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It's a world unto itself, this convention, populated by all sorts of way-away-from-the-office type beings
By Jody Callahan
March 26, 2007
After years of trying to lure noted fantasy author Terry Pratchett to the MidSouthCon, organizers finally succeeded this year.
That might've had something to do with their larger-than-usual turnout, as more than 1,300 people -- 200 more than last year -- visited the science-fiction/fantasy/comic/gaming convention at the Holiday Inn Select on Democrat.
After three days of gaming, roleplaying, masquerading and, yes, partying, the con wrapped up Sunday afternoon.
Pratchett himself, a bespectacled Englishman, pronounced the event successful.
"A friend of mine who'd been the guest of honor said, 'You've got to come,'" Pratchett said as he sat at a table and entertained several fans with tales of his books. "The convention itself was very well done; enterprising and hospitable place."
Noted comic author Mark Waid, another special guest, agreed: "It's one of the most friendly conventions I've ever been to. I've been to bigger cons, but in terms of the interest we receive from the fans, it's one of the best."
If you've never been to such a convention, it's a little dip into another world for a few days. Many of the attendees are garbed in fanciful costumes, and Saturday night's festivities concluded with the typical masquerade party.
Many of the attendees, even those from the area, get rooms in the hotel so they won't miss a minute of the con.
After a long Saturday night, Hillary McKey walked around Sunday afternoon in her pajama bottoms, a tankard of punch in hand.
"It is intellectual stimulation and cultural stimulation," said McKey, a 26-year-old graphic designer. "To an outsider, I would assume it would be very interesting. We kind of talk in our own geek language."
For Mary Francis, who flew from Atlanta with her husband, Bill, the con was a chance to meet Pratchett as well as commune with like-minded folks for a few days.
"We can talk to people who don't think we're insane. You tell people you like science fiction and fantasy, they look like one flew over the cuckoo's nest, particularly people my age," the 60-year-old said. "It's a party, and believe me, they can party."
Pratchett himself took part in the partying, too, albeit a particularly English variety.
"The highlight for me was meeting an American whose interest was in English folk songs," he said. "We were singing them at 2 o'clock in the morning. There wasn't really any alcohol involved."
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