Generated: Mon Aug 17 16:30:25 2026
Theresa Jean Tanenbaum ("Tess")—I'm Tess Tanenbaum, a queer, polyamorous, neurodivergent, transgender woman. I have a doctorate in interactive storytelling, and published extensively during my academic career before deciding I was ready to start telling my own stories instead of just mentoring the next generation of storytellers. Now I live in rural Illinois where I just finished my first novel - a mashup between a queer romance and a magical girl fantasy story. I also write and perform speculative poetry, produce music, create audio dramas, and brew magical black walnut ink.
Andrew Liptak —Andrew Liptak is a writer and historian from Vermont. He is the author of Cosplay: A History (Saga Press, 2022), a comprehensive look at how cosplay evolved into a mainstream cultural force and what it reveals about our relationships with the stories we love. He co-edited War Stories: New Military Science Fiction with Jaym Gates in 2014, and his fiction has appeared in Galaxy’s Edge Magazine, Starship Sofa, Horizon 2045’s Far Futures, and Future Tense Fiction.
Bradford Lyau —Bradford Lyau has been a life-long reader of science fiction, part of fandom for over fifty years, and panelist for over thirty years. He is a historian by training (BA, UC-Berkeley; MA, PhD, University of Chicago) and has taught at several universities in California and Europe. Presently, he works for a start-up company and is also a political activist/consultant. He remains active in formal scholarship, publishing academic articles on American, British, European, and Chinese science fiction. He was an invited program participant in 1984 for the George Orwell Conference held in London, and in 1991 for the Utopian Conference held in Yverdon-les-Bain, Switzerland, as part of Switzerland’s 700th Anniversary celebration. One of his recent articles analyzed Cixin Liu’s recently translated novels, his first attempt to analyze science fiction from a non-Western culture. His book analyzing French science fiction, The Anticipation Novelists of 1950s French Science Fiction: Stepchildren of Voltaire, received very positive reviews from leading academic SF journals and is listed as a reference for further reading in the “France” entry in the Encyclopedia of Science Fiction. In 2019 he received the Sam Moskowitz Archive Award (given by First Fandom), for both collecting and scholarship, at the Dublin World SF Convention.
Cecilia Amo, Esq. —Cecilia Amo is an estate planning attorney, fandom enthusiast, and author of Your After-Credits Scene: A Nerd's Guide to Wills, Trusts, and Legacy, which debuted as a #1 New Release on Amazon. With 25+ years of legal experience, she founded AMO LAW Legacy Planning to help families — including childfree individuals, blended families, and chosen families — protect what matters most. A self-described nerd, Cecilia has served on the board of the nonprofit that organizes Anime Expo, the largest anime convention in North America. She's on a mission to inspire fellow fans to step into their own hero's journey and protect what they love.
Judy Johnson (Entwife)—Entwife Judy has been my badge name for several decades. Now I'm getting serious—about both my WIP novel and also the startup organization that will promote Research and Development related to the worldbuilding scheme in it. Turns out that shirtsleeves-livable habitats, inside hollowed-out asteroids and using tether-spin-gravity, might be be feasible in mere decades. Somebody has to MAKE IT SO. We are creating the L4 Space Habitat Society therefore. Otherwise, I work part-time and travel in my RV with my dog. Entwife Judy has been my badge name for several decades.
Eva Whitley —Eva Whitley started attending cons 49 years ago and decided it would be fun to run them 48 years ago. She raised 2 children in Fandom, and they inherited her belief that it's more fun to be part of the cast than the audience. She was married to Jack L. Chalker for 26.5 years and enjoys reading speculation about our relationship on Reddit. /s
Glen Olson (G.W.Olson)—Glen Olson is a fiction and non-fiction author. His two novels, Tears of a Thousand Years, and Desperate Endeavor, and the non-fiction book Fifty Years of Polyamory in America have made the Bold Authors curated suggested reading lists. He grew up in the San Fernando Valley, a suburb of Los Angeles. He would have had an absolutely normal childhood except for one fact: his best friend’s father worked in cold war aerospace . . . and the friend's father owned a mimeograph machine, allowing Glen and friends to put out a neighborhood newspaper— and they shamelessly did so! This encouraged his lifelong love of writing. Glen became a paramedic for a fire department where he had several roles, including disaster preparedness educator, inspector, and captain, writing training manuals by day and fiction by night. Today he is a fulltime writer, the author of four books and working on a fifth (with possible screenplay).
Stew Hotston (he/him)—Stewart Hotston lives in the UK. With a Celtic-Indian mother and a father of North African/Ukranian descent, Stewart is a somewhat confused second-generation immigrant living in the UK who has written many short stories and several novels including the BSFA finalist, Project Hanuman and the BFA and Speculative Chaos finalist, The Entropy of Loss.
Alongside fiction, he writes literary criticism including for the Hugo nominated, Nerds of a Feather.
He is a long time larper and co-owner of Flowstate Games which among other games, runs Curious Pastimes, a 1500 player UK based fantasy LARP.
Stewart is also the chair of the British Science Fiction Association and the treasurer of the British Fantasy Society.
Moriko Handford —Moriko Handford is an author from Upton, MA. While not at work, she's bringing her family on wacky adventures. Her Substack is where she publishes videos and writings about various topics. Her most recent publication is a graphic novel called The Gold Ceiling about a ban of individuals having more than $1 billion in wealth. Moriko also has a memoir, A Trans Feminist's Past, and before that, she wrote a sci-fi trans romance called Flipping under her pen name, Forest Handford.
Orbzine —Logan Bruce has been writing science fiction novels and movie reviews since the latter years of the twentieth century.
T. D. Orel —T.D. Orel is an indie author and content creator from Huntington Beach, CA. He is the author of the YA fantasy series, the Titan’s Nest Saga. Beyond writing, T. D. has built a thriving digital presence through social media, where his “inner-thoughts” skits have reached millions of viewers on Instagram and TikTok. His content exclusively highlights sci-fi and fantasy media in literature, film, television, and gaming.
Millie Abecassis—Millie Abecassis is a writer of adult speculative fiction from France. She is a graduate of the Panthéon-Sorbonne University and now works in the biotech industry. Millie lives in San Jose, California with her spouse and their cats. You can learn more about her writing and other endeavors at www.millieabecassis.com.
Eura “Euphridia” Abrams—Euphridia is a self-certified adult, irresponsible author, and completely made-up pen name that its creator chose because it sounded "quite fancy, like the name of a goddess." She is the author of A Hero Returned (The Last Rae of Hope, Book 1) from Riverfolk Books — a satirical isekai fantasy in which she also appears as a character.
Angela Acosta—Angela Acosta, Ph.D. (she/her) is an Assistant Professor of Spanish at the University of South Carolina. She is a 2022 Dream Foundry Contest for Emerging Writers Finalist, 2022 Somos en Escrito Extra-Fiction Contest Honorable Mention, and Utopia Award nominee. Her Rhysling nominated poetry has appeared in Heartlines Spec, Shoreline of Infinity, Apparition Lit, Radon Journal, and Space & Time. She is author of the Elgin nominated poetry collections Summoning Space Travelers (Hiraeth Publishing, 2022) and A Belief in Cosmic Dailiness (Red Ogre Review, 2023). She has published on female life-writing, poetry, and literary personas in Persona Studies, Ámbitos Feministas, and Feminist Modernist Studies.
Dustin Adair—Dustin is an Emmy-nominated character animator with 25 years of work in Hollywood. He's also a game developer that's created eight videogames with his company, Scary Robot, which he founded in 2011.
Linda D. Addison is the first African-American recipient of the HWA Bram Stoker Award® and author of six Bram Stoker Award winning collections, including Everything Endless written with Jamal Hodge, as well as a SFWA Nebula Award Finalist, a SFPA Grand Master of Fantastic Poetry, recipient of the HWA Lifetime Achievement Award and HWA Mentor of the Year. Her 2026 book: Carnivores & Other Lovers with Consuelo G. Flores, Andrea Goyan, Elizabeth Eve King & Elizabeth Wong.
Kylie Adkins—Kylie Adkins holds a Master's Degree in Literature and has worked with the Ray Bradbury Center in Indianapolis to promote and encourage adult literacy and lifelong learning for the last several years. She also works for the Indianapolis Public Library System where she helps out on their bookmobiles.
Sarah Al-Ahmed—Sarah Al-Ahmed is the host and producer of The Planetary Society’s Planetary Radio, a weekly show exploring planetary science and space exploration. She interviews scientists, engineers, astronauts, and space entertainers about the worlds of our Solar System, the missions that explore them, and discoveries reshaping our understanding of worlds beyond it. With a background in astrophysics, Sarah brings scientific expertise and curiosity to conversations spanning planetary science, astronomy, the search for life, and humanity’s exploration of space. Her work makes complex science accessible and engaging while helping audiences better understand our place in space.
Maria Alexander—For over 20 years, Maria Alexander has been a multiple Bram Stoker Award-winning author of horror and mystery novels, short fiction, screenplays, poetry, and essays. Her latest dark queer tale, Brimstone & Blades, slayed the 2025 Fall BookFest with three first-place awards in YA fiction, YA fantasy, and LGBTQ+ fiction. A lover of swords and esoteric arts, she can be found on Substack and other online platforms. For more, visit www.mariaalexander.net.
Phoenix Alexander (he/him) is a queer, Greek-Cypriot author and curator of SF/F and horror. He is the Editor-in-Chief of Vector: the Journal of the British Science Fiction Association, and has published over 30 short stories and articles. He holds a Ph.D. in English and African American Studies from Yale University, and a BA and MA from Queen Mary, University of London. In his day job, he is the curator of the Eaton Collection of Science Fiction and Fantasy at the University of California, Riverside, where he stewards one of the world’s largest cataloged collections of science fiction, fantasy, and other genre materials.
Muaiyd Abu Ali—My name is Muaiyd Abu Ali I’m a physiotherapy supervisor at hospital Kings College, Londo Jeddah, I like to read science satisfaction stories, and I have a novel called the legend of the autogram it’s published since 2019 and translated to 5 language ..
Emily Loretta Flummox (et alia)—Emily Loretta Flummox (Grok Amiri, flurp, Skunkheart, and 15 other names; pronouns: fey / fem / fear / fierce / femself and 2 other sets) recently published fear first book, *Civilization Stained These Young Things, and Other Works by Emily Loretta Flummox* (Dooky Zines) and has had stories and poetry published in *Wickedly Abled* (Iconoclast Productions), *Cæsura* (Poetry Center San Jose), *Weird Fiction Quarterly*, and *The HorrorZine*, and role-playing game content in *Girls Write These Worlds*. A member of two National Poetry Slam teams, fey now works as a professional Game Master for tabletop role-playing games. Follow fem at linktr.ee/queermythopoeia
Kayla Allen—Kayla Allen has been attending SF/F conventions since her first convention, the 1984 Worldcon in Anaheim. She has been an active volunteer with conventions and bids for Worldcons and Westercons in roles from gopher to Worldcon Chair. As Kevin Standlee, she co-chaired the 2002 Worldcon, chaired the 2022 Westercon, and was Fan Guest of Honor of the 2005 NASFiC and 2019 Westercon. She embraced her true self in July of 2025. She is an expert in the rules of the World Science Fiction Society. Her other interests include trains and rail transit.
Todd Allis—Todd has been involved in fandom since the eighties. They have staffed dozens of conventions and have been active in newsletters, anime viewing clubs, parody fan dubs, room parties, anime rooms, and anime music videos. They study Japanese on and off and have visited Japan on a budget and survived attending Comic Market. They're currently on a Worldcon perfect attendance streak since 2006 LAcon IV). Attending the Chengdu Worldcon alone was an adventure. They enjoy craft projects, writing, and travel. They currently work remotely. They primarily use Linux at home and are asexual and non-binary. Three cats deign to share their abode in Portland with Todd in exchange for housekeeping.
Iris Almaraz is an award-winning Chicana filmmaker, screenwriter, and director whose work blends horror, dark comedy, and social commentary. Her short film Lucky Bastard screened internationally and received multiple festival awards. A three-time Sundance Writing Lab finalist, Almaraz is currently developing several genre projects, including Mother May I, a horror feature screenplay that was named a Semi-Finalist at Screamfest, and Bloody Maria, a horror series centered on a Latina anti-heroes. Through her work, Almaraz explores identity, power, folklore, and the ways horror can illuminate the fears and tensions that shape contemporary life.
Gregory Amato—Gregory Amato made a career of selling his quill as a mercenary writer for many years. He wrote true and important things for newspapers, magazines, academia, and, for over a decade, intelligence analysis for the FBI.
Now, he writes fantasy stories based on the myths and sagas of the vikings. He published his first novella, The Skald, in 2023. He followed it with three novels (Burden to Bear, Rune to Ruin, and Fallen to Fury), completing his Spear of the Gods Saga in 2025. The series has been praised for its solid grounding in the cultural history of the time, the fight scenes, but above all else, the dry and dirty sense of saga-like humor that runs throughout.
Outside his time spent spinning yarns about vikings and wizards, he practices martial arts, brews beer, and plays DnD when he gets the chance. He lives happily with his family in the Pacific Northwest.
Christopher Ambler—Christopher Ambler is the creator of Concellation, the pandemic era convention that was cancelled before it could be announced.
RM Ambrose is a speculative fiction writer and the editor of Vital: The Future of Healthcare. He attended the Taos Toolbox writer’s workshop, is SFWA Associate Member, and receveived his MFA from the Stonecoast Creative Writing program with dual concentrations in Popular Fiction and Scriptwriting.
He's teaching a zoom-based SF/F/H creative writing workshop for Inlandia Institute in the fall.
Multiple works that he’s edited have made Year’s Best anthologies, such as Justin C. Key’s “The Algorithm Will See You Now,” as well as stories by Julie Nováková and Simone Heller (from Future SF Digest #8, which he guest edited). Two original stories from Vital (Key’s, as well as Seanan McGuire’s) are finalists for the Dinjos Award for disability representation in speculative fiction. For several years he also served as Assistant Fiction Editor at the Hugo award winning StarshipSofa podcast.
His short story, “Olive Branch,” appeared in Friends Journal’s 2024 annual fiction issue. He has a poem forthcoming in a B Cubed Press anthology.
"We are all Warmongers, We are all Pacifists" appears in:
Building Yesterday's Future for Everyone:
Academic Selections from the 2025 World Science Fiction Convention
(Eligible for the 2027 Hugo Award for Best Related Work)
Cylia Amendolara—Cylia likes books, dragons, and cats. She taught herself to read with the Young Years collection of Nursery Rhymes and Fairy Tales, found her morality in The Dark Crystal, and learned about chosen families from Anne McCaffrey's Harper Hall trilogy. A volunteer with SFWA in the NW Reading Series, her newest story related project is a podcast: Connect the Plots with Cylia and Erik with her writer friend, Erik Grove. Cylia has probably read your book, but if not, she really wants to...
Christine Amsden—Christine Amsden writes speculative fiction built on the principle that an ordinary human can sometimes be extraordinary. As an ordinary human herself, one who has been legally blind since the age of eighteen, she looks for heroes outside the traditional Hero’s Journey. That’s how she met her favorite character, Cassie Scot, the only nonmagical member of a magical family.
In her own life, Christine attempts the extraordinary by being a liberal political activist in Kansas.
She is also an assistant editor at Escape Pod where she is constantly delighted and amazed by the creativity of her fellow authors.
Christine enjoys role playing, board games, and a good cup of tea.
Charlie Jane Anders is the author of Lessons in Magic and Disaster, coming August 2025 from Tor Books. Her other novels include All the Birds in the Sky, The City in the Middle of the Night and the young-adult Unstoppable trilogy. She's also the author of the short story collection Even Greater Mistakes, and Never Say You Can't Survive, a book about how to use creative writing to get through hard times. She's won the Hugo, Nebula, Sturgeon, Lambda Literary, Crawford and Locus Awards. She co-created Escapade, a transgender superhero, for Marvel Comics and wrote her into the long-running New Mutants comic. And she's currently the science fiction and fantasy book reviewer for the Washington Post. With Annalee Newitz, she co-hosts the podcast Our Opinions Are Correct.
Alan Anderson—I'm a retired software engineer. I was a mentor for a high school FIRST Robotics team for twenty years. I am a professional Klingon speaker and translator, and some of my work appears in multiple Star Trek series.
K.G. Anderson—K.G. Anderson is a journalist, a speculative fiction writer, and a collector of easy recipes and difficult cats. She lives in Seattle in a house haunted by the bad remodeling decisions of the previous owners. A graduate of Viable Paradise, and the past chair of Clarion West, she writes and edits for B Cubed Press and helps host the Two Hour Transport reading series. Her short fiction collection, Patti 209: Fifteen Tales of the Very Near Future, came out in 2025. For links to more of her work, visit http://writerway.com/fiction
Kevin Anderson—Kevin is a life-long science fiction fan, a horror fan, and a public defender by day. He produces, edits, and creates the music for the Hugo Award-winning podcast Hugo, Girl
Lori Anderson—Lori Anderson is a lawyer and co-host of the podcast Hugo, Girl! which takes a look at Hugo award-winning novels (and sometimes other things) through a feminist lens.
Will Anderson—Will Anderson is a filmmaker, videographer, and actor from Indianapolis, Indiana. He graduated from Purdue University in 2025 with degrees in Film/Video Production and Marketing, where he produced videos for corporations and organizations, worked on numerous student film productions, and starred in a feature-length film. Will made his directorial debut with Selfless, a horror-comedy short film exploring human nature and the complexities of mental health. Now based in Los Angeles, California, he continues to pursue a career in film and video, driven by a passion for telling compelling stories.
Tiffani Angus—Tiffani Angus (PhD) is a multi BSFA- and BFS-award finalist for her debut novel Threading the Labyrinth and for non-fiction (with co-author Val Nolan) for Spec Fic for Newbies: A Beginner’s Guide to Writing Subgenres of Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror Vol. 1 (2023) and Vol. 2 (2024), both of which also made the Locus Recommended Reading List. Volume 3 launched March 2026. She spent over a decade teaching creative writing at universities in the US and UK and works as a freelance editor, runs the typesetting/formatting business Book Polishers, and leads various writing workshops in person and online.
Laura Antoniou—Laura Antoniou is the author of the long-running Marketplace series of queer BDSM novels, known for their gender-diverse cast and intricate social worldbuilding around power exchange. A lifelong geek who began by editing the ’80s gaming/media magazine Gateways, she has always been interested in how subcultures build rules, hierarchies, and mythologies. She is also the author of the Rainbow Award–winning comedy mystery The Killer Wore Leather and co-author of the erotic fantasy Silk Threads. An editor, essayist, and frequent panelist, she writes about sexuality, fandom, and community from her home base in New York.
Janet Forbes | World Anvil—By day, Janet Forbes (she/her) is the CEO and founder of World Anvil, the award-winning worldbuilding platform, novel writing software and RPG campaign manager with over 3 million users. By night, she's a published author (FlameTree Press, Bona Books, Dream Theory Media) and game writer (Dark Crystal RPG - lead author, Kobold Press, Infinite Black). Janet's past experience as an archaeologist, opera singer, teacher and educator, motivational speaker, polyglot, dinosaur-lover, entrepreneur and, somehow, professional recorder player, all find their way into the rich worlds woven through her stories. Her work explores everything from dungeon delving and dinosaurs, to feminism and freedom.
Betsy Aoki—Betsy Aoki is a game producer, poet, and fiction writer. She currently serves as poetry editor for Uncanny Magazine and has work forthcoming in Strange Horizons. Her debut poetry collection, Breakpoint, was a National Poetry Series finalist and winner of the Patricia Bibby First Book Award. Its signature poem was selected by Pulitzer Prize winner Jericho Brown for the Auburn Witness Poetry Prize. Most recently, her fiction is included in Critical Role: The Mighty Nein --Stories Untold.
Cat Aquino—Cat Aquino is the writer of CHAMPION OF THE ROSE, an anti-colonial epic fantasy manga series illustrated by Dominique Duran and published by VIZ Media.
Cat is a Filipino author, Otherwise Award fellow, speculative fiction editor, and memory and trauma studies researcher. Once a Philippine history teacher in Manila, they moved to Glasgow, Aarhus, and Barcelona for their master’s degree in children’s literature. They currently divide their time between Manila and London.
Liz Argall—Liz Argall is a cartoonist, mental health advocate, technical writer and co-founder of Ngombor Community Development Alliance in Uganda. Her work has appeared in multiple outlets, including Uncanny Magazine, Strange Horizons, Meanjin, and Friends of Lulu. Her webcomic --Thingswithout.com-- regularly appears online, where it has created several ripples of joy. Liz lives in Seattle, but her heart misses the big silly birds of Australia.
Vyvre Argent—Vyvre Argent (they/them) is a queer nonbinary writer who lives in Southern California. They are the author of SKULLRUNNER, the first book in The Godreaper Rebellions series.
Richard Aronson—I am best known for my voice acting, mostly for Sierra Online. But I did plenty of game programming and design as well, and am the author of "Eric and the Gazebo". I can easily fit on any panel involving humor or games. I have been on many panels for Worldcons past. I got a standing ovation at the Adventure Fan Faire in 2004. Use me if you want. I am there all convention.
Citlali Arvizu—Citlali Arvizu (Tongva, Kumeyaay) Native American Community Wellness Provider and Advocate; Cultural Education Consultant; Culture Bearer, Tongva Language Archival Apprentice-
Citlali's lifelong direct involvement in her community includes teaching and sharing traditional knowledge with a focus on intergenerational cultural preservation. She is an archival apprentice for the National Breath of Life's Archival Insititute for Indigenous Languages and a member of the Tongva Language Committee. She is a culture bearer, circle leader, and rites of passage facilitator for indigenous girls. Citlali is an alum of CSULB and has dedicated her energies to community building and involvement in programming that services her tribal community, as well as the wider Native communities, in Los Angeles and Orange Counties. Her advocacy focuses on generating resources, supports, and capacity to foster healing from the impacts of past and current systems and wellness and sustainability for future generations. Citlali was born and raised in Anaheim, the area known as Hotuuknga.
Terri Ash—Terri Ash is the manager, artist wrangler, and professional killjoy at Geek Calligraphy, as well as a freelance wrangler. She has been part of organized fandom for 17 years, disorganized fandom for much longer. A voracious consumer of many kinds of SFF media, nothing makes Terri happier than talking about it for hours, especially if you get her started on the Jewish origins of superheroes or feminism in SFF. This will be her seventh Worldcon, and her first year as a Hugo Finalist.
Ashaya—Ashaya has been podcasting since 2012 with History of Westeros and attended their first WorldCon in 2018. They are nominated for their first Hugo Award this year, 2026! While their podcast focuses on the world of Westeros, they are also a science-fiction fan, cosplayer, and gamer.
Kemi Ashing-Giwa—Kemi Ashing-Giwa is an author and scientist-in-training. Her work includes The Splinter in the Sky, which won the Compton Crook Award and was a USA Today bestseller; This World Is Not Yours; and The King Must Die. Her short fiction, which has been nominated for an Ignyte Award and featured on the Locus Recommended Reading List, has been reprinted in collections including Some of the Best from Tor.com: 15th Anniversary Edition and The Year’s Top Tales of Space and Time. She is now pursuing a PhD in the Earth & Planetary Sciences department at Stanford.
Dr. Jason Aukerman—I’m a professor of American Studies and English Literature and Director of the Ray Bradbury Center. I teach high-enrolling courses on conspiracy theories, the American supernatural, science fiction, and banned books. I use UFOs, moral panics, and forbidden novels as gateways to skeptical thinking and cultural history. At the Ray Bradbury Center, we preserve a legacy, but we also carry Bradbury’s ideas forward through public programs, festivals, and conversations with writers and readers who believe science fiction is not an escape from reality, but a way of interrogating it. If you need someone to talk conspiracies, censorship, or why science fiction still matters, I’m your guy.
Victoria Aveyard—Victoria Aveyard is the #1 NYT Bestselling author of the RED QUEEN series and the REALM BREAKER trilogy. Her books have sold millions of copies world wide and been translated into 40+ languages. She currently resides in Los Angeles with her husband and a a very spoiled Labrador named Indy. "We named the dog Indiana."
V.M. Ayala—V.M. Ayala (she/they) is a queer disabled Mexican American sci-fi/fantasy writer. She loves dragons, space, their partner, and giant robots. Their work has appeared in Lightspeed, Escape Pod, The Best American Science Fiction and Fantasy 2024, and elsewhere. She is also a streamer and TTRPG actual play performer—as well as one of the co-founders of OTHERSIDE, a queer speculative magazine. You can find her most social media places @spacevalkyries or at spacevalkyries.com.
Sophia Babai—Sophia Babai is an author, cultural consultant, and creativity & embodiment coach. She writes literary speculative fiction about ghosts, grief, and families lost and found. Her clients have published numerous bestsellers and won awards including the Hugo, Nebula, and Astounding Award for New Author.
Eugen Bacon—Eugen Bacon is an African Australian author. She is a Solstice, British Fantasy, Ignyte, Locus, Foreword Indies and BSFA Award winner. She’s also a twice World Fantasy and Shirley Jackson Award finalist, and a finalist in the Philip K. Dick Awards and the Nommo Awards for speculative fiction by Africans. Eugen is an Otherwise Fellow, and was announced on the honor list for ‘doing exciting work in gender and speculative fiction’. Danged Black Thing made the Otherwise Award Honor List as a ‘sharp collection of Afro-Surrealist work’. Visit her at eugenbacon.com.
Kareem Badaruddin—Kareem Badaruddin is the Mission Manager of the Voyager Interstellar Mission. He has been at JPL since 1994 and has served in line management as well as roles on Cassini, Dawn, SMAP, and various proposals and costing exercises. Kareem has an extensive background in flight system testbeds and in-flight anomaly investigation and resolution. He has demonstrated strong technical leadership in addressing serious anomalies that could have resulted in the loss of a spacecraft. He has been fortunate to rely on the exceptional skill and creativity of the Voyager flight team as well as the expert JPL anomaly teams.
Darcie Little Badger—Darcie Little Badger is a Lipan Apache writer with a PhD in oceanography. Her critically acclaimed debut novel, Elatsoe, was featured in Time Magazine as one of the best 100 fantasy books of all time. Elatsoe also won the Locus award for Best First Novel and is a Nebula, Ignyte, and Lodestar finalist. Her second fantasy novel, A Snake Falls to Earth, received a Nebula Award, an Ignyte Award, and a Newbery Honor and is on the National Book Awards longlist. Her third book, Sheine Lende, is the prequel to Elatsoe and was a USA Today bestseller and won the Lodestar Award for Best Young Adult Book. Darcie is married to a veterinarian named Taran.
Yasser M Bahjatt—Born and raise in East Lansing, MI, lived most of my life in Sadui Arabia.
BS in Computer Engineering from KAU, Graduate Studies in Future Technologies from Singularity University.
Serial Entreprenuer, co-founder of Yatakhayalooc Co. Ltd that was founded to nurtuer and grow Arabian SFF. Author of Yaqteenya the first Arabic Alt-History novel, co author of HWJN, Somewhere! & Binyameen, and translator of several works such as Drath Vader & Wild Cards to Arabic.
Kylie Lee Baker—Kylie Lee Baker is the Sunday Times bestselling author of dark fantasy and horror novels such as The Keeper of Night, The Scarlet Alchemist, and Bat Eater and Other Names for Cora Zeng. She grew up in Boston and has since lived in Atlanta, Salamanca, and Seoul. Her writing is informed by her heritage (Japanese, Chinese, and Irish), as well as her experiences living abroad as both a student and teacher. She has a BA in creative writing and Spanish from Emory University and a MS in library and information science degree from Simmons University.
Mary Baker—I grew up rural in the sticks of the midwestern US. I have been in fandom events since my 20s, running small scale conventions, publishing zines, and running a gaming club. My day job was in supply chain for twenty-five years with an early focus on project-based cost reduction and later on iron industry procurement. For most of that time, I was using my daily computer access to write fanfiction and engage with online fan communities, most specifically those of NBC Heroes, Star Wars, The Old Guard, and The Murderbot Diaries.
Tracey Baptiste is a New York Times bestselling author of twenty-six books for children. Born and raised in Trinidad and Tobago, her popular Jumbies Trilogy draws on Trinidadian folklore and mythology, a series that includes The Jumbies, Rise of the Jumbies and The Jumbie God’s Revenge, as well as the picture book Looking for a Jumbie.
She writes picture books, middle grade, and young adult, fiction and nonfiction, and has contributed to several anthologies. Among her most popular books are Minecraft: The Crash, which has been translated into multiple languages, and nonfiction and historical books including African Icons: Ten People Who Shaped History and Because Claudette. She has also contributed to young adult anthologies, notably 2019’s Black Enough: Stories of Being Young & Black in America.
Her books have received starred reviews from School Library Journal, Publishers Weekly, and Kirkus and have been named in best books of the year roundups for NPR, Kirkus, School Library Journal, Publisher’s Weekly, the New York Public Library, Brightly, We Need Diverse Books, and Bank Street. They have also been on shortlists for several awards such as the Jane Adams Children’s Book Award, the Massachusetts Book Award, and the Texas Topaz Reading List with a unanimous recommendation. Her most recent novels include Moko Magic: Carnival Chaos, Supergoat Girl, and Boy 2.0 and its sequel Kid X.
Her debut novel, Angel’s Grace, was named a Kansas NEA Reading Circle List Junior Title.
When Baptiste is not writing, she visits schools all over the world, and teaches in the low residency MFA program at the University of San Francisco.
You can find Tracey online at traceybaptiste.com and connect with her on Instagram at @traceybaptistewrites.
Matteo Barbagallo—Dr. Matteo Barbagallo, PhD from the Universidad Pablo de Olavide in Seville, has published and lectured on Martin's work across the Westeros saga, the Tales of Dunk and Egg, and the Wild Cards shared universe. He is a contributor to the Wild Cards blog, a publication that bridges scholarly and fan-community readerships. His research interests include adaptation studies, genre fiction, and the social dimensions of popular fantasy literature.
Todd J. Barber—odd Barber is a JPL senior propulsion engineer and will mark 35 years at JPL this October. Focusing almost exclusively on propulsion mission operations, Barber has flown about two dozen JPL missions throughout the solar system, beginning with Galileo in 1990 and continuing into 2025 with Europa Clipper. The bulk of his career has been spent on Galileo, Cassini, and Voyager, with plenty of smaller missions thrown in to diversify his portfolio. He received NASA's Exceptional Achievement Award in 1996 for his work on Galileo. In 2018, Barber was also honored to receive NASA’s Exceptional Public Service Medal for heading up Cassini’s propulsion team for nearly two decades. Mr. Barber is a native of Wichita, Kansas, and attended MIT between 1984 and 1990, obtaining B.S. and M.S. degrees in aerospace engineering, with a humanities concentration in music.
Leigh Bardugo—Leigh Bardugo is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Invisible Parade, The Familiar, and the Ninth House series. The Netflix original series Shadow and Bone brought together multiple titles from her Grishaverse which spans the Shadow and Bone trilogy, the Six of Crows duology, the King of Scars duology—and much more. Her short fiction has appeared in multiple anthologies including The Best American Science Fiction and Fantasy. She lives in Los Angeles and is an associate fellow of Pauli Murray College at Yale University.
Steven Barnes—Steven Barnes is a novelist, television writer, and director. His latest novel, ICE VEGAS, written with Larry Niven, is out this summer. His debut short film, THE KEEPER, was directed and written with his wife Tananarive Due. He lives in Southern California with his wife and son.
Brick Barrientos—Brick Barrientos is a long time science fiction fan and quiz enthusiast. He won a national championship in College Bowl and was a one-day champion on Jeopardy. Brick has been regularly hosting trivia contests since the days of reading questions off cards instead of tablets. He can be found all over Maryland winning pub quiz trivia cash. Since lockdown, remote technology has enabled him to be both a contestant and host for quizzes with participants over four continents. He is the proud father of a daughter who is also a science fiction fan and science journal editor. He may also have a cat.
Natania Barron—Natania Barron believes in monsters and hopes you do, too. She’s the author of short stories, novellas, and over a dozen novels. All of these works contain monsters of one variety of another, but not all of them wear monstrous skins. She is also 1/3 of the Hugo-nominated Worldbuilding for Masochists podcast. When not traveling through imagined worlds, she lives in North Carolina with her family, where she traipses through the forest on a regular basis, bakes incessantly, drinks an inordinate amount of tea, and dreams of someday owning a haunted house of her own.
Olga Batygin—Olga Batygin is an AI startup and philanthropic leader with over 15 years bridging science and industry. As Director of Deep Tech and Space at XPRIZE, she partners with sponsors and internal colleagues to shape prizes that drive breakthrough innovation. She spent a decade at Caltech, first in the lab and later in administration, then co-founded and led Lucinetic, an EdTech venture she built into a GeoAI platform before selling the core IP. A published author and speaker, she also serves on the Caltech Entrepreneurs Forum executive committee, in the expert network at Fusion Fund, and on the board at G100.
Kimberly Bea—At an early age, Kimberly Bea fell in love with Greek mythology, from the tales of Hermes’ mischief and Athena’s wisdom to the death-defying love of Orpheus and Eurydice. It was this love that led her to pursue graduate degrees in Ancient History, with comparative fields in medieval history and the ancient Near East. Her debut novel, a historical fantasy providing the back story for the Faery Queen in “Tam Lin,” The Changeling Queen, released from Erewhon Books in October 2025. Her follow up, THE CURSE OF FEATHERS, will release in 2026. She blogs about researching historical fantasy on her website kimberlybea.com, and lives in California.
Elizabeth Bear—Elizabeth Bear was born on the same day as Frodo and Bilbo Baggins, but in a different year. She is the Hugo, Sturgeon, Locus, and Astounding Award winning author of over 30 novels and more than a hundred short stories.
Elle Beck—Elle Beck enjoys cooking simple delicious food and showing how easy it is to use and understand Esperanto for everyday tasks.
Peter Adrian Behravesh—Peter Adrian Behravesh is an Iranian-American writer, editor, audio producer, and narrator, as well as a story lead for Magic: The Gathering. For these endeavors, he has won the Miller and British Fantasy Awards and has been nominated for the Hugo, Ignyte, and Aurora Awards. His interactive novel Heavens’ Revolution: A Lion Among the Cypress is available from Choice of Games, and his essay “Pearls from a Dark Cloud: Monsters in Persian Myth” appears in The Oxford Handbook of Monsters in Classical Myth. He co-edited the Iran+100 anthology. You can read his sporadic ramblings at peteradrianbehravesh.com, or on Bluesky @behravesh.
Bita Behzadi—Bita Behzadi writes fantasy novels of all kind, with a pechant for blending genres and balancing the sweet with the bittersweet. She possesses a conditionally useful engineering degree from The University of California, Berkeley, and a love of analytically sampling sweet treats. Her debut cozy historical romantic fantasy novel, Letters from the Last Apothecary, is out now. Visit her online at BitaBehzadi.com.
Noel Belknap—Noel Belknap is an Emmy nominated animation industry professional. Working since 2009 on TV shows, such as: The Marvelous Misadventures of Flapjack, Rick and Morty, Teen Titans Go, The Ghost and Molly McGee. Noel also directed and art directed the indy pilot Guys Next Door. That project led Eric Kaplan and Noel Belknap to be creative partners and form Kapknap Animation. Noel lives in Los Angeles with too many dogs and an average amount of wrist pain, for an animator.
Robert Jackson Bennett—Robert is the author of the Hugo Award-winning novel The Tainted Cup and its sequel A Drop of Corruption, as well as The Divine Cities trilogy and The Founders Trilogy. His work has received the Edgar Award, the Shirley Jackson Award, and the Phillip K. Dick Citation of Excellence, and he has been shortlisted for the World Fantasy, British Fantasy, and Locus Awards. He also dug a very good french drain in his backyard back in 2019.
BenTalksBooks—Hi I’m Ben, and I love to read books! Science Fiction & Fantasy have been a cornerstone of my personal development from a very young age, teaching me about morality, compassion, and humanity. I’m now an active reviewer and influencer in the community on both Instagram and TikTok.
Doctor Beth—I love Science Fiction, especially Star Trek, and dabble in many areas of pop culture.
Alison Belle Bews—Alison Belle is Skyboat's publishing and production coordinator, as well as a director of over 150 Adamant podcasts and over 50 audiobooks, including her Earphones Award winning compilation EGYPTIAN NIGHTS & OTHER TALES OF IMAGINATION AND ROMANCE by Alexander Pushkin and the Audie-nominated THE QUEST OF THE SILVER FLEECE by W.E.B Du Bois. One of Alison's specialties at Skyboat is the creation of original audio short story compilations. Aside from direction and production, Alison is one of the co-producers of Adamant's Lightspeed and Nightmare podcasts, and a host of Lightspeed, and has also begun narrating. Outside of Skyboat, Alison is also the lead singer, rhythm guitarist, pianist, and co-songwriter for Meteor Street, a literary rock band based in Los Angeles.
Julia Bianco—Julia Bianco is the USA Today bestselling author of WITCH SEASON, out now from St. Martin's Press. She also works as a television writer and lives in Los Angeles with her fiancé and their cats, S’more and Rigatoni. She enjoys baking, reality television, and playing with her cats’ ears.
Joshua Bilmes—Joshua Bilmes established JABberwocky Literary Agency in 1994 and is one of the leading agents in sf/fantasy from #1 bestselling authors like Brandon Sanderson and Charlaine Harris to 2026 debut authors like Patrick Fitzgerald.
Starblight Bindery—Starblight Bindery is a self-taught fan fiction book artist who creates one-of-a-kind, handmade bespoke books for personal use, with a side mission to make home bookbinding more accessible for everyone. I believe fanbinding is an act of resistance and self-determination and endeavor to democratize bookbinding through innovating accessible equipment and distributing supplies to aspiring home bookbinders.
Holly Black—Holly Black is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of fantasy books, including the Cruel Prince series, the Spiderwick Chronicles, and the Charlatan Duology. She has been a finalist for an Eisner Award and a Lodestar Award, and the recipient of a Mythopoeic Award, a Nebula Award, and a Newbery Honor. Her books have been translated into thirty-two languages worldwide and adapted for film and television. She currently lives in New England with her husband and children in a house with a secret library.
Krys Blackwood—Krys Blackwood has been designing user interfaces for 30 years. After 20 years of hard time in Silicon Valley, she joined NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory 10 years ago and she's now designing the future of deep space operations. Her projects include the Deep Space Network, Europa Clipper and Lander, Perseverance, NISAR, and the Mars Sample Return mission. If that isn't enough nerdery for you, Krys is also a science fiction writer and cosplayer. Krys would like you to know that she fights for the user.
B.L. Blanchard—B.L. Blanchard is the author of THE PEACEKEEPER (winner of the 2023 Sidewise Award for Best Alternate History Novel) and THE MOTHER (finalist for the 2023 Dragon Award for Best Alternate History Novel). Her work has appeared in Vox and Inquest Magazine. She is a lawyer and citizen of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians. She has lived in San Diego for so long that she can no longer handle cold weather.
K. A. Bledsoe—K. A. Bledsoe’s writing journey began at the age of six with a short story about kids growing up on a space station. Writing has been a constant despite other jobs like scooping ice cream, shoe salesman, pharmacy tech, band director, and more. Born, raised and still residing in Arizona, the author continues to pen stories in all genres despite the distraction of house cats underfoot and the occasional bobcat or roadrunner strolling through the backyard.
Kent Bloom—Kent Bloom is a retired computer performance engineer and a retired attorney. He has been involved in fandom for over 50 years. He has chaired small conventions (DATclave and COSine) and a Worldcon (Denver 2008). He has volunteered at every level of Worldcon, from gopher to division head, multiple times. He is president of the Worldcon Heritage Organization, which collects and displays artifacts of previous Worldcons. He reads science fiction and high fantasy books. He has chaired the World Science Fiction Society (WSFS) business meeting. He is on the Secret Masters of Fandom (SMOF) email list but not otherwise active online.
Andrea Blythe—Andrea Blythe is an award-winning author, poet, game writer — and lover of the fantastical, horrifying, and weird. She is the author of four poetry chapbooks, the most recent being Necessary Poisons (Interstellar Flight Press, 2024). She written, designed, and published several video games, including Monochrome Heights (One Frog Games, 2025) and What Lies Underneath (2022). She is also a member of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Poetry Association and the Horror Writers Association. Learn more at: https://linktr.ee/andreablythe.
Melissa Bobe—Melissa Bobe is the author of The Illustrated Woman, Season of the Witch, Sibyls, and the Millennial Witch Series, which includes Nascent Witch and its sequel Familiar Territory. Her collection Electric Trees won the 2023 New York Author Project, after which Melissa went on to win the Indie Author Project’s 2024 Indie Author of the Year Award. She has published shorter works with Flame Tree Fiction, Whisper House Press, Intrepidus Ink, Bards and Sages, Urhi Publishing, Wyldblood Press, and World Weaver Press. After years of teaching college English, Melissa now works as a librarian and a writing instructor. You can find her at abookbumble.com and on social media @abookbumble.
Lora Boehm—Lora Boehm has been part of the Society for Creative Anachronism practically her whole life. She’s seen the SCA evolve from a small group into the worldwide community it is today, and she’s been in the thick of that growth every step of the way. When she isn’t focused on serving and growing the SCA, Lora channels that same creative passion into the SoCal Rebel Legion and the 501st. Raised by Star Trek icons John and Bjo Trimble, she thrives at the intersection of history and fandom, dedicated to building the kind of welcoming, imaginative spaces where everyone can belong.
Bert-Oliver Boehmer—Bert-Oliver Boehmer is the award-winning author of the Galacticide series. With a background in computer science and bioinformatics, his work blends exotic biology, military strategy, and large-scale space opera. He is a member of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association and co-chair of its Independent Authors Committee.
Eliane Boey—Eliane Boey (she/her) is a writer of speculative fiction, with stories in Clarkesworld, the Penn Review, Galaxy, Solarpunk, and others. She is the author of noir mystery "Club Contango", and space horror and mystery novella duology “Other Minds”, both from Dark Matter INK of Chicago. Forthcoming works include "Small Bites" a weird horror novella with Space Cowboy Books (11.11.26) , and “The Ah Huat Engineering Cookbook and Organizing Manual”, a cosy SF novella, with Stars and Sabers (Spring 2027).
Meihan Boey—Meihan Boey is the Singaporean author of The Formidable Miss Cassidy (Epigram Books Fiction Prize co-winner 2021, Singapore Book Awards Best Literary Work 2022), The Enigmatic Madam Ingram (shortlisted EBFP 2023, for SBA Best Literary Work in 2023, longlisted for Dublin Literary Award) and The Mystical Mister Kay (Epigram Books Fiction Prize Winner 2025). The series is internationally published by Pushkin Press (UK), Harper Perennial (US), Bompiani (Italy) and Ombra (Albania). Meihan's short stories have appeared in anthologies such as Fish Eats Lion Redux and Best New Singaporean Short Stories Volume 6. She's still trying to go Super Saiyan.
David Bogen—David Bogen is a veteran power-system engineer with more than four decades of experience in transmission modeling, grid reliability, and utility data standards. He serves as Manager of Transmission & Distribution Services – System Modeling at Oncor Electric Delivery and is a Licensed Professional Engineer in Texas. David has played a leading role in developing real-time network models supporting State Estimation and market operations, including the IEC-CIM–based model used in the ERCOT nodal market. He is an active contributor to international CIM interoperability efforts and is currently a PhD candidate at the University of Texas at Arlington.
KB Bogen—A cat-loving native of Texas, K.B. Bogen is a self-confessed knit-/yarn-aholic, spending much time knitting (with the help of her cats), inventorying her stash (also with the help of the cats), or fondling yarn anywhere within driving range (the cats don’t like road trips). She likes to cook and enjoys reading forensic anthropology books. Occasionally simultaneously. For over thirty years, she has been lurking behind the scenes editing, copy editing and repairing manuscripts. With the rise in the numbers of epublications, her client load has increased. Time to come out of the editorial closet! Fortunately, writing and editing are not mutually exclusive pursuits.
Kathy Bond—Kathy has been watching Dr. Who since she was in the womb. While technically Colin Baker should be her Doctor, she loved Peter Davison the best. Never missing an episode, Kathy enjoys discussing the finer points of wibbley-wobbley timey-wimey stuff with anyone who will sit still long enough. Ask her about Worldcon, the Hugo Awards, karaoke, labor law, or obscure trivia.
Kat Bradbury—Kat Bradbury is a best-selling author and game writer from Tucson, Arizona, as well as an award-winning marketer at World Anvil. She has seven published novels, as well as short fiction in Daily Science Fiction and various anthologies. Kat’s current ADHD hyperfixations include tabletop RPGs, classic movie monsters, 80s New Wave, and convincing people the ending of LOST was good, actually.
Sierra Branham—Sierra Branham grew up around the mountains of Alaska but now calls the mountains of Utah home. She holds a license in clinical social work and could probably talk your ear off about therapeutic modalities. Her short fiction has been published in venues such as Apex Magazine and Small Wonders and her debut novel, Love Galaxy recently released with DAW Books. When not spinning words into stories, she can be found hiking with her goats, skiing, or juggling kitchen knives. Sign up for her newsletter at www.sierrabranham.com or perceive her on Instagram at @authorsierrabranham.
Jay Brantner—Jay is a book blogger and several types of nerd. He lives in Maryland with his wife and three children.
David Bratman—David Bratman has been a book reviewer and critic specializing in fantasy for many years. He edited The Masques of Amen House by Charles Williams (2000). His articles on Tolkien and other authors have been collected as Gifted Amateurs (2023). In fandom, David has been a member of various apas and has worked on a few convention committees, most notably as three-time Hugo administrator. David lives in northern California with a soprano (his wife, Berni Phillips) and two cats.
Jonathan Brazee—Jonathan is a retired Marine colonel and a full-time hybrid writer living in Colorado Springs with his wife Kiwi and twin seven-year-old daughters Dani and Dari. He has over 140 published titles with 88 being novels. He is a USA Today Bestseller, a three-time Nebula Award finalist, and a two-time Dragon Award finalist. He is currently serving as the SFWA CFO.
Marie Brennan—Marie Brennan is a former anthropologist and folklorist who shamelessly leans on her academic fields for inspiration. She recently misapplied her professors' hard work to The Market of 100 Fortunes and The Waking of Angantyr. She is the Hugo Award-winning and Nebula and World Fantasy-nominated author of the Victorian adventure series The Memoirs of Lady Trent along with several other series, over ninety short stories, several poems, and the New Worlds series of worldbuilding guides; as half of M.A. Carrick, she has written the Rook and Rose epic fantasy trilogy. For more information and social media, visit linktr.ee/swan_tower.
Sarah Rees Brennan—Sarah Rees Brennan was born in Ireland by the sea. In a previous life she was a New York Times bestselling, Lodestar finalist, Carnegie nominated writer of YA fiction. Her first work of adult fantasy, the portal fantasy LONG LIVE EVIL, was on the New York Times 2024 Best of Fantasy as a ‘careening meta-fantasy delight,’ was a #1 Sunday Times bestseller and a USA Today bestseller, and a Locus finalist. She’s written tie-ins for Netflix, Disney and Marvel. The sequel to LONG LIVE EVIL, ALL HAIL CHAOS, is out now. Talk to her about villains or musicals!
Debbie Bretschneider—I love costuming and cosplay, both on stage and hall costuming. While attending Costume Con 42, I entered the Historical Masquerade and won ;Best in Journeyman Stage Presentation that was a definite highlight!
Ric Bretschneider—Ric Bretschneider is a technologist, trouble maker, and problem solver whose interests outstretch his available time by a significant magnitude. When adulting, he splits his time between attempting to raise the quality of the world's business communications, particularly presenting, and a love of software design and development. A professional software developer for decades, your computer likely has at least one application he's worked on.
The rest of the time he obsessively collects geek activities. Lately he's been into pro and fan applications of e-communities and podcasting. He's proud of the over the nearly 700 podcast episodes he produced and contributed to over the last two decades. When he has a moment, Ric reads books and comics, and plays analog board, card games and retro video games. He's here to help people, it's what he does.
Dana Bridges—I identify as a Space nerd, SF reader, and Fan. My background is in medicine. As a Pulmonary/Critical care/Sleep physician, I have been on the frontline during earlyAIDS through COVID. Current medical challenges and those postulated in the future with SF and their social implications are strong interests. As a fan I have been involved in running conventions for 40+ years from gopher to Con-chair. I’ve also been a L5 member, including volunteering at the Intrepid before it opened as a museum, worked to popularize space exploration, and then STEM in the local community. In addition, I've raissed 3 wonderful children in fandom and I'm so proud of them.
Greg Bridges—I have read SF since I was 11, got my first fanzine in 1968 in a bundle of them from SETH JOHNSON. The first fanzines I subscribed to was FILE 770 and Science Fiction Review. I have pubbed fanzines since I970. consider myself a fanzine Fan. Have worked on local Conventions in every dept. since 1977 (Midsouthcon in Memphis). Have degrees in Chem. and History. Daughter is a fan, who will be here. Have 15000 books (SF and misc.) in our home. Last of the Print fanzine publishers, I think - MEMPHEN (up to #284)
Working on local history about Memphis lately - fannish and about my childhood home. YES, met Elvis a time or two - he even went to see my dad once (Dr. J.T.Bridges). Worked at the hospital where he was pronounced dead and held a syringe of his blood as well.
Went to my first SF con in 1971 in Kansas City(met George RR Martin there(took his photo too). Did an Index to Richard Geis's Science Fiction Review. Went to LACON in 1972 and many other worldcons.
I am not to be confused with the Australian SF artist - GREGORY BRIDGES, btw. I met him at a previous LAcon, tho!
David Brin—David Brin is an astrophysicist whose international best-selling novels include The Postman, Earth, Existence and Hugo Award winners Startide Rising and The Uplift War. A Caltech Distinguished Alumnus, David consults for NASA, companies, agencies and nonprofits about how science, technology and evolving values will affect our onrushing future. Hs first nonfiction book, The Transparent Society, won the Freedom of Speech Award. Another is Vivid Tomorrows: Science Fiction and Hollywood. His new book on AI will be about raising these new entities to be good citizens. (http://www.davidbrin.com)
If you believe in dreams, discovery, and the fragile beauty of human life, this story will stay with you. This is the tragic and emotional story of a young scientist, Professor of Astronomy Star l'Etoile, who did not have time to make her most significant discovery in life due to her untimely death. This story is symbolic because the author of this comic, Navy Bird, died without ever seeing her main book, "Arlekino & Pirrot," published. She had been working on it for the last two years. She was killed at the age of 24.
Jake Casella Brookins—Jake Casella Brookins is a critic, scholar, and editor. His reviews & writings appear in Locus, the Chicago Review of Books, and elsewhere. He is the publishing editor at the Ancillary Review of Books (a Hugo & Ignyte finalist) and the host of the podcast A Meal of Thorns (also a Hugo finalist).
Juliet Brooks—Juliet Brooks is the author of A Fae in Finance and the forthcoming A Mermaid in Marketing. She lives with her spouse, a lot of plants, her cat Moo, and a rotating cast of foster cats.
Garrett S Broussard—Garrett S. Broussard, author of Cacophony of Crowns, lives with his wife in California where both chase their Animation dreams. Broussard enjoys writing stories whenever he can find time; on airplanes, in cars, and even in the middle of the street. His creations sometimes manifest as wooden furniture, photographs, and even houses in video games that happen to have a build mechanic. Broussard enjoys hiking, petting all the dogs, eating all the buffalo wings, and tasting all the good whisky. He also enjoys ruminating on everything and obsessing over Jungian archetypes.
Alex Brown—Alex Brown is a queer Black librarian, local historian, writer, and author of two books on the history of Napa County, California’s marginalized communities. They have a BA with honors in Anthropology and Sociology, a Master's of Library and Information Science, and a Master's in US History. They are an Ignyte award winning and Hugo award nominated writer and critic who covers speculative fiction and young adult literature for Reactor Magazine, Locus Magazine, NPR Books, Reader's Digest, and elsewhere. They also write on topics such as queerness, Black history, librarianship, and pop culture.
Erin Brown—Erin Brown is a black, neurodivergent poet and author of horror, fabulist, and fantasy short fiction. She has been published in FIYAH Magazine, Nightmare Magazine, Midnight and Indigo, The Deadlands, Eastover Press, Baffling Magazine, the Escape Pod, and And One Day We Will Die: Neutral Milk Hotel anthology, Fantasy Magazine, and many other publications and anthologies. Erin’s debut novelette “Garden of the Bloodpotter” through Psychopomp Press published in September 2025, made the BFSA Awards Longlist 2026, and the anthology she is coediting, “The Cookout,” will be published in early 2027. Erin currently resides in Los Angeles, and will be finishing her M.A. in Creative Writing in Winter of 2026 Previously published works can be found at https://ebrownwrites.com/.
Jennifer Brozek—Jennifer Brozek is an award winning author, editor, and tie-in writer. A Secret Guide to Fighting Elder Gods, Never Let Me Sleep, and The Last Days of Salton Academy were finalists for the Bram Stoker Award. She was awarded the Scribe Award for best tie-in Young Adult novel for BattleTech: The Nellus Academy Incident and for Shadowrun: Auditions. Grants Pass won an Australian Shadows Award for best edited publication. A two-time Hugo finalist for Best Editor, Short Form and a finalist for the British Fantasy Award, Jennifer is an active member of SFWA, HWA, and IAMTW. She keeps a tight writing and editing schedule and credits her husband Jeff with being the best sounding board ever. Visit Jennifer's worlds at jenniferbrozek.com
Terry Lee Brussel-Rogers—Terry Lee Brussel-Rogers, Co-author of Fifty Years of Polyamory in America:A Guided Tour of a Growing Movement (published in 2022) is a Lifetime Member of the Heinlein Society. She founded Live the Dream in 1987.
Live the Dream is for those who, having read the writings of such authors as Robert A Heinlein, Spider Robinson, Robert Rimmer & Marion Zimmer Bradley are now ready to Live such alternative lifestyle as multiply-committed relationships, group marriage and group living--Polyamory. It is the oldest continuing Nest of Church of All Worlds (CAW), the first legally recognized Neo-Pagan religion in the US. CAW is based on the one in Heinlein's Stranger In A Strange Land.
Professionally, Terry is a Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist and relationship coach since 1969. She is also a fourth-generation matchmaker who ran her family's introduction service for forty years.
Brian C. E. Buhl—Hailing from sunny Sacramento, California, Brian C. E. Buhl is trying to save the world. Formerly enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, Brian now spends most of his time writing software for the solar industry. When he’s not engineering technical solutions, he can sometimes be found playing saxophone with local community bands. Also, he writes science fiction and fantasy.
Cora Buhlert—Cora Buhlert was born and bred in Bremen, North Germany, where she still lives today – after time spent in London, Singapore, Rotterdam and Mississippi. Cora holds an MA degree in English from the University of Bremen. Cora has been writing, since she was a teenager, and has published stories, articles and poetry in various international magazines. Cora is the winner of the 2022 Hugo Award for Best Fan Writer and the 2021 Space Cowboy Award. When she is not writing, she works as a translator and teacher. Visit her on the web at www.corabuhlert.com or follow her on social media under @CoraBuhlert.
Diana Burbano—DIANA BURBANO is an award winning, feminist Colombian immigrant playwright, performer, and teaching artist based in Southern California. Her work explores themes of identity, resistance, and belonging, and has been produced at theaters nationwide. Works include Sapience, punk musical Fabulous Monsters, with music by FEA, Ghosts of Bogota, and the Latinx speculative play Policarpa: Apocalypse Sur Amerikka. She is committed to elevating underrepresented voices through her writing and her work with Breath of Fire Latina Theater Ensemble, where she mentors new storytellers using anti-racist and anti-bias techniques. Diana serves on the Dramatists Guild Council as the representative for Southern California. She is a company member of the Latino Theatre Company and a resident artist at Center Theatre Group and teaching artist at South Coast Repertory.
Sue Burke—Sue Burke is a writer and translator. Her novel Semiosis, which imagined a planet where plants are intelligent, was nominated for the Arthur C. Clarke Award, John W. Campbell Memorial Award, and the Locus Best First Novel Award. Its sequels are Interference and Usurpation, and her other novels are Immunity Index and Dual Memory. She has also written short stories, poetry, journalism, and essays, and she won the 2016 Alicia Gordon Award for Word Artistry in Translation from the American Translators Association. She’s a wide-horizons Midwesterner currently living in Chicago, Illinois.
Sophie Burnham—Sophie Burnham (they/them) is the award-winning author of genre-defying and unapologetically queer speculative fiction. Sargassa, the first in their Ex Romana trilogy, won the 2024 Sidewise Award and was shortlisted for the Locus. The sequel Bloodtide was longlisted for the BSFA. They would like you to know that this series is really less about the Roman Empire and more about why it shouldn't be your Roman Empire.
They live in Scotland, where they research queer folkloristics and futures literacy at the University of Edinburgh. They have been a participating writer in—and the script doctor behind—multiple studio film and television projects. This are a current Astounding Award finalist.
Mary Aileen Buss—Retired librarian, crafter of fantastical stuffed toys, quilts, jewelry, and other things, long-time fan.
Lindsey Byrd—Lindsey Byrd is the author of the Tale of Two Crowns Duology and On The Subject of Griffons. She is a historian of medicine and the proud mother of a rambunctious australian shepherd.
Bobbo Byrnes—Bobbo Byrnes is a singer-songwriter, author, and international touring troubadour whose music blends folk, Americana, and roots rock. As a member of the The Fallen Stars trio with wife Tracy Byrnes and drummer Matt Froehlich, he has performed across the U.S. and Europe. At LosCon, he and The Fallen Stars will perform songs from their shiny "Leaves on the Wind" collection. Songs inspired by the beloved TV series and film Firefly, celebrating the spirit of adventure, resilience, and found family that continues to inspire fans across the 'verse.
Tracy Byrnes—Tracy Byrnes is a singer-songwriter, performer, and one half of the Americana duo The Fallen Stars. Known for her warm vocals, sharp storytelling, and engaging stage presence, she has toured extensively throughout the United States and Europe. Alongside husband Bobbo Byrnes, she brings songs to life with equal parts heart, humor, and adventure. At LosCon, Tracy joins The Fallen Stars in celebrating the world of Firefly through music inspired by the beloved series' themes of hope, independence, and finding family among fellow travelers.
Ryan Cahill—Ryan Cahill is the Sunday Times and USA Today Bestselling author of the epic fantasy series, The Bound and The Broken. Born and raised in Ireland, Ryan spent some years honing his craft amongst the rolling hills and hobbit holes of Middle-Earth, New Zealand, before returning home to conquer the world. There are three things Ryan has always told himself about writing. Write the books you want to read. Write the books that your younger self would be proud of you for reading. Make sure they have dragons.
Christopher Caldwell—Christopher Caldwell is a Black queer British-American writer. His collection Call and Response won the IAFA William L. Crawford award for 2025, and was a Locus Award Finalist for Best Collection, it is nominated for a BFA for Best Collection, an Ignyte award, and the Ursula K. Le Guin Prize for Fiction.. He is an Octavia E. Butler scholarship recipient and Clarion West alumnus.
Sara Callori—Sara Callori is a physics professor at California State University San Bernardino, where she has been since 2015 after a two-year stint shooting neutrons at things in Australia. Her research background is in experimental studies of nanometer-scale magnetic and ferroelectric films. In addition to her scientific work, she is the co-host of the Frenemy Trivia podcast and has been on four game shows, including Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune.
