Professionals

Mary Abreu

Mary Abreu is a TV/film seamstress and set costumer for more than 10 years and the author of three sewing books with Stash Books/C&T Publishing.

Stephen Adams

Stephen Adams is the host of the long-running comedy podcast, Horseshoes and Hand Grenades, and a founder of the 2Dorks network of podcasts and live streams.

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. 

Jamieson Alcorn

Jamieson Alcorn is a writer, editor, and artist whose printed and upcoming titles include The Pub Crawl Anthology, Fairytales from Mars, and two volumes of The Adventurers' Guide to Theria.

Quincy J Allen

As a cross-genre author with countless short story publications and 10 novels in print, Quincy J. Allen continues to mix and match sci-fi, fantasy, noir, and everything in between.

Ayla Almee

Ayla Almee has performed dance for 30+ years. They are a founding member, head choreographer, and co-director of Antipode Dance and specialize in silk road styles.

Corey Applegate

Corey Applegate works for the Mando Mercs costume club, TarValon.Net, and JordanCon. Applegate is a former Disney Travel Planner, an avid reader, crocheter, and cross stitcher.

Dyrk Ashton

PhDs should never go to waste, thus Dyrk Ashton uses his as a professor of Screenwriting & Cinema Studies and to write The Paternus Trilogy.

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, and Instrument of Omens.

aSwanNamedEmily

Emily Swan is a graphic designer, illustrator, Twitch streamer, and podcaster. Swan is the creator of the Doodle Crew, co-host of Sketching Shakespeare, and a member of the In Addition podcast.

Will Aymerich

Will Aymerich is a paranormal investigator of 30+ years out of Atlanta, GA. He has traveled the world experiencing and investigating claims of high strangeness.

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.

Michael Bailey

Michael Bailey has been podcasting since 2007 and currently runs The Fortress of Baileytude Podcasting Network. He also writes for The Superman Homepage and currently co-hosts Superman Homepage Live.

Griffin Barber

A retired police officer, Griffin Barber has written and co-written novels and shorts set in a variety of sub-genres of SF, he's currently working on more 1632 books with Eric Flint, writing short stories and trying to get his own novels completed and out the door.

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.

Davey Beauchamp

Davey Beauchamp is an artist and librarian. He has also done covers for Falstaff Books, Scaldcrow Press, the Geek Gala, and other conventions.  

Kaitlin Bevis

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

JD Blackrose

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.

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.

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 recently started his own sci-fi universe.

David Wayne Boop

Author David Boop wrote She Murdered Me with Science, a sci-fi/noir, and Rippers: the Soul Changers, a Victorian horror. Boop’s shorts include Predator and The Green Hornet. 

Kurt Boutin

Kurt Boutin spent over 20 years in the video game industry and now is a voice over artist, podcaster, Twitch streamer, and member of the Giant Size Team Up network!

Jay Boyce

Jay Boyce is the author of A Touch of Power series published with Mountaindale Press. She is an editor-turned-author who also spends her time working with deaf students.

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.

Bethany Brookshire

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

John Edgar Browning

A recognized authority on horror, vampires, and monsters, Dr. John Edgar Browning has contracted or published 20 nonfiction books and 100 shorter works. 

Douglas 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.

Raychelle Burks

Raychelle Burks is a chemistry professor with a crime lab background. On the Smithsonian Channel, she brings her expertise to The Curious Life and Death Of… to examine unusual cases.

Tyra A Burton

Tyra Burton is a social media strategist and creator of the Geek Meets Social podcast. She has written the sci-fi romance Penduli Station and Socially Engaged: The Author’s Guide to Social Media.

Darin 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.

D.J. Butler

D.J. (Dave) Butler has been a lawyer, a consultant, an editor, a corporate trainer, and a registered investment banking representative, and he is now a Consulting Editor for Baen Books.

Jessica Cail

Featured on NOVA’s Secret Life of Scientists for her dual life as psychopharmacologist and stuntwoman, Dr. Cail also serves as a scientific consultant for Hollywood sci-fi.

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.

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.

