Marcon is a full-spectrum

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, ...

and

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 ...

based in

Columbus, Ohio Columbus (, ) is the List of capitals in the United States, capital and List of cities in Ohio, most populous city of the U.S. state of Ohio. With a 2020 United States census, 2020 census population of 905,748, it is the List of United States ...

, and was on

Easter Easter, also called Pascha ( Aramaic: פַּסְחָא , ''paskha''; Greek: πάσχα, ''páskha'') or Resurrection Sunday, is a Christian festival and cultural holiday commemorating the resurrection of Jesus from the dead, described in t ...

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 Mar ...

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, : " ...

," 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. The genre has a ni ...

, 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. The organizing group, SOLAE, announced after the 2021 MARCon that the 57th MARCon in 2022 would be the last.Statement on MARCon official Facebook page
/ref> However, following Marcon 57, a number of groups put together proposals to continue the convention, and in August 2022, SOLAE announced that Tony Gillian of Chillichote, Ohio, has revived the convention and will take over as the chairman for 2023. "Marcon Ballroom", a filk song by

Anne Passovoy Anne Passovoy is active in science fiction fandom and filk music, and has won two Pegasus Awards. She is married to Bob Passovoy. She has written many filk songs, including "Marcon Ballroom" and writing perhaps the most widely sung tune for Poul And ...

about an incident with hotel management failing to adjust to the needs of

fandom A fandom is a subculture composed of Fan (person), fans characterized by a feeling of 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 significan ...

, 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 k ...

as "Best Classic Filk Song" in 2005.

History

2020s

Marcon 59

Marcon 59 has been announced for May 24–26, 2024, in Columbus, Ohio, with the tagline "join the 8-bit adventure."

Marcon 2023

May 26–28, 2023, Columbus, Ohio. After Marcon 57 in 2022, new management has taken over working with SOLAE, the registered charity organization that owns 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 were: *

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 Honor Harrington science-fiction series. His first nov ...

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

Marcon 56

September 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, Ohio, Columbus. The population in the 2020 United States census, 2020 census was 14,786. The city was founded in 1803 by the Scioto Company led by ...

, 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, Ohio, 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 the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. In January 2020, the disease spread worldwide, resulting in the COVID-19 pandemic. The symptoms of COVID‑19 can vary but often include fever ...

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, Ohio. *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 West Germany to American parents, and raised in Pasadena, California, where sh ...

*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 fict ...

*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'', and with Brian Herbert is the co-author of the ''Dune'' pr ...

*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 * 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 contempor ...

* Media Guest of Honor:

Gary Graham Gary Rand Graham (June 6, 1950 – January 22, 2024) was an American actor. With a career spanning five decades beginning in the 1970s in television and movies, he is perhaps best known for his starring role as Detective Matthew Sikes in the tel ...

* 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 works are alternate history science fiction, but he also wrote humorous fantasy adventures. His works have been listed on ' ...

* 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) 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 pseudonym A. Deborah Baker to w ...

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

Marcon 50

May 8–10, 2015, Hyatt Regency, Columbus, Ohio For Marcon 50 there was no official Guest of Honor. Instead, many past GoHs returned for the 50th anniversary. The con also hosted the Libertarian Futurist

Prometheus Award The Prometheus Award is an award for libertarian science fiction given annually by the Libertarian Futurist Society. American author and activist L. Neil Smith established the Best Novel category for the award in 1979; however, it was not award ...

ceremony.

Marcon 49

May 9–11, 2014, Hyatt Regency in Columbus OH. The theme was "Technical Difficulties". Guests of Honor: * Author Guest 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 and Ben Deschamps * Filk/Kids Science Guest: Tim Griffin Marcon 49 also featured a

1632 series The ''1632'' series, also known as the 1632-verse or ''Ring of Fire'' series, is an alternate history book series and Spin-off (media), sub-series created, primarily co-written, and coordinated by American author Eric Flint and published by Ba ...

"Minicon", with Author Guest of Honor

Marcon 48

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

Joe Haldeman Joe William Haldeman (born June 9, 1943) is an American people, American science fiction author and former college professor. He is best known for his novel ''The Forever War'' (1974), which was inspired by his experiences as a combat soldier ...

– Author Guest of Honor *

Heather Kreiter Heather may refer to: Plants *The heather family, or Ericaceae, particularly: **Common heather or ling, ''Calluna'' **Various species of the genus ''Cassiope'' **Various species of the genus ''Erica (plant), Erica'' Name * Heather (given name) ...

