MarsCon 2025 - Virginia Beach: Full Schedule

3:00pm EST

Adding Food & Eating in Stories

Friday January 17, 2025 3:00pm - 4:00pm EST

Not only is the consumption of food necessary for our survival, feasts and eating make up a huge part of our various cultures and traditions. How do we write food and eating into our stories in realistic ways? There may be actual food made and consumed at this panel....

Speakers

Scott Huggins

Author

Having been born in California and raised in Kansas, Scott Huggins grew up as confused as one might expect. He began writing seriously in college in between student exchanges spent in post-Soviet Russia and Germany, and was one of the last Writers of the Future in 1999. The future... Read More →

Emily Jane Buehler

Author

Emily Jane Buehler writes cozy fantasy romances where everyday people (and fairies) have adventures and fall in love. Her stories are lighthearted with action and adventure, love and magic, and protagonists who learn to believe in themselves and find their courage. And yes, they are... Read More →

Alexander Gideon

Author

Alexander G. R. Gideon's writing style can best be described by the phrase "and many people died". He's a multi-genre author of Historical Fantasy, Dark Fantasy, Sci-fi, and Horror. As the world's only Pan Librarian Wizard, he's an expert on most things, from High Magick and spirit... Read More →

H.P Holo / Edie Skye

Author

H.P. Holo grew up in a family where it was dangerous to say, "I'm bored." She's also an incorrigible smart aleck. So when her parents told her to fix her boredom by reading a dictionary, she did. And then, just to be extra sassy, she began writing novels that required them to keep... Read More →

Friday January 17, 2025 3:00pm - 4:00pm EST
Salon L

Literature, Writing Techniques

3:00pm EST

AI: What Can It Do, What Should It Do, & How Do We Write AI into our Stories

Friday January 17, 2025 3:00pm - 4:00pm EST

Main Programming Room

Join scientists and authors as they discuss Artificial Intelligence, including the possibility that companies are beginning to use AI to create art to not have to pay artists, actors, writers, etc. for their work. But is AI all bad? How might we be able to use it to help us? And how can we write it into our stories in an authentic way and a way that will satisfy our stories and our readers?

Moderator

Phillip Pournelle

Author, Gamer

Commander Pournelle retired from the Navy after 26 years of service as a surface warfare officer, operations analyst, and joint operations planner. He served on cruisers, destroyers, amphibious ships, and an experimental high-speed vessel. He served on the Navy staff conducting modeling... Read More →

Speakers

Robert Hampson

Author, Scientist

Dr. Robert E. Hampson is a neuroscientist, professor, and author who spends his time exploring the frontiers of memory research and the far reaches of the imagination. With a Ph.D. in Physiology & Pharmacology, he studies how brains encode memories and develops futuristic technologies... Read More →

Dennis Myers

Author

Born and raised in central Minnesota, Dennis M. Myers developed a serious reading habit early in life due to the influence of his grandmother. In late high school he read one particularly "awful" book and, with all that teenage hubris, decided that he could do better. After spending... Read More →

Daniel Kemp

Author

Finishing at Ole Miss in 1998, Dan spent the next decade in infantry assignments in South Korea and the 101st Airborne. That lasted as long as his knees and his back held out. A master's in military history (Norwich University '12) and a somewhat turbulent personal life after the... Read More →

Adam Oyebanji

Featured Science Fiction Guest

I was born in Coatbridge, in the West of Scotland, more years ago than I care to remember. Though, now I come to think about it, who actually remembers being born? I moved east to Edinburgh, by way of Birmingham, London, Lagos, Nigeria, Chicago, Pittsburgh and New York: a necessary... Read More →

Friday January 17, 2025 3:00pm - 4:00pm EST
Main Programming Room

Literature, Writing Techniques

4:00pm EST

A Short History of Military Science Fiction

Friday January 17, 2025 4:00pm - 5:00pm EST

Shenandoah Room

Reading and writing stories about the military is not new. Using the military, or military-type elements in science fiction is almost as old as science fiction itself. Join our panelists as they discuss the history of military science fiction and major milestones in the development of military sci-fi as its own sub-genre.

