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ConGregate 12 has ended
************ THE SCHEDULE IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE, UP TO, AND EVEN DURING, THE CON ************

When using the Sched app, go the bottom of the app and select "My Account."  Scroll down to the bottom of the page and hit "Refresh All Data."   You should do this MULTIPLE times each day.  

con-gregate.com
Thursday, July 16
 

8:00pm EDT

Informal Kickoff Party
Thursday July 16, 2026 8:00pm - 10:00pm EDT
Marriott Restaurant
If you are staying on site on Thursday evening (or live in the area), come by the Due South Southern Kitchen & Bar (Marriott), hang out, socialize, get some food or a beverage, and just relax before the convention gets started.

Feel free to stop by earlier if you want dinner. We're sure the hotel will not mind.  ;)

NOTE: This is not free. You will need to purchase anything you order.

Speakers
avatar for Richard Kadrey

Richard Kadrey

Guest of Honor
Richard Kadrey is the New York Times bestselling author of the Sandman Slim supernatural noir series. Sandman Slim was included in Amazon’s “100 Science Fiction & Fantasy Books to Read in a Lifetime,” and is in development as a feature film.Some of Kadrey’s other books in... Read More →
avatar for James Fulbright

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 →
Thursday July 16, 2026 8:00pm - 10:00pm EDT
Marriott Restaurant
  Special Events
 
Friday, July 17
 

1:00pm EDT

Costuming: Where to start
Friday July 17, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm EDT
High Point Room (Panels)
So you've seen Stormtroopers and Mandalorians, or uniforms from Star Trek and Star Gate, but where do you start if you want to build your first costume?  

moderator: Cheralyn Lambeth
Speakers
avatar for John Dondero

John Dondero

Costuming Guest
He is a certified Jack of All Trades. He started out as a filmmaker and special effects editor, building both digital and practical effects, and has won many awards for both filmmaking and editing. When COVID hit, he switched gears and became an affiliated Twitch streamer and podcaster... Read More →
avatar for Dave Fretz

Dave Fretz

Costuming Guest
I’ve been a part of science fiction and fantasy fandom for more than 50 years and grew up reading Andre Norton, Allan Dean Foster, and Edgar Rice Burroughs books. I even named my younger son Jason after the lead character in the Ray Harryhausen film Jason and the Argonauts. I was... Read More →
avatar for Cheralyn Lambeth

Cheralyn Lambeth

Film Guest
Cheralyn (Cher) Lambeth is a professional costume, prop, and puppet builder whose work includes feature films (The Muppet Christmas Carol, The Patriot, Evan Almighty, The Hunger Games, Are You There, God?  It's Me, Margaret), television shows (Dinosaurs!, Homeland, Outcast, The ... Read More →
Friday July 17, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm EDT
High Point Room (Panels)
  Costuming/Cosplay

1:00pm EDT

Judging a Book By its Cover
Friday July 17, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm EDT
Grand Ballroom Salon C (panels)
So they tell us "Don't judge a book by it's cover" but with many mainstream books using the back for "blurbs"; is the cover the newest way to tell a reader what type of book it is?  

moderator: Chris Oakley
Speakers
avatar for Fraser Sherman

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 →
avatar for Larry N. Martin

Larry N. Martin

Literary Guest
Larry N. Martin writes science fiction, steampunk, and urban fantasy. He is the author of the portal gaming fantasy: The Splintered Crown, and Salvage Rat, the first in his space opera series.Together with Gail Z. Martin, Larry co-authors the snarky monster hunter series Spells, Salt, & Steel, the post-apocalyptic series Wasteland Marshals, the Joe Mack Shadow Council Files series, and the steampunk series The Jake Desmet Adventures... Read More →
avatar for Chris Oakley

Chris Oakley

Fan Guest
Chris Oakley owned and operated Oakley’s Gently Used Books, a bricks & mortar used bookshop with a specialty in Sci Fi/Fantasy, for more than 20 years (1995-2016) in Charlottesville, VA. She has been a bookseller at Madicon, MarsCon, MystiCon, RavenCon, Libertycon DSC50, DSC60 and... Read More →
avatar for J. Matthew Saunders

J. Matthew Saunders

Literary Guest
J. Matthew Saunders is the author of the Daughters of Shadow and Blood trilogy inspired by the Brides of Dracula, the Dreadful Penny occult detective series, and numerous fantasy and horror short stories. He is a member of HWA and SFWA.He was born in the small Appalachian town of Clayton, Georgia and grew up in Greenville, South Carolina. He received a B.A. in history from Vanderbilt University and a master’s... Read More →
Friday July 17, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm EDT
Grand Ballroom Salon C (panels)
  Literary

1:00pm EDT

Designer Aliens
Friday July 17, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm EDT
Piedmont Salons 1-2 (panels)
A panel discussing the scientific basis for life in all its shapes and sizes and the critical features needed to make realistic alien life in sci-fi.

Moderator: Angela Giddings
Speakers
avatar for Angela Giddings

Angela Giddings

Film Guest
A.M. Giddings is a writer, scientist, cellist, independent filmmaker and aspiring swamp hag from North Carolina.  She has a PhD in Microbiology and has authored multiple scientific articles in virology, cell line design, and gene therapy.  She enjoys writing stories that live within... Read More →
avatar for Dennis M. Myers

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 →
avatar for Dr. Philip A. Kramer

Dr. Philip A. Kramer

Science Guest
Dr. Philip A. Kramer is a biomedical researcher who studies aging, oxidative stress, and metabolism. In addition to his academic works, he is a hard science fiction author with two published novels (under the name P. A. Kramer), and several award-winning short stories. His blog (... Read More →
avatar for Jim Beall

Jim Beall

Science Guest
Jim Beall (BS-Math, MBA, PE) has been a nuclear engineer for 50 years, beginning as a nuclear engineering officer in the US Navy. Civilian experience includes design, construction, inspection, enforcement, and assessment with a nuclear utility, an architect engineering firm, and the... Read More →
Friday July 17, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm EDT
Piedmont Salons 1-2 (panels)
  Science

1:00pm EDT

YA Round Robin: Avatar and other Animated Shows
Friday July 17, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm EDT
Piedmont Salon 3
From Avatar: The Last Airbender to Kpop Demon Hunters, what animated TV is the current favorite for our teens & tweens?
Speakers
avatar for Hannah Fulbright

Hannah Fulbright

Asst. Programming Director, ConGregate
Hannah Fulbright is a fan that has been in the local con circuit all her life. She enjoys consuming various media such as fantasy books and cartoons and helping run sci-fi events in the area. She has helped with registration, auction organization, and guest relations for many local... Read More →
Friday July 17, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm EDT
Piedmont Salon 3
  YA Round Robin

1:00pm EDT

Sound Checks
Friday July 17, 2026 1:00pm - 2:30pm EDT
Grand Ballroom Salon D (Main Programming)

Friday July 17, 2026 1:00pm - 2:30pm EDT
Grand Ballroom Salon D (Main Programming)
  Room Closed

2:00pm EDT

Workshop: BottleCap Necklaces
Friday July 17, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm EDT
Emerald (Workshops/LARP)
Bottlecap necklaces can symbolize everything from DIY creativity to your favorite pop-culture fandom! Join April as she shows you how to create this nostalgic, upcycled fashion accessory. 
Speakers
avatar for April Baker

April Baker

Artist Guest
Raised in Connecticut, April now lives in North Carolina, where she works as an artist and instructor. Her main mediums are paper, paint, and recycled items — with a particular fondness for pages from old and damaged books. When not creating, you can find her at various community... Read More →
Friday July 17, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm EDT
Emerald (Workshops/LARP)
  Workshop, Crafting

2:00pm EDT

Dealer's Room Open
Friday July 17, 2026 2:00pm - 7:00pm EDT
Grand Ballroom Salons E-F-G-H (Dealer Room)
Come and buy cool stuff!

Dealer Load-in
Friday: 10:00am

Dealer Room Hours
Friday: 2:00pm - 7:00pm
Saturday: 10:00am - 6:00pm (dealers in at 9am)
Sunday: 10:00am - 2:00pm (dealers in at 9am)
Friday July 17, 2026 2:00pm - 7:00pm EDT
Grand Ballroom Salons E-F-G-H (Dealer Room)
  Dealer's Room

2:00pm EDT

ConSuite Open
Friday July 17, 2026 2:00pm - 8:30pm EDT
ConSuite (Room 210)
Come over to our ConSuite and enjoy a snack and (non-alcoholic) beverage. All refreshments are individually packaged for health and safety.  The fee is already covered in your registration.

The Suite is also a great place to relax and visit with your friends, old or new.

Location: Room 210

ConSuite Hours
  • FRI  2:00pm - 8:30pm
  • SAT  9:00am - 8:30pm
  • SUN  9:00am - 2:00pm
Friday July 17, 2026 2:00pm - 8:30pm EDT
ConSuite (Room 210)
  ConSuite

2:00pm EDT

Open Gaming
Friday July 17, 2026 2:00pm - 10:00pm EDT
Greensboro Room (Gaming)
Check out a wide variety of new and exciting games including: Return to Dark Tower as well as Clarion Game's:Hull Breach is a sci-fi cards-and-dice game featuring epic space combat between ships, firefights between Marine boarding parties, and plenty of clever tactics and galaxy-shaking events. You assume command of a space station belonging to one of our several in-game factions and fight it out...
See More →
Friday July 17, 2026 2:00pm - 10:00pm EDT
Greensboro Room (Gaming)
  Gaming

2:30pm EDT

Are Vikings the New Pirates
Friday July 17, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm EDT
Piedmont Salons 1-2 (panels)
Pirates once ruled the Renn Festivals and Convention Corridors, but it seems lately that Vikings are taking over.  What is it about Vikings (and their costumes) that make them all the rage?

Moderator: Matt Penick
Speakers
avatar for Matthew Penick

Matthew Penick

Costuming Guest
Matthew Penick has been cosplaying since 2005 and took his passion for costuming to the professional level in 2009 with the creation of the theatrical design company Ribbons and Rivets. The self-taught designer began primarily working with leather, and while he still considers leatherwork... Read More →
avatar for Miriam

Miriam "Tinker Tank" Penick

Costuming Guest
The Tinker Tank is a life-long art kid with a Studio Art degree that fell into costuming and cosplay through her post-collegiate pursuit of replicating the outfit of her childhood hero— Xena. She has since fallen in love with bringing beloved characters to life and works full time... Read More →
avatar for Cheralyn Lambeth

Cheralyn Lambeth

Film Guest
Cheralyn (Cher) Lambeth is a professional costume, prop, and puppet builder whose work includes feature films (The Muppet Christmas Carol, The Patriot, Evan Almighty, The Hunger Games, Are You There, God?  It's Me, Margaret), television shows (Dinosaurs!, Homeland, Outcast, The ... Read More →
Friday July 17, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm EDT
Piedmont Salons 1-2 (panels)
  Costuming/Cosplay

2:30pm EDT

First Con / First ConGregate
Friday July 17, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm EDT
Grand Ballroom Salon C (panels)
Let’s face it: conventions are a truly unique experience. In fact, there’s not really anything else you’ll ever do that’squite like it! Never been to a convention before? Maybe this is your first time at this con? Or maybe you’re aveteran of dozens (if not hundreds) of cons? Either way, come join our roundtable discussion on how to best enjoythe convention experience, including practical...
See More →
Speakers
avatar for Alexandra Higgins

Alexandra Higgins

Performance Guest
Alexandra Higgins (aka the Platypus Princess) is a self-taught singer/songwriter whose folk-indie sound evokes the spirit of Joan Baez (direct quote heard randomly and unprompted at every performance!). Her voice, often described as angelic, carries melodies that mix ethereal beauty... Read More →
avatar for Joey Starnes

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 →
avatar for Tom Hutchens

Tom Hutchens

Costuming Guest
Founder of the Mando Mercs Costume Club, being a Mandalorian fan goes all the way back to 1983, a five-year-old sitting in the theater watching Boba Fett fall into the Sarlacc Pit in Star Wars: Return of the Jedi.

In 2007 Tom founded the Mando Mercs Costume Club (MMCC), becoming o

... Read More →
avatar for James Fulbright

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 →
Friday July 17, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm EDT
Grand Ballroom Salon C (panels)
  Fandom

2:30pm EDT

After the Final Cut: Pathways for Indie Films
Friday July 17, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm EDT
Piedmont Salon 3
Join our panel of indie filmmakers as they discuss the ins and outs of what to do with your film once it is released, share helpful hints, and hopefully help you find the best life for your film after the final cut!

Moderator: Michelle Iannantuono
Speakers
avatar for Christine Parker

Christine Parker

Film Guest, SickChickFlicks
Christine Parker began her film career in Sanford, North Carolina in 2004 where she wrote and produced her first short film “Second Death” that led to her forming Adrenalin Productions and later Sick Chick Flicks which have produced dozens of short films as well as five feature... Read More →
avatar for Polly Schattel

Polly Schattel

Film Guest
A filmmaker and novelist from Birmingham, AL, Polly Schattel’s first feature was the self-produced “Sinkhole” (2005), which won Best Feature at the Indie Memphis Film Festival, and was distributed internationally by Shoreline Entertainment. Her next film was “Alison,” (2010... Read More →
avatar for Michelle Iannantuono

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 →
Friday July 17, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm EDT
Piedmont Salon 3
  Film/TV

2:30pm EDT

It's been 25 years Since WHAT Came Out?
Friday July 17, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm EDT
High Point Room (Panels)
2001 saw a wide release of films in the genre - from the good (Planet of the Apes) to the bad (Donnie Darko) to the unusual (The Lost Skeleton of Cadavra).  Join our panelists as the discuss all things film from 2001.
(Knight's Tale!!)

Moderator: Gary Mitchel
Speakers
avatar for Alexandra Christian

Alexandra Christian

Literary Guest
Alexandra Christian is an author of romance and horror (two great tastes that taste great together). She began her career in 2010 writing paranormal romance and has since branched out into contemporary, fantasy, and dark romance with occasional forays into horror. She lives in a creepy... Read More →
avatar for Bill Mulligan

Bill Mulligan

Film Guest
A 25+ year veteran of high school science teaching, Bill Mulligan has parlayed his love of horror, science fiction, and fantasy films into podcasting, convention panels, indie filmmaking, and storytelling. With creative partners such as Christine Parker and Mark C. Lucas, he has worked... Read More →
avatar for Gary Mitchel

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 →
avatar for Sammie Cassell

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 →
Friday July 17, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm EDT
High Point Room (Panels)
  Film/TV

2:30pm EDT

Folklore and Fantasy
Friday July 17, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm EDT
Grand Ballroom Salon D (Main Programming)
Folklore and Storytelling have long been a part of speculative fiction.  From retellings of classic fairytales and Arthurian Legends to new versions of old myths, how can authors incorporate the old (and respect the tradition) while still bringing something new to the story.

Moderator: Gail Martin
Speakers
avatar for Wayland Smith

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 →
avatar for Tally Johnson

Tally Johnson

Special Guest
Mr. Johnson is a graduate of Spartanburg Methodist College and Wofford College with degrees in history. He is the author of Ghosts of the South Carolina Upcountry, Ghosts of the South Carolina Midlands, Ghosts of the Pee Dee (all for The History Press) and Civil War Ghosts of Sou... Read More →
avatar for Steven S. Long

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 →
avatar for Gail Z. Martin

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 →
Friday July 17, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm EDT
Grand Ballroom Salon D (Main Programming)
  Literary

3:00pm EDT

Signings:
Friday July 17, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm EDT
Grand Ballroom Salons E-F-G-H (Dealer Room)

Friday July 17, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm EDT
Grand Ballroom Salons E-F-G-H (Dealer Room)

3:00pm EDT

Chuck Parker - unplugged
Friday July 17, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm EDT
Grand Ballroom Salons A-B (Cantina)

Speakers
avatar for Chuck Parker

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 →
Friday July 17, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm EDT
Grand Ballroom Salons A-B (Cantina)
  Performance

3:30pm EDT

Workshop: Using Real-World Legends and Lore in Your Writing
Friday July 17, 2026 3:30pm - 5:00pm EDT
Emerald (Workshops/LARP)


Join Gail Z. Martin as she shows you how to mine real-world legends, lore, ghost stories, and locations for story material and how to make it your own.

Speakers
avatar for Gail Z. Martin

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 →
Friday July 17, 2026 3:30pm - 5:00pm EDT
Emerald (Workshops/LARP)
  Literary, Workshop

4:00pm EDT

Signings: John Scalzi
Friday July 17, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm EDT
Grand Ballroom Salons E-F-G-H (Dealer Room)

Speakers
avatar for John Scalzi

John Scalzi

Guest of Honor
John Scalzi is the Hugo-winning and New York Times bestselling author of Old Man’s War, Redshirts, The Kaiju Preservation Society, and Starter Villain, among other novels. Some of his short work was featured in the Netflix animated series Love, Death + Robots.He was president of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America (now the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association), but he got better.He owns one dog, three cats, a six-necked guitar and a church. His burritos are internet infamous and possibly actual crimes. He lives... Read More →
Friday July 17, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm EDT
Grand Ballroom Salons E-F-G-H (Dealer Room)

4:00pm EDT

Geek Mental Health: Stories, Strategies, and Resources
Friday July 17, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm EDT
Grand Ballroom Salon C (panels)
Think of this as a low-pressure campfire for the geek crowd: a warm, judgment-free roundtable where people trade honest stories about mental health, what actually helped them (and what didn’t), and how to spot the moments that call for extra support. We’ll swap practical, peer-tested tools—from morning rituals and work/life tweaks to recovery-friendly habits—so you leave with usable ideas,...
See More →
Speakers
avatar for Dance Harden

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 →
avatar for Chuck Parker

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 →
avatar for Emily Jane Buehler

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 →
avatar for Tally Johnson

Tally Johnson

Special Guest
Mr. Johnson is a graduate of Spartanburg Methodist College and Wofford College with degrees in history. He is the author of Ghosts of the South Carolina Upcountry, Ghosts of the South Carolina Midlands, Ghosts of the Pee Dee (all for The History Press) and Civil War Ghosts of Sou... Read More →
avatar for Janet Carden

Janet Carden

Online Media Guest
Janet Carden aka The Halfling is one half of the husband/wife team of The Halfling and The Spaceman podcast.  She has been active in many aspects of fandom since her high school days.  She and her husband have created many fan projects together, including The Familiar Magazine... Read More →
Friday July 17, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm EDT
Grand Ballroom Salon C (panels)
  Fandom

4:00pm EDT

Submitting to Film Festivals: Worth it or not
Friday July 17, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm EDT
Piedmont Salon 3
Our panelists of film guests discuss the pros and cons of submitting your film to film festivals.  Does it help?  Does it hurt?  What does it bring you?

