A dead dog party is an informal gathering after a convention is mostly over. It is usually tired, affectionate, low-key, and full of people who are not quite ready to return to ordinary life.
| Quick fact | Information |
|---|---|
| Term | Dead dog party |
| Meaning | Post-convention gathering |
| Common attendees | Staff, volunteers, remaining members, friends |
| Tone | Tired, informal, grateful, decompressive |
Why It Happens
Conventions create their own temporary world. When the program ends and the signs come down, the dead dog party gives remaining fans a way to decompress, thank one another, tell stories, and let the event fade gently.
Why the Name Fits
The name is comic and self-mocking. People are tired. The convention is over. Everyone has done too much. And yet, somehow, they are still sitting together.
Related Reading
See Science Fiction Conventions Glossary and Worldcon.
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