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Dear Papabear,

Some months back, Soatok published this article on the explosive growth of the Fandom.

What are your thoughts on it, and the discussion surrounding it? Can we fight these problems? How? Is it too late?

Boyesh

* * *

Dear Boyesh,

Thank you for your email and sorry for the slow reply! 

An interesting and timely question, and thank you for asking. The fandom is, indeed, growing by leaps and bounds, and a number of furcons have extremely high attendance rates. However, as much as I like Soatok, I think they are spazzing out a bit. Yes, Midwest Furfest had over 15,000 attendees, but compared to Comic-Con in San Diego, which had about 135,000 fans this year, it's peanuts. New York's Comic-Con had even more at 200,000 attendees in 2022. You don't see people giving up on comic-cons, do you? So why would they give up on furcons that have a tenth of the attendance?

Instead of treating attendance as if it were a problem, we should treat it as an opportunity. There are many things that can be done. One of these has already been deployed by Anthrocon in Pittsburgh. Uncle Kage recently announced that in 2025 they are going to cap attendance to keep the crowds at a safe level (respective of such things as fire regulations, hotel considerations, and general enjoyment of the attendees). Other large cons such as Midwest Furfest and Furry Weekend Atlanta might follow the same strategy in the near future, I would surmise. Although, on the other paw, maybe they will just grow into furry versions of Comic-Con.

This doesn't mean that furries are out of luck in attending furcons. There are lots of smaller cons, and new cons are being created. For example, in Southern California where this bear is from, when Califur shut its doors, it was soon replaced by Golden State Furcon in Los Angeles and, this year, Another Furry Con debuted in Ontario (California, not Canada). Up in the Bay Area, when Further Confusion started getting large, we saw overflow go to PAWCon. The same thing can easily happen in states like Pennsylvania. Satellite cons could open up to welcome furries who could not, for whatever reason, make AC. 

The headline of Soatok's article ("Furries Are Losing the Battle Against Scale") is self-defeating and presumptuous. What are our options here? Well, one option would be to see the number of furries decline, risking what happened to the Bronies when their convention closed and now they have no cons. Second option is things stay the same, which isn't likely but would mean we'd go along as we are, which isn't so bad. And Option 3 is that we continue to grow, which is a testimony to the success and popularity of the furry fandom and should be celebrated, not mourned.

Soatok notes that furry attendance at cons and meets etc. is growing at about 10% annually, which means it will double in 7 years. They then compare this to the 0.8% growth of overall world population, concluding that furry growth is unsustainable. Soatok then predicts that: 1) Furcons will become accessible only to tech-savvy and wealthy furries; attendance costs will rise; hotels will become too crowded; and furries will get stressed and start fighting with each other.

First of all, chill out. Of the over 100 furcons going on these days, only 7 have attendance rates exceeding 5,000 while over half have attendance rates under 1,000. Yes, a few cons are over-attended, a hazard of being a popular and well-run convention. Most still have plenty of room to grow. Soatok says that convention growth (in terms of total hotel rooms) is flat and that we will therefore get crushed under a flood of furries swarming to conventions. I beg to differ. In a very helpful article on the Fang, Feather, & Fin website from 2022, Gale Frostbane notes that there were 11 conventions in the 1990s, 52 in the 2000s, 138 in the 2010s. 

This seems to be leveling off now, true, but there are two big reasons: 1) The COVID-19 pandemic, and 2) the rise of virtual conventions such as Furality (which had over 21,000 attendees this year). But just because furcon space is a bit stagnant at the moment does not mean it always will be. This is, I believe, a blip. An adjustment. Things will happen to cause more furcons to open, older ones to diversify and adjust, and alternatives to cons (such as furmeets and parties and camps) to make themselves available.

