ConGregate 11: Full Schedule

/// SUBJECT TO CHANGES ///

OUR WEBSITE: CON-GREGATE.COM

**** The temperature in the con spaces varies greatly from room to room. Bring layers! ****

2:00pm EDT

Exploring the Enchantment: The Enduring Allure of Fairies in Fantasy Realms

Friday July 11, 2025 2:00pm - 3:00pm EDT

Piedmont (Marriott)

From the whimsical and enchanting Tinkerbell movies produced by the renowned Disney studios to the mysterious and captivating depictions of the fae creatures dwelling within the ethereal forests of fantasy realms, fairies have undeniably held a significant presence in the collective imagination for countless years. These mythical beings, characterized by their diminutive stature, ethereal beauty, and magical abilities, have woven their way into the tapestry of human storytelling, serving as both sources of delight and intrigue for audiences of all ages. Join us as we delve deeper into the fantastical realm of fairies, exploring the various facets of their existence and the enduring allure that continues to captivate the hearts and minds of individuals worldwide.

Speakers

Carol Cowles

Online Media Guest

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

Kevin A Davis

Literary Guest

Kevin A Davis is an award-winning contemporary fantasy author with three published series; the episodic DRC files with Kristen, the Khimmer Chronicles featuring the lively assassin Ahnjii, and the AngelSong series centering around the indominable Haddie. A multitude of his short stories... Read More →

Molly Ann McDonough

Science Guest

Molly Ann McDonough is an author, poet, and multidisciplinary engineer with short stories featured in science fiction and fantasy anthologies. Jumpmaster Press has scheduled her debut fantasy novel, A World Apart, for release in 2026. When Molly isn’t reading, writing, or coding... Read More →

Sarah J. Sover

Literary Guest

Sarah J. Sover is the author of fantasy crossover novels, short stories, and nonfiction articles. Sarah writes the Fractured Fae Series (Fairy Godmurder, Faed to Black, and Pixie Dusted), Contemporary Fantasy she calls Jessica Jones with sparkle, for Falstaff Books. Her comedic fantasy... Read More →

Friday July 11, 2025 2:00pm - 3:00pm EDT
Piedmont (Marriott)

Fandom

3:30pm EDT

Geeks & Mental Health

Friday July 11, 2025 3:30pm - 4:30pm EDT

Piedmont (Marriott)

Geek culture offers a diverse range of entertainment forms like movies, TV shows, comic books, and video games, exploring themes such as heroism and morality. They resonate deeply with audiences, fostering connection, empathy, and meaningful discussions. By engaging with these stories, individuals can find solace, inspiration, and opportunities for self-discovery, using the familiar characters and landscapes as mirrors for their own experiences and emotions. Let's talk about how geek culture provides a safe space for individuals to confront their struggles, dreams, and achievements, empowering them to navigate challenges with renewed strength and resilience through engagement with beloved stories.

Speakers

John G. Hartness

Literary Guest

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 Hunter... Read More →

Friday July 11, 2025 3:30pm - 4:30pm EDT
Piedmont (Marriott)

Fandom

5:00pm EDT

Who Needs an Agent Anyway?

Friday July 11, 2025 5:00pm - 6:00pm EDT

Piedmont (Marriott)

Michael G. Williams spent ten months in 2023 & 2024 trying to get an agent and not finding one. He had a few near-misses but got sick of waiting and signed with a publisher for his next horror novel instead (a decision with which he is EXTREMELY happy). Michael will give a brief presentation on why and how he tried to get an agent, what he did to try it, and specific hard numbers about the response rates and his interactions with agents. This will also be a panel discussion with other authors and will include time for Q&A.

Requests:

Speakers

William C. Tracy

Literary Guest

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

Stuart Jaffe

Literary Guest

Stuart Jaffe is the madman behind The Max Porter Paranormal Mysteries, the Nathan K thrillers, The Ridnight Mysteries, the Parallel Society novels, The Malja Chronicles, The Pathway Ring series, Founders, Real Magic, and much more. He trained in martial arts for over a decade until... Read More →

Darin Kennedy

Literary Guest

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 →

Jason Roach

Literary Guest

Jason Roach is an American Writing Awards award-winning finalist in LGBT+ Fiction & Thriller Fiction for his book The House on Dead Man’s Curve – inspired by his personal paranormal experiences. His new M/M Vampiric romance series, The Vampire Crusades, launched in August of 2024... Read More →

Michael G. Williams

Online Media Guest

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

Friday July 11, 2025 5:00pm - 6:00pm EDT
Piedmont (Marriott)

Literary/Writing

7:00pm EDT

Room Closed

Friday July 11, 2025 7:00pm - 8:00pm EDT

Piedmont (Marriott)

Friday July 11, 2025 7:00pm - 8:00pm EDT
Piedmont (Marriott)

Room Closed

8:00pm EDT

Readings Hour Fri (5 people)

Friday July 11, 2025 8:00pm - 9:00pm EDT

Piedmont (Marriott)

(list of all requests - will move around)

Angela Giddings
Molly McDonough
Bill Tracy

Friday July 11, 2025 8:00pm - 9:00pm EDT
Piedmont (Marriott)

Readings

9:30pm EDT

Oh Those Summer Nights: Fantasy and Erotica - 18 & Up

Friday July 11, 2025 9:30pm - 10:30pm EDT

Piedmont (Marriott)

