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.
Timothy Zahn is the author of 13 Star Wars books and the Cobra, Quadrail, and Dragonback series. Recent books include Star Wars: Thrawn: Treason and Sibyl’s War 2: Knight. Upcoming books include Star Wars: Thrawn Ascendancy: Book 1 and Sibyl’s War 3: Queen.
Recently featured as Speedy Gonzales (New Looney Tunes) also Dino Andrade is Mekkatorque, Putricide & Mimiron (WoW), plus The Scarecrow (Batman: Arkham Asylum.). Other credits: Star Trek Online, Prey, Dishonored 2, Dungeons & Dragons: Neverwinter, Brutal Legend, Call Of Duty,Sophia the 1st, M*F*K*Z*, Hellsing Ultimate, and Pop (of Snap, Crackle and Pop)!
Jim Butcher is the author of the Dresden Files, the Codex Alera, and a steampunk series, the Cinder Spires. His resume includes a laundry list of skills which were useful a couple of centuries ago, and he plays guitar quite badly.
Zu Orzu is an artist and animator who has worked on the DC Comics series Cover. Along with coloring the series, she did the art for the first issue's variant cover and is also the cover artist for Valiant Comics on titles such as X-O Manowar and Punk Mambo.
John Ringo is an American science fiction and military fiction author. He has had several The New York Times best sellers. His books range from straightforward science fiction to a mix of military and political thrillers. To date, he has over two million copies of his books in print.
Launching the award-winning comedy4cast podcast, Clinton Alvord has one of the longest-running comedy shows in all of podcasting. He also co-hosts The Topic is Trek, a Star Trek podcast.
Nash leads EFF's grassroots, student, and community organizing efforts. As the lead coordinator of the Electronic Frontier Alliance, Nash works to support the Alliance's member organizations in educating their neighbors on digital-privacy best practices, and advocating for privacy and innovation protecting policy and legislation.
Caleb Roehrig is an author of young adult thrillers, including Last Seen Leaving, White Rabbit, and Death Prefers Blondes. As a former actor and television producer, Roehrig has experience on both sides of the camera, with a résumé that includes appearances on film and TV.
Raychelle Burks is a chemistry professor with a crime lab background. On the Smithsonian Channel, she brings her expertise to The Curious Life and Death Of… to examine unusual cases. Burks is an award winning science communicator, presenting on the science of true crime and fandoms.
Chantelle Aimée Osman is the editor of Agora, an award-nominated imprint of Polis Books, as well as an author and instructor.
Dr. Valerie Hampton, a historical archaeologist, author, and Indie film producer, founded the AS for Neo-Medievalism, speaks on the intersection between popular fantasy and history, founded many conventions including Conan's Riddle and GoT's Ice & Fire Con. Creator of GrimSisters Production Co, working on a feature films and other projects.
Jody Lynn Nye has written dozens of books and over 160 short stories, most of them with a humorous bent. Her latest books are Rhythm of the Imperium (Baen), Moon Tracks (with Travis S. Taylor, Baen), and Myth-Fits (Ace). She also teaches the annual Dragon Con Two-Day Writers Workshop.
Hayley Tsukayama is a legislative activist for the Electronic Frontier Foundation, focusing on state legislation. She also spent nearly eight years as a consumer technology reporter at The Washington Post.
Edward Povilaitis is a co-host on Which Game First: A Board Game Podcast. For the past eight years, he has been a developer with Angry Duck Games.
Travis Scott Merrill has worked professionally for over 20 years in theater, television, and film. He is currently working as an ager/dyer in IATSE local 479. His work can be seen in Macgyver seasons 1-4, Allegiant, Stranger Things, Guardians of the Galaxy 2, Live by Night, and Avengers Infinity War.
Diana Peterfreund has published 13 novels for adults, teens, and kids. Her latest trilogy of YA novels is based on the classic board game, Clue, and began with In the Hall With the Knife, which Kirkus called "ingeniously plotted and vastly entertaining."
Aretta Baumgartner is a performer/teaching artist specializing in puppetry, mask, movement. She’s proud to be the Education Director of the world-renowned Center for Puppetry Arts in Atlanta.
Daniel Humphreys is the Amazon bestselling author of the Z-Day series of post-apocalyptic sci-fi thrillers and the Paxton Locke urban fantasy series.
Samantha McVey is a social worker and the co-host of the show Stuff Mom Never Told You. She has spoken at the Podcast Movement 2019 and She Podcasts! conferences.
Tina Hesman Saey is a former molecular geneticist who is now an award-winning science journalist at Science News magazine. Her work has won multiple awards.
Mike Faber is the founder and CCO of the geeky and ever expanding ESO Network. He hosts The Earth Station One and Earth Station Who podcasts. He teaches and mentors new podcasters on starting and producing new projects. The ESO Network celebrates all things sci-fi, fantasy and much, much more.
Astrophysicist Steph LaMassa works at the Space Telescope Science Institute on NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope. Her research focuses on the growth and evolution of supermassive black holes.
Thomas Mariani is a podcast host for Double Edged Double Bill on The ESO Network who has been an attending professional at Dragon Con since 2016 on both the Horror Track and Urban Fantasy Track.
Brianna Marie is a player on the Dungeons and Randomness podcast, as well as one of the co-owners of the show. In this past year she was also one of the co-authors of the D&R setting book The Adventurer's Guide to Theria Volume 1: Ellara.
Jason Massey has been the DM for the Dungeons and Randomness Podcast for 8 years. He now has over 11 years of podcasting under his belt and has co-authored the first book about his setting called The Adventurer's Guide to Theria: Vol 1 with his partner and an incredible team.
Russell Newquist is the owner and operator of Silver Empire Publishing, publishers of science fiction and fantasy novels. Silver Empire has published dozens of the best new SFF authors.
Anney Reese is an actor, writer, and podcaster known for Stuff Mom Never Told You and Savor. Through the process of podcasting, she has also produced and written scripts.
Trevor Valle is a paleontologist, a certified cicerone, and an outspoken science communicator on Twitter. He has appeared all over television including The History Channel, The Discovery Channel, the National Geographic Channel, BBC/BBC America, in documentaries, and at Nerd Nite meetings across the country.
Davis Ashura is the award-winning author of two epic fantasy series, the Castes and the OutCastes and the Chronicles of William Wilde.
Matthew J. Brown, Ph.D is a scholar of comics and pop culture. He is co-editor of More Critical Approaches to Comics and has organized an academic conference at Dragon Con.
Veronica Dahshell is half of the husband and wife puppetry team, Felt Nerdy! She and her husband Charles Kelso can be see at contentions across the Southeast.
Keith R.A. DeCandido is the author of more than 50 novels, and a ton of short fiction and comics, in tons of licensed universes from Alien to Zorro and in his own milieus in the fictional cities of Cliff's End and Super City and the (mostly) real New York and Key West. He also writes about pop culture for Tor.com.
Annie Stegg Gerard exhibits her work in galleries and has done notable publishing work for clients such as Disney, Hasbro, Wizards of the Coast, Easton press, Ballistic Publishing, and more. Her work is found in private collections all over the world.
Justin Gerard is an illustrator whose client list includes Disney, Dreamworks, Warner Brothers, Harper Collins, Penguin, Random House, Sony, Riot, Blizzard, Hasbro, Wizards of the Coast, and Riotminds. His work has won awards in art competitions such as Spectrum Fantastic Art, the Society of Illustrators, Infected by Art, and Expose.
Karl Grindal is a policy analyst and information security researcher based in Atlanta, GA. He is a collaborator with the Internet Governance Project and Sam Nunn Security Fellow.
Nick Householder is an aerospace engineer, television host, and fabricator. He is best known for his work designing and building science demos featured on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.
Kevin Ikenberry is a retired Army Lieutenant Colonel and sci-fi writer. He is the author of The Protocol War series and the Peacemaker novels in the bestselling Four Horsemen Universe.
Charles Kelso is half of the husband and wife puppetry team Felt Nerdy. They have been performing at conventions across the southeast for over seven years.
Laura Levy is Research Director of GEAR (Gaming & Esports Applied Research) at Georgia Tech and an engineering psychologist specializing in esports, game design, AR/VR, and human-computer interaction research.
Rob Levy is a pop culture writer, podcaster, and blogger who has been published in several books and appears on several podcasts including Weekend Justice for needcoffee.com.
