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**** The temperature in the con spaces varies greatly from room to room. Bring layers! ****
Venue: Terrace 2 (Embassy Suites) clear filter
Friday, July 11
 

2:30pm EDT

Top 10 Geeky Summer Beach Reads
Friday July 11, 2025 2:30pm - 3:30pm EDT
Terrace 2 (Embassy Suites)
As summer vacation approaches, thoughts turn to leisurely days by the pool or beach with a good book in hand. Selecting the right literature to enjoy during these idyllic moments is a crucial decision, enhancing the experience of basking in the sunlight or listening to the ocean waves. It's a time to curate a collection of summer reading materials that will make the season of carefree days and tranquil nights even more delightful.


Speakers
avatar for Stuart Jaffe

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 →
avatar for John G. Hartness

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 →
avatar for William C. Tracy

William C. Tracy

Literary Guest
William C. Tracy (he/him) writes and publishes queer science fiction and fantasy through his indie press Space Wizard Science Fantasy. His largest work is the Dissolutionverse: a space opera with music-based magic including nine books and a TTRPG. He’s also published Fruits of the... Read More →
Friday July 11, 2025 2:30pm - 3:30pm EDT
Terrace 2 (Embassy Suites)
  Literary/Writing

4:00pm EDT

Home Recording: The Best Tools
Friday July 11, 2025 4:00pm - 5:00pm EDT
Terrace 2 (Embassy Suites)
A basic home recording setup requires a computer, audio production software (DAW), an audio interface, microphones, headphones, and potentially a MIDI controller. For more advanced setups, studio monitors, acoustic treatment, and pop filters are also helpful.  So with all the options available, which ones do our panel of experts reccomend?
Speakers
avatar for Chuck Parker

Chuck Parker

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

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 →
avatar for Roger Carden

Roger Carden

Online Media Guest
Roger and Janet Carden are the husband-and-wife team behind The Halfling and the Spaceman: Journeys In Active Fandom. (2022-present) The Halfling and the Spaceman is a podcast featuring a series of conversations with creators as they detail their personal journey from becoming inspired... Read More →
avatar for SYRINX

SYRINX

Online Media Guest
SYRINX is active across multiple entertainment platforms, blending creativity with music production, acting, and media. As an independent music producer and remixer, he previously worked with a record label from 2017 until its disbanding in 2023. Alongside his music career, he has... Read More →
Friday July 11, 2025 4:00pm - 5:00pm EDT
Terrace 2 (Embassy Suites)
  Online Media

5:30pm EDT

Decoding Slang: The Revenge of Gen X
Friday July 11, 2025 5:30pm - 6:30pm EDT
Terrace 2 (Embassy Suites)
C'mon dude, let's have some fun and spice things up with a friendly challenge! Generation X'ers are gonna throw some totally tubular 80s slang at Generation Z peeps to see if they can crack the code (AS IF). No trophies here, just good vibes and rad laughs all around. Like, let's get this party started, ya know.
Speakers
avatar for Joey Starnes

Joey Starnes

Online Media Guest
Joey Starnes (aka the GiddyGeeker) does not claim to be an expert on all geekeries – she's justhappy to organize it. She runs the Charlotte Geeks, home of the Guardians of the Geekery podcast,the Merry Mayhem and the Geekery Market. She is also part of the Two Woke Bonnets podcast... Read More →
Friday July 11, 2025 5:30pm - 6:30pm EDT
Terrace 2 (Embassy Suites)
  Special Events

7:00pm EDT

Room Closed
Friday July 11, 2025 7:00pm - 8:00pm EDT
Terrace 2 (Embassy Suites)
Friday July 11, 2025 7:00pm - 8:00pm EDT
Terrace 2 (Embassy Suites)
  Room Closed

