At the first PhauxCon I attended back in 2009, the guest of honor was paranormal/fantasy author Leslie Esdaile (L.A. Banks). Sadly, this talented author (who also happens to be a wonderful lady), has has been diagnosed with late stage adrenal cancer.

This was my first year attending PhauxCon, a small but significant and introspective convention centered in Philadelphia. The ‘faux’ is a nod to the convention’s small size, which initially deterred me. However, the size of the convention provides a classroom or lecture-style feeling to the convention.

PhauxCon is a great event held annually in downtown Philadelphia. Spend a few days sharing your fandom, laughing, learning, making new friends, and expanding your horizons, all for just $20. I attended in 2009, and it was easily one of my favorite conventions of the entire year.

PhauxCon 2009 was unlike any convention I’ve ever attended, namely because it doesn’t want to be like all of the other sci-fi and fantasy cons out there (hence the name “Phaux” con). What started as a small gathering of friends in a living room seven years ago has evolved into a slightly larger small gathering of fans at a hotel.