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Friday, June 2
 

12:00pm EDT

Dealer Room
Find unique wares and our Media and Author Guests of Honor and Special Guests
Friday June 2, 2017 12:00pm - 8:00pm EDT
University
  Geek Life
  • Length 8

1:30pm EDT

Sherrilyn Kenyon Book Signing
Speakers
SK

Friday June 2, 2017 1:30pm - 3:30pm EDT
University
  Writers

3:00pm EDT

Which Reviews Matter?
The internet alows anyone with a keyboard to express their opinion for the world to see. Which reviews should matter to readers, and how can you tell the difference between useful reviews and obnoxious sour grapes?
Moderators
avatar for A.J. Hartley

A.J. Hartley

Author/Editor/Publisher
A.J. Hartley (also writing as Andrew Hart) is the NY Times bestselling author of 23 novels foradults and younger readers spanning multiple genres, notably mystery, thriller, fantasy andscience fiction. Recent work includes Impervious, which grew out of his experience of a schoolshooting... Read More →

Speakers
avatar for Robert Bevan

Robert Bevan

Author, Writing
Robert Bevan took his first steps in comedy with The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, and his first steps in fantasy with Dungeons & Dragons. Over the years, these two loves mingled, festered, and congealed into the ever expanding Caverns & Creatures series of comedy/fantasy novels... Read More →
avatar for Faith Hunter

Faith Hunter

Author, Writing
New York Times bestselling author Faith Hunter has written the Jane Yellowrock series and the Rogue Mage series, as well as the Rogue Mage Role Playing Game. The Soulwood series will be a paranormal crime solving trilogy featuring Nell Nicholson Ingram. Under the pen name Gwen Hunter... Read More →
avatar for David B. Coe/D.B. Jackson

David B. Coe/D.B. Jackson

Author, Editor, Writing
Biography of David B. Coe David B. Coe/D.B. Jackson is the author of more than two dozen novels and as many short stories. As D.B. Jackson (http://www.DBJackson-Author.com), he is the author of the Thieftaker Chronicles, a series set in pre-Revolutionary Boston that combines elements... Read More →
avatar for Alethea Kontis

Alethea Kontis

Author, Kingdom of Arilland
Alethea Kontis is a princess, author, fairy godmother, and geek. Her bestselling Books of Arilland fairytale series won two Gelett Burgess Children’s Book Awards (Enchanted and Tales of Arilland), and was twice nominated for the Andre Norton Award. Alethea also penned the AlphaOops... Read More →
MV

Friday June 2, 2017 3:00pm - 4:00pm EDT
Harris
  Writers
  • Length 1
  • Length 1

3:00pm EDT

Writers Groups - Pros and Cons
Some writers swear by their writing group, some just swear. What should you look for in a writing group, and should you look for one at all?
Moderators
avatar for Samantha Bryant

Samantha Bryant

Author, Dangerous When Bored
Superhero novelist, feminist, teacher, classic and cult movie buff, mother and tea-drinker. Get my Menopausal Superhero series from the Falstaff table at the convention! Find me online http://samanthabryant.com Twitter and Instagram @samanthabwriter Facebook @samanthadunawaybryan... Read More →

Speakers
VG
avatar for Chris A. Jackson

Chris A. Jackson

Literary Guest, Writing
As a professional sailor, writer, scientist, and life-long gamer, writing nautical and RPG tie-in fantasy came naturally for Chris. His Scimitar Seas novels from Dragon Moon Press have won multiple gold medals from Foreword Reviews Magazine, and his Pathfinder Tales novels, Pirate's... Read More →
avatar for Darin Kennedy

Darin Kennedy

Literary Guest, Writing
Darin Kennedy, born and raised in Winston-Salem, NC, is a graduate of Wake Forest University and Bowman Gray School of Medicine. After completing family medicine residency in the mountains of Virginia, he served eight years as a United States Army physician and wrote his first novel... Read More →
avatar for Margaret McGraw

Margaret McGraw

Editor/Author
Margaret S. McGraw is co-editor of the Predators in Petticoats anthology (Black Cat White Cat Books, 2020), as well as two anthologies about the wildest West that never was: Lawless Lands: Tales from the Weird Frontier (Falstaff Books, 2017) and The Weird Wild West (eSpec Books, 2015... Read More →

Friday June 2, 2017 3:00pm - 4:00pm EDT
Walden
  Writers
  • Length 1
  • Length 1

3:00pm EDT

Costuming Swap Meet
Bring your leftovers, your cast offs, your discarded patterns and various costuming miscellany. Our panel of costumers will let you know how best to use your finds!
Moderators
avatar for Chuck Carte

Chuck Carte

Paranormal
Chuck Carte is an artist, writer, director, comedian, and cosplayer from the Charlotte area. He is the founder of Carolina Tardis, an organization that raises money for charity, and is one half of the Sci-Fried Eggs, a science fiction based podcast. Carte is a prop builder of both... Read More →

Speakers
MB
avatar for Tom Hutchens

Tom Hutchens

Costuming Guest, Mandalorian Mercs
Tom Hutchens is the founder & CEO of the Mandalorian Mercs Costume Club, and a professional armorsmith. As well as running one of the world’s largest STAR WARS™ fan organizations, Tom is also an accomplished armorsmith and widely regarded as the master of “Mandalorian” style... Read More →
CL
avatar for Mikki Stith

Mikki Stith

Marketing & Communications Director, Theatre Raleigh
Michaeline's (aka "Mikki") first love was the theatre, but she now finds herself in marketing. After more than a decade of hands-on experience in event and experiential marketing, she spent years working for marketing agencies that focused on digital solutions. Now, Mikki serves as... Read More →

Friday June 2, 2017 3:00pm - 4:30pm EDT
Burnham
  Costuming
  • Length 1.5
  • Length 1.5

3:30pm EDT

Legally Protecting Your Art
Many artists have had their work stolen and used for purposes they did not approve of. What are the best ways to secure your work and protect what you created
Speakers
avatar for James Nettles

James Nettles

Author, Podcaster, Workshop instructor, Science and Tech
James Nettles is a business and tech consultant by day and author by night, writing fiction, non-fiction, and a lot of stuff in between. He is a co-founder and tech director of the ConTinual online convention, host of numerous podcast and videocast shows, and frequent contributor... Read More →

Friday June 2, 2017 3:30pm - 4:30pm EDT
Keynes
  Art
  • Length 1
  • Length 1

3:30pm EDT

Con Survivalism 101
Never been to a convention before? Maybe this is your first time at ConCarolinas? Or are you the crafty veteran of dozens (if not hundreds) of cons? Either way, come join in our roundtable discussion on how to best enjoy the convention experience, as well as practical advice on the do's and dont's of con survival.
Moderators
KL

Speakers
avatar for Dave Harlequin

Dave Harlequin

Media Guest, A Stranger Concept Films
Described by both press and colleagues as an "independent renaissance man" and "voice of the underground," Dave Harlequin is a professional screenwriter, journalist, producer, and independent filmmaker from Charlotte, North Carolina. He is the Creative Director of North Carolina based... Read More →
GM
avatar for Tig Pollum

Tig Pollum

Fan
Tig is a geek of all trades. From Star Wars to Doctor Who, tabletop to video games, there isn't much she isn't into. She has a deep passion for costuming, having majored in costume design in college, and particularly loves historical and period costumes. Tig is fortunate enough to... Read More →
avatar for Rich

Rich

Fan Guest
To say that I enjoy podcasting and new media would be a gross understatement. My credits include mentions in high school and collegiate papers, newspapers, Podcasting for Dummies, and Advanced Podcasting Tricks. I have been called an innovator, having created the first fandom podcast... Read More →

Friday June 2, 2017 3:30pm - 4:30pm EDT
Olmstead
  Geek Life
  • Length 1
  • Length 1

4:00pm EDT

Southern Film-making and Film-makers
A discussion of the film industry in the south. Industry panelists will let you know what they are filming and where they are filming it.
Moderators
avatar for Jaysen P. Buterin

Jaysen P. Buterin

Film/Media/TV, Mad Ones Films
Writer. Director. Actor. Musician. Drummer (wait for it…). Model. Artist. Canvas. Columnist. Proudest Papa EVER. And as Creative Director of the straight jacket-tested/doctor-approved Mad Ones Films, from Greensboro North Carolina, Jaysen Buterin’s mission has been to show the... Read More →

Speakers
avatar for Sammie Cassell

Sammie Cassell

Film/Media/TV, Film
Sammie Cassell is a Stokesdale NC based producer/actor. As VP of Wreak Havoc Productions he has been involved with 5 feature films and 15 short films. Wreak Havoc has the shorts Uncle Otto’s Truck (a Stephen King story) and the drama Sea, Salt, Wind on the festival circuit right... Read More →
RW

Robert W. Filion

Film/Media/TV
avatar for Tom Gore

Tom Gore

Film/Media/TV, Film
Tom Gore was born and raised in Newport RI. Of Irish heritage, he realized from an early age that he enjoyed entertaining people with his offbeat sense of humor. After graduating he decided to put that on hold to join the Army and serve his country. With his drive and determination... Read More →
JH

Joh Harp

Film.Media/TV
CP
avatar for Angela Pritchett

Angela Pritchett

Virtual Guest Speaker, Film
Angela Pritchett is an actress, author, musician, costumer, podcaster, and makeup artist. She has been seen in films such as Plan 9, the Porkchop film trilogy, Pig Girl, and many others.Angela is an avid cosplayer and has been making her own costumes for the last seventeen years... Read More →
avatar for Shannon Strucci

Shannon Strucci

Film/Media/TV, New Media
Shannon Strucci is a filmmaker and podcast host known for her webseries FAKE FRIENDS, a series on parasocial relationships, her role as a player and host on the teen superhero body horror actual play podcast Critical Bits, and her role as film correspondent on the podcast Struggle... Read More →

Friday June 2, 2017 4:00pm - 5:00pm EDT
Lakeshore I
  Filmmaking
  • Length 1
  • Length 1

4:00pm EDT

The Best Genre Shows You Probably Aren't Watching
Grab a pad and pencil and write these down - these are shows you should be watching, but aren't!
Moderators
avatar for Chris Shrewsbury

Chris Shrewsbury

Fan Guest, Geek Life
Chris has volunteered, paneled, guested, staffed, and been committee at literally dozens of cons along the east coast for 30+ years.He’s a nationally certified sign language interpreter.   A Navy  veteran, he has worked as a pre-K through university teacher, and operated his own... Read More →

Speakers
avatar for Christopher DeLisle

Christopher DeLisle

Fan
A long time fan of all things geeky, Christopher refers to himself as an ethnic nerd who was raised in the geek orthodox tradition. He is an avid gamer and super hero enthusiast. His geek credentials include former production manager for Empire Games, acting as an assistant event... Read More →
avatar for Micki Knop

Micki Knop

Geek Life/Fan
Eternally curious about the unknown, the mysterious, the complex.
avatar for Jay Requard

Jay Requard

Literary Guest, Falstaff Books
Award-winning author of Epic Fantasy and Sword & Sorcery.
SC

Friday June 2, 2017 4:00pm - 5:00pm EDT
Lakeshore II
  Media/Fandom
  • Length 1
  • Length 1

4:00pm EDT

I Talk of Dreams
From faires to ghosts to love potions, Shakespeare's plays are jam-packed with fantasy elements. Is it any wonder fantasy writers have been lifting from his work for centuries? Let's talk about the influence of Shakespeare on modern fantasy literature, and where it might go in the years to come.
Moderators
avatar for John G. Hartness

John G. Hartness

Literary/Publisher, Falstaff Books
Long Bio -John G. Hartness is a teller of tales, a righter of wrong, defender of ladies’ virtues, and some people call him Maurice, for he speaks of the pompatus of love. He is also the award-winning author of the urban fantasy series The Black Knight Chronicles, the Bubba the Monster... Read More →

Speakers
VG
avatar for A.J. Hartley

A.J. Hartley

Author/Editor/Publisher
A.J. Hartley (also writing as Andrew Hart) is the NY Times bestselling author of 23 novels foradults and younger readers spanning multiple genres, notably mystery, thriller, fantasy andscience fiction. Recent work includes Impervious, which grew out of his experience of a schoolshooting... Read More →
avatar for Alledria Hurt

Alledria Hurt

Author - Self-Published
avatar for Nicole Givens Kurtz

Nicole Givens Kurtz

Author, Publisher, Mocha Memoirs Press
Nicole Givens Kurtz is an author, editor, and educator. She's the recipient of the Ladies of Horror Grant (2021), the Horror Writers Association's Diversity Grant (2020) and the two-time Atomacon Palmetto Scribe Award Winner (2021 and 2022). She's also the editor of the groundbreaking... Read More →
avatar for Emily Leverett

Emily Leverett

Author, Writing
Emily Lavin Leverett is an author, editor, and scholar. She is the author of the paranormal romance series The Wolf and the Nun based on the life and stories of 12th century abbess Marie de France: The Wolf and the Cloister, The Enchanted Rose, and The Song of the Black Wolf are out... Read More →

Friday June 2, 2017 4:00pm - 5:00pm EDT
Harris
  Writers
  • Length 1
  • Length 1

4:00pm EDT

The Dreaded Synopsis
Almost as bad as the query letter is the synopsis. Our authors will go through the process they follow when writing a synopsis, including differneces in techniques used when writing the synopsis before the manuscript versus after the manuscript.
Moderators
avatar for Rick Gualtieri

Rick Gualtieri

Author - Freewill Press, Writing
Rick Gualtieri loves adventure, snarky dialogue, and mayhem. So it's only natural that his bestselling Tome of Bill series kicks the mired status quo of vampire fiction straight in the teeth with its mix of supernatural chaos and sharp-tongued geeky humor. It's time to make the undead... Read More →

Speakers
avatar for Quincy J. Allen

Quincy J. Allen

Author, Quincy J. Allen
National Bestselling Author Quincy J. Allen is a cross-genre author with a wide assortment of publications under his belt. His media tie-in novel Colt the Outlander: Shadow of Ruin was a Scribe Award finalist in 2019, and his noir sci-fi novel Chemical Burn was a Colorado Gold Aw... Read More →
avatar for Samantha Bryant

Samantha Bryant

Author, Dangerous When Bored
Superhero novelist, feminist, teacher, classic and cult movie buff, mother and tea-drinker. Get my Menopausal Superhero series from the Falstaff table at the convention! Find me online http://samanthabryant.com Twitter and Instagram @samanthabwriter Facebook @samanthadunawaybryan... Read More →
avatar for Jason T. Graves

Jason T. Graves

Literary Guest, Writing
Author, editor, illustrator, publisher—Jason Graves is the author of four novels: Blood Roses, Morning Stars, The Alewife: Curse of Obsession, and Gretchen Thyrd: On the Bridge, and two published short stories. He is also the founder and publisher of Prospective Press. Learn more... Read More →
avatar for David B. Coe/D.B. Jackson

David B. Coe/D.B. Jackson

Author, Editor, Writing
Biography of David B. Coe David B. Coe/D.B. Jackson is the author of more than two dozen novels and as many short stories. As D.B. Jackson (http://www.DBJackson-Author.com), he is the author of the Thieftaker Chronicles, a series set in pre-Revolutionary Boston that combines elements... Read More →
avatar for Gray Rinehart

Gray Rinehart

Literary Guest
Gray Rinehart writes science fiction and fantasy stories, nonfiction, songs ... and other things. He is the only person to have commanded an Air Force satellite tracking station, written speeches for Presidential appointees, originated a poetic form, and had music on The Dr. Demento... Read More →

Friday June 2, 2017 4:00pm - 5:00pm EDT
Walden
  Writers
  • Length 1
  • Length 1

4:30pm EDT

The History of Disney Themeparks
Guest George Tayler discusses the history of Disney's themeparks and how to make the most of your visit.
Moderators
GT

Friday June 2, 2017 4:30pm - 5:30pm EDT
Olmstead
  Media/Fandom

5:00pm EDT

Welcome to ConCarolinas 2017
Moderators
avatar for Rich

Rich

Fan Guest
To say that I enjoy podcasting and new media would be a gross understatement. My credits include mentions in high school and collegiate papers, newspapers, Podcasting for Dummies, and Advanced Podcasting Tricks. I have been called an innovator, having created the first fandom podcast... Read More →

Speakers
CB
JB
avatar for The Blibbering Humdingers

The Blibbering Humdingers

Performance
Salaciously whimsical, neo-retro, post-nihilist Wizard Rock for nerds, geeks, jedi, browncoats, Whovians and all manner of hoopy froods. Their sound is kinda rock, kinda old-timey, kinda folky, kinda do-wop, kinda broadway, and 100% fun. Find 'em on Spotify, iTunes, GooglePlay and... Read More →
avatar for JustJess

JustJess

WCCB, Charlotte's CW
Hey everyone! I'm the creator and host of "Super Chat," a web series where local guests and I break down the CW super hero shows. You can also find me on WCCB News Rising on Monday and Thursday mornings. Add me on social media @JustJessWCCB if you want to chat about the CW shows... Read More →
SK
KL
MM
SO
AV
TW

Friday June 2, 2017 5:00pm - 6:00pm EDT
Lakeshore III/IV
  Main
  • Length 1
  • Length 1

5:00pm EDT

Spiritualism and Occult in Victorian Times
What was it about the Victorian era that had everyone mad for the occult? Let's discuss the occult phenomenon and how it affected Victorian life and times.
Moderators
avatar for Tally Johnson

Tally Johnson

Paranormal
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 he also has a story in An... Read More →

Speakers
avatar for Chuck Carte

Chuck Carte

Paranormal
Chuck Carte is an artist, writer, director, comedian, and cosplayer from the Charlotte area. He is the founder of Carolina Tardis, an organization that raises money for charity, and is one half of the Sci-Fried Eggs, a science fiction based podcast. Carte is a prop builder of both... Read More →
avatar for Nickie Jamison

Nickie Jamison

Literary Guest
Nickie Jamison wrote her first full-length novel at age 10 – that creative endeavor sparked her desire to begin a writing career. Her stories dabble in and blend many different genres; science fiction, fantasy, romance, erotica, poetry, horror...whatever captures her fancy. Ms... Read More →
avatar for The Long Losts

The Long Losts

Performance, The Long Losts
Hailing from New York, The Long Losts are a musical act made up of vocalist Anka and her husband Patrick on guitar that began in 2012 with the creation of their first song, “If Only Boris Karloff Was My Dad.” In 2014 they released their first album, “Scary Songs To Play In the... Read More →
TR

Tina R. McSwain

Paranormal, CAPS - The Charlotte Area Paranormal Society
I am a well respected paranormal investigator and researcher with over 20 year experience. I founded CAPS - The Charlotte Area Paranormal Society in 2005 and we are still going strong today. We take a scientific approach to the study of all types of paranormal activity.
avatar for Calandra Usher

Calandra Usher

Calandra Usher, born and raised in Northport NY (Long Island), graduated from SUNY Buffalo with a BFA in Sculpture and became a certified K-12 art teacher. She spent a year in the Peace Corps in Ghana, West Africa, teaching art in a deaf school. She and her family lived in Detroit... Read More →

Friday June 2, 2017 5:00pm - 6:00pm EDT
Burnham
  Paranormal
  • Length 1
  • Length 1

5:00pm EDT

Sherrilyn Kenyon Book Signing
Friday June 2, 2017 5:00pm - 6:00pm EDT
University
  Writers

5:00pm EDT

Who Wants to Live Forever?
Lots of stories explore the desire to avoid dying. But is immortality truly the gift it would seem to be? Would everyone be able to take part in whatever techonlogy made it possible? What are the social implications of living for eternity?
Moderators
avatar for Faith Hunter

Faith Hunter

Author, Writing
New York Times bestselling author Faith Hunter has written the Jane Yellowrock series and the Rogue Mage series, as well as the Rogue Mage Role Playing Game. The Soulwood series will be a paranormal crime solving trilogy featuring Nell Nicholson Ingram. Under the pen name Gwen Hunter... Read More →

Speakers
avatar for J.D. Blackrose
avatar for Gail Z. Martin

Gail Z. Martin

Literary Guest, Writing
Gail Z. Martin is the author of Scourge: A Darkhurst Novel, from Solaris Books. Gail is also the author of Vendetta: A Deadly Curiosities Novel and Trifles and Folly 1: A Deadly Curiosities Collection, the latest in her urban fantasy series set in Charleston, SC; Shadow and Flame is the fourth... Read More →
avatar for Kalayna Price

Kalayna Price

Author
USA Today Bestselling author Kalayna Price writes the Alex Craft Novels, a dark urban fantasy series from Penguin-Random House, and the Novels of Haven from Bell Bridge Books. Her works have been translated into several languages and are available around the world. Kalayna draws... Read More →
avatar for Linda Robertson

Linda Robertson

Literary Guest
Linda Robertson is an internationally published author. She won first place in the OSU/Mansfield Florence B. Allen writing competition (2006). Since then, she's earned a cum laude Associate of the Art’s Degree in English and published several novels and short stories. In addition... Read More →
TT

Friday June 2, 2017 5:00pm - 6:00pm EDT
Harris
  Writers
  • Length 1
  • Length 1

5:00pm EDT

You'll Never Leave Harlan Alive
The only thing supernatural about the FX show Justified is the magical dialogue and writing. Join this panel of experts and super fans as they discuss the ways the show adapted Elmore Leonard's work into a series of brilliant characters and conversations. You will call this panel many things, but inarticulate will not be one of them. Underestimate these panelists at your peril.
Moderators
avatar for John G. Hartness

John G. Hartness

Literary/Publisher, Falstaff Books
Long Bio -John G. Hartness is a teller of tales, a righter of wrong, defender of ladies’ virtues, and some people call him Maurice, for he speaks of the pompatus of love. He is also the award-winning author of the urban fantasy series The Black Knight Chronicles, the Bubba the Monster... Read More →

Speakers
avatar for Misty Massey

Misty Massey

Literary Guest
Misty Massey is the author of MAD KESTREL, a rollicking adventure of magic on the high seas (Tor), KESTREL'S VOYAGES, a collection of short stories featuring those rambunctious pirates (Amazon) and the upcoming KESTREL'S DANCE (Lore Seekers Press).  She is a co-editor of THE WEIRD... Read More →
avatar for Melissa McArthur

Melissa McArthur

Literary Guest, Falstaff Books
Melissa McArthur is the founder and president of Clicking Keys Writer Services, a full-service editing, cover design, and layout company based in the upstate of South Carolina. She also serves as an Acquiring Editor for Falstaff Books, and is an accomplished editor and proofreader.Her... Read More →
avatar for Bobby Nash

Bobby Nash

Author
Bobby Nash is an award-winning author. He writes novels (Snow, Evil Ways, Deadly Games!, Nightveil: Crisis at the Crossroads of Infinity), comic books (Edgar Rice Burroughs’ At The Earth’s Core, Domino Lady, Operation: Silver Moon), short fiction (Domino Lady, Occupied Pulp, The... Read More →
avatar for Jay Requard

Jay Requard

Literary Guest, Falstaff Books
Award-winning author of Epic Fantasy and Sword & Sorcery.

Friday June 2, 2017 5:00pm - 6:00pm EDT
Walden
  Writers
  • Length 1
  • Length 1

5:30pm EDT

Comic Book Hour w/Sammie the Comic Book Man
Film guest Sammie the Comic Book Man brings his comics and knowledge to entertain the younglings!
Moderators
avatar for Sammie Cassell

Sammie Cassell

Film/Media/TV, Film
Sammie Cassell is a Stokesdale NC based producer/actor. As VP of Wreak Havoc Productions he has been involved with 5 feature films and 15 short films. Wreak Havoc has the shorts Uncle Otto’s Truck (a Stephen King story) and the drama Sea, Salt, Wind on the festival circuit right... Read More →

Friday June 2, 2017 5:30pm - 6:30pm EDT
Olmstead
  Kids
  • Length 1
  • Length 1

5:30pm EDT

The Hammer Vampires
The Dracula series, the Carmilla trilogy, and assorted oddities like LEGEND OF THE 7 GOLDEN VAMPIRES and VAMPIRE CIRCUS, England's Hammer studios defined the undead mythos for a generation.
Moderators
avatar for Bill Mulligan

Bill Mulligan

Film/Media/TV
Bill Mulligan could have sworn he had a bio but his students pointed out he did not, when they SHOULD have been working on their science festival projects. He is a filmmaker/special effects artist who has had the good fortune to be involved in a a number of award winning projects... Read More →

Speakers
avatar for Micki Knop

Micki Knop

Geek Life/Fan
Eternally curious about the unknown, the mysterious, the complex.
avatar for The Long Losts

The Long Losts

Performance, The Long Losts
Hailing from New York, The Long Losts are a musical act made up of vocalist Anka and her husband Patrick on guitar that began in 2012 with the creation of their first song, “If Only Boris Karloff Was My Dad.” In 2014 they released their first album, “Scary Songs To Play In the... Read More →
avatar for Michael G. Williams

Michael G. Williams

Literary Guest, Author
Michael G. Williams writes queer-themed science fiction, urban fantasy, and horror celebrating monsters, macabre humor, and subverted expectations. He’s the author of three series for Falstaff Books: the award-winning vampire/urban fantasy series The Withrow Chronicles; the th... Read More →

aaa poster hammer jpg
Friday June 2, 2017 5:30pm - 6:30pm EDT
Lakeshore I
  Media/Fandom
  • Length 1
  • Length 1

6:00pm EDT

Live Action Candy Crush
Everyone loves Candy Crush but Live Action Candy Crush lets the kids actually crush the candies! Everyone has 30 seconds to crush as many candies as they can.  The one who crushes the most candies gets a prize package.  Everyone will get to choose a piece of candy or a sticker (for non-candy eaters). Each participant will be given safety goggles to wear.  
Friday June 2, 2017 6:00pm - 6:30pm EDT
Courtyard
  Kids
  • Length 1.5

6:00pm EDT

Entering Your First Costume Contest
You have your costume, you're ready to show it off. How to make it through your very first costume masquerade.
Moderators
avatar for Brian Holloway

Brian Holloway

Costume, Union County Public Schools
Costume designer with over 27+ years experience for film television, and stage. Make-Up Supervisor and actor for Star Trek: New Voyages/PHASE II for 8+ years. Owner of Material Worlds Costuming. Convention moderator and panelist yearly at a variety of conventions. Professional actor... Read More →

Speakers
CL
avatar for DL Leonine

DL Leonine

Geek Life
avatar for Derek Nieman

Derek Nieman

Costuming
Derek Nieman has been part of the south east convention scene for over ten years. An original member of the Carolina Garrison of the 501st Legion, it goes almost without saying that Derek is a huge Star Wars fan. Not limited to just being a one trick fan boy, Derek also has a huge... Read More →
avatar for Angela Pritchett

Angela Pritchett

Virtual Guest Speaker, Film
Angela Pritchett is an actress, author, musician, costumer, podcaster, and makeup artist. She has been seen in films such as Plan 9, the Porkchop film trilogy, Pig Girl, and many others.Angela is an avid cosplayer and has been making her own costumes for the last seventeen years... Read More →

Friday June 2, 2017 6:00pm - 7:00pm EDT
Burnham
  Costuming
  • Length 1
  • Length 1

6:00pm EDT

Is Horror Dead? If So, Can It Come Back from the Dead?
Has all the remakes and reimaginings ruined the horror genre? Can it rise like a zombie and reclaim it's power?
Moderators
avatar for Shannon Strucci

Shannon Strucci

Film/Media/TV, New Media
Shannon Strucci is a filmmaker and podcast host known for her webseries FAKE FRIENDS, a series on parasocial relationships, her role as a player and host on the teen superhero body horror actual play podcast Critical Bits, and her role as film correspondent on the podcast Struggle... Read More →

Speakers
avatar for Jaysen P. Buterin

Jaysen P. Buterin

Film/Media/TV, Mad Ones Films
Writer. Director. Actor. Musician. Drummer (wait for it…). Model. Artist. Canvas. Columnist. Proudest Papa EVER. And as Creative Director of the straight jacket-tested/doctor-approved Mad Ones Films, from Greensboro North Carolina, Jaysen Buterin’s mission has been to show the... Read More →
avatar for Tom Gore

Tom Gore

Film/Media/TV, Film
Tom Gore was born and raised in Newport RI. Of Irish heritage, he realized from an early age that he enjoyed entertaining people with his offbeat sense of humor. After graduating he decided to put that on hold to join the Army and serve his country. With his drive and determination... Read More →
AM
CP

Friday June 2, 2017 6:00pm - 7:00pm EDT
Lakeshore II
  Media/Fandom
  • Length 1
  • Length 1

6:00pm EDT

Sci-Fi Whose Line Is It?
No script? No problem!  Pineapple-Shaped Lamps bring you their always original, spontaneous improv show! Complete with classic improv games and audience participation.  Be spontaneious and be there!
Speakers
PS

Friday June 2, 2017 6:00pm - 7:00pm EDT
Fountainview
  Performance
  • Length 1
  • Length 1

6:00pm EDT

I, For One, Welcome Our Robot Overlords
It started with our machines saying "hello" when we turned them on, and now every other household is asking Alexa for the news while making coffee in the morning. How long before we have robotic maids? And what happens when they decide they've had enought of us?
Moderators
avatar for James Nettles

James Nettles

Author, Podcaster, Workshop instructor, Science and Tech
James Nettles is a business and tech consultant by day and author by night, writing fiction, non-fiction, and a lot of stuff in between. He is a co-founder and tech director of the ConTinual online convention, host of numerous podcast and videocast shows, and frequent contributor... Read More →

Speakers
RF
avatar for Jim Craig

Jim Craig

There are more things that interest me than can fit in this space. But, for the con, I'm happy to talk about science (especially astronomy and evolution) and science fiction (especially the history of the genre). I'll be easy to spot. Just look for the red hat.
avatar for Dr. Ben Davis

Dr. Ben Davis

Professor, ECPI University
Ben Davis has a Ph.D. in Nuclear Physics and an M.S. in Nuclear Astrophysics from the University of Notre Dame. He taught at the collegiate level for several years on a number of technical subjects ranging from computer programming and math to, of course, astronomy and physics. In... Read More →
SO
avatar for Jonathan E Weaver

Jonathan E Weaver

Film/Media/TV

Friday June 2, 2017 6:00pm - 7:00pm EDT
Keynes
  Science
  • Length 1
  • Length 1

6:00pm EDT

Hold Onto the Light
Depression is a cruel mistress, and she targest a lot of creatives, some you might even know. Let's gather to talk about how to survive it together
Moderators
avatar for Gail Z. Martin

Gail Z. Martin

Literary Guest, Writing
Gail Z. Martin is the author of Scourge: A Darkhurst Novel, from Solaris Books. Gail is also the author of Vendetta: A Deadly Curiosities Novel and Trifles and Folly 1: A Deadly Curiosities Collection, the latest in her urban fantasy series set in Charleston, SC; Shadow and Flame is the fourth... Read More →

Speakers
avatar for Judy Black

Judy Black

Writer, Gaming
Judy Black is a writer who makes her home in Atlanta, Ga. She loves games, books, cats, and most things with caffeine. Her current series, The Finnegan Cabinet of Aberrations, is published with Falstaff Books. You can watch her Tabletop RPG group on Roll For Trouble... Read More →
avatar for John G. Hartness

