LibertyCon 38

Challenges - Come explore new tales of the Honorverse set in the early days of the Star Kingdom. David Weber moderates.

Moderators

David M. Weber

Author, Past LGoH

David Weber was born in Cleveland a long, long time ago and grew up in rural South Carolina. He was a bookworm from childhood, blessed with a father who collected autographed copies of every E. E. Smith hardcover and introduced him to Jack Williamson at the tender age of 10, and a... Read More →

Guests

Daniel Allen Butler

Author

Daniel Allen Butler is a best-selling author, historian, and college-educated semi-professional beach bum. His previous works include "Unsinkable"--the Full Story of RMS Titanic; The Day the Lusitania Died; Warrior Queens - The Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth in World War II; The Age... Read More →

Marisa Wolf

Author

Marisa Wolf is a second-generation nerd who started writing genre stories at six. At least one was good enough to be laminated, and she's been chasing that high ever since. Over the years she taught middle school, was headbutted by an alligator, built a career in education, earned... Read More →

Jacob Holo

LibertyCon 38 Master of Ceremonies, Author

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

Friday June 26, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm EDT
CC - Meeting Room 5 (Main Event) Chattanooga Convention Center 1 Carter St, Chattanooga, TN 37403

Literary/Publishing, Panel

3:00pm EDT

Get In The Robot!

Friday June 26, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm EDT

M - Plaza Ballroom A

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

Moderators

H.P. Holo

LibertyCon 38 Master of Ceremonies, Author

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

Guests

David Alan Jones

Author

David Alan Jones is a veteran of the United States Air Force, where he served as an Arabic linguist, a role that sharpened his ear for language and deepened his appreciation for complex storytelling. A 2016 Writers of the Future Silver Honorable Mention recipient, David writes across... Read More →

Zane Voss

Author

Zane Voss holds bachelor's and master’s degrees in engineering from the Missouri University of Science & Technology. His day job is working as a partner in an engineering consulting firm in the steel industry. If you’re either interested or unable to flee quickly enough, he will... Read More →

Jon R. Osborne

Author

Jon R. Osborne turned a journalism education and a passion for role-playing games into writing science fiction and fantasy. His second book in The Milesian Accords modern fantasy trilogy, “A Tempered Warrior”, was a 2018 Dragon Awards finalist for Best Fantasy Novel. Jon is a... Read More →

Mark Wandrey

Author

International bestselling author of military sci-fi, space opera, and zombie apocalypse, Mark Wandrey is also the only 4 time DragonCon Dragon Award finalist!

Newest Release - Winged Hussars: Andromeda - Book 9 in the 4HU Phoenix Initiative series, set in the Four Horsemen mil-s... Read More →

Kevin Ikenberry

Author

Kevin Ikenberry is a life-long space geek and retired Army officer. As an adult, he managed the U.S. Space Camp program, two Challenger Learning Centers, and served on active duty in space operations before Space Force was a thing. He’s an international bestselling science fiction... Read More →

Friday June 26, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm EDT
M - Plaza Ballroom A Chattanooga Marriott Downtown 2 Carter St, Chattanooga, TN 37402, USA

Literary/Publishing, Presentation

3:00pm EDT

Getting Started: Intro to MILSF for Friends

Friday June 26, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm EDT

M - Plaza Ballroom C

Getting Started: Your friend wants to know what’s the big deal with MilSF. You want them to “get it” like you do. Which three movies, which three books, and which three games do you recommend in order to simultaneously provoke, ensnare, and entertain your friend? Panelists and audience participate in identifying the best three choices, and vote on what options we give our hypothetical friend.

Moderators

Brent Roeder

Author, STEM

Guests

Alma T. C. Boykin

Author

Alma T. C. Boykin, author of over a hundred novels and short stories, spent her growing-up years in flat places without trees. After living Back East and traveling all over northern Europe, she turned travels into stories, some of which happen to have footnotes. Beware: she also... Read More →

Scott Swoope

Author

Scott Swoope is a speculative fiction writer whose work blends the sweep of history with the imagination of science fiction and fantasy. His stories explore power, loyalty, and the human cost of ambition across worlds both ancient and futuristic.

When he’s not writing, Scott wo... Read More →

Melissa Olthoff

Author

Melissa Olthoff spent her youth daydreaming about riding dragons and slaying monsters. After joining the United States Air Force, she might not have gotten to ride any dragons, but she had plenty of real-world adventures over the years—including flying the T-6, becoming a certified... Read More →

Jay Maynard

Author

Jay Maynard is a lifelong computer geek whose career spans everything from embedded systems — like the ones in microwave ovens — to IBM mainframes. When he’s not in front of a keyboard, he’s on ham radio, serving on the Fairmont, Minnesota city council, tinkering with his... Read More →

Gary Poole

Editor

Gary Poole is the founder and longtime host of Robot Battles, has edited three national bestselling anthologies set in John Ringo's "Black Tide Rising" universe (which a fourth coming in 2023), and runs the Southern Fandom Resource Guide website.

And if that wasn't enough, he has been in radio for over thirty years (currently hosting a popular morning show in Chattanooga), is the managing editor of a longstanding alt-weekly news site, is a developmental editor for Baen Books, has voiced over 3,000 radio and television commercials... Read More →

Friday June 26, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm EDT
M - Plaza Ballroom C

Literary/Publishing, Panel

3:00pm EDT

What's New from Cannon Publishing

Friday June 26, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm EDT

David Hensley will moderate this roundtable discussion of what's new and upcoming from Cannon Publishing.

Moderators

David Hensley

Author

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

Guests

BK Gibson

Author, Gaming

Ben Gibson is a writer, reviewer, and publisher of TTRPG adventures under Coldlight Press, releasing multiple award-winning modules for a decade. Along with his wife, Karen, he also writes fiction under the pen name B. K. Gibson, including short stories for Raconteur Press and Autarch... Read More →

David Appleby

Author

Dave Appleby is a Scottish electrician by day and writer by night, returning to LibertyCon for the third time. Writing in the Last Brigade Universe and with a foray into an alt-history of the Roman Empire, plus several works in progress. Areas of interest included research methodology... Read More →

Lucas Marcum

Author

Lucas Marcum is a critical care nurse practitioner, Army reservist, and independent author. Since high school, he has written recreationally; but never really took the idea of publishing a book seriously until 2017, when he wandered into a Facebook group curated by and populated with... Read More →

Charli Cox

Author

Charli Cox is a best-selling Military Sci-Fi, Military Fantasy, and Horror Comedy author. She also writes Sci-Fi and Alternate History stories.
If you enjoyed Fae Wars: Northwest Front and want to see more stories about Ash and “Gunny,” Cannon Publishing has you covered. "Sasq... Read More →

Michael Morton

Author

Michael Morton is a retired USAF space officer and now works for the Space Force as a civilian. He writes award-winning military sci-fi and fantasy and lives in Colorado Springs with his family. When he’s not writing, he enjoys camping and sampling the local adult beverages.

Daniel Kemp

Author

A couple history degrees, the Army, and a turbulent personal life inspired the Athenaeum Inc military thriller trilogy at Cannon (Door Number Three, Doubling Down and Triple Play). He’s also done shorts on everything from the sinking of the Bismarck to feeding dragons.

Claire Merrick

Author

Tired of writing about bad news as a broadcast TV producer, Claire Merrick began using her free time to write urban fantasy stories, set to be released in 2025. Merrick's work is inspired by her love of small town mill smokestacks and the secrets they hide.

Brian Gifford

Author

A 27 year veteran, Cannon author Brian Gifford is a science fiction and fantasy nerd of the highest order. A lifelong student of physics and the arcana of IT alike, Brian spent a lifetime accumulating his unique view of the world. Unfortunately, he now insists on sharing it with... Read More →

Jonathan LaForce

Author

Born in southern Arizona, Jonathan LaForce spent his formative years in northern Los Angeles County before moving to Texas at the age of 19. Two years later, he enlisted in the USMC and found himself stationed in Hawaii. Had it not been so expensive, he'd have stayed in Hawaii at... Read More →

Al Hagan

Author

Al Hagan is a retired IT project manager. His career also included a four-year tour of duty with the Marine Corps and a number of years in the intelligence community, working in Washington, D.C. and in foreign countries.

Friday June 26, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm EDT
CC - Ballroom E (Main Event) Chattanooga Convention Center 1 Carter St, Chattanooga, TN 37403

Literary/Publishing, Round Table

4:00pm EDT

Dark Humor in MilSF

Friday June 26, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm EDT

Dark Humor in MilSF: Putting characters in the worst situations and let them cope using humor. How does this inform the reader about the truth in the real world? Panelists explore their favorite examples of dark humor in MilSF and why it matters.

Guests

Sam Robb

Author

Sam Robb is an urban fantasy writer from Pittsburgh who draws inspiration from back alleys, graffiti, and urban exploration. He’s published in his flash fiction collection, One October Night, as well as multiple anthologies, and edited the Stories in the Key of Tull anthologies... Read More →

David Badurina

Author

David Badurina is an enigmatic storyteller, bestselling author, and multimedia creator whose work spans fiction, non-fiction, music, and AI-driven visual storytelling. His books include the absurdist sci-fi space opera SPACE PEW PEW, the urban fantasy thriller The Caretaker, the inspirational... Read More →

Jody Lynn Nye

Author, Past LGoH

Jody Lynn Nye lists her main career activity as ‘spoiling cats.’ When not engaged upon this worthy occupation, she writes fantasy and science fiction books and short stories.

Before breaking away from gainful employment to write full time, Jody worked as a file clerk, book-kee... Read More →

Terry Maggert

Author, Editor, Publisher, Past GoH

Gary Poole

Editor

Friday June 26, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm EDT
CC - Meeting Room 5 (Main Event) Chattanooga Convention Center 1 Carter St, Chattanooga, TN 37403

Literary/Publishing, Panel

4:00pm EDT

How History Informs Science Fiction and Fantasy

Friday June 26, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm EDT

M - Plaza Ballroom C

Historian Daniel Butler hosts the discusssion "How History Informs Science Fiction and Fantasy."

Moderators

Daniel Allen Butler

Author

Guests

Daniel Kemp

Author

S.M. Stirling

LibertyCon 38 Special Guest of Honor, Author

S.M. Stirling was born in France in 1953, to Canadian parents -- although his mother was born in England and grew up in Peru. After that he lived in Europe, Canada, Africa, and the US and visited several other continents. He graduated from law school in Canada but had his dorsal fin... Read More →

Nick Nethery

Author, Editor

Nick Nethery writes science fiction, fantasy, mystery, westerns and whatever else presents a challenge or will entertain his friends and family. He has been published by the United States Naval Institute, Foreign Policy, Dragon Soul Press, and Raconteur Press, among others. He works... Read More →

G. Scott Huggins

Author

Having been born in California and raised in Kansas, Scott Huggins grew up as confused as one might expect. He began writing whilst traveling in post-Soviet Russia and Germany, and was one of the 20th Century’s last Writers of the Future (1999). The future arrived immediately thereafter... Read More →

Friday June 26, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm EDT
M - Plaza Ballroom C

Literary/Publishing, Panel

4:00pm EDT

Making MILSF Mandatory

Friday June 26, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm EDT

M - Plaza Ballroom B

Making MILSF Mandatory: Outside brief periods of consolidation, or even rarer periods of stable peace, conflict is the standard human condition. Understanding human stories which include speculative elements of managing, organizing, and responding to violence may improve our current decision making, and perhaps stave off the worst violence. Which stories should we be writing and reading to help ourselves? Panelists discuss the most important themes in MilSF and why more people would benefit from learning these lessons, instead of living them.

