The ICON convention in Cedar Rapids will be fulfilling fantasies this week, and not just because it's a three-day event for fans of all things fantasy, science fiction and horror.

Throughout the three-day convention, attendees will be able to meet and interact with some of their favorite genre authors.

“This is one of the coolest things you can attend,” Dana Beatty, ICON 38 Convention Committee member. “In bigger cities you would stand in line for hours to meet these authors,” says Dana Beatty, ICON 38 Convention committee member. “Here in Cedar Rapids, you can sit down and talk with them face-to-face.”

Special guest authors and editors at the event this year include editor Ellen Datlow, writers Nancy Kress, Jack Skillingstead, SFWA Grand Master Joe Haldeman, Gregory Frost, Jim C. Hines, agent Gay Haldeman and fan guest Steven Keith Tait.

Dennis Lynch - a committee member who has attended all 38 ICONs - says that combined these authors have been nominated more than 300 times and won 59 literary awards, including Hugos, Nebulas, Stokers, World Fantasies, Locus Awards, Horror Writers Association Awards, Shirley Jacksons, Bram Stokers, John Campbells, Ted Sturgeons, Tiptrees, Asimovs, and International Horror Guild Awards, among others.

Writers Mickey Zucker Reichert, Catherine Schaff-Stump, Anna Kathryn Davis, Rachel Aukes, Christian Schoon, Adam Whitlatch, Abby Ryan, Dennis Green, Michael Koogler, Jed Peterson and editor Elizabeth Chretien also will appear at the convention.

The event unofficially begins Thursday night with a book signing event with many of the authors at Barnes & Noble in Cedar Rapids from 6:30 to 8 p.m.

“This is the first chance to meet many of our guest authors,” Lynch says.

Organizers hope to inspire the next generation of sci-fi writers through the conference as well. During the convention, there will be many opportunities to interact with the authors during writing workshops, panel discussions and readings.

New this year is Dreamcon, a writer's workshop with the next generation of writers - high school and college students - on Friday.

“It is a rare opportunity for students to meet and work with professional writers from all over the country,” Lynch says. “Fantasy has really taken over a lot of our popular media. ... This workshop will provide great access to professionals in the field.”

The convention also features art, vendors, a masquerade party and dance, science and technology demonstrations, a silent film festival and music by Celtic group Wylde Nept. There will be gaming events all weekend as well.

“There's no time to take a nap all weekend,” Beatty says. “Throughout the entire convention there are at least two things going on each hour that I want to be a part of. If sci-fi, fantasy and horror are your thing, than ICON is the place to be.”

Costumes are encouraged.

If you go

What: ICON 38
When: 5 p.m. Friday to 4 p.m. Nov. 17
Where: Cedar Rapids Marriott, 1200 Collins Rd. NE, Cedar Rapids
Cost: Adults, $65; children, $35; 6 and under, free
More information: Iowa-icon.com

IF YOU GO

There will be a Pre-ICON Authors Book Signing from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Barnes & Noble Gregory Frost, “Shadowbridge.”

Rachel Aukes, “100 Days in Deadland.”
Jake Skillingstead, “Art You There and Other Stories”
Christian Schoon, “Zenn Scarlett”
Anna Kathryn Davis, “The Gifted.”
Joe Haldeman, “Starbound” from his Marsbound Series #2
Mickey Zucker Reichert, “The Last of the Renshai” from the Renshai Trilogy Series #1
Jim C. Hines, “Libriomancer from the Magic Ex Libris Book 1.
Abby Ryan, “Orphan of the Shadows.”
Jed Peterson and Micheal Koogler, “The Rise of Cain” and “Hade's Gambit”
Catherine Schaff-Stump, “Hulk Hercules Professional Wrestler.”
Ellen Datlow, “After” (Nineteen Stores of Apocalypse and Dystopia) and “Queen Victoria's Book of Spells”
Nancy Kress, “Flash Point”