RavenCon

Last updated
RavenCon
StatusActive
Genre Multigenre
Venue Virginia Crossings Hotel and Convention Center
Location(s) Richmond, Virginia
CountryUnited States
Inaugurated2006
Organized byMichael Pederson
Website www.ravencon.com OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg

RavenCon is an annual American science fiction convention founded in 2006 and held in Richmond, Virginia. [1] The name RavenCon was chosen as a tribute to author Edgar Allan Poe, who lived in Richmond for a time. [2] The convention runs over 300 hours of programming and activities featuring authors and panelists across genres, including horror, sci-fi, fantasy, military fiction, and other areas of fan cultures.

Contents

The Webster Award

In 2018, RavenCon launched The Clarence Howard “Bud” Webster Award [3] in memory of friend of the convention, Bud Webster, who passed away in 2016. The award is to recognize outstanding achievements in writing by Virginia writers. [4]

Past winners

Scheduled events

Programming

Bishop O'Connell book reading at RavenCon Bishop O'Connel Reading.jpg
Bishop O'Connell book reading at RavenCon

As of 2024 RavenCon has over 12 different tracks of programming featuring author book readings, animation, art/artists, costuming, current events, science/technology, writing, gaming and literature among them.

Book Launches

Over the years the convention has hosted numerous book launches. In 2023 they hosted the launch party for Murderbirds: An Avian Anthology, edited by Mike Jack Stombous.

Music and media

The convention runs multiple musical panels and concerts with a focus on filking acts and filk writing workshops.

Gaming

Gaming at RavenCon 16 RavenCon Gaming-JM200204.jpg
Gaming at RavenCon 16

The convention runs a 24/3 gaming room which includes board games, miniature games, collectible card games, role playing games and more. Events are run by seasoned game masters to just pick up and go. [5]

Masquerade

RavenCon hosts an open to all cosplay contest the Saturday night of the convention. They also have a hall cosplay contest for those not wanting to brave the stage. [6]

Themed events

RavenCon 16 also saw the introduction of The Gothic Wonderland Tea Party. In 2016 RavenCon also hosted FanHistoricon 13, with a track of panels and guests that focused exclusively on the history of fandom.

Starting in 2019 RavenCon started running themed Escape Room's for the guests, like Vampire Masquerade and Multiversal Mayhem. In 2022 they started a 2nd Escape Room. [7]

History

RavenCon 2015 was the last time that RavenCon would be held at the DoubleTree by Hilton Richmond-Midlothian in North Chesterfield, Virginia, when the owner of the hotel, Shamin hotels of Chester, Virginia, asked for a 600 percent increase in rates. Following this, RavenCon moved from Richmond and later events would be held in Williamsburg, Virginia at the DoubleTree by Hilton Williamsburg. [8]

RavenCon 15 had been scheduled to take place in April 2020 and was cancelled a few weeks before the convention. It was rescheduled for April 2021 and then cancelled again. To raise money for refunds and to keep the convention operating during the two years of cancellations, authors donated stories for an anthology with the proceeds going to the convention. The fundraiser was successful, and the convention produced CORVID-19: A RavenCon Anthology, edited by Michael D. Pederson.[ citation needed ]

RavenCon's concert events marked a brief return to Richmond which was made permanent when they signed a contract with Virginia Crossings Hotel and Conference Center in Glen Allen, Virginia. After RavenCon 14.5, all future events would be held in Richmond.[ citation needed ]

