Dragon*Con Alt. History Track Director Cindy MacLeod has a quick minute to give a glimpse into the coming merriment at this year’s shindig. We’ve packed lots of spoilers and previews into this interview, so let’s get started. FULL SPEED AHEAD!

Cindy MacLeod! I bet you are busier than a one-armed automaton in a juggling act. One month out from Dragon Con, you must be just about ready to go, yes?

That's a very apt metaphor for my current state of being. Ready to go, you ask? I say yes, if by "go" you mean "get on a plane and head for a small, private, Caribbean island."

You probably mean the Con, though; for that, I am getting more ready by the day! This last month before the Con is always fraught with many emails, messages and other last-minute minutiae. (And that's just having to do with my personal costuming!)

What are the highlights for the fans this year?

The Steampunk Exhibition, run by Birmingham's own Paige Smith, which was extremely popular last year, is back in a bigger room and has been given more run-time. The Grand Pirate and Time Travelers' Ball is back again, featuring Frenchy and the Punk and DJ Doctor Q, as well as some additional surprises. Abney Park is giving a panel about their brand new tabletop RPG and novel, set in their own universe. There will be a discussion on the newly-released "Steampunk Bible" by Ann and Jeff VanderMeer. G.D. Falksen will be giving his "Steampunk 101" lecture, joined by Matt Silva of Penny Dreadful Productions.

And finally (and I'm personally very thrilled about this), we will be hosting Christopher Lloyd, Lea Thompson, and James Tolkan from the "Back to the Future" movies in two large Q&A panels.

There seem to be several sessions that are more than just steam - centric - can you tell us about those?

Well, some of the panels that were well-received our first year of the track, such as Weird West and Pirates, are coming back as partof our "Myth and Reality" series--think of them as historical "Mythbusters", in which both real and alternate histories are discussed. A new addition this year is"Myth and Reality of the Highland Scots" on Saturday, which will feature a piper and a special surprise guest.

We're also having a showcase panel with S.M. Stirling, the exceedingly prolificalternate history author, as well as a couple of panels focusing on specific alt-history themes such as the 20th Century and the supernatural.

If you enjoy debate, the "Hardcore History" panel on Friday may be to your liking. It will be an Oxford-style debate concerning the American Civil War, in honor of the 150th anniversary thereof. (Please note: attendance at this panel is restricted to ages 18 and up, due to discussion of mature themes.)

What's a best bet for the academically minded attending this year?

We have a series of academic panels coordinated by Austin Sirkin, a graduate student. Last year, his "Gender and Race in Alternate History" received accolades, and I expect his "Alternate History and Marxism" to be quite provocative. (The latter panel will feature the authors S.M. Stirling and Eric Flint, both of whom have advanced academic credentials.)

Purely fun stuff?

On Friday night, drop by the "Steampunk Persona and Airship Crew Spectacular," in which various costuming experts will give advice on how to amp up your steampunk costuming experience.

Join us on Saturday morning in front of the Westin at 9 AM and march in the Parade! If all goes well, we'll be led by a hand-built airship!

If you're into singing, stick around after the "Highland Scots" panel on Saturday for the "Pub Sing," which will feature some noted Ren Fair luminaries, such as Marc Gunn and Pandora Celtica...and will proceed out the door of the Westin to the conveniently-located Meehan's Pub (next door).

I've just received word that we *may* be attempting to break that Guinness World Record for the most steampunk costumers that we attempted to break last year...so I encourage everyone to bring at least some form of steampunk costume (or purchase something in the dealer's room). If this happens, it will be on Sunday night, in close proximity to the Ball.

If you're awake on Monday morning, there will be a discussion on whether or not a spacesuit suitable to be used by a Jules Verne hero could actually have been built--this talk will be given by space and aeronautic scientists, and they encourage audience participation!

What's to do that is hands-on?

Well, on Sunday morning, we encourage everyone to bring their projects to the Sewing and Craft Circle. In previous years, we've had folks discuss what they're working on and some have brought collaborative projects.

Also the Steampunk Exhibition will feature many contraptions, doodads, devices and so forth, and many of the exhibitors encourage you to pick them up and check them out and ask all about them. (Do be sure to always inquire first before grabbing that ray-gun, though, just in case...)

Musical acts are always a big draw - who's headlining this year?


Of particular interest to steampunk fans is Abney Park, of course! I'm not sure what night their Main Stage show will be, but as previously mentioned they will be in the Westin giving their own panel on Sunday, and on Saturday they will be part of Doctor Q's "Mechanical Melodies" roundtable, as well.

Frenchy and the Punk will be bringing their exceedingly high-energy show to the Ball on Sunday night, and we're thrilled to have them back.

D*C 2010 had the Alt Hist track in the same hotel with (gasp - shudder) The ZOMBIES. Tell us about the neighbors this year?

Indeed, the Zombie Prom was on Friday night and it was quite the sight to behold. I'm not sure if that event is going to be in the Westin again, but I do know we'll be sharing space with the track rooms of the Whedonverse Track (yay, Firefly!), the Apocalypse Rising Track, and, I believe, the Stargate Universe Track.


You are also part of the directing team for Atlanta's AnachroCon - can you tell us about that? And will there be any specials offered for early registration at D*C for AnachroCon?

AnachroCon 2012 is booked and ready to go on February 24-26th at the Holiday Inn Select Atlanta Perimeter (the same hotel as last year). Although we will not be having a fan table at Dragon*Con this year, our roving representatives will be handing out advertising flyers. We'll be keeping our price down to $30 during and after Dragon*Con, and for those who attend Anime Weekend Atlanta and PiratePalooza, we will be having fan tables at both events.

What, personally, are you looking forward to at D*C?

That's hard to say specifically--as a director, I don't get to see much that isn't in the track room, but I'm definitely looking forward to the Back to the Future panels, as well as seeing everyone's costumes in the Parade and at the Ball.

I look forward to seeing it all myself at Dragon*Con. WHAT? What’s that? You didn’t get enough details about Alt. History track? FINE! Click here for the schedule… Thanks Cindy MacLeod – Alt. History Track Director!

I’m Emilie P. Bush – author of Chenda and the Airship Brofman and The Gospel According to Verdu.