I’m pokey, I know, but I tend to get off planes and jump right into work, family, and a week of insanity as penance for daring to go off and enjoy myself.  So forgive my tardiness, I’ll make it up in word count—and later, pictures!! 

The theme for Mo’Con this year was “The Intersection of Spirituality, Art & Gender.” Okay. But it was not nearly as ’spiritual’ as some may think, and that’s an especially valid point to anyone that didn’t go because they thought it was going to be all “churchy”. As a matter of fact, I discussed my issues with the ‘church’ portion of Mo’Con with Maurice afterward in my normal fashion—you know, all subtle and demure like—and he was more than okay with that. So don’t let the setting and underlying theme scare you off.

In truth, it was more of an “Intimate Gathering of a Genre Sampling.” Writers [published, not published, self-published and even some I-talk-about-writing-but-don't-actually-do-its... yes, I'm looking at you Rob!], Publishers, Readers, Fans, and even people that do none of the above, especially in the horror genre, but happen to go to that church so they checked it out to get a better understanding. I can only hope they walked away with an appreciation of the genre and what it offers, rather than solidified misgivings and presumptions regarding it.

As per the schedule, which was scribbled on a piece of used paper [Shoulders? Cops? I wonder what that paper was initially for?!] and shoved into either Maurice’s pocket or lost in the couch cushion*, Friday was the official reception. What this means is that everyone mills around, eats & listens to the entertainment of choice for this year, “Mother Grove“. Afterward, a few straggled their way over to Maurice’s house for late night conversations.

Saturday was panels & pizza. Kicked off with a brief welcome and two awards [to Brian Keene & Alethea Kontis to acknowledge support and make the 'official' Mo'Con princess---respectively---as well as making Kontis an honorary member of the Indiana Horror Writers], the day started ‘almost’ on time. The first panel** [spirituality] included Nick Mamatas, Bob Freeman, Gary Braunbeck, Matt Cardin, Kim Paffenroth & Mark Rainey. They each told us their path of faith and how it relates [or doesn't] to their work. “Strip Mall Christianity” was discussed and somewhere along the line I jotted down, “it seems that those with faith and questions regarding it, often turn ‘write what you know’ into ‘write what you want to know,’ and throw their questions into the realm of fiction.” Hmmm, in retrospect, there was some fairly heavy discussion hidden among the jokes, jabs and eye-rolling. This was followed by food—something I quickly learned was very important to Mo’Con. These people will feed you and feed you well, and by that I mean, it could be 2 a.m. and someone, somewhere is making steaks! After a brief interlude for lunch, we dove into the next panel [editors that hate you] with Mamatas, Jason Sizemore, Chesya Burke, Rainey, Cardin and Frank Creed. This quickly turned into a let’s-bash-Maurice-fest, but some good thoughts came out of it as well. Dos and Don’ts if you will. For example, “I think Jack Sparrow is HOT!” is not going to help your pirate story, so keep it out of your cover letter folks! This was followed by a break and some book buying, before the final panel of the day [gender]. This was my panel, and it spurred many thoughts which will eventually be their own blog. I shared the “how to perpetuate a non-issue by giving it attention and therefore power and validity” panel [Yes, I have an opinion-thus the solo blog later] with Lucy Snyder, Chesya, Natalie Christl, and the last minute addition of a male voice, aka Gary Braunbeck. And one more time, just for the record, not all horror is part of the subcategory ’slasher’.  This was wrapped up to the tune of the dinner bell, as everyone followed the pizza delivery boy to Maurice’s house [bless his wife for a.) putting up with everyone, b.) not killing him for doing this to her]. The evening dwindled down in various places around the homestead as con goers chatted late into the night/early morning.

And were then expected to be at church bright and early on Sunday. [This fragment brought to you in honor of Jack Haringa---speaking of, go buy this book!]

“How’s your soul?” Yes, in the mixed company of Christians, Buddhists, atheists, and whatnot, that was the opening of the church service, and it just sort of meandered like a drunken flower child from there. I have many thoughts on the service, all of which were shared with a very open-minded Sinister Minister, but overall I can say two key things. I like the “idea” of what they’re doing at the Dwelling Place—open to everyone and everything, they mix and match texts, prayers, styles, etc. However, the execution failed because of what we later dubbed “company service.” They tried just a touch too hard because they were being watched by [and trying to impress] a plethora of outsiders, and it came across as a PowerPoint presentation on passive-aggressive witnessing. Not my cup of tea, but I appreciate the effort. The service was followed by, you guessed it, more food—a breakfast buffet of stuffed French toast, pancakes, sausage, fruit, etc.

We hung out at the church [aka Karate School] and chatted, while one by one, people headed to cars and airports. By late afternoon, those that remained made it back to Maurice’s house for one final night of discussion. At this point, the con was all but done…until the phone call from the airport regarding storms and grounded planes that turned into an extra night for Alethea, Mamatas, Cardin, Lauren David, Jenn Baumgartner, Mo and myself—dubbed Mo’Con 3.2. If you made your plane, or drove your car away, you’ll never know what happened in the garage that night…

Overall, I really enjoyed it. It’s small and personable, with only one track of programming so everyone is involved in everything, and you don’t feel like you have to choose which panels/readings you will attend and which you will miss. If you were there, it was great to hang out this weekend and discuss everything, inside and outside the business end of things, from poisonous berry trees to the “layers of subjective selfhood.”

If you weren’t… mark your calendar and show up next year. It’s not like any other con, though it has similarities in feel and atmosphere to Necon [but on a much smaller level], and everyone should experience it—at least once. Plus, I hear that my 2 hours worth of opinions regarding the “company service” have spurred a hell of a guest preacher for next year… and you don’t want to miss that!

……….
* Note. Only Maurice had said ’schedule’. There is no program book, flyer, half sheet of paper with an itinerary, or even a piece of cardboard taped to the Dwelling Place wall with the panels/times scribbled in crayon.

** I’d like to point out that these “panels” are given from comfortable couches with the audience casually sitting around tables rather than conducted like stock holder meetings with straight tables at the front and rows of folding chairs for the voters. The relaxed atmosphere and friendly setting offers an intimacy that welcomes open-ended discussion, laughter and camaraderie.

Note: I think it took longer to add all those links that it did to write this!