Renowned authors like Laurel K Hamilton and Sharon Green have fearlessly blended fantasy and erotica, captivating audiences with provocative and alluring tales that blur the lines between the magical and the sensual. These stories beckon from the shadows, drawing readers into a world where desire and imagination intertwine with the fantastical and extraordinary, challenging perceptions and stirring deep desires. They push boundaries in storytelling, exploring uncharted territories of passion and wonder, inviting readers to embrace the thrill of the unknown. Let's delve into the realm of fantasy and erotica where imagination knows no bounds and propriety is forgotten.

requests:

Speakers

Molly Ann McDonough

Science Guest

Friday July 11, 2025 9:30pm - 10:30pm EDT
Piedmont (Marriott)

Literary/Writing

9:30am EDT

Workshop: Beat the Summer Heat - How to make your make-up last

Saturday July 12, 2025 9:30am - 11:00am EDT

Piedmont (Marriott)

There's nothing worse than spending hours applying makeup for cosplay and having it ruined because you started sweating, or it started raining, or you accidentally bumped into something. Hours of work, literally down the drain! Join Jennifer McCollom as she shares her knowledge as a theater and makeup professional on how the pros make makeup last for hours, or even days! Learn application tips and must-have tools that will make your looks last and make SFX makeup and/or body paint less intimidating

Speakers

Jennifer McCollom

Film Guest

Jennifer double majored in Theatre and Physics at the University of NC Greensboro and went to Westmore makeup academy. From there she followed her path into Film starting with Taking Liberty in 1990.She has worked on John Adams, which won an Emmy for makeup, and The Eyes of Tammy... Read More →

Saturday July 12, 2025 9:30am - 11:00am EDT
Piedmont (Marriott)

Costuming/Cosplay

11:30am EDT

Workshop: Basic Pattern Making

Saturday July 12, 2025 11:30am - 1:00pm EDT

Piedmont (Marriott)

Speakers

Tinker Tank

Costuming Guest

Miriam, also known as Tink, is a UNC Chapel Hill graduate with a degree in Studio Art. Though art has been a life-long passion, her introduction to costuming and leather work was through her post collegiate pursuit of replicating the outfit of her childhood hero -- Xena. She has... Read More →

Saturday July 12, 2025 11:30am - 1:00pm EDT
Piedmont (Marriott)

Costuming/Cosplay

1:30pm EDT

Pre-judging for Costume Contest/Green Room

Saturday July 12, 2025 1:30pm - 4:00pm EDT

Piedmont (Marriott)

Judges: Tinker Tank, Tom Hutchens

Speakers

Tom Hutchens

Costuming Guest

For the founder of the Mando Mercs Costume Club, being a Mandalorian fan goes all the way back to 1983, a five year old sitting in the theater watching Boba Fett fall into the Sarlacc Pit in “STAR WARS: Return of the Jedi.In 2007, Tom Hutchens founded the Mando Mercs Costume Club... Read More →

Tinker Tank

Costuming Guest

Saturday July 12, 2025 1:30pm - 4:00pm EDT
Piedmont (Marriott)

Costuming/Cosplay

4:30pm EDT

Workshop: Let's Make a World: Discuss Worldbuilding & Then Make One Together!

Saturday July 12, 2025 4:30pm - 6:00pm EDT

Piedmont (Marriott)

Speakers

Michael G. Williams

Online Media Guest

Saturday July 12, 2025 4:30pm - 6:00pm EDT
Piedmont (Marriott)

Literary/Writing

6:30pm EDT

Presentation: Viruses vs the Immune System

Saturday July 12, 2025 6:30pm - 7:30pm EDT

Piedmont (Marriott)

Speakers

Angela Giddings

Science Guest

Angela Giddings is a writer, scientist, and independent filmmaker from North Carolina. She has a PhD in Microbiology and authored multiple scientific articles in virology, cell line design, and gene therapy. She is the author of the futuristic dark fantasy series Dance of Ages... Read More →

Saturday July 12, 2025 6:30pm - 7:30pm EDT
Piedmont (Marriott)

Science

8:00pm EDT

Readings Hour Sat (5 people)

Saturday July 12, 2025 8:00pm - 9:00pm EDT

Piedmont (Marriott)

Saturday July 12, 2025 8:00pm - 9:00pm EDT
Piedmont (Marriott)

Readings

9:30pm EDT

Let's Go to Camp Blood! - 45th Anniversary of Friday the 13th

Saturday July 12, 2025 9:30pm - 10:30pm EDT

Piedmont (Marriott)

Back in 1980, a sleek little murder mystery movie came out that not only kept its studio afloat, but defined a genre of horror, and birthed one of the biggest (literally) horror icons! Come join us as we celebrate the birthday of mommy's best boy, Jason Vorhees (even if he's not technically the killer in this one)!

requests:

Speakers

Sammie Cassell

Film Guest

Sammie Cassell is a NC based actor, producer and comedian. He has been seen in Halloween Kills, Eyes of Tammy Faye, Please Don’t Destroy, Righteous Gemstones and many local films. He does Improv comedy out of the Idiot Box Comedy Club in Greensboro NC and is a performer with the... Read More →

Gary Mitchel

Fan Guest

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

Saturday July 12, 2025 9:30pm - 10:30pm EDT
Piedmont (Marriott)

Film/TV/Media Arts

10:00am EDT

Readings Hour Sun (5 people)

Sunday July 13, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am EDT

Piedmont (Marriott)

Sunday July 13, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am EDT
Piedmont (Marriott)

Readings

11:30am EDT

Workshop: Basic Leather Working 101 (fee)

Sunday July 13, 2025 11:30am - 1:00pm EDT

Piedmont (Marriott)

Speakers

Tinker Tank

Costuming Guest

Sunday July 13, 2025 11:30am - 1:00pm EDT
Piedmont (Marriott)

Costuming/Cosplay