ConGregate 12: Full Schedule

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9:00am EDT

Game Writing

Saturday July 18, 2026 9:00am - 10:00am EDT

Grand Ballroom Salon C (panels)

From table top rpgs to card games and puzzles, what does writing for these genres look like?

Moderator: Roger Carden

Speakers

Dennis M. Myers

Literary Guest

Born and raised in central Minnesota, Dennis M. Myers developed a serious reading habit early in life due to the influence of his grandmother. In late high school he read one particularly "awful" book and, with all that teenage hubris, decided that he could do better.After spending... Read More →

Roger Carden

Online Media Guest

Roger is the producer of the Applied Game Mastery YouTube channel, where he works with his team to explore the tips, tricks, and techniques for developing your skill as a game master for tabletop role-playing games. In addition, Roger along with his wife Janet Carden are team behind... Read More →

Steven S. Long

Literary Guest

Steven S. Long’s been involved in the gaming industry for over thirty years, during which time he’s written, co-written, edited, or developed over 200 books. He got his start as a freelancer for Hero Games, for whom he wrote several books in the mid-Nineties. He soon branched... Read More →

Michael G. Williams

Literary Guest

Michael G. Williams writes queer horror and science fiction celebrating the monstrous and the macabre. His books include the award-winning vampire series The Withrow Chronicles (Laine Cunningham Award); the thrilling urban fantasy time travel series Servant Sovereign; the sci-fi... Read More →

Bryan Young

Literary Guest

Bryan Young works in many different media. He's published thousands of essays and hundreds of short stories in publications like Marvel and Image Comics, Star Wars Insider, Huffington Post, SYFY, /Film, Script Magazine, Weird Tales, the Kurt Vonnegut, Jr. Library Literary Magaz... Read More →

Saturday July 18, 2026 9:00am - 10:00am EDT
Grand Ballroom Salon C (panels)

Gaming

10:30am EDT

Online Media for Love or Money

Saturday July 18, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am EDT

Grand Ballroom Salon C (panels)

A lot of people think live streaming is easy, just turn on the console, PC, camera, and go! We'll have some real talk on what actually goes into streaming and the harsh reality that you need to be in it for the love of it, and if you earn some money...bonus!

Moderator: Gary Mitchel

Speakers

O Hai Mark

Online Media Guest

O. Hai Mark is a filmmaker, online content creator, and event host from southwest VA. His absolute love of poorly reviewed movies is legendary, and he has turned that into a weekly internet show called Terribke Movies with Wonderful People. O. Hai also has a production company that... Read More →

Gary Mitchel

Online Media Guest

Gary Mitchel is a writer, reviewer, gamer, podcaster, and general geek living near Atlanta.Gary is the Co-Director, with Joe Crowe, of the American Sci-Fi Classics Track at Dragon Con. Together, they plot panels on various geeky topics, from 80s vampires, to cats in space, to the... Read More →

Mur Lafferty

Literary Guest

Mur Lafferty is an author. Mur Lafferty is a podcaster. Mur Lafferty podcasts about writing and writes about podcasting. She also writes about murders in space, zombies, Minecraft and Han Solo. Her writing and podcasting have resulted in numerous award nominations and wins, such... Read More →

Michelle Iannantuono

Film Guest

Michelle Iannantuono is an award-winning queer filmmaker and 3D artist from Charleston, SC. Her features include 2018’s Livescream, which was nominated for a Rondo Award and won Best Director at Nightmares Film Festival; 2020’s Detroit Evolution, a queer transformative fan... Read More →

Saturday July 18, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am EDT
Grand Ballroom Salon C (panels)

Online Media

12:00pm EDT

The Doctor's Villians

Saturday July 18, 2026 12:00pm - 1:00pm EDT

Grand Ballroom Salon C (panels)

From Daleks and Angels to the Master (or Mistress), what makes a Doctor Who Villian compelling?

