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LepreCon

Overview

LepreCon (leprecon.org) is an active annual science fiction convention, usually held in the Phoenix metropolitan area, that's had a special focus on art since LepreCon 7 in 1981. Social Media | Most Recent Program Book Covers | History | Notes | High Quality Cover Scans | Other Documents | Program Book Covers Background LepreCon was first held in Phoenix in March 1975, making it the second oldest active science fiction convention in Arizona, five months younger than TusCon, and the oldest active convention in Phoenix, now that Flying Buffalo Con has ceased to be. Its early days are well documented in Bill Patterson's memoir, The Little Fandom That Could (fanac.org). Initially, it grew out of clubs and other fandom activity that had started up in Phoenix in late 1968, just out of a wish to have a convention. This core group included Greg & Hilde Brown, Curt Stubbs, Tim Kyger and Patterson himself, though most of the local fans at the time were involved in some form. Ambition was clearly there too, because LepreCon III was held at the Grand Canyon, with the Guest of Honor, Robert Silverberg, memorably walking through the snow in his sandals, and this core group was already bidding to host Westercon in 1978, a bid that ended up winning the Worldcon instead. Four years from first sf/f con to running the largest Worldcon ever at that point is truly insane and Iguanacon II, as it was called, became a creature of legend, for both good and bad reasons. The core group changed massively at this point. That wasn't the only important change. According to Terry Gish's LepreCon in Retrospective - The Last Five Years, published in the LepreCon 11 program book, it was during the planning of LepreCon VII in 1981 that the convention took on its now traditional focus on art. Barry Bard, Zetta Dillie and Gish herself attended EquiCon in Los Angeles, where they discussed where LepreCon was going. AlterCon, the hastily organised fan gathering that replaced the cancelled LepreCon VI, sold $1,700 of art with an attendance of only 100 people, so they decided to aim at an art focus going forward. LepreCon VII reached almost $4,000 in art sales and the rest is history. CopperCon, started in 1981, and CoKoCon, much later, have a complementary focus on authors. The list of Guests of Honor, let alone participants, is a Who's Who of sf/f authors, artists, filkers and others, starting with Larry Niven in 1975. It's only been cancelled twice, each time replaced by a fan gathering called AlterCon. LepreCon 35 was deliberately a fan gathering, as LepreCon, Inc. had sponsored two other major events in 2009. Initially, LepreCon happened because fans made it happen. The parent organisation, LepreCon, Inc. (leprecon.org), wasn't founded until 1983, incorporated by Pati Cook, Terry Gish and Paul Schauble. It became a 501(c)(3) non-profit in 2015, having been an Arizona non-profit before then. Since becoming a non-profit, LepreCon, Inc. has hosted 36 further LepreCons (as of 2019); a gaming convention called Conflagration, in 2012; the 41st Nebula Awards Weekend, in 2006; the first North American Discworld Convention, in 2009; Westercons 62 and 70, in 2009 and 2017 respectively; and both the World Fantasy Convention and the World Horror Convention in 2004. Social Media

Most Recent Program Book Covers

Click on the images below to open larger versions.

Cover art (left to right) by Baron Dixon, Lubov and Julie Dillon.

