Marcon is a full-spectrum

fantasy Fantasy is a genre of speculative fiction involving Magic (supernatural), magical elements, typically set in a fictional universe and sometimes inspired by mythology and folklore. Its roots are in oral traditions, which then became fantasy ...

and

science fiction convention Science fiction conventions are gatherings of fans of the speculative fiction genre, science fiction. Historically, science fiction conventions had focused primarily on literature, but the purview of many extends to such other avenues of expres ...

based in

Columbus, Ohio Columbus () is the state capital and the most populous city in the U.S. state of Ohio. With a 2020 census population of 905,748, it is the 14th-most populous city in the U.S., the second-most populous city in the Midwest, after Chicago, and t ...

, and was on

Easter Easter,Traditional names for the feast in English are "Easter Day", as in the '' Book of Common Prayer''; "Easter Sunday", used by James Ussher''The Whole Works of the Most Rev. James Ussher, Volume 4'') and Samuel Pepys''The Diary of Samuel ...

weekend in 2013 but moved to

Mother's Day Mother's Day is a celebration honoring the mother of the family or individual, as well as motherhood, maternal bonds, and the influence of mothers in society. It is celebrated on different days in many parts of the world, most commonly in the ...

weekend starting in 2014. It is now operated by the Columbus-based Science Oriented Literature, Art, and Education Foundation, a non-profit educational corporation. The name was originally short for "March Convention," with the convention mascot the "

March Hare The March Hare (called Haigha in ''Through the Looking-Glass'') is a character most famous for appearing in the tea party scene in Lewis Carroll's 1865 book ''Alice's Adventures in Wonderland''. The main character, Alice, hypothesizes, : "Th ...

," affectionately named "Marconi". After the date of the convention moved away from March, the name was re-designated as "Multiple Alternative Realities Convention". Marcon offers a dozen tracks of programming in art, costuming, fan,

filk Filk music is a musical culture, genre, and community tied to science fiction, fantasy, and horror fandom and a type of fan labor. The genre has existed since the early 1950s and been played primarily since the mid-1970s. Etymology and defin ...

, literary, media, and science, as well as events and displays including a masquerade, art show, dealers room, multiple 24-hour video tracks, of gaming space, and at least one dance. Marcon runs a children's track of programming that has included independent filmmakers helping the kids create their own movies (''The Curse of Monster X'', ''Return of the Red Shirts'') and many hands-on art, costuming, and science programs. It is the oldest and largest science fiction convention in the state of Ohio. It was announced after the 2021 MARCon that the 57th MARCon in 2022 would be the last. However, in August of 2022, Tony Gillian of Chillichote, OH has revived the convention and will take over as the chairman for 2023. "Marcon Ballroom", a filk song by Anne Passovoy about an incident with hotel management failing to adjust to the needs of

fandom A fandom is a subculture composed of fans characterized by a feeling of empathy and camaraderie with others who share a common interest. Fans typically are interested in even minor details of the objects of their fandom and spend a significant ...

, was awarded a

Pegasus Award The Pegasus Award is the premier award for filk music and is annually hosted at the Ohio Valley Filk Fest (OVFF). Awards The Pegasus Awards were founded to recognize and honor excellence in filking. As science fiction (sci-fi) became better kn ...

as "Best Classic Filk Song" in 2005.

History

2020s

Marcon 2023

May 26-28 2023, Columbus OH. After Marcon 57 in 2022, new management took over from SOLAE, the organization that had previously run Marcon. The convention returned to Memorial Day weekend, with dates May 26-28 2023.Marcon web page
Retrieved 23 Jan. 2023. Guests for Marcon 2023 will be: *

David Weber David Mark Weber (born October 24, 1952) is an American science fiction and fantasy author. He has written several science-fiction and fantasy books series, the best known of which is the Honorverse, Honor Harrington science-fiction series. His ...

, Author Guest of Honor *Jordan Breeding, Content Creator Guest *Chaz Kemp, Artist Guest of Honor *Carolyn Kay Other guests remain to be announced.

Marcon 57

May 6-8 2022, Worthington OH. It was announced after MARCon 56 in 2021 that the 57th MARCon in 2022 would be the last. Guests of Honor for Marcon 2022 were: *

Mary Turzillo Mary A. Turzillo (born 1940) is an American science fiction writer noted primarily for short stories. She won the Nebula Award for Best Novelette in 2000 for her story ''Mars is No Place for Children'', published originally in ''Science Fiction ...

, Author Guest of Honor *Mitchell Bentley, Artist Guest of Honor * Tom Smith, Filk Guest of Honor *Special Music Guests The Harp Twins

Marcon 56

Sept. 3-5, 2021, in Crowne Plaza Columbus North in

Worthington, Ohio Worthington is a city in Franklin County, Ohio, United States, and is a northern suburb of Columbus. The population in the 2020 Census was 14,786. The city was founded in 1803 by the Scioto Company led by James Kilbourne, who was later elected to ...

, with *Author Guest of Honor

Carrie Vaughn Carrie Vaughn (born January 28, 1973) is an American writer, the author of the urban fantasy '' Kitty Norville'' series. She has published more than 60 short stories in science fiction and fantasy magazines as well as short story anthologies and ...

*Artist Guest of Honor Sara Felix *Science Guest of Honor Wolfgang Rumpf *filk Guests of Honor The Blibbering Humdingers.

2010s

Marcon 55

Marcon 55 had been scheduled for May 8-10, 2020 in Worthington OH, but it was postponed and then cancelled mid-March 2020 by order of the Governor of Ohio, who cancelled all public gatherings due to the

COVID-19 Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a contagious disease caused by a virus, the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The first known case was COVID-19 pandemic in Hubei, identified in Wuhan, China, in December ...

pandemic. It was then held as a virtual convention in May 2020, chaired by Kim Williams.