Moderators

Mike Massa

Author, Past GoH

Guests

J. E. Pittman

Author

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

Nathan Balyeat

Author

A USMC veteran, Nathan has written the fantasy short stories in the "Fellblade" and "Powers of the Night" settings and is working on a science fiction novel based on the life of the William Marshal. He has a degree in history and his hobbies include weightlifting, martial arts, and... Read More →

Griffin Barber

Author, Editor

Griffin spent his youth in four different countries, learning three languages, and burning all his bridges. Finally settled in East Tennessee and retired from a day job as a police officer in a major metropolitan department out west, he lives the good life with his lovely wife, crazy-smart... Read More →

Bjorn Hasseler

Author, Editor

Bjorn Hasseler found Eric Flint's novel 1632 in a public library. Then he discovered that fans were not just allowed but encouraged to write in the 1632 universe. He writes the Neustatter's European Security Service thread (A Matter of Security, Missions of Security, Security Threats... Read More →

James Fox

Author

Native Californian, James Fox is a natural storyteller. After graduating from the Academy of Art in San Francisco, with a BFA in Directing, he became the Founder of Dawnrunner Inc. and has championed the company through numerous award-winning projects over fifteen years. As a writer... Read More →

Friday June 26, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm EDT
M - Plaza Ballroom B Chattanooga Marriott Downtown 2 Carter St, Chattanooga, TN 37402, USA

Literary/Publishing, Panel

4:00pm EDT

Space Cowboys

Friday June 26, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm EDT

M - Plaza Ballroom A

The Western genre and the Science Fiction genre often merge to great effect. What makes for good writing and world building when you meld these genres? David Boop moderates.

Moderators

David Boop

Author

David Boop is a Denver-based speculative fiction author & editor. He’s also an award-winning essayist, and screenwriter. Before turning to fiction, David worked as a DJ, film critic, journalist, and actor.

David’s novels run the gamut, such as the sci-fi/noir She Murdered Me with Science, the Weird Western, The Drowned Horse Chronicle, and Rippers Resurrected:The Soul Changers, a historical, dark fantasy. Dave recently had a tribute collaborative mosaic novel come out in the late... Read More →

Guests

Brisco Woods

Author

Rick Cutler

Author

Rick is a former click-monkey for a major corporation, an advertising salesman for a different and still major corporation, and now a writer of Science Fiction and Fantasy. Noted for his “Space Cowboy” series with Colt Ostergaard, he also has stories in “Glitched Grimm” and... Read More →

David (Brena) Bock

Author

David Bock (also listed under the nom de plume Brena Bock) is a proud member of #TeamAndMore in several anthologies, including Space Force: Building the Legacy, Can't Go Home Again, and Saint's of Malta. Other stories are in the works along with a full length novel.

Matthew Skaggs

Author

Matthew Skaggs has Noir, SF, both Traditional and Weird Westerns, Steampunk, GameLit, and Alt-History short stories in print. So far. When not traveling, taking photos, researching, or writing, he relaxes in the Florida Panhandle sunshine with his totally awesome wife, their Swamp-doodle... Read More →

Gini Koch

Author

Gini Koch started writing in the American Southwest as something to do in between staring at pictures of good-looking leading men, but now sweats out the words, both literally and figuratively, in Hotlanta and dreams of dry heat.

She has over 70 titles but is best known for her... Read More →

Friday June 26, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm EDT
M - Plaza Ballroom A Chattanooga Marriott Downtown 2 Carter St, Chattanooga, TN 37402, USA

Literary/Publishing, Panel

6:00pm EDT

AI Prompt: You Are a Ruthless Killing Machine…

Friday June 26, 2026 6:00pm - 7:00pm EDT

M - Plaza Ballroom B

Towards practical definition of MilSF for writing. AI for military use. Synthetic sentience versus expert systems. What
are the differences and what’s credible? Sci-Fi Combined Arms: Armor, Infantry, Artillery, Cyber… and AI? If MilSF is a serious genre, how hard to authors have to try?

Moderators

Aaron Haskins

Author

A.C. Haskins is an economist, data geek, and combat veteran, and occasionally he writes stuff related to his many interests, including (but not limited to) ancient and medieval history, mythology, martial arts, guns, and theoretical economics. He lives in Michigan with his lovely... Read More →

Guests

Wayland Smith

Author

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

Devon Eriksen

Author

Devon Eriksen is a recent Chattanooga transplant, marksman, and life-long reader, with a particular fondness for classics from the golden age of science fiction. After growing up with images of the galaxy brought home by his JPL engineer father, he spent most of his career as a software... Read More →

Mark Stallings

Author

Mark Stallings is an Internationally published and Amazon Best Selling author, speaker at International conferences on technology topics, is a writer of Wuxia, Fantasy, and Military Sci-Fi. He is a competitive shooter, avid martial artist, drinker of craft beer, and motorcycle enthusiast.You... Read More →

Daniel M. Hoyt

Author, STEM, Past Special GoH

Daniel M. Hoyt is a systems architect for trajectory physics software, when not writing or wrangling royalty calculations. Dan has appeared in premier magazines like Analog and several anthologies, notably the recent Paladins of Valor and Bonds of Valor, with connected stories in... Read More →

J.P. Chandler

Author

J.P. Chandler was born and raised in California, where he lived with his wife of many years until relocating to Utah in 2025. He uses writing in the genres of Science Fiction and Fantasy as his excuse for pursuing various interests. He first started writing fiction when he was fou... Read More →

Friday June 26, 2026 6:00pm - 7:00pm EDT
M - Plaza Ballroom B Chattanooga Marriott Downtown 2 Carter St, Chattanooga, TN 37402, USA

Literary/Publishing, Panel

6:00pm EDT

Poul Anderson Part 1 - Introduction, Fantasy, and Humor

Friday June 26, 2026 6:00pm - 7:00pm EDT

M - Plaza Ballroom A

Poul Anderson Part 1 - Introduction, Fantasy, and Humor: Ben Yalow and Toni Weisskopf will be discussing the following works: Three Hearts & Three Lions, Operation Chaos, Hokas, and The High Crusade.

Guests

Toni Weisskopf

Author, Editor, Publisher, Past Special GoH

Toni Weisskopf is the publisher of Baen Books, a leading publisher of SF and fantasy for 40 years. She is also a member of the Interstellar Research Group board of advisors. She is the mother of a delightful daughter, and presides over a household that includes three dogs, one cat... Read More →

Ben Yalow

Author, Past Special GoH

Ben Yalow’s very first convention he attended as a fan was Lunacon in 1971, followed later that year by his first Worldcon, Noreascon. Ben first started staffing conventions at the very first Star Trek convention in January 1972, followed by the Worldcon in 1973, Torcon 2. He has... Read More →

Friday June 26, 2026 6:00pm - 7:00pm EDT
M - Plaza Ballroom A Chattanooga Marriott Downtown 2 Carter St, Chattanooga, TN 37402, USA

Literary/Publishing, Panel

6:00pm EDT

What are the Tropes of Modern Fantasy?

Friday June 26, 2026 6:00pm - 7:00pm EDT

M - Plaza Ballroom C

What are the Tropes of Modern Fantasy? Our panel of fantasy writers will discuss how fantasy is evolving in the modern era, and how it's tropes are evolving with it.

Moderators

Patricia McIntosh-Mize

Editor

Patty McIntosh-Mize is a lifelong nerd-girl and freelance editor. Most recently, she edited Theft of Fire, the amazing debut novel in the Orbital Space series by Devon Ericksen (now available in audiobook form!). When not editing, she knits and enjoys spending quality time with the Best Husband Ever... Read More →

Guests

Wally Waltner

Author

C.V. Walter

Author, Editor

Get ready to blast off into a galaxy of romance with C.V. Walter, the mastermind behind the pulse-pounding alien love story, “The Alien’s Accidental Bride”! This interstellar indie sensation is just the beginning – C.V. is currently crafting a whole universe of out-of-this-world... Read More →

Jay Burr

Author

Jay Burr spent years navigating the complex logic of the IT world before realizing that building entire galaxies was far more compelling than debugging code. A lifelong reader with a passion for the "what if," they have traded server racks for world-building and system architectures... Read More →

C.S. Brown

Author

C S Brown retired from the daily grind and moved to Central America to enjoy the warm weather and friendly atmosphere. Writing was the result of needing to make at least some of his time productive. In many ways, it is the embodiment of his lifelong dream. He has always wanted a pet... Read More →

Alma T. C. Boykin

Author

Friday June 26, 2026 6:00pm - 7:00pm EDT
M - Plaza Ballroom C

Literary/Publishing, Panel

6:00pm EDT

What's New in 1632 / Grantville

Friday June 26, 2026 6:00pm - 7:00pm EDT

Bjorn Hasseler moderates this panel on what is new in the 1632 / Grantville universe in all it's alternate history glory.

Moderators

Bjorn Hasseler

Author, Editor

Guests

Charles E. Gannon

Author, Past LGoH

Bethanne Kim

Author, Publisher

Bethanne Kim is a publisher with the new alternate history magazine “Eric Flint’s 1632 & Beyond” and a writer in the 1632verse. She also writes about emergency preparedness (including on TheSurvivalMom.com), zombies, being a Scout leader, the US Constitution, and whatever else... Read More →

Jody Lynn Nye

Author, Past LGoH

Mark Huston

Author

Mark Huston is a Chicago based author. He is published in Eric Flint's Ring of Fire Series and is a long-time contributor to the Grantville Gazette. His first novel, "Up-time Pride and Down-time Prejudice", was a Dragon Award Finalist. His work has also appeared in F&SF. Mark is and... Read More →

Griffin Barber

Author, Editor

Friday June 26, 2026 6:00pm - 7:00pm EDT
CC - Meeting Room 5 (Main Event) Chattanooga Convention Center 1 Carter St, Chattanooga, TN 37403

Literary/Publishing, Panel

6:00pm EDT

Chris Kennedy Publishing - the Year Ahead

Friday June 26, 2026 6:00pm - 8:00pm EDT

Chris Kennedy Publishing - The Year Ahead

Moderators

Chris Kennedy

Author, Publisher, Past GoH

Guests

James S. Aaron

Author

James S. Aaron's most recent novel is Retreat Hell, coming soon from Aethon Books. He served in the U.S. Army as an operator and battery commander for the Patriot missile system. Now he wrangles chickens in Oregon. Learn more at jamesaaron.net.

