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con-gregate.com
Venue: Grand Ballroom Salon C (panels) clear filter
Friday, July 17
 

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

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’s
quite like it! Never been to a convention before? Maybe this is your first time at this con? Or maybe you’re a
veteran of dozens (if not hundreds) of cons? Either way, come join our roundtable discussion on how to best enjoy
the convention experience, including practical advice, tips and tricks, the UN-spoken rules, and ALL the dos and
don’ts of con survival.

Note: If you have only really been to the large "comic" type cons, this will be a different experience.

Moderator: Tom Hutchens
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

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, not just platitudes. If you or someone else is in immediate danger, please contact emergency services or your local crisis hotline right away.

Moderator: Tally Johnson
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

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

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

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

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
 
Saturday, July 18
 

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

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

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

1:00pm EDT

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

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

2:00pm EDT

60 Years of Star Trek
Saturday July 18, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm EDT
Grand Ballroom Salon C (panels)
"The human race is a remarkable creature, one with great potential, and I hope that Star Trek has helped to show us what we can be if we believe in ourselves and our abilities."- Gene Roddenberry, Star Trek creator
The year of 2026 marks a historic chapter for Star Trek as the legendary franchise will celebrate its 60th anniversary on next year's Star Trek Day (Sept. 8, 2026).  Before that, let's discuss all the things.  From the tv series(es) and animated shows, to the movies and the casts, directors, and writers who bring the stories to life, our panelists will discuss the past, present and future of Star Trek.

Moderator: Dance Harden
Speakers
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

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

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

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

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

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
 
Sunday, July 19
 

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

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

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
 

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