Marcon 54

May 10-12, 2019, Crowne Plaza Columbus North in Worthington, OH. *Author GoH: Charles Gannon *Artist GoH:

John Picacio John Picacio (born September 3, 1969) is an American artist specializing in science fiction, fantasy and horror illustration. Biography Picacio was born on September 3, 1969, in San Antonio, Texas.

*Editor GoH:

Rebecca Moesta Rebecca Moesta Anderson (born November 17, 1956) is an American writer and the author of several science fiction books. Early life Rebecca Moesta Anderson was born in Germany to American parents, and raised in Pasadena, California, where she li ...

*Science GoH: Bob and Connie Trembley *Filk GoH: The Hopeful Romantics *Media GoH:

David Gerrold David Gerrold (born Jerrold David Friedman; January 24, 1944)Reginald, R. (September 12, 2010)''Science Fiction and Fantasy Literature, Volume 2'' Borgo Press p. 911. Archived at Google Books. Retrieved June 23, 2013. is an American science fic ...

*Author Special Guest:

Kevin J. Anderson Kevin James Anderson (born March 27, 1962) is an American science fiction author. He has written spin-off novels for ''Star Wars'', ''StarCraft'', ''Titan A.E.'' and ''The X-Files literature#Novels, The X-Files'', and with Brian Herbert is the ...

*Local Artist Special Guest: Donna Estep *Cosplay Special Guest: Lady of Rohan *Author Music Guest The Harp Twins

Marcon 53

May 11–13, 2018, Hyatt Regency Columbus * Legendary Artist Guest of Honor:

Larry Elmore Larry Elmore (born August 5, 1948) is an American fantasy artist whose work includes creating illustrations for video games, comics, magazines, and fantasy books. His list of work includes illustrations for ''Dungeons & Dragons'', ''Dragonlance'', ...

* Legendary Filk Guest of Honor:

Juanita Coulson Juanita Ruth Coulson (née Wellons) (born February 12, 1933) is an American science fiction and fantasy writer most well known for her ''Children of the Stars'' books, published from 1981 to 1989. She was a longtime editor of the science fiction ...

* Fan Guest of Honor: Todd Cameron Hamilton * Author Guest of Honor:

F. Paul Wilson Francis Paul Wilson (born May 17, 1946, in Jersey City, New Jersey) is an American medical doctor and author of horror, adventure, medical thrillers, science fiction, and other genres of literary fiction. His books include the Repairman Jack n ...

* Young Adult Author Guest of Honor:

Cinda Williams Chima Cinda Williams Chima (born 1952) is a New York Times bestselling author of young adult fantasy, best known for ''The Heir Chronicles'', ''The Seven Realms'' and ''The Shattered Realm'' series. Her ''Heir Chronicles'' young adult fiction, youn ...

* Media Guest of Honor:

Gary Graham Gary Graham (born June 6, 1950) is an American actor, musician, and author. He may be best known for his starring role as Detective Matthew Sikes in the television series ''Alien Nation'' (1989–1990) and five subsequent ''Alien Nation'' televi ...

* Music Guest of Honor: Dandelion Wine * Artist Guest of Honor: David Lee Pancake * Cosplay Guest of Honor: Alexa Heart * Cosplay Guest of Honor: Mogchelle Cosplay * Guest of Honor: Charles Xavier Conley * Miniatures Guest of Honor: Shoshie Bauer * Featured Author:

Walter Jon Williams Walter Jon Williams (born October 28, 1953) is an American writer, primarily of science fiction. Previously he wrote nautical adventure fiction under the name Jon Williams, in particular, ''Privateers and Gentlemen'' (1981–1984), a series of hi ...

* Featured Author:

Eric Flint Eric Flint (February 6, 1947 – July 17, 2022) was an American author, editor, and e-publisher. The majority of his main works are alternate history science fiction, but he also wrote humorous fantasy adventures. His works have been listed ...

* Featured Author: Walter Hunt * Featured Artist: Andy Hopp * Featured Cosplayer: Nerd Girl Cosplay * Featured Cosplayer: Brit Bliss

Marcon 52

May 10–12, 2017, Hyatt Regency Columbus Guests of Honor: * Jacqueline Carey, * Kristen Simmons, * Charles Urbach, * Talis Kimberley, * Alexa Heart, * Phil and Kaja Foglio, * Jason Hardy, * Jason Marsden

Marcon 51

May 6–8, 2016, Hyatt Regency Columbus *

Seanan McGuire Seanan McGuire (pronounced SHAWN-in; born January 5, 1978 in Martinez, California) is an American author and filker. McGuire is known for her urban fantasy novels. She uses the pseudonym Mira Grant to write science fiction/ horror and the pseudon ...

- Author Guest of Honor * Mogchelle Cosplay - Cosplay Guest of Honor * S. J. Tucker - Music Guest of Honor

Marcon 50

May 8-10, 2015, Columbus Ohio Hosted the Libertarian Futurist

Prometheus Award The Prometheus Award is an award for libertarian science fiction novels given annually by the Libertarian Futurist Society. American author and activist L. Neil Smith established the award in 1979, but it was not awarded regularly until the newl ...

ceremony.

