Guest List by Announcement Date

The Definitive Guide

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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: 08/21/2023

  • Valerie Dawn Hampton

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

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Announced: 08/20/2023

  • Luca Grippa

    Luca Grippa is a software engineer and researcher specializing in cybersecurity research and leveraging large language models to drive innovation in the cyber insurance industry.

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Announced: 08/18/2023

  • Sean Astin

    Sean Astin is an actor, director, producer, activist, writer, husband, and father. He's demonstrated his ability to share his heart with the world through iconic roles Mikey Walsh in The Goonies, the title character of Rudy, Samwise Gamgee in the Lord of the Rings trilogy, and Bob Newby in Stranger Things 2, roles that epitomize determination and loyalty.

  • Elijah Wood

    Elijah Wood is an actor and producer known for his portrayal of Frodo Baggins in The Lord of the Rings film trilogy and The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey. Wood can also be seen in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Sin City, Come to DaddyWilfred, Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency, and more. 

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Announced: 08/17/2023

  • B.L. Blanchard

    B.L. Blanchard is the author of the alternate history novels The Peacekeeper, a 2023 Library of Michigan Notable Book, and The Mother, a finalist for the 2023 Dragon Award for Best Alternate History Novel.

  • Gina Torres

    Gina Torres is a television and movie actress. She has appeared in many television series, including Hercules: The Legendary Journeys, Xena: Warrior Princess, the short-lived Cleopatra 2525, Alias, Firefly and the subsequent movie Serenity, Angel, 24, Suits, The Shield, and Westworld.

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Announced: 08/16/2023

  • Courtenay Taylor

    Psychotic biotic? Check. Conflicted Jedi? Check. Elusive and sexy spy? Check and check! That's right; Jack from Mass Effect, Juhani from Knights of the Old Republic, and Ada Wong of Resident Evil 6 all share the same vocal chords of actress Courtenay Taylor!

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Announced: 08/12/2023

  • Ming Chen

    Ming Chen is most well known for being one of the stars of AMC's Comic Book Men as well as a longtime collaborator of filmmaker Kevin Smith. He can most recently be seen in Clerks III and is the unofficial mayor of The Clermont Lounge in Atlanta.

  • Marty Krofft

    Marty Krofft's TV shows include H.R. Pufnstuf, Land Of The Lost, Sigmund & the Sea Monsters, D.C. Follies, Donny & Marie, and The Brady Bunch Variety Hour. He created live shows for Six Flags and owned Atlanta's World of Sid & Marty Krofft amusement park. Marty has received a Lifetime Achievement Emmy.

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Announced: 08/11/2023

  • Ian Alexander

    Ian Alexander is known for their roles as Buck Vu on The OA, Lev in The Last of Us Part II, and Gray Tal on Star Trek: Discovery.

  • Emily Coutts

    Emily Coutts co-stars on Star Trek: Discovery as Keyla Detmer, helmsman of the U.S.S. Shenzhou. The Canadian redhead previously appeared in such films and television shows as Transporter: The Series, Barn Wedding, Crimson Peak, The Girlfriend Experience, Dark Matter, Murdoch Mysteries, and Goliath.

  • Wilson Cruz

    Wilson Cruz can be seen in Star Trek: Discovery playing the role of Dr. Hugh Culber,  as the recurring character Junito on Noah's Arc, and on the Netflix's series, Thirteen Reasons Why, playing the role of Dennis Vasquez. Cruz won the hearts of audiences playing Rickie Vasquez on My So Called Life.


  • Clint Santiago Dahl

    Clint Santiago Dahl is responsible for development at Sid and Marty Krofft Pictures. He is a writer, director, producer, and executive producer of live action sports events, TV shows, and documentaries . 

  • Rob Klein

    Rob Klein is VP of Sid & Marty Krofft Pictures and producer and former Manager of the Walt Disney Archives. He's the author of Back to the Future Almanac and on-camera expert for Disney, NBCUniversal, Pawn Stars and Collector's Call.  Rob owns one of the largest collections of original entertainment props and costumes in the world.

  • Drew Massey

    Drew Massey is the co-creator, co-executive producer, co-writer and lead actor (Evan) of The Barbarian and the Troll on Nickelodeon. With a career spanning three decades, he is a sought-after puppeteer, show creator and voice over actor at the top of his game.

  • 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 extensively on emerging technology, modern weapons, geopolitical topics and military history with particular expertise in WWII, the early Cold War, and history of submarine warfare.

  • Billie Piper

    Piper appeared in Doctor Who as companion Rose Tyler. She starred in Secret Diary of a Call GirlPenny Dreadful, and Collateral, for which she was nominated for a British Academy Television Award for Best Supporting Actress. Piper co-created and starred in I Hate Suzie, for which she earned a BAFTA two nominations for Best Actress.

  • Deanna Krofft Pope

    Deanna Krofft Pope is SVP of Sid and Marty Krofft Pictures and has worked with her father, Marty Krofft, at the company for nearly 40 years, producing and co-producing television and streaming hits like Mutt & Stuff, Sigmund and the Sea Monsters (2016), and Mondays with Marty

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Announced: 08/10/2023

  • Willa Holland

    Willa Holland is an actress, voice actress, and model. She is known for her roles as Kaitlin Cooper Nichol in the Fox teen drama The O.C., Agnes Andrews in Gossip Girl, Aqua in Kingdom Hearts, and Thea Queen/Speedy in Arrow. She has also appeared in Legion, Straw Dogs, Tiger Eyes, Blood in the Water, and The Dirty South.

  • Katherine McNamara

    Katherine Grace McNamara is an American actress. She is known for her role as Harper Munroe on the MTV comedy series Happyland, and for her lead role as Clary Fray on the Freeform fantasy series Shadowhunters. She also played Mia Smoak/ Mia Queen on the CW's Arrow.

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Announced: 08/08/2023

  • Paul Bettany

    Bettany gained popularity appearing in Gangster No. 1A Knight's Tale, and A Beautiful Mind. He was nominated for a BAFTA for Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World. He is best known for his roles as J.A.R.V.I.S. and Vision in the MCU, including WandaVision, for which he garnered a Primetime Emmy Award nomination.

  • Clayton Crain

    Clayton Crain has been in the comic book industry for 25 years. He's known for his work on Marvel Comics books such as Venom vs Carnage (co-creator of Toxin), Ghost Rider, X-Force, and Carnage USA, and also on the Valiant Comics series Rai. Crain is also known for his work with Todd McFarlane and being a cover artist for DC & Marvel.

  • Caity Lotz

    Caity Lotz has portrayed Stephanie Horton in Mad Men, Officer Kirsten Landry in the mockumentary series Death Valley, Annie in The Pact, and Sara Lance/The Canary/White Canary in The CW's Arrowverse television franchise, where she has appeared in Arrow, Legends of Tomorrow, The Flash, Supergirl, and Batwoman. She is also a co-founder of SheThority, a women's empowerment organization.

  • Matt Ryan

     Matthew Ryan has portrayed John Constantine in Constantine and Legends of Tomorrow, and voiced the character in the film Justice League Dark and its spin-off web series Constantine: City of Demons. Prior to his role as Constantine, he performed the voice and motion capture of Edward Kenway in Ubisoft Montreal's video game Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag

  • Adam Tsekhman

    Adam Tsekhman is known for DC's Legends of Tomorrow, You're the Worst, and Dragged Across Concrete. While studying finance at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, he developed a passion for acting, and joined a theatre troupe. He later went to Columbia University where he graduated with a Masters in Fine Arts in Theatre Acting.

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Announced: 08/07/2023

  • Cooper Andrews

    Cooper Andrews appeared in the first three seasons of Halt and Catch Fire.  Andrews also appeared as the Kingdom's Jerry on The Walking Dead. Most recently, Andrews has drawn praise for his portrayal of foster father Victor Vasquez in the SHAZAM! movies. Andrews has also worked behind the camera as boom operator, stunt coordinator and assistant director.

  • Bob Carter

    Independent film producer, director, & all around Creative, Bob Carter, forms half of the creative force behind EDEWEMESEY Films. Together with his business partner, Tammy Thomas, they have perfected the art of cinematic time travel. Bob is also the creative director of the Neighborhood Studio, located in northeast Atlanta, where he helps Aspiring Creatives become Working Creatives.

  • Matthew Davis

    Matthew Davis is known for his roles as Warner Huntington III in Legally Blonde, Adam Hillman on the comedy-drama What About Brian, and Alaric Saltzman on the fantasy-drama The Vampire Diaries, as well as the spin-off series Legacies. He starred on the short-lived mystery/horror drama Cult, and had a recurring role on the police drama CSI: Crime Scene Investigation.

  • Grey DeLisle

    Grey's most iconic roles include Vicky from The Fairly Odd Parents, Samantha “Sam” Manson' from Danny Phantom, Mandy from The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy, and Azula from Avatar: The Last Airbender. She has also been the voice of ‘Daphne Blake' in Scooby-Doo cartoons since 2000.

  • Lucien Dodge

    Lucien Dodge is a voice actor specializing in characters for animation, video games, commercials, and other media. He is best known forlending is voice to titles such as Demon Slayer, Jujutsu Kaisen, Sailor Moon, and Aggretsuko. In video games, you can hear him in Fire Emblem, Cookie Run, Fallout 76, Monster Hunter: Rise, and more!

  • Quincy Fouse

    Quincy Fouse is an actor well known for his role as the young vampire named MG in Legacies. Additionally he has had roles in The Goldbergs, Bosch, Doubt, Logan, The Kicker, and K.C. Undercover.

  • Steven Krueger

    Currently, Krueger stars as Ben Scott in Showtime's critically acclaimed, Emmy nominated series Yellow Jackets.  Previous credits include the likes of Roswell, New MexicoThe OriginalsGood TroubleNCISPretty Little LiarsHawaii Five-O, and Columbia Pictures' Goosebumps, amongst numerous others.  He's also been named one of E!'s Top Ten Scene Stealers in TV.  

  • Ben Levin

    Ben Levin is an actor and composer, known for Legacies, Time After Time, and Arrested Development. He attended Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music and Art and Performing Arts, also known as the Fame School.

  • Erica Mendez

    Erica Mendez is a voice actor and screen writer based out of LA. You may have heard her voice in popular Anime such as Hunter x Hunter, Aggretsuko, Seven Deadly Sins, and Sword Art Online II. You can also hear her in video games such as Final Fantasy VII Remake, and Genshin Impact!

  • Kayli Mills

    Kayli Mills characters include Keqing (Genshin Impact), Alice (Sword Art Online), Emilia (Re:Zero), Clara (Welcome to Demon School: Iruma-kun), Quna - Speaking and singing (PSO2) and many more!

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Announced: 08/06/2023

  • Mark Brooks

    Mark Brooks is a world famous cover artist for Marvel and DC Comics. He's worked on such titles as Secret Empire and Han Solo, as well as being featured on A+X, Amazing Spider-ManUltimate Spider-ManUltimate X-MenGuardians of the GalaxyAvengers, and many more.  Mark's current and upcoming work includes, Immortal X-Men, Spawn, Spawn Scorched, and King Spawn



  • Toma Vagner

    Toma Vagner is an award-winning NYC-based artist and illustrator. Toma 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, Premier Guitar, Bandcamp, Red Bull, Wired, Johns Hopkins University, and others.

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Announced: 08/04/2023

  • DJ Spider

    DJ based in Charlotte, NC with multiple genres under her belt, but currently focused on dance music with heavy EBM leanings. Big ol' cosplay and comic geek. Looking at my 10th year straight going to Dragon*Con 🙂

  • DJ THX

    DJ THX has been the DJ for the 10 Forward dance for the last 7 years. He brings fun and high energy  music to the dance floor. He's been DJ'ing all kinds of events for over ten years. His wife, who is the director of the Miss Star Trek Universe pageant, and two daughters have been attending Dragon Con since 2008.

  • 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 moved to the US in 2015 and hasn't stopped working and learning since. He is well known for his short run on Venom for Marvel and he created The Jurassic League for DC.

  • Greg Houser

    Greg Houser is known for his vocal work with companies like PetSmart, DuPont, American Express and many others. In anime, Houser has had the privilege to be a utility actors for titles such as Evangelion, Ikki Tousen, Shiki, Tales of Vesperia, and many others.

  • Dan Willis

    Dan Willis is the best selling author of the ongoing Arcane Casebook series of novels, a fantasy noir twist on the 1930's detective story. Dan has also written for the long running Dragonlance series as well as a steampunk Civil War series he wrote with writing legend Tracy Hickman.

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Announced: 08/03/2023

  • Claudia Christian

    Actress-Activist-Writer Claudia Christian has been in the TV and film industry for 40 years. She is best known for her role as Commander Ivanova in Babylon 5 as well as Captain Maynard on 9-1-1, the voice of Hera in Blood of Zeus, and many more. Claudia has written a number of books including Journeys, Snack Hacks, and the Dark Legacies series. 

  • Tracy Scoggins

    Tracy is well-known for her lead role as Captain Elizabeth Lochley in the award-winning Babylon 5. She also appeared in Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, Lonesome Dove: The Outlaw Years, and more.

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Announced: 08/02/2023

  • 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: 08/01/2023

  • Lesley-Ann Brandt

    Lesley-Ann Brandt is known for her breakout role as Naevia in Spartacus, as Lamia in The Librarians, Copperhead in Gotham, and Mazikeen in Lucifer.

  • DJP

    An eternal veteran of Dragon Con and native to Atlanta, DJP is a friend to all types of costuming, music, and nightlife!

  • Lauren German

    Lauren always had a love of entertainment and trained as a dancer at the Orange County High School of the Arts, studied acting at the Actor's Studio, and attended USC. Lauren German is best known as homicide Detective, Chloe Decker in the hit show Lucifer. German also appeared in Chicago P.D., Chicago Fire, and Hawaii Five-O.

  • Steel Samurai

    You know that game you rented once when you were 9 and loved it and the music was amazing and almost no one covers it? Steel Samurai plays those deep cut VGM classics just for you.

  • DB Woodside

    DB Woodside is currently seen as the series regular, Amenadiel on Lucifer on Netflix. Concurrently, he has been starring on the cable drama Suits. Prior to that, he was a recurring regular on the network drama Parenthood and he played Wayne Palmer on the Emmy Awarding-winning 24.

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Announced: 07/31/2023

  • DJ Ryan Walker

    DJ Ryan Walker formally known as just Ryan Walker is an Atlanta native. He has been attending Dragon Con for over 6 years. As a huge nerd and fan DJing at Dragon Con has been a huge joy.

  • Derec Donovan

    Derec Donovan is a published comic book penciler, inker, colorist, and writer. Derec has worked on Superman, Batman, Spider-Man, Wonder Woman, Venom, Green Lantern, X-men, Avengers, Quicksilver, Youngblood, JLA, JSA, and many more. Derec has recently moved into the realm of Creator Owned books with his Kickstarter funded Trigger Mortis!

  • Ben Durocher

    Actor, puppeteer and builder: Junior Gorg (suit performer) on Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock, Princeton/Rod in Avenue Q (off Broadway), John Tartaglia's ImaginOcean, Helpsters, Pineapple Playhouse (SpongeBob Puppets). Daytime Emmy winner for his work as a puppet wrangler on Sesame Street, where he has worked for 8 seasons.

  • MC Lars

    MC Lars has performed at conventions like TooManyGames and Youmacon. He has been touring for about 15 years as well, with acts like Bowling For Soup, Vans Warped Tour, The Aquabats, MC Chris, Spose, etc.

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Announced: 07/29/2023

  • Tom Cavanagh

    Golden Globe-nominated actor/director Tom Cavanagh can be seen acting in and directing Warner Bros.' The Flash (2014) on the CW. In addition to his current series, Cavanagh has extensive television, film and theatre credits including Scrubs, Legends of Tomorrow, and Arrow.

  • Lee Majors

    Lee Majors is known and loved worldwide for his iconic role as Col. Steve Austin in The Six Million Dollar Man television series. Other work includes The Big Valley, Men From Shilo, to Owen Marshall Counselor at Law, The Fall Guy and Rave.

  • Carlos Valdes


    Carlos Valdes is an actor and musician with roots in the theatre. His most recent portrayal is nerdtastic tech genius Cisco Ramon on the hit CW series The Flash, and crossed over onto other 'DC Universe' shows like ArrowLegends of Tomorrow, and the animated series Vixen

  • Lindsay Wagner

    Lindsay Wagner received worldwide recognition, breaking the mold for women on television with her iconic portrayal of Jaime Sommers. The Bionic Woman became an inspiration around the world and in 1977 Lindsay won the Emmy for "Best Actress in a Dramatic Role". Lindsey also starred in The Incredible Journey of Doctor Meg LaurelI Want To Live, and many more.

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Announced: 07/28/2023

  • DJ Phasim

    DJ Phasim returns to Apocalypse Rising's Zombie Prom! Get ready for a dance experience that will raise the undead and bring the zombies to life on the dancefloor as he spins the latest hip-hop, dance, throwback and house remixes.

  • DJ System Fail

    Primarily a goth/industrial/EBM DJ with a residency at one of the largest goth/industrial nights in the southeast, but with the ability to weave into other popular dance genres such as New Wave, Trance, and dance hits.

  • Morry Hollowell

    Morry Hollowell is a comic book color artist that is currently working on Avengers Unlimited. Some of the most popular titles he's worked on include Marvel Knights 4, Marvel Civil War, Spider-Man (Brand New Day), New Avengers, Wolverine (Old Man Logan), and Non-Stop Spider-Man.

  • LDOD

    Lips Down On Dixie is an Atlanta based Rocky Horror Picture Show cast which performs weekly Friday midnight shows at The Plaza Theater. Known nationally for their screen accuracy, the cast has made appearances at venues around the Southeast region including Masquerade, Club Future, Chamber, Tongue & Groove, and others.

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Announced: 07/27/2023

  • Darkshift

    Darkshift is a DJ from the Atlanta area focused on EDM genre music (House, Techno, Main Stage, etc). You may remember him from years ago in the Atlanta Goth scene. He has now returned ready to take this crowd on a musical journey and have a blast doing it!

  • Chris Thomas Hayes

    Chris Thomas Hayes is an actor, writer, and puppeteer. He is the Sesame Street Muppet performer for Hoots the Owl and Elijah, along with other shows and characters.

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Announced: 07/26/2023

  • Darrell C Hazelrig

    Darrell C. Hazelrig is a founding member of the experimental puppetry film collective New Puppet Order. In 2020, Hazelrig joined with Eric Fullerton to create YouTube channel Eric and Darrell.

  • Jenelle Weidlich

    Jenelle Weidlich is a multidisciplinary artist with a background in printmaking, puppetry, and theatrical clown. Her work has been featured in National Puppet Slams, film festivals, and variety shows across the U.S. and Berlin. She most recently performed in the award winning Box of Clowns' 10th anniversary performance of "Mom?"

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Announced: 07/25/2023

  • Robert Allsopp

    Allsopp's career in costumes and props, film, TV, and theatre has spanned over 30 years, and includes work on franchises such as Doctor Who and Star Wars. He is currently involved the next season of the Apple TV series Silo, the Ridley Scott film Gladiator 2 , and the next season of The Witcher.