History

Chronology of Arizona Conventions | Index of Program Books

#	Date	Location	Chair	Guests	Book	Web	Notes
1	1975 14 Mar 16 Mar	Quality Inn Phoenix	Greg Brown	Author: Larry Niven
2	1976 19 Mar 21 Mar	Ramada Inn Phoenix	Greg Brown	Author: Roger Zelazny Toastmaster: F. M. Busby	29 MB
3	1977 11 Mar 13 Mar	Kachina & Thunderbird Lodges Grand Canyon	Barry Bard	Author: Robert Silverberg Toastmistress: Marion Zimmer Bradley
4	1978 17 Mar 19 Mar	Los Olivos Hotel Phoenix	M. R. Hildebrand	Pro: Poul Anderson Fan: Fred Haskell Toastmistress: Carolyn Thompson	19 MB
5	1979 4 May 6 May	Quality Inn Phoenix	Ken St. Andre	Pro: Ian Ballantine Fan: Skip Olson
6	1980 2 May 4 May	Hyatt Regency Phoenix	Randy Rau	Pro: Gordon R. Dickson Fan: Milt Stevens Toastmaster: Terry Carr			1
7	1981 Apr	Caravan Inn Phoenix	Barry Bard	Artist: Alicia Austin Fan: Bruce Miller
8	1982 14 Apr 16 Apr	Caravan Inn Phoenix	Zetta Dillie	Artist: George Barr Fan: Jan Howard Finder Toastmaster: Bill Rotsler	25 MB
9	1983 20 May 22 May	Ramada TowneHouse Phoenix	Terry Gish	Artist: Frank Kelly Freas Author: Jack Williamson Fan: Elayne Pelz Toastmaster: Bill Rotsler	44 MB
10	1984 20 Apr 22 Apr	Hyatt Regency Phoenix	Pati Cook	Artist: Real Musgrave Special: C. J. Cherryh Fan: Sleepyhawk Simila	32 MB
11	1985 5 Apr 7 Apr	Hyatt Regency Phoenix	Clif Baird	Artist: Lela Dowling Author: G. Harry Stine Author: Lee Correy Fan: Roy Tackett	53 MB
12	1986 29 May 1 Jun	Ramada Inn East Phoenix	Terry Gish	Artist: Kim Poor Author: Jo Clayton Fan: Peggy Crawford Special: Jennifer Roberson	67 MB		2
13	1987 5 Jun 7 Jun	Hyatt Regency Phoenix	Eric Hanson	Artist: Phil Foglio Author: Raymond Feist Fan: Susan Potter	50 MB
14	1988 1 Apr 3 Apr	Hyatt Regency Phoenix	Ray Gish	Artist: Alan Gutierrez Author: Steven Barnes Fan: Richard Wright	42 MB
15	1989 14 Apr 16 Apr	Hyatt Regency Phoenix	Sam Stubbs	Artist: Richard Hescox Author: Chelsea Quinn Yarbro Fan: Sue Thing	31 MB
16	1990 13 Apr 16 Apr	Phoenix Sheraton Phoenix	Eric Hanson	Artist: Jim Fitzpatrick Author: Rick Cook Fan: Cristi Simila	40 MB
17	1991 3 May 5 May	Safari Resort Scottsdale	Dave & Kim Hiatt	Artist: Rowena Morrill Author: Carole Nelson Douglas Author: Melinda Snodgrass Local Artist: Deb Dedon Local Artist: Earl Billick	59 MB
18	1992 27 Mar 29 Mar	Celebrity Hotel Phoenix	Eric Hanson	Artist: Liz Danforth Author: Michael A. Stackpole	27 MB
19	1993 4 Jun 6 Jun	Camelview Resort Scottsdale	Doug Cosper	Artist: Sue Dawe Author: S. P. Somtow Local Artist: Katrine Cady	26 MB
20	1994 May		Pati Cook				3
21	1995 26 May 29 May	Francisco Grande Hotel Casa Grande	Dave & Kim Hiatt	Artist: Laura Brodian Freas Author: D. C. Fontana Special Spouse: Frank Kelly Freas Special Artist: Nancy Strowger Science: Charles 'Les' Johnson Filk: Barry & Sally Childs-Helton	42 MB
22	1996 17 May 19 May	Francisco Grande Hotel Casa Grande	Jay Patton	Artist: Bob Eggleton Author: Tracy Hickman Local Artist: Liz Danforth Media: Mojo Toastmaster: Michael A. Stackpole Filk: Mitchell & T. J. Burnside Clapp	33 MB
23	1997 16 May 18 May	Francisco Grande Hotel Casa Grande	Charles Jarvis	Artist: Kevin Ward Author: Dave Wolverton Local Artist: Leslie D'Allesandro Hill Fan: Doug Cosper & Julie Douglas Filk: The L.A. Filkharmonics Media: George Johnsen	32 MB
24	1998 15 May 17 May	Francisco Grande Hotel Casa Grande	Ray Gish	Artist: Janny Wurts Author: Tim Powers Local Artist: Cathie Yankovich Media: Marc Scott Zicree Filk: Jeff & Maya Bohnhoff Special: Don Maitz	24 MB
25	1999 14 May 16 May	Holiday Inn SunSpree Resort Scottsdale	Pat Connors	Artist: Michael Whelan Author: Larry Niven Local Artist: Robert Peacock Filk: Lynn Gold	57 MB
26	2000 19 May 21 May	Holiday Inn SunSpree Resort Scottsdale	Dave Hungerford	Artist: Lubov Author: John DeChancie Local Artist: Larry Vela Filk: Marilyn Miller	44 MB
27	2001 18 May 20 May	Holiday Inn SunSpree Resort Scottsdale	Mark Boniece	Artist: Stephen Hickman Author: Michael A. Stackpole Local Artist: Robert Ross Music: Echo's Children	58 MB
