RavenCon is an annual American

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

founded in 2006 and held in

Richmond, Virginia Richmond ( ) is the List of capitals in the United States, capital city of the Commonwealth (U.S. state), U.S. commonwealth of Virginia. Incorporated in 1742, Richmond has been an independent city (United States), independent city since 1871. ...

. The name RavenCon was chosen as a tribute to author

Edgar Allan Poe Edgar Allan Poe (; January 19, 1809 – October 7, 1849) was an American writer, poet, editor, and literary critic who is best known for his poetry and short stories, particularly his tales involving mystery and the macabre. He is widely re ...

, who lived in Richmond for a time. The convention runs over 300 hours of programming and activities featuring authors and panelists across genres, including horror,

sci-fi Science fiction (often shortened to sci-fi or abbreviated SF) is a genre of speculative fiction that deals with imaginative and futuristic concepts. These concepts may include information technology and robotics, biological manipulations, space ...

fantasy Fantasy is a genre of speculative fiction that involves supernatural or Magic (supernatural), magical elements, often including Fictional universe, imaginary places and Legendary creature, creatures. The genre's roots lie in oral traditions, ...

military fiction Military fiction is a subgenre of science fiction or alternate history, focusing on military activities, such as war, battles, combat, fighting; or military life. Classes of military fiction Types of military fiction include: * War novels, ...

, and other areas of fan cultures.

The Webster Award

In 2018, RavenCon launched The Clarence Howard “Bud” Webster Award 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.

Past winners

* 2018 Chris Kennedy for The Golden Horde * 2019 Cass Morris for From Unseen Fire * 2021 R.S. Belcher for The Ghost Dance Judgement * 2022 R.R. Virdi for The First Binding * 2023 Chris Semtner for Haunting Poe: Edgar Allan Poe's Afterlife in Richmond and Beyond

Scheduled events

Programming

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

The convention runs a 24/3 gaming room which includes

board game A board game is a type of tabletop game that involves small objects () that are placed and moved in particular ways on a specially designed patterned game board, potentially including other components, e.g. dice. The earliest known uses of the ...

s, miniature games,

collectible card game A collectible card game (CCG), also called a trading card game (TCG) among other names, is a type of card game that mixes strategy game, strategic deck building elements with features of trading cards. The genre was introduced with ''Magic: The G ...

role playing games A role-playing game (sometimes spelled roleplaying game, or abbreviated as RPG) is a game in which players assume the roles of characters in a fictional setting. Players take responsibility for acting out these roles within a narrative, eith ...

and more. Events are run by seasoned game masters to just pick up and go.

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.

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.

History

RavenCon 2015 was the last time that RavenCon would be held at the

DoubleTree by Hilton DoubleTree by Hilton is an American hotel chain managed by Hilton Worldwide. DoubleTree has been the fastest growing Hilton brand by number of properties since 2007, and by number of rooms from 2007 to 2015. , it has 587 properties with 135,745 ...

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

Williamsburg. 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. 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.

RavenCon past events

References

External links

*{{official website, http://www.ravencon.com/ 2006 establishments in Virginia Science fiction conventions in the United States Culture of Richmond, Virginia Festivals in Virginia Tourist attractions in Richmond, Virginia Recurring events established in 2006