Chris Campbell—Chris Campbell’s stories have appeared in Asimov’s, Escape Pod, FIYAH, khōréō, and more. His novelette In the Palace of Science was selected for Best of Weird Vol 1 and translated into Chinese for Science Fiction World. He is the editor of the award-winning New Year, New You: A Speculative Fiction Anthology of Reinvention. His research and critical analysis have appeared in the Journal of the Fantastic in the Arts and Speculative Insight. A graduate of the Clarion West and Viable Paradise workshops. Follow him at @chriscampbell.bsky.social or visit www.clundycampbell.com.
Tara Campbell—Tara Campbell is a writer, teacher, Kimbilio Fellow, and fiction co-editor at Barrelhouse. Publication credits include Masters Review, Wigleaf, Electric Literature, CRAFT Literary, Uncharted Magazine, Daily Science Fiction, Strange Horizons, and Escape Pod/Artemis Rising. She's the author of the eco sci-fi novel TreeVolution, two hybrid collections of poetry and prose, two short story collections, and a chapbook of sestinas. Her second novel, City of Dancing Gargoyles (SFWP), was a finalist for the 2025 Philip K. Dick Award. She's taught creative writing at venues such as Johns Hopkins University, American University, Clarion West, The Writer's Center, and Hugo House.
Renée Camus—Renée Camus is a dancer, teacher, and choreographer in the Los Angeles area who focuses on English country dancing (ECD; the style seen in Jane Austen movies). She writes new English country dances, and teaches classes in ECD, ballroom, historical dance, and other dance styles. She just published a new book of English country dances and created an accompanying 2-CD set of recordings to go with them, both called Choreograffiti. She’s also a writer and editor.
Nicole Carlson—Nicole Carlson has a bachelors and masters degree in computer science, both from UC Davis. She recently retired from a 20+ year career in tech (computer, network, and information security) and, in between bouts of crafting, is currently pursuing a second bachelors in anthropology at CSU East Bay. She is in the Art Show, selling fine hand-thrown stoneware mugs with nerdy things written on, and is also on several panels contributing thinky thoughts.
All artwork and utterances are guaranteed to be 100% pure organic brain squeezings, with no AI used.
Tonantzin Carmelo—Tonantzin Carmelo is a SAG Award-nominated actress whose multifaceted career spans film, television, theater, and major video game franchises. She first captured international attention with her breakthrough role in Steven Spielberg’s epic miniseries Into the West, earning critical acclaim and a Screen Actors Guild Award nomination.
A powerful screen presence, Carmelo has built a diverse portfolio of recent high-profile television roles. She starred as a series regular in NBC’s sci-fi drama La Brea and has delivered memorable recurring performances in AMC’s Dark Winds, CBS’ NCIS: Origins, and the BBC/Amazon Western The English. On the big screen, her leading performance in the indie thriller Imprint earned her Best Actress honors at the American Indian Film Festival.
Beyond traditional screen acting, Carmelo is a prominent voice and performance-capture artist, lending her talents to blockbuster video games like Cyberpunk 2077, Dead Space, and Lego Marvel’s Avengers. She is also an accomplished choreographer, dancer, and cultural consultant whose creative vision has shaped projects ranging from Amazon's animated series Undone to the critically acclaimed opera Sweetland.
Deeply dedicated to cultural and environmental preservation, Carmelo is the founding artistic force behind Toveema, a Tongva song ensemble. She is an active member of the Tongva Language Committee, has studied numerous Indigenous dialects, and champions the rewilding of her ancestral homelands. A Southern California native of Indigenous and Latina heritage, Carmelo balances her extensive performance career with her vital work as a community educator in the Los Angeles/Tovaangar area.
Edward Carmien—Edward Carmien began writing early in life and never stopped, though he did detour through an academic career teaching college writing and fantasy and science fiction. A (lapsed) poet, short story writer, game designer, and novelist, his first publications were game-related working as a freelancer for TSR, Inc. After appearing in the fiction anthology EARTH, AIR, FIRE, WATER he earned membership in the SFWA. He has won awards for his fiction and non-fiction, edited a volume of essays about writer C.J. Cherryh, and lives with his family near Princeton, New Jersey.
Gail Carriger—Gail Carriger has multiple NYT bestsellers and millions of books in print in dozens of different languages. She writes book hugs - comedies of manners mixed with steampunk, urban fantasy, or sci-fi (and cozy queer joy as GL Carriger). She is best known for the Parasol Protectorate and Finishing School series. She was once an archaeologist and is fond of shoes, octopuses, and tea. gailcarriger.com
andré m carrington—andré carrington is the author of Audiofuturism: Science Fiction Radio Drama and the Black Fantastic Imagination, as well as Speculative Blackness: The Future of Race in Science Fiction, and editor of The Black Fantastic: 20 Afrofuturist Stories. He is an English professor at the University of California-Riverside where he directs the program in Speculative Fiction & Cultures of Science.
Brandon Case—Brandon Case is a golden retriever who writes of unsettling worlds. He has work in Escape Pod, Flash Fiction Online, and Small Wonders, among others. You can catch his alpine adventures on Twitter and Instagram @BrandonCase101.
Michael Cassutt—Michael Cassutt is a writer, producer and director with credits on many SF-Fantasy series, from THE TWILIGHT ZONE and MAX HEADROOM to THE DEAD ZONE and Z-NATION. He has also published 8 novels, most of them SF (THE STAR COUNTRY, the HEAVEN'S SHADOW trilogy with David S. Goyer) as well as fifty short stories for such publications as ISAAC ASIMOV'S SF MAGAZINE, THE MAGAZINE OF FANTASY & SCIENCE FICTION, and the former Tor.com.
He is also an expert on the history of human spaceflight, publishing two dozen articles and six books, most recently THE ASTRONAUT MAKER.
In 2024 he wrote and director a short film titled THE SUMMER MACHINE, based on a story by George R. R. Martin and starring Lina Esco, Matt Frewer and Charles Martin Smith.
Gregg Castro—Gregg Castro [t'rowt'raahl Salinan/rumsien-ramaytush Ohlone], has worked to preserve his Ohlone and Salinan heritage for over three decades. Gregg is the Society for California Archaeology’s Native American Programs Committee Chairperson. Gregg is a Facilitator for the annual California Indian Conference, a 30+ year annual gathering about California Indigenous culture and a Co-Founder/Advisor of the California Indian History Curriculum Coalition, based at CSU-Sacramento, promoting accurate school curriculum. He is now Culture Director the Association of Ramaytush Ohlone, advising within their San Francisco Peninsula homelands. Gregg is a nonfiction writer-activist within the California indigenous community. He has been attending scifi cons for nearly 50 years, the last 20 as a panelist including 3 previous Worldcons. This is his 9th Worldcon, third LACon - YAY!
Luis Carlos Barragán Castro—Luis Carlos Barragán is a writer and illustrator focused on science fiction, and has an MA in Islamic Art history from the American University in Cairo. He has published four sci-fi novels: Vagabunda Bogotá, winning Best Novel Award at Chamber of Commerce of Medellín and shortlisted for the Rómulo Gallegos Award; El Gusano short listed for the Isaac Asimov award in Puerto Real, Spain; Tierra Contrafuturo, and Eidolónica. His short story collection Parásitos Perfectos received the Idartes Publishing Grant. He has won the George Scanlon Award, Ucronías Peru’s Alternative History Award, Altered Carbon Short Story Award in Uruguay and the Sheridan le Fanu award in Madrid in 2024. Recently he also curated the anthology of Latin American science fiction, Máquinas Mestizas. His work has been translated to English, Chinese, Farsi and French. He has also illustrated a handful of cover arts and done the concept art of the indigenous futurism-virtual reality project Códice Futuro.
Elsie is an 8-year old calico cat who “talks” with buttons. She is not speaking English in the same way that someone with 130 words doesn't speak French. Think of Elsie like a toddler, whose native language isn’t English – and she’s an alien. She has been using a tool called Augmentative Interspecies Communication for five years. AIC is a scientifically-studied approach to fostering meaningful dialogue between humans and the animals we share our lives with. Her hobbies are sunbathing, going for walks, and doing honest reviews.
centreoftheselights—centreoftheselights is a fanfic author and fandom statistician who has been active in fandom spaces since 2011. She is best known for her data projects, the AO3 Ship Stats (a twice-annual review of the fastest-growing pairing tags on AO3) and the AO3 Demographics Survey 2024 (a demographics survey of AO3 users with over 16,000 responses).
Kaylea Champion—Dr. Kaylea Champion studies how people cooperate to build digital infrastructure like the web and cloud, including what gets maintained, what we assume about the future, and the risks we face. She is an Assistant Professor in Computing and Software Systems at the University of Washington Bothell, where she teaches software engineering with an emphasis on cybersecurity, evidence-based practices, and the intelligent use of artificial intelligence.
She enjoys connecting with general audiences about the relationships among technology and society (including, but not exclusively, AI) and brings evidence-based advice to questions about policy and strategy. She was a panelist at WorldCon in 2025 as well as Norwescon in 2024, 2025, and 2026. She's also spoken at a range of other community gatherings and events, including Mozilla's MozFest, SeaGL, Wikimania, FOSSY, CHAOSSCon, and Women in Data Science. She enjoys tromping through the woods, smashing goblins, conjuring data, and cooking for a crowd.
T.A. Chan—T.A. Chan is a human being trying to live her best life on this floating piece of space rock. With a passion for anything that is wonderfully weird, fantasy and sci-fi books quickly became her favorite genres to play in. She enjoys crafting character-focused stories that explore the human experience, as well as plots that twist and challenge expectations. Her insatiable curiosity of the natural world inspires much of her writing. When she’s not typing away, she’s probably begging her plants not to die and spoiling the dog. She is the author of One Last Game (Adult Dystopian Novella) and The Celestial Seas (YA Sci-fi Novel).
Zhui Ning Chang—Zhui Ning Chang is a Malaysian editor, writer, translator and researcher based in London, UK. They are editor-in-chief at IGNYTE-winning and Hugo-nominated khōréō magazine, where they acquire and edit cutting-edge speculative fiction by immigrant and diaspora writers. As a writer, Zhui Ning’s writing includes the time travel adventure Asian Pirate Musical and queer romcom Seashore Yuanfen, as well as translations and essays published with PEN Malaysia, Science Fiction Studies, Strange Horizons, The BSFA Review, and more. Recently, Zhui Ning completed a PhD at Birkbeck, University of London, writing about race, decoloniality, and the publishing industry via Southeast Asian speculative fiction.
ASH CHARLTON—Hi, I’m Ash, I’m 402 gay years old, and have been a major F/SF fan and not-always-successful writer all that time. However, I’ve just self-published his ‘The Thin Woman’, first in a series of detective stories set on a generation ship fleet, so all that’s about to change! Until then, my day job is as a psychologist, psychotherapist (one of those is a science and the other is a mostly made up, so in a way it’s still SF!) and facilitator/trainer, running courses on people skills and writing and editing for the UN.
Dannye Chase—Dannye Chase (she/her) is a queer writer in the US Pacific Northwest. She claims to write in many genres, but her oldest offspring suspects it all boils down to romance or horror…or somehow both. Her short fiction has appeared in over 30 publications. Find her on Bluesky as Dannye Chase, and at DannyeChase.com, where she posts steamy queer romance, writing advice, and weird writing prompts.
Jen Cheng—Jen Cheng (she/ella/kir) is the fifth West Hollywood City Poet Laureate (2023-2026) and author of Braided Spaces. A Poet Laureate Fellow with the Academy of American Poets and a California Arts Council Fellow, she is a multidisciplinary artist who blends East-West influences as Feng Shui Poetry. She was named one of the Top 50 LGBTQ+ Impact Leaders by LA Magazine (2025). Jen’s writing is published in Passengers Journal, Colossus:Current, Altadena Poetry Review, and elsewhere. As a teaching artist, she has taught at UCLA Extension and other national organizations. Online at JenCvoice.com or on social media @JenCvoice.
Writing far faster than his hands can withstand, Luke Chmilenko hails from the Great White North where he lives with his wife and two daughters. Toiling endlessly Luke juggles his time between a rapidly growing catalogue of series while playing far more video games than he would ever openly admit.
Joyce Chng—Joyce Chng lives in Singapore. Their speculative fiction has appeared in The Apex Book of World SF II, We See A Different Frontier, Cranky Ladies of History, and Accessing The Future. Joyce also co-edited THE SEA IS OURS: Tales of Steampunk Southeast Asia with Jaymee Goh. Their novels span across wolf clans (Starfang: Rise of the Clan), vineyards (Water into Wine) and swordmaking forges (Fire Heart and Cold Steel) respectively. Joyce wrangles article and fiction editing at Strange Horizons. You can find them at http://awolfstale.wordpress.com and @jolantru.bsky.social on Bluesky. (Pronouns: she/her, they/their)
Brion Christensen—Friend of Surge of Power Enterprises Executive Producer and Star Vincent J Roth
John Chu—John Chu is a microprocessor architect by day, a writer by night. His fiction has appeared in venues including Boston Review, Uncanny, Asimov's Science Fiction, Clarkesworld, and Reactor. His translations have been published at venues including Clarkesworld, The Big Book of SF. He has won the Hugo, Nebula, Locus, and Ignyte Awards, including the Best Short Story Hugo for "The Water That Falls on You from Nowhere" and the Best Novelette Nebula for "If You Find Yourself Speaking to God, Address God with the Informal You." The Subtle Art of Folding Space, his debut novel, was published by Tor in 2026.
Mitchell Burnside Clapp—Mitchell Burnside Clapp is the founder of Pioneer Rocketplane, which begat Rocketplane Limited. He graduated from MIT in 1984 with two degrees in Aerospace Engineering, one in Physics, and another in Russian. In 1988 he graduated from the USAF Test Pilot School. He has been an aerospace CEO, a DARPA program manager, and currently is the chief of aircraft design at Atropos group. He is also the winner of several Pegasus awards for filk music.
TJ Burnside Clapp—TJ Burnside Clapp has been a cosplayer, filksinger, songwriter, artist, convention organizer, and guest at dozens of conventions for over 50 years. She published the Star Trek fanzine FESARIUS, has won several Pegasus Awards for Excellence in Filking, and is a member of the Filk Hall of Fame. She is probably best known for going viral on the internet with her homemade X-Wing pilot costume which she made in 1977 at the age of 16, which has been viewed millions of times and was retweeted by Mark Hamill.
Neil Clarke—Neil Clarke (neil-clarke.com) is the multi-award-winning editor of Clarkesworld Magazine and over a dozen anthologies, including the Best Science Fiction of the Year series. He is a four-time winner of the Hugo Award for Best Editor Short Form, four-time winner of the Chesley Award for Best Art Director, and two-time winner of the Locus Award for Best Editor. In 2019, Clarke received the SFWA Kate Wilhelm Solstice Award for distinguished contributions to the science fiction and fantasy community. He currently lives in New Jersey with his wife and two sons.
Jeremy Clift—Jeremy Clift is a science fiction author and former international journalist whose career covered wars, economic crises, and environmental change across multiple continents. He writes the Sci-Fi Galaxy series, including Born in Space: Unlocking Destiny, the award-winning Space Vault: The Seed Eclipse, and the just-published Space Shield: The Wrath of the Sun. His work blends hard science with deeply human stories, exploring themes of genetic engineering, corporate power, and motherhood in humanity’s expansion beyond Earth. Clift draws on real-world experience to imagine near-future worlds where technology reshapes identity, and where survival depends on who controls the future.
Samantha Close—Samantha Close is an Associate Professor of Media and Popular Culture at DePaul University--as well as a long-time fan! Her research focuses on fan studies, popular culture, and digital media with a particular emphasis on labor and aesthetics.
Brenda W Clough—Brenda W. Clough is the first female Asian-American SF writer, first appearing in print in 1984. Her latest work is a science fiction novel, His Selachian Majesty Requests. A novelette, ‘Clio’s Scroll’, which appeared in Clarkesworld in July 2023. A historical novel A Door In His Head won the 2023 Diverse Voices Award. Her novella ‘May Be Some Time’ was a finalist for both the Hugo and the Nebula awards and became the novel Revise the World. Marian Halcombe, first in a series of 12 neo-Victorian thrillers appeared in 2021. Her complete bibliography is up on her web page, brendaclough.net
California Art Club—I represent the California Art Club, an educational non-profit organization devoted to building a community around our state's grand creative traditions in illustrative and fine arts.
J. Scott Coatsworth—Scott lives with his husband Mark in a little Italian villa in Folsom, CA just outside of Sacramento. He was indoctrinated into fantasy and sci fi by his mother as a child and devoured her library, but as he grew up, he wondered where all the people like him were. He decided that if there weren’t queer characters in his favorite genres, he would write them himself. A Rainbow Award winning author, he runs Queer Sci Fi, QueeRomance Ink, Liminal Fiction and Other Worlds Ink with Mark, sites that celebrate fiction reflecting queer reality, and was the SFWA Indie Authors Committee chair for almost three years. He now runs the Sacramento Book Festival. He runs the Sacramento Book Festival and ran Nebula Con 2026.
Linda H. Codega is a writer, author, and award-winning entertainment journalist who has written about science fiction and fantasy media for nearly ten years. In 2024 they co-founded the tabletop roleplaying game news site Rascal News. They are a writer and editor for Fansplaining (https://fansplaining.com). In 2021 they won a Hugo as part of the editorial team of Strange Horizons for "Best Semi-Pro Zine." They specialize in writing about tabletop roleplaying games, SFF media, fandom, and queer intersections.
They most recently worked on Season 3 of Interview With the Vampire/The Vampire Lestat as the Writers' Room Assistant. Their first book, MOTHEATER, was released in 2025. Their second book, PASHA THE STORM, will publish in June 2026.
Lin is transgender and nonbinary and use they/them pronouns exclusively. They currently live in Los Angeles with their dog, Zigzag, after ten years in New York (but not in the city).
Kamilah Cole—Kamilah Cole is a USA Today & national indie bestselling Jamaican-American author, who has been nominated for a Dragon Award, a Lambda Award, a Lodestar Award, and an Astounding Award. She worked as a writer and entertainment editor at Bustle for four years, and her nonfiction has appeared in Marie Claire and Seventeen. A graduate of New York University, Kamilah lives in the Pacific Northwest, where she’s usually playing Kingdom Hearts for the hundredth time, quoting early SpongeBob SquarePants episodes, or crying her way through Zuko’s redemption arc in Avatar: The Last Airbender.
Liz Coleman—Liz Coleman is a licensed mental health counselor specializing in trauma and neurodiversity who works in community mental health in Seattle. She's been previously published in Lightspeed and Beneath Ceaseless Skies.
Adrian Collins—Adrian Collins founded Grimdark Magazine and leads a global team of passionate volunteers and freelancers in creating a quarterly print magazine, novellas, anthologies, and video story recordings. The team also runs a website producing hundreds of books reviews, interviews, and articles each year in support of the publishing, reading, artistic, and writing communities--all done by people and without AI.
Steve Collins—Steve Collins is a guidance and control engineer at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Steve is currently a GNC systems engineer on the Psyche project. During his long career at JPL, Steve has supported all the Mars rover missions including Perseverance, Curiosity, Spirit and Opportunity. He has worked on numerous small body missions including Epoxi, Dawn, Deep Impact, Deep Space One, as well as Galileo and long ago, Mars Observer. Steve's job is keeping the spacecraft pointed the right direction, making trajectory corrections and figuring out "what the heck just happened??" When he's not flying some robotic spacecraft around the solar system, Steve can be found acting, dancing, or jamming on the Theremin.
E.G. Condé—E.G. Condé (he/him/Él) is a queer Boricua writer of speculative fiction. He is one of the creators of Taínofuturism, an emerging genre of art and storytelling that imagines decolonized futures that center indigenous Caribbean traditions and cosmologies. Condé is the author of Sordidez, an indigenous futurist clifi novella published with Stelliform Press. His short fiction appears in Analog SF, Interzone, Reckoning, Future Tense, Solarpunk Magazine, and more.
Brenda Cooper—Brenda Cooper is a futurist, a writer, and an editor. She holds an MFA from Stonecoast and is an Imaginary College Fellow at the Center for Science and the Imagination, CSI, at Arizona State University. Her fiction has won two Endeavour awards and been shortlisted for the Phillip K. Dick Award. Brenda's most recent work includes a collection of stories and poems about strong women and the environment, When Mothers Dream, from Fairwood Press. Brenda lives in Washington State where she can be found riding bikes and walking dogs.
Carrie Cooper—Carrie is a writer, scholar, and community-engaged arts practitioner working at the intersection of storytelling, public humanities, and civic imagination. She serves as Assistant Director of the Ray Bradbury Center at Indiana University Indianapolis, where she leads literary and cultural programming including Festival 451Indy and the Multilingual Read Aloud. Her work explores participation, belonging, and the social power of stories.
K.C. Cordell—I write fun, quirky dark sci-fi and fantasy about fractious found families and monsters who want to be good, including the futuristic Post-Apocalyptic DJ series, which kicks off with So Your Biggest Fan is a Body Snatcher, and the action-packed novella, Destroying a World Eater for Beginners. I’m also an artist with a love for drawing skulls and creating papercut art. Thanks to reading many books on the topic to my nephew, I’m pretty good at pronouncing dinosaur names. My favorite to say is pachycephalosaurus. “Pachycephalosaurus.” Nice! But I totally had to look up how to spell it.
Tom Coughlin—Tom Coughlin, President, Coughlin Associates is a digital storage analyst and business/ technology consultant. He has over 40 years in the data storage industry with engineering and senior management positions. Coughlin Associates consults, publishes books and market and technology reports and puts on digital storage and memory-oriented events. He is a regular contributor for forbes.com and M&E organization websites. He is an IEEE Fellow, 2025 IEEE Past President, Past-President IEEE-USA, Past Director IEEE Region 6 and Past Chair Santa Clara Valley IEEE Section, and is also active with SNIA and SMPTE. For more information on Tom Coughlin go to www.tomcoughlin.com.
Gigi Coulson—Gigi Coulson is the founder and Executive Director of Costumers of Color, a nonprofit expanding access and belonging in historical costuming through education, scholarships, events, and cultural travel. A costumer, historian, and sociologist, she has spent more than fifteen years researching historical daily life and material culture, particularly in medieval and Renaissance Italy. A retired federal scientist, she is passionate about connecting scholarship, creativity, and community through immersive historical experiences.
Briana N Cox—Briana N Cox (she/they) is the oldest of seven children and a first-generation academic. She holds a BA in cognitive science from Swarthmore College and an MS in speech-language pathology from Purdue University. Briana has been a writing Fellow through The TN Playwright’s Studio, Stowe Story Labs, Bend Base Camp Feature Lab, Stage 32 Feature Competition, and the Moonshot Initiative Feature Accelerator. She has won Best Script at the San Francisco Independent Film Festival and Best Tennessee Writer at the Nashville Film Festival. They have additionally been highlighted in Variety magazine and on the 2024 Next List of screenwriters to watch for. Her debut horror novel, INDIGENT, released in March 2026 and was praised by horror greats Clay McLeod Chapman, Erin E. Adams, and Johanna van Veen. Briana writes genre stories from the margins, illuminating the experiences of overlooked demographics with authenticity, dignity, and dark humor.
Tammy Coxen—Convention runner and cocktails & booze historian.
John Coxon—John is a scientist by day, working on the interaction between the solar wind and Earth’s magnetic field, and won the Royal Astronomical Society’s Fowler Award for his work in his field. By night, he is the co-host of the Hugo Award-winning Octothorpe podcast. He is a keen tabletop gamer and GMs regularly; in all the other parts of the day, he alternates between feeling guilty he’s not keeping up with his TV shows/playing enough games/reducing his to-read pile.
Jason P. Crawford—Jason P. Crawford is a science educator and speculative-fiction author from Lancaster, California. A full member of SFWA, he writes epic fantasy, mythic retellings, and science-driven SF. His short fiction appears in Once Upon a Future Time Vol. 4, The Vampire Survival Guide, and the Superstars Writing Seminars anthology. He was a top-ten Finalist in the 2024 Baen Fantasy Adventure Award and won third place in the 2025 Jim Baen Memorial Short Story Award. Jason is an energetic panelist and moderator, known for blending scientific insight with storytelling craft, and will also serve as a moderator at LACon V.
Matthew Cropley—Matthew Cropley is a narrative designer and writer for video games, currently working as the narrative lead on TITAN QUEST II, a highly-anticipated ARPG based on Greek mythology now available to play in Early Access on Steam. Matthew has written video games full time since 2019. He has also worked as a writer in other mediums writing/directing plays, publishing fantasy short stories, articles, interviews, reviews, and more, for more than a decade. He’s very passionate about SFF writing in general, and especially loves reading weird fantasy novels.
Dennis K. Crosby—Dennis K. Crosby is an author, editor, speaker, and workshop leader with an MFA in Creative Writing. Since 2020 he has published three urban fantasy novels in his award-winning Kassidy Simmons series, and twenty-two short stories found in multiple anthologies, including Weird Tales and Creepshow: 13 Tales of Terror. He is the co-editor of the charity anthology Dread Coast: SoCal Horror Tales and has been a panelist and moderator at multiple conventions including, WonderCon, Comic-Con International, Nebula, Bouchercon, and StokerCon 2024 where he also served as Co-Chair. In March 2025 he was awarded the Jonathan Maberry Inspiring Teens Award from the Creative Writing Club at Canyon Crest Academy.
Dennis lives in San Diego, CA. where he is secretary of the local chapter of the Horror Writers Association, a member of Crime Writers of Color, a board member of Partners in Crime, the local chapter of Sisters in Crime, and San Diego Writer’s, Ink.
For more information on his work go to https://denniskcrosby.com
Catherine Cruzan—Catherine Cruzan is a Southern California writer and avid reader of Fantasy, Steampunk, Science Fiction, Cyber Punk, and Horror. Her books are available at various retailers, including Amazon & Audible. Visit her Amazon Author page for more information about her books. Read chapters & listen to audible excerpts.
Zoe Cunningham—Zoe Cunningham was born into a fantasy world. She spent her childhood immersed in books by authors including Douglas Adams, Isaac Asimov and Ursula Le Guin. She continued to evade the real world by studying science - physics, chemistry and eventually a mathematics degree at Cambridge University, before taking a job as a computer programmer at a startup. Real-life finally caught up with Zoe when she became Managing Director of the software firm in 2012, and she used her new adulting skills to quadruple the turnover of the business. ATIC is Zoe’s return to the fantasy land she wishes she never left, although sadly she still retains excellent financial and management skills.
Erin K. Dancer—Erin K. Dancer is a neurodivergent, queer writer who lives in the Ozarks with her family, two spoiled dogs and a cat named Archimedes to rule them all. She writes fantasy and science fiction, fantasy, and whatever else pleases her. She holds a B.S. in Earth Science that has been mostly used to create geologically terrifying settings. Her work has been featured in an episode of 4LPH4NUM3R1C and in Belladonna's Garden.
Jonathan Daniel—I am an incoming assistant professor in the Physics and Astronomy Department at California State University, San Bernardino (CSUSB), with a PhD in physics. My research focuses on quantum optics, quantum sensing, and quantum computing, exploring how quantum systems can be controlled and applied to advance technology and deepen our understanding of fundamental physics.
Ellen Datlow—Ellen Datlow has been editing sf/f/h short fiction for more than four decades. She currently acquires short stories and novellas for Tor.com and Nightfire. She has edited numerous anthologies for adults, young adults, and children, including The Best Horror of the Year annual series, Night and Day, and the reprint anthology Fears: Tales of Psychological Horror. She’s won multiple awards and was named recipient of the 2007 Karl Edward Wagner Award, given at the British Fantasy Convention for "outstanding contribution to the genre," the Lifetime Achievement Award given by the Horror Writers Association, and the World Fantasy Life Achievement Award at the 2014 World Fantasy Convention.
She runs the Fantastic Fiction at KGB reading series in the NYC, with Matthew Kressel.
She can be found on the website Datlow.com, and on twitter, Blue Sky, facebook (google her).
N.E. Davenport—Nia "N.E." Davenport is an award-winning & bestselling Science Fiction/Fantasy and Romance author. Her recent October 2025 release, OUR VICIOUS OATHS, is a USA Today Bestseller. In addition, she's the co-founder of StorySpinner Entertainment, a book packager aimed at bringing the world fun, innovative, and inclusive stories. She attended the University of Southern California and studied Biological Sciences and Theatre. She has an M.A. in Secondary Education, she taught secondary English and Science for several years, and designs English/Language Arts curriculum for school districts across the US. When she isn’t writing, she enjoys vacationing with her family and being a huge foodie. She’s an advocate for diverse, reflective perspectives and protagonists in literature. You can find her online at www.nedavenport.com or on Threads/Instagram @nia.davenport, where she talks about binge-worthy TV, fun movies, and killer books.
Kath O David—Kath O’Shea David has worked with puppets over 50 years. She is an Equity Stage Manager with an MFA from Yale. She is a published writer and editor of various works. As a writer, she is in a number of anthologies including “She’s a real cougar” in Bad Ass Mom edited by Mary Fan and “the Case of the Industrial Revolution” in They keep killed Glenn edited by Peter and Kathleen David. Her costumes have won awards at various science fiction conventions both for performance and workmanship. You can find her puppet work at Nostringasttachedpuppets.com.
Howard Davidson—Howard Davidson was captured by a Heinlein book in second grade, and hasn't been seen much since. Inspired to do science fiction by reading it, he went off and got a Ph.D. in physics, the best training available for becoming a crackpot inventor. He is currently a senior physicist in the computer industry. He holds more than 50 patents, has published and presented numerous technical papers and one technical book chapter, taught Computer Engineering at Stanford, done technical editing for Hugo winning novels, and goes to cons. He gets to write science fiction for the annual budget cycle.
Mark Davidson—Mark Davidson is currently involved with political activism. He is a retired Physics and Math professor. His first experience with science fiction was the book "I, Robot" which he read in 7th grade. Science fiction inspired him to pursue math and physics and now it is his inspiration to seek a better society.
Bruce Davis—Bruce Davis is a Mesa AZ based general and trauma surgeon. He is also a writer of science fiction, fantasy, and historical novels. His independently published works include the YA novel Queen Mab Courtesy, and the military science fiction novel That Which Is Human. His nonfiction memoir, Dancing in the Operating Room, is a glimpse into the life and training of a Trauma Surgeon. Glowgems for Profit, Thieves Profit, Profit and Loss, and Profit Motives are a continuing series of stand-alone novels about Zach Mbele, former Republic of Mars commando and captain of the fast freighter, Profit. They and his latest works, Platinum Magic, Gold Magic, Silver Magic, and Aluminum Magic, forays into fantasy world much like our own, are published by Brick Cave Media are available on their website or through Amazon. His recently published historical novel, Proud Waves Be Stilled is a thrilling espionage novel based on real events in Liverpool during the early years of the America Civil War. The Union and the Confederacy carry on a clandestine war in the streets of that cosmopolitan port city. Both sides are vying for influence with Britain, both sides clawing for advantage through any means available. Assassination, assault, robbery, bribery, and blackmail, all are tools of their trade.
When not working or writing, he can be found paddling a kayak on the nearby Salt River, or practicing Shinkendo, a school of Japanese swordsmanship that involves cutting targets with sharp swords.
Russell Davis—RUSSELL DAVIS has written and sold in virtually every genre of fiction, under many pseudonyms. He has written or ghost written in many media tie-in worlds, including Transformers, Twilight Zone, and The Librarian. His original novels were almost noticed and his short fiction has appeared in anthologies like Under Cover of Darkness and In the Shadow of Evil. He has worked as an editor and book packager, creating original anthology titles ranging from westerns like Lawless to fantasy like Courts of the Fey. His most recent releases include a re-issuing of the Jenna Solitaire series and he’s working on a new collection. He was the president of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association (SFWA) from 2008 - 2010, and is currently the Operations Director.
Claire Davon—USA Today Bestselling author Claire Davon has written for most of her life, starting with fan fiction when she was very young. She writes across a wide range of genres, and does not consider any of it off limits. Her novels can be found in the paranormal romance and contemporary romance sections, while her short stories run the gamut. If a story calls to her, she will write it. She currently lives in Los Angeles and spends her free time writing novels and short stories, as well as doing animal rescue and enjoying the sunshine. Claire’s website is www.clairedavon.com.
Sue Dawe—Although Sue Dawe works on a variety of themes with different media, she is best known for her fantasy airbrushed designs, which have appeared in magazines and on back-to school products, posters, greeting cards, games, and Franklin Mint plates. Sue enjoys fantasy and period costume design, and teaching at San Diego Miramar College. She frequently attends science-fiction conventions, where she has been known, on occasion, to participate in late night high jinks. More recently, Sue has been included in several anthologies with Emerald Cove Press, both writing and illustrating stories.
Randee Dawn—Randee Dawn is the bestselling author of the funny pop culture fantasy "Tune in Tomorrow" (Rebellion/Solaris) and its 2026 follow up in the "Tune"-iverse, "We Interrupt This Program." In 2025 her dark fantasies "The Only Song Worth Singing" and "Leave No Trace" were published by ArcManor/Caezik. A veteran entertainment journalist for The LA Times, Variety and Today.com, Randee hosts the Brooklyn Books & Booze monthly reading series and hosts a seminar about "How to Be Interviewed." She lives in Brooklyn.
J.R. Dawson—J.R. Dawson (she/they) is a Nebula and Hugo finalist and the Golden Crown award-winning author of The First Bright Thing. They have had shorter works in places such as F&SF, Reactor, Lightspeed, and Uncanny. Dawson currently lives on Dakota land in Minnesota with her loving wife. She teaches at Drexel University’s MFA program for creative writing, and fills her free time with keeping her chaotic dogs out of trouble. Her latest book, The Lighthouse at the Edge of the World, is a sapphic Orpheus retelling and won the Society of Midland Authors award.
Joy Alyssa Day—Joy is a professional artist, working mostly in blown and carved glass. Creating smaller sculptures like her Solar System Christmas Ornaments, to giant lobby sculptures, her work is collected worldwide. Joy had the honor of creating the Hugo Award Base for 2025 and 2014. She is also a master level, award winning costume designer. In her copious free time, she runs a little kitty rescue sanctuary in upstate New York.
Gabrielle de Cuir—Gabrielle is a veteran audiobook producer, publisher and director. Her company, Skyboat Media, specializes in helping independent authors get their work onto audiobooks. She has narrated hundreds of audiobooks specializing in fantasy, humor, and titles requiring extensive foreign language and accent skills. Her “velvet touch” as an actors’ director makes her the foremost choice for best-selling authors and celebrities. She is currently working with Wil Wheaton’s It’s Storytime Podcast. She has worked with Cory Doctorow, LeVar Burton and John Scalzi on their audiobooks. She created the DragonCon Award short film THE DELIVERY, She has successfully funded two Kickstarter campaigns. She spent her childhood in Rome growing up with her wildly artistic and cinematic father, John de Cuir, three-time Oscar winning Production Designer. She is currenty story producer for Wil Wheaton's It's Storytime weekly podcast.
www.skyboatmedia.com
Susan de Guardiola—Susan has been active in fandom for more than 40 years as a costumer, masquerade emcee, and all-around fan. She has worked as a book reviewer for Publisher's Weekly and the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Contest and ran the Hugo Awards ceremony in 2012. Professionally, she is a social dance historian who conducts balls, teaches dance workshops, and DJs for blues and waltz events.
Nicole de Meneses—Nicole de Meneses is an award-winning writer, director, based in the San Francisco Bay Area. She is the founder of Dark Rainbow Films, a production company dedicated to creating independent genre films that center LGBTQ+ characters as the heroes, villains, and complex protagonists of their own stories. Her feature debut, Dead in Love, screened internationally and is available on multiple streaming platforms. Nicole also serves as Executive Director of the Blood & Popcorn Film Festival, championing emerging horror filmmakers. She is currently developing Last Bite, a sapphic vampire thriller set in San Francisco.
Keri Dearborn—Keri Dearborn has served as Friends of the Island Fox's Education Director since 2005. She acted as the organization's President from 2018–June 2021. Keri holds a MA in Environmental Education and is an educator, author, and science curriculum developer. This is her first LACon and she's thrilled to bring island fox science and conservation to the community.
Taylor Deatherage—Taylor Deatherage is a small business owner, event planner, artist, writer, and marketing/comms do-er mostly focused on nerdy niches.
They help run the long-standing Doctor Who convention, Chicago TARDIS as well as the newer, multifandom event Capital City Comic Con in Lansing, Michigan, and have done marketing and comms work for two Worldcons - including LAcon V.
Their business, Logan Arch, was a many year labor of love that started as a convention-only business, and has now grown into a queer and (one of the few) trans owned brick and mortar community spaces in their home neighborhood of Logan Square, Chicago.
They have contributed written works to various Doctor Who essay collections and are currently working on their first solo book, A Stitch In Time, all about the history of Doctor Who costuming and cosplay set to be released sometime in 2027 via Zepo Publishing.
When they're not on the road for their job, they live in Chicago, Illinois with their partners and various cats.
Dr. Deb—Deb Nickelson is a veterinarian with her own consulting business. She has participated in several WorldCons and led Stroll with the Stars in San Jose, Dublin and Washington DC. She organized science-based programming and Strut Your Stuff (dance program) at Phoenix Fan Fusion. She lives in Kansas City MO with a couple cats, Inigo and Montoya and 13 Bantam chickens
Blue Delliquanti—Blue Delliquanti is a comic artist and writer based in Minneapolis, MN. From 2012 to 2020 Blue drew and serialized the science fiction comic O Human Star at ohumanstar.com. Blue is also the creator of graphic novels and novellas like Across a Field of Starlight, Adversary, and Unauthorized Bread (with Cory Doctorow and J.R. Doyle). They teach comics courses at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design.
Michael J. DeLuca—Michael J. DeLuca is an environmental justice hermit, guerilla ranger and forager of invasive plants. His debut novel The Jaguar Mask was a Small Spec Book Award finalist. His novella Night Roll was a finalist for the Crawford Award. He publishes and edits for Reckoning, a journal of creative writing on environmental justice, and he runs the indie ebookstore Weightless Books. A son of Boston bricklayers, he lives in the post-industrial woodlands north of Detroit with partner, kid, cats, and microbes.
Rebecca A. Demarest—Rebecca A. Demarest (she/her) is an award-winning author, poet, playwright, book designer, and writing instructor living in Seattle, WA with her husband and three muppets. Her work has appeared alongside authors like Cat Rambo, been dramatized for the stage and NPR, and her novels are available at your favorite bookstore. When not being held hostage by words, you can find her at her day job, tending to her indoor jungle, crafting, sewing, playtesting tabletop role playing games, and failing to teach her dogs new tricks. For more information on her work, please visit rebeccademarest.com or follow on BlueSky @writerlybliss.
Linda Deneroff—Linda Deneroff has been in fandom for over 50 years. A lot has changed in that time.
Tanya DePass—Tanya DePass is the founder & Director of I Need Diverse Games, Rivals of Waterdeep Producer & Cast Member, a partnered Twitch variety broadcaster, and RPG developer/writer/consultant. They're the Creator & Creative Director for Into the Mother Lands RPG. Additionally, Tanys is a Senior Annenberg Civics Media Fellow at USC. Their work to make the industry more inclusive has been highlighted in Game Changer, Directed by Tina Charles, WNBA star & olympian as well as filmmaker. The short documentary premiered at Tribeca 2021, as part of the Queen Collective. They currently serve as the Board Chair for Take This, and have been a full BAFTA US member since 2024.
DestinationToast—DestinationToast has been gathering and analyzing data about transformative fanworks since 2013. They share their work under the moniker "toastystats" on both Tumblr and AO3.
Beth Anderson / A.E. Dethlefsen—Beth Anderson (who also publishes as A.E. Dethlefsen) is a writer and night person from Austin, Texas. Her work has appeared in Not One of Us, Extrasensory Overload: An Anthology of Speculative Excess, Akashic, Beneath Strange Stars, Trembling with Fear, and other publications. A graduate of the University of Southern Maine's Stonecoast MFA Creative Writing Program, she teaches writing at Austin Community College and has presented at ICFA and other conferences. She is also a long-time film nerd who spent many years working in the industry. Follow her at seebethwrite.com, @bethanderson.bsky.social, and seebethwrite.substack.com.
David M Stein, DI—I attended my first convention in 1973, Starcon, Detroit MI (One of the earliest Star Trek Conventions). A friend of mine and I conned our parents to allow two 13 year olds to spend the day at Cobo Hall in Detroit for the whole day. Attend more and more convention after that. Worked my first convention, Confusion, 1979. Spend many years running film, then video rooms at most of the Detroit based conventions. I have created conventions ("Contraption"), been chair of several cons. Attended my first WorldCon in 1982. Work for many years with "Team Team, Eh", Elizabeth Pearse's legendary Art Show team. Was on the Hugo Award team for Chicon 2000 and ran Events at the most recent Chicon. I'm primarily know as "The TV and Movie Guy" who before the Internet would get drunken phone calls at 2:00am "Who Was That Guy In The Movie With That THING??" "Ray Walston". Since 1983 I've been married to multi Hugo Award nomindated Artist Diana Harlan Stein, and father of an up and coming Web and animation artist Sabrina Fathom Stein. I've proudly been a member of The Dorsai Irregulars since 1993. Had to honor of getting Thunderbirds creator Gerry Anderson to answer a Fireball XL-5 quesion that had haunted me since childhood. KUNGALOOSH
Vincent Di Fate—I've been a science fiction and fantasy illustrator for nearly 60 years, am an SF Hall of Fame inductee (2011) and an Illustrators Hall of Fame Inductee (2019) and am a former president of the Society of Illustrators and a Hugo Award winning Best Professional Artist winner (1979). I also authored a book devoted to the genre in 19967 entitled Infinite Worlds: The Fantastic Art of Science Fiction.
Cynthia Diamond—Cynthia is an award-winning paranormal romance author that writes for sassy nerds with a sharp sense of humor. Starting her adult life in theater, she earned a Masters of Fine Arts in Costume Design, but her first love was telling stories. After some encouragement, she dove down the writing rabbit hole, creating magical worlds, snarky heroines, and sexy heroes with a dash of "cinnamon roll".
Dilman Dila is a writer and filmmaker. His books include Where Rivers Go To Die, which was shortlisted for the Philip K Dick Awards (2024), and The Future God of Love. He was shortlisted for the BSFA Awards (2021), the Nommo Awards for Best Novella (2021), and the Commonwealth Short Story Prize (2013), among many accolades. His short fiction appeared in The Best Science Fiction of the Year: Volume Six, and in The Best of World SF V.2, among many anthologies. His first novel, Dreams of a Yellow Balloon, is coming in 2028. His films have won multiple awards, and include The Felistas Fable (2013) which was nominated for Best First Feature at the Africa Movie Academy Awards, and The Night Dancer (2025).
SB Divya—S.B. Divya (she/any) is a lover of science, math, fiction, and the Oxford comma. She is the award winning author of The Alloy Era duology and the novel Machinehood. Her short stories have appeared in numerous magazines and anthologies, and she is a former editor of Escape Pod, the weekly science fiction podcast. She has been a finalist for the Nebula, Hugo, Ignyte, and Locus Awards. Divya holds degrees in Computational Neuroscience from Caltech, and Signal Processing from UC San Diego.
Dave Dobson—Dave is the author of eleven novels, including fantasy, science fiction, and mysteries. His book Kenai was the winner (out of 221 entries) of the 3rd Self-Published Science Fiction Competition founded by Hugh Howey. He also designs games. His shareware game Snood became one of the most popular games of the early Internet. He’s also published four puzzle card games in the Doctor Esker’s Notebook series. Dave taught geology and other topics at Guilford College for 24 years. He performs improv comedy at the Idiot Box in Greensboro. He’s also played the world’s largest tuba in concert.
Vincent Docherty—Vincent Docherty is a fan and con-runner, who co-chaired the Glasgow Worldcons in 1995 and 2005. Born in Scotland, his home town is Glasgow, where he studied and researched in Chemistry. His career in the energy industry has taken him to London, Muscat (Oman) and The Hague, where he currently lives. He had an early interest in SF, Space and Science, and at 16, he attended the first SF convention in Glasgow, quickly becoming involved in organizing SF societies and conventions, including British National Eastercons and Worldcons. He has been Fan Guest of Honour at the UK Eastercon and other cons and was presented with the 2014 Big Heart and 2025 First Fandom Hall of Fame awards. He was a Hugo finalist for Best Fanzine in 2018 and 2024, as part of Team Journey Planet. He remains an active con-runner and programme participant, including chairing the 2011, 2021 and 2026 SMOFcons, Hugo Award Administration, the music program and symphonic concert lead for the 2014, 2019 and 2024 Worldcons and Chair advisor and Division Head for the Dublin 2019 and Glasgow 2024 Worldcons.
Michael Donahue—Mike Donahue is a California native and an alumni of the USc School of Cinematic Arts. He has been active in fandom since 1981 when a flier for the first L-5 convention blew across campus and wrapped around his ankle, refusing to let go until he noticed Robert Heinlein was the GoH. Complications ensued for many decades and across many conventions and locales both real and imaginary. In the mundane world he worked in film post production and eventually for his sins became a film director and DGA member. He has directed 5 feature films and written, produced, and directed 2nd unit on several others. He hopes after working in film production for more than 45 years he will someday become an overnight success. No matter how hard fandom tries, he persists in attending conventions and offering unsolicited advice to anyone who will listen.
Colleen Doran is a New York Times bestselling cartoonist. From her first work on The Sandman, she also adapted the Neil Gaiman stories Troll Bridge, Snow Glass Apples, and Chivalry, winning two Eisners, The Bram Stoker, Locus, and Ringo Awards, and nominations for Best Penciler/Inker Eisners, Reubens, the Excelsior, Rondo, and Tripwire Awards. Other works with Neil Gaiman include American Gods, Norse Mythology and the adaptation of Good Omens with Terry Pratchett, at that time, the most successful comics crowdfund in Kickstarter history at over $3.1 million.
She taught Syrian refugees for the US Embassy and the Athens, Greece National Library, and contributed to Comics for Ukraine: Sunflower Seeds to benefit Ukrainian refugees. The project is an Eisner nominee.
She’s illustrated works by Alan Moore, Margaret Atwood, Anne Rice, J Michael Straczynski, Clive Barker, Amazing Fantastic Incredible Stan Lee, and graphic novels for The Doors, Blondie, Melissa Etheridge, and Tori Amos. In Balmain Dreams 10R, she created an original story for the French fashion house Balmain for designer Oliver Rousteing.
She’s had multiple solo shows at the Society of Illustrators, The Museum of Cartoon Art, and the San Diego Comic Con Museum. She’s also exhibited at shows in Milan, Rome, Portugal, and Germany.
Other credits: Amazing Spider-Man, Captain America, Guardians of the Galaxy, Jessica Jones for Netflix, Marvel Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D, Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, The Vampire Diaries, and Wonder Woman.
Her goal for Worldcon 2026: to present the finale of her space opera graphic novel series A Distant Soil, which she has been working on since she was twelve years old.
Lenny Dorsky—Lenny Dorsky, infamous for Halloween and Convention parties (ConFrancisco), was President of the SUNY StonyBrook Science Fiction Forum and was founder and film coordinator of the University of Arizona Science Fiction Club. He spent decades at JPL developing technologies and instruments. He led proposals for Planetary and Earth orbiting instruments and missions (including NASA’s Mapping Imaging Spectrometer for Europa [MISE], arriving at Jupiter in 2030, and Contribution to ARIEL Spectroscopy of Exoplanets [CASE] on an ESA launch in 2029). He holds the world record for most number of advanced directing workshops ever taken and has directed short films and plays, including the Grand Guignol plays at LA Con III.
J. L. Doty—Jim is a full-time SF&F writer, scientist (Ph.D. Electrical Engineering, specialty laser physics), and former running-dog-lackey for the bourgeois capitalist establishment. With 20 published books, he writes hard science fiction, epic fantasy and urban fantasy, frequently with strong, coming-of-age themes. His first success came through self-publishing, which led to contracts with traditional publishers like Open Road Media and Harper Collins Voyager. Jim has an abiding interest in all things scientific, like orbital mechanics, space travel, laser weapons, and other geekie stuff. He lives in Tucson, AZ with his wife Karen, and two extra-terrestrial aliens who claim to be a cats.
Luka Dowell—Luka Dowell hosts Solarpunk Now, a podcast envisioning hopeful futures through grounded discussions of the present. As an independent scholar affiliated with the Institute for Social Ecology, Luka researches SF texts and the communities surrounding them. Their published works include discussions of technology and collapse in solarpunk, as well as short fiction. Luka has also worked as a street poet-for-hire and the marketing lead for an independent publisher of diverse sci-fi.
Christine Doyle—Dr. Christine Doyle is a physician trained in anesthesiology and critical care, who practices in Silicon Valley. She has been active in fandom for over 2 decades, mostly working on program and costuming for local and regional conventions as well as multiple Worldcons. She is a lifelong computer geek with a master's degree in Biomedical Informatics.
R. James Doyle—R. James Doyle (aka Richard J. Doyle) held technical and managerial roles in Information and Data Science at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) over a career arc spanning forty years. He worked primarily at the exciting interface of space exploration and computer science, with a focus on autonomous space systems. He remains an active technical consultant.
Richard holds a Ph.D. in Computer Science specializing in Artificial Intelligence from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). He was a member of a JPL team that consulted on the Babylon 5 sci-fi TV Series in the 1990s. He had the pleasure of visiting Sir Arthur C. Clarke in Sri Lanka, in the year 2001.
Nick Dragon—Nick Dragon started skulking the streets of Los Angeles when it was nothing but tar pits and hippies. He writes, directs, shoots and edits narrative film, and has a fondness for weird and surreal parables. He co-produced, cowrote, and co-directed the award-winning feature horror anthology "9 Ways to Hell" (available on Tubi, Prime, and lots of other places). He knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men. He likes pie and vaccines.
Tracy Drain is a flight systems engineer who has helped to develop, test, and operate a variety of robotic spacecraft for deep space exploration over the past 25+ years. Her passion for space grew from an early love of science fiction – she soaked up Star Trek, Star Wars, and Battlestar Galactica, plus sci-fi and fantasy books by the armload. With her eye on a career in space, she studied Mechanical Engineering at the University of Kentucky and interned at the NASA Langley Research Center. After earning a master’s degree in mechanical engineering at Georgia Tech, she landed a full-time position at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in 2000.
As a systems engineer, Tracy works with teams of engineers and scientists to ensure all the parts of a spacecraft (telecommunications, thermal, power, software, etc.), the science instruments, and the mission (spacecraft/instruments, ground data system, mission design and navigation, etc.) are designed to work well together to accomplish the mission goals. Her previous missions have included the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, the Kepler mission (an Exoplanet hunter), the Juno mission (orbiting Jupiter) and the Psyche mission (now on its way to study an asteroid). She is currently the Chief Engineer in operations for the Europa Clipper mission which successfully launched in October 2024 and is now on its 5.5-year cruise to Jupiter. After arrival in the Jovian system, Clipper will study Europa – one of the most scientifically exciting moons in our solar system!
A life-long learner, Tracy loves encouraging people to nurture their curiosity and explore the wonders around us, as expressed in her TEDx talk “A Childlike Sense of Wonder: The Curious World of an Aerospace Engineer” and shared in her Nat Geo Live stage show “Cosmic Adventures.” She has joined the advisory board for the University of Kentucky’s Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. She serves on the planning committee for the National Academy of Science’s Science and Entertainment Exchange, which aims to partner with the entertainment industry to make science more accessible and inspiring to the general public. She also serves on the advisory board of Arizona State University’s Interplanetary Initiative, which seeks to create a positive future for humans in space. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, watching a variety of shows including sci-fi and Korean dramas, studying languages (Spanish and… Korean!), and traveling.
Andy Dudak—Andy Dudak’s original stories have been in Analog, Apex, Asimov’s, Clarkesworld, Daily Science Fiction, Interzone, The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction, Science Fiction World (科幻世界), and numerous Year’s Best anthologies. His story ‘Love in the Time of Immuno-Sharing’ was a finalist for the Eugie Foster Award. His translations of Chinese sci-fi are widely published. His novel 'A Killing in Souls' is forthcoming from Dark Matter Ink. Andy believes in the healing power of D&D.
Tananarive Due—TANANARIVE DUE (tah-nah-nah-REEVE doo) is an award-winning author who teaches Black Horror and Afrofuturism at UCLA.
A leading voice in Black speculative fiction for more than 20 years, Due has won an American Book Award, an NAACP Image Award, and a British Fantasy Award, and her writing has been included in best-of-the-year anthologies. Her books include The Reformatory (winner of a Los Angeles Times Book Prize, Chautauqua Prize, Bram Stoker Award, Shirley Jackson Award, World Fantasy Award, and a New York Times Notable Book), The Wishing Pool and Other Stories, Ghost Summer: Stories, My Soul to Keep, and The Good House. She and her late mother, civil rights activist Patricia Stephens Due, co-authored Freedom in the Family: A Mother-Daughter Memoir of the Fight for Civil Rights.
She was an executive producer on Shudder's groundbreaking documentary Horror Noire: A History of Black Horror. She and her husband/collaborator, Steven Barnes, wrote "A Small Town" for Season 2 of Jordan Peele’s "The Twilight Zone" on Paramount Plus, and two segments of Shudder’s anthology film Horror Noire. They also recently co-directed their horror short film, The Keeper. Due and Barnes co-host a podcast, "Lifewriting: Write for Your Life!" She and her husband live with their son, Jason.
Bridget Duffy—So.Calif. native and lifelong artist painted sci-fi themes throughout a 46 year career in entertainment as a union scenic artist in Local 800 Art Directors Guild for 46 years, and in her private artwork. Education: UCLA, Art Center College of Design.Did backdrops, paintings, sets, props, and scenery for TV. Theater, Film, Theme Parks, and Awards shows such as: Oscars, Emmys, Golden Globes, AMA and Country Music Awards and many others. Worked at: ABC, NBC,CBS,Fox, KCET, Warner Bros., Universal, and Paramount and others. Was a panelist and solo presenter and ran art painting (plein aire & sketching from costumed models) at former World Cons: Reno, San Antonio, and 8 events in Dublin. My show I did art for, "The Good Place" won a Hugo. Did a painting as special request from most decorated shuttle Astronaut, Gen. Kevin P. Chilton, that was carried in payload of Endeavor's maiden voyage, on the mission and later presented to our mutual school in 1992. Current Art Groups: California Art Club, Pastel Society of So. Calif., pastel Society of the West Coast, and Destination Art Gallery. Have been in several art galleries, museums, and national competitions.
Denise Dumars—Denise Dumars is a retired Professor of English and writer of science fiction and horror poetry and short stories. She's won many awards including the Rhysling and the N3F Laureate award. Her most current book of poetry, Animal Gnosis, is nominated for the Elgin Award. She has had hundreds of poems and short stories published in journals and magazines. She has two published collections of short fiction and six collections of poetry. She is best known as a writer of cosmic horror, as in her short fiction collection, Lovecraft Slept Here. She also writes metaphysical nonfiction.
Eboni J. Dunbar—Eboni Dunbar (she/her) is a queer, black woman who writes speculative fiction. She received her BA from Macalester College and her MFA from Mills College. She is a VONA Alum, and the former managing editor for the Hugo Award-Winning FIYAH Literary Magazine. She is also the winner of the Lambda Literary 2023 Randall Kenan Prize for Black LGBTQ Fiction. Her work can be found in FIYAH Magazine of Black Speculative Fiction, Anathema: Spec from the margins, and Beneath Ceaseless Skies. Her novella, Stone and Steel, is out from Neon Hemlock. You can find more information on her website www.ebonidunbar.com
Scott Dunbier—Scott Dunbier was the executive editor of DC/Wildtorm, VP of special projects at IDW Publishing, and is currently the publisher of Act 4 Publishing. He has won numerous awards for his editing and is the originator of DC Comics' Absolute Editions and the Artist's Edition format, both considered industry standards in the comic book archival field. He lives in San Diego with his wife Amanda and their two sons.
Margaret Dunlap—Margaret Dunlap is a screenwriter and author of more than a dozen published short stories and novelettes for Uncanny, Apex, The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction and as part of the Locus Award-nominated team behind Bookburners. Her television credits include cult-favorite The Middleman, Eureka, Blade Runner: Black Lotus, Batman: Caped Crusader and the Emmy-winning Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance. Find her on the web at www.margaretdunlap.com, or through her newsletter, the very accurately named Margaret’s Nearly Monthly News.
Charon Dunn—Self-published writer of science fiction and horror, music fan, fabric art afficionado, from San Francisco
isaac dwyer—isaac dwyer (they/them/theirs) is an essayist, literary translator, Islamic studies scholar, and immigration and trans* rights advocate. They are currently a PhD student in comparative literature at the University of California, Los Angeles. In addition to English, they work in Spanish, Portuguese, Urdu-Hindi, Romanian, Farsi and Tajiki. Recent work can be found in Asymptote Journal, Foglifter, Body Shots, Erotic Review, Trans and Queer Studies in Religion, and The Journal of Gender Studies.
EdBuchan—40 Years a mechanical engineer 56 an SF writer combining my mech eng and all the science I can garner.
Scott Edelman—Scott Edelman has published 135+ short stories in magazines and anthologies, many of which have been collected in These Words Are Haunted, What Will Come After (a finalist for the Shirley Jackson Memorial Award), Tell Me Like You Done Before, Things That Never Happened (about which Publishers Weekly wrote, "his talent is undeniable"), and (most recently) 101 Things to Do Before You're Downloaded. He is an eight-time Bram Stoker Award finalist. Additionally, he is the host of the Hugo Award-nominated Eating the Fantastic podcast, which since February 2016 has allowed listeners to eavesdrop on his meals with science fiction, fantasy, and horror creators.
Neo Edmund—Neo Edmund is a New York Times Best-Selling Author, Screenwriter Comic Book Scribe, and an Actor. Neo is the author of the USA Today bestselling novel series The Red Riding Alpha Huntress Chronicles. Neo's most recent works include multiple Power Rangers novels, a kids graphic novel series The Grimms Town Terror Tales, and John Carpenter's Tales for HalloweeNights. Neo has written for Hasbro, Saban, Penguin Books, Random House, History Channel, Discovery Channel, Animal Planet, Spike TV, JumpStart Interactive, Zenoscope, and Storm King Productions.
Terilee Edwards-Hewitt—Terilee is an archaeologist/anthropologist, part time professor and full-time nerd. Their most popular course is ANTH 314: Anthropology of Zombies. A long time larper and ttrpg player and GM, whose games often have a focus on history. They write & present academic articles on a range of topics including popular culture, STS (science & technology studies), digital ethnography (online cultures), and memory studies, and they discuss popular culture and its fandoms in their anthropology courses. Aka geek. Academic publications https://orcid.org/0009-0002-2930-5425
Gary Ehrlich—A mild-mannered structural engineer by day, Gary stalks the stages and filk rooms of Northeast conventions, singing of space flight, lunar colonies and hyperspace hotels. Gary helped run NEFilk's Conterpoint incarnation, and is Balticon’s Program Coordinator for Filk and Other Musical Mayhem. Gary was a 2012 Filk Hall of Fame inductee.
