Aug. 28 – Sep. 1, 2025 in Atlanta, GA Buy

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Guest List by Announcement Date

The Definitive Guide

Oooooooo! Aaaaaaah! Ooooooooh!

Dragon Con welcomes guests from around the globe – with new people announced all the time! Take a look at the inventive minds, luminaries, and celebrities you’ll be spending the weekend with.

Announced: 07/04/2025

  • Marquis Of Vaudeville

    The group is known the world over for their progressive, carnival-esque, punk-cabaret stylings, fusing timeworn elements of the old world with newfangled innovation, a sound they have dubbed 'melodic mischief' due to the music's mysterious, yet playful nature.

  • mc chris

    mc chris is a rapper known for rap, nerdcore, hip hop, and comedy. His last album, mc chris is good music, charted on Billboard, debuting at #2 in the comedy genre. He is the only rapper that was ever an animator for Cartoon Network for five years.

  • Nemesis

    Nemesis is a 20+ year veteran of packed dance club floors across the US and an eleven-time Dragon Con performer. High energy music and an unstoppable force keeping the party going! Techno, house, trance, industrial, goth, 80's, current, and more! Dark Shift provides stunning visuals on massive screens.

  • Fr. Bryan Small

    Every D&D group needs a cleric, no? A priest for over 15 years, Fr. Bryan Small loves to share in the fandoms with his fellow nerds.

  • Third Realm

    Third Realm is an innovative DarkWave / Electro-Industrial project from Buffalo, New York. After back to back festival performances at Dark Force Fest (main stage performance in 2024), the project is keeping the momentum going with a new album out March 2025. They will be performing at the next Mechanismus Festival.

  • Vicki's Dream

    Vicki's Dream delivers a high-energy, immersive experience blending rock, goth, and metal. With haunting melodies, driving riffs, and a theatrical narrative, the band brings to life Vicki's post-apocalyptic journey battling demonic forces to save humankind. Their intense stage presence and storytelling captivate audiences in a dark, cinematic world.

  • Wasted Wine

    Wasted Wine is the Southeast's most unique and eccentric violin shredding cabaret rock band. Humorous and danceable, Vincent Harris describes their music as "a bouncy burlesque-style romp" while former All Songs Considered host Bob Boilen depicts them as "a bastard child of David Lynch and Nick Cave."

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Announced: 07/03/2025

  • Blair Crimmins and The Hookers

    Supercharged hot ragtime jazz with a touch of rock and roll! Removing the “smooth" from jazz for over a decade in Atlanta Georgia, these vintage swingers will make a Hooker out of you!

  • Crüxshadows

    One of the most notable dark wave bands internationally, The Crüxshadows' motto is "live, love, be, believe," and it serves as a reminder that while The Crüxshadows may write catchy songs, the band has depth that extends beyond the dance floor.

  • DJ Scapegoat

    DJ Scapegoat has been playing Dragon Con since 2015; from Bunny Hutch to the Vision Vogue Fashion Show, and the Apocalypse Rising track's Zombie Prom - From rock to pop, dance to metal, whatever fits the mood, his aim is to provide the chaotic soundtrack to the end of the world!

  • Eddie McClintock

    Eddie McClintock starred for five years on Syfy network's Warehouse 13. He appeared in a recurring role on Bones, as well as MacGyver, Supergirl, Agents of Shield, Backstrom, and Modern Family.

  • Jason Charles Miller

    Jason Charles Miller and his band! Performing songs from Godhead and his songs from various movies, TV shows, and video games that his music has been featured in.

  • Twijit

    DJ's Twitch and DJIT, known collectively as TWIJIT, are the masterminds behind the wildly popular events Destination Unknown, Control, and Midnight City. They have spent the better part of the last 30 years DJing at some of Atlanta's most iconic venues.

  • Aurelio Voltaire

    Aurelio Voltaire is often described as a modern day renaissance man. He is a singer, performer, author, creator of comic books, films, animation, toys, and home decor.

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Announced: 07/02/2025

  • Jolie Darrow

    Jolie Darrow is a writer, director, and comedic host known for Snake Oil (FOX), Stapleview, and The Wedding of Vera Drew to The People's Joker.

  • Kali Holder

    Kali Holder is a professional poker of dead things and zombie prevention expert. As a veterinary pathologist for the National Zoo, she has an unwholesome fondness for parasites.

  • RezMonk Walker

    Matthew M. Walker (RezMonk) is the community director of Obsidian Brews: A Black Tabletop Experience. Walker, along with Obsidian Brews, has hosted panels and BIPOC gaming spaces at conventions nationwide.

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Announced: 07/01/2025

  • Stephanie Anderson

    Stephanie Anderson is a professional artist with more than a decade of expertise in theatrical and special effects make-up. Her work has been featured in films, television, and music videos.

  • Brobdingnagian Bards

    The Brobdingnagian Bards are back for a Dragon Con reunion! They take traditional Irish and Scottish folk songs, mix it up with Lord of the Rings music, and create a unique brand of Celtic Filk.

  • Raymond Daniel Carr

    Raymond Carr is a regular Jim Henson Company puppeteer. He puppeteered on Nick Jr.'s LazyTown, Crank Yankers, Netflix's Eric, and various projects for Adult Swim, including Smiling Friends.

  • Mike Colter

    Mike Colter is best known for his roles as Lemond Bishop in The Good Wife, Malcolm Ward in Ringer, and Luke Cage in Marvel's Luke Cage, The Defenders, and Jessica Jones, set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. He can currently be seen playing David Acosta in the CBS/Paramount+ series Evil.

  • Tom Fleming

    Tom is known for his work with Marvel, DC Comics, World of Warcraft, Magic the Gathering, Iron Maiden, Heavy Metal Mag, WWE/WWF, Dark Horse Comics, Upper Deck, and Screen Gem.

  • Dustin Fletcher

    Dustin Fletcher is a specialty costumer for film and television, focusing on the superhero and horror genres, and produces high quality actual plays with Elder Eye Entertainment.

  • Jennifer M Gilley

    Owner of Sundog Art Studios & Tattoos, Jennifer Gilley is a visual storyteller whose work spans tattoos, prosthetics, special effects, body painting, and illustration, blending fine art and body art.

  • Richard Michael Gomez

    Richard Michael Gomez is an artist, character designer, puppet builder, and chicken enthusiast.

  • Katja Herbers

    Katja Herbers is a Dutch actress best known for portraying Dr. Helen Prins on the WGN America series Manhattan, Emily Grace in the HBO science fiction series Westworld, and Dr. Kristen Bouchard in the CBS/Paramount+ supernatural series Evil. Herbers also played roles in The Americans, The Leftovers, and Manhunt: Unabomber.

  • Jeffrey Hubbs

    Jeff Hubbs is a researcher in the fields of energy systems and climate change who consults for academia and the nonprofit sector. Hubbs also restores and rebuilds electronics including instruments.

  • Ginny Loveday

    Ginny is a TTRPG editor, designer, and organizer who has worked with Wizards of the Coast, Steamforged Games, Renegade Games, Ghostfire Gaming, Legends of Avantris, and other Indie publishers.

  • Terry Fredrick Maggert

    Terry Maggert wrote the Backyard Starship, Peacemaker Wars, Halfway Witchy, Messenger, Starcaster, and Shattered Skies series, and contributed to many anthologies. Maggert has written 86 novels, short stories, and novellas.

  • Aasif Mandvi

    Aasif Mandvi is an actor, comedian, and writer. He was a correspondent on The Daily Show from 2006 to 2017. Mandvi's other television work includes the HBO series The Brink and the CBS/Paramount+ drama Evil. His film roles include Mr. Aziz in Spider-Man 2 and Commander Zhao in The Last Airbender.

  • Lenore Romas

    An Emmy-nominated production designer, artist, and filmmaker, who art directed Weird But True (National Geographic Kids) and Patrice: The Movie (Hulu). She serves as Big Howl's creative director.

  • Tom Smith

    Mostly comedy, most folk-rock, except the other stuff. The past couple of years have resulted in way more political songs than I ever envisioned. Lots of interaction with the audience, singalongs, and a whole lot of silly. Even the heartwarming stuff might invoke Cthulhu, so be ready for anything.

  • Corwyn The Bardbarian

    Solo singer-songwriter. Acoustic, electric, and all points in-between. More rock 'n' roll than Ren faire. 10 official releases, including a five-song EP tribute to What We Do in The Shadows. 20 years of experience performing.

  • Keyla Valerio

    Keyla Valerio is a Puerto Rican-Dominican artist. Her journey began in 2016 with Source Point Press, before expanding into cover art in 2021. Her illustrative credits include Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, Power Rangers Unlimited, Power Rangers Prime, Stranger Things, White Boat, Vicarious, and Rise/Cult of Dracula.

     

  • Steve Wetherell

    Steve Wetherell has gone by many names on the Authors & Dragons podcast. When he is not rolling the dice, he is writing comedy fantasy for Fallstaff Books.

  • Hallie Zeller

    Hallie Zeller is an artist, builder, and animator at Big Howl. She builds puppets, creates stop-motion and digital animations, and makes props, costumes, miniatures, 3D, and graphic art.

  • Jim Zub

    Jim Zub is a writer, artist, and art instructor who has worked for a wide array of publishing, movie, and video game clients, including Marvel, DC Comics, Disney, Capcom, Hasbro, Cartoon Network, and Bandai-Namco. He also teaches drawing and storytelling courses in Seneca College's award winning animation program.

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Announced: 06/30/2025

  • Chloe Bennet

    Chloe Bennet is an American actor, model, and singer. She starred as Daisy Johnson / Quake in the ABC superhero drama series Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. and voiced Yi in the animated film Abominable and the television series Abominable and the Invisible City.

  • Vincent D'Onofrio

    Vincent D'Onofrio is a legendary actor and filmmaker. His credits include Full Metal Jacket, The Whole Wide World, Men in Black, Men in Black: The Series, The Cell, Law & Order: Criminal Intent, and Jurassic World. He has recently been seen playing Wilson Fisk/Kingpin in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

  • Bryan Scott Fyffe

    Bryan Fyffe creates moody and naturalistic art inspired by gothic horror, nature, science, and themes. His work is a mix of hand drawn elements fused with a variety of photographic textures.

  • Edward Dickson HIcks

    Edward Hicks is a licensed LPC psychotherapist with multiple degrees in psychology and is self-described as a “nerd therapist”. Hicks can incorporate virtual reality, D&D, dramatic arts, and video games.

  • Catherine Lee Jones

    Catherine Jones owns a costume making company based out of Atlanta, GA. Her shop works primarily with the tv, film, and video game industry. Jones's shop specializes in sewing leather, creating knitwear, repairing sewing machines, and 3D modeling for garments.

  • Jenn Sapp

    Jenn Sapp is a director for the Atlanta Film Society, producer of the annual Atlanta Film Festival, and serves on the advisory board of the Morehouse Human Rights Film Festival.

  • Jeff Ward

    Jeff Ward is an actor and theatre director. He is best known for his role as Deke Shaw in Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. and Buggy the Clown in One Piece. He also played Roy Hardaway in the Netflix miniseries Brand New Cherry Flavor and Seth Marlowe in Channel Zero: No-End House.

  • Eric Whitten

    Eric Whitten is an award winning filmmaker and actor who has performed/worked in dozens of film/tv/theatre projects and is the owner/operator of Hollywood South Self Tapes.

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Announced: 06/28/2025

  • Christopher P Gore

    Chris Gore is the founder of FilmThreat.com and host of Film Threat on YouTube. Author of several books, notably The Ultimate Film Festival Survival Guide. Gore was a regular on G4TV's Attack of the Show; and is also a filmmaker of My Big Fat Independent Movie and Attack of the Doc!

  • Neil Hellegers

    Neil Hellegers is an actor, audiobook narrator, and educator who has narrated over 500 audiobooks, has appeared on various screens, and has performed and taught Shakespeare internationally.

  • Jessica Threet

    Best known for her narrating work on Rebecca Thorne's Tomes and Tea series, Jessica Threet has worked in narration for over five years and has 500 titles under her belt.

  • Deborah Ann Woll

    Deborah Ann Woll is an actress, model, and Dungeon Master. She is best known for her roles as Jessica Hamby in True Blood and Karen Page in Daredevil and Daredevil: Born Again. She provided the voice and motion capture of Faye in the video game God of War: Ragnarök.

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Announced: 06/27/2025

  • Joe Benitez

    Joe Benitez is the creator, writer, and artist of the steampunk graphic novel series Lady Mechanika. His previous work has included art duties on hit comic books such as Titans, JLA, Supergirl, and Superman/Batman for DC Comics; Weapon Zero, The Darkness, and Magdalena for Image Comics; and Soulfire for Aspen Comics.

  • Darkshift

    Combining his love for electronic music and coding, Darkshift is also delving into the exciting realm of shaders to create captivating performance visuals and enhance live shows as a VJ.

  • Mary Robinette Kowal

    Mary Robinette Kowal is the author of The Spare Man, Ghost Talkers, The Glamourist Histories series, and the Lady Astronaut Universe. She is a four-time Hugo Award winner and part of the award winning podcast Writing Excuses. Her fiction appears in Uncanny, Tor.com, and Asimov's.

  • Lame Genie

    Lame Genie plays video game music tracks in the style of rock/metal, ranging from retro classics to modern games. The band started in 2012, sticking to concerts and gaming convention shows. We have pivoted to having more of an online presence, releasing new music videos every week since 2020.

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Announced: 06/26/2025

  • John Hudgens

    John Hudgens is a filmmaker, animator, and artist who has directed documentaries and short films. His work on licensed properties includes Babylon 5, Crimson Skies, MechWarrior, and Star Wars.

  • Simon Kassianides

    Simon Kassianides is an actor, film director, producer, and screenwriter, known for his roles in British and US television series, as well as film. He has made notable appearances in shows like Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., The Mandalorian, and Blood of Zeus. He also voiced Stentor in Assassin's Creed: Odyssey.

  • Shane Pittman

    Shane Pittman, owner of Beacon TV, is a paranormal investigator, international speaker, and star of Netflix's 28 Days Haunted and Discovery Channel's The Holzer Files.

  • Katee Sackhoff

    Katee Sackhoff is an American actress known for playing Lieutenant Kara "Starbuck" Thrace on the Sci-Fi Channel's television program Battlestar Galactica, as Sheriff "Vic" Moretti in the Netflix series Longmire, and as Amunet in The Flash.

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Announced: 06/24/2025

  • Steve Englehart

    Steve Englehart is an Inkpot Award winning comics writer and novelist known for the comics series Spider-Man, Captain America, Superman, The Fantastic Four, and Batman, and for his novels The Point Man, The Long Man, and The Plain Man. He has been named Favorite Writer at the Eagle Awards.

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Announced: 06/23/2025

  • The Blibbering Humdingers

    Goofy nerd rock and salacious wit for geeks, wizards, LARPers, gamers, and all manner of hoopy froods. This music is not good for knitting to unless you are very smart. The gauntlet is thrown!

  • City of Sound

    City of Sound are an independent cinematic-rock band known for their epic ‘in your face' live performances, dynamic orchestration, and adventure-like wall of sound. They have found a large following from playing DreamHack, Twitchcon, Vidcon, Rocket League Worlds, Esports Awards, and their recent headlining US Tour!

  • Beth Patterson

    Beth Patterson is a full-time musician, with a heavy dose of fiction writing (some archived on the Lunar Codex). She has nine solo albums and has appeared on over 200 recordings and films. She has performed in over 20 countries. Expect originals, filk, folk, and the occasional Rush song.

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Announced: 06/20/2025

  • Tommy Lee Edwards

    Tommy Lee Edwards has illustrated comics like Mother Panic (co-created with Gerard Way), Turf (co-created with Jonathan Ross), Grendel Kentucky, Jupiter's Legacy, and Marvel 1985. Edwards has written for Gatchaman, Batman, Hellboy, and Vandroid. He has collaborated with the Hughes Brothers as the concept artist on The Book of Eli.

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Announced: 06/19/2025

  • Stephen Green

    Stephen Green is an artist and penciller residing in Savannah, Georgia. Despite various rumors, he did not attend school there. His work has been featured in Dark Horse Presents, The Legacy of Luther Strode, Hellboy and The B.P.R.D., and Lobster Johnson.

  • Melissa Simpson

    Melissa Simpson is the executive director of the nonprofit Film Impact Georgia, the education director at the Atlanta Film Society, and produces independent projects.

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Announced: 06/18/2025

  • Josie Campbell

    Josie Campbell is a television writer/producer and comic book author. She is the creator of I Heart Skull-Crusher and writer for Shazam. Campbell is the executive producer for the Starfire! animated series, and head writer/producer for My Adventures With Superman and She-Ra and the Princesses of Power.

  • Clearly Guilty

    These are the queers of Clearly Guilty! They're purdy, nerdy, and a little bit dirty. They do original music to celebrate those who feel underrepresented in fandom. Come find your anthem!

  • Darick Robertson

    Darick Robertson is a comic book artist, writer, creator, and executive producer whose works include co-creating the award winning Transmetropolitan, and the comic that inspired the show The Boys. Robertson has illustrated for both Marvel and DC on characters including Batman, The Justice League, Wolverine, The Punisher, and Spider-man.

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Announced: 06/16/2025

  • Haileigh Enriquez

    Haileigh Enriquez, a Los Angeles based illustrator, found her passions for art through comic books and character design, and is a recent L. Ron Hubbard's Illustrators of the Future winner.

  • Paul Jenkins

    Paul Jenkins has been creating, writing, and building franchises for over 30 years in the graphic novel, film, and video game industries. Over the last two decades Jenkins has been instrumental in the creation and implementation of literally hundreds of world-renowned, recognizable entertainment icons.

  • Palmetto Knights

    Full contact unscripted Medieval Combat Tournament- Competitors fresh from the World Championships in Hungary will battle it out for your Entertainment.

  • Daniel Alexander Lyman

    Daniel Alexander Lyman is a trans-male character actor known for roles like the Goblin King on Legacies, Mr. Omni on Lodge 49, and Francis Ford Coppola's Megalopolis.

  • David Paris III

    David Paris is an Atlanta-based puppeteer, comedian, and director who builds and performs massive, unhinged characters. His work has wreaked delightful havoc at Adult Swim, Dragon Con, and Universal Studios.

  • Carl J Varnado

    Carl Varnado is a narrative designer, educator, and creative director. His work includes Need for Speed: Unbound, Dragon Age: Veilguard, Street Fighter 6, and Wylde Flowers. Varnado is the founder of the Black in Gaming Awards and is one of the creators of Knarrative.com, a premium educational African centered portal.

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Announced: 06/14/2025

  • John Beatty

    John Beatty is an American illustrator who has worked for Marvel and DC Comics, primarily as an inker. Beatty spent 20 years inking such titles as Captain America, New Mutants, The Punisher, Secret Wars, The Nam, The Adventures of Superman, Batman, JLA, and many more.

  • Catieosaurus

    Writer-educator Cate “Catieosaurus” Osborn has collaborated with Wizards of the Coast, Critical Role, Kobold Press, Chaosium, and Foundry VTT while pushing accessibility at every table. Her upcoming book, The ADHD Field Guide for Adults, builds on bylines in Playboy and The New York Times.

  • Vanesa Del Rey

    Cuban artist Vanesa R. Del Rey began her career doing concept art for animation. Her work in comics has been described as dark, gritty, and mysterious with great dominance of figurative work. She has illustrated Scarlet Witch, Spider-Women Alpha, and Daredevil Annual (2016). Redlands is her first creator-owned series.

  • Jeff Ello

    Jeff Ello (aka "jello") is a filmmaker, technologist, and creative enabler with an entirely unhealthy knowledge of film and media production, visual effects, streaming, virtual, AI, and all of the technology behind the scenes.

  • greendragon

    Stage director, public speaker, and singer Kirsten Z. Cairns is chief operations officer for TheOneRing.net. Often seen at events as a panelist for TORN, a performer, or interviewing cast members, Cairns brings knowledge of literature, music, theatre, and fantasy to all her interactions with fans and celebs!

  • Timothy R Harrison

    Chicago based, master SFX artist and craftsman, Tim Harrison of Harrison Designs & Concepts has over 10 years of experience working in the film, TV, and commercial industry.

  • Leighann Lord

    Leighann Lord is a stand-up comedian who has performed at Dragon Con. She is the author of Dict Jokes and Real Women Do it Standing Up. Lord has also been a co-host on StarTalkRadio, with Neil de Grasse Tyson. She has been on Comedy Central, HBO, and Showtime.

  • T.R. Naus

    T.R. Naus explores technology's impact on identity and community while writing in speculative fiction. His first story, Storm Damage, appears in L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future, Vol. 41.

  • Amon Otis Poston

    Amon Otis Poston is a computer scientist/human rights advocate who has built secure systems for healthcare, analytics, and global human rights. He leads NTSH and publishes the newsletter NK.exe.

  • Skip Williams

    Skip Williams hails from Lake Geneva, also the birthplace of the D&D game. In a 40 year career in tabletop gaming, Williams has accumulated many credits, including Gen Con, Dragon magazine, the RPGA Network, Polyhedron newsine, and four versions of the D&D game, the Planescape, Greyhawk, Ravenloft, Dragonlance worlds.

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Announced: 06/13/2025

  • Charles E. Blue

    Charles Blue is a science writer and science communicator focusing on astronomy, astrophysics, engineering, and geophysics. He is vibrantly active on BlueSky as @science-dude.bsky.social.