– Artist Guest of Honor * Gay Haldeman – 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 18. He also designed the ''Villains and Vigilantes'' superhero game. He ...

– 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 ad ...

– Special Guest * F. Paul Wilson – 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), w ...

– 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 – Media Guest of Honor

Marcon 46

May 27–29, 2011 * F. Paul Wilson – Author Guest of Honor *

– 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 his ...

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

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

– 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 Wen Spencer (born 1963) is an American science fiction and fantasy writer whose books center on characters with unusual abilities. In 2003, she was the winner of the John W. Campbell Award for Best New Writer. Spencer was raised on a family f ...

– 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 Roan Dunagan (born August 16, 1934) is an American former child actor and retired U.S. Marine Corps major. He is best known for portraying the young son of Baron Frankenstein in ''Son of Frankenstein'' and for providing the voice of young ...

– 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 an American physicist and aerospace engineer who researched laser propulsion. He was responsible for Mockingbird, a conceptual design for an extremely small (75 kg dry mass) reusable ...

– 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 (formerly Heather Alexander; born November 8, 1962) is an American singer, musician and songwriter in the Celtic and world music genres who blends mythical, fantasy, and traditional themes in performances, switching between i ...

– 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 Knot ...

– 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 Awa ...

– 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 authors, fantasy author and science fiction fandom, active fan, known best for his humorous series ''MythAdventures'' and ''Phule's Company (series), ...

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

Jody Lynn Nye Jody Lynn Nye (born 1957) 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 action novels and humor. H ...

– 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 (WotC or Wizards) is an American game Publishing, publisher, most of which are based on fantasy and List of science fiction themes, science-fiction themes, and formerly an operator of retail game stores. In 1999, toy ...

– Gaming Guest of Honor *

Marc Singer Marc Singer (born January 29, 1948) is a Canadian-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 was born ...

– 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 MacLaren in the TV series ''Travelers''. Early life Cairns was born ...

– Media Guest of Honor

Marcon 42

May 25–27, 2007 *

Keith R.A. DeCandido Keith Robert Andreassi DeCandido (born April 18, 1969) is an American science fiction and fantasy writer and musician, who works on comic books, novels, role-playing games and video games, including numerous media tie-in books for properties such ...

– Author Guest of Honor * Laura Reynolds – Artist Guest of Honor (Prism Studios' griffons & such) *

Timothy Zahn Timothy Zahn (born 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'' trilogy, and has published several ...

– Toastmaster *

Kevin Sorbo Kevin David Sorbo (born September 24, 1958) is an American actor. He has had starring roles in two television series: as Hercules in '' Hercules: The Legendary Journeys'' (1995–1999) and as Captain Dylan Hunt in '' Andromeda'' (2000–2005). ...

– 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. ...

– 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 by the initials G.R.R.M. is an American author, television writer, and television producer. He is best known as the author of the unfinished series of Hi ...

*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. Eugene Wesley "Rod" Roddenberry Jr. (born February 5, 1974) is an American television producer and the chief executive officer of Roddenberry Entertainment. He is the son of ''Star Trek'' creator Gene Roddenberry and Majel Barrett and is an exec ...

*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, EBX, and EB World) was 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 Prus ...

*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 1970 novel ''Ringworld'' won the Hugo Award for Best Novel, Hugo, Locus Award, Locus, Ditmar Award, Ditmar, and Nebula Award for Best Novel, Nebula award ...

– Author Guest of Honor * Animal X – Costuming Guest of Honor *

Howard DeVore Howard DeVore (May 26, 1925 – December 31, 2005) was an American archivist, science fiction collector, dealer, expert on pulp magazines, Amateur press association, APA and fanzine writer, fan convention, convention organizer, and active voluntee ...

– 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 mag ...

– Toastmaster *

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

– 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 Geoffrey Alan Landis (; born May 28, 1955) is an American aerospace engineer and author, working for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) on planetary exploration, interstellar propulsion, solar power and photovoltaics. He h ...

– Guest of Honor *

John Levene John Anthony Woods (born 24 December 1941), known professionally as John Levene, 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 tha ...

– 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, who is best known as the author of two series of stories. Her ''New York Times''-bestselling '' Anita Blake: Vampire Hunter'' series centers on Anita Bla ...

– Author Guest of Honor *

Bob Eggleton Bob Eggleton (born September 13, 1960) is an American science fiction, fantasy and horror fiction, 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 Hu ...