Moderator: Bill Mulligan
Speakers
avatar for Christine Parker

Christine Parker

Film Guest, SickChickFlicks
Christine Parker began her film career in Sanford, North Carolina in 2004 where she wrote and produced her first short film “Second Death” that led to her forming Adrenalin Productions and later Sick Chick Flicks which have produced dozens of short films as well as five feature... Read More →
avatar for O Hai Mark

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 →
avatar for Bill Mulligan

Bill Mulligan

Film Guest
A 25+ year veteran of high school science teaching, Bill Mulligan has parlayed his love of horror, science fiction, and fantasy films into podcasting, convention panels, indie filmmaking, and storytelling. With creative partners such as Christine Parker and Mark C. Lucas, he has worked... Read More →
avatar for Polly Schattel

Polly Schattel

Film Guest
A filmmaker and novelist from Birmingham, AL, Polly Schattel’s first feature was the self-produced “Sinkhole” (2005), which won Best Feature at the Indie Memphis Film Festival, and was distributed internationally by Shoreline Entertainment. Her next film was “Alison,” (2010... Read More →
Friday July 17, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm EDT
Piedmont Salon 3
  Film/TV

4:00pm EDT

Candy Bullets: Humor in Action, Horror, and Dark Fantasy
Friday July 17, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm EDT
High Point Room (Panels)
Candy Bullets feels like a funhouse mirror—playful on the surface but bending into darker, unexpected shapes. It pairs sugar-coated slapstick with threads of horror and dark fantasy, sweetening the joke before letting it take surprising, sometimes sharp turns so that lightness and danger bounce off each other. The characters are full of contrasts: a wry demon who quips like a late-night comic, a...
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Speakers
avatar for Richard Kadrey

Richard Kadrey

Guest of Honor
Richard Kadrey is the New York Times bestselling author of the Sandman Slim supernatural noir series. Sandman Slim was included in Amazon’s “100 Science Fiction & Fantasy Books to Read in a Lifetime,” and is in development as a feature film.Some of Kadrey’s other books in... Read More →
avatar for Sherrilyn Kenyon

Sherrilyn Kenyon

Special Guest
Defying all odds is what #1 New York Times and international bestselling author Sherrilyn Kenyon does best. Since her first book debuted while she was still in college, she has placed more than 80 novels on the New York Times list in all formats and genres, including manga and graphic novels, and has more than 70 million books in print worldwide.A pioneer in paranormal, fantasy, science fiction and romantasy, she has become one of the most popular and influential authors in the world (in adult, YA and... Read More →
avatar for Kevin A. Davis

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 →
avatar for Alexandra Christian

Alexandra Christian

Literary Guest
Alexandra Christian is an author of romance and horror (two great tastes that taste great together). She began her career in 2010 writing paranormal romance and has since branched out into contemporary, fantasy, and dark romance with occasional forays into horror. She lives in a creepy... Read More →
avatar for J. Matthew Saunders

J. Matthew Saunders

Literary Guest
J. Matthew Saunders is the author of the Daughters of Shadow and Blood trilogy inspired by the Brides of Dracula, the Dreadful Penny occult detective series, and numerous fantasy and horror short stories. He is a member of HWA and SFWA.He was born in the small Appalachian town of Clayton, Georgia and grew up in Greenville, South Carolina. He received a B.A. in history from Vanderbilt University and a master’s... Read More →
Friday July 17, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm EDT
High Point Room (Panels)
  Literary

4:00pm EDT

Alexandra Higgins in Concert
Friday July 17, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm EDT
Grand Ballroom Salon D (Main Programming)
Alexandra’s unique folk / indie / Americana silvery enchanting voice and clever, refreshing lyrics combine for a unique sound listeners find both soothing and captivating.  
Speakers
avatar for Alexandra Higgins

Alexandra Higgins

Performance Guest
Alexandra Higgins (aka the Platypus Princess) is a self-taught singer/songwriter whose folk-indie sound evokes the spirit of Joan Baez (direct quote heard randomly and unprompted at every performance!). Her voice, often described as angelic, carries melodies that mix ethereal beauty... Read More →
Friday July 17, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm EDT
Grand Ballroom Salon D (Main Programming)
  Performance

4:00pm EDT

Statistics: Truth or Lie
Friday July 17, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm EDT
Piedmont Salons 1-2 (panels)
A discussion of well-known "statistics" and their associated fallacies. The panelists may bring up a statistic to other panelists and see if they can spot the problems with it (along with some discussion about why it's misleading).

Moderator: Brandon Whitworth
Speakers
avatar for Gray Rinehart

Gray Rinehart

Literary Guest
Gray Rinehart is an award-winning author, an editor, a singer/songwriter, and a retired Air Force officer. He is the only person to have commanded a USAF satellite tracking station, written speeches for Presidential appointees, devised a poetic form, and had music on The Dr. Demento... Read More →
avatar for Fraser Sherman

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 →
avatar for Dr. Robert Hampson

Dr. Robert Hampson

Literary Guest
Professor, Neuroscientist, and Unofficial Penguin WhispererWhen not advancing the frontiers of neuroscience or constructing elaborate multiversal portals in his office, Dr. Rob can be found lecturing to an elite audience of penguins in lab coats. An advocate of hands-on learning... Read More →
avatar for Brandon Whitworth

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 →
Friday July 17, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm EDT
Piedmont Salons 1-2 (panels)
  Science

4:00pm EDT

Pathfinder 2E: Dragon's Plea
Friday July 17, 2026 4:00pm - 6:00pm EDT
Greensboro Room (Gaming)
GM: James MusgroveMax: 6 PlayersPre-generated characters availableSign-up at RegistrationOver a year ago trouble in the Verduran Forest drove a young horned dragon from their lair. Unable to oppose the forces of the Wildwood Lodge under its then-twisted leadership, they fled north. They desperately want to return to the forest but aren’t confident enough in their own...
See More →
Friday July 17, 2026 4:00pm - 6:00pm EDT
Greensboro Room (Gaming)
  Gaming

4:00pm EDT

Feature Film Block 1
Friday July 17, 2026 4:00pm - 7:00pm EDT
Cardinal (Film)
The Haunting of Prince Dom Pedro
The Things We Keep
Friday July 17, 2026 4:00pm - 7:00pm EDT
Cardinal (Film)
  Film Festival

5:00pm EDT

Signings: Richard Kadrey
Friday July 17, 2026 5:00pm - 6:00pm EDT
Grand Ballroom Salons E-F-G-H (Dealer Room)

Speakers
avatar for Richard Kadrey

Richard Kadrey

Guest of Honor
Richard Kadrey is the New York Times bestselling author of the Sandman Slim supernatural noir series. Sandman Slim was included in Amazon’s “100 Science Fiction & Fantasy Books to Read in a Lifetime,” and is in development as a feature film.Some of Kadrey’s other books in... Read More →
Friday July 17, 2026 5:00pm - 6:00pm EDT
Grand Ballroom Salons E-F-G-H (Dealer Room)

5:00pm EDT

Gaming: Forbidden Island (with Wizards!)
Friday July 17, 2026 5:00pm - 6:00pm EDT
Greensboro Room (Gaming)
Forbidden Island (with Wizards)
Players: Max 4
GM: Richard Jordan
Join a team of fearless adventurers on a do-or-die mission to capture four sacred treasures from the ruins of this perilous paradise. Your team will have to work together and make some pulse-pounding maneuvers, as the island will sink beneath every step!

Sign up at Registration!



Friday July 17, 2026 5:00pm - 6:00pm EDT
Greensboro Room (Gaming)
  Gaming

5:30pm EDT

Geeky Trivia for Chocolate!
Friday July 17, 2026 5:30pm - 6:30pm EDT
Grand Ballroom Salon D (Main Programming)
Do you have what it takes to overthrow your fellow geeks? Syrinx (and volunteers) brings his brand of bar trivia to the convention for some friendly single-elimination competition. The audience members will have a chance to be geek gurus as they answer questions spanning different fandoms and geek cultures.


Speakers
avatar for Carol Cowles

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 →
avatar for Dance Harden

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 →
Friday July 17, 2026 5:30pm - 6:30pm EDT
Grand Ballroom Salon D (Main Programming)
  Fandom

5:30pm EDT

All Our Favorite "Stars"
Friday July 17, 2026 5:30pm - 6:30pm EDT
Piedmont Salons 1-2 (panels)
Star Wars: Andor, Star Trek, StarGate, (Battlestar Galactica and Firefly) - Fandom has passionately followed the tv series that take us to the Stars...what is it about a series set in space that captures our attention so much so that fans have driven the "saving" of franchises, the never ending reboots and new versions of our favorite series.

Moderator: Tom Hutchens
Speakers
avatar for Sammie Cassell

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 →
avatar for Tom Hutchens

Tom Hutchens

Costuming Guest
Founder of the Mando Mercs Costume Club, being a Mandalorian fan goes all the way back to 1983, a five-year-old sitting in the theater watching Boba Fett fall into the Sarlacc Pit in Star Wars: Return of the Jedi.

In 2007 Tom founded the Mando Mercs Costume Club (MMCC), becoming o

... Read More →
avatar for EJ Isaacs

EJ Isaacs

Literary Guest
EJ Isaacs is at heart, a geek. As a child I grew up with classics in science fiction from Isaac Asimov, Arthur C. Clark and Robert Heinlein. A late comer to role playing, he enjoyed creating backgrounds to the characters he was playing. For a three-year period, he was involved with... Read More →
avatar for Kevin A. Davis

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 →
avatar for Janet Carden

Janet Carden

Online Media Guest
Janet Carden aka The Halfling is one half of the husband/wife team of The Halfling and The Spaceman podcast.  She has been active in many aspects of fandom since her high school days.  She and her husband have created many fan projects together, including The Familiar Magazine... Read More →
Friday July 17, 2026 5:30pm - 6:30pm EDT
Piedmont Salons 1-2 (panels)
  Film/TV

5:30pm EDT

Talking about Women in Film
Friday July 17, 2026 5:30pm - 6:30pm EDT
Piedmont Salon 3
Women in film have often had a tough time getting the recognition they deserve, which means we miss out on a lot of valuable and diverse stories. The good news is that people are stepping up—through advocacy, inclusion initiatives, mentorship programs, festivals, and targeted funding—to help amplify women's work. By supporting these efforts, we can create a more welcoming, fair, and vibrant...
See More →
Speakers
avatar for Christine Parker

Christine Parker

Film Guest, SickChickFlicks
Christine Parker began her film career in Sanford, North Carolina in 2004 where she wrote and produced her first short film “Second Death” that led to her forming Adrenalin Productions and later Sick Chick Flicks which have produced dozens of short films as well as five feature... Read More →
avatar for Angela Giddings

Angela Giddings

Film Guest
A.M. Giddings is a writer, scientist, cellist, independent filmmaker and aspiring swamp hag from North Carolina.  She has a PhD in Microbiology and has authored multiple scientific articles in virology, cell line design, and gene therapy.  She enjoys writing stories that live within... Read More →
Friday July 17, 2026 5:30pm - 6:30pm EDT
Piedmont Salon 3
  Film/TV

5:30pm EDT

2026 Survey of North Carolina Science fiction and Fantasy
Friday July 17, 2026 5:30pm - 6:30pm EDT
Grand Ballroom Salon C (panels)
Join Sam and others as they discuss the longlist/shortlist/eligibility list titles for the Manly Wade Wellman Award at length before we announce the 2026 winner during Opening Ceremonies.  
Speakers
avatar for Sam Montgomery-Blinn

Sam Montgomery-Blinn

Literary Guest
Samuel Montgomery-Blinn grew up on a family farm in Indiana and now spends his days helping ensure the trustworthiness of artificial intelligences. Once upon a time he published Bull Spec, a print magazine of speculative fiction, and now he administers The Manly Wade Wellman Award for North Carolina Science Fiction and Fantasy, meaning yes, he’s read your book. He lives in Durham with his wife, two too-grown teenagers, two cats who are very good boys, and one dog who... Read More →
Friday July 17, 2026 5:30pm - 6:30pm EDT
Grand Ballroom Salon C (panels)
  Literary

5:30pm EDT

Open Filking
Friday July 17, 2026 5:30pm - 6:30pm EDT
Grand Ballroom Salons A-B (Cantina)

Friday July 17, 2026 5:30pm - 6:30pm EDT
Grand Ballroom Salons A-B (Cantina)
  Performance

5:30pm EDT

AI Inflection Point
Friday July 17, 2026 5:30pm - 6:30pm EDT
High Point Room (Panels)
AI inflection point: Are we at an "inflection point" in human history where AI will usher in rapid change (or has it already)? Will the AI bubble burst? Is there really a bubble? What might the future look like?

Moderator: Chris Oakley
Speakers
avatar for Joey Starnes

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 →
avatar for William C. Tracy

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 →
avatar for Dennis M. Myers

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 →
avatar for Chris Oakley

Chris Oakley

Fan Guest
Chris Oakley owned and operated Oakley’s Gently Used Books, a bricks & mortar used bookshop with a specialty in Sci Fi/Fantasy, for more than 20 years (1995-2016) in Charlottesville, VA. She has been a bookseller at Madicon, MarsCon, MystiCon, RavenCon, Libertycon DSC50, DSC60 and... Read More →
avatar for Brandon Whitworth

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 →
Friday July 17, 2026 5:30pm - 6:30pm EDT
High Point Room (Panels)
  Science

5:30pm EDT

Workshop: Basic Leather Working 101 (fee)
Friday July 17, 2026 5:30pm - 7:00pm EDT
Emerald (Workshops/LARP)
In this introduction to the craft led by the designers at Ribbons and Rivets participants will be guided through the steps to make their own personalized wrist cuff. Many of these same steps can be applied to much larger and more complicated projects later on. All tools and materials will be provided for this workshop, just bring a pair of hands.

Participation fee is $20
Speakers
avatar for Matthew Penick

Matthew Penick

Costuming Guest
Matthew Penick has been cosplaying since 2005 and took his passion for costuming to the professional level in 2009 with the creation of the theatrical design company Ribbons and Rivets. The self-taught designer began primarily working with leather, and while he still considers leatherwork... Read More →
avatar for Miriam

Miriam "Tinker Tank" Penick

Costuming Guest
The Tinker Tank is a life-long art kid with a Studio Art degree that fell into costuming and cosplay through her post-collegiate pursuit of replicating the outfit of her childhood hero— Xena. She has since fallen in love with bringing beloved characters to life and works full time... Read More →
Friday July 17, 2026 5:30pm - 7:00pm EDT
Emerald (Workshops/LARP)
  Costuming/Cosplay, Workshop

6:00pm EDT

Signings:
Friday July 17, 2026 6:00pm - 7:00pm EDT
Grand Ballroom Salons E-F-G-H (Dealer Room)

Friday July 17, 2026 6:00pm - 7:00pm EDT
Grand Ballroom Salons E-F-G-H (Dealer Room)

7:00pm EDT

Gaming: Star Trek CCG (Rapid Variant, no deck needed)
Friday July 17, 2026 7:00pm - 8:00pm EDT
Greensboro Room (Gaming)
Star Trek: CCG
Players: Max 1(at a time)
GMs: Richard Jordan, Vanessa Salazar
Players play ships and crewmembers and attempt to "solve" or complete missions at discrete "locations" while preventing their opponent from completing them. First player to 100 points, or with the most points when one player's deck runs out, wins.

Sign up at Registration!