Fred Hughes

Author

The International Bestselling Amazon Author of seven books of 'The Prince of Britannia' series. I'm currently working on my new series, 'The First Solar War.'

Having served 20 years in the US Navy, most of it on submarines, I developed a great appreciation for the written word... Read More →

Kevin Steverson

Author

Kevin Steverson is a retired veteran of the U.S. Army. With several best-selling novels, including the Salvage Title Trilogy, picked up for development into feature film, he is also a published songwriter. When not at a convention or concert, he can be found in the foothills of the... Read More →

Kevin Ikenberry

Author

Mark Wandrey

Author

Michael LaVoice

Author

Michael LaVoice is a Science Fiction/Fantasy writer. He is the author of the Galaxy’s Most Wanted series from Aethon Books, the Gladius Leagues series from Chris Kennedy Publishing, as well as the upcoming SARCOM series with co-author Peter Stanley. He has multiple short stories... Read More →

Chris Woods

Author, Past Special GoH

Christopher Woods, writer of fiction, teller of tales, and professional liar was born way too long ago to be talking about it and has spent the majority of his life with a book in hand. He is known for his popular Soulguard series and creating the shared universe in The Fallen World... Read More →

Friday June 26, 2026 6:00pm - 8:00pm EDT
CC - Ballroom E (Main Event) Chattanooga Convention Center 1 Carter St, Chattanooga, TN 37403

Literary/Publishing, Round Table

7:00pm EDT

Artificial Intelligence and the Current Copyright Lawsuits

Friday June 26, 2026 7:00pm - 8:00pm EDT

CC - Meeting Room 6 (Science Track)

Lawyer Courtney Lytle Sarnow will give a presentation on changes in copyright law with respect to AI and expain the current ongoing lawsuits.

Guests

Courtney Lytle Sarnow

Professional Panelist

Courtney Lytle Sarnow is a partner at Culhane Meadows and an Adjunct Professor at Emory Law. Her practice focuses on protecting creative works and providing consulting for innovative businesses. She has written a law school text book and several academic articles which are not really... Read More →

Friday June 26, 2026 7:00pm - 8:00pm EDT
CC - Meeting Room 6 (Science Track) Chattanooga Convention Center 1 Carter St, Chattanooga, TN 37403

Literary/Publishing, Presentation

7:00pm EDT

Eidolons of Night - Who are the Heirs of Edgar Allan Poe

Friday June 26, 2026 7:00pm - 8:00pm EDT

M - Plaza Ballroom C

Eidolons of Night - Who are the Heirs of Edgar Allan Poe? Come listen to these horror writers dish on who is worthy today to take up his mantle.

Guests

M. M. Schill

Artist, Editor, Past AGoH

M.M. Schill is an award-winning artist, illustrator, writer, and pro-editor. She also serves as associated editor at Pseudopod (a pro-market, award-winning, short horror podcast and E-zine). Outside of her artistic pursuits, she is a decades-long student of aikido and iaido, a power-lifter, and (most importantly) she's an outspoken activist for victims' rights... Read More →

April Kelley Jones

Author, Editor

April Jones has navigated countless fictional worlds as a writer, editor, and teacher. When not wrangling words or cats, she’s learning languages and traveling the world. She lives in South Carolina with her favorite people and felines. Her latest project is Hell’s Judgement... Read More →

J.T. Arralle

Author

Dane Clark Collins

Author

Dane Clark Collins is a writer of fantasy, science fiction, horror and the occasional nonfiction currently living in the Nashville, TN area. He is also an experimental, atmospheric psych rock musician, and some of his work can be found at https://www.creativegrimoire.com/.

Lee Ellis

Author

Lee Ellis is a fantasy, sci-fi author with a background in filmmaking. He is most known for the Kildash series, as well as his horror short story, The River’s End, featured in Three Raven’s Trailer Park series. His other works include Exodus, God Blood, and The Devil’s Up T... Read More →

Megan Miller

Author

Friday June 26, 2026 7:00pm - 8:00pm EDT
M - Plaza Ballroom C

Literary/Publishing, Panel

7:00pm EDT

What's New in Humorous Science Fiction and Fantasy

Friday June 26, 2026 7:00pm - 8:00pm EDT

M - Plaza Ballroom A

Dave Schroeder moderates this panel on what's new in the worlds of humorous Science Fiction and Fantasy.

Moderators

Dave Schroeder

Author, Performer

Dave Schroeder (SHRAY-der) is the author of the Guardian Keeps and Congruent Mage fantasy series as well as the Xenotech Support science fiction humor series. He is a retired IT executive from Atlanta who enjoys performing with the Atlanta Radio Theatre Company.

Dave also runs a small publishing house called Spiral Arm Press that primarily handles his own work, including an audiobook version of Xenotech Rising, the first book in his SF Humor series. Podium Publishing, from Toronto, Canada, produces audiobook versions of Dave's Congruent... Read More →

Guests

T.C. Ross

Author

TC Ross is an Urban Fantasy author who also dabbles in related Historical Fantasy, Romantic Comedies, Gaslamp, Horror, and short stories. She resides in Texas with her family, feeding the Fae and watching out for shifters. Hopefully they never find her.

Julie Cochrane

Author

Julie Cochrane was born in Ohio and begin crafting her first stories when she was five years old. She made her first attempts at novels in Social Studies and English classes. Cally's War with John Ringo was the first manuscript she ever finished. Sister Time and Honor of the Clan... Read More →

David Badurina

Author

Karen Bogen

Author

A cat-loving native of Texas, K.B. Bogen is a self-confessed knit-/yarn-aholic. She spends much time knitting something (with the help of her three cats), inventorying her stash (also with the help of the cats), or fondling yarn anywhere within driving range (the cats don’t like... Read More →

Philip K. Booker

Author, Editor

Friday June 26, 2026 7:00pm - 8:00pm EDT
M - Plaza Ballroom A Chattanooga Marriott Downtown 2 Carter St, Chattanooga, TN 37402, USA

Literary/Publishing, Panel

7:00pm EDT

Writing Divers for Non-Divers

Friday June 26, 2026 7:00pm - 8:00pm EDT

David Appley presents "Writing Divers for Non-Divers." David will cover the basics, cave and search and rescue plus key points to think of when writing. Mike Massa will cover the military side and underwater boom. Q&A at the end.

Moderators

David Appleby

Author

Guests

Mike Massa

Author, Past GoH

Friday June 26, 2026 7:00pm - 8:00pm EDT
CC - Meeting Room 3 (Workshop Track) Chattanooga Convention Center 1 Carter St, Chattanooga, TN 37403

Literary/Publishing, Presentation

8:00pm EDT

Quillcraft Press - Books for Writers, by Writers

Friday June 26, 2026 8:00pm - 9:00pm EDT

M - Plaza Ballroom C

Chris Kennedy moderates a discussion on Quillcraft Press, an imprint of Chris Kennedy Publishing, and the new work Titans Rising.

Moderators

Chris Kennedy

Author, Publisher, Past GoH

Guests

Jon R. Osborne

Author

Toni Weisskopf

Author, Editor, Publisher, Past Special GoH

Friday June 26, 2026 8:00pm - 9:00pm EDT
M - Plaza Ballroom C

Literary/Publishing, Panel

8:00pm EDT

The Art of Translation: When Cream of the Crop Becomes Yellow of the Egg

Friday June 26, 2026 8:00pm - 9:00pm EDT

Words matter—but what happens when they cross borders?Translating fiction is part art, part chaos, and all nuance. It’s more than just swapping words. It’s about navigating cultural context, idiomatic landmines, and preserving the author’s voice. From idioms gone rogue to character voices lost in the shuffle, this panel dives into the strange and delightful world of fiction in translation. Panelists will share behind-the-scenes insights, linguistic mishaps, and what authors can do to make the journey smoother. Whether you’re a writer hoping to expand into other languages or a reader curious why your favorite line hits different in German, French, or Klingon—join us for a laugh-filled, language-loving session.

Moderators

Nic Plume

Author

Nic Plume is the author of the military science fiction series ’Shadows of Peace’ and the short story ‘Rebels’ Cause’ in the Lost Brigade Universe’s anthology Standing Fast on Foreign Shores. She has also edited over forty science fiction novels for a best-selling aut... Read More →

Guests

Greg Gagnon

Author

Greg Gagnon is an author, presenter, fan, reenactor, and coach. His published works include 2 entries in the Raconteur "Postcards"series. He is currently working on a Relationships book with his wife, Dr Catherine Gagnon, and several short stories across several genres. He has a research... Read More →

Kevin Steverson

Author

Monalisa Foster

Author

Friday June 26, 2026 8:00pm - 9:00pm EDT
CC - Meeting Room 5 (Main Event) Chattanooga Convention Center 1 Carter St, Chattanooga, TN 37403

Literary/Publishing, Panel

8:00pm EDT

The Art of Villany

Friday June 26, 2026 8:00pm - 9:00pm EDT

M - Plaza Ballroom A

Creating compelling and 3-dimensional villains. Protagonists are good. Seriously, at least be good enough to be the hero in your tale, but you need a villain(s) for conflict and to really get things in gear. MG Martin hosts.

Moderators

M.G. Martin

Author

Guests

Jamie Ibson

Author

Jamie Ibson is a medically retired redcoat from north of the ice wall. He's edited six anthologies for Chris Kennedy Publishing and now two for Baen, and is one of Buff Orpington's two editors for bringing his memoirs to light for the first time.

Tony Andarian

Author, Publisher, Andarian Publishing

Tony Andarian is the author of the Sanctum of the Archmage epic fantasy novels and games. They are published by his personal imprint, Andarian Publishing.

Invested from a young age with an overactive imagination, he's had a lifelong love of science fiction, fantasy, computer gam... Read More →

Sarah A. Hoyt

Author, Past LGoH

Sarah A. Hoyt writes... Almost everything. And has. But this last year she's been wrestling with a monstrous-size space opera. She lives with her husband and a plethora of cats. Sons and daughters-in-law sometimes visit.

Sarah has published, she thinks, about fifty novels. She doesn't want to count. Don't make her count. She has won the Prometheus Award, the Dragon Award and been a finalist for the Colorado Book Award and the Mythopoeic. If she looks at you cross-eyed, it's because she'd rather be... Read More →

J.B. Garner

Author

Talented top flight author and editor Jamie Beth "J. B." Garner has written over twenty novels across multiple genres and edited hundreds more. J.B.’s seen and done many things in her life, from honors student to factory worker to garbage collector to construction worker. In addition... Read More →

Tim Akers

Author

Tim Akers is a fantasy novelist, a gamer, and utterly unemployable in the traditional sense. His novels include the dark fantasy Wraithbound, lighter portal series Knight Watch, and high action hard magic world of Bladecaster. He lives in Chicago with his indefatigable wife and a... Read More →

Friday June 26, 2026 8:00pm - 9:00pm EDT
M - Plaza Ballroom A Chattanooga Marriott Downtown 2 Carter St, Chattanooga, TN 37402, USA

Literary/Publishing, Panel

9:00pm EDT

What If There Was No Rome?