Cathalson

Cathalson is an author of over 40+ publications. He is also a fiction developer for Edgar Rice Burroughs Inc. / AntiMater Games and Big Farm Games. 

Michael Chatfield

Michael Chatfield is an international bestseller of several books and series. He is wrapping up the Ten Realms series and the Builders legacy series.

ChelseaBytes

ChelseaBytes is a content creator who loves everything geeky! When this Twitch Partner isn’t building a computer or beating a game, she's hosting for Amazon, AMC, and many more!

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.

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.

Harmon Cooper

Harmon Cooper is the bestselling indie author of over 60 science fantasy books including Pilgrim, Cowboy Necromancer, War Priest, The Feedback Loop, and his new web serial, Tokens and Towers.

Jason Cordova

A 2019 Dragon Award finalist, Jason Cordova has appeared in over 50 novels and anthologies and is the author of the Kin Wars series. 

Crippled Critic

Mike Matlock was born with the disorder Spinal Muscular Atrophy and has been in a wheelchair since he was young. He's an international speaker, gaming journalist, accessibility consultant, and disabled gamer. 

Katie Cross

Magic-lover Katie Cross has published more than 20 books in YA Fantasy because she likes to hang out with dragons in wild places. 

Stephanie Crugnola

Jack of all trades, and master of early modern English literature, Stephanie Crugnola is a content creator specializing in Shakespeare and D&D.

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.

Joshua Cutchin

Joshua Cutchin has featured on paranormal programming from Ancient Aliens to Coast to Coast AM. His books include The Brimstone Deceit, Thieves in the Night, and Where the Footprints End.

Veronica Dahshell

Veronica Dahshell is half of the husband and wife puppetry team, Felt Nerdy! She and her husband Charles Kelso can be seen at conventions across the Southeast.

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.

Matt Dinniman

Matt Dinniman is the author of the bestselling Dungeon Crawler Carl series. In addition, he is the author of over 10 novels and dozens of works of short fiction.

Beth Dolgner

Beth Dolgner writes paranormal fiction and nonfiction, and she gives presentations about Victorian death and mourning customs and Victorian Spiritualism.

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 past bedtime.

Addie Dove

Dr. Addie Dove is a planetary science professor who studies how rocks and hazardous dust behave on surfaces in microgravity.

Patrick Dugan

Patrick Dugan is the award-winning author of the Darkest Storm trilogy from Falstaff Books and the Watchers of Astaria from Distracted Dragon Press.

Andy Dykes

Andy Dykes is a real, live rocket scientist who has flown satellites for a living and has supported all kinds of manned and unmanned space flight at NASA. 

Marc Alan Edelheit

Marc Edelheit is an avid reader and accomplished author.  He applied his experience as a business leader in the healthcare industry to his writing career to become a full-time author.

KD Edwards

K.D.'s first book in his urban fantasy series The Tarot Sequence, called The Last Sun, was published in June 2018. The third installment, The Hourglass Throne, is expected May 2022.

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.

Mike Ellison

Mike Ellison is best-known for roleplaying characters like Jebeddo and Deeran on the D&D liveplay podcast Adventure Incorporated, the Pokedexpert on Ask the Pokedexpert, and as a Moontower Soccer host.

Kacey Ezell

Kacey Ezell is a retired USAF helicopter pilot who writes sci-fi/fantasy/noir/alternate history fiction.  She is a two-time Dragon Award Finalist for Best Alternate History.

Michael Falkner

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

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.

Teddi (FSM) Fishman

With advanced degrees from Purdue (PhD) and Clemson (MA, MS) Universities, Teddi Fishman is a "pracademic" specializing in ethics and integrity in higher education.

Rob Fitz

Rob Fitz is a professional makeup artist and film director with 25 years of experience. He recently won several awards for his feature films, Blessid and God of Vampires.

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.

Dustin M. Fletcher

Dustin Fletcher is a specialty costumer for film and television focusing on the superhero and horror genres as well as a professional DM for the actual play D4.

John L. Flynn

Dr. John L. Flynn is an author, screenwriter, and three-time Hugo nominee. As a member of the SFWA and the MWA, he has written books, screenplays, and many short stories.