Already things are happening that indicate Soatok is jumping the gun on offering dire warnings of impending doom. Hotels and convention centers, for example, will not permit attendance to get so huge that no one can get on an elevator or walk through a hallway because they will be crushed by stampeding footpads. As Uncle Kage and the AC staff wisely decided, there will need to be caps similar to what they do with Comic-Con. The idea that cons will only be accessible to tech savvy and wealthier furries is a rather silly point. Most furries are tech savvy already, and there are ways to get around money issues in attending cons to make them more affordable. As for furries fighting among each other, well, I gotta laugh. We already fight with each other about silly things, and we already have issues that divide us, such as the young furs vs. greymuzzle disputes or arguments about whether we should permit furporn or do you have to have a fursona or a fursuit to be furry and on and on.

If the furry fandom is going to survive, it has to grow. And as it grows, it has to evolve. It is already hugely different from when I first started getting active in the 2000s, and it will be hugely different 20 years from now compared to what it is today.

Because there is no organizing force behind our fandom like there is behind other fandoms (e.g. Whovians, Potterheads, Trekkers), one should expect it to be a raging mess of chaos. That can be seen as a weakness or it could be valued as a strength.

My advice? If you really really want to go to a large convention, book as early as you possibly can and/or find a friend who has been before and ask if you can room with them. But remember there are dozens of furcons that are much smaller and manageable in size. You can have a wonderful experience at conventions that have, say, 500 to 1,500 attendees. You know, I have never been to San Diego's Comic-Con, and I have absolutely no desire to. I despise crowds. So, instead, I went to the tiny Palm Springs Comic-Con and had a super time! You can also attend furmeets or camps or virtual cons. If there is nothing in your area but there are furries nearby, start your own meetup! What's to stop you?

We are going through growing pains. But while Soatok is correct in noting that we have some rough waters ahead, they are incorrect to start fearmongering and make furries feel that the future of furcons is bleak. It is not. It's just different, that's all. 

The future of the fandom will continue to see conventions of all shapes and sizes.

I hope that answers your question.

Bear Hugs!
Papabear

Viola Quincy is a new (to us) author we met at this year’s LosCon in Los Angeles. She’s created a loosely-connected trilogy of gently humorous science fiction novels called A Galactic Love Story. The second in the series is probably the one that furries are going to notice: Mommy’s Big Alien. “A widow with her precocious four year old are abducted by alien slavers, when they are rescued by a handsome catlike alien and his crew. Now, they need to work together against these evil criminals, while trying to figure out their feelings.” It’s available as a Kindle book, and also in paperback from the author’s web site.

image c. 2024 Margaret Viney

Fuzz and Savrin have a greymuzzle hangout fireside chat. We talk about our thanksgiving days, books, furry cons, and 'broken' dogs.

LINKS

All the new Korps books in one spot- FurPlanet - Furry Books and Comics
NEW as of 12/1/24 Telegram Link: https://t.me/+KsOQnsQqWfA0Zjkx

Southpaws | creating and promoting The Queer Agenda | Patreon

Episode 565 - Son of Adam

With Autumn soon giving way to Winter, it's the perfect time to cozy up with a hot beverage and your favorite video games. Fortunately Steam has you covered with a limited time Autumn Sale of everyones favorites. Ranging from the high budget highly acclaimed titles to Indie hits, this sale is sure to have something for everyone. Act fast though, it ends on Dec 4th. Let's take a look at some highlights!

Well, here we are at the closing of another year. I hardly know what to say after the events of November. We will get through the next few years just as we’ve weathered other storms, and we will do so with heads high, hearts open, and teeth bared if necessary.

One exciting thing is the imminent publication of the guild’s latest anthology, Tales from the Guild: Blood and Water, published through Fenris. The original plan was for a release at Midwest FurFest, but the publishing process is a slow one with lots of moving parts. Currently the cover art is being finished, so it’s close, but the publication date has had to be moved back a little.

What are your writing goals for 2025? If you’re not feeling great about the future, writing can be an escape–a way to live temporarily in a world where you control every detail. It’s also a beacon to declare that art (and the artist’s soul) will always triumph.

