, the banquet hall is transformed into Bizarro Thunderdome! 15 authors enter, only one leaves victorious. Each author gets 2 minutes to tell the weirdest story they can come up with to a drunk and impatient crowd. After 2 minutes, if the story entertains the audience enough they are allowed to continue. If their story fails they are fucking decapitated! The distinguished bizarro judges will choose the top three readers. Winners will receive fabulous prizes and bragging rights for a year. Hosted by Prince Lemon himself, aka Jeremy Robert Johnson, the ultimate bizarro showdown is a showdown of ultimate awesomeness! If you’d like to sign up for this competition or have questions about the event, contact Jeremy at jeremy@jeremyrobertjohnson.com. There are only a limited number of spots available, so sign up now.
Last year’s winner, Garrett Cook, will be returning to defend his title as ultimate bizarro champion.
     
(Jeremy Robert Johnson, Mykle Hansen, Garrett Cook, Mitch Maraude, Angela Molinar, and Kevin L. Donihe)
FOODS!
Cost of admission will give you three free meals: The Saturday morning breakfast buffet, the Sunday bizarro brunch, and the Saturday Night Wonderland Book Awards Banquet. The food is excellent. The company is even better! In addition to these bizarro eating events, the Edgefield Hotel contains a variety of restaurants from pizza to pub burgers to fine Northwest cuisine.
  
(bizarro brunch and the wonderland book awards banquet)
BIZARRO BOOKS!
BizarroCon will have the largest collection of bizarro books available for purchase. Never before have so many bizarro books been available in one place. Many of the titles will be on sale at the special convention price: 3 for $20.
 
(tons of bizarro books!)
BIZARRO BEER!
Rose O’Keefe of Eraserhead Press is not only a bizarro publisher, she is also a micro-brewer of Bizarro Beer. Every BizarroCon she brews up new batches of bizarro beer and names them after new bizarro book releases. Come to the book release party Friday night for a bunch of delicious freshly brewed bizarro beer as well as readings from the newest bizarro books.
Last year’s Apeshit IPA was one of the best beers we have ever tasted. Ever!
  
(Bizarro Beers: Shark Hunting Hard Cider, Apeshit IPA, Kissing Bug Belgian Ale, Rampaging Fuckers IPA)
Basic summary of what to expect of the BizarroCon schedule:
THURSDAY: Thursday night is mostly just about everyone arriving into town throughout the day. For those who are waiting around for everyone to show up, it is a chance to get to know the new people and a chance to explore the many bars at Edgefield. It all eventually ends in a party that goes on for much longer than it should.
FRIDAY: Friday is filled with writing workshops and round table discussions. This is the day we get down to business. We help each other improve our craft of writing bizarro fiction, we brainstorm new book marketing techniques, and we plan the future of the bizarro genre. All the important stuff. At night, there is the Eraserhead Press party.
SATURDAY: This day is all about readings. There will be a breakfast in the morning and then there will be a series of readings and panels until 5pm. Bizarro books and beer will be available all day. Saturday night will be the Wonderland Book Awards Banquet, followed by the Ultimate Bizarro Showdown, then a party afterwards.
SUNDAY: Another breakfast. Readings and panels continue. There might be a dead dog party of some kind that night. Many people will be leaving throughout the day on Sunday, but if you can book your flight for Sunday night or Monday you should.
r Sunday night or early Monday you should.
If you have any questions contact bizarrocon@yahoo.com
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