MarsCon 2025 - Virginia Beach: Full Schedule

1:00pm EST

GPS: Global Positioning System and How It Really Works

Friday January 17, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm EST

The physics and engineering behind the Global Positioning System and what it can and can't do (and who do you blame when it does go bad).

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 →

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 →

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 →

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 →

Friday January 17, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm EST
Salon L

Science, Physical & Space Sciences

2:00pm EST

Generative Writing Session A

Friday January 17, 2025 2:00pm - 3:00pm EST

Salon L

Join our Author Co-Guest of Honor as she facilitates a workshop for authors and aspiring authors to spend time writing. Use the expertise of others to help you polish your draft, edit and revise, or to begin an outline. Whatever you need, they will help you with.

Possible theme of this workshop: galactic empires and epic interstellar legends.

Speakers

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 →

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 →

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 →

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 2:00pm - 3:00pm EST
Salon L

Workshops

3:00pm EST

Adding Food & Eating in Stories

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

Salon L

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

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

4:00pm EST

Gemstone Divination

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

Salon L

Lithomancy, divining the future by using stones (including gemstones and crystals), has a long history, especially in the Jewish traditions. Join our Musical Guest of Honor as she helps you learn this ancient art.

Speakers

Rhiannon's Lark

Musician Guest of Honor

Have you ever wanted to hear a Disney princess singing about the things you love…board games, ninjas, and krakens? Rhiannon’s Lark is happy to make your wish come true. Alyssa Yeager is an accolade-winning musician including the Pegasus award for “Best Performer” and Guest... Read More →

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

Workshops

5:00pm EST

How Far Will Your Dollar Go in Building Cosplay?

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

Salon L

This is not a cosplay/prop making on a budget pitch, but more so where you should spend your money and get the biggest returns for them.

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 →

Aaron Brite

Environmental Compliance Officer, Jen-Weld, Inc.

GenX feral nerd from the womb raised on TOS and the original Wild Wild West reruns while "recreating" some of those gadgets (thankfully to little success). Grew up to become an Air Force avionics tech and then Supply Sergeant where he caught the hazmat bug. Now a corporate environmentalist... Read More →

Daniel Kim

Cosplayer

Max Thompson

Cos Player

Hello there and welcome to my channel! My name is Bash, The Prop Slayer! My channel is dedicated to bringing game and movie replica weapons and armor to life. My main sources of inspiration are Final Fantasy, Star Wars, and The Lord of The Rings. I was introduced to cosplay and prop... Read More →

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

Fandom, Being a Fan

7:00pm EST

The Garbage Belt: What Should We Do About It?

Friday January 17, 2025 7:00pm - 8:00pm EST

Salon L

There is A LOT of trash in space, so much so that there are professionals whose sole duty is to track that garbage and make sure it doesn't damage functioning satellites in orbit. But, it's not like there are Coke cans and banana peels up there. What is in the Garbage Belt and how should we deal with it?

Speakers

Michael Morton

Author, USSF

Friday January 17, 2025 7:00pm - 8:00pm EST
Salon L

Science, Physical & Space Sciences

8:00pm EST

World Building for Fun and Profit

Friday January 17, 2025 8:00pm - 9:00pm EST

Salon L

The fun comes from drawing maps and defining cultures. The profit part comes when you build a world that your characters inhabit to such a degree, that you sell a ton of books or stories. Come find out those tips and tricks that can make your world an exciting place to be.

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 →

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 →

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 →

Scott Huggins

Author

Friday January 17, 2025 8:00pm - 9:00pm EST
Salon L

Workshops

9:00pm EST

Fandom and Mental Health

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

Salon L

Fans everywhere talk of how their participation in fandom has helped maintain their mental health. Some say that fandom has literally saved their lives. Join in the discussion of how fandom has and continues to be a balm for many in an uncertain world and concrete ways that others can help their fellow fans in the midst of the chaos.

Speakers

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 →

Brad Goodman

Scientist

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.

Lindsay Reinoehl Bartleson

Featured Costuming Guest

Lindsay Bartleson of Geek Diva Cosplay has been cosplaying for just under a decade. In that time she has received multiple awards at conventions in both workmanship and stage presentation and quickly reached the Master level. She has presented many cosplay panels and has also acted... Read More →

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

Fandom, Being a Fan

10:00pm EST

Jam Session, Open Mic, Filking

Friday January 17, 2025 10:00pm - 11:00pm EST

Salon L

Join several musicians, both those who make their living with their music and those who play because they love it, as they jam together. If you play, bring your instrument and join in. If you don't, come, listen and join in when you feel comfortable.