  • Peter L Cutler

    Peter Capn, Cutler, artist for New Legends' Tiki Zombie, has done work over the last 30 years for ABS inc., Con-Tees, Galactic Press, East Cobber, and Guy Gilchrist production, and is working on his own Spookie Kookies art, books, and many other items.

  • Marnie Dorian

    Marnie Dorian is a multi-talented artist and cancer survivor whose journey inspired her creative path. She writes and illustrates children's books, sculpts in clay, creates hand-crafted latex masks, and specializes in fine art acrylic paintings. Dorian accepts commissions and has been appearing at conventions over the past year.

  • Ben S Eppstein

    Ben Eppstein is a water resources engineer, specializing in the hydraulic design of large diameter transmission systems, and an active member in existing and draft standards committees for the AWWA.

  • Justin Lee Ford

    Justin Lee Ford is a professional martial artist and stunt performer whose journey spans all the way from the Shaolin Temple to Tyler Perry studios, turning action into art.

  • Kurt Fuller

    Kurt Fuller is a character actor who has appeared in many television, film, and stage projects. He is known for his roles in the films No Holds Barred, Ghostbusters II, Wayne's World, and Scary Movie, and for his television roles playing Coroner Woody Strode in Psych and Zachariah in Supernatural.

  • Maggie Lawson

    Maggie Lawson is an American actress who is best known for her role as Detective Juliet "Jules" O'Hara in the television series Psych, and its subsequent film series. From 2018 to 2019, she held the recurring role of Natalie Flynn in the third and final season of Fox's Lethal Weapon.

  • Jonboy Meyers

    Jonboy Meyers is an illustrator, cover artist, concept designer, world builder, sequential artist, and creator for toys, animation, video games, comic books, and film. Projects include League of Legends for Riot Games, Star Wars Concept/Ideation for Hasbro, Spawn for Image/Todd McFarlane, Teen Titans for DC, and Inhumans with Marvel.

  • Kirsten Nelson

    Kirsten Nelson is known for her starring role as Police Chief Karen Vick on Psych. Nelson's career includes roles in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, The Fugitive, Frasier, Ally McBeal, The West Wing, Just Shoot Me!, and Boy Meets World.  Her film credits include War of the Worlds directed by Steven Spielberg.

  • Timothy Omundson

    Timothy Omundson is an actor notable for his supporting roles as Sean Potter on the CBS television series Judging Amy, Eli on the syndicated series Xena: Warrior Princess, Carlton Lassiter in Psych, King Richard on the ABC musical comedy series Galavant, and Cain in The CW's Supernatural.

  • Bob Pendarvis

    Bob Pendarvis has metallic prints of over 20 different illustrations taken from his Ana and Jamie books.

  • Stefan Price

    Stefan Price is a professional artist and maker, and founder of Roundtable Productions. Holding degrees in mechanical engineering and theatre, Price is also co-founder of Central Florida's Makers Hollow.

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Announced: 06/11/2025

  • David Hoffrichter

    David Hoffrichter grew up in Broomall PA, right outside of Philadelphia. Hoffrichter loves to create narrative paintings that tell the stories between the lines.

  • Daniel Montifar

    Daniel Montifar is an illustrator based in Houston, Texas, specializing in fantasy/sci-fi. His work centers around dynamic compositions with bold colors and expressive characters that bring stories to life.

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Announced: 06/10/2025

  • Jotham R Austin, II

    Jotham Austin, II, Ph.D., is a research scientist at The University of Chicago and sci-fi author. He wrote Will You Still Love Me If I Become Someone Else? and Lives Matter.

  • Andy Brase

    Andy Brase has done art for many titles including Magic the Gathering, Alien, Predator, Star Wars, Doctor Strange, Punisher, Fantastic Four, Assassin's Creed, Dragon Age, Swamp Thing, Dark Sun, Kull, Spider-Man, Hulk, Daredevil, The Darkness, and more, including book covers for stories by George RR Martin and Neil Gaiman.

  • Karen David

    Karen David is an actress, singer, and songwriter best known for portraying Princess Isabella Maria Lucia Elizabetta of Valencia in Galavant, Layla in the The Scorpion King 2: Rise of a Warrior, Princess Jasmine in Once Upon a Time, Grace in Fear the Walking Dead, and in Legacies as Emma.

  • Tim Doyle

    Tim Doyle is an illustrator and printmaker from Austin. He self-published Amazing Adult Fantasy and was the art director/lead designer for Mondo. He has produced art for Marvel, Dark Horse, Cartoon Network, Studio Canal, and art directs poster series for bands such as Metallica, Failure, and “Weird Al” Yankovic.

  • Oded Fehr

    Oded Fehr is known for roles in films like The Mummy and Resident Evil franchises, and television shows including Star Trek: Discovery, Once Upon a Time, and NCIS. He has also voiced characters in the shows Young Justice and Batman: The Brave and the Bold, and video games like Destiny 2.

  • Melissa Flores

    Melissa Flores has written for Marvel, Image Comics, Boom!, and Oni Press, on The Dead Lucky, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, Radiant Pink, Spider-Gwen: Smash, Biker Mice From Mars, Power Rangers Prime, and more. Flores voices the characters Kat Ranger and Gia Moran in Power Rangers: Battle For the Grid.

  • Megan Hutchison

    Megan Hutchison is an illustrator of Rockstars for Image, co-creator and illustrator of An Aurora Grimeon Story: Will O' the Wisp for Archaia, and is debuting OGN Vesna. In addition, she is a cover artist for Boom!, Valiant, and Black Mask.

  • Riki Lecotey

    Riddle is an internationally recognized cosplayer from Canada who has been cosplaying for 20+ years. While she continues to cosplay, she has transferred the skills she learned from cosplay to working 30+ films for Marvel, DC, and some of Netflix's biggest shows such as Cobra Kai and Stranger things.

  • Linda Lessmann Reinhold

    Linda Lessmann Reinhold, with Barry Windsor-Smith, formed The Gorblimey Press in 1974. She was staff colorist at Marvel Comics New York offices in the mid 1970's. In the 1980's-90's, a colorist at First Comics and Marvel Comics. Today she often assists her husband, Bill Reinhold, on various comic projects.

  • Rebecca Mader

    Rebecca Mader is an English actress, best known for her roles as Charlotte Lewis in the ABC series Lost, as Zelena, the Wicked Witch of the West, on ABC's Once Upon a Time, and for her appearances in the Devil Wears Prada, Fringe, 30 Rock, and more.

  • Sean Maguire

    Sean Maguire is an English actor who can currently be seen playing the role of Robin Hood in Once Upon a Time.

  • Lana Parrilla

    Lana Parrilla was a regular cast member in the fifth season of the ABC sitcom Spin City from 2000 to 2001. She later starred in Boomtown, Windfall, Swingtown, Miami Medical, and 24. Recently, Parrilla starred as The Evil Queen/Regina Mills in the ABC fantasy drama series, Once Upon a Time.

  • Chris Schweizer

    Cartoonist Chris Schweizer has received three Eisner Award nominations for his graphic novels series The Creeps and The Crogan Adventures, written the Pirates of the Caribbean comic series, and drawn titles like 6 Sidekicks of Trigger Keaton, Mars Attacks, and Harley Quinn: Black + White + Redder.

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Announced: 06/09/2025

  • Jon Boutelle

    Jon Boutelle co-hosts and produces 50 Days of Dragon Con. He can also be found on Need Coffee's Weekend Justice and The Unique Geek.

  • Marc A Childs

    Launched in 2024, Back to Pop Podcast is a professionally produced show dedicated to preserving pop culture through in-depth interviews with industry veterans from TV, film, animation, and comics.

  • Guy Dorian, Sr.

    Guy Dorian Sr. is a comic book artist, toy designer, and cinematic art designer with over 30 years of experience who has worked for some of the largest mainstream companies in the world, including Marvel, DC, IDW, JusToys, 20th Century Fox, Marvel Entertainment, and Storm King Productions.

  • CL Fors

    CL Fors is an Illustrators of the Future winner in Writers of The Future Volume 41 and is the author and cover artist of the Primogenitor series.

  • Sam J. Hodge

    Sam J. Hodge is an Atlanta based film and theater producer, improv actor, short form content goblin, filmmaker, and live AV specialist.

  • Craig Kyle

    Comic book writer, film producer, and media creator Craig Kyle is best known for his work with Marvel Comics, including X-Men: Evolution (co-creating the character X-23), New X-Men, and X-Force. Kyle produced and wrote various Marvel animated films, including Hulk Vs. and Planet Hulk, and co-wrote the screenplay for Thor: Ragnarok.

  • Anya Martin

    Anya Martin is a writer, co-hosts The Outer Dark podcast, co-chairs The Outer Dark Symposium, and believes fervently that weird fiction is vital to the 21st century.

  • Robert Duncan McNeill

    Robert Duncan McNeill is an American actor, producer, movie director, and television director who is best known for his role as Lieutenant Tom Paris on the television show Star Trek: Voyager. Other credits include the film Masters of the Universe (1987) and producing the TV series Chuck.

  • Bec Palmer

    Bec is a space sustainability researcher focused on orbital debris removal and recycling. They are a NASA Fellow developing technology for use on the Lunar surface.

  • Robert Picardo

    Robert Picardo is noted for his role as the Holographic Doctor on Star Trek: Voyager, also starred as Commander Woolsey on Stargate Atlantis, making him the only actor to play regular roles on both franchises. He is also well known for his roles on China Beach and The Wonder Years.

  • Steve Riekeberg

    Steve Riekeberg is a post-production audio engineer for podcasts and audiobooks since 2012, working with clients including author Scott Sigler, and Macmillan Publishing's Quick and Dirty Tips podcast network.

  • Tim Russ

    Timothy Darrell "Tim" Russ is an American actor, film director, screenwriter, and musician. He is known for his roles as Lieutenant Commander Tuvok on Star Trek: Voyager, as Frank on Samantha Who?, and as Principal Franklin, a recurring character on the Nickelodeon live-action teen sitcom iCarly.

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Announced: 06/07/2025

  • Nooligan

    HaiNaNu "nooligan" Saulque is an artist, comic creator, and graphic designer based in Sacramento, Ca. From the cartoons of his youth to films he missed by decades, from golden age comics to classic newspaper strips, you will find a creator who has immersed himself in what he loves.

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Announced: 06/06/2025

  • Juan Gedeon

    Juan Gedeon started working as an assistant at an art studio at 19, moved to Mexico at 23 to work in animation, and started working in American comics at 25. He is known for his short run on Venom for Marvel and created The Jurassic League for DC.

  • Bill Reinhold

    Bill Reinhold is a graduate of the American Academy of Art and has been a professional comic book artist since 1981. Over his long career he has worked for Noble Comics, First Comics, Marvel Comics, DC comics, and others. Reinhold is currently illustrating the graphic novel The Flying Column.

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Announced: 06/05/2025

  • Charlie Jane Anders

    Charlie Jane Anders is the author of Lessons in Magic and Disaster. Her other novels include All the Birds in the Sky, The City in the Middle of the Night, and the young-adult Unstoppable trilogy. She is also the author of Never Say You Can't Survive.

  • Scott G Edgington

    Scott G.C. Edgington, Ph.D. is a planetary scientist studying the giant planets of our solar system. His specialties are atmospheric science, remote sensing, and spectroscopy. Much of his career was spent working at NASA's Jet Propulsion Lab on the Cassini Mission to Saturn, Europa Clipper, InSight, Perseverance, and Psyche.

  • Eloy Lasanta

    Eloy Lasanta is an RPG creator (i.e. Part-Time Gods 2E, Pip System). He has also contributed to other TTRPGs like the Firefly RPG, Into the Motherlands, and video games like Subterrain: Mines of Titan and Dream Tactics. Lasanta has undoubtedly left his mark on the tabletop and video game industry.

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Announced: 06/04/2025

  • Brianna Marie

    Brianna Marie is the co-producer, co-creative lead, and all-around scheduling manager of Dungeons and Randomness, an actual-play podcast driven by player choices. The podcast has been going strong for over a decade, and the community is her favorite part.

  • Jason Massey

    Starting Dungeons and Randomness 13 years ago, Jason has been a professional dungeon master since then. He has hosted hundreds of sessions of D&D and many other tabletop games.

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Announced: 06/03/2025

  • Eric Talbot

    Eric Talbot is a comic book writer and artist known for his work on the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles series under Mirage Studios. He co-created the graphic novel The Melting Pot along with Kevin Eastman and Simon Bisley, which was used as the basis for the film Heavy Metal 2000.

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Announced: 06/02/2025

  • Adam Berry

    Adam Berry is an executive producer and co-star of Kindred Spirits on TLC, with friend and paranormal partner Amy Bruni. He is also a former star of SYFY's hit show, Ghost Hunters, and contestant on Ghost Hunter's Academy.

  • Amy Bruni

    Amy Bruni is a historical researcher and paranormal investigator in the shows Ghost Hunters and Kindred Spirits. Amy Bruni has more than 20 years experience searching for things that go bump in the night.

  • Steve Gonsalves

    Steve Gonsalves is a long time member and paranormal researcher for The Atlantic Paranormal Society based out of Rhode Island. Gonsalves is a paranormal researcher and is best known for his role as an investigator and tech specialist for the hit television series Ghost Hunters and Ghost Nation.

  • Dave Tango

    Dave Tango is a member and paranormal researcher for The Atlantic Paranormal Society based out of Rhode Island. Tango is a paranormal researcher and is best known for his role as an investigator for the hit television series Ghost Hunters and Ghost Nation.

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Announced: 05/31/2025

  • David "Zeb" Cook

    David “Zeb” Cook was hired in 1979 to work at TSR as a game designer where he wrote the D&D Expert Rules, Oriental Adventures, the AD&D 2nd Edition, Planescape, novels, and more. In 1994 he moved to videogames, designing for Fallout, City of Villains, and Elder Scrolls Online.

  • Zayne Geisler

    Zayne Geisler is a professional artist and cross-skilled craftsperson with over 10 years of leather working and sewing skills. They were a professional leather working teacher for several years.

  • Scott Hanna

    Scott Hanna is an inker in the comic book industry who has worked with DC Comics and Marvel. He started his career with Eternity Comics and worked for DC for five years. He has worked for Marvel Comics for almost 14 years and inked almost every major character.

  • Benny Powell

    Benny Powell is a publisher, writer, and artist most known for the hit White Widow comic and upcoming spin-off I Make Boys Cry. He is also the creator and writer for Wayward Legends, Darchon, AMPED, Duel Identity, Wayward Sons, Markiplier, and dozens more.

  • Christian Waggoner

    Christian Waggoner is known worldwide for his Star Wars Reflection series paintings. He has been working with Lucasfilm over 12 years. His uniquely enhanced, photo-realistic style makes viewers wonder how he achieves such detail with a mere brush and canvas.

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Announced: 05/29/2025

  • Jez Cajiao

    Jez Cajiao traded welding for wordsmithing during lockdown, forging bestselling LitRPG epics like UnderVerse and Rise of Mankind. Cajiao crafts dark fantasy worlds where heroes level up through brutal battles.

  • Chris Urbnpop Hamer

    Abstract artist and variant comic cover artists for Archie, Mad Cave, and Scout comics.

  • Doctor LAW

    Dr. LAW is a published PhD-level behavioral scientist, photographer, podcaster, and gamer. He founded Dr. LAW's Photolab and is part of the Stuff We Love, Stuff We Hate podcast.

  • Lauren Catherine McGuire

    Lauren McGuire is a writer, a runner, and a very good friend. She is not a professional therapist. Read her in Writers of the Future, Vol 41.

  • Dietrich O Smith

    Dietrich Smith is an illustrator with work spanning in the field of comics for two decades. He has illustrated a variety of stories involving iconic characters such as Superman, Spiderman, Shaft, Army of Darkness, League of Legends, and a bevy of others.

  • Jessica Sarah Schonhut Stasik

    Dr. Jess is an autistic astrophysicist specializing in galactic archaeology, CEO of The Neuroverse Initiative, and communications director for the Frist Center for Autism and Innovation.

  • Judy Stephens

    Judy Stephens is an author, producer, host, photographer, and cosplayer who has written two books for Marvel: Cosplay the Marvel Way and Super Visible: the Story of the Women of Marvel.

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Announced: 05/27/2025

  • Greg Burnham

    Greg Burnham is a writer based in Norcross, Georgia. He and artist Marcus Williams teamed to produce two children's books, and then in 2016 produced the very successful indie sci-fi action-adventure Tuskegee Heirs. As part of the Milestone initiative, he has worked on a couple DC Comic properties.

  • Colin Donnell

    Colin Donnell is the lead of Irreverent, is known for his work on screen in NBC's Chicago Med and CW's Arrow, and starred as Russell Hammond in the musical adaptation of the acclaimed show Almost Famous at The Old Globe. His Broadway work includes Violet, Anything Goes, and Jersey Boys.

  • Colton Haynes

    Colton Haynes landed the role of Jackson Whittemore in the 2011 MTV series Teen Wolf. Beginning in 2012, he was a recurring member on The CW's Arrow, playing Roy Harper, a street thug who idolizes the Arrow and later becomes his protegé, Arsenal.

  • David Ramsey

    David Ramsey is an actor and martial artist, best known for his roles in Arrow, Legends of Tomorrow, Supergirl, and The Flash as John Diggle/Spartan, Anton Briggs on the Showtime TV series Dexter, and the film Mother and Child (2009) as Joseph.

  • Emily Bett Rickards

    She is known for her role as Felicity Smoak on The CW series Arrow. She has reprised the role in the Arrowverse shows The Flash, Legends of Tomorrow, and Supergirl, and voiced the character on the animated web series Vixen.

  • Dana Samborski

    Dana Samborski can write, design, build, and perform any live puppet performance. From form to function, and both razzle and dazzle, he can do it all.

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Announced: 05/26/2025

  • Joshua Cassara

    Joshua Cassara is an exclusive artist for Marvel Comics best known for his work on X-Men, X-Force, and X Lives of Wolverine. He is the current artists for the Deadpool/Wolverine ongoing series.

  • Scott R Cramton

    Founder of The Murder Mystery Company, the first immersive theater to ever get a deal on Shark Tank. Scott Cramton's immersive theaters performed over 8,500 shows in 2024 alone.

  • Brodrick Jones

    Brodrick Jones is a writer and puppeteer best known for one-act solo shows such as Ubu Faust and Madame Edgewise Tells Your Fortune, and his online video puppet experiment Jigsaw.

  • Andrew Sagar

    Andrew Sagar has spent over 20 years in the film/TV industry as a VFX supervisor and producer. He has spent time both on set and in post.

  • William Shatner

    William Shatner is an actor and novelist who gained worldwide fame and became a cultural icon for his portrayal of Captain James T. Kirk, in the television series Star Trek from 1966 to 1969, Star Trek: The Animated Series, and in seven of the subsequent Star Trek feature films.

  • Garrett Wang

    Garrett Wang is best known for his role as Ensign Harry Kim on Star Trek: Voyager. Wang's other work includes Star Trek: Of Gods and Men, Into the West, Demon Island, Star Trek: Voyager Elite Force (game), The Auteur Theory, Hundred Percent, Ivory Tower, Angry Cafe, and Flesh Suitcase.

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Announced: 05/24/2025

  • Matthew M Foster

    Matthew M Foster has been a film critic, historian, judge, emcee, and panelist at multiple film festivals, and was the director of the Dragon Con Independent Film Festival.

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Announced: 05/23/2025

  • Marcusthevisual Williams

    Stationed in Atlanta Ga, he spends most of his time toiling away late nights on everything from illustrating comic art, fan art, children's books, to random character commissions. He is excited about the direction of his comic properties, and looks forward to creating more forms of visual entertainment and stories.

  • Irene Augusta Zielinski

    Irene Zielinski is a game developer and RPG designer at Steve Jackson Games. She is the creator of Scurvy Buggers and Dahlia's Diversions for Peculiar Parties.

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Announced: 05/21/2025

  • Brent Dr. EvilPenguin Roeder

    Brent Roeder, PhD, is a neuroscience researcher that is exploring how to restore damaged memory function. A life long geek, he enjoys writing sci-fi and fantasy to relax from work.

  • Daisy Viktoria

    Daisy Viktoria is a costume designer specializing in corsets and fairytale gowns. She has a background in corsetry and historical clothing, as well as modern and fantasy fashion.

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Announced: 05/20/2025

  • Samantha Béart

    Samantha Béart is a classically trained actor, and a BAFTA nominee and GANG Award winner for their role as Karlach in Baldur's Gate 3.

  • Sam de la Rosa /.

    Sam de la Rosa/. has held years of regular jobs for Marvel providing inks and finished art on various Spider-Man titles, Venom Lethal Protector, Venom Separation Anxiety, Captain America, Black Panther, Squadron Supreme, Iron Man, What-If, Dr. Strange, Daredevil, The Thing, Spider Woman, Indiana Jones, and Star Wars.

  • Tim Downie

    Tim Downie has worked on such films as The King's Speech, Paddington, War Machine, Transformers: The Last Knight, Horrible Histories: Rotten Romans, and Nandor Fodor and the Talking Mongoose. TV credits include Good Omens 2, Outlander, and Geek Girl. Baldurs Gate 3 marked his gaming debut playing Gale.

  • Anthony Francis

    Anthony Francis teaches robot learning, writes science fiction (including the Dakota Frost, Skindancer UF series and Jeremiah Willstone and the Clockwork Time Machine), and is coeditor of The Neurodiversiverse Anthology.