28	2002 17 May 19 May	Embassy Suites Phoenix North Phoenix	Lee Whiteside	Artist: Monte M. Moore Author: Peter David Local Artist: James G. Reade Music: Jeff & Maya Bohnhoff	59 MB
29	2003 16 May 18 May	Embassy Suites Phoenix North Phoenix	Shahn Cornell	Artist: Larry Elmore Author: Charles de Lint Local Artist: Madame M Media Technical: Richard Coyle Music: Karen Willson	85 MB
30	2004 7 May 9 May	Sheraton Crescent Hotel Phoenix	Mark Boniece	Artist: Donato Giancola Author: David Drake Special Artist: John Eaves Local Artist: Sylvana Anderson-Gish Music: Mara Brener	56 MB
31	2005 6 May 8 May	Carefree Resort Carefree	Larry Vela	Artist: Dave Dorman Author: Kevin J. Anderson Local Artist: Sarah Clemens Special Artist: Bear Burge Music: Mitchell Burnside Clapp	92 MB
32	2006 5 May 7 May	Embassy Suites Phoenix North Phoenix	Larry Vela	Artist: Alan M. Clark Author: John Vornholt Special Media: Bill Blair Local Artist: Gilead Music: Bill Laubenheimer	95 MB
33	2007 11 May 13 May	Phoenix Marriott Mesa Mesa	Shahn Cornell	Artist: Jael Author: Karen Traviss Local Artist: Nola Yergen-Jennings Music: Emma Bull	80 MB
34	2008 9 May 11 May	Francisco Grande Hotel Casa Grande	Liz Hanson	Artist: Howard Tayler Authors: Emily & Ernest Hogan SPFX Makeup: David Ayers Local Artist: Liz Danforth Special Media: Chase Masterson	54 MB
35	2009 2 Oct 4 Oct	Phoenix Marriott Mesa Mesa	Ethan Moe				4
36	2010 14 May 16 May	Phoenix Marriott Mesa Mesa	Lee Whiteside	Artist: Charles Vess Author: George R. R. Martin Local Artist/Author: James A. Owen Music: Emma Bull	18 MB
37	2011 6 May 8 May	Tempe Mission Palms Tempe	Lee Whiteside	Artist: John Picacio Author: Elizabeth Bear Author: Sarah Monette Music: Seanan McGuire	25 MB
38	2012 6 Apr 8 Apr	Tempe Mission Palms Tempe	Mark Boniece	Artist: Franchesco Author: Joe Haldeman Local Artist: Mark Greenawalt Special Media: Stephen Furst Music: Jeff & Maya Bohnhoff Gaming: Todd VanHooser	15 MB
39	2013 9 May 12 May	Phoenix Marriott Mesa Mesa	Donald Jacques Patti Hultstrand	Artist: Raymond Swanland Author: Jack McDevitt Art Industry: Jon Schindehette Virtual: Michael Moorcock Music: Nancy Freeman Ghost: Ray Bradbury	3 MB
40	2014 8 May 11 May	Phoenix Marriott Mesa Mesa	Donald Jacques	Artist: Steam Crow Author: Gail Carriger Local Art Industry: Krysta Crawford	28 MB
41	2015 25 Jun 28 Jun	Embassy Suites Phoenix North Phoenix	Paul Tanton	Artist: Ken Kelly Music: The Harp Twins Special Artist: Larry Hama Gaming: Jennifer Brozek Local Artist: Victor Moreno Author: Dayton Ward Author: David Gerrold	7 MB
42	2016 23 Jun 26 Jun	Park Terrace Suites Phoenix	Amanda Parker	Sequential Artist: Jennie Breeden Writer: D. C. Fontana Game Designer: Shanna Germain Local Artist: Dain Q. Gore Local Game Designer: Ben Woerner Fan: Gary Swaty	2 MB
43	2017 1 Jul 4 Jul	Tempe Mission Palms Tempe	Dee Astell	Artist: Julie Dillon Local Artist: Tom Deadstuff Author: Connie Willis Local Author: Gini Koch Fans: Val & Ron Ontell Filk: Tim Griffin Science: Henry Vanderbilt Special Artist: Larry Elmore Special Media: John & Bjo Trimble Toastmaster: Weston Ochse	87 MB		5
44	2018 22 Jun 24 Jun	DoubleTree by Hilton Phoenix North Phoenix	Woody Bernardi	Artist: Lubov Local Artist: Jon Santaanta Proudstar Writer: Maxwell Alexander Drake Gaming: Eric Wile Filk: Open Beta Comic Book Writer: Alex Pescador Comic Book Artist: Shea 'Bird' Robinson James C. Glass	14 MB		6
45	2019 18 Apr 21 Apr	DoubleTree by Hilton Phoenix North Phoenix	Dee Astell	Local Artist: Baron Dixon Author: Maya Bohnhoff Costuming: Madame Askew Filk: Jeff & Maya Bohnhoff	34 MB
46	2020 10 Apr 12 Apr	Crowne Plaza Phoenix Chandler Golf Resort Chandler	Mark Boniece	Artist: James A. Owen Author: Robert R. McCammon Local Artist: David Ayres Filk: Margaret & Kristoph Science: Dr. David Williams Toastmaster/Author: Weston Ochse			7
47	2021 19 Mar 21 Mar	Virtual Zoom	LepreCon, Inc. Board	Artist: Jeffrey Veregge			8
48	2022 17 Mar 20 Mar	Virtual Zoom	Paul Tanton				9