– Artist Guest of Honor *

Cecilia Tan Cecilia Tan is an American writer, editor, sexuality activist, and founder and manager of Circlet Press, which specializes in science fiction erotica, a once uncommon genre; its publications often feature BDSM themes. She lives in Cambridge, M ...

– 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 car ...

– 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 – 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 graduated from M ...

– Media Guest of Honor *

– 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 b ...

– 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. Hogan – 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 n ...

– 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 ''St ...

and

Peter Woodward Peter Woodward (born 24 January 1956) is an English actor, screenwriter and stuntman. He is 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''. He ...

– Media Guests of Honor * Karen Bergquist – Costuming Guest of Honor * Bob and Ann Passavoy – Filk Guests of Honor *

– 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. Notable people with the name include: People * Poul Andersen (1922–2006), Danish printer *Poul Anderson (1926–2001), American writer * Poul Erik Andreasen (bo ...

and

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

Anderson – Grand Master Guests of Honor

Marcon 35

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

Janny Wurts Janet Inglis "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 intern ...

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 F ...

* 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 Canadians, 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. ...

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, Ohio, May 7–9, 1999 – Approximately 2800 attendees *

David Drake David A. Drake (September 24, 1945 – December 10, 2023) was an American author of science fiction and fantasy literature. A Vietnam War veteran, he worked as a lawyer before becoming a writer in the military science fiction genre. Biography ...

– 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 the ...

– Filk Guest of Honor

Marcon 32

May 9–11, 1997 – approximately 2800 attendees *

– Author Guest of Honor *

– Filk Guest of Honor

Marcon 31

May 3–5, 1996, Hyatt Regency, Columbus *

J. Michael Straczynski Joseph Michael Straczynski, known as J. Michael Straczynski (; born July 17, 1954) is an American filmmaker and comic book writer. He is the founder of Synthetic Worlds Ltd. and Studio JMS and is known as the creator of the science fiction televi ...

and

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 Virg ...

- Author Guests of Honor *

- Artist Guest of Honor * Joey Shoji – Filk Guest of Honor

Marcon 30

May 5–7, 1995. Theme was "Dreams and Memories". *

Spider Robinson Spider Robinson (born November 24, 1948) is an American-Canadian science fiction author. He has won a number of awards for his hard science fiction and humorous stories, including the Hugo Award 1977 and 1983, and another Hugo with his co-author ...

Jeanne Robinson Jeanne M. Rubbicco Robinson (March 30, 1948 – May 30, 2010) was an American-born Canadian choreographer who co-wrote three science fiction novels, ''The Stardance Saga'', with her husband Spider Robinson. ''Stardance'' won the Hugo Award and N ...

- Author Guests of Honor *

Ray Harryhausen Raymond Frederick Harryhausen (June 29, 1920 – May 7, 2013) was an American-British animator and special effects creator who is regarded as one of the most influential figures in the history of both fields. In a career spanning more than 40 ...

- Artist Guest of Honor *

Kathy Mar Kathy Mar (from Chinese by analogy with non-rhotic accents) is an American 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 s ...

– 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 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 popularized the n ...

– 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 ...

– 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 novels in the science fiction, sword ...

– Artist Guest of Honor * Forry 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 an ...

– Filk Guest of Honor * Tom Smith – Toastmaster *

Denny O'Neil Dennis "Denny" 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 h ...

– Comic Book Guest of Honor *

– Author Guest of Honor *

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

– 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 only person to have won a Hugo Award for Best Novel, Hugo Award and a Nebula Award for Best Novel, Nebula Award in List of joint ...

– Author Guest of Honor *

Bill and Brenda Sutton Bill(s) may refer to: Common meanings * Banknote, paper cash (especially in the United States) * Bill (law), a proposed law put before a legislature * Invoice, commercial document issued by a seller to a buyer * Bill, a bird or animal's beak Pla ...

– Toastmasters *

Lois McMaster Bujold Lois McMaster Bujold ( ; born November 2, 1949) is an American speculative fiction writer. She has won the Hugo Award for best novel four times, matching Robert A. Heinlein's record (not counting his Retro Hugos). Her novella '' The Mountains of ...

– 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 '' Downbe ...

– Author Guest of Honor *

– Filk Guest of Honor *

– Author Guest of Honor *

Rowena Morrill Rowena A. Morrill (September 14, 1944 – February 11, 2021), also credited as Rowena and Rowina Morril,"Rowina Morril" may be a typo, but has been used in multiple works even where the signature on the cover artwork is clearly "Rowena". The 22nd ...