  • Emma Gregory

    Emma Gregory is best known for Minthara from Baldur's Gate 3, and providing voices for animations and audiobooks in the Warhammer 40,000 universe.

  • Cissy Jones

    Cissy Jones is an award winning actress best known for her BAFTA Award winning performance in 2016's indie game darling Firewatch, as Lilith Clawthorne in Disney's The Owl House, and nine separate characters in Telltale's The Walking Dead: The Game series, including Katjaa, Jolene, and Norma.

  • Dave Jones

    Dave Jones is best known for portraying Halsin in Baldur's Gate 3.

  • Andrew Robinson

    Andrew Robinson has painted covers for all the major publishers, illustrating such titles as Batman Detective, Hawkman, Starman, Superman Rebirth, Ironman, Hydra, Star Wars, Black Panther, and The JSA. He is a multi-award winning, NY Times bestselling illustrator for his painted work on The Fifth Beatle.

  • Thomas Valley

    Thomas Valley is the premiere organizer for Wizards of the Coast's new Organized Play campaign: Legends of Greyhawk. Valley has been a published game designer and author for 40 years.

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Announced: 05/19/2025

  • Randyn Bartholomew

    Randyn Bartholomew won the grand prize in the 2025 Writers of the Future contest, and was published in L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future Volume 41.

  • Leigh Bennett-Conner

    Leigh is the co-host of 50 Days of Dragon Con podcast. She is the one with questions, makes double - or triple - entendres without meaning to, and then gets embarrassed.

  • Elonka Dunin

    Elonka Dunin is a professional game developer, author, cryptographer, and TEDx speaker. A leading expert on the world's most famous unsolved codes, such as Kryptos at CIA Headquarters.

  • HeWhoIsSteve

    HeWhoIsSteve is a member of D&D podcasts Botched and Dragon Night Adventure Friends. He also creates informative humor videos on a variety of topics on Youtube and Tiktok.

  • Bryce O'Connor

    Bryce O'Connor is the CEO of Wraithmarked Creative. He is also a #1 Audible Store bestselling author, with his works having sold over 500,000 copies worldwide.

  • Rae Pendergrass

    Rae Pendergrass is a comedian and edutainer who has worked with everyone from National Lampoon to National Geographic. She is also the producer of the Solve for X Variety Show.

  • Jordan Diana Swartz

    Jordan Swartz is a crime scene investigator in Los Angeles County, California. She has processed over 300 crime scenes and has lent her expertise to several productions as a consultant.

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Announced: 05/15/2025

  • Shawn Crystal

    Shawn Crystal got his first job while in school, Resident Evil: Fire and Ice, a miniseries for Wildstorm. Around five years ago, Marvel hired Crystal on Deadpool, living his childhood dream. He is currently an artist for Marvel Comics and Valiant Entertainment.

  • Lucienne Diver

    Lucienne Diver is a literary agent and the author of the Vamped and Latter-Day Olympians series. She has written young adult suspense for WordFire Press and Bella Rosa Books.

  • Gil Gerard

    Gil Gerard has starred in made-for-television movies and feature films. He is best known to SF audiences as Capt. William "Buck" Rogers in the SF TV series, Buck Rogers in the 25th Century. His other roles include several movie and TV series appearances including Beyond, Bone Eater, and Ghost Town.

  • Robert Hill

    Founder of the Flying Nuggets LLC, a non profit in Atlanta with the mission to inspire excellence in STEAM programming through competition and instruction for k-12.

  • Toki Odunade

    Toki Odunade is a teacher of African and African-American spiritual traditions. Odunade founded the annual Atlanta Osun Festival in 2005 and opened her own company in 2024.

  • Cassandra Quave

    Cassandra Quave is a disabled writer, speaker, podcast host, professor, explorer, and plant scientist leading drug discovery research on molecules from nature.

  • Nash Sheard

    As the managing director for advocacy, Nash works to ensure the Electronic Frontier Foundation's work protecting your rights in the digital world is impactful, collaborative, and innovative.

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Announced: 05/14/2025

  • Mindy Lee

    Mindy Lee has an extensive and varied career in the entertainment industry. From video games to animation and beyond, she brings her experience and talent to the world of comics – recently as the co-creator and artist of Bounty, and the artist of Crimson Lotus, both published by Dark Horse Comics.

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Announced: 05/12/2025

  • Ayla Almee

    Ayla Almee is co-director of Antipode Geek Bellydance. Almee has entertained thousands with stage productions, and workshops on modern and traditional Silk Road culture: cuisine, fashion, and dance.

  • Scott Harris

    Scott Harris is an Atlanta-based planetary geologist and astronomer who is a leading researcher in the fields of meteorites, petrology, and hypervelocity impacts.

  • Steve Horton

    Steve Horton is the New York Times bestselling writer of Bowie: Stardust, Rayguns, & Moonage Daydreams, which won two Eisners for art and coloring.

  • DN Lee

    DN Lee is an outreach scientist and first-generation STEM graduate and college professor who enjoys demystifying the science and discussing science-society connections with general audiences.

  • Paul Lewis

    Paul Lewis is a textile artist working in film and television whose genre credits include Stranger Things, Mockingjay, Doom Patrol, Teacup, Captain America: Brave New World, and the live-action Moana.

  • Tré Da Marc

    Tré Da Marc is an international boylesque artist. In 2020, he was crowned The Noire Pageant King of Burlesque and was most recently crowned 2025 MR. Twin Cities Black Diamond.

  • Tamara Poles

    Tamara Poles is the CEO of Universal SciCom. A globally recognized expert, she helps scientists create compelling ways to communicate their research through her interactive workshops, consulting, and curriculum design.

  • Tamara Robertson

    The Maker. The Myth(Buster). The STEAM Advocate. Taller on TV. Emmy-nominated Mythbusters host Tamara Robertson is a real-life superhero - engineer, Marvel comic character, and STEM icon.

  • Cory Smith

    Cory Smith is an American comic artist and illustrator who has worked on some of the industry's biggest titles, such as IDW'S TMNT, Wolverine, Ghost Rider, Conan the Barbarian, Star Wars, Spider-man, and Guardians of the Galaxy. Currently, Smith is working Fantastic Four for Marvel.

  • Chris Uminga

    Christopher Uminga is a Connecticut based painter and illustrator. He has spent the last 10 years developing a unique style that blends together creepy and cute. You can find the influences of classic movies, Saturday morning cartoons, graffiti, and low brow/outsider art in his work.

  • Dexter Vines

    Native Atlantan Dexter Vines is one of comics' most prolific and well respected artists/inkers with over 25 years of experience. Vines has worked for almost every major comic publisher, including Superman/Batman, Civil War, and Wolverine: Old Man Logan. His recent projects include Ahsoka and Mace Windu.

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Announced: 05/09/2025

  • Henry Herz

    Henry Herz is the author of 14 traditionally published picture books (including sci-fi and urban fantasy), scores of short stories, and the editor of nine anthologies.

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Announced: 05/08/2025

  • Dr. April Armes

    April Armes is a microbial ecologist bridging the sectors of microbiology and systems ecology. She pits microbe against microbe in large battle royal experiments that inform predictive models.

  • Hawkings Austin

    Hawk worked in radiation for 30 years. He has written in engineering, science, martial arts, history, and fantasy with seven novels published. He speaks on topics as diverse as pop culture science, Irish mythology, Catalan history, warfare in the middle ages, plasma physics, space environments, and nuclear survival.

  • Eranga-D

    Eranga D works as a freelance illustrator out of Birmingham, Alabama. He does cover and pinup work in the mainstream and indie comic market. In his time in comics, he has worked with Dark Horse, Dynamite, Scout Comics, Black Caravan, and contributed covers to several indie Kickstarters.

  • ChristaCarol Sunshine Jones

    ChristaCarol Jones, writing as C.C.S. Jones, is a fantasy author and professional editor for national curriculum companies. Her debut novel, Magicbound, launched The Last Mage series.

  • Cass Marks

    Cass Marks is a sci-fi filmmaker/comic book artist who loves astronomy. He is passionate about science outreach and sharing the marvels of the universe alongside his collaborator Alexandra Yep.

  • Kurt Opsahl

    Kurt Opsahl is associate general counsel for cybersecurity and civil liberties policy for the Filecoin Foundation. Opsahl has worked almost 30 years on technology law and policy, representing internet startups in the dot-com boom, protecting digital rights at the Electronic Frontier Foundation, and now focusing on protecting the decentralized web.

  • Matthew Scott Penick

    Matthew Penick is a cosplayer turned designer and founder of the costume design company Ribbons and Rivets. He began with humble origins, showing wares at local Renaissance Festivals and conventions.

  • Seven Rasmussen

    Dr. Seven Rasmussen (she/they; SFWA) is an astrobiologist, author, and science communicator. Her writing has appeared in Scientific American, The Planetary Society, Science Magazine, and her forthcoming book.

  • Stephen Seitz

    Stephen Seitz is a craftsman, DJ, and tournament organizer at gaming panels for Dragon Con. He built giant, wooden Nintendo Game Boy Advance consoles, ready for gaming!

  • Lee Terrill

    Lee is a cohost of the actual play podcast Very Random Encounters. She is an avid table top gamer and mostly enjoys cooperative board games.

  • Alexandra Yep

    Alex Yep is a poet turned astronomer working at Agnes Scott College in Decatur, Georgia. She teaches physics and astronomy, researches young star clusters, and directs the Bradley Observatory.

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Announced: 05/07/2025

  • aSwanNamedEmily

    Emily Swan is an artist and youth voices manager for a PBS affiliate, showrunner of Doodle Crew, co-host of Sketching Shakespeare!, and a contributor to many podcasts and twitch streams.

  • Atlanta Radio Theatre Company

    ARTC performs audio drama, both live and in the studio. We supply the story, the music, the sound effects, and the voices. The listener fills in all the other details with their imagination.

  • Robert Davis

    Robert Davis is an editor at Tor Books, where he largely acquires fantasy and science fiction. Over the last 10 years he has worked with talented authors and major franchises.

  • Lali DeRosier

    Science teacher, sci-fi consultant, and education researcher Lali DeRosier promotes youth involvement in science through student writing, art, and outreach.

  • Logan Jenkins

    Logan Jenkins cohosts Very Random Encounters and Game Mechanics. Together, the VRE hosts wrote The Ultimate Random Encounters Book. Jenkins has written two TTRPGs: I'm Sure… and Imaginary Friend Fight.

  • Lindsey Kear

    Lindsey Kear's costume designs / styling have been featured in a wide array of commercials, television, features, print, and red carpet. Kear is the founder of The Costume Consultant.

  • Philip D Keating

    Philip D Keating is the co-creator of Botched: A D&D Podcast. He also streams horror and retro games on twitch at ImaginaryNomad.

  • Greg Leatherman

    Greg Leatherman is an award winning game designer for the TTRPGs Glitter Hearts and The Mystery Business, and is a founding member of the actual play podcast Very Random Encounters.

  • Nancy Northcott

    Nancy Northcott's 18 published books include science fiction, romance, and internationally acclaimed historical fantasy. She has worked with Hachette/Grand Central and Falstaff Books and independently.

  • Ashley Ruhl

    Ashley Ruhl is the narrative director on Star Wars: The Old Republic. A 14 year veteran of the video game industry, she has credits in game design, cinematics, and writing.

  • Lee Tien

    Lee Tien is legislative director and the Adams Chair for Internet Rights at the Electronic Frontier Foundation. Before joining EFF, Tien specialized in Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) litigation.

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Announced: 05/06/2025

  • Donato Giancola

    Giancola describes himself and his work as a 'classical-abstract-realist working with science fiction and fantasy' and lists Hans Memling, Jan Van Eyck, Velázquez, Caravaggio, Vermeer, Piet Mondrian, Rembrandt, Rubens, and Titian as his favorite artists.

  • Ed Larson

    Ed Larson is founder of Tampa Deep Sea Xplorers, Inc. (TDSX) a manufacturer of autonomous underwater vehicles based in Tampa Florida, and is an alumnus of Georgia State University.

  • Mr. Damon's Shadow Puppet Theater

    Damon Young's work includes shadow puppet segments for Marvel's Hawkeye on Disney+ and the Great Wolf Lodge. Mr. Damon's Shadow Puppet Theater brings captivating performances to schools, libraries, and theaters.

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Announced: 05/05/2025

  • Bob Burden

    Atlanta's Eisner award winning comic artist, graphic novelist, and screenwriter, Bob Burden, created the world's first surrealist superhero, Flaming Carrot, leading to Mystery Men, which became a feature film.

  • D.G. Chichester

    Writer D.G. Chichester is famed for his Daredevil run, including The Fall of the Kingpin, Fall from Grace, and the recent Black Armor. He co-created the Midnight Sons and Nightstalkers, pioneered Marvel's CyberComics, and introduced Clive Barker's Hellraiser to comics. Chichester authored stories for Nick Fury, Punisher, and Judge Dredd.

  • Tom Cravens

    Thomas Cravens is a professor of physics and astronomy at the University of Kansas. His degrees are in physics from Stony Brook University and in astronomy from Harvard University.

  • Colleen Doran

    Colleen Doran is the New York Times bestselling artist for the Neil Gaiman graphic novel Troll Bridge and Stan Lee's autobiography Amazing, Fantastic, Incredible Stan Lee, which earned a Young Adult Library Services Great Graphic Novels for Teens nomination. Books she has illustrated have won Eisner and Harvey Awards.

  • John Gregory Keyes

    Greg Keyes is the author of over 30 novels, from original works to licensed universes including Star Wars, Babylon 5, Pacific Rim, Godzilla, and The Elder Scrolls.

  • Lauren Thoman

    Lauren Thoman is the author of the speculative mysteries I'll Stop the World and You Shouldn't Be Here. She lives outside of Nashville, Tennessee, with her husband and two children.

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Announced: 05/04/2025

  • Darin M. Bush

    Darin M. Bush is an award winning science-fiction and fantasy short-story author. He is the founder and executive producer of Tables of Content, a virtual sci-fi convention.

  • Melissa Fahn

    Melissa Fahn has voiced hundreds of characters, including Edward on Cowboy Bebop, Gaz on Invader Zim, Rika on Digimon Tamers, Ninamori on FLCL, Haruka on Noein, Kristy on Digimon Data Squad, Tia on Zatch Bell, Betty Boop, Hello Kitty, and many more.

  • Don Rosa

    Don Rosa became internationally famous in 1987 when he began writing and drawing new stories based on his favorite classic comics - Carl Barks' $crooge McDuck. He has worked for licensed publishers around the world where Barks' Duck comics continue to be the bestselling comics as they once were in America.

  • Rikki Simons

    Rikki Simons is most famous for being the voice of the robot in a dog suit, GIR from Invader ZIM.

  • Eric Trueheart

    Eric Trueheart is best known for writing on Nickelodeon's heartwarming cult classic Invader ZIM.

  • Jhonen Vasquez

    Jhonen Vasquez is a writer/artist who, in the before times, created comic books like Johnny the Homicidal Maniac and SQUEE! And then went on to ruin the world by creating Invader Zim and its follow up movie Enter the Florpus, seen by upwards of seven people. He is currently sentient.

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Announced: 05/03/2025

  • Shane Pierce

    Shane Pierce is a filmmaker from West Virginia, where he established the indie media studio Butter Chicken Pictures. His second feature film, Ambrosia!, is touring the international film festival circuit.

  • Sunlight of Astora

    11 time award winning, Johnny Goodwill "Sunlight of Astora" creates costumes based off of dark fantasy and horror video games, along with props and effects for tv and film.

  • Derek Yaniger

    Derek Yaniger is a toothless hillbilly that has got a way long history of scratchin' out art for lots of king-sized bigwigs like Marvel Comics and Cartoon Network. But nowadays he strictly digs the gigs that let him beat his own bongos.

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Announced: 05/02/2025

  • Addie Dove

    Dr. Addie Dove is a planetary scientist and professor at UCF with a passion for space and science communication. She is a cohost on the Walkabout the Galaxy podcast.

  • Stoner Gump

    Daniel Gossard, AKA StonerGump. Author of Herbally Infused and Chronically Bemused, as well as the sequal Herbally infused and Chronically Bemused the Masterpiece. Elevated funny man and head astronaut.

  • Terry Mancour

    Terry Mancour is the New York Times bestselling author of the epic fantasy Spellmonger series, as well as the ST:NG #20 novel Spartacus, and other works of sci-fi and fantasy.

  • Amy J. Murphy

    Author Amy J. Murphy is a two-time Dragon Award finalist. Having recently completed the Allies and Enemies series, she now volunteers as an Apex Magazine slush reader.

  • Shawn Sellers

    Shawn Sellers has spent 20+ years investigating the paranormal, UFOs, cryptids, and unexplained phenomena across the U.S. Sellers holds multiple degrees and serves as education director for the Alabama Alliance.

  • Isaac Sheff

    Dr. Isaac Sheff is a computer scientist working on distributed systems research, with a background in security, programming languages, and blockchains.

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Announced: 05/01/2025

  • Dane Ault

    Dane Ault is the artist behind Monkey Minion Press, an art company he runs with his wife and business partner, Ashlie Hammond. Monkey Minion Press has been publishing art books, kid's books, and all manner of POPaganda, science, and space-related art prints and posters for over a decade.

  • Chuck Brown

    Chuck Brown is an Eisner and Ringo award winning comic book writer. He is the current writer for Aquaman. He has written Bitter Root (co-creator), The Punisher, Black Panther, and Wolverine. He is also the writer and creator of The Quiet Kind and On the Stump.

  • Tom DeFalco

    Tom DeFalco is a comic book writer and editor well known for his association with Marvel Comics, with long runs on Amazing Spider-Man, Thor, Fantastic Four, and Spider-Girl, where he created Mayday Parker/Spider-Girl.

  • Joanna Estep

    Joanna Estep is the critically acclaimed illustrator of such titles as The Fantastic Four, X-Men, New Mutants, Spiderverse (Marvel Comics), Bitch Planet (Image), Death Head (Dark Horse), and The Thrilling Adventure Hour (Boom!/Archaia). Her work has earned her the S.P.A.C.E. Prize, and nominations for Eisner and Harvey awards.

  • Dave "The Reverend" Johnson

    Dave "The Reverend" Johnson is a comic book artist best known for his work on the covers for the title 100 Bullets.

  • Tony Moy

    Tony Moy is an international artist known for forgotten history WWII comic The 4Forty2nd about the most decorated Japanese American regiment in US history. He creates artwork for Marvel Snaps, D&D, X-files, and more. He teaches watercolor and streams on Twitch and Paint Bros.

  • Scott William Rosema

    Scott Rosema is a comic book artist known for his work with Marvel, Archie, DC Comics, Warner Bros. Dreamworks, Disney, Hanna-Barbera, Cartoon Network, Space Ghost, Batman: The Animated Series, X-Men Adventures, Spider-Man, Jonny Quest, Scooby Doo, Looney Tunes, Dexter's Laboratory, Dungeons & Dragons, and more.

  • Gregg Schigiel

    Gregg Schigiel is the creator, author, and illustrator of the Zooperhero Universe chapter book series and Pix graphic novels. He has done character design for SpongeBob SquarePants and The Patrick Show, was a regular contributor to SpongeBob Comics, and worked as a penciller, writer, and assistant editor for Marvel Comics.

  • James W Tyndall

    James W Tyndall is a Canadian - American comic book artist that has had the honor of working on covers for various titles including Deadpool, X-Men, Aliens, G.I. Joe, Transformers, The Boys, Witchblade, Vampirella, Lady Death, My Little Pony, TMNT, Archie, Grimm Fairy Tales, Red Sonja, Godzilla, and Danger Girl.

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Announced: 04/30/2025

  • Georges Jeanty

    Georges Jeanty is an Eisner winner and NY Times bestselling artist for the critically acclaimed Buffy the Vampire Slayer. His art can be seen at Marvel on Xtinction, Captain America, and Star Wars:The High Republic. He is currently working on Disney's Star Wars: The Mandalorian.

  • Michael Kingston

    Kingston began his career by selling his comics out of his backpack at wrestling shows. Headlocked Comics is now the premier brand for wrestling comics featuring collaborations with the biggest names in wrestling. Credits include Tales from the Road, Vampiro: Rockabilly Apocalypse, Friday Night Bigfoot, and the licensed WWE comic.

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Announced: 04/28/2025

  • Jim Butcher

    Jim Butcher is the author of The Dresden Files, Codex Alera, and his new steampunk series, The Cinder Spires. An avid gamer, he plays tabletop games in varying systems, a variety of video games on PC and console, and LARPs.

  • Jim Farmer

    Jim Farmer has programmed Out On Film, Atlanta's LGBTQ film festival, for 17 years and the festival has become of one the most honored LGBQT film festivals in the world.

  • Anna Harrison

    Anna Harrison is an Atlanta native working in the distribution arm of LA's entertainment industry at Moonbug Entertainment and is also a senior staff writer and interviewer at Drink in the Movies.

  • Teddy Long

    Theodore Robert Rufus Long (born September 15, 1947) is an American former professional wrestling referee, manager, and authority figure best known for his tenures in NWA, WCW, and WWE.

  • Jason R Merrill

    Jason R. Merrill is a senior software engineer by day who is a purveyor of vintage gentleman's accessories on the side, curating the collection at Blackbird Finery.

  • Zoe Thorogood

    Zoe Thorogood is a comic creator and concept artist from the UK. She is best known for her award winning creator owned books The Impending Blindness of Billie Scott and It's Lonely at the Centre of the Earth, which she has both written and drawn.