Friday June 26, 2026 9:00pm - 10:00pm EDT

A freeform worldbuilding discussion of what would the modern world look like if Remus defeated Romulus. If the Roman Empire had not risen and dominated Europe – what would that political and ethnic landscape look like? Who explores North America? South America? Asia? Would we have slower or more rapid development of technology without the Empire? Robert Hampson (mod.)

Moderators

Robert E. Hampson

Author, STEM, Past SGoH

Guests

Mark Haynes

STEM, Dmarkhaynes Consulting

I’m a renaissance man trapped in a specialist’s body. My degree is in biology. That’s why I’m IT. I’ve worked as a software developer, with an elegant language for a more civilized age. I became a QA guy because breaking things is therapeutic. I became a process specialist... Read More →

VL Stuart

Author

VL ‘Tori’ Stuart is a journalist, novelist, and poet who resides between two volcanoes in Costa Rica. Their unique home lies between two volcanoes—a location that sparks curiosity, but as she assures, "No worries; only one of them is active."

Jody Lynn Nye

Author, Past LGoH

Bill Fawcett

Author, Editor, Publisher, PGOH

Bill Fawcett is an American writer, editor, anthologist, and game designer. He co-authored the official Mycroft Holmes Mysteries and over a dozen other novels. Bill has also written almost a dozen historical non-fiction books. He founded Mayfair Games and also designs board and computer... Read More →

Griffin Barber

Author, Editor

Friday June 26, 2026 9:00pm - 10:00pm EDT
CC - Ballroom E (Main Event) Chattanooga Convention Center 1 Carter St, Chattanooga, TN 37403

Literary/Publishing, Panel

9:00pm EDT

No Sh*t There I Was ...

Friday June 26, 2026 9:00pm - 11:00pm EDT

M - Plaza Ballroom A

Justin Watson moderates this "war story" discussion with writers who are military veterans and first responders.

Moderators

Justin Watson

Author

Justin Watson was a field artilleryman in the United States Army for ten years. He deployed twice to Iraq and once to Afghanistan. He doesn’t count his deployment to Kuwait, but his wife sure does. Medically retired from the Army due to wounds sustained in Iraq, he now lives in... Read More →

Guests

Mike Massa

Author, Past GoH

Kelly Grayson

Author

Kelly Grayson is a highly-regarded critical care paramedic with a national reputation, award-winning EMS columnist, author and popular public speaker. When he isn’t prowling the seamy underbelly of the city looking for little old ladies who have fallen and can’t get up, Kelly... Read More →

William Meinert

Author

William Meinert was in the US Army National Guard as a M-1 tanker for eight years. He followed that by being a Firefighter / Paramedic for 25 years, and now he risks his life by teaching Sixth Grade Social Studies. He has two published short stories and is actively writing.

Brian Gifford

Author

Gregory Radabaugh

Author

Greg Radabaugh, an author published by Raconteur Press and others, retired from the US Department of Defense after a 44-year career. He now works as a consultant for various commercial and government entities. Prior to his retirement, he was a member of the Department of Defense Senior... Read More →

Friday June 26, 2026 9:00pm - 11:00pm EDT
M - Plaza Ballroom A Chattanooga Marriott Downtown 2 Carter St, Chattanooga, TN 37402, USA

Literary/Publishing, Panel

10:00pm EDT

Editing for Magazines and Ezines

Friday June 26, 2026 10:00pm - 11:00pm EDT

Is editing for print magazines and ezines different from other forms of editing? Are there special challenges that require different skillsets and a nuanced touch? Come join these practicing editors to find out!

Moderators

Dan Hollifield

Author, Publisher

Dan L. Hollifield is the author of the ‘Mare Inebrium Spaceport Bar’ series of short stories. Other works include the “Adventures of Tom Darby” ongoing series of stories, one of which is titled ‘Abducted,’ and is available on Amazon. Further Tom Darby stories are awaiting... Read More →

Guests

Nathan Toronto

Author

Nathan W. Toronto has taught strategy and planning to military officers for twenty years and is the author of How Militaries Learn and the Saga of the Emerald Moon. He publishes Bullet Points, a military science fiction magazine. Find him at nathantoronto.com or on Blue Sky (@bul... Read More →

David Truesdale

Editor

Dave Truesdale has edited Tangent Online since 1993. It has been nominated for the Hugo Award six times, and the World Fantasy Award once. A former editor of the Bulletin of the Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers of America, he also served as a World Fantasy Award judge in 1998, and... Read More →

Bart Kemper

Author

Bart is a writer, photographer, inventor, and consulting Professional Engineer based in South Louisiana. He served over 34 years in the US Army, Active and Reserve, enlisted and officer, including as a Sergeant in the 82nd Airborne Division up to a Lt. Colonel engineer officer in... Read More →

Donald Crankshaw

Author, Editor, Publisher

Despite having a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Donald Crankshaw much prefers to read and write fantasy instead of science fiction. He has previously published stories in Nature Futures, Intergalactic Medicine Show, and Black Gate. He currently publishes the Mysterion online magazine... Read More →

Kristin Janz

Author, Editor, Publisher

Kristin Janz is co-editor/publisher of online fantasy and science fiction magazine Mysterion (MysterionOnline.com), and three Mysterion anthologies. Mysterion stories have been finalists for the WSFA Small Press and Realm Awards, and are about Christianity, but not always Christian... Read More →

Friday June 26, 2026 10:00pm - 11:00pm EDT
CC - Meeting Room 3 (Workshop Track) Chattanooga Convention Center 1 Carter St, Chattanooga, TN 37403

Literary/Publishing, Panel

10:00pm EDT

Making the Darkness Light

Friday June 26, 2026 10:00pm - 11:00pm EDT

Special GOH S.M. Stirling presents "Making the Darkness Light," an inner look at his current time travel series.

Moderators

S.M. Stirling

LibertyCon 38 Special Guest of Honor, Author

Friday June 26, 2026 10:00pm - 11:00pm EDT
CC - Ballroom E (Main Event) Chattanooga Convention Center 1 Carter St, Chattanooga, TN 37403

Literary/Publishing, Panel

10:00am EDT

Cats in Science Fiction and Fantasy

Saturday June 27, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am EDT

From the Cat Who Walked Through Walls to David Weber's Treecats, cats have been a fixture in SF&F for decades. Listen to these authors who have published genre cat stories expound on why cats will remain a fixture for the foreseeable future.

Moderators

Rita Beeman

Publisher

Rita Beeman lives with her wiener dogs in Texas, where she loves to tend plants that thrive on her level of neglect.

Guests

Cassandra Morgan

Author

Cassandra Morgan is an award-winning, multi-genre author residing in NW Ohio with her husband, daughter, and five ferocious felines. She is best known for her Silver Fox Mysteries series. When she’s not writing, she enjoys traveling, trying new foods, hitting the movies, and wrangling... Read More →

Ross Hathaway

Artist, Author

Ross Hathaway has spent 40+ years in the aerospace industry. First, in the US Air Force as a navigator on C-141’s. Then, in commercial aircraft research, design and manufacturing, and finally at NASA at NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center. His wife calls him “her rocket... Read More →

Amanda Montandon

Author, Editor

Amanda Montandon is a Colorado mountain girl living in North Carolina with her husband, author Kal Spriggs, their son, & 4 mischievous felines. A Jane-of-All-Trades, she has experience in law enforcement, veterinary care, private security, & more. She runs her own editing business... Read More →

Ted Begley

Author

Ted Begley's career has consisted of such fields as cook, farmer, lightning rod salesman, and accountant. He lives in Kentucky with his wife of more than thirty years, Laura, who acts in the capacity of his first reader and editor. He has several short stories published in as many... Read More →

David R.R. Greenberg

Author

David R.R. Greenberg is a fantasy and science-fiction writer. He has self-published two books: RAGING STORM and THE RIVALS. His short story "The Bastard's Tomb" was published in Raconteur Press’s anthology MOGGIES OF MARS. David is a member of the founding Class of 2028 at the University... Read More →

Molly McDonough

Author

Molly Ann McDonough is an author, poet, and multidisciplinary engineer. Her short fiction has been featured in science fiction and fantasy anthologies. Her debut poetry collection, Hope in Hateful Times (2026), examines resilience, the divine feminine, and how to foster joy and empathy... Read More →

Saturday June 27, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am EDT
CC - Meeting Room 5 (Main Event) Chattanooga Convention Center 1 Carter St, Chattanooga, TN 37403

Literary/Publishing, Round Table

10:00am EDT

Managing Murderhobos

Saturday June 27, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am EDT

M - Plaza Ballroom C

How do you manage a party of free-wheeling murderhobos, whether they're players in a game or characters in your novel. When the shortest point from A to B is killing everything and everyone in their path, how do you keep them inside the limits... or should you even bother? Kal Spriggs (moderator)

Moderators

Kal Spriggs

Author

Kal Spriggs is a US Army combat veteran, gamer, and science fiction and fantasy author. He has visited over 35 countries and has worked in a variety of industries including environmental remediation, farming, civil engineering, the military, and transportation. Kal has drawn upon... Read More →

Guests

Justin Watson

Author

William S. Frisbee

Author

Marine. Veteran. Martial artist. Gamer. Consultant. Father.

William S. Frisbee was forged in the Cold War, tempered in a Marine SOC unit, and reborn as a storyteller, he blends battlefield grit with boundless imagination. From Jules Verne to galactic wars—he’s lived the stories he now writes... Read More →

James Schardt

Author

James Schardt is a 21 year veteran of the US Army as an AH-64 Apache Attack Helicopter Armament Systems Repairer and a graduate of Austin Peay State University. He lives in Kentucky with his wife and too many cats. He enjoys shooting muzzleloaders, painting toy soldiers, and miniatures... Read More →

Jamie Ibson

Author

Nathan Balyeat

Author

Saturday June 27, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am EDT
M - Plaza Ballroom C

Literary/Publishing, Panel

11:00am EDT

Salvage Title Universe Roundtable

Saturday June 27, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT

Kevin Steverson moderates the Salvage Title Universe Roundtable.

Moderators

Kevin Steverson

Author

Guests

David Alan Jones

Author

David Appleby

Author

Brisco Woods

Author

Marisa Wolf

Author

Melissa Olthoff

Author

Saturday June 27, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT
CC - Ballroom E (Main Event) Chattanooga Convention Center 1 Carter St, Chattanooga, TN 37403

Literary/Publishing, Round Table

11:00am EDT

The Allure of Dark Fantasy

Saturday June 27, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT

What is the core of our fascination with dark fantasy? Is it the imagery? The shiver down the spine that follows the finely crafted word? Join our intrepid panel as they explore all it's alluring aspects.