Moderator: Fraser Sherman

Speakers

Dance Harden

Fan Guest

Dance Harden is a 3rd generation SFF fan with a background in the performing arts. Their kink performance group was the featured local guest for Lollapalooza 1996 in Newport, TN. Later, they studied history and media studies at UTK. After moving to Charlotte, NC in 2008, they entered... Read More →

Joey Starnes

Fan Guest

Joey Starnes first claimed her inner geek in 2007 after visiting her first DragonCon. In 2008, she moved to Charlotte, NC and started the Charlotte Geeks, home of the Guardians of the Geekery podcast, the Geekery Market, Two Woke Bonnets podcast and the Merry Mayhem. Her main geekdoms... Read More →

Fraser Sherman

Literary Guest

Born in England, Fraser Sherman wound up spending most of his life in Northwest Florida. He’d be there still if he hadn’t fallen in love and moved to Durham NC to marry his dream woman. They’re still together, with two dogs and two cats added to the family.Fraser has published... Read More →

Old Dominion Daleks

Costuming Guest

Rick and family took their love of theater and science fiction and formed Luna-C Productions in 1997. Rick is the director, one of the scriptwriters, and plays several roles in the Luna-C Productions comedy troupe in addition to producing, directing and acting in a number of their... Read More →

Saturday July 18, 2026 12:00pm - 1:00pm EDT
Grand Ballroom Salon C (panels)

Film/TV

1:00pm EDT

Room Closed: We Suggest You Go Shopping or Eat!!

Saturday July 18, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm EDT

Grand Ballroom Salon C (panels)

Saturday July 18, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm EDT
Grand Ballroom Salon C (panels)

Room Closed

2:00pm EDT

60 Years of Star Trek

Saturday July 18, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm EDT

Grand Ballroom Salon C (panels)

"The human race is a remarkable creature, one with great potential, and I hope that Star Trek has helped to show us what we can be if we believe in ourselves and our abilities."- Gene Roddenberry, Star Trek creator
The year of 2026 marks a historic chapter for Star Trek as the legendary franchise will celebrate its 60th anniversary on next year's Star Trek Day (Sept. 8, 2026). Before that, let's discuss all the things. From the tv series(es) and animated shows, to the movies and the casts, directors, and writers who bring the stories to life, our panelists will discuss the past, present and future of Star Trek.

Moderator: Dance Harden

Speakers

Dance Harden

Fan Guest

DJ McGuire

Performance Guest

D.J. McGuire began his geek journey watching Star Trek Original Series on syndication. These days, he works in Defense IT and teaches economics at his local community college. He has been a musical performer (bass and vocals) for over eight years, starting with Dimensional Riffs in 2017. He has also played with the Nefarious Ferrets... Read More →

Gary Mitchel

Online Media Guest

Kevin A. Davis

Literary Guest

Kevin A Davis is a fantasy author with over twenty published novels, including the award-winning DRC Files, a paranormal procedural series where the Atlanta-based team hunts cryptids.He resides in north Florida and attends conventions throughout the year, including as staff as Director... Read More →

Saturday July 18, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm EDT
Grand Ballroom Salon C (panels)

Film/TV

3:30pm EDT

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring

Saturday July 18, 2026 3:30pm - 4:30pm EDT

Grand Ballroom Salon C (panels)

The First Film in Peter Jackson's epic imagining of Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings Trilogy, released 25 years ago. Let's return to the Shire and talk about this ambitious film project, its relationship to the source material and how it stands up a quarter of a century later.

Moderator: Gary Mitchel

Speakers

DJ McGuire

Performance Guest

Gary Mitchel

Online Media Guest

Emily Jane Buehler

Literary Guest

I write cozy fantasy romances where everyday people (and fairies) have adventures and fall in love. They are lighthearted stories with action and adventure, love and magic, where protagonists learn to believe in themselves and find their courage. And yes, they are kissing books. They... Read More →

Kevin A. Davis

Literary Guest

Carol Cowles

Online Media Guest

Carol has long been a fixture of Geek Culture in Charlotte, NC. She has served for several years as the Programming Director for ConCarolinas and worked the Carolina and Arizona Renaissance Festivals for 15 years. She also podcasts – she is Carol the Cat on Guardians of the Geekery... Read More →

Saturday July 18, 2026 3:30pm - 4:30pm EDT
Grand Ballroom Salon C (panels)

Film/TV

5:00pm EDT

50 Years since 1976

Saturday July 18, 2026 5:00pm - 6:00pm EDT

Grand Ballroom Salon C (panels)

Our panelist discuss the movies that celebrate 50 years in 2026 suchas King Kong, The Man the who Fell to Earth, Logan’s Run, Future World and more.