RavenCon past events

YearDatesNameVenueLocationGuests of Honor
2006April 21–2RavenCon 2006Doubletree Inn at the Richmond Airport Sandston, Virginia Terry Brooks - author, Tom Kidd - artist, Lee & Alexis Gilliland - fans [2]
2007April 27–29RavenCon 2007Doubletree Inn at the Richmond Airport Sandston, Virginia [9] Robert J. Sawyer - author, Steve Stiles - artist, Jan Howard Finder - fan [10]
2008April 25–27RavenCon 2008 C.S. Friedman - author, Stephen Hickman - artist [11]
2009April 24–26RavenCon 2009 Jack McDevitt - author, Alan F. Beck - artist
2010April 9–11RavenCon 2010Holiday Inn Koger Center Richmond, Virginia Rachel Caine - author, R. Cat Conrad - artist, Steve Long - gaming [12]
2011April 8–10RavenCon 2011Holiday Inn Koger Center Richmond, Virginia John Ringo - author, Kurt Miller - artist
2012April 13–15RavenCon 2012Holiday Inn Koger Center Richmond, Virginia Glen Cook - author, Matthew Stewart - artist
2013April 5–7RavenCon 2013Holiday Inn Koger Center Richmond, Virginia Kevin J. Anderson - author, Rebecca Moesta - author [13]
2014April 25–27RavenCon 2014Richmond-Midlothian (formerly the Holiday Inn Koger Center)North Chesterfield, Virginia Elizabeth Bear - author
2015April 24–26RavenCon 2015 Allen Steele - author, Frank Wu and his wife Brianna Wu [14]
2016April 29–May 1RavenCon 11 Sharon Lee and Steve Miller - authors, Vincent Di Fate - artist, Ted White - special, Jason Whitt - fan
2017April 28–30RavenCon 12 Mercedes Lackey - author, Larry Dixon - artist, Chuck Gannon and Ed Beard Jr. - special, Professor Sparks - science, Chris AdottaSmith - fan [15]
2018April 20–22RavenCon 13 Chuck Wendig - author, Mark Cline - artist, The Vailix - music
2018September 21–23RavenCon 13.5Four Points Sheraton RichmondR.S. Belcher - author, MC Lars, George Hrab, Reverend Billy C. Wirtz, Misbehavin' Maidens - music
2019April 5–7RavenCon 14 Melinda M. Snodgrass - author, Nikole McDonald-Jones - artist, the Library Bards - music
2021August 8RavenCon 14.5Virginia Crossings Hotel and Conference Center Glen Allen, Virginia Mikey Mason, Dimensional Riffs, Chuck Parker, Dirty Metal Lefty, Dr. Shock and the Electrodes -performers
2022April 29–May 1RavenCon 15Virginia Crossings Hotel and Conference Center Glen Allen, Virginia Terry Brooks - author, Rhiannon's Lark - music
2023April 21–23RavenCon 16Virginia Crossings Hotel and Conference Center Glen Allen, Virginia Esther Friesner and Charles Pellegrino - authors Count Gore de Vol - special. [16]
2024April 26–28RavenCon 17Virginia Crossings Hotel and Conference Center Glen Allen, Virginia Ellen Datlow - editor, Ursula Vernon, aka T. Kingfisher - author
2025April 25-27RavenCon 18Virginia Crossings Hotel and Conference Center Glen Allen, Virginia Alix Harrow, author

References

  1. ↑ Humes, Pete (April 21, 2006). "Their interests are out of this world; Chesterfield couple share a passion for make-believe". Richmond Times-Dispatch. p. D1. Retrieved March 28, 2010.[ dead link ]
  2. 1 2 McKelway, Bill (April 24, 2006). "Next generation of fans near; Sci-fi aficionados gather to game, play roles and talk shop". Richmond Times-Dispatch. p. B1. Retrieved March 28, 2010.[ dead link ]
  3. ↑ "The Webster Award -" . Retrieved 2025-07-10.
  4. ↑ "Nevermore News Issue 004". Mailchi.mp.
  5. ↑ "Gaming". Ravencon.com.
  6. ↑ "Costuming/Cosplay". Ravencon.com.
  7. ↑ "Escape Room". Ravencon.com.
  8. ↑ Korsgaard, Sean (June 9, 2016). "Some claim high prices are driving longtime events out of county". Progress-Index.com. Retrieved January 25, 2017.
  9. ↑ "Con Listings 2007". International SF Convention Listings. Archived from the original on March 9, 2010. Retrieved March 28, 2010.
  10. ↑ Sawyer, Robert J. (May 1, 2006). "GoH at RavenCon in Richmond, Virginia". sfwriter.com. Retrieved March 28, 2010.
  11. ↑ Waugh, Dionne (April 18, 2008). "Richmond This Week". Richmond.com. Retrieved March 28, 2010.[ dead link ]
  12. ↑ "Raven Con 2010". Official Tourism Website of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Retrieved March 28, 2010.[ dead link ]
  13. ↑ Hughes, Korey (April 4, 2013). "RavenCon aimed at sci-fi, fantasy fans". Midlothian Exchange. Retrieved October 7, 2013.
  14. ↑ Korsgaard, Sean (April 25, 2015). "No Gamergate, THIS is about Ethics in Journalism". korsgaardscommentary.com. Retrieved January 25, 2017.
  15. ↑ "RavenCon - Science Fiction and Fantasy Convention in Williamsburg, VA • April 28-30, 2017". Archived from the original on 2017-04-09.
  16. ↑ "RavenCon returns for 16th annual sci-fi, fantasy event in Richmond area". Wric.com. Retrieved September 24, 2024.
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