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BizarroCon 2026: May 14-17 2026
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In beautiful Portland, Oregon, from May 14th through 17th, 2026.
BizarroCon 2026. The New Bizarro Con, a Place For Literary Misfits. First time in the Spring!
Expect: workshops, readings/performances, awards, great times! Not to mention an amazing collection of some of the weirdest and wildest multi-disciplinary writers, publishers, artists, and creators you could possibly imagine, all under one roof! More TBD!
For your ticket price, not only do you get access to all the events, but at least one meal will be catered on the evening of the Awards, in addition to morning coffee/tea and baked goods for the workshops.
You can pay now via Venmo by sending your payment at this link: https://account.venmo.com/u/BizarroCon2026 *OR* you can use the Square link (https://square.link/u/hLegPhiI) and/or QR code on the above poster. Early Bird price is $150. Registration will go up to $175 on March 1st, 2026.
Please enter your NAME as you would like it to read on your BADGE. Please also specify if you are paying for more than one registration (and for whom) in the comments.
May 14th-17th 2026. Thursday evening, registration will begin, as well as any welcome events, with the bulk of the convention taking place over Friday and Saturday. Sunday will feature some special events before our closing ceremony.
The Venue: Bizarro Con 2026 will be taking place at the Jupiter Hotel in Portland, OR. We have negotiated a 15%off discount with the hotel, the code for which is below. Be aware, blocks are not being held.
Go to: www.jupiterhotel.com
Click: the “Book Now” button in the top right corner of the page
Click: “Enter Promo Code“
Enter: “BIZARROCON” (it is case sensitive)
Select your dates and book!
There are two buildings – one being “vintage” and the other being more “modern” right across SE 9th Ave from one another. Both buildings will be used during the con, so you can’t go wrong! The Jupiter is centrally located, a short streetcar ride from Powell’s, down the street from Portland’s favorite pizza place, Sizzle Pie, and a host of fun shops and restaurants to explore nearby. The hotel has a bar downstairs in the Jupiter Next (the newer building) called Hey Love, and because it is Portland, they have food as well. By the time the event happens, we’re told the bar and restaurant at the Original will also be open. So that will be a fun surprise!
If the Jupiter is still too expensive for your wallet, even with the 15% discount, there is also a lower budget motel right across Burnside called East Side Lodge that has rooms for around $80/night for the more budget-cautious: https://www.eastsidelodge.com/
The Awards: Saturday night will be the annual Wonderland Awards banquet, where the best of bizarro 2025 awards for best novel and collection will be awarded.
The Showdown: The Ultimate Bizarro Showdown will return once again to allow for the craziest, most fun, most bizarro performance-readings imaginable. More details will be forthcoming, but you may choose to mention your interest in participating in the comments when you register.
Reasons To Come To BizarroCon
Networking!
Meet other writers, editors, and readers of bizarro fiction. Make new friends. Pitch ideas to editors. Since the convention is small (60-100 people) you’ll have a good chance to get to know pretty much everyone.
Readings!
There will be many readings by bizarro authors at BizarroCon. If you like readings there will be plenty of them. If you don’t like readings, there are tons of other things to do around Astoria. If you would like to give a reading, you will have the opportunity to sign up for your chance after you register. We’ll try to schedule you a slot, but no promises.
(Rose OKeefe, Cameron Pierce, Carlton Mellick III, Jeff Burk)
Workshops! Panels! Discussions!
All day Friday, there will be bizarro writing workshops and discussions on marketing and other important topics related to the business of bizarro writing. There will also be the meeting of the Bizarro Writer’s Association where we discuss the future of bizarro fiction. Come to BizarroCon and you will improve your skills as a bizarro writer and assist in the development of this burgeoning fiction movement.
Parties!
Really, BizarroCon is just one giant party. There’s nothing more fun than hanging out with a group of people who share the same passion as you do. This is where the weird impromptu events occur, such as pinky-wrestling tournaments, Prince Lemon dance-offs, and Kevin L. Donihe levitations.
The Wonderland Book Awards!
Saturday night will be the annual Wonderland Book Awards, honoring authors who have excelled in bizarro fiction. Everyone attending BizarroCon will be allowed to vote for the winners of the Wonderland Book Awards. To vote, you must be registered for BizarroCon (this includes those registered for the Saturday-only pass). Voting begins July 1st and ends September 30th. Email your votes for best novel and best collection to bizarrocon@gmail.com. Nominees in each category will be posted here soon.
The Ultimate Bizarro Showdown!
After the Wonderland Book Awards Dinner, BizarroCon is transformed into Bizarro Thunderdome! Up to twelve authors enter, only one leaves victorious. The distinguished bizarro judges will choose the top three performers. Winners will receive fabulous prizes and bragging rights for a year. Hosted by Michael Allen Rose and Sauda Namir, the Ultimate Bizarro Showdown is a showdown of ultimate awesomeness! If you’d like to sign up for this competition or have questions about the event, contact Michael at flood@gerbilprobe.com. There are only a limited number of spots available, so sign up now.
Bizarro Books!
World Famous Powell’s Books is a streetcar ride away. Other fine retailers include Dark Star Magick, Up Up Books, and Mother Foucault’s Bookshop
Basic summary of what to expect of the BizarroCon schedule:
THURSDAY: Thursday is mostly just about everyone arriving in town throughout the day. For those who are waiting around for everyone to show up, it is a chance to get to know the new people and a chance to explore the area. BizarroCon 2026 officially kicks off with the opening ceremony and welcome party.
FRIDAY: Friday is filled with writing workshops and round table discussions. This is the day we get down to business. We help each other improve our craft of writing bizarro fiction, we brainstorm new book marketing techniques, and we plan the future of the bizarro genre. All the important stuff. At night, there is an after-party with bizarro bands.
SATURDAY: We’ll continue with workshops, panels, and readings. Saturday night will be the Wonderland Book Awards Banquet, followed by the Ultimate Bizarro Showdown.
SUNDAY: Bizarro Short Film Block curated by John Skipp and Closing Ceremonies, and send out BizarroCon in style.
BizarroCon 2026 