Marcon 49

May 9 - 11, 2014 Guests of Honor: *

Glen Cook Glen Charles Cook (born July 9, 1944) is an American writer of fantasy and science fiction, known for ''The Black Company'' and ''Garrett P.I.'' fantasy series. Biography Cook was born in New York City.Heather Dale, Ben Deschamps,

Marcon 48

March 29–31, 2013, Hyatt Regency Columbus. *

Joe Haldeman Joe William Haldeman (born June 9, 1943) is an American science fiction author. He is best known for his novel ''The Forever War'' (1974). That novel and other works, including ''The Hemingway Hoax'' (1991) and '' Forever Peace'' (1997), have wo ...

– Author Guest of Honor * Heather Kreiter – Artist Guest of Honor *

Gay Haldeman Joe William Haldeman (born June 9, 1943) is an American science fiction author. He is best known for his novel ''The Forever War'' (1974). That novel and other works, including '' The Hemingway Hoax'' (1991) and '' Forever Peace'' (1997), have ...

– Fan Guest of Honor *

Jeff Dee Jeff Dee is an American artist and game designer. He was the youngest artist in the history of pioneering role-playing game company TSR when he began his work at the age of eighteen. He also designed the ''Villains and Vigilantes'' superhero gam ...

– Gaming Guest of Honor * Toyboat – Filk Guest of Honor *

Brian Keene Brian Keene (born September 22, 1967) is an American author and podcaster, primarily known for his work in horror, dark fantasy, crime fiction, and comic books. He has won the 2014 World Horror Grandmaster Award and two Bram Stoker Awards. In ...

– Special Guest *

– Special Guest

Marcon 47

April 6–8, 2012 *

Tamora Pierce Tamora Pierce (born December 13, 1954) is an American writer of fantasy fiction for teenagers, known best for stories featuring young heroines. She made a name for herself with her first book series, '' The Song of the Lioness'' (1983–1988), wh ...

– Author Guest of Honor * Sarah Clemens – Artist Guest of Honor * Paula Guran – Editor Guest of Honor * Dr. Bradley Lepper – Science Guest of Honor * Erica Neely – Filk Guest of Honor *

Manu Intiraymi Manu Intiraymi (born April 22, 1978) is a film actor, writer, director and producer. As an actor, he is known for playing the former Borg Icheb on the television series '' Star Trek: Voyager'', and as Billy on ''One Tree Hill''. His producing ...

– Media Guest of Honor

Marcon 46

May 27–29, 2011 *

– Author Guest of Honor *

Harry Turtledove Harry Norman Turtledove (born June 14, 1949) is an American author who is best known for his work in the genres of alternate history, historical fiction, fantasy, science fiction, and mystery fiction. He is a student of history and completed ...

– Theme Guest of Honor * John Palencar – Artist Guest of Honor *

Leslie Fish Leslie Fish is a folk musician, author, and anarchist political activist. Music Along with The DeHorn Crew, in 1976 she created the first commercial filk recording, ''Folk Songs for Folk Who Ain't Even Been Yet''. Her second recording, ''Solar S ...

– Filk Guest of Honor * Brent Keith – Gaming Guest of Honor * The Extraordinary Contraptions – Special SteamPunk Music Guest * Marc G. Millis – Special Science Guest

Marcon 45

May 28–30, 2010 * Wen Spencer – Author Guest of Honor * Billy Tackett – Artist Guest of Honor *

– Filk Guest of Honor * Central Ohio Paranormal Society – Special Theme Guest * Twilight Creations – Gaming Guest of Honor * Richard Hatch – Media Guest of Honor * Casey Daniels, Shane Moore,

Donnie Dunagan Donald "Donnie" Roan Dunagan (born August 16, 1934) is an American former child actor and retired United States Marine Corps major. He is best known for portraying the young son of Baron Frankenstein in ''Son of Frankenstein'' and for providing t ...

– Special Guests

2000s

Marcon 44

May 22–24, 2009 * Simon R. Green – Author Guest of Honor *

Jordin Kare Jordin T. Kare (October 24, 1956 – July 19, 2017) was a physicist and aerospace engineer known for his research on laser propulsion. In particular, he was responsible for Mockingbird, a conceptual design for an extremely small (75 kg dry m ...

– Science Guest of Honor * Patricia McCracken – Artist Guest of Honor * Chris Conway – Filk Guest of Honor * David H. Lawrence XVII – Media Guest of Honor * Samuel Travis Clemmons – Full Spectrum Featured Gues

* Arnold Blumberg – Featured Guest

Marcon 43

May 23–25, 2008 *

Alexander James Adams Alexander James Adams (born November 8, 1962) is an American singer, musician and songwriter in the Celtic and World music genres. He blends mythical, fantasy, and traditional themes in performances, switching between instrumental fiddle and songs ...

– Filk Guest of Honor *

Steven Brust Steven Karl Zoltán Brust (born November 23, 1955) is an American fantasy and science fiction author of Hungarian descent. He is best known for his series of novels about the assassin Vlad Taltos, one of a disdained minority group of humans livi ...

– Toastmaster *

Rebecca Forstadt Rebecca Forstadt is an American voice actress, best known for playing young female roles in various animated series. After studying theater at Orange Coast College, in Costa Mesa, California, Forstadt began her acting career by working at Knott's ...

– Anime Guest of Honor * Kevin Standlee – Fan Guest of Honor * Sister Sola/Casandra – Costuming Guest of Honor * Ray van Tilburg – Artist Guest of Honor *

Toni Weisskopf Toni Weisskopf (born Antonia Katherine Flora Weisskopf on December 12, 1965) is an American science fiction editor and the publisher of Baen Books. She has been nominated four times for a Hugo Award. She has won the Phoenix Award, the Rebel Awar ...