Speakers

Mark Wandrey

International bestselling author of military sci-fi, space opera, and zombie apocalypse, Mark Wandrey is also the only 4 time DragonCon Dragon Award finalist!Living the full time RV lifestyle as a modern day nomad, Mark Wandrey has been writing science fiction since he was in grade... Read More →

John Holmes

Publisher

J.F. Holmes is a retired Army Senior Noncommissioned Officer, having served for 22 years in both the Regular Army and Army National Guard. During that time, he served as everything from an artillery section leader to a member of a Division level planning staff, with tours in Cuba... Read More →

Daniel Kemp

Author

Sean Korsgaard

Author, Publisher, Fandom

Sean CW Korsgaard is a U.S. Army veteran, award-winning freelance journalist, author, editor and publicist who has worked with Analog Science Fiction & Fact, Baen Books, and Writers of the Future, and recently became the editor of Anvil and Battleborn magazines. His first anthology... Read More →

Friday January 17, 2025 4:00pm - 5:00pm EST
Shenandoah Room

Literature, What to Read

4:00pm EST

Speculative Poetry

Friday January 17, 2025 4:00pm - 5:00pm EST

Main Programming Room

Often, speculative fiction in the form of prose gets the most attention. Just as prose seems to get more interest and attention than poetry regardless of the genre. Join our panelists as they discuss speculative fiction in poetry form, its unique difficulties and rewards, and who we should be reading in this genre. Panelists will also attempt to answer your questions about speculative poetry.

Speakers

Pamela K. Kinney

Author

Pamela K. Kinney gave up long ago, ignoring the demanding voices in her head and has been writing ever since. Her horror short story, “Bottled Spirits,” was runner-up for the 2013 WSFA Small Press Award and considered one of the seven best genre short fiction for that year. She... Read More →

Jim & John Gaines

Authors

Jim and John Gaines write sci fi together as J.M.R.Gaines. Their novels Life Sentence and Spy Station form part of the Forlani Saga series, along with Earth Regained (in progress). They have also publish space-themed short stories and poetry in a variety of journals. Jim is a retired... Read More →

Gray Rinehart

Literary Guest

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

Cassandra Clarke

Author Co- Guest of Honor

Cassandra Rose Clarke’s novels have been finalists for the Philip K. Dick Award, the Romantic Times Reviewer’s Choice Award, and YALSA’s Best Fiction for Young Adults. Her poetry has placed second in the Rhysling Awards, been nominated for the Pushcart Prize, and appeared in... Read More →

Friday January 17, 2025 4:00pm - 5:00pm EST
Main Programming Room

Literature, What to Read

5:00pm EST

Using Tarot as a Writing Tool

Friday January 17, 2025 5:00pm - 6:00pm EST

Shenandoah Room

There are many different tools that can be used to help a writer out of sticky situations and blocks. The Tarot deck is one of those tools. Come see if using the Tarot is something that could help in your writing journey.

Speakers

Wayland Smith

Author, Gamer, Fandom

Wayland Smith is the pen name for a native Texan who has lived in Massachusetts, New York, Washington DC, and presently makes his home in Virginia. His rather unlikely list of jobs includes private investigator, comic book shop owner, ring crew for a circus (then he ran away from... Read More →

Nicole Glover

Author

Nicole Glover is the author of the historical fantasy series, Murder and Magic, which begins with The Conductors. When she's not writing, she's working as a UX researcher where her knowledge about murder and other mysteries is surprisingly useful.