Allyssa A. Lewis is a prime-time television Emmy winning animator most noted for her animation on over 75 episodes and promos of FX's EMMY winning series Archer.
Alabama madman J. F. Lewis is the internationally published author of The Void City series and the Grudgebearer Trilogy. He writes books that get him into trouble.
An author of more than 30 titles across four genres, Terry Maggert is an international bestseller who writes about witches, space warfare, and everything in between.
Matthew is an established podcaster with several credits to his name. His longest running show is Polyhedron, a RPG discussion podcast. He is the editor for Warhammer 40k podcast, The Grimdark Podcast, and is a cast member within the Simulacra Studios Actual Play family.
Morgon Newquist is the co-founder of Silver Empire Publishing, publisher of the best up and coming science fiction and fantasy authors, including five Dragon Award nominated authors.
L.H. Nicole is a young adult fantasy author whose stories feature strong, independent female leads, epic adventures, fantasy worlds, and creatures and unforgettable heroes.
A.B. Osborne is an Animation Professor at Augusta University, where he built the newly launched Animation program. Osborne is currently developing an animated series called the Forest of Forgotten Things.
Aron Siegel, producer and sound mixer whose work includes The Unwanted, Implanted, Thor: Ragnarok, Black Lightning, Walking Dead, and Vampire Diaries. Aron mixed the recent Star Trek fan film: Axanar.
David VonAllmen is a science fiction and fantasy writer whose short fiction has appeared in Galaxy’s Edge, Factor Four, the Writers of the Future anthology, and other professional publications.
Thom Zahler is a comicbook creator and animation writer. creating the Webtoons Cupid's Arrows and Warning Label as well as Love and Capes, Long Distance and Time and Vine. He writes and draws for IDW's My Little Pony series. He has written for Ultimate Spider-Man and Knights of the Zodiac.
Author Mary Abreu has worked as a seamstress for the film and TV industry, including Fox's Sleepy Hollow, and has wardrobe department credits on two short films.
Daniel Beahn is the Lead Art Producer for ZeniMax Online Studios. He has worked on The Elder Scrolls Online, Fallout 4, Fallout 76, Skyrim, Fallout Shelter, and many others.
Bill Bridges is a writer and game designer most known for developing White Wolf’s World of Darkness and the Fading Suns science-fiction universe.
Bethany Brookshire is a PhD neuroscientist, science writer, and podcaster. She has written for Slate, the Guardian, and Scientific American, and hosts the podcast Science for the People.
Jeffrey Carver is a Nebula-nominated SF novelist, author of The Chaos Chronicles and Battlestar Galactica. Equally popular are his Star Rigger stories, including Eternity’s End.
Kelly Lynn Colby is a fantasy writer as well as the Editorial Director of Cursed Dragon Publishing, LLC. She hosts the Writers Meetup on Friday night.
Peter David is a prolific New York Times bestselling author and self proclaimed "writer of stuff." He has written in all most all forms of prose and gained followers in each. He is the proud father of four daughters and proud grandfather of two grandsons and one granddaughter.
An actor, improviser, and podcaster, Mike Ellison is best known for his role as Jebeddo on the D&D liveplay podcast Adventure Incorporated.
Stacey Gordon is a puppeteer in from Phoenix, Az. She operates Puppet Pie, an art studio in the heart of Phoenix, Arizona, and has the honor of performing one of Sesame Street’s newest friends, Julia, a curious 4-year-old girl with autism.
Dr. Craig Greathouse is a Professor of Political Science at the University of North Georgia. He is an expert in issues of European and American security issues, strategic culture, international relations theory, and cyber war.
K.A. Linde is a USA Today bestselling author of more than 30 novels with a million books in circulation. Her breakout paranormal romance series Blood Type released with Random House.
Todd Lockwood is an illustrator and author, known for his fantasy art on novels, games, and CCGs. His dragon designs for 3rd edition D&D changed the way people see dragons. His debut novel, The Summer Dragon (DAW) released to rave reviews. He has a thing for dragons...
Neon the Glowgobear is an Atlanta based DJ who performs all over North America and brings his high energy frequencies to the Spectrum Party.
They told him to take things seriously. Instead, Benjamin Wallace wrote a book called Post-Apocalyptic Nomadic Warriors. Now he’s making reading more fun than it should be.
Stephen Granade is a physicist specializing in robotics and sensors. His sensors have read fingerprints from 10-feet away, tracked drones, and guided the shuttle to Hubble. He was most recently seen on NASA's Unexplained Files. If you're afraid of the robot revolution, Dr. Granade is someone to watch out for.
Kevin J. Anderson has published 140+ books, more than 50 of which have been national or international bestsellers. He has written numerous novels in the Star Wars, X-Files, and Dune universes, as well as a unique steampunk fantasy novel, Clockwork Angels.
Patricia Briggs is a New York Times best selling author of both the Mercy Thompson and the Alpha and Omega urban fantasy series. Briggs began her career writing traditional high fantasy novels in 1993, and shifted gears in 2006 to write urban fantasy.
Jason Bulmahn is the Director of Game Design at Paizo, creator of the Pathfinder Roleplaying Game and team leader for Pathfinder 2nd Edition. Bulmahn is also the GM and host for a number of actual play RPG shows on Twitch and YouTube.
Fantasy artist Ciruelo was born in Argentina and has been living in Spain since 1987. He worked for publishing houses in Europe and in the United States illustrating book covers, prints, calendars and trading cards with dragons as the main subject. He is currently writing and illustrating his own books.
Multi-instrumentalist, singer songwriter, story teller, science advocate, Emmy Award nominee George Hrab has produced six independent CDs and a concert DVD; published two books; recorded over 650 episodes of an award-winning podcast; is a science conference emcee; a TEDx speaker; and drummer/musical director with Philadelphia Funk Authority.
Greg Keyes is the author of over 30 science fiction and fantasy novels, from original works like The Age of Unreason and Kingdoms of Thorn and Bone, to licensed universes including Star Wars, Babylon 5, Planet of the Apes, Godzilla, and the Elder Scrolls. He lives in Savannah Georgia.
Steve Jackson has been designing games for over 40 years and has no plans to stop. His creations include Munchkin, Illuminati, the GURPS and Fantasy Trip roleplaying systems, Ogre, Car Wars, and Zombie Dice. He is either a citizen of the internet or a Texan, depending on who’s asking.
Astronomer Bill Keel is the author of The Sky at Einstein's Feet and The Road to Galaxy Formation. He hosts annual overnight Live Astronomy sessions, and spoken on cosmology, extra-solar planets, citizen discovery in astronomy, science in the Firefly and Avatar universes, spy satellites, and astronomical tourism.
In her 49-year-long career, Chelsea Quinn Yarbro has sold 97 books and 83 shorter works in many genres. She is best-known for her Saint-Germain series of historical horror stories. She writes in a number of genres and under five different pseudonyms.
Brian Urbanek is a professional video game designer and developer with 25 years of experience working on such titles as Call of Duty and XCOM2, as well as many others.
Dietrich Smith is an artist in the field of comics who has illustrated a variety of titles such as Superman, Spiderman, Shaft, and a bevy of others. He has been nominated or awarded various honors and currently has his hand in development of a diverse group of projects.
Kristin Jackson is an accomplished print/digital designer, working in the film industry as an artist, set photographer, and social media manager. She's the Director of Communications/Graphic Designer for Frostbite Pictures.
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.
TJ Sterling is the President and Lead artist of RAE Comics, a dynamic indie comic company that focuses on telling powerful stories about unique and diverse characters. He also is a 10 year comic industry veteran with art in Marvel, DC, Dark Horse, and Aspen comics.
Dr. Sarah M. Milkovich is a scientist and an engineer at NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, where she currently works on the Mars 2020 Rover. Sarah specializes in the science operations of robotic spacecraft, bridging the science and engineering teams.
Michael Gordon is a writer, publisher, and podcaster. His creator-owed comic, Tiki Zombie, has been running for nearly a decade. Gordon can also be heard saying, “Howdy!” on the weekly Earth Station One podcast, as well as a number of other shows.
The award winning imaginative art of Don Maitz has appeared on hundreds of publications worldwide and as concept art for two feature animated films. Maitz created the Captain Morgan Spiced Rum character. His A-Maitz-ing images have delighted audiences for over forty years.
Trina Ray is currently the 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 the Voyager Spacecraft. She is a public speaker, invited to give many talks around the nation.