Moderators

Tim Akers

Author

Guests

Cassandra Morgan

Author

Claire Merrick

Author

Michael Bielaczyc

Artist, Gaming

Michael Bielaczyc has been working professionally in the art field since 2001 when he founded Aradani Studios with his brother Paul. Together they have exhibited across America selling both their artwork and costuming. He works in many mediums from oil paint to latex prosthetics... Read More →

Tamara Lowery

Author

Dane Clark Collins

Author

Saturday June 27, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT
CC - Meeting Room 5 (Main Event) Chattanooga Convention Center 1 Carter St, Chattanooga, TN 37403

Literary/Publishing, Panel

11:00am EDT

Wait, Are We The Bad Guys?

Saturday June 27, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT

M - Plaza Ballroom C

Wait, Are We The Bad Guys?: How to use MilSF to explore themes around insurgencies and ethics. Understanding rebellion and insurgency is at least as important as understanding institutionalized militaries. From Revolt in 2100 to Andor, plucky revolutionaries are painted as the “good guys.” When are MilSF revolutionaries the “bad guys?” Are they ever? Should they be? What does this tell us about ourselves?

Moderators

Andy Presby

STEM

Andy Presby is a NASA engineer and retired US Navy submarine officer. He consults on future technology for Joelle Presby and other science fiction authors. He has degrees in spacecraft systems engineering and astronautical engineering from the Naval Postgraduate School.

Guests

Al Hagan

Author

Wil McCarthy

Author

Engineer/Novelist/Journalist/Entrepreneur Wil McCarthy has been a professional writer since the mid-1980s. He is a former contributing editor for WIRED magazine and science columnist for the SyFy channel (previously SciFi channel), where his popular "Lab Notes" column ran from 1999 through 2009. A lifetime member of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America, he is a two-time winner of the AnLab award, and has been a finalist... Read More →

Daniel Kemp

Author

Kevin Ikenberry

Author

J.P. Chandler

Author

Saturday June 27, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT
M - Plaza Ballroom C

Literary/Publishing, Panel

12:00pm EDT

The Romance of Steampunk

Saturday June 27, 2026 12:00pm - 1:00pm EDT

M - Plaza Ballroom C

Dan Hollifield moderates this panel discussion on the myriad worlds of the Steampunk genre.

Moderators

Dan Hollifield

Author, Publisher

Guests

Philip Ligon

Author

Philip Ligon has been trying to satisfy the writing bug that took hold since before he can remember. He fell in love with science fiction and fantasy in high school and began dabbling with writing fantastical stories, a passion which continues to this day. Adding an engineering background... Read More →

Mark Huston

Author

Matthew Skaggs

Author

Geoffrey Mandragora

Author

Geoffrey Mandragora is a storyteller, not an author. He refuses to take himself seriously, or write anything too serious. His work is exciting, scary, and thrilling; but overall he strives to make his books fun, both to write and read. Which is why he writes in different genres.

H.P. Holo

LibertyCon 38 Master of Ceremonies, Author

Saturday June 27, 2026 12:00pm - 1:00pm EDT
M - Plaza Ballroom C

Literary/Publishing, Panel

1:00pm EDT

How History Works

Saturday June 27, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm EDT

Special Guest of Honor S.M. Stirling presents "How History Works" and will illustrate how a lot of history is the result of low-probability accidents bouncing off each other, and will provide examples.

Guests

S.M. Stirling

LibertyCon 38 Special Guest of Honor, Author

Saturday June 27, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm EDT
CC - Meeting Room 3 (Workshop Track) Chattanooga Convention Center 1 Carter St, Chattanooga, TN 37403

Literary/Publishing, Presentation

1:00pm EDT

Vampires in Pop Culture - Heroes or Monsters?

Saturday June 27, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm EDT

M - Plaza Ballroom A/B

Vampires in today's Pop Culture are portrayed in strikingly different ways. Can their reputations truly be rehabilitated? Our panel of authors who write vampires will tackle the core of the argument - are they Heroes or Monsters?

Moderators

Geoffrey Mandragora

Author

Guests

Jay Peterson

Author

Jay Peterson has been everything from a nightclub bouncer to a chess coach. He once considered taking over the world, but balked once he had a look at the paperwork involved. His debut novel, Renfield Blues, was released in 2023. A sequel, Ghost Light, is currently in the works.
When not writing, Jay is a film and TV actor, usually known for playing supernatural creatures. He most recently appeared in Red One, The Piano Lesson, and The Conjuring:The Devil Made Me Do It... Read More →

Julie Frost

Author

Julie Frost is an award-winning author of every shade of speculative fiction. She lives in Utah with a herd of guinea pigs, her husband, and a “kitten” who thinks she’s a warrior princess. She enjoys birding, and is on a quest to photograph 500 bird species in a calendar year... Read More →

William Lehman

Author

William Lehman can’t stay out of hot water… or cold water, either. After retiring from two careers in and around submarines, and a decade as a Reserve Police Officer for the City of Bremerton, Washington, (where far more things go on than you’d think) he’s traded in his police... Read More →

Tamara Lowery

Author

Karen Bogen

Author

Saturday June 27, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm EDT
M - Plaza Ballroom A/B Chattanooga Marriott Downtown 2 Carter St, Chattanooga, TN 37402, USA

Literary/Publishing, Panel

1:00pm EDT

What's New from Raconteur Press

Saturday June 27, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm EDT

Ian McMurtrie (aka Lawdog) will moderate this roundtable on what's the year holds in store for Raconteur Press.

Moderators

Ian McMurtrie

Author, Publisher

Born on the island of Malta to an Oklahoma oil engineer and a Texas school teacher, author Ian McMurtrie a.k.a. LawDog was raised in Africa, the Middle East, and Europe. He has been a soldier, an EMT, a volunteer fireman, a short-order cook, the world's worst rodeo clown, and a peace... Read More →

Guests

Bill Willingham

Author, Artist

Bill Willingham has been writing and drawing professionally for close to 50 years. His best known comic book creations have been his Elementals and Fables series. Recently his forthcoming sword and sorcery prose novel trilogy called Outrider has been announced by Raconteur Press... Read More →

Chris DiNote

Author

Chris “MOGS” DiNote retired from the United States Air Force as a full colonel with 25 years, 7 months, and 29 days of service, but who's counting? He deployed for Operations Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom, and Noble Eagle, served in South Korea and Germany. Chris is a graduate... Read More →

Jonna Hayden

Artist, Author, Publisher

Jonna Hayden is a professional Costume Designer, clothing historian, and long-time SF geek. After many years of hiding in the Science Fiction section of the school library, she found her tribe when she attended Orycon 5. She builds shows for the Opera, Ballet, and anyone else who... Read More →

Rita Beeman

Publisher

Rita Beeman lives with her wiener dogs in Texas, where she loves to tend plants that thrive on her level of neglect.

Spearman Burke

Author, Editor

After retiring from a globe spanning career of swashbuckling adventure in the U.S. Marine Corps, Spearman Burke decided to try his hand at this GI Bill thing he had been hearing about. He earned an interdisciplinary degree in English Literature and Creative Writing with a minor in... Read More →

Nick Nethery

Author, Editor

Saturday June 27, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm EDT
CC - Ballroom E (Main Event) Chattanooga Convention Center 1 Carter St, Chattanooga, TN 37403

Literary/Publishing, Panel

2:00pm EDT

Orchetypes

Saturday June 27, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm EDT

M - Plaza Ballroom C

Orchetypes: A discussion of orcs throughout fantasy, including their historical origins, interspecies relations, phenotypes and roles in classic and current fantasy.

Moderators

Brian Gifford

Author

Lucas Marcum

Author

Guests

BK Gibson

Author, Gaming

Tony Andarian

Author, Publisher, Andarian Publishing

Rob Howell

Author, Publisher

Rob is the the creator of the Firehall Sagas, a contributor in Luke Gygax’s World of Okkorim, and an author in the Four Horsemen Universe. He writes epic fantasy, space opera, hard-boiled detective stories, alternate history, and whatever else seems fun.

His parents discovered b... Read More →

Tim Akers

Author

Saturday June 27, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm EDT
M - Plaza Ballroom C

Literary/Publishing, Panel

2:00pm EDT

The Mystique of the Paranormal

Saturday June 27, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm EDT

M - Plaza Ballroom A/B

Come explore the mystique of the paranormal - apparations, esp, auras, clairvoyance, pschokinesis and why it still fascinates us. Debi Chowdhury (mod)

Moderators

Debi Chowdhury

Professional Panelist

Member of International Costumers Guild, Sick Pups and Noel. Worldcon Masquerade Judge 2023 Chicago, Worldcon Masquerade CoDirector Helsinki 2017, Asst Director Worldcon Masquerade london 2014, Masquerade judge at Philcon, Balticon, Masquerade staff at many conventions. Costume panelist... Read More →

Guests

Rob Reed

Author

Rob Reed writes science fiction, fantasy, mysteries and thrillers. His fiction has been featured in the best-selling anthologies “Forged in Blood” and “Freehold: Resistance,” both edited by Michael Z. Williamson.

Rob co-edited (with Amie Gibbons) and published the urban... Read More →

David (Brena) Bock

Author

Louise Herring-Jones

Author

Louise Herring-Jones writes speculative fiction including science fiction, fantasy, historical fantasy, and alternate mystery. Her stories, appearing in fourteen anthologies, include “The Poulterer’s Tale” in God Bless Us, Every One—Christmas Carols beyond Dickens (Voodoo... Read More →

Gregory Radabaugh

Author

Saturday June 27, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm EDT
M - Plaza Ballroom A/B Chattanooga Marriott Downtown 2 Carter St, Chattanooga, TN 37402, USA

Literary/Publishing, Panel

3:00pm EDT

AI Copyright Suits and the Fight for Authors and Publishers Rights

Saturday June 27, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm EDT

Lawyer Courtney Lytle Sarnow will discuss the proliferation of AI copyright lawsuits and how it affects authors and publishers.

Moderators

Courtney Lytle Sarnow

Professional Panelist

Saturday June 27, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm EDT
CC - Meeting Room 3 (Workshop Track) Chattanooga Convention Center 1 Carter St, Chattanooga, TN 37403

Literary/Publishing, Presentation

3:00pm EDT

Tales of the E4 Mafia

Saturday June 27, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm EDT

M - Plaza Ballroom A/B

The E4 Mafia isn’t a myth. They’re how tasks get handled. Rank says one thing. Reality says another. Meet the folks behind the stories.

Moderators

Keith Hedger

Author, Guest

Keith Hedger escaped Iowa at 19 to serve in the US Army which led to his (current) career in information technology. When not saving other people's data, he enjoys exercising, fishing, and hunting. He lives in Pella, Iowa with his wife. Fortunately, she tolerates his workouts and... Read More →

Guests

Daniel Kemp

Author

Michael LaVoice

Author

David Hensley

Author

Saturday June 27, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm EDT
M - Plaza Ballroom A/B Chattanooga Marriott Downtown 2 Carter St, Chattanooga, TN 37402, USA

Literary/Publishing, Panel

3:00pm EDT

The Art of Editing for Anthologies

Saturday June 27, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm EDT

M - Plaza Ballroom C

The Art of Editing for Anthologies explores the nuances that make it different from say, editing short stories and examines factors such as continuity, time lines, history, and co-dependency, depending on the type of anthology you are writing for.

