Chessiecon is a small sci-fi/fantasy/genre fiction celebration that also heavily features music and art. Formerly known as Darkovercon (for 36 years) before a recent rebranding, Chessiecon as it exists now has been around for just two years. All the same, it comes with all of the experience and fanbase of a long-beloved event. It takes place the weekend after Thanksgiving in Timonium, MD, which a just north of Baltimore.
With several programming tracks, near-constant music or dance, video and tabletop gaming, a sizeable art show, and a small dealer’s room, Chessiecon offers plenty to do for a convention of such small size. Created with a clear focus on women writers and creators, this event was a pleasant surprise, filled with panels dominated by female fans, writers, artists, and experts.
More than anything, this was a weekend about people. Amazing people like Seanan McGuire, K.M. Szpara, Danielle Ackley-McPhail, and many others. Small cons like Chessiecon are perfect for getting the most out of opportunities to meet and talk with people from all different parts of the industry.
I suspect I’ll be back again next year.
Deidre Dykes, Writer 