– Editor Guest of Honor *

Hank Reinhardt Julius Henry ("Hank") Reinhardt (January 18, 1934 – October 30, 2007) was an American author, editor, science fiction fan, and noted armorer and authority on medieval weaponry. He wrote as Hank Reinhardt, the nickname by which he was widely kno ...

– Science Guest of Honor: Mr. Reinhardt died before the convention. The con-com decided to honor him by keeping him as the Science Guest of Honor. *

Robert Asprin Robert Lynn Asprin (June 28, 1946 – May 22, 2008) was an American science fiction and fantasy author and active fan, known best for his humorous series '' MythAdventures'' and '' Phule's Company''. Background Robert Asprin was born in St. J ...

– Author Guest of Honor: Mr. Asprin died the day before the convention. *

Jody Lynn Nye Jody Lynn Nye (born 1957 in Chicago, Illinois) is an American science fiction writer. She is the author or co-author of approximately forty published novels and more than 100 short stories. She has specialized in science fiction or fantasy acti ...

– Author Guest of Honor: Due to Mr. Asprin's death Ms. Nye was unable to attend. *

Wizards of the Coast Wizards of the Coast LLC (often referred to as WotC or simply Wizards) is an American publisher of games, primarily based on fantasy and List of science fiction themes, science fiction themes, and formerly an operator of retail stores for ga ...

– Gaming Guest of Honor *

Marc Singer Marc Singer (born January 29, 1948) is a Canadian-born American actor best known for his roles in the '' Beastmaster'' film series, as Mike Donovan in the original 1980s TV series '' V'', and as Matt Cantrell in ''Dallas''. Early life Singer wa ...

– Media Guest of Honor *

Leah Cairns Leah Cairns (born June 2, 1974) is a Canadian actress. She is best known for her roles as Lieutenant Margaret "Racetrack" Edmondson in ''Battlestar Galactica'' and as Kathryn McLaren in the TV series " Travelers." Early life Cairns was born in ...

– Media Guest of Honor

Marcon 42

May 25–27, 2007 * Keith R.A. DeCandido – Author Guest of Honor * Laura Reynolds – Artist Guest of Honor (Prism Studios' griffons & such) *

Timothy Zahn Timothy Zahn (born September 1, 1951) is an American writer of science fiction and fantasy. He is known best for his prolific collection of ''Star Wars'' List of Star Wars books, books, chiefly the Thrawn trilogy, ''Thrawn'' series, and has publis ...

– Toastmaster *

Kevin Sorbo Kevin David Sorbo (born September 24, 1958) is an American actor. He had starring roles in two television series: as Hercules in ''Hercules: The Legendary Journeys'', and as Captain Dylan Hunt in '' Andromeda''. Sorbo is also known for acting ...

– Media Guest of Honor * Nancy Janda – Fan Guest of Honor * Three Weird Sisters – Filk Guests of Honor *

Pierre Pierre is a masculine given name. It is a French form of the name Peter. Pierre originally meant "rock" or "stone" in French (derived from the Greek word πέτρος (''petros'') meaning "stone, rock", via Latin "petra"). It is a translation ...

and Sandy Pettinger – Costuming Guests of Honor *

Looney Labs Looney Labs, Inc. is a small game company based in College Park, Maryland, United States. It is named after its founders, Andrew Looney and Kristin Looney, and is best known for creating the Fluxx line of card games. The company has three U.S. pat ...

– Gaming Guests of Honor

Marcon 41

May 26–28, 2006 – approximately 2100 attendees Guests: *Author Guest:

George R. R. Martin George Raymond Richard Martin (born George Raymond Martin; September 20, 1948), also known as GRRM, is an American novelist, screenwriter, television producer and short story writer. He is the author of the series of epic fantasy novels ''A Song ...

*Artist Guest:

Jody Lee Jody A. Lee (born June 18, 1958, in San Francisco, California) is a professional fantasy artist from San Francisco known best for her book cover illustrations. Biography Lee was born June 18, 1958, in San Francisco, California. She graduated fro ...

*Editor Guest:

David G. Hartwell David Geddes Hartwell (July 10, 1941 – January 20, 2016) was an American critic, publisher, and editor of thousands of science fiction and fantasy novels. He was best known for work with Signet, Pocket, and Tor Books publishers. He was also no ...

*Media Guest: Eugene Roddenberry Jr. *Costuming Guest: Chris Kramer *Fan Guest: B. J. Mitias *Filk Guest: Dave & Judith Hayman *Steve Lee *Gaming Guest: Pieramyd Productions, Ltd. *Electronic Gaming Guest:

EB Games EB Games (formerly known as Electronics Boutique and EB World) is an American computer and video games retailer. First established as an American company in 1977 by James Kim with a single electronics-focused location in the King of Prussia mall ...

*Toastmaster: Bill Roper

Marcon 40

May 27–29, 2005 approximately 2100 attendees *

Larry Niven Laurence van Cott Niven (; born April 30, 1938) is an American science fiction writer. His best-known works are ''Ringworld'' (1970), which received Hugo, Locus, Ditmar, and Nebula awards, and, with Jerry Pournelle, ''The Mote in God's Eye'' ...

– Author Guest of Honor * Animal X – Costuming Guest of Honor * Howard DeVore – Fan Guest of Honor *

Mike Resnick Michael Diamond Resnick (; March 5, 1942 – January 9, 2020) was an American science fiction writer and editor. He won five Hugo awards and a Nebula award, and was the guest of honor at Chicon 7. He was the executive editor of the defunct ...

– Toastmaster *

Roger Zelazny Roger Joseph Zelazny (May 13, 1937 – June 14, 1995) was an American poet and writer of fantasy and science fiction short stories and novels, best known for ''The Chronicles of Amber''. He won the Nebula Award three times (out of 14 nomin ...

