LibertyCon 38: Full Schedule

10:00am EDT

Guest of Honor Brunch Banquet / Speeches

Saturday June 27, 2026 10:00am - 12:00pm EDT

M - Plaza Ballroom A/B

Guest of Honor Brunch Banquet / Guest of Honor Speeches

Guests

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."

Lloyd Watson

Author

Lloyd Watson is the pen name used by the otherwise unremarkable Pediatrician, Hospitalist, Medical Educator, and Palliative Care Physician, Dr Scott Stephens. Feeling a need to make his life more complicated, he decided his lifelong hobby of writing Sci-fi and fantasy stories should... Read More →

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 →

Morgan Metz

Artist

Morgan Metz: Stuck in nature with a mother who loves everything full of art and color, it was only natural to do the one thing she wouldn't touch, digital art! I've been forced to express myself through a variety of other mediums and even won an award for some of my work! Although... Read More →

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 →

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 →

Ann Robards

Director of Art, Professional Panelist, LibertyCon™

Reading her way through the children's section of the local Public Library, 10-year-old Ann found Ray Bradbury's R is For Rocket and S is For Space in the back corner. Thank you, Mr. Bradbury, for sparking a lifelong love of the Science Fiction and Fantasy genres. Both parents (Mom the traditional artist, Dad the photographer) ignited an interest in and appreciation of art, so it is no surprise that Ann has what she thinks is... 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 →

Teresa Howard

Author

Teresa Howard was raised in Birmingham Alabama and lives there with her furry dachshund friend, Gracie Jane. She is a life-long fan of science fiction and fantasy and her dream since childhood has been to see her books in libraries and bookstores. This is a dream now fulfilled.

I... 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 →

Greg Eden

STEM

Greg Eden is from New Zealand where he trained in radio communications and has worked in England, Wales, Austria, Ghana Nigeria, Sudan and Chad. He has installed radio equipment in garbage trucks, has been a communications officer for the UK Fire Service, has set up paging networks... Read More →

Sarah Martin

Treasurer, Professional Panelist, LibertyCon™

Sarah has been hanging around LibertyCon for years, so it was only a matter of time till Brandy and Don roped her into volunteering as staff and even convincing her to join the Board of Directors, now serving as LibertyCon's Treasurer and Webmaster. Conveniently, she has years of... 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 →

M.G. Martin

Author

M.G. Martin was born to a flamenco dancer and an International Man of Mystery in the great state of New York, ‘lo these many years ago. A precocious child, she began writing stories in elementary school and dreamed of one day becoming a published author. As an adult, she eschewed... 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 →

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 →

Justin C. Feng

STEM

Justin C. Feng is a postdoctoral physicist specializing in general relativity (GR) and gravitation, currently at CEICO at the Institute of Physics of the Czech Academy of Sciences in Prague, Czechia. He obtained his Ph.D. from UT Austin in 2017, and has held postdoctoral positions... Read More →

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.

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 →

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 →

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 →

Becky McCauley Rench

LibertyCon 38 STEM Guest of Honor, STEM

Rebecca (Becky) McCauley Rench is the Astrobiology Program Scientist in the Planetary Science Division at NASA Headquarters. She leads the Interdisciplinary Consortia for Astrobiology Research (ICAR)), which supports large, interdisciplinary astrobiology research teams, and the Planetary... Read More →

Nicholas Sansbury Smith

LibertyCon 38 Literary Guest of Honor, Author

Nicholas Sansbury Smith is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Hell Divers series. His other work includes the Extinction Cycle series, the Trackers series, and the Orbs series. He worked for Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management in disaster planning... Read More →

John Kovalic

LibertyCon 38 Artist Guest of Honor, Artist

John Kovalic is an award-winning cartoonist, game designer and writer. His works appeared everywhere from the NEW YORK TIMES to ROLLING STONE and DRAGON MAGAZINE. His world of geeky goodies includes DORK TOWER – one of the very first webcomics, debuting online in 1996.

