Golden Time Conventions

We are interested in discovering any information about John Bellairs's connection to science fiction or fantasy conventions or conferences. For example, we know he attended the Boskone conventions held in 1982 and 1983. In 1982 he appeared as part of the entitled "What To Do When Your Prince(ss) Does Not Come," with Jane Yolen, Ellen Kushner, Robin McKinley, Georgess McHarge, C. J. Cherryh, and Joan D. Vinge.


Boskone is an annual science fiction convention run by the New England Science Fiction Association (NESFA) in Boston, Massachusetts, focusing on (in their words) "literature, art, music, and gaming (with just a dash of whimsy)". It is held over President's Day weekend every February, in Boston.

John was also the guest of honor at the Mythcon XVIII (1987) held at Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.  This convention featured what was probably the first – and only – stage adaptation of Bellairs’ work: a hastily-assembled and abbreviated stage show of The Pedant and the Shuffly.

We're told Bellairs professed himself charmed.

We bring this up because we recently came across Chad Orzel’s comments about a recent Boskone convention schedule that features a rather enigmatic discussion panel:

Saturday 2:00 pm Dalton: Focus on John Bellairs

A long time resident of Haverhill, Massachusetts, John Bellairs (1939-1991) specialized in works like “The House with a Clock in its Walls” (wry, curiously touching and realistic Gothic tales for young adults) and the 1969 cult novel “The Face in the Frost” (a more adult dark fantasy equally hilarious and terrifying). What’s his other good stuff? Why isn’t he better know? And just what would Snake Year sherry taste like? Chip Hitchcock, Timothy P. Szczesuil (m)

Interesting. I like his books, but I’m not sure there’s enough there to support a whole hour...

A link to the finalized Boskone schedule doesn’t list any topic regarding Bellairs at all.