Kevin Shirley

Happiness Machines

Happiness Machines

Astromechs, R2D2s, K-Nines, and Wall-E units invaded the Marriott A601-602 Sunday afternoon 4PM for the Star Wars Track session “Droid Builders.” The panel, composed of veteran droid builders from across the country including Andrew Schwartz, Cricket Lee, Rob Emery, and Tim Hebel, offered their advice along the way as moderator Eric Cummings took the audience through the process of creating… Read more →

Never Easy

The Fantasy Literature Track opened their Sunday programming in the Hyatt Embassy CD at 10AM with the panel “Military Veterans Who Write,” exploring the relationship between military service and writing. Rachel A. Brune, Jason Cordova, Darin Kennedy, Melissa Olthoff, and Robert W. Ross discussed the impact of military service on their work as authors. The group represent decades worth of… Read more →

The Story Within the Story

The Story Within the Story

Saturday afternoon at 4:00PM the Star Wars track brought together a group of Star Wars authors to discuss both the art and the craft of writing in George Lucas’s universe. Moderated by Bryan Young, the session welcomed Delilah S. Dawson, John Jackson Miller, and Timothy Zahn to the Hyatt Centennial I. Young, a prolific writer and veteran panel moderator, led… Read more →

The Thriving World of J.R.R. Tolkien

The Thriving World of J.R.R. Tolkien

Saturday afternoon at 5:30PM in Hyatt International South, the High Fantasy track hosted a panel that brought members the latest news in the world of J.R.R. Tolkien. From books to video games, the session looked both forward and back. Chief Operating Officer of TheOneRing.net, Kirsten Z. Cairns (Greendragon) led the panel. Joining her were Jim Wert, Rebecca Perry, and Willie… Read more →

Ending Earth's Demolition Derby, with William Shatner

Ending Earth’s Demolition Derby, with William Shatner

Dragon Con’s Trek track welcomed the “Captain,” William Shatner to the Hilton Salon at 1PM Saturday afternoon. The ninety-four-year-old, moving a bit more cautiously than in the past, continues his prolific professional life, with several projects under development. His focus, however, was upon human exploration, survival, and the mysteries of the universe. Last December, Shatner took part in the maiden… Read more →

Marvel-ous Magic

Marvel-ous Magic

The American SciFi and Fantasy Media tracked launched their Friday panels at 10AM in Marriott M302-303 with a conversation about the role of magic in the Marvel Comics Universe (MCU). Moderated by track director Kelley Hawkins, Darin Kennedy, Alice Edwards, Christina Sizemore, and Jack Cullen discussed not just the famous Marvel practitioners of the mystical arts but the dynamics of… Read more →

Seventy-Five Ideas to Build Star Wars By

Seventy-Five Ideas to Build Star Wars By

Dragon Con’s Star Wars track brought together a stellar group of actors to the Marriott Atrium ballroom Friday 1PM for a fascinating hour of conversation. Moderator Steve Denham led Diana Lee Inosanto (The Mandalorian, Star Wars: Tales of the Empire, Star Wars: Ahsoka,) Simon Kassianides (The Mandalorian), Katee Sackhoff (Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Star Wars Rebels, The Mandalorian,) Emily… Read more →

Trekking Forward

Trekking Forward

Gates McFadden, John de Lancie, and Brent Spiner sat down with moderator and Trek Track director Garrett Wang Friday 2:30PM for a conversation with Star Trek fans in the Marriott Atrium Ballroom. This group of actors have long been known for their camaraderie, friendship, and sense of humor. All those elements were on display Friday. The session began with one… Read more →