Michael Z. Williamson is a multiple bestselling, award-winning author and editor in science fiction and a #1 Amazon bestseller in political humor. An immigrant from the UK and Canada, he served 25 years in the US Army and USAF. Williamson also consults on TV and movie productions.
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.
Cheralyn Lambeth is a professional costume/prop/puppet builder whose work includes feature films (The Muppet Christmas Carol, The Hunger Games), TV shows (Dinosaurs!, Homeland), and live/interactive properties (Avenue Q, Star Trek: The Experience). She is also author of Creating the Character Costume and Introduction to Puppetry Arts.
Andy Runton is the creator of the all-ages series of graphic novels, Owly, starring a little owl who's always searching for new friends. Relying on a mixture of symbols and expressions to tell his silent stories, Runton's heartwarming style has made him a favorite of both fans and critics alike.
Anne Sowards is an executive editor at Penguin Random House, where she acquires and edits fantasy and science fiction for the Ace and Berkley imprints. Some of the great authors she’s worked with include New York Times bestsellers Jim Butcher, Patricia Briggs, Charlaine Harris, Ilona Andrews, to name a few.
Dr. Kenneth Carpenter is currently the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) Operations Project Scientist and the Ground Systems Project Scientist for the Wide-Field Infrared Survey Telescope (WFIRST).
Mari Mancusi is a bestselling author of young adult fantasy and paranormal novels, including The Scorched series and The Blood Coven Vampires. She is also a former Emmy award winning TV producer. She lives in Austin, TX.
Georgia McBride is one of Publishers Marketplace’s most prolific editors, and has spent most of 2014 through 2019 atop the editors lists in editors, young adult, digital new adult, children's, and digital deals. She’s completed over 200 publishing deals on behalf of three imprints since March 2012.
Rebecca Moesta has written novels in the Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Junior Jedi Knights series, and with husband Kevin J. Anderson, she wrote the Crystal Doors trilogy, fourteen Young Jedi Knights novels, six novelizations, lyrics for two rock CDs, graphic novels, and pop-up books.
Kurt Opsahl is the Deputy Executive Director and General Counsel of the Electronic Frontier Foundation, the leading nonprofit organization defending civil liberties in the digital world. In addition to representing clients on civil liberties, free speech and privacy law, Opsahl counsels on EFF projects and initiatives.
Tom Biondolillo, a Georgia-based comic artist and illustrator, has worked on titles such as: Alien versus Predator, Star Wars, Saint Germaine, Dungeons & Dragons, Dragonlance, Myst, Duke Nuk’em, Vampire, Mage, Shadowrun- For entities such as : Darkhorse, HASBRO, WOTC, TSR, SJGs, AEG, FASA, Random House, National Wildlife Service and more.
Jeff Burns is the creator of superhero comedy series Super Knocked Up and host of geeky improv comedy show Super Geeked Up LIVE. He’s also the author of several sci-fi and fantasy books and moderates celebrity, fan, and Tabletop RPG panels at cons across North America. And secretly wishes he was an Ewok!
Illustrator and comic artist Mark Dos Santos has worked with celebrated creators such as Steve T. Seagle (IMPERIAL), Garth Ennis (A Train Called Love) and Bill Willingham (Lark's Killer). He has created book covers for Silence in the Library (Apollo's Daughters),Star Trek TNG, and Hugo award-winning writer, Morgan Gendel (Planet 6).
Daniel Govar is a comic, children's book, and fantasy artist known for covers and interiors (Marvel, DC, Valiant, etc). Most recently, Govar has self-published a children’s book: Mr. Trunk Builds a Wall, and a 200 page artbook comprising of his daily illustrations.
Emmy-nominated animation producer Jonathan Hallett is a professional storyboard artist/ concept artist for the film, television, and video game industries. His next project will be for TokyoPop Comics as the artist on the upcoming Stitch Manga series! He received an Emmy Nomination for his animation work on The Aquabats Supershow!
Leanna Renee Hieber is the award-winning, bestselling author of gothic, gaslamp fantasy novels for Tor and Kensington Books, such as the Strangely Beautiful saga, The Eterna Files, Magic Most Foul, and The Spectral City series. An actress and playwright, Hieber has appeared on Boardwalk Empire and Mysteries at the Museum.
New York Times bestselling author Alethea Kontis is a princess, storm chaser, and Saturday Songwriter. She is the host of Princess Alethea’s Traveling Sideshow every year at Dragon Con. Alethea narrates stories for multiple award-winning online magazines, and she contributes regular book reviews to NPR.
Comfort and Adam are the award nominated duo responsible for The Uniques and Rainbow in the Dark, and The Complete Guide to Self-Publishing Comics. They also run an art studio called Team Comfort and Adam, and in 2020 will run their first massive Kickstarter for The Uniques Season 2.
Gail Z. Martin writes epic and urban fantasy and steampunk for Solaris Books, Orbit Books, SOL Publishing, Darkwind Press, and Falstaff Books. Recent books include Reckoning, Sellsword’s Oath, Inheritance, CHARON, and Wasteland Marshals. As Morgan Brice, she writes urban fantasy paranormal romance including the Witchbane, Badlands, and Treasure Trail series.
Mikal Mosley is an accomplished actor, costumer and professional wrestler. He has built costumes professionally for several celebrities and works as a Costumer for the WWE when needed.
Comfort and Adam are the award nominated duo responsible for The Uniques and Rainbow in the Dark, and The Complete Guide to Self-Publishing Comics. They also run an art studio called Team Comfort and Adam, and in 2020 will run their first massive Kickstarter for The Uniques Season 2.
S.M. Stirling was born in France. His latest books are The Sea Peoples (October, 2017), Black Chamber (July 2018) and The Sky-Blue Wolves (October, 2018). His hobbies include history, anthropology, archaeology, and travel. He also pursued the martial arts, until knees.
Garon Whited is a long-time fantasy and science fiction author, as well as a veteran tabletop gamer. His works include LUNA, Dragonhunters, and the long-running vampire fantasy series, Nightlord.
From humble beginnings as an Atlanta student interning at Adult Swim to now Marvel Animation’s in-house Casting Director, Amanda Goodbread has spent over a decade in animation and voice over.
BREED has been in the comic book/graphic novel, licensed property, TV, and motion picture industries for over 24 years as a penciler, writer, animator, and sketch/storyboard/conceptual artist. His work has been featured by Zenescope Entertainment, IDW, UDC/Marvel, Action Lab, Counterpoint Comics, MNS Cards, Stranger Comics, and Source Point Press.
From the seminal days of Atlanta Fandom to the red carpet in Hollywood, Bob Burden created Atlanta's first super hero - Flaming Carrot - who rose from fanzine to spinning off into a major motion picture with Mysterymen.
Nebula Award winning author Esther Friesner has seen the publication of 41 novels, over 200 short stories, nine anthologies, and three collections of her work. She created the popular Chicks in Chainmail series (Baen Books), and the Princesses of Myth series of YA novels (Random House). She keeps busy.
HC Warner is responsible for the birth of the Comics and Pop Art installation in a double suite poolside at the Sheraton featuring an array of present leaders in the lowbrow and pop art arena. Warner's been part of Atlanta's lowbrow scene since the early '90s .
April Borchelt is an illustrator that works in both the animation and gaming industries while keeping true to her fine art roots. She's worked with Nickelodeon, Hi-Rez Studios, illustrated for multiple published board games, TCG companies, children's books, and has had her fine art exhibited in galleries around Atlanta.
Nicholas Eftimiades is a professor and author. He spent 34 years in US intelligence and diplomacy with postings in Europe and Asia. Eftimiades is a renowned expert on China and authored books and articles on national security, emerging technology, and outer space related issues.
Bill Fawcett has been games designing, writing, and editing since the early 80s. He has edited or co-edited over 40 science fiction anthologies. His non-fiction books include two Navy SEALs histories and books on mistakes in history. He is also a game and computer game designer.
Jason Fry is the New York Times bestselling author of Star Wars: The Last Jedi and more than 40 other novels, short stories, and other works set in the galaxy far, far away. His other books include Minecraft: The Voyage and the young-adult space-fantasy series The Jupiter Pirates.
Gil Gerard has starred in numerous successful made-for-television movies as well as 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.