8:00pm EDT

 "And They Called Me Mad!" The Worst Ideas of Mad Scientists, Supervillains, and Other People Who Should Have Known Better
Friday July 11, 2025 8:00pm - 9:00pm EDT
Terrace 2 (Embassy Suites)
Throughout history, there have been many instances of individuals, such as mad scientists and supervillains, who have pursued dangerous and morally questionable endeavors driven by curiosity, desire for power, or a thirst for knowledge. These actions, which range from creating life in laboratories to unleashing chaos upon the world, often have catastrophic consequences like deadly viruses, doomsday devices, and unethical human experiments. Let's discuss how the aftermath of their worst ideas leaves a lasting impact on society, serving as a cautionary reminder of the dangers of unchecked ambition and the potential to shape the course of history in profound ways.

Requests:
Speakers
avatar for Misty Massey

Misty Massey

Literary Guest
Misty Massey is the author of the Mad Kestrel series of rollicking fantasy adventures on the high seas, including Kestrel's Dance, winner of the 2023 Palmetto Scribe Award For Best Novel, and the upcoming Dead Man series. She freelances as a copy and developmental editor for Falstaff... Read More →
avatar for Jim Beall

Jim Beall

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

Robert Hampson

Science Guest
Dr. Robert E. Hampson is a neuroscientist, professor, and science fiction author who spends his days decoding how memories work and his nights trying to remember where he left his keys. With a Ph.D. in Physiology & Pharmacology, he’s been on a lifelong quest to figure out what’s... Read More →
avatar for Bill Mulligan

Bill Mulligan

Film Guest
Bill Mulligan is a podcaster, author, and indie filmmaker with a passion for horror and storytelling. With years of experience in independent cinema, he has contributed to numerous film projects as a writer, director, and special effects artist, such as 400 Ways To Kill A Vampire... Read More →
Friday July 11, 2025 8:00pm - 9:00pm EDT
Terrace 2 (Embassy Suites)
  Film/TV/Media Arts

10:00pm EDT

Room Closed
Friday July 11, 2025 10:00pm - 10:15pm EDT
Terrace 2 (Embassy Suites)
Friday July 11, 2025 10:00pm - 10:15pm EDT
Terrace 2 (Embassy Suites)
  Room Closed
 
Saturday, July 12
 

9:00am EDT

Interdisciplinary Interactions: Engineering Subsets and Essential Skills for Success
Saturday July 12, 2025 9:00am - 10:00am EDT
Terrace 2 (Embassy Suites)
Mechanical, Electrical, Nuclear - all subsets of Engineering.  Outside of the obvious, how do these different fields interact with each other and what skills should you take away if you want to a) have a career in engineering b) write an engineer or c) just know when it's completely wrong in film or TV.

Brandon?, Jim?


Speakers
avatar for Molly Ann McDonough

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 →
avatar for Jennifer Whitworth

Jennifer Whitworth

Science Guest
Jennifer Whitworth is an engineer and writer from Huntsville AL. Currently working at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center, she supports Artemis and Gateway Payload Integration working directly with the science teams to help them through the various processes to design, build, test... Read More →
Saturday July 12, 2025 9:00am - 10:00am EDT
Terrace 2 (Embassy Suites)
  Science

10:30am EDT

Shaping Modern Fantasy: Diverse Voices and Challenging Conventions
Saturday July 12, 2025 10:30am - 11:30am EDT
Terrace 2 (Embassy Suites)
Modern fantasy novels like "Legendborn," "Cruel Prince," "Powerless," "Six of Crows," and "A Court of Thorn & Roses" challenge traditional genre conventions with morally ambiguous characters, intricate political intrigues, and diverse representations of race, gender, and sexuality. Authors like Holly Black, Leigh Bardugo, and Sarah J. Maas explore themes of power, identity, trauma, and desire while blending elements of romance, mystery, and horror in their storytelling. These contemporary works contrast with classic fantasy tales by J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis, such as "The Lord of the Rings" and "The Chronicles of Narnia," which focus on archetypal heroes and clear moral binaries. Let's discuss how the evolution of modern fantasy literature reflects shifting societal values and showcases diverse voices reshaping the genre.