Speakers

The Blibbering Humdingers

Featured Musical Guest

We are Scott, Kirsten, Aiden, Liam, and Chuck! We create acoustic nerdrock for –Gamers, geeks, and galactic guardians, browncoats, centaurs, and mandalorians;Hobbits, elves, and wizard gangsters; avengers, defenders, and black-belt hamsters;Elder gods, small gods, fans of Tripod... Read More →

Friday January 17, 2025 10:00pm - 11:00pm EST
Salon L

Events & Demos, Concerts

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

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 →

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

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 →

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

Literature, What to Read

11:00am EST

Dos and Don't of Submitting to Indie Publishers

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

Salon L

Come meet with senior staff from Cannon Publishing to learn how to submit your manuscript to this and other independent publishing houses. The rules are different than trying to submit to mainstream houses. Manuscript submissions may be collected at this time. Speak with the panelists for more information.

Speakers

Chris Kennedy Publishing

Dealer, Chris Kennedy Publishing

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

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 →

Michael Morton

Author, USSF

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

Workshops

12:00pm EST

Are We the Baddies?

Saturday January 18, 2025 12:00pm - 1:00pm EST

Salon L

This panel includes discussions on the experience of creating opposition decks in games, of playing “the baddies” (e.g. the Axis powers in Axis & Allies, the anti-suffragists in Votes for Women, etc.), and what is involved in making and playing a game that is fun for all players.

Speakers

Phillip Pournelle

Author, Gamer

Stephen Glenn

Gamer, TAGS

I've been designing board and cardgames for over twenty years. My first cardgame, Balloon Cup, was nominated for the Spiel des Jahres in 2003. Since then I've published over a dozen games. I'm one of the founders of the local TAGS gaming club and I was also the founder of Protospiel... Read More →

Stephen Buonocore

Gaming Guest of Honor

Stephen Buonocore is a hobby game entrepreneur, game media personality, game industry veteran, as well as a former financial services industry IT professional.Buonocore is the retired founder, owner and President of Stronghold Games, formed in 2009 to publish quality hobby board and... Read More →

Tory Brown

Featured Game Designer

Tory Brown is the designer of Votes for Women, which launched on the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution. Tory is a longtime activist and works as a political communications strategist for progressive causes. Inspired to create Votes for Women by games like... Read More →

Saturday January 18, 2025 12:00pm - 1:00pm EST
Salon L

Gaming, Board Games

1:00pm EST

Creating Characters with Personality

Saturday January 18, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm EST

Salon L

This workshop will focus on using personality types and archetypes in developing relatable characters as both protagonists and antagonists.

Speakers

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 →

Jim Beall

Author, Scientist

J.F. Posthumus

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 →

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 →

Saturday January 18, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm EST
Salon L

Workshops

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

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 →

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

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

Literature, Writing Techniques

3:00pm EST

RPGs as Collaborative Storytelling

Saturday January 18, 2025 3:00pm - 4:00pm EST

Salon L

Role-playing games, especially table top RPGs, are often more about the story that involves all the players. The players take part in building the story from the DMs outline. Join authors and DMs as they discuss how to have a great outline and how to (as a player) run with that outline and participate in creating a great story together.

Speakers

Jim & John Gaines

Authors

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.

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 →

David Hensley

Author

Saturday January 18, 2025 3:00pm - 4:00pm EST
Salon L

Gaming, RPGs

4:00pm EST

Space Colonization: How and When?

Saturday January 18, 2025 4:00pm - 5:00pm EST

Salon L

In order to build galactic empires, we first need to get out into space. Then, with the very large distances between planets, there is always the problem of getting from one place to another in a timely manner. How will that happen? How close are we to being able to travel even to the Moon or Mars in a few hours or days instead of weeks or months?

Speakers

Jim Beall

Author, Scientist

Wes Rist

Int'l Human Rights Lawyer

D. Wes Rist is an international human rights lawyer with a specialization in preventing genocide and mass atrocities. He has worked with non-profit and non-governmental organizations around the world, conducted trainings for international lawyers and atrocity prevention experts, and... Read More →

Ben Davis

Scientist, 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 college level for several years on a number of technical subjects ranging from computer programming and math to, of course, astronomy and physics. In the... Read More →

Charles Blue

Featured Science Guest

Saturday January 18, 2025 4:00pm - 5:00pm EST
Salon L

Science, Physical & Space Sciences

5:00pm EST

DMing for Beginners

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

Salon L

So you wanna be a Dungeon Master but haven't the foggiest idea how to start or what to do? Come to this workshop to get tips and tricks to help you get started in the DM business. Taught by Joel Lyons.