Kenneth Hite has written 100+ tabletop roleplaying game books, including Trail of Cthulhu, The Dracula Dossier, Night’s Black Agents, The Fall of DELTA GREEN, and Vampire: the Masquerade 5th Edition. He is half of the multiple-award-winning podcast Ken and Robin Talk About Stuff.
Les Johnson is a physicist, science and science fiction author, and a NASA technologist. His books include: Stellaris (Baen 2019), Mission to Methone (Baen 2018), and Graphene (Prometheus 2018). Johnson is the lead for two NASA space robotic missions and was featured in the March 2019 issue of National Geographic.
John Lotshaw is a cartoonist and animator from Atlanta, GA. He is the creator of Accidental Centaurs, which has been running since 2002. In addition, he has been a publisher of cartoonists such as Bill Holbrook and Greg Cravens, and is a member of the National Cartoonists Society.
Cheryl Sleboda is a professional cosplay educator and award-winning fiber artist. She's taught nationally in person and on television, and is the host of Con Crunch Challenge!
Dr. Scott Viguié holds two doctorate degrees and is an archaeologist and an attorney who has done extensive research on myths and their impact on modern archaeology and storytelling. He is the creator of Dr. Geek's Laboratory of Applied Geekdom, The Science From Fiction Audio show; where the audience is brought closer to those who are attempting to bring about the world of tomorrow.
International bestselling author of military sci-fi, space opera, and zombie apocalypse, Mark Wandrey is also the only 4 time Dragon Award finalist! He launched his professional career in 2004 with the release of Earth Song - Overture. Now, 15 years later, he has more than 20 books out.
Jean Marie Ward writes fiction, nonfiction, and everything in between. Her credits include a multi-award nominated novel, two popular art books, and editing CrescentBlues.com. Her short stories have appeared everywhere from ASIMOV’s to the anthologies of Zombies Need Brains. Her video interviews are featured on BuzzyMag.com.
Toni Weisskopf succeeded Jim Baen as publisher of Baen Books in 2006. She has worked with such authors as David Weber, Eric Flint, Larry Correia, and many others. With Josepha Sherman, she compiled and annotated the definitive volume of subversive children’s folklore, Greasy Grimy Gopher Guts.
By day, Anthony Francis teaches robots to learn; by night, he writes science fiction and draws comic books. His latest novel is Jeremiah Willstone and the Clockwork Time Machine.
Hawk’s current supervillain title is Director of Radiation Effects. In his quest to take over the world, Hawk has landed a series of jobs with NASA, DoD, and Missile Defense, testing spacecraft for natural (and unnatural) environments. Hawk has published professionally in engineering, science, history, and fantasy.
Tom Heintjes is the co-founder and publisher of the Eisner Award-winning 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.
Dan Jolley is a multi-media writer. Over a 20+ year career, he co-created the Jason Rusch incarnation of DC Comics' Firestorm, wrote the main story for the video game Dying Light, and has published more than a dozen original novels, including the Gray Widow Trilogy and The Storm.
Smart, savvy, and funny, Leighann Lord’s “heads up humor” is stand-up comedy at it’s finest. She is the author of Dict Jokes and Real Women Do it Standing Up. She been a co-host on StarTalkRadio with Neil de Grasse Tyson and is the 2019 winner of the Humanist Arts Award.
Dean Motter, artist/writer/designer is best known for the comics sensation, Mister X. He has written The Spirit, Superman, and the film-noir graphic novel, Batman: Nine Lives. His mini-series, Terminal City was nominated for Eisner and Kurtzman Awards. He is known for his graphic novel The Prisoner: Shattered Visage.
Cartoonist, comic book artist, and animator Robert Pope currently draws Peanuts for BOOM and Simon Spotlight and Looney Tunes for DC comics. He has drawn Scooby-Doo, Batman the Brave and the Bold, The Powerpuff Girls, Space Ghost C2C, Foster’s Home, Johnny Bravo, Grim Adventures, Chowder, and more.
Beyond Alison Sky Richards' fiction novels, she is also a staff writer with ThreeIfBySpace.net, a screenplay reviewer with the Nashville Film Festival, teaches writing workshops annually at conventions.
With 25 years in the animation industry, animator and artist Noel Saabye has had the opportunity to work on projects ranging from TV shows to mobile games with companies that include Cartoon Network, Warner Bros, PBS, Disney, Mattel, and Activision.
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.
Cat Scully is the writer and illustrator of YA horror comic-novel Jennifer Strange. Scully has worked with a variety of publishers as a professional illustrator. She works in video game development for the Deep End Games and is currently working on their next title.
Jeanne C. Stein is the award winning, national bestselling author of the urban fantasy series, The Anna Strong Vampire Chronicles and the Fallen Siren Series written as S. J. Harper. She has published 14 full length books, several novellas, and numerous short stories both here and in the U.K.
Tina Glasneck is a USA Today bestselling author and enjoys creating stories that combine history, fantasy, and Norse Gods. One day she hopes to travel to Asgard.
Walter Dean is a premier costume designer who specializes in custom-made costumes for the cosplayer in you. He has been spotlighted in many publications and interviews.
Barr Foxx is an award-winning cosplay artist, television/film producer, and influencer. His national brand, Cosplay Your Way, encourages individuals to cosplay regardless of race, size, age, experience, or gender.
Dr. Kevin Grazier is a planetary physicist specializing in the early solar system. He was the advisor for the TV series Battlestar Galactica, Eureka,Defiance,and Another Life, as well as the movies Gravity and Pirates of the Caribbean 5. Grazier is the co-author of the Hollyweird Science series of books.
Leo Leibelman began his professional career for Marvel comics in the pages of Savage Sword of Conan. Where he provided painted covers and interior artwork. From there, Leo went on to work for Acclaim comics. Working on such titles as Turok Dinosaur Hunter and Magic the Gathering.
Erin Macdonald (PhD, Astrophysics) is an internationally recognized space science expert, writer, speaker, and consultant. Her academic research background is in gravitational waves and general relativity. She currently lives in Los Angeles and is working as a writer and science consultant for the Star Trek franchise.
Award-winning author/artist Bobby Nash is a member of the International Association of Media Tie-in Writers and International Thriller Writers. He writes novels, comic books, short fiction, and the odd short screenplay. Nash also appears in movies and TV shows, usually standing behind your favorite actor.
Lan Pitts likes watching, talking, and writing comics about wrestling including the official WWE book from BOOM! Studios. He also co-created his self-published book Beast Heart! Strikers with Joe Hunter. He's also co-written Nasquatch with Kelly Williams from Starburns Publishing. Ask him about wrestling and The Simpsons. He loves that.
Van Allen Plexico is an award-winning writer of novels, stories and comics, best known for the ten-volume Sentinels illustrated superhero novel series, the Shattering military SF/space opera series, and Cold Lightning comics. He also hosts podcasts on many SF & pop culture topics including The Mandalorian and James Bond.
Corinne Roberts writes/illustrates the web-comic series Out and About. Her other books are Trip to Trekka and Imaginary Sea 1,2,3! Along with her books, she illustrated the web comic, Kitty Game and games Unreal Estate, Dodgy Dinos, and Founding Fathers Fisticuffs. Her next published comic will be released in 2020.
Dr. Roger Altizer makes and teaches people to make games for fun and human good. He’s helped students find work at studios ranging from Blizzard to Zenimax.
David Moscato is a paleontologist, science writer, and host of the Common Descent Podcast, where he applies his experience as a fossil hunter and researcher to entertaining and educational discussions.
Lou Anders is the author of the Thrones and Bones series, a fantasy adventure that begins with the novel Frostborn, published by Random House's Crown Books for Young Readers. He is a Hugo award winning editor and Chesley Award winning art director. Visit him online at www.louanders.com.
Corey Castellano is a professional makeup artist/designer who’s credits include: Sweet Girl, Into the Dark, Devil All The Time, Roswell, Ghosted, Lady and the Tramp, The Gifted, The Dirt, First Purge, Sleepy Hollow, Pirates of the Caribbean, War of the Worlds, Prestige, Crazies, GI Joe, X-Men, Buffy, and more.
Freddy Clements is professor of Drama and Faculty Costume designer at Jacksonville State University in Jacksonville, Alabama. He has taught courses in costume design, costume construction, stage make-up, and advanced stage make-up He has also designed costumes for various theatres in the Southeast Region.
