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The annual speculative, sci-fi and fantasy event of the year in the valley is back (albeit with a new name rather than Comicon): Phoenix Fan Fusion, held at the downtown Phoenix Convention Center from May 23rd to the 26th (Thursday through Sunday). With an impressive roster of actors, artists, graphic designers, authors and local craftspeople scheduled to attend, this year’s convention is not to be missed. Midnight Publishing’s staff of editors and writers has been attending this event for years, and in that time we’ve learned many valuable lessons about how to get the most from your Phoenix Fan Fusion experience. Read on for need-to-know event info, tips and tricks to enjoy this year’s convention!

Notable Author Attendees We Recommend at Fan Fusion 2019:

A host of local and international authors will be signing books and sitting on panels this year, with big names as well as up-and-comers in attendance. Authors we believe shouldn’t be missed include Diana Gabaldon (writer of the internationally bestselling historical fantasy Outlander series), Ryan Dalton (writer of the YA time-traveling fantasy series the Time Shift trilogy), Arizona local author Tom Leveen (whose works include a variety of YA horror, sci-fi and contemporary), Aprilynne Pike (author of NYT’s bestseller Wings among many others), and Suzanne Young (NYT’s bestseller of The Program series and presenting her new sci-fi release, Girls With Sharp Sticks). For a full list of author attendees this year go here.

Notable Author Panels to Attend:

One of our favorite parts about Phoenix Fan Fusion is not only getting to purchase books by talented local and international authors and have them personally signed, but to get to interact with these authors at fun and insightful panels held throughout the convention. The panel topics range in subject matter from things like the writing process and character development to games like “Author Batsu,” where authors have had to eat extremely spicy salsa on a dare in the past (it’s our staff’s absolute favorite panel!). This year a couple of panels stood out to us that we’d highly recommend (all of which are detailed on Phoenix Fan Fusion’s complete panel schedule under Books and Authors):

  • Thursday, May 23rd from 1:30 – 2:30 p.m. That’s Funny – Writing Good Humor
  • Friday, May 24th from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. Diversity in the Harry Potter Universe
  • Friday, May 24th from 1:30 – 2:30 p.m. Creating Believable Characters
  • Friday, May 24th from 4:30 – 5:30 p.m. Writing Rebel Girls
  • Saturday, May 25th from 1:30 – 2:30 Global Warming and the Future We Build in Books
  • Saturday, May 25th from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. Author Batsu
  • Sunday, May 26th from 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. From Book to Film

Ticket prices and other important info:

Each day of Phoenix Fan Fusion is priced differently and ranges from $25 for a Thursday pass all the way to a $400 VIP all-access option. Find all the ticket options you need here on their main page, and consider investing in the $85 all-event pass to be able to see panels, authors and exhibits every day of the convention.

Midnight Publishing has been serving authors and entrepreneurs in Phoenix, Arizona and around the world for nearly a decade, helping them craft their book ideas to reality and hone their manuscripts to publish-ready perfection. Contact us anytime to discuss our services and a spot on our schedule, and check out our comprehensive 2019 publishing guides with over 150 pages of professionally curated information from industry insiders!