requests:
Speakers
avatar for Angela Giddings

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 →
avatar for Kevin A Davis

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 →
avatar for William C. Tracy

William C. Tracy

Literary Guest
William C. Tracy (he/him) writes and publishes queer science fiction and fantasy through his indie press Space Wizard Science Fantasy. His largest work is the Dissolutionverse: a space opera with music-based magic including nine books and a TTRPG. He’s also published Fruits of the... Read More →
Saturday July 12, 2025 10:30am - 11:30am EDT
Terrace 2 (Embassy Suites)
  Literary/Writing

12:00pm EDT

Arcane Carolinas: Winston-Salem's Ghosts of the Gilded Age
Saturday July 12, 2025 12:00pm - 1:30pm EDT
Terrace 2 (Embassy Suites)
Speakers
avatar for Michael G. Williams

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 →
Saturday July 12, 2025 12:00pm - 1:30pm EDT
Terrace 2 (Embassy Suites)
  Online Media

2:00pm EDT

A Scoundrels Interview - Timothy Zahn and Michael A Stackpole
Saturday July 12, 2025 2:00pm - 3:00pm EDT
Terrace 2 (Embassy Suites)
Speakers
avatar for Michael A. Stackpole

Michael A. Stackpole

Guest of Honor
Michael A. Stackpole is the multiple New York Times bestselling author of over forty fantasy and science fiction novels, his best known books written in the Star Wars® universe, including I, JEDI and ROGUE SQUADRON, as well as the X-Wing graphic novel series. He has also written... Read More →
avatar for Timothy Zahn

Timothy Zahn

Guest of Honor
Timothy Zahn was born in Chicago in 1951 and grew up in the western suburb of Lombard. He attended Michigan State University, earning a B.S. degree in physics in 1973, and moved on to the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana. He earned a M.S. degree there, also in physics, in... Read More →
Saturday July 12, 2025 2:00pm - 3:00pm EDT
Terrace 2 (Embassy Suites)
  Special Events

3:30pm EDT

"Back in My Day" - OG Con Stories from 25+ years ago
Saturday July 12, 2025 3:30pm - 4:30pm EDT
Terrace 2 (Embassy Suites)
Let's sit around the "backyard" and tell some "old-timers" stories.  What are some con stories from 25+ years ago? From cons that are no longer around (Stellarcon, ShevaCon, KnightstarCon) to those that happened when DragonCon was only 6000 people, let's tell some stories of the "old days".
Saturday July 12, 2025 3:30pm - 4:30pm EDT
Terrace 2 (Embassy Suites)
  Fandom

5:00pm EDT

Plants and Fungi in Horror
Saturday July 12, 2025 5:00pm - 6:00pm EDT
Terrace 2 (Embassy Suites)
Speakers
avatar for Meri Elena

Meri Elena

Literary Guest
I am a North Carolina speculative fiction writer, mostly of dark fantasy and paranormal, but I don't really color inside the lines. I published my first short story when I was fourteen, and my mom insisted I use a pen name. I took some creative license with my actual first and middle... Read More →
Saturday July 12, 2025 5:00pm - 6:00pm EDT
Terrace 2 (Embassy Suites)
  Science

6:30pm EDT

Sci-Fi Court!
Saturday July 12, 2025 6:30pm - 7:30pm EDT
Terrace 2 (Embassy Suites)
Description: There are some movies that all of geekdom have decided are "bad." But, are they really? Come listen as our panel of defense experts will explain why these derided movies are actually worth your time! Then you, the audience Jury will determine if the films deserve exoneration, or execution!
(Note for Tera - I will need at least TWO other panelists, preferably three or four, who will let me know what movies they wish to defend. I am checking now if Michael Williams is up for this - I may also need a projector so a laptop can project a Power Point presentation).