  • David Colston Corris

    David Colston Corris is an Actor and Puppetry Artist. Highlights include: The national tour of Avenue Q, World Premier of Disney's Tangled: The Musical, and Disney's Frozen, A Musical Spectacular.

  • Katie McClenahan

    Katie McClenahan (aka Katie Mac) is a producer, puppeteer and storyteller based in Portland, OR. She daylights as a freelance commercial producer and production manager for stop motion films & TV shows. She moonlights in puppetry performing live puppet shows and creating short films.

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Announced: 07/24/2023

  • Cruxshadows

    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 Neon the Glowgobear

    DJ Neon the Glowgobear brings a fun and festive energy to his eleventh year DJing and producing the fantastical Spectrum party, celebrating the GLBTQ community and our allies.

  • Nicole Maines

    Nicole Maines played Nia Nal on The CW superhero series Supergirl. She is the first to portray a transgender superhero on television. She currently plays Lisa in the second season of Yellowjackets. Maines has also appeared in Legends of Tomorrow, The Flash, and The Freedom to Exist with Elliot Page - A Soul of a Nation Presentation.

  • 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: 07/23/2023

  • Travis Baldree

    Travis Baldree is the NYT bestselling author of Legends & Lattes. He is also full-time audiobook narrator who has lent his voice to hundreds of stories.

  • Alan Seawright

    Alan Seawright is a 2-time Emmy-winning director of television, commercials and films. In 2020, he launched Cinema Therapy on YouTube with his co-host, college roommate and licensed therapist Jonathan Decker.

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Announced: 07/22/2023

  • Shane Dzicek

    Shane Dzicek is a Special Effects Designer best known for his work on Top Gun Maverick, Hocus Pocus 2, 65, and Blue Beetle. He also played Jared Canter in Surrogates 2009.

  • Damon Young

    Damon Young is a performer and teaching artist specializing in shadow puppet performance. He is the Artistic/Producing Director of Mr. Damon's Shadow Puppet Theater, touring all-age performances and workshops. 

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Announced: 07/21/2023

  • Justin Jones

    Justin Jones is a prolific independent film and television producer that specializes in high production value but budget conscious content that exceeds audience expectations worldwide.

  • Mayhayley's Grave

    Southern gothic swing sensation, Mayhayley's Grave is a merry band of miscreants who bring a rockin' ragtime sound peppered with gypsy spirits. This big band hot jazz soundtrack of southern sin, hard livin', vigilante justice, and more than a touch of voodoo is dark and dance-able!

  • Rogue

    Rogue is the lead singer, song writer, front-man, and founder of the band the Cruxshadows. With close to 200 song-writing credits, over 20 CDs, several chart-topping hits in Europe and the U.S., and well over a thousand live performances all over the globe.

  • The Faithful Sidekicks

    The Faithful Sidekicks are an award-winning comedic geek folk-pop/filk duo who write and perform original catchy songs about fandoms, gaming, and technology. Winner of the 2021 Best Performer Pegasus Award. Fun songs with a ton of heart and a touch of snark for nerds, geeks and fans of all kinds.

  • The Gekkos

    Hailing from Orlando, Florida, The Gekkos are the greatest goth nerd polka band in the multiverse. Comprised of brothers Jared on accordion and Zack on keytar, The Gekkos are sure to get you pumped and ready to get weird and spooky!

  • Vision Video

    Goth Rock band from Athens, Georgia featuring highly energetic, meaningful and engaging live performances.

  • George Watson

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

  • Marcusthevisual Williams

    Marcus Williams is an Illustrator, Writer and Co-Creator. A long time lover of video games, comic art, and all things animated, Williams dedicated his young artistic years to fine tuning his illustration muscles by way of freelancing. 

  • Kapers Carl Williams Jr.

    Kapers Williams Jr. has been writing, producing, and directing since 2016. He has gained experience in various departments on Marvel, Sony, and Warner Brothers productions to creating unique entertainment experiences.

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Announced: 07/20/2023

  • Atlanta Swing Orchestra

    The Atlanta Swing Orchestra is a group of musicians that really love to play the big band music that gets you tearing up the dance floor!  They are musicians who are dedicated to keeping the Great American Songbook alive by playing tunes from the 30s and 40s to modern classics.

  • Jonathan Decker

    Jonathan Decker is a licensed therapist, actor, author, comedian, and film critic. He is best known as co-host of the popular YouTube channels Cinema Therapy and Mended Light.

  • 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.

  • Triforce Quartet

    The Triforce Quartet is a traditional string quartet that plays original covers of video game music. TQ has played in front of sold out shows at PAX Prime in Seattle, PAX East in Boston; MAGFest in Washington DC, the iDIG Music Festival in Ireland; and many places with Video Games Live!

  • Kyle Starks

    Kyle Starks is the writer of DC's Peacemaker Tries Hard, I Hate This Place, Where Monsters Lie, the upcoming Marvel Unleashed, and Rick and Morty. He is well known for his action-comedies, like Kill Them All and his two Eisner nominated books Sexcastle and Rock Candy Mountain both from Image Comics.

  • 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 .

  • The Taj Motel Trio

    The Taj Motel Trio is a ska punk band from North Georgia, with a full rhythm section and 4 piece horn line. We\'re currently playing shows around the southeast and putting in the work on recording new music.

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Announced: 07/18/2023

  • Dee Bradley Baker

    Dee Bradley Baker is one of the most versatile and sought after A-list voice actors working today. His voice is seemingly everywhere, featured in literally hundreds of television shows, movies and top video games, including American Dad, Phineas and Ferb , and Clone Wars. 

  • Brad Bradley

    Robert "Brad" Bradley is a former industrial chemist, and the Research Coordinator for the Center for Paranormal Research and Investigation. He has appeared in an episode of Ghost Hunters.

  • 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 to create a unique brand of Celtic Filk.

  • Hellspawned Cosplay

    Producer, Cosplayer, Actor, Activist and most importantly...father; Demetrius Holt has used his platform as a cosplayer to create opportunities for minorities to be represented in spaces we are normally dismissed.

  • Jesse Rath

    Jesse Rath is known for playing the role of Alak Tarr on Defiance, and Querl Dox /Brainiac-5 on Supergirl. She has also appeared in The Greatest Game Ever Played, Prom Wars: Love Is a Battlefield,  Assassin's Creed: Lineage, and more.

  • The Cybertronic Spree

    Take real life Transformers playing music from Transformers the Movie in true 80's metal style. Add in samplings from anime, genre and videogame crowd pleasers then combine with awesome original material for one unforgettable night of robot rock.

  • Garrett Wang

    Garrett Wang is best known for his role as Ensign Harry Kim on Star Trek: Voyager which ran from 1995 to 2001. 

    Garrett's other work includes Star Trek: Of Gods and Men, Into the WestDemon Island, Star Trek: Voyager Elite Force (game), The Auteur TheoryHundred PercentIvory TowerAngry Cafe, and Flesh Suitcase.
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Announced: 07/15/2023

  • Bella's Bartok

    Bella's Bartok a combination of freak folk/American/rock'n'roll with a dance-able, pop-laden backbeat. Self dubbed as "foot stomping freak folk", Live your fantasy and embrace the stranger side of life with Bella's Bartok!

  • 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.

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Announced: 07/14/2023

  • Mark Jackson

    Mark Jackson is known as series regular Isaac in The Orville for Twentieth Century Fox Television. Other screen work includes performing with Paul Nicholas and Steve Huison in The Royal Today for ITV and various short films such as Peppermint and The Kissing Booth.

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Announced: 07/13/2023

  • DJ Scapegoat

    Playing an eclectic mix of rock, dance, punk, and more at rock clubs and convention parties all over the UK, DJ Scapegoat has been providing the tunes for Dragon Con\'s Bunny Hutch kickoff party since 2015.

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Announced: 07/12/2023

  • Omri Katz

    Omri Katz's television and film credits include Eerie Indiana, Matinee, Adventures in Dinosaur City, Hocus Pocus, and the prime-time soap opera Dallas.

  • Jason Marsden

    You've seen Jason Marsden on Boy Meets World, Step by Step,and Full House and heard him in A Goofy Movie, Hocus Pocus, Spirited Away, Fairly Odd Parents, and Young Justice. He's “that guy from that show,” having performed in film, television, video games, apps, for over 30 years!

  • Vinessa Shaw

    Vinessa Shaw's credits include: Puncture, Big Miracle, 3:10 To Yuma, 40 Days And 40 Nights, Melinda And Melinda, Eyes Wide Shut, The Weight Of Water, Ladybugs and Hocus Pocus. She can next be seen on season 2 of the hit Apple TV+ series Swagger.

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Announced: 07/11/2023

  • Craig Greathouse

    Dr. Craig Greathouse, professor of political science at UNG, has published on topics addressing European foreign policy, Security and Defense policy, Strategic Culture, Strategic Thought, International Relations theory, and Cyber War.

  • Kwiin Ava

    Kwiin Ava is an Afro Artist who recognized the lack of representation for diverse hair. She transformed her own natural coils into stunning designs never before seen on human hair.

  • Dr. Donald Prothero

    Dr. Donald Prothero has taught college geology and paleontology for over 45 years, at Caltech, Occidental, and several other colleges, and currently teaches at Cal Poly Pomona. He is the author of over 350 scientific papers, and 49 books, on scientific topics as well as books on UFOs, cryptozoology, and the paranormal.

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Announced: 07/10/2023

  • Luke Millington-Drake

    Luke Millington-Drake voices The Devil on The Cuphead Show.

  • Colby Minifie

    Colby Minifie plays major antagonist Ashley Barrett, the former CEO and former Director of Talent Relations for Vought International, on The Boys. She also played Virginia in Fear The Walking Dead and Robyn on Jessica Jones.

  • Frank Todaro

    Frank Todaro is known for playing Mugman on The Cuphead Show and the voice of Starscream of the Decepticons from the Transformers. He's also lended his voice to Lupin the 3rd, Demon Slayer, and many more.

  • Tru Valentino

    Tru Valentino voices the titular character of Cuphead on The Cuphead Show, among many voice credits. He is also known for The Rookie, Fast & Furious Spy Racers, and Psychonauts 2.

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Announced: 07/09/2023

  • Nathan Mitchell

    Nathan Mitchell is best known for his role as Earving / Black Noir in the Amazon Prime Video series The Boys. Mitchell began his career with a recurring role on the series Aliens in America. He appeared on Arrow, The Tomorrow People, Timeless, iZombie, and Supernatural

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Announced: 07/08/2023

  • Ryan Crissey

    Ryan Crissey is Chief Creative Director of Musclenerdz. For the last few years Ryan has help co-ordinate and put on the Musclenerdz Showdown, a mix of cosplay and fitness competition.

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Announced: 07/07/2023

  • Dan Fogler

    Daniel Fogler is an actor, comedian, and writer. He has appeared in films Balls of Fury, Good Luck Chuck, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald, and currently stars on The Walking Dead as Luke. He has also written the comics: Brooklyn Gladiator and Fishkill.

  • Robert Hendrickson

    Robert Hendrickson has created artwork for some of the largest brands in entertainment, Star Wars, The Walking Dead, The Lord of the Rings, Game of Thrones and more. Clients include, Lucasfilm, Disney, and New Line Cinema. He has produced artwork for over 15 years in the Star Wars Universe seen worldwide.

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Announced: 07/06/2023

  • Foot Pound Force

    Get ready to be nerdy, get ready to rock, and get ready to laugh out loud. Better pay attention though, for there may be a quiz afterward from these rockin\' rocket scientists. Foot Pound Force, a band composed of more than its units.

  • Ryan Hurst

    Ryan Hurst is recognized as one of the strongest and most talented character actors today. His recent credits include Opie on Sons of Anarchy, Beta on The Walking Dead, “Thor” from God of War: Ragnorok and Milligan on Disney+ The Mysterious Benedict Society.

  • Gary Jones

    Gary Jones received “off-world & on-world” fame as beloved gate operator, Chief Master Sergeant Walter Harriman, during his 10 years on iconic sci-fi smash, Stargate SG1 and Stargate Atlantis. He's an award winning actor, playwright and comedic improvisor. He's beloved globally for Stargate and TV episodics, MOW's and features such as Travelers, Supernatural, Dr. Doolittle 3, and countless others.

  • Paul McGillion

    Paul McGillion's television credits include Fox's 24, ABC's Once Upon a Time, AMC's award-winning drama The Killing, CW's The Flash, Netflix's Frontier, the cult classic The X-Files, and the hit sci-fi series Stargate Atlantis where he portrayed the lovable Scottish physician, Dr. Carson Beckett, for five seasons.

  • David Nykl

    David Nykl is an actor best known for portraying Dr. Radek Zelenka in the SyFy television series Stargate Atlantis and Anatoly Knyazev in the DC Comics series Arrow. He also played the role in the Stargate SG-1 episode "The Pegasus Project". In 2012 he made a brief guest appearance on Once Upon A Time.

  • Khary Payton

    Khary Payton is an actor and voice actor best known for his voice role of Cyborg across various films, cartoons, and video games, including Teen Titans. He is also known for his live action performances on General Hospital and The Walking Dead.
  • Tamara Robertson

    Tamara Robertson is an Emmy-Nominated Producer & TV Host known for her role as a co-host & fabricator on Mythbusters. She hosts a Podcast Tinkering Belles and produces a comic Seekers of Science.

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Announced: 07/05/2023

  • Kathleen O'Shea David

    Kathleen O'Shea David has worked in the Entertainment Industry for over forty years. Her puppets are well known around the world. Along the way she picked up a few more skills and careers. She has done just about everything from cancer research to rock and roll.

  • Stefan Price

    Stefan Price is a professional artist and maker with 26+ years in Film, Entertainment, and Themed Attractions. He founded Roundtable Productions as a props and special effects.

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Announced: 07/04/2023

  • Caroline David

    Caroline David has been in fandom since she was three months old. She has artwork in collections around the world, and is a published author both for prose and art.

  • Catherine Lee Jones

    Catherine Jones is the owner of GSTQ Fashions, a costuming studio that has been in Atlanta, GA for the past 15 years. Her shop works primarily with the television and film industry. Jones specializes in leatherworking, 3D modeling for garments, machine knitting, and other unusual sewing techniques.

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Announced: 07/03/2023

  • Adam Savage

    Adam Savage is a former special effects designer/fabricator who worked on such films as Star Wars Episodes I and II. From 2003 to 2016, he co-hosted the Discovery Channel series MythBusters, and today, he stars in and produces content for his YouTube channel Tested.

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Announced: 07/01/2023

  • Jennifer J Greco

    Dr. Jennifer Greco is an astronomer, a member of the science faculty and the STEM coordinator at St. Ursula Academy. Her specialties include brown dwarfs, exoplanets, near-infrared spectroscopy, science education, and outreach.

  • Devan Henderson

    Devan Henderson is a specialty costumer for film and tv where he works on iconic superhero suits. He is also Co-DM of the live actual play podcast D4, alongside Dustin Fletcher.

  • 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 Paul has been instrumental in the creation and implementation of literally hundreds of world-renowned, recognizable entertainment icons.

  • Robert Madison II

    Robert Madison II (MadDrRob) is the Director of Gaming and resident Map maker of Obsidian Brews: A Black Tabletop Experience. He has hosted panels and BIPOC gaming spaces at conventions nationwide.

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Announced: 06/30/2023

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Dr. Bee H

    Dr. Bee H is a general dentist licensed to practice in Maryland. She earned her BS in microbiology and then went on to earn her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree.

  • 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.

  • Shane Garrett Philip Pierce

    Shane Pierce is a filmmaker from West Virginia, where he manages a single-screen theater and is vice-president of the annual BEX Arts Festival. His second feature film,  Ambrosia! is slated for release in late 2023.

  • Paulette Richards

    Sometime during her service as an artist in residence at the Institut français de Saint Louis, the puppet bug bit Paulette Richards hard. Her book, Object Performance will debut in July 2023.

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Announced: 06/29/2023

  • Storm Humbert

    Storm Humbert has an MFA from Temple University. He has published in Andromeda Spaceways, Apex, Interzone, Galaxy's Edge, and many anthologies, including Writers of the Future #36.

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Announced: 06/28/2023

  • Jez Cajiao

    Jez Cajiao was a welder until a respiratory disability ended his career abruptly. Cajiao turned to writing in 2020, and is now a full-time, bestselling author of 4 Dark LitRPG series.

  • Emily Goodwin

    Emily Goodwin is the VP Public Affairs Author Services, Inc and has been involved with publishing since 2007, including the international Writers & Illustrators of the Future Contests. 

  • Terry Maggert

    Terry Maggert has written fifty-four novels, including Backyard Starship, The Messenger, Starcaster, and Halfway Witchy, He's been a roofer, a pub owner, and a history professor. 

  • Eddie McClintock

    Eddie McClintock starred for 5 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.

  • David Weber

    David Weber grew up in rural South Carolina. He is perhaps best known for his character Honor Harrington. David currently lives in Greenville, SC with his wife Sharon, numerous cats and three dogs. Two of David's children are serving their country in the Armed Forces, and one is attending college.

  • Derek Yaniger

    Derek Yaniger is a toothless hillbilly that's 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: 06/27/2023

  • Jerold Peacock

    Jerry Peacock is Co-founder of the Muscle Nerdz group. Muscle Nerdz promotes fitness, bodybuilding and healthy living within the geek and nerd communities.

  • Shirtaloon

    Bestselling author of the hit litRPG series He Who Fights With Monsters.

  • Myra Su

    Myra Su is a puppeteer and multimedia artist based who's work often explores integrating analog puppets with digital technology. She is also a touring puppeteer and builder with Manual Cinema.

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Announced: 06/26/2023

  • Sanford Greene

    Sanford Greene has worked as a professional illustrator for over 18 years for Marvel, DC, Dark Horse, and Image Comics. He helped reshape Marvel Comics characters Powerman and Iron Fist and illustrated Black Panther and Luke Cage. Greene is a 2-time Eisner and Ringo Award winner for Bitter Root, which is slated to become a film. 

  • Cary Nord

    Cary Nord is the award-winning artist of comic books and graphic novels such as Daredevil, X-Men, and Conan The Barbarian. Throughout his career Cary has drawn virtually every major character in comics, having worked on Superman, Wolverine, Mutant X, Ghost Rider, Spider-Man, Thor, and Star Wars.

  • Wade von Grawbadger

    A veteran of 24 years in comics; Eisner, Harvey and Inkwell award winning artist Wade von Grawbadger moved back to Atlanta after a 20 year absence and continues to create comics today working most recently on Wonder Woman, Amazing Spider-man, and Venom.

  • Wasted Wine

    Wasted Wine is a 4 piece band that performs eclectic shows and festivals in the South-East. Their music is dark, theatrical, funny, and lively. Their songs frequently cover the esoteric, however their music is designed to get people moving. Think Golgol Bordello meets Nick Cave! 

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Announced: 06/25/2023

  • 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 of the series. He was a supervising animator on the The Iron Giant, and contributed story to Despicable Me. His graphic novel earned a Russ Manning Award.