Phyllis Eide—After spending 20 years in Hawaii as a public health nurse and nurse educator, Phyllis Eide returned to her home state, Washington, to finish out her academic career at Washington State University College of Nursing. In 2010, she completed a certificate in Climate Change from University of Washington, and has done presentations on climate change and health to senior nursing students for over 15 years.
On the writing side, Phyllis had an unbroken winning streak at NaNoWriMo for the final 10 years of that organization's existence, entering as a pure pantser and exiting with a more 'plantser' orientation. It's still an evolving journey to find the right combination of factors that's best for a consistent way forward on the writing path.
Phyllis writes fanfic set in the Star Wars/Bad Batch universe that can be found at AO3 (Archive of Our Own), under the name "21st Century Bluestocking" - with more to come as she works through the back catalog of NaNoWriMo drafts in the "to be edited' pile 'o stuff...😉
Some favorite authors she enjoys in the SF/Fantasy realm: Megan Bannen, Ashley Poston, Martha Wells, Heather Fawcett, Jessie Mihalik, and Joan North, among many others.
Amal El-Mohtar—Amal El-Mohtar writes fiction, poetry, and criticism. She won the Hugo, Nebula, and Locus Awards for her short story “Seasons of Glass and Iron” and again for her novella This Is How You Lose the Time War, written with Max Gladstone, which also won the BSFA and Aurora awards, became a New York Times bestseller, and has been translated into over ten languages. Her reviews and articles have appeared in the NYT and on NPR Books. Seasons of Glass and Iron: Stories, her long-awaited collection, is out now from Tordotcom Publishing. She lives in Ottawa, Canada. Online at: amalelmohtar.com.
Inua Ellams—Born in Nigeria, Inua Ellams is a poet, playwright & performer, graphic artist & designer and founder of: The Midnight Run (an arts-filled, night-time, urban walking experience.), The Rhythm and Poetry Party (The R.A.P Party) which celebrates live literature and music, and Poetry + Film / Hack (P+F/H) which celebrates poetry and film. Identity, Displacement & Destiny are reoccurring themes in his work, where he tries to mix the old with the new: traditional African oral storytelling with contemporary poetics, paint with pixel, texture with vector. His books are published by Flipped Eye, Akashic, Nine Arches, Penned In The Margins & Bloomsbury.
Kate Elliott—Kate Elliott has been publishing science fiction and fantasy novels and stories for over 30 years with a particular focus in immersive world building and epic stories of adventure and transformative cultural change. Her work has been nominated for the Nebula, World Fantasy, Norton, and Locus Awards. She lives in Hawaii where she writes, paddles outrigger canoes, and spoils her schnauzer.
elumish—elumish is an author, fan, and more-than-casual enthusiast of fandom data
Stephen Embleton—Stephen was born in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa and resident in Oxford, since being an Academic Visitor to the African Studies Centre, University of Oxford in 2022. Stephen was awarded the Best Novella by an African in the 7th Nommo Awards at Glasgow WorldCon in 2024 for his Sauúti-based novella, "Undulation". Stephen was awarded a literary grant by the Royal Literary Fund in 2024, providing financial assistance to write while recognising the literary merit of his body of work and literature-related activities. This has enabled him to focus on his current novel. Stephen's first short story was published in 2015 in Malawi and his debut speculative fiction novel, Soul Searching, was shortlisted for the Nommo Awards in 2021. His YA fantasy novel, Bones & Runes, first published in the UK in 2022, is due for worldwide release in 2026. Stephen is one of the eleven African writers in the Afro-centric Sauúti Collective science-fantasy shared-world.
Sharon Emmerichs—Sharon was born in Sweden to American parents and grew up in Wisconsin near Lake Michigan. Her love of stories translated into an English degree, and then she went on to get her MA and PhD in medieval and early modern literature, and she graduated with her creative writing MFA in fiction in 2021. She is an Associate Professor of Shakespeare, medieval literature, and creative writing in beautiful Alaska, and author of the Sunday Times top-ten bestseller, Shield Maiden, published by Orbit in 2023.
Cecilia Eng—Cecilia Eng has been a singer/songwriter since 1984 and has performed in England, Canada and across the US. She is active in both the filk and folk communities and is an active member of the Portland FolkMusic Society where she has introduced filk music and filkers to their events online and in person. Cecilia has also performed at the Northwest Folklife Festival at the Seattle Center and at the Tumbleweed Music Festival in Richland, WA. She was inducted into the Filk Hall of Fame in 2013 and has won three Pegasus Awards: 2022 Best Classic Filk Song for "Helva's Song", 2022 Best Writer/Composer, and 2024 Best Risqué Song for "Passion Flower".
Carl Engle-Laird—Carl Engle-Laird (he/him) is a Hugo-nominated editor at the Tor Publishing Group, where he edits science fiction, fantasy, and horror novels and novellas. He has worked on books that have won the Nebula, Locus, and World Fantasy Awards, among many others. Selected titles include Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir, The Saint of Bright Doors by Vajra Chandrasekera, and Even Though I Knew the End by C. L. Polk. Carl lives and works in New York City.
K. M. Enright—K. M. Enright is the Sunday Times Bestselling author of MISTRESS OF LIES. Find out more about his writing at kmenright.com or follow him on social media at @KM_Enright.
Beatrice Erkers—Beatrice Erkers is Program Director of Existential Hope at Foresight Institute, where she leads initiatives exploring positive futures through AI and emerging technology. Her work spans podcast production, essay commissioning, grant-making, and worldbuilding education. Podcast guests have included science fiction authors Hannu Rajaniemi and Ada Palmer, David Deutsch, Steven Pinker, and Kevin Kelly. She developed a free worldbuilding course teaching participants to construct evidence-based scenarios of futures worth building, drawing on science fiction and foresight methods.
Lorelei Esther—Lorelei Esther is a young woman taking on the world. The youngest Hugo Finalist in the history of the award, she is an accomplished artist, having started her comic career at age nine with the famous Blue Bird (inspiration for the DC character of the same name). She has illustrated all of the books in The Kitra Saga and is the staff artist for Journey Press. She is an accomplished singer/songwriter, regularly performing live independently and with Galactic Journey. Her articles frequently appear on the Journey, and she has done introductions for the lauded Rediscovery: Science Fiction by Women series. A fangirl and activist at heart, Lorelei hopes to leave an impression on the world by educating, inspiring, and providing for the community.
Robert Mitchell Evans—Robert Mitchell Evans has been a sailor, a dishwasher, a shipyard worker, a cashier, and currently his day-job is in the non-profit healthcare industry. He resides in San Diego, California and can frequently be found haunting southern California SF conventions. His SF/Noir novel Vulcan's Forge was published by FlameTree Press in March 2020 and he is a member of SFWA & HWA.
Naomi Evelyn—Naomi Evelyn is a neurodivergent Teen and Technology Librarian, freelance writer, singer/songwriter, and artist with work published in Inklings Literary Magazine. In her spare time, she enjoys sculpting, making music, bookbinding, playing tennis, traveling, and many other creative hobbies. She is currently working on getting her upmarket speculative fiction book traditionally published, while doing freelance writing and illustration on the side.
L. E. Eyring—Since the infancy of the internet, L. E. Eyring began her writing journey with a sharpened pencil, a pad of yellow legal paper, and many nonsensical ideas. Now, she creates worlds that are equal in beauty and horror, where love can be found in the strangest of hands (or claws, wings, etc.).
L. E. Eyring is set to make her debut in 2026 with City Owl Press. In her free time when she's not writing "monster romance," she watches educational videos and listens to audio books about nuclear physics, quantum mechanics, and theoretical astrophysics.
Anna Faktorovich—Anna Faktorovich is the Director and Founder of the Anaphora Literary Press. In 2025, she began teaching as an Assistant Professor of English at Dickinson State University. She previously taught for over four years at schools including the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, Edinboro University of Pennsylvania and the Middle Georgia State College. She has a Ph.D. in English Literature and Criticism, and an MA in Comparative Literature. She published with Routledge a textbook called: Introduction to the Attribution of Literature (2025). She published two academic books with McFarland: Rebellion as Genre in the Novels of Scott, Dickens and Stevenson (2013) and The Formulas of Popular Fiction: Elements of Fantasy, Science Fiction, Romance, Religious and Mystery Novels (2014). She edits three periodicals for Anaphora tri-annually: Pennsylvania Literary Journal (2009-), Cinematic Codes Review (2016), and Speculative: The Magazine (2025-). She has presented her research at the MLA, SAMLA, EAPSU, SWWC, BWWC and many other conferences. And she won the MLA Bibliography, Kentucky Historical Society and Brown University Military Collection fellowships.
Bernard Fallon B.A. is a graduate of the Liverpool College of Art in the UK. He has spent a lifetime in the visual arts as a painter, teacher and photographer.
Fallon’s strong landscape and sky paintings derive from the thoroughly grounded traditions of fine art and direct observations of nature and the heavens; and ably aided by a strong imagination of what lies beyond!
E.M. Faulds—E.M. Faulds is a British science fiction and fantasy author who lives in Scotland. She won the British Fantasy Award for best collection in 2023 and the British SF Association award for best short story in 2026. Find out more at emfaulds.com
Heather Fawcett—Heather Fawcett is the New York Times, USA Today, and Sunday Times bestselling Canadian author of books for adults, kids, and teens, including Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries, Even the Darkest Stars, Ember and the Ice Dragons, The Grace of Wild Things, and more. Her books, which somehow all include dragons in one form or another, have been translated into more than twenty languages and nominated for various awards, including the Locus, Mythopoeic, and Silver Birch. She has a Master’s degree in English Literature and a Bachelor’s in Archaeology. She lives on Vancouver Island.
DIANA FEDORAK is a speculative fiction writer, aerospace aficionado, and time traveler. In a prior life, she retired as a colonel from the United States Air Force. She enjoys writing complex characters in high-stakes science fiction and fantasy worlds.
Diana’s debut novel, Children of Alpheios, was released by
The Wild Rose Press in early 2023 and won numerous awards. When she’s not writing, she spends time in her own universe with her husband, two children, and their German Shepard.
Sara Felix—Sara is a Hugo award winning mixed media artist and president of ASFA.
Sean Feng—Sean writes short fiction, particularly science fiction. A high school student living in Shanghai, he enjoys experimenting with diverse narrative styles and storytelling forms. To him, science fiction is not simply a genre of speculation about turmoil, luck, or conspiracies in the future. Instead, it is an optimistic act of imagination- one that helps us envision and shape the world we hope to create.
J.S. Fields—Dr. J.S. Fields is a professor and wood mycologist who has spent too much time around organic solvents. An avid woodturner and sculptor, they are best known for their work with "fungus puke" for artistic and scientific purposes - from natural dyes to solar cells and batteries. What they cannot do (yet) with science they explore in science fiction and fantasy - exploring the possibility of wooden spaceships and extraterrestrial fungus friends.
Griff the Filker—Griff grew up playing piano and singing in various choirs. He took up guitar in his early 50s. Since entering filk, he’s written songs, given concerts, held the Creating While Neurodivergent Workshop, been nominated for the Writer/Composer Pegasus, and released three albums (so far). He and his husband, author Cozy Joe Petty, are also both published fiction writers (together and separately), and are owned by an obstreperous tortoiseshell cat named Molly. They live in Long Beach, California. Website: https://griffthefilker.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GrifftheFilker Bandcamp: https://drgriff.bandcamp.com/
Carl Fink—Carl Fink is the Division Head, Programme for the Montréal 2027 Worldcon. His proudest fannish accomplishment was when Hugo winner Paul "John Grant" Barnett dedicated a book to him. He has also chaired a couple of cons, and worked for many Worldcons and regionals in multiple areas at every level. In "real" life he is a former science teacher, former software developer, former freelance writer, current Instructional Designer.
Colin Fisk—Though best known for helping write and design Cyberpunk the Role Playing game and various supplements, I’ve written many published games and short stories. In my mundane life, I’ve has been working with technology companies for more than thirty years, having worked on everything from the QuickCam, to setting up the social systems in Second Life optimizing eProcurement systems and testing games for slot machines. I currently live in Fort Wayne, IN with my wife Margaret and, in my spare time, I am working on creating new worlds, as well as gardening for my kitchen.
Margaret McGaffey Fisk—Margaret McGaffey Fisk (she/her) is a storyteller whose tales often cross genres and worlds to bring events and characters to life. She currently writes science fiction, fantasy, and romance (Regency and contemporary), but will go wherever the story takes her. In a different time, you’d find her before a bonfire, or with a mug of ale and a lute, spinning tales for all who are within earshot. Now, though, you can read her explorations of loyalty, love, and cultural conflict wherever you might be.
Annabelle Fletcher—Annabelle is a Filipino-American immigrant who’s loved stories since she was a child. She currently works for an independent romance bookstore sharing her latest reads in Temecula, CA.
Lysz Flo—Lysz Flo is an AfroCaribbean Latine, polyglot, writer, indie author, The Estuary Collective member, Ignyte Award Winner for CNF, Creatively Exposed podcast host, Speculative Tin House Fall 2025 Fellow, Voodoonauts Summer 2020 Fellow/Educator in 2024 and Obsidian Black Listening 2022 Fellow. She released Soliloquy of an Ice Queen, March 2020. She is creative educator since 2020. Her poems can be found in FIYAH, iamb, Hellebore, Lolwe, Strange Horizons and has done various multimedia projects with O’ Miami. She is also an Online Crystal and Spiritual wellness shop owner at Astrolyszics.com
Leadie Jo Flowers—Leadie Jo Flowers received a BA from Stetson University in English and Russian studies. Also, she holds a Master of Fine Arts Writing Popular Fiction from Seton Hill University. She teaches English to private and business students and has taught at Moscow State University and The Russian Academy of Public Relations. Currently she is working on a global website for authors, educators and fans to grow the use of science fiction in the classroom, increasing students critical thinking skills and imagination as well as interest in STEM classes and careers. Her short stories have been published in three anthologies.
Rogelio Fojo—Rogelio Fojo is an Uruguayan-born filmmaker, former award-winning journalist, and science writer whose work bridges science fiction and cinema. After studying filmmaking in Los Angeles, he directed the Kodak-funded, award-winning short film Chimera, followed by other acclaimed shorts including Mary, The Movie Pitch, and The Stooge, written by Christopher Priest and starring Robert Picardo. His current project is One Million Times, an ambitious sci-fi/time travel series developed with JPL scientist R. James Doyle and now expanding into a collaborative anthology published by Elsewhen Press.
CL Fors—CL Fors is an award-winning illustrator, author, publisher, and metalsmith artisan. She writes science-fiction and other blends of speculative fiction and paints fantasy and sci-fi worlds in vibrant watercolors. CL believes in creating hopeful art to save the world through story. She is the author and illustrator of The Primogenitor Series, a Sci-fi epic of humanity stolen and reclaimed, More Than One, a sappic solar-punk sci-fi, and the cover artist for Chaotic Cupids: When Loves Goes Awry, Requiem: Tales of the Undead, and The Heads of Cerberus by Francis Stephens(WordFire Press). She has short stories in Into The Deep Dark Woods(At the Root), Weird Wilderness:A Cryptid Bestiary(Out of the Woods) and The Vampire Survival Guide(Leeches).
Kathleen Carr Foster—Kathleen Carr Foster is an award-winning author of speculative fiction. She earned an MFA from Boston University, where she was the recipient of the Florence Engel Randall Graduate Fiction Prize, and she won the Davis Prize for Fiction as an undergraduate at Wellesley College. She has also received an Emerging Artist Award from the St. Botolph Club Foundation, and her short fiction has been published in Slice Magazine, on Harper Perennial’s Fifty-Two Stories website, and in 236, BU Creative Writing’s Literary Journal. Her debut novel, The Jewel of Corlivo, will be published by Erewhon Books in October 2026. She teaches writing at the University of Massachusetts, Boston. A mother of two, she lives in Massachusetts with her family and an anxious rescue dog named Wendy. Visit her online at kathleencarrfoster.com.
Josefine Fouarge—Lifelong reader turned reviewer with a BookTube channel (@FineReads), host of the BookTube Creator Guild and the Backlist Book Club, owner of the Reader-First Marketing newsletter, and Marketing nerd with nearly 15 years of experience.
Friends of the Island Fox—Keri Dearborn Director of Education and Volunteer for Friends of the Island Fox since 2005
John Foyt—John Foyt (aka John Taloni) is a short story writer and occasional novelist. His serious fiction includes the short "Career Zombie" which was selected by Ellen Datlow for her Long List of Horror, and the novel "Compleat Martian Invasion," a Steampunk take on classic SF storylines from Wells, Verne and Burroughs. More humorous works always seem to include cats, as in his "Cat of Thunder" for a Mjolnir-wielding kitty, and several fanciful "Dr. Mew" novelettes.
Anthony Francis—By day, Anthony Francis creates intelligent machines and emotional robots; by night, he writes science fiction and draws comic books. Anthony co-edited the award-winning anthology THE NEURODIVERSIVERSE: ALIEN ENCOUNTERS and wrote the award-winning urban fantasy FROST MOON and its sequels BLOOD ROCK and LIQUID FIRE, all starring magical tattoo artist Dakota Frost. His steampunk includes JEREMIAH WILLSTONE AND THE CLOCKWORK TIME MACHINE and stories in TWELVE HOURS LATER, THIRTY DAYS LATER, SOME TIME LATER and NEXT STOP ON THE #13. Anthony lives in South Carolina with his wife and cats but his heart belongs in Atlanta. Follow Anthony at dresan.com.
Ben Francisco—Ben Francisco’s work ranges from magic realism to space opera and has featured oversexed ghosts, depressed precognitives, and vampire aliens who reproduce like moss. Their fiction has won the Indiana Review Fiction Prize, been featured in Locus’s Recommended Reading List, and appeared in Strange Horizons, PodCastle, and From Macho to Mariposa: New Gay Latino Fiction. Ben’s first novel, Val Vega: Secret Ambassador of Earth, was featured in BookLife’s Best of 2024 and Reactor Magazine’s Notable YA SF of 2024. A Kirkus starred review called it, “A captivating, heartfelt tale about family, diplomacy, and finding one’s place in the universe.”
Frank—I have been playing, writing and running roleplaying games for 37 years. I have been running games at conventions since my first one at San Diego comic Con in 1996. I owned my game store. I have a show on you tube and my own channel Gamingfixx247. My first time playing Shadowrun was 1995 with my group that met at the stage in the Fullerton college student center. Since then I have ran off and on including on session that lasted a year long. I love gaming and giving back to the community.
Ashlyn Frank is a Writer and Director based in New York City. She writes plays for the stage and screen in addition to short tales of speculative fiction and horror. Recent collaborations & publications include: Chamber Theatre Productions, Commonwealth Shakespeare Company, Chango Film, The Iris Theatre, Theatre Right Now, The Road Theatre, Ellipses Magazine, Rooted Literary Magazine, Spectral Film Journal, and Apricity Magazine. You can follow Ashlyn on instagram @ash.grace.frank, and view her work on ashlynfrank.com.
William Frank—William Frank, a.k.a. "scifantasy," is a geek and a lawyer, in roughly that order. Professionally, he specializes in intellectual property law, has interned for the Electronic Frontier Foundation and the Creative Commons, and was a computer programmer before he turned to evil-err, law. Fannishly, he has interests in pretty much everything, but the filkroom would be a good first place to look for him.
Valerie Estelle Frankel—Valerie Estelle Frankel is the author of over 100 books on pop culture, including Hunting for Meaning in The Mandalorian; The Villain's Journey; and Star Wars Meets the Eras of Feminism. Many of her books focus on gender in fiction, from her heroine's journey guides From Girl to Goddess and Buffy and the Heroine's Journey to The Trans Hero's Journey and The Many Faces of Katniss Everdeen. Her Chelm for the Holidays (2019) was a PJ Library book, and now she's the editor of Jewish Science Fiction and Fantasy, publishing an academic series for Bloomsbury/Lexington Press. Once a lecturer at San Jose State University, she now teaches at Mission College and San Jose City College and speaks often at conferences. VEFrankel.com
Laura Frankos—Laura Frankos has written in the fields of science fiction, fantasy, mystery, and theatre history. Her novel BROADWAY REVIVAL (time traveler saves George Gershwin from that tumor) was a Sidewise Award Finalist. She's also written THE BROADWAY MUSICAL QUIZ BOOK and is at work on a survey of musicals adapted from comics, which go back to the 1890s. She hangs around with Harry Turtledove a lot.
Zoe Franznick—Zoe is a Nebula and BAFTA-nominated, GDC and Peabody award-winning writer and game designer who wrote on the medieval murder mystery game, Pentiment. She has an M.Phil in Medieval Studies from Trinity College Dublin and is currently a professional narrative designer and writer. In her spare time, she co-hosts the Maniculum Podcast, where she is dedicated to breaking down the anachronisms of modern medievalist fantasy and bringing the magic of the Middle Ages to life for storytellers, GMs, and creatives alike. She also provides resources to aspiring narrative designers looking to get into the craft.
Paul Henry Fresco—Biography for Paul Henry Fresco, the Wizard of Weird--Futurism and Surrealism Artist
As an Experimentalist, Paul's work is a combination of futurism, expressionism, nature, android and human body forms. He juxtaposes the realistic next to the mechanical. He uses bold colors in his abstracts and surrealistic artworks, and soft colors that reflect nature in other works. He primarily paints in acrylics on canvas, and explores collages. He is an master jeweler and creates unique designs in sterling, utiling a variety of beautiful stones and CZ's.
Paul is concerned about the future. "Technology continues to advance at quantum speeds which many humans cannot assimilate. (Don't you hate trying to use the AI customer serivce lines?)". His androids also wonder about their futures...will they continue to be objective, or will they bcome more sensitive, with emotions, like humans?
Paul gets some of his ideas from old sci-fi movies and dreams eternally affected by ether that was administered to him during surgeries as a child. Yes, they persist. He also has lived in New York, Ohio, Arizona, Alaska, Norway, and now is back in California where he is a Studio Artist at Destination: Art in Torrance, and a Gallery Artist at the Orange County Fine Arts Showcase Gallery. He and his wife Carol Anne, a photographer, live in the South Bay area.
You can purchase his work from fresco-creations.net, Etsy, Ebay, and at saatchiart.com.
Paul Frommer—Dr. Paul Frommer, creator of the Na’vi language for James Cameron’s Avatar franchise, is Professor Emeritus of Clinical Business Communication at USC’s Marshall School of Business. He is also principal co-author of Looking at Languages, a workbook for elementary linguistics classes. Frommer has worked on the Na’vi content of the three Avatar movies and the video game, Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora, and continues to expand the language for an international community of Na’vi enthusiasts. He also developed Barsoomian, the Martian language for the film John Carter.
Matt G.—Matt G. is a Black disabled poet, political sociologist, and educator from the 252 residing in the 919. He believes that poetry, like Wu-Tang, is forever and for the children. A graduate of UNC- Chapel Hill, Matt G. was a member of the spoken word group Wordsmiths and Ebony Readers Onyx Theatre (EROT). He competed in the College Unions Poetry Slam Invitational (CUPSI) ranking as high as a semi-finalist. Matt G. is a 2x member of the Bull City Slam Team in Durham, NC and a graduate fellow of The Watering Hole.
Trip Galey—Trip is a writer, a doctor of the academic persuasion, and a researcher of all things pursuant to bargains, exchanges, and compacts of a faery nature. It is inadvisable to attempt to make a deal with him. He has been, in the past, a reluctant cowboy, an Ivy League collegian, and an itinerant marketing professional. He’s 1/2 of multiple writing partnerships, 1/3 of the founding triumvirate of Bona Books, and 100% geek. Mostly harmless.
Yana Galindo—Yana Galindo is a Spanish and French tutor and podcaster based in the Washington, D.C. area. She holds a B.A. in Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) and a minor in Spanish. She is the host of the Spanish language podcast “espaÑolismo” and the French podcast “français finesse”. Her passions include learning languages, reading fantasy literature, and amateur photography.
Anand Gandhi is widely regarded as the film auteur who ushered in a new wave of Indian cinema. His first film, Ship of Theseus, won the National Award for Best Picture, the Indian equivalent of an Academy Award. It was also included in The Critics’ Circle, UK’s list of 15 “life-changing” films of the past century. His next film, Tumbbad, a genre film that used horror as allegory, became the region’s most-watched genre film of the last two decades. His non-fiction production, An Insignificant Man, was India’s most commercially successful documentary film. Anand’s films have won the highest honours at international film festivals including Toronto, Venice, Transylvania, Tokyo and Hong Kong, and have been globally distributed by Disney, Netflix, Prime Video and Channel 4.
Today he is the co-founder of Department of Lore Inc., which designs story universes as compounding intellectual property. Its first universe, MAYA, was built over four years by hundreds of collaborators across disciplines and engineered from inception as a franchise: a novel trilogy, games, films, graphic novels, and physical experiences. The first novel, MAYA: Seed Takes Root, became the most funded debut novel in Kickstarter history, closing at more than 430 percent of its funding goal. Published by Authors Equity and distributed worldwide through Simon & Schuster this August, it carries a foreword by neuroscientist Anil Seth; the audiobook is narrated by Hugo Weaving (The Matrix, The Lord of the Rings).
Christopher J. Garcia—Chris Garcia is a Fanzine Editor, Historian, Curator, and Pro Wrestling Enthusiast from Boulder Creek, California. He's won a couple of Hugos, is raising a couple of kids, and likes Pie.
Gwynne Garfinkle—Gwynne Garfinkle is the author of a novel, CAN'T FIND MY WAY HOME, and two collections, SINKING, SINGING and PEOPLE CHANGE, all published by Aqueduct Press. Her work has appeared in such publications as STRANGE HORIZONS, UNCANNY, ESCAPE POD, and NOT ONE OF US. Her poem "the jacarandas are unimpressed by your show of force" is a 2026 Rhysling Award finalist.
Jean-Paul L. Garnier—Jean-Paul L. Garnier is the owner of Space Cowboy Books bookstore and publishing house, producer of Simultaneous Times Podcast (2023/25 Laureate Award Winner, 2024 BSFA, Ignyte, and British Fantasy Award Finalist), and was the editor of the SFPA's Star*Line magazine from 2021-2025. He is also Editor-in-Chief of Electronic Brain magazine. In 2024 he won the Laureate Award for Best Editor. He has written many books of poetry and science fiction. https://spacecowboybooks.com/
Maude Garrett—Maude Garrett is an LA-based Australian entertainment host who has spent her career professionally obsessed with all things geek - bringing that energy to TV, radio, Nerdist, BBC America, and NBC Universal. Whether she's interviewing your favorite actor or moderating a packed Comic-Con panel, she speaks fluent fandom and isn't afraid to use it. She's also the founder of Maude's Book Club, a thriving haven for SFF readers who like their reading lists with a side of chaos.
Brian U. Garrison—Brian U. Garrison is President of the Science Fiction & Fantasy Poetry Association. His chapbook Micropoetry for Microplanets earned 3rd place in the 2025 Elgin Awards. His latest release is The Future is Antifascist. Find him online at bugthewriter.com and ilikethispoem.com.
Janice Gelb—Janice Gelb has worked on many conventions, notably running Program Operations at ten Worldcons (and LAcon V will make 11!) and running the Hugo ceremony at LAcon III. She's also published numerous apazines and spends way too much time posting on social media. She was the DUFF (Down Under Fan Fund) representative at Aussiecon 3 where, in a fit of madness, she also ran Program Ops. She liked Australia (and one particular Aussie fan) so much that she migrated there from the US. In Real Life, she's a technical editor.
Denise A. Gendron—Denise A. Gendron has been a music teacher since 1976. She writes music books, owns her own desktop publishing company (Destiny Press) and is a singer-songwriter (performing on cello, bass, and guitar). She believes everything she writes is filk, as science fiction is at her core. Her primary goal is to find the joy in everything, even when it’s hard to find.
Chris Gerrib—Chris Gerrib has been an avid fan of science fiction and space exploration since he was a child riding his bicycle to his small town’s library where he memorized every book they had on the subject. Since then he spent a tour in the US Navy, got an MBA, and now has a day job with a multi-national software company as a Project Manager. He lives in the Chicago suburbs and is active in his local Rotary Club. His fifth science fiction novel, Gunmaker, is out now.
David Gerrold—David Gerrold has been a member of the Science Fiction and fan communities since 1968. He has written more than 70 books, hundreds of stories and articles, and has won both the Hugo and the Nebula for "The Martian Child," the story of his son's adoption. He is also the author of "The Trouble With Tribbles" and "The Man Who Folded Himself."
T.T. Gibran—T.T. Gibran (they/them) is a Black (Soulaan) and first-generation Palestinian speculative fiction writer. They attended the Clarion West, Tin House, and Juniper workshops, and their fiction has appeared in FIYAH. They've earned degrees in Physics and Data Science, a fellowship from DeepMind, a grant from the National Science Foundation, and published in the Journal of Applied Physics. Gibran's stories draw heavily on their ancestry, from the swamps of South Carolina through the shores of Haifa, to blend African and Arab mythologies with alternate histories and dystopian futures.
Kieron Gillen—Kieron Gillen is a writer, game designer and recovering critic. As a comic writer, he's best known for co-creating books like the Wicked + the Divine, DIE, the Power Fantasy, Once & Future, Phonogram and more. When not doing his own works, he has written extensively for Marvel comics, on all the characters you've heard of and quite a few you probably haven't. He's based in Bath. The city, not the water immersion device, alas.
Steve Gillett—Steve Gillett has been a frequent contributor to _Analog_ and wrote a science column for _Amazing_ back in the day. He is also the author of _World-Building_ (Writer’s Digest Press, 1995), which with the author’s impeccable sense of timing came out just before the first exoplanet discoveries. In recent years he has been interested in the staggering implications of molecular-scale nanotechnology to resource extraction and pollution control (which become the same problem), and his book on this topic has finally appeared (_Nanotechnology and the Resource Fallacy_, Pan-Stanford Publications, 2018). He was previously on the faculty of the University of Nevada’s late-lamented Mackay School of Mines and lives outside Reno, Nevada.
Richard Gilliam—Richard Gilliam is a veteran writer/editor. He's worked widely in both fiction and non-fiction.
Carolyn Ives Gilman—Carolyn Ives Gilman is a Hugo, Nebula, and Sturgeon Award-nominated author of science fiction and fantasy. Her books include Dark Orbit, a space exploration adventure; Isles of the Forsaken and Ison of the Isles, a two-book fantasy about culture clash and revolution; and Halfway Human, a novel about gender and oppression. Her short fiction has appeared in Analog, Tor.com, Lightspeed, Clarkesworld, Fantasy and Science Fiction, Interzone, Realms of Fantasy, and others. Her work has been translated into a dozen languages and appeared in numerous Best Science Fiction of the Year anthologies. Gilman lives in Washington, D.C., and works as a freelance writer and museum consultant.
Laura Anne Gilman—A former NY editor, Laura Anne Gilman switched sides of the desk in 2004. Her work has been hailed as “a true American myth”by NPR, and praised for her “deft plotting and first-class characters” by Publishers Weekly. She has won the Endeavor Award for THE COLD EYE, and been shortlisted for a Nebula, (another) Endeavor, and a Washington State Book Award. Her work includes the Devil’s West trilogy, the Huntsmen books, the Cosa Nostradamus UF series, the Vineart trilogy, and several story collections.
Cat Girczyc—Cat writes female-driven stories and scripts in science fiction and fantasy. She's a member of the Writers Guild of Canada (WGC) as well as SFWA. She’s sold 15 television episodes to Canadian producers, including two episodes of the hour-long dark fantasy "The Collector" and animated series such as the cult superhero cartoon "Cybersix." She's written legal drama, cartoons, docudrama, and radio drama. Her coolest residual was seeing the Cybersix character cosplayed at Vancouver’s VCon.
Cat’s short story, "The Lady M," garnered a Finalist position in the Writers of the Future (WOTF) competition Q1 2022. You can find her work in Amazing Stories, On Spec, Pulp Literature, Polar Borealis, Neo-Opsis, The Vancouver Sci-Fi Magazine, the Unhelpful Encyclopedia: Murderbugs Anthology, Sally Port Magazine, and Tesseracts. She also received two Canadian national awards, the Auroras, for SFF fan work in radio and zines. She received her MFA many years ago and sometimes teaches writing at local colleges.
Andrew Givler—Andrew Givler is the bestselling author of the urban fantasy series the Debt Collection and the progression fantasy saga Ironbound, published by Aethon Books. In addition to his writing, he runs the YouTube channel Sigils, where he creates gaming content for an audience of more than 1.4 million subscribers.
Max Gladstone—Hugo-, Nebula-, and Locus Award winning author Max Gladstone has been thrown from a horse in Mongolia and once wrecked a bicycle in Angkor Wat. He is the author of many books, including Last Exit, the Craft Sequence of fantasy novels, and, with Amal El-Mohtar, the internationally bestselling This is How You Lose the Time War. His dreams are much nicer than you’d expect.
Peter Glaskowsky—A leading innovator in computer architecture, Peter Glaskowsky helped found, fund, and build x86 microprocessor startup Montalvo Systems. He was a computer architect at Esperanto Technologies, a machine-learning semiconductor company in Silicon Valley. He is a co-inventor on 30 U.S. patents, has authored two books on computer graphics, co-authored two books on space elevators, and has been active in science fiction fandom for 50 years.
Jack Glassman—I am an Associate Professor Emeritus of Physics at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (USA). Previously, I was Director of Laser Development at the Nevada Terawatt Facility. I have also worked at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and the US Air Force Research Laboratory. I hold a Ph.D. in Optical Sciences and an MS in Physics from the University of New Mexico and a BS in Physics from the University of Arizona. My wife and I live in an earth-shelter house with two cats, one dog, and whatever has crept in when we weren't looking.
Kevin Glover—Horror veteran Kevin M Glover is an indie comic writer/creator, multi-award-winning horror playwright, and a one-time rubber-suited B-Movie monster, appearing in the 90’s sci-fi schlocker, SYNGENOR.
A prolific low-budget filmmaker back in the day, Kevin produced several cult features including DINOSAUR VALLEY GIRLS, VENUS FLYTRAP, LOVE BITES and the spicy horror films MUMMY’S KISS, EROTIC RITES OF COUNTESS DRACULA and SISTERHOOD OF THE SHEWOLF. He also dabbled in acting, appearing with scream queens Linea Quigley and Michelle Bauer in ASSAULT OF THE PARTY NERDS, James Spader in JACKS BACK and a starring turn as a yuppie gone wrong in VENUS FLYTRAP.
Ten years ago, Kevin created the Scary Tales Publishing line of indie horror comics. His current comic titles include LADY FRANKENSTEIN, FRACTURED SCARY TALES, THEY’RE HEEERE! and MONSTERS VS. More recently, returning to theater, his published plays are all mulitple award winners. HIs much lauded courtroom drama with a monster twist, THE PEOPLE vs FRANKENSTEIN premiered last year in Massachusettes, getting rave reveiws for his novel interpretaiton of the classic monster. Both his epic western vampire novel, OUTLAW BLOOD, and his gruesome graphic novel about zombies at the Alamo, will be released later this year.
Beth Goder—Beth Goder is an archivist and author. Her stories have appeared in venues such as Escape Pod, Clarkesworld, Lightspeed, Flash Fiction Online, Apex, Strange Horizons, and Horton's The Year's Best Science Fiction & Fantasy. She loves chocolate, hiking, and checking out too many books from the library. You can find her online at http://www.bethgoder.com.
Debora Godfrey—Debora Godfrey co-edited and wrote in the best-selling Alternative Apocalypse and Alternative War as well as Alternative Liberties, and Post Roe Alternatives: Fighting Back. She is a SFWA member. Her background includes working as a kindergarten teacher as well as 30 years in IT (the difference in professions is not as great as one might think).
Jaymee Goh—Jaymee Goh writes, reviews, and edits speculative fiction. Her work has been published in Science Fiction Studies, The Los Angeles Review of Books, and Best American Science Fiction & Fantasy. She is a graduate from the Clarion Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Workshop and is an editor at Tachyon Publications.
Brad Goldberg—I grew up in Chester County outside of Philadelphia. After earning a degree in Communications and Creative Writing from Carnegie Mellon University, I studied film at UCLA. As a trailer editor, writer, and producer, I’ve created thousands of pieces of advertising for motion pictures and TV. My fiction has been published in "Best Indie Speculative Fiction: Volume IV", "Bards & Sages Quarterly", "Mobius Blvd.", and on RipplesInSpace.com and Teleportmagazine.com. My first novels "Z vs V: Among the Living – Books 1 and 2" have recently been published by Raven Tale Publishing.
Salinee Goldenberg—Salinee Goldenberg is a speculative fiction writer and multimedia artist who lives in Washington DC, and is drawn to outsider perspectives. She is the author of The Last Phi Hunter and Way of the Walker, published by Angry Robot. A biracial, bisexual, diaspora writer, Sal often explores themes of identity, obsession and alienation in her work. Previously, she worked at Bethesda Softworks creating narrative trailers for games such as Skyrim, Fallout 4 and Dishonored, and now produces videos for Minecraft. When not writing, she likes to paint, listen to records, and play in punk bands.
Theodora Goss—Theodora Goss is the World Fantasy, Locus, and Mythopoeic Award-winning author of the Athena Club trilogy of novels, including The Strange Case of the Alchemist’s Daughter, European Travel for the Monstrous Gentlewoman, and The Sinister Mystery of the Mesmerizing Girl. Her other publications include short story and poetry collections In the Forest of Forgetting, Songs for Ophelia, Snow White Learns Witchcraft, The Collected Enchantments, and Letters from an Imaginary Country as well as novella The Thorn and the Blossom. She has been a finalist for the Nebula, Crawford, and Shirley Jackson Awards, as well as on the Tiptree Award Honor List. Her work has been translated into fifteen languages. You can find her at theodoragoss.com.
Joyce Grace—I have been going to conventions for 45 years (over 50 if you count my first convention which was Star Trek).
I am a long time volunteer - multiple departments
I love Costuming and Crafts
I am the widow of long time fan
I am the Mom of 3 fans
Edward Greaves—New Jersey born and raised, Edward A. Greaves spends his days working with technology, and his nights working with the fantastic. He still resides in New Jersey, with his wife--also a life-long New Jersey resident-- and their two sons.
Cathy Green—Been an SF/F pretty much since birth because my mother fed me while watching Star Trek TOS in its first run. Became active in fandom when I moved to DC and joined WSFA. 1st Worldcon - Millenium Philcon. Started working Worldcon with Discon III. First time I chaired a Capclave in 2011, had Sir Terry Pratchett as a surprise guest, and probably should have rested on my laurels, but there's always that one more thing you want to try to do. Recovering lawyer.
Jude-Marie Green—Writer, editor, Clarion West, SFWA, she writes character-driven stories.
A. T. Greenblatt—A.T. Greenblatt is a Nebula Award winning writer and mechanical engineer. She lives in New York City where she's known to frequently subject her friends to various cooking and home brewing experiments. Her work has been nominated for a Hugo, Locus, World Fantasy, and Sturgeon Award, has been in multiple Year's Best anthologies, and has appeared in Reactor, Uncanny, Beneath Ceaseless Skies, Nightmare, and Clarkesworld, as well as other fine publications. You can find her online at http://atgreenblatt.com and on Bluesky at @AtGreenblatt
Daryl Gregory—Daryl Gregory is a Seattle writer whose novels and short stories have been translated into a dozen languages and have won multiple awards, including the World Fantasy, Shirley Jackson, and Crawford awards, and have been nominated for the Hugo, Nebula, Edgar, and other awards. His latest novel is When We Were Real (2025). His seven other novels include Revelator, Spoonbenders, and Pandemonium. Other books include the novellas The Album of Dr. Moreau and We Are All Completely Fine, and the collection Unpossible and Other Stories. He also teaches writing and is a regular instructor at the Viable Paradise Writing Workshop.
Keith Gremban—Dr. Keith Gremban is Co-Founder and CEO of Ceil Technologies Corporations and a research professor at the University of Colorado Boulder. Prior to joining the University, Keith was the Director of the Institute for Telecommunication Sciences (ITS), which is the research and engineering laboratory for the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). Keith was a Program Manager at the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) where he managed a portfolio of programs in the areas of wireless communications and electronic warfare, and also worked in industry, managing and leading research and systems engineering projects. Keith’s research interests are in spectrum science, dynamic spectrum sharing, and wireless communications. Keith is a wannabe science fiction writer.
Taunya Gren—Since 1974 I've been, alternately, an actress, writer, artist, animator, producer and director for computer games, film and theater. Currently I am a producer/director with two films on Amazon Prime and Tubi and more coming!
Dr. JA Grier—JA Grier (ee/em/eir) is a planetary scientist, poet, astronomy educator, EDIA specialist, science fiction writer, and fountain pen enthusiast, who has published scientific papers, textbooks, professional publications, poems, short stories, and run-on sentences. JA has presented at multiple cons as both a scientist and poet, including WorldCons in Dublin and Glasgow, the Tucson Science Fiction Convention, and Balticon. Most recently, JA conducted a speculative poetry workshop on the (in)famous JoCo Cruise 2026.
KC Grifant—KC Grifant is an award-winning writer and editor based in Southern California whose horror, fantasy, science fiction, and weird west books and short stories have appeared in international magazines, games, podcasts, and Stoker-nominated anthologies. She is editor of several anthologies, co-founder of the San Diego Horror Writers Association (HWA), a SFWA mentor, and co-creator of Monster Gunslingers the game. In addition to teaching writing courses and workshops, she is a multi-award-winning nonfiction writer and editor who has penned hundreds of published science articles. Learn more at www.KCGrifant.com
Tim Griffin—Tim Griffin is a retired teacher; an award-winning singer/songwriter; and the founding director (now emeritus) of Griffin Education, a small nonprofit dedicated to raising academic achievement in STEM and other subjects through fun educational music. Think "Schoolhouse Rock" and you've got the basic idea. It's all free at www.GriffinEd.org
SJ Groenewegen—SJ Groenewegen is the author of numerous works, most recently The Disinformation War (GoldSF, 2023/24) and Lethbridge-Stewart: A Most Haunted Man (Candy Jar Books, 2022). SJ appears often as a panellist at Eastercons and Worldcons, and has given talks and readings at literature festivals. SJ’s 20-year career in criminal justice in Australia and the UK earned them a British Empire Medal for services to LGBTQIA people.
Sally Wiener Grotta—Sally Wiener Grotta (she/her), is an award-winning writer, photographer, and speaker. Her two newest books are Of Being Women, (NobleFusion Press), feminist science fiction tales, and Daughters of Eve (Bayit Publishing), an essay collection. Her experience as a globetrotting journalist covering a wide diversity of cultures flavors her stories, art, and presentations with a sense of wonder, appreciation for human potential, and a healthy dose of common sense. She is the host of Judith Magazine’s Tell Me More interview podcast, and a member of The Authors Guild and SFWA. Visit her at SallyWienerGrotta.com and SallyWienerGrotta.substack.com.
Erik Grove—Erik Grove is a writer, writing teacher, editor, and dog wrangler living and doing things in Portland, OR. You can find his short fiction in places like NIGHTMARE MAGAZINE, ESCAPE POD, numerous anthologies, and carved into the bark of gnarled trees in the haunted woods behind your house. He is also the editor of THE MUDDY GOOSE GUIDE TO THE WEIRD NORTHWEST: A PLAYABLE ADVENTURE and his debut novel THE LONG RED TOMORROW is forthcoming form Podium Publishing.
Fabrice Guerrier—Fabrice Guerrier is a Haitian artist, writer, and collaborative worldbuilder whose practice spans painting, drawing, sculpture, and speculative literature. He has been named the Root 100 Most Influential African Americans in the United States between the age of 25 to 45. He lives and works in Los Angeles, CA.
Sarah Gulde—Sarah Gulde is a four-time Hugo Finalist, a three-time Honorary Citizen of Disneyland, and a diehard Trekkie. She lives in a former arboretum in Portland, OR.
Alex Gurevich—Alex Gurevich is the CIO and founder of HonTe Investments, located in the Bay Area. He was born in St. Petersburg, Russia and earned a Ph.D. in Mathematics from the University of Chicago. He has published several science fiction and fantasy stories, as well as two bestselling investment books and a number or articles.
Marie Guthrie—Marie Guthrie wrote the first doctoral dissertation on Robert A Heinlein. She served in Peace Corps (Moldova, 2003-5) and was a professor of English. She enjoys domestic and international travel, SCUBA, and is an actor, stage manager, and director.
Rachel Gutin—Rachel Gutin is a writer and special education teacher. Her short fiction has appeared in a number of publications including Escape Pod, Cast of Wonders, and Baffling Magazine. She lives in Brooklyn, NY, and is a member of the organizing team for Brooklyn Speculative Fiction Writers. You can find her online at rachelgutin.wordpress.com.
Thomas Ha—Thomas Ha is a writer of speculative short fiction whose work has won the Nebula, Locus, and Philip K. Dick Special Citation. He has also been nominated for the Hugo, Ignyte, and Shirley Jackson Awards, among others. You can find his stories in publications including Clarkesworld, Lightspeed Magazine, Beneath Ceaseless Skies, Weird Horror Magazine, and more. His work has also appeared in The Best American Science Fiction & Fantasy and The Year's Best Dark Fantasy & Horror. His debut short story collection, Uncertain Sons and Other Stories, is available at Undertow Publications and wherever books are sold. Thomas grew up in Honolulu and, after a decade plus of living in the northeast, now resides in Los Angeles with his family.
Auston Habershaw—Auston Habershaw is the author of If Wishes Were Retail (Tachyon), Faceless Galaxy (JAB Books), and The Saga of the Redeemed (Harper Voyager). Habershaw has also published numerous science fiction and fantasy short stories in Analog, Beneath Ceaseless Skies, and The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction, among other places. Habershaw has worked as a lifeguard, barista, waiter, QA tester, dog walker, hotel bellhop, pedicab driver, SAT tutor, office drone, and a bunch of other random things. He currently teaches composition and literature at MCPHS University in Boston, Massachusetts. You can find him online at aahabershaw.com
A. J. Hackwith—A. J. Hackwith is a queer writer of fantasy and science fiction living in the cryptid-filled woods of the Pacific Northwest. A.J. is the author of a number of fantasy novels, including the acclaimed LIBRARY OF THE UNWRITTEN fantasy trilogy, TOTO, and the upcoming cozy fantasy, GOBLIN MARKET. Her work has been featured in Uncanny Magazine, the Washington Post, and assorted anthologies. You can find A.J. ensconced on Instagram, Patreon, and other dark corners of the Internet as @ajhackwith.
Andrea Hairston—Andrea Hairston ran away from the physics lab to the theatre as a young thing and has been a scientist, artiste, and hoodoo conjurer ever since. She is a novelist, poet, playwright, and L. Wolff Kahn 1931 Professor Emerita of Theatre and Africana Studies at Smith College. Andrea is the author of Archangels of Funk, shortlisted for the 2025 Le Guin Prize; Mindscape, a Carl Brandon award winner and finalist for the Phillip K. Dick and Otherwise awards; Will Do Magic For Small Change, a New York Times Editor’s pick and finalist for the Mythopoeic, Lambda, and Otherwise Awards; Redwood and Wildfire, a 2022 Washington Post Best Book, Otherwise and Carl Brandon award winner; and Master of Poisons on the Kirkus Review’s Best SF&F of 2020. Andrea bikes at night year-round, meeting bears, multi-legged creatures of light and breath, and the occasional shooting star. The Redemption Center is Closed on Sundays is out May, 2026.
Gay Haldeman—Gay Haldeman has managed SF Grandmaster Joe Haldeman’s career since it began in 1969. She taught writing for 30 years in the Writing Center at MIT. In 2011 she was given the Big Heart Award. She’s been going to SF conventions since 1963 and serves as the Ombudsman for SFWA. She received the Service to SFWA Award in 2026. After 60 years of marriage, she still thinks Joe is the best thing that ever happened to her.
Joe Haldeman—Joe Haldeman has won five Hugos and five Nebulas and is an SFWA Grandmaster of science fiction. His best-known book is THE FOREVER WAR. His latest novel is WORK DONE FOR HIRE. He’s won the Rhysling Award for his poetry. Joe was a combat soldier in Vietnam, which strongly influences his work. He’s retired from M.I.T, where he taught every fall semester for 30 years. When Joe’s not writing or teaching, he paints, bicycles, plays the guitar, and is an amateur astronomer. He’s been married to Mary Gay Potter Haldeman for 61 years.
Elontra Hall—Elontra Hall is a Watering Hole and Obsidian Fellow, Poetry School MA graduate, and Magma board member. He has been published in Poetry, Poetry London, Prairie Schooner, Shō, and other journals.
Katie Hallahan—Katie Hallahan is the author of the McKenna Ellerbeck series (The Twice-Sold Soul, The Twice-Wanted Witch), a queer contemporary fantasy romance. She has designed award-winning narrative adventure games at Phoenix Online Studios, an indie game studio she co-founded, including Cognition: An Erica Reed Thriller and Gabriel Knight 20th Anniversary Edition. She's an avid tabletop RPG player, amateur nail art enthusiast, diehard Buffy fan, and lover of all things pumpkin spice.
S. M. Hallow—S. M. Hallow is a speculative fiction author who loves history, fairytales, and Frankenstein. Her short story “How to Stay Married To Baba Yaga” was selected for the Best of Fantasy, Vol. 3, edited by Paula Guran, and included in the Locus 2023 Recommended Reading List. Her longer fiction includes her novella How to Survive This Fairytale (2025) and debut novel The Halls of the Dead (Harper Voyager, 2026). Find out more at www.smhallow.com.
Since her first published novel, Time of the Dark, in 1982, Barbara Hambly has touched most of the bases in genre fiction: fantasy, science fiction, horror, media tie-ins, graphic novels, screenplays, murder mysteries, occult romance, “respectable women’s fiction” and Saturday morning cartoons. Currently she writes mostly historical murder mysteries (the long-running Benjamin January series, and the fairly new Silver Screen mysteries about Hollywood in the silent film era), but her sword-and-sorcery epic The Iron Princess appeared through Open Road Media in 2023. She also publishes novelettes and short stories about the further adventures of the characters from her earlier fantasy series through Amazon and Smashwords. Her work has been translated into Spanish, Russian, Japanese, French, and in some cases Czech and Slovakian (though those would be pretty hard to locate these days!)
Barbara was born in San Diego, California, in 1951 – in fact, she will celebrate her 75th birthday at the 2026 Worldcon. She attended the University of California, Riverside (with one year at the University of Bordeaux, France) and holds an M.A. in medieval history. In 1998 she married science fiction writer George Alec Effinger, and lived part-time in New Orleans for several years.
From 1994-1996, Barbara served as President of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA)1. She taught history, part-time, at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, California, from 2006 to 2023. She earned a black belt in Shotokan karate back in the 1970s (though she had to quit because of injuries) and in 2022 earned a black belt in Nishikaze-style iaido; she still trains in that as well as aikido.
Barbara has over 70 novels to her credit, including dozens of original works — such as her novel series Darwath, Winterlands, and Sunwolf and Starhawk — as well as novels in the Star Trek, Star Wars and Beauty and the Beast universes. Her views on writing, her cats, research, or her travels are posts (when she has time) on barbarahambly.com, or on Facebook as Barbara Hambly, Writer. (You can also see some of her paintings on her website, too). Her entry on Wikipedia has an extensive list of her writing. Now a widow, she shares a house in Los Angeles with several small carnivores.
1 Known since 2022 as the Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers Association (SFWA).
Elektra Hammond—Elektra Hammond emulates her multi-sided idol Buckaroo Banzai by going in several directions at once. She's been involved in publishing since the 1990s now she writes, concocts anthologies & edits science fiction for various and sundry. When not freelancing or appearing at science fiction conventions, she travels the world judging cat shows. Elektra is a graduate of the Odyssey Writing Workshop and a member of SFWA. She lives in Delaware with her husband, Mike, and more than the usual allotment of felines.
Gabrielle Harbowy—Gabrielle Harbowy is a literary agent with Corvisiero Literary Agency. She is also a published author and anthologist, and award-nominated editor. She is an active member of SFWA and the American Association of Literary Agents.
Caroline Hardaker—Author. Poet. Novelist. Librettist. Sporadic puppeteer. Work featured in The Washington Post, The Guardian, New Scientist, and BBC radio. Shortlisted for a Golden Tentacle Award (The Kitschies). Caroline Hardaker lives in the north east of England and writes about everything speculative, from folklore to future worlds. Her two poetry collections and her two novels are available everywhere online. Caroline speaks regularly on panels exploring cross-genre writing, literary theory, fantasy, horror, the uncanny, science fiction, philosophy, and more.
Her second novel – Mothtown – was published by Angry Robot in November 2023.
Caroline’s poetry has been published worldwide, most recently in Macmillan anthologies Gods and Monsters and We Will Soar, Magma, The Interpreter’s House, The Emma Press, Neon Magazine, Shoreline of Infinity, Eyewear Publishing’s Best New British and Irish Poets, and Contemporary British Poetry from Platypus Press.
Caroline speaks regularly on panels exploring cross-genre writing, literary theory, fantasy, horror, the uncanny, science fiction, philosophy, and more.
Erin/MK Hardy—Erin Hardee is one half of the writing duo MK Hardy, along with her wife, Morag Hannah. Their debut novel, The Needfire, came out in 2025.
Morag/MK Hardy—Morag Hannah, together with Erin Hardee, writes under the penname MK Hardy. With backgrounds ranging from higher education to science communication to ghost tours, they are devoted to storytelling in every aspect of their lives and work. Works: The Needfire (Solaris, 2025), The Haunting of Avis Lovelock (Solaris, 2026), Splasher (as Billie Host, Penguin 2026).
Shlomi Harif—Shlomi is an Austin-based author who's published short SFF/Horror stories as well as the alt-history Shmuley Myers detective thriller series under the pseudonym Sol Sharp. He also facilitates the QuickSilverQuills critique group, which includes Elizabeth Moon, David Warner, and Paige Roberts. He collaborated with Elizabeth Moon on a new novel in the Paksenarrion Universe. Horngard, due out October 6 by Baen Books.
Sumana Harihareswara—On the board of the Otherwise Award (formerly Tiptree). Stand-up comedian. Open source software project manager. Fanvidder. Co-editor of the anthology Thoughtcrime Experiments (2009). Lives in New York City.
Felicity Harley—Felicity Harley is a published science fiction writer who has recently completed a five book science fiction series. She has received positive reviews on her work. Her forcus in her writing is on climate change and hard science. Her books have a contemporary slant and are focused on a younger audience.
Ann Michelle Harris—Born in Jamaica and raised in Atlanta, Ann Michelle Harris writes sci-fi/fantasy and anime reviews for the Hugo and Ignyte Award winning Nerds of a Feather. She recently won the Georgia Author of the Year Award in the Sci-Fi/Fantasy category for her debut YA fantasy novel North, and she has speculative short stories published in various anthologies and literary magazines, including FIYAH and Midnight & Indigo. Find her at annmichelleharris.com.
Charlaine Harris—Charlaine Harris is a NYT bestselling author. Her career has spanned forty-five years and has been translated into thirty languages. She has grandchildren, rescue dogs, and a house on a bluff above the Brazos River.
Lee Harris—Lee Harris is a multi-Hugo-nominated editor of science fiction, fantasy and horror. He was the first British editor ever to be nominated for a Hugo Award for editing. He loves the theatre (especially musicals) and if you ever invite him to karaoke, you’d better be prepared to give up that mic!
Matt Harry—Matt Harry is the author of six novels, including SORCERY FOR BEGINNERS, YOU ARE A FILMMAKER, and ASH LAND. He has worked as a TV editor, book editor, college professor, and pizza delivery technician. He co-hosts the podcast MONSTER V MONSTER with Jessica Maison. Matt lives in Los Angeles with his wife and two sons, all of whom (thankfully) like to read.
Callie Hart—Callie Hart is an obsessive romantic who loves throwing a dark twist into her stories. Her characters are imperfect, flawed individuals who dictate when she eats, sleeps, and breathes. A British expat now living in California, Callie can most likely be found sequestered away in the corner of a library, fantasizing about exciting new realms and the brooding anti-heroes who occupy them.
Jay Hartlove—Jay Hartlove is the author of the fantasy romance Mermaid Steel, which won Silver at the BookFest Awards. He also wrote the urban fantasy Goddess Rising Trilogy, which won Best Thriller at the Independent eBook Awards (endorsed by Bram Stoker Award winning author John Shirley). And he wrote the science fiction thriller The Insane God, which was a Finalist in the Chanticleer Cygnus Awards (endorsed by Hugo Award winning author David Brin). He wrote, produced and directed The Mirror’s Revenge, the musical sequel to Snow White. He was selected for 50 Authors You Should Be Reading by The Authors Show.
Jed Hartman—Jed Hartman (he/him) is a writer and editor. He’s editor-in-chief of Constellation Press, and a member of the Motherboard for the Otherwise Awards. He was the coordinator for the Hugo Awards Voter Packet in 2025 and 2026, and he was a _Strange Horizons_ fiction editor from 2000 through 2012. His extracurricular interests include logodaedaly, interdigitation, sesquipedalia, ludophilia, and lapsus linguae. His fiction and nonfiction have appeared in _All-Star Zeppelin Adventure Stories_, _Clean Sheets_, _Fishnet_, _Flytrap_, _Queers Dig Time Lords_, _Strange Horizons_, and _Wet_.
Rachel Hartman—Rachel Hartman is the author of five YA fantasy novels, most notably SERAPHINA, TESS OF THE ROAD, and AMONG GHOSTS. She lives, writes, curls, and walks her whippet in Vancouver, BC.
David Thayer, better known by the pen name Teddy Harvia (an anagram), is an American science fiction fan artist. He was born in Oklahoma but grew up in and resides in Dallas, Texas.
Teddy Harvia has won the Hugo Award for Best Fan Artist four times, and has been nominated an additional sixteen times for the award. For his service to Southern science fiction fandom, Harvia was presented the Rebel Award by the Southern Fandom Confederation in 1997 at that year's DeepSouthCon.
David Thayer was chair of the bid to host the Worldcon in Cancún, Mexico, in 2003. (The bid lost to Torcon III and the 61st World Science Fiction Convention was held in Toronto.)
Sara Hashem—Sara Hashem is the USA Today and Sunday Times bestselling author of The Jasad Heir and The Jasad Crown. An Egyptian-American writer from California, Sara has lived in five cities and three countries, but her love of fantasy and magical realms emerged during the years her family lived in Egypt. When she isn’t busy rewatching her comfort shows or desperately trying to keep her plants alive, Sara can be found buried under coffee-ringed notebooks.
Megan Haskell—Megan Haskell pens tales of myth, magic, and mayhem featuring fierce heroines and monsters of every size. She is the award-winning author of The Sanyare Chronicles, The War of the Nine Faerie Realms, and The Rise of Lilith series.
Shane Hawk—Shane Hawk is a horror writer, editor, and creator of the Native Horror Index. He serves as a contributing editor at Counterpoint Press, where he exclusively acquires and edits works by Indigenous North American writers. His writing career began in 2020 with the release of his short story collection Anoka. Hawk is the coeditor of the bestselling anthology series Never Whistle at Night and cowriter of the horror stage play The Land Has Spoken. He lives in San Diego, California, with his wife and daughter, and is an enrolled member of the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes of Oklahoma.