John G. Hartness

Literary/Publisher, Falstaff Books
Long Bio -John G. Hartness is a teller of tales, a righter of wrong, defender of ladies’ virtues, and some people call him Maurice, for he speaks of the pompatus of love. He is also the award-winning author of the urban fantasy series The Black Knight Chronicles, the Bubba the Monster... Read More →
avatar for Darin Kennedy

Darin Kennedy

Literary Guest, Writing
Darin Kennedy, born and raised in Winston-Salem, NC, is a graduate of Wake Forest University and Bowman Gray School of Medicine. After completing family medicine residency in the mountains of Virginia, he served eight years as a United States Army physician and wrote his first novel... Read More →
avatar for Nicole Givens Kurtz

Nicole Givens Kurtz

Author, Publisher, Mocha Memoirs Press
Nicole Givens Kurtz is an author, editor, and educator. She's the recipient of the Ladies of Horror Grant (2021), the Horror Writers Association's Diversity Grant (2020) and the two-time Atomacon Palmetto Scribe Award Winner (2021 and 2022). She's also the editor of the groundbreaking... Read More →
avatar for Kalayna Price

Kalayna Price

Author
USA Today Bestselling author Kalayna Price writes the Alex Craft Novels, a dark urban fantasy series from Penguin-Random House, and the Novels of Haven from Bell Bridge Books. Her works have been translated into several languages and are available around the world. Kalayna draws... Read More →

Friday June 2, 2017 6:00pm - 7:00pm EDT
Harris
  Writers
  • Length 1
  • Length 1

6:00pm EDT

The Living City
Cities can have as much personality as characters. How do we create citiesw that are more than mere settings, but live and breathe as much as characters do?
Moderators
avatar for Alexandra Christian

Alexandra Christian

Literary Guest, Writing
Alexandra Christian is an author of mostly romance with a speculative slant. Her love of Stephen King and sweet tea has flavored her fiction with a Southern Gothic sensibility that reeks of Spanish moss and deep-fried eccentricity. Her guiding principle as a romance novelist has always... Read More →

Speakers
avatar for A.J. Hartley

A.J. Hartley

Author/Editor/Publisher
A.J. Hartley (also writing as Andrew Hart) is the NY Times bestselling author of 23 novels foradults and younger readers spanning multiple genres, notably mystery, thriller, fantasy andscience fiction. Recent work includes Impervious, which grew out of his experience of a schoolshooting... Read More →
avatar for Alledria Hurt

Alledria Hurt

Author - Self-Published
avatar for Tamsin Silver

Tamsin Silver

Author
TAMSIN SILVER is a Fantasy author based out of Albuquerque, NM. With a background in Theatre, it was only a natural progression that her storytelling found its way to book format. Her Historical Fantasy works include the Untold Legends series (about Billy the Kid) with Falstaff Books... Read More →

Friday June 2, 2017 6:00pm - 7:00pm EDT
Walden
  Writers
  • Length 1
  • Length 1

6:00pm EDT

Toni Weisskopf Book Signing
Speakers
TW

Friday June 2, 2017 6:00pm - 7:00pm EDT
University
  Writers

6:30pm EDT

Writing for Games
How is writing for the game industry different from other kinds of storytelling? How do you break in? What's happnening in the industry?
Moderators
CB

Speakers
JB
avatar for Robert Hudson

Robert Hudson

Gaming
Talk to me about my work for HERO Games, Misfit Studios, or Gunmetal Games, or the pulps and pulp characters/adventures, or, heck, anything. =)
avatar for Christina Stiles
avatar for Michael G. Williams

Michael G. Williams

Literary Guest, Author
Michael G. Williams writes queer-themed science fiction, urban fantasy, and horror celebrating monsters, macabre humor, and subverted expectations. He’s the author of three series for Falstaff Books: the award-winning vampire/urban fantasy series The Withrow Chronicles; the th... Read More →

Friday June 2, 2017 6:30pm - 7:30pm EDT
Olmstead
  Gaming
  • Length 1
  • Length 1

6:30pm EDT

Rocky Horror Fan Panel
We may not be showing the movie - but we are still going to Time Warp! Join Charming Underclothes as they celebrate all things Rocky!
Moderators
SC

Speakers
CU
AB
WB
BD

Friday June 2, 2017 6:30pm - 7:30pm EDT
Lakeshore I
  Media/Fandom
  • Length 1
  • Length 1

6:30pm EDT

Dimensional Riffs
Dimensional Riffs began as geeks cracking jokes and cranking out tunes.  After a while, they realized they were pretty good at it.
They'll be playing their tunes from their album Live in the Boudoir, where they took their favorite genres (Doctor Who, Firefly, Harry Potter, Sherlock, etc.) and made them into song!
Moderators
avatar for Dimensional Riffs

Dimensional Riffs

Performing Artists
Dimensional Riffs began as some geeks cracking jokes and cranking out tunes. After awhile, they realized that were pretty good at it. They take their favorite sci-fi genres (Doctor Who, Firefly, etc) and a bunch of other stuff from 21st century geekdom and tell the stories through... Read More →

Friday June 2, 2017 6:30pm - 7:30pm EDT
Lakeshore III/IV
  Performance
  • Length 1
  • Length 1

7:00pm EDT

My Oddist Encounter
Our paranormal guests discuss some of their strangest encounters with the ghostly realm.
Moderators
avatar for DL Leonine

DL Leonine

Geek Life

Speakers
VG
avatar for Tally Johnson

Tally Johnson

Paranormal
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 he also has a story in An... Read More →
TR

Tina R. McSwain

Paranormal, CAPS - The Charlotte Area Paranormal Society
I am a well respected paranormal investigator and researcher with over 20 year experience. I founded CAPS - The Charlotte Area Paranormal Society in 2005 and we are still going strong today. We take a scientific approach to the study of all types of paranormal activity.
avatar for Calandra Usher

Calandra Usher

Calandra Usher, born and raised in Northport NY (Long Island), graduated from SUNY Buffalo with a BFA in Sculpture and became a certified K-12 art teacher. She spent a year in the Peace Corps in Ghana, West Africa, teaching art in a deaf school. She and her family lived in Detroit... Read More →

Friday June 2, 2017 7:00pm - 8:00pm EDT
Burnham
  Paranormal
  • Length 1
  • Length 1

7:00pm EDT

So You Want to be a Podcaster
Here are the basics. What you need to start and where to put your podcast once you're done recording.
Moderators
avatar for Rich

Rich

Fan Guest
To say that I enjoy podcasting and new media would be a gross understatement. My credits include mentions in high school and collegiate papers, newspapers, Podcasting for Dummies, and Advanced Podcasting Tricks. I have been called an innovator, having created the first fandom podcast... Read More →

Speakers
avatar for Chuck Carte

Chuck Carte

Paranormal
Chuck Carte is an artist, writer, director, comedian, and cosplayer from the Charlotte area. He is the founder of Carolina Tardis, an organization that raises money for charity, and is one half of the Sci-Fried Eggs, a science fiction based podcast. Carte is a prop builder of both... Read More →
avatar for Darryl Mansel
GT

Friday June 2, 2017 7:00pm - 8:00pm EDT
Keynes
  Podcasting
  • Length 1
  • Length 1

7:00pm EDT

Broad Universe Rapid Fire Reading
Join our authors from the Broad universe as they read from their lastest works.
Moderators
avatar for Gail Z. Martin

Gail Z. Martin

Literary Guest, Writing
Gail Z. Martin is the author of Scourge: A Darkhurst Novel, from Solaris Books. Gail is also the author of Vendetta: A Deadly Curiosities Novel and Trifles and Folly 1: A Deadly Curiosities Collection, the latest in her urban fantasy series set in Charleston, SC; Shadow and Flame is the fourth... Read More →

Speakers
avatar for Samantha Bryant

Samantha Bryant

Author, Dangerous When Bored
Superhero novelist, feminist, teacher, classic and cult movie buff, mother and tea-drinker. Get my Menopausal Superhero series from the Falstaff table at the convention! Find me online http://samanthabryant.com Twitter and Instagram @samanthabwriter Facebook @samanthadunawaybryan... Read More →
avatar for Alexandra Christian

Alexandra Christian

Literary Guest, Writing
Alexandra Christian is an author of mostly romance with a speculative slant. Her love of Stephen King and sweet tea has flavored her fiction with a Southern Gothic sensibility that reeks of Spanish moss and deep-fried eccentricity. Her guiding principle as a romance novelist has always... Read More →
avatar for Nickie Jamison

Nickie Jamison

Literary Guest
Nickie Jamison wrote her first full-length novel at age 10 – that creative endeavor sparked her desire to begin a writing career. Her stories dabble in and blend many different genres; science fiction, fantasy, romance, erotica, poetry, horror...whatever captures her fancy. Ms... Read More →
avatar for Emily Leverett

Emily Leverett

Author, Writing
Emily Lavin Leverett is an author, editor, and scholar. She is the author of the paranormal romance series The Wolf and the Nun based on the life and stories of 12th century abbess Marie de France: The Wolf and the Cloister, The Enchanted Rose, and The Song of the Black Wolf are out... Read More →
avatar for Melissa McArthur

Melissa McArthur

Literary Guest, Falstaff Books
Melissa McArthur is the founder and president of Clicking Keys Writer Services, a full-service editing, cover design, and layout company based in the upstate of South Carolina. She also serves as an Acquiring Editor for Falstaff Books, and is an accomplished editor and proofreader.Her... Read More →
avatar for Margaret McGraw

Margaret McGraw

Editor/Author
Margaret S. McGraw is co-editor of the Predators in Petticoats anthology (Black Cat White Cat Books, 2020), as well as two anthologies about the wildest West that never was: Lawless Lands: Tales from the Weird Frontier (Falstaff Books, 2017) and The Weird Wild West (eSpec Books, 2015... Read More →

Friday June 2, 2017 7:00pm - 8:00pm EDT
Harris
  Writers
  • Length 1
  • Length 1

7:00pm EDT

Princess Alethea's Traveling Sideshow
Princess Alethea's Traveling Sideshow is a variety show spectacular starring authors performing songs, dance, skits and more!
Moderators
avatar for Alethea Kontis

Alethea Kontis

Author, Kingdom of Arilland
Alethea Kontis is a princess, author, fairy godmother, and geek. Her bestselling Books of Arilland fairytale series won two Gelett Burgess Children’s Book Awards (Enchanted and Tales of Arilland), and was twice nominated for the Andre Norton Award. Alethea also penned the AlphaOops... Read More →

Speakers
avatar for John G. Hartness

John G. Hartness

Literary/Publisher, Falstaff Books
Long Bio -John G. Hartness is a teller of tales, a righter of wrong, defender of ladies’ virtues, and some people call him Maurice, for he speaks of the pompatus of love. He is also the award-winning author of the urban fantasy series The Black Knight Chronicles, the Bubba the Monster... Read More →
avatar for David B. Coe/D.B. Jackson

David B. Coe/D.B. Jackson

Author, Editor, Writing
Biography of David B. Coe David B. Coe/D.B. Jackson is the author of more than two dozen novels and as many short stories. As D.B. Jackson (http://www.DBJackson-Author.com), he is the author of the Thieftaker Chronicles, a series set in pre-Revolutionary Boston that combines elements... Read More →
avatar for Misty Massey

Misty Massey

Literary Guest
Misty Massey is the author of MAD KESTREL, a rollicking adventure of magic on the high seas (Tor), KESTREL'S VOYAGES, a collection of short stories featuring those rambunctious pirates (Amazon) and the upcoming KESTREL'S DANCE (Lore Seekers Press).  She is a co-editor of THE WEIRD... Read More →
avatar for James Maxey

James Maxey

Author
I'm the author of two epic fantasy series (Dragon Age/Bitterwood and Dragon Apocalypse/Greatshadow), a superhero duet (Nobody Gets the Girl and Burn Baby Burn) and a steampunk Oz novel (Bad Wizard). My short stories have appeared in numerous magazines and anthologies, with the best... Read More →
avatar for Gray Rinehart

Gray Rinehart

Literary Guest
Gray Rinehart writes science fiction and fantasy stories, nonfiction, songs ... and other things. He is the only person to have commanded an Air Force satellite tracking station, written speeches for Presidential appointees, originated a poetic form, and had music on The Dr. Demento... Read More →

Friday June 2, 2017 7:00pm - 8:00pm EDT
Fountainview
  Writers
  • Length 1
  • Length 1

7:00pm EDT

Sherrilyn Kenyon Book Signing
Speakers
SK

Friday June 2, 2017 7:00pm - 8:00pm EDT
University
  Writers

7:00pm EDT

Stephanie Osborn Book Signing
Speakers
SO

Friday June 2, 2017 7:00pm - 8:00pm EDT
University
  Writers

7:00pm EDT

What Did You Do to my Work?
Your editor has returned your work, with red markings all over. Rather than scream at your editor and pull your work, let's see how you can use this experience to build a healthy relationship with your editor.
Moderators
avatar for Tamsin Silver

Tamsin Silver

Author
TAMSIN SILVER is a Fantasy author based out of Albuquerque, NM. With a background in Theatre, it was only a natural progression that her storytelling found its way to book format. Her Historical Fantasy works include the Untold Legends series (about Billy the Kid) with Falstaff Books... Read More →

Speakers
avatar for Quincy J. Allen

Quincy J. Allen

Author, Quincy J. Allen
National Bestselling Author Quincy J. Allen is a cross-genre author with a wide assortment of publications under his belt. His media tie-in novel Colt the Outlander: Shadow of Ruin was a Scribe Award finalist in 2019, and his noir sci-fi novel Chemical Burn was a Colorado Gold Aw... Read More →
avatar for J.D. Blackrose
avatar for Jason T. Graves

Jason T. Graves

Literary Guest, Writing
Author, editor, illustrator, publisher—Jason Graves is the author of four novels: Blood Roses, Morning Stars, The Alewife: Curse of Obsession, and Gretchen Thyrd: On the Bridge, and two published short stories. He is also the founder and publisher of Prospective Press. Learn more... Read More →
avatar for Bobby Nash

Bobby Nash

Author
Bobby Nash is an award-winning author. He writes novels (Snow, Evil Ways, Deadly Games!, Nightveil: Crisis at the Crossroads of Infinity), comic books (Edgar Rice Burroughs’ At The Earth’s Core, Domino Lady, Operation: Silver Moon), short fiction (Domino Lady, Occupied Pulp, The... Read More →
avatar for J.A. Sutherland

J.A. Sutherland

Author - Self-Published
J.A. Sutherland writes space opera with a very Age of Sail feel to it. When not reading or writing, he spends his time on roadtrips around the Southeast US searching for good barbecue.

Friday June 2, 2017 7:00pm - 8:00pm EDT
Walden
  Writers
  • Length 1
  • Length 1

7:30pm EDT

The Changing World of Game Publishing
What is new in the publishing field and what are the best ways to get your game from your brain to store shelves.
Moderators
avatar for Robert Hudson

Robert Hudson

Gaming
Talk to me about my work for HERO Games, Misfit Studios, or Gunmetal Games, or the pulps and pulp characters/adventures, or, heck, anything. =)

Speakers
JB
CB
avatar for Christina Stiles

Friday June 2, 2017 7:30pm - 8:30pm EDT
Olmstead
  Gaming
  • Length 1
  • Length 1

7:30pm EDT

You Picked a Fine Time to Beat Me, Lucille
So, we now know who was on the barbed wire end of Lucille and war is on the horizon. Will Negan win?  Will RIck yell "Coral"?  Will Eugen come back from the dark side?  What is with those junkyard people?  Let's talk Walking Dead!
Moderators
avatar for Michael D. Pederson

Michael D. Pederson

Fan Guest, RavenCon
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 published the fanzine Nth Degree for seventeen years, wrote and published the Raven comic book series, and edited... Read More →

Speakers
avatar for Sammie Cassell

Sammie Cassell

Film/Media/TV, Film
Sammie Cassell is a Stokesdale NC based producer/actor. As VP of Wreak Havoc Productions he has been involved with 5 feature films and 15 short films. Wreak Havoc has the shorts Uncle Otto’s Truck (a Stephen King story) and the drama Sea, Salt, Wind on the festival circuit right... Read More →
avatar for Darin Kennedy

Darin Kennedy

Literary Guest, Writing
Darin Kennedy, born and raised in Winston-Salem, NC, is a graduate of Wake Forest University and Bowman Gray School of Medicine. After completing family medicine residency in the mountains of Virginia, he served eight years as a United States Army physician and wrote his first novel... Read More →
avatar for Hurr and Madd

Hurr and Madd

Performance, Hurr and Madd
Hello Everyone! We are Hurr and Madd a cosplay music group that performs original electronic tales and songs from our soundtracks. Just to tell you a little bit about us, we are also authors of 3 fantasy books and each episodic book comes with a soundtrack of our music that accompanies... Read More →
avatar for Jay Requard

Jay Requard

Literary Guest, Falstaff Books
Award-winning author of Epic Fantasy and Sword & Sorcery.

Friday June 2, 2017 7:30pm - 8:30pm EDT
Lakeshore II
  Media/Fandom
  • Length 1
  • Length 1

7:30pm EDT

Comedy Rock Star Mikey Mason
Mikey Mason explodes on stage with a wit as fast as his mouth, infectiously hilarious original songs, and his completely twisted view. 

He is not right in the head and he likes it that way.

Mikey's act is somewhere between what we think and what we let ourselves say. And his songs...! With songs like, “I Hate Your Kids,” “Licky-Licky Night,” Reality Based Children's Songs,” “Ode To A Single Mother Of Two In The Apartment Next Door At 5:30AM,” and many, many more, Mikey is unabashed, unafraid, and unquestionably funny. He's the psycho stalker ex-boyfriend of comedy, except that you want to see him again. And again... And again...
Speakers
MM

Friday June 2, 2017 7:30pm - 8:30pm EDT
Lakeshore III/IV
  Performance
  • Length 1
  • Length 1

8:00pm EDT

Metal and a Pint
Join author Jason Gilbert and Valentive Wolfe as they discuss the mertis of good metal and good beer!
Speakers
avatar for Jason Gilbert

Jason Gilbert

Literary Guest
Jason is the author of The Clockworks of War series, The Rifle Chronicles, and urban fantasy series The Coldstone Files. His stories are Alternate History with an Urban Fantasy and Horror element set in worlds of the supernatural!
VW

Friday June 2, 2017 8:00pm - 9:00pm EDT
Fountainview
  Geek Life
  • Length 1
  • Length 1

8:00pm EDT

Science Fiction and Fantasy in the New World Order
What role can SF/F play in resistance movements? Does SF/F reflect national and global crises, and how can it help?
Moderators
JB

Speakers
avatar for Jeanne P. Adams

Jeanne P. Adams

Virtual Guest Speaker, Science and Tech
A lifelong reader and writer of fantasy and suspense, award-winning author Jeanne Adams is an extrovert in an introverted profession. So, she's always up for talking...about ANYTHING! Geekery of all kinds, reading, books, baseball, dogs and dog-showing, suspense, and body disposal... Read More →
avatar for Robert Bevan

Robert Bevan

Author, Writing
Robert Bevan took his first steps in comedy with The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, and his first steps in fantasy with Dungeons & Dragons. Over the years, these two loves mingled, festered, and congealed into the ever expanding Caverns & Creatures series of comedy/fantasy novels... Read More →
avatar for J.A. Sutherland

J.A. Sutherland

Author - Self-Published
J.A. Sutherland writes space opera with a very Age of Sail feel to it. When not reading or writing, he spends his time on roadtrips around the Southeast US searching for good barbecue.
avatar for Rysa Walker

Rysa Walker

Author, Skyscape
Rysa is the author of The CHRONOS Files series. Timebound, the first book in the series, was the Young Adult and Grand Prize winner in the 2013 Amazon Breakthrough Novel Awards. The Delphi Resistance, the second in her latest trilogy, will be published by Skyscape in October, 2017... Read More →

Friday June 2, 2017 8:00pm - 9:00pm EDT
Walden
  Writers
  • Length 1
  • Length 1

8:00pm EDT

War Stories from the Slush Pile
Editors and publishers gather to talk abou tsome of the most difficult submissions they've ever dealt with coming over the transom.
Moderators
avatar for Emily Leverett

Emily Leverett

Author, Writing
Emily Lavin Leverett is an author, editor, and scholar. She is the author of the paranormal romance series The Wolf and the Nun based on the life and stories of 12th century abbess Marie de France: The Wolf and the Cloister, The Enchanted Rose, and The Song of the Black Wolf are out... Read More →

Speakers
avatar for Jason T. Graves

Jason T. Graves

Literary Guest, Writing
Author, editor, illustrator, publisher—Jason Graves is the author of four novels: Blood Roses, Morning Stars, The Alewife: Curse of Obsession, and Gretchen Thyrd: On the Bridge, and two published short stories. He is also the founder and publisher of Prospective Press. Learn more... Read More →
VG
avatar for Margaret McGraw

Margaret McGraw

Editor/Author
Margaret S. McGraw is co-editor of the Predators in Petticoats anthology (Black Cat White Cat Books, 2020), as well as two anthologies about the wildest West that never was: Lawless Lands: Tales from the Weird Frontier (Falstaff Books, 2017) and The Weird Wild West (eSpec Books, 2015... Read More →

Friday June 2, 2017 8:00pm - 9:00pm EDT
Harris
  Writers
  • Length 1
  • Length 1

8:00pm EDT

Film Screening: Altered Spirits
Four young people are puled into an alternate dimension through a portal in a sweat lodge.  On the other side four murderous spirits of centuries-old gold hunters await to steal the young peoples' bodies and return to the living world. A sci-fi action film starring anime voice actors Richard Epcar, Vic Mignogna, Christina Vee, Spike Spencer and Stephen Weese.
Moderators
avatar for Jaysen P. Buterin

Jaysen P. Buterin

Film/Media/TV, Mad Ones Films
Writer. Director. Actor. Musician. Drummer (wait for it…). Model. Artist. Canvas. Columnist. Proudest Papa EVER. And as Creative Director of the straight jacket-tested/doctor-approved Mad Ones Films, from Greensboro North Carolina, Jaysen Buterin’s mission has been to show the... Read More →

Friday June 2, 2017 8:00pm - 9:30pm EDT
Lakeshore I
  Filmmaking
  • Length 1.5
  • Length 1.5

8:00pm EDT

Beast Claws and Shadow Alliance UNITE!
Authors Faith Hunter and Gail Z. Martin ask you to join then for a meet and greet session with their fan groups - The Beast Claws and the Shadow Alliance. Grab an autograph while your there!
Speakers
avatar for Faith Hunter

Faith Hunter

Author, Writing
New York Times bestselling author Faith Hunter has written the Jane Yellowrock series and the Rogue Mage series, as well as the Rogue Mage Role Playing Game. The Soulwood series will be a paranormal crime solving trilogy featuring Nell Nicholson Ingram. Under the pen name Gwen Hunter... Read More →
avatar for Gail Z. Martin

Gail Z. Martin

Literary Guest, Writing
Gail Z. Martin is the author of Scourge: A Darkhurst Novel, from Solaris Books. Gail is also the author of Vendetta: A Deadly Curiosities Novel and Trifles and Folly 1: A Deadly Curiosities Collection, the latest in her urban fantasy series set in Charleston, SC; Shadow and Flame is the fourth... Read More →

Friday June 2, 2017 8:00pm - 9:30pm EDT
Keynes
  Writers
  • Length 1.5
  • Length 1.5

8:30pm EDT

Bling and Glitter
Embellishing your costume to create a masterpiece.
Moderators
avatar for Tig Pollum

Tig Pollum

Fan
Tig is a geek of all trades. From Star Wars to Doctor Who, tabletop to video games, there isn't much she isn't into. She has a deep passion for costuming, having majored in costume design in college, and particularly loves historical and period costumes. Tig is fortunate enough to... Read More →

Speakers
MB
avatar for Tom Hutchens

Tom Hutchens

Costuming Guest, Mandalorian Mercs
Tom Hutchens is the founder & CEO of the Mandalorian Mercs Costume Club, and a professional armorsmith. As well as running one of the world’s largest STAR WARS™ fan organizations, Tom is also an accomplished armorsmith and widely regarded as the master of “Mandalorian” style... Read More →
CL
avatar for Derek Nieman

Derek Nieman

Costuming
Derek Nieman has been part of the south east convention scene for over ten years. An original member of the Carolina Garrison of the 501st Legion, it goes almost without saying that Derek is a huge Star Wars fan. Not limited to just being a one trick fan boy, Derek also has a huge... Read More →

Friday June 2, 2017 8:30pm - 9:30pm EDT
Burnham
  Costuming
  • Length 1
  • Length 1

9:00pm EDT

Crowdfunding and You
Whether you’re a podcaster, a writer, an artist or just looking for funds to pay for your next con room party, there are a multitude of crowdfunding options available. Our panelists discuss options they've used and recommend and how best to get the word out.
Moderators
avatar for Jonathan E Weaver

Jonathan E Weaver

Film/Media/TV

Speakers
avatar for Brian Holloway

Brian Holloway

Costume, Union County Public Schools
Costume designer with over 27+ years experience for film television, and stage. Make-Up Supervisor and actor for Star Trek: New Voyages/PHASE II for 8+ years. Owner of Material Worlds Costuming. Convention moderator and panelist yearly at a variety of conventions. Professional actor... Read More →
avatar for Darryl Mansel
avatar for Angela Pritchett

Angela Pritchett

Virtual Guest Speaker, Film
Angela Pritchett is an actress, author, musician, costumer, podcaster, and makeup artist. She has been seen in films such as Plan 9, the Porkchop film trilogy, Pig Girl, and many others.Angela is an avid cosplayer and has been making her own costumes for the last seventeen years... Read More →
avatar for Christina Stiles

Friday June 2, 2017 9:00pm - 10:00pm EDT
Olmstead
  Geek Life
  • Length 1
  • Length 1

9:00pm EDT

Gild the Mourn
The Fairytale themed Gothic Rock band, Gild the Mourn consists of members Angel and Gopal Metro. The duo started writing together in 2012, and formed Gild The Mourn in 2014. Inspired by their love of high fantasy and ghost stories, the music combines elements of gothic rock, dark wave, post-punk and classic fairytales to create a world beyond our own.
Speakers
avatar for Gild The Mourn

Gild The Mourn

Musical Guests, Gild The Mourn
Fairytale Themed Gothic Rock. https://www.youtube.com/user/gildthemourn
AM

Friday June 2, 2017 9:00pm - 10:00pm EDT
Lakeshore III/IV
  Performance
  • Length 1
  • Length 1

9:00pm EDT

Trek Rock with Nick Edelstein
"The Captain of Trek Rock is back! Nick Edelstein is an award-winning multi-instrumentalist and BMI composer whose work has been featured in video games, indie films, and on TV and radio worldwide. His latest album,Hobbies and Games explores life through the eyes of a guitar-slinging Star Trek Starfleet officer with fan favorites "Trek Girl," "Trekking Across The Stars," and "Rolling For Crits."


Moderators
avatar for Nick Edelstein

Nick Edelstein

Performance
The captain of Trek Rock!

Friday June 2, 2017 9:00pm - 10:00pm EDT
Fountainview
  Performance
  • Length 1
  • Length 1

9:00pm EDT

PSL Does Disney - Sketch Comedy Show
Wilmington, NC comedy troupe PIneapple-Shaped Lamps broke into the legendary "Disney vault" and came out with a brand-new sketch comedy show!  Nothing is sacred, as they mock and lampoon everything from Freaky Friday to Peter Pan! So strap on your ouse ears, take a bracing hit of pixie dust and watch PSL take on the Most Magical Place on Earth!
Speakers
PS

Friday June 2, 2017 9:00pm - 10:30pm EDT
Lakeshore II
  Performance

9:30pm EDT

Wigging Out
Styling, wearing, storing, maintaining....everything you wanted to know about wigs.
Moderators
CL

Speakers
MB

Friday June 2, 2017 9:30pm - 10:30pm EDT
Burnham
  Costuming
  • Length 1
  • Length 1

9:30pm EDT

Ghost Stories with Tally and Braxton
Ghost hunter and author Tally Johnson tells ghost stories with soundtrack from Braxton of Valentine Wolfe.  This is a duo that should not be missed!
Moderators
avatar for Tally Johnson

Tally Johnson

Paranormal
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 he also has a story in An... Read More →

Speakers
VW

Friday June 2, 2017 9:30pm - 11:00pm EDT
Walden
  Paranormal
  • Length 2.5
  • Length 2.5

9:30pm EDT

Pirate Karaoke with Captain Scurvy
Avast ye scurvy dogs! The Captain is in and he's asking you to sing for your grog! Grab the mic and show us what you got!  
Speakers
CS

Friday June 2, 2017 9:30pm - 11:30pm EDT
Harris
  Performance
  • Length 2
  • Length 2

10:00pm EDT

Being Alternative in Fandom
For all our trans, LGBTQ and generally "alternative" fans. Discussion of how SF/F has helped you on your journey.
Moderators
avatar for Tig Pollum

Tig Pollum

Fan
Tig is a geek of all trades. From Star Wars to Doctor Who, tabletop to video games, there isn't much she isn't into. She has a deep passion for costuming, having majored in costume design in college, and particularly loves historical and period costumes. Tig is fortunate enough to... Read More →

Speakers
avatar for Judy Black

Judy Black

Writer, Gaming
Judy Black is a writer who makes her home in Atlanta, Ga. She loves games, books, cats, and most things with caffeine. Her current series, The Finnegan Cabinet of Aberrations, is published with Falstaff Books. You can watch her Tabletop RPG group on Roll For Trouble... Read More →
avatar for Nickie Jamison

Nickie Jamison

Literary Guest
Nickie Jamison wrote her first full-length novel at age 10 – that creative endeavor sparked her desire to begin a writing career. Her stories dabble in and blend many different genres; science fiction, fantasy, romance, erotica, poetry, horror...whatever captures her fancy. Ms... Read More →
avatar for Maya Preisler

Maya Preisler

Artist Guest, Geek Life
Maya Preisler has been creating art and telling stories since they were old enough to hold a pen, writing and illustrating their first science fiction novel at age eight. Maya is the proud author of a genre-bending spec fic novel and a short story in Corvid-19. Their artwork graces... Read More →
avatar for Shannon Strucci

Shannon Strucci

Film/Media/TV, New Media
Shannon Strucci is a filmmaker and podcast host known for her webseries FAKE FRIENDS, a series on parasocial relationships, her role as a player and host on the teen superhero body horror actual play podcast Critical Bits, and her role as film correspondent on the podcast Struggle... Read More →
avatar for Michael G. Williams

Michael G. Williams

Literary Guest, Author
Michael G. Williams writes queer-themed science fiction, urban fantasy, and horror celebrating monsters, macabre humor, and subverted expectations. He’s the author of three series for Falstaff Books: the award-winning vampire/urban fantasy series The Withrow Chronicles; the th... Read More →

Friday June 2, 2017 10:00pm - 11:00pm EDT
Olmstead
  Geek Life
  • Length 1
  • Length 1

10:00pm EDT

Surviving the Zombie Apocalypse
Join our team of certified Zombie Experts in a semi-serious discussion as they tell you how to prepare, and more importantly, how to stay alive when the dead have taken over the world!
Moderators
D

Speakers
avatar for Dave Harlequin

Dave Harlequin

Media Guest, A Stranger Concept Films
Described by both press and colleagues as an "independent renaissance man" and "voice of the underground," Dave Harlequin is a professional screenwriter, journalist, producer, and independent filmmaker from Charlotte, North Carolina. He is the Creative Director of North Carolina based... Read More →
GM
avatar for Torch

Torch

Film/Media/TV, A Stranger Concept Productions
A seasoned veteran with over 20 years in the entertainment industry, Torch is a man who wears many hats. From event promoter and DJ to film producer, writer, and party host, there really isn’t anything he hasn’t done in the realm of entertainment. Torch is perhaps best known as... Read More →
avatar for Michael Ray Williams

Michael Ray Williams

Film/Media/TV, MadOnes Films
I'm an actor at heart, but an all around film/theatre extraordinaire.