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Announced: 06/24/2023

  • Harlequin's Shadow

    A mixture of rock, filk, and a whole lot of neurodivergence - one person, one guitar. When literature, music, and mayhem collide, Harlequin\'s Shadow is somewhere in the middle of it all.

  • Phil Hester

    Comics artist/writer known for Green ArrowSwamp Thing, Brave New World, Flinch, Ultimate Marvel Team-Up, Clerks: The Lost Scene, The Crow: Waking Nightmares, The Wretch (nominated for the 1997 Eisner Award for Best New Series), and Aliens: Purge.

  • Mindy Lee

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

  • 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: 06/22/2023

  • 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, which will celebrate its 40th anniversary in 2024

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Announced: 06/21/2023

  • John Goodwin

    John Goodwin, President Galaxy Press, is the publisher of the fiction works of L. Ron Hubbard and the internationally acclaimed Writers of the Future anthology, now in its 40th year. He is also host of the top 10 Writers & Illustrators of the Future Podcast.

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Announced: 06/20/2023

  • Jordan Hinson Danger

    Jordan Hinson Danger started out starring in Disney Channel original movie Go Figure (2005) and the hit SyFy series Eureka (2006) as well as the films, Higher Power, Stuck in the middle, and many more.  She also started writing screenplays at the young age of 15 and has since penned many.

  • Colin Ferguson

    Colin Ferguson is a Canadian-American actor, director and producer. He is known for playing Sheriff Jack Carter on the Syfy series Eureka, the Maytag Man, and Lewis on Then Came You.

  • Neil Grayston

    Neil Grayston was born in New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada. He is an actor and producer, known for Godiva's, The True Heroines, Warehouse 13, The Magicians, iZombie, Douglas Fargo on Eureka and Split.

  • Ed Quinn

    Edward Quinn is an American actor, model, and musician. He played recurring roles in 2 Broke Girls, Mistresses, and One Day at a Time. From 2006 to 2012 he starred in the Syfy fantasy series Eureka, and in 2019 began starring as President Hunter Franklin in the BET prime time soap opera The Oval.

  • Salli Richardson Whitfield

    Salli Richardson-Whitfield is an American actress, director and producer. Richardson is known for her role as Dr. Allison Blake on the Syfy comedy-drama series Eureka (2006–2012). She is also known for her voice acting as Elisa Maza on the Disney animated series Gargoyles and as Viveca Foster on the CBS series Family Law (1999-2002). 

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Announced: 06/19/2023

  • Atlanta Radio Theatre Company

    The Atlanta Radio Theatre Company was created in 1984 by Thomas E. Fuller, William Brown, and Patrick Stansbury. Their shows bring the immediacy of live theatre, the imagination of storytelling, and adventures in sound.

  • Andy Brase

    Andy Brase has done art for many titles including Magic the Gathering (Kaldheim, Midnight Hunt), Predator, Star Wars, Punisher, Doctor Strange, Assassin's Creed, DragonAge, 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.

  • DJ Limit Break

    DJ Limit Break is a Twitch Partner from Chicago, IL. He usually performs several nights a week at nightclubs within the MMORPG Final Fantasy XIV, but he\'s traveled all the way from Eorzea to spin live at Dragon Con this year! Bring your cactuars and get ready for a night full of upbeat pop, EDM, video game remixes and more! Be sure to check him out on Twitch. 

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Announced: 06/18/2023

  • Christina Chong

    Christina Chong can be seen in Monroe, Line of Duty, Halo: Nightfall, Black Mirror, Doctor Who, and 24: Live Another Day. She currently plays the role of La'an Noonien-Singh in the series Star Trek: Strange New Worlds.

  • Dust Bowl Faeries

    Dust Bowl Faeries: Dark Carnival Dream Music - A faerie-tale fusion of dark cabaret, delirious polka and gothic spaghetti western music, Dust Bowl Faeries is a dark-carnival band from the New York Hudson Valley. The band\'s eclectic repertoire of songs draw inspiration from circus songs, murder ballads and Eastern European folk tunes.

  • Celia Rose Gooding

    Celia Rose Gooding made their Broadway debut as Mary Frances "Frankie" Healy in the rock musical Jagged Little Pill for which they won a 2021 Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album and were nominated for a 2020 Tony Award for Best Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical. Gooding plays Nyota Uhura in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds.

  • Anson Mount

    Anson Mount is known for his television roles as Cullen Bohannon in the AMC's series Hell on Wheels, Jim Steele on NBC series Conviction, the Marvel Comics superhero Black Bolt in Marvel's Inhumans, Captain Christopher Pike in season 2 of Star Trek: Discovery and Star Trek: Strange New Worlds.

  • Adrianne Palicki

    Adrianne Palicki is best known for her starring roles as Tyra Collette in the NBC sports drama series Friday Night Lights, as "Bobbi" Morse/Mockingbird in Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., and as Commander Kelly Grayson in The Orville.
    Palicki also had supporting roles in the films LegionRed DawnG.I. Joe: Retaliation, and John Wick.
  • Ethan Peck

    Actor Ethan Peck is best known for his roles in the movies The Sorcerer's Apprentice and In Time, and the series 10 Things I Hate About You and Star Trek: Discovery. In addition, Peck has lent his voice to Halo 4, Halo 5: Guardians, and Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII.

  • George Takei

    With an acting career spanning six decades, George Takei, best known for his portrayal of Mr. Sulu in the acclaimed television and film series Star Trek, has more than 30 feature films and hundreds of television guest appearances including Lost Girl, The Neighbors, Hawaii Five-0, The New Normal, Supah Ninjas, Malcolm in the Middle, and many more.

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Announced: 06/17/2023

  • Jeff Ello

    Jeff Ello (aka "jello") is a filmmaker/technologist with an encyclopedic knowledge of the latest technology and techniques for independent filmmakers and CG artists. He develops solutions that power high-volume video production facilities, real-time visual effects and live streaming.

  • Todd Lockwood

    Todd Lockwood"s illustrations have appeared on best-selling novels, magazines, collectible card games, and fantasy RPGs, honored with numerous industry awards, including appearances in Spectrum and other Illustration Annuals. Todd's novel, The Summer Dragon, was published by DAW Books in 2016, and his art collection, Found Worlds, in 2022. 

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Announced: 06/16/2023

  • Jonathan P. Brazee

    Jonathan Brazee is a retired Marine colonel, full-time hybrid writer, USA Today Bestseller, two-time Dragon Award, and two-time Nebula Award finalist.  He is also a member of SFWA.

  • Marc Alan Edelheit

    Marc Edelheit is an avid reader and accomplished author that spends his days – and nights – dreaming and writing about all things fantasy and sci-fi.

  • Palmetto Knights

    The Palmetto Knights is a historic steel combat team that brings all of their sword clashing and live fighting to center stage. These European weapon and armor experts will expand your mind with their wide array of panels and then blow your mind with intense combat tournaments.

  • Melissa Simpson

    Melissa Simpson is the Executive Director of the nonprofit Film Impact Georgia, and produces independent projects. She is heavily involved in the Atlanta film community and film festivals across Georgia.

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Announced: 06/15/2023

  • Rob Fitz

    Rob Fitz is a professional makeup artist with over 25 years of film experience. Most recently he did work on American Horror Story and Dexter: New Blood.

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Announced: 06/14/2023

  • Jer Alford

    Jer Alford is a comic historian and owner of Mini-Komix. He's the head of the Stupid Comics retrospective group, and reviews for the Anime Anyway website.

  • Gil Gerard

    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 including: Airport '77, Beyond, Bone Eater, Ghost Town, and many more.

  • 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.

  • Philip D. Keating

    Philip D Keating is the creator and one of the founding members of the improv comedy show, Botched Podcast. When he's not rolling natural 1s, he's a retro/horror streamer.

  • Oriana Shani Leckert

    Oriana is a writer, editor, cultural hipstorian [sic], and the Head of Publishing at Kickstarter.

  • Peter Macon

    Peter Macon can currently be seen as Lt. Cmdr. Bortus in The Orville. However, he has appeared in other shows including Shameless, Dexter, The Shield, Supernatural and more.

  • Gail Z. Martin

    Gail Z. Martin writes urban fantasy, epic fantasy, steampunk and more for Orbit Books, Falstaff Books, SOL Publishing and Darkwind Press. Urban fantasy series include Deadly Curiosities and Night Vigil. Epic fantasy series include Darkhurst, Chronicles Of The Necromancer, Fallen Kings Cycle, Ascendant Kingdoms Saga, and Assassins of Landria.

  • Bruce Sentar

    Bruce Sentar has written 30 books in a variety of fiction and fantasy genres including Urban Fantasy, Progression Fantasy, LitRPG and High Fantasy. More than anything, he just loves to write.

  • Wakefire

    Wakefire takes an unorthodox approach to the traditional. They are here to create a new sound to delight and surprise any who would hear. They tell stories and create sounds to move the heart and body with a combination of Celtic Rock, Slavic Punk, and Americana Pop. 

  • Celestia N. Ward

    Celestia Ward co-hosts and produces Squaring the Strange, a podcast promoting critical thinking and science. She currently works as a PR coordinator for Imagine Communications and columnist Skeptical Inquirer.

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Announced: 06/13/2023

  • 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.

  • Joanna Estep

    Joanna Estep is the acclaimed illustrator of such titles as The Fantastic Four, X-Men, New Mutants, (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.

  • Bryan Scott Fyffe

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

  • Jordan Gibson

    Jordan Gibson is a freelance illustrator and comic creator based out of Austin, TX. He has worked for DC, Marvel, Image, and Boom Studios. Gibson is best known for his work on DC Comics' acclaimed Batman: The Adventures Continue with series writers Alan Burnett and Paul Dini.

  • Bo Hampton

    Bo Hampton, trained as a comic artist at the prestigious School of Visual Arts in New York under the tutelage of teacher Will Eisner. His body of work includes Swamp Thing, Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight, Viking Glory, Moon Knight, Superman: The Animated Series, and much, much more.

  • William "Willy" McQuillian

    Willy McQuillian, the backwoods MacGyver of the Mountain Monsters crew, boasts that he can build a trap to hold anything. McQuillian's day job is a tree trimmer, and his knowledge gives him unique insight as he builds the wood and metal traps built to catch Appalachia's cryptids.

  • Andy Price

    Since issue one, Andy Price has been the lead pencil/ink artist for the incredibly successful and record breaking My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic comic book from IDW Publishing. MLP broke the 100,000 pre-sale mark, the first independent book to beat out DC or Marvel in 9 years!

  • Chris Schweizer

    Eisner-nominated Chris Schweizer is the cartoonist that divides his time between two graphic novel series: the award-winning historical fiction Crogan Adventures (Oni Press), and the upcoming horror series The Creeps (Abrams/Amulet). Schweizer has previously taught aspiring artists at SCAD-Atlanta for five years.

  • Fr. Bryan Small

    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. 

  • Sal Velluto

    Sal Velluto's professional career in comics started in 1986. Since then, the Italian-born - Utah resident has been drawing for major American publishers (Marvel, DC, Valiant), and several independents as well as international publishers. He is probably best known for drawing Black Panther and Marc Spector: Moon Knight.

  • 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: 06/12/2023

  • Justin Lee Ford

    Justin Lee Ford is a martial arts enthusiast since age 8, who's adventures have taken him to the Shaolin Temple, off of 50-foot cliffs, and in front of the camera.

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Announced: 06/11/2023

  • Jim Farmer

    Jim Farmer has coordinated Out On Film, Atlanta's LGBTQ film festival, for 15 years. During that time it has become an Oscar qualifying film festival and highly respected worldwide.

  • David Hankins

    David Hankins is an award-winning author who writes from the thriving cornfields of Iowa where he lives with his wife, daughter, and two dragons disguised as cats.

  • Josh Simons

    Josh Simons is a professional streamer, freelance writer, and performer. He is the Community Manager at Demiplane, a Take This Ambassador, and is passionate about mental health.

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Announced: 06/09/2023

  • Stacey Gordon

    Stacey Gordon is a professional puppeteer based out of Phoenix, Arizona, where she owns and operates Puppet Pie, as well as the only Puppet Ice Cream Truck designed specifically to bring fake ice cream to the masses. Stacey also has had the privilege of performing Julia on Sesame Street for the last 7 years.

  • Bendy Mitchell

    Bendy Mitchell is the head of Obsidian Brews: A Black Table Top Experience. Bendy and their fellow brewers have hosted panels & BIPOC gaming spaces at conventions nationwide.

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Announced: 06/08/2023

  • Jim Butcher

    Jim Butcher is the author of the Dresden Files, the Codex Alera, and his new steampunk series, the Cinder Spires. His resume includes a laundry list of skills which were useful a couple of centuries ago. He is also an avid gamer, and LARPs whenever he can make time for it.

  • Jeff Hubbs

    Jeff Hubbs consults in the area of energy systems and climate research. He was formerly with the US Depts. of Defense and Energy.

  • Shellie Schmals

    Shellie Schmals is a film programmer, creative curator, and a sought-out expert in entertainment networking and sits on the boards of Women in Film Atlanta, Film Festival Alliance, and Georgia Production Partnership.

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Announced: 06/07/2023

  • Vandy Beth Glenn

    Vandy Beth Glenn is a civil rights pioneer that helped advance transgender rights in the South. Today she is a filmmaker, standup comedian, and the creator of Jettison Pod podcast.

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Announced: 06/06/2023

  • Kris Kersey

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

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Announced: 06/05/2023

  • Heather Boddy

    Heather Boddy (she/her) is a plus-sized, inclusive fitness professional in NYC who creates safe spaces for nerds to geek out while they work out.

  • 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 decided to jump back into comics, producing the very successful indie sci-fi action-adventure Tuskegee Heirs. As part of the Milestone initiative, he's worked on a couple DC Comic properties.

  • Tom Fleming

    Tom Fleming is a four-time Chesley Award nominee who is known for his work with Magic the Gathering, World of Warcraft, Marvel, DC and Dark Horse Comics, and more.

  • Chris Uminga

    Christopher Uminga is a Connecticut based painter and illustrator. He has spent the last ten 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. 

  • Chrissie Zullo

    Chrissie Zullo has created comic book covers for Star Wars: Forces of Destiny, Hack/Slash vs. Vampirella, Josie and the Pussycats, Vampirella, Life With Archie, and Vertigo's Fables: The Wolf Among Us series. She has worked for DC Comics, Fandango, Mattel, Dark Horse, Devil's Due, IDW, Topps, and Harper Collins. 

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Announced: 06/04/2023

  • Henry Ian Cusick

    Henry Ian Cusick is known for Lost, The 100, MacGyver, and The Passage. He just wrapped a one-year deal on Season 3 of ABC's smash hit Big Sky. He will next be seen in Justin Chon's Jamojaya.

  • Luisa d'Oliveira

    Luisa d'Oliveira began working professionally in her 20s with breakout roles on Psych, The Good Wife, Cracked, and Motive before beginning a deep run into the sci-fi world including The 100, Channel Zero, The Twilight Zone, and Supergirl.

  • David K Henrickson

    David K. Henrickson was the Grand Prize winner in the 2023 L. Ron Hubbard presents Writers of the Future contest for his story White Elephant

  • Maurice LaMarche

    Voted “Most Likely To Be Someone Else” by his high school classmates, Maurice LaMarche has been doing character voices and impressions since his childhood. Fans love him as The Brain on Animaniacs, Pinky and The Brain and for Futurama, where he does over 70 regular voices.

  • Phil LaMarr

    Chances are high that you have heard Voice-over artist Phil LaMarr. Roles include Zambezia and Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa, Futurama, The Spectacular Spider-Man, Samurai Jack, and Justice League Unlimited, as well as recurring appearances on Family Guy, Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes.

  • Tasya Teles

    Tasya Teles was born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. She is known for her work on The 100, Rogue, and Supernatural.

  • Billy West

    Billy is mostly known for his many voices on Futurama that include Philip J. Fry, Professor, Hubert J. Farnsworth, Dr. John Zoidberg and others. He is also know for The Ren & Stimpy Show as Stimpson J. "Stimpy" Cat, and Space Jam.

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Announced: 06/03/2023

  • Alex Damon

    Alex Damon is the creator and co-host of Star Wars Explained, a YouTube channel covering new Star Wars content, lore, and trivia every single day.

  • Mollie Damon

    Mollie Damon is the co-creator and co-host of Star Wars Explained, a YouTube channel covering new Star Wars content, lore, and trivia every single day.

  • 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.

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Announced: 06/02/2023

  • Andy Brown

    Andy Brown is a CSC Associate Cinematographer and award-winning director. Brown's vast experience has allowed him to developed a keen eye behind the lens creating stunning images and thought-provoking stories.

  • Sam Maggs

    Sam Maggs is a bestselling author of books, comics, TV, and video games. She's written for games like SPIDER-MAN PS4; is the author of YA books The Unstoppable Wasp: Built On Hope and Con Quest!; and a comics writer for titles like Tell No Tales, Captain Marvel, and My Little Pony.

  • Beth Patterson

    Beth Patterson brings a smattering of original, filk, bawdy, and Celtic music to the table. Playing the eight-stringed Irish bouzouki, her show is full of humor and banter with the audience.

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Announced: 06/01/2023

  • Ian Boley

    Ian Boley is a historian who uses sci-fi to teach about national security,diplomatic, and nuclear issues on The Joint Geeks of Staff podcast.

  • David Mack

    David Mack is an Emmy nominated, New York Times bestselling author and artist of Kabuki, writer of Daredevil, cover artist of Neil Gaiman's American Gods, Jessica Jones, and Fight Club 2. He is the artist on Jessica Jones Netflix opening titles and Captain America: The Winter Soldier film titles.

  • Mikey Mason

    Mikey Mason (She Don\'t Like FireflyBest Game Ever) is a ball of contagious enthusiasm who sings about role-playing games, sci-fi, fantasy, cats, and being a geek. He\'s been heard on Nerdist online, SyFy, TheFuMP.com, and Dr. Demento, and is a truly must-see event.

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Announced: 05/31/2023

  • Nathaniel Johnstone

    Nathaniel Johnstone is a multi-instrumentalistsinger/songwriter who sings about humanity, myth and whimsy. His unique soundis inspired by metal, jazz, punk, folk, rock, and blues from all over theworld, resulting in music that transcends boundaries of genre or theme.

  • LandLochd

    Traditional and modern Celtic/Pirate music performed on guitar, mandolin, pennywhistle, fiddle.

  • Emily Ann Schmidt

    Emily Schmidt, also known as Go Big or Go Home Cosplay. She has been cosplaying for a little over ten years. Her most notable accomplishment includes competing on Cosplay Melee.

  • The Blibbering Humdingers

    Acoustic nerd rock for gamers, geeks, galactic guardians, browncoats, centaurs, and mandalorians; hobbits, elves, wizard gangsters, avengers, defenders, and black-belt hamsters; elder gods, small gods, fans of Tripod; Fremen, Atredies, Houses of the Landsraad; Hufflepuff sandwiches, pitches & snitches, and trans-inclusive feminist witches. Listen to the songs of our people.