Paige Gardner

Paige Gardner is an award-winning costume designer whose eccentric masks, bizarre props, and original costumes make her art recognizable worldwide. Gardner’s high-profile costumes have been featured in multiple media outlets.

J. B. Garner

J. B. Garner is a professional author and editor, with over a dozen novels to her name and editing hundreds more, including multiple bestsellers.

Jenna Garrett

Jenna Garrett is a proud member of Botched! A D&D Podcast, Horse Girls, and the Soup in Soup, Salad, Sandwich. 

Tristan Gibbon

Tristan Gibbon is a founding member of the evergreen show Botched: A D&D Podcast where he is a voice actor, audio editor, writer, comedian, and musician.

Clay Gilbert

Since 2013, Clay Gilbert has published 12 novels in genres ranging from YA dystopia to space fantasy and horror. His works are published by Dark Moon Press.

Dwayne Keith Goetzel

Dwayne Goetzel is an intellectual property lawyer in Austin, Texas, who handles trademarks, copyrights, contracts, licensing, domain name disputes, and litigation matters involving those subjects.

Savannah Jo Goins

Savannah J. Goins, author of fantasy novels The Gwythienian, The Crivabanian, and The Cathawyr, uses her background in dragon wrangling as an exotic animal RVT to inspire young adults.

L.R. Gould

L.R. Gould is a transgender science fiction and urban fantasy author published by Falstaff Books. The first book of her new sci-fi series, Prodigal Brother is coming soon.

Grandmafun

Grandmafun is a classy lady from the islands with Bettie Page charms and Beyonce booty-shaking moves that will make you swoon

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 Pink Triangle Rhapsody.

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.

L.J. Hachmeister

Bestselling author L.J Hachmeister writes and fights (although not at the same time) and is best known for her sci-fi series, Triorion and her sci-fi romance, The Laws of Attraction.

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.

Isabelle Hardesty

Isabelle Hardesty is an author who weaves her love of magic and nature into her books. Her work includes the novel The Witch of Belle Fleur.

Thomas Harper

Thomas Harper frequently wields Star Wars and other sci-fi to teach about law and the law of war, including on The Joint Geeks of Staff and The Legal Geeks podcasts.

Will Harris

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

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 the author of over 25 novels, GM of the Authors and Dragons Podcast, and producer on Shingles: The Movie.

M. Haynes

M. Haynes is the mind behind the popular Elemental novel series, an educator, a blogger, and public speaker who hopes to show that everyone has the elements of a hero.

Travis Heermann

Travis Heermann is the author of nine novels, including Tokyo Blood Magic and The Ronin Trilogy, plus short fiction in Apex Magazine, Cemetery Dance, and others.

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.

Tony P Henderson

Tony P. Henderson is a moderator, podcaster, and digital media creator known for the Tony P. Oddcast, the Geek Vs podcast, and as a contestant on America’s Next Top Podcaster.  

Lucas Hernandez

Lucas Hernandez is an animal educator at the South Carolina aquarium. He is also a member of Pokescience, a podcast focused on the science behind the Pokemon games and anime.

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.

Chris Hofmann

Chris Hofmann manages launch operations for Astra, a space infrastructure company. He is the current Flight Director on mission days, having helped develop their agile and rapidly deployable launch system.

Kali Holder

Kali Holder is a professional poker-of-dead-things and zombie-prevention expert. As a veterinary pathologist for the National Zoo, she has decapitated a wider variety of species than anyone else you know.

Jeff Hubbs

Jeff Hubbs is a consultant in the fields of energy systems and climate change research-based in Atlanta. He has been part of the Drawdown Georgia initiative.

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.

Rebecca Huguet

Rebecca Huguet is a theatrical costume technician and designer. She currently works for Alabama State University as the costume shop manager and is a freelance theatrical costume designer. 

Walter Hunt

Walter H. Hunt is a science-fiction and historical fiction writer. He is the author of the Dark Wing universe books and two books in the 1632/Ring of Fire shared world. 

