Stephanie Osborn to Appear at MidSouthCon in Memphis, TN

March 15, 2009 - PRLog -- Stephanie Osborn will be in Memphis, TN, on the weekend of 20-22 March, 2009, participating in one of the oldest and largest science fiction traditions in the city: MidSouthCon. She will speak about her career as a payload flight controller and her new books, Burnout: The Mystery of Space Shuttle STS-281 and The Y Factor.

Burnout is a mystery about a space shuttle disaster that proves to be no accident. As the principal investigators uncover more and more about the incident, a determined and very deadly coverup begins to manifest itself. They flee for their lives as friends, lovers, and colleagues perish around them, while still trying to piece together the puzzle.

The Y Factor, co-authored with Darrell Bain, is the sequel to Human By Choice, by Bain and Travis "Doc" Taylor. Osborn, Taylor's protege, was tapped by Bain to help continue the series when Taylor's schedule rendered him unavailable. The series tells the story of Earth's first contact with aliens who crash-land on Earth. The Cresperians' unique abilities and advanced technology make them "valuable commodities" among the different political and religious groups on Earth, with a power race ensuing. In addition, an intrepid researcher begins to realize that the Cresperians are more delicate than they had initially realized, and another type of race begins, as efforts to protect the Cresperians - from over-eager humans, and from themselves - begin.

MidSouthCon is presented by Mid-South Science and Fiction Conventions, Inc. a 501 (c) (3) not for profit educational organization. Their prime focus is literacy and education. To that end they hold an annual convention in Memphis, TN. For over 26 years this convention has brought numerous authors, editors, scientists, and artists to Memphis for conferences, panels, art displays, etc.

MidSouthCon has grown over the years to become the Mid-South's premier multi-genre convention. It covers a diverse section of fannish culture that includes Science Fiction, Fantasy, Science, Comics, Horror, Education, Costuming, Anime, and Gaming. There will be 70+ authors, editors, publishers, scientists, artists and other guests, with an annual atendance of approximately 1200 people.

There is an average of over 120 hours of programming in multiple tracks during the Con, not counting the Video Room, Anime Room, or gaming tracks. There will be a masquerade, readings, autographs, a dealer's room, SCA demonstrations and events, board games, role-playing and LARP games, CCG tournaments, and other fun stuff.

In conjunction with MidSouthCon, there will be a Writers' Conference, an Educational Conference: SF In The Classroom, and charitable fundraisers for such worthy causes as St. Jude's Children's Hospital, the Memphis Literacy Council, and the SFWA Emergency Medical Fund. There will also be a blood drive in conjunction with Lifeblood's bloodmobile.

For more information on MidSouthCon and how to attend, see http://www.midsouthcon.org/index.html.

For more information on Ms. Osborn's appearances, go to http://www.stephanie-osborn.com

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Stephanie Osborn is a former payload flight controller, a veteran of 20+ years of working in the civilian & military space defense programs. She holds degrees in 4 sciences & writes sci-fi mysteries based on her knowledge, experience, and travels.