  • Valentine Wolfe

    A symphony of darkness, Valentine Wolfe performs music inspired by seances, 19th century gothic literature, macabre history, and death positivity. Combining the haunting soprano of Sarah Black and the bleak maelstrom of Braxton Ballew\'s solo double bass, they relentlessly follow their own muse, creating gothic metal and dark ambient soundscapes.

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Announced: 05/30/2023

  • Amie Stepanovich

    Amie Stepanovich is an internationally recognized expert in privacy, government surveillance, and cybersecurity. She is currently Vice President for US Policy at the Future of Privacy Forum.

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Announced: 05/29/2023

  • Mark Russell

    Mark Russell is the GLAAD and Eisner Award-winning writer behind comic books such as The Flintstones, Exit Stage Left: The Snagglepuss Chronicles, Second Coming, and Superman: Space Age. He lives and works in Portland, Oregon.

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Announced: 05/28/2023

  • Connor Elias Andrade

    Connor Elias Andrade stars as Baby Grizz on We Baby Bears and Toddler Groot in Spider-Man: Maximum Venom. Other work: Duck & Goose, Eureka, Deer Squad, Casagrandes, Baby Shark's Space Adventure, The Conan O'brien Show, Superwings, The Big Wish, Sam Sam, and the Trolls 2 short Tiny Diamond Goes Back To School.

  • Dino Andrade

    You will know voice actor Dino Andrade from My Dad The Bounty Hunter, Eva The Owlett, We Baby Bears, Loud House, Chickenhare And The Hamster Of Darkeness, Bidoof's Big Stand, New Looney Tunes, Sofia The First, Vampirina, Minecraft Legends, WoW, Batman Arkham Asylum, Evil Dead, Wasteland 3, and Star Trek Online, etc.

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Announced: 05/26/2023

  • Ron Daniels

    Ron Daniels is an attorney who regularly handles cases involving credit reporting errors, abusive debt collection, privacy issues, and constitutional rights.

  • Mike Krome

    Mike Krome is an Australian artist whose work has been featured in children's books, magazines, computer games, film promotions, and comics. His work can be seen on the covers of Dynamite, Zenescope Entertainment, Image, Coffin Comics, Valiant Comics, and BOOM! Studios, and Rothic Novels.

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Announced: 05/25/2023

  • Rich Gatz

    Rich Gatz is a cyber claims ninja and an advocate of privacy by design. He enjoys speaking on cryptocurrency, ransomware, cyber insurance, and how Elves shouldn't have been at Helms Deep.

  • Meredith Filak Rose

    Meredith Rose is Senior Policy Counsel at Public Knowledge, a consumer advocacy organization in Washington, DC, where she focuses on tech, copyright, fandom, and music. 

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Announced: 05/24/2023

  • Josh Maltby

    Josh Maltby has been a TTRPG content creator, professional game master, and Quid Pro Roll podcast performer since 2018. Co-Host of the Goblins & Growlers TTRPG news podcast since 2020.

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Announced: 05/23/2023

  • Bob Burden

    Eisner Award winning artist, graphic novelist, screenwriter and Atlanta native Bob Burden is the creator of the world's first surrealist superhero Flaming Carrot and Atlanta's first comic book superhero. A founding member of the insurgent 80s New-Wave indy comic revolution, Burden's Mysterymen comic series was turned into a major film.

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Announced: 05/22/2023

  • Bob Pendarvis

    Bob Pendarvis was the original creator of SCAD's Sequential Art Department (he even named it) and taught dozens of unique classes for over 18 years. Pendarvis's most recent accomplishments are the successful publication of A Girl Teaching Art Classes In The Spooky Woods Near A Witch and the sequel James.

  • Omisade Richardson

    Dr. Chateé Omísadé Richardson is a proud nerd, educator, educational psychologist, and growth facilitator. She has 20 years of experience teaching, researching how people learn, creating engaging content, and training leaders/educators.

  • Colette Searls

    Colette Searls is author of A Galaxy of Things: the Power of Puppets and Masks in Star Wars and Beyond. She is associate professor of theatre at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC).

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Announced: 05/19/2023

  • 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 5th Edition books from conception through publication and beyond. 

  • Allen Terrell Slonaker

    Slonaker has been involved in paranormal research as a member of the Center for Paranormal Research and Investigation (CPRI) since 2007 and currently serves as the Central Virginia Regional Director.

  • T. Alexander Stangroom

    T. Alexander Stangroom is the Chief Operations Officer at the multi ENnie award-winning tabletop role-playing publisher Kobold Press. Stangroom is professional Dungeon Master, TTRPG designer, and writer whose credits include publications from Wizards of the Coast and Modiphius.

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Announced: 05/18/2023

  • Black Sunshine

    DJ of all trades. Nairobi current, Atlanta-based, worldwide DJ known for rocking the party in any format! Touring DJ for Hotblack Desiato and Disaster Area. DANCE! 

  • Fon H Davis

    Fon Davis appears on Battlebots, Ginormo, The Movies that Made Us, Cake Masters, and Superfan Builds. In his two decade career, Fon Davis has also worked as miniature, VFXartist and designer on over 40 feature films including The Nightmare Before Christmas and the Star Wars series.

  • Frenchy and the Punk

    Eclectic genre-bending New York Dark Alternative, Post-Punk Duo with French born singer and veteran punk rock guitarist. Sultry powerful vocals, live looped raucous guitar riffs, named top 25 duos in America by Yahoo Music. A rollicking two person powerhouse!

  • Erin Gray

    Erin Gray is best known for her roles as Kate Summers in the comedy Silver Spoons and as Colonel Wilma Deering in the science fiction television series Buck Rogers in the 25th Century. For over two decades, Erin has performed in over a dozen feature films, including Six Pack, with Kenny Rogers, and Friday the 13th: Jason Goes to Hell.

  • Gavin Andrew Guidry

    Gavin Guidry is a comic artist from the New Orleans area known for There's Something Wrong With Patrick Todd, Captain America: The Ghost Army, and several other comics for publishers such as DC Comics, IDW, Action Lab and Dynamite.

  • Guitarmy of One

    The one-man Electro-Acoustic Spy Rock Surf Noir guitar instrumental act that is Frenchy and The Punk\'s own Rock N\' Roll Road Warrior, Scott Helland.

  • 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.

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Announced: 05/17/2023

  • Emily Zarka

    Emily Zarka is the creator, writer, and host of the popular, award-winning YouTube series Monstrum, on PBS' Storied channel. She earned her doctorate from Arizona State University where she currently serves as official monster expert.

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Announced: 05/16/2023

  • Mike Capps

    Dr. Mike Capps is CEO of Diveplane, dedicated to keeping the humanity in AI. He's best known for a legendary career in video game development, as an executive, writer, designer, and lead programmer on video games like Gears of War, Fortnite, and Unreal Tournament; and co-designing the new Marvel Multiverse TTRPG.

  • Daniel Griffith

    Daniel Griffith is an award-winning filmmaker documenting the history behind your favorite cult films and television shows, including Mystery Science Theater 3000, The Thing, The Twilight Zone, to name a few.

  • Omega Jones

    Omega Jones is a tabletop GM & designer, streamer, and host. He's worked with companies including Wizards of the Coast & World of Darkness and created the theme song for Critter Hug, a Critical Role talk show. Actual play credits includes KOllOK , Into The Mists, & Outbreak Undead: Rag & Bone.

  • S. M. Stirling

    S.M. Stirling was born in France in 1953 and published his first novel Snowbrother in 1984. His latest books are Conan: Blood Of The Serpent, Warlord Of The Steppes and the upcoming To Turn The Tide, a time-travel novel which will be coming out from Baen in 2023.

  • Katharine E. Wibell

    Epic fantasy author Katharine E. Wibell's acclaimed novels include The Incarn Saga Series (NA) and The Djed Chronicles series (YA) and The Guardian's Speaker Novella Series.

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Announced: 05/15/2023

  • Ayla Almee

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

  • 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.

  • Barr Foxx

    Barr Foxx is an award-winning cosplay artist and television/film producer. His national brand, Cosplay Your Way, encourages individuals to embrace the art of cosplay through imagery and film.

  • Scott Harris

    Scott Harris is the founding director of the Charleston Planetarium and a planetary geologist who is a leading researcher in the fields of meteorites, petrology, and hypervelocity impacts involving asteroids and comets.

  • Rick Lyon

    Rick Lyon, a puppeteer for theatre, television, and film, created the puppets for Broadway's Tony Award-winning AVENUE Q, and also played Nicky and Trekkie Monster. Other work includes Sesame Street, Men In Black, the original live-action Ninja Turtles films, MuppetVision 3D, and The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.

  • Edward McKeown

    Edward McKeown is best known for the: The Fenaday/Shasti Rainhell SF novels set on the Privateer Sidhe & in the same universe, The Maauro Chronicles.

  • Dennis Lee Robinson

    Dennis is one of the deranged minds behind Botched: A D&D Podcast, which he has been a part of for the past 7 years. Dennis is also the writer and creator of the comic series Lycan: Solomon's Odyssey.

  • Lisa Shackelford

    Lisa Shackelford has been investigating the paranormal for almost two decades; is the author of The Memoirs and Musings of a Haunted Flight Attendant and can be seen in the first two seasons of True Ghost Stories .

  • Ken Snaps

    Ken Applegate  is a jack of all trades! His experience includes Star Wars, Wood Working, Sound Engineering, D+D, Travel and Disney.

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Announced: 05/14/2023

  • ChelseaBytes

    ChelseaBytes is a Twitch Partner, Host, and Computer Scientist who aims to show that geeks don't look or act the way most people imagine. 

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Announced: 05/11/2023

  • Wesley Chu

    Wesley Chu is the #1 NewYork Times bestselling author of many novels, including The Art of Prophecy, Time Salvager, and The Walking Dead: Typhoon. He co-wrote The Eldest Curses with Cassandra Clare. His debut, The Lives of Tao, won the YALSA Alex Award. He won the Astounding Award for Best New Writer.

  • Scott G Edgington

    Dr. Scott Edgington is a Planetary Scientist at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. He specializes in atmospheric physics and chemistry of the Outer Planets and spacecraft operations. He currently works as a Science Planner on the InSight mission and is training for a similar role on the Perseverance mission.

  • Michael A. Gordon

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

  • Matt Nitchie

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

  • Scott Sigler

    #1 New York Times best-selling author Scott Sigler is the creator of fifteen novels, six novellas and dozens of short stories. He gives away his stories as weekly, serialized, audio-books, with over 40 million episodes downloaded.

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Announced: 05/10/2023

  • Dave Cook

    Dave Cook is a local illustrator of various talents. You may have seen his work as the Official Poster artist for the Atlanta Rollergirls or promotional art for Netherworld Haunted House or gotten a Zombie Portrait at Dragon Con in past years.

  • Tim Doyle

    Tim Doyle is an illustrator and print-maker 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.   

  • Dr. 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.

  • 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.

  • Andrea Stewart

    Andrea Stewart is the Sunday Times Bestselling author of The Drowning Empire trilogy. Her debut, The Bone Shard Daughter, was a finalist for the Locus Award for Best First Novel.

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Announced: 05/08/2023

  • Quincy J. Allen

    Quincy J. Allen is a cross-genre author going in several directions at once. He's actively engaged in five different universes, including two of his own.

  • Tristan Gibbon

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

  • Kenneth Hite

    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.

  • Emma Kubert

    Emma Kubert is a freelance comic book artist, writer, and teacher/alumni of the Kubert School. Her artwork can currently be seen in Pandora (Frank Mill Presents), Radiant Pin (Image), and creating an offbeat, exciting fantasy adventure as the creator, writer and artist of Stoneheart (Image).

  • James Underdown

    James Underdown is the Founder and Chair of the Center for Inquiry Investigations Group, who offers a $500,000 prize for anyone who can prove paranormal ability under scientific testing conditions. He is the host of Point of Inquiry, CFI's podcast, and SkeptiLab: The Bunk Stops Here! a new web series.

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Announced: 05/07/2023

  • Marcus Harvey

    Marcus Harvey is the most spiritual member of the Ghost Brothers group. Marcus has appeared on Fright Club, Ghost Brothers: Haunted Houseguests, and Ghost Hunters. His ability to sympathize and relate to families sets him apart, whether it's bonding with an upset spouse or winning over a scared child.

  • Jeff "Jeffro" Headlee

    Jeff "Jeffro" Headlee is arguably the brains of the operation on Mountain Monsters, as he handles research and technology and has the ability to recall mountain folklore and traditional history. Jeff runs the thermal camera on night-hunts and organizes witnesses to be interviewed before investigations. 

  • Joe "Huckleberry" Lott

    Joe "Huckleberry" Lott is the towering US Marine veteran has more than 50 years of backwoods experience to draw on as he works to keep the AIMS team on Mountain Monsters safe during their night-time hunts. Despite his height and intense stare, Huckleberry is a gentle giant with a big heart. 

  • Jacob "Buck" Lowe

    Jacob "Buck" Lowe may be the youngest member of AIMS from Mountain Monsters, he takes a fair bit of ribbing from the older guys, but he is always willing to do what it takes to help solve the cryptid mysteries and hunt the monsters of Appalachia. 

  • Juwan Mass

    Ghost Brothers' Juwan Mass has a passion for helping people and is willing to jump into the fire to get answers. The Eagle Scout is a natural born explorer but knows when to run when stuff hits the fan. Mass and Spratt bonded over their shared experience.

  • Bill "Wild Bill" Neff

    Mountain Monsters' Bill "Wild Bill" Neff is sheer brute force and assists with the traps and tracking monsters through the woods. The Marine Corps veteran and big-game trapper never hesitates to climb a tree, scale a wall, or give chase, and his hyper, gregarious personality brings energy to the team.

  • Dalen Spratt

    Dalen Spratt is addicted to history both in and outside of the paranormal. The entrepreneur and fashion designer is the ringleader of the team on Ghost Brothers, with his finger on the pulse of the who, what, where, when and why of each case.

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Announced: 05/06/2023

  • Ernest Dempsey

    Ernest Dempsey is a USA Today Bestselling author of archaeological thrillers and urban fantasy with over 50 books published since 2011. Inspired by books about ancient history, mysterious relics, and films, Dempsey's books offer a unique blend of history and fiction that blur the lines of reality.

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Announced: 05/05/2023

  • Russ Adams

    Russ Adams is an award-winning special effects artist familiar to audiences for his work on Jim Henson's Creature Shop Challenge, the highly-rated SyFy Channel reality series. Also known for Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End50 First Dates, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest, and Juarez 2045.

  • Evan Bernstein

    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.

  • Devon M Chulick

    Chulick is the creator of Total Party Chill, the award winning D&D actual play channel. He is the Co-founder of StartPlaying, the largest platform for finding Professional Game Masters. He has been featured in Bloomberg, SF Gate, Marketwatch, Yahoo! News, Forbes, Polygon, Bleeding Cool, The Information, and more.

  • Jason Lane

    Jason Lane is a longtime writer of nerdy stuff, writing for several magazines with a focus on horror, cult films, kaiju movies, Kung Fu cinema, & classic pro wrestling.

  • Andy Serkis

    Andy Serkis is best known for his performance capture roles in The Lord of the Rings film trilogy and The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, King Kong, the Planet of the Apes reboot trilogy, The Force Awakens, and The Last Jedi. He also portrayed Kino Loy in the Star Wars Disney+ series Andor. Andy is appearing Sunday only.

  • Brian Urbanek

    Game designer with twenty seven years of experience in the video game industry, most recently on Call of Duty with Activision.

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Announced: 05/04/2023

  • 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 a thought leader and strong advocate for developing human stasis capabilities for space flight.

  • Jennifer M Gilley

    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.

  • Alison Sky Richards

    Alison Sky Richards received an MFA in Creative Writing from Western Colorado University focusing on screenwriting and genre fiction. Their passion involves teaching students to find their unique voice.

  • Aron Siegel

    Aron Siegel, producer, sound mixer, whose work includes The Unwanted, Implanted, Thor: Ragnarok, DC's Black Lightning, Walking Dead, Vampire Diaries. Aron mixed part of Star Trek fan film: Axanar.

  • Douglas Wayne Talk

    Dr. Douglas Talk is the chief medical consultant for SpaceWorks Enterprises, Inc., collaborating on human hibernation-based space missions for deep space exploration. 

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Announced: 05/03/2023

  • David Afsharirad

    David Afsharirad is an associate editor at Baen Books. He is the editor of several volumes of short fiction and the author of many published short stories. 

  • Jamie Bernstein

    Jamie Bernstein is a data scientist who specializes in building statistical models that predict human behavior. She's also previously been a regular contributor to blogs like Skepchick and Mad Art Lab.

  • Bill Budington

    Bill Budington is a long-time activist, cryptography enthusiast, and a Senior Staff Technologist on EFF's Public Interest Technology team. His research has been featured nationally and cited by Congress.

  • Jessica Cail

    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 as well as an author.

  • Catieosaurus

    Catieosaurus is a mental health advocate and full-time content creator. As a professional streamer and TTRPG influencer, she is passionate about opening conversations about neurodiversity and accessibility into the gaming community. 

  • Peter Capn' Cutler

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

  • Milton J. Davis

    Milton Davis is an award winning Black Speculative fiction author and owner of MVmedia, LLC, a publishing company specializing in Science Fiction and Fantasy based on African/African Diaspora-history, culture, and traditions. 

  • Jordan Duncan

    Jordan is a historian, educator, and a 15 year veteran of the Atlanta paranormal community. In his spare time he is a podcaster and a vlogger.

  • Jeffery H. Haskell

    USA Today bestselling author, and Dragon nominee, Jeffery H. Haskell, lives and breathes writing. A passion from a young age, he can't remember a time when he wasn't telling stories. 

  • HeyGude

    Erik Gude is a classically trained guitarist, artist, performer, and sourdough expert. As @heygude on Tiktok, Youtube and Twitch, Gude has built a dedicated community of over 300,000 followers.

  • Robert Viktor 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.

  • 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.

  • Christina Nicole Kieffer

    Christina Kieffer has over 15 years of experience researching ghosts, UFOs, and cryptids. You can also find her on many episodes of True Ghost Stories on FacetTV.

  • Erika Lance

    Erika Lance is founder and CEO of 4 Horsemen Publications and host of the Drinking with Authors & Eerie Adventures podcast as well as a screenplay and horror/thriller author.

  • Alex Matsuo

    Alex Matsuo is a paranormal investigator and author who has been seen on the TV shows, Haunted Hospitals and Most Terrifying Places in America. 

  • Morgan A McLaughlin McFarland

    Morgan A. McLaughlin McFarland owns Salt Circle Games, publisher of the horror RPG Chill. She is a published fiction, nonfiction, and TTRPG author who also teaches writing, and gaming classes.

  • 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, amoung other genres. She is always working on something new.

  • Jason R. Merrill

    Jason R. Merrill runs Blackbird Finery. His passions include talks on historical men's fashion, period etiquette, antique and vintage accessories, and 100+ year old soda fountain formulas.

  • Jack Monkey

    Jack AKA Beth Michel, has been in the special makeup effects field since 2010 and continues to love to create creatures and things that make people squeamish. She currently heads the Makeup Department at Netherworld Haunted House and teaches privately to anyone wishing to learn.