Friday July 17, 2026 7:00pm - 8:00pm EDT
Greensboro Room (Gaming)
  Gaming

7:00pm EDT

Room Closed
Friday July 17, 2026 7:00pm - 8:00pm EDT
High Point Room (Panels)

Friday July 17, 2026 7:00pm - 8:00pm EDT
High Point Room (Panels)
  Room Closed

7:00pm EDT

Room Closed
Friday July 17, 2026 7:00pm - 8:00pm EDT
Cardinal (Film)
Friday July 17, 2026 7:00pm - 8:00pm EDT
Cardinal (Film)
  Room Closed

7:00pm EDT

Room Closed
Friday July 17, 2026 7:00pm - 8:00pm EDT
Emerald (Workshops/LARP)
Friday July 17, 2026 7:00pm - 8:00pm EDT
Emerald (Workshops/LARP)
  Room Closed

7:00pm EDT

Room Closed
Friday July 17, 2026 7:00pm - 8:00pm EDT
Piedmont Salon 3

Friday July 17, 2026 7:00pm - 8:00pm EDT
Piedmont Salon 3
  Room Closed

7:00pm EDT

Room Closed
Friday July 17, 2026 7:00pm - 8:00pm EDT
Piedmont Salons 1-2 (panels)

Friday July 17, 2026 7:00pm - 8:00pm EDT
Piedmont Salons 1-2 (panels)
  Room Closed

7:00pm EDT

Room Closed
Friday July 17, 2026 7:00pm - 8:00pm EDT
Grand Ballroom Salon C (panels)

Friday July 17, 2026 7:00pm - 8:00pm EDT
Grand Ballroom Salon C (panels)
  Room Closed

7:00pm EDT

Opening Ceremonies
Friday July 17, 2026 7:00pm - 8:00pm EDT
Grand Ballroom Salon D (Main Programming)
Grab your Hawaiian Shirt and join James Fulbright (Con Chair) and Mike Pederson as we introduce our guests and tell you about the special events happening this weekend!Each year, ConGregate remembers contributors that we have lost from the science fiction and fantasy world. The tradition began in memory of Aaron Allston, who was well known for his love of Hawaiian shirts. We encourage everyone to...
See More →
Speakers
avatar for Sherrilyn Kenyon

Sherrilyn Kenyon

Special Guest
Defying all odds is what #1 New York Times and international bestselling author Sherrilyn Kenyon does best. Since her first book debuted while she was still in college, she has placed more than 80 novels on the New York Times list in all formats and genres, including manga and graphic novels, and has more than 70 million books in print worldwide.A pioneer in paranormal, fantasy, science fiction and romantasy, she has become one of the most popular and influential authors in the world (in adult, YA and... Read More →
avatar for Tally Johnson

Tally Johnson

Special Guest
Mr. Johnson is a graduate of Spartanburg Methodist College and Wofford College with degrees in history. He is the author of Ghosts of the South Carolina Upcountry, Ghosts of the South Carolina Midlands, Ghosts of the Pee Dee (all for The History Press) and Civil War Ghosts of Sou... Read More →
avatar for Richard Kadrey

Richard Kadrey

Guest of Honor
Richard Kadrey is the New York Times bestselling author of the Sandman Slim supernatural noir series. Sandman Slim was included in Amazon’s “100 Science Fiction & Fantasy Books to Read in a Lifetime,” and is in development as a feature film.Some of Kadrey’s other books in... Read More →
avatar for John Scalzi

John Scalzi

Guest of Honor
John Scalzi is the Hugo-winning and New York Times bestselling author of Old Man’s War, Redshirts, The Kaiju Preservation Society, and Starter Villain, among other novels. Some of his short work was featured in the Netflix animated series Love, Death + Robots.He was president of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America (now the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association), but he got better.He owns one dog, three cats, a six-necked guitar and a church. His burritos are internet infamous and possibly actual crimes. He lives... Read More →
avatar for Sam Montgomery-Blinn

Sam Montgomery-Blinn

Literary Guest
Samuel Montgomery-Blinn grew up on a family farm in Indiana and now spends his days helping ensure the trustworthiness of artificial intelligences. Once upon a time he published Bull Spec, a print magazine of speculative fiction, and now he administers The Manly Wade Wellman Award for North Carolina Science Fiction and Fantasy, meaning yes, he’s read your book. He lives in Durham with his wife, two too-grown teenagers, two cats who are very good boys, and one dog who... Read More →
avatar for James Fulbright

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 →
avatar for Michael D. Pederson

Michael D. Pederson

Fan Guest
Way back in 2004, Mike came up with the crazy idea of hosting a convention in Richmond, VA. He’s been chairing RavenCon ever since.In addition to running RavenCon, Mike Pederson was the publisher/editor/graphic designer responsible for the fanzine Nth Degree (2002-2019). Mike b... Read More →
Friday July 17, 2026 7:00pm - 8:00pm EDT
Grand Ballroom Salon D (Main Programming)
  Special Events

8:00pm EDT

Star Wars: After the Mando and Grogu
Friday July 17, 2026 8:00pm - 9:00pm EDT
High Point Room (Panels)
A cute little alien in a beskar armor and a silent but deadly bounty hunter have won the hearts of fans across the world.  Join our panelists as they discuss this new Star Wars story and where we hope it takes us in the future.

Moderator: Dance Harden
Speakers
avatar for Dance Harden

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 →
avatar for Tom Hutchens

Tom Hutchens

Costuming Guest
Founder of the Mando Mercs Costume Club, being a Mandalorian fan goes all the way back to 1983, a five-year-old sitting in the theater watching Boba Fett fall into the Sarlacc Pit in Star Wars: Return of the Jedi.

In 2007 Tom founded the Mando Mercs Costume Club (MMCC), becoming o

... Read More →
avatar for Bryan Young

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 →
avatar for J. Matthew Saunders

J. Matthew Saunders

Literary Guest
J. Matthew Saunders is the author of the Daughters of Shadow and Blood trilogy inspired by the Brides of Dracula, the Dreadful Penny occult detective series, and numerous fantasy and horror short stories. He is a member of HWA and SFWA.He was born in the small Appalachian town of Clayton, Georgia and grew up in Greenville, South Carolina. He received a B.A. in history from Vanderbilt University and a master’s... Read More →
avatar for Carol Cowles

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 →
Friday July 17, 2026 8:00pm - 9:00pm EDT
High Point Room (Panels)
  Film/TV

8:00pm EDT

Room Closed
Friday July 17, 2026 8:00pm - 9:00pm EDT
Emerald (Workshops/LARP)

Friday July 17, 2026 8:00pm - 9:00pm EDT
Emerald (Workshops/LARP)
  Room Closed

8:00pm EDT

Room Closed
Friday July 17, 2026 8:00pm - 9:00pm EDT
Grand Ballroom Salon C (panels)

Friday July 17, 2026 8:00pm - 9:00pm EDT
Grand Ballroom Salon C (panels)
  Room Closed

8:00pm EDT

Jim Beall Presents "Fusion"
Friday July 17, 2026 8:00pm - 9:00pm EDT
Piedmont Salons 1-2 (panels)
Where it "began," how we got "here," a run-down of the types of fusion, and then a round-up of most of the current fusion research paths and their relative promises.
Speakers
avatar for Jim Beall

Jim Beall

Science Guest
Jim Beall (BS-Math, MBA, PE) has been a nuclear engineer for 50 years, beginning as a nuclear engineering officer in the US Navy. Civilian experience includes design, construction, inspection, enforcement, and assessment with a nuclear utility, an architect engineering firm, and the... Read More →
Friday July 17, 2026 8:00pm - 9:00pm EDT
Piedmont Salons 1-2 (panels)
  Science

8:00pm EDT

Congregate: Fully Improvised!
Friday July 17, 2026 8:00pm - 9:00pm EDT
Grand Ballroom Salon D (Main Programming)
Where Fandom Meets the Unscripted.Prepare for a high-energy, side-splitting comedy experience as the Idiot Box Comedy Club takes the stage at Congregate! This isn’t your standard improv show—it’s a deep dive into the heart of the con.Our players are ditching the script and plugging into the Congregate hive mind. We’re taking your suggestions and spinning them into instant comedy gold....
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Speakers
avatar for Dave Dobson

Dave Dobson

Literary Guest
A native of Ames, Iowa, Dave loves writing, reading, boardgames, computer games, improv comedy, pizza, barbarian movies, and the cheaper end of the Taco Bell menu. Also, his wife and kids.Dave has written ten novels including fantasy, sci-fi, mysteries, and thrillers. In addition... Read More →
avatar for Sammie Cassell

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 →
Friday July 17, 2026 8:00pm - 9:00pm EDT
Grand Ballroom Salon D (Main Programming)
  Special Events

8:00pm EDT

YA Round Robin: How Spicy is too Spicy
Friday July 17, 2026 8:00pm - 9:00pm EDT
Piedmont Salon 3
Join Tweens & Teens, their parents and authors as we discuss how spicy is too spicy for younger readers?
Speakers
avatar for Hannah Fulbright

Hannah Fulbright

Asst. Programming Director, ConGregate
Hannah Fulbright is a fan that has been in the local con circuit all her life. She enjoys consuming various media such as fantasy books and cartoons and helping run sci-fi events in the area. She has helped with registration, auction organization, and guest relations for many local... Read More →
avatar for Bruce Buchanan

Bruce Buchanan

Literary Guest
Bruce Buchanan can pinpoint the moment he became a fan of heroic fiction. When he was six, he accompanied his parents to the Kmart in Shelby, N.C., Bruce’s hometown. On his way to scope out the toy aisle, something caught his eye: A Spider-Man comic book, bagged with two other... Read More →
Friday July 17, 2026 8:00pm - 9:00pm EDT
Piedmont Salon 3
  YA Round Robin

8:00pm EDT

Feature Film Block 2
Friday July 17, 2026 8:00pm - 10:00pm EDT
Cardinal (Film)
Tales from the Shiny Diner
Friday July 17, 2026 8:00pm - 10:00pm EDT
Cardinal (Film)
  Film Festival

8:00pm EDT

Starfinder 2E: Songbird Rescue
Friday July 17, 2026 8:00pm - 10:00pm EDT
Greensboro Room (Gaming)
GM: James MusgroveMax: 6 PlayersPre-generated characters availableSign-up at RegistrationAmong the hand-built shrines to forgotten and dead deities that cover the surface of the airless moon of Yashu-Indiri, a servant of a murderous god turns shrines into deathtraps and harnesses fell magic to drag down passing starships. When these engineered accidents...
See More →
Friday July 17, 2026 8:00pm - 10:00pm EDT
Greensboro Room (Gaming)
  Gaming

9:00pm EDT

Con Stories on The Rocks
Friday July 17, 2026 9:00pm - 10:00pm EDT
Grand Ballroom Salons A-B (Cantina)
So let's talk urban con legends - did someone really get tazed?  Did a program really have "fire drill" included? What other stories have you heard that seem impossible?
Speakers
avatar for Wayland Smith

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 →
avatar for Joey Starnes

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 →
avatar for Michael D. Pederson

Michael D. Pederson

Fan Guest
Way back in 2004, Mike came up with the crazy idea of hosting a convention in Richmond, VA. He’s been chairing RavenCon ever since.In addition to running RavenCon, Mike Pederson was the publisher/editor/graphic designer responsible for the fanzine Nth Degree (2002-2019). Mike b... Read More →
Friday July 17, 2026 9:00pm - 10:00pm EDT
Grand Ballroom Salons A-B (Cantina)
  Fandom

9:30pm EDT

Building Larger Than Life Costumes and Props: Challenges and Solutions
Friday July 17, 2026 9:30pm - 10:30pm EDT
High Point Room (Panels)
Whether you're building full-size Daleks, designing car add-ons, or crafting floor-length wings, creating a large costume or prop comes with its own unique challenges. Join our panelists as they share tips, techniques, and stories about how to bring a larger-than-life costume to life.

Moderator: Cheralyn Lambeth
Speakers
avatar for Tom Hutchens

Tom Hutchens

Costuming Guest
Founder of the Mando Mercs Costume Club, being a Mandalorian fan goes all the way back to 1983, a five-year-old sitting in the theater watching Boba Fett fall into the Sarlacc Pit in Star Wars: Return of the Jedi.

In 2007 Tom founded the Mando Mercs Costume Club (MMCC), becoming o

... Read More →
avatar for John Dondero

John Dondero

Costuming Guest
He is a certified Jack of All Trades. He started out as a filmmaker and special effects editor, building both digital and practical effects, and has won many awards for both filmmaking and editing. When COVID hit, he switched gears and became an affiliated Twitch streamer and podcaster... Read More →
avatar for Cheralyn Lambeth

Cheralyn Lambeth

Film Guest
Cheralyn (Cher) Lambeth is a professional costume, prop, and puppet builder whose work includes feature films (The Muppet Christmas Carol, The Patriot, Evan Almighty, The Hunger Games, Are You There, God?  It's Me, Margaret), television shows (Dinosaurs!, Homeland, Outcast, The ... Read More →
avatar for Old Dominion Daleks

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 →
Friday July 17, 2026 9:30pm - 10:30pm EDT
High Point Room (Panels)
  Costuming/Cosplay

9:30pm EDT

The Forgotten Cryptids
Friday July 17, 2026 9:30pm - 10:30pm EDT
Piedmont Salons 1-2 (panels)
The Forgotten Cryptids - Giant Leeches? Giant Gila Monsters? Killer Shrews? - Lets talk about the lesser known B movies that kept the cryptid genre going all these years

Moderator: O Hai Mark
Speakers
avatar for O Hai Mark

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 →
avatar for Bill Mulligan

Bill Mulligan

Film Guest
A 25+ year veteran of high school science teaching, Bill Mulligan has parlayed his love of horror, science fiction, and fantasy films into podcasting, convention panels, indie filmmaking, and storytelling. With creative partners such as Christine Parker and Mark C. Lucas, he has worked... Read More →
avatar for Fraser Sherman

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 →
Friday July 17, 2026 9:30pm - 10:30pm EDT
Piedmont Salons 1-2 (panels)
  Fandom

9:30pm EDT

Readings Hour Fri
Friday July 17, 2026 9:30pm - 10:30pm EDT
Grand Ballroom Salon C (panels)
A round robin selection of readings from our authors!

EJ Isaacs
Angela Giddings
Nancy Dunne
Eli Rainwater
Alexandra Christian
Speakers
avatar for Alexandra Christian

Alexandra Christian

Literary Guest
Alexandra Christian is an author of romance and horror (two great tastes that taste great together). She began her career in 2010 writing paranormal romance and has since branched out into contemporary, fantasy, and dark romance with occasional forays into horror. She lives in a creepy... Read More →
avatar for EJ Isaacs

EJ Isaacs

Literary Guest
EJ Isaacs is at heart, a geek. As a child I grew up with classics in science fiction from Isaac Asimov, Arthur C. Clark and Robert Heinlein. A late comer to role playing, he enjoyed creating backgrounds to the characters he was playing. For a three-year period, he was involved with... Read More →
avatar for Eli Rainwater

Eli Rainwater

Literary Guest
Eli’s love for reading started at an early age. She discovered the fantasy genre and fell hard for it when her brother let her sit in on his D&D sessions and lent her his collections of David Eddings and Dragonlance books while he was away at college. An Atlanta transplant, she... Read More →
avatar for Angela Giddings

Angela Giddings

Film Guest
A.M. Giddings is a writer, scientist, cellist, independent filmmaker and aspiring swamp hag from North Carolina.  She has a PhD in Microbiology and has authored multiple scientific articles in virology, cell line design, and gene therapy.  She enjoys writing stories that live within... Read More →
Friday July 17, 2026 9:30pm - 10:30pm EDT
Grand Ballroom Salon C (panels)
  Literary, Readings

9:30pm EDT

DJ McGuire Presents "Make Britain Great Again" in Concert
Friday July 17, 2026 9:30pm - 10:30pm EDT
Grand Ballroom Salon D (Main Programming)
What if Arthur was a self-absorbed narcissist, Merlin's "wizardry" was in propaganda, and the Germanic communities were simply victims of hatred? DJ McGuire's new album Make Britain Great Again takes the Arthurian legend to a dark but all-too-conceivable place.
Speakers
avatar for DJ McGuire

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 →
Friday July 17, 2026 9:30pm - 10:30pm EDT
Grand Ballroom Salon D (Main Programming)
  Performance

9:30pm EDT

What's New in the Future of Science & Engineering
Friday July 17, 2026 9:30pm - 10:30pm EDT
Piedmont Salon 3
Looking across fields from neuroscience to space exploration, how have science and engineering changed over time, and what exciting advances might we expect as the 21st century unfolds?

Moderator: Jason Graves
Speakers
avatar for Jason Graves

Jason Graves

Literary Guest
Jason is a writer of words, a doodler of drawings, and fixer of other peoples’ words and doodles. Many years ago, he founded Prospective Press. Before that, he slogged through University and earned a Master of Science degree in the Arcana of Genetics. Oh, and he was once punched—lightly—by... Read More →
avatar for Jennifer Whitworth

Jennifer Whitworth

Science Guest
Jennifer Whitworth is an engineer and writer from Huntsville AL. Currently working at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center, she supports Artemis and Gateway Payload Integration working directly with the science teams to help them through the various processes to design, build, test... Read More →
avatar for Dr. Philip A. Kramer

Dr. Philip A. Kramer

Science Guest
Dr. Philip A. Kramer is a biomedical researcher who studies aging, oxidative stress, and metabolism. In addition to his academic works, he is a hard science fiction author with two published novels (under the name P. A. Kramer), and several award-winning short stories. His blog (... Read More →
Friday July 17, 2026 9:30pm - 10:30pm EDT
Piedmont Salon 3
  Science

9:30pm EDT

Ghost Stories with Tally
Friday July 17, 2026 9:30pm - 11:00pm EDT
Emerald (Workshops/LARP)
Join our Special Guest and Storyteller Extraordinaire, Tally Johnson as he regales the audience with spooky tales in a darkened room lit by the light of a fireplace.  (We hope.)
Speakers
avatar for Tally Johnson

Tally Johnson

Special Guest
Mr. Johnson is a graduate of Spartanburg Methodist College and Wofford College with degrees in history. He is the author of Ghosts of the South Carolina Upcountry, Ghosts of the South Carolina Midlands, Ghosts of the Pee Dee (all for The History Press) and Civil War Ghosts of Sou... Read More →
Friday July 17, 2026 9:30pm - 11:00pm EDT
Emerald (Workshops/LARP)
  Special Events
  • Tech Needs TV
 
Saturday, July 18
 

8:30am EDT

Workshop: Irish Dancing
Saturday July 18, 2026 8:30am - 9:30am EDT
Emerald (Workshops/LARP)
Start your Saturday with some fun and music!

Come learn Cape Breton and Old Style Irish social dances. These dances are meant to be enjoyed by all ages. If you can walk… you can dance!
Speakers
avatar for Colleen Parker

Colleen Parker

Panelist
Colleen Parker is a long-time member of the Mid-Atlantic con community (you can often see her following her husband Chuck Parker around making sure he eats, sleeps, and gets to his shows on time), a retired competitive Irish dancer and former Irish dance teacher. She loves sharing... Read More →
Saturday July 18, 2026 8:30am - 9:30am EDT
Emerald (Workshops/LARP)
  Workshop

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
avatar for Dennis M. Myers

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 →
avatar for Roger Carden

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 →
avatar for Steven S. Long

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 →
avatar for Michael G. Williams

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 →
avatar for Bryan Young

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

9:00am EDT

It's now called Romantasy?
Saturday July 18, 2026 9:00am - 10:00am EDT
Grand Ballroom Salon D (Main Programming)
First there was Romance in my Paranormal, and Urban in my Fantasy.  Now there's Romance in my Fantasy?  What makes a "romantasy" novel?  What draws readers to them?  And what stories are out there after you've read "A Throne of Glass" or "Fourth Wing".
Speakers
avatar for Emily Jane Buehler

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 →
avatar for Alexandra Christian

Alexandra Christian

Literary Guest
Alexandra Christian is an author of romance and horror (two great tastes that taste great together). She began her career in 2010 writing paranormal romance and has since branched out into contemporary, fantasy, and dark romance with occasional forays into horror. She lives in a creepy... Read More →
Saturday July 18, 2026 9:00am - 10:00am EDT
Grand Ballroom Salon D (Main Programming)
  Literary

9:00am EDT

ConSuite Open
Saturday July 18, 2026 9:00am - 8:30pm EDT
ConSuite (Room 210)
Come over to our ConSuite and enjoy a snack and (non-alcoholic) beverage. All refreshments are individually packaged for health and safety.  The fee is already covered in your registration.