Cassandra Clarke

Author Co- Guest of Honor

J.E. Pittman

Author, Dealer

J.E. Pittman dabbles in many speculative worlds. He blurs the borders between genre and crafts salient lies to tell a measure of truth. His work has been described as: capriciously chimeric, dreamlike, and a vivid enigma with indelible images stamped on your brain. He’s currently... Read More →

Vivian Valentine

Author, Dealer

The author of The Amelia Temple Series, Vivian Moira Valentine is a rad trans lady who loves monsters. When she was a child, she found the Crestwood House Monster Series at her local library and it's all been downhill from there. Now everything she likes is horrible. When not writing... Read More →

Friday January 17, 2025 5:00pm - 6:00pm EST
Shenandoah Room

Literature, Writing Techniques

9:00pm EST

But I'm the Hero! The Justifications for Villiany

Friday January 17, 2025 9:00pm - 10:00pm EST

Shenandoah Room

Sure, you get the occasional hand-rubbing, cackling, “I’m so evil” villain, but, particularly in real life, most villains don’t see themselves in the role. Even Snidely Whiplash had a mother who loved him. What are the reasons and reasoning of people and characters for doing villainous things?

Speakers

Robert Hampson

Author, Scientist

Pamela K. Kinney

Author

Jason Cordova

Author

Bestselling author Jason Cordova has had his novels published in multiple languages around the world. He was both a John W. Campbell Award and Dragon Award finalist (though not in the same year). Author of the Black Tide Rising novel Mountain of Fire, and co-author of Monster Hunter... Read More →

Scott Huggins

Author

Friday January 17, 2025 9:00pm - 10:00pm EST
Shenandoah Room

Literature, Writing Techniques

11:00pm EST

Romantasy

Friday January 17, 2025 11:00pm - Saturday January 18, 2025 1:00am EST

Shenandoah Room

What happens when you combine the pastoral setting and magic of a fantasy with the relationships and spicyness of a romance? You get ROMANTASY. Come talk with and to authors who have or are considering writing in this emerging sub-genre. Topics covered may be NSFW. This panel is not recommended for children 14 and under.

Speakers

Kacey Ezell

Featured Space Opera Guest

Kacey Ezell writes emotionally charged adventure fantasy and science fiction. She is a two-time Dragon Award Finalist for Best Alternate History and won the 2018 Year's Best Military and Adventure Science Fiction Readers' Choice Award. She has written multiple bestselling novels published... Read More →

Melissa Olthoff

Author

Melissa Olthoff is a science fiction and fantasy author who delights in sneaking in romance wherever she can. She is a lifelong geek as well as a veteran of the United States Air Force, both of which are incredibly useful when writing. Her degrees in meteorology and accounting are... Read More →

Emily Jane Buehler

Author

H.P Holo / Edie Skye

Author

Friday January 17, 2025 11:00pm - Saturday January 18, 2025 1:00am EST
Shenandoah Room

Literature, NSFW

10:00am EST

CKP: The Year Ahead

Saturday January 18, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am EST

Salon L

Review the past year and look forward to the upcoming one. Authors connected with Chris Kennedy Publishing will discuss how things have gone and what to look forward to.

Speakers

Mark Wandrey

H.Y. Gregor

Author

H.Y. Gregor was born in Portland, Oregon, but will always call the mountains of Colorado home. She holds a bachelor’s degree in political science but put it down often enough to narrowly avoid law school. Now she spends her free time weaving fantasy tales and battling plot gremlins... Read More →

Melissa Olthoff

Author

Chris Kennedy Publishing

Dealer, Chris Kennedy Publishing

Welcome to Chris Kennedy Publishing, where the focus is on fun, message-free science fiction and fantasy!

Kacey Ezell

Featured Space Opera Guest

Saturday January 18, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am EST
Salon L

Literature, What to Read

10:00am EST

Mythology in Fiction

Saturday January 18, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am EST

Shenandoah Room

Authors often draw on myths and legends. How do they choose and what pit-falls must they avoid?