Moderator: Gail Z. Martin

Speakers

Gail Z. Martin

Literary Guest

Gail Z. Martin writes urban fantasy, epic fantasy, steampunk and more for Solaris Books, Orbit Books, Falstaff Books, SOL Publishing and Darkwind Press. Urban fantasy series include Deadly Curiosities and the Night Vigil (Sons of Darkness). Epic fantasy series include Darkhurst... Read More →

Sammie Cassell

Film Guest

Sammie Cassell is a North Carolina based filmmaker, actor, improv and sketch comedian, and all around busy guy. His film/tv credits include Halloween Kills, Eyes of Tammy Faye, Kill Giggles and upcoming appearances in Righteous Gemstones and Please Don’t Destroy. A life long comic book fan and collector along with being a lover of all things horror, wrestling and pop culture, he’s also known as Sammie the Comic Book Man. Sammie and his production partners, Dan Sellers, Jeff Cochran, and Chad Hunt with Wreak Havoc Productions also do the... Read More →

Brandon Whitworth

Science Guest

Brandon Whitworth is a professional engineer with over 20 years of experience on a variety of projects with many interests inside and outside engineering. His professional career has spanned many projects, including the Space Shuttle program (where he was awarded a Silver Snoopy... Read More →

Old Dominion Daleks

Costuming Guest

Saturday July 18, 2026 5:00pm - 6:00pm EDT
Grand Ballroom Salon C (panels)

Film/TV

6:30pm EDT

Law Enforcement for Writers: You Have the Right to Write it Right

Saturday July 18, 2026 6:30pm - 7:30pm EDT

Grand Ballroom Salon C (panels)

From standard issue guns for your police officers, to Miranda Rights and questioning, our panelist discuss some common misconceptions around the law and suggest resources to help you get it right.

Moderator: Wayland Smith

Speakers

Kal Spriggs

Literary Guest

Kal Spriggs is a US Army combat veteran, gamer, and science fiction and fantasy author of over 40 published novels. He has visited over 35 countries and has worked in a variety of industries including environmental remediation, farming, civil engineering, the military, and transportation... Read More →

Dennis M. Myers

Literary Guest

Wayland Smith

Literary Guest

Wayland Smith is the pen name for a native Texan who has lived in Massachusetts, New York, Washington DC, and presently makes his home in Virginia. His rather unlikely list of jobs includes private investigator, comic book shop owner, ring crew for a circus (then he ran away from... Read More →

Saturday July 18, 2026 6:30pm - 7:30pm EDT
Grand Ballroom Salon C (panels)

Literary

8:00pm EDT

Attention all Planets of the Solar Federation: 50 Years Since Rush's Iconic "2112"

Saturday July 18, 2026 8:00pm - 9:00pm EDT

Grand Ballroom Salon C (panels)

"When the F%#K did Rush become cool?!"

As the band Rush continues their Fifty Something tour and tribute to Neil Peart, our panelists discuss one of Peart's greatest science fiction masterpieces, 2112 (and other stuff).

Speakers

Wayland Smith

Literary Guest

James Fulbright

Con Chair / President, ConGregate

James Fulbright was introduced to AD&D by a friend in 1979. After joining his first gaming group, his friends convinced him to start attending conventions like StellarCon. It wasn’t long before attending cons led him to start helping out with those cons; which, in turn, led to running... Read More →

Chuck Parker

Performance Guest

A performer for more than 35 years, Chuck Parker has filled many musical roles: heavy metal guitarist, singer/songwriter, jazz sideman, open mic host, filk circle regular, session player, and World’s Okayest Bassist™.Chuck has been a regular on the con circuit for more than a... Read More →

Saturday July 18, 2026 8:00pm - 9:00pm EDT
Grand Ballroom Salon C (panels)

Fandom

9:30pm EDT

Playful Voices: Chuck Tingle Readings (18+)

Saturday July 18, 2026 9:30pm - 10:30pm EDT

Grand Ballroom Salon C (panels)

Adults 18+ only. Chuck Tingle writes under a pseudonym and is best known for his niche gay erotica. Our guests will present selections from his work in playful, characterful voices.

Speakers

William C. Tracy

Literary Guest

William C. Tracy (he/him) writes and publishes queer science fiction and fantasy through his indie press Space Wizard Science Fantasy. His largest work is the Dissolutionverse: a space opera with music-based magic including nine books and a TTRPG. He’s also published Fruits of ... Read More →

Performance

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