The Suite is also a great place to relax and visit with your friends, old or new.

Location: Room 210

ConSuite Hours
  • FRI  2:00pm - 8:30pm
  • SAT  9:00am - 8:30pm
  • SUN  9:00am - 2:00pm


Saturday July 18, 2026 9:00am - 8:30pm EDT
ConSuite (Room 210)
  ConSuite

9:00am EDT

Open Gaming
Saturday July 18, 2026 9:00am - 10:00pm EDT
Greensboro Room (Gaming)
On demand games all weekend.Check out a wide variety of new and exciting games including: Return to Dark Tower as well as Clarion Game's:Hull Breach is a sci-fi cards-and-dice game featuring epic space combat between ships, firefights between Marine boarding parties, and plenty of clever tactics and galaxy-shaking events. You assume command of a space station belonging to one of our several...
See More →
Saturday July 18, 2026 9:00am - 10:00pm EDT
Greensboro Room (Gaming)
  Gaming

9:30am EDT

Workshop: Writing Your First Novel - How to Get from the Initial Idea to a Finished Manuscript
Saturday July 18, 2026 9:30am - 11:00am EDT
High Point Room (Panels)

Rumor has it that 95 percent of people who try to write a book give up before finishing, and it can feel like a daunting process. Bruce Buchanan gave up on his first three attempts before finishing The Blacksmith's Boy (and now, several other books!).  In this workshop, he will show you how he changed his approach and process to reach the finish line.
Speakers
avatar for Bruce Buchanan

Bruce Buchanan

Literary Guest
Bruce Buchanan can pinpoint the moment he became a fan of heroic fiction. When he was six, he accompanied his parents to the Kmart in Shelby, N.C., Bruce’s hometown. On his way to scope out the toy aisle, something caught his eye: A Spider-Man comic book, bagged with two other... Read More →
Saturday July 18, 2026 9:30am - 11:00am EDT
High Point Room (Panels)
  Literary, Workshop

10:00am EDT

Alexandra Higgins unplugged
Saturday July 18, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am EDT
Grand Ballroom Salons A-B (Cantina)
Alexandra plays!
Saturday July 18, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am EDT
Grand Ballroom Salons A-B (Cantina)

10:00am EDT

Gaming: Abduction (1998)
Saturday July 18, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am EDT
Greensboro Room (Gaming)
Abduction (1998)
Players: Max 4 (at a time)
GMs: Richard Jordan, Vanessa Salazar
The players take the role of victims of an alien abduction trying to escape from captivity on an alien ship. The object is to be the first to escape..."the others better not get in the way".

Sign up at Registration!



Saturday July 18, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am EDT
Greensboro Room (Gaming)
  Gaming

10:00am EDT

Intersection of Science & Art
Saturday July 18, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am EDT
Piedmont Salon 3
Our panelists discuss how Science and art are two sides of the same coin: human attempts to observe, understand, and interpret the universe. 
Speakers
avatar for Gray Rinehart

Gray Rinehart

Literary Guest
Gray Rinehart is an award-winning author, an editor, a singer/songwriter, and a retired Air Force officer. He is the only person to have commanded a USAF satellite tracking station, written speeches for Presidential appointees, devised a poetic form, and had music on The Dr. Demento... Read More →
avatar for Jim Beall

Jim Beall

Science Guest
Jim Beall (BS-Math, MBA, PE) has been a nuclear engineer for 50 years, beginning as a nuclear engineering officer in the US Navy. Civilian experience includes design, construction, inspection, enforcement, and assessment with a nuclear utility, an architect engineering firm, and the... Read More →
Saturday July 18, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am EDT
Piedmont Salon 3
  Science

10:00am EDT

Signings: Richard Kadrey
Saturday July 18, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am EDT
Grand Ballroom Salons E-F-G-H (Dealer Room)

Speakers
avatar for Richard Kadrey

Richard Kadrey

Guest of Honor
Richard Kadrey is the New York Times bestselling author of the Sandman Slim supernatural noir series. Sandman Slim was included in Amazon’s “100 Science Fiction & Fantasy Books to Read in a Lifetime,” and is in development as a feature film.Some of Kadrey’s other books in... Read More →
Saturday July 18, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am EDT
Grand Ballroom Salons E-F-G-H (Dealer Room)
  Signings / Autographs

10:00am EDT

Inside the ConGregate Studio w/ John Scalzi (GOH Interview)
Saturday July 18, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am EDT
Piedmont Salons 1-2 (panels)
Our interviewer extraordinaire Michael D. Pederson return to delve deep into the mind of John Scalzi asking him questions on everything from writing to guitars to "Whatever".Our interviewer extraordinaire Michael D. Pederson will delve deep into the mind of John Scalzi asking him questions on everything from writing to burritos to photography. Since Mike has already posed the 10 questions by...
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Speakers
avatar for John Scalzi

John Scalzi

Guest of Honor
John Scalzi is the Hugo-winning and New York Times bestselling author of Old Man’s War, Redshirts, The Kaiju Preservation Society, and Starter Villain, among other novels. Some of his short work was featured in the Netflix animated series Love, Death + Robots.He was president of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America (now the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association), but he got better.He owns one dog, three cats, a six-necked guitar and a church. His burritos are internet infamous and possibly actual crimes. He lives... Read More →
avatar for Michael D. Pederson

Michael D. Pederson

Fan Guest
Way back in 2004, Mike came up with the crazy idea of hosting a convention in Richmond, VA. He’s been chairing RavenCon ever since.In addition to running RavenCon, Mike Pederson was the publisher/editor/graphic designer responsible for the fanzine Nth Degree (2002-2019). Mike b... Read More →
Saturday July 18, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am EDT
Piedmont Salons 1-2 (panels)
  Special Events

10:00am EDT

Fantasy Short Film Block
Saturday July 18, 2026 10:00am - 11:30am EDT
Cardinal (Film)
The Quest For The Golden Dragon
Bonno Eversong and the Day the Music Died
From the Wizard's Workbench
Saturday July 18, 2026 10:00am - 11:30am EDT
Cardinal (Film)
  Film Festival

10:00am EDT

Workshop: Independent Filmmaking From Start to Finish (Fee $10)
Saturday July 18, 2026 10:00am - 11:30am EDT
Emerald (Workshops/LARP)
Filmmaker and author Bryan Young will take students and aspiring filmmakers step-by-step through the process of making a film in this workshop. Using an award-winning short film as a case-study, he'll walk everyone through every step of the production process, from screenwriting and grant-writing, to making the most of your production and post-production, budgeting and film festivals, and...
See More →
Speakers
avatar for Bryan Young

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 10:00am - 11:30am EDT
Emerald (Workshops/LARP)
  Film/TV, Workshop

10:00am EDT

Pathfinder 2E: The Swordlord's Challenge
Saturday July 18, 2026 10:00am - 12:00pm EDT
Greensboro Room (Gaming)
GM: James MusgroveMax: 6 PlayersPre-generated characters availableSign-up at RegistrationAn Aldori swordlord who fought alongside Pathfinders years ago is looking for a way to push her students harder. She issues a challenge to Marcos Farabellus, the Master of Swords, boasting that her most promising young pupils can defeat any Marcos has trained. She stakes her pride...
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Saturday July 18, 2026 10:00am - 12:00pm EDT
Greensboro Room (Gaming)
  Gaming

10:00am EDT

Dealer's Room Open
Saturday July 18, 2026 10:00am - 6:00pm EDT
Grand Ballroom Salons E-F-G-H (Dealer Room)
Come and buy cool stuff!

Dealer Load-in
Friday: 8:00am

Dealer Room Hours
Friday: 2:00pm - 7:00pm
Saturday: 10:00am - 6:00pm (dealers in at 9am)
Sunday: 10:00am - 2:00pm (dealers in at 9am)
Saturday July 18, 2026 10:00am - 6:00pm EDT
Grand Ballroom Salons E-F-G-H (Dealer Room)
  Dealer's Room

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
avatar for O Hai Mark

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 →
avatar for Gary Mitchel

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 →
avatar for Mur Lafferty

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 →
avatar for Michelle Iannantuono

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

10:30am EDT

Chuck Parker in concert
Saturday July 18, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am EDT
Grand Ballroom Salon D (Main Programming)
Chuck plays slice of life, confessional geek tunes that are often kind of funny, and his lyrics have been called “sensitive”, “literate”, and “hard to sing…”

Speakers
avatar for Chuck Parker

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 10:30am - 11:30am EDT
Grand Ballroom Salon D (Main Programming)
  Performance

11:00am EDT

Signings: Angela Giddings & Eli Rainwater
Saturday July 18, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT
Grand Ballroom Salons E-F-G-H (Dealer Room)
Angela Giddings signs her books.
Speakers
avatar for Eli Rainwater

Eli Rainwater

Literary Guest
Eli’s love for reading started at an early age. She discovered the fantasy genre and fell hard for it when her brother let her sit in on his D&D sessions and lent her his collections of David Eddings and Dragonlance books while he was away at college. An Atlanta transplant, she... Read More →
avatar for Angela Giddings

Angela Giddings

Film Guest
A.M. Giddings is a writer, scientist, cellist, independent filmmaker and aspiring swamp hag from North Carolina.  She has a PhD in Microbiology and has authored multiple scientific articles in virology, cell line design, and gene therapy.  She enjoys writing stories that live within... Read More →
Saturday July 18, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT
Grand Ballroom Salons E-F-G-H (Dealer Room)
  Signings / Autographs

11:30am EDT

Humor in Writing
Saturday July 18, 2026 11:30am - 12:30pm EDT
High Point Room (Panels)
From puns to pratfalls, humor in writing can sometimes be hard to portray.  Join our panelists as they discuss how to write stories that make your reader laugh out loud.

Moderator: Lexx Christian
Speakers
avatar for John Scalzi

John Scalzi

Guest of Honor
John Scalzi is the Hugo-winning and New York Times bestselling author of Old Man’s War, Redshirts, The Kaiju Preservation Society, and Starter Villain, among other novels. Some of his short work was featured in the Netflix animated series Love, Death + Robots.He was president of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America (now the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association), but he got better.He owns one dog, three cats, a six-necked guitar and a church. His burritos are internet infamous and possibly actual crimes. He lives... Read More →
avatar for Kal Spriggs

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 →
avatar for Dave Dobson

Dave Dobson

Literary Guest
A native of Ames, Iowa, Dave loves writing, reading, boardgames, computer games, improv comedy, pizza, barbarian movies, and the cheaper end of the Taco Bell menu. Also, his wife and kids.Dave has written ten novels including fantasy, sci-fi, mysteries, and thrillers. In addition... Read More →
avatar for Richard Kadrey

Richard Kadrey

Guest of Honor
Richard Kadrey is the New York Times bestselling author of the Sandman Slim supernatural noir series. Sandman Slim was included in Amazon’s “100 Science Fiction & Fantasy Books to Read in a Lifetime,” and is in development as a feature film.Some of Kadrey’s other books in... Read More →
avatar for Alexandra Christian

Alexandra Christian

Literary Guest
Alexandra Christian is an author of romance and horror (two great tastes that taste great together). She began her career in 2010 writing paranormal romance and has since branched out into contemporary, fantasy, and dark romance with occasional forays into horror. She lives in a creepy... Read More →
Saturday July 18, 2026 11:30am - 12:30pm EDT
High Point Room (Panels)
  Literary

11:30am EDT

YA Round Robin: Camp Halfblood's Next Season
Saturday July 18, 2026 11:30am - 12:30pm EDT
Piedmont Salon 3
Join a group of teens and tweens as we discuss "Uncle Rick's" popular Camp Half-Blood Series - from the books to the TV Series.  What do we like about the series and how does it compare to the books?
Speakers
avatar for Hannah Fulbright

Hannah Fulbright

Asst. Programming Director, ConGregate
Hannah Fulbright is a fan that has been in the local con circuit all her life. She enjoys consuming various media such as fantasy books and cartoons and helping run sci-fi events in the area. She has helped with registration, auction organization, and guest relations for many local... Read More →
Saturday July 18, 2026 11:30am - 12:30pm EDT
Piedmont Salon 3
  YA Round Robin

11:30am EDT

Arcane Carolinas Live with Tally Johnson & Gary Mitchel: The Ghosts of Greensboro
Saturday July 18, 2026 11:30am - 1:00pm EDT
Piedmont Salons 1-2 (panels)
The podcast Arcane Carolinas explores folklore, legends, and modern weird tales from the mountaintops to sand dunes across the Carolinas' backroads and byroads. From cryptids to cursed earth to people whose passions will surprise you, North and South Carolina are chock full of surprises.

** Note: This session will be recorded for future broadcast. **
Speakers
avatar for Tally Johnson

Tally Johnson

Special Guest
Mr. Johnson is a graduate of Spartanburg Methodist College and Wofford College with degrees in history. He is the author of Ghosts of the South Carolina Upcountry, Ghosts of the South Carolina Midlands, Ghosts of the Pee Dee (all for The History Press) and Civil War Ghosts of Sou... Read More →
avatar for Michael G. Williams

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 →
avatar for Gary Mitchel

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 →
Saturday July 18, 2026 11:30am - 1:00pm EDT
Piedmont Salons 1-2 (panels)
  Online Media

12:00pm EDT

Workshop: Basic Pattern Making
Saturday July 18, 2026 12:00pm - 1:00pm EDT
Emerald (Workshops/LARP)
This primer for armor patterning led by the designers at Ribbons and Rivets, will have participants making their own bracer pattern that can later be applied to other rigid mediums such as leather, thermoplastic, or EVA foam. Participants will leave with their own personalized pattern as well as knowledge about measurements, seam allowances, fasteners, and the pros and cons associated with...
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Speakers
avatar for Matthew Penick

Matthew Penick

Costuming Guest
Matthew Penick has been cosplaying since 2005 and took his passion for costuming to the professional level in 2009 with the creation of the theatrical design company Ribbons and Rivets. The self-taught designer began primarily working with leather, and while he still considers leatherwork... Read More →
avatar for Miriam

Miriam "Tinker Tank" Penick

Costuming Guest
The Tinker Tank is a life-long art kid with a Studio Art degree that fell into costuming and cosplay through her post-collegiate pursuit of replicating the outfit of her childhood hero— Xena. She has since fallen in love with bringing beloved characters to life and works full time... Read More →
Saturday July 18, 2026 12:00pm - 1:00pm EDT
Emerald (Workshops/LARP)
  Costuming/Cosplay, Workshop

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
avatar for Dance Harden

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 →
avatar for Joey Starnes

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 →
avatar for Fraser Sherman

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 →
avatar for Old Dominion Daleks

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

12:00pm EDT

Blibbering Humdingers - Unplugged
Saturday July 18, 2026 12:00pm - 1:00pm EDT
Grand Ballroom Salons A-B (Cantina)

Speakers
avatar for The Blibbering Humdingers

The Blibbering Humdingers

Performance Guest
Saturday OnlyThese magical masters of musical mayhem mean to amuse you with their mellifluous melodies and mindfully managed mischief! They create and perform acoustic nerd rock for:Gamers, geeks, and galactic guardians,  browncoats, centaurs, and mandalorians;Hobbits, elves, and wizard gangsters... Read More →
avatar for Chuck Parker

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 12:00pm - 1:00pm EDT
Grand Ballroom Salons A-B (Cantina)
  Performance

12:00pm EDT

Communicating Science - Part 1 (The Panel)
Saturday July 18, 2026 12:00pm - 1:00pm EDT
Grand Ballroom Salon D (Main Programming)
Our panelist talk about how and why communicating science is important, and the transition between writing for Academia and from industry.Followed by Biomedical Graduate Students from Dr. Robert E. Hampson's Communicating Science course who will give seven-minute "Ted Talk" style presentations about their science. Come hear about some exciting new fields of biomedical research. Heckling is...
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Speakers
avatar for Jennifer Whitworth

Jennifer Whitworth

Science Guest
Jennifer Whitworth is an engineer and writer from Huntsville AL. Currently working at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center, she supports Artemis and Gateway Payload Integration working directly with the science teams to help them through the various processes to design, build, test... Read More →
avatar for Dr. Philip A. Kramer

Dr. Philip A. Kramer

Science Guest
Dr. Philip A. Kramer is a biomedical researcher who studies aging, oxidative stress, and metabolism. In addition to his academic works, he is a hard science fiction author with two published novels (under the name P. A. Kramer), and several award-winning short stories. His blog (... Read More →
avatar for Jim Beall

Jim Beall

Science Guest
Jim Beall (BS-Math, MBA, PE) has been a nuclear engineer for 50 years, beginning as a nuclear engineering officer in the US Navy. Civilian experience includes design, construction, inspection, enforcement, and assessment with a nuclear utility, an architect engineering firm, and the... Read More →
avatar for Dr. Robert Hampson

Dr. Robert Hampson

Literary Guest
Professor, Neuroscientist, and Unofficial Penguin WhispererWhen not advancing the frontiers of neuroscience or constructing elaborate multiversal portals in his office, Dr. Rob can be found lecturing to an elite audience of penguins in lab coats. An advocate of hands-on learning... Read More →
avatar for Brandon Whitworth

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 →
Saturday July 18, 2026 12:00pm - 1:00pm EDT
Grand Ballroom Salon D (Main Programming)
  Science

12:00pm EDT

Signings: Gray Rinehart & Bruce Buchanan
Saturday July 18, 2026 12:00pm - 1:00pm EDT
Grand Ballroom Salons E-F-G-H (Dealer Room)

Speakers
avatar for Gray Rinehart

Gray Rinehart

Literary Guest
Gray Rinehart is an award-winning author, an editor, a singer/songwriter, and a retired Air Force officer. He is the only person to have commanded a USAF satellite tracking station, written speeches for Presidential appointees, devised a poetic form, and had music on The Dr. Demento... Read More →
avatar for Bruce Buchanan

Bruce Buchanan

Literary Guest
Bruce Buchanan can pinpoint the moment he became a fan of heroic fiction. When he was six, he accompanied his parents to the Kmart in Shelby, N.C., Bruce’s hometown. On his way to scope out the toy aisle, something caught his eye: A Spider-Man comic book, bagged with two other... Read More →
Saturday July 18, 2026 12:00pm - 1:00pm EDT
Grand Ballroom Salons E-F-G-H (Dealer Room)
  Signings / Autographs