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

Workshops

6:00pm EST

Generative Writing Session B

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

Salon L

Join our Author Co-Guest of Honor as she facilitates a workshop for authors and aspiring authors to spend time writing. Use the expertise of others to help you polish your draft, edit and revise, or to begin an outline. Whatever you need, they will help you with.

Possible topic for this workshop: using Tarot as a writing tool.

Speakers

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 →

J.F. Posthumus

Author

John Holmes

Publisher

Cassandra Clarke

Author Co- Guest of Honor

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

Workshops

7:00pm EST

Are All Empires Evil? Governance in Space

Saturday January 18, 2025 7:00pm - 8:00pm EST

Salon L

How might empires that cover more than one planet be governed? How would order be maintained? Do empires have to be evil in order to hold together? Join our panelists as they discuss how multi-planet or multi-system federations or empires might be governed, from galactic senates to loose confederations.

Speakers

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 →

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 →

Kacey Ezell

Featured Space Opera Guest

Wes Rist

Int'l Human Rights Lawyer

Saturday January 18, 2025 7:00pm - 8:00pm EST
Salon L

Science, Social & Political Sciences

8:00pm EST

Your Weird Civilization is Infringing Upon My Utopia

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

Salon L

We discuss the idea of a utopian society and explore the question of the perfect utopian society (STNG v Ferengi) for everyone. Is it even possible?

Speakers

Wes Rist

Int'l Human Rights Lawyer

Adam Oyebanji

Featured Science Fiction Guest

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 →

Tory Brown

Featured Game Designer

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

Science, Social & Political Sciences

9:00pm EST

Whose Con Is It Anyway? - Improv Panel

Saturday January 18, 2025 9:00pm - 10:00pm EST

Salon L

In the style of "Whose Line Is It Anyway?" this ... panel ... is meant to make you laugh at all the crazy stuff that ends up happening at conventions.

Speakers

Mikey Mason

Featured Musical Guest

Mikey Mason spent more than a decade as a full-time standup comedian. He headlined on all four coasts, performed multiple times each on NBC, at the legendary House of Blues, and the Hard Rock Casino. He even headlined the Atlantis Resort and Casino in the Bahamas. But it wasn’t... 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 →

Saturday January 18, 2025 9:00pm - 10:00pm EST
Salon L

Events & Demos

10:00pm EST

MarsCon Trivia Night

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

Salon L

Get your team together for MarsCon’s version of a pub quiz! Questions range from all sorts of trivia. Play for laughs and bragging rights.

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

Events & Demos

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

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 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

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 →

David Shadoin

Author

Kacey Ezell

Featured Space Opera Guest

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

Literature, NSFW

8:30am EST

Quiet Meditation and Contemplation

Sunday January 19, 2025 8:30am - 9:30am EST

Salon L

Speakers

Jen Cooper

2025 Conchair, Mars Con Inc (Virginia)

Sunday January 19, 2025 8:30am - 9:30am EST
Salon L

10:00am EST

So, You Wanna Host a Podcast...

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

Salon L

You have a great idea for a podcast, but how do you get one recorded? How do you get it out there? How do you get more than just your mom to listen to it? Come talk with these veteran podcasters and find out.

Speakers

Mikey Mason

Featured Musical Guest

H.Y. Gregor

Author

Ben Davis

Scientist, ECPI University

John Holmes

Publisher

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

Fandom, Being a Fan

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

J.E. Pittman

Author, Dealer

J.F. Posthumus

Author

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

1:00pm EST

"Them's Fightin' Words!" Writing Combat Scenes in Speculative Fiction

Sunday January 19, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm EST

Salon L

Many science fiction works include some sort of combat as an integral part of the story. If you've been in the military, how do you write combat scenes that don't overwhelm the reader and stay authentic? If you haven't personally seen combat, how do you write combat scenes that are realistic? Come work with these veteran writers of combat scenes. Bring your current work and get some tips and pointers.

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 →

Jacob Holo

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!

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 →

Sunday January 19, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm EST
Salon L

Workshops

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

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