James A. Hunter

James Hunter is a former Marine, a member of SFWA, and the bestselling author of Rogue Dungeon, Bibliomancer, and Viridian Gate Online!

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.

Kevin Ikenberry

Kevin Ikenberry is a retired Army office and author. He is the author of The Protocol War series, the Peacemaker novels in the bestselling Four Horsemen Universe, and The Crossing.

Chris A. Jackson

Sailor, SFF nerd, and gamer, Chris Jackson has written for the Pathfinder, Iron Kingdoms, Shadowrun, Arkham Horror, and Traveller RPG’s. He has over 30 novels and won numerous awards.

Kristin Jackson

Kristin Jackson is an accomplished print/digital designer, working in the film industry as an artist, set photographer, and social media manager. She's the Director of Communications/Graphic Designer for Frostbite Pictures.

G. S. Jennsen

G.S. Jennsen is a bestselling author of 17 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, which covers espionage history, tradecraft, and entertainment. Her other works include 50+ articles for HowStuffWorks.com and several short stories.

Omega Jones

Omega Jones, also known as the Critical Bard, is a performer, TTRPG designer, and Twitch partner. As a content creator, he puts diversity and activism first in all aspects of his life.

Christopher Kao

Christopher Kao has worked in video games for over a decade as a designer, producer, and product manager. He has worked on some of the top properties in the world.

Charlie Kaufman

Charlie Kaufman has worked in environmental consulting and studied coastal erosion and natural disaster impacts (and has also managed to run Godzilla damage estimates, zombie outbreak models, and Sharknado predictions).

Philip Daniel Keating

Philip D. Keating is a comedian, streamer, musician, and podcaster. He is one of the creators of Botched: A D&D Podcast.

Charles Kelso

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

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.

Madaug Kenyon

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 Kieffer

Christina Kieffer has over 15 years of experience in the paranormal including ghosts, UFOs, and cryptids. She is also found on many episodes of True Ghost Stories on Facet TV.

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.

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.

Gini Koch

Gini Koch writes the fast, fresh, and funny Alien/Katherine “Kitty” Katt series for DAW Books/PRH, plus many other novels, novellas, novelettes, and short stories in all the genres.

Jeffrey L Kohanek

Jeffrey L. Kohanek grew up in rural Minnesota where comic books and fantasy novels sparked his young imagination, inspiring fantasies of heroes overcoming impossible odds and saving the day.

Aleron Kong

Aleron Kong is an African-American physician turned bestselling author. He is proud of his fandom that raised over $150,000 for charity, and lives by “Through service, ascendance. Through dedication, transcendence.”

Dakota Krout

Dakota Krout is a bestselling author of fantasy and LitRPG with over 30 titles in his Completionist Chronicles, Divine Dungeon, Full Murderhobo, and Year of The Sword series.

Shemer Kuznits

Shemer is an Israeli LitRPG author, known best for his six-book series: Life Reset. Shemer started writing in 2017, becoming a full-time author in 2019.

Steph LaMassa

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

Cheralyn Lambeth

Cheralyn Lambeth is a professional costume, prop, and puppet builder whose work includes feature films, TV shows, live/interactive properties, and books.

Erika Lance

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

Dr. Law

Dr. Leigh A. Willis, is a self-styled renaissance man, and passionate second-generation geek. He is a scientist, gamer, published cosplay photographer, podcaster, and comic collector. 

DN Lee

DN Lee is an Outreach Scientist and hip-hop maven who enjoys critiquing the social, justice, and science themes of sci-fi, fantasy, and horror entertainment. 

Laura Levy

Dr. Laura Levy is Research Director of GEAR (Gaming & Esports Applied Research) at Georgia Tech and an engineering psychologist specializing in esports, game design, AR/VR, and human-computer interaction research.

Rob Levy

Rob Levy regularly writes about popular culture and co-hosts the Music Modernity, and Weekend Justice podcasts. He has contributed to Time Lords & Tribbles, Winchesters & Muggles, and much more.

J.F. Lewis

Alabama madman J.F. Lewis writes books that get him into trouble. He is the author of the Void City series and the Grudgebearer Trilogy.