Moderators

Jamie Henson

Editor

Jamie Henson is the founder of Alpha Mercs, a private fellowship of writers forging craft, resilience, and timeless virtues. Together they stand for what storytelling was—and must be again. The forge is lit. Join the fellowship at omicronstation.com.

Guests

Amanda Montandon

Author, Editor

Daniel M. Hoyt

Author, STEM, Past Special GoH

Shari Robb

Editor

Shari Robb is a loving wife, mother, technical writer, and counselor. She has worked as an editor for political campaigns, multiple non-fiction books, and shorts from the Alpha Mercs. Her work as a freelance editor includes multiple SF/Fantasy anthologies, including game fiction... Read More →

Laura Begley

Editor

Laura has one husband (author Ted Begley), five cats, and a comfy chair from which she enjoys working as a copy editor for Raconteur Press. Laura has been specializing in editing the boys adventure books along with almost a dozen anthologies. She’s a little shy, but enjoys meeting... Read More →

Debbie Reynolds

Author, Editor

Debbie Reynolds is a writer, dreamer, and voracious reader who has always lived in the wilds of northern Pennsylvania. She works as an editor and proofreader for Sunbury Press and does freelance work when time permits. Her first book, Mending Shattered Dreams, a memoir, will be out... Read More →

Saturday June 27, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm EDT
M - Plaza Ballroom C

Literary/Publishing, Panel

3:00pm EDT

Writing for Kids and Young Adults

Saturday June 27, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm EDT

What captures the imagination of the young and turns them into lifelong readers? How is writing for kids and young adults different from writing for adults (and not just the obvious i.e. the avoidance of "adult" content) Come join our panelists to explore what makes for good children's literature.

Moderators

Nick Nethery

Author, Editor

Guests

Janet Spaulding

Editor

Janet has taught English for over twenty years She holds a Doctorate in Creative Invective as well as a black belt in sarcasm. All her puns are 100% intentional. In addition to teaching and editing, she has been a military contractor, a mortgage officer, a stand-up comedian and a... Read More →

K.B. Carlisle

Author

KB Carlisle is a husband, father, panda enthusiast, former time traveler and professional desk chair warmer.

His debut novel The Book of Rose won the 2024 Imadjin Award for Best Young Adult Novel.

Check out all of his work at kbcarlisle.com.

Cedar Sanderson

Author

Cedar Sanderson is a multifaceted creator whose work spans both the literary and visual arts. Cedar is celebrated for her engaging storytelling and her ability to captivate audiences with her vibrant imagery and thoughtful narratives. Her work not only entertains but also invites... Read More →

Jared Austin

Author

Jared Austin is a young adult science fiction author who lives in the Rocket City—Huntsville, Alabama. With the Space City series, he hopes to show and inspire his daughter and son, as well as all of his readers, that science and technology are not dull subjects, but gateways to... Read More →

Laura Montgomery

Author

Laura Montgomery practices space law and writes science fiction. She writes space opera, lost colony worlds, and bourgeois legal science fiction. Her most recent novel, Planting Life, has been nominated for the Libertarian Futurist Society’s Prometheus Award.

In her legal practice she specializes in regulatory space law, with an emphasis on the FAA’s commercial space transportation regulations and the Outer Space Treaties. She spent over two decades in the FAA’s Office of the Chief Counsel working on space regulatory issues, and ta... Read More →

Saturday June 27, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm EDT
CC - Meeting Room 5 (Main Event) Chattanooga Convention Center 1 Carter St, Chattanooga, TN 37403

Literary/Publishing, Panel

4:00pm EDT

Anthromech Roundtable

Saturday June 27, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm EDT

Anthromech is an anthology that was conceived by Bill Webb, where a senior author works with a junior author to develop their story, illustrating the concept of "paying it forward." Roundtable will discuss the dynamics and introduce some of the junior authors. Chis Kennedy (mod.)

Moderators

Chris Kennedy

Author, Publisher, Past GoH

Guests

M.D. Boncher

Author

As an author, artist and musician, M. D. Boncher has lead a “Writer’s Life”. With several careers in many varied industries from security to hospitality to trucking logistics providing him a wide breadth of experience with the human condition from which to draw on for his work... Read More →

Joseph Hower

Author

Joseph Hower is a former active-duty Marine from West Michigan. He and his wife share five children and four granddaughters. He is a professional musician and a retired electrical engineer. He spends his free time performing with two bands across West Michigan and tending to his lawn... Read More →

Robert E. Hampson

Author, STEM, Past SGoH

Kevin Steverson

Author

Craig Bell

Author

A native Californian, Craig Bell and his wife Sara reside in the Pacific NW along with two terrorist cats named Arty and Tank. Along with the Gangrel War series, he's currently working on three distinct military sci-fi projects, one with the amazing Kevin Steverson.

Scott Swoope

Author

William S. Frisbee

Author

Richard Cartwright

Author

Richard Cartwright was born and raised in Tennessee when he was not bouncing around the country and Canada in the sleeper of his parents tractor trailer rig that his father bought after retiring from the Navy to go into trucking.

His first reading lessons were road signs at four. His education was disrupted at five when he was forced to start spending the school year at school. After acquiring a note at six to allow him to check out "advanced " books from the library, he discovered Heinlein and never looked... Read More →

David Appleby

Author

April Kelley Jones

Author, Editor

Mark Stallings

Author

Jay Burr

Author

Charli Cox

Author

Saturday June 27, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm EDT
CC - Ballroom E (Main Event) Chattanooga Convention Center 1 Carter St, Chattanooga, TN 37403

Literary/Publishing, Round Table

4:00pm EDT

Historical Research and How it Affects Worldbuilding

Saturday June 27, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm EDT

Historian Daniel Butler will moderate this discussion on historical research and how it affects worldbuilding

Moderators

Daniel Allen Butler

Author

Guests

G. Scott Huggins

Author

S.M. Stirling

LibertyCon 38 Special Guest of Honor, Author

Matthew Skaggs

Author

Daniel Kemp

Author

Saturday June 27, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm EDT
CC - Meeting Room 5 (Main Event) Chattanooga Convention Center 1 Carter St, Chattanooga, TN 37403

Literary/Publishing, Panel

4:00pm EDT

The Worlds of Edie Skye and Jacob Holo

Saturday June 27, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm EDT

M - Plaza Ballroom A/B

Come join our Masters of Ceremonies as they discuss the literary Worlds of Edie Skye and Jacob Holo

Moderators

H.P. Holo

LibertyCon 38 Master of Ceremonies, Author

Jacob Holo

LibertyCon 38 Master of Ceremonies, Author

Saturday June 27, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm EDT
M - Plaza Ballroom A/B Chattanooga Marriott Downtown 2 Carter St, Chattanooga, TN 37402, USA

Literary/Publishing, Panel

4:00pm EDT

Worst Writing Advice

Saturday June 27, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm EDT

M - Plaza Ballroom C

Kal Spriggs moderates a panel discussion going over some of the worst writing advice we have ever received, much of it from professional writers, editors, and publishers. We'll talk about what the advice was, why it was bad, and what to do instead.

Moderators

Kal Spriggs

Author

Guests

Amy DuBoff

Author

A.K. (Amy) DuBoff is an award-winning and USA Today bestselling indie author and screenwriter. She’s a lifelong fan of science fiction and fantasy in all its forms, including books, movies, shows, and games—and if it involves outer space, even better! Bringing her love of the... Read More →

Terry Maggert

Author, Editor, Publisher, Past GoH

Jason Cordova

Author, Editor

National bestselling author Jason Cordova is both a John W. Campbell Award and Dragon Award finalist (though not in the same year). He is the author of Mountain of Fire, To Tread Obsidian Shores (w/ Melissa Olthoff), and Monster Hunter Memoirs: Fever (w/ Larry Correia), and edito... Read More →

Saturday June 27, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm EDT
M - Plaza Ballroom C

Literary/Publishing, Panel

5:00pm EDT

Building and Sustaining the Culture of Your Writing Group

Saturday June 27, 2026 5:00pm - 6:00pm EDT

Building and Sustaining the Culture of Your Writing Group Discuss core values (e.g., trust, accountability, fun), why they matter for productivity, and how to evolve them. Emphasizes long-term benefits of culture in a writing group, appealing to both new and veteran attendees. Alpha Mercs hosts.

Moderators

Jamie Henson

Editor

Guests

Richard Cartwright

Author

Zane Voss

Author

Sam Robb

Author

T.C. Ross

Author

Saturday June 27, 2026 5:00pm - 6:00pm EDT
CC - Meeting Room 5 (Main Event) Chattanooga Convention Center 1 Carter St, Chattanooga, TN 37403

Literary/Publishing, Round Table

5:00pm EDT

Destroyer of Worlds

Saturday June 27, 2026 5:00pm - 6:00pm EDT

M - Plaza Ballroom C

LGOH Nicholas Sansbury Smith will moderate "Destroyer of Worlds", an in-depth look at writing post apocalyptic fiction.

Moderators

Nicholas Sansbury Smith

LibertyCon 38 Literary Guest of Honor, Author

Guests

Chris Woods

Author, Past Special GoH

M.D. Boncher

Author

Sarah A. Hoyt

Author, Past LGoH

Marina Fontaine

Author

Marina Fontaine is a Russian by birth, an American by choice, and a writer of
optimistic fiction.

She uses her experience of living in a totalitarian society to demonstrate how human yearning for freedom and love endures in the darkest of circumstances.

Her dystopian works incl... Read More →

Saturday June 27, 2026 5:00pm - 6:00pm EDT
M - Plaza Ballroom C

Literary/Publishing, Panel

5:00pm EDT

On Writing Boy's Adventure Books

Saturday June 27, 2026 5:00pm - 6:00pm EDT

M - Plaza Ballroom A/B

On Writing Boy's Adventure Books - Raconteur Press authors discuss the art of writing adventure books for boys. Chris DiNote hosts.

Moderators

Chris DiNote

Author

Guests

Nick Nethery

Author, Editor

Rita Beeman

Publisher

Rita Beeman lives with her wiener dogs in Texas, where she loves to tend plants that thrive on her level of neglect.

Fred Phillips

Author

Laura Begley

Editor

Janet Spaulding

Editor

Saturday June 27, 2026 5:00pm - 6:00pm EDT
M - Plaza Ballroom A/B Chattanooga Marriott Downtown 2 Carter St, Chattanooga, TN 37402, USA

Literary/Publishing, Panel

5:00pm EDT

Putting the Science in Science Fiction

Saturday June 27, 2026 5:00pm - 6:00pm EDT

Wil McCarthy hosts "Putting the Science in Science Fiction," a discussion on how to translate technical and scientific fact into accessible fiction.

