ConDFW is:

• A literary-focused science fiction convention.
• Happening February 17-19, 2012. (Our 11th year!)
• Brought to you by the Texas Speculative Fiction Association (TSFA).
• Run by a team of volunteers with varied years of experience.

The TSFA is:

• A Texas-based, Federally-recognized 501(c)(3) non-profit organization informally organized in 2001.
• Dedicated to promoting the advancement of education with emphasis on sci-fi/fantasy/horror literature, publishing and writing, and science.
• The organization behind ConDFW, our annual event where we bring in top people in the fields of science fiction, horror & fantasy literature, hard science, art, and more.
• Open to all; membership dues are paid annually.

Q: What is ConDFW?

A: ConDFW is a literary science fiction and fantasy convention featuring writing/publishing based programming, science programming, an excellent collection of guests, art show, a charity book swap and auction, a short story contest, and a slew of non-traditional activities such as the Sci-Fi Spelling Bee. ConDFW is brought to you by the Texas Speculative Fiction Association, a 501 (c)(3) organization.

Q: How long have you been around?

A: The first ConDFW was held in 2002 with John Steakley as our guest of honor, on an incredibly slim budget. We have tried to keep the prices at ConDFW low for our members while still bringing you a unique set of guests, entertainers, and activities.

Q: Ooo! I have a guest suggestion!

A: Suggestions are always welcome — please try to keep guest recommendations to the Continental US – and the living. We’d all love to hear Douglas Adams, or Arthur C. Clarke, or Isaac Asimov…but we’re not much into séances. Also, to keep our/your costs down, we avoid bringing over folks from across the pond or outside the states.

Q: What if I gave you lots of money to sponsor bringing over someone?

A: We’d love to discuss that with you! Sponsorships are available and would include a variety of perks. Please drop us an email by visiting the Contact Us page to discuss the possibilities.

Q: Will there be a costume contest or masquerade-type activity?

A: Yes! We are working with a group to bring you the “Ms. Celestial Starburst” competition, in keeping with our literary-based theme. More details on that will be coming, but suffice it to say that it will be visually…stunning.

Q: Will there be an art show?

A: Yes, there is. See all the pertinent info for the Art Show HERE, including forms for artists to register for panel or table space. We also encouraging STUDENT entries in the Art Show, for budding artists who have never done this sort of thing before. Look for those pieces in the Show itself, and show your support by obtaining a bidder number and getting these kids started!

Q: Dealer’s Room? Fan Tables?

A: Yes, there are actually both this year. Our new hotel is larger than our past location, and offers us room to add in some Gallery Tables in the main hallway outside the Dealer’s Room for fan groups doing self-promotion. Inside the Dealer’s Room, we will have 4,000 square feet of merchandise madness. Find Gallery Table and Dealer’s Room info HERE.

Q: Why should I stay at the con hotel?

A: The answer is: room nights = lower costs for us, and thus for you. Also, it’s safer and more convenient, and gives you more party time and less commute time. Details HERE.

Q: Are you the same group that does FenCon?

A: No. We love those folks, but the Dallas Future Society is a whole different group. A bunch of us attend their convention and a bunch of them attend ours, and a few staff members and swaps of equipment and such do exist, but there’s no official connection beyond the fact that we’re all fans in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. And we like each other.

Q: Are you the same group that does DragonCon? Or Sci-Fi Expo? Or AnimeFest? Or A-Kon?

A: Not entirely… ConDFW is volunteer-run. We all have real professions, interests, families, children, keys, pets, and a thousand distractions including attending and volunteering for other organizations — both convention related and not. Some of us do hold various positions with other conventions, host room parties there, sit at info tables, and work very hard for them just like we do for ConDFW. But there is no official partnership or other crossover involved.

Q: Will you throw a room party at (name of convention)?

A: We very well may! Often, we run some sort of special at these parties (not to mention always having the good beer) and you’ll want to come by and get your membership then if you can!

Q: Can my group throw a room party at ConDFW?

A: Absolutely! Our hotel has even allowed us to designate an ACTIVE floor this year, so if you want to host a room party be sure and request your room be on an ACTIVE floor or area. ConDFW is known for being a Bar-Centric con. We believe in liberal libation. We do not believe in drinking and driving, which is another good reason to get a room in the host hotel!

Q: What if I buy a membership but can’t make it?

A: If you notify us through the Contact Us page at least two weeks before the convention, then we will transfer your membership to the following year. If you don’t notify us and you don’t show up, then we’re sorry but there are no refunds or rollovers. Your membership payment is considered a lovely donation to our cause, and we thank you! PS: you can deduct it from your taxes!

Q: I have stuff to send you guys for the freebie tables/membership packets — what do I do?

A: Great! We will gladly place items you send to THIS address in one of those two places, at your request. Please remember when sending things to keep it open to all audiences — we do have a few kids here. Also, we will not put out anything that promotes any illegal activity. For quantity considerations in membership packets, please send a minimum of 300 items. (Please make sure your items arrive no later than 7 days before the start of the convention. Also, if there are extra items left over at the end of the convention, we are unable to send them back. You’re welcome to pick them up at the end of the convention, but we do not have the staff to collect/sort leftovers and send them back to you.)

Q: What is your privacy policy? Will you send ads to your guests for me?

A: We will NEVER sell, give away, or otherwise let any of your information out of our hands. To stop receiving e-mail from ConDFW, please contact us and we will remove your name and e-mail address from our mailing list. We will NOT mail out ads.

Q: What’s up with “Support the con?” stuff and the Amazon ads?
A: The best ways for you to support the convention are, first and foremost, to attend the con, and to tell other people about it. However, if you happen to be in the market for something from Amazon.com, say a book by one of our guests of honor or panelists, then by making the purchase after clicking on our affiliate link, the con will get a kickback of a few pennies from Amazon. It all goes directly into the convention’s coffers and is used to make ConDFW even better.

And thank you for supporting us, whether by attending, through word of mouth, or any other way you choose.

Q: Why haven’t you answered my question?

A: Mainly because you haven’t asked yet. If we get a repeated question, we will try to add it to this page. Email any inquiries or suggestions to us through the Contact Us page.