Conflux: a weekend-long event for spec-fic lovers to sink their teeth into
By Laura Monaghan
Conflux is Canberra’s longest-running spec fiction (sci fi, fantasy, alternative history and horror) convention. An annual convention for both new and established writers and artists, Conflux has a strong program of panels, discussions, workshops, competitions and social activities.
Over the course of four days, Conflux 16: Visions of Time treated its guests to a charcuterie board of fantastic opportunities to sink their teeth into. From juicy Q&A’s and hot-off-the-press book launches to full-bodied workshops and boozy banquets, Conflux 16 was the time for writers, poets and readers to have their cake and eat it too.
Considering this was the first time Conflux has been hosted face to face at the Rydges Hotel in two years, Karen Herkes and the Conflux team did an amazing job crafting a weekend of seamless fun and stimulating events. This year’s event hosted the Ditmar Awards, which recognise achievement in Australian speculative fiction. Moreover, the interstate and local guests of honour made this year’s Conflux particularly memorable. These guests included: John Birmingham, author of He Died with a Felafel in His Hand and the Axis of Time trilogy, Shelley Parker-Chan, author of She Who Became the Sun, Dan O’Malley, author of The Rook and Stiletto, and the Artist-in-Residence, Tom Buckland.
Some of the highlights from the weekend’s events were:
Poetry in a pandemic workshop
Poetry is many things, but it has always been a mode of healing. Of gripping the aspects of our lives we cannot control by the throat and allowing our true voice to be heard amongst the chaos. How can we, as creatives, wield the pandemic into an opportunity to heal and come to our true power?
Shelley Parker Chan Q&A panel
Shelley Parker Chan, author of ‘She Who Became the Sun’, opens up about her debut novel and publication process.
Decolonising speculative fiction panel
Colonialism has had an impact on everything in our world, including our stories, which too often repeat colonial fallacies and stereotypes. What does it mean to decolonise speculative fiction.
Queering fiction panel
Is it just dropping a few queer characters amongst the lot, or does queering fiction go above and beyond that? Panelists discuss queering power structures, landscapes, dynamics, & more!
Climate Change: Past and Future
Australian spec-fic has offered everything from Utopian visions of a fertile inland sea to dystopian warnings of post-apocalyptic climate disasters. Panelists will explore how these visions change over time, and their impact on attitudes and policy.
Overall, Conflux 16: Visions in Time was a wonderful opportunity for writers, readers and poets to gather and discuss anything and everything weird and wonderful about the speculative fiction genres. However, even with all the amazing content and activities (and because of them), Conflux would strongly benefit by building its youth attendance. This annual event is a terrific opportunity for young writers to network and establish themselves as professionals within the Australian speculative fiction community.