– Ghost of Honor * Tom Smith – Filk Guest of Honor *

– Artist Guest of Honor * Richard Hatch - Media Guest of Honor * Steve Jackson – Gaming Guest of Honor * Steve Saffel – Editor Guest of Honor *

John Kovalic John Kovalic (born Robert John Kovalic, Jr. on 24 November 1962) is an American cartoonist, illustrator, and writer. Career Born in Manchester, England, Kovalic is best known for his ''Dork Tower'' comic book, comic strip, and webcomic, and oth ...

– Comics Guest of Honor * Geoffrey A. Landis – Guest of Honor *

John Levene John Levene (born John Anthony Woods; 24 December 1941) is an English actor, producer, entertainer and singer. Although he has appeared in a large number of films and television series, Levene's best-known role is that of Sergeant Benton, of UNI ...

– Media Guest of Honor

Marcon 39

May 28–30, 2004 – approximately 2000 attendees *

Laurell K. Hamilton Laurell Kaye Hamilton (born February 19, 1963) is an American fantasy and romance writer. She is best known as the author of two series of stories. Her The New York Times Best Seller list, ''New York Times''-bestselling ''Anita Blake: Vampire H ...

– Author Guest of Honor *

Bob Eggleton Bob Eggleton (born September 13, 1960) is an American science fiction, fantasy and horror artist. Eggleton is a nine-time Hugo Award–winner for Best Pro Artist in science fiction and fantasy, first winning in 1994. He won the Hugo Award for Be ...

- Artist Guest of Honor *

Cecilia Tan Cecilia Tan (born April 8, 1967) is a writer, editor, sexuality activist, and founder of Circlet Press, the first press devoted primarily to erotic science fiction and fantasy. She lives in Cambridge, Massachusetts. She also writes about baseball ...

– Dark Fantasy Guest of Honor *

Ellen Datlow Ellen Datlow (born December 31, 1949) is an American science fiction, fantasy, and horror editor and anthologist. She is a winner of the World Fantasy Award and the Bram Stoker Award (Horror Writers Association). Career Datlow began her career ...

- Editor Guest of Honor * Julie Zetterberg – Costuming Guest of Honor * Cynthia McQuillin and Dr. Jane Robinson – Filk Guests of Honor * Bjo and John Trimble - Fan Tuests of Honor * Hugh S. Gregory - Science Guest of Honor * Twilight Creations - Gaming Guest of Honor * J. D. Lees - Godzilla Special Guest *

Dr. Demento Barret Eugene Hansen (born April 2, 1941), known professionally as Dr. Demento, is an American radio broadcaster and record collector specializing in novelty songs, comedy, and strange or unusual recordings dating from the early days of phonograp ...

- Toastmaster

Marcon 38

May 23–25, 2003 – approximately 1800 attendees *

J. Gregory Keyes Gregory Keyes (born April 11, 1963) is an American writer of science fiction and fantasy who has written both original and media-related novels under both the names J. Gregory Keyes and Greg Keyes. Early life Keyes was born in Meridian, Mississ ...

– Author Guest of Honor *

Richard Biggs Richard James Biggs II (March 18, 1960 – May 22, 2004) was an American television and stage actor, known for his roles on the television series ''Days of Our Lives'' and ''Babylon 5''. Early life Born in Columbus, Ohio, Biggs attended the Un ...

– Media Guest of Honor * Eugene Roddenberry Jr. – Media Guest of Honor * Kenny Baker – Media Guest of Honor * Bill and Brenda Sutton – Filk Guests of Honor * Judith and Dave Hayman – Featured Filkers

Marcon 37

May 24–26, 2002 – approximately 2000 attendees *

Catherine Asaro Catherine Ann Asaro (born November 6, 1955) is an American science fiction and fantasy author, singer and teacher. She is best known for her books about the Ruby Dynasty, called the Saga of the Skolian Empire. Biography Catherine Asaro was bo ...

– Science Guest of Honor * Zander Nyrond – Filk Guest of Honor

Marcon 36

May 25–27, 2001 – approximately 3600 attendees * Hosted 2001

presentations and LFSCon ** James P. Gordon – Prometheus Award Guest of Honor *

Doctor Demento Barret Eugene Hansen (born April 2, 1941), known professionally as Dr. Demento, is an American radio broadcaster and record collector specializing in novelty songs, comedy, and strange or unusual recordings dating from the early days of phonograp ...

– Toastmaster *

Robert Jordan James Oliver Rigney Jr. (October 17, 1948 – September 16, 2007), better known by his pen name Robert Jordan,"Robert Jordan" was the name of the protagonist in the 1940 Hemingway novel ''For Whom the Bell Tolls'', though this is not how the na ...

– Author Guest of Honor * Ellisa Mitchell – Artist Guest of Honor * Ray and Barb VanTilburg – Fan Guests of Honor *

Gary Lockwood Gary Lockwood (born John Gary Yurosek; February 21, 1937) is an American actor. Lockwood is best known for his roles as astronaut Frank Poole in the film '' 2001: A Space Odyssey'' (1968), and as Lieutenant Commander Gary Mitchell in the '' Star ...

and

Peter Woodward Peter Woodward (born 24 January 1956) is a British actor, stuntman and screenwriter. He is probably best known for his role as Galen in the ''Babylon 5'' spin-offs '' Babylon 5: A Call to Arms'', ''Crusade'' and '' Babylon 5: The Lost Tales''. ...