Jeffrey Falcon Logue

Jeffrey "Falcon" Logue has been a professional writer for over six years. He has published 15 books within that time, having started the dungeon core subgenre with his original.

F T Lukens

F.T. Lukens is an award-winning author of speculative young adult fiction. Their most recent releases are In Deeper Waters and So This is Ever After.

Tara Lynne

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

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.

Megan Mackie

Megan Mackie is the author of  The Finder of the Lucky Devil, The Saint of Liars, The Devil’s Day, Death and the Crone, and Saint Code: The Lost.

Terry Maggert

An author of more than 50 titles across four genres, Terry Maggert is an international bestseller who writes about space warfare, interstellar justice, witches, and everything in between.

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. 

Lisa Manifold

Lisa Manifold is a USA Today bestselling author of the paranormal women's fiction series Oracle of Wynter, as well as over 80 other paranormal and romance titles across two pen names.

Thomas Mariani

Thomas Mariani is a staff writer for Film Cred and host of the podcast Double Edged Double Bill who has done seven years' worth of Dragon Con panels.

Melissa McArthur

Melissa McArthur is the Associate Publisher at Falstaff Books, a freelance editor and graphic designer, an adjunct English professor, and plays Polly D. Arton on the Authors & Dragons Calamity Janes podcast.

Joseph Edward Meany

Joseph Meany, Ph.D., a.k.a. The Crimson Alkemist, is a Senior Scientist at Savannah River National Laboratory. He researches materials science applications focused on cutting-edge renewable energy. 

Jason R Merrill

When asked to describe Jason R. Merrill, the word "dapper" is the inevitable answer. Merrill runs Blackbird Finery, providing antique, vintage, and reproduction Gentleman's Accessories to a modern audience.

Michael R. Miller

Michael R. Miller is the epic fantasy author behind The Dragon's Blade Trilogy and the new dragon rider epic Songs of Chaos. He also co-founded the digital press, Portal Books.

Savannah Victoria Miller

Savannah Miller is a public health professional that has studied a range of public health topics. She is here to talk about the end of the world.

Tim Miller

Tim Miller is the Image Analysis Lead on DART (Double Asteroid Redirection Test) Science and is a space presenter/panelist at Dragon Con, Shore Leave, Farpoint, Balticon, HawaiiCon, and more.

Stephanie Mirro

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

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 cohost multiple podcasts. 

Bill Mulligan

Bill Mulligan works as a special effects technician, writer, director, actor, and producer, having worked on five feature films and nearly two dozen short films. 

Rob Mulligan

Rob Mulligan is a comedian and cast member on the long-running D&D podcast Adventure Incorporated and host of the podcast Good Stuf. 

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.

Amy J. Murphy

Author Amy J. Murphy is a two-time Dragon Award finalist for Best Military Science Fiction or Fantasy Novel. An active SFWA member, she’s also a submissions reader for Apex Magazine.

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.

Jeffrey Nix

Jeffrey Nix is fantasy author, scientist, and national champion martial artist with a master’s degree in applied psychology. He studies creativity, motivation, habits, and skill acquisition.

Corinne O'Flynn

Corinne O\'Flynn is a USA Today bestselling author of fantasy, mystery, and paranormal romance. When not writing, she can be found playing board games, knitting, reading, or binge-watching some shows.

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.

James Palmer

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

JM Paquette

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

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 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.

Rae Pendergrass

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

Matthew Penick

Matthew Penick founded the theatrical design company Ribbons and Rivets. The self-taught designer specializes in leatherwork, but incorporates a plethora of materials and processes to bring character designs to life.

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 25 volumes in the Revealed World series.

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.

Berta Platas

Berta Platas's popular YA fantasies, The Faire Folke Saga, were co-written as Gillian Summers. Her latest book, Cursed, is co-written with Nancy Knight.

Gary Poole

Gary Poole is the founder and longtime host of Robot Battles, has edited three national bestselling anthologies set in John Ringo's Black Tide Rising universe.