Friday June 2, 2017 10:00pm - 11:00pm EDT
Lakeshore II
  Media/Fandom
  • Length 1

10:00pm EDT

The Long Losts
The Long Losts are a duo from NY made up of vocalist Anka and her husband Patrick on guitar that began in 2012. Their music combines goth and punk rock with lyrics inspired by their love for each other and the things that they love; Autumn, Halloween, nature, romance, ghosts and their memories all wrapped in a dark Victorian aesthetic.
Speakers
avatar for The Long Losts

The Long Losts

Performance, The Long Losts
Hailing from New York, The Long Losts are a musical act made up of vocalist Anka and her husband Patrick on guitar that began in 2012 with the creation of their first song, “If Only Boris Karloff Was My Dad.” In 2014 they released their first album, “Scary Songs To Play In the... Read More →

Friday June 2, 2017 10:00pm - 11:00pm EDT
Lakeshore III/IV
  Performance
  • Length 1
  • Length 1

10:00pm EDT

Riff This TV Show!
Our riffers are back for another round - only this time they are taking on Classic Trek!
Moderators
avatar for Rich

Rich

Fan Guest
To say that I enjoy podcasting and new media would be a gross understatement. My credits include mentions in high school and collegiate papers, newspapers, Podcasting for Dummies, and Advanced Podcasting Tricks. I have been called an innovator, having created the first fandom podcast... Read More →

Speakers
avatar for Carol Cowles

Carol Cowles

Fan Guest, Geek Life
Carol Cowles - Carol has long been a fixture of Geek Culture in Charlotte. 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 the weekly... Read More →
PS
avatar for Chris Shrewsbury

Chris Shrewsbury

Fan Guest, Geek Life
Chris has volunteered, paneled, guested, staffed, and been committee at literally dozens of cons along the east coast for 30+ years.He’s a nationally certified sign language interpreter.   A Navy  veteran, he has worked as a pre-K through university teacher, and operated his own... Read More →

Friday June 2, 2017 10:00pm - Saturday June 3, 2017 12:00am EDT
Lakeshore I
  Performance
  • Length 2
  • Length 2

10:30pm EDT

Hurr and Madd
Hurr and Madd is a high-energy cosplay fantasy music group that perform songs and stories from their original episodic book and soundtrack series. Their sound is a blend between DJ spins, electro-pop and alternative vocals, creating a live movie-like experience.
Speakers
avatar for Hurr and Madd

Hurr and Madd

Performance, Hurr and Madd
Hello Everyone! We are Hurr and Madd a cosplay music group that performs original electronic tales and songs from our soundtracks. Just to tell you a little bit about us, we are also authors of 3 fantasy books and each episodic book comes with a soundtrack of our music that accompanies... Read More →

Friday June 2, 2017 10:30pm - 11:30pm EDT
Fountainview
  Performance
  • Length 1
  • Length 1

11:00pm EDT

Campfire Songs
Some late night filking for your audio pleasure.  Bring a sleeping bag and wear your comfy pajamas!  Snacks will be available!
Moderators
M

Speakers
avatar for Nick Edelstein

Nick Edelstein

Performance
The captain of Trek Rock!
JH
avatar for Gray Rinehart

Gray Rinehart

Literary Guest
Gray Rinehart writes science fiction and fantasy stories, nonfiction, songs ... and other things. He is the only person to have commanded an Air Force satellite tracking station, written speeches for Presidential appointees, originated a poetic form, and had music on The Dr. Demento... Read More →

Friday June 2, 2017 11:00pm - Saturday June 3, 2017 12:00am EDT
Walden
  Filk
  • Length 2.5
  • Length 2.5

11:00pm EDT

Bride of Movies in Minutes
Sequel to last year's panel - Bill Mulligan and Jason Gilbert edit some classic and not so classic films to tiny, bite sized portions
Moderators
avatar for Bill Mulligan

Bill Mulligan

Film/Media/TV
Bill Mulligan could have sworn he had a bio but his students pointed out he did not, when they SHOULD have been working on their science festival projects. He is a filmmaker/special effects artist who has had the good fortune to be involved in a a number of award winning projects... Read More →

Speakers
avatar for Jason Gilbert

Jason Gilbert

Literary Guest
Jason is the author of The Clockworks of War series, The Rifle Chronicles, and urban fantasy series The Coldstone Files. His stories are Alternate History with an Urban Fantasy and Horror element set in worlds of the supernatural!

Friday June 2, 2017 11:00pm - Saturday June 3, 2017 12:00am EDT
Burnham
  Filmmaking
  • Length 1
  • Length 1

11:30pm EDT

The Dark Side of the Internet
The internet has become a haven for online trolls and bullies to anonymously lash out, with little repercussions. How to protect yourself and your loved ones from falling prey to online harrassment.
Moderators
avatar for Shannon Strucci

Shannon Strucci

Film/Media/TV, New Media
Shannon Strucci is a filmmaker and podcast host known for her webseries FAKE FRIENDS, a series on parasocial relationships, her role as a player and host on the teen superhero body horror actual play podcast Critical Bits, and her role as film correspondent on the podcast Struggle... Read More →

Speakers
avatar for Quincy J. Allen

Quincy J. Allen

Author, Quincy J. Allen
National Bestselling Author Quincy J. Allen is a cross-genre author with a wide assortment of publications under his belt. His media tie-in novel Colt the Outlander: Shadow of Ruin was a Scribe Award finalist in 2019, and his noir sci-fi novel Chemical Burn was a Colorado Gold Aw... Read More →
avatar for DL Leonine

DL Leonine

Geek Life
avatar for Hurr and Madd

Hurr and Madd

Performance, Hurr and Madd
Hello Everyone! We are Hurr and Madd a cosplay music group that performs original electronic tales and songs from our soundtracks. Just to tell you a little bit about us, we are also authors of 3 fantasy books and each episodic book comes with a soundtrack of our music that accompanies... Read More →
avatar for James Nettles

James Nettles

Author, Podcaster, Workshop instructor, Science and Tech
James Nettles is a business and tech consultant by day and author by night, writing fiction, non-fiction, and a lot of stuff in between. He is a co-founder and tech director of the ConTinual online convention, host of numerous podcast and videocast shows, and frequent contributor... Read More →
avatar for Michael D. Pederson

Michael D. Pederson

Fan Guest, RavenCon
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 published the fanzine Nth Degree for seventeen years, wrote and published the Raven comic book series, and edited... Read More →

Friday June 2, 2017 11:30pm - Saturday June 3, 2017 12:30am EDT
Keynes
  Geek Life
  • Length 1
  • Length 1

11:30pm EDT

Aurelio Voltaire
As a musician, he is a songwriter whose music can best be described as a collection of murder ballads, tongue-in-cheek exercises in the macabre, with just enough bawdy songs about Star Trek and Star Wars to keep a Con audience rolling in the aisles. Many know him for his song "Brains!" from the Cartoon Network show "The Grim Adventures of Billy And Mandy".
Voltaire's live shows, whether solo or with his skeletal orchestra, are highly theatrical -full of stories and games. The theatrical quality of his performances is not surprising; Voltaire has been directing commercials and animating short films for the last twenty years.
Speakers
AV

Friday June 2, 2017 11:30pm - Saturday June 3, 2017 12:30am EDT
Lakeshore III/IV
  Performance
  • Length 1
  • Length 1
 
Saturday, June 3
 

12:00am EDT

Coming Soon: The Greatest, Craziest, Goriest and Most Insane Movie Trailers!
We think the title kind of speaks for itself.
Moderators
avatar for Bill Mulligan

Bill Mulligan

Film/Media/TV
Bill Mulligan could have sworn he had a bio but his students pointed out he did not, when they SHOULD have been working on their science festival projects. He is a filmmaker/special effects artist who has had the good fortune to be involved in a a number of award winning projects... Read More →

Saturday June 3, 2017 12:00am - 1:00am EDT
Lakeshore I
  Filmmaking
  • Length 1
  • Length 1

12:00am EDT

This One Time….At Con
Guests share their weirdest, craziest and most outrageous con experiences.
Moderators
avatar for Dave Harlequin

Dave Harlequin

Media Guest, A Stranger Concept Films
Described by both press and colleagues as an "independent renaissance man" and "voice of the underground," Dave Harlequin is a professional screenwriter, journalist, producer, and independent filmmaker from Charlotte, North Carolina. He is the Creative Director of North Carolina based... Read More →

Speakers
JA
avatar for Chuck Carte

Chuck Carte

Paranormal
Chuck Carte is an artist, writer, director, comedian, and cosplayer from the Charlotte area. He is the founder of Carolina Tardis, an organization that raises money for charity, and is one half of the Sci-Fried Eggs, a science fiction based podcast. Carte is a prop builder of both... Read More →
D
CP
avatar for Torch

Torch

Film/Media/TV, A Stranger Concept Productions
A seasoned veteran with over 20 years in the entertainment industry, Torch is a man who wears many hats. From event promoter and DJ to film producer, writer, and party host, there really isn’t anything he hasn’t done in the realm of entertainment. Torch is perhaps best known as... Read More →
FW
avatar for Michael G. Williams

Michael G. Williams

Literary Guest, Author
Michael G. Williams writes queer-themed science fiction, urban fantasy, and horror celebrating monsters, macabre humor, and subverted expectations. He’s the author of three series for Falstaff Books: the award-winning vampire/urban fantasy series The Withrow Chronicles; the th... Read More →

Saturday June 3, 2017 12:00am - 1:30am EDT
Olmstead
  Geek Life
  • Length 1.5
  • Length 1.5

9:00am EDT

Handling Rejection
Rejection is just a part of the life of a writer, but that doesn't make it any easier to survive. How do you handle the pain of being turned down, and move forward?
Moderators
avatar for Jeanne P. Adams

Jeanne P. Adams

Virtual Guest Speaker, Science and Tech
A lifelong reader and writer of fantasy and suspense, award-winning author Jeanne Adams is an extrovert in an introverted profession. So, she's always up for talking...about ANYTHING! Geekery of all kinds, reading, books, baseball, dogs and dog-showing, suspense, and body disposal... Read More →

Speakers
TB
avatar for Alexandra Duncan
HH

Harry Heckel

Author
Harry Heckel has written role-playing games and fiction for two decades. His latest work is The Dark Lord from Harper Voyager Impulse as part of the writing team of Jack Heckel, in which Avery, grad student at the Mysterium University, takes the role of The Dark Lord. When things... Read More →
avatar for Melissa McArthur

Melissa McArthur

Literary Guest, Falstaff Books
Melissa McArthur is the founder and president of Clicking Keys Writer Services, a full-service editing, cover design, and layout company based in the upstate of South Carolina. She also serves as an Acquiring Editor for Falstaff Books, and is an accomplished editor and proofreader.Her... Read More →
avatar for Linda Robertson

Linda Robertson

Literary Guest
Linda Robertson is an internationally published author. She won first place in the OSU/Mansfield Florence B. Allen writing competition (2006). Since then, she's earned a cum laude Associate of the Art’s Degree in English and published several novels and short stories. In addition... Read More →

Saturday June 3, 2017 9:00am - 10:00am EDT
Walden
  Writers
  • Length 1
  • Length 1

9:00am EDT

When Does It End?
Are you writing a stand-alone, a trilogy or a miltibook epic? How do you know how long your series should run?
Moderators
JB

Speakers
avatar for Samantha Bryant

Samantha Bryant

Author, Dangerous When Bored
Superhero novelist, feminist, teacher, classic and cult movie buff, mother and tea-drinker. Get my Menopausal Superhero series from the Falstaff table at the convention! Find me online http://samanthabryant.com Twitter and Instagram @samanthabwriter Facebook @samanthadunawaybryan... Read More →
avatar for A.J. Hartley

A.J. Hartley

Author/Editor/Publisher
A.J. Hartley (also writing as Andrew Hart) is the NY Times bestselling author of 23 novels foradults and younger readers spanning multiple genres, notably mystery, thriller, fantasy andscience fiction. Recent work includes Impervious, which grew out of his experience of a schoolshooting... Read More →
avatar for Drew Hayes

Drew Hayes

Author, Thunder Pear Publishing
avatar for Dave Schroeder

Dave Schroeder

Author - Self-Published, Spiral Arm Press
I'm a retired Chief Information Officer and the author of the Xenotech Support series of science fiction humor novels as well as the owner of Spiral Arm Press. Ask me about my books, self-publishing (especially designing printed book interiors) and the Atlanta Radio Theatre Co... Read More →
TT

Saturday June 3, 2017 9:00am - 10:00am EDT
Harris
  Writers
  • Length 1
  • Length 1

9:30am EDT

ConCarolinas Film Festival
The annual ConCarolians Film Festival.

Moderators
avatar for Bill Mulligan

Bill Mulligan

Film/Media/TV
Bill Mulligan could have sworn he had a bio but his students pointed out he did not, when they SHOULD have been working on their science festival projects. He is a filmmaker/special effects artist who has had the good fortune to be involved in a a number of award winning projects... Read More →

Saturday June 3, 2017 9:30am - 1:00pm EDT
Lakeshore I
  Filmmaking
  • Length 3.5
  • Length 3.5

10:00am EDT

Gamemastering 101
Here are the basics!  Begin your quest to become the ultimate gamemaster!
Moderators
avatar for Robert Hudson

Robert Hudson

Gaming
Talk to me about my work for HERO Games, Misfit Studios, or Gunmetal Games, or the pulps and pulp characters/adventures, or, heck, anything. =)

Speakers
JB
CB
HH

Harry Heckel

Author
Harry Heckel has written role-playing games and fiction for two decades. His latest work is The Dark Lord from Harper Voyager Impulse as part of the writing team of Jack Heckel, in which Avery, grad student at the Mysterium University, takes the role of The Dark Lord. When things... Read More →
avatar for Drew Meyer

Drew Meyer

Gaming/Podcasting/Author
Drew Meyer is a Children's Library Assistant and Educator who moonlights as a Podcaster and Game Designer. He is behind on all his deadlines. He may or may not have a beard. 
avatar for Maya Preisler

Maya Preisler

Artist Guest, Geek Life
Maya Preisler has been creating art and telling stories since they were old enough to hold a pen, writing and illustrating their first science fiction novel at age eight. Maya is the proud author of a genre-bending spec fic novel and a short story in Corvid-19. Their artwork graces... Read More →
avatar for Jim Ryan

Jim Ryan

Geek Life
Jim Ryan’s true origins are unknown, but it is rumored he came into being when someone attempted to read a Gaelic translation of the Necronomicon backwards in front of a Large Hadron Collider. Jim plays a massive number of tabletop role-playing games, is a fan of Doctor Who, Star... Read More →
avatar for Michael G. Williams

Michael G. Williams

Literary Guest, Author
Michael G. Williams writes queer-themed science fiction, urban fantasy, and horror celebrating monsters, macabre humor, and subverted expectations. He’s the author of three series for Falstaff Books: the award-winning vampire/urban fantasy series The Withrow Chronicles; the th... Read More →

Saturday June 3, 2017 10:00am - 11:00am EDT
Olmstead
  Gaming
  • Length 1
  • Length 1

10:00am EDT

Netflix and the Art of the Marvel Superhero
Discussion of all things Marvel TV.  Is Netflix doing Marvel proud or should more attention be paid to the shows on standard TV?
Moderators
avatar for Jonathan E Weaver

Jonathan E Weaver

Film/Media/TV

Speakers
avatar for Darryl Mansel
MB

Matthew B. Moore

Film/Media/TV
avatar for Joey Starnes

Joey Starnes

Fan Guest, Geek Life
Joey Starnes (aka the Giddy Geeker) does not claim to be an expert on all geekeries – she's just happy to organize it. She runs the Charlotte Geeks, home of the Guardians of the Geekery podcast, the Geek Gala, and the Muggles Market.  Her main geekdoms include Doctor Who, Harry... Read More →

Saturday June 3, 2017 10:00am - 11:00am EDT
Lakeshore II
  Media/Fandom
  • Length 1
  • Length 1

10:00am EDT

They Fight!
Charles Holmes of Shakespeare Carolina demonstrates how to stage combat fighting!
Moderators
CH

Charles Holmes

Performance

Saturday June 3, 2017 10:00am - 11:00am EDT
Lakeshore III/IV
  Performance
  • Length 1
  • Length 1

10:00am EDT

Raising the Next Generation of Scientists
Science is sometimes a difficult subject to get kids involved in. Let's discuss how to encourance your kids to get involved and have fun learning science.
Moderators
avatar for James Nettles

James Nettles

Author, Podcaster, Workshop instructor, Science and Tech
James Nettles is a business and tech consultant by day and author by night, writing fiction, non-fiction, and a lot of stuff in between. He is a co-founder and tech director of the ConTinual online convention, host of numerous podcast and videocast shows, and frequent contributor... Read More →

Speakers
RF
avatar for Tom Gore

Tom Gore

Film/Media/TV, Film
Tom Gore was born and raised in Newport RI. Of Irish heritage, he realized from an early age that he enjoyed entertaining people with his offbeat sense of humor. After graduating he decided to put that on hold to join the Army and serve his country. With his drive and determination... Read More →
GM
SO
avatar for Puvithel Rajan

Puvithel Rajan

Artist
Puvithel makes and designs handmade jewelry and accessories, clothing and handbags for J-fashion and alternative styles. Her motifis include detail work, over-the-top gothic designs, and vector and laser cut work. You can purchase your own Puvithel items at RuffleCon from their booth... Read More →

Saturday June 3, 2017 10:00am - 11:00am EDT
Keynes
  Science
  • Length 1
  • Length 1

10:00am EDT

Frankenstein and the Danger of Modern Hubris
Moderators
avatar for Nicole Givens Kurtz

Nicole Givens Kurtz

Author, Publisher, Mocha Memoirs Press
Nicole Givens Kurtz is an author, editor, and educator. She's the recipient of the Ladies of Horror Grant (2021), the Horror Writers Association's Diversity Grant (2020) and the two-time Atomacon Palmetto Scribe Award Winner (2021 and 2022). She's also the editor of the groundbreaking... Read More →

Speakers
avatar for Alexandra Christian

Alexandra Christian

Literary Guest, Writing
Alexandra Christian is an author of mostly romance with a speculative slant. Her love of Stephen King and sweet tea has flavored her fiction with a Southern Gothic sensibility that reeks of Spanish moss and deep-fried eccentricity. Her guiding principle as a romance novelist has always... Read More →
avatar for Alledria Hurt

Alledria Hurt

Author - Self-Published
avatar for Darin Kennedy

Darin Kennedy

Literary Guest, Writing
Darin Kennedy, born and raised in Winston-Salem, NC, is a graduate of Wake Forest University and Bowman Gray School of Medicine. After completing family medicine residency in the mountains of Virginia, he served eight years as a United States Army physician and wrote his first novel... Read More →
avatar for J.A. Sutherland

J.A. Sutherland

Author - Self-Published
J.A. Sutherland writes space opera with a very Age of Sail feel to it. When not reading or writing, he spends his time on roadtrips around the Southeast US searching for good barbecue.

Saturday June 3, 2017 10:00am - 11:00am EDT
Walden
  Writers
  • Length 1
  • Length 1

10:00am EDT

Going for the Laughs
Writing humor isn't easy. How do you create funny stories without completely bombing?
Moderators
avatar for John G. Hartness

John G. Hartness

Literary/Publisher, Falstaff Books
Long Bio -John G. Hartness is a teller of tales, a righter of wrong, defender of ladies’ virtues, and some people call him Maurice, for he speaks of the pompatus of love. He is also the award-winning author of the urban fantasy series The Black Knight Chronicles, the Bubba the Monster... Read More →

Speakers
avatar for Robert Bevan

Robert Bevan

Author, Writing
Robert Bevan took his first steps in comedy with The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, and his first steps in fantasy with Dungeons & Dragons. Over the years, these two loves mingled, festered, and congealed into the ever expanding Caverns & Creatures series of comedy/fantasy novels... Read More →
avatar for Rick Gualtieri

Rick Gualtieri

Author - Freewill Press, Writing
Rick Gualtieri loves adventure, snarky dialogue, and mayhem. So it's only natural that his bestselling Tome of Bill series kicks the mired status quo of vampire fiction straight in the teeth with its mix of supernatural chaos and sharp-tongued geeky humor. It's time to make the undead... Read More →
avatar for Drew Hayes

Drew Hayes

Author, Thunder Pear Publishing
avatar for Alethea Kontis

Alethea Kontis

Author, Kingdom of Arilland
Alethea Kontis is a princess, author, fairy godmother, and geek. Her bestselling Books of Arilland fairytale series won two Gelett Burgess Children’s Book Awards (Enchanted and Tales of Arilland), and was twice nominated for the Andre Norton Award. Alethea also penned the AlphaOops... Read More →
SW

Saturday June 3, 2017 10:00am - 11:00am EDT
Harris
  Writers
  • Length 1
  • Length 1

10:00am EDT

SCA Parade and Tournament
The SCA will start the day with a parade through the Convention area then move to the courtyard to host a tournament based on David Eddings' Begariad.
Saturday June 3, 2017 10:00am - 11:30am EDT
Courtyard
  Geek Life
  • Length 1.5

10:00am EDT

Scavenger Hunt!
Spend the day roaming the con and hunt for items while you're doing it!  Scavenger Hunt sheets are located at the Information Desk!
Saturday June 3, 2017 10:00am - 5:00pm EDT
TBA
  Kids

10:00am EDT

Dealer Room
Find unique wares and our Media and Author Guests of Honor and Special Guests
Saturday June 3, 2017 10:00am - 6:00pm EDT
University
  Geek Life
  • Length 8

10:30am EDT

Costuming on a Budget
Want to look like a Queen, but have a pauper's paycheck? Here are some tips and tricks to make the most of your money!
Moderators
avatar for DL Leonine

DL Leonine

Geek Life

Speakers
MB
avatar for Tom Hutchens

Tom Hutchens

Costuming Guest, Mandalorian Mercs
Tom Hutchens is the founder & CEO of the Mandalorian Mercs Costume Club, and a professional armorsmith. As well as running one of the world’s largest STAR WARS™ fan organizations, Tom is also an accomplished armorsmith and widely regarded as the master of “Mandalorian” style... Read More →
avatar for Derek Nieman

Derek Nieman

Costuming
Derek Nieman has been part of the south east convention scene for over ten years. An original member of the Carolina Garrison of the 501st Legion, it goes almost without saying that Derek is a huge Star Wars fan. Not limited to just being a one trick fan boy, Derek also has a huge... Read More →
avatar for Tig Pollum

Tig Pollum

Fan
Tig is a geek of all trades. From Star Wars to Doctor Who, tabletop to video games, there isn't much she isn't into. She has a deep passion for costuming, having majored in costume design in college, and particularly loves historical and period costumes. Tig is fortunate enough to... Read More →
avatar for Angela Pritchett

Angela Pritchett

Virtual Guest Speaker, Film
Angela Pritchett is an actress, author, musician, costumer, podcaster, and makeup artist. She has been seen in films such as Plan 9, the Porkchop film trilogy, Pig Girl, and many others.Angela is an avid cosplayer and has been making her own costumes for the last seventeen years... Read More →
avatar for Mikki Stith

Mikki Stith

Marketing & Communications Director, Theatre Raleigh
Michaeline's (aka "Mikki") first love was the theatre, but she now finds herself in marketing. After more than a decade of hands-on experience in event and experiential marketing, she spent years working for marketing agencies that focused on digital solutions. Now, Mikki serves as... Read More →

Saturday June 3, 2017 10:30am - 11:30am EDT
Burnham
  Costuming
  • Length 1
  • Length 1

10:30am EDT

Taking Care of Widows and Orphans: Designing Beautiful Book Interiors
Dave Schroeder, owner of Spiral Arm Press, gives an overview on how to create beautiful book interiors.  Geared toward self published authors. 
Moderators
avatar for Dave Schroeder

Dave Schroeder

Author - Self-Published, Spiral Arm Press
I'm a retired Chief Information Officer and the author of the Xenotech Support series of science fiction humor novels as well as the owner of Spiral Arm Press. Ask me about my books, self-publishing (especially designing printed book interiors) and the Atlanta Radio Theatre Co... Read More →

Saturday June 3, 2017 10:30am - 12:00pm EDT
Boardroom
  Workshop
  • Length 1.5

11:00am EDT

Surviving Conventions With Your Kids
Geeky parents give advice on how to survive the con experience when you bring the smallest of fans with you.
Moderators
avatar for Tera Fulbright

Tera Fulbright

Director of Guests & Programming, ConGregate Productions, Inc
With over 20 years of event planning experience, Tera Fulbright uses that knowledge to create new and different programming at ConGregate – a convention for the fans, by the fans.She is also the author of several short stories including her first, “History in the Making” published... Read More →

Speakers
JB
avatar for Chris Shrewsbury

Chris Shrewsbury

Fan Guest, Geek Life
Chris has volunteered, paneled, guested, staffed, and been committee at literally dozens of cons along the east coast for 30+ years.He’s a nationally certified sign language interpreter.   A Navy  veteran, he has worked as a pre-K through university teacher, and operated his own... Read More →

Saturday June 3, 2017 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT
Olmstead
  Geek Life
  • Length 1
  • Length 1

11:00am EDT

The Game is Afoot!
Sherlock Holmes is still as influential as he was a hundred years ago. What is your favorite incarnation of the famous sleuth?
Moderators
avatar for Alexandra Christian

Alexandra Christian

Literary Guest, Writing
Alexandra Christian is an author of mostly romance with a speculative slant. Her love of Stephen King and sweet tea has flavored her fiction with a Southern Gothic sensibility that reeks of Spanish moss and deep-fried eccentricity. Her guiding principle as a romance novelist has always... Read More →

Speakers
avatar for Judy Black

Judy Black

Writer, Gaming
Judy Black is a writer who makes her home in Atlanta, Ga. She loves games, books, cats, and most things with caffeine. Her current series, The Finnegan Cabinet of Aberrations, is published with Falstaff Books. You can watch her Tabletop RPG group on Roll For Trouble... Read More →
RF
avatar for Jason Gilbert

Jason Gilbert

Literary Guest
Jason is the author of The Clockworks of War series, The Rifle Chronicles, and urban fantasy series The Coldstone Files. His stories are Alternate History with an Urban Fantasy and Horror element set in worlds of the supernatural!
avatar for Nickie Jamison

Nickie Jamison

Literary Guest
Nickie Jamison wrote her first full-length novel at age 10 – that creative endeavor sparked her desire to begin a writing career. Her stories dabble in and blend many different genres; science fiction, fantasy, romance, erotica, poetry, horror...whatever captures her fancy. Ms... Read More →
avatar for Melissa McArthur

Melissa McArthur

Literary Guest, Falstaff Books
Melissa McArthur is the founder and president of Clicking Keys Writer Services, a full-service editing, cover design, and layout company based in the upstate of South Carolina. She also serves as an Acquiring Editor for Falstaff Books, and is an accomplished editor and proofreader.Her... Read More →
SO

Saturday June 3, 2017 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT
Lakeshore II
  Media/Fandom
  • Length 1
  • Length 1

11:00am EDT

En Garde!
Well-crafted fight scenes are beautiful to behold, and poor ones are painful. Let's talk about how to write a fight scene that sings.
Moderators
avatar for Faith Hunter

Faith Hunter

Author, Writing
New York Times bestselling author Faith Hunter has written the Jane Yellowrock series and the Rogue Mage series, as well as the Rogue Mage Role Playing Game. The Soulwood series will be a paranormal crime solving trilogy featuring Nell Nicholson Ingram. Under the pen name Gwen Hunter... Read More →

Speakers
JB
CH

Charles Holmes

Performance
avatar for David B. Coe/D.B. Jackson

David B. Coe/D.B. Jackson

Author, Editor, Writing
Biography of David B. Coe David B. Coe/D.B. Jackson is the author of more than two dozen novels and as many short stories. As D.B. Jackson (http://www.DBJackson-Author.com), he is the author of the Thieftaker Chronicles, a series set in pre-Revolutionary Boston that combines elements... Read More →
SW

Saturday June 3, 2017 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT
Harris
  Writers
  • Length 1
  • Length 1

11:00am EDT

Shadow Queens and Evil Dwarves
Fairy tales are far more wicked and frightening than some will admit. Let's talk about the dark side of fairy tales, and how authors have explored that in their own books.
Moderators
avatar for Alethea Kontis

Alethea Kontis

Author, Kingdom of Arilland
Alethea Kontis is a princess, author, fairy godmother, and geek. Her bestselling Books of Arilland fairytale series won two Gelett Burgess Children’s Book Awards (Enchanted and Tales of Arilland), and was twice nominated for the Andre Norton Award. Alethea also penned the AlphaOops... Read More →

Speakers
VG
avatar for Emily Leverett

Emily Leverett

Author, Writing
Emily Lavin Leverett is an author, editor, and scholar. She is the author of the paranormal romance series The Wolf and the Nun based on the life and stories of 12th century abbess Marie de France: The Wolf and the Cloister, The Enchanted Rose, and The Song of the Black Wolf are out... Read More →
avatar for Kalayna Price

Kalayna Price

Author
USA Today Bestselling author Kalayna Price writes the Alex Craft Novels, a dark urban fantasy series from Penguin-Random House, and the Novels of Haven from Bell Bridge Books. Her works have been translated into several languages and are available around the world. Kalayna draws... Read More →
TT
avatar for Calandra Usher

Calandra Usher

Calandra Usher, born and raised in Northport NY (Long Island), graduated from SUNY Buffalo with a BFA in Sculpture and became a certified K-12 art teacher. She spent a year in the Peace Corps in Ghana, West Africa, teaching art in a deaf school. She and her family lived in Detroit... Read More →

Saturday June 3, 2017 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT
Walden
  Writers
  • Length 1
  • Length 1

11:00am EDT

DC on the Small Screen presented by WCCB, Charlotte's The CW
Join WCCB Charlotte's The CW's JustJess, host of the internationally viewed series - SuperChat, and other panelists as they discuss the TV shows of the DC universe. What's next for Supergirl, The Flash, Arrow, Legends of Tomorrow, Gotham, and Lucifer?
Moderators
avatar for JustJess

JustJess

WCCB, Charlotte's CW
Hey everyone! I'm the creator and host of "Super Chat," a web series where local guests and I break down the CW super hero shows. You can also find me on WCCB News Rising on Monday and Thursday mornings. Add me on social media @JustJessWCCB if you want to chat about the CW shows... Read More →

Speakers
avatar for Brian Holloway

Brian Holloway

Costume, Union County Public Schools
Costume designer with over 27+ years experience for film television, and stage. Make-Up Supervisor and actor for Star Trek: New Voyages/PHASE II for 8+ years. Owner of Material Worlds Costuming. Convention moderator and panelist yearly at a variety of conventions. Professional actor... Read More →
avatar for Michael D. Pederson

Michael D. Pederson

Fan Guest, RavenCon
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 published the fanzine Nth Degree for seventeen years, wrote and published the Raven comic book series, and edited... Read More →
avatar for Maya Preisler

Maya Preisler

Artist Guest, Geek Life
Maya Preisler has been creating art and telling stories since they were old enough to hold a pen, writing and illustrating their first science fiction novel at age eight. Maya is the proud author of a genre-bending spec fic novel and a short story in Corvid-19. Their artwork graces... Read More →
avatar for Jay Requard

Jay Requard

Literary Guest, Falstaff Books
Award-winning author of Epic Fantasy and Sword & Sorcery.