Margaret Downey created a character known as The Friggatriskaidekaphobia Treatment Nurse in order to teach critical thinking skills every Friday-the-Thirteenth. Margaret Downey founded the Freethought Society (FS) and the Anti-Discrimination Support Network (ADSN) in 1993. In 1994 Margaret founded the Thomas Paine Memorial Committee.
Chandra Free is the writer/artist of The God Machine comic series, and co-founder of Machina Corpse, a spooky comic book company. She’s an illustrator on books like John Carpenter’s Tales For A Halloween Night, First Offerings, Odie, Fraggle Rock, and Graphic Canon; and colorist for Mice Templar.
Matt Green is a filmmaker as well as a creature and special effects coordinator. Matt taught animatronics and sculpture at the Tom Savini makeup effects school. He has directed nine feature films as well as a number of web commercials, music videos and short films.
Susan Griffith is a writer of fiction and comic books. With her husband, Clay, she is the co-author of The Flash: The Haunting of Barry Allen and Arrow: A Generation of Vipers. They are also the creators of the Vampire Empire series and the upcoming Monstrance series.
Dr. Robert E. Hampson is a scientist, author, editor, and educator. From developing a prosthetic for human memory to advising SF authors, from anthologies and novels for Baen Books and CKP, he turns science fiction into science, and brings real science into SF.
A fascinating and funny mix of spot-on impressions and clever, cutting-edge comedy, Ian Harris' act has landed him coveted appearances on Jimmy Kimmel LIVE!, Comedy Central, as well as two, one-hour TV specials Critical and Thinking and ExtraOrdinary. Harris has performed at Dragon Con since 2014.
Will Harris is a paleontologist, educator, and host of the Common Descent Podcast, where he applies his experience as a fossil hunter, researcher, and educator to entertaining and educational discussions.
A.J. Hartley (AKA Andrew Hart) is the international bestselling, Dragon Award nominated author of 23 novels for kids and adults, including the Steeplejack series, Cold Bath Street, Cathedrals of Glass, and Sekret Machines (co-written with Blink 182’s Tom DeLonge). He is UNC Charlotte’s Robinson professor of Shakespeare.
John G. Hartness is an author, publisher, and podcaster from Charlotte, NC. He is the author of multiple novel series, including the award-winning Quincy Harker, Demon Hunter series. He is also the co-founder and publisher of Falstaff Books, and a member of the Authors & Dragons Live D&D podcast.
Award-winning New York Times and USAToday bestselling fantasy author Faith Hunter has 40+ books in print under the names Gary Hunter, Gwen Hunter, and Faith Hunter. As Faith, she writes the fantasy bestselling series: the Jane Yellowrock series and Soulwood series. Most recently, Audible released the SciFi Junkyard Cats series.
Alan Isom began his adventure with science fiction and fantasy literature as it should begin: with JRR Tolkien’s The Hobbit. The Cayn Trilogy is Alan's first published work.
David B. Coe/D.B. Jackson is the award-winning author of more than two dozen books and as many short stories. As David B. Coe he writes epic, contemporary, and urban fantasy. As D.B. Jackson he writes the Thieftaker Chronicles, a blend of urban fantasy, mystery, and historical fiction.
Chemist and author Joseph Meany, The Crimson Alchemist, is a researcher for the Savannah River National Laboratory. His expertise in materials science and interest in space combine forces as a board member for the Tennessee Valley Interstellar Workshop.
Day Al-Mohamed is author for the novel “Baba Ali and the Clockwork Djinn,†and editor of the anthology “Trust & Treachery.†A graduate of the VONA/Voice Writing workshop and active member of Women in Film and Video, in addition to speculative fiction, Day also writes comics and film scripts.
Stephen Adams is the host of the long running comedy podcast, Horseshoes and Hand Grenades, and founder of the 2Dorks network of podcasts and livestreams.
National bestselling author, Scribe Award finalist, and Colorado Gold finalist Quincy J. Allen is a cross-genre author with novels in sci-fi, fantasy, steampunk, noir, and mil-sci-fi.
Eric R. Asher is the author of the Vesik urban fantasy series, Steamborn YA steampunk series, Mason Dixon: Monster Hunter, and Havenwood Falls: Redemption’s End.
Will Aymerich is the founder and owner of ATL Radio X, co-host of The K & A Show with Christina Kieffer, and former host of The Aymerich Show.
Jim Azevedo is the marketing director of Smashwords, the world's largest distributor of self-published ebooks. A sought after speaker, Azevedo has delivered approximately 150 ebook publishing workshops at conferences.
Kevin Bachelder has been podcasting about genre TV and movies since 2005. Along with speaking on multiple panels at Dragon Con, he also leads the Dragon Con Newbies group.
Model, cosplayer, speaker and enthusiast. Tony Ballard-Smoot works diligently to promote the steampunk, cosplay, modeling and maker communities as a whole.
David Boop’s debut novel is a sci-fi/noir She Murdered Me with Science. He's published across genres including media tie-ins for Predator, Green Hornet, and Veronica Mars.
Doug Burbey, author of the Blood War urban fantasy series. Burbey served in the Army while having adventures around the world before retiring.
Alison Carrier is a Co-Lead Designer for Certain Affinity. She is currently working on an unannounced third-person looter-shooter while passionately advocating for diversity and equity in video games.
A 2019 Dragon Award finalist, Jason Cordova is known for his contributions to the Four Horsemen Universe. He is also a contributor to the bestselling anthology Black Tide Rising.
Paul Currie is a science educator, photographer, and philosopher from the coal fields of Appalachia. He specializes in using pop culture to teach undergraduate science courses.
JC De La Torre, along with his wife Rita, is a filmmaker, audio drama producer, screenwriter, and director for Transmissions From Atlantis Entertainment.
Celeste DeAngelis is the host of Which Game First: The Board Game Podcast. She has been active in the promotion, writing and running of games (and game events) across New England since 1992. Celeste, regularly covers gaming conventions across the U.S. with a focus on premiering games and up-and-coming designers.
Tracy Deonn is a young adult author, scholar, and geektivist. Her debut YA fantasy series, Legendborn, will be published Fall 2020.
Science teacher and education advocate, Lali DeRosier promotes youth involvement in science through student writing, art, and, outreach. She tackles themes of science and diversity in scifi, fantasy, and horror.
Heather Dobson is, like everyone else, a future ghost. With 12 years' experience, she's well-equipped to bring understanding to the haunted while guiding others to meet the afterlife head-on.
Dr. Addie Dove is a planetary scientist and professor who studies dusty planetary surfaces. She has flown on microgravity flights, and has flown about a dozen experiments in space.
Sydney Duncan is the writer of Dark Horse Comics' Kill Whitey Donovan. She is the author of the critically acclaimed YA novel series, The Revelation Saga, from Medallion Press.
Kevin Eldridge produces and hosts The Flopcast, a pop culture comedy podcast. He is a published science fiction author, an organizer and host of skeptic events, and a comedy musician.
Dax ExclamationPoint is a cosplaying drag performer that has taken the world by "Storm" (literally) ever since walking onto the set of Rupaul’s Drag Race season 8.
Bill Fairchild is a twitch streamer and podcaster. He's the host of multiple gaming podcasts including Nintendo Switch Craft, StadiaCast, RunJumpStomp, and 143 Pixels.
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.
Jim Farmer is the festival director and executive director of Out On Film, Atlanta's LGBTQ film festival, as well as a long-time area arts reporter
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.
Declan Finn is the author of books ranging from thrillers to urban fantasy to sci-fi, including the 2016 Dragon Award Nominated Novel for Best horror, Honor at Stake.
Marina Fontaine is an author of Chasing Freedom, a Dragon Awards finalist in Apocalyptic Novel category, and The Product, a dystopian novella from Superversive Press.
Abigail Gardner is a podcaster, writer, and digital content creator. She is a host and producer of Yes Have Some Podcast, and is a leading voice in the Ghostbusters community.
Paige Gardner is an award-winning costume designer whose eccentric masks and bizarre original costumes make her art recognizable world-wide. Her costume projects are regularly exhibited across the U.S and Canada.
Ronald Garner is a publisher and author of speculative fiction. He is also a Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Marine Corps and lives and works in the DC area.
Jon Garon is Professor of Law and Director, Intellectual Property, Cybersecurity, and Technology Law program at NSU’s Shepard Broad College of Law, and an author.