Alan J. Porter

With over 30 fiction and non-fiction book publishing credits and hundreds of magazine articles, writer and podcaster Alan J. Porter likes to talk about stuff and makes up stories too. 

Phillip Eugene Pournelle

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

WonderSpark Puppets

As WonderSpark Puppets, Chad Williams has written, directed, and performed over 15 puppet plays for family audiences with hundreds of shows every year.

Marx Pyle

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

Rachel Rawlings

When she isn't writing, Rachel Rawlings can be found with her nose buried in a good book and a cup of coffee nearby. There may or may not be cookies!

Gray Rinehart

Gray Rinehart has written science fiction and fantasy stories, nonfiction, and songs on myriad topics. Two of his songs played on The Dr. Demento Show.

Aaron Michael Ritchey

Aaron Michael Ritchey is the author of 43 novels under various pen names. The first book in The Juniper Wars series was a Dragon Award Finalist. 

Rob Roberts

Rob Roberts is an internet broadcasting veteran and co-creator of Orange Lounge Radio. He is also a host of cult cinema screenings and variety shows throughout Northern California.

William Joseph Roberts

William Roberts was an F-15 mechanic in the USAF. He has been called a "jack of all trades," a Renaissance man, and an insane squirrel wrangler by his peers.

Dennis Lee Robinson

Dennis Robinson is one of the creators and hosts of Botched: A D&D Podcast. A published author, his experience of podcasting is shared in the book Pod Life 2.

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.

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 KSU. 

M.A. Rothman

Bestselling author, M.A. Rothman, is an engineer first and foremost, and somehow or another, this writing habit of his has turned into a bit more than just a run-of-the-mill hobby.

Steve Ruskin

Steve Ruskin writes science fiction with a streak of rebellion, and historical thrillers with a hint of magic. He is an award-winning historian, with a PhD in History of Science.

Daniel Schinhofen

Daniel Schinhofen has published 39 books since 2016. He has published books ranging from western to Celtic fantasy and onto zombie apocalypse.

Anne Schlea

Anne Schlea is the author of two series: The Retribution Universe and The Fallen. She enjoys blending history into urban fantasy to create worlds her readers want to step into.

Lydia Sherrer

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

R. Alan Siler

R. Alan Siler is the 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.

Tamsin L. Silver

Tamsin Silver is a fantasy author with books such as Mark of the Necromancer, The Windfire Series, Untold Legends Series (Falstaff Books), and a novel/web series, Skye of the Damned.

Alan Smale

Alan Smale won the Sidewise Award plus an additional nomination for his tales of a Roman invasion of ancient America.

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.

Ken Snaps

Ken Snaps is a jack of all trades! His experience includes Star Wars, making things (woodworking/costuming), sound engineering, D&D, travel, and Disney. 

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.

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.

Shami A Stovall

she’s not reading fascinating articles and books, Stovall can be found she’s not reading fascinating articles and books, Stovall can be found playing way too many video games.way too many video games.

Brandon H Strauss

Brandon H. Strauss is an entomology doctoral student specializing in all things dead, dying, and decomposing. Their lecture topics range from forensic entomology to ecology to climate change. 

Kimbra Swain

Kimbra Swain is an urban fantasy author. She authored the Fairy Tales of a Trailer Park Queen and has over 50 books on Amazon. 

Stephen F. Taylor

Stephen Taylor (AKA: The Tattooed Santa) is the father of 12 (9 by adoption) and has been crafting armor from leather, chainmaille, and scalemaille for 15+ years.  

Ray Tesi

Ray is the owner of Neutral Zone Studios, a full ST:TOS soundstage in Kingsland GA, constructed using 1966 Paramount blueprints, producing over 45 fan films, and open to the public.

Alain TheDungeonMeowster

Professional game master and performer Alain is a trained improv performer, professional podcaster, and writer with Goblins & Growlers. They are most well known for hosting improv games for conventions.

Mel Todd

Mel Todd, SWFA & NINC member, is the bestselling author of the Twisted Luck urban fantasy series, and over 30 other titles. Mel also has short stories in multiple anthologies. As the owner of Bad Ash Publishing she can be found at https://www.badashpublishing.com or most social media under BadAshBooks.