Along with the new year comes awards season, so if there are recently-published books on your to-read pile, this is a good time to bump them to the top. If you have recently-published works, this is also a good time to send in updates for your guild member profile and the suggested reading lists. If you have a book coming out soon, let us know so we can list it in future posts. Make it easy for potential readers to find what you’ve written!

Here are the current open markets for your short stories:
Spirit of the Wolf – Deadline March 31st 2025
The Second Hayven Celestia Anthology – Deadline July 15, 2025
Indecent Exposure – Deadline When Full
This Is Halloween – Deadline When Full
Children Of The Night – Deadline When Full
Furry/Lovecraftian/Erotic/University Themed Anthology – Deadline When Full

Please also check out the latest book releases from our members:

Shadow Sun, by Jess E. Owen. Released August 30th, 2024.
Legend of Ahya: Broken Empires, by Matthew Colvath. Released October 2nd 2024.
Space Dragons: Luxorian’s Crew, by Veo Corva. Released November 12th 2024.
Catfish and Other Stories, by K.C. Shaw. Released November 30th 2024.
Wolf Tech 3: The Alphas, by Adam Webster. Release date December 10th 2024.

Happy writing!

Kate Shaw

This came out a while ago now, but we’re happy to find out about it now: Scales & Tales, a very special benefit anthology, edited by John Palisano. “Finding Forever Homes brings together many of the top authors in science fiction, fantasy and horror in an anthology benefiting and celebrating the creatures we share our planet with. From cats and dogs, to lizards and snakes, Scales & Tales explores the many dreams and stories these beings inspire. All proceeds from Scales & Tales go to benefit the adoption programs at The Southwestern Herpetologists Society, Kitt Crusaders, and Star Paws Rescue to help these souls find their forever homes.” Authors here include Ray Bradbury, Marv Wolfman, David Gerrold, Clive Barker, Lisa Morton, Tim Powers, Nancy Holder, Larry Niven, and many others. It’s still available in paperback.

image c. 2024 William Wu Books

With the future creating different paths for the group, a difficult choice must be made. "ROADS AHEAD" is a cinematic 2-part special featuring a group of Furry content creators facing obstacles that may separate them as a team. Big thanks to our sponsor, Dragon Roast Coffee! Use code "RACCBREW" to save 15% off your order! https://www.dragonroast.coffee Editing: @BanditTheRaccoon Fursona Artwork: Com (dr11white via Telegram) Series Logo: Fifth Forager See more at www.TheRaccoonsDen.com -------------------- MUSIC BY: As Seas Exhale: https://asseasexhale.bandcamp.com/ Cobalt Rabbit: https://cobalt-rabbit.bandcamp.com FACEBOOK: http://www.Facebook.com/TheRaccoonsDen TWITTER/X: http://www.Twitter.com/TheRaccoonsDen FURAFFINITY: http://www.FurAffinity.net/user/TheRaccoonsDen INSTAGRAM: http://www.Instagram.com/TheRaccoonsDen TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@theraccoonsden #TheRaccoonsDen #TRDs9 #furryfandom

Create the link to your future... ROADS AHEAD // Furry YouTube Series, "The Raccoon's Den" presents a cinematic 2-part special featuring the group faced with an obstacle that may split them apart as a team. STARRING: Bandit / Byrdz / BcB / Abbey / Static GUEST APPEARANCES: Sashimy / Flash PREMIERES Nov. 23rd, 2024! Editing: @BanditTheRaccoon Fursona Artwork: Com (dr11white via Telegram) Series Logo: Fifth Forager See more at: http://www.TheRaccoonsDen.com FACEBOOK: http://www.Facebook.com/TheRaccoonsDen TWITTER: http://www.Twitter.com/TheRaccoonsDen FURAFFINITY: http://www.FurAffinity.net/user/TheRaccoonsDen INSTAGRAM: http://www.Instagram.com/TheRaccoonsDen TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@theraccoonsden #TheRaccoonsDen #TRDs9 #FurryFandom

Pokémon, easily one of the most popular franchises in all of gaming. Even the most casual gamers who have never touched Pokémon, know what Pikachu looks like. And with that popularity, comes a significant number of spin-offs and attempts to branch the franchise out. One of which is of course the Pokémon TCG. 