1:00pm EDT

SF Short Film Block
Saturday July 18, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm EDT
Cardinal (Film)
Trapped
The Curse of the Were-Alien
Saturday July 18, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm EDT
Cardinal (Film)
  Film Festival

1:00pm EDT

Room Closed: We Suggest You Go Shopping or Eat!!
Saturday July 18, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm EDT
Piedmont Salon 3

Saturday July 18, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm EDT
Piedmont Salon 3
  Room Closed

1:00pm EDT

Room Closed: We Suggest You Go Shopping or Eat!!
Saturday July 18, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm EDT
Emerald (Workshops/LARP)

Saturday July 18, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm EDT
Emerald (Workshops/LARP)
  Room Closed

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

1:00pm EDT

Room Closed: We Suggest You Go Shopping or Eat!!
Saturday July 18, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm EDT
Piedmont Salons 1-2 (panels)

Saturday July 18, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm EDT
Piedmont Salons 1-2 (panels)
  Room Closed

1:00pm EDT

Communicating Science - Part 2 (The Presentations)
Saturday July 18, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm EDT
Grand Ballroom Salon D (Main Programming)
Biomedical Graduate Students from Dr. Robert E. Hampson's Communicating Science course who will give seven-minute "Ted Talk" style presentations about their science. Come hear about some exciting new fields of biomedical research. Heckling is discouraged, but the students could certainly use some real-world feedback on their talks!
Speakers
avatar for Jennifer Whitworth

Jennifer Whitworth

Science Guest
Jennifer Whitworth is an engineer and writer from Huntsville AL. Currently working at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center, she supports Artemis and Gateway Payload Integration working directly with the science teams to help them through the various processes to design, build, test... Read More →
avatar for Dr. Philip A. Kramer

Dr. Philip A. Kramer

Science Guest
Dr. Philip A. Kramer is a biomedical researcher who studies aging, oxidative stress, and metabolism. In addition to his academic works, he is a hard science fiction author with two published novels (under the name P. A. Kramer), and several award-winning short stories. His blog (... Read More →
avatar for Jim Beall

Jim Beall

Science Guest
Jim Beall (BS-Math, MBA, PE) has been a nuclear engineer for 50 years, beginning as a nuclear engineering officer in the US Navy. Civilian experience includes design, construction, inspection, enforcement, and assessment with a nuclear utility, an architect engineering firm, and the... Read More →
avatar for Dr. Robert Hampson

Dr. Robert Hampson

Literary Guest
Professor, Neuroscientist, and Unofficial Penguin WhispererWhen not advancing the frontiers of neuroscience or constructing elaborate multiversal portals in his office, Dr. Rob can be found lecturing to an elite audience of penguins in lab coats. An advocate of hands-on learning... Read More →
Saturday July 18, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm EDT
Grand Ballroom Salon D (Main Programming)
  Science

1:00pm EDT

Signings: John Scalzi
Saturday July 18, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm EDT
Grand Ballroom Salons E-F-G-H (Dealer Room)

Speakers
avatar for John Scalzi

John Scalzi

Guest of Honor
John Scalzi is the Hugo-winning and New York Times bestselling author of Old Man’s War, Redshirts, The Kaiju Preservation Society, and Starter Villain, among other novels. Some of his short work was featured in the Netflix animated series Love, Death + Robots.He was president of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America (now the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association), but he got better.He owns one dog, three cats, a six-necked guitar and a church. His burritos are internet infamous and possibly actual crimes. He lives... Read More →
Saturday July 18, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm EDT
Grand Ballroom Salons E-F-G-H (Dealer Room)
  Signings / Autographs

1:00pm EDT

Pre-judging for Costume Contest/Green Room
Saturday July 18, 2026 1:00pm - 2:30pm EDT
High Point Room (Panels)
Judges: Jett Dixon, Cheralyn Lambeth, 
Speakers
avatar for John Dondero

John Dondero

Costuming Guest
He is a certified Jack of All Trades. He started out as a filmmaker and special effects editor, building both digital and practical effects, and has won many awards for both filmmaking and editing. When COVID hit, he switched gears and became an affiliated Twitch streamer and podcaster... Read More →
avatar for Cheralyn Lambeth

Cheralyn Lambeth

Film Guest
Cheralyn (Cher) Lambeth is a professional costume, prop, and puppet builder whose work includes feature films (The Muppet Christmas Carol, The Patriot, Evan Almighty, The Hunger Games, Are You There, God?  It's Me, Margaret), television shows (Dinosaurs!, Homeland, Outcast, The ... Read More →
avatar for Jett Dixon

Jett Dixon

Costuming Guest
Jett has been attending & assisting at conventions for over a decade, finally delving into the roles of Programming Staff (RavenCon, ConCarolinas, Conapalooza) and Panelist.Apple of Your Eye Cosplay is Jett’s Facebook page for all things cosplay, showing off her thrift- and scrounge-style... Read More →
Saturday July 18, 2026 1:00pm - 2:30pm EDT
High Point Room (Panels)
  Costuming/Cosplay

1:00pm EDT

The Caves of Luna (EABA)
Saturday July 18, 2026 1:00pm - 4:00pm EDT
Greensboro Room (Gaming)
GM: Roger CardenMax players: 6The Caves of LunaDuring an alien attack, residents of Luna City must escape through the abandoned mines and caves below the city.  We will be playing EABA, a generic, dice pool based game system which uses 6 sided dice.Characters will be provided.  Session is expected to last 2 to 3 hours.   (Note, this is the game system that Roger will be using for...
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Speakers
avatar for Roger Carden

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 →
Saturday July 18, 2026 1:00pm - 4:00pm EDT
Greensboro Room (Gaming)
  Gaming

1:30pm EDT

Dad Jokes Hour
Saturday July 18, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm EDT
Grand Ballroom Salons A-B (Cantina)
Do you like puns or just bad jokes?  Have we got the guys for you!

Come in, grab some food or a drink (yes, alcohol is an option) and enjoy this hour of torture fun. 
Speakers
avatar for Sammie Cassell

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 →
avatar for Brandon Whitworth

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 →
avatar for Jason Graves

Jason Graves

Literary Guest
Jason is a writer of words, a doodler of drawings, and fixer of other peoples’ words and doodles. Many years ago, he founded Prospective Press. Before that, he slogged through University and earned a Master of Science degree in the Arcana of Genetics. Oh, and he was once punched—lightly—by... Read More →
Saturday July 18, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm EDT
Grand Ballroom Salons A-B (Cantina)
  Performance

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 creatorThe year of 2026 marks a historic chapter for Star Trek as the legendary franchise will celebrate its 60th anniversary on next year's Star...
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Speakers
avatar for Dance Harden

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 →
avatar for DJ McGuire

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 →
avatar for Gary Mitchel

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 →
avatar for Kevin A. Davis

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

2:00pm EDT

Godzilla TCG (reformatted as a Board Game)
Saturday July 18, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm EDT
Greensboro Room (Gaming)
GM: Richard Jordan
Saturday July 18, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm EDT
Greensboro Room (Gaming)
  Gaming

2:00pm EDT

To the Moon, Alice, to the Moon!
Saturday July 18, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm EDT
Piedmont Salon 3
With Artemis making it's first successful trip around the moon, and plans continuing to move forward for another moon landing, what does space look like for us know?  Are we on our way to the New Frontier and how will we get there?
Speakers
avatar for Gray Rinehart

Gray Rinehart

Literary Guest
Gray Rinehart is an award-winning author, an editor, a singer/songwriter, and a retired Air Force officer. He is the only person to have commanded a USAF satellite tracking station, written speeches for Presidential appointees, devised a poetic form, and had music on The Dr. Demento... Read More →
avatar for Jennifer Whitworth

Jennifer Whitworth

Science Guest
Jennifer Whitworth is an engineer and writer from Huntsville AL. Currently working at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center, she supports Artemis and Gateway Payload Integration working directly with the science teams to help them through the various processes to design, build, test... Read More →
Saturday July 18, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm EDT
Piedmont Salon 3
  Science

2:00pm EDT

Signings: EJ Isaacs & Dennis Myers
Saturday July 18, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm EDT
Grand Ballroom Salons E-F-G-H (Dealer Room)

Speakers
avatar for EJ Isaacs

EJ Isaacs

Literary Guest
EJ Isaacs is at heart, a geek. As a child I grew up with classics in science fiction from Isaac Asimov, Arthur C. Clark and Robert Heinlein. A late comer to role playing, he enjoyed creating backgrounds to the characters he was playing. For a three-year period, he was involved with... Read More →
avatar for Dennis M. Myers

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 →
Saturday July 18, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm EDT
Grand Ballroom Salons E-F-G-H (Dealer Room)
  Signings / Autographs

2:00pm EDT

Signings: Sherrilyn Kenyon (at her table)
Saturday July 18, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm EDT
Grand Ballroom Salons E-F-G-H (Dealer Room)

Speakers
avatar for Sherrilyn Kenyon

Sherrilyn Kenyon

Special Guest
Defying all odds is what #1 New York Times and international bestselling author Sherrilyn Kenyon does best. Since her first book debuted while she was still in college, she has placed more than 80 novels on the New York Times list in all formats and genres, including manga and graphic novels, and has more than 70 million books in print worldwide.A pioneer in paranormal, fantasy, science fiction and romantasy, she has become one of the most popular and influential authors in the world (in adult, YA and... Read More →
Saturday July 18, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm EDT
Grand Ballroom Salons E-F-G-H (Dealer Room)
  Signings / Autographs

2:00pm EDT

Inside the ConGregate Studio w/ Richard Kadrey (GOH Interview)
Saturday July 18, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm EDT
Piedmont Salons 1-2 (panels)
Our interviewer extraordinaire Michael D. Pederson will delve deep into the mind of Richard Kadrey asking him questions on everything from writing to art to (something else). Of course, Mike will end with the infamous 10 questions posed by the original interviewer of the stars, James Lipton.
Speakers
avatar for Michael D. Pederson

Michael D. Pederson

Fan Guest
Way back in 2004, Mike came up with the crazy idea of hosting a convention in Richmond, VA. He’s been chairing RavenCon ever since.In addition to running RavenCon, Mike Pederson was the publisher/editor/graphic designer responsible for the fanzine Nth Degree (2002-2019). Mike b... Read More →
avatar for Richard Kadrey

Richard Kadrey

Guest of Honor
Richard Kadrey is the New York Times bestselling author of the Sandman Slim supernatural noir series. Sandman Slim was included in Amazon’s “100 Science Fiction & Fantasy Books to Read in a Lifetime,” and is in development as a feature film.Some of Kadrey’s other books in... Read More →
Saturday July 18, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm EDT
Piedmont Salons 1-2 (panels)
  Special Events

2:00pm EDT

Starfinder 2E: The Cantina Job
Saturday July 18, 2026 2:00pm - 4:00pm EDT
Greensboro Room (Gaming)
GM: James MusgroveMax: 6 PlayersPre-generated characters availableSign-up at RegistrationA desperate scam artist prowls the bars of Drifter's End, fleecing the tourists and starship crews of Absalom Station out of their hard-earned credits with a chunk of fake horacalcum and the chance to invest in their newly discovered starmetal vein. It's...
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Saturday July 18, 2026 2:00pm - 4:00pm EDT
Greensboro Room (Gaming)
  Gaming

2:00pm EDT

Write Tighter; Write Better (fee $20)
Saturday July 18, 2026 2:00pm - 4:00pm EDT
Emerald (Workshops/LARP)
Write Tighter; Write Better (Saturday afternoon)There are tons of books and classes to teach you about plot and character and story. But to be effective at those things, you need to write sentences. A lot of sentences. In this workshop by Stuart Jaffe, you’ll learn how to craft sentences with power, cut out the wasted words, and maybe even a few secrets and tricks of the trade...
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Speakers
SJ

Stuart Jaffe

Guest Lecturer

Saturday July 18, 2026 2:00pm - 4:00pm EDT
Emerald (Workshops/LARP)
  Literary, Workshop

2:00pm EDT

Horror Short Film Block
Saturday July 18, 2026 2:00pm - 5:00pm EDT
Cardinal (Film)
Coloring Girl
White Noise
The Sessions  
The Lost Boys
RecAlchemist
Favela Amarela (Yellow Slum)
Buzzby
"A  Vampire's Kiss"

Saturday July 18, 2026 2:00pm - 5:00pm EDT
Cardinal (Film)
  Film Festival

2:30pm EDT

Costume Contest Set UP
Saturday July 18, 2026 2:30pm - 3:00pm EDT
Grand Ballroom Salon D (Main Programming)

Saturday July 18, 2026 2:30pm - 3:00pm EDT
Grand Ballroom Salon D (Main Programming)

2:30pm EDT

Closed for Green Room
Saturday July 18, 2026 2:30pm - 4:00pm EDT
High Point Room (Panels)

Saturday July 18, 2026 2:30pm - 4:00pm EDT
High Point Room (Panels)
  Room Closed

3:00pm EDT

Signings: Philip Kramer & Wayland Smith
Saturday July 18, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm EDT
Grand Ballroom Salons E-F-G-H (Dealer Room)

Speakers
avatar for Wayland Smith

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 →
avatar for Dr. Philip A. Kramer

Dr. Philip A. Kramer

Science Guest
Dr. Philip A. Kramer is a biomedical researcher who studies aging, oxidative stress, and metabolism. In addition to his academic works, he is a hard science fiction author with two published novels (under the name P. A. Kramer), and several award-winning short stories. His blog (... Read More →
Saturday July 18, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm EDT
Grand Ballroom Salons E-F-G-H (Dealer Room)
  Signings / Autographs

3:00pm EDT

The ConGregate Costume Contest
Saturday July 18, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm EDT
Grand Ballroom Salon D (Main Programming)
ConGregate's Costume Contest with host O. Hai Mark with Cash prizes! Join us for all the fun! (Sponsored by John & Heather Simpson)Interim music by Alexandra HigginsConGregate Costume Contest Rules & InformationThe ConGregate Costume Contest is open to any costumed individual or group, but all participants must have valid ConGregate membership badges.Prejudging is Saturday in the Hight Point room...
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Speakers
avatar for Alexandra Higgins

Alexandra Higgins

Performance Guest
Alexandra Higgins (aka the Platypus Princess) is a self-taught singer/songwriter whose folk-indie sound evokes the spirit of Joan Baez (direct quote heard randomly and unprompted at every performance!). Her voice, often described as angelic, carries melodies that mix ethereal beauty... Read More →
avatar for John Dondero

John Dondero

Costuming Guest
He is a certified Jack of All Trades. He started out as a filmmaker and special effects editor, building both digital and practical effects, and has won many awards for both filmmaking and editing. When COVID hit, he switched gears and became an affiliated Twitch streamer and podcaster... Read More →
avatar for Jett Dixon

Jett Dixon

Costuming Guest
Jett has been attending & assisting at conventions for over a decade, finally delving into the roles of Programming Staff (RavenCon, ConCarolinas, Conapalooza) and Panelist.Apple of Your Eye Cosplay is Jett’s Facebook page for all things cosplay, showing off her thrift- and scrounge-style... Read More →
avatar for Cheralyn Lambeth

Cheralyn Lambeth

Film Guest
Cheralyn (Cher) Lambeth is a professional costume, prop, and puppet builder whose work includes feature films (The Muppet Christmas Carol, The Patriot, Evan Almighty, The Hunger Games, Are You There, God?  It's Me, Margaret), television shows (Dinosaurs!, Homeland, Outcast, The ... Read More →
avatar for O Hai Mark

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 →
Saturday July 18, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm EDT
Grand Ballroom Salon D (Main Programming)
  Special Events

3:00pm EDT

Rapscallion
Saturday July 18, 2026 3:00pm - 5:00pm EDT
Greensboro Room (Gaming)
GM: Eli Rainwater
Max Players:4-6

Rapscallion, a PbtA (Powered by the Apocolypse) game about pirates at sea who are up against monsters, an unscrupulous navy, and other pirates in their quest for treasure!

Speakers
avatar for Eli Rainwater

Eli Rainwater

Literary Guest
Eli’s love for reading started at an early age. She discovered the fantasy genre and fell hard for it when her brother let her sit in on his D&D sessions and lent her his collections of David Eddings and Dragonlance books while he was away at college. An Atlanta transplant, she... Read More →
Saturday July 18, 2026 3:00pm - 5:00pm EDT
Greensboro Room (Gaming)
  Gaming

3:30pm EDT

35 Years of Vampire: the Masquerade & The World of Darkness
Saturday July 18, 2026 3:30pm - 4:30pm EDT
Piedmont Salon 3
35 Years of Vampire: the Masquerade & The World of Darkness (how White Wolf's TTRPGs influenced us as writers, gamers, artists, etc. - a total WoD love fest & celebration

Special Guest: Viovode Mekhet (Storyteller for the Sat night LARP?)