Patrick Nielsen Hayden—Patrick Nielsen Hayden was a full-time SF & fantasy editor at Tor Books for 37 years. For his original anthology Starlight 1 (Tor, 1996), he won a World Fantasy Award; he also won three Hugo Awards for his editorial work. With his wife, Teresa Nielsen Hayden, he's among the regular instructors at the Viable Paradise writers' workshop. He and Teresa were among the guests of honor at the 2016 Worldcon.
Teresa Nielsen Hayden—Teresa Nielsen Hayden has edited books by, among others, Poul Anderson, Avram Davidson, John M. Ford, Jane Lindskold, James White, Robert Charles Wilson, Jo Walton, and Charles Stross. At various points in her career she has also edited comic books, literary criticism, and utopian literature. Her essay collection Making Book (NESFA Press, 1994) was a finalist for the Hugo Award; for other writing and publishing, she has been a Hugo finalist four more times. In 2016 she and Patrick were guests of honor at the Worldcon. A second collection, Making Conversation, was published by NESFA Press in connection with that.
Reuben "Tihi" Hayslett—Reuben "Tihi" Hayslett is a queer storyteller, author and activist. His sci-fi novel, Orbital Bebop, is published by RIZE, an imprint of Running Wild Press. His debut short story collection was named Best Indie Fiction by Kirkus in 2019. Hayslett is currently the Executive Director of the Center for Story-based Strategy.
Morgan Hazelwood—Morgan Hazelwood writes from her lair in Northern Virginia. She's been sharing tips from the big names, the medium names, and everyone else on 'Writing Tips & Writerly Musings' since 2015, first as a blogger, now as a streamer and podcaster. An actively querying fantasy author, her short story, Just a Hike In The Woods was published by the Dark Recesses Webzine in January of 2022. When not writing, you can find her binge reading paranormal gay romances, learning to scroll saw, and taking pictures of the sky.
Kim Iverson Headlee—Former LA Basin resident Kim Iverson Headlee has been a critically acclaimed author since 1999 (Dawnflight, Simon & Schuster) and a student of Arthurian lore for more than half a century. In 2015, she became the first author to publish a sequel to any of Mark Twain's novels, and King Arthur's Sister in Washington's Court enjoyed high praise and sales rankings. Queen Morgan le Fay—the only major character Twain did not kill off—reprises her majestic glory to bring the story of Twain’s Connecticut Yankee, Hank Morgan, full circle in King Arthur's Sister: The Once and Future Queen.
CL Hellisen—
CL Hellisen lives somewhere between Scotland and the Hypnagog. Their stories and poems have appeared in The Magazine of Science Fiction and Fantasy, Apex, Shimmer, BCS, Strange Horizons, Shoreline of Infinity and others, and their work has been shortlisted for multiple awards.
Their latest novel The Shape of Monsters is a dark, gothic fantasy where two siblings are slowly corrupted by the magic they think will save them.
They like exploring rivers in cities, and drinking in pubs with crows carved into the beams and pictures of imaginary saints on the walls.
Alyc Helms—Alyc Helms likes tea, foxes, and making stuff up for fun and profit. They are the author of the Adventures of Mr. Mystic novels from Angry Robot and, as M.A. Carrick, the co-author (with Marie Brennan) of the Rook & Rose trilogy and the Sea Beyond duology from Orbit Books.
Howard V. Hendrix—Howard V. Hendrix holds a BS in Biology (Xavier University, Ohio) and MA and PhD in English Literature, the latter both from University of California, Riverside. He taught at the college level for over thirty years, the last twenty at CSU Fresno. He has published six novels and four collections of stories; has authored, coauthored, or coedited seven works of nonfiction; and has written numerous articles, reviews, and editorials. His most recent book is Living Fossils, Lost Worlds, Last Humans: The Science and Fiction of Population and Extinction (McFarland, 2026).
Timothy Henry-Rodriguez—I am a doctor of linguistics and teach and study at California State University, Fullerton. I am also on the board of the Western Institute for Endangered Language Documentation. I work with the Barbareño/Ventureño Band of Mission Indians on language revitalization. On the side, I enjoy fountain pens, coin-collecting, and conlangs.
Veronica G. Henry—Veronica G. Henry is the author of Bacchanal, The Mambo Reina and The Scorched Earth duologies, and The People's Library. Her work has debuted at #1 on multiple Amazon bestseller charts, was an editors’ pick for Best Fantasy, and shortlisted for the Silver Falchion and Manly Wade Wellman awards. She is a Viable Paradise alum. Her stories have appeared in the Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction, Tor.com, and FIYAH Literary Magazine.
Camille Hernandez—Camille Hernandez (she/they) is Anaheim’s third Poet Laureate (2024-2026), the first Black and Filipina woman to hold the position. She authored the books Motherlands (Finishing Line Press, 2025). The Hero and the Whore (Westminster John Knox Press, 2023). Camille’s writing honors the women who kept their secrets intact and their altars clean. She is a fellow of The Watering Hole, an inaugural fellow of the McCormack Writing Institute (formerly Tin House) and an inaugural fellow of Roots.Wounds.Words. In 2025, OC Register named Hernandez as one of Orange County’s 125 Most Influential People for her contributions to establishing accessible literary arts programming.
Lisa Hertel—Lisa Hertel is an artist from a long line of artists. Formerly a pharmacist, Lisa has the usual fannish breadth of trivial knowledge. Lisa likes to work with kids as well as adults and believes everyone can do art and that everyone should own original art, and works hard to make that happen. They also revel in their geekiness.
Henry Herz—Henry Herz has written short stories for Daily Science Fiction, Weird Tales, Pseudopod, Metastellar, Titan Books, Highlights for Children, Ladybug Magazine, and anthologies from Penguin-Random House, Albert Whitman, Blackstone Publishing, Third Flatiron, Brigids Gate Press, Baen Books, elsewhere. He's edited ten anthologies and written fourteen picture books. henryherz.com
Timothy Hickson—Author. Game writer for Regicide, Oathsworn, and others. Founder of Labyrinth Magazine. Mental health advocate. 100K+ books sold. 1.2M+ YouTube.
Bill Higgins—Bill Higgins is a retired physicist; formerly he was involved in the transport of high-energy particle beams at Fermilab. He has a deep interest in astronomy and spaceflight. He has also written about the history of science and the history of science fiction. As a volunteer speaker since 1999 in NASA's Solar System Ambassador program, his quest for learning has taken him to observatories, labs, and launch sites. He has been an eyewitness to spacecraft encounters with Neptune, Pluto, and the icy asteroid Arrokoth. He resides in Aurora, Illinois, not far from Chicago.
Jim Hillin—Jim Hillin has been working as a Visual Effects Artist in motion pictures since 1987, and in that same year starting writing screenplays with his writing partner, Steve. Originally from Texas, Jim came to Los Angeles as a studio musician in the late 1970s and later segued into motion picture production. He became a member of the Animation Guild in 1987 and The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences in 2002. Learning from his mentor and writing partner, Syd Field, he completed 17 screenplays in the 80s and 90s. He started writing novels in 2021, and is now doing that fulltime. His debut novel “Soimnicreolisit” is being released this Summer from Spines Publishing.
David Hirsch—David Hirsch is a husband, father, writer, and a lifelong science fiction fan. He has been attending local, national, and international SFF conventions since the 1980s. David coordinates the Phandemonium science fiction book club as well as another local SFF book group. A retired high school teacher, David created a science fiction class at his school. David has assisted with programming at local conventions and has held various staff positions at past Worldcons. He is currently working on the LACon V program communication team. A passionate Star Trek fan, David is an avid reader and viewer of all kinds of science fiction, fantasy, and related genres.
Alexander Mui (Con History)—Alex Mui is the founder of the Con History Project and TransformARTive. They are the creator of the comic series Wrath of Con which is a historical retelling of the rise of First Fandom and road to Worldcon 1939, along with So You Want to be a Con Artist, Shifter School, and Would've Bit You.
Elaine Ho—Elaine Ho is an award-winning Asian American illustrator and author. She bounces between the US and Singapore, belonging to both and neither. Her work primarily explore themes of identity and home, while also being drawn to the broken and the beautiful. She is the author of Cry, Voidbringer, which was a Lambda Literary Award finalist in LGBTQ+ Speculative Fiction. Find her work at artofelaineho.com.
Robin Hobb—Robin Hobb is best known for The Farseer Trilogy (Assassin's Apprentice, Royal Assassin and Assassin's Quest) and the sequels in The Realm of the Elderlings. Robin Hobb also writes as Megan Lindholm. In 2017, San Diego Comic Con awarded her an Inkpot award for her works. In 2021, she was awarded the World Fantasy Lifetime Achievement award.
She resides in rural Washington State and enjoys gardening on her smallholding with chickens, ducks and geese.
Emily Hockaday—Emily Hockaday (she/her) is the interim editor of Asimov's Science Fiction Magazine. She worked on both Analog Science Fiction and Fact and Asimov's Science Fiction for fifteen years.
Antonia Hodgson—Antonia Hodgson is the author of The Raven Scholar, a Sunday Times bestselling fantasy epic and the first novel in the Eternal Path trilogy. She is a finalist for the Astounding Award and the Hugo Best Novel 2026 and was also a finalist for the Locus Best Fantasy Award. She is currently working on The Raven Scholar's sequel, The Fox in Winter. Her first novel, The Devil in the Marshalsea, won the CWA Historical Dagger and was shortlisted for the Theakston Crime Novel of the Year. She lives in Kent, UK.
Merav Hoffman—Merav Hoffman (she/they) is a writer, editor, poet, singer/songwriter, activist, community organizer, game maker, crafter, and gardener. Special interests include theater and stage magic, liturgical music, sociocultural history, flowering plants and trees, and live action role playing.
Madeleine Holly-Rosing—Madeleine Holly-Rosing is the writer/creator of the steampunk supernatural graphic novel, prose, and audio drama series, Boston Metaphysical Society, the non-fiction book, Kickstarter for the Independent Creator, and the new graphic novel series, Morgana Pendragon. Boston Metaphysical Society (Vol. 1) was nominated for a Geekie Award and the Reader’s Choice Steampunk Chronicle award, and Morgana Pendragon #1 won Best Individual Issue in the inaugural Zelda Awards. Recently, she was a guest writer on Joe Benitez’s, Lady Mechanika, with the story, The Mechanical Menagerie. Issue #4 from Image Comics will be available in August 2026.
Dave Hook—I am a long time SFF fan who loves both classic and modern fiction. I have focused more on short SFF over the last 5 years. I have been writing a blog, "A Deep Look by Dave Hook", since 2022, mostly book reviews and thoughts on SFF. I came to active fandom fairly late in life.
Akua Lezli Hope—Akua Lezli Hope, a Grand Master of Fantastic Poetry (SFPA), is a multi-award-winning creator, wisdom seeker & paraplegic, in print since 1974 with 500+ poems published. Her collections include Embouchure: Poems on Jazz and Other Musics (Writer’s Digest book award), Them Gone, & Otherwheres (Elgin Award). Her honors include NEA, NYFA, NYSCA, IGNYTE, Rhysling, & Critter awards. She edited NOMBONO, the first anthology of BIPOC speculative poetry. Her new collection is TELEPATH from Gnashing Teeth Publishing. She created the ongoing Speculative Sundays Poetry Reading series, now in its 7th year. Her short fiction appears in Dark Matter, Africa Risen & AfroFuturism Short Stories, among others. A multimedia artist creating sculpture, wearables, and adornment, she sings, practices her soprano sax and hopes for the end of all suffering for all sentience. akualezlihope.com speculativepoetry.com
Andrea Horbinski—Andrea Horbinski earned her PhD in history and new media from the University of California, Berkeley. She is the author of Manga’s First Century: How Creators and Fans Made Japanese Comics, 1905-1989 (2025, University of California Press), which won the 2026 Eisner Award for Best Academic/Scholarly Work. She also serves as a judge for the Sidewise Awards.
Angela Horner—I am a biologist (PhD, MS) specializing in biomechanics, or how organisms move. I am also an avid video gamer, science fiction fan, and want nothing more than an epic TV series based on NK Jemison's Inheritance trilogy and for the Expanse series to continue on for another 20 novels. I am terrible at trivia, but it doesn't deter me from playing.
Rich Horton—Rich Horton is an editor of anthologies, including a Best of the Year collection from Prime Books that ran from 2007 through 2021, and a forthcoming anthology of philosophical SF from MIT Press. He also writes essays and reviews at his Substack.
CJ Hosack—CJ grew up in Southern California loving fantasy and science fiction. She has four children and an ever growing number of grandchildren. Adopted at eigth months old, she recently found her birth parents. She has a Masters Degree in Public History from Southern New Hampshire University, and if she's not writing you can generally find her quilting, costuming, or traveling to spend time with those she loves. She's a wannabe dress historian, and has worked with museums on historical dress recreation. The Slayer's Magic, The Traveler's Magic, and The Healer's Magic make up her Beads of Bone trilogy. You can find her at her website at cjhosack.com and on Instagram @cj_hosack.
Ariela Housman—Ariela is a lifelong fan of speculative fiction. She is a professional artist and calligrapher who does tie-in work based on novels as well as general geekery, and a three-time Hugo finalist in the Fan Artist category. Ariela is powered by tea and a desire to leave a better world for the next generation.
Solar Hoàng—Raised in the small aisle of her family’s shop in Hanoi’s Old Quarter, Solar Hoàng (she/her) writes epic family saga and grand fantasies. With a background in data analytics and engineering, her occupational hazard may include books that blend magic with science, where pain is necessary and heroes are optional.
When not writing, she’s recovering from drinking too much Vietnamese coffee. Keep up with her at @solrhoang.
Bob Hranek—6 years of USAF computer programming started my professional career, followed by 34 years as an intelligence analyst, systems engineer, and program analyst. I’m a vocal Space Exploitation Advocate, read hard-SF whenever I can, give blood six times a year (230 pints & counting!), run & drink (at the same time!) with Hash House Harrier groups, and judge several Science Fairs every year. At LAconV you’re likely to spot me in my Space-kilt on science panels. I’m also an avid Wargamer (www.EPGS.org) and a US Army “Mad Scientist”. My Worldcon Nuclear Rockets panel notes got published in Amazing Stories.
Ash Huang—Ash Huang is the author of The Secret Lives of Immortals, forthcoming in 2027 from Orbit. Her short fiction appears in Lady Churchill’s Rosebud Wristlet, Nightmare, Lightspeed, Ecotone, and elsewhere. She won the 2022 Diverse Worlds Grant from the Speculative Literature Foundation, and is a grateful alum of the Roots. Wounds. Words. Workshop, the Tin House Winter Workshop and Reading Fellowship, and the Periplus Fellowship. She is currently a Brown Handler Resident with Friends of the San Francisco Public Library and an editor at Orion’s Belt.
Jennifer Hudak—Jennifer Hudak is a Nebula Award winner and Hugo Award finalist whose work can be found in The Best American Science Fiction and Fantasy, Strange Horizons, Lightspeed, The Sunday Morning Transport, and Lady Churchill's Rosebud Wristlet. Originally from Boston, she now lives with her family in Upstate New York where she teaches yoga, knits pocket-sized animals, and misses the ocean.
Storm Humbert—Storm Humbert lives with his wife, Casey, son, Sylas, and their cats, Nugget and Honey Mustard, in Michigan. In his free time, Storm likes to be with his wife, play games, and work out. His writing has appeared in Andromeda Spaceways, Interzone, Apex, Galaxy’s Edge, and other magazines, along with many anthologies. He is also a winner of the Writers of the Future contest and has work forthcoming from other markets. Storm and some friends also own and operate a small press: Calendar of Fools. Their most recent project, and Storm's editorial debut, “Intergalactic Rejects,” released June 20, 2025, and their third anthology, "Missed-Fits" is due out at the end of this year.
Elaine Hungenberg—Elaine Hungenberg is Senior Vice President of Partnerships and Impact at XPRIZE, where she leads efforts to deliver large-scale competitions and to measure their real-world impact. With two decades of experience in impact evaluation, she develops frameworks that track not only groundbreaking solutions, but what works—and why. Her work ensures prize-backed innovations are rigorously tested, scalable, and ready for application. A champion of catalytic partnerships, Elaine unites diverse stakeholders to accelerate transformative ideas. She brings a commitment to systems-level thinking and a belief in bold, data-driven solutions to shift the trajectory of our shared future.
Anastasia Hunter—Anastasia Hunter is a Master Class costumer and droid builder with a passion for science fiction, fantasy, and steamy things that go bump in the night. During the week she can be found working for the California Dept. of Transportation as an eminent domain and Utility relocation specialist. By night she moonlights as a 30 year veteran con runner, 501st Tusken Raider, avid 3D printer, a half-elven pirate D&D gamer, National Park enthusiast, and card carrying member of AARP.
Hyeonsu—Hyeonsu Kim is a master’s student in English Language and Literature at Chungbuk National University in South Korea. Her research examines disability, trauma, and agency in contemporary literature and speculative fiction. She has presented at the 2025 BK Graduate Student Conference and the 2026 annual conference of the British Society for Literature and Science in Glasgow.
Somto Ihezue is a writer and filmmaker. He is an MFA fellow in Creative Writing at the University of Maryland. Somto writes about longing, spirits, land, and joy in Igbo communities. His work has won the Locus Award and The Perkoff Prize, and has been a finalist for the Nebula Award, the British Fantasy Award, the Ignyte, the Nommo, and the ALCS Tom-Gallon Trust Award. His writing has appeared and is forthcoming in Clarkesworld, Reckoning, Strange Horizons, Beneath Ceaseless Skies, PodCastle and others. He is the co-editor of Will This Be a Problem? The Anthology.
Rebecca Inch-Partridge—Rebecca Inch-Partridge works as a freelance editor for over eight years. She wrote her first novel, Saver Rebecca Meets Captain Kirk, when she was in 3rd grade. Since then, she’s gone on to have three novels published. Abby’s Fire: A Mt. Prospect Mystery is a paranormal, mystery, romance that she co-authored with her aunt. Escaping the Dashia and the sequel Hunting the Dashia are YA science fantasy novels set in the Paraxous Star Cluster. Rebecca is also a writing coach and a writing instructor, who teaches a “Write that Book in Ten Week” workshop through Sierra College. She loves helping writers turn their lumps of coal into diamonds. Ripartridge.com
Pedro Iniguez is a Mexican-American Bram Stoker, Elgin, and Dwarf Stars Award-winning science fiction and horror writer from Los Angeles, California. Pedro’s expansive work covers poetry, short fiction, novels, children’s literature, comics, nonfiction, and essays.
He is the author of Mexicans on the Moon: Speculative Poetry from a Possible Future, The Build-A-Monster Workshop, Fever Dreams of a Parasite, Echoes and Embers: Speculative Stories, and The Fib, his debut picture book, among others.
Apart from leading writing workshops and speaking at several colleges, he has also been a sensitivity reader and has ghostwritten for award-winning apps and online clients.Michael Ireland—Michael is a disabled, award-winning audio director known for his work on The Secret of St. Kilda and a department editor for the Strange Horizons. Based near Glasgow, Scotland, Michael works with audio for fiction, film and podcasts.
Iro—Iro is a nerd’s nerd who has been teaching fictional space languages since their first immersion Belter workshop at Worldcon in Helsinki. Previously a voracious but solitary reader, they have enjoyed becoming a tremendously involved part of the SFF community through The Expanse. More recently, they fell in love with Andor, adding the language of Ghorman to their Languages of Resistance workshop series. Previously educated and employed in physics, computer science, and early music performance, Iro is finally going back to school in the subject that should have been obvious from the start: linguistics.
Russell Isler—As a child, Russell’s fate was sealed the evening his parents took him to see Star Wars. Practically obsessed with spaceships, robots and dragons for his entire life, he pursued a career in animation. Eventually he stumbled into a new group of friends, who went on to create the award winning web-series Adventures of the League of S.T.E.A.M. The League also gave him his first taste of writing, winning “Best Screenplay” in the 2017 Dublin Web Festival as a result. Encouraged by that experience, he finally got around to writing his first book.
James Islington—James Islington is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Will of the Many (the first novel in the Hierarchy series), The Licanius Trilogy (beginning with The Shadow of What Was Lost), and Scion. He has sold more than three million books, and his work has been translated into twenty-seven different languages. He lives on the Mornington Peninsula in Victoria, Australia, with his wife and two children.
Sara Itka—Sara Itka is a born and raised South Floridian, meaning she believes “Fall” is when a hurricane comes and blows leaves off the trees. When she isn't working through her seemingly infinite To Be Read list, she can usually be found procrastinating working on her seemingly infinite To Be Written list. Her favorite procrastination methods include procrasti-linguistics, procrasti-making-youtube playlists-for-projects, procrasti-dancing-to-the-playlists, and procrasti-brewing-tea. If you want to help her procrastinate, come find her at saraitka.com!
J.V.Jones—JV a USA Today bestselling Epic Fantasy writer of the Sword of Shadows series. Her books have been published in 10 languages
Gloria Jackson-Nefertiti—Gloria Jackson-Nefertiti is a Black bisexual autistic elder, workshop facilitator, and creator of transformative discussions about neurodivergence (specifically autism and ADHD/ADD), consent, polyamory, shame, and intersectionality. Her work centers inclusive, compassionate storytelling that helps people feel seen, affirmed, and connected. Finally, she is hard at work on her memoir, "A Different Drum: A Black, Autistic, Polyamorous, Mentally Ill, Former Fundamentalist Christian/Cult Member and Breast Cancer Survivor WHO JUST WANTS TO FIT IN."
Maquel A. Jacob—Maquel A. Jacob writes fluid beings in an ocean of stars with a little bit of romance and a touch of gore. Originally from the Windy City of Chicago, she now resides in Oregon. She is the author of three different series and has short stories in various anthologies and magazines. Her degrees are in Accounting, Business Administration, and Digital Film and Video. Member of SFWA, PNWA, NIWA, and ALLi.
As a big advocate for diversity, Maquel injects elements in her stories geared to encourage new ways of thinking through Sci-Fi, Fantasy and the Paranormal.
She is a HUGE Anime fan, loves a great bottle of wine, and rocks out to heavy metal music while spinning imaginary worlds in her head and daydreaming.
Lincoln James—Lincoln James is a New York–based author of six thrillers — psychological, speculative, and dark. His books, including The Vanishing Eight, All the Time, and We Are Human, blend vintage atmosphere with modern dread: time travel and grief, bodily autonomy and evolution gone wrong, small towns hiding unspeakable things. A college professor specializing in communication and public speaking, he writes about identity, survival, and pasts that refuse to stay buried. His work has been featured by the Associated Press and national broadcast affiliates. Vintage Thrillers. Modern Nightmares.
Madeline James—Madeline James is a fantasy author and worldbuilding content creator. Her first book, Because the Beasts Came, was published this year. She is best known for her worldbuilding YouTube channel, MadelineJamesWorldbuilds, running the online worldbuilding conference the Worldbuilding Festival and the in-person conference SpecCon.
JD—Table top gamer since 1975. Part of some original AD&D development. Publishing my own TTRPG. US Army 30 years, combat veteran/infantry, cavalry, special forces & intelligence. US Army War College graduate. 8 Tainted Patriot poetry collections published. Fictional world creator, some stories go back 50 years. 5 Metaerie books currently available, 3 others in progress. Frequent speaker on fantasy, military and writing.
Tad Daley, JD, PhD—Tad Daley, JD, PhD, is currently President of the Americans for Democratic Action Foundation of Southern California, and a member of an expert commission now endeavoring to frame a “Second United Nations Charter.” He has advised and collaborated with three members of the U.S. House of Representatives and two United States senators on policies designed to pursue the global public good. He spent many years at both UCLA and the RAND Corporation think tank. He’s author of the book Apocalypse Never: Forging the Path to a Nuclear Weapon-Free World from Rutgers University Press. And he hopes in his lifetime to see the end of eternal arms races between separate sovereign states, the abolition of war, and the unification of humankind.
Ai Jiang—Ai Jiang is a Chinese-Canadian writer, Ignyte, Bram Stoker, and Nebula Award winner, and Hugo, Astounding, Locus, Aurora, and BFSA Award finalist from Changle, Fujian currently residing in Toronto, Ontario. Her work can be found in F&SF, The Dark, Clarkesworld, The Masters Review, Prairie Fire, Ex-Puritan, among others. She is the recipient of Odyssey Workshop's 2022 Fresh Voices Scholarship and the author of A Palace Near the Wind, Linghun and I AM AI. Find her at www.aijiang.ca
Adan Jimenez—Adan Jimenez (he/they) is a writer, translator, and prose, comics, and localization editor. They are the proud child of Mexican immigrant parents and became an immigrant themself when they moved to Singapore. They are co-editor of Free to Play: A Video Games Anthology, the co-author of the Sherlock Sam children’s mystery series, a graduate of the Clarion West Six-Week Workshop Class of 2026. Their short story “Blind Date” was included in Best New Singaporean Short Stories Volume 7.
CARMILLA JO—Carmilla Jo is a San Francisco Bay Area-based cosplayer and model. She has been featured on magazine covers, and is available for diverse opportunities, including cosplay appearances and campaigns, animation projects, video games, and audiobook narration. Her corporate brand clients include Adult Swim, Riot Games, T-Mobile, and Penguin Teen. She is also a UC Berkeley alumni, a current Master’s student at Brown University, and an author represented by Aevitas Creative Management Literary Agency under the name Jo Wu.
Brittany Johnson—Brittany Johnson is a romantasy author, journalist, and creative based in Southern California.
Erik M. Johnson—Erik has been creating stories since he could read and write. Encouraged by high-school writing and literature teachers, he decided to become a professional author one day. That day, as it turns out, just happened to be a couple of decades later. Now that he’s a short story author, he’s threatening to write a novel. He enjoys public speaking because he is odd that way. Erik is a graduate of Taos Toolbox. Erik thinks referring to himself in the third person is strange and is getting tired of starting sentences with ‘Erik.’
Lauren C. Johnson—Lauren C. Johnson attributes her upbringing in Florida, America's weirdest state, to her interest in the ecological and surreal. She's the author of The West Facade (SFWP, 2026) and lives in San Francisco, where she co-hosts Babylon Salon, a quarterly Bay Area reading series, and Club Chicxulub, a speculative reading and performance series.
Micaiah Johnson—Micaiah Johnson is the Compton Crook and Carl Brandon Award-winning author of The Space Between Worlds. Her debut novel was a Sunday Times Bestseller, an Editors’ Choice at The New York Times and was named one of best books of 2020 and one of the best science fiction books of the last decade by NPR. Her follow-up novel, Those Beyond the Wall, has been named one of NPR’s Best Books of 2024 and was a finalist for the Ursula Le Guin Prize. In her academic life she studies race, the unhuman, and death — topics she explores in her upcoming horror novel, The Unhaunting.
Janet Catherine Johnston—Janet Catherine Johnston is an astrophysicist, geophysicist, engineer, and alumna of MIT. She worked for the US Air Force as a space scientist, including a stint at the Pentagon and a 4-year assignment in Europe, traveling to over 60 countries. She is a dance teacher, singer, master costume designer, martial artist, private pilot, and fortune teller. Her novellas appeared in Analog Science Fiction and Fact and she writes plays and screenplays. Her hard science fiction stories have been described as a kind of “Lovecraft meets Arthur C. Clarke.” Janet lives on Plum Island with her Siberian Husky.
Claire E. Jones—As an award-winning author, international speaker, and experienced strategist who has been in the publishing industry since 2006, Claire E. Jones (she/her) specializes in unconventional strategies to gain visibility ethically and efficiently. Her novels have sold in six countries, been picked up by bookstores across the U.S., and ranked at #81 in her Ingram genre category. She works from Seattle WA, where she lives with her precious pup, Karma.
Heather Rose Jones—Heather Rose Jones writes queer fantasy and historical fiction, including the Alpennia series and the fairy-tale novella The Language of Roses, as well as multiple short stories. She has non-fiction publications on topics ranging from biotech to historic costume to naming practices and creates the Lesbian Historic Motif Project blog and podcast, presenting research on sapphic themes history as a resource for authors writing historic-based fiction.
Tabitha Jorgensen—Tabitha Lord’s indie-published science fiction novel, HORIZON, won the Writer’s Digest Grand Prize in 2016. She has short fiction published with World-Weaver Press, Grimbold Books, Inkd Publishing and on podcasts including Tales to Terrify and Starship Sofa. Under the pen name Maggie Clare, she writes all the steamy stuff including romantic suspense, contemporary romance, and dark erotic romance. Tabitha is the past Vice President of the Association of RI Authors (ARIA) and a partner and senior writer at Book Club Babble, a top-searched website for reviews and book club questions. Tabitha has presented at writing conferences and moderated numerous panels at Comic Cons and World Cons, and while she doesn’t cosplay, she does fangirl. She’s a recovering nomad, having spent the last three years exploring the country in an RV with her husband and menagerie of fur babies. She’s recently settled in Pasadena, CA where she’s focused on completing her MFA at Western Colorado University.
Kalyn Josephson—Kalyn Josephson is a NYT Bestselling author, sometimes-baker, and full-time consumer of too much tea. She lives on the California coast with two tiny black cats in a house in constant need of repair. She is the author of the Ravenfall series, The Storm Crow duology, the This Dark Descent duology, and The Library of Amorlin.
Ronald W Kaiser—Ron Kaiser ;has taught high school and college writing classes for 20 years. His teaching and writing have been featured on the Chicken Soup for the Soul podcast, NH Chronicle, NH Magazine, and other places. He published his debut fantasy novel, Mystralhaven, this year, through Fantastic Books out of New York, and he has published more stories in Chicken Soup for the Soul than anyone--20. He is a regular at Boskone in Boston, and will presenting his book as well as moderating panels there this February. He has had many adventures as a teacher. He has been surrounded by the police on a field trip, and he once chased a completely naked student (who painted red from head to toe, and who had invaded their homecoming pep rally) through the streets. He is also a veteran of the Army National Guard, though the only action he saw was punching an aggressive raccoon. He lives and teaches in Moultonborough New Hampshire with his forgiving wife, incredible son, and incorrigible cats.
Danielle Kane—Danielle Kane is the Computational Research Librarian at University of California, Irvine. She manages and supports the Programming Workshop Series, teaching introductory workshops in R, Python, Git and Unix. She also supports faculty, students, and staff with GIS.
A. L. Kaplan—A. L. Kaplan's love of books started as a child and sparked a creative imagination. Born on a cold winter morning in scenic northern New Jersey, she is the author of the novel, Star Touched, and several short stories including Hummingbird and Mark of the Goddess, which includes original illustrations. She is a member of the Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers Association, is the past president of Maryland Writers' Association, and holds an MFA in sculpture from the Maryland Institute College of Art. When not writing or indulging in her fascination with wolves, this proud mother of two lives in Maryland with her husband and dog. Learn more about A. L. at ALKaplanAuthor.com, @ALKaplanAuthor on social media.
Eric Linus Kaplan—I have written for science television programs such as Futurama and Krapopolis and my science fiction writing has appeared in the New York Times and several anthologies. My first novel "The Legend of the Wolf Whale" is being published by Rare Bird Press. I am from Brooklyn, New York and in addition to writing I have a sideline as a philosopher studying Buddhism, existentialism and the philosophy of artificial. I have a Ph.D. from UC Berkeley and a podcast "Terrifying Questions and How not to be Terrified By Them."
Mat Kaplan—Mat has been with The Planetary Society for nearly 27 years, with 20 of these as the creator, host and producer of Planetary Radio. He now serves as Senior Communications Adviser.
Heidi Kasa is the author of the poetry collection The Bullet Takes Forever, the flash fiction collection The Beginners, winner of the 2023 Digging Press Chapbook Contest, and Split. She received the 2024 Plaza Prose Poetry Prize and the 2023 Poetry Super Highway Prize for poems from The Bullet Takes Forever. Kasa's work has appeared in Barrelhouse, The Brooklyn Rail, The Pinch Journal, and elsewhere. She works as an editor in Austin and creates handmade artist books. She has edited for 20 years in a wide range of book genres and materials. Find her at www.heidikasa.com.
Greg Kasavin—Greg Kasavin is creative director at Supergiant Games, where he has worked on the writing and design of each of the studio's titles, including Bastion, Transistor, Pyre, Hades, and Hades II. Prior to Supergiant, Kasavin worked in publishing at 2K Games, as a producer on the Command & Conquer franchise at Electronic Arts, and as editor-in-chief of GameSpot.com. Born in Moscow, he has lived in the San Francisco Bay Area since early childhood. He holds a B.A. in English literature from U.C. Berkeley.
Shay Kauwe—Shay Kauwe is a Native Hawaiian author from Hawaiʻi. Her debut novel The Killing Spell (Saga/Solaris) was the first traditionally published adult fantasy novel by a Hawaiian writer. Her modern gothic, House of Salt (Saga), is forthcoming. Shay holds a M.Ed, was named an NCTE Early Educator of Color in 2021, and received an E OLA award from the Hawaiian Council in 2022. A member of Pacific Islanders in Publishing, Shay works to amplify the voices of writers from the Pacific.
Elliott Kay—Elliott Kay is the author of the military sci-fi series Poor Man's Fight and the fun, steamy urban fantasy series Good Intentions. He's lived in Seattle for a couple decades, but his roots are in Los Angeles and it still shows.
Andra Keay—I am the Director of Silicon Valley Robotics and the Robotics Fellow at Singularity University. I have delivered keynotes at major tech conferences around the world. I speak about robots and startups, the commercialization and promise of robotics, the potential impact of robotics on society, career journeys in the emerging deep tech sector, human-robot interaction and ethics, and on creating intentional innovation communities to maximize our potential.
Anne Keck—Anne Keck writes speculative fiction of many flavors and is published in several short story anthologies. She's working on several novels, one of which will be her debut! Anne believes in ocean swimming, outrigger paddling, live music, public libraries, climate action, feminism, inclusivity, and cooking as an expression of love. Originally from Sonoma County, California, she and her husband now call Maui home. Find Anne in the ocean at Kahekili Beach or at her website, www.annekeck.com
Yvette Keller—Yvette Keller is the planet earth authority on Douglas Adams literary tourism, the 2023 Towel Day Ambassador, and the author of Douglas Adams’ London guide from Herb Lester and Associates. Her short fiction leans toward SF/Fantasy at an extravagantly relaxed angle. You can find her work in literary magazines such as Enheduanna, Imitation Fruit Literary Magazine, and The Santa Barbara Literary Journal. For fun, Yvette time travels in self-made historical costumes, reads constantly, and performs in short-form improv and live storytelling shows. She lives in the world of the television phenomenon, Psych, finding contract work as a business consultant, an industrial voiceover professional, and a holistic detective.
Dave Kellett—A 2026 Hugo Nominee for Best Professional Artist, Dave Kellett is the cartoonist of the sci-fi graphic novel DRIVE -- which blends high stakes wih hijinx. He's also the cartoonist of the comic strip SHELDON, the co-director of the comics documentary STRIPPED and the co-host of the podcast COMICLAB. He's a three-time Eisner Award nominee, has won the Silver Reuben Award for cartooning, and lives in Los Angeles.
James Patrick Kelly—James Patrick Kelly has won two World Science Fiction Society’s Hugo Awards as well as the Science Fiction Writers of America’s Nebula Award and the Locus Award. Already in 2026 he has published robot stories in Reactor and Clarkesworld. A new collection of his robot stories The BOOK OF BOTS will debut at LAcon from Fairwood Press. His fiction has been translated into eighteen languages. He writes a column on SF and the internet for Asimov's Science Fiction Magazine.
Keala Kendall is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of How Far I’ll Go and Nobody Gets Left Behind in Disney's A Twisted Tale series. Her horror debut, That Which Feeds Us: A Hawaiian Gothic, was a Reese Witherspoon Sunnie Reads Select pick and featured in BuzzFeed and Parade.
A Hapa Native Hawaiian living in diaspora, she cofounded Pacific Islanders in Publishing and was an organizer of the Books for Maui charity auction.
Marguerite Kenner—Marguerite is a dual-national American living in the UK. She's the President and CEO of the Escape Artists Foundation, a US 501(c)(3) nonprofit bringing free and accessible audio short fiction to a global audience. A practicing lawyer, Marguerite also loves performing in audio dramas and podcasts, community organizing, and teaching legal and business skills to independent creatives.
Leah Kesselman—Leah is a sci-fi/fantasy fan whose love of the genre led her to a career in biotech. Her research interests include antibodies, cell and gene therapy, and hydrogels for drug delivery. She's excited to discuss all kinds of STEM updates and, of course, books!
Brandon Ketchum—Brandon Ketchum is a speculative fiction writer from Pittsburgh, PA who enjoys putting a weird spin or strange vibe into every story, dark or light. He is a member of SFWA and the Horror Writers Association, and his work has been published with Air and Nothingness Press, Perihelion, Mad Scientist Journal, and many other publications, including the short story collections Legio Damnati and its sequel Civili Bellum.
Justin C. Key—Justin C. Key is a practicing psychiatrist and a speculative fiction writer. A graduate of Clarion West 2015, he is the author of the story collection The World Wasn’t Ready for You, and his stories have appeared in the Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction, Strange Horizons, Escape Pod, Lightspeed, and on Tor.com. His debut sci-fi novel, The Hospital at the End of the World, is out now from HarperCollins.
Scott Kilburn—Scott Kilburn is the author of the dark fantasy novels “Summoning a Lost Fey’ and ‘Consort to a Dark Fey’. He was inspired to write the novels after trips to Scotland researching ghosts, the fey, and other spirits. He is also a visual effects artist and supervisor who has worked on over fifty features, television, and streaming productions including ‘Life of Pi’, Peter Jackson’s ‘King Kong’, ‘Doom Patrol’, and ‘Twisted Metal’. He lives in Southern California with his wife and a cat-sized dog. When he’s not writing he enjoys searching for unique single malt scotches as the spirits move him.
Isabel J. Kim—Isabel J. Kim is a speculative fiction author who lives near New York City in an apartment filled with books and swords. Her short fiction has won the Nebula, Locus, and Shirley Jackson Awards, was a finalist for the Hugo and Sturgeon Awards, and she has previously been a finalist for the Astounding Award. She has been published in Clarkesworld, Lightspeed, and Strange Horizons, among other venues, and has been reprinted in multiple best of the year anthologies, including Best American Science Fiction and Fantasy ‘23, ‘24, and ‘25, translated into Chinese and Japanese, and optioned for film and television. She is a two-time graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, and is delighted that she uses the creative writing degree more than the law degree. When she’s not writing, she’s either co-hosting her internet culture podcast, Wow if True, or contemplating returning to her biglaw career.
Wilson Kincaid—Wilson Kincaid is a Los Angeles-based science fiction author and futurist whose work explores the intersection of technology and humanity. With a decades-long, award winning career in the entertainment industry (as Eric Wilson), he has contributed to some of the most innovative and technologically advanced projects across film and television, including The Matrix, The Marvel Universe, and the opening of The Sphere in Las Vegas, among many others. He currently works at Flawless AI developing tools for filmmakers to re-articulate the mouths to match new dialogue. His debut novel, The Murder Algorithm, has been praised for its seamless integration of complex technological concepts into a gripping narrative, drawing comparisons to the speculative storytelling found in Black Mirror. It has won recognition and placed as a semi-finalist in international competitions. Kincaid writes that "science fiction serves as a medium to pose significant questions, with compelling stories providing entertaining, thought-provoking, and revealing insights into human nature and our future."
Cara King—Cara King is a caller and organizer of English country dance (ECD) and historical dance events in Southern California. For over a decade she has been an ECD caller with Monrovia English Country Dance in Los Angeles County, and for many years she has been active with the Historical Tea And Dance Society (HTDS) in Pasadena, California, as a caller, organizer, dancer, and choreographer. With HTDS she co-created their annual Middle-Earth themed Moonlight Summer Ball, and she uses her years of research of Jane Austen, Regency England, and Regency dance when she calls their annual Jane Austen Tea Social. She has called dance events for the Southwest Region of the Jane Austen Society of North America and for the Beau Monde Regency chapter of the Romance Writers of America.
Matt King—Matt is the author of six novels, all set in the world created by the Circle War series, featuring new myths and Greek retellings. He's a lover of mythology and women's soccer, which is to say he's a fan of goddesses.
Sharon King—Sharon Diane King (Ph.D., UCLA Comparative Literature) is Associate at UCLA's CMRS and a scholar, writer, translator, and since 1990 the director of the early modern theatre troupe Les Enfans Sans Abri. Her fiction has appeared in Die Laughing, Dark Recesses Press, Galaxy's Edge, Kaleidotrope, Creepy Podcast, All Due Respect, and several anthologies by both Third Flatiron Press and Dragon's Roost Press. Her latest academic work appears in The Post Zombie: Essays on the Current and Future State of the Walking Dead (McFarland 2025). She is owned by two small but formidable dragons.
Alex Kingsley—Alex Kingsley (they/them) is a writer, comedian, game designer, and playwright. They are a co-founder of the new media company Strong Branch Productions. They are the author of Empress of Dust, Relic of Haven and The Strange Garden and Other Weird Tales, as well as short fiction appearing in Translunar Travelers Lounge, Radon Journal, Sci-Fi Lampoon, and more. Alex’s sci-fi plays have been produced in LA, Philadelphia, and Chicago. Alex’s SFF-related non-fiction has appeared in Strange Horizons, Interstellar Flight Magazine, and Ancillary Review of Books. Alex is currently a graduate student studying speculative fiction at the University of Illinois Chicago.
Benjamin C. Kinney—Benjamin C. Kinney is a SFF writer, neuroscientist, and former assistant editor of Escape Pod. His short stories have previously appeared in Analog, Lightspeed, Strange Horizons, and elsewhere. You can find him and his work across the internet via linktr.ee/benckinney.
Jack R. Kiraly—Jack Kiraly is the Director of Government Relations for The Planetary Society, the world's largest independent space advocacy nonprofit. In this role, Jack leads the organization's D.C. presence, implementing The Society’s advocacy strategy, maintaining relationships with elected officials and key decision makers, organizing events to foster community engagement, and serving as the eyes and ears of the organization in the nation’s capital. A key goal of Jack’s is to use this opportunity to not only involve the scientific community in the policy-making process, but to also engage and empower members of the general public to take action to support space science and exploration. Prior to joining The Planetary Society, Jack worked in electoral politics and community organizing. This experience gives him a skillset of working with various constituencies, building diverse coalitions, and mobilizing activists to successfully advocate for their values. Jack graduated from American University with a Bachelor's degree in Political Science and Master of Public Policy degree focusing in Science & Space Policy.
Breeann Kyte Kirby—With master's degrees in literature, molecular biology, and creative writing and a PhD in creative writing, Breeann Kyte Kirby is a master of all trades and doctor of one. A former research biologist on how the hepatitis C virus talks to our cells, Breeann keeps her science legs by collaborating with microbial ecologists. She has a forthcoming popular science book from MIT Press (Fall 2027) that looks at bacteriophage/bacterial host dynamics in the human ecosystem and how these interactions affect your health, disease, weight and mental state. Breeann loves science and the arts, keeping herself grounded in both fields by facilitating collaborations between artists and scientists to communicate research beautifully and accurately. She is also a professor of creative writing and environmental studies at a small liberal arts college in San Diego. Her (short) works have been published in places like The Scientist, City Creatures, Orion magazine’s “Place Where You Live,” The Eeel, Diagram, Embark, and as an NFT in The Tickle.
Tim Kirk is a designer and illustrator with wide experience in a broad media spectrum—from theme park and museum exhibit design to book illustration and greeting cards. Tim’s first job out of college was with Hallmark Cards, Inc., where he worked as a greeting card designer. In 1980 he joined the Walt Disney Company as an Imagineer—first as an employee (for 22 years), and currently as a contractor. Tim was also a partner in Kirk Design Incorporated, which designed and produced (among other projects) the Science Fiction Museum and Hall of Fame in Seattle for Paul Allen.
Tim is a five-time winner of the prestigious Hugo Award for science fiction and fantasy fan art. Professionally, he has illustrated stories by L. Sprague de Camp, Lord Dunsany, Robert E. Howard, Darryl Schweitzer, Lin Carter, Mary Elizabeth Counselman, L. Frank Baum, Harlan Ellison, Ray Bradbury and Fritz Leiber. He was the first American artist to illustrate the J.R.R. Tolkien Calendar for Ballantine Books (published in 1975), and more of his Tolkien work is featured in the Greisinger Museum in Switzerland. In 2024, two of Tim’s illustration projects have just been published: The Knight and Knave of Swords by Fritz Leiber from Centipede Press, and The Complete John the Balladeer by Manly Wade Wellman from Haffner Press. Tim’s illustrations for the long awaited The Last Dangerous Visions, edited by Harlan Ellison, will appear later in 2024.
Tim was a principal designer on Tokyo DisneySea and the Disney-MGM Studio Tour theme park for Walt Disney World. He also did design work for the 2003 Walt Disney Pictures production, The Haunted Mansion. Other clients include Thinkwell Design and Production, The Hettema Group, Zeitgeist Design and Production, Rethink Leisure and Entertainment, Henson Associates, the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, the University of Notre Dame, Ghirardelli Chocolate, the Parsonage of Aimee Semple McPherson (in Los Angeles), the National Tourist Administration of China, The Lotte Group, and the Mini Time Machine of Miniatures in Tucson, Arizona.
Yume Kitasei—Yume Kitasei (www.yumekitasei.com) is a Japanese and American writer of science fiction. She is the author of three novels, Saltcrop, The Stardust Grail, and The Deep Sky. Her books have been published in half a dozen languages, included in "Best of the Year" lists by The Washington Post, NPR, and Kirkus, and shortlisted for the Libby and Goodreads Choice. She lives in Brooklyn with two cats, Boondoggle and Filibuster, and chirps occasionally @Yumewrites at Instagram and Blue Sky.
Marcin "Alqua" Klak—A fan, and conrunner from Poland. Loves reading, playing tabletop games, and attending conventions. He also publishes two fanzines, and writes a blog about cons and fandom: www.FandomRover.com. In 2018 he was a GUFF delegate during Continuum convention in Melbourne, Australia.
Elizabeth Klein-Lebbink—Elizabeth is a long time fan who typically runs art show, but has been branching out again to other aspects of con-running. She is part of SCIFI, where she works with other judges on creating the Roster award banners seen at many a worldcon and at Loscon. She is also a Dorsai Irregular, and she works as an aerospace engineer in her other life.
Anastasia Klimchynskaya—I am a Visiting Assistant Professor of English at Illinois Wesleyan University, with a focus on 19th-century literature and science fiction (and thus, the emergence of sci-fi in the 19th century). I have taught and presented broadly on these topics for the past decade.
Leslie S Klinger—Leslie S. Klinger is the New York Times best-selling, multi-award winning author editor of annotated editions of the Sherlock Holmes stories, Dracula, Frankenstein, the works of H.P. Lovecraft, as well as Sandman and Watchmen
Chris Kluwe—Chris Kluwe is a former NFL player who spent 8 years with the Minnesota Vikings, setting multiple team records, is the author of "Beautifully Unique Sparkleponies," "Otaku," and "Shades of Forever," is the lead designer of the tabletop card game "Twilight of the Gods," advocates relentlessly for social justice and empathy, once wrestled a bear for a pot of gold, and occasionally lies in his bios to see if anyone is actually paying attention.
Melissa Kocias—Melissa is a long-time professional cat herder, as well as a reader, writer, fencer, dancer, and time traveler extraordinaire. She has worked in event running for over 25 years (including professional and fan-run events), and has served on the executive boards of multiple non-profits. She also worked for a time in 1848, and still likes to make her own writing ink.
An avid moss gardener, painter, and needleworker, Melissa delights in creating and tending to tiny things, and has been described as being aggressively whimsical. She is a delicate alpine flower who would much rather live somewhere above the 55th parallel.
She is a staunch defender of the serial comma, and believes that you can have it when you take it from her cold, clenched, dead hands.
Gregory Kontaxis—Gregory Kontaxis was born in December 1989 in Athens. He studied Informatics and Financial Mathematics in Greece and the United Kingdom and has worked as a Risk Analyst in Vienna and London. He currently resides in London, where he is occupied with investment risk and writing. A lifelong admirer of Greek mythology, Gregory aims to revive ancient myths through modern fantasy in his books. He is the author of The Dance of Light, a planned pentalogy. The first book, The Return of the Knights, was followed by his novella The Knight of the Moon. He later published the second and third installments of the series, The Fall of the Giants and The Rise of the West. His fourth novel in the series, The Sin of War, is forthcoming in 2026.
Catherine Koon—I started my career as a graphic artist freelancing for several TV Stations in the Denver area. I put blind trust in fate as a single mom with two, moving to LA, not knowing a soul in the late 80’s. By 1990, I was a painter on my first movie. I worked on several movies as a painter and continued to freelance graphic design. I worked on every soap opera in town, I painted for Disney Theme parks, I painted the Rose Parade Floats. I worked on a Taiwan Theme park parade in Taipei . Scenic art and painting has taken me to places I never would have imagined. Currently , I’m the lead graphic artist for General Hospital.
Nikhil Koparkar is a composer known for creating compelling scores for Film, Television, and Gaming. He is best known for composing "The Hills of Tanchico," the breakout musical number from Amazon's hit fantasy series The Wheel of Time, which has since accumulated millions of streams, spawned fan cover versions, and inspired JordanCon, the world's premier Wheel of Time convention, to name their 2026 event TanchiCon in its honor. The song was nominated for an SCL Award alongside industry luminaries such as Ludwig Göransson, Diane Warren, Ed Sheeran and John Mayer.
His work on the psychological horror film Dead Whisper, released theatrically, earning him a nomination for the prestigious SCL Awards in the David Raksin Award for Emerging Talent category.
In 2023, he wrote the official main theme for Riot Games’ League Of Legends - Lunar New Year Campaign, which is featured in all their videos, in-game, as well as the foundation for other composers’ music
He previously worked as an additional composer alongside Lorne Balfe at 14th Street Music, writing and arranging music on TV shows like Netflix’s Life On Our Planet, Amazon’s The Wheel Of Time, HBO’s His Dark Materials, and the Hulu docu-series, Victoria’s Secret: Angels & Demons.
Mari KOTANI—Science fiction and fantasy critic. She won the 15th Japan Science Fiction Award for her book Techno-gynesis : Women’s SF and Feminism Criticism (Keisō Shobō, 1994) and the 2nd Japan Translation Award in the Philosophy category for her co-translation of Cyborg Feminism by Donna Haraway et al. (Treville, 1991).
She writes the science fiction and fantasy Book Review in the Thursday evening edition of the Nihon Keizai Shimbun; The Nikkei.
Although she is a professional critic known for her feminist analysis of pop culture, she has been an avid science fiction fan active in the fandom since high school. She is part of the first generation of Japanese Cosplay and was the first to introduce American Slash Fiction to the Japanese genre BL. In recognition of her unique fan activities, she received the 2021 Takumi Shibano Japan SF Fandom Award. She is a member of the F&HF Fan Club “Rolarius” and The Japanese Association for Gender Fantasy & Science Fiction. Through the latter, she has promoted the Sense of Gender Award ; Japanese Tiptree Award, which selects the best gender SF works of the year, since 2001. She served as chair of the Women Writers’ Committee of the Japan PEN Club (2003–2011).
Kat Kourbeti—Kat Kourbeti is a queer Greek/Serbian speculative fiction writer, culture critic, narrator and podcaster based in London, UK. She is a Hugo and British Fantasy Award-winning Senior Podcast Editor at Strange Horizons magazine, hosts The Write Song Podcast, and writes about SFF arts and theatre for the BSFA. She also organises Spectrum Writers, London's longest running SFFH critique and community group, while her day job is in theatre. Find her on all social media as @darthjuno.
Mary Robinette Kowal—Mary Robinette Kowal is the USA Today Bestselling author of a dozen novels, including Apprehension and the Lady Astronaut series. A winner of the Hugo, Nebula, and Locus awards, she is also a professional puppeteer and award-winning audiobook narrator. She co-hosts the Writing Excuses podcast, served as SFWA President, and has an asteroid named after her. Also, her cat talks.
Mary Kridler—I have been playing in the SCA for over 25 years and enjoying SciFi for even longer.
Jay Kristoff—Jay Kristoff is a #1 international, NYT and Sunday Times bestselling author of fantasy and science fiction novels, including the EMPIRE OF THE VAMPIRE and NEVERNIGHT series.
Joshua Kronengold—Joshua Kronengold is a long-time fan, gamer, and filker. He wrote zines roleplaying games for decades in Alarums & Excursions, and now writes zines on the same topic in Ever & Anon
Dr. T. G. Kucera—Lifetime SF/F fan and occasional WorldCon attendee/participant; PhD in Mathematics; retired University Professor (Mathematical Logic and Algebra); 30 years of Union activism; lifelong interest in 'classical' and 'contemporary' 'serious music' (labels are difficult);
M. J. Kuhn—M.J. Kuhn is a fantasy writer by night and a mild-mannered marketing employee by day. She is the internationally bestselling author of Among Thieves and Thick as Thieves and cohost of the SFF Addicts podcast and the FanFiAddict Book Club. She lives in the metro Detroit area with her very spoiled cats, Evie and Thorin Oakenshield. Find more information on M.J. on her website, www.mjkuhn.com.
Jasmine Kuliasha—Jasmine Kuliasha loves cheese in all its forms and is the author of the JERICHO JAMES books, an ongoing romantic cryptid detective series published by Orbit. She left a career in robotics to pursue her dream of writing, and her next book (BIGFOOT CONFIDENTIAL) comes out Sept 15th! Jasmine writes from Colorado, where she’s living her own Happily Ever After with her children and husband. When she’s not creating chaos for her characters, Jasmine is training for her next marathon, or trying to get her personal assistants (two cats) to do anything at all.
C. N. Kuster—A former Fulbright scholar, C.N. Kuster attained her MFA in Creative Writing from Regis University and holds an MA in Secondary Education as well. She teaches high school language arts, is an avid collector of fountain pens and loves spending time outdoors. Her debut novel, The Bloodweaver, will be published in Summer 2026 through Podium Entertainment. She’s an active member of Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers and the Lighthouse Writers Workshop, and a founding member of the Tejon Writers Collective. She lives in the Denver area with her husband, daughter, and a very precocious cat.
Paul Kwinn—Paul Kwinn has been involved in filk music for 36 years, winning a Pegasus Award. He has recorded two albums with his group Puzzlebox: "Assembly Required" (available on Spotify) and "Tumbleweird" (available on Bandcamp).
An inaugural inductee of the Podcast Academy’s Hall of Fame, Mur Lafferty began podcasting in 2004 and used the new medium to build a writing career from her work as a science fiction podcaster.
Mur has written 10 novels, 8 novellas, and 1 nonfiction book ranging from Star Wars to space murder mysteries to cozy fantasy. After winning the 2013 Astounding Award for Best New Writer, her work has been nominated for the Hugo, Nebula, Parsec, Philip K. Dick, Manly Wade Wellman, and Podcast Peer Awards. Her podcast Ditch Diggers, with Matt Wallace, won the 2018 Best Fancast Hugo Award.
With Valerie Valdes, Mur is the editor of eight-time Hugo finalist semiprozine Escape Pod.
Her nonfiction work has appeared in Knights of the Dinner Table and on the podcast The Dragon Page. In 2014, she received an MFA in popular fiction from the Stonecoast program at the University of Southern Maine.
She lives in Durham, NC, with her husband. She likes video games, tabletop games, murder mysteries, and dogs.
Carolina Gomez Lagerlöf—I am a science fiction fan and conrunner from Stockholm, Sweden. I have attended and worked at worldcons for over 25 years. I am the current chair of the European Science Fiction Society and have served as chair for two Eurocons. Traveling around the world and meeting fans is a major interest of mine. It’s best when I can combine travel with hiking. I work at the Swedish Patent and Registration Office as a patent engineer.
Kelly Lagor—Kelly Lagor is a scientist by day and a writer by night. She mostly writes science fiction and essays about science fiction, and her work has appeared in places like Sunday Morning Transport, Analog, Asimov’s Reactor, Uncanny, and Locus. She lives in San Diego with an assortment of plants and musical instruments, and you can follow along at kellylagor.com or @klagor on various social media for publishing announcements and other assorted ephemera.
Lavanya Lakshminarayan—Lavanya Lakshminarayan is the first Indian woman to be shortlisted for the Arthur C. Clarke Award. She is the multi-award-winning author of The Ten Percent Thief, Interstellar MegaChef, and Intergalactic Feast, with work translated into multiple languages. Her short fiction has appeared in The Best of World SF: Volume 2, The Big Book of Cyberpunk, Someone in Time, and other magazines and anthologies. A former game designer best known for building worlds for FarmVille and Mafia Wars, she lives in Bangalore, India.
Jean Lamb—I'm retired from the day job and write both pro original fiction and fanfiction. I live in south central Oregon a short drive from the California border. Pro credits include a few short stories, I have eight novels indie published on Amazon, and an account on fanfiction.net.
Meghan Lancaster—Meghan Lancaster is an artist/designer working mainly with textiles in surface design and costume. She holds an MFA along with Certificates in Museum Studies (UW CPE) and Design (City & Guilds of London). Her fields of informative study are comparative religion, Jungian psychology, and quantum physics, and their points of intersection.
Geoffrey A. Landis—Dr. Geoffrey A. Landis is a science-fiction writer, a scientist, a poet, and a swordsman. He has won the Hugo, Nebula, Sturgeon, and Robert A. Heinlein awards for science fiction, and is the author of the novel Mars Crossing and short-story collection Impact Parameter (& Other Quantum Realities). He works for NASA on developing advanced technologies for spaceflight. He is also known for work on concepts for interstellar flight. In his spare time, he goes to fencing tournaments to stab people. Sometimes they stab back. More information can be found at his very-much out-of-date web page: http://www.geoffreylandis.com/, or just look him up on Wikipedia.
Margaret Landis—Dr. Margaret Landis is an assistant professor, planetary scientist, and exploration nerd.
Sarah Langan—Sarah Langan's a three-time Stoker Award-winning writer, whose novels (A BETTER WORLD, GOOD NEIGHBORS, THE MISSING, etc.) have made best of the year lists at NPR, Newsweek, The Irish Times, AARP, and PW. Her short stories have appeared in NIGHTMARE, F&SF, WIRED, Year's Best Horror, Year's Best Dark Fantasy and Horror, Year's Best Science Fiction and Fantasy, etc. She has an MFA from Columbia University, an MS in Environmental Health Science/ Toxicology from NYU, and lives in Los Angeles with her family. Her sixth novel TRAD WIFE is coming from Tor UK on May 14, 2026 and via Atria/S&S in the US on September 29, 2026.
Oriana Leckert—Oriana Leckert is the Head of Publishing at Kickstarter, where she helps creators bring a marvelous array of literary projects to life. She’s written and edited for Vice, MTV News, Slate, Hyperallergic, Gothamist, Atlas Obscura, and many more. Her first book, Brooklyn Spaces: 50 Hubs of Culture and Creativity, grew out of a multi-year project chronicling the rise and fall of under-the-radar creative places across New York City. Follow her at @orianabklyn on most social platforms.
William Ledbetter—William Ledbetter is a Nebula Award winning author with three novels and more than seventy speculative fiction short stories and non-fiction articles published in five languages, in publications such as Asimov's, Fantasy & Science Fiction, Analog, Escape Pod and the SFWA blog.