Released in 1996 not long after the games which it was based on, and just like those games, the Pokémon TCG quickly took off in popularity. So much so that they even made a Pokémon TCG game for the Game Boy. It was a golden era for GameFreak and their franchise. Even after Pokémon's popularity declined for a bit, the TCG scene remained active and to this day, it's considered one of the “Big 3” of TCGs alongside Yu-Gi-Oh and Magic: The Gathering. It’s received dedicated apps, at least two different digital versions and constantly updates alongside the video games. Then on October 30th, 2024 The Pokémon Company released Pokémon TCG Pocket, the newest app developed by DeNA(Who also worked on Pokémon Masters) and Creatures Inc which seeks to recapture that feeling of opening card packs and hoping for the rarest cards. So what is Pokémon TCG Pocket?

MOOBARKFLUFF! Click here to send us a comment or message about the show!

Bearly, Taebyn, Rayne, TickTock and Cheetaro gather for another fun filled episode. Taebyn explains his crushed pineapple. We do Star Trek Madlibs. Cheetaro gives us another wonderful review, TickTock talks about hugs, and Taebyn reads us a story with a special twist.  You won’t want to miss any exciting moments here on BFFT!  Moobarkfluff everyfur!

This podcast contains adult language and adult topics. It is rated M for Mature. Listener discretion is advised.

Support the show

Thanks to all our listeners and to our staff: Bearly Normal, Rayne Raccoon, Taebyn, Cheetaro, TickTock, and Ziggy the Meme Weasel.

You can send us a message on Telegram at BFFT Chat, or via email at: bearlyfurcasting@gmail.com

Bearly Furcasting S5E12 - Macrame’ is Knot Tying

Today marks the 15th anniversary of The Raccoon's Den! To celebrate and give thanks for helping us reach this milestone, we've put together a quick video featuring a reunion of our cast! FEATURING: BcB, Jackie, Kai, Sashimy, Static, Abbey, Drake, Byrdz (Neo), Flash and Bandit! See more at: http://www.TheRaccoonsDen.com FURSONA ART: Weka FACEBOOK: http://www.Facebook.com/TheRaccoonsDen TWITTER/X: http://www.Twitter.com/TheRaccoonsDen FURAFFINITY: http://www.FurAffinity.net/user/TheRaccoonsDen INSTAGRAM: http://www.Instagram.com/TheRaccoonsDen TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@theraccoonsden #TheRaccoonsDen #TRDs9 #FurryFandom

Welcome to "Fresh Fur!" Our weekly installment going over the newest game releases, and which ones you can expect to find anthros/furries in!

Check the list below for all the games we could find with animal/anthro influences and characters.

New Releases for the week of November 18-24, 2024:

• Once Alive (PC) - November 18
• Dimensionals (PC) - November 18 (Early Access)
• Towers of Aghasba (PC, PS5) - November 19 (Early Access)
• Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 (Xbox Series X|S, PC) - November 19
• Toads of the Bayou (PC) - November 19
• Genshin Impact (Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One) - November 20
• Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl (Xbox Series X|S, PC) - November 20
• Luma Island (PC) - November 20
• SUPERVIVE (PC) - November 20
• Star Wars Outlaws (PC) - November 21
• Loco Motive (Switch, PC) - November 21
• Servonauts (Switch, PC) - November 21
• The Devil Within: Satgat (PS5, PC) - November 21
• Total War: Empire (iOS, Android) - November 21
• Mercury Abbey (PC) - November 22
• Spirit Mancer (PS5, Switch, PC) - November 22

*Bolded games have furry/animal influences/characters

Furry & Animal Steam Game Finds:

These games were found in the New Releases section of Steam this week and will be updated as more come out throughout the week!

