RavenCon
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]
Past events
RavenCon 2006 was held April 21–23, 2006, with Terry Brooks as author guest of honor, Tom Kidd as artist guest of honor, and Lee & Alexis Gilliland as fan guests of honor.[2] The convention took place at the Doubletree Inn at the Richmond Airport in Sandston, Virginia.
RavenCon 2007 was held April 27–29, 2007, with Robert J. Sawyer as author guest of honor, Steve Stiles as artist guest of honor, and Jan Howard Finder as fan guest of honor.[3] The convention took place at the Doubletree Inn at the Richmond Airport in Sandston, Virginia.[4]
RavenCon 2008 was held April 25–27, 2008, with C.S. Friedman as author guest of honor and Stephen Hickman as artist guest of honor.[5]
RavenCon 2009 was held April 24–26, 2009, with Jack McDevitt as author guest of honor and Alan F. Beck as artist guest of honor.
RavenCon 2010 was held April 9–11, 2010, with Rachel Caine as author guest of honor, R. Cat Conrad as artist guest of honor, and Steve Long as gaming guest of honor.[6] The convention was held at the Holiday Inn Koger Center in Richmond, Virginia.
RavenCon 2011 was held April 8–10, 2011, with John Ringo as author guest of honor, and Kurt Miller as artist guest of honor. The convention was held at the Holiday Inn Koger Center in Richmond, Virginia.
RavenCon 2012 was held April 13–15, 2012, with Glen Cook as author guest of honor, and Matthew Stewart as artist guest of honor. The convention was held at the Holiday Inn Koger Center in Richmond, Virginia.
RavenCon 2013 was held April 5–7, 2013, with Kevin J. Anderson and Rebecca Moesta as author guests of honor. The convention was held at the Holiday Inn Koger Center in Richmond, Virginia.[7]
RavenCon 2014 was held April 25–27, 2014, with Elizabeth Bear as author guest of honor. The convention was held at the DoubleTree by Hilton Richmond-Midlothian (formerly the Holiday Inn Koger Center) in North Chesterfield, Virginia.
RavenCon 2015 was held April 24–26, 2015, with Allen Steele as author guest of honor. Other GoHs were Frank Wu and his wife Brianna Wu. The latter attracted some brief controversy when Gamergate supporters attempted to cause trouble at the convention.[8] The convention was held at the DoubleTree by Hilton Richmond-Midlothian in North Chesterfield, Virginia.
Move from Richmond to Williamsburg
The year 10 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, Shaymin 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.[9]
RavenCon 11 was held April 29 - May 1, 2017 in Williamsburg, VA at the DoubleTree by Hilton Williamsburg.
RavenCon 12 was held April 28–30, 2017, in Williamsburg, with Mercedes Lackey as an author guest of honor. Other GoHs were Larry Dixon and Chuck Gannon.[10]
RavenCon 13 was held April 20-22, 2018 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Williamsburg.
In 2018 there was a RavenCon 13.5 that was held September 21-23, 2018 at the Four Points Sheraton Richmond, off of Midlothian Blvd. This was a much smaller convention, which a higher focus on music. Writer Guest of Honor was R. S. Belcher. There were several Music Guests of Honor: MC Lars, George Hrab, Rev. Billy C. Wirtz, and Misbehavin' Maidens.
RavenCon 14 was held April 5-7, 2019 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Williamsburg.
RavenCon 15 will be held 16–18 April 2021 at Virginia Crossings Hotel in Glen Allen. Guests of Honour, Terry Brooks as Author Guest of Honour, and Rhiannon’s Lark as Music Guest of Honour. The COVID-19 pandemic caused 2020's cancellation.[11]
References
- 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.
- 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.
- Sawyer, Robert J. (May 1, 2006). "GoH at RavenCon in Richmond, Virginia". sfwriter.com. Retrieved March 28, 2010.
- "Con Listings 2007". International SF Convention Listings. Archived from the original on March 9, 2010. Retrieved March 28, 2010.
- Waugh, Dionne (April 18, 2008). "Richmond This Week". Richmond.com. Retrieved March 28, 2010.
- "Raven Con 2010". Official Tourism Website of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Retrieved March 28, 2010.
- Hughes, Korey (April 4, 2013). "RavenCon aimed at sci-fi, fantasy fans". Midlothian Exchange. Retrieved October 7, 2013.
- Korsgaard, Sean (April 25, 2015). "No Gamergate, THIS is about Ethics in Journalism". korsgaardscommentary.com. Retrieved January 25, 2017.
- Korsgaard, Sean (June 9, 2016). "Some claim high prices are driving longtime events out of county". Progress-Index.com. Retrieved January 25, 2017.
- https://web.archive.org/web/20170409075718/http://www.ravencon.com/
- https://www.ravencon.com/