He's been a space and technology geek since childhood and spent most of his non-writing career in the aerospace industry. He is a member of SFWA and lives near Dallas with his wife, a needy dog and three spoiled cats.
C. B. Lee—C.B. Lee is a New York Times bestselling author of young adult and middle grade fiction, including Coffeeshop in an Alternate Universe, A Clash of Steel, and the acclaimed Sidekick Squad series. Their works have received seven starred reviews and been finalists for multiple awards, including the Lambda Literary Award.
Corry L. Lee—Author, Ph.D. physicist, data geek. Corry’s Russian-inspired epic fantasy trilogy, beginning with Weave the Lightning (Solaris), concluded in April 2026: lightning mages navigate romance, torn loyalties, and dangerous magic while fomenting rebellion against the fascist state. Corry won the Writers of the Future Award & multiple teaching awards. During Ph.D. research at Harvard, they studied rare sub-atomic particles. In the tech industry, they connected science & technology to improve the user experience. Corry loves cross-country skiing, tai chi & queer books.
Fonda Lee—Fonda Lee is the award-winning, New York Times-bestselling author of a dozen fantasy and science fiction books, including the science fiction novel The Last Contract of Isako, and the modern epic fantasy Green Bone Saga, which has been translated into seventeen languages and named one of Time magazine’s 100 Best Fantasy Books of All Time. She is also the author of the novella Untethered Sky and several young adult novels: Zeroboxer, the Exo duology, and, cowritten with Shannon Lee, the Breathmarked duology. Fonda is a winner of the World Fantasy Award and the Locus Award, as well as a six-time winner of the Aurora Award and a finalist for the Nebula Award and the Hugo Award. A former corporate strategist and black belt martial artist, she hails from Canada and the Pacific Northwest and currently resides in New England. Learn more at fondalee.com.
Gabriela Lee—Gabriela Lee teaches creative writing and children’s literature at the University of the Philippines. She is the co-editor of the anthology "Mapping New Stars: A Sourcebook on Philippine Speculative Fiction," which received a 2025 World Fantasy Award. Her latest fiction has appeared in the anthology "Silk & Sinew: Folk Horror from the Asian Diaspora."
Wen-yi Lee—Wen-yi Lee is the Nebula Award-nominated author of When They Burned the Butterfly, Where Rivers Made the Gods, and The Dark We Know, and editor of forthcoming horror anthology The Kids Came Back Wrong. Her work often speculates on history, troubling women, and ghosts, and has appeared in short form in venues like Lightspeed, Uncanny, Reactor, and anthologies including Best American Science Fiction and Fantasy. Currently based in Singapore, she has been supported by the Clarion West Octavia E Butler Scholarship, the Singapore National Arts Council, and the UK National Centre for Writing. She is a Forbes Asia 30 Under 30 honoree. Find her on socials @wenyilee_
Scott Lefton—Scott Lefton is an artist and engineer in Melrose, Massachusetts. His art focuses on sculptural and useful metal, wood, and glass, plus Photoshop. He is occasionally serious about photography. His engineering work involves consulting in the areas of new product design and mechanical design, plus prototype fabrication. He does electronics when necessary, mostly as Arduinos used for electromechanical control applications. He has a well equipped workshop and a major tool buying habit, which 3D printers have insinuated their way into. Art informs his engineering, and engineering informs his art. He created the 2004 Hugo base and the half-scale Hugo rocket that was displayed on the ISS. His current obsessions include developing better ways of precision forming stained glass sheets into complex 3D shapes.
Evan Leikam—Evan Leikam is a fantasy author published with Tor/Macmillan and book content creator known for championing epic sci-fi and fantasy stories across social media. With a deep love of immersive worldbuilding, complex characters, and emotionally devastating plot twists, Evan has built a passionate online community of readers while developing his own original works in the genre. He blends thoughtful literary analysis with high-energy fandom enthusiasm, making him a trusted voice in the modern fantasy space.
Jessica Leman—Jessica Leman is an Indonesian children’s fiction comic writer and storyboard illustrator. She made her debut on the Ciayo Comics platform, and her work, the Magical Sweet Gula Trilogy, was later published internationally by Singaporean publisher Difference Engine. The first volume launched at the Ubud Writers & Readers Festival 2023. In addition to her work as a writer, she is also active as a Visual Communication Design lecturer at a university in Jakarta, where she shares her knowledge and experience in comics and storytelling with the next generation of creators.
Kara Lenore—Kara Lenore is a science fiction author and alumna of the Viable Paradise workshop. Her debut novel, Beneath a Sun Deprived Sky, was a Publishers Weekly BookLife Editor’s Pick, and her manuscript Thia’s Key was a finalist in the Writers’ League of Texas 2025 Manuscript Contest. Kara spent part of her youth living in Japan and earned a doctorate in Japanese studies, experiences which influence her work.
Julie Leong—Julie Leong is the USA Today and Sunday Times bestselling author of The Teller of Small Fortunes and The Keeper of Magical Things. Her debut novel, The Teller of Small Fortunes, was a Book of the Month pick, an Amazon Editor’s Pick, and was named one of 2024’s Best Sci-fi, Fantasy, & Horror novels by BookPage. A daughter of Malaysian Chinese immigrants and a Yale graduate, she works on self-driving cars and other tech once considered science fiction by day, and writes warm, magical fiction by night. She currently lives in San Francisco with her husband and dog, and is unreasonably fond of spreadsheets and flambéeing things.
Fred Lerner—Fred Lerner is a recovering librarian who spent most of his career at the National Center for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder creating an online index to scientific literature on PTSD. (He claims to have seen more of this literature than anyone on the planet.) He has been involved with science fiction for over sixty years and was one of the founders of the Science Fiction Research Association..
His book MODERN SCIENCE FICTION AND THE AMERICAN LITERARY COMMUNITY is a detailed study of SF's changing reputation over the years. He also wrote THE STORY OF LIBRARIES: FROM THE INVENTION OF WRITING TO THE COMPUTER AGE and the recently published IN MEMORIAM: A NOVEL OF THE TERRAN DIASPORA. He lives in Vermont.
Skip Levens builds and thinks about storage workflows for film, television, and media production: how content gets made and delivered on time, and how it gets preserved and re-used for generations to come.
He went from being one of the largest purchasers of NeXT workstations to joining Apple after Steve Jobs returned as the Worldwide Technology Evangelist and technology manager for servers and storage — Xserve, Xserve RAID, Xsan, and Mac OS X Server; with a hand in several high-profile Macworld and WWDC keynote launches, and helped build what was then the fastest supercomputer in higher education out of 1,100 Macs.
Since then he co-founded two high-performance storage startups, Active Storage and Symply, earned a US patent in storage design, and now drives Product Marketing at Quantum and on the LTO Storage Consortium.
Liz Levin—Liz Levin is a high school English teacher and writer who lives near Chicago with one vociferous cat and the three other humans who cater to his needs. An alum of the Stonecoast MFA program and the Clarion Workshop, her work has appeared or will appear in Flash Fiction Online, Gavagai, Zooscape, Metaphorosis's Trunk: Stories that took the Long Way, and Scryptid Games's Tales From the Cryptids.
David D. Levine—David D. Levine is the author of Andre Norton Nebula Award winning novel Arabella of Mars, sequels Arabella and the Battle of Venus and Arabella the Traitor of Mars, space-opera caper novel The Kuiper Belt Job, and over sixty SF and fantasy stories. His story "Tk'Tk'Tk" won the Hugo, and he has been shortlisted for awards including the Hugo, Nebula, Campbell, and Sturgeon. Stories have appeared in Asimov's, Analog, Clarkesworld, F&SF, Tor.com, numerous Year's Best anthologies, and his award-winning collection Space Magic.
Julie Lew—Julie Lew (she/they) loves all things fantasy and horror, the darker and queerer the better. They are the author of the adult gothic horror novel THE WIVES OF HERRICK HALL and the upcoming YA fantasy mystery DEATH IN VERSE. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her partner, and when she’s not writing books about the magical and the monstrous, she’s likely playing endless games of fetch with her chihuahua-terrier mix pup, Kody.
Brandy J. Lewis—Brandy J. Lewis is a independent researcher and bookseller from Santa Barbara, California. She holds Ph.D. in English from the University of California, Riverside, with special emphasis in Science Fiction, fandom, and comics. Her work has appeared in The Comics Journal.
Benjamin Liar—Benjamin Liar has been a writer, musician, filmmaker, game developer, bartender, cartographer, estimator, semi-professional drinker, ditch-digger, file organizer, rockabilly bassist, bad actor, screenwriter, house painter, passionate fort-builder, reformed preacher, drywall hanger, decent friend and terrible lover. His first novel is 'The Failures' from DAW, and is hard at work on the sequel.
Paula Lieberman—I have been attending conventions since Noreascon in 1971, am a filker, military space systems veteran, and long-time convention volunteer. I served as a pocketbook holder for the many people on stage in the Mad Three Party costume entry at LA Con in was it 1984? (I'm one of the original members of MCFI, parent corporation of various conventions including Noreason II, Noreascon 3, and Noreascon 4)
Henry Lien is a graduate of Brown University, UCLA School of Law, and Clarion West Writers’ Workshop. He is the author of the Peasprout Chen fantasy series and the non-fiction book Spring, Summer, Asteroid, Bird: The Art of Eastern Storytelling. His books have received starred reviews from Kirkus, Publishers Weekly, and Booklist and New York Times acclaim. His writing has appeared in publications including Literary Hub, Poets & Writers, Asimov’s, Analog, and F&SF, and he is a four-time Nebula Award finalist. Henry also teaches for institutions including the UCLA Extension Writers’ Program, the University of Iowa, Clarion West, and Writing the Other. He won the UCLA Extension Department of the Arts Outstanding Instructor of the Year Award. Henry has previously worked as an attorney and fine art dealer. Born in Taiwan, Henry currently lives in Hollywood, California. Hobbies include writing and performing campy anthems for his books and losing Nebula Awards. www.henrylien.com
Sara Light-Waller—Sara Light-Waller is an independent archivist, writer, and illustrator whose work focuses on the material, cultural, and psychological history of early science fiction and adventure literature. She holds an M.A. in Anthropology from the University of Arizona, with a specialization in zooarchaeology, and a B.A. in Anthropological Archaeology from Bryn Mawr College. While at Arizona, she served as a teaching assistant in zooarchaeology and historic archaeology and studied scientific illustration under Donald B. Sayner, one of the country’s most respected scientific illustrators and educators, whose emphasis on accuracy, observation, and visual literacy deeply informs her approach.
Light-Waller approaches pulp magazines, fan cultures, and early genre fiction as archaeological strata rather than curiosities, emphasizing context, historical mindset, and audience reception. She is the founder of Lucina Press and the host of The Rocketeer podcast, which examines science fiction not only as imaginative literature but as a cultural survival mechanism during the interwar and wartime years.
Malachi Lily—Malachi Lily is a neurofunky, agender, liminal Black person born and based on the Lenape-hoking land of the U.S (Philly). Lily writes speculative fiction and metaphysical commentary through magick, Black-anarcho politics, and nature wisdom, deconstructing colonial fears around the unconscious, sexuality, and femininity. Their work draws heavily on equal parts ecological naturalist study and divination.
For nine years, they have worked as an illustrator and comic artist across editorial and narrative publications. For five years, they have been a professional TTRPG creator and a featured storyteller, serving as a PAX Unplugged PTI Fellow.
In 2022, they were a Writing in Color Lighthouse fellow. The following year, they were a Tinhouse and Roots.Wounds.Words. fellow, and in 2024, Lily was a writing resident at Stove Works, Queer Materials Lab, and Chateau Orquevaux. Currently, Lily is a Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association Fellow, a Trans Journalists Association Fellow, a Narrative Shifts Fellow, a columnist at Inglenook Lit, a McCormack Writing Center fellow, a culture writer for In These Times, and the Editor-in-Chief of Black and Pink Magazine.
Monte Lin—While being rained on near Portland, Oregon, Monte Lin edits, writes, and plays tabletop roleplaying games and writes short stories. His stories have been published at Cossmass Infinities, Cast of Wonders, Flame Tree Press anthologies, and others. His nonfiction has been published at Strange Horizons. He is managing editor of Uncanny Magazine and is an alum of the Clarion West and Tin House workshops. He can be found posting Doctor Who news, Asian American diaspora discourse, and his board game losses on Bluesky @montelin.bsky.social.
Angela Liu—Angela Liu is a Chinese-American writer/poet based in NYC and Tokyo. She is a three-time Nebula Award and 2025 Astounding Award Finalist. Her work has also been nominated for the Hugo, Locus, Ignyte, and Rhysling Awards. She previously researched mixed reality at Keio University in Japan with a focus on new narrative platforms. Her stories and poems are published/forthcoming in Clarkesworld, Strange Horizons, Uncanny Magazine, and Lightspeed, among others. Check out more of her work at liu-angela.com or find her on Twitter/Instagram @liu_angela and on Bluesky @angelaliu.bsky.social.
Emily O'Malley Liu—Emily O'Malley Liu grew up in Palm Beach County, Florida and has lived in the American Southwest, the Midwest, New England, and Japan. Em now resides with her husband and three kids in the greater Washington, D.C. metro area, where she researches financial systems by day and devises magic systems by night. Her first novel, WINE FOR ROSES, was published by Shiraki Press in April 2026.
Coye Lloyd—Coye Lloyd is a third-year PHD student at Indiana University Indianapolis. In 2019 she graduated from Ohio University with a Master of Art in Film Studies. In the American Studies program at IUI, she will continue to explore the topics of her thesis in film, minority (re)presentation, high/low culture, and mass media. She believes popular culture has been and persists to show how culture functions and reproduces ideology. With each presentation, class, and paper she hopes to elevate not only her beloved genre films, but also challenge notions of the canon, academia, and hegemonic oppression.
Joyce Lloyd—Joyce Lloyd is the chair of LAcon V the 2026 Worldcon. She has been involved with Worldcons since 2006 (LA Con IV) where she was the Con Suite Second. Since then, she has worked as Hugo Administrator (Nippon 2007), Hotel Assistant (Denvention 3), Treasurer (Chicon 7), Facilities Division Head (LoneStarCon3 & Chicon 8), Finance Division Head (MidAmeriCon II), Timeline Assistant and Convention Center Liaison (Worldcon 76 in San Jose & Glasgow 2024), Facilities Deputy Division Head (Dublin 2019) and Exhibits Deputy Division Head (DisCon III). In her spare time, she is regularly involved with local fan conventions with attendance from 100 to 30,000.
AK Llyr is an American veteran, writer, speaker, Freemason, and futurist.
He has a lifetime of global experience with military & government service, including: Intelligence analysis, engineering, physical & network security, with hands-on work in some of the world’s most challenging environments.
Born into a generational military family on an American base in Europe, he learned personal Honor, Duty to Humanity, and Patriotism early. These principles shaped his path through decades of service and exploration to where he is today.
AK holds degrees in Computer Science, Business and Engineering. He continues his education when possible through college and online education in physics, engineering, political science and philosophy.
Other skills he has honed in millitary and civilian life over the decades inclue high level competencies in construction, desert, arctic and jungle survival, modern history, scuba, skydiving and predictive modeling.
He also walks dogs.
Rio Lombana—Rio Lombana writes speculative fiction from Seattle, where they like to hike in the dry season and train martial arts while it rains. Raised in the Carolinas in the Southern Baptist church, they are the apostate eldest daughter of a Latina mother and a white father. Their work is published in Escape Pod, PseudoPod, Heartlines Spec, Small Wonders, and elsewhere. They're a Viable Paradise 2025 alum and NYC Midnight winner. Find them at riolombana.com and everywhere online @riolombana.
Cristián Londoño-Proaño—Science Fiction writer, producer, researcher, and professor. PhD in Communication. Editor and director of the Hispanic-American digital science fiction magazine "Teoría Ómicron" and editor of the science fiction publishing house "Omicron Books." He has published the books: "Between Science Fiction and Fantasy"; "Dark Nights, Loudmouths"; "Mission Antares"; "Twelve Hours"; "The Return of Light"; "Under Risk"; "Dead Time"; "The Unproductive Ones"; "The Instinct of Light"; and "The Infinite Name of the Stars." He has received several literary awards. He has written, directed, and produced various documentaries and documentary series. His articles on science fiction have been published in scientific journals.
Kaden Love—Kaden Love is the author of the Paladins of the Harvest series (Elegy of a Fragmented Vineyard, 2 successful kickstarters) and Toothsucker (cyberpunk vampire series with 3 novels and more to come). He is a book influencer on instagram with over 39,000 followers and over 6,000 on TikTok. Outside of writing, he is a competitive marathon runner and avid reader with his wife, who illustrates book covers for a living.
Felicia Low-Jimenez—Born and raised in Singapore, Felicia has an MA in Literary Theory and Asian Studies with a focus on anime and manga. She co-writes the bestselling middle-grade mystery series Sherlock Sam and is the writer of Tiger Girls, a young adult fantasy graphic novel selected for the White Ravens 2025 list. She was a bookseller and now works in comics publishing.
Brian K. Lowe—Brian K. Lowe has wanted to be a writer almost longer than he can remember. He has self-published several science fiction and fantasy novels and his Stolen Future trilogy is published by Water Dragon Publications. He also serves as the Chair of SFWA's Grievance Committee.
"Orange Mike" Lowrey—Long-time fan, married at a con, father of a fan, book and game reviewer, RPG gamer, TAFF delegate, Wikipedia admin
Lark Morgan Lu—Lark Morgan Lu lives with a collection of succulents and tea. Their short fiction has appeared in The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction, Augur Magazine, and Pyre Magazine. Find them on various social media as @LarkMorganLu or find their newsletter on their website, larkmorganlu.com.
S. Qiouyi Lu—S. Qiouyi Lu is a writer and translator based in Los Angeles, CA. Ær debut biocyberpunk novella In the Watchful City is out now from Tordotcom Publishing. S. is currently working on a sociolinguistic scifantasy novel titled Razing Babel set in the same universe as In the Watchful City and centered on themes of the body, sex & intimacy, community, linguicide, and radicalization. You can find out more about S. at ær website s.qiouyi.lu.
Makiia Lucier—Makiia Lucier is the author of Dragonfruit, Year of the Reaper, the Isle of Blood and Stone duology, and A Death-Struck Year. Her stories are inspired by history and mythology and have been called “brilliant” (Booklist), “moving,” (New York Times), “masterful” (Horn Book), and “breathtaking” (School Library Journal). They can be found on many notable lists, including NPR’s “Books We Love,” Kids' Indie Next, and the American Library Association’s ‘Best Fiction for Young Adults.’ She is a recipient of the Oregon Book Award for Young Adult Literature.
Makiia grew up on the Pacific island of Guam, not too far from the equator, and holds degrees in journalism and library science. She lives with her family in Portland, Oregon.
Grigory Lukin—Grigory Lukin (rhymes with "story" and "win") is an award-winning filmmaker and an internationally published author of science fiction and nonfiction. His words have appeared in Phano, The Colored Lens, and multiple anthologies. Originally from Russia, he also lived in the US and Canada (currently in Montreal), and may add a fourth passport to his collection someday. He enjoys pastries, good conversations, and hiking from Mexico to Canada.
Rachanee Lumayno—Rachanee Lumayno is an actress, voiceover artist, screenwriter, avid gamer and amateur dodgeball player. She grew up in Michigan, where she spent way too much of her free time reading fantasy novels. So when she decided to try her hand at writing a book, it made sense that it would be in her favorite genre. The Kingdom Legacy series marks her debut as an author. Her first novel, Heir of Amber and Fire, was named a Best Book Winner for Young Adult - Fantasy/ Sci-Fi in the 2024 Spring PenCraft Seasonal Book Awards. Visit rachanee.net for more info and to join the newsletter or find her at rachaneelumayno on Instagram.
Arendse Lund—Arendse Lund won the 2021 Staunch Prize for a thriller in which no woman was hurt. Her work has appeared in Analog, Ellery Queen, Shotgun Honey, and The Fabulist, among others. You can find her at www.arend.se
Catherine Lundoff—Catherine Lundoff is a Minneapolis-based award-winning writer and editor of fantasy, horror and other genres. She is also the publisher at Queen of Swords Press, a small press specializing in science fiction, fantasy and horror with LGBTQ protagonists. Catherine was a 2025 Alice B. Reader’s Appreciation Award Winner, a 2024 IBPA Innovative Voices Finalist and a recipient of a 2021 Ladies of Horror Fiction Writing Grant. She has taught writing, editing and publishing workshops at the Loft Literary Center, Cat Rambo’s Rambo Academy, Springboard for the Arts, Clarion West Online, Novel in Progress Bookcamp and other venues.
Perrianne Lurie—Perrianne Lurie is a long time fan who ran the Green Room for Balticon for many years. She was the Hugo Ceremony director for Torcon 3 and the Email Liaison and Deputy Program Division Director for BucCONeer. She is active in strategy (Euro) board gaming and has GMed at Euroquest, Prezcon and other gaming conventions. She watches way too much television and (mostly art house) movies. She retired from the Pennsylvania Department of Health in 2020, where she was a public health physician and infectious disease epidemiologist. She now lives in suburban Maryland.
Scott Lynch—Scott Lynch was born in St. Paul, Minnesota in 1978, the first of three brothers. Early in life he worked as a dishwasher, a waiter, a graphic designer, an office manager, a cook, and a game supplement self-publisher before accidentally selling his first novel, The Lies of Locke Lamora, in 2004. From 2005 to 2016 Scott also served as a paid-on-call firefighter in Wisconsin. Scott currently lives in Massachusetts with his wife, award-winning SF/F novelist Elizabeth Bear, plus four cats (Duncan, Gurney, Molly, and Fafhrd) and a pair of Icelandic horses (a gelding named Ormr and a mare named Spola).
R.L. Lynn—R.L. Lynn is a former high-school and college math teacher who has had a passion for writing since a young age but only found the time, ironically, after becoming a new mom. She now finds time to write in between working as an online math tutor and stay-at-home mom. She can both cut a rug on the ballroom floor as well as wield an epee. She possesses a vivid imagination and a deep desire to spread messages of hope and empowerment in a world that can sometimes seem awash in negativity. She enjoys writing fantasy fiction with strong female protagonists, romance, and fast-paced plots. Her debut novel, STEPSISTERS, the first book in a twisted fairytale trilogy, was published October 2025.
Shaun Lyon—Shaun Lyon is the co-founder and program director of L.A.'s Gallifrey One convention, the world's largest and longest-running annual Doctor Who fan event. He has written extensively on the series and his books Back to the Vortex and Second Flight were released by Telos Publishing in 2005 and 2006, respectively, about its return to television. Shaun is the Recording Secretary of SCIFI Inc., the sponsoring org of LAcon V, and is LAcon V's webmaster. Recently retired from his career at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), he has been active in fandom for 40 years and has volunteered for far too many tasks for this year's convention.
Meg MacDonald—Dr. Meg MacDonald (she/her) was Vice chair and co- Division Head for Promotions for Glasgow 2024 and co- Division Head for Programme for LAcon V. She was startled to find that conrunning involves filking, punning, and applying glitter to friends and strangers alike: along with emails, spreadsheets, and timelines. She has a PhD in English Literature, her thesis, “Gods Wall to Wall: Gods in Fantasy 1989-2020”, considers concepts of agency, belief and transforming grand narratives in genre fantasy. She works at the University of Glasgow as an Academic Consultancy Manager. She loves board games, cosplay, books of all styles, baking, knitting, and all sorts of nerdery.
Liam MacGregor—I am a 22 year member of the SCA, and current King of the Kingdom of Caid. I participate in armored combat, and teach new fighters, as well as help run our society.
Scott MacHaffie—Scott is a professional software developer in the chemistry field and an amateur maker of robots, Star Wars props, small electronics
S.M. Mack—S.M. Mack is a 2019 MFA recipient in popular fiction from USM Stonecoast, the 2017 first place winner of the Katherine Patterson Prize for Young Adult Writing, and a Clarion 2012 grad. Her debut novella, Death Valley Blooms, was published by Neon Hemlock in 2025; her short fiction has also appeared in Fireside Fiction, Vine Leaves Literary Journal's "Best of 2015" anthology, and the Clarion class of 2012's seven Rainbow Anthologies, among others. Find her online at @whatsmacksaid on Bsky, @what_smacksaid on Instagram, or sign up for her monthly author newsletter on her website at whatsmacksaid.com.
Bridget Lucia MacKenzie—I am participating as part of the SCA, middle ages re-enactment. But I have also been going to Science Fiction Fandom conventions since 1976!
Vanessa MacLaren-Wray—Vanessa MacLaren-Wray (she/her) creates worlds where people—human or otherwise—matter. She’s the author of All That Was Asked, Shadows of Insurrection, and Flames of Attrition, plus the middle-grade space-opera novel The Smugglers. Her short fiction and poetry have appeared with Dragon Gems and in the award-winning Fault Zone anthologies. She guest-hosts for the podcast Small Publishing in a Big Universe and is an active member of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA), Broad Universe, and Strong Women-Strange Worlds.
Toby MacNutt—Toby MacNutt is a queer, nonbinary trans, disabled artist, author, and teacher living in rural Vermont.
LL MacRae—L.L. MacRae is a British fantasy author of character-driven stories and epic adventure. Her books contain dragons, world-shattering magic, and the hope we all carry even in the darkest times.
She has been a finalist and semi-finalist in SPFBO, published twenty books, and two of her short stories have appeared in anthologies.
She lives in a tiny village in the English countryside, has a degree in Psychology, and was a professional copywriter before going full-time as an author—swapping corporate copy for magic and dragons.
Jessica Maison—Jessica Maison is a Nebula Award winning comic creator, author, and screenwriter. Plastic Girl is her coming to age eco-punk novel trilogy set in a climate apocalypse. Her comic series, Mary Shelley's School for Monsters, is an IBPA Benjamin Franklin Gold Award winner and Foreword INDIES finalist. She co-wrote the upcoming gothic space horror comic series, Host Planet, and co-directed the time travel feature film, Own Worst Enemy. Her short fiction and comics appear in publications such as Terraform, Nightmare Theater, Systemic and Distorted Horror. She is the founder of Wicked Tree Press and the co-host of the Monster V. Monster podcast.
Andrew Majors—Andrew Majors writes sci-fi, horror, fantasy, and the weird. His work has been published with 34Orchard, tdotSpec, House of Long Shadows, and The NoSleep Podcast. His essays and other writing can be found at andrewmajors.wordpress.com. He lives near Boise.
Matt Malkan—Distinguished Prof of Physics&Astro UCLA; Natl Science Board (2020--26). Malkan has published over 600 articles in peer-reviewed journals, and has worked extensively on astronomy-related film and television shows, behind and in front of the camera.
Malkan uses a wide range of telescopes in space and on the ground to study the evolution of galaxies and their massive black holes.
Nick Mamatas—Nick Mamatas is the author of several novels, including I Am Providence and Kalivas!, Or Another Tempest. His short fiction has appeared in Best American Mystery Stories, Asimov's Science Fiction, Tor.com and many other venues. Much of it was recently collected in The People's Republic of Everything. Nick is also an anthologist; his latest is 120 Murders; Dark Fiction Inspired by Alternative Music. Nick's fiction and editorial work has won a Bram Stoker Award and had been nominated for World Fantasy, Shirley Jackson, and Locus awards.
Richard Man—I am a Tai Chi instructor and Chinese calligrapher.
Jennifer Mandula—Jennifer Mandula lives in Cleveland, OH with her husband, three daughters, and a neurotic corgi. She first learned of the historical Mary Anning while studying for her master's in education at the University of Oxford. In her spare time she visits local bakeries and plans her next escape to the beach. The Geomagician is her debut novel.
Charusheel Manikrao Mane—Two Awards winning from USA - ALBA, IIBA. Hugo Award 2026 eligible author of The Architects of the Universe. Independent researcher and founder of Mankind Foundation. Dr. C. M. Mane proposes the CMM1 Hypothesis — microbes as the hidden architects and controllers of life, planets, climate, and the cosmos itself. His work bridges speculative fiction, microbiology, astrobiology, and quantum biology, challenging the view of the universe as a lifeless machine and presenting it as a living microbial ecology.
Laurie Mann—2026 marks the 50th anniversary of my first Worldcon. Had discovered science fiction in the book rack next to the Zayre snack bar where I worked in the summer of 1973. Went from reading books about the making of Star Trek (Whitfield then Gerrold), to watching Star Trek, then reading Orbits and Dangerous Visions and finally The Left Hand of Darkness. Joined my first club in 1974, went to my first con in 1975 and started working on cons by my third con. After many years of convention work, I'm still working on retiring and focusing on various projects for FANAC.org and Fancyclopedia.org, particularly the digital recordings and digital photos projects. Married to Jim Mann since 1977, our daughter Leslie worked in international shipping until the Trump tariffs disappeared her job and is a gamer.
Sandy Manning—Sandy is a long time fan and has been involved in costuming since she was about 15. She is also into educational technology, regular technology, and enjoys reading science fiction and fantasy.
Gerardo Maravilla—Gerardo "Gerry" Maravilla is a Mexican-American writer/director based in Los Angeles. Born and raised in the San Fernando Valley, he escaped his suburban Catholic upbringing through punk rock and horror movies. A bicultural lovechild of Tim Burton and Guillermo del Toro, he crafts supernatural horror stories with heart. He's been a Film Independent Project Involve Writing Fellow, a New York Film Festival Artist Academy Fellow, and a Latino Film Institute Inclusion Fellow, and developed work through Hola Mexico's Tomorrow's Filmmakers Today, the Mexican-American Cultural Education Foundation's Masterclass, and Stowe Story Labs. His films have screened at Palm Springs ShortFest, LALIFF, and Bogotá Shorts, among others. His feature script, Niño de Vidrio (Child of Glass), was developed at Cine Qua Non's Storylines and Script Revision Labs. The short version won the Roadmap Writers Short Script Competition, and the feature recently won the BendFilm Basecamp Pitch Competition.
Gideon Marcus—Serling-winning and seven time Hugo Finalist science fiction author Gideon Marcus has just had published Majera, fourth book in The Kitra Saga. His short fiction can be found in Dark Matter, Utopia, Simultaneous Times, and elsewhere. He is the editor of the Rediscovery: Science Fiction by Women anthology series. He is also the founder of Journey Press, an independent publisher focused on unusual and diverse speculative fiction, and he runs the award-winning time machine project, Galactic Journey. He is a professional space historian, public speaker, and a lecturer at Cal State University San Marcos and UC San Diego.
Marshall Ryan Maresca is a fantasy and science-fiction writer, author of sixteen novels, most of which are part of the Maradaine Saga: Four braided series set amid the bustling streets and crime-ridden districts of the exotic city called Maradaine. He is also the author of the standalone dieselpunk fantasy, The Velocity of Revolution. He is a five-time Hugo finalist as the co-host of the podcast Worldbuilding for Masochists, and has been a playwright, an actor and an amateur chef. He lives in Austin, Texas with his family.
Jean Martin—Jean Martin is a five-time Hugo Awards nominee as a contributing editor for the fanzine Journey Planet and was an editor for the fanzine Science Fiction/San Francisco. Jean has won awards as part of masquerade teams at international and local conventions and won a FAAn Achievement Award for Best New Fan from Corflu. She is an experienced moderator/panelist at pop culture, sci-fi and fantasy conventions. Jean is an organizer for the Bay Area English Regency Society and a volunteer for the Period Events and Entertainments Re-creation Society. She was a board member/communications coordinator for the Greater Bay Area Costumers Guild.
Arkady Martine—Arkady Martine is the author of the Teixcalaan series, the novella Rose/House, a multitude of short stories, and various other science fiction, fantasy, & horror. she is also Dr. AnnaLinden Weller, who is a Byzantinist, a climate & energy policy analyst, and a city planner. She is not bored, but she is often tired.
Felicia Martinez—Felicia Martínez is the author of The Other Lives of Altagracia Sanchez, and the forthcoming These Bright and Perilous Designs (Thinking Ink Press, 2026). She is a Latinx writer and artist originally from eastern New Mexico, though she now makes her home in California. She has been guest poetry editor at The Deadlands, the SFPA Elgin Awards Chair, a Dream Foundry Contest for Emerging Writers finalist, and received her PhD in English from Stanford University. Find more of her words at The Deadlands, Star*Line, Asimov's Science Fiction, The Razor, The Acentos Review, and others. Reach out at feliciamartinez.com
Kate Maruyama—Kate Maruyama is the author of The Collective (Writ Large Press), Bleak Houses (Raw Dog Screaming Press), and Harrowgate (47North) and her novella Family Solstice was named Best Fiction Book of 2021 by Rue Morgue Magazine. Her short fiction has appeared in numerous anthologies and journals including Analog (twice) and Asimov's. She sits on the Board of Directors for the Shirley Jackson Awards and on the Diverse Works Inclusion Committee for the HWA. She writes, teaches, cooks, and eats in Los Angeles.
Xu Mason—Xu is a first generation bilingual immigrant comedian, writer, actor and TTRPG enthusiast. She made the classic jump from tech consultant to the arts. Her writing bylines include Reductress, McSweeneyes, Weekly Humorist and more. She has a forthcoming story in Analog, is part of the Clarion 2026 class, and lives in California.
Trish Matson—Freelance editor and former journalist Trish Matson has loved science fiction and fantasy since childhood; horror came later. She also enjoys roleplaying games. She reviews books and media via podcasts and posts with The Skiffy and Fanty Show and also edits their blog. She's also heavily involved as a moderator for Arvan Eleron's Twitch stream, and edits podcasts for him. She has also co-hosted the Stargate SG-Fun podcast, and edited some of their podcasts, and co-hosted a podcast about the CW Supergirl show.
Rebecca Matte—Rebecca Matte is a literary agent and contract manager at Bradford Literary Agency, representing YA and Adult SFF and romance. In her other life, she works as an attorney for the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and manages a small legal practice focusing on IP and contract issues. She spends most of her time playing board games and ttrpgs with friends in NYC and online.
MARILYN S MAUER—I have lived and professional experience. with neurodiversity inlcuding ADHD, austisim spectrum disorder, and chronic emotional dysregulation including complex PTSD.
I have been an attorney for 45 years, with over 30 years experience in dsablity law, including two decades as a Social Security Adminsitrative Law Judge.
I have five years experience as an adjunct professor of civil and criminal trial advocacy at Seattle University Law School.
I participated in panel discussions on neurodiversity at Seattle World Con in 2025 and I am a peer mentor/instructor for the NEABPD.
At Seattle World Con, I presented a craft session on use of con souvenirs in crafting and participated in a panel on genre crafts.
I am currently an Asst. Attorney General for the State of Washington. I live near Puget Sound in Washington, USA. I write short and novella length fiction, enjoy fiber arts from crossstitch to quilting, and perform stand up comedy when the shows don't run past my bedtime.
Christena Maurer—C.W. Maurer is a New England author, engineer, gamer, crafter, musician, and mom. She writes epic fantasy and low-tech sci-fi, and runs the Tunesdays with Maurer blog, where she discusses video game soundtracks and the musical tools composers use to tell stories and evoke emotion through their scores. Her short fiction has appeared on Escape Pod and in the anthology Brave New Girls: Tales of Girls Who Invent and Imagine.
Marlin May—I'm an Angeleno born and raised. I've occasionally said I don't trust air I cannot see. I'm a retired web developer & renewable energy system consultant. I'm no scientist, but I've consumed a steady diet of science books/media as long as I can recall. The first book I remember reading was Man in Space about Mercury 7. My favorite kids' t.v. show? Mr. Wizard. My second favorite? Thunderbirds. Lately I've been exploring the promise/problems solarpunk literature. I've been reading/watching genre fiction a long, long time. My first convention was in Feb. 1979; a tiny gathering in Southern California called "Science Fiction Weekend." I wandered into a room where they were screening episodes of Commando Cody. I was transfixed, hooked, captured… doomed. Since then I've attended many a Westercon, Worldcon, NASFic, Galacticon, Gaylaxicon, Balticon, Equicon, Filmcon, Albacon, Fantasmacon, Boskone and Arisia.
Bruce McAllister—Bruce McAllister’s short fiction has over the decades appeared in SFF&H magazines, literary journals, and “year’s best" volumes; and won or been shortlisted for awards from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Nebula, the Hugo, the Shirley Jackson Award, and others. His books include the novels HUMANITY PRIME, DREAM BABY, and THE VILLAGE SANG TO THE SEA : A MEMOIR OF MAGIC; and three collections, THE GIRL WHO LOVED ANIMALS, STEALING GOD AND OTHER STORIES, and a collection forthcoming from The Fabulist Press. His Hugo-nominated short story, “Kin,”—about a boy from the projects in a future LA who hires the scariest assassin in the known universe--was chosen by LeVar Burton to launch his podcast series LEVAR BURTON READS.
Patricia McCracken—Patricia is an accomplished Fantasy artist working in watercolor. Her style is clearly influenced by the Japanese wood block prints from the Edo period called, Ukiyo-e, which translates to “pictures of the floating world,” keeping her paintings light and delicate, but with the bold colors and patterns typical of the latter end of that period. She pursued her love of art through two degrees, BFA at the University at Buffalo and a MA at Syracuse University. In 2002, she began exhibiting in art shows all across the country and has won numerous awards for her Japanese style work. In addition, she and her husband, Michael Sinatra, wrote and illustrated, Draco Minimus: The World of the Little Dragons and recently Patricia wrote and illustrated, Watercolor the Essential Guide for Beginners. Patricia continues to show at convention art shows and lives in New York City with her family. You can see more of her art at www.patriciamccrackenart.com
John McDaid—John G. McDaid is a science fiction writer and folk/filk singer-songwriter from Rhode Island. A Clarion workshop grad, he won the Theodore Sturgeon award in 1995. His hypermedia novel, "Uncle Buddy’s Phantom Funhouse," was included in an NEH digital conservation project. A four-time finalist for the writer/composer Pegasus, his debut studio album, Trail of Mars, won the 2021 John Culkin Award. He teaches media theory and reviews local theater for BroadwayWorld. http://johnmcdaid.bandcamp.com.
Kel McDonald—Kel McDonald has been working in comics for almost two decades; most of that time has been spent on their webcomic, Sorcery 101. More recently, they have organized the Cautionary Fables and Fairytales anthology series and written the Eisner nominated mini-series The Stone King as well and won the Eisner for editing the Best Anthology You Died. They work on the comics of properties such as Buffy: The Vampire Slayer and Adventure Time. Most of their work is creator owned books such as the series Misfits of Avalon for Dark Horse Comics and Stars, Hide Your Fire for Iron Circus. They're currently working on their self-published series The City Between while working as the managing editor at Iron Circus Comics.
Seanan McGuire—Seanan McGuire writes things. Good luck making her stop. Seriously, good luck. Heroes have failed and fallen.
Finn McLellan—Finn McLellan (they/he) is an autistic disabled transmasc butch fantasy writer, hailing from the wilds of the northern UK. When they’re not writing they’re busy immersing themselves in a variety of ridiculous hobbies, most of which also involve disappearing into fantasy worlds and/or waving swords at people.
Ross Mead—Dr. Ross Mead is the Founder and CEO of Semio AI, an LA-based robotics software startup, and Executive Director of Semio Community, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit for human-robot interaction science. He holds a PhD in Computer Science from USC. His research on socially assistive robots and computational modeling of social behaviors provides foundations for Semio's software. Dr. Mead serves on the Board of Directors for AI LA and the KISS Institute for Practical Robotics, promoting AI and STEM literacy. He has advised companies including Disney, National Geographic, and Intel, and was a cast member on Syfy's Robot Combat League.
Sean Mead—Launching a new sf/f publisher, Sean is joining his lifelong love of science fiction and fantasy with his experiences in brand consulting and decision support modeling to get entertaining books into the hands of readers. His interests include AI and robotics, epic fantasy, law and technology, cultural impacts, economics, biotechnology, first contacts, and the numinous.
Foz Meadows—Foz Meadows is a queer Australian SFF author and essayist currently based in California. His most recent works include A Strange and Stubborn Endurance, All the Hidden Paths and Finding Echoes, and in 2019, he won the Hugo Award for Best Fanwriter.
Jeanne Mealy—I've been reading and watching science fiction (and some fantasy) for many years. I attend conventions, participate on panels, and coordinate a small apa (Amateur Press Association). I am a selective extrovert, which means sometimes I feel introverted and other times I'm more extroverted. I can interact with both groups. I'm a fan of Mad Libs.
R. A. Meenan—Greetings! I'm R. A. Meenan. I'm a University-level English professor, celebrating 15 years in teaching, and a Magepunk author publishing since 2016. I'm the author of The Zyearth Chronicles, a dark magepunk fantasy touching on difficult topics like redemption, grief, prejudice, and more, all wrapped in a theme of community and working together for the greater good.
L.J. Melvin—L.J. Melvin is the author of the CURD IMMUNITY series, a YA climate fiction/hope punk adventure about microbiology and saving small pieces of the world. The first volume of the E-STATE series, an illustrated comedy novella about human and AI relations, will be released in early 2027.
As a kid, L.J. spent weekends reading science fiction in her dad’s electron microscopy lab and listening to dinner conversation about coalescing lipids, diamond knife sectioning, histology, and microbiology. She later taught English to at-risk youth, prisoners, and African high-schoolers as a Peace Corps Volunteer. She’s been a small business accountant, posturologist, structural bodyworker, and homeschooling parent and now spends her time in Lewis County, WA, gardening and writing science fiction novels.
Zain Memon—Zain Memon is a visionary game designer and transmedia creator who pioneered South Asia’s modern tabletop renaissance. His political strategy board game SHASN is India's most played modern tabletop game. It has won IndieCade’s Social Impact Award and reached players in over 70 countries. Its sequel SHASN: AZADI, hailed as the "blueprint for semi-cooperative game design," became the first tabletop game honored by Games for Change. Memon has established games as transformative learning systems through his approach to play as pedagogy His political strategy board game SHASN is India's most played modern tabletop game. It has won IndieCade's Social Impact Award and reached players in over 70 countries. Its sequel SHASN: AZADI, hailed as the "blueprint for semi-cooperative game design" became the first tabletop game honored by Games for Change. Memon has established games as transformative learning systems through his approach to play as pedagogy.
Farah Mendlesohn—Farah Mendlesohn won a Hugo with Edward James in 2005 for The Cambridge Companion to Fantasy Literature, is the author of Diana Wynne Jones: The Fantastic Tradition and Children's Literature, Rhetorics of Fantasy; with Edward James, A Short History of Fantasy, The Inter-galactic Playground: A Critical Study of Children's and Teens' Science Fiction, with Michael M. Levy Children’s Fantasy Literature: An Introduction, which won the World Fantasy Award and the Mythopeic Award in 2017. The Pleasant Profession of Robert A. Heinlein was published in 2019. Considering The Female Man by Joanna Russ, or, As the Bear Swore … was released by Luna Press Publishing in 2026
Manjula Menon—Manjula Menon has a background in Physics and Electrical Engineering. She writes at the intersection of science fiction and philosophy.
Atlin Merrick—A volcano of encouragement shaped a lot like a person, I've been commissioning editor at Improbable Press for the last eleven years, have published two books of fiction, and edited hundreds of stories and dozens of books, including Spark: How Fic and Fandom Can Set Your Writing On Fire. I'm highly focused on raising the voices of LGBTQIA+, neurodivergent, BIPOC, disabled, and other people from whom we do not yet hear enough.
Kestrel Michaud—Kestrel Michaud is a classically trained, award-winning, and internationally recognized fine art quilter with a BFA in illustration. Her art quilts are large wall hangings made from thousands of pieces of fabric that are fused together and quilted. Kestrel and her art quilts have been featured on The Quilt Show and Quilting Arts TV on PBS. Kestrel teaches at conferences and on Patreon, she has exhibited in six countries, and her work has won grand prizes at the largest quilt shows in the world.
Michael Michel—Michael Michel lives in Oregon with his wife and their "mini-me" children. When he isn't obsessively writing, he can be found exercising, exploring nature, enjoying comedy, or playing Warhammer. His favorite shows are Dark, The Wire, and Scavenger's Reign—clearly, he loves his heart to be abused. If you are foolish enough to challenge him in table tennis, he will gladly destroy you.
Midori—Midori is a sexuality educator, author, and artist specializing in BDSM topics. She is the founder of ForteFemme Women's Dominance Intensive. She also trains therapists through the Sexual Health Alliance. Her work moves between writing, teaching, and art. Her speculative fiction includes Master Han's Daughter and Silk Threads, co-authored with Cecilia Tan and Laura Antoniou. She authored The Seductive Art of Japanese Bondage, the first English-language book on Shibari, and Wild Side Sex: The Book of Kink. She will have art featured in the WorldCon Art Show, and will teach at the Stockroom on August 29th.
Adrienne Miles—Adrienne Bengtson, who writes science fiction as Adrienne Miles, picked back up her lifelong interest in writing after retiring from the US Air Force and a 25-year career as a librarian. Instead of slowing down, she published her debut novel, Spider's Wyrd, in March 2025 and is working on a sequel. A handful of short stories set in the same universe are also in the works.
Jo Miles—Jo Miles writes optimistic science fiction and fantasy, including the Infinite Pantry cozy fantasy series, novella The Final Chronicle of Yeneh, and the Gifted of Brennex space opera trilogy. Their short stories have appeared in Fantasy & Science Fiction, Lightspeed, Uncanny, and more. Explore all their work and sign up for updates at www.jomiles.com.
H.E. Milla—H.E. Milla is a second-generation immigrant with roots in Honduras, China, and Vietnam. They are a Clarion West alumnus (2024), recipient of the NESFA Short Story Contest Award (2025), and PhD candidate studying epigenetics and stress-related diseases. You can read their thoughts on queer villainy and futurity in the December 2025 Issue of Speculative Insight. H.E. lives in North Carolina with their wife and two cats.
Sadie Milla graduated from UNC Greensboro with a BA in Religious Studies, and now supervises two group homes for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. She finds that developing visual aids, learning clients’ communication styles, thinking about religion, and interpreting speculative fiction all use the same corner of her mind. Sadie lives in Chapel Hill with her spouse and two cats (one sweet and one terrible).
Craig Miller—Long-time fan Craig Miller’s career started in Hollywood as a publicity executive, working with Lucasfilm, Warner Bros., Disney, Jim Henson, etc. on such films as Star Wars, The Empire Strikes Back, The Dark Crystal, The Muppets Take Manhattan, Splash, The Thing, The Last Starfighter, Real Genius, The Wicker Man, and others. Wanting to do something more directly creative, he switched to writing scripts and, since then, has written and produced over 300 episodes of television, primarily animation, on shows ranging from Curious George and G.I. Joe to Showtime’s live-action horror anthology series The Hunger. He has two books out: Star Wars Memories and More Movie Memories.
Skottie Miller—Skottie Miller is a VP and Technology Fellow at DreamWorks Animation, specializing in Infrastructure strategy and operations
Samantha Mills—Samantha Mills is an award-winning science fiction and fantasy author living in Southern California. Her short story, "Rabbit Test," won multiple awards in 2023. Her science fantasy novel, The Wings Upon Her Back, won the Compton Crook Award for best SFFH debut and was a finalist for the World Fantasy Award for Best Novel in 2025. Her first short story collection, Rabbit Test and Other Stories, is available now! You can find more at https://samtasticbooks.com.
Terrence Miltner—Terrence is a long time gamer, writer, and convention attendee and runner.
John Minton—Co- Host of YouTube channel Talking Story as well as a Co-Autor of the Strange Eons series.
Cameron L. Mitchell—Cameron L. Mitchell is an international artist known for his transformative storytelling. He is the author of “Breaking the Block: Building a path to write the story.” Cameron stars in the Feature film “Dating My Past” that premiered internationally in Curacao and has streamed over a million views on Amazon Prime, Apple TV, and Tubi. As a speaker he has presented for: Disney, Legacy Foundation in Japan, Nafasi Art Space in Tanzania, and Fatih Temple in Germany among others. Honored as a Poet Laureate, Cameron mentors youth across Tennessee and continues to make strides to inspire the next generation.
Miguel O. Mitchell—Miguel O. Mitchell, PhD (he/his/him) is a Black speculative poet, SFF author, visual artist, and retired chemistry professor. His poems have appeared in Amazing Stories, Dreams & Nightmares, Eye to the Telescope, FIYAH, Sauúti Terrors anthology, Scarlet Dragonfly Journal, Scifaikuest, Space & Time, Star*Line, and the anthology Year’s Best African Speculative Fiction (2022). Two of his poems were nominated for the 2022 Rhysling Award in the Long Poem category. Miguel has also published two poetry collections, Surrealia (Gnashing Teeth Publishing, 2024), Second Place winner in the 2025 Elgin Awards for Best Full-Length Speculative Poetry Book, and Periodic Table of Alien Species (Elements 1-86) (Barnes & Noble Press, 2021). He was the Editor of the 2025 Dwarf Stars anthology, was Co-editor (with David C. Kopaska-Merkel) of the 2023 Dwarf Stars anthology, and is Editor-in-Chief and Publisher of SpecPoVerse: An International Journal of Speculative Poetry (https://specpoverse.org).
In addition to poetry, Miguel has published the flash fiction stories "Finding the Path: (Space & Time 152 (July 2026)) and "Trading with Monsters" (Fantasy (Psychopomp) 90 (April 2023)) and the short stories "The Revenant Saga" (Scarlet Leaf Review, 10/9/2021) and "Synchronicity Redux" (Dirty Magick Magazine 22 (June 2026)).
Petrea Mitchell—Petrea Mitchell is a lifelong fan of all sorts, currently a reader, gamer, and writer of the newsletter SMOF News (smofnews.substack.com).
Lisa Mix—Lisa Mix is the Director of University Archives & Special Collections at California State University Fullerton, where she works with the McNelly Science Fiction Collection.
David Moles—David’s fiction has appeared in Clarkesworld, Strange Horizons, Asimov’s, F&SF, and various anthologies.
Elis Montgomery—Elis Montgomery is a speculative fiction writer from Vancouver, Canada. She's a Hugo and Rhysling Finalist and a member of SFWA and Codex. Her work has appeared in venues like Strange Horizons, Small Wonders, and Year's Best Canadian Fantasy and Science Fiction. When she's not writing, she's usually hanging upside down in an aerial arts class or a murky cave. Find her there, on Bluesky @elismontgomery.bsky.social, or at https://www.elismontgomery.com/.
Helen Montgomery—Helen Montgomery has been active in the Chicago fannish community since 2000 and Worldcon fandom since 2004. She has worked on twelve Worldcons and three NASFiCs in total, including as Chair of Chicon 8: The 80th World Science Fiction Convention in 2022, and most recently the Seattle Worldcon 2025 and the upcoming LAcon V in 2026. Helen has held many roles for Capricon in Chicago since 2000, including ConChair (twice) and serving on the Board of Directors (thrice). She also chaired Smofcon 2016, a convention for convention runners, in Chicago. Additionally, she is the President of the Science Fiction Outreach Project, a charitable organization that promotes literacy and fandom through the reading of science fiction and fantasy. Helen is a retired psychiatric social worker who enjoys reading (SF/F, romance, and mystery), watching most sports, attending live theatre and concerts, board gaming, photography, traveling, acrylic paint pouring, LEGO, and container gardening. She collects more art than she can display, and is an avid collector of all things related to Maleficent (the original animated version).
Joe Monti—VP, Associate Publisher and Editorial Director, and founder of Saga Press at Simon and Schuster. I’m also a Hugo and World Fantasy award finalist.
Ingrid Moon writes science fiction and fantasy, teaches STEM subjects, and edits other people's worlds when she isn't busy building her own. Her background spans biology, physics, technology, business, gaming, and education, all of which she uses to inform her stories, settings, and characters.
She is the author of the Saxen Saga, a dark space opera set in a grim future; The Biohunter, a post-apocalyptic adventure; and a handful of shorter works in science fiction and fantasy. When she's not writing or teaching, she's probably reading outside with her two pigs and dozens of squirrels, or drawing on the couch with six cats fighting for her lap.
Richard H Moon—Richard H Moon is an award-winning screenwriter, producer, family man, care-provider for several dogs and cats, a curler, archer, hiker, musician, physics tutor, SFF nerd, literature aficionado, history obsessive, and kitten fosterer. He has a physics degree, but has never let that get in his way. He’s always ready to geek out about story and character and deep meaning and also cool robots, and he supports every human out there who is making art with their own hands and bodies and minds. He lives with his family in Southern California, on the ancestral and unceded land of the Hahamongna people.
Margot Moore—Margot Moore writes contemporary romcoms that play with genre. Her debut, FAKING FOR A FORTNIGHT, is set to release Spring 2027 with PRH/Berkley and features a Regency-themed immersive resort inspired by Westworld.
Marshall J. Moore—Marshall J. Moore is the author of The Henchperson's Guide to Unionizing, the Son of a Sailor cozy fantasy trilogy, the Rites of Resurrection epic fantasy trilogy, and over thirty published short stories. His story “Red Lanterns” won second place in the Baen Fantasy Adventure Award Short Story Contest. When not writing or talking about writing, you can find Marshall teaching Muay Thai or reading at his home in Atlanta with his wife, Megan, and their two cats, Delilah and Furiosa.
Mary-Michelle Moore—Mary-Michelle Moore is the STEM Teaching Librarian at the University of California, Riverside. She is interested in the representation of librarians, library work, and information literacy in online spaces, and in science fiction and fantasy, and popular culture. She has presented on these topics at WorldCon 76, ChiCon 8, Gallifrey One, and ACA/PCA Conferences.
Deeply rooted in the sci-fi genre, Ronald D. Moore got his start in the entertainment business on the writing staff of Star Trek: The Next Generation. During his tenure there, he wrote or co-wrote 27 episodes, including the two-hour series finale “All Good Things,” for which he won the prestigious Hugo Award in 1994. That same year, Moore was honored with an Emmy® Award nomination and was eventually promoted to Producer.
In 1994, Moore joined the writing staff of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine as Supervising Producer and was elevated to Co-Executive Producer the following year. Moore spent five seasons on the series until the end of its successful run in 1999.
Moore also served briefly as Executive Consultant on the USA cable series Good vs. Evil before joining the staff of Roswell as Executive Producer. After two seasons in that post, he took over the reins as Showrunner from Creator Jason Katims in its final year.
In the fall of 2002, Moore was named Showrunner and Executive Producer of HBO’s critically acclaimed one-hour drama Carnivàle.
In 2003, Moore created the re-imagined series, Battlestar Galactica, and served as Showrunner/Executive Producer of the series, which ran for four seasons. Battlestar Galactica was honored with a prestigious Peabody® Award and twice as an official selection of the AFI (American Film Institute) top television programs for 2005 and 2006. The debut episode, “33,” won Moore his second Hugo Award, alongside director Michael Rymer, for Best Dramatic Presentation, Short Form. In 2006, Moore was nominated for an Emmy® Award for Best Writing in a Dramatic Series, and in 2008, he won an Emmy® for the Battlestar Galactica webisodes.
In 2008, Moore co-wrote the pilot to the spin-off series Caprica, a drama set 58 years before the events of Battlestar Galactica. He served as Executive Producer for the run of the series.
In 2010, Moore’s production company, Tall Ship Productions, signed an overall deal with Sony Television to develop and produce television series, including the Golden Globes®-nominated historical fantasy series Outlander for Starz, based upon the bestselling novels by Diana Gabaldon, and the original science fiction alternative history series For All Mankind for AppleTV+. He also served as Executive Producer on the Amazon/Channel 4 anthology series, Philip K. Dick’s Electric Dreams, as well as the SyFy original series, Helix.
After a decade working at Sony Television, Tall Ship Productions inked an overall deal with Disney’s 20th Television from 2020-2024, and has now returned to Sony Television once more to begin a new overall deal as of June 2024. Under the Tall Ship banner, Moore is currently producing both Outlander and its prequel series Blood of My Blood, as well as For All Mankind and its own spinoff series, Star City.
Moore is a native of Chowchilla, California and attended Cornell University, where he studied political science. He lives in California with his wife, Terry. He has three children – Robin, Roxy and Jonathan.
Dan Moren—Dan Moren is an author, podcaster, tech journalist, and two-time Jeopardy! champion. His works include the supernatural detective novel All Souls Lost and the Galactic Cold War series of sci-fi espionage capers, and he writes about technology at Six Colors. A prolific podcaster, he serves as the co-host of tech shows Clockwise and The Rebound, writes and hosts nerdy quiz show Inconceivable!, and is a frequent panelist on the Parsec-award-winning podcast The Incomparable. He’s represented by Joshua Bilmes of JABberwocky Literary Agency.
Cheryl Morgan—Cheryl Morgan is a writer, editor, and publisher. She has won four Hugo Awards and owns Wizard’s Tower Press. Her non-fiction has appeared in venues including Locus, the SF Encyclopaedia, Vector and Strange Horizons. Her fiction has appeared in various small press magazines and anthologies. Cheryl was a Guest of Honour at the 2012 Eurocon in Zagreb and the 2019 Finncon in Jyväskylä. She was a keynote speaker at Worlding SF at the University of Graz in 2018, and at When It Changed, a conference on feminist science fiction organised by the University of Glasgow in December 2022.
Rémy Morgan—Rémy is a life-long space enthusiast and science communicator, always ready and eager to talk all things galactic, stellar, planetary, or even alien! What started with library rentals of Magic School Bus VHS tapes led to a degree in astronomy and atmospheric science, as well as a passion for education and outreach. She worked as a planetarium operator, presenter, manager, and script writer/performer before becoming a Network Operations Project Engineer for the Deep Space Network, helping dozens of spacecraft talk to us back here on her favorite planet, Earth.
Amber Morrell—Amber Morrell is a fantasy author and librarian. Her newest novel, The Bramblespell Branch Library, is out October 1st.
Michelle Morrell—Michelle was the Exhibits Division Head for Seattle Worldcon 2025 and has held numerous positions at Norwescon including Publications Director, Member Services Director, and Secretary. Her special passion project is the Norwescon Little Free Library book exchange, where thousands of books get rehomed each year. She reviews contracts by day, prowls the Seattle goth scene by night, looks for any excuse to wear elf ears, and lives by the creed, “I read, therefore, I am.”
Cass Morris—Cass Morris lives her life at the intersection of storytelling, performance, and education as a writer and editor of novels, short fiction, and immersive experiences. Her novels, The Aven Cycle, are Roman-flavored historical fantasy. She is also one-third of the team behind the six-time Hugo Award Finalist podcast Worldbuilding for Masochists. Cass works as Story Editor at Mythik Camps, providing writing and developmental editing for the mythology-themed summer camps' interactive theatrical experiences, as well as other programming and media projects. Previously, she worked in the education department at the American Shakespeare Center in Staunton, VA.
Greg Morris—Greg Morris is president of Scaled Composites and is a Test Pilot for Scaled. Prior to Scaled, he was President of Gauntlet Aerospace, including teaching in the Qualitative Evaluation Program at United States Air Force Test Pilot School, and target & chase support for the 412th Test Wing at Edwards Air Force Base. Greg has Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Southern California and a Master of Science in Flight Test Engineering from National Test Pilot School. He is an Associate Fellow of the Society of Experimental Test Pilots.
Dr. Katherine L Morse—Dr. Katherine L Morse is half of the award-winning, husband and wife writing team of the steampunk adventure series, The Adventures of Drake & McTrowell. She is also an internationally renowned expert in distributed, federated simulation.