  • Chrissie Zullo Uminga

    Chrissie Zullo Uminga is a Connecticut-based illustrator and a full-time drawing machine. She has worked for Marvel, DC, and Lucasfilm to name a few, primarily in comic book illustration. Known for her variant covers, some titles Chrissie has worked on include X-Men, Marvel Mutts, Deadpool: Petpool, and Amazing Spider-Man.

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Announced: 04/24/2025

  • Corey Applegate

    Corey Applegate is actively involved in a wide variety of fandoms including Star Wars, Wheel of Time, sewing, D&D, fantasy literature, history, travel, and Disney.

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Announced: 04/23/2025

  • Alison Carrier

    Alison Carrier is a design director at Scopely, building an AdventureCraft AAA MMO. As a seasoned developer, she has worked on Star Wars: Hunters, Halo Infinite, and other titles.

  • Hayley Tsukayama

    Hayley Tsukayama is associate director of legislative activism at the Electronic Frontier Foundation, focusing on state legislation. Before joining EFF, she was a consumer technology reporter at The Washington Post.

  • George T Watson

    George Watson is a co-creator, executive producer, and writer of the fantasy film Sorcerority as well as the comic book. He is also co-directing the recently announced feature film Fanged.

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Announced: 04/22/2025

  • Kyla Gibney

    Dr. Gibney is a cognitive neuroscientist who studies the underlying mechanisms related to cognition, emotion, behavior, and how cognitive control and emotional processing affect decision-making and health outcomes.

  • Sarah Philips

    Sarah Philips (she/they) is a community organizer, abolitionist, and creator from Houston, Texas. They currently work as a campaigner at Fight for the Future.

  • Gary Poole

    Gary Poole is the founder and host of Robot Battles, edited four bestselling anthologies set in John Ringo's Black Tide Rising universe, and runs the Southern Fandom Resource Guide website.

  • Norm Rapmund

    Norm Rapmund is an inker who made a name for himself during the early years of Image Comics. Rapmund then moved to Marvel where he worked on titles Wolverine, Fantastic Four, and Rogue. He later became known for his work with penciller Ian Churchill on Coven, Superman/Batman, and Supergirl.

  • Michael A. Stackpole

    Michael A. Stackpole is an award winning novelist, game designer, computer game designer, podcaster, editor, screenwriter, and graphic novelist.

  • William Stout

    William Stout is an illustrator/film designer. He has murals at the San Diego Natural History Museum, the San Diego Zoo, the Houston Museum of Natural Science, and Walt Disney's Animal Kingdom. Fantastic Worlds – The Art of William Stout, will be followed by a box set of Stout's comics-related art.

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Announced: 04/21/2025

  • Amanda Hamon

    Amanda Hamon is a senior designer working on Dungeons & Dragons at Wizards of the Coast. An award winning tabletop game designer and developer with more than a decade of experience, Hamon leads the creation of Fifth Edition books from conception through publication and beyond.

  • Yaya Han

    Yaya Han is a cosplayer, designer, and author with over 400 costumes, two US Network TV shows, countless magazines, books, newspapers, and appearances under her belt. Han is the first cosplayer to bring branded cosplay-focused sewing and crafting products and a Yaya Han sewing machine to the mass retail market.

  • Greg Hodgin

    Greg Hodgin is the CEO of ZC Institute. He graduated from Emory University with a bachelor's in chemistry and from Georgia State University with a Ph.D. in political science.

  • Bethany DJ Kesler

    Bethany Kesler is a historian, writer, podcaster, and fabulous reader. Most of her work is under the pen name, DJ Gray, which she maintains for plausible deniability reasons.

  • Liz Landau

    Liz Landau is an award winning journalist, filmmaker, speaker, and science communicator. She serves as the multimedia lead for NASA's astrophysics division in Washington, DC.

  • Megan O'Russell

    From the epic fantasy world of Ilbrea to the vampire-plagued dystopia of the domes, author Megan O'Russell offers readers 31 books across eight series.

  • T. Alexander Stangroom

    T. Alexander Stangroom is chief operations officer at the ENNIE award winning TTRPG publisher Kobold Press. Stangroom is a TTRPG designer whose credits include titles by Modiphius and Wizards of the Coast, as well as a professional GM with over two decades of experience.

  • Trevor Valle

    Trevor Valle is a commercial FAA licensed drone pilot, a former paleontologist and science writer who has appeared in documentaries on History Channel, National Geographic, and in IMAX, and a professional GM, TTRPG writer, creator, game tester, and a cast member and player on multiple Twitch and YouTube Actual Plays.

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Announced: 04/18/2025

  • Katherine Monasterio

    Whether editing fiction, RPG sourcebooks, or podcast anthologies, Katherine lives for strengthening the written word, and for creating it as the author of novels, novellas, and award winning short stories.

  • Matt Nitchie

    Matt Nitchie is a local Atlanta actor, puppeteer, and co-host for Dragon Con's own Late Night Puppet Slam.

  • Muscle Nerd Jerry Peacock

    As co-founder of Muscle Nerdz, Jerry has been blending the worlds of nerddom and fitness since 2017. He works to promote fitness motivation and healthy living to everyone.

  • Trina L. Ray

    Currently the deputy science manager and investigation scientist for the radar instrument on NASA's Europa Clipper Mission. She worked 20 years on Cassini-Huygens Mission to Saturn (specializing in Titan), and started her career working on Voyager. She is an active public speaker, invited to give many talks around the nation.

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Announced: 04/17/2025

  • AnEternalEnigma

    AnEternalEnigma is a long-time, successful gaming personality on the Internet. Starting as an original JustinTV streamer since August 2011, Enigma has now been a Twitch Partner for eight years.

  • Noah Bailey

    Noah Bailey is an illustrator, designer, and comic book artist. Bailey is known for his self published and independent work in Station Grand, Infinite Horrors, and Diabolical!; the latter his personal comic anthology magazine. He is a frequent collaborator with Michael W. Conrad on Double Walker and Tremor Dose.

  • Becky Cloonan

    Becky Cloonan is a comic book artist, writer, and three-time Eisner winner. Best known for her work writing on Wonder Woman, Batgirls, and Gotham Academy, she was also the first female creator to draw a full issue of Batman. Most recently, she co-created the smash hit series SOMNA at DSTLRY.

  • Michael W Conrad

    Michael W. Conrad is a writer that has contributed to the legacies of many major characters including: Wonder Woman, Batman, Superman, Godzilla, Nightwing, Doom Patrol, and countless others. Conrad's own personal work includes such published graphic novels as Tremor Dose, Double Walker, and Neptune.

  • Christine Evans

    Christine Evans is a Broadway wig and makeup professional. Having worked on such award winning shows as Frozen, Some Like it Hot, Suffs, Aladdin, and Moulin Rouge.

  • May Hemmer

    May Hemmer has been making her way around the country as well as internationally. This 2017 Miss Montreal Burlesque is not only a burlesque performer, but a cosplayer.

  • Jam Tailor

    Jam Tailor is a costumer, pattern maker, and sewing instructor specializing in stretch fabrics. As lead designer at Mister Pierre Fashion, they design for performers, AVN nominees, and stage productions.

  • Alyssa Wong

    Alyssa Wong is a Nebula, GLAAD, and World Fantasy Award winning writer best known for their comic work at Marvel and DC. Wong's comic credits include Star Wars: Doctor Aphra, Deadpool, Spirit World, Psylocke, and Captain Marvel. They most recently released their first prose novel, Star Wars: Espace from Valo.

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Announced: 04/16/2025

  • Curtis Eller's American Circus

    Curtis Eller is a banjo player and songwriter. With his band, The American Circus, he has cultivated a devoted international following based on spellbinding stage performances that combine a dreamlike vision of American history with explosive rock & roll energy. Their acclaimed new album Another Nice Mess is available now!

  • Ant Lucia

    Very few alternate visions of established characters have captured the imaginations of fandom like the DC Comics Bombshells. When Ant Lucia unveiled his designs for such characters as Wonder Woman, Batwoman, Harley Quinn, and the rest in the series the popularity exploded!

  • Clint McElroy

    Clint McElroy is a podcaster, comic book writer, and former radio personality known for The Adventure Zone, a role-playing podcast. He is also a four-time New York Times bestselling author for The Adventure Zone graphic novels and recently released the book, Goldie's Guide to Grandchilding, all from First Second.

  • Griffin McElroy

    Griffin McElroy is a podcaster, four-time New York Times bestselling author, and actor known for The Adventure Zone, Wonderful!, and My Brother, My Brother and Me.

  • Justin McElroy

    Justin McElroy is a podcaster, four-time New York Times bestselling author, and actor known for The Adventure Zone and My Brother, My Brother and Me.

  • Travis McElroy

    Travis McElroy is a podcaster, actor, producer, humorist, and four-time New York Times bestselling author known for The Adventure Zone; My Brother, My Brother and Me; and Shmanners.

  • Aron Siegel

    Aron Siegel is a producer and sound mixer whose work includes The Unwanted, Implanted, Thor: Ragnarok, DC's Black Lightning, Walking Dead, and Vampire Diaries.

  • S. M. Stirling

    S.M. Stirling was born in France in 1953 and has lived in Europe, Canada, Africa, and Santa Fe. Stirling published his first novel Snowbrother in 1984. His latest books are To Turn the Tide and The Winds of Fate from Baen, and The Lords of Creation from Arc Manor.

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Announced: 04/14/2025

  • Jessica Cail

    Featured on NOVA's Secret Life of Scientists for her dual life as psychopharmacologist and stuntwoman, Dr. Cail serves as science advisor for Hollywood; including projects for Marvel, Disney, and Netflix.

  • Annie Stegg Gerard

    Annie Stegg Gerard is an oil painter based in Northern Georgia, deeply inspired by the 18th-century Rococo masters. Her award winning art has been exhibited in galleries and featured in projects for clients such as Disney, Hasbro, Wizards of the Coast, Easton Press, Netflix, HarperCollins, and more.

  • Justin Gerard

    Justin Gerard is an independent artist who has worked for clients such as Disney, Dreamworks, Warner Brothers, Blizzard, and Random House. His work has explored the fantasy worlds of Beowulf, King Arthur, St. George, The Hobbit, Magic the Gathering, and Dungeons & Dragons.

  • Henry Gilroy

    Henry Gilroy is a television screenwriter and producer. He is best known for co-writing the animated series Star Wars: The Clone Wars. From an early age, Gilroy loved comic books and animation. Gilroy is also the author of several Star Wars comic books and the first Bionicle trilogy.

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Announced: 04/11/2025

  • David Boop

    David Boop is an author, editor, and screenwriter. His novels include sci-fi/noir, weird western, and dark fantasy. He has written for Predator, The Green Hornet, Kolchak, Shadowrun, and Veronica Mars.

  • D.J. Butler

    D.J. (Dave) Butler has been a lawyer, a consultant, a corporate trainer, and a registered investment banking representative, and he is now a senior editor for Ark Press.

  • Allen Slonaker

    Allen Slonaker joined CPRI in 2007 and currently serves on CPRI's Board of Directors. Slonaker has a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from Virginia Commonwealth University.

  • John J Spearman

    John Spearman is the award winning author of Mercenary Navy, Jonah Halberd, Perseverance Andrews, and Sandy Pike series of science fiction novels, and the FitzDuncan fantasy books.

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Announced: 04/09/2025

  • Robert Chapin

    Robert Chapin is a visual effects artist, fight choreographer, actor, writer, and director. He wrote and starred in Ring of Steel and The Hunted.

  • Steve Jackson

    Steve Jackson has been designing games for 45 years and has no plans to stop. His creations include Munchkin, Illuminati, the GURPS and The Fantasy Trip roleplaying systems, Ogre, Car Wars, and Zombie Dice. By the time you read this, he expects to live in Atlanta.

  • Jon Padfield

    Dr. Jon Padfield is an engineer turned state representative, turned business professor. He teaches graduate courses in data analytics and is a long-time privacy / free speech advocate.

  • B. A. Richards

    B.A. Richards is a transmasc author writing fantasy and romance, often at the same time! Their debut novel, A Happy Beginning, was released in Jan 2025 by City Owl Press.

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Announced: 04/08/2025

  • William Hunter Cressall

    Hunter is a writer and director working in Birmingham, Alabama. He, with his partners Brian Pace, David Woods, and Phil Sutton, run Obvious Notion a multimedia production company.

  • India R Jackson

    Dr. India Jackson is an astrophysicist, software engineer, NSF postdoctoral fellow, and the first Black woman to earn a PhD in physics from Georgia State University.

  • C.B. Lee

    C.B. Lee is an author of bestselling young adult and middle grade fiction including the NYT bestseller Minecraft:The Shipwreck.

  • Brett A McGuire

    MIT Prof. Brett McGuire has a PhD in chemistry and has worked with the National Radio Astronomy Observatory and Harvard & Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics. His specially is astrochemistry.

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Announced: 04/07/2025

  • Channing Scott Sherman

    Channing Sherman, co-host of the Dragon Con Report podcast, is a digital media creator, journalist, and podcaster. He co-founded the Black Geeks of Dragon Con.

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Announced: 04/04/2025

  • Andrew E.C. Gaska

    Andrew E.C. Gaska is the multiple award winning lore/adventure writer for Free League's Alien RPG. A franchise consultant to 20th Century Studios on Alien, Predator, and POTA, he is the lead writer for two Choose Your Own Adventure graphic novels and the Terminator and Planet of the Apes RPGs.

  • T. Kingfisher

    T. Kingfisher, aka Ursula Vernon, is the author of more than 40 books, comics, and the occasional podcast. Her work has won the Hugo, Locus, Nebula, and Dragon Awards. She lives in New Mexico with her husband, cats, and chickens.

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Announced: 04/03/2025

  • AshSaidHi

    Ash is the queen of retro gaming. Think of her content's vibe as the Mr. Rogers of retro built for adults to reminisce in a familiar and comforting setting.

  • Rich Gatz

    Rich Gatz is the vice president, head of cyber claims for Arch Insurance Group, Inc. and a cyber insurance and data privacy subject matter expert.

  • Tatiana Rice

    Tatiana Rice is the director of AI Legislation at the Future of Privacy Forum. Her work focuses on the intersection of AI, data privacy, and civil rights/liberties.

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Announced: 04/01/2025

  • A.C. Charania

    As the former NASA chief technologist, A.C. Charania served as one of the senior advisors to NASA's administrator on technology strategy and innovation. He held prior roles at Reliable Robotics, Blue Origin, Virgin Galactic, and SpaceWorks Enterprises.

  • Daniel Griffith

    Daniel Griffith is an award winning documentary filmmaker whose previous work includes films by John Carpenter, Sam Raimi, Chris McKay, Seth MacFarlane, and David Lynch, to name a few.

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Announced: 03/31/2025

  • James A. Hunter

    James Hunter is a full-time ink slinger and the bestselling author of over 40 novels including Rogue Dungeon, Vigil Bound, Discount Dan, and the LitRPG epic Viridian Gate Online!

  • Allora Lee

    Allora Lee is an independent author. She writes primarily in the fantasy and science fiction genres, with a focus on tales that explore the psychological aspects of portal fantasies.

  • Ashley Poston

    Ashley Poston is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of The Dead Romantics, The Seven Year Slip, and A Novel Love Story.

  • Ingrid Seymour

    Ingrid Seymour is a USA Today bestselling author of 57 novels, specializing in fantasy romance, urban fantasy, and paranormal romance. Her hit novel A Prince So Cruel gained viral success.

  • Kimberly Unger

    Kimberly Unger created her first video game back when the 80-column card was the hot new thing. Unger is the Phillip K Dick award winning author of The Extractionist.

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Announced: 03/28/2025

  • Bob Hall

    For Marvel, Bob drew Spider-Man, Thor, What If, Squadron Supreme, The Avengers, and Emperor Doom. He co-created the West Coast Avengers. He was a Marvel editor in 1978. At Valiant, he wrote and drew Shadowman and created Armed and Dangerous. For DC, he wrote and drew Batman/Joker graphic novels.

  • Gabriel Perez

    Gabriel Perez is the composer and audio engineer for the Quid Pro Roll podcast and lead narrative and sound designer for the Heartlands Arena VR-RPG.

  • Omisade Richardson

    Dr. Chateé Omísadé Richardson is a healer, educator, educational/counseling psychologist, and a growth facilitator. She is also an author, keynote speaker, and panelist.

  • B. Dave D Walters

    B. Dave Walters is best known as host and DM of Invitation to Party on G4 TV, and DM for the cast of Stranger Things on Netflix Geeked. He is a contributor to the Marvel Multiverse RPG: The Cataclysm of Kang, and X-men Expansion, Dungeons & Dragons, and Vampire: The Masquerade.

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Announced: 03/27/2025

  • Dust Bowl Faeries

    Dust Bowl Faeries, accordion-driven dark carnival music. Dust Bowl Faeries perform a faerie-tale fusion of dark cabaret and gothic polka music, infused with a dose of witchcraft and a dusting of woodland magic.

  • Kris Kersey

    Kris Kersey is a passionate maker and cosplayer who shares his knowledge on 3D printing and maker projects through his YouTube channels, Kersey Fabrications and The OASIS Project.

  • Sean M Patton

    Sean Michael Patton is a principal for SMP Designs. He has designed over 40 stage productions, eight short films, five features, and specializes in pieces for film, television, and media.

  • Anne Schlea

    Anne Schlea writes two series: The Retribution Universe and The Fallen. She enjoys blending true history into urban fantasy to create a dynamic world for her readers to step into.

  • Jesse A Trotter

    Solar Wolf Cosplay is an award winning cosplayer and has been published in several cosplay magazines such as Cosplay Realms. His work has been in several cosplay showcases.

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Announced: 03/26/2025

  • Kinnfolk

    Feel-good Celtic folk for all! We play Irish traditional tunes and Celtic folk songs, tied together with plenty of on-stage banter. Audiences are encouraged to sing along with sea shanties or stand up and tap their toes! We have performed at Renaissance Faires, Celtic festivals, and plenty of rowdy taprooms.

  • Chonkey Kong

    Tristan Gibbon is a founding member of the evergreen comedy show Botched: A D&D Podcast. He also produces the D&D one-shot podcast Dragon Night Adventure Friends.

  • David McRaney

    David McRaney is a journalist fascinated with brains, minds, and culture. He created the ongoing podcast You Are Not So Smart, and his most recent book, How Minds Change.

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Announced: 03/25/2025

  • Matthew J. Brown

    Matthew Brown, PhD, is a scholar of comics and pop culture. He is co-editor of More Critical Approaches to Comics: Theories and Methods and has organized panels at Dragon Con.

  • Brian Brushwood

    Brian Brushwood has spent 20 years touring the U. S. with his award winning magic show. 1,000 live shows later in 2008, he started hosting Scam School for Discovery, Hacking the System for NatGeo, and The Modern Rogue on YouTube. Brushwood's newest adventure is his podcast World's Greatest Con.

  • Sean Copeland

    Sean Copeland is the lore historian lead for Story & Franchise Development at Blizzard Entertainment. He supports all creative partners so they can create award winning games, goods, and cinematic content for Blizzard's blockbuster franchises.

  • Bill Fawcett

    Bill Fawcett & Associates has packaged and edited over 400 science fiction novels and two oral histories of the Navy SEALs. He co-authored the official Mycroft Holmes Mysteries and has written almost a dozen books, many on mistakes in history. Founded Mayfair Games and designs board and computer games.

  • Storm Humbert

    Storm Humbert has published in Andromeda Spaceways, Galaxy's Edge, Writers of the Future, and more. He is the managing member of the Calendar of Fools and executive editor of Dragonbrae.

  • Chris A. Jackson

    Professional sailor, SFF fan, career biologist, gamer, and author, Chris's game tie-in work includes Pathfinder, Iron Kingdoms, Shadowrun, Arkham Horror, and Traveller RPGs. He has over 30 novels in print.

  • Jeffrey Nix

    A fantasy author, scientist, and national champion martial artist with a master's degree in applied psychology, Jeffrey Nix writes the web serial, Alias & Apocalypses.

  • Rose Reynolds

    Rose Reynolds has published 34 novels under the pen names TJ Reynolds and Atlas Kane. A trans woman and combat veteran, she is home in the progression fantasy/LitRPG communities.

  • Ryan T Rimmel

    Ryan Rimmel is the author of the Mayor of Noobtown LitRPG series, several series of LitRPG books in publication including Sir Crabby, Fifth Era, Sword of Justice, and more.

  • Jeri Red Shepherd

    Red is a 15-time #1 international bestselling, award winning author. With over 125 titles across fiction, TTRPGs, and nonfiction, her work spans Gaxx Worx, Legends of Avantris, Gundak, DCC, and more.

  • Charles Zambrano

    Charles Zambrano is a Emmy award winning multifaceted artist specializing in make up face paint, body paint special effects for live events, television, and film. Zambrano partakes in cosplaying through aspects of creating face and body paint looks for other performers and cosplayers as well.

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Announced: 03/24/2025

  • Curt Anderson

    Curt Anderson is a master of deception, both on and off stage! He has toured the world preforming magic for decades. Recently he returned to the academic world of communication where he studies communication and human deception. He has a master's degree and is presently working on his PhD.

  • Griffin Barber

    Griffin has written stories across the SF&F field and has recently become an editor at Baen Books, producing the Baen Free Radio Hour.

  • Paul Barrett

    Paul Barrett is an author, script supervisor, and film producer. He has seven novels in print and produced two motion pictures and two documentaries.