Jenna Garrett is a proud member of the Giant-Size Team-Up Network. She hosts the show Craft Boos and is also a co-host of the weekly podcast Panelology.
Tristan Gibbon is one of the founding members of the Giant Sized Team Up Network’s evergreen show Botched: A D&D Podcast.
Clay Gilbert has published 11 novels: the Children of Evohe tetralogy, The Kind, Pearl, Eternity, Dark Road to Paradise, and Cassie's Song.
Seressia Glass is an award-winning author of more than 25 works including Sons of Anubis and Shadowchasers. She is currently working on Faking It, a story about a plus-sized cosplayer.
Austin based intellectual property attorney Dwayne Goetzel specializes in trademarks, domain names, copyrights, licensing, and litigation relating to those fields.
Craig Goldberg is the host and producer of Yes Have Some Podcast. Founded in 2016, YHS has become a leading voice in the Ghostbusters fan and toy collecting communities.
Rachel Graves writes scary, sexy mysteries. Her books include Under a Blood Moon, Fire in Her Blood, Blood, Dirt, and Lies, and The Mermaid and the Murders.
Best known for his work on roleplaying and computer games, Andrew Greenberg runs the Georgia Game Developers Association and Georgia Esports League.
Darrell Z. Grizzle writes horror, dark urban fantasy, and crime fiction. He is the author of Ghostwood Crossing and I Never Meant to Start a Murder Cult.
Dr. Nicole Gugliucci (aka NoisyAstronomer) is a physics professor, education researcher, astronomer, science communicator, and all around geek. Her passion for science education drives a number of projects.
Amazon bestselling author and editor L.J. Hachmeister writes and fights. The world champion stick-fighter is best known in the literary world for her epic science fiction series, Triorion.
Todd Harris co-founded Hi-Rez Studios, one of the largest video game studios in the Southeast, and is currently Founder & CEO of Skillshot Media and Chairman of Atlanta Esports Alliance.
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.
Tony Henderson is a podcaster and moderator known for the Tony P. oddcast and the Geek Vs podcast. Henderson’s moderating work was featured in a BET black nerd culture segment.
Rob Howell is a retired soda jerk, a reformed medieval academic, a writer in the Four Horsemen Universe, and created the Shijuren fantasy setting.
James Hunter is a full-time ink slinger, a member of SFWA, and the bestselling author of the Yancy Lazarus series, Rogue Dungeon, Bibliomancer, and the litRPG epic Viridian Gate Online!
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 made.
Alledria Hurt is an African-American author, actress, playwright, and podcaster. Her most recent novel is 13, but she is best known for the Fate Circle Saga trilogy.
Since 2010 Bethany Michel has been traveling all over the US providing her makeup services to film productions and live events.
Stuart Jaffe is the madman behind The Max Porter Paranormal Mysteries, the Nathan K thrillers, The Parallel Society series, the Water Blade series (upcoming from Falstaff Books), and more.
Christopher Kao has worked in video games for over a decade as a designer, producer, and product manager. He has worked on some of the top properties in the world.
EM Kaplan writes humorous Josie Tucker mysteries, as well as the critically acclaimed Rise of the Mask high fantasy trilogy.
Charlie Kaufman has worked in extensively in environmental consulting and academia where he studied coastal erosion, and natural disaster impacts. He currently works in the emergency management field.
Kavura, along with Nayr, are the hosts of StarPodTrek and, StarPodLog. She, along with fellow Trekkie Jen Foley also produce the regular podcast segment Ladies Trek Library.
A bestselling Science Fiction/Fantasy author and speaker, Chris Kennedy is a naval aviator with over 3,000 hours flying attack and reconnaissance aircraft. Chris' novels include the "Occupied Seattle" military fiction duology, "Theogony" and "Codex Regius" scifi trilogies, "War for Dominance" fantasy trilogy, and the #1 Amazon self-help book, "Self-Publishing for Profit."
Darin Kennedy, doctor by day and novelist by night, has written the Fugue & Fable series including The Mussorgsky Riddle, The Stravinsky Intrigue, and The Tchaikovsky Finale, and more.
Historian, writer, reader/reviewer, and cat parent to four fuzzballs, Bethany Kesler is currently working on several things all at the same time.
Dr. Kilgard is an astrophysicist who researches black holes in nearby galaxies with an emphasis on intermediate-mass black holes: an enigmatic class of objects whose origins are unclear.
Sue Kisenwether has been podcasting about sci-fi TV and movies since 2010. Currently, she co-hosts Women at Warp on the Roddenberry Podcast Network.
Dr. Aleron Kong, author of the internationally bestselling series The Land, which has sold over 1,000,000 worldwide, and was voted Audible's Customer Favorite.
Dakota Krout is a bestselling author of fantasy and LitRPG with over 15 titles in his Divine Dungeon and Completionist Chronicles series.
Jessica Kupferman is the co-host and co-founder of the She Podcasts brand, which currently supports over 14,000 female podcasters and has a digital marketing reach of over 50,000 content creators.
Alex LaVelle is an Atlanta-area podcaster and theater professional. His current podcasting projects include Panelology, Minds at Yeerk and The Rob Thomas (No, Not That One) Robcast.
Dr. Danielle N Lee is a scientist who studies the natural history and behavioral biology of rodents across urban gradients. She engages broad audiences in science communication on social media.
Ann Margaret Lewis is the author of The Kizan Trilogy and a former Star Wars tie-in author. She is also a professional singer and theatrical director.
F.T. Lukens is an award-winning author of young adult fantasy and sci-fi. She's best known for her book, The Rules and Regulations for Mediating Myths & Magic.
Courtney Lytle is a practicing attorney and Adjunct Professor at Emory University School of Law. She specializes in intellectual property law and serves as General Counsel at Wally Products, LLC.
Lisa Manifold is the USA Today bestselling author of paranormal and urban fantasy series. She is currently writing The Deadwood Sisters and The Mostly Open Paranormal Investigative Agency series.
Mike Massa's work encompasses sci-fi, military sci-fi and fantasy, as well as non-fiction. His most recent novel, with John Ringo, is national bestselling River of Night.
T.C. McCarthy is an award-winning and critically acclaimed southern author whose latest science fiction book, Tyger Burning, was published in 2019. The sequel, Tyger Bright, will be available in 2020.
Violette Meier has been writing since her preteen years. She has written over 1,200 poems, 25 short stories, and 11 books.
Jason R. Merrill is a SQL DBA by day who curates Blackbird Finery. His expertise in vintage men's fashion, etiquette, and 19th century soda fountains have enthralled audiences nationwide.
Scottye Moore is a podcaster and author. He owns and operates the BS Network series of podcasts where he hosts A Load of BS, Me Again, Fight Boyz, and more!
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.
Susie Murph produces the Daily Space podcast Mondays through Fridays, Astronomy Cast, and the Weekly Space Hangout and manages the CosmoQuest, Astronomy Cast, and Weekly Space Hangout YouTube channels.
Amy J. Murphy writes epic sci-fi adventures with kick-ass heroines, power armor, and lots of explosions. Books in her Allies and Enemies series have been Dragon Award finalists.
Nayr, along with Kavura, are the hosts of StarPodLog and StarPodTrek. Having attended, as well as presented, at literally hundreds of conventions, their panels are engaging, entertaining, and informative.
James Nettles is a business and technology consultant, speaker, author of science fiction, fantasy, horror, and non-fiction, and media author on the business of creativity, futurist topics, science, and technology.
Alec Niccum is a martial artist that has cross trained in Muay Thai, Tomiki Style Aikido, Wing Chun Kung Fu, Brazilian Jiujitsu and Filipino Martial arts/Silat.
Bishop O'Connell is the author of the American Faerie Tale (urban fantasy) series and his first book, The Stolen, launched the Harper Voyager Impulse imprint.
Melissa F. Olson is the author of more than a dozen novels in the Old World universe, PI mystery The Big Keep, and numerous short stories and novellas.
Sean Patton has designed costumes more than 40 stage productions, 10 short films and TV shows, 5 features, and numerous media projects for clients around the world.
D.R. Perry writes fiction for both YA and adult audiences. Among her works is Dragon Award nominated Alternative History novel A Change In Crime, Providence Paranormal College, and Hawthorn Academy.
Gary Poole is the co-editor of the anthologies Black Tide Rising and Voices Of The Fall with John Ringo, and the upcoming series We Shall Rise.