– Media Guests of Honor * Karen Bergquist – Costuming Guest of Honor * Bob and Ann Passavoy – Filk Guests of Honor * Geoffrey A. Landis – Science Guest of Honor * Hex Games – Guests of Honor *

Poul Poul is a Danish masculine given name. It is the Danish cognate of the name Paul. Poul may refer to: People * Poul Andersen (1922–2006), Danish printer *Poul Anderson (1926–2001), American writer *Poul Erik Andreasen (born 1949), Danish foot ...

and

Karen Karen may refer to: * Karen (name), a given name and surname * Karen (slang), a term and meme for a demanding woman displaying certain behaviors People * Karen people, an ethnic group in Myanmar and Thailand ** Karen languages or Karenic l ...

Anderson – Grand Master Guests of Honor

Marcon 35

May 26-28, 2000, Hyatt Regency Hotel and Columbus Convention Center, Columbus OH – Approximately 2400 attendees Guest of Honor: *

Janny Wurts Janny Wurts (born December 10, 1953) is an American fantasy novelist and illustrator. She has written several standalone novels and series, including the '' Wars of Light and Shadow'', ''The Cycle of Fire'' trilogy and the internationally best- ...

and

Don Maitz Don Maitz (born June 10, 1953) is an American science fiction, fantasy, and commercial artist. He has twice won the Hugo Award for Best Professional Artist, science fiction's highest honor for an artist. His peers in the Association of Science Fi ...

* Josef and Kit Matulich * Maryann and

Kevin Siembieda Kevin Siembieda (born April 2, 1956) is an American artist, writer, designer and publisher of role-playing games. Career Siembieda is a third-generation Polish American. He attended the College for Creative Studies in Detroit from 1974 to 1977. ...

– Gaming Guests of Honor *

Richard Chevolleau Richard Chevolleau is a Jamaican–Canadian actor, best known for playing Augur on '' Earth: Final Conflict'' from 1997 to 2002.Chris Krejlgaard, "Black actor hoping to play a superhero". ''Times and Transcript'', May 14, 1999. Early life Chevo ...

and

Leni Parker Leni Parker (born November 5, 1966) is a Canadian television and film actress. She is best known for her portrayal of the androgynous alien Da'an in Gene Roddenberry's '' Earth: Final Conflict''. Early life and education Parker was born and rais ...

– Media Guests of Honor *

* Steve MacDonald – Filk Guest of Honor

1990s

Marcon 34

Hyatt Regency, Columbus OH May 7-9 1999 – Approximately 2800 attendees *

David Drake David A. Drake (born September 24, 1945) is an American author of science fiction and fantasy literature. A Vietnam War veteran who has worked as a lawyer, he is now a writer in the military science fiction genre. Biography Drake graduated Phi ...

– Guest of Honor * Erin McKee – Artist Guest of Honor * Steve Saffel – Editor Guest of Honor * Syntax – Filk Guest of Honor

Marcon 33

1998 – Approximately 2200 attendees *

Ookla the Mok (band) Ookla the Mok is a filk band fronted by Rand Bellavia and Adam English (b.1970). The two met as undergraduates while attending Houghton College in 1988, and the majority of their performances have been at science-fiction conventions or in thei ...

– Filk Guest of Honor

Marcon 32

May 9–11, 1997 – approximately 2800 attendees *

– Author Guest of Honor *

– Filk Guest of Honor

Marcon 31

1996 * Joey Shoji – Filk Guest of Honor

Marcon 30

1995 *

Kathy Mar Kathy Mar (; from Chinese ' by analogy with non-rhotic accents) is an American filk singer. Career Mar worked as a professional folk singer and street performer in Denver, Colorado for many years before discovering filk. Her first recordings ...

– Filk Guest of Honor *Many of the cast of Babylon 5 and J. Michael Straczynski

Marcon 29

1994 *

Philip Jose Farmer Philip, also Phillip, is a male given name, derived from the Greek (''Philippos'', lit. "horse-loving" or "fond of horses"), from a compound of (''philos'', "dear", "loved", "loving") and (''hippos'', "horse"). Prominent Philips who popularize ...

– Science Fiction Guest of Honor *

Barbara Hambly Barbara Hambly (born August 28, 1951) is an American novelist and screenwriter within the genres of fantasy, science fiction, mystery, and historical fiction. She is the author of the bestselling Benjamin January mystery series featuring a free ...

– Fantasy Guest of Honor *

Boris Vallejo Boris Vallejo (born January 8, 1941) is a Peruvian-American painter who works in the science fiction, fantasy, and erotica genres. His hyper-representational paintings have appeared on the covers of numerous science fiction and fantasy fiction ...

– Artist Guest of Honor * Forry J Ackerman – Media Guest of Honor * Dr. Jane Robinson – Filk Guest of Honor * David Ivey – Costuming Guest of Honor * Barry B. Longyear – Toastmaster

Marcon 28

1993 *

Michael Longcor Michael Longcor is a folk and filk singer. His songs span a range of topics including military history, Indiana history, and humor. He has won six Pegasus Awards and has been nominated for six others. His music has appeared on Dr. Demento and on ...

– Filk Guest of Honor * Tom Smith – Toastmaster *

Denny O'Neil Dennis Joseph O'Neil (May 3, 1939 – June 11, 2020) was an American comic book writer and editor, principally for Marvel Comics and DC Comics from the 1960s through the 1990s, and Group Editor for the Batman family of titles until his retir ...

– Comic Book Guest of Honor *

– Author Guest of Honor *

Julius Schwartz Julius "Julie" Schwartz (; June 19, 1915 – February 8, 2004) was a comic book editor, and a science fiction agent and prominent fan. He was born in The Bronx, New York. He is best known as a longtime editor at DC Comics, where at various t ...