  • Mark Muncy

    Mark Muncy is the bestselling author of the Eerie Florida book series from History Press. He is folklorist, paranormal journalist, and a frequent collaborator on documentaries, podcasts, and TV shows.

  • Kenneth Newsome

    Dr Kenneth Newsome has been teaching science for 18 years while scientifically investigating the perceived paranormal events with the Centers for Paranormal Research and Investigation.

  • Rae Pendergrass

    Rae Pendergrass is a writer, performer, and gigantic dork who has written for everyone from National Lampoon to How Stuff Works. They are also the producer of the Solve for X Variety show.

  • Sway

    Joshua "Sway" Swaby has provided cover artwork for Entertainment Weekly, DC Comics, Vault Comics, Image Comics, and Marvel Comics. His art has brought to life many iconic properties, including Star Wars, Black Widow, Wonder Woman, Miles Morales, Thanos, Loki, and more. Sway's dedication to his craft and dynamic presentation makes him an illustrator to watch for years.

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Announced: 05/02/2023

  • Michael J Allen

    USA Today bestselling author of multi-layer, character-driven, full-spectrum science fiction and fantasy, Michael J. Allen has infused his quirky sense of humor into over two dozen published works.

  • Michael Bailey

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

  • Griffin Barber

    Griffin Barber writes in Eric Flint's 1632 series, Second Chance Angel with Kacey Ezell, Man-Eater and Infiltration (Caine Riordan Universe). He also writes short stories and contributed to GURPS.

  • D.J. Bodden

    D.J. Bodden is a sci-fi and fantasy author of 10 books and counting. He has written in the LitRPG Viridian Gate Online universe and created the science-fiction FiveFold Universe.

  • Shawn Crystal

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

  • Claudia Gray

    Claudia Gray is the New York Times bestselling author of Master and Apprentice, Leia: Princess of Alderaan, Bloodlines, Lost Stars, the Constellation series, the Firebird series, the Spellcaster series, and the Evernight series. She has also branched into graphic novels with The House of El

  • Karl Moline

    Karl Moline has worked as a professional comic book artist with every major comics publisher for over twenty years. He is best known for his work on Buffy the Vampire Slayer and co-creating Fray with Joss Whedon. He recently finished working on Eternus with Scout comics and Andy Serkis. 

  • Cat Rambo

    Cat Rambo's 200+ fiction publications include stories in Asimov's, Clarkesworld Magazine, and The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction. Their novel You Sexy Thing was a Dragon Award nominee in 2022. Their most recent works include Gods of Tabat (novel, WordFire Press) and space opera Devil's Gun.

  • William Joseph Roberts

    William Joseph Roberts has perused careers as an architectural designer, industrial design engineer, writer of Science Fiction, Fantasy, Post-Apocalyptic, and is now the lead publisher for Three Ravens Publishin

  • William Stout

    William Stout is an American fantasy artist and illustrator with a specialization in paleontological art. His paintings have been shown in over seventy exhibitions, including twelve one-man shows. He has worked on over thirty feature films, doing everything from storyboard art to production design.

  • Bobby Timony

    Bobby Timony is the illustrator of DC's League of Super-Pets, an original graphic novel based on the animated film. He co-created the Harvey Award nominated webseries The Night Owls for DC Comics, and has illustrated multiple sets of Disney trading cards for Topps.

  • 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: 05/01/2023

  • Michael Shelfer

    20 years in professional comics, Michael Shelfer is the artist on the current Dune: House Harkonnen comic adaptation from Boom! Studios, previously the artist for Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Elvis the Graphic Novel (Ringo award nominated book), Marvel's Domino and Domino: Hotshots and many others.

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Announced: 04/29/2023

  • 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's performed drawing exhibitions in every major city in the US.

  • Nicoolinn

    Nicoolinn is a Texas based cosplayer who took a chance in cosplaying when the pandemic started. She's grown in her crafts and cosplays traveling all around to showcase her work.

  • 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.

  • Alex Platt

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

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Announced: 04/27/2023

  • H C Warner

    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 .

  • Jacob Weisman

    World Fantasy award winner & Founder of Tachyon Publications. Editor of Hugo Award winner, The Emperor's Soul, and the Nebula and Shirley Jackson award-winner, We Are All Completely Fine .

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Announced: 04/26/2023

  • Marco Bossow

    Marco Bossow is a director and producer best known for the hit Star Wars web series Bucketheads - starring Troy Mundle  and Mark Meer. 

  • Ryan Cahill

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

  • 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.

  • Eleni Rivera

    Eleni Rivera is a Puerto Rican writer and director from Atlanta, Georgia. Rivera is currently Associate Narrative Designer at Blizzard Entertainment for the RPG Diablo IV.

  • Alex Shvartsman

    Alex Shvartsman is a writer, translator, and anthologist. He's the author of Kakistocracy, The Middling Affliction, and Eridani's Crown fantasy novels. Over 120 of his short stories have been published.

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Announced: 04/25/2023

  • Dean's Lyst

    Walter Dean is a designer who specializes in custom-made costumes. He was featured by Marvel Studios in Marvel Becoming: Dora Milaja. He has also been spotlighted in several written publications.

  • Brianna Marie

    Brianna Marie is co-owner of Dungeons and Randomness and has always been obsessed with fantasy, roleplay and storytelling. D&R is the best thing to have ever happened to her. She has more friends than she ever could have imagined and gets to utilize her talents of being creative and compulsive.

  • Jason Massey

    Starting Dungeons and Randomness 11 years ago, Jason has been a professional Dungeon Master since then. He has hosted hundreds of sessions of DND and many other tabletop games.

  • Phoenicia

    Phoenicia has been a belly dancer since 1983. In addition to cabaret, ethnic, tribal, and fusion belly dance styles, she is also a nationally certified ballroom dance instructor.

  • Harrison Giles Pink

    Harrison Pink has had a varied career in the video games industry, working on groundbreaking narrative titles such as Telltale's The Walking Dead and Tales from the Borderlands alongside designing and writing quests for genre-defining franchises such as Diablo IV.

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Announced: 04/24/2023

  • Omid Abtahi

    Amid Abtahi has played Salim in American Gods and Dr. Pershing in The Mandalorian on Disney+.  He can also been seen playing Saleem Ulman in NCIS on Paramount+, and Homes in Hunger Games: Mockingiay - Part 2.

  • Leigh "The Talent" Bennett-Conner

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

  • Jae Lee

    Eisner Award-winner Jae Lee is a Korean-American comic book artist, known for his dark style. In 1990, he became one of the youngest artists ever to work for a major publisher. His art can be seen in Stephen King's Dark Tower, Before Watchmen: Ozymandias, Marvel's The Inhumans, and Batman/Superman.

  • 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, Momo Con, and San Diego ComicCon. His professional costume credits include building costumes for the WWE, NFL, and various tv shows.

  • Katy O'Brian

    Katy O'Brian is best known for her roles as Jentorra in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, George in Syfy's Z Nation, Major Sarah Grey in Black Lightning and Kimball in Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.. O'Brian plays Imperial communications officer Elia Kane in the second and third seasons of The Mandalorian.

  • Freddie Prinze Jr

    Freddie Prinze Jr is an actor, writer, and producer. He has starred in films I Know What You Did Last Summer, I Still Know What You Did Last Summer, She's All That, Summer Catch, Scooby-Doo, and Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed. Prinze voiced Kanan Jarrus in  Star Wars Rebels.

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Announced: 04/21/2023

  • Sam de la Rosa

    Sam de la Rosa's early work led to 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, Star Wars, and others.

  • Mera Rose

    Mera Rose is a professional production designer and costumer, an educational and disabilities advocate, and the President of CosInternational and former Vice President and President of the International Costumers' Guild.

  • Ebony Warrior Studios

    Charles Xavier Conley is an Atlanta based 3D Fabricator and Content Creator who has been cosplaying professionally since 2017, after winning Syfy's episodic television show, Cosplay Melee .

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Announced: 04/20/2023

  • Brian Duckwitz

    Brian Duckwitz has contributed to and authored over a dozen works for Paizo including A Taste of Ashes . He currently works as a Narrative Designer for Pixagon Games.

  • Greg Keyes

    Greg Keyes is the author of over thirty novels, from original works The Age of Unreason, Kingdoms of Thorn and Bone, Chosen of the Changeling, The High and Faraway, and The Basilisk Throne to licensed universes including Star Wars, Babylon 5, Pacific Rim, Godzilla, and The Elder Scrolls.

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Announced: 04/19/2023

  • Joshua Colwell

    Dr. Joshua Colwell is Chair and Pegasus Professor of Physics at the University of Central Florida. He hosts Walkabout the Galaxy, the fun astronomy podcast.

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Announced: 04/17/2023

  • Stephen L Antczak

    Antczak is a writer and editor, and hosts the YouTube channel I, Nerdius ,where he discusses science fiction and fantasy lit and other media, writing, fandom, science, and books.

  • 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 in Astronomy from Harvard University. He works on planetary atmospheres (Earth, Venus, Mars, Saturn, and comets).

  • James A. Hunter

    James A. Hunter is a full-time Inkslinger, a member of SFWA, and the bestselling author of Viridian Gate Online, Rogue Dungeon, Bibliomancer, Shadowcroft Academy, and Vigil Bound.

  • Caroline La Porta

    Caroline La Porta has been building costumes for over 20 years including with The Radio City Rockettes, the New York City Ballet, Broadway and touring productions, and several feature films.

  • Melissa Truth Miller

    Melissa T. Miller is a freelance science writer and co-host of Star Warsologies, a podcast about science in Star Wars.She loves connecting the wonders of science to fictional storytelling.

  • Benjamin Radford

    Benjamin Radford, MPH, M.Ed., is a folklorist with Skeptical Inquirer magazine and has written on urban legends, mysterious phenomena, and critical thinking. He is author of over twenty books and has won awards for his books, films, and podcasts.

  • 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 best seller.

  • Uko Smith

    Having worked with well-known companies as Hasbro, Image, IDW, Marvel, DC, Kingwood Comics,Lucasfilm, Chapterhouse, Ablaze Publishing, Moonstone, Upper Deck, Action Labs, DC DIRECT and also being featured in Heavy Metal. He publishes a successful brand of original art and sketchbooks out of his studio.

  • Christine H. Taylor-Butler

    Christine Taylor-Butler is the author of more than 95 books for children and young adults including The Lost Tribes series. She strongly believes literacy is a gateway to STEAM.

  • DL Wainright

    DL Wainright is the author of dark fantasy series The Hollow Sun. It is basically everything DL loves, all wrapped up in a bloody package.

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Announced: 04/16/2023

  • Matt Kindt

    Matt Kindt is a Harvey Award-winning and NYT best-selling writer and artist of comics and graphic novels. His work includes MIND MGMTBRZRKR (with Keanu Reeves), Bang!Dept. HEniacSuper Spy, and more! He has an imprint with Dark Horse Comics called Flux House. He lives with his wife and Spy Superb collaborator, colorist and artist Sharlene Kindt.

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Announced: 04/15/2023

  • Georges Jeanty

    Georges Jeanty is an Eisner winner and NY Times best selling 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  to name just a few. He is currently working on Disney's Star Wars:The Mandalorian

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Announced: 04/14/2023

  • Jeaniene Frost

    Jeaniene Frost is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of paranormal romance and urban fantasy. Her works include the Night Huntress series, the Night Prince series, the Night Rebel series, and the Broken Destiny series. Foreign rights for Jeaniene's novels have sold to twenty different countries.

  • Richard Harmon

    Richard Scott Harmon is best known for his role as John Murphy in CW's The 100. Harmon is also known for his roles as Jasper Ames in the The Killing and Julian Randol on Continuum. Harmon received critical praise for his role in the movie If I Had Wings.

  • Joseph Laycock

    Joseph Laycock is an associate professor of religious studies at Texas State. He is the author of several books and has appeared on Coast to Coast AM and The UnXplained.

  • Corynne McSherry

    Corynne McSherry is Legal Director at the Electronic Frontier Foundation, specializing in copyright, intermediary liability, open access, and free expression issues.

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Announced: 04/13/2023

  • Erik Burnham

    Erik Burnham is a Minnesotan writer and artist, best known for a decade-long run writing IDW's critically acclaimed Ghostbusters books, the web-comic Downside, and for being a generally awkward individual. Erik is currently writing Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Saturday Morning Adventures.

  • Yaya Han

    Yaya Han is a cosplayer, designer and author. She has been featured in multiple US Network TV Shows and countless magazines, books and newspapers, and is the first to bring branded cosplay-focused sewing and crafting products to mass retail. She is also the author of Yaya Han's World of Cosplay.

  • Travis Scott Merrill

    Travis Scott Merrill currently works as an ager-dyer and specialty costumer. A member of IATSE local 479. He uses paint, dyes, glues, power-tools; whatever it takes to create one-of-a-kind effects. You can see his art in professional theater, television, and across the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

  • Dietrich O Smith

    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.

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Announced: 04/12/2023

  • Paul Barrett

    Paul is an author and motion picture producer. He has two features and two documentaries under his belt, as well as six novels in the sci-fi/fantasy field.

  • Pamela Cole

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

  • Andrew Greenberg

    Best known for his work on roleplaying and computer games, Andrew Greenberg runs the Georgia Game Developers Association and Game Tech Hub startup accelerator. 

  • Bob Morley

    Bob Morley is an actor that stars as ‘Bellamy Blake' in The CW's drama/sci-fi series The 100 which in 2015 he was nominated for a Teen Choice Award. Morley also appeared in The White City, Blinder, Neighbors, Road Kill, Love Me, and more.

  • Dot Steverson

    Dot Steverson is a podcaster, producer, & digital storyteller. She currently brings her passion for stories and games to Kobold Press as their Marketing Director.

  • Eliza Taylor

    Eliza Taylor is an Australian actress best known to Dragon Con fans as the lead Clarke Griffin in The CW series The 100. She also starred in the 2014 film The November Man, The Sleepover Club, and Pirate Islands.

  • Brendan J. Vogel

    Brendan Vogel is a screenwriter and graphic novelist. His screenplay The Shimmers is the first-prize winner of this year's Atlanta Film Festival.

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Announced: 04/11/2023

  • Stephen Adams

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

  • Chuck Brown

    Chuck Brown is an Eisner and Ringo award-winning comic book writer. He is the current writer for Aquamen.  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

  • Bill Golliher

    Bill Golliher has been a writer and artist for Archie Comics for over 30 years. Bill has worked on scripting and illustrating a diverse set of titles and covers for the company. Bill lives in the southeast and is excited to be back at Dragon Con after many years.

  • Nancy Knight

    Nancy Knight is an award-winning author of 15 novels, numerous short stories, six produced plays, and one produced screenplay. She has edited several anthologies and has had stories published in others.

  • 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!

  • Carl J. Potts

    Carl Potts was an Executive Editor at Marvel Comics, overseeing 1/3 of Marvel's publications. He is best known for Punisher War Journal, Alien Legion, and for writing The DC Comics Guide to Creating Comics:Inside the Art of Visual Storytelling. He is a Professor at the School of Visual Arts.

  • Riddle

    Riddle, is an internationally recognized cosplayer who has been cosplaying for over 20 years. While she continues to cosplay, she has transferred the skills she learned from cosplay to working on such films as Marvel's End Game as a specialty costumer, as well as various shows on Disney+.

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Announced: 04/10/2023

  • Kevin Dockery

    Kevin Dockery has written or contributed to 39 books, numerous magazine articles, and appears on PBS, the History Channel, Discovery Channel, and Military Channel.

  • 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.

  • Mandip Gill

    Mandip Gill is best known as companion Yasmin Khan in Doctor Who, appearing in every episode of Series 11, 12 and 13. She also appeared in The Snowman: The Film That Changed Christmas, Suspicion, and the film 2:22 A Ghost Story.

  • Tom Heintjes

    Tom Heintjes is the co-founder and publisher of Hogan's Alley magazine, the Eisner Award-winning magazine about 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.

  • Eloy Lasanta

    Eloy Lasanta is the head of Third Eye Games, creators of RPGs like Part-Time Gods 2E, Sins of the Father, and the Pip System, has contributed to other games like The Firefly RPG, ORUN, and Into the Motherlands. Never pidgeon-holed, never type-casted, Eloy has certainly left his mark on the tabletop industry.

  • Sean Maher

    Sean Maher is well known to television and film audiences for his role as Dr. Simon Tam in Firefly and the  Universal feature Serenity. He is also a co-star in NBC's provocative new drama series The Playboy Club. Maher has appeared in Brian's Song, Wedding Wars, Drop Dead Diva, and more.

  • Frank Morin

    Author Frank Morin writes all types of fantasy, including The Petralist - epic YA fantasy, The Facetakers, fast-action contemporary fantasy, and Bacon Master of the Apocalypse – humorous epic fantasy. 

  • Stephen W Ramsden

    Stephen W. Ramsden is the founder and Director of the world's highest volume “hands-on” solar Astronomy/Sunlight in Nature outreach program- The Charlie Bates Solar Astronomy Project/Sunlit Earth!

  • Erica Schultz

    Erica Schultz is a Ringo Award nominated comic book writer best known for her work on X-23, Moon Knight, and Daredevil for Marvel, and her creator-owned series The Deadliest Bouquet with Image Comics. She's also worked with 2000AD, Dark Horse, Dynamite, Red 5, and more.

  • Jewel Staite

    Jewel Staite is best known for her roles as Kaylee Frye in the Fox television series Firefly and its spin-off theatrical film Serenity, and as Jennifer Keller on Sci-Fi Channel's science fiction television series Stargate Atlantis in addition to her lead role in The Tribe.

  • Hayley Tsukayama

    Hayley Tsukayama is Senior Legislative Activist at the Electronic Frontier Foundation, focusing on state legislation. Prior to joining EFF, she spent nearly eight years as a consumer technology reporter at The Washington Post writing stories on the industry's largest companies.

  • Arras Wiedorn

    Arras Wiedorn is an animal behaviorist. She is also the owner of Endangered Art Books, which aims to bring scientific education to the public via art and comics.

  • M. C. Williams

    M.C. Williams is a structural engineer, podcaster, and writer. He spends his nights getting lost in ancient mythologies, futuristic civilizations, and unspeakable horrors.

  • Irene Zielinski

    Irene Zielinski is a roleplaying game designer, online content creator, and marketing professional in the tabletop gaming industry. She currently heads the Men in Black program for Steve Jackson Games.

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Announced: 04/09/2023

  • Celia Yost

    Designer, painter, and general maker of imagery, Celia Yost has always been interested in the intersection between art and science and how the seemingly opposite fields can relate.

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Announced: 04/07/2023

  • J F Brink

    JF Brink, also known as The First Defier, is the author of Defiance of the Fall, a fantasy series which has sold 100s of thousands of copies.

  • Matt Green

    Matt Green is a Producer /Director/writer who has directed 11 feature films and done Special effects on over 100 major film and TV projects most recently doing miniatures and special effects on Francis Ford Coppolas Megaslopolis .

  • K.T. Hanna

    KT Hanna is an author best known for her series Somnia Online and System Apocalypse Australia (co-written with Tao Wong). She is entirely powered by caffeine, Chipotle, and sarcasm.