John was a co-founder of Out of the Box Games, and helped in the creation of the revolutionary party game, APPLES TO APPLES. John is also responsible for the look of the fan-favorite perennial best-seller MUNCHKIN card game. He’s drawn more than 7,000 cards for the game... Read More →

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 →

Ken Roy

STEM

Kenneth Roy is a retired, professional engineer who is currently living in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. As a long-time hobby he has been working with the idea of terraforming. He invented the “Shell Worlds” concept as a way to terraform planets well outside a star’s Goldilocks’ zone... Read More →

Jeff Greason

Author, STEM

I grew up with middle class parents in rural Oregon, with some of my earliest memories being Star Trek, the Apollo 17 launch, and reading classic science fiction. As far as I know, I've always been interested in science and technology. I thought that by the time I was an adult, there... 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 →

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 →

Gary W. Shelton

Gaming, STEM

Recently retired and returned to the Family farm in North Alabama. 30 years of experience working with the USDA - Agricultural research service in Mississippi, specializing in soybean genetics. Also Known as "Da Fish," has traveled the continental US in search of card games, good... Read More →

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 →

Terry Maggert

Author, Editor, Publisher, Past GoH

Terry likes dragons, caffeine, space, giraffes, and books; order unimportant. He's the author of the Backyard Starship, Gold Medal Marine, Messenger, and Starcaster series, with more on the way. Join the gang on Facebook at the Cosmic Cantina for a laugh or three, and say hello if... 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 →

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 →

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 →

David Bogen

STEM

David Bogen is a veteran power-system engineer whose career spans more than four decades of leadership in transmission network modeling, utility data standards, and real-time operational analytics. He began his career in 1981 after earning a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering... Read More →

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 →

Gerald Hall

Author

Gerald Hall has had an extraordinarily diverse background. A lifelong science fiction fan, Gerald is a graduate of the N.C. State University's School of Engineering. After graduation, he served in uniform as part of the Intelligence Community for more than thirty years, deploying... Read More →

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 →

Paul Sparks

Author

Paul Sparks served as a combat medic in the US Army with three combat deployments overseas. He has been a lifelong geek, plays various RPG's and enjoys reading and writing military science fiction. He lives with his cats in Ohio, where he volunteers with various animal adoption a... Read More →

J. Kenton Pierce

Author

J. Kenton Pierce’s Science Fiction short stories and novels known collectively as the Tales from the Long Night. He lives near Pittsburgh and enjoys writing, shooting, and cheese. His work has been published in Abyss & Apex, the Grantville Gazette Baen's Universe Annex, and several... Read More →

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 →

Martha Knowles

Professional Panelist

Now retired, Martha Knowles was a professional librarian and records management specialist. She was the TVIW Treasurer from 2014-2020, and administrator and Registrar for the first four TVIW symposia. Since TVIW became the Interstellar Research Group, she has continued to be involved... Read More →

Gray Rinehart

Author, Performer, Past GoH

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

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 →

Stephen Fleming

STEM, Boostphase

At various times, Stephen Fleming has been paid to be an optical physicist, laser fabricator, software developer, field engineer, product manager, corporate trainer, marketing executive, salesman, general manager, entrepreneur, author, venture capitalist, board member, investment... Read More →

Kara Metz

Artist, Tri-ME

Kara captures the unique beauty of nature from the enchanted forests of Maine to the stars above. Fantastical creatures, fictional planets, and popular references are just the first few layers in the labrynth of her mind. Watercolors and Spraypaint are her current focus but anything... 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 →

Saturday June 27, 2026 10:00am - 12:00pm EDT
M - Plaza Ballroom A/B Chattanooga Marriott Downtown 2 Carter St, Chattanooga, TN 37402, USA

Main Program, Banquet

12:00pm EDT

Banquet Cleanup

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

M - Plaza Ballroom A/B

Room Reset

Saturday June 27, 2026 12:00pm - 1:00pm EDT
M - Plaza Ballroom A/B Chattanooga Marriott Downtown 2 Carter St, Chattanooga, TN 37402, USA

Main Program, Banquet

10:00am EDT

12:00pm EDT

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