Speakers

Brad Goodman

Scientist

Brad has been a guest at local science fiction conventions for more than thirty years. Now retired, he worked for NASA Langley Research Center, at their Visitor Center, and in support of traveling exhibits. Later he worked for the Science Museum of Virginia. These assignments came... Read More →

Vivian Valentine

Author, Dealer

Steve Vickers

Author

SC Vickers writes SF, fantasy, and historical fiction but has a thing for werewolves and trolls. He lives in Colorado Springs and has an MFA in Creative Writing/Genre Fiction from Western Colorado University. Troll Hunt, a novella in the Troll Lands universe, is his first published... Read More →

Rowan Worth

Author

Rowan Worth's first book, Past Imperfect, introduced a family of shapeshifters trying to stop an enemy intent on destroying their small pack. Her next release is The Lost Prince, the first book in a science fiction series about an asteroid miner who finds an abandoned battleship deep... Read More →

Saturday January 18, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am EST
Shenandoah Room

Literature, Writing Techniques

11:00am EST

Social Media: Time Sink or Marketing Savior?

Saturday January 18, 2025 11:00am - 12:00pm EST

Shenandoah Room

Which is it? Is there a way to take the negative aspects of social media and use them to further an author's or artist's engagement and/or reach?

Speakers

Charles Blue

Featured Science Guest

Charles Blue (aka Blue the Science Dude) has more than 35 years of science communications experience. Charles has worked as the director of media services at the American Institute of Physics. He also served as the Writer/Editor for the National Science Foundation’s Directorate... Read More →

Scott Huggins

Author

Alyssa Hazel

Featured Horror Guest

Alyssa Hazel is a Weird Fiction and Horror writer who enjoys exploring the weird, horrible and wonderful through her work. Her pieces have found homes in Bluestem, the Red Coyote, and the Dark River Review. While her specialty is anthologies (she has four) she’s rather proud of... Read More →

H.P Holo / Edie Skye

Author

Saturday January 18, 2025 11:00am - 12:00pm EST
Shenandoah Room

Literature, Writing Techniques

2:00pm EST

Editing: The Whys and the Hows

Saturday January 18, 2025 2:00pm - 3:00pm EST

Salon L

Revising and editing are important parts of the writing process, as well as onerous and sometimes downright boring. Join authors, editors, and publishers as they talk about why it is important not to forego these steps and how one might be able make the whole process just a little bit easier, or at least more fun. 'Cause friends and drinks always make things better!

Speakers

Ben Yalow

Fandom

I've attended about 900 cons, and worked on about a third of them, with jobs ranging from gofer to Chair of both regionals and the Worldcon. I've also edited 4 books for NESFA Press.

Jim & John Gaines

Authors

Shari Robb

Shari Robb is a patient and loving wife. She loves Jesus, and is a trained technical writer and counselor. Now that the kids are grown, she has started an additional career as a freelance editor. She has worked as a copy editor for a couple political campaigns, multiple non-fiction... Read More →

Sam Robb

Author

Sam Robb is a Pittsburgh native, a former US Navy officer, and a graduate of Carnegie Mellon University. Over the course of his life, he has acquired a wife, three daughters, several quadrupeds, and a penchant for walking down back alleys and taking pictures of graffiti. When he's... Read More →

Saturday January 18, 2025 2:00pm - 3:00pm EST
Salon L

Literature, Writing Techniques

2:00pm EST

Baen Roadshow

Saturday January 18, 2025 2:00pm - 4:00pm EST

Main Programming Room

Review the past year and look forward to the upcoming one. Authors connected with Baen Books will discuss how things have gone and what to look forward to.

Speakers

Jim Beall

Author, Scientist

Jim Beall (BS-Math, MBA, PE) has been a nuclear engineer for over 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... Read More →

Phillip Pournelle

Author, Gamer

Chris Kennedy Publishing

Dealer, Chris Kennedy Publishing

Welcome to Chris Kennedy Publishing, where the focus is on fun, message-free science fiction and fantasy!

