As we’ve mentioned over the last month, not only does 2018 mark the centennial of the armistice that ended The First World War, it is also the hundredth anniversary of the birth of Grand Master of Science Fiction Philip José Farmer. Beginning on Thursday evening, July 26, and running through Sunday, July 29, PulpFest 2018 and its partner, FarmerCon 100, will honor both the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I AND the century mark of Philip José Farmer. We’ll be celebrating at the beautiful DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Pittsburgh – Cranberry, just outside Pennsylvania’s Steel City.
When Philip José Farmer died on February 25, 2009 at home in Peoria, Illinois, there were countless tributes on the author featured in such diverse forums as LOCUS MAGAZINE and Tor Books to CNN and THE NEW YORK TIMES. PulpFest 2018 guest of honor, Joe Lansdale, credited Farmer with changing the face of science fiction. “I just can’t begin to tell you how important he is to the field as well as other fields,” Lansdale said.
Farmer’s legacy endures and continues to entertain his many fans and readers. Perhaps the best testament to this is the annual FarmerCon gathering, held at PulpFest since 2011. This year, we’re very pleased to welcome our FarmerCon members back to our joint conference, particularly during the centennial year of Philip José Farmer’s birth. We’ll be celebrating the occasion with an expanded FarmerCon programming schedule.
On Saturday, July 28, at 12:30 PM our FarmerCon programming continues with a “Farmer Jam.” Please join a like-minded group of Farmer fans and congregate to share stories, anecdotes, and memories of Phil. All members of FarmerCon 100 and PulpFest 2018 are welcome to read from their favorite Philip José Farmer work or reminisce about the author and his work. In the great tradition of jazz jams, this session is a chance to articulate, in an informal setting, what Farmer meant to you and enjoy the interaction with other fans who share your joy and appreciation for the Science Fiction Grand Master. You can sign up for the jam by visiting the Meteor House table in the PulpFest dealers’ room and reserve a slot. Or feel free to just come along and enjoy the words and cool vibes.
A video of pulp and science fiction luminaries sharing their remembrances of Phil and his work will also be shown throughout the weekend. “Memories of Phil” will run on the hour on both Friday and Saturday afternoons. There will be showings at 1, 2, and 3 PM in one of the meeting rooms on the first floor of the DoubleTree. Stop by the Meteor House table in the PulpFest dealers’ room to learn more about the showing and watch for the “Memories of Phil” banner at Pulpfest 2018/FarmerCon 100. That will get you to the right place.
What better way to celebrate the 100th birthday of Philip José Farmer than by registering for Pulpfest 2018/FarmerCon 100? The Science Fiction Grand Master will be one of the main themes of the conventions, with plenty of programming about Farmer and his work. Also planned is a rare gallery showing of original art by acclaimed writer-illustrator Mark Wheatley, plus the conventions’ Guest of Honor — Joe Lansdale — the author of over forty novels, numerous short stories, and the introduction to THE BEST OF PHILIP JOSÉ FARMER. You can join both conventions by clicking the Register for 2018 button on the PulpFest home page. And don’t forget to book a room at the DoubleTree while you’re visiting the PulpFest site. They’re going fast!
(PulpFest 2018 will host a rare gallery showing of original art by Mark Wheatley. Held in conjunction with the convention, the event will showcase Wheatley’s extensive array of illustrations for the new Christopher Paul Carey novel, SWORDS AGAINST THE MOON MEN.
Mark Wheatley is an Inkpot, Mucker, Gem, Speakeasy, and Eisner award-winning creator. The acclaimed writer-illustrator has written for television, created comic books and graphic novels, illustrated books, designed cutting-edge role-playing games, hosted a weekly radio program, and was an early innovator of the on-line daily comic strip form. For Meteor House, he has provided the cover and interior illustrations for Heidi Ruby Miller’s MAN OF WAR and the forthcoming THE PHILIP JOSÉ FARMER CENTENNIAL COLLECTION. This massive collection will be debuting at PulpFest 2018/FarmerCon 100. Reserve your copy today!)