Okay, so… the description goes like this: “Watch out for the devious duck! A new bird has arrived in Simpleton and is here to ruffle some feathers with a plan to trick the townspeople out of their money. For what, you might ask? Buying freshly baked bread! (A duck’s favorite snack, of course.) Meanwhile, the chef wants to hire a baker, the inspector is looking to get strong, and the inventor is trying out some new (explosive) ideas for a kitchen invention contest. But what about our favorite chicken? Well, her egg is now an adorable baby chick, and Beaky Barnes is catching on to the duck’s tricks.” What have we been missing? Well, it’s the Beaky Barnes series of graphic novels by Caldecott winner David Ezra Stein. And this second one is available now in paperback.

image c. 2024 Penguin Random House

Join the cast as we find our old yelling at clouds selves about the “old days”. furry toys, shows, movies, and other items we all grew up with. Join in as we talk about the furry centric toys, shows, movies, and other items we grew up with, why they were so great, and turned you a little more furry. Sit back, take out your TMNT figures, and reminisce!

This episode was originally livestreamed on YouTube. Light editing has been made for our podcast listeners. You can watch the original livestream here: https://youtube.com/live/q4cbMwGzuKY

NOW LISTEN!

SHOW NOTES Thank you!

Basel and Miski for your emails!

Those that could join the livestream!

To all of our listeners!

PATREON LOVE

THANK YOU to our patreons! You help us keep the show going!

A Cookie Factory – OwO

 

 

A Pallet of Cookies

 

Barnaby Panda, Nuka, Lou Duck (Pic Pending)

A Case of Cookies

Basel the Dragon, Black Baldrik, Ichigo Ookami (Pic Pending), Lufis the Raccoon

A Jar of Cookies

 

MephistophEli, Plug, Tenax

A Box of Cookies

• Chaphogriff
• Lygris

A Delicious Cookie

• Ausi K
• Christian
• Citrus Fox
• Icy Solid
• Sage Lightfang
• TyR
• Victor Mutt

S11E13 – Nostalgic Furry - Join the cast as we find our old yelling at clouds selves about the "old days". furry toys, shows, movies, and other items we all grew up with. Join in as we talk about the furry centric toys, shows, movies, and other items we g

This episode, Fuzz and Savrin record at Fuzz's. We discuss the new season of AppleTV+'s "Silo" briefly, the new "Yiff!" Zine, Rukis' new "Instinct" art book volume, Savrin goes on at length about Rupert Sheldrake's 2020 book "Entangled Life", shares a bit about their own journey with psychedelics, and we wrap on the importance of having anchors in our lives.

Southpaws | creating and promoting The Queer Agenda | Patreon 

LINKS
Entangled Life: How Fungi Make Our Worlds, Change Our Minds, and Shape Our Futures — Merlin Sheldrake

Fungi Perfecti | Home

We grow better materials

Our Story – Mycologos

How to Change Your Mind - Michael Pollan / Watch How to Change Your Mind | Netflix Official Site

Email: Southpawscast@gmail.com
Telegram: https://t.me/+2NaZYz8weR80MjZh

Episode 564 - Foxes and Mushrooms

Bandit is faced with moving away; Abbey and BcB enter a contest to network into their own careers. "ROADS AHEAD" is a cinematic 2-part special featuring a group of Furry content creators facing obstacles that may separate them as a team. Big thanks to our sponsor, Dragon Roast Coffee! Use code "RACCBREW" to save 15% off your order! https://www.dragonroast.coffee Editing: @BanditTheRaccoon Fursona Artwork: Com (dr11white via Telegram) Series Logo: Fifth Forager See more at www.TheRaccoonsDen.com  -------------------- MUSIC BY: Rye Fennec: https://ryefennec.bandcamp.com/ Out of the Way: https://outoftheway.carrd.co Michia Elvelian: https://soundcloud.com/michia-elvelian As Seas Exhale: https://asseasexhale.bandcamp.com/ Cobalt Rabbit: https://cobalt-rabbit.bandcamp.com FACEBOOK: http://www.Facebook.com/TheRaccoonsDen TWITTER/X: http://www.Twitter.com/TheRaccoonsDen FURAFFINITY: http://www.FurAffinity.net/user/TheRaccoonsDen INSTAGRAM: http://www.Instagram.com/TheRaccoonsDen TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@theraccoonsden #TheRaccoonsDen #TRDs9 #furryfandom