– Super Guest of Honor * Ray Van Tiberg – Artist Guest of Honor * Animal X – Special Contuming Guest * Jane Yolen – Author Guest of Honor

Marcon 27

May 22–25, 1992 *

– Author Guest of Honor *

Orson Scott Card Orson Scott Card (born August 24, 1951) is an American writer known best for his science fiction works. He is the first and (as of 2022) only person to win both a Hugo Award and a Nebula Award in consecutive years, winning both awards for both ...

– Author Guest of Honor * Bill and Brenda Sutton – Toastmasters *

Lois McMaster Bujold Lois McMaster Bujold ( ; born November 2, 1949) is an American speculative fiction writer. She is an acclaimed writer, having won the Hugo Award for best novel four times, matching Robert A. Heinlein's record (not counting his Retro Hugos). Her no ...

– Special Featured Guest of Honor * Randy Asplund-Faith – Artist Guest of Honor * Sue & Steve Francis – Fan Guests of Honor *

Richard Tucholka Richard Tucholka (February 9, 1954 – April 27, 2017) was a writer, game designer and publisher, best known for his work in the creation of the role-playing games '' Fringeworthy'' and '' Bureau 13: Stalking the Night Fantastic''. Career In 19 ...

– Gaming Guest of Honor

Marcon 26

1991 *

C. J. Cherryh Carolyn Janice Cherry (born September 1, 1942), better known by the pen name C. J. Cherryh, is an American writer of speculative fiction. She has written more than 80 books since the mid-1970s, including the Hugo Award-winning novels '' Downbelo ...

– Author Guest of Honor *

– Filk Guest of Honor *

– Author Guest of Honor * Rowena Morrill – Artist Guest of Honor * "Moonwulf"

– Toastmaster * Richard Spelman – Fan Guest of Honor

Marcon XXV

1990 *

– Author Guest of Honor *

Melinda Snodgrass Melinda M. Snodgrass is a science fiction writer for print and television. In February 2021 Melinda was the Screenwriting Guest of Honor and Keynote Speaker at the 39th annual Life, the Universe, & Everything professional science fiction and fan ...

– Author Guest of Honor *

Gahan Wilson Gahan Allen Wilson (February 18, 1930 – November 21, 2019) was an American author, cartoonist and illustrator known for his cartoons depicting horror-fantasy situations. Biography Wilson was born in Evanston, Illinois, and was inspired by th ...

– Artist Guest of Honor * Murray Porath – Filk Guest of Honor *

Chris Claremont Christopher S. Claremont (; born November 25, 1950) is a British-born American comic book writer and novelist, known for his 17-year stint on ''Uncanny X-Men'' from 1975 to 1991, far longer than that of any other writer,Claremont, Chris. ''Marvel ...

– Special Comic Book Guest of Honor *

Edward Bryant Edward Winslow Bryant Jr. (August 27, 1945 – February 10, 2017) was an American science fiction and horror writer sometimes associated with the Dangerous Visions series of anthologies that bolstered The New Wave. At the time of his death, ...

– Featured Guest * John J. Miller – Featured Guest *

Stephen Leigh Stephen W. Leigh (born February 27, 1951) is an American science fiction and fantasy writer, artist, and musician. He also works as a lecturer at Northern Kentucky University, teaching creative writing. He has published speculative fiction as Ste ...

– Featured Guest *

Howard Waldrop Howard Waldrop (born September 15, 1946) is a science fiction author who works primarily in short fiction. He received the World Fantasy Award for Life Achievement in 2021. Personal life Though born in Houston, Mississippi, Waldrop has spent ...

– Featured Guest * Walton Simons – Featured Guest *

– Featured Guest

1980s

Marcon XXIV

1989 – 1244 attendees *

Hal Clement Harry Clement Stubbs (May 30, 1922 – October 29, 2003), better known by the pen name Hal Clement, was an American science fiction writer and a leader of the hard science fiction subgenre. He also painted astronomically oriented artworks under ...

– Guest of Honor * Todd Cameron Hamilton – Artist Guest of Honor *

Barry and Sally Childs-Helton Barry and Sally Childs-Helton are a husband-and-wife duo of filk performers based in Indianapolis, IN. Barry is an accomplished guitarist and prolific songwriter, while Sally is a creative percussionist (as well as a certified Music for People im ...

– Filking Guests of Honor * Steve Jackson – Gaming Guest of Honor

Marcon XXIII

1988 – 1050 attendees *

David Brin Glen David Brin (born October 6, 1950) is an American scientist and author of science fiction. He has won the Hugo,Michael Whelan Michael Whelan (born 29 June 1950) is an Americans, American artist of imaginative Realism (arts), realism. For more than 30 years, he worked as an illustrator, specializing in science fiction and fantasy cover art. Since the mid-1990s, he has ...

– Artist Guest of Honor * Bill Sutton – Toastmaster *

– Gaming Guest of Honor

Marcon XXII

1987 – 960 attendees *

Michael P. Kube-McDowell Michael Paul Kube-McDowell (born August 29, 1954), also known as Michael McDowell or Michael P. McDowell, is an American science fiction and non-fiction author. Background Born Michael Paul McDowell on August 29, 1954 (Philadelphia, Pennsylvani ...

– Guest of Honor * David Mattingly – Artist Guest of Honor *

– Toastmaster *

– Gaming Guest of Honor *

Tom Savini Thomas Vincent Savini (born November 3, 1946) is an American prosthetic makeup artist, actor, stunt performer and film director. He is known for his makeup and special effects work on many films directed by George A. Romero, including ''Martin'' ...