Saturday June 3, 2017 11:00am - 12:30pm EDT
Lakeshore III/IV
  Media/Fandom
  • Length 1.5
  • Length 1.5

11:30am EDT

Ghost Hunting 101
If you are interested in ghost hunting, or just want to know how it is done, this is the panel for you. Our paranormal guests discuss how they got into the business and what it takes to become a ghost hunter.
Moderators
avatar for Tally Johnson

Tally Johnson

Paranormal
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 he also has a story in An... Read More →

Speakers
CL
TR

Tina R. McSwain

Paranormal, CAPS - The Charlotte Area Paranormal Society
I am a well respected paranormal investigator and researcher with over 20 year experience. I founded CAPS - The Charlotte Area Paranormal Society in 2005 and we are still going strong today. We take a scientific approach to the study of all types of paranormal activity.

Saturday June 3, 2017 11:30am - 12:30pm EDT
Burnham
  Paranormal
  • Length 1
  • Length 1

11:30am EDT

Fictional Podcasting
Not all podcasts are geek news and views. Some tell stories and create worlds. Here are some of the best ficitonal podcasts you should be listening too, and how to start one.
Moderators
avatar for Jim Ryan

Jim Ryan

Geek Life
Jim Ryan’s true origins are unknown, but it is rumored he came into being when someone attempted to read a Gaelic translation of the Necronomicon backwards in front of a Large Hadron Collider. Jim plays a massive number of tabletop role-playing games, is a fan of Doctor Who, Star... Read More →

Speakers
avatar for Natalie Van Sistine

Natalie Van Sistine

Podcasts and Podcasting
Freelance voice actor and audio engineer from South Carolina, creator of "The Elysium Project" podcast.

Saturday June 3, 2017 11:30am - 12:30pm EDT
Keynes
  Podcasting
  • Length 1
  • Length 1

12:00pm EDT

The Potterverse Is Still Alive and Well
With the publication and production of the Cursed Child and the release of Fantastic Beast and Where to Find them, the Potterverse is still alive and strong. Let's discuss our favorite boy wizard and where this universe will go next.
Moderators
avatar for Tig Pollum

Tig Pollum

Fan
Tig is a geek of all trades. From Star Wars to Doctor Who, tabletop to video games, there isn't much she isn't into. She has a deep passion for costuming, having majored in costume design in college, and particularly loves historical and period costumes. Tig is fortunate enough to... Read More →

Speakers
RF
avatar for The Blibbering Humdingers

The Blibbering Humdingers

Performance
Salaciously whimsical, neo-retro, post-nihilist Wizard Rock for nerds, geeks, jedi, browncoats, Whovians and all manner of hoopy froods. Their sound is kinda rock, kinda old-timey, kinda folky, kinda do-wop, kinda broadway, and 100% fun. Find 'em on Spotify, iTunes, GooglePlay and... Read More →
JH
avatar for Stella Price/ Anastasia Virgas

Stella Price/ Anastasia Virgas

Author
Writing with her sister Audra, she is one half of a long standing writing team with over 45 novels to their credit. A Jill of most trades in the publishing world, Stella is an award winning cover artist, a convention director, book designer and branding maven. Slytherin head girl... Read More →

Saturday June 3, 2017 12:00pm - 1:00pm EDT
Lakeshore II
  Media/Fandom
  • Length 1
  • Length 1

12:00pm EDT

Alternate History and Secret History
What are the differences between these two subgenres? How do you know which one you're writing? What are some of the best examples of each?
Moderators
avatar for David B. Coe/D.B. Jackson

David B. Coe/D.B. Jackson

Author, Editor, Writing
Biography of David B. Coe David B. Coe/D.B. Jackson is the author of more than two dozen novels and as many short stories. As D.B. Jackson (http://www.DBJackson-Author.com), he is the author of the Thieftaker Chronicles, a series set in pre-Revolutionary Boston that combines elements... Read More →

Speakers
avatar for A.J. Hartley

A.J. Hartley

Author/Editor/Publisher
A.J. Hartley (also writing as Andrew Hart) is the NY Times bestselling author of 23 novels foradults and younger readers spanning multiple genres, notably mystery, thriller, fantasy andscience fiction. Recent work includes Impervious, which grew out of his experience of a schoolshooting... Read More →
avatar for Gail Z. Martin

Gail Z. Martin

Literary Guest, Writing
Gail Z. Martin is the author of Scourge: A Darkhurst Novel, from Solaris Books. Gail is also the author of Vendetta: A Deadly Curiosities Novel and Trifles and Folly 1: A Deadly Curiosities Collection, the latest in her urban fantasy series set in Charleston, SC; Shadow and Flame is the fourth... Read More →
avatar for Misty Massey

Misty Massey

Literary Guest
Misty Massey is the author of MAD KESTREL, a rollicking adventure of magic on the high seas (Tor), KESTREL'S VOYAGES, a collection of short stories featuring those rambunctious pirates (Amazon) and the upcoming KESTREL'S DANCE (Lore Seekers Press).  She is a co-editor of THE WEIRD... 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.He was born in the small Appalachian town of Clayton... Read More →
avatar for Tamsin Silver

Tamsin Silver

Author
TAMSIN SILVER is a Fantasy author based out of Albuquerque, NM. With a background in Theatre, it was only a natural progression that her storytelling found its way to book format. Her Historical Fantasy works include the Untold Legends series (about Billy the Kid) with Falstaff Books... Read More →

Saturday June 3, 2017 12:00pm - 1:00pm EDT
Harris
  Writers
  • Length 1
  • Length 1

12:00pm EDT

Literary Malpractice
The movies get medicine wrong all the time, and so do books. Let’s talk about some of the most egregious mistakes you've read, and ways to avoid them yourself.
Moderators
avatar for Darin Kennedy

Darin Kennedy

Literary Guest, Writing
Darin Kennedy, born and raised in Winston-Salem, NC, is a graduate of Wake Forest University and Bowman Gray School of Medicine. After completing family medicine residency in the mountains of Virginia, he served eight years as a United States Army physician and wrote his first novel... Read More →

Speakers
avatar for Jason T. Graves

Jason T. Graves

Literary Guest, Writing
Author, editor, illustrator, publisher—Jason Graves is the author of four novels: Blood Roses, Morning Stars, The Alewife: Curse of Obsession, and Gretchen Thyrd: On the Bridge, and two published short stories. He is also the founder and publisher of Prospective Press. Learn more... Read More →
avatar for Rick Gualtieri

Rick Gualtieri

Author - Freewill Press, Writing
Rick Gualtieri loves adventure, snarky dialogue, and mayhem. So it's only natural that his bestselling Tome of Bill series kicks the mired status quo of vampire fiction straight in the teeth with its mix of supernatural chaos and sharp-tongued geeky humor. It's time to make the undead... Read More →
avatar for Faith Hunter

Faith Hunter

Author, Writing
New York Times bestselling author Faith Hunter has written the Jane Yellowrock series and the Rogue Mage series, as well as the Rogue Mage Role Playing Game. The Soulwood series will be a paranormal crime solving trilogy featuring Nell Nicholson Ingram. Under the pen name Gwen Hunter... Read More →
avatar for Chris A. Jackson

Chris A. Jackson

Literary Guest, Writing
As a professional sailor, writer, scientist, and life-long gamer, writing nautical and RPG tie-in fantasy came naturally for Chris. His Scimitar Seas novels from Dragon Moon Press have won multiple gold medals from Foreword Reviews Magazine, and his Pathfinder Tales novels, Pirate's... Read More →
MV

Saturday June 3, 2017 12:00pm - 1:00pm EDT
Walden
  Writers
  • Length 1
  • Length 1

12:30pm EDT

Meet the Mercs!
Come and meet the Mandaloran Mercs!  
Moderators
avatar for Tom Hutchens

Tom Hutchens

Costuming Guest, Mandalorian Mercs
Tom Hutchens is the founder & CEO of the Mandalorian Mercs Costume Club, and a professional armorsmith. As well as running one of the world’s largest STAR WARS™ fan organizations, Tom is also an accomplished armorsmith and widely regarded as the master of “Mandalorian” style... Read More →

Saturday June 3, 2017 12:30pm - 1:30pm EDT
Olmstead
  Media/Fandom
  • Length 1
  • Length 1

12:30pm EDT

An Hour with Sherrilyn Kenyon
Author Guest of Honor Sherrilyn Kenyon talks vampires and other scary creatures and what she's working on next!
Moderators
avatar for John G. Hartness

John G. Hartness

Literary/Publisher, Falstaff Books
Long Bio -John G. Hartness is a teller of tales, a righter of wrong, defender of ladies’ virtues, and some people call him Maurice, for he speaks of the pompatus of love. He is also the award-winning author of the urban fantasy series The Black Knight Chronicles, the Bubba the Monster... Read More →

Speakers
SK

Saturday June 3, 2017 12:30pm - 1:30pm EDT
Lakeshore III/IV
  Writers
  • Length 1
  • Length 1

1:00pm EDT

Working with Spandex
How to best sew and costume with this most unforgiving of materials
Moderators
avatar for Brian Holloway

Brian Holloway

Costume, Union County Public Schools
Costume designer with over 27+ years experience for film television, and stage. Make-Up Supervisor and actor for Star Trek: New Voyages/PHASE II for 8+ years. Owner of Material Worlds Costuming. Convention moderator and panelist yearly at a variety of conventions. Professional actor... Read More →

Speakers
MB
DS
avatar for Mikki Stith

Mikki Stith

Marketing & Communications Director, Theatre Raleigh
Michaeline's (aka "Mikki") first love was the theatre, but she now finds herself in marketing. After more than a decade of hands-on experience in event and experiential marketing, she spent years working for marketing agencies that focused on digital solutions. Now, Mikki serves as... Read More →

Saturday June 3, 2017 1:00pm - 2:00pm EDT
Burnham
  Costuming
  • Length 1
  • Length 1

1:00pm EDT

From Zombies to Dolls to House to Clowns
Discusson of the best and worst horror tropes
Moderators
avatar for Jason Gilbert

Jason Gilbert

Literary Guest
Jason is the author of The Clockworks of War series, The Rifle Chronicles, and urban fantasy series The Coldstone Files. His stories are Alternate History with an Urban Fantasy and Horror element set in worlds of the supernatural!

Speakers
RW

Robert W. Filion

Film/Media/TV
avatar for Dan Fowler

Dan Fowler

Film/Media/TV, SCREAMING SOUP!
Screaming Soup is an American animated web series that reviews and parodies B-grade sci-fi/horror films. The show is hosted by Deadwest, a brash undead cowboy with a ray gun, and his apocalyptic goat sidekick, Billy. Deadwest is joined by several interchanging co-hosts per episode... Read More →
JH

Joh Harp

Film.Media/TV
avatar for Michael Ray Williams

Michael Ray Williams

Film/Media/TV, MadOnes Films
I'm an actor at heart, but an all around film/theatre extraordinaire.

Saturday June 3, 2017 1:00pm - 2:00pm EDT
Lakeshore I
  Filmmaking
  • Length 1
  • Length 1

1:00pm EDT

Colonizing Mars
Elon Musk of SpaceX and Tsla is making solid palns to take people to Mars. What will we need to take with us to survive? What might we even do once we're there? Who wants to go?
Moderators
avatar for James Nettles

James Nettles

Author, Podcaster, Workshop instructor, Science and Tech
James Nettles is a business and tech consultant by day and author by night, writing fiction, non-fiction, and a lot of stuff in between. He is a co-founder and tech director of the ConTinual online convention, host of numerous podcast and videocast shows, and frequent contributor... Read More →

Speakers
avatar for Chuck Carte

Chuck Carte

Paranormal
Chuck Carte is an artist, writer, director, comedian, and cosplayer from the Charlotte area. He is the founder of Carolina Tardis, an organization that raises money for charity, and is one half of the Sci-Fried Eggs, a science fiction based podcast. Carte is a prop builder of both... Read More →
avatar for Dr. Ben Davis

Dr. Ben Davis

Professor, ECPI University
Ben Davis has a Ph.D. in Nuclear Physics and an M.S. in Nuclear Astrophysics from the University of Notre Dame. He taught at the collegiate level for several years on a number of technical subjects ranging from computer programming and math to, of course, astronomy and physics. In... Read More →
avatar for James Doster

James Doster

Gaming, No Ordinary Gamers
No Ordinary Gamers is an organization dedicated to demoing and introducing card and board games to people across the Carolinas. No Ordinary Gamers consists of members of official demo groups for several gaming companies as well as many other known personalities in the Carolina... Read More →
avatar for James Maxey

James Maxey

Author
I'm the author of two epic fantasy series (Dragon Age/Bitterwood and Dragon Apocalypse/Greatshadow), a superhero duet (Nobody Gets the Girl and Burn Baby Burn) and a steampunk Oz novel (Bad Wizard). My short stories have appeared in numerous magazines and anthologies, with the best... Read More →
avatar for Drew Meyer

Drew Meyer

Gaming/Podcasting/Author
Drew Meyer is a Children's Library Assistant and Educator who moonlights as a Podcaster and Game Designer. He is behind on all his deadlines. He may or may not have a beard. 
GM
SO

Saturday June 3, 2017 1:00pm - 2:00pm EDT
Keynes
  Science
  • Length 1
  • Length 1

1:00pm EDT

Protest and Rebellion in YA Spec-Fic
The teenage years are the time we all rebel in some fashion, and the literature for those readers should reflect those feelings. Our authors talk abut protst and rebellion in YA Fiction.
Moderators
avatar for Rysa Walker

Rysa Walker

Author, Skyscape
Rysa is the author of The CHRONOS Files series. Timebound, the first book in the series, was the Young Adult and Grand Prize winner in the 2013 Amazon Breakthrough Novel Awards. The Delphi Resistance, the second in her latest trilogy, will be published by Skyscape in October, 2017... Read More →

Speakers
avatar for Alexandra Duncan
avatar for A.J. Hartley

A.J. Hartley

Author/Editor/Publisher
A.J. Hartley (also writing as Andrew Hart) is the NY Times bestselling author of 23 novels foradults and younger readers spanning multiple genres, notably mystery, thriller, fantasy andscience fiction. Recent work includes Impervious, which grew out of his experience of a schoolshooting... Read More →
TT
MV

Saturday June 3, 2017 1:00pm - 2:00pm EDT
Walden
  Writers
  • Length 1
  • Length 1

1:00pm EDT

The Coming Implosion of NY Publishing
Not so long ago, there were dozens of reasonably successful NYC publishing house. But over the course of a few years, they've all been absorbed, leaving only three behemoths instead. Are midlist writers facing the loss of careers because they're not Stephen King? Are small presses on the rise? What about self-publishing with Amazon? Where does it end?
Moderators
avatar for J.A. Sutherland

J.A. Sutherland

Author - Self-Published
J.A. Sutherland writes space opera with a very Age of Sail feel to it. When not reading or writing, he spends his time on roadtrips around the Southeast US searching for good barbecue.

Speakers
avatar for Quincy J. Allen

Quincy J. Allen

Author, Quincy J. Allen
National Bestselling Author Quincy J. Allen is a cross-genre author with a wide assortment of publications under his belt. His media tie-in novel Colt the Outlander: Shadow of Ruin was a Scribe Award finalist in 2019, and his noir sci-fi novel Chemical Burn was a Colorado Gold Aw... Read More →
avatar for Jason T. Graves

Jason T. Graves

Literary Guest, Writing
Author, editor, illustrator, publisher—Jason Graves is the author of four novels: Blood Roses, Morning Stars, The Alewife: Curse of Obsession, and Gretchen Thyrd: On the Bridge, and two published short stories. He is also the founder and publisher of Prospective Press. Learn more... Read More →
avatar for Gail Z. Martin

Gail Z. Martin

Literary Guest, Writing
Gail Z. Martin is the author of Scourge: A Darkhurst Novel, from Solaris Books. Gail is also the author of Vendetta: A Deadly Curiosities Novel and Trifles and Folly 1: A Deadly Curiosities Collection, the latest in her urban fantasy series set in Charleston, SC; Shadow and Flame is the fourth... Read More →

Saturday June 3, 2017 1:00pm - 2:00pm EDT
Harris
  Writers
  • Length 1
  • Length 1

1:00pm EDT

Author's Dating Game
Can't decide what to read next?  Join our game and make a date with a character from the works of some of our celebrated authro guests!
Speakers
avatar for J.D. Blackrose
avatar for Rick Gualtieri

Rick Gualtieri

Author - Freewill Press, Writing
Rick Gualtieri loves adventure, snarky dialogue, and mayhem. So it's only natural that his bestselling Tome of Bill series kicks the mired status quo of vampire fiction straight in the teeth with its mix of supernatural chaos and sharp-tongued geeky humor. It's time to make the undead... Read More →
avatar for Drew Hayes

Drew Hayes

Author, Thunder Pear Publishing
avatar for Linda Robertson

Linda Robertson

Literary Guest
Linda Robertson is an internationally published author. She won first place in the OSU/Mansfield Florence B. Allen writing competition (2006). Since then, she's earned a cum laude Associate of the Art’s Degree in English and published several novels and short stories. In addition... Read More →
avatar for Joey Starnes

Joey Starnes

Fan Guest, Geek Life
Joey Starnes (aka the Giddy Geeker) does not claim to be an expert on all geekeries – she's just happy to organize it. She runs the Charlotte Geeks, home of the Guardians of the Geekery podcast, the Geek Gala, and the Muggles Market.  Her main geekdoms include Doctor Who, Harry... Read More →

Saturday June 3, 2017 1:00pm - 2:30pm EDT
Lakeshore II
  Writers
  • Length 1.5
  • Length 1.5

1:00pm EDT

Mauled Men, Drowned Dames and Crispy Critters, a Body Disposal Primer for Writers
Writers, in your newest plot, do you absolutely have to kill someone?  In order to tangle the characters up over funerals, murder, mysterious death or serious mayhem, someone’s got to go, but how, oh how to do it right? You have to do SOMETHING with the body.  Even if the forensics, murder, or death aren’t central to the story, there is that annoying dead guy/gal to dispose of.  Decisions, decisions.  Is an autopsy necessary?  A funeral and burial?  Lots of plot possibilities, but the details!  Did you know that it’s nearly impossible to bury a body in Maine in February?  What if your paranormal character has to escape the morgue?  Most states require “two containers” for burial, do you know what they are?  And what about timing?  If a body’s found on Friday, can you bury them on Sunday?  Do you know the difference between a coffin and a casket?  And then there’s cremation...don't want that to happen to your vampire, so how do you avoid it?  Find out everything you ever wanted to know about the pernicious particulars of body disposal and how to use minutiae of death to throw your characters together or drive them apart.  Learn about embalming, vaults, cremation, reconstructive cosmetics, coroner’s reports, death certificates and more at this get-the-basics research seminar.
Moderators
avatar for Jeanne P. Adams

Jeanne P. Adams

Virtual Guest Speaker, Science and Tech
A lifelong reader and writer of fantasy and suspense, award-winning author Jeanne Adams is an extrovert in an introverted profession. So, she's always up for talking...about ANYTHING! Geekery of all kinds, reading, books, baseball, dogs and dog-showing, suspense, and body disposal... Read More →

Saturday June 3, 2017 1:00pm - 3:00pm EDT
Boardroom
  Workshop
  • Length 2
  • Length 2

1:30pm EDT

Facepainting with Metricula
Metricula, member of the Safe Sane Consenual Clown Posse, provides face painting for our younger con goers!
Speakers
M

Saturday June 3, 2017 1:30pm - 2:30pm EDT
Olmstead
  Kids
  • Length 1
  • Length 1

1:30pm EDT

Wizard Rock with The Blibbering Humdingers
Neo-retro existential wizard nerd pop with a dash of do-wop, a sprinkle of steampunk and nibble of new wave. A "sound" you ask? Genre? Pishaw! We don't have a sound other than laughter and the sound of magic and the sound of one hand clapping because your other arm has been gnawed off by piranhas.
Speakers
avatar for The Blibbering Humdingers

The Blibbering Humdingers

Performance
Salaciously whimsical, neo-retro, post-nihilist Wizard Rock for nerds, geeks, jedi, browncoats, Whovians and all manner of hoopy froods. Their sound is kinda rock, kinda old-timey, kinda folky, kinda do-wop, kinda broadway, and 100% fun. Find 'em on Spotify, iTunes, GooglePlay and... Read More →

Saturday June 3, 2017 1:30pm - 2:30pm EDT
Fountainview
  Performance
  • Length 1
  • Length 1

1:30pm EDT

SCA Dread Pirate Roberts Rapier Tournament
SCA hosts a Dread Pirate Roberts Rapier Tournament.  
Saturday June 3, 2017 1:30pm - 3:00pm EDT
Courtyard
  Geek Life
  • Length 1.5

1:45pm EDT

Sherrilyn Kenyon Book Signing
Speakers
SK

Saturday June 3, 2017 1:45pm - 3:30pm EDT
University
  Writers

2:00pm EDT

The FX FAQ
Is it better to use practical effects or can digital effects do the job just as well?
Moderators
JH

Joh Harp

Film.Media/TV
avatar for Bill Mulligan

Bill Mulligan

Film/Media/TV
Bill Mulligan could have sworn he had a bio but his students pointed out he did not, when they SHOULD have been working on their science festival projects. He is a filmmaker/special effects artist who has had the good fortune to be involved in a a number of award winning projects... Read More →

Speakers
avatar for Tom Gore

Tom Gore

Film/Media/TV, Film
Tom Gore was born and raised in Newport RI. Of Irish heritage, he realized from an early age that he enjoyed entertaining people with his offbeat sense of humor. After graduating he decided to put that on hold to join the Army and serve his country. With his drive and determination... Read More →
avatar for Michael Ray Williams

Michael Ray Williams

Film/Media/TV, MadOnes Films
I'm an actor at heart, but an all around film/theatre extraordinaire.

Saturday June 3, 2017 2:00pm - 3:00pm EDT
Lakeshore I
  Filmmaking
  • Length 1
  • Length 1

2:00pm EDT

Cryptzoology
The study of our favorite Cryptids, from Nessie to Bigfoot to that Mothman guy. Join us in a discussion and let us know if you seen any of these illusive creatures!
Moderators
avatar for James Maxey

James Maxey

Author
I'm the author of two epic fantasy series (Dragon Age/Bitterwood and Dragon Apocalypse/Greatshadow), a superhero duet (Nobody Gets the Girl and Burn Baby Burn) and a steampunk Oz novel (Bad Wizard). My short stories have appeared in numerous magazines and anthologies, with the best... Read More →

Speakers
TR

Tina R. McSwain

Paranormal, CAPS - The Charlotte Area Paranormal Society
I am a well respected paranormal investigator and researcher with over 20 year experience. I founded CAPS - The Charlotte Area Paranormal Society in 2005 and we are still going strong today. We take a scientific approach to the study of all types of paranormal activity.
avatar for Michael G. Williams

Michael G. Williams

Literary Guest, Author
Michael G. Williams writes queer-themed science fiction, urban fantasy, and horror celebrating monsters, macabre humor, and subverted expectations. He’s the author of three series for Falstaff Books: the award-winning vampire/urban fantasy series The Withrow Chronicles; the th... Read More →

Saturday June 3, 2017 2:00pm - 3:00pm EDT
Burnham
  Paranormal
  • Length 1
  • Length 1

2:00pm EDT

Cover Art Crash Course
You've finished your book, now to make it look its best. What to look for in cover art and how bad art can affect your sales.
Moderators
avatar for Stella Price/ Anastasia Virgas

Stella Price/ Anastasia Virgas

Author
Writing with her sister Audra, she is one half of a long standing writing team with over 45 novels to their credit. A Jill of most trades in the publishing world, Stella is an award winning cover artist, a convention director, book designer and branding maven. Slytherin head girl... Read More →

Speakers
avatar for Jason T. Graves

Jason T. Graves

Literary Guest, Writing
Author, editor, illustrator, publisher—Jason Graves is the author of four novels: Blood Roses, Morning Stars, The Alewife: Curse of Obsession, and Gretchen Thyrd: On the Bridge, and two published short stories. He is also the founder and publisher of Prospective Press. Learn more... Read More →
avatar for Chris A. Jackson

Chris A. Jackson

Literary Guest, Writing
As a professional sailor, writer, scientist, and life-long gamer, writing nautical and RPG tie-in fantasy came naturally for Chris. His Scimitar Seas novels from Dragon Moon Press have won multiple gold medals from Foreword Reviews Magazine, and his Pathfinder Tales novels, Pirate's... 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.He was born in the small Appalachian town of Clayton... Read More →
MV

Saturday June 3, 2017 2:00pm - 3:00pm EDT
Walden
  Writers
  • Length 1
  • Length 1

2:00pm EDT

What do Authors Owe Their Readers?
George RR Martin is famously known for taking a long time to finish a book. Is it fair to his readers to make them wait? Or should they suck it up and read something else? And how much is too much to ask of writers where their fans are concerned?
Moderators
avatar for Quincy J. Allen

Quincy J. Allen

Author, Quincy J. Allen
National Bestselling Author Quincy J. Allen is a cross-genre author with a wide assortment of publications under his belt. His media tie-in novel Colt the Outlander: Shadow of Ruin was a Scribe Award finalist in 2019, and his noir sci-fi novel Chemical Burn was a Colorado Gold Aw... Read More →

Speakers
avatar for Drew Hayes

Drew Hayes

Author, Thunder Pear Publishing
avatar for Faith Hunter

Faith Hunter

Author, Writing
New York Times bestselling author Faith Hunter has written the Jane Yellowrock series and the Rogue Mage series, as well as the Rogue Mage Role Playing Game. The Soulwood series will be a paranormal crime solving trilogy featuring Nell Nicholson Ingram. Under the pen name Gwen Hunter... Read More →
avatar for David B. Coe/D.B. Jackson

David B. Coe/D.B. Jackson

Author, Editor, Writing
Biography of David B. Coe David B. Coe/D.B. Jackson is the author of more than two dozen novels and as many short stories. As D.B. Jackson (http://www.DBJackson-Author.com), he is the author of the Thieftaker Chronicles, a series set in pre-Revolutionary Boston that combines elements... Read More →
avatar for Emily Leverett

Emily Leverett

Author, Writing
Emily Lavin Leverett is an author, editor, and scholar. She is the author of the paranormal romance series The Wolf and the Nun based on the life and stories of 12th century abbess Marie de France: The Wolf and the Cloister, The Enchanted Rose, and The Song of the Black Wolf are out... Read More →
avatar for Gail Z. Martin

Gail Z. Martin

Literary Guest, Writing
Gail Z. Martin is the author of Scourge: A Darkhurst Novel, from Solaris Books. Gail is also the author of Vendetta: A Deadly Curiosities Novel and Trifles and Folly 1: A Deadly Curiosities Collection, the latest in her urban fantasy series set in Charleston, SC; Shadow and Flame is the fourth... Read More →

Saturday June 3, 2017 2:00pm - 3:00pm EDT
Harris
  Writers
  • Length 1
  • Length 1

2:00pm EDT

Stephanie Osborn Book Signing
Speakers
SO

Saturday June 3, 2017 2:00pm - 3:45pm EDT
University
  Writers

2:00pm EDT

The Lost Skeleton of Cadavera w/Charming Underclothes
Charming Underclothes shadowcasts The Lost Skeleton of Cadavera! Callbacks are welcome (though keep it a bit clean)! ROWR!
Moderators
avatar for Rich

Rich

Fan Guest
To say that I enjoy podcasting and new media would be a gross understatement. My credits include mentions in high school and collegiate papers, newspapers, Podcasting for Dummies, and Advanced Podcasting Tricks. I have been called an innovator, having created the first fandom podcast... Read More →

Speakers
CU
AB
WB
BD
SC

Saturday June 3, 2017 2:00pm - 4:00pm EDT
Lakeshore III/IV
  Performance
  • Length 2
  • Length 2

2:30pm EDT

Conventions and Cosplay with Disabilities
Cons are for EVERYONE!  Here's how to overcome some of the more challenging ascpects of conventions while dealing with disabilities.
Moderators
avatar for Chris Shrewsbury

Chris Shrewsbury

Fan Guest, Geek Life
Chris has volunteered, paneled, guested, staffed, and been committee at literally dozens of cons along the east coast for 30+ years.He’s a nationally certified sign language interpreter.   A Navy  veteran, he has worked as a pre-K through university teacher, and operated his own... Read More →

Speakers
avatar for DL Leonine

DL Leonine

Geek Life

Saturday June 3, 2017 2:30pm - 3:30pm EDT
Keynes
  Geek Life
  • Length 1
  • Length 1

2:30pm EDT

Hawthorne and Holly
Hawthorn & Holly are a pop punk band that plays songs about Harry Potter. Started in 2007, these wizards hail from Charlotte, North Carolina. Leah Schroeder and Christie Mowery weave gorgeous harmonies with Eddie Mowery on guitars, while Dave Beaucar of Meriden, Connecticut slaps his amazing bass. 
Moderators
avatar for Christie Hawthorn and Holly

Christie Hawthorn and Holly

Performance/ Comfort Coordinator, Geek Life
Geek Parenting, Wizard Rock, Geek Rock, Dr who!

Saturday June 3, 2017 2:30pm - 3:30pm EDT
Fountainview
  Performance
  • Length 1
  • Length 1

2:30pm EDT

We Are One With The Force and The Force is With Us!
With Episode VIII just around the corner, let's talk about Rogue One, The Force Awakens, and Rebels! We will also say goodbye to our beloved Princess, Carrie Fisher.
Speakers
avatar for Tera Fulbright

Tera Fulbright

Director of Guests & Programming, ConGregate Productions, Inc
With over 20 years of event planning experience, Tera Fulbright uses that knowledge to create new and different programming at ConGregate – a convention for the fans, by the fans.She is also the author of several short stories including her first, “History in the Making” published... Read More →
avatar for Tom Hutchens

Tom Hutchens

Costuming Guest, Mandalorian Mercs
Tom Hutchens is the founder & CEO of the Mandalorian Mercs Costume Club, and a professional armorsmith. As well as running one of the world’s largest STAR WARS™ fan organizations, Tom is also an accomplished armorsmith and widely regarded as the master of “Mandalorian” style... Read More →
avatar for Darryl Mansel
avatar for Derek Nieman

Derek Nieman

Costuming
Derek Nieman has been part of the south east convention scene for over ten years. An original member of the Carolina Garrison of the 501st Legion, it goes almost without saying that Derek is a huge Star Wars fan. Not limited to just being a one trick fan boy, Derek also has a huge... Read More →
avatar for Tig Pollum

Tig Pollum

Fan
Tig is a geek of all trades. From Star Wars to Doctor Who, tabletop to video games, there isn't much she isn't into. She has a deep passion for costuming, having majored in costume design in college, and particularly loves historical and period costumes. Tig is fortunate enough to... Read More →

Saturday June 3, 2017 2:30pm - 4:00pm EDT
Lakeshore II
  Media/Fandom
  • Length 1
  • Length 1

3:00pm EDT

Wonder Woman Cosplay Meetup!
Celebrate Wonder Woman Day at ConCarolinas!  Wear your best WW cosplay and join the meetup by the pool.  Allied Entertainment will give a prize pack to the best WW cosplay - and pass out some swag!
Saturday June 3, 2017 3:00pm - 4:00pm EDT
Poolside
  Costuming
  • Length 1

3:00pm EDT

Let's Write a Filk Song
The audience comes up with the topic and our panelists/musicians have one hour to create a unique filk!
Moderators
avatar for Gray Rinehart

Gray Rinehart

Literary Guest
Gray Rinehart writes science fiction and fantasy stories, nonfiction, songs ... and other things. He is the only person to have commanded an Air Force satellite tracking station, written speeches for Presidential appointees, originated a poetic form, and had music on The Dr. Demento... Read More →

Speakers
avatar for Nick Edelstein

Nick Edelstein

Performance
The captain of Trek Rock!
M

Saturday June 3, 2017 3:00pm - 4:00pm EDT
Olmstead
  Filk
  • Length 1
  • Length 1

3:00pm EDT

Dragon Egg Workshop
Join Mikke Marvel as she walks you through designing your very own dragon egg!