  • Jonathan Brazee

    Jonathan Brazee is a retired Marine colonel, a full-time hybrid writer, and a USA Today bestseller. He is the current Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association's CFO.

  • Jennie Breeden

    Jennie Breeden is the creator of the daily journal webcomic The Devil's Panties. It is not satanic porn... honest.

  • Friggatriskaidekaphobia Treatment Nurse Downey

    The Friggatriskaidekaphobia Treatment Center and nurse character was created in 2002 by Margaret Downey to teach critical thinking skills in an effort to end unfounded and irrational superstitions. Downey is the Skeptics Dragon Con parade coordinator.

  • KD Edwards

    K.D. lives in North Carolina and writes LGBT+-positive urban fantasy for Pyr books and Audible. He is the author of a planned nine book series called The Tarot Sequence.

  • Susan Griffith

    Susan Griffith is the co-author of fantasy fiction with her husband, Clay, including the Vampire Empire series, the Crown & Key trilogy, and The Flash and Arrow team-up. She is a comic book writer for characters such as The Tick, The Simpsons, and Kolchak: The Night Stalker.

  • Jeff Hays

    Jeff Hays is a voice actor with tremendous range, a producer and narrator of over 200 audiobooks, a musician and composer, and founding CEO of Soundbooth Theater.

  • Madaug Hishinuma

    Intense gamer, former teacher, and current mastermind of all around mayhem, Madaug Hishinuma first started writing in grade school. His current series include: Shadow Wars, Space Sovereign, and Sherrilyn's Worlds.

  • Omega Jones

    Omega Jones is an actor, tabletop GM, designer, streamer, and host. He has worked with companies including Wizards of the Coast and World of Darkness and created the theme song for Critter Hug, a Critical Role talk show. Recent credits include Heroes' Feast and Faster, Purple Worm! Kill! Kill!

  • Alec Lachman

    Alec Lachman, aka AlecTheBard, is a professional game master, TTRPG designer, and content creator with 400K followers across platforms. A celebrity DM for D3atSea and D&D in a Castle, Lachman crafts unforgettable adventures while engaging a vast online audience.

  • K. N. Lee

    K.N. Lee is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of epic fantasy, urban fantasy, and paranormal romance. She is also the host of Needed on Set.

  • Mari Mancusi

    Mari Mancusi is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of over 30 sci-fi/fantasy books for kids, teens, and adults, including many Disney tie-in books.

  • Morgan A. McLaughlin McFarland

    Morgan A. McLaughlin McFarland, MAPW, owns Salt Circle Games, publisher of the horror RPG Chill 3rd Edition. She is also a published fiction, nonfiction, and TTRPG author.

  • Mikal Mosley

    Mikal Mosley is an avid convention goer and costume designer. He has presented at several major conventions over the past 10 years, such as Dragon Con, MomoCon, and San Diego Comic Con. His professional costume credits include building costumes for the WWE, NFL, and various tv shows.

  • Lezli Robyn

    Lezli Robyn is an award winning author and executive editor/associate publisher of Arc Manor and its imprints. She is the current editor of the Galaxy's Edge anthology series.

  • Mera Rose

    Mera Rose is a professional production designer and costumer, a disabilities advocate, podcaster/streamer, the president of CosInternational, and former vice president and president of the International Costumers' Guild.

  • Anne Sowards

    Anne Sowards is an executive editor at Penguin Random House, where she primarily acquires and edits fantasy and speculative fiction for the Ace and Berkley imprints. The talented authors she works with include New York Times bestsellers Patricia Briggs, Jim Butcher, Kim Harrison, and Louis Sachar.

  • Toni Weisskopf

    Toni Weisskopf has been the publisher of Baen Books since 2006. Weisskopf has been a guest speaker at many writers workshops and science fiction conventions across the country. She is also interested in space science and serves on the Board of Advisors of the Interstellar Research Group.

  • Mark Daniel Zoran

    Mark Zoran is the award winning creative behind Razorfly Studios Inc, providing picture perfect custom service to private collectors and the industry alike.

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Announced: 03/21/2025

  • Tracie Ching

    Tracie Ching is an illustrator known for her bold colors and cross-hatching style. Ching has created packaging art for Hasbro, covers for Penguin Randomhouse and TIME magazine, and film posters for Disney, Netflix, Lucasfilm, and Marvel. She is founder and principal mentor of the biennial We Create Mentorship program.

  • Kathleen O'Shea David

    Kathleen O'Shea David started working with puppets at a young age. Along the way she has learned few more skills. Her puppets are in various collections. She is an equity stage manager with an MFA from Yale. She is a published writer and editor of various works.

  • Dan dos Santos

    Creating covers for Brandon Sanderson, Patricia Briggs, Jim Butcher, and more, Dan dos Santos is one of the most recognized artists in his field. With hundreds of book covers to his credit, his vision has helped shape what the Fantasy market is today.

  • Jennifer J Greco

    Jennifer Greco is an astronomer turned science educator. She works as a member of the science faculty and the STEM coordinator at St. Ursula Academy.

  • Marissa Pope

    Marissa Pope is a traditional medium comic book cover artist that has worked in the industry for five years. She has worked with a variety of publishers such as Coffin Comics, Zenescope, Udon, and many other indie publishers.

  • Mandisa Lateefah Thomas

    Mandisa Thomas is the founder and president of Black Nonbelievers. She has been featured in the documentaries gODTalk and Contradiction, and on CBS Sunday Morning and CNN.com.

  • Brian Urbanek

    Brian Urbanek has worked in the games industry as an designer, engineer, and team leader for 30 years. His best known works include Call of Duty and XCom2.

  • Toma Vagner

    Toma Vagner is an award winning NYC-based artist and illustrator. Vagner is known for creating tour visuals for Harry Styles worldwide tour in 2018, as well as her series of illustrations Disorders. Clients include Google, The New York Times, Bloomberg, The New Yorker, The Atlantic, LUSH, Red Bull, and others.

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Announced: 03/20/2025

  • Tana Ford

    Tana Ford is the artist on Marvel's Silk. She has done work on Gwenpool, Star Trek, Jem and the Holograms, VenomVerse, and The Amazing Spider-Man. She is the creator of the award winning lesbian comic book series DUCK! She recently collaborated with writer Nnedi Okorafor in the Black Panther universe.

  • Barr Foxx

    Barr Foxx (JaBarr) is an award winning cosplay artist and television/film producer whose passion for storytelling and inclusivity has left an indelible mark.

  • Ian Harris

    Writer, director, and comedian Ian Harris is known for his spot on impressions and cutting-edge, socio-political commentary fueled by science and skepticism. He has two one-hour comedy specials, ExtraOrdinary and Critical & Thinking. Harris is currently finishing a feature film he wrote and directed, called StandBy.

  • Dennis Lee Robinson

    Dennis is the one of the creators and the DM behind Botched: A D&D Podcast. He is also the writer/creator behind the award winning graphic novel series Lycan: Solomon's Odyssey.

  • Scott Sigler

    #1 New York Times bestselling author Scott Sigler is the creator of 15 novels, six novellas, and dozens of short stories. He gives away his stories as weekly, serialized audiobooks, with over 40 million episodes downloaded.

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Announced: 03/17/2025

  • Mike Crugnola

    Mike Crugnola can be seen on the D&D live play podcast Adventure Incorporated, on Ask the Pokedexpert, and on Twitch as a host on Swoontower Soccer and InAddition.

  • Dean's Lyst

    Walter Dean is an Atlanta-based specialty costume designer who works under the business name of Dean's Lyst. Dean has been featured in several publications as a rising designer.

  • John Giang

    John Giang is an acclaimed cover and concept artist, whose covers include: Spider-Man, Batman, and Last Ronin; and film credits include: Rogue One, Avengers, TMNT, and Transformers. Giang has jammed with Marvel, DC Comics, Paramount, Disney, Lucasfilm, and Hasbro.

  • Matthew Lane

    Matt Lane supports Fight's campaigns directly on the hill and is an expert on tech policy and multilayered legal matters that directly touch people's lives.

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Announced: 03/14/2025

  • Pamela Cole

    Pamela Cole is a costumier who graduated from Goodman Theater in Chicago over 50 years ago and continues to work with dance, opera, movies, museums, reenactors, in the Atlanta area.

  • Ron Daniels

    Ron Daniels is a respected attorney in middle Georgia. He served as the 76th president of the Young Lawyer's Division of the State Bar of Georgia.

  • Dwayne K. Goetzel

    Dwayne Goetzel is an intellectual property lawyer located in Austin, handling copyright, trademark, domain names, contracts, personality rights, and licensing matters, as well as trial work for those subjects.

  • Fruity Snacks

    Fruity Snacks is an instructional designer who owns the Eorzean Aquarium and Eorzean Museum Network, and has a YouTube channel for teaching how to catch fish in Final Fantasy XIV.

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Announced: 03/13/2025

  • Dr. John Bradford

    Dr. John Bradford is chief executive officer and principal engineer for SpaceWorks Enterprises in Atlanta. He is an expert in the human exploration of space, hypersonics, and the commercial space industry. He is an industry thought leader and strong advocate for commercial development of cis-lunar space.

  • Meredith Filak Rose

    Meredith Rose, a senior policy counsel at Public Knowledge, a consumer advocacy organization in Washington, DC, where she focuses on tech, copyright, fandom, and music, is also a SFFH author.

  • Spat

    Spat Oktan of SpatCave Studios is an FX makeup artist, costume/prop maker, and author known for his MOBCon book series, his crazy costumes, and makeup effects.

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Announced: 03/10/2025

  • Jerry E DeCaire

    Jerry DeCaire has illustrated top shelf character titles for Marvel including Deadpool, Wolverine, Thor, etc. He is currently working on his own production, The Which-When Man. For 10 years he has performed drawing exhibitions in every major city in the US.

  • Jason Keith

    Jason Keith is an Eisner Award nominated color artist, who for the past 15 years has colored exclusively for Marvel Comics. Credits include The Avengers, Hulk, Wolverine, Amazing Spider-Man, Mighty Avengers, Guardians of the Galaxy, Ghost Rider, Ultimate Avengers, Star Wars, and Darth Vader.

  • Sorah Suhng

    Sorah Suhng has been a contributing artist to the comic book industry since 2007. She is owner and creator of Karnal Sin and the popular Karnal Confessions series as well as the Aurora comic book series .

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Announced: 03/05/2025

  • Andrew Burn

    Andrew Burn is an award winning film director known for the sci-fi indie blockbuster Venus Effect and has worked on Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, MacGyver, and more.

  • Daniel Govar

    Daniel Govar is a comic, children's book, and fantasy artist known for covers and interiors (Star Wars, Marvel, DC, etc). Currently Govar is the illustrator for Naomi Novik's three-book Temeraire omnibus, artist for various Star Wars card sets for Topps, and is doing illustrations for the World of Eragon.

  • Dot R Steverson

    Dot is a podcaster, producer, digital storyteller, and game designer based in Atlanta. Currently, she serves as the marketing director for Kobold Press.

  • Uploads of Fun

    Uploads of Fun is known for their off-beat family comedy videos. Their mission is to build a community for all people through laughter. With an audience of over 11 million across YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook, Uploads of Fun shows the world that fun is a language we all speak!

  • Adam Withers

    Comfort and Adam are a creative duo who both write, draw, and design. They are the creators of The Uniques and Rainbow in the Dark. They also wrote a massive how-to book for Random House called The Complete Guide to Self-Publishing Comics.

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Announced: 03/04/2025

  • Veronica Dashiell

    Veronica Dashiell is half of the husband and wife puppetry team Felt Nerdy. They have been performing at conventions and local theatres across the Southeast for over 10 years together.

  • Charles Kelso

    Charles Kelso is half of the husband and wife puppetry team of Felt Nerdy. They have been performing together for over 10 years at conventions across the Southeast.

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Announced: 03/03/2025

  • Brian Doob

    Brian Doob has been a co-host of the British Invaders podcast about British television since 2007.

  • Adam Friedman

    Adam Friedman is a scientist and artist exploring intersections between art and environmentalism, and also an actor, director, and writer in the theatre community, co-founding the Atlanta Green Theatre Alliance.

  • Matthew Douglas Green

    With 39 years of film production experience to his credit, Matt Green has navigated his way through a multiplicity of disciplines vital to the art of filmmaking – special effects, visual effects, production design, propmaker, camera operator, actor, writer, producer, editor, and director.

  • Liana Kangas

    Liana Kangas, comic artist and writer, has worked on titles such as Star Wars Adventures, RAZORBLADES, Tyranny Rex & Future Shocks, Joan Jett, Blondie & RZA, with many more announcements to come. They have drawn original titles for TRVE KVLT, She Said Destroy, and co-wrote Seeds of Eden.

  • Comfort Love

    Comfort and Adam are a creative duo who both write, draw, and design. They are the creators of The Uniques and Rainbow in the Dark. They also wrote a massive how-to book for Random House called The Complete Guide to Self-Publishing Comics.

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Announced: 02/28/2025

  • Nicole Vanner

    Black Girls Anime is a platform celebrating Black girls who love anime, offering news, reviews, and entertainment that highlights their unique experiences.

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Announced: 02/27/2025

  • Francine (Fran) Delgado

    Francine Delgado is a Costa Rican-Canadian artist with over a decade of experience. Art director, character designer, and cover artist, she has worked with MARVEL, Disney, and IDW. Inspired by manga and European comics, her bold storytelling and intricate designs bring characters to life in feature films, TV, and comics.

  • Christian Hubicki

    Dr. Christian Hubicki is a robotics research scientist, lab director, tenured professor, and castaway on CBS' Survivor: David vs. Goliath. His lab's research focuses on robots that walk and run.

  • Audrey Martin

    Dr. Audrey Martin is a planetary scientist who studies the composition of asteroids and is a collaborator on NASA's Lucy mission. She is also a Walkabout the Galaxy podcast co-host!

  • Jason Metcalf

    Jason Metcalf is a comic book artist known for his dynamic linework and detailed illustrations. With credits at publishers like DC, IDW, Valiant, and Zenescope, he has brought iconic characters to life. His work blends classic and modern styles, making him a sought-after talent for covers, interiors, and concept art.

  • Tina Hesman Saey

    Tina Hesman Saey is a senior writer covering molecular biology for Science News magazine. She has a Ph.D. in molecular genetics and a masters degree in science journalism.

  • Timothy Zahn

    Timothy Zahn is the author of 16 Star Wars novels, the Cobra, Quadrail, Sibyl's War, and Dragonback series, Star Wars: Thrawn Ascendancy: Lesser Evil, The Icarus Twin, The Icarus Job, and A Call to Insurrection (with David Weber and Thomas Pope). Upcoming books: The Icarus Changeling and The Icarus Needle.

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Announced: 02/25/2025

  • Fon H Davis

    Fon Davis appears on BattleBots, The Movies that Made Us, Prop Culture, Cake Masters, and Superfan Builds. He has worked on over 45 feature films including The Nightmare Before Christmas and the Star Wars series. More recently, Davis has been directing shorts and worked on Godzilla, The Mandalorian, and Interstellar.

  • Ernie Silverberg

    Ernie Silverberg, a lifelong tinkerer, found his ultimate passion in pinball. Combining mechanical, electrical, and design skills, he has built five custom machines, including League of Legends and Vox Machina.

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Announced: 02/24/2025

  • Bethany Brookshire

    Bethany Brookshire is an award winning science writer and former neuroscientist. She is the author of the book Pests: How Humans Create Animal Villains.

  • Raychelle Burks

    Dr. Raychelle Burks is a forensic chemist by day, a true crime writer at night, and a fandom scientist 24/7.

  • Wendy Carson

    Wendy Carson, founder of the Chattanooga Vintage Dancers, teaches sewing, hair and makeup, dance, history, and etiquette workshops from the late 1700's to the 1960's.

  • Jamie Chambers

    Jamie Chambers is a tabletop game designer, podcaster, and the creator of the Cortex System RPG. His work on tabletop games including Serenity, Battlestar Galactica, Supernatural, and Dragonlance.

  • Ryan Crissey

    The MuscleNerdz host with the most. You have seen him on social media, with his Superman cosplays and nerd traps. Ryan Crissey is back to bring you an amazing showdown!

  • Naomi "Nao" Romero

    Naomi Romero is a character designer for animation and illustrator for children's literature. They have worked for DreamWorks, Nickelodeon, Nick Jr, Sesame Workshop, Illumination Studios, Hasbro, Spin Master, and more. Romero is the current artist for the new baby dragon plush for Dragon Con.

  • Kim Steadman

    Kim Steadman is a systems engineer working in the space industry with over 26 years of experience in spacecraft operations. Currently she is a surface mission planner for the Dragonfly Mission to Titan. She has also worked on Opportunity, Curiosity, Cassini, and Perseverance.

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Announced: 02/21/2025

  • Faydra Black

    Faydra Black is a content creator, community builder, and frequent convention moderator/panelist. She is involved with several organizations helping to enrich the livestream community, including Stream Atlanta & Momocon.

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Announced: 02/20/2025

  • Charlaine Harris

    Charlaine Harris has been published since 1981. Her works vary from conventional mystery to urban fantasy to alternate American history. She has been the recipient of the ThrillerMaster Award, the Lifetime Achievement Award from Malice Domestic, and the Grand Master Award from Mystery Writers of America. She is still standing.

  • Sarah Madsen

    Sarah Madsen is an author and TTRPG designer. She has contributed to projects from Wizards of the Coast, Kobold Press, Draco Studios, Ghostfire Gaming, Cubicle 7, and others.

  • Rachel McNeal

    Rachel McNeal is a PhD candidate who specializes in insect-microbe interactions at decomposition with applications in forensic entomology. Her other passions have emphasis on education and public outreach.

  • Rilo W Ward

    Rilo W. Ward is a podcaster who hosts Guild of Calamitous Podcasts, centered around The Venture Bros; as well as a writer for the [adult swim] news website adultswimcentral.com.

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Announced: 02/17/2025

  • Ryan A Consell

    Ryan Consell is an engineering professor, costumer, prop maker, and author with particular expertise in engineering science with research focused on composite materials and bicycle destruction.

  • VivSai Sayborivong

    Award winning cosplayer with over a decade of experience, she specializes in intricate armor designs and fabric work. A passionate educator, she leads workshops on Worbla and LEDs.

  • Sean H Taylor

    Sean Taylor writes short stories, novellas, novels, graphic novels, and comic books. He has written for such diverse bosses as IDW Publishing, Gene Simmons, and The Oxygen Network.

  • Marie Vibbert

    Hugo and Nebula nominee Marie Vibbert's short fiction has appeared in Nature, Analog, and Clarkesworld. Her debut novel, Galactic Hellcats, was long-listed by the British Science Fiction Award.

  • Robert Wilson

    Robert Wilson IV is a comic artist and illustrator living in Dallas, TX. He is the co-creator and artist of Heartthrob at Oni Press with writer Christopher Sebela and colorist Nick Filardi. He also co-created Knuckleheads at IDW / Monkeybrain with Brian Winkeler and Like A Virus with Ken Lowery.

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Announced: 02/14/2025

  • H.C. Warner

    H. C. Warner has worked extensively over 30 years in the mediums of painting, print design, screen printing, murals, commercial exterior, interior conceptualization and design, sculpture, and film. Aside from his painting/sculpture compositions, Warner curated and installed the first Dragon Con Comics and Pop Art Show 20 years ago.

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Announced: 02/12/2025

  • Roy A Richardson

    Roy Richardson has worked for all the major publishers. Currently, he is the inker of the new sci-fi series Captain Ginger from Ahoy Comics. He is also the inker/letter/colorist for the Mary Worth comic strip, over his wife June Brigman's pencils.

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Announced: 02/11/2025

  • April Billingsley

    Award winning actress seen in Resurrection, Last Vegas, The Dark Red, Will Trent, A Man in Full, The Summer I Turned Pretty, and upcoming films Elijah Peel and The Juggler.

  • Steffi Diem

    Steffi Diem, PhD in plasma physics, is a nuclear engineering professor, fusion scientist, and technical consultant for The Science & Entertainment Exchange at the U.S. National Academy of Sciences.

  • Andrew Karl Hirsch

    Andrew Hirsch is a professor of computer science and engineering at the University at Buffalo, SUNY. Hirsch's group studies high-assurance programming, security, logic, and programming-language design.

  • Alix Oliver

    Alix Oliver is an award winning writer, producer, and director in the tv and film industry.

  • Merle S Robinson

    Retired DoD analyst, Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, and lead designer for National Security Decision Making Game (geopolitical live-action role-play). Outreach director - Connections USA and co-founder of Connections Online.

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Announced: 02/06/2025

  • Jonathan Chaffin

    Jonathan Chaffin is a designer who loves horror-literature, pop culture, and Polynesian pop art. He has done merch and design for Hooters of America, Netherworld Haunted House, Rumba Seattle, and more. He, his wife Allison, and incredible volunteers produce Inuhele: Atlanta's Tiki Weekend and The Atlanta Tiki Homebar Tour.

  • Leanna Renee Hieber

    Actress, playwright, ghost tour guide, and author for Tor and Kensington, her Strangely Beautiful saga won awards and her nonfiction, A Haunted History of Invisible Women: True Stories of America's Ghosts, was a Bram Stoker Award finalist. She has been featured on Mysteries at the Museum and Beyond the Unknown.