Will Morton—Born in WV, Will Morton lives in the Los Angeles area with his wife Yvonne. A retired electrical engineer with 16 years’ experience working on the Space Shuttle program, he is a writer with a passion for languages. Active locally with various polyglot groups, he has studied over a dozen natural and constructed languages.
Yvonne Fay Morton—I was born and raised in Los Angeles and worked in aerospace for 20+ years, including the Space Shuttle program for 12 years. A lifelong photographer, I expanded into other art media including membership in the Pastel Society of the West Coast. I am currently studying Spanish, Irish, Esperanto, Old English, and Navajo. My husband and I have been involved in fandom for nearly 40 years.
Jennifer Mosier—Jennifer Mosier (MFA; USC, SAG-AFTRA) is Board President for Synecdoche Works, an arts nonprofit focused on new play development. Most recently a co-founder of Old Bat Films, she is a Magician Member of the Magic Castle in Hollywood. She has served on the faculties at UC Santa Barbara, Cal State San Bernardino, and Northern Arizona University, and was published in The Journal of American Culture with “Hold Your Horses! The Elephants are Coming!” prior to her departure from academia.
Mia V. Moss—Mia V. Moss (they/them) is a science fiction & fantasy author from the Pacific Northwest, now living in the SF Bay area. They are the author of the cli-fi noir novella, MAI TAIS FOR THE LOST, and the upcoming epic fantasy novel, THE HERESY OF THIEVES. When they’re not writing, they enjoy running around feral outdoors, DMing tabletop campaigns, mixing cocktails, making big art, and admiring their enormous TBR pile. They would be delighted to share her cookies and gin.
Fred C. Moulton—Retired Computer Systems Professional. Interests include Critical Thinking, futurism, technology and interesting social questions.
Caroline Mullan—UK fan continuously involved since Seacon '79 with Worldcons and other conventions, APAs and fanzines, and other SF-related activities.
Conrunner with committee and staff roles in Worldcons, Eastercons and smaller conventions, most recently Chair of Conversation, the UK Eastercon in 2023, and staff roles for Glasgow: A Worldcon for our Futures in 2024.
Eighteen years as a Trustee of the Science Fiction Foundation, and Judge for the Arthur C. Clarke Award in 2001 and 2002.
Founding member of TWP, and fanwriter with published work in Banana Wings and other fanzines. Played Nurse Chapel in Spock in Manacles at BECCON '85. Guest of Honour at the 2015 Eastercon, Dysprosium, and Fantastika 2016 in Stockholm.
A Virtual Member of LACon.
Triona Murphy—Triona's debut novel SOCKS & SECRET QUESTS, a middle grade fantasy with magic knitting that's Howl's Moving Castle meets D&D, releases September 29, 2026 from Atheneum/S&S. She writes books and designs knitting patterns in beautiful Oregon wine country, where she lives with her husband and three kids in a house overflowing with yarn, board games, and books.
Francesca Myman—Francesca Myman is a senior editor and art director at Locus Magazine, where she has worked for nineteen years. She also works as a cover artist and designer, and has designed over 140 Locus covers, many featuring her vivid and imaginative original artwork. Her editorial duties include convention coverage and photography, event support for the Locus Awards, art books wrangling for the renowned Locus Recommended Reading List, undersea beastie upkeep, and many other strange and wonderful tasks. Art, science, and technology are areas of interest. She lives in Oakland, CA with her two polydactyl calicos, Magic and Marginalia.
Lex Nakashima—As Lex Nakashima: Attending Worldcons since IguanaConII; writer-directer for LX, Ltd. web series tentativley titled, "ClockWerx" As Lance Ikegawa: Master Costumer, won some awards, builds monster costumes especially.
Virginia L. Naples—I am a professor of Biological Sciences at Northern Illinois University. My areas of research specialization are vertebrate paleontology, functional and comparative morphology. My most active present research focuses on sabertooth carnivores, especially Smilodon fatalis, the iconic sabertooth cat that is known primarily from the asphalt seeps at Rancho La Brea. I study both living and extinct vertebrates, primarily mammals, including living tree and extinct ground sloths, hippos and extinct lobe finned fishes, specifically the coelacanths. Other areas of my research include biological aspects of forensic sciences.
T R Napper—T. R. Napper is a multi-award-winning author. His honours include the prestigious Australian Aurealis five times. His short fiction has appeared in Asimov’s, The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction, Grimdark Magazine, and numerous others. Napper received a creative writing doctorate for his thesis: Noir, Cyberpunk, and Asian Modernity (yes, he is a Doctor of Cyberpunk). Before turning to writing, T. R. Napper was an aid worker, delivering humanitarian programs throughout Southeast Asia for a decade. He was a resident of the Old Quarter in Hanoi for several years, the setting for his acclaimed debut novel, 36 Streets.
Mari Ness—Mari Ness is a speculative poet, short fiction writer, and two time Hugo and one time Nebula finalist, with more than 350 short stories and poems in various zines and anthologies, including Reactor, Clarkesworld, Uncanny, Lightspeed, Nightmare, Apex, The Sunday Morning Transport, Baffling, Nature Futures, Beneath Ceaseless Skies, Diabolical Plots, Three-Lobed Burning Eye, Strange Horizons, Bourbon Penn, and Haven Spec. Mari lives in central Florida, and when not writing, can sometimes be spotted talking to live oak trees.
Annalee Newitz—Annalee Newitz is a science journalist who writes science fiction. They are the author, most recently, of the novella "Automatic Noodle" and the nonfiction book "Stories Are Weapons: Psychological Warfare and the American Mind."
Ryan Nichols—Ryan Nichols is a professor of philosophy at Cal State Fullerton. He is first author of a book (with F. Miller & N. Smith) called Philosophy Through Science Fiction. His data science work includes a 2014 paper (w/ B. Purzycki and J. Lynn) that was presented at the Reno worldcon called "Toward a Science of Science Fiction." He lives 6.2 miles away from the Anaheim C.C.
Russ Nickel—Russ Nickel is an award-winning screenwriter and narrative designer, and the co-founder of OmniMegaSuperCorp, the indie studio behind the upcoming comedy RPG Ledgerbound. He was lead writer on the smash-hit Helldivers 2 and co-founded Tappity, a gamified education platform with over 100,000 users. When he's not writing, he's probably escaping a room, playing Magic: The Gathering, or drinking what he swears is his last coffee of the day.
Karla Nielsen—Senior Curator of Literary Collections, The Huntington Library
Brian Nisbet—Brian Nisbet started running running gaming (Leprecon, Gaelcon, K2) and SF conventions in Ireland in the mid-90s. In 1998 he got involved in the International Discworld Convention, held in the UK, and went on to chair it twice in 2010 & 2012. He co-chaired Shamrokon, the 2014 Eurocon. Since then he's mostly been on the committees of Worldcons (Helsinki, San Jose, Dublin, Washington DC, Chicago, Glasgow) or Worldcon bids (Dublin in 2029) in a variety of roles, including substantial work (along with many others) to implement and improve codes of conduct. He has written for a number of published TTRPGs as well as many, many convention scenarios. He's been a huge fan of fantasy, sci-fi and gaming for over 30 years and he's so looking forward to all the things to come!
Larry Niven—I've been a published writer since 1964. See Neutron Star, Ringworld, A Mote in God's Eye, Lucifer's Hammer, for a sampling.
G. David Nordley—Gerald Nordley is an author, a consulting astronautical engineer, and retired USAF officer with experience in spacecraft operations and engineering. A writer of nonfiction and science fiction as "G. David Nordley," he has degrees in physics and systems management
He has over a hundred publications of nonfiction and fiction. His writing won four Analog "Anlab" readers' awards and nominations for both a Hugo and a Nebula award. His two novels and five story collections are available from Brief Candle Press. His stories focus on the human experience in scientifically plausible futures, many of them in astronomical settings. His latest story is "Titan of Chaos" in Life Beyond Us from Lucas Media.
Gerald was born in Minneapolis, lives in Sunnyvale CA with his wife Gayle Wiesner, has three adult children and one grandchild. See: www.gdnordley.com.
Mike Nordstrom—Mike is an animator, storyboard artist and director with over 20 years of experience in the industry. After working at Soup2Nuts in Boston for several years, he moved to Los Angeles for work at Nickelodeon and Warner Brothers.
Dr. Marcus Norris—Dr. Marcus Norris's childhood foray into music came through producing rap beats on pirated software, installed on a Windows 98 computer that he Macgyvered together from spare parts. He came to composing concert music later and transferred that same imagination to writing music of all kinds. Marcus most recently composed the score for the hit Netflix series BANDI, becoming the top watched non-english show globally on the platform for the week following its release. His cross-genre mastery resulted in Beyoncé asking Marcus to orchestrate several songs for her and 50-piece orchestra as part of her 2023 Dubai return to live performance. Marcus founded South Side Symphony in 2020, which he describes as "like if Quincy Jones grew up on 90s R&B and Rap." He has been commissioned by the LA Phil, Juilliard, the Atlanta Opera, New World Symphony, Jackson Symphony Orchestra, the CYSO, Long Beach Opera, and many more. For more information on Marcus and his music, visit www.MarcusNorris.com and www.SouthSideSymphony.org
Julie Novakova—Julie Nováková is a scientist active in astrobiology, educator and award-winning Czech author, editor and translator of science fiction, fantasy and detective stories. She published ten novels, one anthology, one story collection and over thirty short pieces in Czech. Her work in English appeared in Clarkesworld, Asimov’s, Analog, and elsewhere. Her works have been translated into multiple languages, and she translates Czech stories into English (in Tor.com, Strange Horizons, F&SF, Clarkesworld, and Welkin Magazine). She edited or co-edited an anthology of Czech speculative fiction in translation, Dreams From Beyond, a book of European SF in Filipino translation, Haka, an outreach ebook of astrobiological SF, Strangest of All, and its more ambitious follow-up print and ebook anthology Life Beyond Us (Laksa Media, upcoming in late 2022). Julie’s newest book is a story collection titled The Ship Whisperer (Arbiter Press, 2020). She is a recipient of the European fandom’s Encouragement Award and multiple Czech genre awards. She’s active in science outreach, education and nonfiction writing, and co-leads the outreach group of the European Astrobiology Institute. She’s a member of the XPRIZE Sci-fi Advisory Council.
Naomi Novik—Naomi Novik has written the Scholomance trilogy, the novels UPROOTED and SPINNING SILVER, and the Temeraire series. She is a founder of the Archive of Our Own. She is currently working on an upcoming series called Folly, while building Wreccer in her copious free time. Her next publication will be a novella from Del Rey called THE LAKE WITCH.
Brandon O'Brien—Brandon O’Brien is a writer, performance poet, teaching artist, and tabletop roleplaying game designer from Trinidad and Tobago. His work is published in Uncanny Magazine, Fireside Magazine, Strange Horizons, and New Worlds, Old Ways: Speculative Tales from the Caribbean. He is the former Poetry editor of the Hugo Award-winning magazine FIYAH: A Magazine of Black Speculative Fiction. His debut poetry collection, Can You Sign My Tentacle? is the winner of the 2022 Elgin Award. He recently served as Poet Laureate of the 2025 World Science Fiction Convention in Seattle, Washington--the first Poet Laureate Guest of Honor in the convention's history.
Bryce O'Connor—Bryce O'Connor is the CEO of the specialty edition publisher Wraithmarked Creative, as well as the bestselling author of the Warformed: Stormweaver series.
Dave O'Neill—SF author and tech entrepreneur type person (mobile, cloud, phones), fan, regular con goer to worldcons and other cons since the 1990s (I'm so old) Once an engineer working in, among other things aerospace and rockets. Writer of quite silly SF. Original a brit, irish by birth and American by naturalization.
Molly O'Neill—Molly O’Neill is a fantasy author and engineering geologist. She was born and raised in the Cotswolds and moved to Australia in 2019. She now lives in Sydney, on the land of the Bidjigal People. Molly writes fantasy books inspired by the beautiful landscapes of her two countries, and by the folklore of the British Isles. She particularly loves the darker Arthurian legends and the Welsh myths of the Mabinogion and often uses them as a foundation for her stories. Her works so far are Greenteeth and Nightshade & Oak
Nero Villagallos O'Reilly—Nero is a Seattle-based indigenous Panamanian and Mexican web cartoonist with 10+ years in the adult comics scene. His work has been published by Iron Circus Comics, COYOTE, The Nib, and more. He is also one of the founders of Cartoonists United, an organization that seeks to improve working conditions for cartoonists everywhere.
Ron Oakes—Ron Oakes is a self-published fantasy writer and, sometimes, a science fiction writer. He has published works under his own name and as Randall Fox through Kindle Direct Publishing and elsewhere. As Ron Oakes, he has written works in a traditional high fantasy setting, The Northlands. The Northlands have seen nearly 2000 years of peace following the end of The Last War, where the forces of The Free Kindreds—elves, dwarves, and men—fought back against the forces led by the rebellious Rai—angelic beings created by The God Alilun—Yurmbrear. The first of these stories, The Phoenix Knives, is available. As Randall Fox, he has written shorter works set in a furry setting resembling the European Renaissance. This world features an eclectic mix of anthropomorphic animals living together in a united society. It blends adventure, politics, and a bit of daily life as we follow Randall through his adventures. Several novellas in this series are now available, starting with Flight of the Heretics.
Tara Oakes—In addition to all things sci-fi, I have been a collector of robots, droids, and cyborgs for over 40yrs, and I’m approaching 300 in my collection. I’m interested in how people curate their collections. I also attended a short-lived school on robotics in Chicago.
Marcella Ochoa—Marcella Ochoa is a filmmaker originally from San Antonio, Texas. She recently wrote and directed a supernatural short, THE HIDDEN, starrring Mishel Prada, Isabella Gomez, Jessica Marie Garcia, and Lucas Adams. Her previous Western horror short, HOUR OF BLOOD, starring Jesse Garcia and Isabella Leon received Best Short Film nominations for the Imagen Awards and Humanitas Prizes. Her thriller short she wrote and directed, WORRY DOLLS distributed by Crypt TV, received a Best Short Film Imagen Award nomination. Her short, MY NAME IS MARIA DE JESUS, premiered on HBO. She co-wrote a thriller, MADRES, for Blumhouse and Amazon and received an NAACP Image Award Nomination for Outstanding Writing. She’s written horror films for Paramount, New Line, and Universal and is repped by CAA and Media Evolution Group.
Emiko Ogasawara—Emiko Ogasawara is a multimedia sculptor and arts educator whose recent work focuses on ceramic sculpture, printmaking, and paper engineered pop-up artist books. She is the 2026 sculptor of the Lodestar Award.
Weyodi OldBear—Weyodi OldBear is a citizen of the Comanche Nation and an award-winning science fiction author, poet, and Nebula Award-finalist game designer(Coyote&Crow). Her novel “As Many Ships As Stars”, released in October of 2024 by Android Press, received warm reviews from Publishers Weekly. Her short story “Red Lessons” was the winner of the national Indigenous Futurist Prize. The first book in her trilogy series “The Root and The Seed”, based on the story “Red Lessons” due to be released by Android in June 2026, received a glowing review from celebrated Indigenous Horror storyteller and editor Shane Hawk. Her comic credits include the “A Howl” anthology edited by Beth laPensee, the Lakota Legal Collective’s Guide for Water Protectors published by Stanford University Press, and upcoming comics from Warpaint Studios, A Tribe Called Geek comics, and Green Archer Comics.
From speaking at conferences and summits on topics ranging from Native Representation in Video Games to the Roles of Activism and Resistance in Science Fiction, to being a keynote speaker at the fourth Shifting Seasons Summit: Implementing Climate Resistance, Weyodi continues to validate her 1977 diagnosis of ADHD on a daily basis.
Mark Olson—I'm a long-time SF fan who discovered SF before I discovered fandom, and discovered fandom long before I got involved in con-running. Still later did I get involved in NESFA Press and even later still in fan history.
I've chaired several conventions including a Worldcon (Noreascon 3), a Boskone, a Smofcon, and co-chaired a Ditto and I'e worked on numerous others. I've edited a dozen books and reviewed for Aboriginal SF. I prefer schlock SF to schlock fantasy. I collect SF art.
In real life I'm an astronomer who realized that I needed to make a living so I got my degrees in chemical physics -- and wound up managing software development. (But I still love astronomy more than anything else.)
My current major project is editing Fancyclopedia 3 and scanning and building infrastructure for fanac.org.
Christina Orlando—Christina Orlando is the Senior Books Editor for Reactor Mag. Find them on Bluesky at @cxorlando.bsky.social and Instagram at @thechristinaorlando
Hirotaka Osawa—Dr. Hirotaka Osawa is a professor at Keio University. His research field includes human-agent interaction, the development of anthropomorphic devices, simulation using social games for social agents, and exploring humanity studies through science fiction literature. He focuses specifically on how human-like appearance and attitude enhance the interaction between users and machines, as well as examining the role of social intelligence in improving our society. He earned his PhD in Engineering in Computer Science from Keio University. He published many SF related research books and also short story "Clash of Considerations" in 2026 ("short-short na SF").
Neil Ottenstein—Neil Ottenstein obtained a PhD in theoretical nuclear physics in 1990 and since then has been working in flight dynamics for one of two NASA Goddard Space Flight Center contractors. He is currently the
contractor flight dynamics lead for the Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS) mission.
He has been reading science fiction and fantasy most of his life, and going to science fiction conventions since 1980 (and a couple of comic book conventions before that). Babylon 5 is his favorite television program
Brittany Otto—Brittany is a paper artist known for combining layered paper and light into shadow box sculptures that she calls Oneiroframes. Based in Seattle, Washington since 2012, she made her first paper sculpture in 2016. She has since further developed her own techniques of cutting and layering paper and light to create her own unique and illustrative voice. Each line is painstakingly hand cut with a blade. Her work is influenced by her love of fantasy, biology, and struggles with mental health to create transformative, dream-like portals that draw the viewer into expressive worlds that shine brightest when surrounded by darkness.
Margaret Owen—Margaret Owen was born and raised at the end of the Oregon Trail and has worked in everything from thrift stores to presidential campaigns. She is the author of the bestselling Little Thieves trilogy and the critically-acclaimed Merciful Crow duology. In her free time, she enjoys exploring ill-advised travel destinations, raising money for social justice nonprofits through her illustrated work, and negotiating a hostage situation with her monstrous cats. She lives in Seattle.
Lisa Padol—Lisa Padol is a second generation SF fan, a filker, a gamer, playtester and editor of games, and a player and writer of LARPS. She sings adequately and consistently fails to identify harp tunes when her husband, Joshua Kronengold, is noodling around on the harp.
H.H. Pak—H.H. Pak is a Korean-American Nebula, Hugo, and Astounding nominated writer from Los Angeles whose speculative fiction has been published in Clarkesworld, among other venues. When they are not writing or surviving medical school, they co-edit Wyrmhole Magazine and make art of all kinds.
Ada Palmer—Ada Palmer’s Terra Ignota series explores a future of borderless nations and globally commixing populations. The first volume Too Like the Lightning was a Hugo finalist and Compton Crook winner, while Ada received the Astounding Award for Best New Writer. Terra Ignota was a finalist for the Hugo for Best Series. Her next project is the Norse mythology fantasy "And Loki in His Prison" (2027; book 1 of "Hanged God's Game"). She teaches history at the University of Chicago, studying the Renaissance, Enlightenment, heresy, atheism, and censorship. Her pop history Inventing the Renaissance: Myths of a Golden Age (2025) uses Machiavelli to look at the origins of the myth of a bad Middle Ages & good Renaissance, and how golden and dark ages recur in our fiction and imaginations. She composes music including Sundown: Whispers of Ragnarok, and performs with the group Sassafrass. She studies anime/manga, especially Osamu Tezuka, post-WWII manga and feminist manga, and consults for anime and manga publishers.
Carole Parker—Carole is known for combining traditional and contemporary dyeing techniques that allows her to get different results from most dyers. She has won masquerade workmanship awards for her dyework, as well as being a workmanship judge at Chicon7.
Marie Parks—Marie Parks is an LGBTQIA+ fantasy author and founder of Sandia Starforgers retreats for speculative fiction writers. Her writing has been called "a tapestry of emotion" by Mary Robinette Kowal and "impressive... fresh... and addictive" by David B. Coe. She coauthored paranormal thrillers Unrelenting and Undeniable with Jes Honard; Unrelenting, won the New Mexico Book Awards for best LGBTQ book. Marie was a finalist for the Futurescapes Award for Most Promising New Author for her fantasy heist, Flightless. She lives in New Mexico with her two rescue chihuahuas, where she loves to camp, hike, and eat green chile.
Ian Patterson—Ian Patterson is an award winning author of science fiction, horror, and poetry. His debut, Transference, won the Colorado Book Award for science fiction in 2025, and is part of a complete series called The Narrator Cycle. His work aims to critique capitalism, inequality, and environmental destruction by centering philosophical discussions in the trappings of fast-paced, genre-bending narratives. He believes all people should have bodily autonomy, equality, freedom, and that a more just future can be built on compassion and empathy. He can usually be found on his bike somewhere in the mountains of Colorado, or spending time with his family and his two cats.
Emily Paxman—Emily Paxman is an author and artist from Vancouver Island in beautiful British Columbia, Canada. She publishes science fiction and fantasy with Titan Books, including her debut novel, DEATH ON THE CALDERA, a fantasy murder mystery. Her next novel is ALL WE HAVE LEFT, a cozy, post-apocalyptic romance. She’s a huge fan of gardening, cats, watercolour painting, and several other hobbies that befit an octogenarian. She has her Master’s of Fine Arts in Creative Writing from Chatham University, has written for indie video game company Wizard Games. You can read her webcomic, Neptune Bay, on Webtoon.
Jared Pechacek—Jared Pechacek is a writer and illustrator. His novel The West Passage was nominated for the Locus and Astounding Awards and the Le Guin Prize, and won the 2025 Crawford Award. He lives in Seattle.
Brooks Peck—Brooks Peck is a pop culture museum curator specializing in science fiction, fantasy, gaming, movies, TV, costume and more. He worked at Seattle's Museum of Pop Culture for 17 years where he was Senior Curator. Exhibit highlights include Star Trek: Exploring New Worlds, Minecraft: the Exhibition, Infinite Worlds of Science Fiction. Recently he's worked on exhibits about Marvel comics and films and James Cameron.
Andy Peloquin—I am, first and foremost, a storyteller and an artist--words are my palette. Fantasy and science fiction are my genres of choice, and I love to explore the darker side of human nature through the filter of heroes, villains, and everything in between. I'm also a book lover and a guy who just loves to meet new people and spend hours talking about my fascination for the worlds I encounter in the pages of fantasy and sci-fi novels.
Roseanna Pendlebury—Roseanna Pendlebury is a London-based reviewer mainly interested in scifi and fantasy, but occasionally prone to dabble in historical and mythological fiction. She is currently an editor at Hugo and Ignyte award winning fanzine Nerds of a Feather, has a column on small press novellas at the Ancillary Review of Books and has her own blog at readerofelse. When not reading, she can be found watching rugby, making bookmarks and generally collecting too many crafting hobbies.
Penelope—Penelope is an artist interested in a career in animation.
Kelly L Perry—Panel is for entire Voyager Flight Team. Kelly Perry is the Data Systems engineer on the Voyager Interstellar Mission.
Jon "HobbitGuy" Pessin—Jon Pessin absolutely not a collection of weasels and ferrets in a trenchcoat, but a fully human person who has been human for more than 40 years now. Rather than chasing stoats, shrews, and other rodentia for food, he enjoys playing tabletop RPGs, making music, and eating human foods like pizza. His favorite part about congoing is probably costuming, such as the human costume he's certainly not wearing right now. When not attending conventions, he spends his time in northern Illinois scurrying through meado... I mean, sitting in offices and answering phone calls. He's also a children's entertainer (seriously this time), and works as a balloon twister, party entertainer, and Santa Claus. But not as a collection of weasels.
Lincoln Peters—Lincoln Peters is an engineer, a photographer, and a historical swordfighter. He was the masquerade photographer at Worldcon 75, and in 2017 and 2018 he helped to put on the Children's Photography Workshop. Since 2013, he has also worked with St. Michael's Salle d'Armes to provide swordfighting demos and lessons, to educate writers and fans on the differences between real fighting and stage fighting. Lincoln has also watched the Maker Movement since its inception. He has built projects using Arduino and Raspberry Pi boards, and he is waiting for an affordable 3-D printer that can work with steel.
David J. Peterson—David J. Peterson is an author and language creator. He's created languages for HBO's Game of Thrones, Legendary's Dune, and Warner Bros. Superman.
Jessie Peterson—Jessie Peterson has a Ph.D. in linguistics from the University of Colorado at Boulder and was a professor of linguistics for 13 years. She is now a full-time professional conlanger and works with her husband, David Peterson. Her work appears in a number of TV shows and films, including Warner Brothers’ Superman, Pixar’s Elemental, Legendary’s Dune: Part Two, Netflix’s Shadow and Bone. Jessie and David co-host the weekly live stream LangTime Studio on YouTube, and she is the author of the book How to Create a Language: The Conlang Guide (Cambridge University Press).
David Tucker, Ph.D.—Dr. David Tucker, his life mirrors his novels, a combination of experiences as a homeless construction worker facing injury and death, a research scientist specializing in intelligent systems, a pilot and world traveler immersed in African cultures and wars, all fused together by a passion for science fiction and fantasy.
As a fantasy author with three decades of experience in scientific research, David has established considerable skill with incorporating scientific concepts into fantasy world building and story development. His experiences war-torn Africa have unfortunately provided him considerable insight into large-scale conflict and life under tyrannical rule.
Robert James, Ph.D.—Robert James has published numerous articles on Golden Age science fiction and five books about the movies, and spent a decade helping to research the Robert Heinlein biography. He found the lost manuscript of Heinlein's first novel, For Us, the Living, and currently holds the record for most panels at any convention ever: 21 at the Heinlein Centennial. He has been teaching for almost forty years, with a doctorate from UCLA and an enormous amount of patience...
Alex Pheby—Alex Pheby is a writer and academic, author of the Cities of the Weft trilogy, and professor of Creative Writing at Newcastle University
Diana M. Pho—Diana M. Pho is a two-time Hugo Award-winning fiction editor with nearly 20 years of experience in publishing, including roles at Hachette, Tor Publishing Group, and the Science Fiction Book Club. Presently, she is Editorial Director at Erewhon Books, acquiring and editing genre-bending and game-changing fiction. Books she has edited have won the Thriller Award, the American Library Association’s Alex Award, the Nebula Award, the Lambda Literary Award, and a Kirkus Best Book of the Year Selection, among other honors. She lives in New York City with her wife and their two cats.
John Picacio—John Picacio is the Hugo Award-winning co-author and illustrator of the USA Today-bestselling picture book THE INVISIBLE PARADE, created with #1 New York Times-bestselling author Leigh Bardugo. His award-winning cover art has illustrated 30 years worth of major science fiction, fantasy and horror books including works for George R. R. Martin's A SONG OF ICE AND FIRE series, as well as the STAR TREK and X-MEN franchises, plus classic novels by Rebecca Roanhorse, Michael Moorcock, James Tiptree, Jr., Frederik Pohl, Sheri S. Tepper, C. Robert Cargill, and many, many more. His artistic accolades include three Hugo Awards, nine Chesley Awards, six Locus Awards, and the World Fantasy Award.
Palmer has been writing fiction since she was eight. She received her BA in American Studies from Wesleyan University, with concentrations in Religion and Race Relations.
She currently works in Silicon Valley in the gaming industry and high tech. In addition, Palmer holds a certificate in Chinese Acupressure, is a certified solar panel installer, and studied Tibetan Buddhism with the 14th Dalai Lama.
She lives and writes in the magical redwood forest of the Santa Cruz Mountains, California.
Laura Picklesimer—Laura Picklesimer writes novels, screenplays and short stories in a variety of genres including sci fi, thriller and horror. She is the author of the debut novel KILL FOR LOVE (Unnamed Press, 2023). The book won the Launch Pad Prose Competition Top Book Prize and the Book Pipeline Grand Prize for Best Thriller, and was a finalist for a National Indie Excellence Award. Laura’s short stories have appeared in the Kenyon Review, Arkansas International, and Santa Ana River Review, among other publications. She recently co-wrote and produced the indie sci fi thriller ETERNAL PROPERTIES, which is based on characters from her upcoming novel CHASING RABBITS. An excerpt from Chasing Rabbits recently won Uncharted Magazine's 2026 Novel Excerpt Contest. Laura lives in Southern California and teaches English and creative writing.
Ciel Pierlot—Ciel Pierlot is a Canada-based author with three novels published and more in the works! As a queer woman, much of her work focuses on bringing historically underrepresented characters into the Scifi/Fantasy space.
Terese Mason Pierre—Terese Mason Pierre (she/her) is an award-winning Canadian writer and editor whose work has appeared in Uncanny, Fantasy Magazine, Star*Line, Best Canadian Fantasy and Science Fiction, and elsewhere online and in print. Her work has been nominated for Best of the Net, the Aurora Award, and the Ignyte Award. Her second chapbook, Manifest, won a third-place Elgin Award, and was shortlisted for the bpNichol Chapbook Award, for chapbooks published in Canada. In 2023, she was named a Writer’s Trust Rising Star, and she is a winner of Writer’s Trust Journey Prize, Canada’s most prestigious award for short fiction. She has completed residencies at Island Scribe and the Banff Centre.
While she originally wanted to be a pediatrician, Terese has always found a home in creative writing. She studied Bioethics at the University of Toronto, while creating and developing literary arts programming at the Hart House Student Literary and Library Committee—hosting creative writing workshops and organizing panels and events. She continued her education with a Masters Degree in Philosophy from York University, and graduated from a Master in Fine Arts in Creative Writing in 2025, from the University of Guelph. Currently, she works at the Toronto Public Library, hosting programs for diverse communities.
Terese currently lives in Toronto and is an active member of her local literary community. She has co-hosted poetry reading series, spoken at conferences and festivals, organized literary events, judged writing contests, facilitated creative writing workshops—including with Clarion West—and mentored emerging writers. She edits for Augur Magazine, a Canadian speculative literature journal. Since 2018, she has been a Poetry Editor, a Senior Editor and co-Editor-in-Chief. Currently, she serves as Augur’s Chief Programming Officer—leading the creation of programs, events and initiatives—and co-Director of AugurCon, Augur‘s biennial speculative literature conference.
Myth is Terese’s debut poetry collection, from House of Anansi Press, which explores family, island landscapes, love, and memory. She is also the editor of As The Earth Dreams, an anthology of Black Canadian speculative short fiction.
When not writing, working, or editing, Terese plays in four different D&D campaigns (mostly spellcasters), attends the occasional play or comedy show, bakes when inspired, hosts parties for her friends, and binges TV with her cat, Benjamin.
Sarah Pinsker—Sarah Pinsker is the Hugo, Nebula, and Philip K Dick Award winning author of A Song For A New Day, We Are Satellites, Sooner or Later Everything Falls Into the Sea, Lost Places, Haunt Sweet Home. She also has over sixty works of published short fiction, including "Where Oaken Hearts Do Gather." She is a singer/songwriter with four albums on independent labels and author-in-residence for the Kratz Center for Creative Writing at Goucher College. She lives in Baltimore, Maryland with her wife and two weird dogs.
Chloie Piveral—Chloie Piveral is a writer whose work often combines the dark and whimsical. She is an alumnus of The Odyssey Writing Workshop and holds an MFA in creative writing from the University of Southern Maine’s Stonecoast program. Her most recent publications include stories with alien technology, psychopomps updating their uniforms, and a tiny rebel who wants to reclaim art from the regimes of her world. Her work appears in Shoreline of Infinity, the Flame Tree Press anthology Robots & Artificial Intelligence, Manawaker Flash Fiction Podcast, and more. To explore more of her work, visit her website at www.cpiveral.com
Matteo Pizzolo—Named Wired Magazine’s ‘World’s Most Wired Comics Creator,’ Matteo Pizzolo is the bestselling author of speculative-fiction comics books including the CALEXIT ("It's not wish-fulfillment it's warning... but that's not all: it's superb." -Cory Doctorow, Boing Boing), ROGUE STATE ("The concepts Matt is presenting here are so familiar they should be terrifying." -Chuck D, Public Enemy), YOUNG TERRORISTS (#1 Bestselling Mature Readers Comic Of The Year, "Taps into an undercurrent of rage against the proverbial machine that is pervasive in the world around us." -Nerdist) and GODKILLER ("Wonderfully bizarre, wickedly delectable." -Kirkus Reviews starred review, Best Books Of The Year List).
Patrick Pizzolorusso—Originally from NYC where I was working mainly as an actor on stage. I started making small shorts to create my own work. Since moving to LA I've been focusing more on film and on expanding those shorts. I've always been a fan of fringe historical events. Stories based in reality but have some fantastical element are what I'm drawn to. Being able tell a fantastical story rooted in the real world with practical effects is what excites me as a filmmaker. I'm a fan of Sci-Fi and old B-movies and love exploring their worlds.
Peter Polygalov—Petrusha (Peter Polygalov) is a newer member of the SCA who enjoys archery, heavy combat, crafting, and brewing.
Steven Popkes—Steven Popkes' work has been a Nebula finalist and included in many Best Of anthologies. By day he is an aerospace software engineer. He and his wife life outside of Boston and raise bananas and turtles.
Mason A. Porter—Mason A. Porter is a Professor of Mathematics at University of California, Los Angeles. He also has a secondary appointment in the Department of Sociology and is an External Professor of Santa Fe Institute. Mason is an applied mathematician and studies diverse problems in networks, complex systems, and nonlinear systems. He is a Fellow of the American Mathematical Society, American Physical Society, Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics, and Network Science Society.
Stephen W Potts—Stephen W. Potts is a retired academic and an author of books and articles on genre fiction, especially sf and fantasy, alongside editorials, reviews, and short creative work. His study of Russian authors Arkady and Boris Strugatsky earned the J. Lloyd Eaton Award for science fiction criticism. He was Scholar Guest of Honor at the 1991 Mythcon and one of the Tolkien specialists featured in the 2002 TV documentary Page to Screen: The Lord of the Rings. Recent projects include two science fiction anthologies co-edited with David Brin, Chasing Shadows (2017) and Project Solar Sail (2024).
Shantell Powell—Shantell Powell is a swamp hag and elder goth raised in an apocalyptic cult on the land and off the grid. She’s a McCormack Writing Center (formerly Tin House) scholar, and a graduate of SFU’s The Writers’ Studio and the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity’s horror residency. An Aurora finalist, and a Journey and Pushcart nominee, her writing is in The Malahat Review, The Deadlands, Nightmare, and dozens more. She wrangles chinchillas and gets filthy in the woods.
Tim Powers—Tim Powers is the author of nineteen novels, including The Anubis Gates and Declare. He has won the Locus Award three times and the World Fantasy Award three times. He and his wife, Serena, live with a number of cats and dogs in San Bernardino, California.
From playing the DM in Dungeons and Dragons to writing fantasy novels, Nikhil Prabala loves storytelling, delighting in fantasy fiction from the epic to the cozy and everywhere in between. THE DUCHESS OF KOKORA is his first published novel with STEEL EMPRESS concluding the duology and releasing in August 2026.
Born and raised in Austin, Texas, he graduated from Stanford in 2019 and is currently based in the Bay Area. In his free time he enjoys ballroom dancing, singing, playing the guitar, tabletop games, and spending time with friends and family.
To connect with him on social media, you can find him as @nprabala on both Instagram and TikTok.
Rajeev Prasad—Rajeev Prasad is a physician and speculative fiction writer. His stories appears regularly in Clarkesworld and The Magazine of Fantasy and Science fiction with several reprints and anthologies.
Lettie Prell—Lettie Prell’s short fiction has appeared in Analog, Apex, Clarkesworld, Tordotcom, WIRED magazine, Flash Fiction Online, and elsewhere. Several of her stories have been reprinted in anthologies, including The New Voices of Science Fiction (Tachyon), The Best American Science Fiction and Fantasy, and “best of the year” publications curated by Neil Clarke and Rich Horton. Some of her works have also been translated into Chinese, Japanese, and French.
Desmothene | Celestial Sphere Press—Desmothene is a member of the Renegade Bookbinding Guild, and she is currently on the Guild's first board of directors. She started bookbinding in 2021, and she binds under the imprint Celestial Sphere Press. In the course of her bookbinding journey, she has taken bookbinding classes in Greece and Japan. Her fandom participation is wide and varied, but some favorites include Star Wars, The Murderbot Diaries, and Temeraire. As part of the Renegade Bookbinding Guild's volunteer crew, she has worked on several projects, including the development of the Code of Conduct, in-person events such as HavenCon & the Renegade Retreat, server moderator, & translations team lead.
Sam Haney Press—Samantha Haney Press is an award-winning artist based in the Midwestern US. She's worked as an art director, printer, and game store clerk, and in her free time, she helps run conventions, serves as the secretary of the Association of Science Fiction & Fantasy Artists, and writes a lot of fanfiction.
Virginia Preston—Virginia has been a science fiction and fantasy fan since childhood but only discovered conventions in 2012. Since then she has contributed to programme at Eastercons, Worldcons, Nine Worlds, and Octocon and been head of programme at three Eastercons. In her day job she works at a university and co-teaches a module on the politics and economics of science fiction. In her spare time she likes to make ceramics, sew, and tell the cats how beautiful they are.
Dr. Paul Price—Dr. Paul Price is retired from the Environmental Protection Agency and has worked for forty five years assessing risks from exposure to chemicals. He is an adjunct professor at the University of Iowa. Dr. Price has 100+ technical publications and remains active in his field. His undergraduate degree is in chemistry, and he has graduate degrees in theology, environmental engineering, and environmental toxicology. He has presented at numerous SF and Anime conventions and the academic tracks of multiple WorldCons. He has three academic publications on SF and Anime: one on isekai manga, a second on the hard SF anime series Planetes and a third paper on early space operas.
Humphrey Price—Humphrey Price is a space systems engineer who has contributed to robotic exploration missions to the Moon, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn. His interests include planetary exploration, spacecraft design, solar sails, interstellar spaceflight, aliens, human missions to Mars, and strangely enough, eschatology. Info on his publications can be found at https://humphreyprice.com.
Simon Pryor—Simon Pryor is a Life Member of the Mathematical Association of Victoria (MAV). He has over 35 years experience as CEO and manager to an array of professional, education and industry associations demonstrating the all-round abilities called for in association work, from providing leadership, management and vision, through to the detail that goes into overseeing events such as the MAV Conference (annually hosts over 2,000 participants, presenters and exhibitors). He has commercial experience with ten years as Chairman of Mountain Goat Beer Pty Ltd, a successful start-up now owned by Asahi Breweries. He served as Mayor and Councillor at the City of Brunswick and was company secretary for 7 years of Performing Arts Moreland, an NFP responsible for the Brunswick Music Festival and Sydney Road Street Party. He served as a President of the Australasian Society of Association Executives (AuSAE) for six years and is now a Life Member.
seeley quest—seeley quest is a trans disabled environmentalist in Canada since 2017, Toronto since 2024, in literary, body-based, and multimedia arts and education for equity, who presented in the San Francisco Bay Area 2001-14, with Sins Invalid 2007-2015. Hir play “Crooked” is in At the Intersection of Disability and Drama, first narrative game debuted for Canada’s National AccessAbility Week 2020, and sie’s published journalism and poetry. Sie inaugurated the Quebec Writers’ Federation disabled writers’ workshop, has led “Poetry, Prose, and Dramatic Writing From the Body-Mind” for Workman Arts, and “Writing Futures With Resiliency” for the Writers’ Federation of Nova Scotia.
Katherine Quevedo—Katherine Quevedo hails from Portland, Oregon, where she works as an analyst and lives with her husband and two sons. Her writing has won the Elgin Award, is a finalist for the Rhysling Award, and has been nominated for the Pushcart Prize. Her short stories and poems appear in Asimov’s, Nightmare Magazine, Fireside Magazine, and elsewhere. She is the author of the fantasy novella Thrice Petrified (Of Metal and Magic Publishing, 2025), the poetry chapbook The Inca Weaver’s Tales (Sword & Kettle Press, 2024), and a forthcoming book of video game poetry from Manawaker Studio. Find her at www.katherinequevedo.com.
Andreas Quinn—I've been a lifelong science fiction and fantasy fan and have always had a strong interest in 80's movies/animation, pop culture, and martial arts. I was a founding member of the University of Washington’s Anime Discovery Project in the early 90's and was one of the founders of Sakura-Con, Seattle's largest anime convention. In the mundane world I make my living as a structural engineer specializing in seismic design with over 30 years of experience in the design of building structures throughout the Pacific Northwest.
Melissa Quinn—Melissa's life took a sharp turn when she discovered costuming at her first sci-fi convention in the early 90's. Eventually costuming led to returning to school, where she completed the certificate program in fashion design at the New York Fashion Academy. After completing fashion school she opened Faerie Fingers Custom Costumes & Event Apparel where she spent 15 years creating costumes and unique event attire for clients around the U.S. Her current pursuits include watching anime, cosplaying with her daughter, and finding new opportunities for cosplay competition.
Ari Rabkin—In his personal life, Ari reads, dances, and raises nerd children outside Boston. In his professional life, he is a computer scientist focusing on socio-technical aspects of software engineering. He has published on a range of topics, including technology adoption, cyberwar, and automated debugging, He does the AI.
He has a long-standing interest in the history of science and technology. He has a book in production for young people about "what do scientists really do, (why) does it work, and how did it get that way"
Ellen Rachlin—Ellen Rachlin is the author of the historical fantasy novel, Enheduanna’s Song From the Sands, from Histria Fiction. She is the author of five collections of poetry. At the Big Bang Resort is forthcoming from Red Hen Press. Her most recent book, Permeable Divide, received the IBPA Benjamin Franklin Silver Award. Her poems have appeared in various journals and anthologies, including American Poetry Review, Granta, Literary Imagination, and The Eloquent Poem. She serves on several non-profit boards, including the Poetry Society of America where she is the treasurer.
Steven Radecki has been writing stories for as long as he can remember. He is the author of Building Baby Brother and a handful of short stories. After earning a degree in Information and Computer Science, he authored several technical papers about computer technology and one non-fiction book about developing multimedia applications. Now, he focuses on writing novels and screenplays. He is a technical writer and a certified project manager, managing projects for several high-tech companies in Silicon Valley. He is also the Executive Producer of the Small Publishing in a Big Universe podcast.
A. L. Raden—A L Raden (she/her) is an award-winning multidisciplinary storyteller (artist, writer, designer) who loves exploring layered, character-driven storytelling, especially with an emphasis on magic, myth, and nature. Her art primarily features joyful fantasy and science fiction original charcoal drawings and pointillism-style paintings. She’s also contributed to multiple comic, essay, and prose fiction anthologies and stories as a writer, inker, and letterer. In the convention space, she's volunteered for local MN conventions for more than a decade, including seven years as a con co-chair.
Lacey Rae—Lacey Rae is a Los Angeles-based actor, author, and lifelong horror fan with a passion for genre storytelling. She has appeared in independent horror films including Furnaces and Plasticist, and is drawn to complex, grounded characters in suspense, thriller, and horror projects. Beyond acting, Lacey is the author of horror-themed puzzle books for adults and co-creator of Adventures in Horror, celebrating haunted attractions, immersive experiences, and horror entertainment. She loves connecting with fellow fans and championing independent filmmakers, bringing enthusiasm, creativity, and authenticity to every project and convention appearance.
Noor Rahman—Noor Rahman writes science fiction and runs "Write on Track," a Substack about conquering writer's block and self-doubt. As a former trial lawyer who quit BigLaw to write a novel, she brings an analytical lens to the creative process—especially for neurodivergent writers. Her essays on professional rejection, career pivots, and the qualities of good fiction have sparked lively Substack-wide debates. A list of her published poems and short stories is available on noorjahanrahman.com.
She is also the founder of Verb Foundry, an independent literary studio in San Francisco building Vesper, an agentic-AI book recommendation app. Instead of leaning on bestseller lists or star averages, Vesper evaluates books across more than a dozen characteristics--the qualities that shape how immersive, lasting, and accessible stories are--and matches readers to books based on their preferences across those axes.
David Raiklen—David Raiklen: American composer, producer, educator, and host. David was mentored by Oscar winner John Williams and Pulitzer Prize winner Mel Powel. Dr. Raiklen studied at USC and CalArts and later taught at those universities. He works for the major studios including Sony, Fox, Disney, Sprint, Mattel, Warner Bros and PBS, plus independents. His projects have starred Elliott Gould, Doug Jones, Blythe Danner, and Martin Sheen. David made the New York Film Critics Top Ten with the documentary Heist, short listed for an Academy Award® for Worth, and Mia, A Dancer's Journey won the Emmy. He co-created the Space Command series, and worked on the X-Files movie. He loves creating augmented realites and soaring concert music.
Dan Rathke—Dan Rathke is an actor, writer, and producer based out of Austin, Texas. As a young boy growing up in Tecumseh, Michigan, the bright lights, energy, and action of acting and filmmaking made his small town seem huge. The first time he felt the heat of stage lights as "Buster" in a 4th grade school play, Christmas at the OK Corral, he knew this was something he wanted to do well into the future. Now, with the same childlike wonder, Dan is acting, producing, writing scripts, and recently co-founded a film company, Broken Spoke Film House. His first role was in the short film, Stairclimbing: The Documentary, which he also wrote and produced. Recently, he starred, wrote, and produced acclaimed Horror-Comedy shorts, The Party (2022) and Who Invited The Robots? (2023). Dan has a degree in Broadcasting & Cinematic Arts from Central Michigan University. He resides in Austin, Texas where he works with Broken Spoke Film House and spoils his dog, Stella.
Michael Ravine—Dr. Michael Ravine is the Advanced Projects Manager for Malin Space Science Systems, whose cameras have flown aboard dozens of robotic spacecraft for the exploration of the solar system — and will fly on the DAVINCI mission to Venus and the Artemis II mission returning humans to the Moon. He earned his B.S. in physics at Caltech, his Sc.M. in geology at Brown University, and his Ph.D. in geophysics from the Scripps Institution of Oceanography. He has done fieldwork in Antarctica and Iceland, and was executive producer on the film Nobel Son.
C S Rawlings—C. S. Rawlings is a debut epic dark fantasy author and creator of The Oathbound Saga. Growing up in Stratford-upon-Avon, the birthplace of William Shakespeare, it was difficult not to develop a love for books. Now based in the West Country, UK, he spent twenty years in private medical practice before turning to storytelling. His work blends immersive worldbuilding, sharp humour, and visceral action, with a strong focus on evolving character arcs and high-stakes adventure.
INEZ RAY—Inez Ray is a California born, Puget Sound based author. She is a former doula and midwife assistant. After working in reproductive healthcare for over a decade she burned out and needed to put all her anxieties into a creative project. What emerged was her debut novel, Buzzard, which is being published with Left Unread and Bindery Books September 22nd. Buzzard is a dystopian sci-fi with a strong Feminist perspective about reproductive health in America. Inez the granddaughter of immigrants on both sides with proud Chicana and Irish heritage. When she isn't writing devastating fiction, she is walking her dogs or feeding her children.
Cameron Reed—Cameron Reed is a science fiction writer and the winner of the 1998 Otherwise Award. Both she and the award had different names in 1998, but as part of a late-in-life gender transition she chose a new one, which is an anagram of “remade crone.” She is an avid dragonfly-watcher, a moderately skilled insect photographer, and a hopeless birder. She lives with her found family in an old house full of books and cats.
T. K. Rex—T. K. Rex is a science fiction and fantasy author from the western states, whose stories can be read in more than forty publications, including The Sunday Morning Transport, Apex Magazine, Asimov's, Strange Horizons, and their debut collection, The Wildcraft Drones (Stelliform Press, 2026). They're an alumni of the Clarion, Taos Toolbox and Futurescapes workshops, a Pushcart nominee, a friendly acquaintance of spiders, and twenty-year denizen of San Francisco. T. K.'s stories, socials, and newsletter can be found at tkrex.wtf.
Rhiannon "Gibbitt" Rhys-Jones—Rhiannon "Gibbitt" Rhys-Jones has been attending conventions since 1991 She's worked on them, and spoken at them. She is also an editor, a wordsmith, a gamer, and a loyal servant to a cat. She has worked every position you can think of in conventions. Thanks to her sister, Bobby DuFault. She asked her to go to a concom meeting for her, so she went, and has not looked back since. Her brother, Gene Armstrong got her back into it after her husband passed in 2021. She and her husband started Dragondyne Publishing in 2001, and in 2009 came out with Neverwhen which was a love letter to RPGs. Gibbitt plans on being on con coms until she physically can't.
Mark W. Richards—A long time fan; my first convention was in 1978, first Worldcon in 1981. I'm a veteran of working on conventions at most levels. I've also dabbled in fanzine fandom and I'm a huge Tolkien geek.
Jeané D. Ridges—The poetic storytelling of Jeané D. Ridges—rendered from abundant melanin, Southernness, good eatin’, breath, ill living, care—has most recently been published in Strange Horizons and is forthcoming in Tales from the Cryptids. They’ve been a copyeditor at khōréō since 2023. In 2026, they co-launched Spec Colorways In Verse, a newsletter and community space centering queer BIPOC speculative poetry, with Lysz Flo and taught “The Language of (Dis)ability and Chronic Illness in Speculative Fiction” for the Carl Brandon Society. They’re grateful to be in community with the Carbon Collective as well as Fellowship of the Griots, and a member of Codex. jeanedridges.carrd.co | @jdridges (bsky).
Louise Riofrio—LOUISE RIOFRIO worked as Scientist at NASA Johnson Space Center in Houston and in Hawaii, and is known worldwide for discovering change in the Speed of Light. She is also an actress in TV and film, winning awards at multiple film festivals. She is author of popular books THE SPEED OF LIGHT and DISCOVERY: ALASKA TO HAWAII.
D. Wes Rist—D. Wes Rist is an atrocity prevention professional with nearly 20 years of experience in international human rights law, transitional justice, and international criminal justice. He previously served as an Atrocity Prevention Officer in the U.S. Department of State, the Deputy Executive Director at the American Society of International Law, the Assistant Director of the Center for International Legal Education, a professor at the University of Pittsburgh School of Law, and a lecturer in international Law at UWE Bristol Law School. Wes is a cofounder of Project Lodestar, a think tank focused on the ethics of space law and policy and a cofounder of Former Feds & Friends, a YouTube channel made up of former federal employees using pop culture to discuss democracy, governance, and human rights. Wes holds a JD and an LL.M. (with distinction) in international human rights law.
Kate Ristau—Kate Ristau is the President of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association (SFWA) and the Executive Director of Willamette Writers. She is the author of three middle grade series, Clockbreakers, Mythwakers, and Wylde Wings, and the young adult series, Shadow Girl. You can read her essays in The New York Times and The Washington Post. She is the chair of the Tigard Public Library Board of Directors, and you can meet her online at Kateristau.com.
Daniel Ritter—Managing editor at First Fandom Experience. Bringing to life the history and impact of science fiction fandom.
https://firstfandomexperience.org/
David Ritter—David Ritter lives in Cambridge, Massachusetts. He blames his lifelong love for science fiction on E.E. “Doc” Smith, whose epic space opera catapulted his 12-year-old imagination into intergalactic space, never to fully return. As for The Lord of the Rings – he was that kid who spent as much time studying the appendices as reading the story.
David is the Editor-in-Chief and principal author for First Fandom Experience, a collaborative publishing project that brings to life the history and impact of science fiction fandom. Our works include three volumes of The Visual History of Science Fiction Fandom and The Earliest Bradbury, all of which have been finalists for the Locus Award for Non-fiction. Most recently published, The Ultimate Cosmos: How a 1933 Serial Novel Reshaped Science Fiction is recognized as “great fun, making a convincing argument that like an asteroid careening through the early science fiction world, the round-robin novel Cosmos had a powerful impact on the careers of all involved (Fred Nadis, author of The Man from Mars, Ray Palmer’s Amazing Pulp Journey).
David and the First Fandom Experience team designed and orchestrated the 1946 Project at Chicon 8, which included extensive program sessions focused on that seminal year in science fiction and fandom, as well as an authentic recreation of an early fan’s den. More recently, David and Daniel Ritter organized and led fan history panels at the 2023 NASFiC in Winnipeg, the 2024 Worldcon in Glasgow and the 2025 Worldcon in Seattle.
David writes and edits the First Fandom Experience blog, a unique source of insight on early fan history. The work draws on a comprehensive archive of fan material from 1930 – 1946, assembled from a wide range of sources over 20 years. The project is open to researchers, students and authors with interest in the history and impact of fandom.
River—River is a MediaWiki developer best known for having built much of Leaguepedia, the League of Legends esports wiki. Over the years, she's contributed to hundreds of gaming and fiction wikis as well as the chainmaille wiki, which she founded in 2025 as a replacement for mailleartisans.org. River loves talking about the divide between structured and unstructured data and ways to make community knowledge sharing more accessible to everyone. She has a blog at https://river.me.
Joanna Rivers—Through her Physics teaching, Joanna strives to expand experiential, project-based, and inquiry-focused courses at her college. She worked with NASA as a graduate student and was a professional on Shuttle’s Return to Flight. As an educator, she leads student projects in High Altitude ballooning and sound rocket payload design. She is currently working with Louisiana Space Grant on small satellite development.
Tom Roberts—Illustrator from the UK
Kevin Roche—Kevin Roche recently retired after 40+ years at IBM Research Almaden, specializing in materials science for spintronics, and as an IBM Quantum Ambassador. A native of the San Francisco Bay Area, Kevin has been presenting on spintronics to the public since 2002 and Quantum Computing since 2017. He was a featured expert on magnetic levitation for Episode 4 of Science and Star Wars.
Kevin has been a fan since he learned to read, and his hobbies include bartending robots, costuming, and running science fiction conventions; he was Chair of the 76th World Science Fiction Convention in August 2018 and recently stepped aside as President of the International Costumers' Guild
Eugene "Rod" Roddenberry—Eugene Wesley “Rod” Roddenberry, Jr. serves as guardian of the Roddenberry legacy, which traces back to the original Star Trek. Through inspiring science fiction projects and philanthropy, he champions its timeless and universal ideals as embodied by the philosophy of IDIC: Infinite Diversity in Infinite Combinations.
The son of legendary science fiction producer Gene Roddenberry, whose Star Trek series changed the face of television and continues to inspire today, Rod has followed in his father’s footsteps to be a catalyst in the creation of a world where humanity works together for the greater good.
In the early 2000s, Rod founded Roddenberry Entertainment, a science fiction leader with a tradition of groundbreaking entertainment, and currently serves as its CEO. Roddenberry Entertainment builds on the best of Gene Roddenberry’s work and continues to pioneer the development of a multimedia portfolio of smart and provocative science fiction that incorporates graphic novels, podcasts, television and film projects, including the 2011 critically-acclaimed documentary TREK NATION, which details Roddenberry’s 10-year exploration of his father’s life.
Roddenberry serves as an executive producer on Paramount+’s Emmy-nominated Star Trek: Strange New Worlds and was an executive producer on Star Trek: Prodigy, among several other projects. He also serves as an executive producer of the newest podcast series which launched in 2025 on Star Trek Day, “Star Trek: Khan.” Roddenberry also created the audio podcast series “Mission Log,” the objective of which is to analyze and explore Star Trek by journeying through each and every episode.
Over the past many years Roddenberry has been inspired to fully embrace Star Trek’s vision and invest in our future. One expression of this was the founding of The Roddenberry Foundation in 2010. The Roddenberry Foundation funds innovative solutions that address humanity’s greatest challenges across such areas as science, technology, education and the environment, with the objective of pursuing a more humane and abundant future for all.
Andrea L. Rogers—Andrea is the author of Man Made Monsters, a YA horror story cycle novel and The Art Thieves, a YA Indian Territory futurism. She wrote Chooch Helped, illustrated by Rebecca Kunz (Cherokee) who won the 2025 Caldecott. All published by Levine Querido. Her first book, Mary and the Trail of Tears was published by Capstone and was on the NPR best books list. Oklahoma Children’s book winner When We Gather was published by Heartdrum/Harper Collins and illustrated by Madie Goodnight (Chickasaw). She is a contributor to several anthologies including Never Whistle at Night, Legendary Fry Bread Drive-In (Printz Award Winner) and Ancestor Approved. Death in the Tallgrass, MG historical fiction was released in September.
Olav Rokne—Five Six-time Hugo-finalist fanzine editor and photographer.
Guy Ronen—I specialize in the operational transformation required to turn capital into high-multiple returns. The biggest challenge for institutional investors is finding leaders who possess both C-suite execution and an investor mindset. I operate as a hybrid: a C-suite Executive with a background in leading global P&L, combined with the strategic accountability of a Private Equity Operating Partner. My role is to not just advise, but to step into the engine room, re-architect the enterprise, and drive value creation from the top-down.
Rochele Rosa—I work in strategic communications with a decade of experience with integrated campaigns and audience development across global institutions, international clients, and mission-driven organizations. Drawing on both professional experience and academic research in creative economies, I approach storytelling as both an artistic and strategic practice. My research examines how intellectual property, cultural assets, and storytelling contribute to economic development, innovation, and global influence.
Ryan Rose—Ryan is the author of Seven Recipes for Revolution and the What We Eat trilogy. After escaping his hometown in Central Florida, Ryan began studying to become a chemical engineer. He was sure he would one day be an asteroid miner. Since then, he's worked in game design, Broadway musical production, and even taught English to middle schoolers. Ryan lives in Oakland with his partner and their dog, which may be a demon. He now works to defend democracy at UC Berkeley, which still doesn't involve chemical engineering.
Marley Rose-Teter—Marley Rose-Teter lives in the Santa Cruz mountains with her partner, child, any number of house-rabbit friends, and a garage full of Halloween decorations. When not writing, she can be found directing local theatre or speaking at anime conventions. She goes at everything she does with her whole heart and strives always to be a bride married to amazement. Her debut novel, THE BONE BRIDES, a Sapphic YA fantasy, comes out September 29th from Page Street.
Benjamin Rosenbaum—Benjamin Rosenbaum has been a finalist for the Hugo, Nebula, BSFA, Sturgeon, World Fantasy, Locus, Otherwise, and Ennie Awards. He is the author of far-future coming-of-age novel of love and social unrest _The Unraveling_, two Jewish historical fantasy games (interactive novel _The Ghost and the Golem_ and tabletop roleplaying game _Dream Apart_), and 50 short stories, translated into 25 languages. He lives near Basel, Switzerland, where he helps run a synagogue and co-hosts the podcast _Mohanraj and Rosenbaum are Humans_. With David Moles, he is the author of the forthcoming posthuman SF TTRPG Numinous. Find him online at benjaminrosenbaum.com.
David Rosing—46 years, NASA JPL Opto-Mechanical, Instruments, and Flight System Engineer
Sandra Rosner—Sandra Rosner is an author, lore writer, IP manager, TTRPG producer, developmental editor, and co-host of the 3RPG Podcast who works primarily in fantasy, horror, and sci-fi. Her published works include: World of Warcraft: The Dragonflight Codex & Runescape: the Official Cookbook. When not crafting worlds of her own, Sandra enjoys tabletop, MMORPGs, and streaming her gameplay on Twitch as LadyvonFrost.