Michael Morton

Author, USSF

Michael Morton is a retired USAF space operations officer and wishes the Space Force happened earlier. Still, he gets to work for them as a civilian, so life isn't all bad. He writes award-winning military sci-fi and fantasy and lives in Colorado Springs with his family. When he's... Read More →

Kacey Ezell

Featured Space Opera Guest

Adam Oyebanji

Featured Science Fiction Guest

H.P Holo / Edie Skye

Author

Sean Korsgaard

Author, Publisher, Fandom

Melissa Olthoff

Author

Scott Huggins

Author

Jacob Holo

Author

Jacob Holo has been a recreational geek since childhood, when he discovered Star Wars and Star Trek, and a professional geek since college, when he graduated from Youngstown State University with a degree in Electrical and Controls Engineering. He started writing when his parents... Read More →

Christopher Ruocchio

Author Co- Guest of Honor

Christopher Ruocchio is the internationally award-winning author of the Sun Eater, a series blending elements of both science fiction and fantasy, as well as more than twenty works of short fiction. Born and raised in Raleigh, North Carolina, Christopher received a degree in English... Read More →

Jason Cordova

Author

Saturday January 18, 2025 2:00pm - 4:00pm EST
Main Programming Room

Literature, What to Read

5:00pm EST

Play to Your Strengths

Saturday January 18, 2025 5:00pm - 6:00pm EST

Shenandoah Room

No combat experience? No problem! You can still write action scenes--we promise. Not a doctor? No time to go to medical school? We've got you covered--just keep the surgery on the page, okay? Let's talk about how you can write about things you don't know much about--or have no first-hand experience of, without losing your readers.

Speakers

Robert Hampson

Author, Scientist

Jason Cordova

Author

Melissa Olthoff

Author

Christopher Ruocchio

Author Co- Guest of Honor

Saturday January 18, 2025 5:00pm - 6:00pm EST
Shenandoah Room

Literature, Writing Techniques

6:00pm EST

The Trick to Creating Believable Magic Systems

Saturday January 18, 2025 6:00pm - 7:00pm EST

Shenandoah Room

The real trick to using magic in a story is making your reader believe it. Find out how writers create a credible magic system and then make the reader buy into it.

Speakers

Phillip Pournelle

Author, Gamer

J.E. Pittman

Author, Dealer

Sam Robb

Author

David Shadoin

Author

David "Shady" Shadoin is a trouble-making, corn-fed Nebraska boy the United States Air Force managed to turn into a somewhat decent pilot of whirly birds. An avid reader from a young age, he has always found inspiration listening to rock music while reading Fantasy and Sci Fi novels... Read More →

Saturday January 18, 2025 6:00pm - 7:00pm EST
Shenandoah Room

Literature, Writing Techniques

8:00pm EST

Get in the Robot!

Saturday January 18, 2025 8:00pm - 9:00pm EST

Shenandoah Room

A panel of authors who spend too much money on Gunpla and Battletech models talk about giant mechs and how they influence their writing.

Speakers

Mark Wandrey

Melissa Olthoff

Author

Chris Kennedy Publishing

Dealer, Chris Kennedy Publishing

Welcome to Chris Kennedy Publishing, where the focus is on fun, message-free science fiction and fantasy!

H.P Holo / Edie Skye

Author

Saturday January 18, 2025 8:00pm - 9:00pm EST
Shenandoah Room

Literature, What to Read

11:00pm EST

The Reads You Need to Hide

Saturday January 18, 2025 11:00pm - Sunday January 19, 2025 12:00am EST

Salon L

Authors talk Spicy Books, why they like to write them, and why we like to read them. This panel encourages audience participation.

Speakers

Emily Jane Buehler

Author

H.P Holo / Edie Skye

Author

Melissa Olthoff

Author

David Shadoin

Author

Saturday January 18, 2025 11:00pm - Sunday January 19, 2025 12:00am EST
Salon L

Literature, NSFW

12:00am EST

Smash or Pass: Space Opera Characters

Sunday January 19, 2025 12:00am - 2:00am EST

Salon L

What are your favorite space operas? Which characters from this subgenre would you smash in a hot second, and which ones would you pass on? And most importantly, why? Join our panelists for this NSFW panel. Not recommended for children 14 and under without parent attendance.