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Announced: 02/05/2025

  • Mary Abreu

    Mary Abreu is a film and television costume fabricator with IATSE Local 479, with credits on a variety of big-budget, indie, and streaming productions, and has authored several books.

  • Scott Lobdell

    Scott Lobdell is an American comic book writer and screenwriter known for his work on numerous X-Men series for Marvel Comics, various DC Comics (Teen Titans, Superman), and comics for other publishers, including the Hardy Boys: Undercover Brothers series by Papercutz or Fathom by Aspen MLT.

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Announced: 02/04/2025

  • Dave Baker

    Dave Baker is an Eisner nominated writer/illustrator. His works include Star Trek Voyager: Seven's Reckoning (IDW), Forest Hills Bootleg Society (Simon and Shuster), Mary Tyler MooreHawk (Top Shelf), Night Hunters (Floating World), and Everyone Is Tulip (Dark Horse). He has also worked on Godzilla and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

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Announced: 02/03/2025

  • Becky Albertalli

    Becky Albertalli is the award winning, #1 New York Times bestselling author of YA fiction, including Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda, Imogen, Obviously, and Amelia, If Only.

  • Nat Cassidy

    Nat Cassidy is the author of acclaimed horror novels including Mary, Nestlings, and When the Wolf Comes Home, and numerous off-off-Broadway plays.

  • Cinda Williams Chima

    New York Times bestselling author Cinda Williams Chima writes fantasy stories for teens of all ages, including The Heir Chronicles, The Seven Realms quartet, and The Shattered Realms series. Her newest duology, The Runestone Saga, marries Norse mythology and witchcraft with swordplay (axeplay?) romance and cut-throat politics.

  • Sophia Corde

    Sophia Corde is a marine biologist and social scientist studying marine mammals in the Gulf of Mexico. She has studied manatees, African elephants, marine iguanas, and green sea turtles.

  • Tyler Desjardins

    Tyler Desjardins is an astrophysicist at the Space Telescope Science Institute, working on NASA's upcoming Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope. His research background includes galaxies and supermassive black holes.

  • Alicia Fox-Lenz

    Alicia Fox-Lenz is co-host of Queer Lodgings: A Tolkien Podcast, a steward of the Mythopoeic Society, and scholar interested in studying Tolkien through a cultural studies lens.

  • Stephan Franck

    Award nominated animator/writer/director/comic book creator, who supervised the animation of Marvel Studio's What If...? season 1, and is currently directing new episodes. He was a supervising animator on the The Iron Giant, and contributed story to Despicable Me. His graphic novel earned a Russ Manning Award.

  • Lucas Hernandez

    Lucas Hernandez is the education coordinator at the South Carolina Aquarium. He is also a member of the Sprites of Life podcast, that discusses what games can teach us.

  • Christina Nicole Kieffer

    Dr. Christina Kieffer holds a PhD (biology/ecology) and over 15 years experience in the paranormal. As a researcher, having backgrounds in climate change, ghosts, UFOs, and cryptids.

  • Scott Macmann

    U.S. Army veteran Scott Macmann writes, edits, and publishes a range of speculative fiction as executive editor of Dragon Street Press. He is current president of the Cincinnati Fiction Writers.

  • Stephanie Mirro

    Stephanie Mirro writes bold, adventurous fantasy for readers who love a little heat with their heartbreak—and maybe a splash of chaos.

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Announced: 01/31/2025

  • Tracie Hearne

    Tracie "Miss Magitek" is an award winning tabletop RPG content creator who runs an online community called MagiRPG. She is the storyteller for a Vampire the Masquerade series, Ancestral Blood.

  • Tini Howard

    Tini Howard is a comic book writer and swamp witch from the Carolina Wilds. Currently, she writes Euthanauts, Assassinistas (with Gilbert Hernandez), and Hack/Slash: Resurrection, with occasional stories for two of her favorite things: Rick and Morty and WWE. Previous work includes Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Pink and The Skeptics.

  • Travis Scott Merrill

    Travis Scott Merrill currently works as a specialty costumer and break down artist with IATSE local 479. He has worked on some of the biggest budget movies in the world. You can see his art in professional theater, television, and blockbuster movies.

  • James Silvani

    James Silvani is a writer and Disney Comics artist best known for his work on Darkwing Duck. Silvani's latest work is Pirates: A Graphic History.

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Announced: 01/30/2025

  • Todd Fahnestock

    Todd Fahnestock is an award winning, #1 bestselling author of fantasy for all ages and winner of the New York Public Library's Books for the Teen Age Award.

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Announced: 01/28/2025

  • June Brigman

    June Brigman has enjoyed a long and varied career as a cartoonist, drawing such comic book titles as Alpha Flight, Supergirl, and Star Wars. She is the co-creator (with Louise Simonson) of the Power Pack series from Marvel Comics.

  • Charles E. Gannon

    Dr. Charles E. Gannon‘s 25+ bestselling books have won the Dragon, ALA Choice, and Compton Crook Awards. He is best known for the hard sci-fi Caine Riordan series (4 Nebula and 2 Dragon finalists) and the Vortex of Worlds epic fantasy saga (the most recent was a 2023 Dragon finalist).

  • Cheralyn Lambeth

    Cheralyn "Cher" Lambeth is a professional costume, prop, and puppet builder, whose work includes films (The Muppet Christmas Carol, The Hunger Games), television (Dinosaurs!, Homeland), live properties (Star Trek: The Experience, Avenue Q), video games (Fortnite: Battle Royale), and books (Haunted Theaters of the Carolinas, Introduction to Puppetry Arts).

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Announced: 01/27/2025

  • Ryan Cahill

    Ryan Cahill is the award winning author of the bestselling epic fantasy series The Bound and the Broken.

  • Lipwei Chang

    Lipwei Chang is a comic artist and illustrator from Malaysia. He has been actively involved in several projects of illustrations and comic pages, with his comic art style.

  • Richard J Estep

    Appearing on numerous TV shows and the author of 36 books, Richard Estep writes and presents on topics ranging from the paranormal, true crime, history, and writing/publishing.

  • Scott Fleming

    Dr. Scott W. Fleming is an astrophysicist who studies exoplanets and stars of all kinds. His team supports the archive of data from missions including Hubble, JWST, TESS, and Roman.

  • Andrew Lee Griffith

    Andrew Lee Griffith is a pop culture artist best known for his stints as the lead artist on books such as Transformers, G.I. Joe, Star Wars, and Micronauts. He is currently working on Godzilla and the creator-owned comic SIGNA, as well as Magic the Gathering.

  • Clay Shepard Griffith

    Clay Griffith is the co-author of fantasy fiction with his wife, Susan, including the Vampire Empire series, the Crown & Key trilogy, and The Flash and Arrow. He is a comic book writer for characters such as The Tick, The Simpsons, and Kolchak: The Night Stalker.

  • Eunice Ibama

    Eunice Ibama is CEO of Black Girls Anime, which is a platform celebrating Black girls who love anime, offering news, reviews, and entertainment that highlights their unique experiences.

  • M. A. Rothman

    USA Today bestselling author, M.A. Rothman, has a strong background in science and math. His writing spans the genres of science fiction, techno-thriller, and his unique spin on epic fantasy.

  • Darcy Staniforth

    Darcy Staniforth is a scholar, writer, performer, and paranormal investigator. Research areas include race and ethnicity, gender and sexuality, ideals and institutions, and death, dying, and grief in American culture.

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Announced: 01/25/2025

  • Barrett S Caldwell

    Barrett S. Caldwell, PhD is professor of industrial engineering, aeronautics, and astronautics at Purdue. His PhD is in social psychology (UC Davis) with BS degrees in aero/astro and humanities (MIT).

  • Joe Corroney

    Joe Corroney has been illustrating Star Wars artwork for Disney and Lucasfilm and Star Trek artwork for CBS Studios since 1997, as well as a host of other properties. New Star Wars artwork and various other licensees are in the works for publication later this year.

  • Ernest Dempsey

    Ernest Dempsey is a USA Today bestselling author of archaeological thrillers and urban fantasy with over 55 books published since 2011.

  • Kenneth Hite

    Kenneth Hite has written 100+ TTRPGs, including Trail of Cthulhu, The Dracula Dossier, Bubblegumshoe, and Vampire: the Masquerade 5th Edition. Half of the multiple-award winning podcast Ken and Robin Talk About Stuff, he lives in Chicago with two cats and his wife, Sheila.

  • Bill Holbrook

    Bill Holbrook is the creator of three daily comic strips: On the Fastrack seen through the eyes of Dethany, the corporate Goth. Safe Havens is a science fiction fantasy set in a genetics lab. In 1995 he began a strip called Kevin & Kell, the internet's longest running daily webcomic.

  • Mike Kunkel

    Mike Kunkel is a cartoonist known, among other things, for his work on Billy Batson and the Magic of Shazam! and for his creator-owned Herobear and the Kid, for which he has won two Eisner awards.

  • Amy Mebberson

    Comic artist and toy designer for Disney and Hasbro. Best known for Disney Princess and My LittlePony comics. Also the creator of viral Disney fancomic Pocket Princesses.

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Announced: 01/23/2025

  • Richard J Chwedyk

    Nebula winner, Hugo, Rhysling, and Sturgeon Award nominee, Richard Chwedyk currently teaches various writing and lit courses at Columbia College Chicago and is best known for his Saur series.

  • Vandiver Elizabeth Glenn

    Vandy Beth Glenn is a comedian, screenwriter, director, public speaker, and civil rights pioneer. She holds a journalism degree from the University of Georgia.

  • Nicoli Gonnella

    Nicoli Gonnella is the author of the internationally bestselling fantasy LitRPG epic, Unbound.

  • Dakota Krout

    Dakota Krout is an internationally bestselling author of fantasy and LitRPG with over 50 titles in his Completionist Chronicles, Divine Dungeon, Full Murderhobo, and Cooking with Disaster series.

  • Creees Lee

    Creees Lee is a variant cover artist and is the interior artist for Black Mask's Lab Raider. He has worked for Image, Dynamite, and Chapterhouse Comics.

  • Casey Moores

    Casey Moores is an award winning author of military sci-fi, historical fiction, and fantasy, and is a USAF Academy graduate who spent 17 years as a rescue/special ops C-130 pilot.

  • Mark Robert NeCamp Jr

    Mark NeCamp, Jr. is an author, teacher, public speaker, and modern student of the occult. He has been the “paranormal adviser” for the indie horror flick The Circle.

  • Melissa Olthoff

    Melissa Olthoff is a sci-fi and fantasy author, a military veteran, is published by Baen Books and CKP, and is best known for sneaking romance into everything she writes.

  • Jen Lil' Bit Schleusner

    Jen Schleusner, aka Lil Bit, has been a Dragon Con staple since 2010, a co-host and producer of the Dragon Con Report, ESO Network board member, and digital media creator.

  • Trisha J. Wooldridge

    Trisha J. Wooldridge (child-friendly T.J. Wooldridge), is an award winning pan-genre, pan-media, chaos word witch specializing in diverse dark fantasy and horror.

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Announced: 01/22/2025

  • Matthew Jarrett

    Matthew Jarrett is an operations engineer specializing in new product introduction. He has experience in manufacturing engineering, process engineering, quality engineering, and continuous improvement in multiple industries.

  • Phillip Pournelle

    Phillip Pournelle is a science fiction author, war game designer, operations analyst, and military strategist. He has published several short stories for Baen and contributed to the latest Janissaries novel.

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Announced: 01/21/2025

  • Paul B Currie

    Dr. Paul Currie is a health science administrator and recovering biology and chemistry professor. He has given numerous talks on the use of pop culture in teaching.

  • Matt Frank

    Matt Frank is known in both Japan and America as the "Kaiju King," working on Godzilla comics for IDW since 2011. Frank has also worked on Ultraman, Gamera, Power Rangers, Transformers, Mothra: Queen of the Monsters, as well as pinball machines, Blu-Ray releases, and more!

  • Kevin Grazier

    Kevin Grazier Ph.D. is a planetary physicist researching large-scale simulations of the early Solar System. He was an investigation scientist on the Cassini Mission to Saturn, is a research scientist at the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, NY, and has been a science advisor for TV and films.

  • James C Mulligan

    James Mulligan has been a Disney artist for over two decades, with properties featuring everything from the classics to recent favorite Frozen. His design, fine art, and gallery work includes Playboy, Coca-Cola, Fox, Dreamworks, Warner Brothers, the Chuck Jones family, Marvel, DC, Lexus, and the Elvis Presley Estate.

  • Erin Nichole Taylor

    Erin Taylor is a licensed mental health therapist and paranormal investigator. She has written five nonfiction paranormal books, and her current work is expected to be published in Fall 2025.

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Announced: 01/17/2025

  • Tony P Henderson

    Tony P. Henderson is a moderator, podcaster, and voice over artist known for the Tony P. Oddcast, In Addition, and Geek Vs podcasts.

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Announced: 01/16/2025

  • James Osiris Baldwin

    Dragon Award nominated James Osiris Baldwin writes expansive LitRPG and science-fantasy. He is the author of the bestselling Archemi Online Chronicles, the Brute Force series, and the upcoming Voidhunter series.

  • Aaron D Colgrove

    Aaron Colgrove has been a member of the Center for Paranormal Research and Investigation since 2020. Colgrove has 12 years of experience as a computational archaeologist.

  • Jordan Duncan

    Jordan Duncan is a historian, researcher, and educator. He has been part of the Atlanta area paranormal community since 2008. He is also a podcaster and vlogger.

  • Valerie Willis

    Valerie Willis is a book designer and award winning fantasy romance author. Works include Writer's Bane series, The Cedric Series, and more as V.C. Willis and Honey Cummings.

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Announced: 01/15/2025

  • Jarrod C Alberich

    Independent comic book creator. Creator/writer of Hamilton vs. Burr: A Werewolf Tale. Published comic writer for Z2 Comics. Trading card artist for Marvel Comics & Upper Deck Trading Cards. Cover artist & inker for White Rocket Books. US Air Force combat veteran.

  • Sean Anderson

    Sean is a professional opera singer, storyteller with Storyteller's Forge, and runs the award winning podcast Echoes of Krynn and the Twitch stream Severed Threads - Notes from the Black Ballad.

  • Davis Ashura

    Davis Ashura is the award winning author of four bestselling epic fantasy series, The Castes and the OutCastes, The Chronicles of William Wilde, Instrument of Omens, and The Eternal Ephemera.

  • Andy Belanger

    Andy Belanger works as a freelance cartoonist/illustrator. He does work in the mainstream comic market, plus a wide variety of work for the Canadian Film and Television industry. In the mainstream comic market, Belanger has worked for such comic publishers as DC Comics, Wildstorm, Devil's Due, and Boom!

  • Kaitlin Bevis

    Kaitlin Bevis is the author of the Daughters of Zeus series. She has also written a young adult horror novel called Blood and Other Matter and several short stories.

  • Mark Braught

    Mark Braught is an award winning artist that notably created the full-color scenic art for the merchandising of Warner Brothers Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone.

  • Crystal Cleveland

    Crystal Cleveland is an award winning actress, model, YouTuber, podcaster, and horror film aficionado. She has been a co-host with Decades of Horror: 1980's for the past six years.

  • Joshua Colwell

    Dr. Joshua Colwell is associate dean of the College of Sciences and Pegasus professor of physics at the University of Central Florida. He hosts Walkabout the Galaxy, the fun astronomy podcast.

  • Gogo Incognito

    Gogo Incognito is a professional nerd in cosplay, modeling, and dance, an emcee for various cons and media companies, and an entrepreneur who co-owns Corsair Distillery and Wild Spore Mushrooms.

  • FT Lukens

    F.T. Lukens is a NYT bestselling author of YA speculative fiction including the novels Otherworldly, Spell Bound, So This Is Ever After, In Deeper Waters, and Love at Second Sight.

  • Milissa Maxin

    Milissa Maxin is a gaming industry expert who has led and created communities for Palia, Will Wright’s Gallium Studios (The Sims, SimCity Creator), Linden Lab’s Second Life, IMVU, and more.

  • Mark McDonagh

    Mark McDonagh is a physicist and retired Navy submarine force Captain who has been running the National Security Decision Making Game since 1990. He lectures on emerging technology, modern weapons, geopolitical topics, and military history with expertise in the American Revolution, WWII, the Cold War, and history of submarine warfare.

  • Daniel A. Reed

    Daniel A. Reed is the founder of the West Virginia Skeptics Society and a regular contributor to the Skeptical Inquirer magazine and website.

  • TVsTravis

    A podcaster and content creator, TVsTravis, AKA Travis Crawford, is the host of Wait, You Haven't Seen…? and co-host of Those Were the Days, GORE, and Let's Watch Highlander podcasts.

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Announced: 01/14/2025

  • Jer Luke Alford

    Jer Alford owns Mini-Komix, plus writes, edits, and publishes comics. He founded the Atlanime anime club and does reviews for Anime Anyway plus Obscure OVAs fanzine, also Stupid Comics.

  • Alex Damon

    Alex Damon is the co-creator and co-host of Star Wars Explained, a YouTube channel covering all Star Wars that has gained over 800,000 subscribers.

  • Marc Alan Edelheit

    USA Today and Amazon bestselling author Edelheit has captivated millions with his Stiger's Tigers fantasy series. His passion for history and military seeps into his works, earning him multiple awards.

  • Will Harris

    Will is a paleontologist, educator, and host of The Common Descent Podcast, where he applies his professional experience to entertaining and educational discussions about past and present life on Earth.

  • Roy Kilgard

    Dr. Kilgard is an astrophysicist who researches black holes in nearby galaxies and how they grow over cosmic time. He also lectures on astronomy in history, sci-fi, and pop culture.

  • Charles A Mcfall

    Charles McFall, the "Rock God of Podcasting," is a digital media pioneer who began podcasting in 2004 and connects audiences through shows like Wise_N_Nerdy and Finding the Stories.

  • Violette L Meier

    Violette Meier, the great-granddaughter of a dream interpreter, is a lover of all things supernatural and loves to write paranormal, fantasy, horror, among other genres.

  • David Moscato

    David Moscato is a paleontologist, science writer, and host of the Common Descent podcast, applying experience as a fossil hunter, researcher, and educator to discussions about life on Earth.

  • Bruce Sentar

    Bruce Sentar writes romantic fantasy for men in the LitRPG, fantasy, and urban fantasy spaces. He has numerous accolades, 40 published books, and over 100k reviews on Amazon.

  • Adam Bryce Thomas

    Adam Bryce Thomas is a comic artist and illustrator, most notably for IDW's Sonic the Hedgehog, DC's recent Sonic/ Justice League crossover, and many other titles.

  • Alison Tracy

    Alison Tracy Wynn, PhD is a senior research scholar with the Stanford VMware Women's Leadership Innovation Lab. As Alison Tracy, she writes YA and adult sci-fi/fantasy.

  • Keith Williams

    Keith Williams, comic book inker. Assistant editor of Spider-Man group of books. As an inker, he has worked for Marvel, DC, King Features Syndicate, Valiant, Dark Horse, Avatar Press, Moonstone, and now Power Comics, inc., A Kid and a Comic, and Green Archer Comics.

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Announced: 01/13/2025

  • Davey Beauchamp

    Davey Beauchamp is a librarian and a freelance artist with a variety of different companies including the BBC, BBCA, Penguin UK, Falstaff Books, Tavern Publishing, and more.

  • Michael A. Gordon

    Michael Gordon is a writer, editor, publisher, and podcaster. His creator-owned comic, Tiki Zombie, has been running for over a decade. He can also be regularly found saying “Howdy!” on the BatChums, Earth Station Who, and Dragon Con Report podcasts.

  • Dan Jolley

    Dan Jolley has written comic books, media tie-in novels, original novels, video games, TV pilots, and dramatic podcasts for DC Comics, Marvel Comics, Dark Horse Comics, Harper-Collins, Simon & Shuster, Activision-Blizzard, Ubisoft, and Sega. He wrote the main story for the world-wide bestselling game Dying Light.

  • Sherrilyn Kenyon

    Defying odds is what #1 New York Times bestselling author Sherrilyn Kenyon does best. She has placed more than 80 novels on the NYT list in all formats and genres. With more than 70 million books in print, her series include: Dark-Hunters®, Chronicles of Nick®, Deadman's Cross™, and The League®.

  • Steph LaMassa

    Astrophysicist Steph LaMassa works at the Space Telescope Science Institute on JWST and researches supermassive black holes.

  • Oriana Leckert

    Oriana Leckert is a writer, editor, cultural hipstorian [sic], and the head of publishing at Kickstarter.

  • Jeffrey Falcon Logue

    Jeffrey "Falcon" Logue has been a professional writer for over seven years. He has published 21 books, having started the dungeon core subgenre with his original, The Slime Dungeon.

  • Dan McClellan

    Dan McClellan is a public scholar of the Bible and religion. He received his PhD from the University of Exeter and has over a million followers on social media.

  • John Jackson Miller

    John Jackson Miller is a New York Times bestselling author of novels and comics for Star Wars, Star Trek, Batman, Battlestar Galactica, and Marvel. His new novel tying into the Tim Burton Batman movies, Batman: Revolution, releases in 2025 from Random House Worlds.

  • Christopher G Moore

    Christopher G. Moore is an award winning filmmaker and screenwriter. He directed a segment in the horror anthology Worst Laid Plans which is now on streaming.

  • Justin Christopher Orr

    Justin Orr aka “JUSSCOPE” is a concept artist and animator from Northern California. He has worked in numerous artistic fields including animation, gaming, and advertising. He has worked with companies such as Nickelodeon, MTV, Wild Brain, and TBS, and has spent time in Japan as a concept artist.