Andrew Ross—Andrew Ross is a person of several identities who was dragged to a filksing in 1997 by an over-enthusiastic friend, and found the first members of his adopted family in fandom. Today, his songs tend to focus on various media plots, political rants, and true stories from legal situations too crazy to make up. He occasionally performs with a geek band called Possible Side Effects. In the mundane world, Andrew is an attorney and proud father of three in Eugene, Oregon.
Aaron M. Roth—Aaron M. Roth is a science fiction author and leader in artificial intelligence. He has led research teams studying robotics, artificial intelligence, and safe/explainable AI in government and academic research labs including Carnegie Mellon University and University of Maryland. In private industry he has contributed to consumer application, autonomous maritime vessels, AI for logistics, and more. He has published science fiction and academic papers and given talks on science and science fiction around the world. Additionally, he offers speculative fiction editing and game design consulting services. You can sign up for his mailing list at www.aaronmroth.com.
Vincent J Roth—Vincent J. Roth is the creator and executive producer at Surge of Power Enterprises, which produces indie superhero movies that contain lots of celebrities, campy all-ages humor, tons of Easter Eggs for geek fans, and feature cinema’s first out gay superhero – Surge! Vincent is a corporate attorney by day, but by night, his creative side comes out, expressed in writing scripts, designing costumes, making props and portraying the superhero, Surge.
mark roth-whitworth—I am a retired computer professional, now a full member of SFWA, with two novels, 11,000 Years (2021,2023) and Becoming Terran (2024) - both reviewed for Asimov's, and currently published by Histria Books - and three pieces of short fiction in the Grantville Gazette, and one in Eric Flint's 1632 and beyond.
Matthew S. Rotundo—Matthew S. Rotundo is an award-winning writer of science fiction, fantasy, and horror. His novels include WET WORK, the Prison World Revolt Series (PETRA, PETRA RELEASED, and PETRA Rising), and the forthcoming OATHBREAKER. He is a graduate of the Odyssey Writing Workshop. Matt also plays guitar and has been known to sing karaoke. He lives in Omaha, Nebraska, and assures you that he has heard all the jokes.
Alexandra Rowland—Alexandra Rowland is the author of a dozen fantasy novels, such as A Taste of Gold and Iron, Yield Under Great Persuasion, Running Close to the Wind, and the recent runaway Kickstarter success The Wisdom of Emperors. They are also a four-time Hugo Award nominated podcaster, they hold a degree in world literature, mythology, and folklore, and all their work is supervised by their feline quality control manager.
Caitlin Rozakis—Caitlin Rozakis is the New York Times bestselling author of Dreadful as well as the Everyday Enchantments novels, The Grimoire Grammar School Parent Teacher Association and Startup Hell. Her contemporary romance novella Leah’s Perfect Christmas, written as Catherine Beck, was adapted as the Hallmark Channel Original Movie Leah’s Perfect Gift. She lives in Jersey City with her husband and son. Visit her online at www.caitlinrozakis.com.
Andrew Rubin—Andrew Rubin is filmmaker, screenwriter, and author of Hell or High Winter (Rare Bird / Simon & Schuster). As a WGA screenwriter, Andrew has spent over 15 years working in screenplay development with successful Hollywood companies such as Roth/Kirschenbaum Films and eOne, and has been a mentor with the Veteran's Writing Program at the Writers Guild Foundation for the past six years. Andrew co-directed the inspirational documentary Ride with Larry, about Parkinson's, inspired by his father's battle against the disease. The film’s exploration of Parkinson's and medical marijuana received global attention, and helped spark a broader conversation about dignity, treatment, and the role of alternative medicine. He is also the cofounder and president of Symptom Media, an innovative mental health education platform used by over 500 universities, hospitals and medical schools worldwide to help train students and clinicians and destigmatize mental illness.
Stefan Rudnicki—Stefan has produced, directed and produced nearly 3,000 audiobooks for Skyboat Audio and major publishers. His company, Skyboat Media has published over 400 titles. He has narrated countless audiobooks, including titles by Orson Scott Card Robert Silverberg, Alex Bledsoe, Ben Bova, Harlan Ellison. Stefan has won 2 Grammys and 2 Hugos for Lightspeed Magazine. He is a Golden Voice by AudioFile Magazine. Stefan has directed hundreds of stage productions and chaired departments at the University level. He is the renowned voice of Albrecht Entrati in the Warframe video game series. He wass Special Guest at Boskone63 this year.
JS Ruff—Susan Ruff, part of the writing duo of Susan and John Ruff, is the co-author of epic fantasy/sword and sorcery novels, including the Doorway to Magic Trilogy. Recently, Susan became enchanted (so to speak) with cozy fantasy, and the duo began writing cozy fantasy under the pen name J.S. Ruff. Their latest fantasy novel Desserts for the Deserter was released in September 2025.
Scott David Russell—A graduate UC Berkeley and Chapman University, Scott Russell is a writer, editor, screenwriter, and creative consultant whose work spans film & television, comics, prose, and education. As Senior Editor for Fox Kids Magazine, Scott helped bring iconic properties like Spider-Man, Goosebumps, and The Tick to life in print, shaping stories for millions of young readers. His screenwriting credits include award-winning short and feature films and he has written for Disney Imagineering, the History Chanel, Warner Interactive, and dozens of independent production companies. His prose work ranges from literary novels to science fiction and fantasy stories.
A longtime contributor to the Southern California literary and arts scene, Scott has also developed writing programs, taught composition and storytelling at the college level, and produced media content for national nonprofits. He has won dozens of awards for his writing, including the ProMax Gold Medalion, GDC Writer’s Night, and NYCMidnight. He is currently finishing Spirits of the Glenwood, a novel with magical realism elements, and Changeling, a folkloric fantasy novel.
Stan Sakai is the creator of Usagi Yojimbo, a graphic novel series featuring a samurai rabbit living in seventeenth century Japan. Usagi has been published in eighteen languages and Sakai has been honored with a number of awards including twelve Eisners, the Japanese American National Museum’s Cultural Ambassador Award, two National Cartoonists Society Silver Reubens, and an American Library Association Award. Skillful weaving of history, folklore, and Japanese culture has made Usagi Yojimbo a favorite among educators as a curriculum tool.
Usagi has been a part of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles in their TV series, comic books, and toy lines.
Sakai, in partnership with Gaumont Studios, Atomic Monster, and Dark Horse Entertainment, created Samurai Rabbit: The Usagi Chronicles for Netflix.
Stan is married to Julie Sakai with whom he collaborated on the Eisner Award winning Chibi Usagi and the Attack of the Heebie Chibis. In 2021 Sakai was inducted into the Eisner Hall of Fame.
Amy Salley—Amy Salley is a longtime SFF fan, having cut her teeth on teen urban fantasy and Star Trek:TNG in her youth. Amy resides in Atlanta, lawyers as a day job, and co-hosts the hilariously feminist podcast Hugo, Girl! with her three besties Haley Zapal, Lori Anderson, and Kevin Anderson.
Cassidy Ellis Salter—Cassidy Ellis Salter is a fantasy author from London, England. Their latest book is These Shattered Spires, the first instalment in the queer, undead nun- and tooth-filled gothic Wyrdos trilogy published by Bloomsbury. Upcoming publications include These Hollow Ruins and These Violent Ends.
David Ian Salter—An early hire at Pixar Animation Studios, Mr. Salter was one of a handful of pioneers applying the principles of live action film editorial to the new medium of computer animated feature films. At Pixar, Mr. Salter edited a number of films, including Toy Story 2 and Finding Nemo, which won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature of 2003, and remains the top selling DVD of all time worldwide, as well as one of the top grossing movies of all time.
Mr. Salter also developed a number of feature film properties for DreamWorks Animation, and directed Shrek the Halls during pre-production. Mr, Salter has also edited the pilot episode of Arcane for Riot Games/Netflix, Ice Age: Continental Drift for Blue Sky Studios, SpongeBob: Sponge Out of Water and Under the Boardwalk, both for Paramount Pictures, and documentaries for Errol Morris, among other projects. His latest project will be released theatrically by DreamWorks/Universal in early 2027.
In an earlier life, Mr. Salter was active in Boston fandom/NESFA in the 80s, volunteering on many cons and serving on the committee of at least one, Boskone XXI in 1984. (There were likely others, but memory gets a bit hazy after a few decades, and the 1984 program book was the only documentary evidence that currently shows up when searching Salter's name on fanac.org. He does remember Kelly Freas doing a quick sketch of him as recompense for his name having been inadvertently left off the staff list in the Noreascon II program book, a trade any fan would surely consider more than fair.)
Mr. Salter relocated from Boston to L.A. to attend film school in 1988, supporting himself by reporting on SF film and TV including two Star Treks (Next Generation and Deep Space 9) and Babylon 5, for a number of genre media magazines including Cinefantastique (CFQ).
Mr. Salter holds a Master of Fine Arts from the School of Cinematic Arts of the University of Southern California and a Bachelor of Arts from Brandeis University. He is a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the American Cinema Editors (ACE), the British Film Editors (BFE) and the Screen Actors Guild (SAG-AFTRA).
DaVaun Sanders—DaVaun Sanders resides in Phoenix, Arizona. He serves as publisher and executive editor for the award-winning FIYAH Literary Magazine and author of Marvel's "What If...The Multiverse Was Doomed?"
Elizabeth Sandifer—Elizabeth Sandifer is a crowdfunded critic best known for Last War in Albion, her occult history of British comic books, and TARDIS Eruditorum, a cultural history of Britain through the lens of Doctor Who.
David Sandner—David Sandner is a 2025 Finalist for a Shirley Jackson Award for His Unburned Heart (Raw Dog Screaming). He is a Mythopoeic Award nominated scholar who recently published The Afterlife of Frankenstein: A Century of Mad Science, Automata, and Monsters inspired by Mary Shelley, 1818-1918 (Lanternfish, 2023). Recent novel Egyptian Motherlode (2024) and novelettes Mingus Fingers (2019) and Hellhounds (2022), co-written with Jacob Weisman, came out from Fairwood Press. Recent short work appears in Abyss & Apex and Penumbric. His stories and poems appear in Asimov's, Weird Tales, the HWA Poetry Showcase, The Mammoth Book of Dark Magic, and others.
Jason Sanford—Jason Sanford is an award-winning science fiction and fantasy writer who’s also a passionate advocate for fellow authors, creators, and fans, in particular through reporting in his Genre Grapevine column. He’s also published dozens of stories in magazines such as Asimov’s Science Fiction, Interzone, and Beneath Ceaseless Skies along with appearances in various “year’s best” anthologies and The New Voices of Science Fiction. His first novel Plague Birds was a finalist for both the Nebula and Philip K. Dick Awards. Born and raised in the American South, Jason’s previous experience includes work as an archaeologist, journalist and a Peace Corps Volunteer. His website is www.jasonsanford.com.
Juan Sanmiguel—Just an ordinary guy from Florida who has been an active fan since for a long time. I read and review100 pieces of short fiction and create a Best of the Year list of SFFH novels for my SF Club. I write reviews and other articles for fanzines. I love SF in all its forms and I enjoy celebrating that.
Lynne Sargent—Lynne Sargent is a Hamilton-based queer writer, aerialist, and holds a Ph.D in Applied Philosophy. They are the poetry editor at Utopia Science Fiction magazine. Their work has been nominated for Rhysling, Elgin, Best-of-the-Net and Aurora Awards, and has appeared in venues such as Augur Magazine, Strange Horizons, and Analog. Their work has also been supported through the Ontario Arts Council. Watch out for their non-fiction book Thought Experiment Revolution: How Philosophy in Science Fiction & Fantasy Changed the World, forthcoming from ECW Press. To find out more visit them at scribbledshadows.wordpress.com.
Abhijeet Sathe—Abhijeet is an Indian writer living in the US, a Viable Paradise alum, and an associate editor at Escape Pod. His work has appeared or is forthcoming in Beneath Ceaseless Skies, Adventitious, Translunar Travelers Lounge
Gina Saucier—Gina Saucier will talk about empire and science fiction/fantasy even when it is a massive stretch to weave it in. Pacific Northwest born and raised, MSc in Empires, Colonialism, and Globalization from the LSE. Gina grew up doing local theater, costuming, and sewing. @reginaroams on socials.
Robert J. Sawyer—Robert J. Sawyer, a guest of honor at the 2023 Worldcon, won the 2003 Hugo Award for best novel of the year (for *Hominids*) and has twelve other Hugo nominations to his credit. He's also won the best-Novel Nebula Award (for *The Terminal Experiment*) and a record-setting 16 Canadian Aurora Awards, plus the Robert A. Heinlein Award and NESFA's Skylark. Rob is a member of the Order of Canada, the highest honor given by his country. The ABC TV series *FlashForward* was based on his novel of the same name, and his latest novel is *The Downloaded 2: Ghosts in the Machine*.
John Scalzi—John Scalzi has an asteroid named after him. He's ridiculously proud of that.
Brent Scarcliff—Brent Scarcliff is a UCLA-trained linguist and mythologist specializing in the Austronesian, Indo-European, and Uto-Aztecan language families; a long-standing member of the indigenous-centered Gabrielino-Tongva Language Committee; a Fortune 500 naming consultant, with hundreds of brands in his portfolio; and the author of The Earthy Language Cycles, an epic science fantasy series set in our world’s past, present, and future, debuting in 2027 with THE LAST INTERGLACIAL and AUSTRONESIA. He, his wife, and their three Filipino British American sons call LA’s Beach Cities home. With a name like Scarcliff, he’s easy to find on Bluesky, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and the like.
Matteo Scarfò—Matteo Scarfò is a filmmaker with a passion for science fiction. After earning a degree in Languages, he devoted himself to independent cinema and theater. For many years, he has also taught Italian to foreign learners. Together with his wife, Jessica, and their daughter Clementina, he shares his life with a dog named Keats, after the poet John Keats. One day, he hopes to adapt Way Station by Clifford D. Simak for the screen. In the meantime, he has directed the sci fi films L'ultimo sole della notte (The Last Sun of the Night) and Esistenza Zero (Existence Zero), as well as the short film Pale Blue Dot: A Tale of Two Stargazers.
Jason Schachat—Jason Schachat is an independent writer, filmmaker, and video game designer. He received his MFA in Creative Writing from UC Riverside and has spent the years since both teaching English and producing Patreon-supported works for his generous fans.
Don Schechter is an author, filmmaker, professor, and lifelong science-fiction fan. He is the author of the 2026 science-fiction novel Ascendants, which became an Amazon bestseller in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia.
Don is also the founder and CEO of Charles River Media, a Boston-based media production company, and a Professor of the Practice in Film and Media Studies at Tufts University. He co-hosts No Win Scenario, a science-fiction podcast featuring conversations with authors, filmmakers, and other genre creators.
His TEDx talk, “Overcoming Imposter Syndrome: Storytellers, Sci-Fi, and Unreliable Mirrors,” explores how storytelling shapes the way we see ourselves, our abilities, and our place in the world.
Isabel Schechter—Isabel has been active in fandom for almost 30 years. She has been published in Argentus; Drink Tank; Invisible 2: Personal Essays about Race and Representation in Science Fiction and Fantasy; Uncanny: A Magazine of Science Fiction and Fantasy; and The WisCon Chronicles, and is Co-Editor of The WisCon Chronicles Volume 12: Boundaries and Bridges. Isabel is a co-host of The Incomplete Worldcon Podcast. She has served on the boards of library-related organizations, and is the Library Coordinator for House of Puerto Rico San Diego, a cultural organization established to share Puerto Rican culture.
Sam Scheiner—Sam Scheiner is a long-time fan and scientist. His scientific areas of expertise are ecology and evolution, where he has published 11 books and over 120 scientific papers. He has also co-authored a book with SF author Phyllis Eisenstein on arthritis. He has retired from the U.S. National Science Foundation where he worked giving away money, but continues as an active researcher. He is a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and recently received the Lifetime Achievement Award of the Society for the Study of Evolution.
Kaitlin Schmidt—Kaitlin is a queer, neurodivergent author and editor from the Pacific Northwest. Her short fiction has appeared in Adventitious and Wyngraf and placed in NYC Midnight twice. She is also the author of The Cartomancer's Curse, a sapphic romantasy novella. When she's not writing or falling in love with the latest book she's editing, she's swing dancing the night away. You can find her online at kaitlin-schmidt.com and @kaitlin.schmidt4.
Bruce Schneier—Bruce Schneier is an internationally renowned security technologist, called a “security guru” by the Economist. He is the New York Times best-selling author of 14 books – including Rewiring Democracy and A Hacker’s Mind -- as well as hundreds of articles, essays, and academic papers. His long-running newsletter and blog, “Schneier on Security,” is one of the most popular sources of cybersecurity news on the internet. Schneier is a Fellow and Lecturer in Public Policy at the Harvard Kennedy School and the Munk School at the University of Toronto. He has been actively involved in fandom since 1978.
Libby Schultz—Libby Schultz is an established copy and gaming writer, and published her debut speculative cyberpunk gamelit novel Win Condition, which won the Kirkus Star,, Booklife Editor's Pick, and the IndieBrag Medallion, inspired by her life in the crypto and gaming in industries.
She is also the founder and CEO of CipherCounts, and has worked at the forefront of the crypto industry since 2017, advising and educating innovators, institutions, Fortune 500 companies, Big 4 CPA firms, and the AICPA to build next generation financial systems. She is also a science fiction writer, licensed CPA, and technologist with a Master’s in Data Science (AI and information technology) from Carnegie Mellon.
Additionally relevant for WorldCon 2026: Author of Crypto’s Utopian Paradox (WorldCon 2025) Member of the WorldCon Academic Committee Studied Data Science and AI at Carnegie Mellon University 15+ years in computational analysis Ethical Shiba Inu breeder and archivist (7 years) Member of the AKC, SFSC, and NSCA Breeding program guided by Professor Greg Burns at CSU Veterinary Teaching Hospital, and Susanne Osaza, AKC Breeder of Merit
Leanne Schwartz—Leanne Schwartz is the autistic author of the young adult romantic fantasies A Prayer for Vengeance and To a Darker Shore, as well as the adult romance My Kind of Trouble under the name L. A. Schwartz. She has spent about half her life at either the library or the local theater, where she has played Lady Macbeth, Lady Capulet, Clytemnestra, and Hera—perhaps one reason she writes such vengeful, murderous girls. When she’s not teaching English and poetry, she can be found baking pizzelle, working with Authors Against Book Bans, and singing along to showtunes. Visit her on Instagram and BlueSky @SchwartzWords.
Eric Schwitzgebel—Eric Schwitzgebel is Distinguished Professor of Philosophy at University of California, Riverside, and University of California MacArthur Foundation Chair. Recent books include AI and Consciousness and The Weirdness of the World. Look for his forthcoming edited anthology (with Rich Horton and Helen De Cruz) Best Philosophical Science Fiction in the History of All Earth and his forthcoming monograph Humanlike: A Defense of AI Rights. He has published his own short philosophical science fiction in Clarkesworld, F&SF, Nature, and elsewhere.
Effie Seiberg—Effie Seiberg is a Nebula-winning, Hugo- and Sturgeon-nominated fantasy and science fiction writer. Her stories can be found in Lightspeed, Analog, Fantasy Magazine, Diabolical Plots, and PodCastle, amongst others. Effie lives in the San Francisco Bay Area. She's disabled with ME/CFS and is an ambulatory wheelchair user, and has done disability activism including op-eds in the San Francisco Chronicle and readings at No Kings events.
Dr. Anita Sengupta is a rocket scientist, aerospace engineer, professor, and commercial pilot who for over 20 years has been developing technologies that have enabled the exploration of Mars, Asteroids, and Deep Space. She started her career working on the launch vehicles and communications satellites at Boeing Space and Communications. Next her journey took her to the forefront of the US space program. At NASA, her doctoral research focused the developing the ion engines that powered the Dawn spacecraft to reach Vesta and Ceres in the main asteroid belt launched in 2006. She worked on the supersonic parachute system and skycrane that was integral to the landing of the Curiosity Rover on Mars in 2012, as part of the Mars Science Laboratory mission. From 2012 to 2017, while at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Pasadena, California, she led the development of the Cold Atom Laboratory, a laser-cooling quantum physics facility which is now on board the International Space Station.
Her next engineering role took her to the private sector as a senior executive leading the development of an in-vacuum, magnetically levitating, electrically propelled high-speed transportation system known as the Hyperloop. She led the product planning, systems architecture, regulatory compliance, and human safety certification as Senior Vice President of Systems Engineering at Virgin Hyperloop.
Her current venture is leading the development of hydrogen fuel cell powered aircraft as CEO and founder of Hydroplane Ltd. As an aviation entrepreneur Dr. Sengupta is putting her space program skills to help solve challenges here at home. With her companies novel hydrogen-based powerplant technology, the path to decarbonize aviation can happen within the decade.
Dr. Sengupta is also a Research Associate Professor at the University of Southern California. She teaches the only Entry Descent and Landing class on the West Coast for Graduate students in the Astronautics and Space Technology Department.
She is also a professional public speaker and STEM outreach advocate. She keynotes events around the world sharing with audiences her personal and professional experiences of Engineering the Red Planet and From Flying Cars to Humans on Mars.
In her spare time she is an avid commercial pilot, motorcyclist, snow boarder, bicyclist, and science fiction enthusiast.
E. M. Serpentsblade—I'm an SF/F/H book reviewer who also runs the only Hugo Awards space on Quora to document my journey through reading all Hugo Award nominees. I also answer questions on SF/F/H and review various nonfiction (science/cooking/occult and magic).
Arturo Serrano—Arturo Serrano is an Ignyte-winning, Hugo-winning reviewer and editor at the blog Nerds of a Feather, as well as a member of the editorial teams at Strange Horizons and Galactic Journey. He wrote the alternate history novel To Climates Unknown.
Shahid—Shahid Mahmud is the founder and publisher of Arc Manor, one of the most decorated speculative-fiction small presses in the United States, with works that have won the Hugo, Nebula, World Fantasy, Prometheus, and other major awards. In 2021, Arc Manor published Robert A. Heinlein’s final novel, The Pursuit of the Pankera, based on a rediscovered manuscript. Arc Manor is currently working with Mercedes Lackey on the long-awaited final volume of the Halfblood Chronicles, originally created with Andre Norton, and is helping redefine Harry Turtledove as a fantasy writer through the acclaimed City of Shadows series. Before founding Arc Manor in 2006, Mahmud worked in finance managing multibillion-dollar portfolios for the City of San Diego, where his contributions were recognized when the Acting Mayor proclaimed November 7, 2005, as Shahid Mahmud Day.
Catherine Sharp—Catherine Sharp is a conrunner and technical writer from Wales, who spent many years living in Northern Ireland and working on Irish conventions plus others including Glasgow 2024 and some Eastercons. She's currently Chair of Octocon, the National Irish Science Fiction Convention. In her limited free time, she's an endurance athlete, cat wrangler, and occasional set painter.
Steven Shaviro—Steven Shaviro is Emeritus Professor of English at Wayne State University. He has written a number of books of science fiction criticism, including Discognition, Extreme Fabulations, and Fluid Futures.
Mike Sheffield—Mike served 4 years in the U.S. Air Force as an Electronic Warfare Systems Specialist. After his service he began working at TRW Space & Technology (now Northrop Grumman Space Systems) from which he recently retired after almost 41 years. Mike joined The Heinlein Society in 2001 and is a lifetime member. He is a member of THS board of directors. He previously chaired the blood drive committee and is currently the scholarship chair. Mike lives in Long Beach, CA with his wife, Sharon. He has a predilection for wearing kilts, much like Lazarus Long.
Sharon Sheffield—Sharon Sheffield has been a fan of genre fiction since she could read. She has degrees in Linguistics & Anthropology and Divinity. An Episcopal priest, she moonlights as a writer, historical reenactor, and musician. She loves reading, singing, crafting, and perpetrating bad puns on friends. She believes that religion and science fiction seek answers to some of the same questions, that some of the best theology right now is happening in genre fiction, and that respectful dialog is essential to keeping both religion and genre fiction vital.
España Sheriff—Fan, artist, and crafter. As well as traditional and digital art, I also hand-paint folding fans. American, born in Spain, formerly of San Francisco, now living in Newcastle upon Tyne. Over the years I have been involved in many areas of fandom including volunteering, fanzines, and cosplay.
Jane Shevtsov—Jane Shevtsov is an ecologist and space biologist. She is the co-founder and CEO of the Propagule Space Ecology Institute, which does R&D on closed biospheres for space exploration. She also taught mathematical biology at UCLA and co-authored the textbook "Modeling Life: The Mathematics of Biological Systems". Outside of science, Jane's highest priority is the establishment of a democratic United Federation of Nations.
Victoria N. Shi—Victoria N. Shi is a Chinese American sci-fi/fantasy and fabulist author, and Clarion West graduate (2025). Her short fiction appears in Analog Science Fiction & Fact, the BSFA’s Fission, and Escape Pod, and forthcoming in khōréō. She works in mental health, specializing in trauma and anxiety. Her hobbies include tending her aquarium and aggressively researching odd behaviors in her houseplants. Ernie Chiara (Fuse Literary) represents her novels.
Annie Shin—I’m a geek in training and a dedicated consumer who loves science, tech, fandoms, and getting lost in media. Curious and culture driven, I plunge into whatever sparks my interest next.
Brianne Shiraki—Brianne Shiraki is the managing editor and co-founder of Shiraki Press. After a varied career in and out of administration, software, video games, and other odds and ends, she finds herself back at the beginning, with her first loves—reading stories and making plans.
Sho—Sho (they/them) is a clinical mental health therapist, drama therapist, disability justice advocate, and PhD student. Before moving into psychology, Sho worked as an editor for Edge, the largest genre fiction independent publication in Canada. At University of Michigan, Sho coded science fiction and fantasy stories for the Genre Evolution Project and served as project manager on the Re: Berman Project, which investigated and challenged claims that the golden age of science fiction is dead. Sho has done research on the therapeutic applications of role playing games has also published academically on disability justice, drama therapy, and fat identity. If the name Sho Glick sounds familiar, you may have read Robert J. Sawyer's WWW trilogy, in which Sho had the privilege of being Tuckerized. Sho identifies as fat, queer, nonbinary, white-bodied, Jewish, dis/abled, and neurodivergent.
Alex Shvartsman—Alex Shvartsman (Brooklyn, NY) is the author of The Best of All Possible Planets (2026), Kakistocracy (2023), The Middling Affliction (2022), and Eridani’s Crown. Over 120 of his stories have appeared in Analog, Nature, Strange Horizons, etc. He won the WSFA Small Press Award for Short Fiction and was a three-time finalist for each the BSFA and Canopus Awards. His translations from Russian have appeared in Clarkesworld, Reactor, Analog, Asimov’s, F&SF, etc. Alex has edited over a dozen anthologies, including the long-running Unidentified Funny Objects series. Alex is the Narrative Director for Card Advantage Games, working on Reclusion video game (www.reclusionthegame.com). His website is http://www.alexshvartsman.com.
Robert Silverberg—Robert Silverberg has been a professional science fiction writer since 1955. He has won a number of Hugo and Nebula awards, was Guest of Honor at the 1970 Worldcon, and was named a Grand Master by the Science Fiction Writers of America.
Tara Sim—Tara Sim is the critically acclaimed author of the Dark Gods Saga, the We Shall Be Monsters duology, the Scavenge the Stars duology, and the Timekeeper trilogy. She can typically be found wandering the wilds of the Bay Area, California. When she’s not chasing cats or lurking in bookstores, she writes books about magic, murder, and mayhem.
Porscha Simmons—Porscha is a poet and genre-bending writer and artist with a love for Afrofuturism and the speculative. She's an RPG enthusiast and a dreamer of worlds. She is a graduate fellow of The Watering Hole Poetry and the author of the poetry collection "Low Bridge High Water" Her writing has appeared in the award winning anthology "Ask: Building Consent Culture" as well as in Callaloo, ANMY, and other publications. Keep up with Porscha on her website Porschawrites.com and on her Substack of the same name.
Michael Sinatra—Michael Sinatra teaches English in NYC. He's edited the occasional book and helped write a few, including Draco Minimis: The World of the Little Dragons. He's currently working on a book about financial literacy and personal finance.
Daphne Singingtree—Daphne Singingtree is an author, educator, and Water Protector whose work weaves Indigenous knowledge, resilience, and environmental justice. Her Circle for the Earth series blends history and speculative fiction to explore survival, healing, and community in a changing world, grounded in respect for land and tradition.
R. P. Singletary—R. P. Singletary's 120,000-word experimental/ecological debut novel SPEAK SOFTLY AMONG ICEBERGS out Shakespeare Day (that's April 23rd) 2026 from ATL's queer indie press Parlyaree. "A stunning exploration of family, ecology, addiction, life, and what we leave behind. His writing, told from multiple voices and perspectives within the same page or paragraph, is like poetic theater: meant to be read aloud," according to its publisher. "Singletary has created something unique, ambitious, and unlike anything else on the shelf....A bold, imaginative work that showcases a remarkable literary voice." --Goodreads reviewer
SINGLETARY writes across genres as a rural America native and dabbles in other media. Authors Guild + Dramatists Guild.
Emily Skrutskie—Emily Skrutskie is six feet tall. She lives and works in Los Angeles. Skrutskie is the author of THE ABYSS SURROUNDS US series, HULLMETAL GIRLS, the Bloodright Trilogy, starting with BONDS OF BRASS, and THE SALVATION GAMBIT. Her latest novel, A LEGIONNAIRE'S GUIDE TO LOVE AND PEACE, is now available.
Jennifer Skwarski—Jennifer Skwarski has been coming up with costumes for SF conventions since the mid-eighties starting with the second con she ever attended. She is intrigued by different approaches and techniques to making things and how to combine those with science fiction and fantasy costuming. She strives for excellence in her sewing and construction, always wanting to improve her skills and expand her knowledge of making things. She did not start competing in costume contests until 2012 but is glad she finally jumped into that pool. It has greatly improved her confidence and her ability to stand in front of people as the focus of their attention and not freak out. She now competes and wins awards at Master level.
Joan Slonczewski—Joan Slonczewski wrote A Door into Ocean, the award-winning classic about ocean-dwelling Sharers who use biology and nonviolence to repel an interstellar invasion. Joan’s microbiology research discovers bizarre microbes in Antarctica, and shows how our gut bacteria rule our brains. Their fan favorite Brain Plague is sci-fi biology with romance: A starving artist on a gem-studded world accepts an agent's assignment to host a million microbial minds in her head. Joan's true-biology show "Dinosaurs on Weed Get Bird Flu" was a sensation at ICFA. Their lecture on "AI Personhood--Now?" was a hit at UC-Davis Center for AI and Experimental Futures, and at SF Frontier Tower. See: https://magazine.mindplex.ai/post/ai-personhood-now-minds-in-transit-with-joan-slonczewski
Dave Smeds—A Nebula Award finalist, Dave is the author of novels, short fiction, comic book scripts, and screenplays. His writing spans several sub-genres of science fiction and fantasy including sword-and-sorcery, hard sf, contemporary fantasy, superhero, martial arts, and horror. His books include The War of the Dragons trilogy, X-Men: Law of the Jungle, Piper in the Night, and the collections Raiding the Hoard of Enchantment, Futures Near and Far, and Swords, Magic, and Heart. Over a hundred stories have appeared in magazines such as Asimov’s SF, Realms of Fantasy, and F&SF, and anthologies such as Full Spectrum 4, Peter S. Beagle’s Immortal Unicorn, Return to Avalon, In the Field of Fire, and over a dozen installments of the Sword & Sorceress series.
Chloe Smith—Chloe Smith's short fiction has appeared in Bourbon Penn, Three-Lobed Burning Eye, and Daily Science Fiction, among other places, and her debut novella, Virgin Land, came out from Luna Press Publishing in 2023. She is a graduate of Your Personal Odyssey 2024 and a member of the Clarion Workshop class of 2025. When she's not writing, she works as a middle school teacher librarian. At other times, she's been a classroom teacher, a proofreader for Locus and Fantasy magazines, a barista, and a ballet dancer. She lives in the San Francisco Bay Area in California.
Marguerite Smith—Marguerite is Co-Chair of the Dublin 2029 Worldcon bid. A con-goer for over 20 years, she became a conrunner through her belief in shared joy, shared work, and shared achievement. She has been DH on 2 Worldcons, Vice Chair on 2 more, plus many other cons and roles. Outside cons, she is a Dublin-based project manager, trained singer, craft enthusiast, and lover of inks, music, and books. Her cats are learning “button talk,” so life now plays to the soundtrack of “Treat. Treat.”
Randy Smith—Randy Smith has been hanging around Fandom for over forty-five years. During that time he has helped run conventions, written for fanzines, pubbed an APAZine, collected books, comics, and old prozines, and been involved in more fanac than he cares to think about. His interests include fan history and culture, social change, and religion. If you see him around the convention in a clergy collar, it is not a costume. He is also an ordained United Methodist pastor serving a church in San Jose, California.
Rosemary Claire Smith—Rosemary Claire Smith is the 2023 winner of the Sidewise Award for Alternate History for Apollo in Retrograde. Her first novel, Saurotopia, was just published. She is also a four-time finalist for Analog Magazine's readers' award. Her book review columns appear in every other issue of Analog Magazine. Somehow, her alternate histories, future romances, time-travel tales, reworked mythologies, horror stories, and essays have snuck onto the pages of Amazing Stories, Beneath Ceaseless Skies, Fantastic Stories, The Reinvented Heart, The Reinvented Detective, and other periodicals and anthologies. Rosemary's stories draw upon her fascination with dinosaurs, her experiences as a field archaeologist excavating prehistoric sites around the United States. Her RPG, T-Rex Time Machine is available from Choice of Games. Follow her on social media @RCWordsmith and www.rcwordsmith.com for her recent works, upcoming appearances, and thoughts on recent dinosaur discoveries.
Sherwood Smith—Sherwood Smith has published over fifty books, one of which was an Anne Lindbergh Honor Book; she’s twice been a finalist for the Mythopoeic Fantasy Award and once a Nebula finalist. She teaches writing at Viable Paradise Writing Workshop on Martha’s Vineyard. Website at sherwoodsmith.net, and she has a Patreon, where she posts chapters in draft.
Kim Smuga-Otto—Kim Smuga-Otto is a fantasy author of the Boy Band & Dragon series and the novella "A Ghost's Story." She cohosts the writing advice podcast Words To Write By. She lives in Santa Cruz, California.
Jason Snell—Jason Snell is a journalist and podcaster. He runs The Incompatable and Six Colors and hosts Upgrade.
Melinda M Snodgrass—Melinda M. Snodgrass studied opera at the Conservatory of Vienna, graduated Magna cum Laude from U.N.M. with a degree in history, and went on to Law School. After 3 years as a lawyer, she realized she hated being a lawyer and turned to writing.
In 1988 she accepted a job on Star Trek: The Next Generation and began her Hollywood career where she has worked on staff on numerous shows and has written television pilots and feature films. She has just finished a science fiction movie script that is with her manager.
In the prose world she writes for and co-edits the shared world anthology series Wild Cards with George R. R. Martin. In addition, she writes her own novels. She is working on a fantasy novel, and a novel about the god Loki living in the modern world. Her space opera, Imperials, and her Carolingian series, are available.
For fun she rides her dressage horses, plays role playing games and video games.
Ryan Snopek—Ryan Snopek is a history PhD candidate at York University in Toronto. His research focuses on ordinary people understood the relationship between science, spirituality, and ideology in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Brandon Soewrs—Brandon Sowers is the President of Esperanto-USA. He first became aware of the connections between Esperanto and early sci-fi fandom in 2022, when he spent the year working on translating Charles Hornig's diary for 1940-42.
Michael Solis—Michael Solis is Executive Director of Writers & Books, a literary arts center in Rochester, NY, where he leads programs, festivals, and community initiatives supporting writers at every stage. He is the author of the award-winning YA sci-fi novel Deficient, with its sequel, Feral Rising, forthcoming in 2026. A queer Latinx writer, his speculative fiction explores power, identity, and transformation. Michael has written for SFWA’s Planetside, serves as Co-Chair of the SFWA Middle Grade & Young Adult Committee, and sits on the Board of Directors of the Publishing Triangle.
DongWon Song—Literary agent at The Howard Morhaim Literary Agency. Podcast host of Writing Excuses.
Arley Sorg—ARLEY SORG is an associate agent at kt literary and Senior Editor at Locus Magazine. He is a two-time World Fantasy finalist and three-time Locus Award finalist for his work as co-Editor-in-Chief at Fantasy Magazine. He is also a three-time Ignyte finalist, a Solstice recipient, and more. Arley is a book reviewer for Lightspeed, an interviewer for Clarkesworld, and a columnist for F&SF, among other projects. He was the week five instructor at the six-week Clarion West workshop, and has taught at and been a guest speaker for numerous other organizations, including the Odyssey workshop, Cascade workshop, Wayward Wormhole, and many more.
Julie Soskins is a passionate bibliophile and a proud member of Generation X, whose love for literature and geek culture has shaped her life in myriad ways. With over a decade of experience attending conventions, Julie has become a familiar face at Worldcons and SF Bay Area conventions, constantly seeking out new book recommendations and inspirations from fellow enthusiasts.
A dedicated intersectional feminist, Julie actively champions equality and empowerment, using her platform to engage in meaningful conversations and promote awareness on important social issues. Her commitment to fostering inclusivity and diversity is echoed in her work running various book clubs, where she brings together readers of all backgrounds to share perspectives, explore new genres, and celebrate the written word.
Richard Sparks—Born in England, Richard started out as a writer of plays, revues and TV, for such shows as Not the Nine o’Clock News. Rowan Atkinson performed his Schoolmaster sketch in John Cleese’s The Secret Policeman’s Ball. To celebrate Rowan’s 70th birthday, the Schoolmaster sketch was nominated in The Guardian in January 2025 as Number One in a list of Rowan's Top Ten film appearances. UK TV credits include The Famous Five, The Flying Kiwi, The Optimist, The Worst of Hollywood, and a lifetime of script editing. On being hired by Columbia Pictures TV, Richard moved with his family to Los Angeles in 1992 to work with Blake Hunter and Marty Cohan, creators of Who’s the Boss? His lyrics have been recorded by talents as diverse as Dom de Luise, Eric Idle, Vanessa Williams, Plácido Domingo and Hello Kitty. He directed Jack Black in Stravinsky’s The Soldier’s Tale (LACMA). Richard has written libretti for several new operas produced by the LA Opera, with composer Lee Holdridge (composer of movies such as Splash and Old Gringo, and TV shows Beauty and the Beast, Moonlighting, et al.). Richard has also written new English versions of German and Italian classic operas. New Rock New Role (2023) was Richard’s fiction debut. New Rock New Realm, the second book in the New Rock fantasy adventure series, was published in 2024, followed in 2025 by New Rock New Rules. The concluding book in the story, New Rock New Roads, will be published in November 2026. Full credits (and reviews, and free chapters) at www.richardsparks.com.
Elijah Kinch Spector—Elijah Kinch Spector is a novelist and dandy raised in the Bay Area counterculture who now lives in Brooklyn. He is a British Fantasy Award finalist whose writing has received acclaim from NPR, Reactor, Nerds of a Feather, Foreword, and Paste Magazine, among others.
Henry Spencer—Henry Spencer is a systems programmer and spacecraft engineer, with sidelines in spaceflight history and open-source software. As a consultant to University of Toronto's Space Flight Laboratory (now being re-established as SFL Missions Inc.), he is creator and maintainer of much of SFL's most critical on-board software, now running in orbit on 50+ satellites. Earlier, he was one of the founders of the open-source software movement -- there is probably some of his code in your computer. He is a Fellow of the British Interplanetary Society, and a member of the Senior Advisory Board of the Space Studies Institute. Asteroid 117329 Spencer is named after him.
Norman Sperling—(fuller: EverythingInTheUniverse.com. Patchy: Wikipedia.org.) MA History of Science & Technology, UC Berkeley. Taught astronomy 31yr at UC Berkeley, +elsewhere. Editor, The Journal of Irreproducible Results, the science humor magazine. Knowledgeable about spaceflight (on 2 panels, WorldCon 2018); publishing books including my 2 in SF; telescopes (co-designer of Astroscan); planet crust layers; road trips; thiotimoline.
Linda Spilker—Dr. Linda Spilker is a planetary scientist at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory who has participated in NASA and international planetary missions for almost 50 years, including Voyager and Cassini. Spilker’s mission roles include mission leadership as well as design, planning, operation and scientific data analysis and modeling. As Cassini Project Scientist Dr. Spilker led a team of over 300 international scientists. She is currently the Voyager Project Scientist. She enjoys traveling and hiking in National Parks, including her favorite parks, Yosemite, Bryce and Zion.
Katrina Spillman—Katrina Spillman grew up in the Pacific Northwest. She loves to write, and is particularly interested in character-driven speculative fiction and poetry. She is immensely proud of her debut YA Sci-Fi novel, Promise The Sky, which will be released by Ooligan Press in 2027. She most enjoys reading and writing stories that center diverse characters and voices. Katrina received her BA and graduated Cum Laude from Portland State University’s History Department. She is the creator of the award winning documentary “Borders and Frontiers of Gender: Rethinking Cabeza de Vaca's Indigenous Encounters 1527-1536.” The child of a scientist and a tarot card reader, she prefers the space between what is known and what is imagined.
I have 30 years of experience both in front of the camera and behind the scenes in Hollywood. I currently run my own screen‑used props and costume resale business, Wookiedesigns, along with a prop‑building YouTube channel. I’ve worked on‑camera in Heroes, Roswell, and Miracle Workers, and behind the scenes for Universal and Paramount.
In the 80s, I was the only girl in my D&D club. I hosted a cable access show called Starbase Dallas, and I was the mascot for the Dallas Fantasy Fair with my original character, Wonder Bunny. I still cosplay, I still play World of Warcraft, and I’ve fought rapier and heavies in the SCA for 40 years.
I’m currently a member of a professional improv group called Consensual Emu. I was a Nerd, a Dwarf, a Queen, a Geek, and a Weirdo — and somewhere along the way, I became cool.
Priya Sridhar—A 2016 MBA graduate and published author, Priya Sridhar has been writing fantasy and science fiction for fifteen years, and counting. Capstone published the Powered series, and Unnerving Press published Offstage Offerings. Priya lives in Miami, Florida with her family
Children's Program Staff
Jesper Stage—Jesper is a professor of economics at Luleå University of Technology in Sweden. He usually works on whatever interests him at the moment and/or whatever has the most urgent deadline; this often entails research on environmental economics, natural resource economics, energy economics, development economics, or several of these at once. He has attended more than a dozen Worldcons and no longer has any idea how many conventions he has attended in total.
Kimlyn Stanyon—Fantabulous, amazeballs, spectacularific... these are a few of the words that will be used to describe LA CON V if I am in attendance as a panelist and work shop facilitator.
I am an award winning novelist specialising in speculative fiction. To write is my purpose. Writing is more than important to me... it's vital. I bring passion, dedication, understanding and humor to every room I enter. I promise to be a valuable addition to the event.
Caitlin Starling—Caitlin Starling is the nationally bestselling author of The Starving Saints, The Graceview Patient, The Death of Jane Lawrence, the Bram Stoker-nominated The Luminous Dead, and Last To Leave The Room. Her work showcases her love of genre-hopping horror; her bibliography spans besieged castles, alien caves, and haunted hospitals. Her short fiction has been published by GrimDark Magazine and Neon Hemlock, and her nonfiction has appeared in Nightmare, Uncanny, and Nightfire. Caitlin also works in narrative design, and has been paid to invent body parts. She’s always on the lookout for new ways to inflict insomnia.
Michael Stearns—Michael Stearns is the founder of Upstart Crow Literary. A former editorial director for HarperCollins, he has edited hundreds of best-selling, award-winning F&SF novels, among them books by Michael Grant, Diane Duane, Ursula K. Le Guin, Jane Yolen, Frances Hardinge, and more. He also runs a book packager where he co-created the #1 bestselling series FALLEN, as well as several dozen other titles. And, under the pen name Carter Roy, he is the author of the award-winning middle-grade fantasy adventure trilogy the Blood Guard.
Joe Stech—Editor of Think Weirder: The Year's Best Science Fiction Ideas. Former publisher of Compelling Science Fiction magazine. Joe lives in Colorado with his wife and two children, where he talks a lot about computer processors and climbs rocks.
Stephanie Stein—Stephanie Stein is a Senior Editor at Tor Books, where she edits fantasy and science fiction by authors including Ilona Andrews, RJ Barker, Evan Leikam, Wen-yi Lee, Marie Lu, Freya Marske, Maddie Martinez, Annalee Newitz, Katee Robert, and Nghi Vo. She also works with the Brandon Sanderson team to bring his latest epic worlds to readers’ shelves. Previously, she edited a range of acclaimed and bestselling fiction for YA and middle grade readers at HarperCollins Children’s Books.
Alison Stern—Alison has been Running Children's Programming at Conventions for nearly 40 years, yes she started early. She has her degree in elementary education, and has also been involved in music programming, costuming, reading and and a whole lot of crafting and diy work, and she currently is a Specialist at The Home Depot in the San Francisco Bay Area. Come on over the Camp Fuzzy to see her work in action.
Edie Stern—Long-time fan Edie Stern is webmaster for the FanHistory Project (FANAC.org). She ran con programs including for MagiCon (1992), chaired a few & was a stalwart of south Florida fandom for years. She’s pubbed her ish & collects SF art. With Joe Siclari, she provided art exhibits for World Fantasy Conventions and Boskones. In 2016, she & Joe won the Big Heart Award. In 2022, they were Worldcon Fan Guests of Honor. Edie retired as a Distinguished Engineer (IBM), and is an inventor on 200+ patents.
Raven Stern—Raven (she/her) is happiest when reconstructing food from literature (of the 19th century or space variety), constructing fantastical garments (of the 19th century or space variety), frolicking in a ballroom (of the 19th century or space variety), and finding ways to combine all three. You can find her discussing dance scholarship (of the 19th century and space variety) in short video form on TikTok @plaidpetticoats.
J. Richard Stevens—Associate Professor J. Richard Stevens teaches graduate and undergraduate courses in new media theory, popular culture, and digital media skills at the University of Colorado Boulder. Dr. Stevens’ research delves into the intersection of ideological formation and media message dissemination, with studies such as how cultural messages are formed and passed through popular culture, how technology infrastructure affects the context of media messages, communication technology policy and law, and how media and technology platforms are changing American public discourse.
Andrea Stewart—Andrea Stewart is the Sunday Times bestselling author of The Drowning Empire trilogy and The Hollow Covenant trilogy, the forthcoming thriller Someone Else’s Daughter, and works as a writing coach at The Novelry. The Bone Shard Daughter was a finalist for numerous awards, including the Goodreads Choice Award and the British Fantasy Award. She now lives in sunny California, and in addition to writing, can be found herding cats, looking at birds, and falling down research rabbit holes.
Andrew Kelly Stewart—Andrew Kelly Stewart’s writing spans the literary, science fiction, fantasy, and horror genres. His short fiction has appeared in The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction and ZYZZYVA. He is a Clarion Workshop alum and holds an MFA in Creative Writing from San Diego State University. We Shall Sing a Song into the Deep is his first publication with Tor.com. Stewart teaches and writes in southern California.
Alasdair Stuart—Alasdair Stuart is a professional enthusiast, pop culture analyst, writer and voice actor. He serves on the board of the Escape Artists Foundation and hosts their weekly horror fiction podcast, PseudoPod. Alasdair is an Audioverse Award winner, a Hugo and BFA finalist, and has won the Karl Edward Wagner award twice. He writes the award-nominated free weekly pop culture newsletter THE FULL LID. Follow him on Bluesky for daily writing exercises, podcast and movie recommendations, and photos of his cat.
Jeff Sturgeon—Jeff Sturgeon is a northwest artist known for his beautiful, award-winning metal paintings. His career spans over thirty years, coming up through the ranks as a young fan artist in the 80s to being hired in the first wave of computer game artists in the late 80s and early 90s. A long career in the 90s as an artist, animator, concept artist, lead artist, game designer, and art director followed most notably for Electronic Arts. He continued to paint and display his work at science fiction conventions around the country and created new cover and interior work for clients such as Harper Collins Publishing and NASA JPL.
Jeff left the game business behind and went to painting full time with aluminum as his new canvas though he did not give up traditional canvas completely. Through the new millennium, Jeff's work became nationally known with increased appearances as a exhibitor, guest, panelist, and Guest of Honor at conventions around the country. Jeff's world-sharing anthology Jeff Sturgeon's Last Cities of Earth was released in Jan. 2022 by Word Fire Press. His continued work in the Last Cities of Earth; universe and book and magazine cover assignments now take up most of his time as he creates new art and stories and works towards releasing a second LAST CITIES OF EARTH anthology. A tabletop/board game is in the design stages.
J. J. Styles—James Joseph (J.J.) Styles first SF Con was 51 years ago when he attended Aussiecon 1 in Melbourne, Australia.
J. J. Styles has since attended many local, university, and regional conventions and about a dozen Worldcons held outside North America plus two in the USA.
J. J. has been a volunteer and panelist. Interests include cosplay, fantasy, fandom, gambling, gaming, history, horror, politics, SF, and travel.
J.J. was a member of Australian APAs and Editor and Publisher of Crux fanzine.
Badged as James Bond 007 (retired), J. J. was briefly a fashion model before working "On Her Majesty's Secret Service."
J. J. also worked as a Locomotive Driver for over forty years and is the inaugural National Vice President (Rail) of the Australian Rail, Tram and Bus Industry Union.
Sonia Sulaiman—Sonia is an award winning writer and editor who writes stories inspired by Palestinian folklore and history. Her work has appeared in ArabLit Quarterly, Beladi, FIYAH, Lackington’s Magazine, Seize the Press, and other venues. Her stories have been anthologized in Xenocultivars: Stories of Queer Growth, Year’s Best Canadian Fantasy & Science Fiction, If There’s Anyone Left Vol 4, INARA: Light of Utopia, and more.
Geri is a fanzine fan. She’s won 5 FAAn awards including #1 Fan Face in 1998 and the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2022 Corflu. She is also a 2007 Hugo winner, 2019 TAFF delegate, susceptible to special projects, and loves hosting parties most of all. As a member of the Board of Governors for the Ig Nobel Prizes, Geri invites you to the Improbable Research Dramatic Readings at LAcon V. Her Video Archeology Project will premiere the reconstruction of the 1976 Star Wars Slide Show on Monday.
Kathryn Sullivan—Kathryn Sullivan writes young adult science fiction and fantasy, including fantasy novel THE CRYSTAL THRONE and short story collection AGENTS, ADEPTS & APPRENTICES. Her Doctor Who-related works include the essay, “The Fanzine Factor”, in the Hugo winning CHICKS DIG TIME LORDS and essays in CHILDREN OF TIME: COMPANIONS OF DOCTOR WHO and OUTSIDE IN: 160 NEW PERSPECTIVES ON 160 DOCTOR WHO STORIES BY 160 WRITERS. She also has reviews in the Star Trek-related OUTSIDE IN BOLDLY GOES and OUTSIDE IN MAKES IT SO and the X-Files related OUTSIDE IN TRUSTS NO ONE. She is owned by a large cockatoo, who graciously allows her to write about other animals, as well as birdlike aliens. Kathryn lives in Winona, MN, where the river bluffs along the Mississippi River double as cliffs on alien planets or the deep mysterious forests in a magical world.
Jeffrey Sun—Jeffrey Sun is a lifelong SF fan and editor of The Daily Tomorrow, a daily SF serial magazine.
Josh Sutphin—Josh Sutphin writes politically and culturally engaged occult horror with an undercurrent of hope. He is also co-founder and principal designer for Shiraki Press and a veteran video game developer.
Chelsea Sutton—Chelsea Sutton is an LA-based wrier and director. She’s a PEN America Emerging Voices Fellow, a Humanitas PlayLA award-winner, a graduate of the 2022 Clarion Science Fiction and Fantasy Workshop, and holds an MFA in Creative Writing from UC Riverside. She co-wrote the Emmy-nominated Welcome to the Blumhouse Live, an interactive film event for Blumhouse/Amazon. Her short fiction has appeared in Uncanny Magazine, Apex Magazine, Bourbon Penn, and the podcast It's Storytime with Wil Wheaton, among others. She is the author of the flash fiction chapbook Only Animals (Wrong Publishing, 2024) and the novella Krackle’s Last Movie (Split/Lip 2026).
Jennifer Svedberg-Yen—Jennifer Svedberg-Yen is an award-winning author and creative producer specializing in stories with emotional and philosophical depth. She is the Lead Writer and Voice & Localization Producer for the breakout hit Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and an independent creative consultant for gaming and entertainment studios. She has been warmly praised by partners around the world for her expertise and thoughtful collaboration style. She loves puzzles and snacks (traits she shares with her dog Trunks) and often composes stories in her sleep. She is usually deeply immersed in a book or tv show, and/or hunting platinum trophies for her favorite games.
Richard Swan—Richard Swan is a critically acclaimed British genre writer. He is the author of the Sunday Times bestselling Empire of the Wolf and Great Silence trilogies, the Decurion Saga (2026), and short fiction for Black Library and Grimdark Magazine. His work has been translated into nine languages. Richard is a qualified lawyer, and before writing full time spent ten years litigating multimillion pound commercial disputes in London. He currently lives in Sydney with his wife and three young sons.
Sarah Sward—Sarah Sward has over fifteen years of administrative experience. She’s worked for all sizes of companies and in all types of positions. Currently, she’s an independent admin who works for Hugo & Nebula winning author, Mary Robinette Kowal, and the Hugo winning podcast, Writing Excuses. In her spare time she is working on her novel and making stickers. Sarah lives in the land of 10,000 lakes with her husband, 4 cats, and is constantly fighting the battle of where to put all her yarn.
Jeremy Szal—Jeremy Szal was raised by wild dingoes, which should explain a lot. He writes epic fantasy and dark space opera of a character-driven, morally grey nature. He sold The Common trilogy to Gollancz/Orion when he was 23, which includes STORMBLOOD, BLINDSPACE, and WOLFSKIN, about a drug harvested from alien DNA that makes users permanently addicted to adrenaline and aggression. He’s the author of over fifty short stories, translated into seventeen languages, many of which appear in his short fiction collection BROKEN STARS. He was the editor for the Hugo-winning StarShipSofa until 2020 and has a BA in Film Studies and Creative Writing from UNSW. He carves out a living in Sydney, Australia with his family, where he loves watching weird movies, eating Japanese food, exploring cities, learning languages, cold weather and dark humour. Find him at https://jeremyszal.substack.com/ or @JeremySzal
Beth Tabler—Beth Tabler is the head magazine editor at Grimdark Magazine. As well as EIC and owner of the review site Beforewegoblog.com
Ray Tabler—Ray Tabler is a published author of humorous science fiction and fantasy. Originally from Louisville, KY, Ray chased the northbound dollar and lodged in the frozen wilds of Michigan. His five published novels are available from Misti Media (Nazca Press) and Histria Books. Ray's short fiction has appeared in Baen's Universe, Cosmic Crime Stories, Escape Pod, and various anthologies.
Wole Talabi—Wole Talabi is an engineer, writer and editor from Nigeria. He is the author of the SF thriller THE FIST OF MEMORY (2026) and the urban fantasy novel SHIGIDI AND THE BRASS HEAD OF OBALUFON (2023) which was one of the Washington Post's ten best science and fantasy novels of 2023, nominated for the Nebula, World Fantasy, Locus, and other major awards. His short fiction is collected in the books CONVERGENCE PROBLEMS (2024) and INCOMPLETE SOLUTIONS (2019). Talabi’s writing has earned him the Sidewise Award for Alternate History, the Nommo award for African speculative fiction, and multiple nominations, including as a finalist for the Hugo, Nebula, Locus awards and the Caine Prize for African Writing. He has edited five anthologies. He currently lives in Perth, Australia.
Stephannie Tallent—Award-winning author Stephannie Tallent is a 1989 West Point graduate. Since then she’s served in the Army as a Military Intelligence officer, gotten a Zoology degree, went to vet school, worked as a small animal veterinarian, and designed and published knitting patterns and books.
She’s now writing everything from fantasy to science fiction to mysteries to romance. Her work has appeared in Cast of Wonders, Writers of the Future Vol 40, and more.
Cecilia Tan—A bigender biracial bisexual who spans the gamut of genre and gender, Cecilia Tan is the author of over 100 short stories in publications ranging from Ms. Magazine to Asimov’s, Strange Horizons to Best American Erotica, and over 30 novels including the Magic University series, Daron's Guitar Chronicles, The Prince's Boy, and The Velderet. RT Book Reviews awarded her Career Achievement in Erotic Romance in 2015 and her novel Slow Surrender (Hachette/Forever, 2013) won the RT Reviewers Choice Award and the Magnolia Award. “ctan” (see-tan) as she is commonly known accepts all pronouns but uses she/her for society’s convenience.
Noor Tannir—Noor Tannir is a Lebanese writer, curator, and cultural practitioner currently based in New York, where she is pursuing her MFA in Creative Nonfiction at Sarah Lawrence College. She had previously worked as a Junior Curator for independent art initiative Barjeel Art Foundation in Sharjah, UAE and graduated from the American University of Beirut in 2018 with a BA in Art History and minors in Philosophy and Film & Visual Culture. Her work has most recently appeared in Şerābi Zine's 2024 zine-anthology, Ebony Tomatoes Collective's Perennial Song, mt7rk and is forthcoming in Difference Engine's anthology Free to Play (October 2026). Her manuscript was longlisted for the Azhar Writing Prize 2025, and received an honorable mention in Nightboat Books' 2025 Prose Reading Period.
Shen Tao—USA Today and Sunday Times bestselling author Shen Tao immigrated to Canada at a young age, and grew up inspired by both Chinese and Western stories. Her debut novel, The Poet Empress, will be translated into 17 languages.
Tia Tashiro—Tia Tashiro is a multiracial science fiction and fantasy writer hailing from the Pacific Northwest. She has won a Derringer Award and been a finalist for the Hugo, Locus, Sturgeon, and Astounding Award for her short fiction. By day, she works in cognitive science; by night, she writes; and in between, she dabbles in stained glass and juggling, though never at the same time. Her short fiction is published in Uncanny, Clarkesworld, Diabolical Plots, and Apex, among other venues. Find her at tiatashiro.com.
Takayuki Tatsumi—Takayuki Tatsumi: major books include: Full Metal Apache: Transactions between Cyberpunk Japan and Avant-Pop America (Duke UP, 2006, the winner of the 2010 IAFA [International Association for the Fantastic in the Arts] Distinguished Scholarship Award). He also received the 2025 SFRA Lifetime Contribution to SF Scholarship Award. Co-editor of The Routledge Companion to Transnational American Studies (Routledge, 2019), he has also published a variety of essays in PMLA, Critique, Extrapolation, Science Fiction Studies, Mechademia, ARTS and elsewhere on subjects ranging from the American Renaissance to post-cyberpunk fiction and film.
Myle Yan Tay—Myle Yan TAY is a writer of plays and prose. His debut novel, catskull, won Book of the Year and Best Literary Work at the Singapore Book Awards and was shortlisted for the Singapore Literature Prize. His plays Statement Piece and Brown Boys Don't Tell Jokes were staged by Checkpoint Theatre; both were nominated for "Best Production" and "Best Script" at the Straits Times! Life Theatre Awards. He has published essays, reviews, and fiction in The Hong Kong Review, The Cincinnati Review, The Chicago Reader, and more. He co-hosts "Comic Sans," produced by Andas Productions, an award-winning podcast about comics for those who are sans knowledge.