Notes

LepreCon 6 was cancelled three weeks out because of hotel problems. A 'hastily organized relaxicon', AlterCon, replaced it. Donald A. Wollheim cancelled for health reasons. LepreCon 20 was cancelled, again because of hotel problems. AlterCon replaced it for a second time. LepreCon 35 was a fan gathering only as LepreCon, Inc. had already sponsored two regional conventions in 2009, the first North American Discworld Convention and Westercon 62. Folks were tired. LepreCon 43 was also Westercon 70 and was branded as ConAlope. Michael Fett, the original chair of LepreCon 44, planned a radically different event at the Unexpected Art Gallery in March 2018, under the brand of Phoenix Sci-Fi & Fantasy Art Expo. He cancelled this in November 2017 and his resignation from the organisation prompted the election of Woody Bernardi, who moved the event back to June to allow time to build it. Robert McCammon cancelled due to concerns over COVID-19. Later, the entire convention was cancelled for the same reason. LepreCon 47 was originally to be chaired individually by Woody Bernardi, but it became a group effort by the board in January 2021, which included Woody. The five voting board members were Woody Bernardi (chair of LepreCon 44), Paul Tanton (chair of LepreCon 41 and then future chair of LepreCon 48), Mark Boniece (chair of Conflagration and LepreCons 27, 30 and 38), Dee Astell (chair of LepreCons 43 (Westercon 70) and 45) and Kathy Richardson (then future chair of LepreCon 49, though that convention had not yet been announced). No program book was produced. LepreCon 48 was originally to be chaired by Dee Astell, but she resigned from that position in 2020. Paul Tanton was later elected to succeed her but he also resigned, in 2021. On 7th February, 2022, the membership of LepreCon, Inc. voted to cancel LepreCons 48 and 49 (which hadn't yet been announced for 2023 but was also in doubt, after its elected chair Kathy Richardson resigned from that position in 2021), choosing instead to focus the organisation on their 50th convention in 2024.