Moderators

Wil McCarthy

Author

Guests

James P. Nettles

Author

With a 30-plus-year career in consulting, Nettles has advised a diverse range of clients, from startups to Fortune 100 companies in financial technologies, media, entertainment, and green technologies. His work focuses on privacy, futurism, and disruptive technologies, exploring how... Read More →

Fred Hughes

Author

Devon Eriksen

Author

Stephanie Osborn

Author, STEM, Past SGoH

Few can claim the varied background of award-winning author Stephanie Osborn, the Interstellar Woman of Mystery. Veteran of more than 20 years in the civilian space program, as well as various military space defense programs, she worked on numerous space shuttle flights and the International... Read More →

Karl Gallagher

Author, STEM

Saturday June 27, 2026 5:00pm - 6:00pm EDT
CC - Meeting Room 3 (Workshop Track) Chattanooga Convention Center 1 Carter St, Chattanooga, TN 37403

Literary/Publishing, Panel

6:00pm EDT

Facebook Ads for Authors: Turning Clicks into Readers

Saturday June 27, 2026 6:00pm - 7:00pm EDT

David Sherrer presents "Facebook Ads for Authors: Turning Clicks into Readers." Step-by-step insights into creating, targeting, and scaling Facebook ad campaigns that convert browsers into loyal fans. Focus will be on Ad creative, audiences, ROI, scaling campaigns, and adapting to algorithm changes.

Guests

David Sherrer

Gaming, Publisher

David Sherrer is a born storyteller and has been an obsessive gamer ever since he was seduced by Magic: The Gathering at the tender age of fourteen. He has alternately owned a gaming store, street performed for a living, and survived eleven years in the soul-crushing world of telecommunications. He lucked out by marrying a force of nature (otherwise known as his wife), determined to making living... Read More →

Saturday June 27, 2026 6:00pm - 7:00pm EDT
CC - Meeting Room 3 (Workshop Track) Chattanooga Convention Center 1 Carter St, Chattanooga, TN 37403

Literary/Publishing, Presentation

6:00pm EDT

Spec-Ops in Spaaaaaaace!

Saturday June 27, 2026 6:00pm - 7:00pm EDT

M - Plaza Ballroom A/B

Spec-Ops in Spaaaaaaace!: The popularization of Special Operations military formations continues, even though they represent a small minority of the world’s military forces. How can speculative Mil SF inform readers/watchers of the strengths and weaknesses of these “high-speed, low-drag” groups? Which MilSF properties incorporate SpecOps realistically? Can SpecOps over-exposure translate into humor for MilSF?

Moderators

Rick Partlow

Author

Rick Partlow is an Army veteran with a degree in History from Florida Southern College. He is the author of 51 military SF and space opera novels, including the Dragon Award finalist Direct Fire.

Guests

LL Richman

Author

L.L. Richman has a diverse career background, having spent more than a decade working in radiation physics, and twice that as a director of film and video. Richman is also a pilot and has close ties to the special forces community.

Richman's series feature the pulse-pounding act... Read More →

Casey Moores

Author

Casey Moores was a USAF rescue/special ops C-130 pilot for over 17 years- airdropping, air refueling, and flying into tiny blacked-out dirt airstrips in bad places using night vision goggles. He’s been to those places and done those things with those people. Now he lives a quieter... Read More →

Mike Massa

Author, Past GoH

Kevin Ikenberry

Author

Saturday June 27, 2026 6:00pm - 7:00pm EDT
M - Plaza Ballroom A/B Chattanooga Marriott Downtown 2 Carter St, Chattanooga, TN 37402, USA

Literary/Publishing, Panel

6:00pm EDT

What's New in Paranormal Romance?

Saturday June 27, 2026 6:00pm - 7:00pm EDT

M - Plaza Ballroom C

Gini Koch will moderate this roundtable discussion on what's new in Paranormal Romance.

Moderators

Gini Koch

Author

Guests

C.V. Walter

Author, Editor

Lydia Sherrer

Author

Award-winning and USA Today-bestselling author of snark-filled adventures, Lydia Sherrer thrives on creating stories you love to love, and hate to leave. She is the author of the bestselling urban fantasy Love, Lies, and Hocus Pocus universe of books featuring several series, which... Read More →

Nancy Northcott

Author

Nancy Northcott has loved comic books, mysteries, fantasy, history, and romance since childhood. A sucker for fast action and wrenching emotion, she combines the action and high stakes she loves in the books she writes.

On the way to becoming a published author, she taught courses... Read More →

Lyndie Ferguson

Author

Lyndie Ferguson is the author of the Urban Fantasy Series, THE ANGELQUEST CHRONICLES. She loves paranormal books and movies with quirky characters and larger-than-life storylines. When she’s not writing, she loves to travel and spend time with her family.

Saturday June 27, 2026 6:00pm - 7:00pm EDT
M - Plaza Ballroom C

Literary/Publishing, Panel

7:00pm EDT

What's New in Young Adult Science Fiction and Fantasy

Saturday June 27, 2026 7:00pm - 8:00pm EDT

M - Plaza Ballroom A/B

Shami Stovall moderates this roundtable discussion on what's new in Young Adult Science Fiction and Fantasy.

Moderators

Shami Stovall

Author

Shami Stovall is a multi-award-winning author of fantasy and science fiction. Before that, she taught history and criminal law at the college level. She loves John, reading, and writing about herself in the third person.

Guests

G. Scott Huggins

Author

Marina Fontaine

Author

Laura Begley

Editor

Cedar Sanderson

Author

Jared Austin

Author

Laura Montgomery

Author

K.B. Carlisle

Author

Saturday June 27, 2026 7:00pm - 8:00pm EDT
M - Plaza Ballroom A/B Chattanooga Marriott Downtown 2 Carter St, Chattanooga, TN 37402, USA

Literary/Publishing, Round Table

7:00pm EDT

World Building for Horror and Urban Fantasy

Saturday June 27, 2026 7:00pm - 8:00pm EDT

M - Plaza Ballroom C

Sam Robb moderates this panel discussion on the requirements of good world building for realistic horror and urban fantasy.

Moderators

Sam Robb

Author

Guests

Lyndie Ferguson

Author

Claire Merrick

Author

April Kelley Jones

Author, Editor

Jay Peterson

Author

Megan Miller

Author

Saturday June 27, 2026 7:00pm - 8:00pm EDT
M - Plaza Ballroom C

Literary/Publishing, Panel

8:00pm EDT

Black Swan Events Are Everyday - Living in a White Swan World

Saturday June 27, 2026 8:00pm - 9:00pm EDT

M - Plaza Ballroom A/B

Writing exceptional or unusual events into Mil/SF is easier when the real world is so unpredictable, so often. Panelists discuss how White Swan mentality reflects on works/events past and how it affects their writing.

Moderators

James P. Nettles

Author

Guests

James S. Aaron

Author

Fred Hughes

Author

Wally Waltner

Author

A.G. Thompson

Author

Reared on a West Texas ranch, A.G. Thompson is a veteran of the US Air Force, having served during the Cold War and earned the rank of Staff Sergeant. He earned Bachelor of Arts degrees in both English Literature and History from the University of Louisville.

He has been a competition shooter for around a decade, is an avid reader (as most authors are), and is extremely knowledgeable in military history, especially as regards World War II. He is retired from a 29-year career at UPS, a devoted cat-person with a pair of large four foot... Read More →

Stewart Cobb

STEM

Stewart Cobb designs satellite navigation systems for a living and reads SF&F for inspiration. He earned a PhD in Aerospace Engineering and holds more than a dozen patents. He's been an Air Force officer and a flight controller for the Space Shuttle, but hasn't yet reached orbit... Read More →

Saturday June 27, 2026 8:00pm - 9:00pm EDT
M - Plaza Ballroom A/B Chattanooga Marriott Downtown 2 Carter St, Chattanooga, TN 37402, USA

Literary/Publishing, Panel

8:00pm EDT

What Makes for a Good Editor?

Saturday June 27, 2026 8:00pm - 9:00pm EDT

M - Plaza Ballroom C

What are the skillsets that make for a good editor? Editor's across several areas dish on the essential skills that are across the board.

Moderators

Patricia McIntosh-Mize

Editor

Guests

Jesse James Fain

Author

Megan Sloane

Editor

Megan Sloane is an editor of prose and comic book stories. She is a senior editor at 1First Comics and received her editing certificate from the University of California: Berkeley. Yes, she will receive your (written) comic book pitches and evaluate your comic sample pages.

Amanda Montandon

Author, Editor

D. Jason Fleming

Author, Editor

—

Debbie Reynolds

Author, Editor

Saturday June 27, 2026 8:00pm - 9:00pm EDT
M - Plaza Ballroom C

Literary/Publishing, Panel

9:00pm EDT

Author Branding 101: Building a Brand That Sells Books

Saturday June 27, 2026 9:00pm - 10:00pm EDT

David Sherrer presents "Author Branding 101: Building a Brand That Sells Books." Discover how to define your author identity, craft consistent visuals, and connect with readers across all platforms. Focus will be on Author identity, consistent messaging, building reader trust, Expanding your brand.

Guests

Lydia Sherrer

Author

David Sherrer

Gaming, Publisher

Saturday June 27, 2026 9:00pm - 10:00pm EDT
CC - Meeting Room 3 (Workshop Track) Chattanooga Convention Center 1 Carter St, Chattanooga, TN 37403

Literary/Publishing, Presentation

9:00pm EDT

Writing for the Comics

Saturday June 27, 2026 9:00pm - 10:00pm EDT

M - Plaza Ballroom A/B

How different is writing for the comics than say writing for anthologies? Insiders provide how it is done.

Moderators

Nancy Northcott

Author

Guests

Sarah A. Hoyt

Author, Past LGoH

John Ringo

Author, Past LGoH

John Ringo's science fiction is action-oriented and abounding in characters to root for. He is the creator of the New York Times best-selling military science fiction series The Posleen Wars, with over one million copies in print. Ringo is also the author of the far-future science... Read More →

David Boop

Author

Bill Willingham

Author, Artist

Megan Sloane

Editor

Saturday June 27, 2026 9:00pm - 10:00pm EDT
M - Plaza Ballroom A/B Chattanooga Marriott Downtown 2 Carter St, Chattanooga, TN 37402, USA

Literary/Publishing, Panel

10:00pm EDT

Masters of Military Science Fiction

Saturday June 27, 2026 10:00pm - 11:00pm EDT

The Masters of Military SF discuss their craft. Mike Massa moderates.

Moderators

Mike Massa

Author, Past GoH

Guests

David M. Weber

Author, Past LGoH

John Ringo

Author, Past LGoH

Charles E. Gannon

Author, Past LGoH

Saturday June 27, 2026 10:00pm - 11:00pm EDT
CC - Meeting Room 5 (Main Event) Chattanooga Convention Center 1 Carter St, Chattanooga, TN 37403

Literary/Publishing, Panel

10:00pm EDT

The Art of Interviewing

Saturday June 27, 2026 10:00pm - 11:00pm EDT

Jonathan Koan will host "The Art of Interviewing" with fellow seasoned interviewers, and discuss how to formulate and conduct an insightful and entertaining interview.