SMALL FEE FOR THIS WORKSHOP
Speakers
avatar for Mikki Stith

Mikki Stith

Marketing & Communications Director, Theatre Raleigh
Michaeline's (aka "Mikki") first love was the theatre, but she now finds herself in marketing. After more than a decade of hands-on experience in event and experiential marketing, she spent years working for marketing agencies that focused on digital solutions. Now, Mikki serves as... Read More →

Saturday June 3, 2017 3:00pm - 4:00pm EDT
Boardroom
  Workshop
  • Length 1
  • Length 1

3:00pm EDT

A Cast of Hundreds
How can you write multiple characters and stil keep each one inidividual and interesting? How many characters is too many?
Moderators
avatar for Tamsin Silver

Tamsin Silver

Author
TAMSIN SILVER is a Fantasy author based out of Albuquerque, NM. With a background in Theatre, it was only a natural progression that her storytelling found its way to book format. Her Historical Fantasy works include the Untold Legends series (about Billy the Kid) with Falstaff Books... Read More →

Speakers
avatar for J.D. Blackrose
JB
HH

Harry Heckel

Author
Harry Heckel has written role-playing games and fiction for two decades. His latest work is The Dark Lord from Harper Voyager Impulse as part of the writing team of Jack Heckel, in which Avery, grad student at the Mysterium University, takes the role of The Dark Lord. When things... Read More →
avatar for Linda Robertson

Linda Robertson

Literary Guest
Linda Robertson is an internationally published author. She won first place in the OSU/Mansfield Florence B. Allen writing competition (2006). Since then, she's earned a cum laude Associate of the Art’s Degree in English and published several novels and short stories. In addition... Read More →
avatar for Stella Price/ Anastasia Virgas

Stella Price/ Anastasia Virgas

Author
Writing with her sister Audra, she is one half of a long standing writing team with over 45 novels to their credit. A Jill of most trades in the publishing world, Stella is an award winning cover artist, a convention director, book designer and branding maven. Slytherin head girl... Read More →

Saturday June 3, 2017 3:00pm - 4:00pm EDT
Harris
  Writers
  • Length 1
  • Length 1

3:00pm EDT

Falstaff Spotlight
We shine the spotlight on one of our local publishing companies - Falstaff Books!
Moderators
avatar for John G. Hartness

John G. Hartness

Literary/Publisher, Falstaff Books
Long Bio -John G. Hartness is a teller of tales, a righter of wrong, defender of ladies’ virtues, and some people call him Maurice, for he speaks of the pompatus of love. He is also the award-winning author of the urban fantasy series The Black Knight Chronicles, the Bubba the Monster... Read More →

Speakers
avatar for Tally Johnson

Tally Johnson

Paranormal
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 he also has a story in An... Read More →
avatar for Darin Kennedy

Darin Kennedy

Literary Guest, Writing
Darin Kennedy, born and raised in Winston-Salem, NC, is a graduate of Wake Forest University and Bowman Gray School of Medicine. After completing family medicine residency in the mountains of Virginia, he served eight years as a United States Army physician and wrote his first novel... Read More →
avatar for Emily Leverett

Emily Leverett

Author, Writing
Emily Lavin Leverett is an author, editor, and scholar. She is the author of the paranormal romance series The Wolf and the Nun based on the life and stories of 12th century abbess Marie de France: The Wolf and the Cloister, The Enchanted Rose, and The Song of the Black Wolf are out... Read More →
avatar for Misty Massey

Misty Massey

Literary Guest
Misty Massey is the author of MAD KESTREL, a rollicking adventure of magic on the high seas (Tor), KESTREL'S VOYAGES, a collection of short stories featuring those rambunctious pirates (Amazon) and the upcoming KESTREL'S DANCE (Lore Seekers Press).  She is a co-editor of THE WEIRD... Read More →
avatar for Melissa McArthur

Melissa McArthur

Literary Guest, Falstaff Books
Melissa McArthur is the founder and president of Clicking Keys Writer Services, a full-service editing, cover design, and layout company based in the upstate of South Carolina. She also serves as an Acquiring Editor for Falstaff Books, and is an accomplished editor and proofreader.Her... Read More →
avatar for Bobby Nash

Bobby Nash

Author
Bobby Nash is an award-winning author. He writes novels (Snow, Evil Ways, Deadly Games!, Nightveil: Crisis at the Crossroads of Infinity), comic books (Edgar Rice Burroughs’ At The Earth’s Core, Domino Lady, Operation: Silver Moon), short fiction (Domino Lady, Occupied Pulp, The... Read More →
avatar for Jay Requard

Jay Requard

Literary Guest, Falstaff Books
Award-winning author of Epic Fantasy and Sword & Sorcery.

Saturday June 3, 2017 3:00pm - 4:00pm EDT
Walden
  Writers
  • Length 1
  • Length 1

3:00pm EDT

Film Screening: Sammie the Comic Book Man
A feature length documentary about comic nerd Sammie Cassell as he gives a series of presentations to school kids about the wonders of comic books.  Through these talks, Sammie engages young readers on a new level and creates lasting impacts promoting not only literacy but creativity.
Moderators
avatar for Sammie Cassell

Sammie Cassell

Film/Media/TV, Film
Sammie Cassell is a Stokesdale NC based producer/actor. As VP of Wreak Havoc Productions he has been involved with 5 feature films and 15 short films. Wreak Havoc has the shorts Uncle Otto’s Truck (a Stephen King story) and the drama Sea, Salt, Wind on the festival circuit right... Read More →

Saturday June 3, 2017 3:00pm - 4:30pm EDT
Lakeshore I
  Filmmaking
  • Length 1.5
  • Length 1.5

3:30pm EDT

Aurelio Voltaire Professional Photo Op
Join Aurelio Voltaire to have your picture taken with him by Indulge Images.  
Cost: $20 cash only
Speakers
AV

Saturday June 3, 2017 3:30pm - 4:00pm EDT
University
  Geek Life

3:30pm EDT

Dimensional Riffs
Dimensional Riffs began as geeks cracking jokes and cranking out tunes.  After a while, they realized they were pretty good at it.
They'll be playing their tunes from their album Live in the Boudoir, where they took their favorite genres (Doctor Who, Firefly, Harry Potter, Sherlock, etc.) and made them into song!
Moderators
avatar for Dimensional Riffs

Dimensional Riffs

Performing Artists
Dimensional Riffs began as some geeks cracking jokes and cranking out tunes. After awhile, they realized that were pretty good at it. They take their favorite sci-fi genres (Doctor Who, Firefly, etc) and a bunch of other stuff from 21st century geekdom and tell the stories through... Read More →

Saturday June 3, 2017 3:30pm - 4:30pm EDT
Fountainview
  Performance
  • Length 1
  • Length 1

3:30pm EDT

Toni Weisskopf Book Signing
Speakers
TW

Saturday June 3, 2017 3:30pm - 5:30pm EDT
University
  Writers

4:00pm EDT

Electronics in Costuming
How to easily and safely add technology to your cosplay.  
Moderators
avatar for Tom Hutchens

Tom Hutchens

Costuming Guest, Mandalorian Mercs
Tom Hutchens is the founder & CEO of the Mandalorian Mercs Costume Club, and a professional armorsmith. As well as running one of the world’s largest STAR WARS™ fan organizations, Tom is also an accomplished armorsmith and widely regarded as the master of “Mandalorian” style... Read More →

Saturday June 3, 2017 4:00pm - 5:00pm EDT
Burnham
  Costuming
  • Length 1
  • Length 1

4:00pm EDT

Arts and Crafts
We'll have the supplies, you bring your younglings!
Moderators
MB

Speakers
AM

Saturday June 3, 2017 4:00pm - 5:00pm EDT
Olmstead
  Kids
  • Length 1
  • Length 1

4:00pm EDT

New Who and Beyond
Let's discuss Capaldi and the upcoming season. How will the departure of Moffatt affect the show?
Speakers
avatar for Sherman Burris

Sherman Burris

Fan, Geek Life
I am a life-long fan of Science,fictional and non-fiction,and a few other popular genre properties.I have co-hosted a Trivia Night for Charlotte Geeks, we lost that venue, but if things work out rightit'll be re-starting soon at Mugs near Selwyn in South Charlotte.As I often tell... Read More →
avatar for Chuck Carte

Chuck Carte

Paranormal
Chuck Carte is an artist, writer, director, comedian, and cosplayer from the Charlotte area. He is the founder of Carolina Tardis, an organization that raises money for charity, and is one half of the Sci-Fried Eggs, a science fiction based podcast. Carte is a prop builder of both... Read More →
avatar for Brian Holloway

Brian Holloway

Costume, Union County Public Schools
Costume designer with over 27+ years experience for film television, and stage. Make-Up Supervisor and actor for Star Trek: New Voyages/PHASE II for 8+ years. Owner of Material Worlds Costuming. Convention moderator and panelist yearly at a variety of conventions. Professional actor... Read More →
avatar for Drew Meyer

Drew Meyer

Gaming/Podcasting/Author
Drew Meyer is a Children's Library Assistant and Educator who moonlights as a Podcaster and Game Designer. He is behind on all his deadlines. He may or may not have a beard. 
avatar for Maya Preisler

Maya Preisler

Artist Guest, Geek Life
Maya Preisler has been creating art and telling stories since they were old enough to hold a pen, writing and illustrating their first science fiction novel at age eight. Maya is the proud author of a genre-bending spec fic novel and a short story in Corvid-19. Their artwork graces... Read More →
avatar for Jim Ryan

Jim Ryan

Geek Life
Jim Ryan’s true origins are unknown, but it is rumored he came into being when someone attempted to read a Gaelic translation of the Necronomicon backwards in front of a Large Hadron Collider. Jim plays a massive number of tabletop role-playing games, is a fan of Doctor Who, Star... Read More →
avatar for Joey Starnes

Joey Starnes

Fan Guest, Geek Life
Joey Starnes (aka the Giddy Geeker) does not claim to be an expert on all geekeries – she's just happy to organize it. She runs the Charlotte Geeks, home of the Guardians of the Geekery podcast, the Geek Gala, and the Muggles Market.  Her main geekdoms include Doctor Who, Harry... Read More →

Saturday June 3, 2017 4:00pm - 5:00pm EDT
Lakeshore II
  Media/Fandom
  • Length 1
  • Length 1

4:00pm EDT

Visiting Our Neighbors
Generations ships, faster than light travel, deep space hibernation…what are some of the best options to travel around our solar system? Is it ever going to happen, or are we stuck on our little blue dot?
Moderators
avatar for James Maxey

James Maxey

Author
I'm the author of two epic fantasy series (Dragon Age/Bitterwood and Dragon Apocalypse/Greatshadow), a superhero duet (Nobody Gets the Girl and Burn Baby Burn) and a steampunk Oz novel (Bad Wizard). My short stories have appeared in numerous magazines and anthologies, with the best... Read More →

Speakers
avatar for Jeanne P. Adams

Jeanne P. Adams

Virtual Guest Speaker, Science and Tech
A lifelong reader and writer of fantasy and suspense, award-winning author Jeanne Adams is an extrovert in an introverted profession. So, she's always up for talking...about ANYTHING! Geekery of all kinds, reading, books, baseball, dogs and dog-showing, suspense, and body disposal... Read More →
avatar for Jim Craig

Jim Craig

There are more things that interest me than can fit in this space. But, for the con, I'm happy to talk about science (especially astronomy and evolution) and science fiction (especially the history of the genre). I'll be easy to spot. Just look for the red hat.
avatar for Dr. Ben Davis

Dr. Ben Davis

Professor, ECPI University
Ben Davis has a Ph.D. in Nuclear Physics and an M.S. in Nuclear Astrophysics from the University of Notre Dame. He taught at the collegiate level for several years on a number of technical subjects ranging from computer programming and math to, of course, astronomy and physics. In... Read More →
avatar for James Nettles

James Nettles

Author, Podcaster, Workshop instructor, Science and Tech
James Nettles is a business and tech consultant by day and author by night, writing fiction, non-fiction, and a lot of stuff in between. He is a co-founder and tech director of the ConTinual online convention, host of numerous podcast and videocast shows, and frequent contributor... Read More →
SO

Saturday June 3, 2017 4:00pm - 5:00pm EDT
Keynes
  Science
  • Length 1
  • Length 1

4:00pm EDT

Audiobooks
Our panelists discuss finding the perfect voice to give life to your characters and work.
Moderators
avatar for Drew Hayes

Drew Hayes

Author, Thunder Pear Publishing

Speakers
avatar for Robert Bevan

Robert Bevan

Author, Writing
Robert Bevan took his first steps in comedy with The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, and his first steps in fantasy with Dungeons & Dragons. Over the years, these two loves mingled, festered, and congealed into the ever expanding Caverns & Creatures series of comedy/fantasy novels... Read More →
TB
avatar for Alethea Kontis

Alethea Kontis

Author, Kingdom of Arilland
Alethea Kontis is a princess, author, fairy godmother, and geek. Her bestselling Books of Arilland fairytale series won two Gelett Burgess Children’s Book Awards (Enchanted and Tales of Arilland), and was twice nominated for the Andre Norton Award. Alethea also penned the AlphaOops... Read More →
avatar for Stella Price/ Anastasia Virgas

Stella Price/ Anastasia Virgas

Author
Writing with her sister Audra, she is one half of a long standing writing team with over 45 novels to their credit. A Jill of most trades in the publishing world, Stella is an award winning cover artist, a convention director, book designer and branding maven. Slytherin head girl... Read More →

Saturday June 3, 2017 4:00pm - 5:00pm EDT
Walden
  Writers
  • Length 1
  • Length 1

4:00pm EDT

Live Action Slush
The good folks from Magical Words wade through some slush for your enjoyment!
Moderators
avatar for Melissa McArthur

Melissa McArthur

Literary Guest, Falstaff Books
Melissa McArthur is the founder and president of Clicking Keys Writer Services, a full-service editing, cover design, and layout company based in the upstate of South Carolina. She also serves as an Acquiring Editor for Falstaff Books, and is an accomplished editor and proofreader.Her... Read More →

Speakers
avatar for Faith Hunter

Faith Hunter

Author, Writing
New York Times bestselling author Faith Hunter has written the Jane Yellowrock series and the Rogue Mage series, as well as the Rogue Mage Role Playing Game. The Soulwood series will be a paranormal crime solving trilogy featuring Nell Nicholson Ingram. Under the pen name Gwen Hunter... Read More →
avatar for David B. Coe/D.B. Jackson

David B. Coe/D.B. Jackson

Author, Editor, Writing
Biography of David B. Coe David B. Coe/D.B. Jackson is the author of more than two dozen novels and as many short stories. As D.B. Jackson (http://www.DBJackson-Author.com), he is the author of the Thieftaker Chronicles, a series set in pre-Revolutionary Boston that combines elements... Read More →
avatar for Misty Massey

Misty Massey

Literary Guest
Misty Massey is the author of MAD KESTREL, a rollicking adventure of magic on the high seas (Tor), KESTREL'S VOYAGES, a collection of short stories featuring those rambunctious pirates (Amazon) and the upcoming KESTREL'S DANCE (Lore Seekers Press).  She is a co-editor of THE WEIRD... Read More →

Saturday June 3, 2017 4:00pm - 5:30pm EDT
Harris
  Writers
  • Length 1.5
  • Length 1.5

4:30pm EDT

My Brain is Bigger Than My Budget
When your ideas run afoul of a microscopic budget, what do you do? What are some of the best tips to maximize your film's budget.
Moderators
avatar for Jaysen P. Buterin

Jaysen P. Buterin

Film/Media/TV, Mad Ones Films
Writer. Director. Actor. Musician. Drummer (wait for it…). Model. Artist. Canvas. Columnist. Proudest Papa EVER. And as Creative Director of the straight jacket-tested/doctor-approved Mad Ones Films, from Greensboro North Carolina, Jaysen Buterin’s mission has been to show the... Read More →

Speakers
RW

Robert W. Filion

Film/Media/TV
avatar for Tom Gore

Tom Gore

Film/Media/TV, Film
Tom Gore was born and raised in Newport RI. Of Irish heritage, he realized from an early age that he enjoyed entertaining people with his offbeat sense of humor. After graduating he decided to put that on hold to join the Army and serve his country. With his drive and determination... Read More →
avatar for Dave Harlequin

Dave Harlequin

Media Guest, A Stranger Concept Films
Described by both press and colleagues as an "independent renaissance man" and "voice of the underground," Dave Harlequin is a professional screenwriter, journalist, producer, and independent filmmaker from Charlotte, North Carolina. He is the Creative Director of North Carolina based... Read More →
MB

Matthew B. Moore

Film/Media/TV
CP
avatar for Shannon Strucci

Shannon Strucci

Film/Media/TV, New Media
Shannon Strucci is a filmmaker and podcast host known for her webseries FAKE FRIENDS, a series on parasocial relationships, her role as a player and host on the teen superhero body horror actual play podcast Critical Bits, and her role as film correspondent on the podcast Struggle... Read More →

Saturday June 3, 2017 4:30pm - 5:30pm EDT
Lakeshore I
  Filmmaking
  • Length 1
  • Length 1

4:30pm EDT

Kobayashi Review Trivia
Challenge our panel of experts on varous geek topics!  Answer correctly and get chocolate!  Richie Muenster hosts!
Moderators
avatar for Rich

Rich

Fan Guest
To say that I enjoy podcasting and new media would be a gross understatement. My credits include mentions in high school and collegiate papers, newspapers, Podcasting for Dummies, and Advanced Podcasting Tricks. I have been called an innovator, having created the first fandom podcast... Read More →

Saturday June 3, 2017 4:30pm - 5:30pm EDT
Fountainview
  Gaming
  • Length 1
  • Length 1

4:30pm EDT

Comedy Rock Star Mikey Mason
Mikey Mason explodes on stage with a wit as fast as his mouth, infectiously hilarious original songs, and his completely twisted view. 

He is not right in the head and he likes it that way.

Mikey's act is somewhere between what we think and what we let ourselves say. And his songs...! With songs like, “I Hate Your Kids,” “Licky-Licky Night,” Reality Based Children's Songs,” “Ode To A Single Mother Of Two In The Apartment Next Door At 5:30AM,” and many, many more, Mikey is unabashed, unafraid, and unquestionably funny. He's the psycho stalker ex-boyfriend of comedy, except that you want to see him again. And again... And again...
Speakers
MM

Saturday June 3, 2017 4:30pm - 5:30pm EDT
Lakeshore III/IV
  Performance
  • Length 1
  • Length 1

4:30pm EDT

The Well Dressed Puppet Workshop
Moderators
CL

Saturday June 3, 2017 4:30pm - 6:00pm EDT
Boardroom
  Workshop
  • Length 1.5

5:00pm EDT

Geeky Rants
Should Ben Affleck be beaten with hammers?  Was there really a need for another Alien movie?  And what is with all those Firefly fans?  Join our guests as they rants about their geeky peeves.
Moderators
avatar for Chris Shrewsbury

Chris Shrewsbury

Fan Guest, Geek Life
Chris has volunteered, paneled, guested, staffed, and been committee at literally dozens of cons along the east coast for 30+ years.He’s a nationally certified sign language interpreter.   A Navy  veteran, he has worked as a pre-K through university teacher, and operated his own... Read More →

Speakers
avatar for Jason Gilbert

Jason Gilbert

Literary Guest
Jason is the author of The Clockworks of War series, The Rifle Chronicles, and urban fantasy series The Coldstone Files. His stories are Alternate History with an Urban Fantasy and Horror element set in worlds of the supernatural!
KL
avatar for Bill Mulligan

Bill Mulligan

Film/Media/TV
Bill Mulligan could have sworn he had a bio but his students pointed out he did not, when they SHOULD have been working on their science festival projects. He is a filmmaker/special effects artist who has had the good fortune to be involved in a a number of award winning projects... Read More →

Saturday June 3, 2017 5:00pm - 6:00pm EDT
Burnham
  Geek Life
  • Length 1
  • Length 1

5:00pm EDT

An Hour with Aurelio Voltaire
Musical and Art Guest of Honor Aurelio Voltaire discusses his work and his latest projects!
Speakers
AV

Saturday June 3, 2017 5:00pm - 6:00pm EDT
Lakeshore II
  Main
  • Length 1
  • Length 1

5:00pm EDT

The Art of the Interview
So, you've signed an awesome guest to your podcast. How to keep that guest talking and keep the conversation flowing.
Moderators
avatar for Jay Requard

Jay Requard

Literary Guest, Falstaff Books
Award-winning author of Epic Fantasy and Sword & Sorcery.

Speakers
avatar for Chuck Carte

Chuck Carte

Paranormal
Chuck Carte is an artist, writer, director, comedian, and cosplayer from the Charlotte area. He is the founder of Carolina Tardis, an organization that raises money for charity, and is one half of the Sci-Fried Eggs, a science fiction based podcast. Carte is a prop builder of both... Read More →
avatar for Nick Edelstein

Nick Edelstein

Performance
The captain of Trek Rock!
avatar for Micki Knop

Micki Knop

Geek Life/Fan
Eternally curious about the unknown, the mysterious, the complex.
avatar for Jim Ryan

Jim Ryan

Geek Life
Jim Ryan’s true origins are unknown, but it is rumored he came into being when someone attempted to read a Gaelic translation of the Necronomicon backwards in front of a Large Hadron Collider. Jim plays a massive number of tabletop role-playing games, is a fan of Doctor Who, Star... Read More →
GT
BD

Saturday June 3, 2017 5:00pm - 6:00pm EDT
Keynes
  Podcasting
  • Length 1
  • Length 1

5:00pm EDT

Write What You Don't Know
We've been told over and over that we should write what we know. But that doesn't work so well in worlds that only exist in our heads. Let's talk about how to write what we don't know, and get it right.
Moderators
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.He was born in the small Appalachian town of Clayton... Read More →

Speakers
avatar for Bobby Nash

Bobby Nash

Author
Bobby Nash is an award-winning author. He writes novels (Snow, Evil Ways, Deadly Games!, Nightveil: Crisis at the Crossroads of Infinity), comic books (Edgar Rice Burroughs’ At The Earth’s Core, Domino Lady, Operation: Silver Moon), short fiction (Domino Lady, Occupied Pulp, The... Read More →
avatar for Gray Rinehart

Gray Rinehart

Literary Guest
Gray Rinehart writes science fiction and fantasy stories, nonfiction, songs ... and other things. He is the only person to have commanded an Air Force satellite tracking station, written speeches for Presidential appointees, originated a poetic form, and had music on The Dr. Demento... Read More →
avatar for Linda Robertson

Linda Robertson

Literary Guest
Linda Robertson is an internationally published author. She won first place in the OSU/Mansfield Florence B. Allen writing competition (2006). Since then, she's earned a cum laude Associate of the Art’s Degree in English and published several novels and short stories. In addition... Read More →
avatar for Tamsin Silver

Tamsin Silver

Author
TAMSIN SILVER is a Fantasy author based out of Albuquerque, NM. With a background in Theatre, it was only a natural progression that her storytelling found its way to book format. Her Historical Fantasy works include the Untold Legends series (about Billy the Kid) with Falstaff Books... Read More →
avatar for J.A. Sutherland

J.A. Sutherland

Author - Self-Published
J.A. Sutherland writes space opera with a very Age of Sail feel to it. When not reading or writing, he spends his time on roadtrips around the Southeast US searching for good barbecue.

Saturday June 3, 2017 5:00pm - 6:00pm EDT
Walden
  Writers
  • Length 1
  • Length 1

5:00pm EDT

Pickle Ball
Pickleball is a racquet sport that combines elements of badminton, tennis, and table tennis.[1] Two, three, or four players use solid paddles made of wood or composite materials to hit a perforated polymer ball, similar to a wiffle ball, over a net. The sport shares features of other racquet sports, the dimensions and layout of a badminton court, and a net and rules similar to tennis, with a few modifications. Pickleball was invented in the mid 1960s as a children's backyard pastime but has become popular among adults as well.
Exhibition Game - Godzilla vs. T-Rex - Who will prevail? First one to 3 points wins!
Children will learn the basics of Pickleball after the exhibition game and get to play a game to 13 points. 
Saturday June 3, 2017 5:00pm - 6:30pm EDT
Courtyard
  Kids
  • Length 1.5

5:30pm EDT

Female Film-makers in Force!
Our female film-makers share their stores and show your what their working on!
Moderators
avatar for Shannon Strucci

Shannon Strucci

Film/Media/TV, New Media
Shannon Strucci is a filmmaker and podcast host known for her webseries FAKE FRIENDS, a series on parasocial relationships, her role as a player and host on the teen superhero body horror actual play podcast Critical Bits, and her role as film correspondent on the podcast Struggle... Read More →

Speakers
CP
avatar for Angela Pritchett

Angela Pritchett

Virtual Guest Speaker, Film
Angela Pritchett is an actress, author, musician, costumer, podcaster, and makeup artist. She has been seen in films such as Plan 9, the Porkchop film trilogy, Pig Girl, and many others.Angela is an avid cosplayer and has been making her own costumes for the last seventeen years... Read More →
avatar for Natalie Van Sistine

Natalie Van Sistine

Podcasts and Podcasting
Freelance voice actor and audio engineer from South Carolina, creator of "The Elysium Project" podcast.

Saturday June 3, 2017 5:30pm - 6:30pm EDT
Lakeshore I
  Filmmaking
  • Length 1
  • Length 1

5:30pm EDT

We're Creepy and We're Kooky
Being Goth in the south. How best to be yourself when everyone thinks you're just a bit creepy.
Moderators
avatar for Alexandra Christian

Alexandra Christian

Literary Guest, Writing
Alexandra Christian is an author of mostly romance with a speculative slant. Her love of Stephen King and sweet tea has flavored her fiction with a Southern Gothic sensibility that reeks of Spanish moss and deep-fried eccentricity. Her guiding principle as a romance novelist has always... Read More →

Speakers
avatar for Nickie Jamison

Nickie Jamison

Literary Guest
Nickie Jamison wrote her first full-length novel at age 10 – that creative endeavor sparked her desire to begin a writing career. Her stories dabble in and blend many different genres; science fiction, fantasy, romance, erotica, poetry, horror...whatever captures her fancy. Ms... Read More →
avatar for Hurr and Madd

Hurr and Madd

Performance, Hurr and Madd
Hello Everyone! We are Hurr and Madd a cosplay music group that performs original electronic tales and songs from our soundtracks. Just to tell you a little bit about us, we are also authors of 3 fantasy books and each episodic book comes with a soundtrack of our music that accompanies... Read More →
avatar for Gild The Mourn

Gild The Mourn

Musical Guests, Gild The Mourn
Fairytale Themed Gothic Rock. https://www.youtube.com/user/gildthemourn
avatar for Puvithel Rajan

Puvithel Rajan

Artist
Puvithel makes and designs handmade jewelry and accessories, clothing and handbags for J-fashion and alternative styles. Her motifis include detail work, over-the-top gothic designs, and vector and laser cut work. You can purchase your own Puvithel items at RuffleCon from their booth... Read More →
avatar for Michael G. Williams

Michael G. Williams

Literary Guest, Author
Michael G. Williams writes queer-themed science fiction, urban fantasy, and horror celebrating monsters, macabre humor, and subverted expectations. He’s the author of three series for Falstaff Books: the award-winning vampire/urban fantasy series The Withrow Chronicles; the th... Read More →

Saturday June 3, 2017 5:30pm - 6:30pm EDT
Olmstead
  Geek Life
  • Length 1
  • Length 1

5:30pm EDT

The ConCarolinas Annual Costume Contest and Award Ceremony
It's time to show off your finery and flaunt your costuming talents!  

We will also annouce the winner of the Grimm-Koch-Lockhart Scholarship and present awards for the ConCarolinas Film Festival.

Costumes! Artistry! Awards! Prizes!  
Moderators
avatar for Brian Holloway

Brian Holloway

Costume, Union County Public Schools
Costume designer with over 27+ years experience for film television, and stage. Make-Up Supervisor and actor for Star Trek: New Voyages/PHASE II for 8+ years. Owner of Material Worlds Costuming. Convention moderator and panelist yearly at a variety of conventions. Professional actor... Read More →

Speakers
avatar for JustJess

JustJess

WCCB, Charlotte's CW
Hey everyone! I'm the creator and host of "Super Chat," a web series where local guests and I break down the CW super hero shows. You can also find me on WCCB News Rising on Monday and Thursday mornings. Add me on social media @JustJessWCCB if you want to chat about the CW shows... Read More →
DS

Saturday June 3, 2017 5:30pm - 7:00pm EDT
Lakeshore III/IV
  Costuming
  • Length 1.5
  • Length 1.5

6:00pm EDT

Improv Theater for the Masses
Interested in doing some improv?  Talk to our panel of improv experts on how to get started, what to expect and how to overcome problems.
Speakers
RF
PS

Saturday June 3, 2017 6:00pm - 7:00pm EDT
Keynes
  Geek Life
  • Length 1
  • Length 1

6:00pm EDT

Demonology
Discussion of demons and their place in the paranormal world.
Moderators
avatar for Tally Johnson

Tally Johnson

Paranormal
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 he also has a story in An... Read More →

Speakers
VG
TR

Tina R. McSwain

Paranormal, CAPS - The Charlotte Area Paranormal Society
I am a well respected paranormal investigator and researcher with over 20 year experience. I founded CAPS - The Charlotte Area Paranormal Society in 2005 and we are still going strong today. We take a scientific approach to the study of all types of paranormal activity.