Other Documents Index of Ephemera

LepreCon 6 Progress Report (8 MB) LepreCon 9 Progress Report (11 MB) LepreCon 11 Flyer (3 MB) Flyer (2 MB) LepreCon 12 Pocket Program (4 MB) Progress Report (13 MB) LepreCon 13 Progress Report 2 (11 MB) Flyer (6 MB) Pocket Program (8 MB) LepreCon 15 Flyer (5 MB) LepreCon 16 Hotel Card (3 MB) Progress Report (12 MB) Pocket Program (6 MB) LepreCon 17 Flyer (3 MB) LepreTimes for Friday (3 MB) LepreTimes for Saturday (3 MB) LepreCon 18 Pocket Program (4 MB) LepreCon 19 Pocket Program (5 MB) Japanese Animation Program (3 MB) LepreCon 21 Flyer (2 MB) Letter (3 MB) Pocket Program (9 MB) LepreCon 22 LepreCon Today (The Panels) (6 MB) Pocket Program (5 MB) Progress Report (22 MB) LepreCon 23 Pocket Program (4 MB) Progress Report (14 MB) LepreCon 24 Flyer 1 (1 MB) Flyer 2 (2 MB) Flyer 3 (1 MB) Flyer 4 (2 MB) Progress Report 1 (15 MB) Progress Report 2 (22 MB) Pocket Program (3 MB) LepreCon 25 Flyer 1 (1 MB) Flyer 2 (2 MB) Flyer 3 (1 MB) Flyer 4 (2 MB) LepreCon 26 Pocket Program (3 MB)

LepreCon 27 Pocket Program (5 MB) LepreCon 28 Pocket Program (6 MB) THEM Pocket Program (3 MB) LepreCon 29 Progress Report (9 MB) LepreCon Daily Frefanzine #1 (6 MB) Pocket Program (5 MB) Large Flyer (3 MB) Small Flyer (1 MB) LepreCon 30 Progress Report (12 MB) Pocket Program (6 MB) LepreCon 31 Progress Report 1 (1 MB) Progress Report 2 (1 MB) Pocket Program (6 MB) Poster (4 MB) LepreCon 32 Progress Report 1 (17 MB) Pocket Program (6 MB) LepreCon 33 Dealers Application Form (25k) Flyer (50k) Pocket Program (7 MB) LepreCon 34 Bookmark (257k) Flyer (1 MB) Progress Report 1 (493k) LepreCon 35 Flyer (with 36) (2 MB) LepreCon 36 Dealers Room' Application Form (15k) Gaming Events (50k) LepreCon 39 Youth Badges (3 MB) LepreCon 40 Ad (8 MB) LepreCon 41 Brochure (12 MB) CONflagration Gaming Grid (12 MB) Flyer (116k) Pocket Program (299k) Poster (824k) LepreCon 42 Gaming Guide (1 MB) Program Guide (1 MB) LepreCon 44 Flyer (1 MB) Pocket Program (7 MB) Programming Schedule - Friday (52k) Programming Schedule - Saturday (59k) Programming Schedule - Sunday (54k) LepreCon 45 Pocket Program (427k)

High Quality Cover Scans

Here's a ZIP file (57 MB) of 300dpi scans of covers 10-40. 20 was cancelled and 35 was a fan gathering, so no program books were produced for those two events.

Program Book Covers

Click on the images below to open larger versions.

Last update: 9th September, 2023