Phillip Pournelle is a futurist, science fiction author, game designer, and former naval officer. He conducted many wargames for the Department of Defense in exploration of future conflicts.
Stefan Price is a professional artist and maker with 23 years in film, entertainment, and themed attractions. He founded Roundtable Productions as a props and special effects company.
Mandy Pursley is an actress and cosplayer who created Be the Spark Cosplay to encourage body positivity, especially for those with disabilities.
Marx Pyle authored the book Television on the Wild Wild Web, co-hosts DC Action Hour, co-hosts the podcast GenreTainment, and creates web series/films.
Gray Rinehart is a writer who sings, and a singer who writes. He's written science fiction and fantasy stories, nonfiction, and songs on myriad topics.
Aaron Michael Ritchey is the author of 21 novels and numerous short fiction. The first book in The Juniper Wars series was a Dragon Award Finalist.
Dennis Robinson is a professional podcaster and Twitch streamer for the past several years. He will excitedly be performing his podcast, Botched: A D&D Podcast live.
Meredith Rose is a consumer advocate, copyright and tech policy wonk, and professional nerd in Washington, DC. She gives voice to the concerns of fans, consumers, and end users.
Christopher Ruocchio is the author of the Sun Eater space fantasy series from DAW Books and the Junior Editor at Baen Books, where he has edited four anthologies.
R. Alan Siler is an author, editor, and the owner of kOZMIC Press LLC. His published works include non-fiction books, essays on numerous topics, and television, movie, and music reviews.
Tamsin Silver is the author of Mark of the Necromancer, The Windfire Series, Scourge of Souls Series, Moon Over Manhattan, and a web series/novel trio, Skye of the Damned.
Alan’s novella of a Roman invasion of ancient America, “A Clash of Eaglesâ€, won the Sidewise Award, and his books, Clash of Eagles, Eagle in Exile, Eagle and Empire, are available from Del Rey. 40+ stories in Asimov’s and other magazines. Also a NASA astrophysicist performing black hole research.
Every DND group needs a cleric, no? A priest for over 15 years, Fr. Bryan Small loves to share in the fandoms with his fellow nerds.
Smashie can be found co-hosting her podcast Horseshoes and Hand Grenades, hitting the keys on her next writing adventure, engaging in spirited bouts of Dungeons and Dragons, or fast asleep.
Daviorr Snipes is a Peabody Award winning stage, film, and voice over actor who has appeared in the BET Series, American Soul.
Roxanne Henkle aka Rox of Spazhouse is Need Coffee's Director of Zine studies, as well as a podcaster on Weekend Justice and cohost on 50 Days of Dragon Con.
Kyle Mackenzie Sullivan is a working filmmaker and a YouTuber. He is also the creator of the Trekspertise YouTube channel and the Wikisurfer Podcast.
Scott Sutherland is The Weather Network’s resident science nerd, and he supplies them with a steady stream of content about weather, space weather, astronomy, and space exploration.
C. Taylor-Butler is the award winning author of more than 80 books for children and young adults. Her current series is The Lost Tribes, illustrated by Patrick Arrasmith
Mandisa Thomas is the founder and President of Black Nonbelievers. She has a number of media appearances to her credit, including Playboy, The Humanist, CNN, and CBS Sunday Morning.
Mel Todd is the author of 17 stories, nine under Renee Lovins. The series Twisted Luck is her first foray into urban fantasy. She is co-authoring the Blood War series.
JM Tuffley writes about pop culture for various outlets, including Need Coffee Dot Com. He is also a regular contributor to the Weekend Justice podcast.
Daisy Viktoria is a costume designer specializing in corsets and fairytale gowns with a historically inspired fantasy touch. Viktoria teaches classes on period costuming and research.
Constance G.J. Wagner, writer, editor, and Tolkien scholar, has spoken regularly on all things Middle-earth at both academic and fan-friendly events nationally and internationally since 2005.
Sean Weiland is a voice actor, podcast producer/host, audio editor, and game developer. He publishes his own podcast series under the Wasted Knowledge name.
Alex White is a science fiction writer from the American South who enjoys taking photos, writing music, great makeup, and occasional blacksmithing.
Marie Whittaker is an award-winning essayist, cross-genre author, and the creator of The Adventures of Lola Hopscotch book series for kids.
Rick Wilber is an award-winning science-fiction writer with 55 published short stories for Asimov's and other markets and a half-dozen novels and collections for Tor, WordFire, and others.
M. C. Williams is a structural engineer, podcaster, and writer. He spends his nights getting lost in ancient mythologies, futuristic civilizations, and unspeakable horrors.
Marisa Wolf is the co-author of Assassin and Hunter, and co-editor of Negotiation, all of which are a part of the bestselling Four Horsemen Universe.
Trisha J. Wooldridge writes award-winning novels, short fiction, and poetry. She’s edited six anthologies, seventy novels, and runs bookstore events. Find her in Wicked Weird, The Book of Twisted Shadows, HWA Poetry Showcase, Don’t Turn Out the Lights, and more. www.anovelfriend.com
Bryan Young is an award-winning author, filmmaker, journalist, and comics writer. He's the co-author of the Robotech RPG and writer for StarWars.Com, The Huffington Post, Syfy, and /Film.
Jeanne Adams writes award-winning suspense, UF, paranormal, and space adventure. She has been featured in Cosmopolitan Magazine and hailed as “Best Suspense of the Year!”
A USA Today bestselling sci-fi/fantasy author, speaker, and small-press publisher, Michael J. Allen has released 16 novels in space opera as well as urban, contemporary, and western fantasy.
After a stellar career as an indie author, Brian D. Anderson has been snatched up by Tor Book with a three book deal.
Corey Applegate is a travel professional who is currently working for Pixie Dusted Travel and Events. She is also a member of the Mandalorian Mercs and writes for their website.
Ken Applegate is the owner and DJ of Mad Hatter Music and Crafts. He will be the DJ for the Kids Dance hosted by the Kids Track.
Michael Bailey has been podcasting since 2007 and currently runs The Fortress of Baileytude Podcasting Network. He currently co-hosts WGBS LIVE for the Homepage.
Griffin Barber gets around in Eric Flint's 1632 series, but also in several anthologies across the spectrum of SF. 2nd Chance Angel, coauthored Kacey Ezell, is forthcoming from Blackstone Publishing.
Ariana Bauer is a sewing teacher and cosplayer who focuses on teaching cosplayers how to make costumes that fit their body and make them feel great while looking amazing.
Davey Beauchamp is an artist and librarian. His art has been used for Doctor Who, Los Bastardz Productions, Falstaff Books, and Scaldcrow Games for book covers.
Evan Bernstein is a co-host of the award-winning science podcast The Skeptics’ Guide to the Universe. He is also a co-host of Which Game First: A Board Game Podcast.
Kaitlin Bevis is best known as the author of the young adult Greek mythology series, The Daughters of Zeus and the young adult horror story, Blood and Other Matter.
Alexa Black got her start in the film industry as a seamstress and tailor, creating costumes for productions like Venom, Stranger Things, Doom Patrol, and Pride & Prejudice.
Jennifer Blackstream is a bestselling author. She has made a writing career out of watching Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries and from research into mythology and fairy tales.
Bobby Blackwolf is the co-owner of the Voice of Geeks Network podcast network, and has hosted a live internet video show and podcast about video games since 2005.
RJ Blain is the award-winning author of the USA Today bestselling Magical Romantic Comedy (with a body count) series. She writes urban fantasy and paranormal romance with a comedic flair.
Jonathan Brazee is a writer, a Dragon Award finalist, a two-time Nebula Award finalist, and a USA Today bestselling author. He is the education chair for SFWA and is an officer in the VFW. He has over 80 titles published in military SF, paranormal, historical fiction, YA, SF, and non-fiction.
Tyra Burton is a social media strategist and co-author of  Socially Engaged: The Author’s Guide to Social Media and the creator of The Geeky Side and Geek Meets Social podcasts.
D.J. (Dave) Butler has been a lawyer, a consultant, an editor, and a corporate trainer. His novels include Witchy Eye, The Cunning Man, The Kidnap Plot, and many more.
Featured on NOVA’s Secret Life of Scientists for her dual life as psychopharmacologist and stuntwoman, Dr. Cail also serves as scientific consultant for Hollywood sci-fi.
