Ret-con

Our next guest is Eli Rainwater! Eli’s love for reading started at an early age. She discovered the fantasy genre and fell hard for it when her brother let her sit in on his D&D sessions and lent her his collections of David Eddings and Dragonlance books while he was away at college.

Next up for guests: E.J. Isaacs! He is a new author, with his first book published by Space Wizard Science Fantasy in Oct. 2025. He will also be joined by his wife as a vendor for their shop Moments in Tea!

Our next guest is Dondero! He is a certified Jack of All Trades, he started out as a filmmaker and special effects editor building both digital and practical effects. He have won many awards for both Filmmaking and Editing. When covid hit he switched gears and became an affiliated Twitch streamer.

Deadline extended to February 12th! Don’t forget to book your room with our discounted room block rate for Ret-Con 2026! Follow the link below to book now: www.ret-con.org/location-and...

Don’t forget to book your room with our discounted room block rate for Ret-Con 2026! Last day is February 5th! Follow the link below to book now: www.ret-con.org/location-and...

Our next guest is that one guy everyone knows for some reason: Chris Ross!

Next up in guest announcements: C.H. Carter is a fantasy author with a lifelong love of the genre in all its forms. In middle school, she wrote a fan letter to Tamora Pierce and received the most encouraging reply! That experience cemented her desire to become an author.

Next up in the guest category: a veteran science teacher, Bill Mulligan has parlayed his wasted youth into podcasting, convention panels, indie filmmaking, and storytelling. Within the local indiefilm scene, he has worked on 5 feature films and numerous shorts.

Our next guest announcement is: Alexandra Christian is an author of romance and horror (two great tastes that taste great together). She began her career in 2010 writing paranormal romance and has since branched out into contemporary, fantasy, and dark romance with occasional forays into horror.

Don’t forget to book your room with our discounted room block rate for Ret-Con 2026! Last day is February 5th! Follow the link below to book now: www.ret-con.org/location-and...

Next up on guest announcements: A.M. Giddings is a writer, scientist, cellist, independent filmmaker and aspiring swamp hag from North Carolina. She has a PhD in Microbiology and has authored multiple scientific articles in virology, cell line design, and gene therapy. @gyromita.bsky.social

Next up for our guest announcements: A performer for over 35 years, Chuck Parker has filled many musical roles: heavy metal guitarist, singer/songwriter, open mic host, filk circle regular, and World’s Okayest Bassist™. @cphaurckker.bsky.social

Ret-con is thrilled to announce the return of former Guest of Honor Michael G. Williams! He writes queer horror and sci-fi about outsiders finding their people, including Perishables (Laine Cunningham Award), A Fall in Autumn (Manly Wade Wellman Award), and Servant Sovereign.

Moving right along with guest announcements after the holiday break, Ret-con is pleased to announce Samantha Bryant! @samanthabwriter.bsky.social

J. Yamil is a writer and TTRPG designer based in Durham, North Carolina. He lives with his partner and their trio of feline familiars. He has worked with Stiff Whiskers Press, Goodman Games and Newsarama, where he has showcased his versatility and creativity.

@thetemplesofsyrinx.com

Up next on our 2026 guest list: SYRINX has walked across the stages of entertainment since 1996, from tribute bands and club nights to theater, film, conventions, and haunted attractions. His work can be found in the words you read, the songs you sing, and the pictures that give pleasure to your eye

Next up in guest announcements: Alexandra Higgins (aka the Platypus Princess) is a self-taught singer/songwriter whose folk-indie sound evokes the spirit of Joan Baez (direct quote heard randomly and unprompted at every performance!).

We at Ret-con are thrilled to begin our 2026 guest announcements with William C. Tracy!
He is a North Carolina writer and publisher of queer science fiction and fantasy.
Check out his publishing company here: www.spacewizardsciencefantasy.com

Thank you to North Star LGBTQ+ Community Center and House of Cards in Winston Salem for having us at their event on Saturday!

a digital graphic with a cream background and neutral rainbow and purple text. it reads: “Pride Durham, NC. Vendors: Sun. Sept. 28th, 12pm-4pm. Durham Central Park”

a digital flyer with a white background and red and rainbow logos/words. it reads: “Pride Durham, NC. We Are The Rainbow. Together in Support for Our Coalitions | Environments | Futures. Friday 9/26, Saturday 9/27, Sunday 9/28. Friday, Sept. 26: Justice Concert and Rally | 5PM–9PM at CCB Plaza - 201 Corcoran Street. Saturday, Sept. 27: Community Parade & March | 12PM–2PM. Health & Wellness Kickback | 2PM–5PM at Duke East Campus - 1304 Campus Drive. Sunday, Sept. 28: Food Truck & Vendor Market | 12PM–4PM at Durham Central Park - 501 Foster Street.”

hey #durhamnc! I’ll be vending at #Pride on Saturday, Sept. 28th. my little gold tent will be set up with many goodies in Durham Central Park from 12pm-4pm! come out and say hi, peep through some free stuff I’m bringing, and take home some 100% human-made art! 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

Thanks as always to @mockatoo.bsky.social and @orthaneproductions.bsky.social for our lovely banners!

Ret-con staff stand behind a table at Ret-con's booth for Greensboro Pride

🌈Join us in downtown Greensboro for Pride! We are right in front of Melrose on Church Street!

Our 2026 dealer and guest applications deadline has been extended! Do you or someone you know still need to apply? The time is now!
www.ret-con.org/applications

Need a sweet treat in the Triad? Check out Uncle Cheesecake in High Point, NC! Owned by a former Chopped contestant, and they also offer classes! #blackbusinessmonth

A Black vampire lady crawls toward the viewer with blood dripping down her chin. The text reads: "Black and Bloody Kickstarter, linked below"

Our Black and Bloody Kickstarter is LIVE and is 33% funded! Please help us reach our goal and get this nice vampire lady (who will only nibble on you a little bit she swears!) on a tote bag if we reach our stretch goal!
Linked below!

#BlackVampires #Blackcomics #anthology #comicanthology #sinners

Our 2026 dealer and guest applications deadline has been extended! Do you or someone you know still need to apply? The time is now!
www.ret-con.org/applications

If you find yourself in Greensboro, check out Ben’s Boyz for delicious food, and local art and books! #blackbusinessmonth bensboyzfood.com/next-chapter...

Next up for #blackbusinessmonth shoutouts: author, martial artist, and rapper VVITCHBOY. Check out his new song OUR LADY UNDERGROUND! @mmagoth.bsky.social open.spotify.com/artist/373om...

Pre-registration for Ret-con 2026 weekend badges, as well as the special discounted room rate are now available on our website! We will return to the DoubleTree Hotel Raleigh-Durham AirPort at Research Triangle Park. Join us March 6-8th!
www.ret-con.org