Howard Tayler—Howard Tayler is the writer and illustrator behind SCHLOCK MERCENARY, and is one of the founding hosts of Writing Excuses.
Christine Taylor-Butler—Christine Taylor-Butler is the author of more than 95 books for children including the Lost Tribes Series. A graduate of MIT she focuses on including STEM in her books and recently was selected to interview Victor Glover prior to his piloting the Artemis II mission. She was selected as a Visiting Scholar at MIT for two terms. Christine lives in Kansas City with fellow WorldCon alum, Ken.
Patricia Taylor—Patricia Taylor is a member of and volunteer with the Renegade Bookbinding Guild. Over the last four years she's bound more than 200 books, ranging from fanfic to artist's books to literary classics.
Lauren C. Teffeau—Lauren C. Teffeau is a speculative fiction writer based in New Mexico. Her books include the eco-thriller Accelerated Growth Environment (Shiraki Press, 2026), the environmental fantasy A Hunger with No Name (University of Tampa Press, 2024), which took third place in the Speculative Fiction Indie Novella Championship, and the cyberpunk/solarpunk adventure Implanted (Angry Robot, 2018), which was shortlisted for the 2019 Compton Crook Award for best first SF/F/H novel and named a definitive work of climate fiction by Grist. Over twenty of her short stories have appeared in venues like Sunday Morning Transport, DreamForge Magazine, After Dinner Conversation, and the Stoker Award-nominated Chromophobia: A Strangehouse Anthology by Women in Horror.
Tekre—I'm a linguistic student currentl working on my master's degree. In my free time I study and teach the Na'vi language, a constructed language from the Avatar movies.
Gail "RGB" Terman—Gail is a professional software engineer, a volunteer conrunner, an avid tabletop gamer, and she loves to sing and do fiber arts in her "spare time".
Mona Tewari—Mona Tewari has long been fascinated by the ways in which the narratives of legends and histories shape our views of the present. A graduate of the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) and UCSF, Tewari practiced as a pediatric dentist for years before turning to writing fiction in her favorite genre: fantasy. As the daughter of two immigrants from India, she didn’t see herself represented in popular media while growing up and became determined to show her daughters they belong in every world.
G.R. Theron—G.R. Theron is a Seattle-based fantasy author and member of the Mythopoeic Society. In addition to writing, he is also an active artist, panelist, and host of Northwest Speculative. Find his work at grtheron.com.
Michael Damian Thomas—Michael Damian Thomas is the nine-time Hugo, British Fantasy, World Fantasy, and Parsec Award-winning Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of the Locus Award-winning Uncanny Magazine and the Content Editor of the It's Storytime with Wil Wheaton podcast. Michael was a Hugo Award finalist as the former Managing Editor of Apex Magazine (2012-2013), co-edited the Hugo Award finalist essay anthology Queers Dig Time Lords (Mad Norwegian Press, 2013) with Sigrid Ellis, and co-edited the anthology Glitter & Mayhem (Apex Publications, 2013) with John Klima and Lynne M. Thomas. Michael was formerly the full-time caregiver of his late daughter, Caitlin. Caitlin had a rare congenital disorder called Aicardi syndrome.
WA THOMASSON—I, W. A. Thomasson, have read science fiction most of my long life. I came to conventions late, with my first con in 1982, but have been a regular panelist for 30 years. I also volunteered for Access after my eyes went bad (age-related macular degeneration), but have now retired from SMOFdom. I obtained a PhD in biochemistry more than a half-century ago but, finding I lacked the patience for research, switched into science and medical writing. I formally retired in 2019 but have now completed a sword-and-sorcery novel (to be self-published, alas!) and several short stories. My interests are very broad, with a special focus n all aspects of near and far futures, sociopolitical as well as technological.
Mary G. Thompson—Mary G. Thompson is the author of Precious Children and One Level Down (Tachyon) as well as The Word, Flicker and Mist, and other novels. Her contemporary thriller Amy Chelsea Stacie Dee was a winner of the 2017 Westchester Fiction Award and a finalist for the 2018-2019 Missouri Gateway award. Her short fiction has appeared in Dark Matter Magazine, Apex Magazine, and others. She holds an MFA in Writing for Children from The New School and completed the UCLA School of Theater, Film & Television's Professional Program in Screenwriting. She lives in Washington, DC.
Tamika Thompson—Tamika Thompson is author of The Curse of Hester Gardens. A former journalist and producer, she is also author of Unshod, Cackling, and Naked, which is the 2024 Next Generation Indie Book Awards Winner for Horror, as well as author of Salamander Justice. Her work has appeared in several speculative fiction anthologies as well as in Andromeda Spaceways Magazine, Interzone, Prairie Schooner, and The New York Times, among others. She lives in the San Francisco Bay Area, where she hosts her own blog and newsletter, Tamika Talks Terror. Visit her online at tamikathompson.com or on social media @tamikadthompson.
Ruth Frances Long / Jessica Thorne—Ruth Frances Long / Jessica Thorne writes romance and fantasy from the heart which often strays into weird and wonderful liminal places. She works in a specialized library of rare & occasionally crazy books.
As Ruth Frances Long she writes fantasy, often about scary fairies. In 2015 she won the European Science Fiction Society Spirit of Dedication Award for Best Author of Children’s Science Fiction and Fantasy for A Crack in Everything. Her latest series Feral Gods, an adult fantasy trilogy from Hodderscape featuring “an alternate-Renaissance fantasy world and inspired by the early days of printing in Europe” begins with The Book of Gold, continues with The Lore of Silver (November 2025) and finishes with The God of Bronze (November 2026). The Book of Gold was longlisted for the 2025 BSFA award and was selected for the Locus Recommended Reading List for 2024.
As Jessica Thorne she writes adult fantasy women’s fiction, which wanders from Space Opera to time travel to epic fantasy, including The Lost Queen trilogy (A Touch of Shadows, A Kiss of Flame and A Crown of Darkness), The Water Witch, The Bookbinder’s Daughter, The Lost Girl’s of Foxfield Hall, The Queen’s Wing, The Hollow King duology (Mageborn and Nightborn). The Stone’s Heart was nominated for the Romantic Novelists’ Association Romantic Fantasy novel of the year in 2020. Her Irish gothic romance Wildewood came out in January 2026and her new series with Boldwood begins 14 September 2026 with The Teacup Dragon Sanctuary.
Jordan Ticktin—Jordan is a professional space geek. As an engineer at NASA JPL, he's worked on the Europa Clipper mission to Jupiter, spacecraft to study Earth, and more. He's had the great fortune to hold things in his hands that are now on other planets, but his favorite part of his job is sharing his love of space with others. While primarily a Trekkie, he also loves Star Wars, The Orville, Doctor Who, and more. His favorite authors include Ted Chiang, Becky Chambers, James S. A. Corey, Andy Weir, and Isaac Asimov. He also enjoys travel, the outdoors, and board games.
John Tilden—Heinlein and Comics Fan. Active in the Heinlein Society and current Treasurer.
Suzanne Tompkins—Since discovering SF fandom in the mid-1960’s, Suzanne Tompkins (Suzle) has co-edited four fanzines (The Spanish Inquisition and Mainstream, with husband Jerry Kaufman, received Hugo nominations); helped found an SF club (WPSFA in Pittsburgh); and helped run numerous SF cons (Seattle Potlatches, Corflus, and several Worldcons). She was the 2005 TransAtlanticFanFund delegate, then served as the North American TAFF administrator until 2008. In real life, Suzle works as an association manager/meeting planner and on the Clarion West Writers Workshop staff. She and Jerry publish Littlebrook, found on line at http://www.efanzines.com/.
Kendra Tornheim—Jewelry artist since 2007, history and computer geek since 1987, SFF fan since 1978.
L.E. Torres—Luis E. Torres is Peruvian-born writer with a passion for creating thoughtful hard SF space novels grounded in societal realities and infused with South American themes. He has 20+ years’ experience freelance-designing commercial tabletop role-playing game adventures, and his self-published hard science-fiction RPG Seven Worlds was nominated for an ENnie for Best Role-Playing Adventure of 2018, and also received the Atomic Rockets Seal of Approval for Scientific Accuracy. By day he’s a program manager supporting AI product development for a major Seattle technology company. He’s a member of SFWA’s Emerging Tech/AI committee, and is currently working on his third SF novel. L.E. Torres is a Peruvian-born science fiction author who writes space operas infused with Latin American culture and realistic science accuracy. A twenty-year veteran of role-playing game design, his self-published RPG Seven Worlds was nominated for an ENnie Award and received the Atomic Rockets Seal of Scientific Accuracy. An introvert with a passion for complex characters and bittersweet endings, Torres also composes electronic music and has spent forty years as a devoted science fiction fan. He writes stories that confront hopelessness with beauty, bringing precision and heart to tales of humanity among the stars.
Heather Tracy—Heather Tracy (she/her) is a travel agent by day, and a masked copy editor and writer by night. As a travel agent, she plans Nerdventures--travel for the nerd in all of us. These can be anything from visiting New Zealand to see as many Lord of the Rings filming locations as you can to visiting castles in Europe to following in the footsteps of your favorite author. As a copy editor, she's found hundreds of typos, comma splices, and other grammatical nitpicks for Space Wizard Science Fantasy since before 2016. With over 30 titles copyedited, she's now turned her hand to short stories in the Fiery Deeps, Lesbians in Space: Where No Man Has Gone Before, and Lesbians in Space: The Sapphics Strike Back anthologies, and her first novel, Only a Chapter, which features some of her personal journey surviving breast cancer. Heather lives in Raleigh with her husband of over twenty years, William C. Tracy, where they have two rambunctious cats and several beehives. They enjoy taking their own Nerdventures--as much as they can be away from their small businesses--and cosplaying at various markets and cons throughout the year. You can find her on Facebook as @heathertracyauthor, on Bluesky as @heathertracyauthor.bsky.social and on Instagram as @hunnyjar319. For her travel agency, Melvin's Travel Adventures, you can find her on Facebook and Instagram as @melvinstraveladventures or on Bluesky as @melvinsta.bsky.social.
William C. Tracy—William C. Tracy writes and publishes queer science fiction and fantasy through his indie press Space Wizard Science Fantasy. His works include The Dissolutionverse and accompanying RPG Spells of the Symphony, Fruits of the Gods, The Biomass Conflux, and The Shifting Lands. He also has a nonfiction book, How to Operate Your Body, about body mechanics and correct posture. William is an NC native, has a master’s in mechanical engineering, teaches Wado-Ryu karate, and keeps bees.
Trang Thanh Tran—Trang Thanh Tran writes speculative stories with big emotions. When not writing, they can be found over-caffeinating on iced coffee and watching zombie movies. Their debut novel She Is a Haunting was an instant New York Times and Indie bestseller, a William C. Morris Debut Award finalist, and a Bram Stoker Award winner.
Bjo Trimble—Started in fandom in the 1940s. Costuming, writing, art and organizing. With the suggestion and help of my husband John Trimble we started the letter writing campaign to save Star Trek and got it out into syndication. We ran Equicon Filmcon from the 1970s-80s and brought up 3 daughters in fandom.
Liza Groen Trombi—LIZA GROEN TROMBI is the Hugo and World Fantasy Award winning Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of Locus Magazine. A life-long reader of science fiction, fantasy, and horror, she studied literature, history, and translation at university, and worked in several fields before joining the magazine in early 2003. She has been Editor-in-Chief and Publisher since 2009. Trombi also participates in convention panels and awards juries, runs the Locus Awards Weekend and writing workshops, publishes books with Locus Press, and serves as board president of the Locus Science Fiction Foundation. She lives in California with her two daughters and a little dog, too.
Erik James Troy—Growing up in Boston Massachusetts, Erik was surrounded by scientists and doctors from MIT, Harvard, and the scientific institutions around New England. At a young age, he hoped to become an astrophysicist, to help humanity reach the stars and seek a brighter future. His love for stories, however, pulled him in a different direction. Erik wanted to help as many people as possible with his life, and after the culture shock of moving out of the city, he believed that mending the divides between people was most important. His love for pictures and writing brought him to film school in New York, and finally to Hollywood many years later. He has directed advertisements for political campaigns, nightlife venues, and Kickstarter campaigns. His work contributed to landslide victories, exceeding funding goals, and overwhelmingly positive results. Erik has also revisited love for science by publishing the hard science fiction novel “Icarus Dawns”, and later he published his “how to” guide on writing, complete with a feature length screenplay he’s been developing since 2011 titled “Tears of Anemoia”. Erik is now working on getting his first feature film funded: a comedy action thriller titled “Calameda Road”.
Harry Turtledove—Harry Turtledove is an escaped Byzantine historian. For the past 35 years, he has made a poor but not too honest living writing alternate history, other sf, fantasy (a lot of it historically based), and, every now and then, historical fiction. He is married to fellow writer and Broadway maven Laura Frankos. They have three daughters, two grand granddaughters, and three spoiled cats.
Mary Turzillo's Nebula-winner,"Mars Is no Place for Children," and her Analog novel An Old-Fashioned Martian Girl have been recommended reading on the International Space Station. She has been a finalist on the British SFA, Pushcart, Stoker, Dwarf Stars, and Rhysling ballots. Her poetry collection Lovers & Killers won the 2013 Elgin Award for Best Collection. Her collaboration with Marge Simon, Victims, also won an Elgin. Her latest two books are Cast from Darkness, also with Simon, and Cosmic Cats and Fantastic Furballs. Her current novel project Callisto features a young sword-slasher and her sarcastic time-traveling cat. Mary loves orange kittens, total eclipses, and her amazing husband Geoff Landis.
http://www.maryturzillo.com/
R-Laurraine Tutihasi—Laurraine Tutihasi has been reading sf&f since 1951 and discovered fandom in 1973 after attending her first convention, a worldcon. She has published fanzines, attended and worked on numerous conventions, participated in local clubs, belonged to numerous APAs, written reviews and other articles for fanzines, and even sold some artwork. She is currently a member of ANZAPA and StippleAPA and publishes her own fanzine, which is distributed on paper and in PDF format. In her other life, she has been a librarian and a programmer, among other things, and is currently retired and living in Arizona.
Logan Uber—Logan Uber is an interdisciplinary scholar holding five master’s degrees across the fields of humanities, literature, environmental policy, creative writing, and intelligence studies. His research has been diverse and includes works related to the Pearl Poet, grizzly bears, coast redwood conservation, cosmology, and philosophy.
Solomon Uhiara—Solomon Uhiara is a Nigerian science fiction writer, conceptual photographer, and engineer whose creative work blends technology, culture, and the African experience into bold narratives. His writing has been published widely, with short stories, essays, poetry and interviews appearing in several issues of Dark Matter Magazine, Omenana Magazine, The World’s Revolution, AfricanWriter Magazine, Journal of the Fantastic in the Arts, Polutexni, Eye to the Telescope, Tor, StarLine, and Open Country Magazine. He was a Nommo Awards finalist for his acclaimed short story “LOOM,” which explored themes of memory, Alzheimers, survival, family, and Afrofuturism. His story “The Extermination Device of the Blacksmith” was voice-performed by Altered-Carbon actor Ato Essandoh, In addition to his publications, Solomon has been active in the Nigerian speculative fiction community. He moderated virtual panels during the last Science Fiction World Convention in Seattle, USA, 2025 contributing to global conversations about Nigerian influences in storytelling and speculative futures. His debut science fiction and fantasy novel, Dust Engines, will be released in Fall 2026 by Dark Matter INK Imprint (USA).
Frauke Uhlenbruch—Frauke Uhlenbruch, PhD, is a writer and linguist with an academic background in sociology and religious and biblical studies. She has worked as a computational linguist developing voice AI applications, as a language instructor, and translator. Combining her interests in linguistics and genre fiction, she teaches workshops on constructing languages for SFF writers. Her academic publications include books and articles about science fiction and religion, as well as fan fiction and ancient scribal cultures. Her short fiction, published as Anna Ziegelhof, has appeared in a variety of publications, most recently in Shoreline of Infinity, Fusion Fragment, and Mythaxis.
Rachel Unger—Rachel thinks that now is an excellent time for us all to be kind to each other. Yes, really. Oh, and tell your cat she said hi. Her fiction is published in places like PseudoPod, On Spec, and The Quiet Ones' 2025 Annual. You can find links to her work at www.rachelunger.com and her occasional thoughts about writing at @rachelunger.bsky.social.
J.J. Unthank—J.J. Unthank is a fantasy author and former videogame programmer whose fantasy, murder mystery novel “Any More Questions For The Corpse?” comes out in the U.S. in August 2026.
Avani Vaghela—Dr. Avani Vaghela is an Indian-American speculative fiction writer and cyberpunk utopian living in San Francisco. She is a wheelchair-rocking professor of computer science, where she works on data storage, brains, security, and insecurities. She is a 2023 graduate of Viable Paradise, a Writers of the Future finalist, and has fiction published in Club Chixulub, Nature Futures, and of course this anthology. When not tied to her laptop, you can find her giving talks on esoteric topics at Odd Salon, picking locks, or lighting fires in her jewelry workshop. She stalks the Internet from a perch at linktr.ee/circumviso .
Christine Valada—Christine Valada is a photographer (usually under the credit line M.C. Valada) whose work is known to the SF community for the black and white Worldcon Portrait Project. Her work has been published internationally. An essayist whose work has appeared in several DC Comics Absolute compilations, she wrote trading card collections for two of The Hobbit movies, and co-wrote the Classics Illustrated Autobiography of Frederick Douglass. She is now an inactive attorney who represented SFWA, Harlan Ellison, and numerous writers and artists in her career. Christine has appeared on Jeopardy! six times: as a four-time champion and in the Tournament of Champions in Season 26. She currently sits on the Board of Directors of Clarion and is the photographer for the Go Fact Yourself Podcast and NPR show. An avid cook, she established a successful cookbook book club more than 10 years ago. She is the widow of writer Len Wein.
Valerie Valdes—Valerie Valdes lives in an elaborate meme palace with her husband and kids, where she writes, edits and moonlights as a muse. When she isn’t co-editing Escape Pod, she enjoys crafting bespoke artisanal curses, playing video games, and admiring the outdoors from the safety of her living room. Her debut novel Chilling Effect was shortlisted for the 2021 Arthur C. Clarke Award, and her short fiction and poetry have been featured in Uncanny Magazine, Magic: the Gathering and numerous anthologies. Writing as Lia Amador, her first contemporary fantasy romance novel, Witch You Would, was published by Avon Books in September 2025.
Catherynne M. Valente—Catherynne M. Valente is the NYT & USA Today bestselling author of over fifty books of science fiction, fantasy, & horror, including Space Opera, Deathless, Radiance, The Refrigerator Monologues, and the Fairyland novels, as well as writing for IP such as Mass Effect, Star Wars, and World of Warcraft. They have won the Hugo, Nebula, Otherwise, Sturgeon, Locus, and Lambda Awards, among others. They live in Maine with their child and many, many animals.
K. Valentin—K. Valentin is the author of the critically acclaimed adult contemporary fantasy novel, An Amateur Witch's Guide to Murder. She has also been published in the Bag of Bones Horror Anthology, Cosmos: An Anthology of Dark Microfiction and the Latino Book Review Magazine. K hails from England and Las Vegas and presently calls rainy Washington home. This far-ranging combination of formative locations makes K very proper, occasionally scandalous, and extremely emo. When not writing about demons, she's writing about hackers or elves.
Douglas A. Van Belle—Douglas A. Van Belle is a multi-disciplinary scholar with a diverse research portfolio. Publications include: simulations of international politics, rational choice and revolutionary collective action, global media freedom, the social nature of science and SETI, Palaeontology and scientific progress in the Social Sciences, media’s influence on foreign aid bureaucracies, international information flows and the necessary conditions for the adoption of disaster risk reduction policies, the role of science fiction in society, and the use of science fiction to teach politics. He is currently examining how science fiction as thought experiment shapes its role in the conceptual space between science and society. The diversity of his expertise is driven by his creative works, including several science fiction novels, as well has his introduction to politics textbook, A Novel Approach to Politics, which is in its 7th edition. His latest novel, A World Adrift, is set in the skies of Venus, 800 years after it was first colonized, and explores the human impact of the politics of extreme resource scarcity. Doug spent 11 Years as the Editor-in-Chief of first Foreign Policy Analysis (Oxford) and then International Studies Perspectives (Oxford), and was previously the series editor for Foreign Policy Analysis (Routledge).
Van Hoang—Van Hoang is the author of Girl Giant and the Monkey King, Girl Giant and the Jade War, and Auntie Q's Golden Claws Nail Salon for middle grade readers. Her adult debut novel The Monstrous Misses Mai released in 2024, with Silver and Smoke in 2025. She earned her bachelor’s in English at the University of New Mexico and her master’s in library information science at San Jose State University. She was born in Vietnam, grew in up Orange County, California, and now resides in Los Angeles with her family.
Mark L. Van Name—Mark L. Van Name is a writer, technologist, and spoken word performer. As an author, he has published five novels (One Jump Ahead, Slanted Jack, Overthrowing Heaven, Children No More, and No Going Back), as well as an omnibus collection of his first two books (Jump Gate Twist); edited or co-edited four anthologies (Intersections: The Sycamore Hill Anthology, Transhuman, The Wild Side, and Onward, Drake!), and written many short stories. Those stories have appeared in a wide variety of books and magazines, as well as many original anthologies.
As a technologist, he is the CEO of a fact-based marketing and learning services firm, Principled Technologies, Inc., that is based in the Research Triangle area of North Carolina. He has worked with computer technology for his entire professional career and has published over a thousand articles in the computer trade press, as well as a broad assortment of essays and reviews.
As a spoken word artist, he has created and performed five shows—Science Magic Sex; Wake Up Horny, Wake Up Angry; Mr. Poor Choices; Mr. Poor Choices II: I Don’t Understand; and Mr. Poor Choices III: That Moment When—and also frequently leads humor panels at conventions.
Xan van Rooyen—Xan van Rooyen is an award-winning autistic, non-binary storyteller from South Africa, currently living in Finland. Xan has a Master’s degree in music, and–when not teaching–enjoys conjuring strange worlds and creating quirky characters. You can find Xan’s stories in the likes of Three-Lobed Burning Eye, Daily Science Fiction, and Galaxy’s Edge among others. They have also written several novels including YA Gothic cyberpunk novel This Exquisite Decay (Tiny Ghost Press) and adult dark fantasy novel Born of Malice (Ruadan Books). Xan is also part of the Sauútiverse, with stories in the multi award-nominated anthology Mothersound (Android Press) as well as Sauúti Terrors (Flame Tree Press). Feel free to say hi on socials @xan_writer or @xanvanrooyen.
Kees van Toorn—Former worldcon chairman, translator of films, books, comics and computer games. First worldcon Heicon 1970. Have worked as ad sales person for quite a few worldcons and liason with printers around the world.
Anuja Varghese—Anuja Varghese is an award-winning writer of literary fiction, fantasy, and erotica/romance where women of color get leading roles! In 2023, her genre-blending short story collection, titled CHRYSALIS, won the Governor General’s Literary Award for Fiction, and in 2024, was longlisted for the Carol Shields Prize for Fiction, among others. Her debut novel, A KISS OF CRIMSON ASH, the first in a new medieval India-inspired romantasy trilogy, was released earlier this year, with book two scheduled for release in spring 2027. Anuja lives in Canada with her partner, two kids, and two cats. Find Anuja at anujavarghese.com or on social (@anuja_v).
Carrie Vaughn—Carrie Vaughn's work includes the Philip K. Dick Award winning novel Bannerless, the New York Times Bestselling Kitty Norville urban fantasy series, over twenty novels and upwards of 150 short stories, two of which have been finalists for the Hugo Award. Her latest novels are historical fantasies, The Naturalist Society and The Glass Slide World, about 19th century ornithologists and the magic of binomial nomenclature. An Air Force brat, she survived her nomadic childhood and managed to put down roots in Boulder, Colorado. Visit her at www.carrievaughn.com
Dale Thomas Vaughn—Dale Thomas Vaughn is a science fiction author, anthology editor, and owner of Space Bar, a science fiction-themed molecular mixology venue in Pittsburgh, PA. His debut novel Birthright: Recall was published in 2024. He is the editor of Tales from a Space Bar, a forthcoming original short fiction anthology featuring work by Hugo and Nebula Award winner Mary Robinette Kowal, publishing summer 2026. A communications professional since 2005, he has worked with organizations including Google, Microsoft, and Southwest Airlines. He is also the author of Wine Snobs Are Boring and a member of Mary Robinette Kowal's writing group.
Julia Vee—Julia Vee was that GenX kid raised by libraries and still remains largely unsupervised. She writes with her friend from middle school, Ken Bebelle, and they have penned over 10 novels together. Their novel Ebony Gate, an Asian-inspired contemporary fantasy, was published by TOR and named a 2023 Golden Poppy Finalist for the Octavia E. Butler award. The series conclusion, Pearl City, released in 2025.
Rain Vega—Rain Vega is a nonbinary, disabled, neurodivergent, Latine writer living in South Texas. Their previous poems have appeared in The Sagebrush Review and tend to focus on mental health, magical realism, and dreams. You can find them @rainvega.bsky.social
Alexandra Carlota Velasco—Alexandra Carlota Velasco is a Mexican creative director, filmmaker, and multimedia artist based in Los Angeles. A graduate of Parsons School of Design, she creates visually striking work that blends horror, magical realism, surrealism, and social commentary through a distinctly female perspective. With a background in performance art, film, and digital storytelling, her work explores themes of transformation, justice, identity, and the supernatural. Her films and multimedia projects have screened internationally at festivals and museums, including Final Girls Berlin, Fashion Film Festival Milano, and NewFilmmakers LA, and have been featured in Vogue, i-D, Elle, IndieWire, NoBudge, and Variety. Velasco is the founder of Dreams Incarnate, a creative studio dedicated to bold visual storytelling, and co-founder of Sunstock, Los Angeles’ first solar-powered music and arts festival. In 2021, she was selected for Blackmagic Collective’s Future Directors of Studio Features program. Her latest film, Infierno Eterno (Eternal Inferno), premiered at Final Girls Berlin in 2025.
Vidya Venkatesan—Vidya Venkatesan is a newly minted PhD who earned her degree in Astronomy and Astrophysics from the University of California, Irvine, in June 2026. She will be a Cal-Bridge Postdoctoral Fellow hosted at UC Riverside. Her research focuses on exploring cold planets with fresh eyes; specifically, she models the climates of rocky exoplanets and develops methods to constrain the orbits of cold Jupiters. Beyond her research, she is passionate about fostering inclusive, evidence-based teaching practices and mentoring students from diverse backgrounds. She has served as the lead facilitator for the Rising Stargirls program and is a member of the UCI PACE program’s leadership team, as well as the Cal-Bridge Alumni Council.
Aparna Verma—Aparna Verma was born in Rajasthan, India, and grew up in the United States. She graduated from Stanford University with Honors in the Arts and a B.A. in English. In 2021, she self-published The Boy with Fire, which quickly went viral on TikTok, and was later republished by Orbit Books as The Phoenix King in 2023. When she is not writing, Aparna likes to lift heavy (arm days are her favorite), dance to Bollywood music, and find cozy cafes to read myths from ancient worlds. You can connect with Aparna on TikTok at @aparnawrites, and Twitter and Instagram at @spirited_gal.
T. Kingfisher (Ursula Vernon)—
Ursula Vernon is one of those disheartening Renaissance women who can write, draw and, when necessary, can wrangle the occasional stray turtle. – SFSite.com
Ursula Vernon, aka T. Kingfisher is the author and illustrator of far more projects than is probably healthy. She has written over fifteen books for children, at least a dozen novels for adults, an epic webcomic called Digger and various short stories and other odds and ends.
The daughter of an artist, she spent her youth attempting to rebel, but eventually succumbed to the siren song of paint (although not before getting a degree in anthropology.) Ursula grew up in Oregon and Arizona, went to college at Macalester College in Minnesota, and stayed there for ten years, until she finally learned to drive in deep snow and was obligated to leave the state.
Having moved across the country several times, she eventually settled in Pittsboro, North Carolina, where she works full-time as an artist and creator of oddities. She lives with her husband and his chickens.
A bibliography of her works can be found at Wikipedia.
Alana M. Vincent—A. M. Vincent is a historian of religion who specialises in religion and SFF.
Pat Virzi—Fanzine fan / professional graphic artist, designer, and editor; first fanzine published in 1977. Awards of note:
Sven von Vittorelli—Dr. Sven von Vittorelli is a Berlin-based writer, moderator, climate and biodiversity expert. He has worked extensively on a variety of sustainability issues in both public and private sectors, research and NGO’s.
Juliette Wade—Juliette is an acclaimed writer of sociological science fiction, author of The Broken Trust series from DAW. Her work explores linguistic and cultural difference, reflecting her fascination with complex social systems. Her short fiction has appeared in Clarkesworld, Analog, and Rich Horton's 2019 Year's Best Science Fiction anthology. She is a linguist, anthropologist, and discourse analyst with a Ph.D. in Education specializing in Language, Literacy, and Culture. She lives in Melbourne, Australia with her family.
Olivia Waite—Olivia Waite writes queer historical romance, sff, and essays. She is the romance fiction columnist for the New York Times Book Review.
Amanda Wakaruk—Librarian and Hugo-nominated blogger, frequent WSFS Con volunteer based in Edmonton, Co-Chair of the Edmonton in 2030 Worldcon Bid
Michael J. Walsh—First con was Disclave 1969. First Worldcon 1974. Chaired a Worldcon - 1983. Chaired 2 1/2 World Fantasy Cons. Chaired a number of Balt-Wash cons. Published books as Old Earth Books, won a WFC Award for it. Been to far too many Worldcons since 1974. These days enjoy hanging out seeing friends.
Misha Grifka Wander—Misha Grifka Wander (he/they) is a writer, designer, and editor based in the American Midwest. They obtained a PhD in English from the Ohio State University focusing on contemporary global speculative fiction and catastrophe. Currently, they work in operations at SFWA and serve as part of the editing collective for Hugo-nominated magazine Ancillary Review of Books.
Ethan Wang—Ethan Wang is a senior in high school who is currently serializing his fantasy novel on Substack. His critical essays have won Scholastic Gold Keys, and his passions include spearheading his school's newspaper as Editor-in-Chief, leading his school's literary magazine as an Editor, and playing Magic: The Gathering.
Clara Ward—Clara Ward spends their time in or near the Pacific Ocean in California. Their new novella, Dream the Deep, and their previous novel, Be the Sea, explore sea creature perspectives, marine technology, and chosen family, while delving into our oceans, our selves, and how all futures intertwine. Their shorter works are featured in The Neurodiversiverse: Alien Encounters, Strange Horizons, and Tales & Feathers by Augur. When not using words to teach or tell stories, Clara uses wood, fiber, and glass to make practical or completely impractical objects.
Cynthia Ward—Cynthia Ward has published stories in Analog, Asimov’s, Nightmare, Reactor (with Nisi Shawl), Weird Tales, Worlds of If, and elsewhere. She's the editor of Lost Trails: Forgotten Tales of the Weird West Volumes 1-2 (WolfSinger Publications) and a coeditor of Weird Trails (Sam Teddy Publishing). With Nisi Shawl, Cynthia co-created the Locus Award-winning Writing the Other. Her most recent novel is The Adventure of the Golden Woman (Aqueduct Press). She lives in Los Angeles, where she is not working on a screenplay.
Janine Wardale—Janine Wardale's eclectic style of costuming combines sewing, crocheting, embroidery, bead work, dying, fabric painting, aging and distressing and macrame. She loves to reuse, re-purpose, and reinvent vintage finds and to turn them into unique pieces of wearable art and masquerade attire. Her claim to fame is that she spends six hours of embellishing for every one hour of sewing. The results speak for themselves and she is just a fun person to be around, share a laugh with and simply enjoy life over a cup of coffee. 's eclectic style of costuming combines sewing, crocheting, embroidery, bead work, dying, fabric painting, aging and distressing and macrame. She loves to reuse, re-purpose, and reinvent vintage finds and to turn them into unique pieces of wearable art and masquerade attire. Her claim to fame is that she spends six hours of embellishing for every one hour of sewing. The results speak for themselves and she is just a fun person to be around, share a laugh with and simply enjoy life over a cup of coffee.
John Wardale—John W has been attending SF CONs since 1993 and leading Braiding and Balloon panels since 1995. He is a retired computer professional, and was an organizer for E.L.V.I.S. (The Emergency Link to Vital Internet Services) [1994-1999]
John can also speak on Audio-books, Beer, Chocolate, Photography …and especially Scotch Whisky.
Rumpus Room Co-Head at MiniCON 3 years
Izzy Wasserstein—Izzy Wasserstein, a queer and trans woman, is the author of two poetry collections, the 2022 short story collection All the Hometowns You Can’t Stay Away From (a Lambda Literary Award finalist), the novella These Fragile Graces, This Fugitive Heart (Tachyon, 2024), and the flash-fiction chapbook This Next Song is Called Punk Rock Valhalla (Neon Hemlock, 2025). She teaches writing and literature at a public university. A born-and-raised Kansan, she currently lives in Southern California, where she shares a home with the writer Nora E. Derrington and their animal companions. She wants to hear about your TTRPG character.
Britton is a polyglot and former international tech professional turned entertainment-industry conlanger and conlang documentarian. Based in California’s Coachella Valley, he’s best known for creating the Yautja language for Predator: Badlands (2025) and Predator: Killer of Killers (2025), and for his decade-long role as Xenolinguist for Cloud Imperium Games’ Star Citizen, inventing multiple alien languages for the franchise’s non-human species. He also directed Conlanging: The Art of Crafting Tongues (2017), a documentary on the global history and phenomenon of language invention.
Lawrence Watt-Evans—Lawrence Watt-Evans is the author of fifty novels and well over a hundred short stories -- mostly fantasy, but some SF and horror. His short story "Why I Left Harry's All-Night Hamburgers" won the Hugo in 1988. He has also written comic books, essays, poetry, etc. He has been president of HWA, and an officer in SFWA and Novelists Inc.
Chris Weber—Chris Allen Weber is a professional writer with experience across television animation, comic strips, comic magazines, interactive multimedia, technical writing, and song lyrics. Often collaborating with his wife and co-writer Karen Willson, he has written more than 50 episodes of television animation, including work on GI Joe, Superman, and ADR scripts for Digimon. His books include "He-Man and the Masters of the Universe: The Newspaper Comic Strips" and "Sentient Chili and Stranger Filk.:
Paul weimer—Paul Weimer is an award nominated fan writer and podcaster who has been active in the Science fiction community for over a decade,.
Danielle Weinberg—Danielle Weinberg won The Script Lab’s 2024 Free Screenplay Contest, placing first out of more than 15,000 submissions. Previously, she worked in development for Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci (STAR TREK, FRINGE) and Orlando Jones. She recently sold an original feature screenplay and is currently in development on several independent features as a multi-hyphenate. Her influences include Steve Martin, Mel Brooks, and Steven Spielberg. INVASION '53 is her directorial debut.
Miriam Weinberg—Miriam Weinberg is a fan of many books, most people, and all dogs. As a nearly two decade publishing industry veteran, she was most recently an Executive Editor at Tor Publishing Group.
Dean Wells is a writer of retro-futurist science fantasy, alternatively humorous or laced with existential dread. He doesn’t know why, they just come out that way. His published works include the neo-steampunk novel The Clockwork Mechanicals, with short fiction appearing in Queer Sci Fi, Beneath Ceaseless Skies, and their respective anthologies. Other publications include Ideomancer, 10Flash Quarterly, Quantum Muse, ShadowKeep Magazine, Demensions, and The Nocturnal Lyric. He has also written for the performing arts in various capacities. Dean is an active member of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association.
Martha Wells—Martha Wells has been writing since 1993. Her work includes The Murderbot Diaries, The Books of the Raksura, the Ile-Rien series, and most recently Witch King and its sequel Queen Demon, as well as other novels, short fiction, non-fiction, and media tie-ins. She is a member of the Texas Literary Hall of Fame, and her work has won Nebula, Hugo, Locus Awards, and an Alex Award and a Dragon Award, and appeared on the World Fantasy, Philip K. Dick, and the BSFA Award ballots, as well as the New York Times, USA Today, and the Sunday Times Bestseller Lists. She is a consulting producer on the Apple TV Murderbot series.
Terri Wells—Terri Wells is an editor with more than 20 years of professional experience that encompasses both long form and short form science fiction, fantasy, memoir, local news, K-12 educational material, and much more. She has worked for start-up companies and large corporations, most recently Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. In 2022, at the Chicago WorldCon, she started freelance editing full time.
E. J. Wenstrom—E. J. Wenstrom believes in complicated heroes, horrifying monsters, and standing to the right on escalators so the left side can walk. She writes dark speculative fiction for adults and teens, including her witchy, murdery September release, Roots and Wrath.
Joe Westlake—Dr. Joseph Westlake is the Director of NASA’s Science Mission Directorate’s Heliophysics Division at NASA Headquarters where he leads a world-class team in understanding Earth’s most important and life-sustaining star. Dr. Westlake oversees NASA’s work to study key space phenomena and improve situational awareness of the very space our astronauts, satellites, and robotic missions travel through as they explore the solar system and beyond. His portfolio also included NASA’s robust space weather research to help the U.S. Government better predict space weather, which can interfere with radio communications, affect GPS accuracy, and even–when extreme–affect electrical grids on the ground.
Laura Weyr—Laura Weyr has written two queer romance novels, The Eighth Key (winner of the Rainbow Award for Best High Fantasy Gay Romance) and Mirror of My Heart. She enjoys discussing fanfiction and fanworks (including the history of slash/queer fanworks from Star Trek to today), Japanese Anime and pop-culture, writing, and a wide variety of other topics.
Jacob John White—Jacob John White (Jake) is the creator of the graphic novel series BellRinger, the writer of the short fiction serial A Many Tale, and co-creator of the immersive dance-theater event ASCEND.
Rae White—Rae White is a queer non-binary transgender writer, and author of Milk Teeth (UQP 2018), Exactly As I Am (UQP 2022), and All the Colours of the Rainbow (Lothian Children’s Books 2025), with illustrations by Sha’an d’Anthes. They won the Thomas Shapcott Poetry Prize, and have been shortlisted for the Prime Minister’s Literary Awards, Queensland Literary Awards, and Victorian Premier's Literary Awards. Rae is the Creative Director and Founder of Uplift Poetry, a community poetry initiative; Founding Editor of #EnbyLife, a journal for non-binary and gender diverse creatives; and a co-host on the 4ZZZ radio show Tranzmission.
Tom Whitmore—Former Worldcon co-chair, former GOH, current massage therapist, collector, longp-time fan
Fran Wilde—Two-time Nebula Award-winner Fran Wilde has (so far) published nine novels, a poetry collection, and over 70 short stories for adults, teens, and kids. Her stories have been finalists for six Nebula Awards, a World Fantasy Award, four Hugo Awards, four Locus Awards, and a Lodestar. They include her Nebula- and Compton Crook-winning debut novel Updraft, and her Nebula-winning, Best of NPR 2019, debut Middle Grade novel Riverland. Her short stories appear in Asimov’s Science Fiction, Tor.com, Beneath Ceaseless Skies, Shimmer, Nature, Uncanny Magazine, and multiple years' best anthologies. The Managing Editor for The Sunday Morning Transport, Fran teaches or has taught for schools including Vermont College of Fine Arts’ MFA and St. Mary’s College of Maryland. She writes nonfiction for publications including The Washington Post, The New York Times, NPR, and Tor.com. You can find her on Instagram, Bluesky, and at franwilde.net.
Dr. Jean-Luc Williams—I am a licensed psychologist based in Dieppe, New Brunswick, Canada. My main goal throughout my career has been to help people understand their mental health challenges and find ways to cope with them. I specialize in treating anxiety, depression, and trauma, utilizing various evidence-based treatment methods such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). One of my areas of expertise is Geek Therapy. This unique and innovative approach utilizes popular culture, including books, movies, TV shows, and video games, to provide evidence-based therapy. The stories and characters from these sources can help us gain valuable insights into ourselves and lead us toward greater self-discovery as we navigate life’s journey.
E.A. Williams—A graduate of the University of North Texas where she studied film and playwriting, E.A. Williams often imbues her stories with the diverse and challenging landscape of her home state. From her thrilling debut series, The Line of Tepes, to her short stories featured in publications like Mixed Bag of Tricks, Femme Fairytales, and Grimoire for Honeyed Spells, no matter how fantastical, Williams brings a unique Texan voice to her writing. Williams learned just how invaluable a writing community could be while helping run a writer's collective during university. Whether she is working on her own writing or helping to coordinate events for Armadillo Authors Society, Williams is always looking for ways to connect with the arts community.
Mark London Williams—Mark is the author of the LA Times bestselling Danger Boy time travel series for young readers of all ages, currently being reissued by by Water Dragon Publishing with a new series finale scheduled for next year, as well as the nanobot-infused "Max Random and the Zombie 500" from Graveside Press. By day -- or is that night? -- he covers Oscars, Emmys, and Hollywood dis-content as a showbiz columnist for publications on various continents, well ahead of their eventual geologic reunification.
W.B.J. Williams—I write for lovers of the future, the past, the mysterious, and the fantastic. I have six books in print under two different names with three different publishers. My latest novel was a semi-finalist for the Ozma award. I am a frequent panelist at ReaderCon, Arisia, and Boskone, was a panelist at Worldcon 2022 and will be at Worldcon 2026. I'm a full member of the Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers Association and the Author's Guild. When not writing, I can often be found haunting the bookstores of the Boston area to the dismay of my budget.
Walter Jon Williams—Walter Jon Williams was the writer guest of honor at Worldcon 2017. His first novel to attract serious public attention was Hardwired (1986), described by Roger Zelazny as "a tough, sleek juggernaut of a story, punctuated by strobe-light movements, coursing to the wail of jets and the twang of steel guitars." In 2001 he won a Nebula Award for his novelette, “Daddy’s World,” and won again in 2005 for “The Green Leopard Plague.” Walter lives in New Mexico.
Neil Williamson—Neil Williamson is an award-winning, multi-genre writer, editor and musician from Glasgow, Scotland. His latest books are The Packet, a Scottish historical science fiction novella, and Hand-Me-Downs, a collection of horror stories about weird bequests and inheritances.
Susie Williamson—Susie Williamson is a speculative fiction writer based in Devon, UK. She is the author of the award-winning fantasy fiction series, Blood Gift Chronicles, published by Stairwell Books. The series features themes of social and environmental justice, magic, animism and dragons. Susie's short stories incorporate weird and cosmic fiction, blending speculative, and surrealism into ordinary settings. Her short fiction, articles and poetry have appeared in a number of collections including Dreamcatcher magazine, The Other Stories podcast, The Power of Place anthology, Destinations anthology and Focus magazine.
Susie started life as a science teacher in the UK before travelling to teach English as a foreign language in the Sudan, followed by several years teaching Literacy in South Africa. On her return, she settled in Devon and began a career in creative writing. She is also an artist and poet, with a lifelong love of the natural world.
Chris Willrich—Chris Willrich’s stories have appeared in Asimov’s, Beneath Ceaseless Skies, Clarkesworld, F&SF, Lightspeed, Reactor, Strange Horizons, and Tales from the Magician’s Skull. His work’s been reprinted in The Best American Science Fiction & Fantasy 2023, The Year’s Top Robot and AI Stories (6th Annual Collection), and Think Weirder: The Year’s Best Science Fiction Ideas. His books include The Scroll of Years (Pyr, 2013) and its sequels. He’s currently working on a text-based adventure game. Chris has been a busboy, a deckhand, a copy editor, and a librarian. He lives in the SF Bay Area with his family.
Karen Willson—Karen Willson is an accomplished entertainment writer and producer whose career spans animation, educational media, special effects, and live productions for audiences of all ages. She contributed nonfiction articles to Starlog Magazine and co-authored the “Talking About” advice series for girls. During the 1980s Animation Renaissance, she and her husband and writing partner, Chris Weber, scripted more than fifty children’s television episodes and created Dink, the Little Dinosaur for Ruby-Spears, which aired on CBS. Karen also wrote for Disney Comic Adventures and edited the long-running He-Man and the Masters of the Universe comic strip, later collected by Dark Horse.
Gregory A. Wilson—Gregory A. Wilson is Professor of English at St. John's University in New York, where he teaches creative writing and speculative fiction. He is author of the epic fantasy The Third Sign, the award-winning graphic novel Icarus and dark fantasy Gray Assassin Trilogy, and the D&D adventure/sourcebook Tales and Tomes from the Forbidden Library, plus many stories. He co-hosts the AP podcast Speculate! and was Craft of Writing track co-lead at Seattle Worldcon. Under the moniker Arvan Eleron, he runs a narrative-focused Twitch channel with many TTRPG campaigns. He lives with his family in Connecticut; his virtual home is www.gregoryawilson.com.
Josh Wilson—Josh Wilson is an editor, journalist and writer in San Francisco, and publisher of The Fabulist Magazine, a home to fantastical fiction and art in print and digital editions. Stories published in The Fabulist have been finalists for the Pushcart Prize and the Shirley Jackson Awards. He is a recipient of the Society for Professional Journalists Sigma Delta Chi Award, and founder of the 501(c)3 organization Independent Arts & Media. https://fabulistmagazine.com/
Lorraine Wilson—A conservation scientist and third-culture Scot, Lorraine lives by the sea writing speculative fiction influenced by folklore and the wilderness. She is the multi-award winning author of several books, most recently the connected science fantasies We Are All Ghosts In The Forest and The Salt Oracle, which is an Arthur C. Clarke Award finalist.
Cliff Winnig—Cliff Winnig’s work appears on the Escape Pod podcast, in Mad Scientist Journal, and in anthologies such as Many Worlds, High Noon on Proxima B, and Southern Truths. He co-edited Alternative Liberties. A Clarion workshop graduate, he has taught writing workshops at local conventions. He hosts the SF in SF reading series and third Sundays for the B Cubed Sunday Morning podcast. He plays sitar, studies martial arts, and sings in the San Jose Symphonic Choir. He lives in Silicon Valley with his family, which frequently causes him to think about the future. He can be found at cliffwinnig.com.
Brigitte Winter—Brigitte Winter is a novelist writing fabulist fiction about your favorite monster ex-girlfriends. She is also an award-winning narrative game designer. Her short fiction has appeared in PodCastle, New Year, New You: A Speculative Anthology of Reinvention, and City of Weird. Her game, Psychic Trash Detectives, won a 2024 CRIT Award for Best Indie TTRPG, and her debut novel, The Normal Monster Club, was a 2024 PNWA Literary Award Finalist and will be published by Generous Press in 2027. Find her at brigittewinterauthor.com and @bwinterose on IG.
Michelle Witte—Michelle Witte is a literary agent with Mansion Street Literary Management, a boutique literary agency based in New York. As an agent, Michelle’s tastes vary widely, and she represents authors across the spectrum of books for all ages, from illustrated board and picture books to middle grade, young adult, new adult, and adult speculative fiction. Michelle is always on the lookout for fascinating stories that are well told, especially those with a distinct and distinctive voice. Her own published work includes Happy Little Accidents: The Wit and Wisdom of Bob Ross, and The Craptastic Guide to Pseudo-Swearing. Though she travels whenever possible, she mostly splits her time between Utah and New York.
Gary K Wolfe—Gary K. Wolfe is an award-winning science fiction critic, and Emeritus Professor of Humanities at Roosevelt University. His books include Soundings, Bearings, Sightings, Evaporating Genres, The Known and the Unknown, Harlan Ellison (with Ellen Weil), and American Science Fiction: Nine Classic Novels of the 1950s (editor). His lecture series How Great Science Fiction Works is available from The Great Courses, his reviews appear in Locus magazine, and he co-hosts The Coode Street Podcast with Jonathan Strahan.
Cat Woman—PhD, Northern Illinois University, Biological Sciences, specializing in Paleontology, studying Smilodon fatalis. Published Author; 1)Determination of Smilodon fatalis (Carnivora: Felidae) brain volume and its place among extant felids by use of MicroCT scans, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society January 1, 2026; 2) Smilodon fatalis canine and alveolus junction gap: Using MicroCT scans and 3D Slicer, Integrative Organismal Biology: A Journal of the Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology2026; 3)The Misty Method: A new technique to improve and increase the efficiency of airscribes in matrix removal, Journal of Paleontological Sciences 2019. Additionally, more articles in Review or Revision. Lead author presenting at twenty six conferences.
Scott Woodard—Scott Woodard has written for TV, audio, tabletop roleplaying games, fiction, and nonfiction. He began his career in film as a practical special effects fabricator and puppeteer before moving on to work in television as a Promax Award-winning promo writer/producer for Warner Bros. and Disney. His other work includes Doctor Who and Dark Shadows audio dramas for Big Finish Productions, tabletop RPGs for Pinnacle Entertainment Group including the Flash Gordon Roleplaying Game, and a nonfiction guide to sword and sorcery films for Green Ronin Publishing. Scott is a Full and active member of the SFWA.
Laura Woodney—Dr. Laura Woodney is a Planetary Scientist and professor of Physics and Astronomy at California State University San Bernardino. She primarily studies small icy bodies in the solar system.
Shana Worthen—Shana is a historian of technology and food. She has volunteered on four Worldcon committees and is currently chair of the Science Fiction Foundation. She collects chocolate, baked goods, and bridges.
Tom D Wright—Tom D Wright is a Science Fiction author who lives in the Pacific Northwest with his wife, a small pack of dogs and a cat. He also writes Paranormal Romance under a pseudonym (Mika Kosey) and is open about his neurodivergence – ADD, ASD and childhood PTSD – a potent combination. When not writing, he likes camping and stargazing with his 12″ telescope. He graduated with an MA in Psychology from Bowie State University in Bowie, Maryland, served on the Board for Cascade Writers and is a Full Member of SFWA.
Katie Wu—Katie Wu is an author of swoony and strange books. Born stateside but raised in Shanghai, she then studied computer science and fine arts at the University of Pennsylvania, and is now based in NYC. Her adult fantasy debut, MADDER LAKE, about two rivals falling in love at magic painting university, is forthcoming from Harper Voyager in 2027. When not writing, she enjoys painting, skiing, feeding her sourdough starter, and her two demonic cats.
Erika T Wurth—Erika T. Wurth is the author of WHITE HORSE and THE HAUNTING OF ROOM 904. She's a New York Times editors pick, a Good Morning America buzz pick, and an Indie Next, Target book of the Month, and BOTM Pick. She’s both a Kenyon and Sewanee fellow, has published in The Kenyon Review, Buzzfeed, and The Writer’s Chronicle, and is a narrative artist for the Meow Wolf Denver installation. She’s an urban Native of Apache/Chickasaw/Cherokee descent. She's a professor at Western Illinois University. Find her: Insta | Goodreads |Amazon | TikTok Native Voices | Medium. Representation: Mark Gottlieb at Trident.
Greg Wylie—Greg Wylie is known in the Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA) as Master Laertes McBride. Joining in the Kingdom of Ansteorra (TX/OK) (1990), he relocated to the Kingdom of Caid (Southern California) in 1996. A rapier enthusiast, he has earned the SCA’s highest accolades for skill, teaching, and service, including recognition as a premier member of the Order of Defense. He has also received the SCA’s highest recognition for service. He has held numerous leadership roles, including oversight of all combat in Caid, serving as the Society Rapier Marshal, and most recently serving as Vice President of Operations for Caid.
Makana Yamamoto—Makana Yamamoto was born on the island of Maui. Splitting their time between the Mainland and Hawaiʻi, Makana grew up on beaches and in snowbanks. Always a scientist at heart, Makana fell in love with sci-fi as a teen. A writer from childhood, fiction became the perfect medium for them to explore their interests as well as reconnect with their culture. Makana’s debut novel, HAMMAJANG LUCK, is a 2024 Locus Award Finalist. In their free time, Makana likes to hoard dice for their Dungeons & Dragons games, defeat bosses with their guildmates, and get way too invested in reality competition shows. They currently live in Boston with their wife and two cats.
Wen Wen Yang—Wen Wen Yang is a Chinese American from the Bronx, New York. She graduated from Barnard College of Columbia University with a degree in English and creative writing. You can find her short fiction in The Rumpus, Cast of Wonders and more. An up-to-date bibliography is on WenWenWrites.com. She listens to audiobooks at three times speed and talks almost as fast.
Sagan Yee (he/they) is a queer media artist whose practice roams restlessly across animation, games, speculative fiction, art installation, fandom, and community organizing. From 2016 to 2020, they were the executive director of Hand Eye Society, a Toronto-based videogame arts non-profit. In 2026, he got his MFA in Design Media Arts from UCLA, where he was also an event coordinator at the UCLA Game Lab. Their stories have appeared in places like Best Microfiction, Tales & Feathers, Apex, and Lightspeed.
Most recently, Sagan participated in the Manufactured Ecosystems anthology initiative, which pairs climate scientists with writers to envision speculative applications of biomimicry technologies. Sagan’s current project is Last Call for the Redding District, a narrative videogame about spawning mermaids.
Ng Yi-Sheng—Ng Yi-Sheng is a queer Singaporean writer, researcher and activist with an ADHD-fuelled fascination with Southeast Asian history and myth. His books include the historical fantasy novel Utama and the short story collection Lion City. His fictions and essays—including the influential “Spicepunk Manifesto: Towards a Critical Movement of Southeast Asian Heritage-Inspired SFF”—have appeared in Clarkesworld, Strange Horizons, The Best of World SF and Speculative Insight. He's a two-time winner of the Singapore Literature Prize and has been a finalist for the Seiun Award and the Epigram Books Fiction Prize.
Brittany Yost—Brittany Yost is a developmental book editor and publishing consultant focused on commercial fiction, specializing in diverse manuscript editing, inclusive language, and controversial storylines. She has her MA in Publishing Studies from University College London.
Brian Lee Young—Author and filmmaker, Brian Young is a graduate of both Yale University with a Bachelor's in Film Studies and Columbia University with a Master's in Creative Writing Fiction. An enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, he grew up on the Navajo Reservation but now currently lives in Brooklyn, New York. As an undergraduate, Brian won a fellowship with the prestigious Sundance Ford Foundation with one of his feature length scripts. He has worked on several short films including Ts'idii Naatsilid (Sid-dee Naw-see-lid); Rainbow Bird and A Conversation on Race with Native Americans for the short documentary series produced by the New York Times. He was a participant of the 6th Annual Native American TV Writer's Lab with the Native American Media Alliance, where he learned to write Television Scripts. He has published two middle grade novels; Healer of the Water Monster; Heroes of the Water Monster, and the Young Adult Shards of Silence as well as contributed short stories to Ancestor Approved; A Little Bit Super; and Legendary Frybread Drive-In. In addition to writing for middle grade, Brian is working on another several Young Adult and Adult fiction books and has worked as a cultural consultant on Jamie Lee Curtis and Russell Goldman's graphic novel Mother Nature.
Eris Young—Eris Young is a transgender writer of speculative fiction. Their debut novel, Hunger in the Blood, will be published in the UK in Spring 2027 with Tor Nightfire. Their short stories have appeared in Escape Pod, GigaNotoSaurus, Extra Teeth, Fusion Fragment, Gutter, and the Immigrant Sci Fi Short Stories anthology from Flame Tree Press, among others. They are fiction editor at British Fantasy Award-winning sci fi magazine Shoreline of Infinity.
Eugene R Young—Eugene Randolph Young is an award-winning cartoonist, illustrator, graphic designer, vis dev artist, and educator based in the San Francisco Bay Area. He creates independent science fiction and fantasy illustration and comics inspired by indigenous lore, 80s cyberpunk, Japanese mechs, 50s pin-up art, and afro hair culture. Eugene completed his MFA in Illustration at the Academy of Art University, BFA in Graphic Design Graphic Design with distinction at the California College of arts and Crafts, AA in Graphic Design at City College of San Francisco, and graduated from Berkeley High School. He has taught at Dominican University of California, the California College of the Arts, City College of San Francisco, and is currently Assistant Professor of Design Visualization in the School of Design at San Francisco State University.
W. Jade Young—W. Jade Young is an author, editor, writing advisor, and game designer from Indiana, U.S. She holds a Master’s in Fine Arts in creative writing and English from Southern New Hampshire University and has been published in literary magazines and anthologies. She runs the Writers’ Symposium at InConJunction in Indiana. She is the founder of Bad Habit Publishing, an independent publishing outfit, and is the author of The Rainbow Quill Writing Tool and Tarot Deck for Storytellers.
Matt Youngmark—Matt Youngmark is the author of the Chooseomatic Books series, the Arabella Grimsbro YA novels, and the humorous fantasy series Spellmonkeys. He also wrote and drew the daily webcomic Conspiracy Friends, and in a previous life worked the newsprint mines at Tacoma Reporter and Pandemonium Magazine. His current work in progress is The Pilot Episode, a near-future Sci-Fi novela about accidentally stealing a spaceship and the dangers of late stage capitalism.
Joey Yu—Joey is a bilingual writer and aspiring director whose stories/screenplays span genres and mediums, drawing inspiration from a life across Vancouver, Taipei, Shanghai, and New York City. A passionate sci-fi & fantasy worldbuilder, he's published 2 novellas and 5 novels in Mandarin, and written English tie-in fictions for Riot Games’ League of Legends IP. His English sci-fi screenplay won Best Short Screenplay at the 2024 Austin Film Festival, he fundraised and shot the film, now in post-production. He also received the inaugural Terran Award writing scholarship founded by George R. R. Martin in 2018.
Julie Zetterberg—Julie Zetterberg has been making and wearing costumes since 1975. She has appeared as everything from Princess Leia to Rocket Racoon; from Olive Oyl to Queen Anne's Lace. She was costume guest of honor at Marcon 39 and Rustycon 33, and co-chair of Costume-Con 14. She is a past president of the Beyond Reality Costumers' Guild. She lives in Seattle with her husband, fellow costumer Greg Sardo, and their two cats.
Leong Yi Zhen—Zhen does creative work on screens and paper. Among other selves, they are a graphic designer and illustrator informed by research and concepts with honesty at its core. Their personal practice is motivated by gratitude, gathering, and giving form to the love around them. Currently based in sunny Selangor, Malaysia.
Marc Scott Zicree—Twilight Zone Companion author Marc Scott Zicree has written iconic episodes of Star Trek TNG, DS9, Sliders, Babylon 5, Friday the 13th – The Series, Smurfs, He-Man, Super Friends, Real Ghostbusters, Animorphs and many more. His work has been nominated for the American Book Award, Hugo Award, Humanitas Prize, Nebula Award and has won the Saturn Award, Rondo Award, Writers Guild Diversity Award, TV Guide Award, and Lifetime Achievement Award from the Cardiff International Film Festival. With his wife Elaine, he is writing, directing and producing the TV series Space Command, plus a feature and five pilots for The Showrunners Network.
M.T. Zimny—M.T. Zimny is a young adult author out of the Pacific Northwest, where she subsists off of rainy days and ungodly amounts of overpriced coffee. Her writing is largely inspired by her background in human phsyiology, and she believes all the best fantasy is rooted in real-world science.
Eric "in the Elevator" Zuckerman—Eric was not a _real_ talk show host, but he did play one on TV. He was Fan Performer GoH at Arisia 2008, Special Guest at LunaCon 2011, and hosted the 1943 Retro Hugos. He also is an avid GM for narrativist TTRPG's.