Kelly McCorkendale is a dog-lover, avid quilter, and occasional creative writer who loves the color orange and boycotts cable (except Game of Thrones because, well, what if winter is coming!?). After college, she realized poets weren’t in demand, so she shipped off to Madagascar with Peace Corps. Since then, she’s found a niche working on health systems in Africa but has a long-list of life tasks yet to be fulfilled--such as perform blackmail, learn a trade, and become a competitive eater. She has an MA in International Education, believes rice is the elixir of life, and, in high school, won the best supporting actress honor for the state of Missouri. She may also recite poetry (her first love) when imbibing in alcohol.
In the world of celebrity, John Cleese occupies rarefied air: Living Legend. Monty Python member. Fawlty Towers proprietor. Knight of the Round Table. Minister of Silly Walks. And sure enough, as moderator Stephanie Crugnola introduced him Saturday at 1PM in the Marriott Atrium Ballroom, he shambled on stage, looking a little lost before he sat and said, “That was my… Read more →
Giancarlo Esposito brought his water-smooth voice to the Marriott Atrium Ballroom on Friday evening at 5:30PM, and as a man who often wields it to turn the most mundane words into a cutting threat, he showed that he also loves using it for good; a positive, affirming man ready and willing to inspire and empower whoever needs it. Sitting beside… Read more →
Patrick Warburton brought all the good feelings Friday at 4PM in the Hilton Salon. His iconic deep voice, his family, and his love of Disney were all on full display as he answered fan questions and talked with moderator Crispy, who asked what geeks him out. Turns out, its Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam. Warburton described Vedder a sweet person… Read more →
Kayvan Novak stormed the stage in the Westin Peachtree Ballroom on Friday at 1PM, arms raised, and vampire fangs bared. Behind him, Harvey Guillen slinked past, sat, and waited for the applause to end. Guillen quietly deadpanned: “Anywhere he goes, I go.” Applause erupted again, because if you know What We Do in the Shadows, you know this entrance captures… Read more →
On Sunday at 2:30PM on the Fan Track Channel, the Science Track presented “Virtual: The Science of D&D Monsters,” led by paleontologist and professional Dungeon Master Trevor Valle. He asked panelists Lali DeRosier (science teacher), Torrey Stenmark (organic chemist and costumer), and Stephen Granade (physicist and director of the science track) to roll for initiative to identify the science behind… Read more →
On the streaming Fan Track Channel at 10PM Saturday, panelists, and writers, Day Al-Mohamed, Kristina L. Gruell, Marie Whittaker, and Katie Cross, with moderator Cisca Small, talked about Epic Fantasy and what women writers bring to the genre, going toe-to-toe with men even on toilet talk. Small asked each writer to define epic fantasy, and everyone agreed it had to… Read more →
On the Fan Track Streaming Channel at 5:30pm, moderator Damian Allen guided ‘Weirder Stuff’ superfans Abbie Garcia-Sanchez, Bill Price, Derik Garcia-Sanchez, Elijah Pilgrim, and Jennie Byrd-Peterson through some of the most interesting controversial intriguing bonkers likely (decide for yourself) fan theories for Season 5, which will be the beloved show’s last. Max is imprisoned within Vecna’s mind and will take… Read more →
On the Fan Track Channel on Friday at 4PM, Dragon Con attendees were treated to “The History, Evolution, and Fun of D&D Monsters,” as discussed by moderator Rush Lilavivat and Abby Plemmons, two grade-A Dungeons and Dragons (D&D) game masters. Lilavivat gave a comprehensive overview of the visual evolution of D&D Monsters, discussing how co-creator Gary Gygax started the original… Read more →