  • Diana Peterfreund

    Diana Peterfreund is the author of over a dozen for adults, teens, and kids, including Secret Society Girl, the Killer Unicorn books, Omega City, and the Clue mysteries. Her latest YA mystery kicks off a series about a teenage detective descended from Edgar Allan Poe.

  • Livio J Ramondelli

    Livio Ramondelli's art credits include a longtime run illustrating Transformers for IDW publishing. He also created the acclaimed original science fiction series The Kill Lock, published at the same studio. He is currently illustrating variant covers for the new era of Transformers in the Skybound/Image Comics era.

  • Gray Rinehart

    Gray Rinehart is a USAF space operations veteran, a writer, and singer/songwriter. His music has been on The Dr. Demento Show and he is the "Slushmaster General" for Baen Books.

  • Rob Roberts

    Rob Roberts is an internet broadcasting veteran in video games. He is also a seasoned live host of cult movie screenings and horror themed variety shows.

  • Sadie Witkowski

    Sadie Witkowski is currently a research programs lead for Slack. In her free time, she hosts the podcasts In Defense of Fandom and Carry the Two.

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Announced: 01/10/2025

  • Freddy F Clements

    Freddy Clements is a distinguished professor emeritus of costume and make-up design and technology at Jacksonville State University. He holds a MFA in costume design from Virginia Commonwealth University. He has designed costumes for various regional theatres and has extensive experience in early twentieth century corsetry and kilt making.

  • Jess Eppstein

    Jess Eppstein is a former immortal hydra wrangler who spent a year putting tiny contacts on mutant mice in the dark. She now tells scientists how to do their job.

  • Tara Lynne

    Tara Lynne is an author, event planner, fandom culture expert, public speaker, host of the Geek Saga and Sagas & Sass podcasts, and founded Ice & Fire Con.

  • Ken Peek

    Ken Peek supported NASA programs including Hubble Servicing, Space Shuttle, and International Space Station missions. Peek now supports the NASA Artemis program for a commercial lunar lander provider.

  • Aaron Reynolds

    Aaron Reynolds is the four-time Webby award winning author of Effin' Birds, a comic strip pairing intricate artwork with mundane daily frustrations read by over a million people every day. His first book, Effin' Birds: A Field Guide to Identification, hit bookstores in 2019 and is a bestseller.

  • Afua Richardson

    Afua Richardson is an American illustrator, author, musician, singer, songwriter, and mentor. In 2007, she made history as one of the first Indigenous Afro-American female artists to work for Marvel Comics as a penciler, inker, and colorist, earning the Nina Simone Award for artistic excellence.

  • Cory Scott Rosenberger

    Cory Rosenberger is a licensed attorney in Georgia. He specializes in criminal law, both prosecuting and defending criminal defendants at different stages of his career.

  • S.L. Rowland

    S.L. Rowland is a bestselling author of cozy fantasy series Tales of Aedrea and the LitRPG series Sentenced to Troll, Pangea Online, and Path to Villainy.

  • Arley Sorg

    Arley Sorg is an associate agent at kt literary, asco-editor-in-chief at Fantasy Magazine, senior editor at Locus, and associate editor at Lightspeed & Nightmare.

  • Teresa Spinelli

    Teresa Spinelli is a mission director of the Cygnus spacecraft, resupplying the International Space Station. She is the youngest and first woman certified to lead the Cygnus Flight Operations team.

  • Ian Randal Strock

    Ian Randal Strock is the award winning author and publisher responsible for Release the Virgins and Jewish Futures. He previously edited for Analog, Asimov's, Science Fiction Chronicle, and Baen Books.

  • Trekspertise

    Kyle Mackenzie Sullivan is a director and camera operator in the world of film and television, working on projects that include A24, Magnolia Pictures, and Outdoor Channel.

  • Forrest Valkai

    Forrest Valkai is a biologist and science communicator. On YouTube, TikTok, and shows like SkepTalk and The Atheist Experience, Valkai has raised tens of thousands of dollars for charity.

  • Alex White

    Alex White wrote the game Alien: Rogue Incursion, two Alien novels, The Cold Forge and Into Charybdis, a Star Trek DS9 novel, Revenant, and the Starmetal Symphony and Salvagers trilogies.

  • Katharine E. Wibell

    Epic fantasy author Katharine E. Wibell's acclaimed novels include The Incarn Saga series and The Djed Chronicles series. The Guardian's Speaker novella series is an adult dark Viking fantasy.

  • Arras Marie Wiedorn

    Arras Wiedorn is a zoologist and animal behaviorist who has worked for years in public education. They currently work as the head of public programs at a nature center in Ohio.

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Announced: 01/07/2025

  • Bobby Blackwolf

    Bobby Blackwolf is the co-owner of the VOG (Voice of Geeks) podcast network and Twitch channel, and has hosted a live internet show and podcast about video games since 2005.

  • Kaycie D.

    Kaycie D. is an illustrator and podcaster. Her main art disciplines include comics, animation, visual development, and game art. She is the author and artist of the webcomic B-SIDE You.

  • Darrin Lee Drader

    Darrin Drader is a professional tabletop role-playing game designer with 25 years of experience in the field. He has written for Wizards of the Coast, Paizo Publishing, Legendary Games, Bastion Press, and many other publishers.

  • j m tuffley

    JM Tuffley writes about pop culture for various outlets, and contributes to Need Coffee Dot Com's Weekend Justice podcast.

  • Vanessa Ionta Wright

    Vanessa Wright is an Atlanta-based filmmaker and The Renegade Film Fest founder and director. She is currently in production on her next feature film.

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Announced: 01/06/2025

  • amberthysts cosplay

    Amber Satterfield works in her spare time as a professional character entertainer. For the past few years, she has portrayed Bluey and organized the Character Encounter for the Kids Track!

  • Cathalson

    Cathalson is an American author and screenwriter of over 50 publications. He is a fiction developer for Edgar Rice Burroughs, Inc. and AntiMatter Games.

  • Rachel Rener

    Rachel Rener is a multi-award winning, internationally bestselling contemporary fantasy author best known for her Gilded Blood series and has sold over a quarter million books.

  • Robert J. Sawyer

    Robert J. Sawyer has won the Hugo, Nebula, and John W. Campbell Memorial awards; all for best science fiction novel of the year. The ABC TV series FlashForward was based on his Aurora Award winning novel of the same name, and he was one of the writers for that program.

  • David Sherrer

    David Sherrer is a lifelong gamer and story teller, and is the marketing director of Chenoweth Press and lead game designer of Chenoweth Games.

  • Lydia Sherrer

    Award winning and USA Today bestselling author Lydia Sherrer is best known for her Love, Lies, and Hocus Pocus universe novels full of snarky humor and a talking cat.

  • Kevin Stallard

    Kevin Stallard has been in the IT security business for 30+ years, but has always been a video gamer. Recently working at Activision/Blizzard, Stallard is working on a new title.

  • Bryan Young

    Bryan Young has written in the BattleTech, Robotech, Doctor Who, and Shadowrun universes. Most recently, he wrote the companion book for The Big Bang Theory.

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Announced: 01/05/2025

  • Esther Friesner

    Multiple Nebula Award winner Esther Friesner has published over 40 novels, more than 200 short stories, plus poetry and nonfiction. She has edited 11 anthologies including the Chicks in Chainmail series for Baen Books. Her YA credits include the Princesses of Myth series for Random House.

  • Kristin Jackson

    Kristin Jackson is the director of communications and graphic designer for Frostbite Pictures, has worked on art for Paramount Pictures, Dutch Boy Pictures, and indie filmmakers.

  • Megan Mackie

    Amazon bestseller, Megan Mackie is the author of The Adventures of Pavlov's Dog and Schrodinger's Cat and The Lucky Devil, Culinary Infernal, Dead World, and Working Mask series.

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Announced: 01/02/2025

  • Don Aguillo

    Don Aguillo is a comic artist and illustrator whose work includes projects with DC, Image, Marvel, Boom, Dark Horse, Disney/Ravensburger, Upper Deck, and indie creators.

  • Judy Black

    Judy Black is a writer who makes her home in Atlanta. She loves games, books, cats, things with caffeine, and is an Ennie-nominated writer of Dungeons and Dragons modules.

  • BREED

    BREED is a professional artist whose work has been featured by Marvel Comics, DC Comics, Zenescope Entertainment, 20th Century Studios, IDW, Source Point Press, Counterpoint Comics, Stranger Comics, Action Lab Entertainment, Mountaineer West Productions, UpperDeck Co./MCU, Kymera Press, Entity Eye Entertainment, Warrant Publishing, and various film/TV production companies.

  • Elizabeth Donald

    Elizabeth Donald is an award winning writer of speculative fiction. She is founder of the Literary Underworld small-press cooperative, president of St. Louis Society of Professional Journalists, and teaches writing.

  • Jason Dorough

    Jason Dorough is the author of the epic fantasy Teshovar series, has worked as a voiceover artist for more than a decade, and is also a content creator on BookTok.

  • Chandra Free

    Chandra Free is the creator of The God Machine graphic novel series and co-founder of Machina Corpse imprint. She illustrated on books like John Carpenter's Tales For A Halloween Night, Fraggle Rock, and The Graphic Canon. She has also worked on TTRPG books like Carbon Grey and Planet of the Apes.

  • Brianna Garcia

    Brianna is an illustrator and comic artist currently working on My Little Pony comics and the Disney Lorcana trading card game. She has worked on interiors for Disney Princess comics, covers for Captain Marvel, Feral, and illustrations for Butterbean's Café, Disney Imagineering, and done storyboard work for Warner Bros Animation.

  • Jenna Garrett

    Jenna Garrett is a proud member of Dungeons and Dracon Beams: An Animorphs AU Actual Play Podcast, Horse Girls, and Surprise Attack Book Club.

  • Bill Golliher

    Bill Golliher has been a writer and artist for Archie Comics for 30 plus years. Golliher has worked on scripting and illustrating quite a diverse set of titles for the company: Betty and Veronica Friends Forever, Veronica, Jughead's Diner, Archie 3000, Dilton's Strange Science, and many more.

  • Tom Heintjes

    Tom Heintjes is the co-founder and publisher of Hogan's Alley magazine, one of the leading magazines on contemporary and classic cartooning. He is a former managing editor of The Comics Journal and for years wrote biographical essays for Will Eisner's Spirit magazine for Kitchen Sink Press.

  • G. S. Jennsen

    G.S. Jennsen is a bestselling author of 20+ novels and short stories. Starshine was named one of the best sci-fi novels by a woman in the last 50 years.

  • Ai Jiang

    Ai Jiang is a Chinese-Canadian writer, Ignyte, Bram Stoker, and Nebula Award winner, and Hugo, Astounding, Locus, Aurora, and BFSA Award finalist.

  • Bernadette Johnson

    Bernadette Johnson is a writer whose works include over 50 technology articles for HowStuffWorks.com, books, and horror, sci-fi, fantasy, and mystery short stories.

  • Charlie Kaufman

    Charlie Kaufman has a background in marine biology, environmental studies, and natural hazard preparedness. Kaufman has worked in environmental consulting, academia where he studied coastal erosion, and natural disaster impacts.

  • Kavura

    Kavura, with her husband Nayr, are the hosts of the StarPodTrek and StarPodLog podcasts. She produces Ladies Trek Library and is in several Star Trek fan clubs and fan films.

  • Bethanne Kim

    Bethanne Kim is the publisher for the magazine Eric Flint's 1632 & Beyond. She currently writes alternate history (Eric Flint's 1632 universe) but has also written extensively about emergency preparedness.

  • Rob Levy

    Rob Levy is a writer, DJ, and podcaster who has been published in Doctor Who, Star Trek, and other sci-fi anthologies, and has written about pop culture for several outlets.

  • Philip Ligon

    Philip Ligon is an international bestselling author, Dragon Award finalist, and Imadjinn Award winner. His works range from steampunk to alternate history to fantasy.

  • K.A. Linde

    K.A. Linde is the New York Times, USA Today, and #1 Sunday Times bestselling author of The Wren in the Holly Library and more than 50 novels.

  • Nich Lyle

    Nich Lyle (LCMHC, C-DBT, CSTIP) is a cosplayer and therapist who believes in the therapeutic power of pop culture. Professionally, he helps his fellow nerds embrace their individual superpowers.

  • Jonathan Maberry

    Jonathan Maberry is a New York Times bestselling multi-genre novelist, comic book writer, anthology editor, executive producer, and editor of Weird Tales Magazine.

  • ToniAnn Marini

    ToniAnn Marini is a professor and a project manager for BLAM! Ventures/Magnetic Press. She has credits in two Space: 1999 graphic novels and The Planet of the Apes RPG.

  • Andrea Lorenzo Molinari

    Andrea Lorenzo Molinari, Ph.D. is co-writer of The Shepherd graphic novel series. Molinari is editorial director for Scout Comics and was submissions editor/editor for Caliber Comics, an editor for Amigo Comics, and has edited books published by Action Lab Entertainment, Behemoth, Second Sight, Cosmic Times, and New Friday Comics.

  • Bobby Nash

    Bobby Nash is an award winning author, artist, and actor. He writes novels, comic books, short stories, screenplays, audio dramas, and more. Nash is a member of the International Association of Media Tie-in Writers, International Thriller Writers, and Southeastern Writers Association.

  • Nayr

    Nayr, with his wife Kavura, are members of the Starfleet Command fan club and serve aboard the USS Athena. They are the hosts of both the StarPodLog and StarPodTrek podcasts.

  • Jon R. Osborne

    Jon R. Osborne hails from Indianapolis. He writes modern fantasy and military science fiction, and his novel A Tempered Warrior was a 2018 Dragon Award Best Fantasy finalist.

  • JM Paquette

    Author of the Klauden's Ring saga as well as the Conjuring Fascination, Rockstar Fairy Tales, and Shawarma Warrior King series, JM Paquette writes fantasy and paranormal romance novels.

  • Alex Platt

    Alex Platt has been a podcaster since 2017. Her work includes Animorphs Anonymous, Horse Girls, Dungeons and Dracon Beams, Late Starters, Surprise Attack Book Club, and a few others.

  • Van Allen Plexico

    Van Allen Plexico, designated a Grand Master of Pulp Literature, is best known for the Sentinels illustrated superhero novels and comics, 1960s crime novels, and The Shattering space opera universe. His White Rocket Entertainment network features video and podcast channels covering James Bond, Babylon 5, The Avengers and more.


  • Robert Pope

    With over 35 years in comics, animation, and children's books, Robert Pope has drawn a who's who of cartoon favorites, including the Peanuts gang, Looney Tunes, Scooby-Doo, Batman, Space Ghost Coast to Coast, Johnny Bravo, and many more for DC, BOOM, IDW, Simon and Schuster, Disney Publishing, and others.

  • Corinne Roberts

    Corinne Roberts is an illustrator working in comics and children's books (Bug Bites, Drawing Dragons, and the Out and About series). Her other illustration projects include the Wanderlust Deck and Dragon Calendar series.

  • TJ Sterling

    TJ Sterling is a former Marvel and DC creator that has worked in several spaces within the comic industry, as well as the indie space with his fan favorite comic company RAE Comics. Sterling is also a teacher at the Joe Kubert School of Comic and Cartoon art.

  • Brandon H. Strauss

    Brandon Strauss is a forensic entomologist and the resident grossologist of the Science Track. You will often find them grossing out their fellow panelists to the audience's amusement.

  • Anthony Taylor

    Anthony Taylor is a writer, pop culture expert, and the co-chair of Atlanta's Monsterama Convention.

  • Jasmine Walt

    New York Times bestseller Jasmine Walt has been writing and publishing for almost a decade and is best known for her Of Dragons and Fae trilogy and The Baine Chronicles.

  • Thomas Zahler

    Thom Zahler is a comic creator who created the Cupid's Arrows and Warning Label webtoons and Love and Capes and Time and Vine. His latest is The Ghost Whiskerers for Storm King, about cats that see ghosts. He also works for My Little Pony and is drawing Rocketship's Angry Birds.

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Announced: 12/25/2024

  • Andrew Greenberg

    In addition to leading development on Emperor of the Fading Suns Enhanced, Andrew Greenberg runs the Georgia Game Developers Association and Southern Interactive Entertainment and Games Expo.

  • Sean Weiland

    Sean Weiland is an award winning video game program manager, voice actor, bartender, and podcaster and currently hosts the Tipple Theory podcast.

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Announced: 12/24/2024

  • Noret Flood

    Noret Flood's first professional work is The Legend of Randidly Ghosthound, one of the original webserial LitRPGs, which garnered over 50 million views on Royalroad.

  • Rick J Heinz

    Rick Heinz is an award winning TTRPG game writer, designer, and novelist for transmedia properties and sarcastic fiction about the end of the world.

  • R Alan Siler

    R. Alan Siler is an editor, publisher, musician, podcaster, filmmaker, owner of kOZMIC Creative, and the author of four books about Doctor Who and a children's book Lucy Can't Dance.

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Announced: 12/22/2024

  • Wesley Chu

    Wesley Chu is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of 14 published novels, including The Art of Prophecy, Time Salvager, The Rise of Io, and The Walking Dead: Typhoon. He won the Astounding Award for Best New Writer.

  • Annette Marie

    Annette Marie is the author of 30+ fantasy books, including The Guild Codex, Steel & Stone, and Red Winter series. A Goodreads Choice Awards finalist and an Amazon Charts bestseller, Marie has sold two million books featuring her unique blend of fast-paced adventure, addictive slow-burn romance, and unforgettable characters.

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Announced: 12/18/2024

  • Delilah S Dawson

    Delilah S. Dawson is the New York Times bestselling author of Star Wars: Phasma, Inquisitor: Rise of the Red Blade, Bloom, Guillotine, The Violence, the Minecraft: Mob Squad series, the Blud series, the Shadow series (written as Lila Bowen), and the Tales of Pell, written with Kevin Hearne.

  • Venessa Giunta

    Venessa Giunta is a published author, with non-fiction essays, short stories, and the Soul Cavern series, and has been a professional editor, both freelance and contract, since 2008.

  • Erin Macdonald

    Erin Macdonald, PhD is known for her work as the Star Trek franchise science advisor. In addition, she is a writer, speaker, producer, voice actor, and has written on Star Trek: Adventures, a baby board book Star Trek: My First Book of Space, and has voiced her own character.

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Announced: 12/16/2024

  • Brent Abell

    Brent Abell has written or co-written over 13 books and has been featured in over 30 publications. Brent has a screenplay currently in development and recently launched his travel website.

  • Liz Delton

    Liz Delton writes fantasy from epic to cozy, including her cozy fantasy steampunk series, Seasons of Soldark, and her YA fantasy series, Realm of Camellia.

  • Michael Falkner

    Michael Falkner is a writer and podcaster at Creative Criticality. He is the author of the Timestamps Project and is also one of the leaders for Dragon Con Newbies.

  • Birma Gainor

    Dr. Birma Gainor is the director of counseling and psychological services at Clemson University. She has been engaged in college mental health for just over two decades.

  • Craig Greathouse

    Dr. Craig Greathouse is a professor of political science at University of North Georgia and has lectured and written extensively on the international system, including security and strategic studies.

  • Jen L. Grey

    Jen L. Grey is a USA Today bestselling author of urban fantasy, romantic fantasy, and paranormal romance. Known for angsty fated mate stories packed with action, she has published over 60 novels, with several series translated into foreign languages.

  • Stuart Grosse

    Stuart Grosse is an independent sci-fi/fantasy author writing in the GameLit/LitRPG space. He is best known for writing serial novellas with a signature of overpowered villains as protagonists.

  • Dr. Nicole Gugliucci

    Known as the “NoisyAstronomer,” Dr. Nicole Gugliucci earned a doctorate studying radio astronomy, did a postdoc in science education, and is an associate professor of physics in New Hampshire.

  • Jamie Waggoner

    Jamie Waggoner is an author, podcaster, Pagan priestess, and occult expert. Author of Hades: Myth, Magic and Modern Devotion, and co-host of The Way of the Weaver podcast.

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Announced: 12/14/2024

  • Laura Grabowski

    Laura Grabowski, an independent Tolkien scholar, has presented with the Mythopoeic Society and the Popular Culture Association. She holds a PhD in computer science and is a professor at SUNY.

  • Cece Grayson

    Cece Grayson aka Triforce of Procrastionation is a Los Angeles veteran of cosplay that has led her in the world of modeling, streaming, film production design, and video game marketing.

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Announced: 12/13/2024

  • Sam Baltrusis

    Sam Baltrusis, author of Ghosts of Salem and featured in The Curse of Lizzie Borden shock doc, has penned 18 paranormal-themed books.

  • Chris Cummins

    Chris Cummins is a writer for Archie Comics and the producer/host of Sci-Fi Explosion and Music Video Book Club, and also co-DJs American Sci-Fi Classics' 120 Minutes Dance Party.

  • Kevin A Davis

    Kevin A Davis is a fantasy author with 16 published novels in three series and one middle-grade book. The first book in his DRC Files series has won two awards.

  • Beth Dolgner

    Beth Dolgner writes paranormal fiction and nonfiction, including the Nightmare, Arizona Paranormal Cozy Mysteries, and gives talks about Victorian death customs and Spiritualism.

  • J. B. Garner

    Talented author and top flight editor, Jamie Beth "J.B." Garner has written over a dozen novels from sci-fi to fantasy to super fiction and edited hundreds more.