Michael G Williams? Bill Mulligan? Jennifer McCollom? Jason Gilbert?

Requests: Syrinx, Carol Cowles
Speakers
avatar for Gary Mitchel

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 6:30pm - 7:30pm EDT
Terrace 2 (Embassy Suites)
  Film/TV/Media Arts

8:00pm EDT

Pro-Wrestling: It’s a Fandom Too!
Saturday July 12, 2025 8:00pm - 9:00pm EDT
Terrace 2 (Embassy Suites)
For those that GET pro-wrestling, no explanation is needed. For those that DON’T, no explanation will do. This is a
panel for those that DO. So, come on out and discuss all of your favorite pro-wrestling stuff here with other people
who also get it!

(Note: Make sure time is one that Cindy can attend)

requests:
Speakers
avatar for John G. Hartness

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 →
avatar for Sammie Cassell

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 →
avatar for Dave Harlequin

Dave Harlequin

Film Guest
Described by both press and colleagues as an "independent renaissance man" and "voice of the underground," among other things, Dave Harlequin is a professional screenwriter, journalist, author, and independent filmmaker from Charlotte, North Carolina. He is the Creative Director of... Read More →
Saturday July 12, 2025 8:00pm - 9:00pm EDT
Terrace 2 (Embassy Suites)
  Film/TV/Media Arts

10:00pm EDT

Room Closed
Saturday July 12, 2025 10:00pm - 10:15pm EDT
Terrace 2 (Embassy Suites)
Saturday July 12, 2025 10:00pm - 10:15pm EDT
Terrace 2 (Embassy Suites)
  Room Closed
 
Sunday, July 13
 

10:00am EDT

Value of a Critique Group
Sunday July 13, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am EDT
Terrace 2 (Embassy Suites)
Getting feedback is a crucial part of producing consumable writing and improving your craft, but how do you do it? Join us as we discuss the obvious and unexpected values of getting and giving critique, how to find or form a solid critique group, and how to interact with feedback good and bad.

requests: Angela Giddings, Kevin Davis, bill Tracy
Speakers
avatar for Molly Ann McDonough

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 →
avatar for Michael G. Williams

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 →
Sunday July 13, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am EDT
Terrace 2 (Embassy Suites)
  Literary/Writing

11:30am EDT

Summer of '75 - Science Fiction, Horror and Fantasy in Film and TV
Sunday July 13, 2025 11:30am - 12:30pm EDT
Terrace 2 (Embassy Suites)
We've already highlighted JAWS and Rocky Horror but let's talk about the other movies and TV Shows of 1975 - Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Tommy, Escape to Witch Mountain, Wonder Woman (Pilot Movie), Alice Cooper: The Nightmare, and Rollerball.

requests:
Speakers
avatar for Carol Cowles

Carol Cowles

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

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 →
avatar for Bill Mulligan

Bill Mulligan

Film Guest
Bill Mulligan is a podcaster, author, and indie filmmaker with a passion for horror and storytelling. With years of experience in independent cinema, he has contributed to numerous film projects as a writer, director, and special effects artist, such as 400 Ways To Kill A Vampire... Read More →
Sunday July 13, 2025 11:30am - 12:30pm EDT
Terrace 2 (Embassy Suites)
  Film/TV/Media Arts

1:00pm EDT

My First Costume - Getting Started in the Magic of Building Your Own Costumes
Sunday July 13, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm EDT
Terrace 2 (Embassy Suites)
Everyone had to start somewhere. Join our panelists as they talk about thier first costume, the trials and tribulations thereof, and where it led them. What made them decide to create a costume?  What genre did it come from?  What challenges did they face in creating that first costume and how did they overcome them?
Speakers
avatar for Tinker Tank

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 →
Sunday July 13, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm EDT
Terrace 2 (Embassy Suites)
  Costuming/Cosplay
 
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