Steve Troop

Steve Troop created one of the first webcomics, worked as an animator, storyboard artist, puppet designer, builder and puppeteer for TV, music videos, commercials, and an off-off Broadway show.

J.M. Tuffley

J.M. Tuffley writes about pop culture for various outlets, including Need Coffee Dot Com. He is also a regular contributor to the Weekend Justice podcast.

Brian Urbanek

Brian Urbanek is a professional video game designer and developer with 25 years of experience working on such titles as Call of Duty and XCOM2, as well as many others. 

Alexi Vandenberg

As a geek entrepreneur, Alexi Vandenberg is an expert in marketing, promoting, science fiction and fantasy. He is also the owner of Prince of Cats Literary Productions and Bard’s Tower.

R.R. Virdi

R.R. Virdi is an Amazon bestselling author, Nebula award-finalist, and two-time Dragon Award-finalist for Best Fantasy (Paranormal). He writes urban fantasy, sci-fi, and fantasy.

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. 

Benjamin Wallace

They told him to take things seriously. Instead, Benjamin Wallace wrote a book called Post-Apocalyptic Nomadic Warriors. Now he’s making reading more fun than it should be.

Henrik Warpefelt

Henrik Warpefelt is an Assistant Professor of Game Design and Development at Kennesaw State University, where he studies the user experience of novel technologies in games.

Dave West

Dave West is the subject of the award-winning documentary, Troublemaker. As the owner and operator of NeedlessThingsPodcast.com, he has been providing commentary on pop culture dorkery for over a decade.

Garon Whited

Garon Whited is a long-time fantasy and science fiction author, as well as a veteran tabletop gamer. His works include LUNA, Dragonhunters, and the long-running vampire fantasy series, Nightlord.

Marie Whittaker

Marie Whittaker teaches about publishing and project management for writers. She’s Associate Publisher at WordFire Press and Director of Superstars Writing seminars.

Emily S. Whitten

Emily Whitten is an award-winning writer and co-creator of Ringo Award-nominated The Underfoot middle-grade graphic series. Whitten is also a genre journalist, program host, media personality, convention organizer, and attorney.

Brandon Whitworth

Brandon Whitworth is a dad-musician-pretend race car driver-engineer with 20 years of experience and too many hobbies. He performs with his band Foot Pound Force in many nerdy places.

Jennifer Whitworth

Jennifer Whitworth is an engineer at Teledyne Brown Engineering. She has supported science operations onboard the International Space Station as a flight controller and technical subject matter expert.

Jonathan Williams

Award-winning production designer, blogger, podcaster, journalist, wrestling promoter, art curator, and on-set dresser are just some of the prolific professions held by Jonathan Williams.

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.

Michael Williams

Michael G. Williams writes about outsiders finding their people and saving the world. His works include A Fall in Autumn series, The Withrow Chronicles, and Through the Doors of Oblivion.

Valerie Willis

Valerie Willis is COO of 4 Horsemen Publications, an expert typesetter, and a fantasy paranormal romance author. Her works include Writer’s Bane and The Cedric Series.

Marisa Wolf

With over 20 short stories across universes both shared and her own, Marisa Wolf writes science fiction, fantasy, and every point she finds between.

Tao Wong

Trisha J. Wooldridge

Trisha J. Wooldridge writes stuff that occasionally wins awards. Find her in the Shirley Jackson award-winning The Twisted Book of Shadows; some HWA Poetry Showcase volumes; and multiple anthologies.

Vanessa Ionta Wright

Vanessa Ionta Wright is an award-winning filmmaker. She has written and directed several short films, including a fully authorized Stephen King adaptation.

Jessica Ann York

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

Celia Yost

Designer, painter, and general maker of imagery, Celia Yost has experience in everything from book illustration to functional decor design.

Bryan Young

Bryan Young has been a regular contributor for the Huffington Post, StarWars.com, Star Wars Insider, SYFY, and /Film. Most recently, he wrote the companion book for The Big Bang Theory.