  • Laura Hayden

    Author Laura Hayden is a lover of books, television, and film, and is also a founder and 12 time director of the Pikes Peak Writers Conference.

  • Erika Lance

    Erika Lance is a writer of horror, suspense, sci-fi, and a little fantasy. She is also the host of the Eerie Travels and Drinking With Authors podcasts.

  • Mark Muncy

    Mark Muncy is the bestselling author of the Eerie Florida and Eerie Appalachia book series from History Press. He is also the host of the Eerie Travels podcast.

  • Steve Saffel

    Steve Saffel edited SF, fantasy, and horror for Random House, Marvel, and Titan, with creators like Eric Flint, N.K. Jemisin, Stan Lee, Robert McGinnis, Scott Sigler, and Alex White. He has worked on Alien, Halo, Conan, Mass Effect, Spider-Man, Star Wars, and more.

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Announced: 12/11/2024

  • Jack Trammell

    Jack Trammell is a professor, author, researcher, and student of the paranormal. His books and talks range from vampires to Artificial Intelligence. He is vice president of CPRI in Virginia.

  • Michael Watkins

    CEO and EIC of Highburn Studios, Michael Watkins is a creator and illustrator with over 20 years experience in the comics industry. He is known as creator of Guardians and for his work on Transformers and Sonic the Hedgehog. Additionally, he is also a voice actor and avid martial artist.

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Announced: 12/10/2024

  • Patricia L. Briggs

    Patricia Briggs is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Mercy Thompson and Alpha and Omega urban fantasy series.

  • Rachel A. Brune

    Rachel A. Brune is an Army veteran, former military journalist, novelist, and editor of the creepy and macabre. She is the senior editor of Falstaff Books's new horror imprint, Falstaff Dread.

  • Joe Compton

    Joe Compton is an author, an indie filmmaker/producer on over 40 TV and film productions in five different countries, and a script doctor/consultant in Hollywood.

  • Keith R.A. DeCandido

    Keith R.A. DeCandido has written tons of novels, short fiction, and comics in licensed universes from Alien to Zorro, and also in worlds of his own creation. His new series, Supernatural Crimes Unit, will debut in 2025 from Weird Tales Presents. He also writes about pop culture for Reactor magazine.

  • Les Johnson

    Les Johnson is a physicist, author, and chief technologist at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center. His recent books include Crisis at Proxima (Baen), A Traveler's Guide to the Stars (Princeton University Press), and the forthcoming Pluto: The Dark World (completing Ben Bova's Grand Tour series, Tor).

  • Robert W Ross

    Robert W. Ross is the author of the award winning Sentinels of Creation contemporary fantasy and Paradigm 2045 sci-fi series, and is a guest lecturer at Ga Tech and KSU.

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Announced: 12/09/2024

  • Jon Armstrong

    Jon Armstrong stars in Magicians: Life in the Impossible. You have seen him amaze on The Today Show, cause Penn on CW's Penn and Teller's Fool Us to exclaim his act as “the most original I've ever seen!”, and wow Jay Leno on The Tonight Show.

  • Paris K Arrowsmith

    Paris Arrowsmith's career has spanned stage, voice acting, and screen. After moving to LA, he started working as a podcaster on No Latency and freelance TTRPG writer for R. Talsorian Games.

  • Brandy Blanton

    Brandy Blanton is an academic known for combining popular culture with current events. As a terrorism expert, she loves to help people learn about preparing for emergencies.

  • Brad Bradley

    Robert "Brad" Bradley is a former industrial chemist, utilizing these skills in the pursuit of the "paranormal", and is the research director for Center for Paranormal Research and Investigation (CPRI).

  • Michael Chatfield

    Michael Chatfield is an international bestselling author of sci-fi, fantasy, and LitRPG. With over three million books sold, Chatfield is story director for an upcoming FPS video game.

  • Paige L. Christie

    Paige L. Christie is best known for the Legacies of Arnanepic fantasy series. Her work can also be found in Galactic Stew, Witches, Warriors, and Wise Women, and more.

  • Gerald L. Coleman

    Gerald L. Coleman is a philosopher, theologian, poet, science fiction and fantasy author, has a master's degree in Theology, and is a co-founder of the Affrilachian Poets.

  • SK Prince

    SK Prince writes about every hero shifter she can, tripping them up when their fated mate steps into their life. Her books are full of misdirected magic and supernatural sass.

  • Wayland Smith

    Wayland Smith has been published in most genres. His novels include In My Brother's Name, a terrorist thriller, and the Wildside series about superhuman mercenaries.

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Announced: 12/06/2024

  • Stephen Adams

    Stephen Adams is the host of the podcasts Horseshoes and Hand Grenades and Those Were The Days, and is a founder of the 2Dorks network of podcasts and live streams.

  • Jess L. M. Anderson

    Jess L. M. Anderson is a content creator with over two million followers and the author behind the fantasy series The Source Keepers.

  • Sue Kisenwether

    Sue Kisenwether has been writing and podcasting about sci-fi TV and movies since 2010. Most notably, she co-hosted Women at Warp, exploring Star Trek through a feminist lens.

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Announced: 12/03/2024

  • John L Flynn

    Dr. John L. Flynn is an author, screenwriter, three-time Hugo nominee, and a member of the Science Fiction Writers of America and the Mystery Writers of America.

  • Isabelle Hardesty

    Isabelle Hardesty is the author of several YA book series including Sea Witch High, The Destroyer Witch Chronicles, The Delacourt Shapeshifter Trilogy, and Viola the Vampire Witch.

  • Richard Kadrey

    Richard Kadrey is the NYT bestselling author of the Sandman Slim series, which was included in Amazon's 100 Science Fiction & Fantasy Books to Read in a Lifetime. He has been nominated for the Locus and BSFA awards, appeared in Year's Best Horror, and written for comics, film, and games.

  • Bill Keel

    Astronomer Bill Keel is the author of The Sky at Einstein's Feet and The Road to Galaxy Formation. He hosts overnight live astronomy sessions and has spoken on cosmology, extrasolar planets, citizen discovery in astronomy, science in the Firefly and Avatar universes, spy satellites, and astronomical tourism.

  • Darin Kennedy

    Dr. Darin Kennedy writes fantasy. His works include the Fugue & Fable trilogy, The Pawn Stratagem trilogy, the Songs of the Ascendant series, Carol, and The April Sullivan Chronicles.

  • Marx Pyle

    Marx Pyle is the author of Obsidian Monsters, co-editor/co-author of Dragons of a Different Tail and Tales of Monstrosity, and co-hosts GenreTainment and GenrePlay.

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Announced: 12/02/2024

  • Kevin Bachelder

    Kevin Bachelder's podcasts have won four Parsec Awards in the Best Fan Podcast category. He also leads the Dragon Con Newbies group, which puts on events to help new attendees.

  • Michael Bailey

    Michael Bailey has been a podcaster since 2007, when he launched his first show Views From The Longbox. He has hosted or co-hosted a number of podcasts over the years.

  • James J. Butcher

    James J. Butcher is a new urban fantasy writer and author of Dead Man's Hand, the first book in The Unorthodox Chronicles series. He is the son of Jim Butcher.

  • R. E. Carr

    R.E. Carr is the award winning author of the Rules Undying series, as well as exploring horror comedy and science fiction over her 20+ year book career.

  • Nancy Knight

    Nancy Knight authored novels, short stories, produced plays, film scripts, and edited anthologies. She served as director of Writers' Track for 26 years. She was awarded the Hank Reinhardt Award. Georgia Romance Writers named an award after her for mentoring writers. She received the Polaris lifetime achievement from Falstaff Books.

  • Gail Z Martin

    Gail Z. Martin writes urban fantasy, epic fantasy, steampunk, and more. Urban fantasy series include Deadly Curiosities and Night Vigil. Epic fantasy series include Darkhurst, Chronicles of the Necromancer, The Fallen Kings Cycle, The Ascendant Kingdoms Saga, and Assassins of Landria.

  • Jody Lynn Nye

    Jody Lynn Nye lists her main career activity as "spoiling cats". When not engaged in this worthy occupation, she writes fantasy and science fiction. She has published over 50 books and more than 200 stories. Nye teaches writing seminars and is coordinating judge for the Writers of the Future Contest.

  • Noel E Plaugher

    Noel Plaugher writes fiction and nonfiction. He is the author of Standing Qigong for Health and Martial Arts and the urban fantasy series The Lady Dragon of Chinatown.

  • Jynxie Rose

    Jynxie Rose is a LGBTQIA+, Neurodivergent/AuDHD, family friendly content creator. Her community, The CephaloSquad, fosters a safe/cozy environment that fights bullying and raises awareness of mental health and self care.

  • Stacey Rourke

    Stacey Rourke is the award winning author of works that span genres, but possess the same flair for action and snarky humor.

  • R.R. Virdi

    R.R. Virdi is a two-time Dragon Award finalist, Nebula Award finalist, and USA Today bestselling author. He is the author of The Grave Report and The Books of Winter.

  • Dave West

    Dave West is an actor and interviewer who also hosts game shows, wrestling events, and rock 'n' roll concerts. He can be found on the Needless Things YouTube channel.

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Announced: 11/30/2024

  • Mark Meer

    Mark Meer is known for his work on Bioware's Mass Effect trilogy, voicing Commander Shepard, Blasto, the Vorcha, and Niftu Cal. Other voice credits include the Baldur's Gate and Dragon Age series, Hinterland Studio's The Long Dark, ChaosForge's Jupiter Hell, Beamdog's MythForce, and Starro the Conquerer in WB Games' Gotham Knights.

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Announced: 11/28/2024

  • Eric R. Asher

    Eric R. Asher is the author of over 30 titles, including Steamborn, the Vesik series, and The Theme Park at the End of the World. He is currently living in St. Louis, Missouri, where the local folklore often finds its way into his Mason Dixon: Monster Hunter rural fantasy series.

  • Jennifer Blackstream

    Jennifer Blackstream is a USA Today bestselling author of urban fantasy and fantasy romance. She is amazed to have made a writing career out of a master's degree in psychology.

  • Jay Boyce

    Winner of the 2019 Warriors and Wizards award for best new LitRPG author, Jay Boyce is the bestselling author of A Touch of Power and Rise of the Mystic Mage series.

  • Patrick Dugan

    Dugan is author of the Darkest Storm series by Falstaff Books, Stone Cold Witch, Never Steal From Dragons, The ShadowBlade Chronicles, and Watchers of Astaria series from Distracted Dragon Press.

  • Kevin Eldridge

    Kevin Eldridge produces and hosts The Flopcast, a weekly pop culture comedy podcast. He is a published science fiction author, an organizer and host of skeptic events, and a comedy musician.

  • Robert E Hampson

    Dr. Robert E. Hampson is a neuroscientist by day, science fiction author by night, and a brain wrangler 24/7. When he is not decoding how memories work or building brain-computer tech, he is busy imagining futures where science fiction becomes reality.

  • Berta Platas

    Cuban born fantasy author and artist Berta Platas writes YA fantasy and witchy cozy mysteries, many co-authored with longtime friend Nancy Knight.

  • Aaron Michael Ritchey

    Aaron Michael Ritchey is the author of 58 novels under various pen names. He has been an Amazon All-Star and his book, Armageddon Girls, was a Dragon Award finalist.

  • Tony Sarrecchia

    Tony Sarrecchia is a writer and narrator who creates audio dramas, including the award winning Harry Strange Radio Drama and Everything Evolves.

  • DL Wainright

    DL Wainright uses their degree in world religions and lifelong love of horror to write creepy books that incorporate folklore and mythology, which means someone gets eaten in every one!

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Announced: 11/26/2024

  • Kevin J. Anderson

    Kevin J. Anderson has written in the Dune, Star Wars, and X-Files universes, Clockwork Angels with legendary Rush drummer Neil Peart, and the Dan Shamble, Zombie P.I. series. He has edited anthologies, written comics and games, and served as co-producer on Dune: Part Part Two and the Dune: Prophecy TV series.

  • Aretta Baumgartner

    Aretta Baumgartner has been a professional puppeteer since 1992 and has served multiple terms as President of Puppeteers of America and as Education Director at Atlanta's Center for Puppetry Arts.

  • Jamie Bernstein

    Jamie Bernstein is a data scientist who specializes in building statistical models and the co-host of EnterpriseSplaining, a comedy podcast about Star Trek: Enterprise.

  • J.D. Blackrose

    J.D. Blackrose writes The Summoner's Mark series for Bell Bridge Books. She has published The Soul Wars, The Devil's Been Busy, and the Zombie Cosmetologist novellas through Falstaff Books.

  • Bill Bridges

    Bill Bridges is a writer and game designer most known for developing White Wolf's World of Darkness horror RPG setting and the Fading Suns science-fiction universe.

  • Doug Burbey

    Doug Burbey is the author of the Blood War military urban fantasy series. In addition to writing, he is a DoD program manager for advanced military technology development efforts.

  • Tyra Burton

    Tyra Burton is the host and producer of the Geek Meets Social podcast. She writes sci-fi romance, cozy fantasy, and digital marketing books. Burton also co-hosts the Be Awesome Together livestream.

  • Kevin Cafferty

    Kevin Cafferty is an Emmy-nominated documentary filmmaker, head of brand and creative at a Fortune 500 company, DJ, and podcaster.

  • Jack Campbell

    Jack Campbell (John G. Hemry), retired U.S. Navy officer, writes the series Doomed Earth, New York Times bestselling Lost Fleet, Genesis Fleet, Lost Stars, and Pillars of Reality. His latest books are Destiny's Way, In Our Stars, The Empress of the Endless Sea trilogy, and Rendezvous with Corsair.

  • Jason Cordova

    Bestselling author Jason Cordova was a finalist for both the John W. Campbell Award and Dragon Award, and the author of Mountain of Fire (Baen Books) and 20+ other novels.

  • Katie Cross

    Katie Cross really loves to write books, hike mountains, and eat cookies. You can find out more about her YA fantasy books at www.katiecrossbooks.com

  • Stephanie Crugnola

    Stephanie Crugnola is a chaotic-wholesome content creator specializing in Shakespeare, collaborative storytelling, soccer, marketing, and all things niche nerd.

  • Matt Dinniman

    Matt Dinniman is the author of the bestselling Dungeon Crawler Carl book and manga series.

  • Hope Dugan

    Hope is a leadership consultant and success coach with 18+ years of experience helping people overcome limiting beliefs like perfectionism and imposter syndrome.

  • Kacey Lyn Ezell

    Kacey Ezell is a retired helicopter pilot who writes multigenre speculative fiction. She is a two-time Dragon Award finalist for Best Alternate History and has written multiple bestselling novels.

  • Richard Fierce

    Richard Fierce is an award winning fantasy author of over 40 books and is best known for his fantasy series Dragon Riders of Osnen.

  • Emily A Finke

    A forensic anthropologist by training, but a science communicator by passion, Emily Finke has spent the past 20 years teaching in museums, nature centers, pubs, conventions, and more.

  • Sean Fletcher

    Sean Fletcher is the Amazon bestselling, award winning author of a number of YA fantasy series. He can be found speaking, teaching writing, and working as a professional editor.

  • Clay Gilbert

    Clay Gilbert has published 14 novels since 2013, in genres ranging from science-fiction and horror to YA dystopia and urban fantasy.

  • Emily Goodwin

    Emily Goodwin has been involved with book publishing since 2007. She is the producer for the Writers of the Future Annual Achievement Awards.

  • John Goodwin

    John Goodwin, president of Galaxy Press, is the publisher of the fiction works of L. Ron Hubbard and the internationally acclaimed Writers of the Future anthology.

  • Darrell Z. Grizzle

    Darrell Z. Grizzle is a queer horror, urban fantasy, and thriller writer. He is the author of A Very Lovely Murder and I Never Meant to Start a Murder Cult.

  • Valerie Dawn Hampton

    Dr. Valerie Hampton, historical archaeologist, author, game maker, paranormal researcher, and Indie film producer, speaks on the intersection between popular fantasy and history, and has numerous publications.

  • K.T. Hanna

    K.T. Hanna is an author known for her series Library System Reset, Somnia Online, and The System Apocalypse Australia (with Tao Wong). She is powered by caffeine, Chipotle, and sarcasm.

  • AJ Hartley

    A.J. Hartley is the international bestselling author of 26 novels in various genres. Recent work includes Hideki Smith, Burning Shakespeare, Cold Bath Street, Impervious, Cathedrals of Glass, and Sekret Machines with Tom DeLonge. He is Professor Emeritus of Shakespeare at UNC Charlotte and hosts a J-rock focused YouTube channel.

  • John G. Hartness

    John G. Hartness is an author, publisher, and editor from Charlotte, NC. He is the author of multiple series, including the award winning Quincy Harker, Demon Hunter series. He is also the publisher of Falstaff Books and founder of the SAGA Genre Fiction Writers' Conference.

  • Drew Hayes

    Drew Hayes is an author from Dallas who has published several books, including Super Powereds, NPCs, Villains' Code, Fred the Vampire Accountant, 5-Minute Sherlock, and Roverpowered.

  • Walter H. Hunt

    Walter H. Hunt is a science fiction and historical fiction writer with 12 published novels, including three in the 1632/Ring of Fire universe. The most recent is 1637: The French Correction.

  • Topher Hunter

    Topher Hunter is a professional biomedical science communicator and amateur droid builder, with a passion for trying new things and helping others to not make the same mistakes he/they made.

  • Gini Koch

    Gini Koch writes the fast, fresh, and funny Alien/Katherine “Kitty” Katt series for DAW Books, as well as many other novels, novellas, novelettes, and short stories in all the genres and under a variety of pen names, including G.J. Koch, Anita Ensal, Jemma Chase, A.E. Stanton, and J.C. Koch.

  • Courtney Lytle

    Courtney Lytle is a practicing attorney who is a partner at CM Law's Atlanta office and an adjunct professor of law at Emory Law School.

  • Alex Matsuo

    Alex Matsuo is an author and paranormal investigator who has been seen on shows: Paranormal Revenge, Tubi's Scariest Places in the World, Haunted Hospitals, and Most Terrifying Places in America.

  • Bob McGough

    Bob McGough is an author, podcaster, and indie tabletop game designer, best known for the Jubal County Saga urban fantasy series and the Books, Beards, Booze Podcast.

  • Joseph Meany

    Dr. Joseph Meany is a science consultant and director of the Interstellar Research Group. He is a co-producer of the podcast series From Here to the Stars.

  • Ben Meeks

    Ben Meeks is an award winning sci-fi/fantasy author, a woodworker/turner, as well as a personality on the Books, Beards, and Booze Podcast. He excels at creative, outside the box thinking.

  • Bill Mulligan

    Bill Mulligan works as a special effects technician, writer, director, actor, and producer. He is a contributing writer to Gruesome magazine and the Decades of Horror podcast.

  • James P. Nettles

    James Nettles is a business and technology consultant, speculative fiction and nonfiction author, founder of Author Essentials workshop company, and a founder of the ConTinual convention.

  • James Palmer

    James Palmer is a writer of sci-fi and pulp adventure, author of the Shadow Council Archives, and editor of the Monster Earth series, League of Monsters, and Southern Fried Cthulhu.

  • Ellie Raine

    Ellie Raine is the award winning fantasy author of the NecroSeam Chronicles, a high fantasy epic series which has won several awards including first place in fantasy for Writer's Digest.

  • Daniel Schinhofen

    Daniel Schinhofen has published over 60 books since 2016, receiving name recognition in the LitRPG and GameLit community. He has published in multiple other genres as well.

  • Tamsin L. Silver

    Tamsin Silver is a New Mexico based author who writes historical fantasy and urban fantasy. She is also the creator/writer/director of the web series, Skye of the Damned.

  • Sarah J. Sover

    Sarah J. Sover is the author of the urban fantasy Fractured Fae series (Fairy Godmurder, Faed to Black) and the comedic fantasy Double-Crossing the Bridge, from Falstaff Books.

  • Mel Todd

    Bad Ash Publishing owner and author, Mel Todd, has written and published over 40 stories. Specializing in stories of wonder without romantic plot lines, her books are devoured by fans.

  • Constance G.J. Wagner

    Constance G.J. Wagner, writer, editor, poet, playwright, and Tolkien scholar, speaks regularly and passionately on all things Middle-earth at both academic and fan-friendly events nationally and internationally.

  • Jean Marie Ward

    Jean Marie Ward writes fiction, nonfiction, and everything in between. Her credits include a multi-award nominated novel, numerous short stories, and two popular art books. The former editor of CrescentBlues.com, she is the author interviewer for BookBale.com and a frequent contributor to the online convention ConTinual. Learn more at JeanMarieWard.com.

  • Jennifer Whitworth

    Jennifer Whitworth is a NASA engineer working at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center. She supports Artemis and Gateway Payload Integration for experiments destined for the Gateway Station or Lunar surface.

  • Marisa Wolf

    Marisa Wolf writes SFF that ends with hope, no matter how hard the circumstances. She has co-authored novels in shared universes and authored solo novels in her own worlds.

  • Ben Yalow

    Ben Yalow has attended about 900 cons and worked on a third of them, including having chaired the 2023 Worldcon in China. He has edited four books for NESFA Press.

  • Jessi Ann York

    Jessi Ann York's first two stories, Phases of the Shadow and Women of the Mere, were mentioned as standouts in The Best Horror of the Year Vol. 13.

Dragon Con Guests

Guests

Guests
Dragon Con Guests

Performers

Performers
Dragon Con Guests

Pros

Pros