Moderator: Michael G. Williams
Speakers
avatar for Steven S. Long

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 →
avatar for Michael G. Williams

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 →
avatar for Janet Carden

Janet Carden

Online Media Guest
Janet Carden aka The Halfling is one half of the husband/wife team of The Halfling and The Spaceman podcast.  She has been active in many aspects of fandom since her high school days.  She and her husband have created many fan projects together, including The Familiar Magazine... Read More →
Saturday July 18, 2026 3:30pm - 4:30pm EDT
Piedmont Salon 3
  Fandom

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
avatar for DJ McGuire

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 →
avatar for Gary Mitchel

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 →
avatar for Emily Jane Buehler

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 →
avatar for Kevin A. Davis

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 →
avatar for Carol Cowles

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

3:30pm EDT

Small Press Publisher Roadshow (Sol, Prospective Press, Brain & Brain Press, Space Wizard Science Fantasy)
Saturday July 18, 2026 3:30pm - 5:00pm EDT
Piedmont Salons 1-2 (panels)
Join publishers Gail Z. Martin, Robert Hampson, Jason Graves and Bill Tracy as they share the newest releases in their respective publishing houses.
Speakers
avatar for Dr. Robert Hampson

Dr. Robert Hampson

Literary Guest
Professor, Neuroscientist, and Unofficial Penguin WhispererWhen not advancing the frontiers of neuroscience or constructing elaborate multiversal portals in his office, Dr. Rob can be found lecturing to an elite audience of penguins in lab coats. An advocate of hands-on learning... Read More →
avatar for Gail Z. Martin

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 →
avatar for Larry N. Martin

Larry N. Martin

Literary Guest
Larry N. Martin writes science fiction, steampunk, and urban fantasy. He is the author of the portal gaming fantasy: The Splintered Crown, and Salvage Rat, the first in his space opera series.Together with Gail Z. Martin, Larry co-authors the snarky monster hunter series Spells, Salt, & Steel, the post-apocalyptic series Wasteland Marshals, the Joe Mack Shadow Council Files series, and the steampunk series The Jake Desmet Adventures... Read More →
avatar for William C. Tracy

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 →
avatar for Jason Graves

Jason Graves

Literary Guest
Jason is a writer of words, a doodler of drawings, and fixer of other peoples’ words and doodles. Many years ago, he founded Prospective Press. Before that, he slogged through University and earned a Master of Science degree in the Arcana of Genetics. Oh, and he was once punched—lightly—by... Read More →
Saturday July 18, 2026 3:30pm - 5:00pm EDT
Piedmont Salons 1-2 (panels)
  Literary, Roadshow

4:00pm EDT

Ask Jenn Whitworth Anything About Artemis
Saturday July 18, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm EDT
High Point Room (Panels)
Jenn Whitworth worked on the Artemis program, NASA’s ongoing lunar exploration initiative, designed to establish a sustainable human presence on the Moon and pave the way for future crewed missions to Mars. Building on the initial uncrewed Artemis I test, NASA successfully launched Artemis II in April 2026, sending four astronauts on a historic 10-day loop around the Moon.Ask her all the...
See More →
Speakers
avatar for Jennifer Whitworth

Jennifer Whitworth

Science Guest
Jennifer Whitworth is an engineer and writer from Huntsville AL. Currently working at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center, she supports Artemis and Gateway Payload Integration working directly with the science teams to help them through the various processes to design, build, test... Read More →
Saturday July 18, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm EDT
High Point Room (Panels)
  Science

4:00pm EDT

Signings: Tally Johnson & Mur Lafferty
Saturday July 18, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm EDT
Grand Ballroom Salons E-F-G-H (Dealer Room)

Speakers
avatar for Mur Lafferty

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 →
avatar for Tally Johnson

Tally Johnson

Special Guest
Mr. Johnson is a graduate of Spartanburg Methodist College and Wofford College with degrees in history. He is the author of Ghosts of the South Carolina Upcountry, Ghosts of the South Carolina Midlands, Ghosts of the Pee Dee (all for The History Press) and Civil War Ghosts of Sou... Read More →
Saturday July 18, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm EDT
Grand Ballroom Salons E-F-G-H (Dealer Room)
  Signings / Autographs

4:30pm EDT

Sam Montgomery-Blinn Unplugged
Saturday July 18, 2026 4:30pm - 5:30pm EDT
Grand Ballroom Salons A-B (Cantina)
Sam entertains with some all-new never performed filk originals.
Speakers
avatar for Sam Montgomery-Blinn

Sam Montgomery-Blinn

Literary Guest
Samuel Montgomery-Blinn grew up on a family farm in Indiana and now spends his days helping ensure the trustworthiness of artificial intelligences. Once upon a time he published Bull Spec, a print magazine of speculative fiction, and now he administers The Manly Wade Wellman Award for North Carolina Science Fiction and Fantasy, meaning yes, he’s read your book. He lives in Durham with his wife, two too-grown teenagers, two cats who are very good boys, and one dog who... Read More →
Saturday July 18, 2026 4:30pm - 5:30pm EDT
Grand Ballroom Salons A-B (Cantina)
  Performance

4:30pm EDT

Short Stories to TV
Saturday July 18, 2026 4:30pm - 5:30pm EDT
Grand Ballroom Salon D (Main Programming)
Our Guests of Honor, John Scalzi and Richard Kadrey have both had the pleasure and challenge of having their work turned into something for TV/Film.  Join them as they discuss how it happened, what they learned and if they'd do it again.

Michelle able to moderate if needed?
Speakers
avatar for Richard Kadrey

Richard Kadrey

Guest of Honor
Richard Kadrey is the New York Times bestselling author of the Sandman Slim supernatural noir series. Sandman Slim was included in Amazon’s “100 Science Fiction & Fantasy Books to Read in a Lifetime,” and is in development as a feature film.Some of Kadrey’s other books in... Read More →
avatar for John Scalzi

John Scalzi

Guest of Honor
John Scalzi is the Hugo-winning and New York Times bestselling author of Old Man’s War, Redshirts, The Kaiju Preservation Society, and Starter Villain, among other novels. Some of his short work was featured in the Netflix animated series Love, Death + Robots.He was president of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America (now the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association), but he got better.He owns one dog, three cats, a six-necked guitar and a church. His burritos are internet infamous and possibly actual crimes. He lives... Read More →
Saturday July 18, 2026 4:30pm - 5:30pm EDT
Grand Ballroom Salon D (Main Programming)
  Special Events

4:30pm EDT

Paper Flowers
Saturday July 18, 2026 4:30pm - 6:30pm EDT
Emerald (Workshops/LARP)
Learn how to turn used books into beautiful flowers! With this class by April Baker, you will learn how to make paper flowers made from book pages! By the end of this workshop you will have flowers that will never die, and will be the perfect gift for a book lover in your life or for display on your TBR shelf
Speakers
avatar for April Baker

April Baker

Artist Guest
Raised in Connecticut, April now lives in North Carolina, where she works as an artist and instructor. Her main mediums are paper, paint, and recycled items — with a particular fondness for pages from old and damaged books. When not creating, you can find her at various community... Read More →
Saturday July 18, 2026 4:30pm - 6:30pm EDT
Emerald (Workshops/LARP)
  Workshop, Crafting

5:00pm EDT

Book Launch!!! (Cheralyn Lambeth)
Saturday July 18, 2026 5:00pm - 5:30pm EDT
Piedmont Salons 1-2 (panels)
Cheralyn has a new book!  Come see, hear, buy the real thing!


Speakers
avatar for Cheralyn Lambeth

Cheralyn Lambeth

Film Guest
Cheralyn (Cher) Lambeth is a professional costume, prop, and puppet builder whose work includes feature films (The Muppet Christmas Carol, The Patriot, Evan Almighty, The Hunger Games, Are You There, God?  It's Me, Margaret), television shows (Dinosaurs!, Homeland, Outcast, The ... Read More →
Saturday July 18, 2026 5:00pm - 5:30pm EDT
Piedmont Salons 1-2 (panels)
  Literary

5:00pm EDT

Hold for Film Festival Awards
Saturday July 18, 2026 5:00pm - 6:00pm EDT
Cardinal (Film)

Saturday July 18, 2026 5:00pm - 6:00pm EDT
Cardinal (Film)
  Film Festival

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
avatar for Gail Z. Martin

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 →
avatar for Sammie Cassell

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 →
avatar for Brandon Whitworth

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 →
avatar for Old Dominion Daleks

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 5:00pm - 6:00pm EDT
Grand Ballroom Salon C (panels)
  Film/TV

5:00pm EDT

From Audio to Visual: How online media is changing
Saturday July 18, 2026 5:00pm - 6:00pm EDT
Piedmont Salon 3
Podcasting is no longer just an audio game — your video strategy can unlock new ears and eyes. Hear from our panelists on tips for optimizing your presence on the platform and suggestions on how to incorporate the newest tech (including AI).
Speakers
avatar for Mur Lafferty

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 →
avatar for Roger Carden

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 →
Saturday July 18, 2026 5:00pm - 6:00pm EDT
Piedmont Salon 3
  Online Media

5:00pm EDT

Signings Michael G Williams: & Bill Mulligan
Saturday July 18, 2026 5:00pm - 6:00pm EDT
Grand Ballroom Salons E-F-G-H (Dealer Room)

Speakers
avatar for Fraser Sherman

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 →
avatar for Bill Mulligan

Bill Mulligan

Film Guest
A 25+ year veteran of high school science teaching, Bill Mulligan has parlayed his love of horror, science fiction, and fantasy films into podcasting, convention panels, indie filmmaking, and storytelling. With creative partners such as Christine Parker and Mark C. Lucas, he has worked... Read More →
Saturday July 18, 2026 5:00pm - 6:00pm EDT
Grand Ballroom Salons E-F-G-H (Dealer Room)
  Signings / Autographs

5:30pm EDT

Bridging the Gap: Empowering Women for a Diverse STEM Future
Saturday July 18, 2026 5:30pm - 6:30pm EDT
High Point Room (Panels)
Supporting and encouraging women to pursue careers in the traditionally male-dominated fields of science, technology, engineering, and math is really important — not just for fairness, but because diverse teams bring fresh ideas and spark innovation. Women still face barriers like bias, stereotyping, and lack of support, so programs that offer mentorship, networking, resources, campaigns,...
See More →
Speakers
avatar for Joey Starnes

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 →
avatar for Angela Giddings

Angela Giddings

Film Guest
A.M. Giddings is a writer, scientist, cellist, independent filmmaker and aspiring swamp hag from North Carolina.  She has a PhD in Microbiology and has authored multiple scientific articles in virology, cell line design, and gene therapy.  She enjoys writing stories that live within... Read More →
avatar for Emily Jane Buehler

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 →
avatar for Chris Oakley

Chris Oakley

Fan Guest
Chris Oakley owned and operated Oakley’s Gently Used Books, a bricks & mortar used bookshop with a specialty in Sci Fi/Fantasy, for more than 20 years (1995-2016) in Charlottesville, VA. She has been a bookseller at Madicon, MarsCon, MystiCon, RavenCon, Libertycon DSC50, DSC60 and... Read More →
Saturday July 18, 2026 5:30pm - 6:30pm EDT
High Point Room (Panels)
  Science

6:00pm EDT

Baen Books Traveling Roadshow and Prize Patrol
Saturday July 18, 2026 6:00pm - 7:00pm EDT
Piedmont Salons 1-2 (panels)
Join Gray Rinehart as he shares the best of what's going on in the Baen universe. (And there will be giveaways!)
Speakers
avatar for Gray Rinehart

Gray Rinehart

Literary Guest
Gray Rinehart is an award-winning author, an editor, a singer/songwriter, and a retired Air Force officer. He is the only person to have commanded a USAF satellite tracking station, written speeches for Presidential appointees, devised a poetic form, and had music on The Dr. Demento... Read More →
Saturday July 18, 2026 6:00pm - 7:00pm EDT
Piedmont Salons 1-2 (panels)
  Literary, Roadshow

6:00pm EDT

Blibbering Humdingers in Concert
Saturday July 18, 2026 6:00pm - 7:00pm EDT
Grand Ballroom Salon D (Main Programming)

Speakers
avatar for The Blibbering Humdingers

The Blibbering Humdingers

Performance Guest
Saturday OnlyThese magical masters of musical mayhem mean to amuse you with their mellifluous melodies and mindfully managed mischief! They create and perform acoustic nerd rock for:Gamers, geeks, and galactic guardians,  browncoats, centaurs, and mandalorians;Hobbits, elves, and wizard gangsters... Read More →
avatar for Chuck Parker

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 6:00pm - 7:00pm EDT
Grand Ballroom Salon D (Main Programming)
  Performance

6:00pm EDT

Wonderful Movies with Wonderful People: Live!
Saturday July 18, 2026 6:00pm - 8:00pm EDT
Cardinal (Film)
Join our hosts as they show and talk about Sick Chick Flicks' "Blood of the Mummy" with special guest, Christine Parker.
Speakers
avatar for Bill Mulligan

Bill Mulligan

Film Guest
A 25+ year veteran of high school science teaching, Bill Mulligan has parlayed his love of horror, science fiction, and fantasy films into podcasting, convention panels, indie filmmaking, and storytelling. With creative partners such as Christine Parker and Mark C. Lucas, he has worked... Read More →
avatar for Christine Parker

Christine Parker

Film Guest, SickChickFlicks
Christine Parker began her film career in Sanford, North Carolina in 2004 where she wrote and produced her first short film “Second Death” that led to her forming Adrenalin Productions and later Sick Chick Flicks which have produced dozens of short films as well as five feature... Read More →
avatar for Carol Cowles

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 →
avatar for O Hai Mark

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 →
Saturday July 18, 2026 6:00pm - 8:00pm EDT
Cardinal (Film)
  Film Festival

6:30pm EDT

Making Material Decisions
Saturday July 18, 2026 6:30pm - 7:30pm EDT
Piedmont Salon 3
So there's leather and fabric, or worbla or casting/sculpting, but when it comes to deciding to build a costume, how do you decide where to start?  What material works best for which types of costumes? What looks like armor but doesn't weigh you down?  What looks like leather but moves like fabric?

Moderator: Cheralyn Lambeth 
Speakers
avatar for Dave Fretz

Dave Fretz

Costuming Guest
I’ve been a part of science fiction and fantasy fandom for more than 50 years and grew up reading Andre Norton, Allan Dean Foster, and Edgar Rice Burroughs books. I even named my younger son Jason after the lead character in the Ray Harryhausen film Jason and the Argonauts. I was... Read More →
avatar for John Dondero

John Dondero

Costuming Guest
He is a certified Jack of All Trades. He started out as a filmmaker and special effects editor, building both digital and practical effects, and has won many awards for both filmmaking and editing. When COVID hit, he switched gears and became an affiliated Twitch streamer and podcaster... Read More →
avatar for Cheralyn Lambeth

Cheralyn Lambeth

Film Guest
Cheralyn (Cher) Lambeth is a professional costume, prop, and puppet builder whose work includes feature films (The Muppet Christmas Carol, The Patriot, Evan Almighty, The Hunger Games, Are You There, God?  It's Me, Margaret), television shows (Dinosaurs!, Homeland, Outcast, The ... Read More →
Saturday July 18, 2026 6:30pm - 7:30pm EDT
Piedmont Salon 3
  Costuming/Cosplay

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
avatar for Kal Spriggs

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 →
avatar for Dennis M. Myers

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 →
avatar for Wayland Smith

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

7:00pm EDT

Gaming: Jupiter Rescue (Cooperative Game)
Saturday July 18, 2026 7:00pm - 8:00pm EDT
Greensboro Room (Gaming)
Jupiter RescuePlayers: Max 6GM: Richard JordanJupiter Rescue is a co-operative strategy game in which players work together to escort 28 colonists to an escape pod before they're converted into alien creeps. You're a team of lowly maintenance robots built to keep the space station operational and clean so that the colonists can get on with...whatever it is they do. Unfortunately, the station has...
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Saturday July 18, 2026 7:00pm - 8:00pm EDT
Greensboro Room (Gaming)
  Gaming

7:00pm EDT

Readings Hour Sat
Saturday July 18, 2026 7:00pm - 8:00pm EDT
High Point Room (Panels)
Join our authors in a round robin selection of readings!

MIchael G. Williams
Gail Z. Martin
Mur Lafferty
John Scalzi
Speakers
avatar for John Scalzi

John Scalzi

Guest of Honor
John Scalzi is the Hugo-winning and New York Times bestselling author of Old Man’s War, Redshirts, The Kaiju Preservation Society, and Starter Villain, among other novels. Some of his short work was featured in the Netflix animated series Love, Death + Robots.He was president of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America (now the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association), but he got better.He owns one dog, three cats, a six-necked guitar and a church. His burritos are internet infamous and possibly actual crimes. He lives... Read More →
avatar for Mur Lafferty

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 →
avatar for Gail Z. Martin

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 →
avatar for Michael G. Williams

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 →
Saturday July 18, 2026 7:00pm - 8:00pm EDT
High Point Room (Panels)
  Literary, Readings

7:00pm EDT

World of Darkness LARP:
Saturday July 18, 2026 7:00pm - 11:00pm EDT
Emerald (Workshops/LARP)
Rebuilding After the FallGreensboro By NightFee: $25.00 (at the LARP)PremisThe past few decades have been a time of great turmoil and turbulence within the World of Darkness. The Eastern United States have particularly felt the brunt of much of this upheaval. Prior to the summer of 1999 most of the east coast was under the sway of the Camarilla; enforcing the Traditions of Kindred existence...
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Saturday July 18, 2026 7:00pm - 11:00pm EDT
Emerald (Workshops/LARP)
  Gaming

7:30pm EDT

The Mercenary Guild Annual Meeting
Saturday July 18, 2026 7:30pm - 8:30pm EDT
Piedmont Salons 1-2 (panels)

Saturday July 18, 2026 7:30pm - 8:30pm EDT
Piedmont Salons 1-2 (panels)
  Fandom

7:30pm EDT

Auction Set up
Saturday July 18, 2026 7:30pm - 8:30pm EDT
Grand Ballroom Salon D (Main Programming)

Speakers
avatar for O Hai Mark

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 →
Saturday July 18, 2026 7:30pm - 8:30pm EDT
Grand Ballroom Salon D (Main Programming)
  Room Closed

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
avatar for Wayland Smith

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 →
avatar for James Fulbright

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 →
avatar for Chuck Parker

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

8:00pm EDT

Geeky and Nerdy Parenting
Saturday July 18, 2026 8:00pm - 9:00pm EDT
Piedmont Salon 3
Geeky and nerdy parents are not quite the outliers they once were, but are not really still "normal". How do geeky parents deal with "normal" kids? Other parents? Techniques for creating well-rounded individuals? 