  • David Moscato

    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.

  • Mark Oshiro

    Mark Oshiro is the Hugo-nominated and award-winning author of YA and middle grade books. When not writing, they are trying to pet every dog in the world.

  • Lezli Robyn

    Lezli Robyn is Executive Editor/Associate Publisher of Arc Manor and author. Since her first sales to Clarkesworld, Asimov's and Analog, Robyn's been nominated for five prestigious awards—winning two.

  • Thomas Westbrook

    YouTuber, podcaster, and conference organizer Thomas Westbrook uses scientific skepticism and critical thinking to explore the paranormal/supernatural - discovering just how the world really works.

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Announced: 04/06/2023

  • Bethany Brookshire

    Bethany Brookshire is a PhD neuroscientist, science writer, and podcaster. She is the author of the 2022 book Pests: How Humans Create Animal Villains.

  • Kenneth G Carpenter

    Dr. Kenneth Carpenter is currently the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) Operations Project Scientist and the Ground Systems Project Scientist for the Roman Space Telescope (RST) at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center.

  • Raymond Daniel Carr

    Raymond Carr is a Jim Henson Company-trained puppeteer and award-winning independent filmmaker. He is a board member of Film Impact Ga, and the Jim Henson Foundation.

  • Alison Carrier

    As a seasoned developer, Alison Carrier has worked on Star Wars: Hunters, Halo Infinite, and other titles while passionately advocating for diversity and equity in video games.

  • Jenna Garrett

    Jenna Garrett is a proud member of Botched! A D&D Podcast, Horse Girls, Dungeons and Dracon Beams, Surprise Attack Book Club, and the QuestMaster for the Guild of Granddaughters.

  • Chris Hofmann

    Chris Hofmann is the Sr Manager of Launch Operations and Spaceports for Astra. He is the current Flight Director on mission days, having helped develop their launch system.

  • John Hudgens

    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.

  • Christopher G Moore

    Christopher G. Moore is an award-winning filmmaker and screenwriter. He is working on a feature film version of his short film Backward Creep and also helps co-host multiple podcasts. 

  • Melissa F. Olson

    Melissa F. Olson writes novels and comic books, including the Old World urban fantasy series and the Nightshades novella trilogy.

  • Naomi "Nao" Romero

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

  • Ashley Ruhl

    Ashley Ruhl is a 12 year veteran of the video game industry with credits in game design, cinematics, and writing. She's the Narrative Director on Star Wars: The Old Republic.

  • Alex Smith

    Alex Smith is the co-owner and operator of the store Alpha Comics and Games. She is the DM and primary creator of the actual play podcast Quid Pro Roll.

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Announced: 04/05/2023

  • Michael A. Stackpole

    Michael A. Stackpole is an award-winning novelist, game designer, computer game designer, podcaster, screenwriter and graphic novelist best known for I, Jedi and Rogue Squadron.

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Announced: 03/29/2023

  • Bethany 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.

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Announced: 03/28/2023

  • 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.

  • Dan dos Santos

    Dan dos Santos is globally recognized for his illustrative work, gracing the covers of authors such as Brandon Sanderson, Patricia Briggs, Jim Butcher and more. His distinctive style has helped shape what the Fantasy Art market is today.

  • Robert Pope

    Cartoonist/animator Robert Pope draws the Peanuts gang for Simon and Schuster and Looney Tunes for DC. He's drawn Scooby-Doo, Batman, Powerpuff Girls and more for DC, IDW, as well as animating for CN classics Space Ghost Coast to Coast, The Animaniacs, The Brak Show and others!

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Announced: 03/27/2023

  • Jennie Breeden

    Jennie Breeden is the creator of the journal webcomic The Devil's Panties which she had been posting daily since 2001.

  • 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.

  • Comfort Love

    Comfort and Adam are an award-nominated comic creating team. Their acclaimed series The Uniques and Rainbow in the Dark put them on the map, and they also wrote/illustrated The Complete Guide to Self-Publishing Comics (Random House) Kitty Game (with artist Corinne Roberts).

  • Trina L. Ray

    Trina Ray is 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), starting her career working on Voyager.  She invited to speak around the nation.

  • Adam Withers

    Comfort and Adam are an award-nominated comic creating team. Their acclaimed series The Uniques and Rainbow in the Dark put them on the map, and they also wrote/illustrated The Complete Guide to Self-Publishing Comics (Random House) Kitty Game (with artist Corinne Roberts).

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Announced: 03/24/2023

  • Van Jensen

    Van Jensen is an acclaimed comic book writer. He has crafted stories for Superman, The Flash, Green Lantern, James Bond and many others. His original series and graphic novels include ARCA, Two Dead, Cryptocracy and Pinocchio Vampire Slayer.

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Announced: 03/23/2023

  • Sean Andrew Copeland

    Sean Copeland is the Senior Manager of Lore for Blizzard Entertainment. His 17-year career includes providing narrative design, world-building, and lore expertise for major franchises including Diablo, Hearthstone, Heroes of the Storm, Overwatch, StarCraft, and World of Warcraft. Sean is also a best-selling author, award-winning historian, and lore trivia powerhouse.

  • R.R. Virdi

    R.R. Virdi is a USA Today Bestselling author, two-time Dragon Award finalist, and a Nebula Award finalist.

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Announced: 03/21/2023

  • Annie Stegg Gerard

    Annie Stegg Gerard is a gallery artist and illustrator known for her mythical and captivating oil paintings of women, nature and mythological figures.

  • Justin Gerard

    Justin Gerard is an independent artist who has worked within the publishing and film industries providing illustrations for clients such as Disney, Dreamworks, Warner Brothers, Sony, Riot, Blizzard, Hasbro, Wizards of the Coast and Riotminds.

  • Dakota Krout

    Dakota Krout is an internationally bestselling author of fantasy and LitRPG with over 35 titles in his Completionist Chronicles, Divine Dungeon, Full Murderhobo, and Year of The Sword series.

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Announced: 03/20/2023

  • Andrew Aydin

    Andrew Aydin is a #1 New York Times bestselling author and National Book Award winner. Andrew is co-author with Rep. John Lewis of March and Run, co-writer of The March, VR experience for TIME Inc, and has written characters such as Captain America and Batman for Marvel and DC Comics.

  • Margaret Downey

    Margaret Downey has had a prolific career in skepticism creating unique events and services. Dressed in the character of a "Friggatriskaidekaphobia Treatment Nurse," she helps cure superstitions. Downey organizes and provides the costumes, banners, and signs for the Skeptics entry in the Dragon Con parade.

  • Alicia Fox-Lenz

    Fox-Lenz is a Steward of the Mythopoeic Society and scholar interested in studying Tolkien through a Cultural Studies lens and expanding the mantle of mythopoeic literature to interactive narrative platforms. 

  • J. B. Garner

    Z-tier author/S-class editor, but generally awesome, Jamie Beth (J. B.) Garner has written over a dozen novels across multiple genres and edited hundreds more.

  • 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!

  • Bryce O'Connor

    Bryce O'Connor is the CEO of Wraithmarked Creative, which has raised over $700,000 in Kickstarter funding for various deluxe editions of popular independent and traditionally published sci-fi/fantasy novels. He is also a #1 Audible Store bestselling author, with his collective works having sold over 500,000 copies world-wide.

  • Matthew Scott Penick

    Matthew Penick is the founder of the theatrical design company Ribbons and Rivets. He began showing wares at local Renaissance Festivals and conventions but grew to shipping custom orders globally.

  • ALAN J. PORTER

    Alan J. Porter is a writer, and podcaster. He has over 30 fiction and non-fiction book publishing credits and hundreds of magazine articles on multiple subjects.

  • Spat

    Spat Oktan of SpatCave Studios is an FX Makeup Artist, Costume/Prop Maker and Author known for his MOBCon book series and his crazy makeup effects.

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Announced: 03/19/2023

  • L.H. Nicole

    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. 

  • Cassandra Quave

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

  • David Sherrer

    David Sherrer is the Marketing Director and Lead Game Designer of Chenoweth Press. His debut card game Cat Magic: The Game released in 2022 and was funded on Kickstarter.

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Announced: 03/18/2023

  • Anthony Francis

    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.

  • Hansi Oppenheimer

    Hansi Oppenheimer is a documentarian who has interviewed fans & creators in different genres for over a decade. Her podcast series, The Grr in Fangrrl, focused on women in horror.

  • Sean Patton

    Sean Michael Patton is a costume design veteran and principal for SMP Designs and has designed more than 40 stage productions, eight short films, five features, and numerous media projects.

  • Phillip Pournelle

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

  • Kevin Stallard

    Kevin Stallard has been in Information Security for more than 35 years and an avid video gamer for more than 40. He is currently Director of Security Architecture for Activision/Blizzard/King.

  • Torrey Stenmark

    Torrey Stenmark is an organic chemist, associate instructor, and an award-winning costumer. She has taught almost every chemistry course on offer at Shoreline Community College.

  • Urbnpop

    Chris Hamer aka URbnpop Is an Georgia Based Artist, Who Paints, Draws Comics and Envisions the world in a Very different way.

  • J. P. Valentine

    J.P. "Nixia" Valentine has penned bestsellers across the progression fantasy spectrum. The Nothing Mage, This Quest is Bullshit!, Dungeon Devotee, and The Stargazer's War are but a few.

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Announced: 03/17/2023

  • Samantha Avila

    Samantha Avila is an Art Director working in film and TV. Recent credits include Guardians of the Galaxy: Vol. 3, Spider-Man: No Way Home, Our Flag Means Death, and Westworld.

  • Will Aymerich

    Will Aymerich is The Founder of the The Southern Church of Vinyl, Co-author of the book Souls of Norcross, founder of The Darkside Syndicate a popular paranormal investigation team from Atlanta.

  • Madi Buckingham

    Madi Buckingham is a Historian on the Lore Team within Story & Franchise Development at Blizzard Entertainment. In the last five years, Madi has contributed to over 50 publications and 15 game credits crossing the universes of Diablo, Overwatch, StarCraft, World of Warcraft, Hearthstone, and Heroes of the Storm.

  • Cathalson

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

  • Richard J Estep

    Appearing on numerous TV shows and the author of 34 books, Richard Estep writes and presents on topics ranging from the paranormal, true crime, history, and writing/publishing.

  • Nicoli Gonnella

    Nicoli Gonnella writes Unbound, a bestselling LitRPG saga that has five books published and many more to come.

  • Will Harris

    Will Harris is a paleontologist, educator, and cohost of the Common Descent Podcast, where he applies his experience as a fossil hunter, researcher, and educator to entertaining and educational discussions.

  • Howard Andrew Jones

    Writer and editor Howard Jones received critical acclaim from Publisher's Weekly for his trilogy and historical fantasies from St. Martin's and has just signed a five book deal with Baen.

  • Charlie Kaufman

    Charlie Kaufman has worked in extensively in environmental consulting, academia where he studied coastal erosion, and emergency management responding to natural disaster impacts. He currently works for the government so he is here to help.

  • Jeffrey L Kohanek

    Jeffrey L. Kohanek writes fast-paced epic fantasy adventures packed with action, intrigue, and snark. With over 26 published novels, his author journey has just begun.

  • Shemer Kuznits

    Shemer Kuznits is a bestselling, Israeli LitRPG author with 11 books to his name, including the popular series Life Reset, Earth Force, and Biomancer.

  • John Jackson Miller

    New York Times bestselling author and Dragon Award winner John Jackson Miller has written novels and comics in many universes. Star Trek novels include Strange New Worlds: The High Country; Star Wars works include Kenobi and Knights of the Old Republic; plus titles for Battlestar Galactica, Halo, and Mass Effect.

  • Gary Poole

    Gary Poole is the editor of John Ringo's Black Ride Rising series of anthologies, morning radio host, screenwriter, and founder/host of the popular Robot Battles TM competitions.

  • 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 juggles his time between being a freelance comic writer and a professor teaching drawing and storytelling courses in Seneca College's award-winning Animation program.

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Announced: 03/16/2023

  • Martha Carr

    Martha Carr is a bestselling author of urban fantasy/action adventure novels. She was a stringer for the Washington Post, national columnist, co-creator of Oriceran Universe, author of best-selling UF series, The Leira Chronicles. Martha has a new book, Eamon, first in the Queen of the Flightless Dragons trilogy.

  • Michael Cho

    Michael Cho is a freelance cartoonist/illustrator based in Toronto. Cho has drawn a few stories and a large variety of covers for publishers including Marvel, DC, Image, Boom and others. His first graphic novel, Shoplifter, was published by Pantheon and debuted on the New York Times Best Seller List.

  • Mike Crugnola

    Mike Crugnola is best-known for role playing characters like Jebeddo and Deeran on the D&D live play podcast Adventure Incorporated, the Pokedexpert on Ask the Pokedexpert, and as a Swoontower Soccer host.

  • Jeff Dekal

    Jeff Dekal is a freelance illustrator. After being educated about art history in college, he was inspired to focus more on figurative art. Dekal is currently working in the comic industry as a cover artist. His clients include Marvel, DC, Creature Entertainment, and Dark Horse.

  • 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 Power Rangers: Pink and The Skeptics.

  • Creees Lee

    Creees 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. 

  • Mark Meer

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

  • Tony Moy

    Tony Moy is an international comic artist known for The 4Forty2nd. He creates artwork for D&D, X-files, and more. He teaches watercolor and streams on Twitch and Paint Bros.

  • Trevor Valle

    Trevor Valle is a paleontologist, science writer, and professional DM who has appeared on Doomsday: 10 Ways The World Will End and Mammoths Unearthed, as well as a TTRPG writer, Actual Play regular, the dinosaur creator for Atlas Games' Plangea D&D setting, and Creative Director of the GeekyJerseys D&D jerseys.

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Announced: 03/15/2023

  • R.J. Blain

    USA Today Bestselling author R.J Blain writes paranormal romance and urban fantasy with a comedic twist, blending thrills and chills with hilarity and mayhem.

  • Sue Kisenwether

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

  • Cheralyn Lambeth

    Cheralyn is a professional costume, prop, and puppet builder whose work includes films (The Muppet Christmas Carol, The Patriot, The Hunger Games), TV shows (Dinosaurs!, Homeland, Legacies), & live/interactive properties (Star Trek: The Experience, Avenue Q). She also currently holds the Guinness World Record for Largest Collection of Finger Puppets.

  • Chelsea Quinn Yarbro

    Literary Guest of Honor, Chelsea Quinn Yarbro has sold over 97 books and 83 shorter works in many genres in her 57-year-long career,. 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.

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Announced: 03/14/2023

  • Kevin McLaughlin

    Kevin McLaughlin is the multiple USA Today bestselling author of over 100 SF&F novels. He loves traveling around the world to help teach newer authors the art and craft of producing books readers love!

  • 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. 

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Announced: 03/13/2023

  • Curt Anderson

    Curt Anderson is a professional magician and speaker. He has performed across the country, around the world, and on world-wide television. His brand of performance is a fusion of magic, mental feats & physical stunts that will leave you wondering what is real and what is magic.

  • Jessica Cage

    Jessica Cage is an International Award Winning, and USA Today Best Selling Author from Chicago, IL. She is an independent publisher who focuses on writing strong characters of color in fantasy. Jessica recently signed with Webtoon to produce exclusive content for their new reading app, Yonder.

  • Delilah S Dawson

    Delilah S. Dawson is the New York Times bestselling author of Star Wars: Phasma and Galaxy's Edge: Black Spire, The Violence, the Minecraft Mob Squad series, the Hit series, the Blud series, the Shadow series (written as Lila Bowen), and the Tales of Pell, written with Kevin Hearne.

  • Rita DLaVane

    Rita D'LaVane is your 2019 Duchess of Funk of the What The Funk?! All BIPoC Burlesque Festival. Voted Savannah's Best Burlesque Performer 2020, 2021, 2022 and Mx. Ohio Burlesque 2022.

  • Mark Dos Santos

    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 LibraryStar Trek TNG, and Hugo award-winning writer, Morgan Gendel (Planet 6).

  • Kevin Grazier

    Kevin R. Grazier Ph.D. is a planetary physicist who was on the Cassini Mission to Saturn team. He has served as the science advisor for several television series and feature films and is the co-author of the Hollyweird Science series of books.

  • Hans R House

    Hans House, MD, is a Professor of Emergency Medicine at the University of Iowa. He lectures frequently both nationally and internationally on travel-related and emerging infectious diseases.

  • Dan Jolley

    Dan Jolley has written professionally for 30+ years in comic books, video games, children's books, and novels. He is most well-known for co-creating the Jason Rusch incarnation of DC Comics' character Firestorm, co-writing the narrative for the game Dying Light, and scripting the Eisner-nominated graphic novel JSA: The Liberty Files.

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Announced: 03/10/2023

  • Kurt Boutin

    Boutin currently hosts This Week in MCU, Story Time with Kurt, This Week in Batuu, Plus Size Stories, and publishes daily Fat Guy vlogs focusing on weight loss on TikTok.

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Announced: 03/06/2023

  • 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.

  • Kirstyn Carlson

    Kirstyn Carlson is a Systems Integration and Test Engineer for NASA's Artemis Program at Kennedy Space Center, working on the Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle. 

  • greendragon

    Stage director, public speaker, and singer Kirsten Z. Cairns is a senior staffer 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!

  • 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: 03/05/2023

  • 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 ten years together.

  • Charles Kelso

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

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Announced: 03/02/2023

  • 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. He is the son of Jim Butcher, author of the Dresden Files, Codex Alera, and Cinder Spires.

  • Bob Novella

    Bob Novella is a co-founder of the New England Skeptical Society. He co-hosts the Skeptics' Guide to the Universe podcast and is co-author of its two books.

  • Toni Weisskopf

    Toni Weisskopf has been the publisher of Baen Books since 2006. Baen is known for its innovative e-publishing program, which has expanded under Weisskopf's leadership to include titles from other publishers. She is interested in space science and serves on the Board of Advisors of the Interstellar Research Group.

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Announced: 03/01/2023

  • Christian Hubicki

    Dr. Christian Hubicki is a robotics professor and a castaway on CBS' Survivor:David vs. Goliath. Hubicki's research in controlling walking robots has been honored internationally and featured in media outlets.

  • Logan Jenkins

    Logan Jenkins is one host of the podcast Very Random Encounters, book author, and creator of the TTRPG, I'm Sure You're All Wondering Why I've Gathered You Here This Evening.

  • Greg Leatherman

    Greg is an award winning game designer for the TTRPG Glitter Hearts and is a founding member of the actual play podcast Very Random Encounters.

  • Lee Terrill

    Lee is an avid player of all genres of table top games. She has cohosted the actual play podcast Very Random Encounters for the last 6 years with her three amazing friends.

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Announced: 02/28/2023

  • Tina Hesman Saey

    Dr. Tina Saey is an award-winning science journalist. She is a senior writer covering molecular biology at Science News magazine.

  • Alain TheDungeonMeowster

    Alain is a happy-go-lucky improv performer and tabletop storyteller, the co-creator of Goblins & Growlers and the Quid Pro Roll podcast among others. 