Saturday June 3, 2017 6:00pm - 7:00pm EDT
Burnham
  Paranormal
  • Length 1
  • Length 1

6:00pm EDT

Author and Politics
During the difficult 2016 election runup (and the uncomfortable days that followed), many authors were chastised for voicing their opnions online. Why do people get so upset at writers sharing their personal thoughts? Let's talk about free speech wher online fame is concerned.
Moderators
avatar for Emily Leverett

Emily Leverett

Author, Writing
Emily Lavin Leverett is an author, editor, and scholar. She is the author of the paranormal romance series The Wolf and the Nun based on the life and stories of 12th century abbess Marie de France: The Wolf and the Cloister, The Enchanted Rose, and The Song of the Black Wolf are out... Read More →

Speakers
avatar for A.J. Hartley

A.J. Hartley

Author/Editor/Publisher
A.J. Hartley (also writing as Andrew Hart) is the NY Times bestselling author of 23 novels foradults and younger readers spanning multiple genres, notably mystery, thriller, fantasy andscience fiction. Recent work includes Impervious, which grew out of his experience of a schoolshooting... Read More →
avatar for John G. Hartness

John G. Hartness

Literary/Publisher, Falstaff Books
Long Bio -John G. Hartness is a teller of tales, a righter of wrong, defender of ladies’ virtues, and some people call him Maurice, for he speaks of the pompatus of love. He is also the award-winning author of the urban fantasy series The Black Knight Chronicles, the Bubba the Monster... Read More →
avatar for David B. Coe/D.B. Jackson

David B. Coe/D.B. Jackson

Author, Editor, Writing
Biography of David B. Coe David B. Coe/D.B. Jackson is the author of more than two dozen novels and as many short stories. As D.B. Jackson (http://www.DBJackson-Author.com), he is the author of the Thieftaker Chronicles, a series set in pre-Revolutionary Boston that combines elements... Read More →
avatar for Gray Rinehart

Gray Rinehart

Literary Guest
Gray Rinehart writes science fiction and fantasy stories, nonfiction, songs ... and other things. He is the only person to have commanded an Air Force satellite tracking station, written speeches for Presidential appointees, originated a poetic form, and had music on The Dr. Demento... Read More →
avatar for Tamsin Silver

Tamsin Silver

Author
TAMSIN SILVER is a Fantasy author based out of Albuquerque, NM. With a background in Theatre, it was only a natural progression that her storytelling found its way to book format. Her Historical Fantasy works include the Untold Legends series (about Billy the Kid) with Falstaff Books... Read More →

Saturday June 3, 2017 6:00pm - 7:00pm EDT
Walden
  Writers
  • Length 1
  • Length 1

6:00pm EDT

The Art of the Short Story
How do the skills for writing novels and short stories differ? What should new writers keep in mind when diving into the short story market? Is there even any money in writing short fiction any more?
Moderators
avatar for Margaret McGraw

Margaret McGraw

Editor/Author
Margaret S. McGraw is co-editor of the Predators in Petticoats anthology (Black Cat White Cat Books, 2020), as well as two anthologies about the wildest West that never was: Lawless Lands: Tales from the Weird Frontier (Falstaff Books, 2017) and The Weird Wild West (eSpec Books, 2015... Read More →

Speakers
avatar for Robert Bevan

Robert Bevan

Author, Writing
Robert Bevan took his first steps in comedy with The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, and his first steps in fantasy with Dungeons & Dragons. Over the years, these two loves mingled, festered, and congealed into the ever expanding Caverns & Creatures series of comedy/fantasy novels... Read More →
avatar for J.D. Blackrose
TB
avatar for Melissa McArthur

Melissa McArthur

Literary Guest, Falstaff Books
Melissa McArthur is the founder and president of Clicking Keys Writer Services, a full-service editing, cover design, and layout company based in the upstate of South Carolina. She also serves as an Acquiring Editor for Falstaff Books, and is an accomplished editor and proofreader.Her... Read More →
avatar for Bobby Nash

Bobby Nash

Author
Bobby Nash is an award-winning author. He writes novels (Snow, Evil Ways, Deadly Games!, Nightveil: Crisis at the Crossroads of Infinity), comic books (Edgar Rice Burroughs’ At The Earth’s Core, Domino Lady, Operation: Silver Moon), short fiction (Domino Lady, Occupied Pulp, The... Read More →

Saturday June 3, 2017 6:00pm - 7:00pm EDT
Harris
  Writers
  • Length 1
  • Length 1

6:00pm EDT

Henna Workshop
Henna artist Wendy Feldmann (Wendy Mehndi) gives a presentation on the history of Henna, Mixology and Artistry.  Learn about this beautiful artform and try your hand at drawing with Henna.
Saturday June 3, 2017 6:00pm - 7:30pm EDT
Boardroom
  Workshop
  • Length 1.5

6:30pm EDT

Is Winter Finally Here?
Cersei in on the Iron Throne, John Snow is back from the dead and Sansa has finally found a backbone (and promptly fed it to Ramsay's dogs). A discussion of the newest season of Game of Thrones.
Moderators
avatar for Tig Pollum

Tig Pollum

Fan
Tig is a geek of all trades. From Star Wars to Doctor Who, tabletop to video games, there isn't much she isn't into. She has a deep passion for costuming, having majored in costume design in college, and particularly loves historical and period costumes. Tig is fortunate enough to... Read More →

Speakers
avatar for Christopher DeLisle

Christopher DeLisle

Fan
A long time fan of all things geeky, Christopher refers to himself as an ethnic nerd who was raised in the geek orthodox tradition. He is an avid gamer and super hero enthusiast. His geek credentials include former production manager for Empire Games, acting as an assistant event... Read More →
avatar for Nickie Jamison

Nickie Jamison

Literary Guest
Nickie Jamison wrote her first full-length novel at age 10 – that creative endeavor sparked her desire to begin a writing career. Her stories dabble in and blend many different genres; science fiction, fantasy, romance, erotica, poetry, horror...whatever captures her fancy. Ms... Read More →
avatar for Derek Nieman

Derek Nieman

Costuming
Derek Nieman has been part of the south east convention scene for over ten years. An original member of the Carolina Garrison of the 501st Legion, it goes almost without saying that Derek is a huge Star Wars fan. Not limited to just being a one trick fan boy, Derek also has a huge... Read More →
WB

Saturday June 3, 2017 6:30pm - 7:30pm EDT
Lakeshore II
  Media/Fandom
  • Length 1
  • Length 1

6:30pm EDT

Acting 101
A basic course in acting from our guests.
Moderators
avatar for Tom Gore

Tom Gore

Film/Media/TV, Film
Tom Gore was born and raised in Newport RI. Of Irish heritage, he realized from an early age that he enjoyed entertaining people with his offbeat sense of humor. After graduating he decided to put that on hold to join the Army and serve his country. With his drive and determination... Read More →

Speakers
JH

Joh Harp

Film.Media/TV
MB

Matthew B. Moore

Film/Media/TV
avatar for Angela Pritchett

Angela Pritchett

Virtual Guest Speaker, Film
Angela Pritchett is an actress, author, musician, costumer, podcaster, and makeup artist. She has been seen in films such as Plan 9, the Porkchop film trilogy, Pig Girl, and many others.Angela is an avid cosplayer and has been making her own costumes for the last seventeen years... Read More →
avatar for Natalie Van Sistine

Natalie Van Sistine

Podcasts and Podcasting
Freelance voice actor and audio engineer from South Carolina, creator of "The Elysium Project" podcast.
BD
avatar for Michael Ray Williams

Michael Ray Williams

Film/Media/TV, MadOnes Films
I'm an actor at heart, but an all around film/theatre extraordinaire.

Saturday June 3, 2017 6:30pm - 8:00pm EDT
Lakeshore I
  Filmmaking
  • Length 1.5
  • Length 1.5

6:45pm EDT

Sherrilyn Kenyon Book Signing
Sherrilyn will be signing at a table in the hallway of the University Ballroom
Speakers
SK

Saturday June 3, 2017 6:45pm - 8:00pm EDT
University Hallway
  Writers

7:00pm EDT

Body Positive Cosplay
Cosplay is for everyone! How to boost your confidence and deal with the naysayers. Beware! Confidence is contagious!
Moderators
N

Speakers
avatar for Brian Holloway

Brian Holloway

Costume, Union County Public Schools
Costume designer with over 27+ years experience for film television, and stage. Make-Up Supervisor and actor for Star Trek: New Voyages/PHASE II for 8+ years. Owner of Material Worlds Costuming. Convention moderator and panelist yearly at a variety of conventions. Professional actor... Read More →
avatar for DL Leonine

DL Leonine

Geek Life
avatar for Chris Shrewsbury

Chris Shrewsbury

Fan Guest, Geek Life
Chris has volunteered, paneled, guested, staffed, and been committee at literally dozens of cons along the east coast for 30+ years.He’s a nationally certified sign language interpreter.   A Navy  veteran, he has worked as a pre-K through university teacher, and operated his own... Read More →

Saturday June 3, 2017 7:00pm - 8:00pm EDT
Burnham
  Costuming
  • Length 1
  • Length 1

7:00pm EDT

Women in Gaming
Is it as difficult as it seems for a woman to break into the Gaming industry - or are those claims exaggerated?  
Moderators
avatar for Christina Stiles

Speakers
JB
avatar for Maya Preisler

Maya Preisler

Artist Guest, Geek Life
Maya Preisler has been creating art and telling stories since they were old enough to hold a pen, writing and illustrating their first science fiction novel at age eight. Maya is the proud author of a genre-bending spec fic novel and a short story in Corvid-19. Their artwork graces... Read More →

Saturday June 3, 2017 7:00pm - 8:00pm EDT
Olmstead
  Gaming
  • Length 1

7:00pm EDT

Valentine Wolfe
Gothic metal duo Valentine Wolfe return to bring your their haunting melodies!
Speakers
VW

Saturday June 3, 2017 7:00pm - 8:00pm EDT
Lakeshore III/IV
  Performance
  • Length 1
  • Length 1

7:00pm EDT

The Science of Star Wars
Could lightsabers ever be a reality? Which droid should we take into space? Is there a plan to build land speeders to race through canyons? Let's talk about how close to reality Star Wars might be.
Moderators
SO

Speakers
avatar for Jim Craig

Jim Craig

There are more things that interest me than can fit in this space. But, for the con, I'm happy to talk about science (especially astronomy and evolution) and science fiction (especially the history of the genre). I'll be easy to spot. Just look for the red hat.
avatar for Tom Hutchens

Tom Hutchens

Costuming Guest, Mandalorian Mercs
Tom Hutchens is the founder & CEO of the Mandalorian Mercs Costume Club, and a professional armorsmith. As well as running one of the world’s largest STAR WARS™ fan organizations, Tom is also an accomplished armorsmith and widely regarded as the master of “Mandalorian” style... Read More →
KL
avatar for James Nettles

James Nettles

Author, Podcaster, Workshop instructor, Science and Tech
James Nettles is a business and tech consultant by day and author by night, writing fiction, non-fiction, and a lot of stuff in between. He is a co-founder and tech director of the ConTinual online convention, host of numerous podcast and videocast shows, and frequent contributor... Read More →

Saturday June 3, 2017 7:00pm - 8:00pm EDT
Keynes
  Science
  • Length 1
  • Length 1

7:00pm EDT

Everyone is the Hero
If everyone is the hero of their own story, how do we tell who the villian is? The panel talks about creating villains with depth and agency
Moderators
avatar for Kalayna Price

Kalayna Price

Author
USA Today Bestselling author Kalayna Price writes the Alex Craft Novels, a dark urban fantasy series from Penguin-Random House, and the Novels of Haven from Bell Bridge Books. Her works have been translated into several languages and are available around the world. Kalayna draws... Read More →

Speakers
VG
HH

Harry Heckel

Author
Harry Heckel has written role-playing games and fiction for two decades. His latest work is The Dark Lord from Harper Voyager Impulse as part of the writing team of Jack Heckel, in which Avery, grad student at the Mysterium University, takes the role of The Dark Lord. When things... Read More →
avatar for James Maxey

James Maxey

Author
I'm the author of two epic fantasy series (Dragon Age/Bitterwood and Dragon Apocalypse/Greatshadow), a superhero duet (Nobody Gets the Girl and Burn Baby Burn) and a steampunk Oz novel (Bad Wizard). My short stories have appeared in numerous magazines and anthologies, with the best... Read More →
avatar for Rysa Walker

Rysa Walker

Author, Skyscape
Rysa is the author of The CHRONOS Files series. Timebound, the first book in the series, was the Young Adult and Grand Prize winner in the 2013 Amazon Breakthrough Novel Awards. The Delphi Resistance, the second in her latest trilogy, will be published by Skyscape in October, 2017... Read More →

Saturday June 3, 2017 7:00pm - 8:00pm EDT
Harris
  Writers
  • Length 1
  • Length 1

7:00pm EDT

Sexual Identity in Speculative Fiction
Have we finally reached an era when the protagontist's sexual identity has no affect on the book's readability? Or do queer characters still run the risk of marginalizing the book into a "niche" shelf?
Moderators
avatar for J.D. Blackrose

Speakers
avatar for Quincy J. Allen

Quincy J. Allen

Author, Quincy J. Allen
National Bestselling Author Quincy J. Allen is a cross-genre author with a wide assortment of publications under his belt. His media tie-in novel Colt the Outlander: Shadow of Ruin was a Scribe Award finalist in 2019, and his noir sci-fi novel Chemical Burn was a Colorado Gold Aw... Read More →
avatar for Samantha Bryant

Samantha Bryant

Author, Dangerous When Bored
Superhero novelist, feminist, teacher, classic and cult movie buff, mother and tea-drinker. Get my Menopausal Superhero series from the Falstaff table at the convention! Find me online http://samanthabryant.com Twitter and Instagram @samanthabwriter Facebook @samanthadunawaybryan... Read More →
avatar for Alexandra Duncan
avatar for Rick Gualtieri

Rick Gualtieri

Author - Freewill Press, Writing
Rick Gualtieri loves adventure, snarky dialogue, and mayhem. So it's only natural that his bestselling Tome of Bill series kicks the mired status quo of vampire fiction straight in the teeth with its mix of supernatural chaos and sharp-tongued geeky humor. It's time to make the undead... Read More →
avatar for Margaret McGraw

Margaret McGraw

Editor/Author
Margaret S. McGraw is co-editor of the Predators in Petticoats anthology (Black Cat White Cat Books, 2020), as well as two anthologies about the wildest West that never was: Lawless Lands: Tales from the Weird Frontier (Falstaff Books, 2017) and The Weird Wild West (eSpec Books, 2015... Read More →
avatar for Michael G. Williams

Michael G. Williams

Literary Guest, Author
Michael G. Williams writes queer-themed science fiction, urban fantasy, and horror celebrating monsters, macabre humor, and subverted expectations. He’s the author of three series for Falstaff Books: the award-winning vampire/urban fantasy series The Withrow Chronicles; the th... Read More →

Saturday June 3, 2017 7:00pm - 8:00pm EDT
Walden
  Writers
  • Length 1
  • Length 1

7:00pm EDT

ConCarolinas Charity Auction
Moderators
avatar for Rich

Rich

Fan Guest
To say that I enjoy podcasting and new media would be a gross understatement. My credits include mentions in high school and collegiate papers, newspapers, Podcasting for Dummies, and Advanced Podcasting Tricks. I have been called an innovator, having created the first fandom podcast... Read More →

Saturday June 3, 2017 7:00pm - 8:30pm EDT
Fountainview
  Main
  • Length 1.5
  • Length 1.5

7:30pm EDT

Stranger Things and the Resurgence of Retro
Stranger Things became a phenomenon, filled with retro 80's goodness. Let's discuss the show and how retro horror is shaping television and movies.
Moderators
avatar for Jonathan E Weaver

Jonathan E Weaver

Film/Media/TV

Speakers
avatar for Judy Black

Judy Black

Writer, Gaming
Judy Black is a writer who makes her home in Atlanta, Ga. She loves games, books, cats, and most things with caffeine. Her current series, The Finnegan Cabinet of Aberrations, is published with Falstaff Books. You can watch her Tabletop RPG group on Roll For Trouble... Read More →
avatar for Sherman Burris

Sherman Burris

Fan, Geek Life
I am a life-long fan of Science,fictional and non-fiction,and a few other popular genre properties.I have co-hosted a Trivia Night for Charlotte Geeks, we lost that venue, but if things work out rightit'll be re-starting soon at Mugs near Selwyn in South Charlotte.As I often tell... Read More →
avatar for Sammie Cassell

Sammie Cassell

Film/Media/TV, Film
Sammie Cassell is a Stokesdale NC based producer/actor. As VP of Wreak Havoc Productions he has been involved with 5 feature films and 15 short films. Wreak Havoc has the shorts Uncle Otto’s Truck (a Stephen King story) and the drama Sea, Salt, Wind on the festival circuit right... Read More →
avatar for Dan Fowler

Dan Fowler

Film/Media/TV, SCREAMING SOUP!
Screaming Soup is an American animated web series that reviews and parodies B-grade sci-fi/horror films. The show is hosted by Deadwest, a brash undead cowboy with a ray gun, and his apocalyptic goat sidekick, Billy. Deadwest is joined by several interchanging co-hosts per episode... Read More →
avatar for Joey Starnes

Joey Starnes

Fan Guest, Geek Life
Joey Starnes (aka the Giddy Geeker) does not claim to be an expert on all geekeries – she's just happy to organize it. She runs the Charlotte Geeks, home of the Guardians of the Geekery podcast, the Geek Gala, and the Muggles Market.  Her main geekdoms include Doctor Who, Harry... Read More →

Saturday June 3, 2017 7:30pm - 8:30pm EDT
Lakeshore II
  Media/Fandom
  • Length 1
  • Length 1

7:30pm EDT

Live Podcast: Moving Panels
Live recording of the podcast Moving Panels
Speakers
avatar for Darryl Mansel
avatar for Jay Requard

Jay Requard

Literary Guest, Falstaff Books
Award-winning author of Epic Fantasy and Sword & Sorcery.

Saturday June 3, 2017 7:30pm - 8:30pm EDT
Boardroom
  Podcasting
  • Length 1

8:00pm EDT

Deep Thoughts with Pineapple-Shaped Lamps
How many licks would it take Toad to get to the center of a Tootsie-Pop? Does Galactus take planet-sized poops? Would a Time Lord make a good real estate agent?  These questions and more will be tackled as Pineapple-Shaped Lamps answers life's gratest questions in this Deep Throughts panel!
Speakers
PS

Saturday June 3, 2017 8:00pm - 9:00pm EDT
Walden
  Performance
  • Length 1.5
  • Length 1.5

8:00pm EDT

Gild the Mourn
The Fairytale themed Gothic Rock band, Gild the Mourn consists of members Angel and Gopal Metro. The duo started writing together in 2012, and formed Gild The Mourn in 2014. Inspired by their love of high fantasy and ghost stories, the music combines elements of gothic rock, dark wave, post-punk and classic fairytales to create a world beyond our own.
Speakers
avatar for Gild The Mourn

Gild The Mourn

Musical Guests, Gild The Mourn
Fairytale Themed Gothic Rock. https://www.youtube.com/user/gildthemourn
AM

Saturday June 3, 2017 8:00pm - 9:00pm EDT
Lakeshore III/IV
  Performance
  • Length 1
  • Length 1

8:00pm EDT

Romancing Your Readers
You're in the mood for love...or lust! Let's talk a bit dirty and find out how best to craft romance, sex and other naughty stuff in your work.
Moderators
avatar for Stella Price/ Anastasia Virgas

Stella Price/ Anastasia Virgas

Author
Writing with her sister Audra, she is one half of a long standing writing team with over 45 novels to their credit. A Jill of most trades in the publishing world, Stella is an award winning cover artist, a convention director, book designer and branding maven. Slytherin head girl... Read More →

Speakers
avatar for Jeanne P. Adams

Jeanne P. Adams

Virtual Guest Speaker, Science and Tech
A lifelong reader and writer of fantasy and suspense, award-winning author Jeanne Adams is an extrovert in an introverted profession. So, she's always up for talking...about ANYTHING! Geekery of all kinds, reading, books, baseball, dogs and dog-showing, suspense, and body disposal... Read More →
avatar for Alexandra Christian

Alexandra Christian

Literary Guest, Writing
Alexandra Christian is an author of mostly romance with a speculative slant. Her love of Stephen King and sweet tea has flavored her fiction with a Southern Gothic sensibility that reeks of Spanish moss and deep-fried eccentricity. Her guiding principle as a romance novelist has always... Read More →
MV
avatar for Rysa Walker

Rysa Walker

Author, Skyscape
Rysa is the author of The CHRONOS Files series. Timebound, the first book in the series, was the Young Adult and Grand Prize winner in the 2013 Amazon Breakthrough Novel Awards. The Delphi Resistance, the second in her latest trilogy, will be published by Skyscape in October, 2017... Read More →

Saturday June 3, 2017 8:00pm - 9:00pm EDT
Harris
  Writers
  • Length 1
  • Length 1

8:00pm EDT

Mental Health and Wellness for Creative People
Many people experience mental health challenges, especially creative people.  Our panelists share their experiences and help you realize that you are not alone.
Moderators
avatar for James Nettles

James Nettles

Author, Podcaster, Workshop instructor, Science and Tech
James Nettles is a business and tech consultant by day and author by night, writing fiction, non-fiction, and a lot of stuff in between. He is a co-founder and tech director of the ConTinual online convention, host of numerous podcast and videocast shows, and frequent contributor... Read More →

Speakers
avatar for J.D. Blackrose
avatar for Jason Gilbert

Jason Gilbert

Literary Guest
Jason is the author of The Clockworks of War series, The Rifle Chronicles, and urban fantasy series The Coldstone Files. His stories are Alternate History with an Urban Fantasy and Horror element set in worlds of the supernatural!
avatar for Nicole Givens Kurtz

Nicole Givens Kurtz

Author, Publisher, Mocha Memoirs Press
Nicole Givens Kurtz is an author, editor, and educator. She's the recipient of the Ladies of Horror Grant (2021), the Horror Writers Association's Diversity Grant (2020) and the two-time Atomacon Palmetto Scribe Award Winner (2021 and 2022). She's also the editor of the groundbreaking... Read More →
avatar for Calandra Usher

Calandra Usher

Calandra Usher, born and raised in Northport NY (Long Island), graduated from SUNY Buffalo with a BFA in Sculpture and became a certified K-12 art teacher. She spent a year in the Peace Corps in Ghana, West Africa, teaching art in a deaf school. She and her family lived in Detroit... Read More →

Saturday June 3, 2017 8:00pm - 9:30pm EDT
Olmstead
  Geek Life
  • Length 1.5
  • Length 1.5

8:00pm EDT

Film Screening: Athena
It's about Carl, whose life has crumbled, and who now exists as a shell of a man.  His wretched existence is punctuated by the loss of his wife and all of the emotional scarring that has created.  It's also about Emily, who is not well herself.  She may be slightly schizophrenic and manic depressive, but she's doing fine in general....stable job, active social life. Things could be better, if only she had Carl.  There is hope, however.  Hope in the form of a voice which appears to Carl., then to Emily.  That voice is Athena, but is she merely manipulating the situation, orr is she genuinely attempting to help these two people?  LIfe is messy, and she could be make things worse.
Moderators
avatar for Jaysen P. Buterin

Jaysen P. Buterin

Film/Media/TV, Mad Ones Films
Writer. Director. Actor. Musician. Drummer (wait for it…). Model. Artist. Canvas. Columnist. Proudest Papa EVER. And as Creative Director of the straight jacket-tested/doctor-approved Mad Ones Films, from Greensboro North Carolina, Jaysen Buterin’s mission has been to show the... Read More →

Saturday June 3, 2017 8:00pm - 10:00pm EDT
Lakeshore I
  Filmmaking
  • Length 2
  • Length 2

8:30pm EDT

Dating for Geeks
Let's face it, we're nerds. Sure, we're smart and creative and really quite lovable once you get to know us, but the whole "dating" thing can be a bit...daunting. Have no fear, ConCarolinas is here! Our panel of relationship experts will (seriously) give you loads of practical advice on how to meet other people without sending them running down the hallways in fear. 
Moderators
KL

Speakers
avatar for Dave Harlequin

Dave Harlequin

Media Guest, A Stranger Concept Films
Described by both press and colleagues as an "independent renaissance man" and "voice of the underground," Dave Harlequin is a professional screenwriter, journalist, producer, and independent filmmaker from Charlotte, North Carolina. He is the Creative Director of North Carolina based... Read More →
avatar for Tig Pollum

Tig Pollum

Fan
Tig is a geek of all trades. From Star Wars to Doctor Who, tabletop to video games, there isn't much she isn't into. She has a deep passion for costuming, having majored in costume design in college, and particularly loves historical and period costumes. Tig is fortunate enough to... Read More →
TW

Saturday June 3, 2017 8:30pm - 9:30pm EDT
Keynes
  Geek Life
  • Length 1
  • Length 1

8:30pm EDT

Hitting the Road With Shadow and Mr. Wednesday
American Gods finally has a television series!  Let discuss the merits of the book and how well it is translating to the small screen.
Speakers
avatar for Carol Cowles

Carol Cowles

Fan Guest, Geek Life
Carol Cowles - Carol has long been a fixture of Geek Culture in Charlotte. 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 the weekly... Read More →
MM
avatar for Misty Massey

Misty Massey

Literary Guest
Misty Massey is the author of MAD KESTREL, a rollicking adventure of magic on the high seas (Tor), KESTREL'S VOYAGES, a collection of short stories featuring those rambunctious pirates (Amazon) and the upcoming KESTREL'S DANCE (Lore Seekers Press).  She is a co-editor of THE WEIRD... Read More →

Saturday June 3, 2017 8:30pm - 9:30pm EDT
Lakeshore II
  Media/Fandom
  • Length 1
  • Length 1

8:30pm EDT

Tarot Cards and Ouija Boards
These seemingly innocent games are thought to be so much more. Our panelists discuss expericences they've had and if it was all fun and games.
Moderators
avatar for Michael G. Williams

Michael G. Williams

Literary Guest, Author
Michael G. Williams writes queer-themed science fiction, urban fantasy, and horror celebrating monsters, macabre humor, and subverted expectations. He’s the author of three series for Falstaff Books: the award-winning vampire/urban fantasy series The Withrow Chronicles; the th... Read More →

Speakers
TB
VG
avatar for Nickie Jamison

Nickie Jamison

Literary Guest
Nickie Jamison wrote her first full-length novel at age 10 – that creative endeavor sparked her desire to begin a writing career. Her stories dabble in and blend many different genres; science fiction, fantasy, romance, erotica, poetry, horror...whatever captures her fancy. Ms... Read More →
SK
TR

Tina R. McSwain

Paranormal, CAPS - The Charlotte Area Paranormal Society
I am a well respected paranormal investigator and researcher with over 20 year experience. I founded CAPS - The Charlotte Area Paranormal Society in 2005 and we are still going strong today. We take a scientific approach to the study of all types of paranormal activity.

Saturday June 3, 2017 8:30pm - 9:30pm EDT
Burnham
  Paranormal
  • Length 1
  • Length 1

9:00pm EDT

Hurr and Madd
Hurr and Madd is a high-energy cosplay fantasy music group that perform songs and stories from their original episodic book and soundtrack series. Their sound is a blend between DJ spins, electro-pop and alternative vocals, creating a live movie-like experience.
Speakers
avatar for Hurr and Madd

Hurr and Madd

Performance, Hurr and Madd
Hello Everyone! We are Hurr and Madd a cosplay music group that performs original electronic tales and songs from our soundtracks. Just to tell you a little bit about us, we are also authors of 3 fantasy books and each episodic book comes with a soundtrack of our music that accompanies... Read More →

Saturday June 3, 2017 9:00pm - 10:00pm EDT
Fountainview
  Performance
  • Length 1
  • Length 1

9:00pm EDT

The Long Losts
The Long Losts are a duo from NY made up of vocalist Anka and her husband Patrick on guitar that began in 2012. Their music combines goth and punk rock with lyrics inspired by their love for each other and the things that they love; Autumn, Halloween, nature, romance, ghosts and their memories all wrapped in a dark Victorian aesthetic.
Speakers
avatar for The Long Losts

The Long Losts

Performance, The Long Losts
Hailing from New York, The Long Losts are a musical act made up of vocalist Anka and her husband Patrick on guitar that began in 2012 with the creation of their first song, “If Only Boris Karloff Was My Dad.” In 2014 they released their first album, “Scary Songs To Play In the... Read More →

Saturday June 3, 2017 9:00pm - 10:00pm EDT
Lakeshore III/IV
  Performance
  • Length 1
  • Length 1

9:00pm EDT

Trek Rock with Nick Edelstein
"The Captain of Trek Rock is back! Nick Edelstein is an award-winning multi-instrumentalist and BMI composer whose work has been featured in video games, indie films, and on TV and radio worldwide. His latest album,Hobbies and Games explores life through the eyes of a guitar-slinging Star Trek Starfleet officer with fan favorites "Trek Girl," "Trekking Across The Stars," and "Rolling For Crits."


Moderators
avatar for Nick Edelstein

Nick Edelstein

Performance
The captain of Trek Rock!