R. E. Carr is the Kindle Scout winning author of urban fantasy and science fiction novels. Her Rules Undying series is an award-winning Amazon bestseller.
Formerly a freelance writer for White Wolf's Vampire the Masquerade and senior litigation paralegal, Kara Chappell is the FOIA Coordinator for Virginia Beach Department of Human Services (VB DHS).
Ellie Collins is a writer, voice actor, and game master based in Atlanta. Her horror audio drama, The Blood Crow Stories, has spanned four seasons and numerous live shows.
Harmon Cooper is a bestselling independent author of Way of the Immortals, Cherry Blossom Girls, House of Dolls, Pilgrim, and Death's Mantle.
A story-teller at heart, Stephanie Crugnola is a figure skater turned author, actress, and podcaster. She focuses on using her technical and performance background to create well-rounded, grounded characters.
Rita De La Torre, along with her husband JC, is a filmmaker, screenwriter, producer, editor, and an actor for Transmissions From Atlantis Entertainment.
By day, clinical psychologist Cecilia Dominic helps people cure their insomnia. By night, this USA Today bestselling author writes fiction that keeps her readers turning pages past bedtime.
Jordan Duncan is a paranormal investigator of 12 years in the Atlanta area. He is also a historian, podcaster, and vlogger.
Andy Dykes is a real, live rocket scientist who flies satellites for a living and has supported all kinds of manned and unmanned space flight at NASA.
Marc Edelheit is an accomplished fantasy, historical fiction, and science fiction author with 12 national bestsellers, including the award-winning Chronicles series, The Karus Saga, and Tales of the Seventh.
Rob Fitz is a professional makeup artist and film director with 25 years experience. Recently, he's worked on films like Patriots Day, Castle Rock, and Shrine, to name a few.
Dustin Fletcher is a specialty costumer for film and television focusing on the superhero and horror genres and co-DM of D4.
Dr. John Flynn is an author, screenwriter, and three-time Hugo nominee. His recent book, Intimate Bondage, has spawned a series and likely a big screen adaptation, based upon his screenplay.
Hanne Madeleine Gates Paine is an acclaimed language educator, specializing in classes in constructed languages from fiction. She created a state-of-the-art online dictionary and the first immersion curriculum for Lang Belta, a future creole spoken on The Expanse.
Jennifer Gilley is an artist from Virginia who concentrates her work around body arts including prosthetics, special effects, body painting, tattooing and illustrating at her studio, Sundog Art Studios.
Thomas Gofton founded Lynnvander Studios producing the series The Gamers: Natural One and Nights at the Round Table. He has designed several tabletop games.
Mikey G is a published game designer, panelist on the Which Game First Podcast, and an avid gamer and playtester.
Scott Harris is the staff planetary geologist at Fernbank Science Center and the Jim Cherry Memorial Planetarium in Atlanta, Georgia.
William Hayashi is an award-winning screen writer, and author of short stories and novels, and has been the host of the Genesis Science Fiction Radio Show.
M. Haynes is the mind behind the popular Elemental novel series, an educator, a blogger, and public speaker who hopes to show that everyone has the elements of a hero.
Charon Henning is a visual science communicator and art director. She writes and illustrates the webcomic Kei’Phavian, and is a semi-retired variety arts performer, sword swallower and fire eater.
John Hudgens is an award-winning 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.
Walter H. Hunt is a science fiction and historical fiction author. He has written military SF as well as novels on mesmerism, the Templars, and in the world of 1632.
Award winning author or fantasy and science fiction, Chris A. Jackson's newest release, Scimitar Moon is due out from Dragon Moon Press in summer of 2009. The Cornerstones Trilogy is also out this year.
Justin Jones is a prolific independent producer in the genre space focusing high production value film and television series projects.
Philip D Keating is the creator of Botched Podcast, host on Breaking the Panel, Twitch streamer, and partner of the Giant Size Team Up Network.
L. Jagi Lamplighter is the author of the YA fantasy series: The Books of Unexpected Enlightenment, the third book of which was nominated for the YA Dragon Award in 2017.
Philip Ligon is the author of the steampunk-fantasy Engine trilogy and the Falconbone Chronicles. The King's Regret was nominated for a 2019 Dragon Award.
Falcon is a professional indie author, video game maker, woodcarver, chef, plot developer, game writer, music composer, former pre-med and genetics student, and inventor.
Tara Lynne is an author, event planner, fandom and geek culture expert, and public speaker. She founded Ice & Fire Con and is host of the Geek Saga podcast.
Megan Mackie has published four novels including The Finder of the Lucky Devil, The Saint of Liars, Death and the Crone, and Saint Code: The Lost through eSpec Books.
Mandah is a special effects and theatrics makeup artist working professionally in theatre, film, and haunted houses. She is also a costume designer, fabricator, and motivational panelist.
Melissa McArthur is the Associate Publisher at Falstaff Books. She's an author and editor who has worked with presses and authors worldwide.
TJ Michaels is a USA Today and NY Times bestseller and an award-winning author of paranormal, fantasy, sci-fi, and urban fantasy romance.
Christopher G. Moore is a multiple award-winning filmmaker and podcast co-host for Horror News Radio and Heroes and Droids. He co-wrote the popular web series Mario Warfare and is known for his cosplay, Doctor Stranger Things. He's currently on a film fest tour with his newest horror short, Backward Creep.
Corinne O'Flynn is a USA Today bestselling author of fantasy and mystery stories. She loves all flavors of paranormal but always finds herself drawn back to witches.
James Palmer is an award-nominated writer of science fiction and pulp adventure and author of four books in the Shadow Council Archives series for Falstaff Books.
Rick Partlow is an Army veteran and military science fiction writer with 28 novels published since 2011, including Glory Boy, the Recon series, and the Wholesale Slaughter series.
Rachel Rawlings, is the bestselling author of urban fantasy and paranormal romance. She has produced nine novels, two novellas, and three shorts.
Anthony Reed is the Dungeon Master and show runner for the Adventure Incorporated Podcast. He has been running tabletop RPGs for over 20 years.
Rob Roberts is an internet broadcasting veteran and co-creator of Orange Lounge Radio. He is also a host of cult cinema screenings and variety shows throughout Northern California.
Robert W. Ross is the author of the award-winning Sentinels of Creation urban-fantasy series. This year he debuts a new sci-fi series, Paradigm.
Spat Oktan of SpatCave Studios is a makeup artist and costume and prop maker who is well known in the indie/low budget film circles and the sci-fi/comic con world.
Janine K. Spendlove is an author, pilot, and U.S. Marine who is primarily known for her War of the Seasons fantasy series and her Star Wars tie-in story Inbrief.
Shami Stovall is a multi-award-winning author of fantasy and science fiction who started at the traditional presses and later moved on to independent publishing.
Charles Conley is a professional cosplayer best known for his appearance and win on Syfy's inaugural episode of Cosplay Melee.
Kimbra Swain began publishing in 2017. Her Fairy Tales of a Trailer Park Queen series is a favorite among urban fantasy readers. She currently has 25 published novels.
Dr. Douglas Talk is the chief medical consultant for SpaceWorks Enterprises, Inc., collaborating on human hibernation-based space missions for deep space exploration.
R.R. Virdi is an Amazon bestselling author, Nebula award-finalist, and two-time Dragon Award-finalist for Best Fantasy (Paranormal). He writes urban fantasy, sci fi, and fantasy.
Jacob Walsh is a podcaster, award-winning tattoo artist, and digital content creator from Valdosta, GA.Walsh is a founding member of Yes Have Some Podcast, a movie and toy-collecting show.
In only three years William Alan Webb has published more than 20 titles, and won both the Darrell and the Imadjinn Awards.
Dave West is the subject of the award-winning documentary, Troublemaker. As the owner and operator of NeedlessThingsSite.com he has been providing commentary on pop culture dorkery for over a decade.
Jennifer Whitworth is an engineer at Teledyne Brown Engineering. For the past 20 years she has supported science operations onboard the International Space Station as a flight controller.
Michael G. Williams writes award-winning stories full of macabre humor and subverted expectations: The Withrow Chronicles, Servant/Sovereign, and A Fall in Autumn.
Christopher Woods is known for his popular Soulguard series, The Fallen World series, and his participation in the Four Horsemen Universe.
Mark Zoran is the foundation of Razorfly Studios, inc. With innumerable awards and appearances in print and on the silver screen, he is truly a master in his craft.