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Announced: 02/27/2023

  • Marie Brennan

    Marie Brennan is the author of the Hugo-nominated The Memoirs of Lady Trent; the first book of that series was nominated for a World Fantasy Award.

  • Henry Hanks

    Henry Hanks has written about geek culture for sites such as CNN.com, Syfy.com and Joblo.com. He has participated in Dragon Con panels for over 20 years.

  • 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.

  • Brandon H Strauss

    Brandon Strauss is finishing a doctorate at Texas A&M, where they currently teach about medical and veterinary entomology and stink up the lab with decomposition research.

  • Alex White

    Alex White is the author of The Salvagers Trilogy and the Starmetal Symphony, as well as books for the Alien and Star Trek franchises. 

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Announced: 02/25/2023

  • Jeff Burns

    Jeff Burns is the creator of superhero comedy series Super Knocked Up and the host of improv comedy show Super Geeked Up. He's also a sci-fi/fantasy author, contributing to anthologies and penning over thirty Riley Rose Erotica books when he's not traveling the galaxy with Spike Spiegel and Faye Valentine.

  • Joshua I. Cutchin

    Joshua Cutchin is a full-time author and musician specializing in speculative non-fiction. He is the author of seven critically-acclaimed books. In 2019, he was featured on History Channel's Ancient Aliens.

  • Leighann Lord

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

  • Thomas Parham

    Dr. Thomas Parham is a professor of communication and media studies at Palm Beach Atlantic University and a WGA member with produced credits.

  • Sean Weiland

    Sean is a program manager for Kingsisle Entertainment, an award winning voice actor, and bartender. His was a contestant on America's Next Top Podcaster Season 4.

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Announced: 02/24/2023

  • Ian P Harris

    The skeptic comedian Ian Harris is known for his biting social commentary on third-rail subjects. If you cannot prove it with science, Harris will likely poke holes in it... in a hysterical way. Clever comedy, science, social commentary, characters, and sometimes impressions!

  • 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 Fantasy Trip role-playing systems, Ogre, Car Wars, and Zombie Dice. He is a citizen of the Internet until Texas cleans up its act.

  • Jay Novella

    Jay Novella is a skeptical activist, a science popularizer, author, producer, and host. He is best known for The Skeptics' Guide To The Universe, a top 10 science podcast.

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Announced: 02/23/2023

  • Kevin J. Anderson

    Kevin J. Anderson has published 170+ books, more than 58 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 trilogy, Clockwork Angels, with Neil Peart, legendary drummer from Rush.

  • 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 a soon-to be announced creator owned project and has recently provided art for Magic the Gathering.

  • 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.

  • Steven P Novella

    Steven Novella is the host and producer of The Skeptics' Guide to the Universe. He is an author of three books and has two popular blogs (NeuroLogica and Science-Based Medicine).

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Announced: 02/22/2023

  • 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 D.C. Comics, Wildstorm, Devil's Due, and Boom! 

  • David Petrie

    David Petrie is a fashion and food-obsessed writer of comedic science-fiction and fantasy. Best known for his Necrotic Apocalypse series, his first book was published in 2018.

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Announced: 02/21/2023

  • Emily Swan aSwanNamedEmily

    Emily Swan (aSwanNamedEmily) is the creator and showrunner of the Doodle Crew art stream, co-host of Sketching Shakespeare art and discussion stream, and member of the In Addition podcast.

  • Elizabeth Donald

    Elizabeth Donald is an award-winning writer of dark fantasy and speculative fiction. Her books include the Blackfire and Nocturne series, and she teaches writing at two universities in St. Louis.

  • Mandisa L Thomas

    Mandisa Thomas is the founder and President of Black Nonbelievers.  In 2022, Mandisa was featured in a billboard and newspaper ad for the “I'm Secular and I Vote” campaign.

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Announced: 02/20/2023

  • Charles E. Blue

    Charles Blue is a science writer and science communicator focusing on astronomy, astrophysics, engineering and geophysics. He is a contributor to the NOIRLab Stories blog and the Cosmoview webcast.

  • Addie Dove

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

  • Savannah Miller

    Savannah is a public health professional that has studied a range of public health topics including climate change and infectious disease. 

  • Mohamed Noor

    Dr. Mohamed Noor is a professor and vice-provost at Duke University and a contracted science consultant for the Star Trek universe. He merges his passions by teaching genetic and evolutionary concepts using depictions from Star Trek in the classroom, in writings, in online videos, and in-person presentations at conventions.

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Announced: 02/17/2023

  • Kevin Cafferty

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

  • 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.

  • Charles E. Gannon

    Dr. Charles E. Gannon's 20+ books have won the Dragon Award, the ALA Choice Award, the Compton Crook Award, and had multiple Nebula nominations. He is best known for the Caine Riordan series of hard sci-fi novels, novels in Eric Flint's 1632 and John Ringo's Black Tide Rising universes.

  • Ed Larson

    Ed is the Founder and CEO of Tampa Deep Sea Xplorers, Inc. (TDSX). Ed is passionate about robotics, underwater exploration, business, science fiction, and the maker movement.

  • F.T. Lukens

    F.T. Lukens is a New York Times bestselling author of YA speculative fiction. Their most recent releases are Spell Bound, So This is Ever After, & In Deeper Waters.

  • Rob Roberts

    Rob Roberts is an internet broadcasting veteran and co-creator of Orange Lounge Radio, the longest running weekly show about video games online since 2002. 

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Announced: 02/16/2023

  • Bill Bridges

    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. 

  • Crystal Cleveland

    Crystal Cleveland is an award-winning actress, published model, horror-short director, and Gruesome Magazine Youtube host for all things happening in horror films.

  • Lali DeRosier

    Science teacher and education researcher, Lali DeRosier promotes youth involvement in science through student writing, art, and, outreach. She tackles themes of science and diversity in sci-fi, fantasy, and horror.

  • 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 Flash Forward was based on his Aurora Award-winning novel of the same name, and he was one of the writers for that program.

  • Dave West

    Dave West is a writer, interviewer, and podcaster who also hosts game shows, wrestling events, and rock n' roll concerts.

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Announced: 02/15/2023

  • 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.

  • Kel Kade

    Kel Kade is a NYT Bestselling fantasy author. Her first novel, Free the Darkness, became the #1 Bestseller in Fantasy on Amazon. Kade's second series is with Tor Books.

  • Jean McGuire

    STL Project Coordinator for Steve Jackson Games. Owner of Wintertree Software, maker of RPG aids like TableMaster, fonts, and more. Author of gaming magazine articles. 3D sculptor. 3-D printing geek.

  • Sarah M Milkovich

    Dr. Sarah M. Milkovich is a scientist and an engineer at NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory. She has spent over 15 years exploring the solar system with a variety of spacecraft. Milkovich enjoys sharing the stories of the people behind the robots.

  • Stephanie Mirro

    Author Stephanie Mirro combined her overactive imagination with a college major in ancient civilizations and a love for all things fantasy to result in a bestselling writing career.

  • Casey Moores

    Casey Moores is an award winning author of military science fiction and fantasy with novels and short stories in the Four Horsemen universe, Fallen World, JTF-13, and many more.

  • Anne Schlea

    Anne Schlea has written two series: The Retribution Universe and The Fallen. She enjoys blending true history into urban fantasy to create dynamic worlds her readers want to step into.

  • Anne Sowards

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

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Announced: 02/14/2023

  • TJ Sterling

    TJ Sterling is an former Marvel and DC comics artist. TJ also publishes comics through his own imprint RAE Comics. TJ is also a teacher at the Joe Kubert School of Comic and Cartoon Art.

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Announced: 02/13/2023

  • Dr. April Armes

    April Armes is a microbial geneticist and ecologist with a focus on microbe-microbe and microbe-host interactions. By night, April enjoys her hobbies such as dancing, cosplay, and video games.

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Announced: 02/12/2023

  • Ellie Raine

    Ellie Raine is the Gothic Fantasy author of the Writer's Digest award-winning epic series, the NecroSeam Chronicles.

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Announced: 02/10/2023

  • John Giang

    John is an acclaimed Cover and Concept Artist. John's covers include: Spider-Man, Batman, and Last Ronin. John's film credits include: Rogue One, Avengers, TMNT, and Transformers. John has jammed with Marvel, DC Comics, Paramount, Disney, Lucasfilm, and Hasbro.

  • Mike Kunkel

    Cartoonist Mike Kunkel has worked for nearly 30 years in Animation and Publishing drawing cartoon stories for Film, TV and Comics. He's won the Annie Award for Best Character Design in an Animated TV Production and is the creator of the 2-time Eisner Award-winning comic series Herobear and The Kid.

  • Mike Jack Stoumbos

    Mike Jack Stoumbos is an author and educator, known for Writers of the Future v38 , Sci-Fi series, This Fine Crew, and editor of the Murderbirds anthology among others.

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Announced: 02/09/2023

  • Matt Frank

    Matt Frank is known in both Japan and America as the "Kaiju King," having been an official Godzilla artist on comics, statues, and posters since 2011. He has also worked on Transformers, Ultraman, Gamera, Power Rangers, and original comics like Miss Medusa and State of the Monsters.

  • Andrea Lorenzo Molinari

    Andrea Lorenzo Molinari, Ph.D. is co-writer of The Shepherd series with Scout Comics and editorial director. He 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 Lev Gleason's New Friday Comics .

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Announced: 02/08/2023

  • 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.

  • Andrew E.C. Gaska

    Andrew E.C. Gaska is the UKGE and Ennie award-winning settings/adventure writer for Free League Publishing's Alien RPG. A franchise consultant to 20th Century Studios on Alien, Predator, and POTA, he's also the lead writer on The Terminator RPG and two Choose Your Own Adventure graphic novels.

  • Bill Holbrook

    Bill Holbrook is the creator of three daily comic strips: On the Fastrack features the modern office through the eyes of Dethany, the corporate Goth. Safe Havens is a science fiction fantasy set in a genetics lab. In 1995 he launched Kevin & Kell, now the longest running daily webcomic.

  • J. Gonzo

    J. Gonzo is a Chicano Comicbook Artist best known as the writer and artist of his own title La Mano del Destino (self-published singles; collected edition – Image Comics) and the artist of La Voz de MAYO: Tata Rambo.

  • Les Johnson

    Les Johnson is a physicist, author, and NASA technologist. His recent books include A Traveler's Guide to the Stars (Princeton Press) , Saving Proxima, The Spacetime War, and The Ross 248 Project (Baen). He leads two NASA space missions and was featured in the March 2019 issue of National Geographic.

  • Joseph Meany

    Joseph Meany, Ph.D., a.k.a. The Crimson Alkemist, is a science consultant for the US Government. He researches materials science applications focused on cutting-edge renewable energy.

  • Mark A Pennington

    Mark Pennington's art career started at Hasbro designing GI Joe action figures. Three years later moved on to freelance art, inking comics for DC, Marvel, Dark Horse, and various others. He also illustrated for gaming cards, children's books, educational books and is currently illustrating Carson of Venus.

  • Lan Pitts

    Lan Pitts was born in Atlanta, now lives in Baltimore, Maryland, where he writes comics and is a Staff Writer for Gamespot. He loves wrestling, The Simpsons, 1980s' animation. He's written for several entertainment sites for almost 20 years and has been writing comics for what feels for so much longer.

  • Stressinabox

    Stressinabox is a content creator with over 2 million followers on Tiktok and an indie author. As an author, she is best know for The Keeper series.

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Announced: 02/07/2023

  • Jarrod Carl Alberich

    Jarrod Alberich is the creator of his own original comic book, Hamilton vs. Burr: A Werewolf Tale. He is the writer for Z2 Comics, a trading card artist for Marvel Comics & UpperDeck, cover artist & inker for White Rocket Books, and a US Air Force combat veteran.

  • Michael Andrew Corrie

    Michael Corrie, aka, "Props To History" is a propmaker/sfx artist and prop-master for Film, TV, and Theatre. Known publicly as Props To History, a film, prop and special effects historian. 

  • Chandra Free

    Chandra Free is the writer/artist of The God Machine graphic novel series, and co-founder of Machina Corpse, a spooky comics imprint. She's an illustrator on books like John Carpenter's Tales For A Halloween Night, Fraggle Rock, Graphic Canon. She is currently working as a character designer.

  • Daniel Govar

    Daniel Govar is a comic, children's book, and fantasy artist known for covers & interiors (Star Wars, Marvel, DC, etc). Currently Daniel is the illustrator for Naomi Novik's 3-book Temeraire omnibus, Artist for various Star Wars Cards sets for Topps, and is releasing his second art book later this year.

  • Matthew L Hawkins

    Matthew Hawkins is a maker, paper toy artist and illustrator. Hawkins weaves humor and energy into bold, whimsical art for humorous and often surprising results. He has made work Disney, DC, Nickelodeon, Nintendo, Sega and WWE.

  • 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

  • Mari Mancusi

    Mari Mancusi is the award-winning author of over 30 books for kids, teens, and adults. She writes Frozen novels for Disney Press as well as sci-fi/fantasy books for other major publishers. An Emmy-award-winning former TV news producer, she also writes branching narrative fiction for mobile gaming companies.

  • Bobby Nash

    Bobby Nash is an award-winning author (comic books, novels, short stories, screenplays, audio). On occasion, he acts in movies and TV shows, usually standing behind your favorite actor, but every once in a while they let him speak.

  • Cherie M. Priest

    Cherie Priest is the author of more than two dozen books and novellas, including the Booking Agents mysteries (Grave Reservations and Flight Risk), southern horror novel The Toll, acclaimed gothic Maplecroft, and the award-winning Clockwork Century series, beginning with Boneshaker.

  • Steve Saffel

    Steve Saffel has been in publishing for decades including at Titan Books acquiring SF, fantasy, horror, and illustrated books. He's the fiction editor for Alien and Predator novels, books based on Marvel Comics (including Black Panther), the Conan fiction, and novels based on Gears of War and Mass Effect.

  • Jamie Tyndall

    Jamie Tyndall is a Canadian - American Comic book cover artist. He is the founder and co creator of Absolute Comics and Merc Publishing with such titles as Miss Meow, Deathrage, Born of Blood and many more.

  • Constance G.J. Wagner

    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. 

  • Thomas Zahler

    Thom Zahler is a comic book creator and animation writer. He created the Line Webtoons hit series Cupid's Arrows and Warning Label as well as the Harvey-nominated Love and Capes (recently with new volumes Home for the Holidays and In the Time of Covid).

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Announced: 02/06/2023

  • Freddy Clements

    Freddy Clements is currently a Distinguished Professor of Drama/ Costume Design at Jacksonville State University, Jacksonville AL. 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, Kilt Construction and Costume Technology.

  • Esther Friesner

    Nebula Award winner Esther Friesner (Ph.D. Yale University), is the author of forty-one novels and over two hundred short stories. Editor of eleven anthologies, she is best known for the Chicks in Chainmail series (Baen Books). She is also the author of the Princesses of Myth YA series (Random House).

  • Steph LaMassa

    Astrophysicist Steph LaMassa works at the Space Telescope Science Institute on JWST, a NASA flagship observatory developed and operated in collaboration with the European and Canadian Space Agencies.

  • Corinne Roberts

    Corinne Roberts is an illustrator working in comics and children's books (Bug Bites, Drawing Dragons, the Out and About series, Kitty Game and Unreal Estate). She teaches throughout Michigan and continues her passion of painting in watercolor and pen.

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Announced: 02/04/2023

  • Davey Beauchamp

    Davey Beauchamp is an Artist and Librarian. He has done work for BBC, BBC America, and Penguin UK for Doctor Who. Currently he is art director for Tavern Publishing.

  • EK Johnston

    EK Johnston is the critically acclaimed, New York Times Bestselling author of multiple YA novels, as well as a writer of Stars Wars and Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves tie-ins.

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Announced: 02/03/2023

  • Ande Parks

    Ande Parks is an American comic book artist, known for his works as an inker and writer. His greatest notoriety comes from his stint with fellow artist Phil Hester on DC Comics' Green Arrow series, and writing the graphic novels Union Station and Capote in Kansas by Oni Press.

  • Meg M Robinson

    Meg M. Robinson's stories are inspired heavily by mythology—mostly Greek—as well as ancient places, things, and mysteries. She was a 2022 Maggie Awards Finalist for Finding Salus.

  • Stacey Rourke

    Stacey Rourke is a multi-award-winning, best-selling author of works that seamlessly blend dark fantasy with a trademark snarky humor that has made her a powerhouse in the indie writing community.

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Announced: 02/02/2023

  • D.B. Jackson

    D.B. Jackson/David B. Coe is an award-winning fantasy author, and has edited several anthologies. As D.B. Jackson, he writes the Thieftaker Chronicles. As David B. Coe, he has recently published the Radiants supernatural thriller series. He has a Ph.D. in U.S. history from Stanford University.

  • Kim Steadman

    Kim Steadman is a Systems Engineer at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Currently she is a Systems Engineer for the Perseverance Rover Engineering Operations team and the Technical Group Supervisor for the Integrated Planning and Sequencing for Surface Missions group. She has also worked on Opportunity, Curiosity, and Cassini.

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Announced: 02/01/2023

  • Raychelle Burks

    Raychelle Burks is a chemistry professor with a crime lab background. She brings her expertise to examine unusual cases, both real and fictional.

  • Kristin Jackson

    Kristin Jackson is the Director of Communications and Graphic Designer for Frostbite Pictures, and is currently working on International & Domestic indoor/outdoor art for Paramount Pictures.

  • Kavura

    Kavura is one of the hosts of both the StarPodTrek and StarPodLog podcasts. She produces Ladies Trek Library and is in several Star Trek fan clubs and fan films.

  • Sherrilyn Kenyon

    Defying odds is what New York Times bestselling author Sherrilyn Kenyon does best. With dedicated legions of fans known as Paladins, thousands of whom proudly sport tattoos from her genre-defying series, she's become one of the most popular and influential authors in the world (in both adult and young adult).

  • Nayr

    Nayr is a host of StarPodLog and StarPodTrek. Having attended, as well as presented, at literally hundreds of conventions, his panels are engaging, entertaining, and informative.

  • R. Alan Siler

    R. Alan Siler is owner of kOZMIC Press. He's the author of three books about Doctor Who, the kid's book Lucy Can't Dance, and essays on numerous pop culture topics. His podcasts include Modern Musicology, Earth Station Trek, Doctor Who A to Z, and Alan's Record Bin.

  • Daviorr Snipes

    Daviorr Snipes is the Director of Diversity & Inclusion for the Stratford Festival Theatre in Ontario, Canada. He is a Peabody Award winning actor working in theatre, film, and voice.

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Announced: 01/31/2023

  • Brian D. Anderson

    Brian Anderson is the bestselling fantasy author of The Godling Chronicles, Dragonvein, The Sorcerer's Song, Akiri (with co-author Steven Savile), and is currently writing short fiction in the Conan the Barbarian Universe. His books have sold more than 500,000 copies worldwide and his audio books are perennially popular.

  • Jon Armstrong

    Jon stars in the NetFlix's 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.

  • Joe Corroney

    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.