Saturday June 3, 2017 9:00pm - 10:00pm EDT
Walden
  Performance
  • Length 1
  • Length 1

9:30pm EDT

Late Night Costuming
For the more adventurous cosplayer, learn about some kink inspired costumes.
Moderators
avatar for Tig Pollum

Tig Pollum

Fan
Tig is a geek of all trades. From Star Wars to Doctor Who, tabletop to video games, there isn't much she isn't into. She has a deep passion for costuming, having majored in costume design in college, and particularly loves historical and period costumes. Tig is fortunate enough to... Read More →

Speakers
avatar for Chuck Carte

Chuck Carte

Paranormal
Chuck Carte is an artist, writer, director, comedian, and cosplayer from the Charlotte area. He is the founder of Carolina Tardis, an organization that raises money for charity, and is one half of the Sci-Fried Eggs, a science fiction based podcast. Carte is a prop builder of both... Read More →
avatar for Brian Holloway

Brian Holloway

Costume, Union County Public Schools
Costume designer with over 27+ years experience for film television, and stage. Make-Up Supervisor and actor for Star Trek: New Voyages/PHASE II for 8+ years. Owner of Material Worlds Costuming. Convention moderator and panelist yearly at a variety of conventions. Professional actor... Read More →
avatar for Derek Nieman

Derek Nieman

Costuming
Derek Nieman has been part of the south east convention scene for over ten years. An original member of the Carolina Garrison of the 501st Legion, it goes almost without saying that Derek is a huge Star Wars fan. Not limited to just being a one trick fan boy, Derek also has a huge... Read More →

Saturday June 3, 2017 9:30pm - 10:30pm EDT
Burnham
  Costuming
  • Length 1
  • Length 1

9:30pm EDT

Live Podcast: CToCT
LIve recording of the CToCT podcast!
Speakers
avatar for Michael G. Williams

Michael G. Williams

Literary Guest, Author
Michael G. Williams writes queer-themed science fiction, urban fantasy, and horror celebrating monsters, macabre humor, and subverted expectations. He’s the author of three series for Falstaff Books: the award-winning vampire/urban fantasy series The Withrow Chronicles; the th... Read More →

Saturday June 3, 2017 9:30pm - 10:30pm EDT
Boardroom
  Podcasting

10:00pm EDT

How to Create Your Own Fan Film
Filmmaker and web-series creator John Dondero and Garrett Mooneyhan of the 13th Floor EFX hosts this fully interactive discussion and "how to" workshop on the ins and outs of creating your very own Fan Film.  A must see for aspiring filmmakers, v-loggers, internet addicts and anyone who just enjoys a fun discussion.
Moderators
D

Speakers
GM
avatar for Torch

Torch

Film/Media/TV, A Stranger Concept Productions
A seasoned veteran with over 20 years in the entertainment industry, Torch is a man who wears many hats. From event promoter and DJ to film producer, writer, and party host, there really isn’t anything he hasn’t done in the realm of entertainment. Torch is perhaps best known as... Read More →

Saturday June 3, 2017 10:00pm - 11:00pm EDT
Lakeshore II
  Filmmaking
  • Length 1

10:00pm EDT

Con Partying 101
Some con parties are better than others - here is your primer to hosting, attending and surviving con parties!
Moderators
avatar for Dave Harlequin

Dave Harlequin

Media Guest, A Stranger Concept Films
Described by both press and colleagues as an "independent renaissance man" and "voice of the underground," Dave Harlequin is a professional screenwriter, journalist, producer, and independent filmmaker from Charlotte, North Carolina. He is the Creative Director of North Carolina based... Read More →

Speakers
KL
avatar for Tig Pollum

Tig Pollum

Fan
Tig is a geek of all trades. From Star Wars to Doctor Who, tabletop to video games, there isn't much she isn't into. She has a deep passion for costuming, having majored in costume design in college, and particularly loves historical and period costumes. Tig is fortunate enough to... Read More →

Saturday June 3, 2017 10:00pm - 11:00pm EDT
Olmstead
  Geek Life
  • Length 1
  • Length 1

10:00pm EDT

Filking the Night Away
Nighttime filk for guests and patrons. This a come and go type event. Stay as long as you want. Sing as much as you want.
Speakers
avatar for Christie Hawthorn and Holly

Christie Hawthorn and Holly

Performance/ Comfort Coordinator, Geek Life
Geek Parenting, Wizard Rock, Geek Rock, Dr who!
avatar for The Blibbering Humdingers

The Blibbering Humdingers

Performance
Salaciously whimsical, neo-retro, post-nihilist Wizard Rock for nerds, geeks, jedi, browncoats, Whovians and all manner of hoopy froods. Their sound is kinda rock, kinda old-timey, kinda folky, kinda do-wop, kinda broadway, and 100% fun. Find 'em on Spotify, iTunes, GooglePlay and... Read More →
avatar for Puvithel Rajan

Puvithel Rajan

Artist
Puvithel makes and designs handmade jewelry and accessories, clothing and handbags for J-fashion and alternative styles. Her motifis include detail work, over-the-top gothic designs, and vector and laser cut work. You can purchase your own Puvithel items at RuffleCon from their booth... Read More →
avatar for Gray Rinehart

Gray Rinehart

Literary Guest
Gray Rinehart writes science fiction and fantasy stories, nonfiction, songs ... and other things. He is the only person to have commanded an Air Force satellite tracking station, written speeches for Presidential appointees, originated a poetic form, and had music on The Dr. Demento... Read More →

Saturday June 3, 2017 10:00pm - 11:30pm EDT
Walden
  Filk
  • Length 2.5
  • Length 2.5

10:00pm EDT

Film Screening: Hellions Rise
Hellions Rise is a new web series from the minds of Matthew B Moore, Brett Mullen and The Drive-In Film Series.  The series follows the ancient magician, Merlin and his band of specialists as they try to hunt down the daughters of Lilith and put and end to thousands of years of demonic cruelty  An ancient battle fought in the modern world, Hellions Rise delivers myth, magic, violence, gore, comedy, boobies and all of the other awesomeness you would expect from writer/director Matthew B Moore.
Moderators
avatar for Jaysen P. Buterin

Jaysen P. Buterin

Film/Media/TV, Mad Ones Films
Writer. Director. Actor. Musician. Drummer (wait for it…). Model. Artist. Canvas. Columnist. Proudest Papa EVER. And as Creative Director of the straight jacket-tested/doctor-approved Mad Ones Films, from Greensboro North Carolina, Jaysen Buterin’s mission has been to show the... Read More →

Saturday June 3, 2017 10:00pm - 11:30pm EDT
Lakeshore I
  Filmmaking
  • Length 1.5
  • Length 1.5

10:00pm EDT

Authors and Dragons Live Podcast
A Podcast Where A Party Of Fantasy Authors Try To Make It Through A Game Of Pathfinder Without Dying. Will They Succeed? Probably Not!
Moderators
avatar for Misty Massey

Misty Massey

Literary Guest
Misty Massey is the author of MAD KESTREL, a rollicking adventure of magic on the high seas (Tor), KESTREL'S VOYAGES, a collection of short stories featuring those rambunctious pirates (Amazon) and the upcoming KESTREL'S DANCE (Lore Seekers Press).  She is a co-editor of THE WEIRD... Read More →

Speakers
avatar for Robert Bevan

Robert Bevan

Author, Writing
Robert Bevan took his first steps in comedy with The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, and his first steps in fantasy with Dungeons & Dragons. Over the years, these two loves mingled, festered, and congealed into the ever expanding Caverns & Creatures series of comedy/fantasy novels... Read More →
JB
avatar for Rick Gualtieri

Rick Gualtieri

Author - Freewill Press, Writing
Rick Gualtieri loves adventure, snarky dialogue, and mayhem. So it's only natural that his bestselling Tome of Bill series kicks the mired status quo of vampire fiction straight in the teeth with its mix of supernatural chaos and sharp-tongued geeky humor. It's time to make the undead... Read More →
avatar for John G. Hartness

John G. Hartness

Literary/Publisher, Falstaff Books
Long Bio -John G. Hartness is a teller of tales, a righter of wrong, defender of ladies’ virtues, and some people call him Maurice, for he speaks of the pompatus of love. He is also the award-winning author of the urban fantasy series The Black Knight Chronicles, the Bubba the Monster... Read More →
avatar for Drew Hayes

Drew Hayes

Author, Thunder Pear Publishing
SW

Saturday June 3, 2017 10:00pm - 11:30pm EDT
Fountainview
  Writers
  • Length 1.5
  • Length 1.5

10:30pm EDT

Nerd-Vana Burlesque
Do you know who Cthulhu is and why it's not a good idea to go swimming with him? Are you waiting for a man in blue box to sweep you off your feet? Have you ever dumped someone just because they didn't like Firefly? Does an epic night include you, your friend, and a 20 sided die?

If you answered yes, or even no, then this is the show for you. We are Nerd-Vana, a Geektasic Variety show. The Nerds are working hard to bring you the best and nerdiest in variety entertainment! The first of its kind, a whole show (actually a series of them) dedicated to Geekery and all of its glorious forms. Entertaining you with it in any and every way you can imagine (No, we already thought of that.. and that... that too.) In every way that is not ILLEGAL. Or at least couldn't be proven in a court of law. 
Moderators
avatar for Rich

Rich

Fan Guest
To say that I enjoy podcasting and new media would be a gross understatement. My credits include mentions in high school and collegiate papers, newspapers, Podcasting for Dummies, and Advanced Podcasting Tricks. I have been called an innovator, having created the first fandom podcast... Read More →

Speakers
N

Saturday June 3, 2017 10:30pm - 11:30pm EDT
Lakeshore III/IV
  Performance
  • Length 1
  • Length 1

11:00pm EDT

Dead, But Not Buried: Zombie Films Worth Watching
With dozens of zombie films released each year, which ones stand out? From forgotten classics like THE LIVING DEAD IN THE MANCHESTER MORGUE to modern takes like WARM BODIES, proof there is still life in the genre.
Moderators
avatar for Bill Mulligan

Bill Mulligan

Film/Media/TV
Bill Mulligan could have sworn he had a bio but his students pointed out he did not, when they SHOULD have been working on their science festival projects. He is a filmmaker/special effects artist who has had the good fortune to be involved in a a number of award winning projects... Read More →

Speakers
avatar for Dan Fowler

Dan Fowler

Film/Media/TV, SCREAMING SOUP!
Screaming Soup is an American animated web series that reviews and parodies B-grade sci-fi/horror films. The show is hosted by Deadwest, a brash undead cowboy with a ray gun, and his apocalyptic goat sidekick, Billy. Deadwest is joined by several interchanging co-hosts per episode... Read More →
avatar for Nickie Jamison

Nickie Jamison

Literary Guest
Nickie Jamison wrote her first full-length novel at age 10 – that creative endeavor sparked her desire to begin a writing career. Her stories dabble in and blend many different genres; science fiction, fantasy, romance, erotica, poetry, horror...whatever captures her fancy. Ms... Read More →
avatar for Michael D. Pederson

Michael D. Pederson

Fan Guest, RavenCon
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 published the fanzine Nth Degree for seventeen years, wrote and published the Raven comic book series, and edited... Read More →
avatar for Shannon Strucci

Shannon Strucci

Film/Media/TV, New Media
Shannon Strucci is a filmmaker and podcast host known for her webseries FAKE FRIENDS, a series on parasocial relationships, her role as a player and host on the teen superhero body horror actual play podcast Critical Bits, and her role as film correspondent on the podcast Struggle... Read More →
AB

Saturday June 3, 2017 11:00pm - Sunday June 4, 2017 12:00am EDT
Lakeshore I
  Media/Fandom
  • Length 1
  • Length 1

11:30pm EDT

PSL Does Disney - Sketch Comedy Show
Wilmington, NC comedy troupe PIneapple-Shaped Lamps broke into the legendary "Disney vault" and came out with a brand-new sketch comedy show!  Nothing is sacred, as they mock and lampoon everything from Freaky Friday to Peter Pan! So strap on your ouse ears, take a bracing hit of pixie dust and watch PSL take on the Most Magical Place on Earth!
Speakers
PS

Saturday June 3, 2017 11:30pm - Sunday June 4, 2017 12:30am EDT
Fountainview
  Performance
  • Length 1.5
  • Length 1.5

11:30pm EDT

Evil Geniuses For a Better Tomorrow
For all the villians out there- here are the best and easiest ways to kill of the population.
Moderators
avatar for Micki Knop

Micki Knop

Geek Life/Fan
Eternally curious about the unknown, the mysterious, the complex.

Speakers
avatar for Jeanne P. Adams

Jeanne P. Adams

Virtual Guest Speaker, Science and Tech
A lifelong reader and writer of fantasy and suspense, award-winning author Jeanne Adams is an extrovert in an introverted profession. So, she's always up for talking...about ANYTHING! Geekery of all kinds, reading, books, baseball, dogs and dog-showing, suspense, and body disposal... Read More →
avatar for Darin Kennedy

Darin Kennedy

Literary Guest, Writing
Darin Kennedy, born and raised in Winston-Salem, NC, is a graduate of Wake Forest University and Bowman Gray School of Medicine. After completing family medicine residency in the mountains of Virginia, he served eight years as a United States Army physician and wrote his first novel... Read More →
avatar for James Nettles

James Nettles

Author, Podcaster, Workshop instructor, Science and Tech
James Nettles is a business and tech consultant by day and author by night, writing fiction, non-fiction, and a lot of stuff in between. He is a co-founder and tech director of the ConTinual online convention, host of numerous podcast and videocast shows, and frequent contributor... Read More →
WB
BD

Saturday June 3, 2017 11:30pm - Sunday June 4, 2017 12:30am EDT
Keynes
  Science
  • Length 1
  • Length 1

11:30pm EDT

Pirate Karaoke with Captain Scurvy
Avast ye scurvy dogs! The Captain is in and he's asking you to sing for your grog! Grab the mic and show us what you got!  
Speakers
CS

Saturday June 3, 2017 11:30pm - Sunday June 4, 2017 1:00am EDT
Harris
  Performance
  • Length 2.5
  • Length 1.5
 
Sunday, June 4
 

12:00am EDT

Forget Fifty Shades, Just Spank Me!
A beginner's guide to BDSM.  We're just talking......
Moderators
avatar for Tig Pollum

Tig Pollum

Fan
Tig is a geek of all trades. From Star Wars to Doctor Who, tabletop to video games, there isn't much she isn't into. She has a deep passion for costuming, having majored in costume design in college, and particularly loves historical and period costumes. Tig is fortunate enough to... Read More →

Speakers
avatar for Brian Holloway

Brian Holloway

Costume, Union County Public Schools
Costume designer with over 27+ years experience for film television, and stage. Make-Up Supervisor and actor for Star Trek: New Voyages/PHASE II for 8+ years. Owner of Material Worlds Costuming. Convention moderator and panelist yearly at a variety of conventions. Professional actor... Read More →
avatar for Nickie Jamison

Nickie Jamison

Literary Guest
Nickie Jamison wrote her first full-length novel at age 10 – that creative endeavor sparked her desire to begin a writing career. Her stories dabble in and blend many different genres; science fiction, fantasy, romance, erotica, poetry, horror...whatever captures her fancy. Ms... Read More →
avatar for Derek Nieman

Derek Nieman

Costuming
Derek Nieman has been part of the south east convention scene for over ten years. An original member of the Carolina Garrison of the 501st Legion, it goes almost without saying that Derek is a huge Star Wars fan. Not limited to just being a one trick fan boy, Derek also has a huge... Read More →

Sunday June 4, 2017 12:00am - 1:00am EDT
Olmstead
  Geek Life
  • Length 1
  • Length 1

12:00am EDT

Aurelio Voltaire
As a musician, he is a songwriter whose music can best be described as a collection of murder ballads, tongue-in-cheek exercises in the macabre, with just enough bawdy songs about Star Trek and Star Wars to keep a Con audience rolling in the aisles. Many know him for his song "Brains!" from the Cartoon Network show "The Grim Adventures of Billy And Mandy".
Voltaire's live shows, whether solo or with his skeletal orchestra, are highly theatrical -full of stories and games. The theatrical quality of his performances is not surprising; Voltaire has been directing commercials and animating short films for the last twenty years.
Speakers
AV

Sunday June 4, 2017 12:00am - 1:00am EDT
Lakeshore III/IV
  Main
  • Length 1
  • Length 1

9:00am EDT

Where' My BrainJack?
In the last twenty years, cyberpunk has moved from fiction to reality. From Bluetooth to Google Glass to nanobot brain implants, let's talk about what SF writers think is coming next.
Moderators
avatar for Alexandra Christian

Alexandra Christian

Literary Guest, Writing
Alexandra Christian is an author of mostly romance with a speculative slant. Her love of Stephen King and sweet tea has flavored her fiction with a Southern Gothic sensibility that reeks of Spanish moss and deep-fried eccentricity. Her guiding principle as a romance novelist has always... Read More →

Speakers
avatar for Jeanne P. Adams

Jeanne P. Adams

Virtual Guest Speaker, Science and Tech
A lifelong reader and writer of fantasy and suspense, award-winning author Jeanne Adams is an extrovert in an introverted profession. So, she's always up for talking...about ANYTHING! Geekery of all kinds, reading, books, baseball, dogs and dog-showing, suspense, and body disposal... Read More →
avatar for Quincy J. Allen

Quincy J. Allen

Author, Quincy J. Allen
National Bestselling Author Quincy J. Allen is a cross-genre author with a wide assortment of publications under his belt. His media tie-in novel Colt the Outlander: Shadow of Ruin was a Scribe Award finalist in 2019, and his noir sci-fi novel Chemical Burn was a Colorado Gold Aw... Read More →
avatar for Alledria Hurt

Alledria Hurt

Author - Self-Published
avatar for Chris A. Jackson

Chris A. Jackson

Literary Guest, Writing
As a professional sailor, writer, scientist, and life-long gamer, writing nautical and RPG tie-in fantasy came naturally for Chris. His Scimitar Seas novels from Dragon Moon Press have won multiple gold medals from Foreword Reviews Magazine, and his Pathfinder Tales novels, Pirate's... Read More →

Sunday June 4, 2017 9:00am - 10:00am EDT
Walden
  Writers
  • Length 1
  • Length 1

9:00am EDT

YA Genre Bending
Is it a mystery? A fantasy? A historicla novel? A fantastical historical mystery?  YA fiction bends and blends genres with the best of them.  How do you describe a book when it fits into multiple genres?  Are there pitfalls to genre-bending or is it all awesome all the way?  What are some of the trends in genre-bending we're seeing?  What will we see more of in the future?
Moderators
avatar for Alexandra Duncan

Speakers
avatar for Alethea Kontis

Alethea Kontis

Author, Kingdom of Arilland
Alethea Kontis is a princess, author, fairy godmother, and geek. Her bestselling Books of Arilland fairytale series won two Gelett Burgess Children’s Book Awards (Enchanted and Tales of Arilland), and was twice nominated for the Andre Norton Award. Alethea also penned the AlphaOops... Read More →
TT
MV
avatar for Rysa Walker

Rysa Walker

Author, Skyscape
Rysa is the author of The CHRONOS Files series. Timebound, the first book in the series, was the Young Adult and Grand Prize winner in the 2013 Amazon Breakthrough Novel Awards. The Delphi Resistance, the second in her latest trilogy, will be published by Skyscape in October, 2017... Read More →

Sunday June 4, 2017 9:00am - 10:00am EDT
Harris
  Writers
  • Length 1
  • Length 1

10:00am EDT

Star Wars Yoga
Your favorite yoga poses are now one with The Force.  Take some time and stretch your muscles.  No experience necessary, beginners welcome!
Bring a mat!!
Sunday June 4, 2017 10:00am - 11:00am EDT
Burnham
  Geek Life
  • Length 1
  • Length 1

10:00am EDT

The Marvel Movie Juggernaut
Can Marvel be stopped? Which movie will finally break the string of massive hits or are they just invincible? And how about that Guardians sequel?
 
Speakers
avatar for Sherman Burris

Sherman Burris

Fan, Geek Life
I am a life-long fan of Science,fictional and non-fiction,and a few other popular genre properties.I have co-hosted a Trivia Night for Charlotte Geeks, we lost that venue, but if things work out rightit'll be re-starting soon at Mugs near Selwyn in South Charlotte.As I often tell... Read More →
avatar for Darryl Mansel
avatar for Michael D. Pederson

Michael D. Pederson

Fan Guest, RavenCon
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 published the fanzine Nth Degree for seventeen years, wrote and published the Raven comic book series, and edited... Read More →
avatar for Joey Starnes

Joey Starnes

Fan Guest, Geek Life
Joey Starnes (aka the Giddy Geeker) does not claim to be an expert on all geekeries – she's just happy to organize it. She runs the Charlotte Geeks, home of the Guardians of the Geekery podcast, the Geek Gala, and the Muggles Market.  Her main geekdoms include Doctor Who, Harry... Read More →
SW

Sunday June 4, 2017 10:00am - 11:00am EDT
Lakeshore II
  Media/Fandom
  • Length 1
  • Length 1

10:00am EDT

Wizard Rock with The Blibbering Humdingers
Neo-retro existential wizard nerd pop with a dash of do-wop, a sprinkle of steampunk and nibble of new wave. A "sound" you ask? Genre? Pishaw! We don't have a sound other than laughter and the sound of magic and the sound of one hand clapping because your other arm has been gnawed off by piranhas.
Speakers
avatar for The Blibbering Humdingers

The Blibbering Humdingers

Performance
Salaciously whimsical, neo-retro, post-nihilist Wizard Rock for nerds, geeks, jedi, browncoats, Whovians and all manner of hoopy froods. Their sound is kinda rock, kinda old-timey, kinda folky, kinda do-wop, kinda broadway, and 100% fun. Find 'em on Spotify, iTunes, GooglePlay and... Read More →

Sunday June 4, 2017 10:00am - 11:00am EDT
Lakeshore III/IV
  Performance
  • Length 1
  • Length 1

10:00am EDT

The Perfect Pitch
The panel discusses pitches that attracted them and some that made them want to run screaming from the room. Bring your own 20-second pitch to try out on the panel!
Moderators
avatar for Darin Kennedy

Darin Kennedy

Literary Guest, Writing
Darin Kennedy, born and raised in Winston-Salem, NC, is a graduate of Wake Forest University and Bowman Gray School of Medicine. After completing family medicine residency in the mountains of Virginia, he served eight years as a United States Army physician and wrote his first novel... Read More →

Speakers
avatar for Faith Hunter

Faith Hunter

Author, Writing
New York Times bestselling author Faith Hunter has written the Jane Yellowrock series and the Rogue Mage series, as well as the Rogue Mage Role Playing Game. The Soulwood series will be a paranormal crime solving trilogy featuring Nell Nicholson Ingram. Under the pen name Gwen Hunter... Read More →
avatar for David B. Coe/D.B. Jackson

David B. Coe/D.B. Jackson

Author, Editor, Writing
Biography of David B. Coe David B. Coe/D.B. Jackson is the author of more than two dozen novels and as many short stories. As D.B. Jackson (http://www.DBJackson-Author.com), he is the author of the Thieftaker Chronicles, a series set in pre-Revolutionary Boston that combines elements... Read More →
MV

Sunday June 4, 2017 10:00am - 11:00am EDT
Harris
  Writers
  • Length 1
  • Length 1

10:00am EDT

Where Have the Heroes Gone?
So many stories are about one hero and his team of sidekicks. In reality, most situations are solved by a group of equals working together. Why do books seem to focus on one character? Let's talk about the need (or lack) of heroes in stories.
Moderators
avatar for Gail Z. Martin

Gail Z. Martin

Literary Guest, Writing
Gail Z. Martin is the author of Scourge: A Darkhurst Novel, from Solaris Books. Gail is also the author of Vendetta: A Deadly Curiosities Novel and Trifles and Folly 1: A Deadly Curiosities Collection, the latest in her urban fantasy series set in Charleston, SC; Shadow and Flame is the fourth... Read More →

Speakers
avatar for Drew Hayes

Drew Hayes

Author, Thunder Pear Publishing
avatar for Chris A. Jackson

Chris A. Jackson

Literary Guest, Writing
As a professional sailor, writer, scientist, and life-long gamer, writing nautical and RPG tie-in fantasy came naturally for Chris. His Scimitar Seas novels from Dragon Moon Press have won multiple gold medals from Foreword Reviews Magazine, and his Pathfinder Tales novels, Pirate's... Read More →
avatar for Linda Robertson

Linda Robertson

Literary Guest
Linda Robertson is an internationally published author. She won first place in the OSU/Mansfield Florence B. Allen writing competition (2006). Since then, she's earned a cum laude Associate of the Art’s Degree in English and published several novels and short stories. In addition... Read More →
avatar for Tamsin Silver

Tamsin Silver

Author
TAMSIN SILVER is a Fantasy author based out of Albuquerque, NM. With a background in Theatre, it was only a natural progression that her storytelling found its way to book format. Her Historical Fantasy works include the Untold Legends series (about Billy the Kid) with Falstaff Books... Read More →

Sunday June 4, 2017 10:00am - 11:00am EDT
Walden
  Writers
  • Length 1
  • Length 1

10:00am EDT

Dealer Room
Find unique wares and our Media and Author Guests of Honor and Special Guests
Sunday June 4, 2017 10:00am - 2:00pm EDT
University
  Geek Life
  • Length 4

10:30am EDT

Gamemastering 201
Beyond the basics - here is the next level of gamemastering!
Moderators
avatar for Robert Hudson

Robert Hudson

Gaming
Talk to me about my work for HERO Games, Misfit Studios, or Gunmetal Games, or the pulps and pulp characters/adventures, or, heck, anything. =)

Speakers
CB
JB
HH

Harry Heckel

Author
Harry Heckel has written role-playing games and fiction for two decades. His latest work is The Dark Lord from Harper Voyager Impulse as part of the writing team of Jack Heckel, in which Avery, grad student at the Mysterium University, takes the role of The Dark Lord. When things... Read More →
avatar for Maya Preisler

Maya Preisler

Artist Guest, Geek Life
Maya Preisler has been creating art and telling stories since they were old enough to hold a pen, writing and illustrating their first science fiction novel at age eight. Maya is the proud author of a genre-bending spec fic novel and a short story in Corvid-19. Their artwork graces... Read More →
avatar for Jim Ryan

Jim Ryan

Geek Life
Jim Ryan’s true origins are unknown, but it is rumored he came into being when someone attempted to read a Gaelic translation of the Necronomicon backwards in front of a Large Hadron Collider. Jim plays a massive number of tabletop role-playing games, is a fan of Doctor Who, Star... Read More →
avatar for Michael G. Williams

Michael G. Williams

Literary Guest, Author
Michael G. Williams writes queer-themed science fiction, urban fantasy, and horror celebrating monsters, macabre humor, and subverted expectations. He’s the author of three series for Falstaff Books: the award-winning vampire/urban fantasy series The Withrow Chronicles; the th... Read More →

Sunday June 4, 2017 10:30am - 11:30am EDT
Olmstead
  Gaming
  • Length 1
  • Length 1

10:30am EDT

Hollywood and Science
While Arrival and The Martian gather awards and give audiences really good science in their science fiction, Hollywood usually just wings it. Let's discuss the best and worst of what Hollywood thinks is science fact.
Moderators
avatar for Chris Shrewsbury

Chris Shrewsbury

Fan Guest, Geek Life
Chris has volunteered, paneled, guested, staffed, and been committee at literally dozens of cons along the east coast for 30+ years.He’s a nationally certified sign language interpreter.   A Navy  veteran, he has worked as a pre-K through university teacher, and operated his own... Read More →

Speakers
avatar for Jim Craig

Jim Craig

There are more things that interest me than can fit in this space. But, for the con, I'm happy to talk about science (especially astronomy and evolution) and science fiction (especially the history of the genre). I'll be easy to spot. Just look for the red hat.
avatar for Micki Knop

Micki Knop

Geek Life/Fan
Eternally curious about the unknown, the mysterious, the complex.
avatar for James Nettles

James Nettles

Author, Podcaster, Workshop instructor, Science and Tech
James Nettles is a business and tech consultant by day and author by night, writing fiction, non-fiction, and a lot of stuff in between. He is a co-founder and tech director of the ConTinual online convention, host of numerous podcast and videocast shows, and frequent contributor... Read More →
SO
avatar for Puvithel Rajan

Puvithel Rajan

Artist
Puvithel makes and designs handmade jewelry and accessories, clothing and handbags for J-fashion and alternative styles. Her motifis include detail work, over-the-top gothic designs, and vector and laser cut work. You can purchase your own Puvithel items at RuffleCon from their booth... Read More →

Sunday June 4, 2017 10:30am - 11:30am EDT
Keynes
  Science
  • Length 1
  • Length 1

10:30am EDT

Film Screening: Sammie the Comic Book Man
A feature length documentary about comic nerd Sammie Cassell as he gives a series of presentations to school kids about the wonders of comic books.  Through these talks, Sammie engages young readers on a new level and creates lasting impacts promoting not only literacy but creativity.
Speakers
avatar for Sammie Cassell

Sammie Cassell

Film/Media/TV, Film
Sammie Cassell is a Stokesdale NC based producer/actor. As VP of Wreak Havoc Productions he has been involved with 5 feature films and 15 short films. Wreak Havoc has the shorts Uncle Otto’s Truck (a Stephen King story) and the drama Sea, Salt, Wind on the festival circuit right... Read More →

Sunday June 4, 2017 10:30am - 12:00pm EDT
Lakeshore I
  Filmmaking
  • Length 1.5
  • Length 1.5

11:00am EDT

An Hour with Sherrilyn Kenyon
Author Guest of Honor Sherrilyn Kenyon talks vampires and other scary creatures and what she's working on next!
Moderators
avatar for John G. Hartness

John G. Hartness

Literary/Publisher, Falstaff Books
Long Bio -John G. Hartness is a teller of tales, a righter of wrong, defender of ladies’ virtues, and some people call him Maurice, for he speaks of the pompatus of love. He is also the award-winning author of the urban fantasy series The Black Knight Chronicles, the Bubba the Monster... Read More →

Speakers
SK

Sunday June 4, 2017 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT
Lakeshore III/IV
  Writers
  • Length 1
  • Length 1

11:00am EDT

Sorry, I was Listening to Myself
Writers tend to be introverts, which makes self-promotion a complete misery. The panel will talk about ways to promote your work without driving yourself into social madness.
Moderators
avatar for Drew Hayes

Drew Hayes

Author, Thunder Pear Publishing

Speakers
avatar for A.J. Hartley

A.J. Hartley

Author/Editor/Publisher
A.J. Hartley (also writing as Andrew Hart) is the NY Times bestselling author of 23 novels foradults and younger readers spanning multiple genres, notably mystery, thriller, fantasy andscience fiction. Recent work includes Impervious, which grew out of his experience of a schoolshooting... Read More →
avatar for Alethea Kontis

Alethea Kontis

Author, Kingdom of Arilland
Alethea Kontis is a princess, author, fairy godmother, and geek. Her bestselling Books of Arilland fairytale series won two Gelett Burgess Children’s Book Awards (Enchanted and Tales of Arilland), and was twice nominated for the Andre Norton Award. Alethea also penned the AlphaOops... Read More →
avatar for Dave Schroeder

Dave Schroeder

Author - Self-Published, Spiral Arm Press
I'm a retired Chief Information Officer and the author of the Xenotech Support series of science fiction humor novels as well as the owner of Spiral Arm Press. Ask me about my books, self-publishing (especially designing printed book interiors) and the Atlanta Radio Theatre Co... Read More →

Sunday June 4, 2017 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT
Walden
  Writers
  • Length 1
  • Length 1

11:00am EDT

What to Avoid in a Themed Anthology
So you've heard about an open submission to an anthology with a theme- how do you create a story that won't repeat what a thousand other writers submit?
Moderators
avatar for Nicole Givens Kurtz

Nicole Givens Kurtz

Author, Publisher, Mocha Memoirs Press
Nicole Givens Kurtz is an author, editor, and educator. She's the recipient of the Ladies of Horror Grant (2021), the Horror Writers Association's Diversity Grant (2020) and the two-time Atomacon Palmetto Scribe Award Winner (2021 and 2022). She's also the editor of the groundbreaking... Read More →

Speakers
avatar for Quincy J. Allen

Quincy J. Allen

Author, Quincy J. Allen
National Bestselling Author Quincy J. Allen is a cross-genre author with a wide assortment of publications under his belt. His media tie-in novel Colt the Outlander: Shadow of Ruin was a Scribe Award finalist in 2019, and his noir sci-fi novel Chemical Burn was a Colorado Gold Aw... Read More →
avatar for Alexandra Christian

Alexandra Christian

Literary Guest, Writing
Alexandra Christian is an author of mostly romance with a speculative slant. Her love of Stephen King and sweet tea has flavored her fiction with a Southern Gothic sensibility that reeks of Spanish moss and deep-fried eccentricity. Her guiding principle as a romance novelist has always... Read More →
VG
avatar for Emily Leverett

Emily Leverett

Author, Writing
Emily Lavin Leverett is an author, editor, and scholar. She is the author of the paranormal romance series The Wolf and the Nun based on the life and stories of 12th century abbess Marie de France: The Wolf and the Cloister, The Enchanted Rose, and The Song of the Black Wolf are out... Read More →
avatar for Bobby Nash

Bobby Nash

Author
Bobby Nash is an award-winning author. He writes novels (Snow, Evil Ways, Deadly Games!, Nightveil: Crisis at the Crossroads of Infinity), comic books (Edgar Rice Burroughs’ At The Earth’s Core, Domino Lady, Operation: Silver Moon), short fiction (Domino Lady, Occupied Pulp, The... Read More →

Sunday June 4, 2017 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT
Harris
  Writers
  • Length 1
  • Length 1