Moderators

Jonathan Koan

Professional Book Reviewer

Guests

Roger and Janet Carden

Gaming

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

Gary Poole

Editor

Saturday June 27, 2026 10:00pm - 11:00pm EDT
CC - Ballroom E (Main Event) Chattanooga Convention Center 1 Carter St, Chattanooga, TN 37403

Literary/Publishing, Panel

10:00am EDT

The Art of Editing for Mass Market Publication

Sunday June 28, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am EDT

Chris Kennedy will moderate this panel on the art of editing for mass market publication.

Moderators

Chris Kennedy

Author, Publisher, Past GoH

Guests

Bill Fawcett

Author, Editor, Publisher, PGOH

C.V. Walter

Author, Editor

Gary Poole

Editor

Sunday June 28, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am EDT
CC - Ballroom E (Main Event) Chattanooga Convention Center 1 Carter St, Chattanooga, TN 37403

Literary/Publishing, Panel

11:00am EDT

No Girl Bosses!

Sunday June 28, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT

M - Plaza Ballroom C

No Girl Bosses! Writing strong female characters who aren’t MarySues .Balancing strengths and weaknesses to craft realistic female characters, facing daunting challenges and holding their own. Can a strong female character exist in an equal partnership with a strong male character? Yes! She can!

Moderators

M.G. Martin

Author

Guests

Julie Frost

Author

Terry Maggert

Author, Editor, Publisher, Past GoH

K.B. Carlisle

Author

Cedar Sanderson

Author

Alma T. C. Boykin

Author

Sunday June 28, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT
M - Plaza Ballroom C

Literary/Publishing, Panel

11:00am EDT

What are the Tropes of Modern Science Fiction?

Sunday June 28, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT

What are the Tropes of Modern Science Fiction? Our panel of writers will discuss how science fiction is evolving in the modern era, and how it's tropes are evolving with it.

Moderators

James P. Nettles

Author

Guests

A.G. Thompson

Author

Ted Begley

Author

Amy DuBoff

Author

J.P. Chandler

Author

Tim Gilliland

Author

Born in the malarial fever swamps of Memphis TN, Tim was raised on corn squeezin’s, bent nails and broken glass. After a rough-and-tumble childhood in the upper middle class, he went to high school at old-line catholic school for 'bad boys.' Once the bruises healed he went into... Read More →

Sunday June 28, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT
CC - Meeting Room 3 (Workshop Track) Chattanooga Convention Center 1 Carter St, Chattanooga, TN 37403

Literary/Publishing, Panel

11:00am EDT

Four Horsemen Universe (4HU) Roundtable, Mass Autograph and Game Fulfillment

Sunday June 28, 2026 11:00am - 1:00pm EDT

Four Horsemen Universe (4HU) Roundtable and Mass Autograph session with Game fulfillment, Mark Wandrey and Jon Osborne (mod)

Moderators

Mark Wandrey

Author

Guests

David Alan Jones

Author

Chris Woods

Author, Past Special GoH

D. Jason Fleming

Author, Editor

—

Rob Howell

Author, Publisher

Kevin Ikenberry

Author

Chris Kennedy

Author, Publisher, Past GoH

Jon R. Osborne

Author

Marisa Wolf

Author

Casey Moores

Author

Mark Stallings

Author

Melissa Olthoff

Author

Robert E. Hampson

Author, STEM, Past SGoH

Sunday June 28, 2026 11:00am - 1:00pm EDT
CC - Ballroom E (Main Event) Chattanooga Convention Center 1 Carter St, Chattanooga, TN 37403

Literary/Publishing, Round Table

12:00pm EDT

Poul Anderson Part 2 - Science Fiction

Sunday June 28, 2026 12:00pm - 1:00pm EDT

M - Plaza Ballroom C

Poul Anderson Part 2 - Science Fiction: Ben Yalow and Toni Weisskopf will be discussing the following works: Van Rijn/Flandry, Tau Zero, Time Patrol, and Star Fox.

Guests

Toni Weisskopf

Author, Editor, Publisher, Past Special GoH

Ben Yalow

Author, Past Special GoH

Sunday June 28, 2026 12:00pm - 1:00pm EDT
M - Plaza Ballroom C

Literary/Publishing, Panel

12:00pm EDT

The Fae vs. The Undead - Who Wins?

Sunday June 28, 2026 12:00pm - 1:00pm EDT

M - Plaza Ballroom A/B

Across folklore and fantasy the question of who would win in a match-up between Fairy Folk and the Undead such as Vampires and Zombies is an interesting question. Julie Cochrane moderates this discussion of who the likely winner might be.

Moderators

Julie Cochrane

Author

Guests

Cedar Sanderson

Author

Jay Peterson

Author

Geoffrey Mandragora

Author

Louise Herring-Jones

Author

Lucas Marcum

Author

Sunday June 28, 2026 12:00pm - 1:00pm EDT
M - Plaza Ballroom A/B Chattanooga Marriott Downtown 2 Carter St, Chattanooga, TN 37402, USA

Literary/Publishing, Panel

1:00pm EDT

Big Target or Big Capability?

Sunday June 28, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm EDT

M - Plaza Ballroom A/B

Discussion on whether large, expensive, manned systems are a capability or a liability, given what we know now. Are giant spaceships feasible anymore, or do singles ships, unmanned systems and AI dominate the future? The panel returns with fresh real world ammo: the B21 and the Defiant class (ST: DS9 vibes!) BBG.

Moderators

Jim Curtis

Author

Guests

Tim Gilliland

Author

Charles Prael

STEM

Charles Prael is a long-time fan and west coast SMOF of dubious repute, with a resume that looks like a scarf by its length. At the moment I'm launching a hedge fund that will fund several different space/satellite projects, and may wind up paying for a lunar mining base - among other... Read More →

Nathan Balyeat

Author

Daniel M. Hoyt

Author, STEM, Past Special GoH

Nick Braker

Author

Nick A. Braker is a sci-fi author blending interstellar intrigue, time travel, and cosmic alliances in series like Galactic Satori Wars & Essence Chronicles. A LibertyCon panelist on space opera, he also crafts gothic albums like Masquerade of Shadows. Drawing from Indiana roots... Read More →

Sunday June 28, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm EDT
M - Plaza Ballroom A/B Chattanooga Marriott Downtown 2 Carter St, Chattanooga, TN 37402, USA

Literary/Publishing, Panel

1:00pm EDT

What's New from 3 Ravens Publishing Roundtable

Sunday June 28, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm EDT

William Joseph Roberts moderates this roundtable discussing what the coming year holds for Three Ravens Publishing.

Moderators

William Joseph Roberts

Author, Publisher

Guests

Jenny Wren

Author

Jenny grew up in the wilds of South Florida; trading beaches for mountains she moved to Tennessee for college. After graduating and spending a few years as a freelance ASL Interpreter she decided to plant some professional roots and picked up a corporate day job.

After several years of working her way through the labyrinth of getting published, she found Three Ravens Publishing. In the few years since then she’s picked up several Corner Scribblers flash fiction author credits and short stories in both Trailer Park volume I and II and most... Read More →

Lee Ellis

Author

William Lehman

Author

J.T. Arralle

Author

Fred Phillips

Author

Tim Bischoff

Author / Owner, Southern Wilds

Tim “Cajun” Bischoff, born in Kentucky and raised in Bourbon country on a dairy farm. Writing along with cooking, fishing and cruising in his restored 1973 Chevelle are some of his passions. Tim has had three short stories published, the newest as author Timothy Hardy in 3 Ravens... Read More →

Philip K. Booker

Author, Editor

Bart Kemper

Author

Isaac Craft

Author

Isaac Craft writes science fiction and fantasy with horror elements. His flash-fiction stories are in nearly a dozen of the Cornerscribblers anthologies via Three Ravens Publishing and continues to work toward honing his craft. When not writing or reading, Isaac does digital illustration... Read More →

Brisco Woods

Author

Jesse James Fain

Author

Dan Hollifield

Author, Publisher

Marisa Wolf

Author

Chris Woods

Author, Past Special GoH

Rich Groller

Director of Programming, Author, LibertyCon™

Our own LibertyCon Director of Programming, Dr. Richard Groller, is also an author in his own right. He is co-author of The Warrior's Edge (with Janet Morris and COL John Alexander), and a contributing author to The American Warrior (Janet and Chris Morris, Eds.), and to 7 volumes... Read More →

Michael Gants

Secretary, Author, LibertyCon™

Michael Gants is a science fiction and fantasy author and retired Navy submariner. He currently works as an inspector at Sequoyah Nuclear Plant. His other jobs have included nuclear mechanic, anti-terrorism trainer, small craft boarding specialist, programmer, journalist, and aquarium... Read More →

Charli Cox

Author

Sunday June 28, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm EDT
CC - Ballroom E (Main Event) Chattanooga Convention Center 1 Carter St, Chattanooga, TN 37403

Literary/Publishing, Round Table

1:00pm EDT

World Building for Alternate History

Sunday June 28, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm EDT

M - Plaza Ballroom C

Historian Dan Butler moderates this discussion on the elements of worldbuilding for Alternate History.

Moderators

Daniel Allen Butler

Author

Guests

Joseph Hower

Author

Daniel Kemp

Author

Mark Huston

Author

Bjorn Hasseler

Author, Editor

S.M. Stirling

LibertyCon 38 Special Guest of Honor, Author

Sunday June 28, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm EDT
M - Plaza Ballroom C

Literary/Publishing, Panel

2:00pm EDT

Men Writing Romance

Sunday June 28, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm EDT

M - Plaza Ballroom C

It isn't just about her breasting boobily down the stairs, we promise! A panel with male authors who write romance, tips and tricks for prospective authors, and how to try and write something that appeals to a broad audience. Kal Spriggs mod.

Moderators

Kal Spriggs

Author

Guests

Chris Woods

Author, Past Special GoH

Bart Kemper

Author

Terry Maggert

Author, Editor, Publisher, Past GoH

Jacob Holo

LibertyCon 38 Master of Ceremonies, Author

Jonathan LaForce

Author

Sunday June 28, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm EDT
M - Plaza Ballroom C

Literary/Publishing, Panel

2:00pm EDT

The Art of Screenwriting

Sunday June 28, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm EDT

M - Plaza Ballroom A/B

How is screenwriting different from writing a novel or a series of short stories? Come listen as these experienced screenwriters dish on the art.

Moderators

Gary Poole

Editor

Guests

Wil McCarthy

Author

Robert S. Evans

Artist, Author

Robert S. Evans is a Georgia native film writer and director. He attended the New York Film Academy, and shortly afterwards caught the attention of industry veteran Jeff Burr (Leatherface: Texas Chainsaw Massacre 3) . Robert caught his first break with the film "The Last Piece Standing... Read More →

Literary/Publishing, Panel

2:00pm EDT

World Building for Epic Fantasy

Sunday June 28, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm EDT