Moderator: J. Matthew Saunders
Speakers
avatar for DJ McGuire

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 →
avatar for Sammie Cassell

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 →
avatar for Bryan Young

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 →
avatar for EJ Isaacs

EJ Isaacs

Literary Guest
EJ Isaacs is at heart, a geek. As a child I grew up with classics in science fiction from Isaac Asimov, Arthur C. Clark and Robert Heinlein. A late comer to role playing, he enjoyed creating backgrounds to the characters he was playing. For a three-year period, he was involved with... Read More →
avatar for J. Matthew Saunders

J. Matthew Saunders

Literary Guest
J. Matthew Saunders is the author of the Daughters of Shadow and Blood trilogy inspired by the Brides of Dracula, the Dreadful Penny occult detective series, and numerous fantasy and horror short stories. He is a member of HWA and SFWA.He was born in the small Appalachian town of Clayton, Georgia and grew up in Greenville, South Carolina. He received a B.A. in history from Vanderbilt University and a master’s... Read More →
Saturday July 18, 2026 8:00pm - 9:00pm EDT
Piedmont Salon 3
  Fandom

8:00pm EDT

Gray Rinehart - Unplugged
Saturday July 18, 2026 8:00pm - 9:00pm EDT
Grand Ballroom Salons A-B (Cantina)

Speakers
avatar for Gray Rinehart

Gray Rinehart

Literary Guest
Gray Rinehart is an award-winning author, an editor, a singer/songwriter, and a retired Air Force officer. He is the only person to have commanded a USAF satellite tracking station, written speeches for Presidential appointees, devised a poetic form, and had music on The Dr. Demento... Read More →
Saturday July 18, 2026 8:00pm - 9:00pm EDT
Grand Ballroom Salons A-B (Cantina)
  Performance

8:00pm EDT

Pathfinder 2E: A Parchment Tree
Saturday July 18, 2026 8:00pm - 10:00pm EDT
Greensboro Room (Gaming)
GM: James MusgroveMax: 6 PlayersPre-generated characters availableSign-up at RegistrationIn the nation of Qadira, Esmayl ibn Qaradi calls for Pathfinders to assist in what should be a simple genealogy verification. Multiple parties are heavily invested in the results that might be revealed by this family tree, however, and things won't be as simple as sifting through some...
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Saturday July 18, 2026 8:00pm - 10:00pm EDT
Greensboro Room (Gaming)
  Gaming

8:30pm EDT

Charity Auction Merchandise Viewing
Saturday July 18, 2026 8:30pm - 9:00pm EDT
Grand Ballroom Salon D (Main Programming)
With safety rules in place, this is your time to view the merchandise that will be for sale.
Speakers
avatar for O Hai Mark

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 →
Saturday July 18, 2026 8:30pm - 9:00pm EDT
Grand Ballroom Salon D (Main Programming)
  Special Events

9:00pm EDT

Workshop: Flash Fiction Frights: Crafting Chilling Tales with Tally Johnson
Saturday July 18, 2026 9:00pm - 10:30pm EDT
Piedmont Salons 1-2 (panels)
Join Special Guest Tally Johnson, a renowned storyteller, on an exciting journey to create concise and impactful flash fiction pieces inspired by eerie pictures. Participants will be challenged to craft chilling tales, with the chance to win prizes for captivating storytelling. Dive into this unique opportunity to explore the enchanting art of storytelling in a compact and powerful format.

Speakers
avatar for Tally Johnson

Tally Johnson

Special Guest
Mr. Johnson is a graduate of Spartanburg Methodist College and Wofford College with degrees in history. He is the author of Ghosts of the South Carolina Upcountry, Ghosts of the South Carolina Midlands, Ghosts of the Pee Dee (all for The History Press) and Civil War Ghosts of Sou... Read More →
Saturday July 18, 2026 9:00pm - 10:30pm EDT
Piedmont Salons 1-2 (panels)
  Literary, Workshop

9:00pm EDT

Charity Auction in Support of the Food Bank at Greensboro Urban Ministry
Saturday July 18, 2026 9:00pm - 11:00pm EDT
Grand Ballroom Salon D (Main Programming)
ConGregate will once again be raising money to support the food pantry of the Greensboro Urban Ministry. Availability of food in July is often overlooked because food drives which take place during the winter holiday season. Join us in helping feed our neighbors.In 2025, were able to donate $10,000 to a food bank in Winston-Salem. While that number was, let's call it an outlier, we still want to...
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Speakers
avatar for O Hai Mark

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 →
Saturday July 18, 2026 9:00pm - 11:00pm EDT
Grand Ballroom Salon D (Main Programming)
  Special Events

9:30pm EDT

Filk Circle - Unplugged
Saturday July 18, 2026 9:30pm - 10:30pm EDT
Grand Ballroom Salons A-B (Cantina)

Speakers
avatar for Chuck Parker

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 9:30pm - 10:30pm EDT
Grand Ballroom Salons A-B (Cantina)
  Performance

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
avatar for William C. Tracy

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 →
avatar for Michelle Iannantuono

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 →
avatar for Carol Cowles

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 →
avatar for Dance Harden

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 →
Saturday July 18, 2026 9:30pm - 10:30pm EDT
Grand Ballroom Salon C (panels)
  Performance

9:30pm EDT

But I'm Not Crazy! The Best Ideas of Mad Scientists, Supervillains, and Other Evil Geniuses
Saturday July 18, 2026 9:30pm - 10:30pm EDT
Piedmont Salon 3
Let's discuss the "best" villain ideas — not the over-the-top, evil-for-evil's-sake stuff, but plans that actually make sense: deliberate, driven by clear motives, and logically thought-out. Villains whose schemes feel plausible, spark interesting moral or philosophical questions, or try to expose/fix problems they see in society — whose methods and reasoning make their actions understandable,...
See More →
Speakers
avatar for Kal Spriggs

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 →
avatar for Dr. Philip A. Kramer

Dr. Philip A. Kramer

Science Guest
Dr. Philip A. Kramer is a biomedical researcher who studies aging, oxidative stress, and metabolism. In addition to his academic works, he is a hard science fiction author with two published novels (under the name P. A. Kramer), and several award-winning short stories. His blog (... Read More →
avatar for Dr. Robert Hampson

Dr. Robert Hampson

Literary Guest
Professor, Neuroscientist, and Unofficial Penguin WhispererWhen not advancing the frontiers of neuroscience or constructing elaborate multiversal portals in his office, Dr. Rob can be found lecturing to an elite audience of penguins in lab coats. An advocate of hands-on learning... Read More →
avatar for Jim Beall

Jim Beall

Science Guest
Jim Beall (BS-Math, MBA, PE) has been a nuclear engineer for 50 years, beginning as a nuclear engineering officer in the US Navy. Civilian experience includes design, construction, inspection, enforcement, and assessment with a nuclear utility, an architect engineering firm, and the... Read More →
avatar for Old Dominion Daleks

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 9:30pm - 10:30pm EDT
Piedmont Salon 3
  Science
 
Sunday, July 19
 

9:00am EDT

Tea 101: Presented by Moments in Tea
Sunday July 19, 2026 9:00am - 10:00am EDT
Piedmont Salons 1-2 (panels)
Join Moments in Tea as they walk you through the basics of Tea - the different types, tools and ways of making it.
Speakers
avatar for EJ Isaacs

EJ Isaacs

Literary Guest
EJ Isaacs is at heart, a geek. As a child I grew up with classics in science fiction from Isaac Asimov, Arthur C. Clark and Robert Heinlein. A late comer to role playing, he enjoyed creating backgrounds to the characters he was playing. For a three-year period, he was involved with... Read More →
Exhibitors
avatar for Moments in Tea
Sunday July 19, 2026 9:00am - 10:00am EDT
Piedmont Salons 1-2 (panels)
  Fandom

9:00am EDT

ConSuite Open
Sunday July 19, 2026 9:00am - 2:00pm EDT
ConSuite (Room 210)
Come over to our ConSuite and enjoy a snack and (non-alcoholic) beverage. All refreshments are individually packaged for health and safety.  The fee is already covered in your registration.

The Suite is also a great place to relax and visit with your friends, old or new.

Location: Room 210

ConSuite Hours
  • FRI  2:00pm - 8:30pm
  • SAT  9:00am - 8:30pm
  • SUN  9:00am - 2:00pm


Sunday July 19, 2026 9:00am - 2:00pm EDT
ConSuite (Room 210)
  ConSuite

9:00am EDT

Open Gaming
Sunday July 19, 2026 9:00am - 2:00pm EDT
Greensboro Room (Gaming)
On demand games all weekend.Check out a wide variety of new and exciting games including: Return to Dark Tower as well as Clarion Game's:Hull Breach is a sci-fi cards-and-dice game featuring epic space combat between ships, firefights between Marine boarding parties, and plenty of clever tactics and galaxy-shaking events. You assume command of a space station belonging to one of our several...
See More →
Sunday July 19, 2026 9:00am - 2:00pm EDT
Greensboro Room (Gaming)
  Gaming

9:30am EDT

Gray Rinehart in concert
Sunday July 19, 2026 9:30am - 10:30am EDT
Grand Ballroom Salon D (Main Programming)
Gray primarily writes "filk"—music inspired by science fiction and fantasy—though he has also written about other things. Some of his songs are silly, some are serious, and some are just strange. 
Speakers
avatar for Gray Rinehart

Gray Rinehart

Literary Guest
Gray Rinehart is an award-winning author, an editor, a singer/songwriter, and a retired Air Force officer. He is the only person to have commanded a USAF satellite tracking station, written speeches for Presidential appointees, devised a poetic form, and had music on The Dr. Demento... Read More →
Sunday July 19, 2026 9:30am - 10:30am EDT
Grand Ballroom Salon D (Main Programming)
  Performance

10:00am EDT

Signings: Mur Lafferty & Tally Johnson CANCELLED
Sunday July 19, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am EDT
Grand Ballroom Salons E-F-G-H (Dealer Room)

Speakers
avatar for Tally Johnson

Tally Johnson

Special Guest
Mr. Johnson is a graduate of Spartanburg Methodist College and Wofford College with degrees in history. He is the author of Ghosts of the South Carolina Upcountry, Ghosts of the South Carolina Midlands, Ghosts of the Pee Dee (all for The History Press) and Civil War Ghosts of Sou... Read More →
avatar for Mur Lafferty

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 →
Sunday July 19, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am EDT
Grand Ballroom Salons E-F-G-H (Dealer Room)

10:00am EDT

Signings: Sherrilyn Kenyon (at her Table)
Sunday July 19, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am EDT
Grand Ballroom Salons E-F-G-H (Dealer Room)

Speakers
avatar for Sherrilyn Kenyon

Sherrilyn Kenyon

Special Guest
Defying all odds is what #1 New York Times and international bestselling author Sherrilyn Kenyon does best. Since her first book debuted while she was still in college, she has placed more than 80 novels on the New York Times list in all formats and genres, including manga and graphic novels, and has more than 70 million books in print worldwide.A pioneer in paranormal, fantasy, science fiction and romantasy, she has become one of the most popular and influential authors in the world (in adult, YA and... Read More →
Sunday July 19, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am EDT
Grand Ballroom Salons E-F-G-H (Dealer Room)

10:00am EDT

Cons in the Post-Pandemic Era
Sunday July 19, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am EDT
Grand Ballroom Salon C (panels)
Our panelists discuss how things have changed and continue to change for con-runners, guests and attendees in and for conventions since the Covid shutdown.

Moderator: Michael Pederson
Speakers
avatar for Gail Z. Martin

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 →
avatar for Tom Hutchens

Tom Hutchens

Costuming Guest
Founder of the Mando Mercs Costume Club, being a Mandalorian fan goes all the way back to 1983, a five-year-old sitting in the theater watching Boba Fett fall into the Sarlacc Pit in Star Wars: Return of the Jedi.

In 2007 Tom founded the Mando Mercs Costume Club (MMCC), becoming o

... Read More →
avatar for Janet Carden

Janet Carden

Online Media Guest
Janet Carden aka The Halfling is one half of the husband/wife team of The Halfling and The Spaceman podcast.  She has been active in many aspects of fandom since her high school days.  She and her husband have created many fan projects together, including The Familiar Magazine... Read More →
avatar for Michael D. Pederson

Michael D. Pederson

Fan Guest
Way back in 2004, Mike came up with the crazy idea of hosting a convention in Richmond, VA. He’s been chairing RavenCon ever since.In addition to running RavenCon, Mike Pederson was the publisher/editor/graphic designer responsible for the fanzine Nth Degree (2002-2019). Mike b... Read More →
Sunday July 19, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am EDT
Grand Ballroom Salon C (panels)
  Fandom

10:00am EDT

How To Make Your First Unreal Engine Short Film
Sunday July 19, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am EDT
Cardinal (Film)
Unreal Engine and virtual production have democratized filmmaking more than ever, but scope and learning curves can quickly take the wind out of your sails. Learn how to drill down on the essentials to produce your first animated or virtual stage short with Unreal.
Speakers
avatar for Michelle Iannantuono

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 →
Sunday July 19, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am EDT
Cardinal (Film)
  Film/TV

10:00am EDT

Gaming: Martian Fluxx
Sunday July 19, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am EDT
Greensboro Room (Gaming)
Martian FluxxPlayers: Max 6GM: Richard JordanAre you ready to conquer the earth? Martian Fluxx is a classic monster story in ever-changing card game form. It's an Invasion from the Planet Mars! The players are the Martians determined to destroy the Pathetic Humans who are keeping them from winning. It's got Flying Saucers, Giant Tripod War Machines, Tentacles, Ray Guns, a Mothership, and of...
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Sunday July 19, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am EDT
Greensboro Room (Gaming)
  Gaming

10:00am EDT

Readings Hour Sun
Sunday July 19, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am EDT
High Point Room (Panels)
Join our authors in a round robin style of readings!


Fraser Shermane
Bryan Young
Polly Schattel
Dave Dobson
Speakers
avatar for Bill Mulligan

Bill Mulligan

Film Guest
A 25+ year veteran of high school science teaching, Bill Mulligan has parlayed his love of horror, science fiction, and fantasy films into podcasting, convention panels, indie filmmaking, and storytelling. With creative partners such as Christine Parker and Mark C. Lucas, he has worked... Read More →
avatar for Dave Dobson

Dave Dobson

Literary Guest
A native of Ames, Iowa, Dave loves writing, reading, boardgames, computer games, improv comedy, pizza, barbarian movies, and the cheaper end of the Taco Bell menu. Also, his wife and kids.Dave has written ten novels including fantasy, sci-fi, mysteries, and thrillers. In addition... Read More →
avatar for Fraser Sherman

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 →
avatar for Bryan Young

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 →
avatar for Polly Schattel

Polly Schattel

Film Guest
A filmmaker and novelist from Birmingham, AL, Polly Schattel’s first feature was the self-produced “Sinkhole” (2005), which won Best Feature at the Indie Memphis Film Festival, and was distributed internationally by Shoreline Entertainment. Her next film was “Alison,” (2010... Read More →
Sunday July 19, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am EDT
High Point Room (Panels)
  Literary, Readings

10:00am EDT

Two Woke Bonnets Breakfast Panel
Sunday July 19, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am EDT
Piedmont Salon 3
Join us for a discussion of old "Little House" and new "Little House" while we enjoy donuts and coffee!
Speakers
avatar for Joey Starnes

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 →
avatar for Carol Cowles

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 →
Sunday July 19, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am EDT
Piedmont Salon 3
  Online Media

10:00am EDT

Workshop: Let's Make a World: Discuss Worldbuilding & Then Make One Together!
Sunday July 19, 2026 10:00am - 11:30am EDT
Emerald (Workshops/LARP)
Join Michael G Williams has he takes you through the basics of building a world - then the group will build a world together!


Speakers
avatar for Michael G. Williams

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 →
Sunday July 19, 2026 10:00am - 11:30am EDT
Emerald (Workshops/LARP)
  Literary, Workshop

10:00am EDT

Pathfinder 2E: The Winter Queen's Dollhouse
Sunday July 19, 2026 10:00am - 12:00pm EDT
Greensboro Room (Gaming)
GM: James MusgroveMax: 6 PlayersPre-generated characters availableSign-up at RegistrationThe ruler of Irrisen, Queen Anastasia found a number of strange dollhouses when going through her aunt's vaults. She sent one to the Pathfinders for study. When Aslynn's magic was unleashed in the vaults of Skyreach, the dollhouse's magic was reactivated. In...
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Sunday July 19, 2026 10:00am - 12:00pm EDT
Greensboro Room (Gaming)
  Gaming

10:00am EDT

Dealer's Room Open
Sunday July 19, 2026 10:00am - 2:00pm EDT
Grand Ballroom Salons E-F-G-H (Dealer Room)
Come and buy cool stuff!

Dealer Load-in
Friday: 8:00am

Dealer Room Hours
Friday: 2:00pm - 7:00pm
Saturday: 10:00am - 6:00pm (dealers in at 9am)
Sunday: 10:00am - 2:00pm (dealers in at 9am)
Sunday July 19, 2026 10:00am - 2:00pm EDT
Grand Ballroom Salons E-F-G-H (Dealer Room)
  Dealer's Room

10:30am EDT

Frail Flesh: A Look at Body Horror
Sunday July 19, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am EDT
Piedmont Salons 1-2 (panels)
From Misery’s intimate, bone-deep dread to Saw’s calculated, mechanized brutality, the depiction of dismemberment and amputation taps an archetypal fear of bodily loss and magnifies anxieties about vulnerability, autonomy, and identity. Join our panelists as they look at a variety of approaches—from film (how camera work, editing, and sound turn physical injury into prolonged emotional...
See More →
Speakers
avatar for Christine Parker

Christine Parker

Film Guest, SickChickFlicks
Christine Parker began her film career in Sanford, North Carolina in 2004 where she wrote and produced her first short film “Second Death” that led to her forming Adrenalin Productions and later Sick Chick Flicks which have produced dozens of short films as well as five feature... Read More →
avatar for Alexandra Higgins

Alexandra Higgins

Performance Guest
Alexandra Higgins (aka the Platypus Princess) is a self-taught singer/songwriter whose folk-indie sound evokes the spirit of Joan Baez (direct quote heard randomly and unprompted at every performance!). Her voice, often described as angelic, carries melodies that mix ethereal beauty... Read More →
avatar for Angela Giddings

Angela Giddings

Film Guest
A.M. Giddings is a writer, scientist, cellist, independent filmmaker and aspiring swamp hag from North Carolina.  She has a PhD in Microbiology and has authored multiple scientific articles in virology, cell line design, and gene therapy.  She enjoys writing stories that live within... Read More →
avatar for Gary Mitchel

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 →
avatar for Richard Kadrey

Richard Kadrey

Guest of Honor
Richard Kadrey is the New York Times bestselling author of the Sandman Slim supernatural noir series. Sandman Slim was included in Amazon’s “100 Science Fiction & Fantasy Books to Read in a Lifetime,” and is in development as a feature film.Some of Kadrey’s other books in... Read More →
Sunday July 19, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am EDT
Piedmont Salons 1-2 (panels)
  Literary

11:00am EDT

Signings:
Sunday July 19, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT
Grand Ballroom Salons E-F-G-H (Dealer Room)

Sunday July 19, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT
Grand Ballroom Salons E-F-G-H (Dealer Room)

11:00am EDT

The Value of Critique and other Writing Groups
Sunday July 19, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT
Grand Ballroom Salon D (Main Programming)
Writing can be a lonely job.  But there are ways to be involved with others as your write - from critique groups, to coffee shop writing groups, to genre specific groups, our panelists discuss the value that working with others can bring to your work.
Speakers
avatar for Dave Dobson

Dave Dobson

Literary Guest
A native of Ames, Iowa, Dave loves writing, reading, boardgames, computer games, improv comedy, pizza, barbarian movies, and the cheaper end of the Taco Bell menu. Also, his wife and kids.Dave has written ten novels including fantasy, sci-fi, mysteries, and thrillers. In addition... Read More →
avatar for William C. Tracy

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 →
Sunday July 19, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT
Grand Ballroom Salon D (Main Programming)
  Literary

11:00am EDT

DJ McGuire - unplugged
Sunday July 19, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT
Grand Ballroom Salons A-B (Cantina)

Speakers
avatar for DJ McGuire

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 →
Sunday July 19, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT
Grand Ballroom Salons A-B (Cantina)
  Performance

11:00am EDT

Gaming: Risk: Lord of the Rings
Sunday July 19, 2026 11:00am - 1:00pm EDT
Greensboro Room (Gaming)
Risk: Lord of the Rings
Players: Max 4
GM: Richard Jordan
Guide your forces to victory in the ultimate battle! The Risk: The Lord of the Rings game includes Territory cards, Adventure cards, Battalions, and a gold tone ring. The gameboard features a complete map of Middle-earth including Gondor, Mordor, and Haradwaith Territories.