– Media Guest of Honor * Bill Roper – Fan Guest of Honor

Marcon XXI

1986 – 1056 attendees *

– Guest of Honor *

Kelly Freas Frank Kelly Freas (August 27, 1922 – January 2, 2005) was an American science fiction and fantasy artist with a career spanning more than 50 years. He was known as the "Dean of Science Fiction Artists" and he was the second artist inducted b ...

– Artist Guest of Honor *

Andrew J. Offutt Andrew Jefferson Offutt V (August 16, 1934 – April 30, 2013) was an American science fiction, fantasy, and erotic fiction author. He wrote as Andrew J. Offutt, A. J. Offutt, and Andy Offutt. His normal byline, andrew j. offutt, has all his nam ...

– Toastmaster * Bill Maraschiello – Con Musician

Marcon XX

1985 – 723 attendees *

– Guest of Honor *

Carl Lundgren Carl Leonard "Lundy" Lundgren (February 16, 1880 – August 21, 1934) was an American baseball and football player and coach. Lundgren played football and baseball for the University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign and played eight seasons o ...

-Artist Guest of Honor * Bill Maraschiello – Con Musician

Marcon XIX

1984 – 592 attendees *

– Guest of Honor * Todd Cameron Hamilton – Artist Guest of Honor

Marcon XVIII

1983 – 440 attendees * James P. Hogan – Guest of Honor

Marcon XVII

1982 – 379 attendees *

– Guest of Honor *

– Toastmaster * Buck Coulson – Fan Guest of Honor

Marcon XVI

1981 – 426 attendees *

– Guest of Honor

Marcon XV

1980 – 383 attendees *

L. Sprague de Camp Lyon Sprague de Camp (; November 27, 1907 – November 6, 2000) was an American writer of science fiction, fantasy and non-fiction. In a career spanning 60 years, he wrote over 100 books, including novels and works of non-fiction, including biog ...

– Guest of Honor * Catherine Crook de Camp – Toastmaster

1970s

Marcon XIV

1979 – 372 attendees *

Katherine Kurtz Katherine Irene Kurtz (born October 18. 1944) is an American fantasy writer, author of sixteen historical fantasy novels in the ''Deryni'' series, as well as occult and urban fantasy. Resident in Ireland for over twenty years, she moved to Virgi ...

– Guest of Honor * Wilson (Bob) Tucker – Toastmaster

Marcon XIII

1978 – 264 attendees *

A. Bertram Chandler Arthur Bertram Chandler (28 March 1912 in Aldershot, Hampshire, England – 6 June 1984 in Sydney, Australia) was an Anglo-Australian merchant marine officer, sailing the world in everything from tramp steamers to troop ships, but who later tur ...

– Guest of Honor

Marcon XII

1977 – 222 attendees *

Alan Dean Foster Alan Dean Foster (born November 18, 1946) is an American writer of fantasy and science fiction. He has written several book series, more than 20 standalone novels, and many novelizations of film scripts. Career ''Star Wars'' Foster was the ghos ...

– Guest of Honor

Marcon XI

1976 – 212 attendees *

– Guest of Honor

Marcon X

1975 – Approximately 185 attendees *

James E. Gunn James Edwin Gunn (July 12, 1923 – December 23, 2020) was an American science fiction writer, editor, scholar, and anthologist. His work as an editor of anthologies includes the six-volume '' Road to Science Fiction'' series. He won the Hugo ...

– Guest of Honor

Marcon IX

1974 – Approximately 170 attendees *

– Guest of Honor *

– Toastmaster

Marcon VIII

1973 – Approximately 100 attendees *

Anne McCaffrey Anne Inez McCaffrey (1 April 1926 – 21 November 2011) was an American-Irish writer known for the ''Dragonriders of Pern'' science fiction series. She was the first woman to win a Hugo Award for fiction (Best Novella, ''Weyr Search'', 19 ...

– Guest of Honor

Marcon VII

1972 – Approximately 150 attendees *

– Guest of Honor

Marcon VI

1971 – Approximately 120 attendees *

Lester del Rey Lester del Rey (June 2, 1915 – May 10, 1993) was an American science fiction author and editor. He was the author of many books in the juvenile Winston Science Fiction series, and the editor at Del Rey Books, the fantasy and science ...

– Guest of Honor

Marcon V

1970 – Approximately 105 attendees *

Gordon R. Dickson Gordon Rupert Dickson (November 1, 1923 – January 31, 2001) was a Canadian-American science fiction writer. He was inducted into the Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame in 2000. Biography Dickson was born in Edmonton, Alberta, ...

– Guest of Honor

1960s

Marcon IV

1969 – Approximately 100 attendees *

Terry Carr Terry Gene Carr (February 19, 1937 – April 7, 1987) was an American science fiction fan, author, editor, and writing instructor. Background and discovery of fandom Carr was born in Grants Pass, Oregon. He attended the City College of San ...

– Guest of Honor

Marcon III

1968 (First time in Columbus) – Approximately 85 attendees *

Frederik Pohl Frederik George Pohl Jr. (; November 26, 1919 – September 2, 2013) was an American science-fiction writer, editor, and fan, with a career spanning nearly 75 years—from his first published work, the 1937 poem "Elegy to a Dead Satelli ...

– Guest of Honor

Marcon II

1967 ( Toledo) – Approximately 60 attendees

Marcon I

1966 (Toledo) – Approximately 20 attendees *

– Unofficial Guest of Honor

References

{{reflist

External links

Marcon official website
Science fiction conventions in the United States Science fiction organizations