11:00am EDT

Guardians of the Geekery LIve Podcast
Speakers
avatar for Carol Cowles

Carol Cowles

Fan Guest, Geek Life
Carol Cowles - Carol has long been a fixture of Geek Culture in Charlotte. 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 the weekly... Read More →
avatar for Joey Starnes

Joey Starnes

Fan Guest, Geek Life
Joey Starnes (aka the Giddy Geeker) does not claim to be an expert on all geekeries – she's just happy to organize it. She runs the Charlotte Geeks, home of the Guardians of the Geekery podcast, the Geek Gala, and the Muggles Market.  Her main geekdoms include Doctor Who, Harry... Read More →

Sunday June 4, 2017 11:00am - 12:30pm EDT
Boardroom
  Podcasting

11:00am EDT

Baen Traveling Roadshow
Meet the publishers at Baen Books and see what is coming up in their publishing world!
Moderators
TW

Speakers
KL
avatar for Gray Rinehart

Gray Rinehart

Literary Guest
Gray Rinehart writes science fiction and fantasy stories, nonfiction, songs ... and other things. He is the only person to have commanded an Air Force satellite tracking station, written speeches for Presidential appointees, originated a poetic form, and had music on The Dr. Demento... Read More →

Sunday June 4, 2017 11:00am - 12:30pm EDT
Lakeshore II
  Writers
  • Length 1.5
  • Length 1.5

11:30am EDT

Fabulous Finds
Your local thrift shop can be a treasure trove of cosplay material. Our costume panelists give tips on building props and accessories from everyday objects. 
Moderators
avatar for Tig Pollum

Tig Pollum

Fan
Tig is a geek of all trades. From Star Wars to Doctor Who, tabletop to video games, there isn't much she isn't into. She has a deep passion for costuming, having majored in costume design in college, and particularly loves historical and period costumes. Tig is fortunate enough to... Read More →

Speakers
JH

Joh Harp

Film.Media/TV
avatar for Brian Holloway

Brian Holloway

Costume, Union County Public Schools
Costume designer with over 27+ years experience for film television, and stage. Make-Up Supervisor and actor for Star Trek: New Voyages/PHASE II for 8+ years. Owner of Material Worlds Costuming. Convention moderator and panelist yearly at a variety of conventions. Professional actor... Read More →
avatar for Tom Hutchens

Tom Hutchens

Costuming Guest, Mandalorian Mercs
Tom Hutchens is the founder & CEO of the Mandalorian Mercs Costume Club, and a professional armorsmith. As well as running one of the world’s largest STAR WARS™ fan organizations, Tom is also an accomplished armorsmith and widely regarded as the master of “Mandalorian” style... Read More →
avatar for Derek Nieman

Derek Nieman

Costuming
Derek Nieman has been part of the south east convention scene for over ten years. An original member of the Carolina Garrison of the 501st Legion, it goes almost without saying that Derek is a huge Star Wars fan. Not limited to just being a one trick fan boy, Derek also has a huge... Read More →

Sunday June 4, 2017 11:30am - 12:30pm EDT
Burnham
  Costuming
  • Length 1
  • Length 1

11:30am EDT

Stephanie Osborn Book Signing
Sunday June 4, 2017 11:30am - 1:00pm EDT
University
  Writers

12:00pm EDT

So You've Made a Movie, Now What
How to best promote your film and film company.
Moderators
avatar for Jaysen P. Buterin

Jaysen P. Buterin

Film/Media/TV, Mad Ones Films
Writer. Director. Actor. Musician. Drummer (wait for it…). Model. Artist. Canvas. Columnist. Proudest Papa EVER. And as Creative Director of the straight jacket-tested/doctor-approved Mad Ones Films, from Greensboro North Carolina, Jaysen Buterin’s mission has been to show the... Read More →

Speakers
RW

Robert W. Filion

Film/Media/TV
avatar for Dave Harlequin

Dave Harlequin

Media Guest, A Stranger Concept Films
Described by both press and colleagues as an "independent renaissance man" and "voice of the underground," Dave Harlequin is a professional screenwriter, journalist, producer, and independent filmmaker from Charlotte, North Carolina. He is the Creative Director of North Carolina based... Read More →
MB

Matthew B. Moore

Film/Media/TV
CP
avatar for Shannon Strucci

Shannon Strucci

Film/Media/TV, New Media
Shannon Strucci is a filmmaker and podcast host known for her webseries FAKE FRIENDS, a series on parasocial relationships, her role as a player and host on the teen superhero body horror actual play podcast Critical Bits, and her role as film correspondent on the podcast Struggle... Read More →

Sunday June 4, 2017 12:00pm - 1:00pm EDT
Lakeshore I
  Filmmaking
  • Length 1
  • Length 1

12:00pm EDT

The Age of Hufflepuff!
With the Fantastic Beasts franchise, Jo Rowling has revealedthat our new hero, Newt Scamander, comes from Hufflepuff House. Comeexplore the meaning of Hogwarts House identities, how PottermoreSorting fits into it all, and try to answer the ultimate in HarryPotter fan questions - What the hell is a Hufflepuff?
Moderators
JS

Speakers
avatar for Carol Cowles

Carol Cowles

Fan Guest, Geek Life
Carol Cowles - Carol has long been a fixture of Geek Culture in Charlotte. 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 the weekly... Read More →
M
avatar for Stella Price/ Anastasia Virgas

Stella Price/ Anastasia Virgas

Author
Writing with her sister Audra, she is one half of a long standing writing team with over 45 novels to their credit. A Jill of most trades in the publishing world, Stella is an award winning cover artist, a convention director, book designer and branding maven. Slytherin head girl... Read More →

Sunday June 4, 2017 12:00pm - 1:00pm EDT
Olmstead
  Media/Fandom
  • Length 1
  • Length 1

12:00pm EDT

Hawthorne and Holly
Hawthorn & Holly are a pop punk band that plays songs about Harry Potter. Started in 2007, these wizards hail from Charlotte, North Carolina. Leah Schroeder and Christie Mowery weave gorgeous harmonies with Eddie Mowery on guitars, while Dave Beaucar of Meriden, Connecticut slaps his amazing bass. 
Moderators
avatar for Christie Hawthorn and Holly

Christie Hawthorn and Holly

Performance/ Comfort Coordinator, Geek Life
Geek Parenting, Wizard Rock, Geek Rock, Dr who!

Sunday June 4, 2017 12:00pm - 1:00pm EDT
Lakeshore III/IV
  Performance
  • Length 1
  • Length 1

12:00pm EDT

Podcasting, Past, Present and Future
Where did podcasting start and where is it going? Let's discuss the history of the medium, how it has influenced geek culture and where it will go in the future.
Moderators
avatar for Rich

Rich

Fan Guest
To say that I enjoy podcasting and new media would be a gross understatement. My credits include mentions in high school and collegiate papers, newspapers, Podcasting for Dummies, and Advanced Podcasting Tricks. I have been called an innovator, having created the first fandom podcast... Read More →

Speakers
avatar for Chuck Carte

Chuck Carte

Paranormal
Chuck Carte is an artist, writer, director, comedian, and cosplayer from the Charlotte area. He is the founder of Carolina Tardis, an organization that raises money for charity, and is one half of the Sci-Fried Eggs, a science fiction based podcast. Carte is a prop builder of both... Read More →
avatar for Sammie Cassell

Sammie Cassell

Film/Media/TV, Film
Sammie Cassell is a Stokesdale NC based producer/actor. As VP of Wreak Havoc Productions he has been involved with 5 feature films and 15 short films. Wreak Havoc has the shorts Uncle Otto’s Truck (a Stephen King story) and the drama Sea, Salt, Wind on the festival circuit right... Read More →
avatar for Darryl Mansel
avatar for Jim Ryan

Jim Ryan

Geek Life
Jim Ryan’s true origins are unknown, but it is rumored he came into being when someone attempted to read a Gaelic translation of the Necronomicon backwards in front of a Large Hadron Collider. Jim plays a massive number of tabletop role-playing games, is a fan of Doctor Who, Star... Read More →
avatar for Natalie Van Sistine

Natalie Van Sistine

Podcasts and Podcasting
Freelance voice actor and audio engineer from South Carolina, creator of "The Elysium Project" podcast.
GT

Sunday June 4, 2017 12:00pm - 1:00pm EDT
Keynes
  Podcasting
  • Length 1
  • Length 1

12:00pm EDT

Self-Censorship
Have you ever written something and realized there is no way you could possibly publish it? Should you censor yourself? Are there subjects that are simply too taboo? Should emotional triggers be avoided at all cost?
Moderators
avatar for Faith Hunter

Faith Hunter

Author, Writing
New York Times bestselling author Faith Hunter has written the Jane Yellowrock series and the Rogue Mage series, as well as the Rogue Mage Role Playing Game. The Soulwood series will be a paranormal crime solving trilogy featuring Nell Nicholson Ingram. Under the pen name Gwen Hunter... Read More →

Speakers
avatar for Jeanne P. Adams

Jeanne P. Adams

Virtual Guest Speaker, Science and Tech
A lifelong reader and writer of fantasy and suspense, award-winning author Jeanne Adams is an extrovert in an introverted profession. So, she's always up for talking...about ANYTHING! Geekery of all kinds, reading, books, baseball, dogs and dog-showing, suspense, and body disposal... Read More →
avatar for Robert Bevan

Robert Bevan

Author, Writing
Robert Bevan took his first steps in comedy with The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, and his first steps in fantasy with Dungeons & Dragons. Over the years, these two loves mingled, festered, and congealed into the ever expanding Caverns & Creatures series of comedy/fantasy novels... Read More →
avatar for Rick Gualtieri

Rick Gualtieri

Author - Freewill Press, Writing
Rick Gualtieri loves adventure, snarky dialogue, and mayhem. So it's only natural that his bestselling Tome of Bill series kicks the mired status quo of vampire fiction straight in the teeth with its mix of supernatural chaos and sharp-tongued geeky humor. It's time to make the undead... Read More →
avatar for Emily Leverett

Emily Leverett

Author, Writing
Emily Lavin Leverett is an author, editor, and scholar. She is the author of the paranormal romance series The Wolf and the Nun based on the life and stories of 12th century abbess Marie de France: The Wolf and the Cloister, The Enchanted Rose, and The Song of the Black Wolf are out... Read More →
avatar for James Maxey

James Maxey

Author
I'm the author of two epic fantasy series (Dragon Age/Bitterwood and Dragon Apocalypse/Greatshadow), a superhero duet (Nobody Gets the Girl and Burn Baby Burn) and a steampunk Oz novel (Bad Wizard). My short stories have appeared in numerous magazines and anthologies, with the best... Read More →

Sunday June 4, 2017 12:00pm - 1:00pm EDT
Walden
  Writers
  • Length 1
  • Length 1

12:00pm EDT

What Good is the Library?
With books being cheap and easily ordered online, what does that mean for libraries? Do they still have importance to today's writers and readers, or are they big brick dinosaurs?
Moderators
avatar for Gail Z. Martin

Gail Z. Martin

Literary Guest, Writing
Gail Z. Martin is the author of Scourge: A Darkhurst Novel, from Solaris Books. Gail is also the author of Vendetta: A Deadly Curiosities Novel and Trifles and Folly 1: A Deadly Curiosities Collection, the latest in her urban fantasy series set in Charleston, SC; Shadow and Flame is the fourth... Read More →

Speakers
avatar for Samantha Bryant

Samantha Bryant

Author, Dangerous When Bored
Superhero novelist, feminist, teacher, classic and cult movie buff, mother and tea-drinker. Get my Menopausal Superhero series from the Falstaff table at the convention! Find me online http://samanthabryant.com Twitter and Instagram @samanthabwriter Facebook @samanthadunawaybryan... Read More →
avatar for Alexandra Duncan
avatar for Melissa McArthur

Melissa McArthur

Literary Guest, Falstaff Books
Melissa McArthur is the founder and president of Clicking Keys Writer Services, a full-service editing, cover design, and layout company based in the upstate of South Carolina. She also serves as an Acquiring Editor for Falstaff Books, and is an accomplished editor and proofreader.Her... Read More →
avatar for Drew Meyer

Drew Meyer

Gaming/Podcasting/Author
Drew Meyer is a Children's Library Assistant and Educator who moonlights as a Podcaster and Game Designer. He is behind on all his deadlines. He may or may not have a beard. 

Sunday June 4, 2017 12:00pm - 1:00pm EDT
Harris
  Writers
  • Length 1
  • Length 1

12:30pm EDT

Folklore and Urban Legends
How Folklore and Urban Legends influence our society and how they morphed into the Creepypastas we know today.
Moderators
avatar for James Nettles

James Nettles

Author, Podcaster, Workshop instructor, Science and Tech
James Nettles is a business and tech consultant by day and author by night, writing fiction, non-fiction, and a lot of stuff in between. He is a co-founder and tech director of the ConTinual online convention, host of numerous podcast and videocast shows, and frequent contributor... Read More →

Speakers
avatar for Alethea Kontis

Alethea Kontis

Author, Kingdom of Arilland
Alethea Kontis is a princess, author, fairy godmother, and geek. Her bestselling Books of Arilland fairytale series won two Gelett Burgess Children’s Book Awards (Enchanted and Tales of Arilland), and was twice nominated for the Andre Norton Award. Alethea also penned the AlphaOops... Read More →
TR

Tina R. McSwain

Paranormal, CAPS - The Charlotte Area Paranormal Society
I am a well respected paranormal investigator and researcher with over 20 year experience. I founded CAPS - The Charlotte Area Paranormal Society in 2005 and we are still going strong today. We take a scientific approach to the study of all types of paranormal activity.
AM
WB
avatar for Calandra Usher

Calandra Usher

Calandra Usher, born and raised in Northport NY (Long Island), graduated from SUNY Buffalo with a BFA in Sculpture and became a certified K-12 art teacher. She spent a year in the Peace Corps in Ghana, West Africa, teaching art in a deaf school. She and her family lived in Detroit... Read More →
avatar for Michael G. Williams

Michael G. Williams

Literary Guest, Author
Michael G. Williams writes queer-themed science fiction, urban fantasy, and horror celebrating monsters, macabre humor, and subverted expectations. He’s the author of three series for Falstaff Books: the award-winning vampire/urban fantasy series The Withrow Chronicles; the th... Read More →

Sunday June 4, 2017 12:30pm - 1:30pm EDT
Burnham
  Paranormal
  • Length 1
  • Length 1

1:00pm EDT

Inside the Director's Studio
Our director guests discuss their approach to film-making and which great directors and films influenced their work.
Moderators
avatar for Jaysen P. Buterin

Jaysen P. Buterin

Film/Media/TV, Mad Ones Films
Writer. Director. Actor. Musician. Drummer (wait for it…). Model. Artist. Canvas. Columnist. Proudest Papa EVER. And as Creative Director of the straight jacket-tested/doctor-approved Mad Ones Films, from Greensboro North Carolina, Jaysen Buterin’s mission has been to show the... Read More →

Speakers
JA
D
RW

Robert W. Filion

Film/Media/TV
avatar for Tom Gore

Tom Gore

Film/Media/TV, Film
Tom Gore was born and raised in Newport RI. Of Irish heritage, he realized from an early age that he enjoyed entertaining people with his offbeat sense of humor. After graduating he decided to put that on hold to join the Army and serve his country. With his drive and determination... Read More →
MB

Matthew B. Moore

Film/Media/TV
CP
avatar for Shannon Strucci

Shannon Strucci

Film/Media/TV, New Media
Shannon Strucci is a filmmaker and podcast host known for her webseries FAKE FRIENDS, a series on parasocial relationships, her role as a player and host on the teen superhero body horror actual play podcast Critical Bits, and her role as film correspondent on the podcast Struggle... Read More →
FW

Sunday June 4, 2017 1:00pm - 2:00pm EDT
Lakeshore I
  Filmmaking
  • Length 1
  • Length 1

1:00pm EDT

Star Trek: Which Generation is This?
Star Trek Discovery is currently in production. Discussion of the latest film and the newest television show and the alternate movie universe.
Moderators
avatar for Brian Holloway

Brian Holloway

Costume, Union County Public Schools
Costume designer with over 27+ years experience for film television, and stage. Make-Up Supervisor and actor for Star Trek: New Voyages/PHASE II for 8+ years. Owner of Material Worlds Costuming. Convention moderator and panelist yearly at a variety of conventions. Professional actor... Read More →

Speakers
avatar for Jeanne P. Adams

Jeanne P. Adams

Virtual Guest Speaker, Science and Tech
A lifelong reader and writer of fantasy and suspense, award-winning author Jeanne Adams is an extrovert in an introverted profession. So, she's always up for talking...about ANYTHING! Geekery of all kinds, reading, books, baseball, dogs and dog-showing, suspense, and body disposal... Read More →
avatar for Sherman Burris

Sherman Burris

Fan, Geek Life
I am a life-long fan of Science,fictional and non-fiction,and a few other popular genre properties.I have co-hosted a Trivia Night for Charlotte Geeks, we lost that venue, but if things work out rightit'll be re-starting soon at Mugs near Selwyn in South Charlotte.As I often tell... Read More →
avatar for Rick Gualtieri

Rick Gualtieri

Author - Freewill Press, Writing
Rick Gualtieri loves adventure, snarky dialogue, and mayhem. So it's only natural that his bestselling Tome of Bill series kicks the mired status quo of vampire fiction straight in the teeth with its mix of supernatural chaos and sharp-tongued geeky humor. It's time to make the undead... Read More →
avatar for Darryl Mansel
avatar for Chris Shrewsbury

Chris Shrewsbury

Fan Guest, Geek Life
Chris has volunteered, paneled, guested, staffed, and been committee at literally dozens of cons along the east coast for 30+ years.He’s a nationally certified sign language interpreter.   A Navy  veteran, he has worked as a pre-K through university teacher, and operated his own... Read More →

Sunday June 4, 2017 1:00pm - 2:00pm EDT
Lakeshore II
  Media/Fandom
  • Length 1
  • Length 1

1:00pm EDT

I Are Dunecat!
Writers seem to love their cats. From being owned by them in real ife to writing about them in their stories, cats have a habit of being everywhere. Let's talk about cats in fantasy and SF stories.
Moderators
avatar for Dave Schroeder

Dave Schroeder

Author - Self-Published, Spiral Arm Press
I'm a retired Chief Information Officer and the author of the Xenotech Support series of science fiction humor novels as well as the owner of Spiral Arm Press. Ask me about my books, self-publishing (especially designing printed book interiors) and the Atlanta Radio Theatre Co... Read More →

Speakers
TB
avatar for Alexandra Duncan
VG
avatar for Margaret McGraw

Margaret McGraw

Editor/Author
Margaret S. McGraw is co-editor of the Predators in Petticoats anthology (Black Cat White Cat Books, 2020), as well as two anthologies about the wildest West that never was: Lawless Lands: Tales from the Weird Frontier (Falstaff Books, 2017) and The Weird Wild West (eSpec Books, 2015... Read More →

Sunday June 4, 2017 1:00pm - 2:00pm EDT
Walden
  Writers
  • Length 1
  • Length 1

1:00pm EDT

Speaking the Language
So you've created a unique alien species, how do you make them communicate? How best to create a new and unique language for your characters to speak.
Moderators
avatar for Chris A. Jackson

Chris A. Jackson

Literary Guest, Writing
As a professional sailor, writer, scientist, and life-long gamer, writing nautical and RPG tie-in fantasy came naturally for Chris. His Scimitar Seas novels from Dragon Moon Press have won multiple gold medals from Foreword Reviews Magazine, and his Pathfinder Tales novels, Pirate's... Read More →

Speakers
avatar for Jason T. Graves

Jason T. Graves

Literary Guest, Writing
Author, editor, illustrator, publisher—Jason Graves is the author of four novels: Blood Roses, Morning Stars, The Alewife: Curse of Obsession, and Gretchen Thyrd: On the Bridge, and two published short stories. He is also the founder and publisher of Prospective Press. Learn more... Read More →
avatar for Gail Z. Martin

Gail Z. Martin

Literary Guest, Writing
Gail Z. Martin is the author of Scourge: A Darkhurst Novel, from Solaris Books. Gail is also the author of Vendetta: A Deadly Curiosities Novel and Trifles and Folly 1: A Deadly Curiosities Collection, the latest in her urban fantasy series set in Charleston, SC; Shadow and Flame is the fourth... 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.He was born in the small Appalachian town of Clayton... Read More →

Sunday June 4, 2017 1:00pm - 2:00pm EDT
Harris
  Writers
  • Length 1
  • Length 1

1:00pm EDT

Toni Weisskopf Book Signing
Speakers
TW

Sunday June 4, 2017 1:00pm - 2:00pm EDT
University
  Writers

1:30pm EDT

Cosplay Everyday
How to slip your favorite fandom into your everyday business and work wear.
Moderators
avatar for Chuck Carte

Chuck Carte

Paranormal
Chuck Carte is an artist, writer, director, comedian, and cosplayer from the Charlotte area. He is the founder of Carolina Tardis, an organization that raises money for charity, and is one half of the Sci-Fried Eggs, a science fiction based podcast. Carte is a prop builder of both... Read More →

Speakers
MB
avatar for Tera Fulbright

Tera Fulbright

Director of Guests & Programming, ConGregate Productions, Inc
With over 20 years of event planning experience, Tera Fulbright uses that knowledge to create new and different programming at ConGregate – a convention for the fans, by the fans.She is also the author of several short stories including her first, “History in the Making” published... Read More →
avatar for Nickie Jamison

Nickie Jamison

Literary Guest
Nickie Jamison wrote her first full-length novel at age 10 – that creative endeavor sparked her desire to begin a writing career. Her stories dabble in and blend many different genres; science fiction, fantasy, romance, erotica, poetry, horror...whatever captures her fancy. Ms... Read More →
avatar for Derek Nieman

Derek Nieman

Costuming
Derek Nieman has been part of the south east convention scene for over ten years. An original member of the Carolina Garrison of the 501st Legion, it goes almost without saying that Derek is a huge Star Wars fan. Not limited to just being a one trick fan boy, Derek also has a huge... Read More →

Sunday June 4, 2017 1:30pm - 2:30pm EDT
Burnham
  Costuming
  • Length 1
  • Length 1

1:30pm EDT

Board Games!
What are some of the newest board/card games you should be playing?
Moderators
avatar for Jim Ryan

Jim Ryan

Geek Life
Jim Ryan’s true origins are unknown, but it is rumored he came into being when someone attempted to read a Gaelic translation of the Necronomicon backwards in front of a Large Hadron Collider. Jim plays a massive number of tabletop role-playing games, is a fan of Doctor Who, Star... Read More →

Speakers
JB
avatar for Samantha Bryant

Samantha Bryant

Author, Dangerous When Bored
Superhero novelist, feminist, teacher, classic and cult movie buff, mother and tea-drinker. Get my Menopausal Superhero series from the Falstaff table at the convention! Find me online http://samanthabryant.com Twitter and Instagram @samanthabwriter Facebook @samanthadunawaybryan... Read More →
avatar for Christopher DeLisle

Christopher DeLisle

Fan
A long time fan of all things geeky, Christopher refers to himself as an ethnic nerd who was raised in the geek orthodox tradition. He is an avid gamer and super hero enthusiast. His geek credentials include former production manager for Empire Games, acting as an assistant event... Read More →
avatar for Puvithel Rajan

Puvithel Rajan

Artist
Puvithel makes and designs handmade jewelry and accessories, clothing and handbags for J-fashion and alternative styles. Her motifis include detail work, over-the-top gothic designs, and vector and laser cut work. You can purchase your own Puvithel items at RuffleCon from their booth... Read More →
avatar for Christina Stiles
avatar for Mikki Stith

Mikki Stith

Marketing & Communications Director, Theatre Raleigh
Michaeline's (aka "Mikki") first love was the theatre, but she now finds herself in marketing. After more than a decade of hands-on experience in event and experiential marketing, she spent years working for marketing agencies that focused on digital solutions. Now, Mikki serves as... Read More →

Sunday June 4, 2017 1:30pm - 2:30pm EDT
Olmstead
  Gaming
  • Length 1
  • Length 1

1:30pm EDT

How Science Fiction Influences Science Fact
Do scientist look to genre fiction, television and movies for influence with techonological advances in electronics and medicine?
Moderators
avatar for Dr. Ben Davis

Dr. Ben Davis

Professor, ECPI University
Ben Davis has a Ph.D. in Nuclear Physics and an M.S. in Nuclear Astrophysics from the University of Notre Dame. He taught at the collegiate level for several years on a number of technical subjects ranging from computer programming and math to, of course, astronomy and physics. In... Read More →

Speakers
avatar for Jim Craig

Jim Craig

There are more things that interest me than can fit in this space. But, for the con, I'm happy to talk about science (especially astronomy and evolution) and science fiction (especially the history of the genre). I'll be easy to spot. Just look for the red hat.
GM
avatar for James Nettles

James Nettles

Author, Podcaster, Workshop instructor, Science and Tech
James Nettles is a business and tech consultant by day and author by night, writing fiction, non-fiction, and a lot of stuff in between. He is a co-founder and tech director of the ConTinual online convention, host of numerous podcast and videocast shows, and frequent contributor... Read More →
SO
TT

Sunday June 4, 2017 1:30pm - 2:30pm EDT
Keynes
  Science
  • Length 1
  • Length 1

1:30pm EDT

Gothic Homemaking with Aurelio Voltaire
Artist Guest of Honor Aurelio Voltaire is a singer, songwriter, musician, writer, cartoonist, animator, television director, and teacher. He currently teaches  teaches stop motion animation at the School of Visual Arts in New York City, as well as animating, directing, and singing.

He is currently making a Gothic Homemaking webseries, which he posts a new episode of every Thursday on his YouTube channel The Lair Of Voltaire.

This panel will discuss that project and how you can turn your home into a gothic paradise!
Moderators
AV

Sunday June 4, 2017 1:30pm - 3:00pm EDT
Lakeshore III/IV
  Geek Life
  • Length 1.5
  • Length 1.5

2:00pm EDT

PowerPoints!
The gang at Pineapple-Shaped Lamps are excited to bring you a Brand-New improv comedy show! Their team of improvisers will give presentations on a topic of the audience's choosing, using PowerPoint slides none of them have ever seen before!  It's liek a TED Talk, but WAY less boring!
Speakers
PS

Sunday June 4, 2017 2:00pm - 3:00pm EDT
Walden
  Performance
  • Length 1

2:00pm EDT

Doctor Who: Lucky 13 the Fan Series
Come and check out our newest web series/fan film.  We have the latest episodes and news plus all kinds of Doctor Who related things!  It's a timeywimey good time!  Give us your input and come help with the show and even get a chance to star in the series alongside The Doctor and Companion!
Moderators
D

Speakers
avatar for Dave Harlequin

Dave Harlequin

Media Guest, A Stranger Concept Films
Described by both press and colleagues as an "independent renaissance man" and "voice of the underground," Dave Harlequin is a professional screenwriter, journalist, producer, and independent filmmaker from Charlotte, North Carolina. He is the Creative Director of North Carolina based... Read More →
GM
avatar for Torch

Torch

Film/Media/TV, A Stranger Concept Productions
A seasoned veteran with over 20 years in the entertainment industry, Torch is a man who wears many hats. From event promoter and DJ to film producer, writer, and party host, there really isn’t anything he hasn’t done in the realm of entertainment. Torch is perhaps best known as... Read More →

Sunday June 4, 2017 2:00pm - 3:30pm EDT
Lakeshore I
  Filmmaking
  • Length 1

2:30pm EDT

Classic Who - Cardboard Sets and That Potato in the Pit.
A discussion of classic Doctor Who, before the reboot. Who is your favorite classic Doctor, what was the first Doctor Who episode you watched?
Moderators
avatar for Chuck Carte

Chuck Carte

Paranormal
Chuck Carte is an artist, writer, director, comedian, and cosplayer from the Charlotte area. He is the founder of Carolina Tardis, an organization that raises money for charity, and is one half of the Sci-Fried Eggs, a science fiction based podcast. Carte is a prop builder of both... Read More →

Speakers
avatar for Christopher DeLisle

Christopher DeLisle

Fan
A long time fan of all things geeky, Christopher refers to himself as an ethnic nerd who was raised in the geek orthodox tradition. He is an avid gamer and super hero enthusiast. His geek credentials include former production manager for Empire Games, acting as an assistant event... Read More →
avatar for Brian Holloway

Brian Holloway

Costume, Union County Public Schools
Costume designer with over 27+ years experience for film television, and stage. Make-Up Supervisor and actor for Star Trek: New Voyages/PHASE II for 8+ years. Owner of Material Worlds Costuming. Convention moderator and panelist yearly at a variety of conventions. Professional actor... Read More →
avatar for DL Leonine

DL Leonine

Geek Life
avatar for Drew Meyer

Drew Meyer

Gaming/Podcasting/Author
Drew Meyer is a Children's Library Assistant and Educator who moonlights as a Podcaster and Game Designer. He is behind on all his deadlines. He may or may not have a beard. 
avatar for Jim Ryan

Jim Ryan

Geek Life
Jim Ryan’s true origins are unknown, but it is rumored he came into being when someone attempted to read a Gaelic translation of the Necronomicon backwards in front of a Large Hadron Collider. Jim plays a massive number of tabletop role-playing games, is a fan of Doctor Who, Star... Read More →
avatar for Chris Shrewsbury

Chris Shrewsbury

Fan Guest, Geek Life
Chris has volunteered, paneled, guested, staffed, and been committee at literally dozens of cons along the east coast for 30+ years.He’s a nationally certified sign language interpreter.   A Navy  veteran, he has worked as a pre-K through university teacher, and operated his own... Read More →

Sunday June 4, 2017 2:30pm - 3:30pm EDT
Lakeshore II
  Media/Fandom
  • Length 1
  • Length 1

2:30pm EDT

Has Television Helped or Hurt the Ghost Hunting Business?
There are many ghost hunting programs on television these days, and most are untrustworthy. Has the explosion of media attention helped our local ghost hunters, or would they rather these shows just go away?
Moderators
avatar for Tally Johnson

Tally Johnson

Paranormal
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 he also has a story in An... Read More →

Speakers
TR

Tina R. McSwain

Paranormal, CAPS - The Charlotte Area Paranormal Society
I am a well respected paranormal investigator and researcher with over 20 year experience. I founded CAPS - The Charlotte Area Paranormal Society in 2005 and we are still going strong today. We take a scientific approach to the study of all types of paranormal activity.
avatar for Jonathan E Weaver

Jonathan E Weaver

Film/Media/TV

Sunday June 4, 2017 2:30pm - 3:30pm EDT
Burnham
  Paranormal
  • Length 1
  • Length 1

3:00pm EDT

Creating Prints and Posters
Your original work is complete, how best to turn that original into prints to sell to eager buyers.
Moderators
avatar for Maya Preisler

Maya Preisler

Artist Guest, Geek Life
Maya Preisler has been creating art and telling stories since they were old enough to hold a pen, writing and illustrating their first science fiction novel at age eight. Maya is the proud author of a genre-bending spec fic novel and a short story in Corvid-19. Their artwork graces... Read More →

Sunday June 4, 2017 3:00pm - 4:00pm EDT
Keynes
  Art
  • Length 1
  • Length 1

3:30pm EDT

Con Wrap!
So, how did we do?  Be nice, we're tired and probably not caffienated enough.
Sunday June 4, 2017 3:30pm - 4:30pm EDT
Lakeshore III/IV
  Main
  • Length 1
  • Length 1
 
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