Sign up at Registration!



Sunday July 19, 2026 11:00am - 1:00pm EDT
Greensboro Room (Gaming)
  Gaming

11:30am EDT

Designing an Escape Room
Sunday July 19, 2026 11:30am - 12:30pm EDT
Piedmont Salon 3
Have you ever wondered what goes into designing an Escape Room? Or what makes one puzzle more fun than another? Our panelists discuss how to design an escape room for fun or profit.
Speakers
avatar for Colleen Parker

Colleen Parker

Panelist
Colleen Parker is a long-time member of the Mid-Atlantic con community (you can often see her following her husband Chuck Parker around making sure he eats, sleeps, and gets to his shows on time), a retired competitive Irish dancer and former Irish dance teacher. She loves sharing... Read More →
avatar for Michael D. Pederson

Michael D. Pederson

Fan Guest
Way back in 2004, Mike came up with the crazy idea of hosting a convention in Richmond, VA. He’s been chairing RavenCon ever since.In addition to running RavenCon, Mike Pederson was the publisher/editor/graphic designer responsible for the fanzine Nth Degree (2002-2019). Mike b... Read More →
Sunday July 19, 2026 11:30am - 12:30pm EDT
Piedmont Salon 3
  Fandom

11:30am EDT

Before CGI Existed: The Artisans of Schlock
Sunday July 19, 2026 11:30am - 12:30pm EDT
Cardinal (Film)
A celebration of low-budget ingenuity — how filmmakers on grindhouse budgets pulled off monsters, gore, and sci-fi visuals with almost no money. Great for a craft-minded crowd.


Speakers
avatar for Dave Fretz

Dave Fretz

Costuming Guest
I’ve been a part of science fiction and fantasy fandom for more than 50 years and grew up reading Andre Norton, Allan Dean Foster, and Edgar Rice Burroughs books. I even named my younger son Jason after the lead character in the Ray Harryhausen film Jason and the Argonauts. I was... Read More →
avatar for Bill Mulligan

Bill Mulligan

Film Guest
A 25+ year veteran of high school science teaching, Bill Mulligan has parlayed his love of horror, science fiction, and fantasy films into podcasting, convention panels, indie filmmaking, and storytelling. With creative partners such as Christine Parker and Mark C. Lucas, he has worked... Read More →
Sunday July 19, 2026 11:30am - 12:30pm EDT
Cardinal (Film)
  Film/TV

11:30am EDT

Home Recording: The Best Tools
Sunday July 19, 2026 11:30am - 12:30pm EDT
Grand Ballroom Salon C (panels)
A basic home recording setup requires a computer, audio production software (DAW), an audio interface, microphones, headphones, and potentially a MIDI controller. For more advanced setups, studio monitors, acoustic treatment, and pop filters are also helpful.  So with all the options available, which ones do our panel of experts reccomend?

Moderator: Joey Starnes


Speakers
avatar for Roger Carden

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 →
avatar for Brandon Whitworth

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 →
avatar for Joey Starnes

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 →
Sunday July 19, 2026 11:30am - 12:30pm EDT
Grand Ballroom Salon C (panels)
  Online Media

11:30am EDT

Spaceship Design
Sunday July 19, 2026 11:30am - 12:30pm EDT
High Point Room (Panels)
Be it a military frigate or Exploration vessel, all spaceships require life support systems and a means of locomotion. Explore these and other critical infrastructure needed to carry humanity beyond our atmosphere.

Moderator: Gray Rinehart

Speakers
avatar for Gray Rinehart

Gray Rinehart

Literary Guest
Gray Rinehart is an award-winning author, an editor, a singer/songwriter, and a retired Air Force officer. He is the only person to have commanded a USAF satellite tracking station, written speeches for Presidential appointees, devised a poetic form, and had music on The Dr. Demento... Read More →
avatar for Dennis M. Myers

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 →
avatar for Jennifer Whitworth

Jennifer Whitworth

Science Guest
Jennifer Whitworth is an engineer and writer from Huntsville AL. Currently working at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center, she supports Artemis and Gateway Payload Integration working directly with the science teams to help them through the various processes to design, build, test... Read More →
avatar for Dr. Philip A. Kramer

Dr. Philip A. Kramer

Science Guest
Dr. Philip A. Kramer is a biomedical researcher who studies aging, oxidative stress, and metabolism. In addition to his academic works, he is a hard science fiction author with two published novels (under the name P. A. Kramer), and several award-winning short stories. His blog (... Read More →
avatar for Jim Beall

Jim Beall

Science Guest
Jim Beall (BS-Math, MBA, PE) has been a nuclear engineer for 50 years, beginning as a nuclear engineering officer in the US Navy. Civilian experience includes design, construction, inspection, enforcement, and assessment with a nuclear utility, an architect engineering firm, and the... Read More →
Sunday July 19, 2026 11:30am - 12:30pm EDT
High Point Room (Panels)
  Science

12:00pm EDT

Signings:
Sunday July 19, 2026 12:00pm - 1:00pm EDT
Grand Ballroom Salons E-F-G-H (Dealer Room)

Sunday July 19, 2026 12:00pm - 1:00pm EDT
Grand Ballroom Salons E-F-G-H (Dealer Room)

12:00pm EDT

"Weird" Science: Unexpected Ways to Put Science in Science Fiction
Sunday July 19, 2026 12:00pm - 1:00pm EDT
Piedmont Salons 1-2 (panels)
In science fiction, we like to see FTL spaceships, strange alien species, resurrected extinct species, instantaneous communication, and similar things. But a lot of everyday items are afterthoughts in sci-fi. How will technology affect clothes? Food? Ordinary medical care? And what about the "soft" sciences, like industrial safety, environmental science, anthropology, or political science? How...
See More →
Speakers
avatar for Angela Giddings

Angela Giddings

Film Guest
A.M. Giddings is a writer, scientist, cellist, independent filmmaker and aspiring swamp hag from North Carolina.  She has a PhD in Microbiology and has authored multiple scientific articles in virology, cell line design, and gene therapy.  She enjoys writing stories that live within... Read More →
avatar for Dave Dobson

Dave Dobson

Literary Guest
A native of Ames, Iowa, Dave loves writing, reading, boardgames, computer games, improv comedy, pizza, barbarian movies, and the cheaper end of the Taco Bell menu. Also, his wife and kids.Dave has written ten novels including fantasy, sci-fi, mysteries, and thrillers. In addition... Read More →
avatar for EJ Isaacs

EJ Isaacs

Literary Guest
EJ Isaacs is at heart, a geek. As a child I grew up with classics in science fiction from Isaac Asimov, Arthur C. Clark and Robert Heinlein. A late comer to role playing, he enjoyed creating backgrounds to the characters he was playing. For a three-year period, he was involved with... Read More →
avatar for Dr. Robert Hampson

Dr. Robert Hampson

Literary Guest
Professor, Neuroscientist, and Unofficial Penguin WhispererWhen not advancing the frontiers of neuroscience or constructing elaborate multiversal portals in his office, Dr. Rob can be found lecturing to an elite audience of penguins in lab coats. An advocate of hands-on learning... Read More →
Sunday July 19, 2026 12:00pm - 1:00pm EDT
Piedmont Salons 1-2 (panels)
  Science

12:00pm EDT

Workshop: Choosing the Right POV (fee $10)
Sunday July 19, 2026 12:00pm - 1:30pm EDT
Emerald (Workshops/LARP)
Every story lives or dies by who the protagonist and POV character is. Sometimes, it feels obvious, other times you can pick any character in the narrative and tell an equally thrilling story. This class, led by Bryan Young, will show you all the different options of choosing the right POV for your story or screenplay, and, if you’re writing prose, what POV to actually write in. 

Fee: $10

Speakers
avatar for Bryan Young

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 →
Sunday July 19, 2026 12:00pm - 1:30pm EDT
Emerald (Workshops/LARP)
  Literary, Workshop

12:30pm EDT

Why We Love Our Fictional Paranormal Investigators?
Sunday July 19, 2026 12:30pm - 1:30pm EDT
Grand Ballroom Salon D (Main Programming)
Harry Dresden, Anita Blake, October Daye, The Winchester Brothers and, of course, the Ghost Busters are just a few of the fictional characters who have made paranormal investigation a major part of their story.  Our panelists discuss their favorites, why they love them and if you liked those, who else should you be reading or watching?

moderator: Larry Martin
Speakers
avatar for Larry N. Martin

Larry N. Martin

Literary Guest
Larry N. Martin writes science fiction, steampunk, and urban fantasy. He is the author of the portal gaming fantasy: The Splintered Crown, and Salvage Rat, the first in his space opera series.Together with Gail Z. Martin, Larry co-authors the snarky monster hunter series Spells, Salt, & Steel, the post-apocalyptic series Wasteland Marshals, the Joe Mack Shadow Council Files series, and the steampunk series The Jake Desmet Adventures... Read More →
avatar for Sherrilyn Kenyon

Sherrilyn Kenyon

Special Guest
Defying all odds is what #1 New York Times and international bestselling author Sherrilyn Kenyon does best. Since her first book debuted while she was still in college, she has placed more than 80 novels on the New York Times list in all formats and genres, including manga and graphic novels, and has more than 70 million books in print worldwide.A pioneer in paranormal, fantasy, science fiction and romantasy, she has become one of the most popular and influential authors in the world (in adult, YA and... Read More →
avatar for Kevin A. Davis

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 →
avatar for J. Matthew Saunders

J. Matthew Saunders

Literary Guest
J. Matthew Saunders is the author of the Daughters of Shadow and Blood trilogy inspired by the Brides of Dracula, the Dreadful Penny occult detective series, and numerous fantasy and horror short stories. He is a member of HWA and SFWA.He was born in the small Appalachian town of Clayton, Georgia and grew up in Greenville, South Carolina. He received a B.A. in history from Vanderbilt University and a master’s... Read More →
Sunday July 19, 2026 12:30pm - 1:30pm EDT
Grand Ballroom Salon D (Main Programming)
  Literary

12:30pm EDT

Alexandra Higgins - unplugged
Sunday July 19, 2026 12:30pm - 1:30pm EDT
Grand Ballroom Salons A-B (Cantina)

Speakers
avatar for Alexandra Higgins

Alexandra Higgins

Performance Guest
Alexandra Higgins (aka the Platypus Princess) is a self-taught singer/songwriter whose folk-indie sound evokes the spirit of Joan Baez (direct quote heard randomly and unprompted at every performance!). Her voice, often described as angelic, carries melodies that mix ethereal beauty... Read More →
Sunday July 19, 2026 12:30pm - 1:30pm EDT
Grand Ballroom Salons A-B (Cantina)
  Performance

1:00pm EDT

Costuming Outside Your Comfort Zone
Sunday July 19, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm EDT
Piedmont Salon 3
Making and wearing costumes encourages us all to live our dreams and take chances. Who wants the same old same old?  Our panelists discuss how to adapt and be comfortable with a real body versus everything we see in video games and Anime. From gender bending costumes, to wearing armor, our panelists discuss how to create costumes that fit you.

Moderator: Tom Hutchens
Speakers
avatar for Tom Hutchens

Tom Hutchens

Costuming Guest
Founder of the Mando Mercs Costume Club, being a Mandalorian fan goes all the way back to 1983, a five-year-old sitting in the theater watching Boba Fett fall into the Sarlacc Pit in Star Wars: Return of the Jedi.

In 2007 Tom founded the Mando Mercs Costume Club (MMCC), becoming o

... Read More →
avatar for John Dondero

John Dondero

Costuming Guest
He is a certified Jack of All Trades. He started out as a filmmaker and special effects editor, building both digital and practical effects, and has won many awards for both filmmaking and editing. When COVID hit, he switched gears and became an affiliated Twitch streamer and podcaster... Read More →
avatar for Dave Fretz

Dave Fretz

Costuming Guest
I’ve been a part of science fiction and fantasy fandom for more than 50 years and grew up reading Andre Norton, Allan Dean Foster, and Edgar Rice Burroughs books. I even named my younger son Jason after the lead character in the Ray Harryhausen film Jason and the Argonauts. I was... Read More →
avatar for Cheralyn Lambeth

Cheralyn Lambeth

Film Guest
Cheralyn (Cher) Lambeth is a professional costume, prop, and puppet builder whose work includes feature films (The Muppet Christmas Carol, The Patriot, Evan Almighty, The Hunger Games, Are You There, God?  It's Me, Margaret), television shows (Dinosaurs!, Homeland, Outcast, The ... Read More →
Sunday July 19, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm EDT
Piedmont Salon 3
  Costuming/Cosplay

1:00pm EDT

Science-Fiction & Fantasy: Now on Broadway!
Sunday July 19, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm EDT
Grand Ballroom Salon C (panels)
From Back to the Future to The Lost Boys to Beetlejuice, Broadway has seen more and more productions based on cult classics and beloved sci-fi themes. Join us as we discuss some of our favorite on-stage adaptations and how they tackle effects, stunts, and the shift in storytelling style.

Moderator: Hannah Fulbright
Speakers
avatar for Hannah Fulbright

Hannah Fulbright

Asst. Programming Director, ConGregate
Hannah Fulbright is a fan that has been in the local con circuit all her life. She enjoys consuming various media such as fantasy books and cartoons and helping run sci-fi events in the area. She has helped with registration, auction organization, and guest relations for many local... Read More →
avatar for Michael G. Williams

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 →
avatar for Jett Dixon

Jett Dixon

Costuming Guest
Jett has been attending & assisting at conventions for over a decade, finally delving into the roles of Programming Staff (RavenCon, ConCarolinas, Conapalooza) and Panelist.Apple of Your Eye Cosplay is Jett’s Facebook page for all things cosplay, showing off her thrift- and scrounge-style... Read More →
Sunday July 19, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm EDT
Grand Ballroom Salon C (panels)
  Fandom

1:00pm EDT

It's been 10 years since...
Sunday July 19, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm EDT
High Point Room (Panels)
Zootopia, Rogue One, Hidden Figures, Captain America: Civil War, Suicide Squad (the one with Will Smith and Margot Robbie), Star Trek: Beyond, Deadpool, Ghostbusters (the one with Melissa McArthy and Kristen Wiig) and so many others....

Moderator: Fraser Sherman
Speakers
avatar for Sammie Cassell

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 →
avatar for DJ McGuire

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 →
avatar for Fraser Sherman

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 →
avatar for Janet Carden

Janet Carden

Online Media Guest
Janet Carden aka The Halfling is one half of the husband/wife team of The Halfling and The Spaceman podcast.  She has been active in many aspects of fandom since her high school days.  She and her husband have created many fan projects together, including The Familiar Magazine... Read More →
Sunday July 19, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm EDT
High Point Room (Panels)
  Film/TV

1:00pm EDT

Horror in Motion: Adapting the Page for the Screen.
Sunday July 19, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm EDT
Cardinal (Film)
Whether you are discussing Dracula and Frankenstein or anything by Steven King, there is a certain "something" that comes with translating horror from a book to a film (or tv).  Our panelists discuss how to take the words on the paper and transform it in a new format that is as visually terrifying.
Speakers
avatar for Bill Mulligan

Bill Mulligan

Film Guest
A 25+ year veteran of high school science teaching, Bill Mulligan has parlayed his love of horror, science fiction, and fantasy films into podcasting, convention panels, indie filmmaking, and storytelling. With creative partners such as Christine Parker and Mark C. Lucas, he has worked... Read More →
avatar for Polly Schattel

Polly Schattel

Film Guest
A filmmaker and novelist from Birmingham, AL, Polly Schattel’s first feature was the self-produced “Sinkhole” (2005), which won Best Feature at the Indie Memphis Film Festival, and was distributed internationally by Shoreline Entertainment. Her next film was “Alison,” (2010... Read More →
Sunday July 19, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm EDT
Cardinal (Film)
  Literary

2:00pm EDT

Con in Review
Sunday July 19, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm EDT
Grand Ballroom Salon D (Main Programming)
You know the deal.  Tell what you liked and what you didn't and what you'd like to see next year!
Speakers
avatar for James Fulbright

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 →
Sunday July 19, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm EDT
Grand Ballroom Salon D (Main Programming)
  Special Events
 

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Thursday, July 16
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Cardinal (Film)
ConSuite (Room 210)
Emerald (Workshops/LARP)
Grand Ballroom Salon C (panels)
Grand Ballroom Salon D (Main Programming)
Grand Ballroom Salons A-B (Cantina)
Grand Ballroom Salons E-F-G-H (Dealer Room)
Greensboro Room (Gaming)
High Point Room (Panels)
Marriott Restaurant
Piedmont Salon 3
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