  • Katie Cross

    Magic-lover Katie Cross has published more than thirty books in YA Fantasy because she likes to hang out with dragons in wild places.

  • Ryan DeBruyn

    Ryan DeBruyn was a professional athlete that always wanted to write, and turned his dream into a reality. His works include, Ether Collapse, System Misinterpret, and Ether Flows

  • 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 in his own milieus in the fictional Cliff's End and Super City and also New York and Key West. He writes about pop culture for Tor.com.

  • Kevin Eldridge

    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.

  • AJ Hartley

    A.J. Hartley (AKA Andrew Hart) is the bestselling author of 25 novels including Hideki Smith, Burning Shakespeare, Cold Bath Street, Impervious, Steeplejack, and, with Tom DeLonge of Blink 182, Sekret Machines. He is Professor of Shakespeare at UNC Charlotte, and has a J-rock YouTube channel.

  • Bethanne Kim

    "Be Prepared" is deeply ingrained in Bethanne Kim's writings. She has written a series on Survival Skills and it informs Kim's alternate history stories set in Eric Flint's 1632 Universe.

  • 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.

  • Michael G. Manning

    Michael G. Manning is the author of the popular Mageborn series. He has dabbled in software design, fantasy art, and is an avid tree climber. 

  • 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.

  • Gray Rinehart

    Gray Rinehart is a writer who sings, and a singer who writes. He's written science fiction and fantasy stories, songs on myriad topics, and is the "Slushmaster General" for Baen.

  • Aaron Michael Ritchey

    Aaron Michael Ritchey is the author of forty-seven novels under various pen names. He's been an Amazon All-Star, and the first book in The Juniper Wars series was a Dragon Award Finalist. His novel, Sages of the Underpass, won the Independent Audiobook Award for best fantasy in 2021.

  • Jeanne C Stein

    Jeanne C. Stein is the author of the The Anna Strong Vampire Chronicles and The Fallen Siren Series written as S. J. Harper. In 2021, she co-authored a Sci Fi adventure trilogy, 180 Degrees Magnetic. Her most recent short story appeared in Shadow Atlas, Dark Landscapes of the Americas.

  • Marisa Wolf

    Marisa Wolf writes science fiction, fantasy, and every point in-between. She is a core author in the bestselling Four Horseman Universe and has over 20 short stories in print.

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Announced: 01/30/2023

  • Bobby Blackwolf

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

  • Stephanie Crugnola

    Stephanie Crugnola is a chaotic wholesome content creator specializing in Shakespeare, Collaborative Storytelling , Soccer, and all things niche nerd.

  • Cecilia Dominic

    By day, psychologist Cecilia Dominic helps people cure their insomnia. By night, this USA Today bestselling author writes steampunk and urban fantasy books that keep readers up all night. 

  • Isabelle Hardesty

    Isabelle Hardesty writes YA fantasy stories about girls doing magical things and kicking butt. She is the author of The Destroyer Witch Chronicles series, The Delacourt Shapeshifter Trilogy series, and more.

  • Laura Hayden

    Laura Hayden writes in a wide variety of genres. With fourteen novels under her belt, she's also a founder and a ten-time director of the Pikes Peak Writers Conference.

  • C. Mantis

    A former Marine, C. Mantis fell into being a fantasy author when the pandemic hit and has an insight or three about the process. 

  • 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 170 stories. Nye teaches writing seminars and is Coordinating Judge for the Writers of the Future Contest.

  • Noel Plaugher

    Having studied Chinese and Japanese martial arts, and Qigong, Plaugher draws on those experiences to write hard-hitting martial arts fiction and non-fiction. His new novel is The Lady Dragon of Chinatown.

  • Daniel Schinhofen

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

  • J M Tuffley

    JM Tuffley writes about Pop Culture for various outlets, and contributes to Need Coffee Dot Com's Weekend Justice Podcast.

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Announced: 01/29/2023

  • Bill Mulligan

    Bill Mulligan has worked as a writer, director, actor and special FX creator. He podcasts with Decades of Horror. His first published novel, Raum, is coming soon. 

  • Jessi Ann York

    Jessi Ann York is a horror writer whose work has been featured PseudoPod, Vastarien, Cemetery Gates Media, and more. 

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Announced: 01/28/2023

  • Rhett C. Bruno

    Rhett Bruno is a USA Today bestselling, #1 Audible Bestselling, and Nebula-nominated hybrid author who co-founded Aethon Books and currently serves as its CEO.

  • Richard Lee Byers

    Richard Lee Byers is the author of over fifty fantasy and horror novels as well as numerous pieces of short fiction. He also writes graphic novel and contributes to the development of electronic games. 
  • Jaime Castle

    Jaime Castle is a #1 Audible Bestselling author, including Luna Missile Crisis, Dead Acre, Cold as Hell, The Buried Goddess Saga, Web of Eyes, Jeff the Game Master, and more.

  • Sean Fletcher

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

  • Berta Platas

    Berta Platas is an award-winning Latina romance author as well as coauthor, with Michele Roper, of the The Faire Folk Saga. The By Honor Bound series, is co-written with Nancy Knight.

  • Tony Sarrecchia

    Tony is a writer-producer with multiple audio drama, and short stories under his belt. He also has a supernatural thriller screenplay in development with Scary Times Productions.

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Announced: 01/27/2023

  • J.A. Andrews

    JA Andrews thought her degree in aerospace engineering was useless to her as a fantasy author. Until that knowledge helped solve how to ground a dragon in The Keeper Chronicles.

  • Patricia L. Briggs

    Patricia Briggs is the #1 NYT Best Selling Author of both the Mercy Thompson series and the Alpha and Omega series. She lives near the Tri-Cities and often plays truant from her keyboard in favor of her ever growing herd of Arabian horses.

  • Matt Dinniman

    Matt Dinniman is the author of the best-selling series, Dungeon Crawler Carl.

  • K.D. Edwards

    K.D. Edwards' first book in his urban fantasy series The Tarot Sequence, The Last Sun, was published in June 2018.  The Hourglass Throne, is the latest installment in the series.

  • Jackson Ford

    Jackson Ford is a South African author living in Vancouver. He is the author of The Frost Files, beginning with The Girl Who Could Move Sh*t With Her Mind.

  • G. S. Jennsen

    G.S. Jennsen is a bestselling author of 18 novels and numerous short stories. Her novel, Starshine was named one of the best sci-fi novels by a woman in the last 50 years.

  • Bernadette Johnson

    Bernadette Johnson is the author of The Big Book of Spy Trivia, The Big Book of Horse Trivia for Kids, and The Big Book of Cryptid Trivia

  • Philip Ligon

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

  • Tamsin L. Silver

    Tamsin Silver is a Fantasy author based out of NM. Works include Mark of the Necromancer, The Windfire Series, Untold Legends Series, and a novel/web series, Skye of the Damned.

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Announced: 01/26/2023

  • Jennifer Blackstream

    Jennifer Blackstream is a bestselling author of urban fantasy and paranormal romance fueled by binge-watching TV murder mysteries, a Master's degree in Psychology, and an obsession with mythology and fairy tales.

  • Jay Boyce

    Jay Boyce, daughter of a librarian and wielder of words, is primarily an editor turned writer and perpetual learner. She currently writes A Touch of Power and Rise of the Mystic Mage series.

  • Chris Jackson

    Chris A. Jackson is the author of over 30 novels in multiple genres. He is the 2020 Scribe award winner for best short story, as well as numerous other awards.

  • Jeffrey Falcon Logue

    Jeffrey "Falcon" Logue has been a professional writer for over seven years. He has published 18 books, having started the dungeon core subgenre with his original, The Slime Dungeon.

  • Tara Lynne

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

  • Megan Mackie

    Megan Mackie is the author of The Lucky Devil Series, the Dead World Series, the Working Masks Series, The Adventures of Pavlov's Dog and Schrodinger's Cat Series, and many more.

  • Thomas Mariani

    Thomas Mariani is a staff writer for Film Cred and host of the podcast Double Edged Double Bill who has been a panelist for eight straight Dragon Con.

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Announced: 01/24/2023

  • Davis Ashura

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

  • Nick Eftimiades

    Nicholas Eftimiades is a professor at Penn State University, Homeland Security Program.​ He retired from a 34 year government career that included employment in the CIA, the Department of State, and Defense Intelligence Agency. ​Eftimiades has appeared as an expert on dozens of television and news shows.

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Announced: 01/23/2023

  • David Boop

    David Boop is the author of  The Drowned Horse Chronicle Volume 1, She Murdered me with Science, and Rippers: The Soul Changers. He also edits and writes short fiction.

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Announced: 01/19/2023

  • Tony P Henderson

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

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Announced: 01/17/2023

  • J.D. Blackrose

    JD Blackrose is the author of The Summoner's Mark series from Bell Bridge Books, and The Soul Wars, The Devil's Been Busy, and the Zombie Cosmetologist novellas from Falstaff Books, and numerous short stories.

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Announced: 01/16/2023

  • Ed Brisson

    Ed Brisson is a comic book writer who first started to garner attention with his self-published crime series Murder Book and the crime/time-travel thriller series Comeback. He's written and co-created four other series published by Image: Sheltered, The Field, The Mantle and The Violent.

  • Nemesis

    Nemesis is a 20+ year veteran of smashing dance club floors in Boston, Atlanta, Tampa, Los Angeles, and a nine time Official Dragon Con performer. Catch this phenom performing 3 different sets of music: Thursday @ 8-Bit Bash,  Friday @ Late Night Rave, and Saturday @ The Last Party on Alderaan! Check out nemesisboston.com for more.


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Announced: 01/12/2023

  • Bill Fawcett

    Bill Fawcett has packaged and edited over 400 Science Fiction novels and many history books including oral histories of the Navy SEALs. He co-authored the official Mycroft Holmes Mysteries. He's also written dozen non-fiction books, many on Mistakes in History. He founded Mayfair Games and designs board and computer games.

  • Van Allen Plexico

    Van Allen Plexico is a multi-award-winning writer 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 multiple video and podcast channels covering James Bond, Babylon 5, The Avengers, and more.

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Announced: 01/11/2023

  • Matthew J. Brown

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

  • Beth Dolgner

    Beth Dolgner writes paranormal fiction and nonfiction, including the Eternal Rest Bed and Breakfast paranormal cozy mysteries. She  gives talks about Victorian death customs and Spiritualism, and she tells ghost stories at events. 

  • Corinne O'Flynn

    Corinne O'Flynn is a USA Today bestselling author of fantasy, mystery, and paranormal romance. She also writes contemporary romance as Daria Blake, and paranormal romance as Fiona Starr.

  • Timothy Zahn

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

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Announced: 01/09/2023

  • Leanna Renee Hieber

    Actress, ghost tour guide and award-winning, bestselling author of Gothic, Gaslamp Fantasy fiction and paranormal non-fiction such as A Haunted History of Invisible Women for Tor and Kensington Books. A 4-time Prism award winner, Hieber has been featured on Mysteries at the Museum and Beyond the Unknown.

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Announced: 01/08/2023

  • Courtney Lytle

    Courtney Lytle is a practicing attorney and Adjunct Professor at Emory University School of Law. She specializes in intellectual property law and is a partner at Culhane Meadows.

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Announced: 01/03/2023

  • Marx Pyle

    Marx Pyle is an author, screenwriter, filmmaker, podcaster, adjunct professor, and martial artist. He is the author of Obsidian Monsters, co-editor/co-author of the award-winning anthology Dragons of a Different Tail.

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Announced: 01/01/2023

  • Ryan A Consell

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

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Announced: 12/30/2022

  • Kevin Bachelder

    Kevin Bachelder has been podcasting about genre TV and movies since 2005. His podcasts have won four Parsec Awards in the Best Fan Podcast category.

  • Aretta Baumgartner

    Aretta Baumgartner is a performer/teaching artist specializing in puppetry, mask, and movement. She's proud to be the Education Director of the world-renowned Center for Puppetry Arts in Atlanta.

  • 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 Consulting Editor for Baen Books.

  • Jason Cordova

    Bestselling author Jason Cordova was a finalist for both the John W. Campbell Award and Dragon Award. A huge history nerd, the Navy veteran, former teacher, and retired esports pro.

  • Kacey Ezell

    Kacey Ezell is a helicopter air ambulance pilot who writes sci-fi/fantasy/horror/noir/alternate history fiction. She is a two-time Dragon Award Finalist and has written multiple bestselling novels.

  • 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.

  • Dr. John L Flynn

    Dr. John L. Flynn, author and three-time Hugo nominee, is a member of SFWA. His 21 books include novels, biographies, film studies, and nonfiction histories.

  • Robert E. Hampson

    Dr. Robert E. Hampson is a world-renowned Neuroscientist, leading a team to develop the first prosthetic device for restoration of human memory. He is also an SF author with five novels, two anthologies, and 50 works of short fiction and nonfiction.

  • Darin Kennedy

    Darin Kennedy is a doctor-by-day and novelist-by-night. Kennedy's works include his Fugue & Fable series, the Pawn Stratagem series, and The April Sullivan Chronicles.

  • Lisa Manifold

    Lisa Manifold is a USA Today bestselling author of paranormal women's fiction, urban fantasy and romance. with her most recent releases in her series, The Oracle of Wynter.

  • Shami A Stovall

    Shami Stovall is a multi-award-winning author of fantasy and science fiction and the founder of Capital Station Books. She loves reading, her husband, John, video games, and writing about herself in the third person.

  • The Tattooed Santa

    The Tattooed Santa (AKA Stephen Taylor)  is the father of 12 (9 by adoption) and has been crafting armor from leather, chainmaille, and scalemaille for 16+ years.

  • Trisha J. Wooldridge

    Trisha J. Wooldridge writes and edits stuff that wins awards. Find her in The Twisted Book of Shadows; some HWA Poetry Showcase volumes; and multiple anthologies. 

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Announced: 12/29/2022

  • Eric R. Asher

    Eric R. Asher is the author of over 30 titles, including the Vesik urban fantasy series and the YA steampunk series, Steamborn. 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.

  • Kaitlin Bevis

    Kaitlin Bevis is best known as the author of the young adult Greek mythology series, the Daughters of Zeus and a young adult horror novel called Blood and Other Matter.

  • Doug Burbey

    Doug Burbey is the author of the Blood War urban fantasy series. In addition to writing, he is a Department of Defense Program Manager for advanced technology development efforts.

  • Tyra Burton

    Tyra Burton is a multiple-award-winning professor, social media strategist, and co-author of Socially Engaged: The Author's Guide to Social Media.

  • Jack Campbell

    Jack Campbell (John G. Hemry), retired US Navy officer, writes the New York Times best-selling Lost Fleet series, Genesis Fleet series, Lost Stars series, and steampunk meets high fantasy Pillars of Reality series. His latest books are Implacable, The Empress of the Endless Sea trilogy, and the Corsair comic series.


  • Michael Chatfield

    Michael Chatfield is an international bestseller author with over 40 books based in Fantasy, Science fiction and LitRPG universes!

  • Luke Chmilenko

    Luke Chmilenko is best known for a variety of blockbuster series such as Ascend Online, The Shattered Reigns, Savage Dominion, and Stormweaver!

  • Harmon Cooper

    Harmon Cooper is the bestselling indie author of over 75 fantasy books including Pilgrim, Cowboy Necromancer, War Priest, The Feedback Loop, The World According to Dragons, and Arcane Cultivator.

  • Patrick Dugan

    Patrick Dugan is the award-winning author of the Darkest Storm trilogy from Falstaff Books and the Never Steal From Dragons and the Watchers of Astaria series from Distracted Dragon Press.

  • Clay Gilbert

    Clay Gilbert has published thirteen novels from science fiction and horror to YA dystopia and urban fantasy. His latest novel Binary Sunset is due in 2023 from Dark Moon Press.

  • Dwayne Goetzel

    Dwayne Goetzel is an intellectual property attorney from Austin, Texas, who handles copyrights, trademarks, domain names, licensing, and litigation matters relating to those areas.

  • Darrell Z. Grizzle

    Darrell Z. Grizzle is a horror, urban fantasy, and thriller writer. He is the author of I Never Meant to Start a Murder Cult and featured in several anthologies.


  • Dr. Nicole Gugliucci

    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.

  • John G. Hartness

    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.

  • Drew Hayes

    Drew Hayes is a comedy-fantasy author whose works include Super Powereds, Villains' Code, NPCs, Fred the Vampire Accountant, Action Kadabra, 5-Minute Sherlock, and Second Hand Curses, among others.

  • Walter Hunt

    Walter H. Hunt is a science fiction and historical fiction writer from Massachusetts. He has eleven published novels and is currently working on his third novel in the 1632 universe.

  • 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.

  • Bill Keel

    Astronomer Bill Keel, is 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.

  • Roy Kilgard

    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.

  • Rob Levy

    Rob Levy is a writer, blogger and podcaster who written about popular culture, music, film and television for several print and online publications He also contributed to several Doctor Who anthologies. He currently hosts Juxtaposition on KDHX Radio and is a co-host of the Modern Musicology podcast.

  • James Nettles

    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.

  • James Palmer

    James Palmer is an award-winning writer of science fiction and pulp adventure, author of the Shadow Council Archives series, and editor of the Monster Earth series and League of Monsters.


  • JM Paquette

    Author of the Klauden's Ring Saga and the Conjuring Fascination series, JM Paquette writes fantasy and paranormal romance novels.

  • D.R. Perry

    D.R. Perry writes fiction for both YA and adult audiences. Among her works is Dragon Award nominated A Change In Crime and over 30 volumes in the Revealed World series.

  • Joelle Presby

    Former U.S. Navy nuclear engineer, Joelle Presby wrote The Dabare Snake Launcher and cowrites the Multiverse series with David Weber. She has sold over a dozen shorter works several genres.

  • Rachel Rawlings

    Rachel Rawlings is a USA Today and international bestselling author of Urban Fantasy and Paranormal Romance. Her book 'Ink It Over is currently in development for film.


  • Robert Ross

    Robert W. Ross is the author of the award-winning Sentinels of Creation contemporary-fantasy, and Paradigm 2045 sci-fi series. When not writing, heʼs a guest-lecturer at GaTech and Kennesaw State University.

  • Mel Todd

    Mel Todd is a best-selling speculative fiction writer/owner of Bad Ash Publishing. Her fiction includes Blood War, Kaylid Chronicles, and the Twisted Luck series.


  • Jennifer Whitworth

    Jennifer Whitworth is an engineer at Teledyne Brown Engineering. After 20+ years supporting science operations on board the International Space Station as a flight controller, she now is helpingto develop the processes and procedures for science payloads onboard the LunarGateway.

  • Valerie Willis

    Valerie Willis is COO of 4 Horsemen Publications and award-winning paranormal romance author. Her workshops have covered novel writing, research, world building, character development, reader immersion, foreshadowing, and more.

  • Tao Wong

    Tao Wong is a scifi and fantasy author writing in LitRPG and xianxia. His latest release, A Thousand Li: the Third Cut, releases on Amazon on September 1, 2023




  • Mark Zoran

    Mark Zoran is an internationally recognized and award-winning costume and prop creator and the creative mind behind Razorfly Studios.

Guests

Guests

Performers

Performers

Pros

Pros