– Artist Guest of Honor * "Moonwulf"

– Toastmaster * Richard Spelman – Fan Guest of Honor

Marcon XXV

1990 *

– Author Guest of Honor *

Melinda Snodgrass Melinda Marilyn Snodgrass (born November 27, 1951) is an American 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, & Everyt ...

– 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 an English-born American comic book writer and novelist. Claremont is best known for his 16-year stint on ''Uncanny X-Men'' from 1975 to 1991, far longer than that of any other writer,Clarem ...

– 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 fiction, horror writer sometimes associated with the Dangerous Visions series of anthologies that bolstered New Wave (science fiction), ...

– 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 St ...

– Featured Guest *

Howard Waldrop Howard Waldrop (September 15, 1946 – January 14, 2024) was an American science fiction author who worked primarily in short fiction. He received the World Fantasy Award for Life Achievement in 2021. Early life Born in Houston, Mississippi, ...

– Featured Guest *

Walton Simons ''Deus Ex'' is a 2000 action role-playing game developed by Ion Storm and published by Eidos Interactive. Originally released for Microsoft Windows, it was released for Mac OS the same year, and for PlayStation 2 in 2002. The gameplay—combinin ...

– 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 people, American science fiction writer and a leader of the hard science fiction subgenre. He also painted astronomically oriented ...

– 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 music, filk performers based in Indianapolis, IN. Barry is a guitarist and songwriter, while Sally is a percussionist (and Music for People (organization), Music for People improvis ...

– 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 science fiction author. He has won the Hugo Award, Hugo,

– Guest of Honor *

Michael Whelan Michael Whelan (born June 29, 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, Pennsylvan ...

– 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 people, American artist known for his work in science fiction and fantasy, with a career spanning more than 50 years. He was known as the "Dean of Science Fiction Artists" ...

– 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 Bill(s) may refer to: Common meanings * Banknote, paper cash (especially in the United States) * Bill (law), a proposed law put before a legislature * Invoice, commercial document issued by a seller to a buyer * Bill, a bird or animal's beak Plac ...

– Con Musician

Marcon XX

1985 – 723 attendees *

– Guest of Honor * Carl Lundgren -Artist Guest of Honor *

– 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 Robert Stratton "Buck" Coulson (May 12, 1928 – February 19, 1999) was an American science fiction writer, well-known fan, filk songwriter, fanzine editor and bookseller from Indiana. Biography He served as Secretary of the Science Fict ...

– 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 author of science fiction, Fantasy literature, fantasy and non-fiction literature. In a career spanning 60 years, he wrote over 100 books, both novels and works of ...

– Guest of Honor *

Catherine Crook de Camp Catherine Crook de Camp (November 6, 1907 – April 9, 2000) was an American science fiction authors, science fiction and fantasy authors, fantasy author and editor. Most of her work was done in collaboration with her husband L. Sprague de Camp, ...

– Toastmaster

1970s

Marcon XIV

1979 – 372 attendees *

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

Marcon XIII

1978 – 264 attendees * A. Bertram Chandler – 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 ghost ...

– Guest of Honor

Marcon XI

1976 – 212 attendees *

– Guest of Honor

Marcon X

1975 – Approximately 185 attendees * James E. Gunn – 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 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'', 1968) an ...

– 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 fantasy editor at Del Rey Books, the fantasy an ...

– Guest of Honor

Marcon V

1970 – Approximately 105 attendees *

Gordon R. Dickson Gordon Rupert Dickson (November 1, 1923 – January 31, 2001) was an 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, in 1923 ...

– 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 S ...

– 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 list of science fiction authors, science-fiction writer, editor, and science fiction fandom, fan, with a career spanning nearly 75 years—from his first ...

– Guest of Honor

Marcon II

1967 (

Toledo Toledo most commonly refers to: * Toledo, Spain, a city in Spain * Province of Toledo, Spain * Toledo, Ohio, a city in the United States Toledo may also refer to: Places Belize * Toledo District * Toledo Settlement Bolivia * Toledo, Or ...

) – Approximately 60 attendees

Marcon I

1966 (Toledo) – Approximately 20 attendees *

– Unofficial Guest of Honor

References

{{reflist

External links

Marcon official website

Marcon Page at fancyclopedia
Science fiction conventions in the United States Science fiction organizations