An unusual elk was spotted in the highlands, and I was part of the hunting party racing to its last location. From the back of our journeykin, we pounced the elk and it fought with leyline-infused techniques. We were making progress, when it started running, forcing us to remount our journeykin and pursue it! We readied harpoons with chains to slow it as it zigged and zagged, trying to throw us off. It took several attempts but we stopped it and continued the assault. As before, we waylaid the elk, exhausting its vitality before it began to run again. This time our pursuit led us to another situation, a wolf pup was sickened and the kodan needed help gathering herbs to fight the sickness. It was looking rough, there weren’t enough people to hold off the titans and gather herbs. Trusting the party that began the hunt to finish it, I broke off and went to the pup’s aid.

This series of events is exactly why I love playing Guild Wars 2. You begin one of the many tasks that unfold in the world and it intercepts another task. These events are built to engage you with the world and convey the themes of each map. The Lowlands map doesn’t have a meta event, relying on small local events to convey kodan culture, from hunting and gathering to agriculture and combat. You tend to basic chores around towns, and maybe get an unusual request from a cryptozoologist, however, a strange rot spreads, and you’ll investigate the underlying threat while fighting its effects on the ecosystem.

In 2018, a group in Japan gathered together artists from around the world to celebrate Dr. Osamu Tezuka’s 90th birthday — by creating new works based on some of his most famous and popular manga. Now, finally, both volumes of Tezucomi have been released in English.  “600 pages of extraordinary content by popular contemporary comic book authors from around the world pay tribute to Tezuka’s enormous body of influential work. The stories feature characters from Tezuka’s history, such as Astro Boy, Unico, Black Jack, Big X, Dororo, Songoku, Kimba, and more.” Both volumes are still available from Magnetic Press.

image c. 2024 Magnetic Press

MOOBARKFLUFF! Click here to send us a comment or message about the show!

Bearly, Taebyn, Rayne, TickTock and Cheetaro gather for another fun filled episode. Taebyn is running late this episode so the regular flow of the show is a little off. But, rest assured, Taebyn brings it all back around when he shows up. We play a little This or That, have muppet mad libs, Cheetaro gives us a wonderful review of the movie Marmaduke, and TickTock fills us in on the latest news in the furry world.  Teabyn also discusses the newest prime number discovery! So join us for a rip roaring, rootin’ tootin’, heck of a good time.  Your brain will thank you.  Moobarkfluff everyfur!

Click Here for the page of prime numbers

This podcast contains adult language and adult topics. It is rated M for Mature. Listener discretion is advised.

Support the show

Thanks to all our listeners and to our staff: Bearly Normal, Rayne Raccoon, Taebyn, Cheetaro, TickTock, and Ziggy the Meme Weasel.

You can send us a message on Telegram at BFFT Chat, or via email at: bearlyfurcasting@gmail.com

Bearly Furcasting S5E11 - There is No Crying in the Pool

We just learned of a new upcoming furry movie, thanks to Animation World Network: “Jason Isaacs, Jimmi Simpson, and Russell Peters have joined the voice cast of the musically-driven animated feature Pierre the Pigeon-Hawk, Variety reports. The first of six projects in a co-production and co-financing deal between Toonz Feature Film and Gold Valley Films, the film also stars Will.I.Am; Jennifer Coolidge; Luis Guzmán; Jennifer Hudson; Snoop Dogg; Whoopi Goldberg; Alison Jaye; and Howie Mandel. In the film, a mixed-breed Pigeon-Hawk sets out on a quest of self-discovery. While embracing the things that make him different, he finds the courage to change the world he lives in. John D. Eraklis and Tara Whitaker direct from a script by creator Ciaran Crampton and Jay Dowski.” There’s no word yet on a release date.

image c. 2024 Toonz Feature Film