Speakers

H.Y. Gregor

Author

J.E. Pittman

Author, Dealer

David Shadoin

Author

Kacey Ezell

Featured Space Opera Guest

Sunday January 19, 2025 12:00am - 2:00am EST
Salon L

Literature, NSFW

10:00am EST

Genre Blending

Sunday January 19, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am EST

Main Programming Room

Many authors, when asked to define the genre of their writing, often hemming and hawing between two or more genres. "It's like urban fantasy, but there are also elements of mystery and thriller." Can we blend together more than one genre? Should we? Are their genres that should not be combined? Which combos are you most interested in reading? Join our panelists as they discuss cool things about writing in multiple genres at the very same time.

Speakers

Alyssa Hazel

Featured Horror Guest

Sam Robb

Author

Scott Sykes

Author

S.M. Sykes never saw himself as a writer, facing struggles with English classes in school. Even his wife, who doubles as his editor, can attest to occasional challenges with organizing his thoughts. However, despite these obstacles, he discovered a passion for storytelling that he... Read More →

Kacey Ezell

Featured Space Opera Guest

Sunday January 19, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am EST
Main Programming Room

Literature, Writing Techniques

11:00am EST

Unblocking Writer's Block

Sunday January 19, 2025 11:00am - 12:00pm EST

Salon L

How do you write when the words just aren’t wordin’? See what these authors do to re-inspire the muse once they stop screaming at their empty pages.

Speakers

Dennis Myers

Author

David Hensley

Author

David is an East Coast Hepaw born and raised in southwest Colorado. The town of Dolores, to be specific. He's been a lot of places and done a lot of things since then, including cowboying in the Utah desert and twenty years as an aviation structural mechanic for the United States... Read More →

J.E. Pittman

Author, Dealer

J.F. Posthumus

Author

Wife and a mother of five, J.F. Posthumus is an IT Tech with over a decade of experience. When she isn’t arguing with computers and their inherent gremlins, or being mom to the four younger monsters (the eldest was a police officer, lost to us all in June of 2023), she’s crafting... Read More →

Sunday January 19, 2025 11:00am - 12:00pm EST
Salon L

Literature, Writing Techniques

12:00pm EST

Cannon Publishing Roundtable

Sunday January 19, 2025 12:00pm - 1:00pm EST

Salon L

Join the senior staff at Cannon Publishing and their principal authors as they discuss their new and upcoming projects.

Speakers

John Holmes

Publisher

Daniel Kemp

Author

Michael Morton

Author, USSF

H.Y. Gregor

Author

Sunday January 19, 2025 12:00pm - 1:00pm EST
Salon L

Literature, What to Read

2:00pm EST

Storytelling in Anime and Manga

Sunday January 19, 2025 2:00pm - 3:00pm EST

Shenandoah Room

Some think that Anime and Manga are just comic books and cartoons, while others swear they are art forms in their own right. Join our panelists as they discuss Anime and Manga and the storytelling that is an inherent part of these forms. Come with an open mind, these people are very persuasive.

Speakers

Sean Korsgaard

Author, Publisher, Fandom

J.E. Pittman

Author, Dealer

Sunday January 19, 2025 2:00pm - 3:00pm EST
Shenandoah Room

Literature, What to Read

2:00pm EST

The Business of Writing

Sunday January 19, 2025 2:00pm - 3:00pm EST

Salon L

Come learn about the nuts of bolts of getting your writing to produce income. How do you find a publisher? Is it worth is to try and publish your own work? How difficult is it navigate services such as Amazon for distribution? Should you even try?

Speakers

Claire Merrick

Author

Tired of writing about bad news as a producer at a news station, Claire Merrick began using her free time to write urban fantasy stories. She attended FantaSci in Durham, hoping to learn from authors about the business side of publishing. One of the guests, Kevin Ikenberry, asked... Read More →

H.Y. Gregor

Author

John Holmes

Publisher

Kim Iverson Headlee

Author

Kim Iverson Headlee lives on a farm in the mountains of southwestern Virginia with her family, cats, fish, goats, Great Pyrenees goat guards, someone else's cattle, half a million honey bees, and assorted wildlife. People and creatures come and go, but the cave and the 250-year-old... Read More →

Sunday January 19, 2025 2:00pm - 3:00pm EST
Salon L

Literature, Writing Techniques