Convention Recap: Dragon Con 2025 - Panels, Panels, Panels!

So this year I had a lot of panels. A lot. And I loved it! Below I tried to keep the panelist list accurate, but it might not be 100%. Sometimes folks don't show, or get swapped out last minute. 

Title: Business Planning for Authors
Panelists: Rachel A. Brune(M), Bob McGough, Robert J. Sawyer, Jennifer Blackstream, Violette L Meier

This was a good one for me, and I love Rachel Brune as a moderator. It was my second con in a row paneling with Robert Sawyer weirdly. Nothing earth shattering here. Brune did me a huge solid by saying that she follows this blog, which granted me a ton of credibility. I had a couple of folks from the crowd tell me they are checking this out because of that. 

Title: Parenting in the Digital Age (Main Programming)
Panelists: Faydra Black(M), Josh The Dad, Joseph Ard, Bob McGough, Matt Dinniman, Philip D Keating

Main Programming bay-bay! First time being on that for Dragon Con, so that was cool. Cooler was getting to be on a panel with Phil and Joe, and also Matt Dinniman. I learned new things to be terrified of as a parent. Exciting!

Title: Burnout, Boundaries, & Books: Managing Online Identity as an Author
Panelists: Jess L. M. Anderson(M), Bob McGough, Kaycie D.

It's always a worry with a small panel that we might not have enough to say. But Jess did a fantastic time as moderator, Kaycie rocked it, and we had a lot of great questions from the crowd.

Title: The Fantasy Gather
Panelists: A buncha damn folks

Take a ballroom, and fill it with dozens of authors sharing a tables and selling books. I had the honor of sharing with Bobby Nash, and as I said in the selling blog post, I sold a shit ton. You'd have thought I was selling actual meth.

Title: The Possum Posse Meetup
Panelists: Me

My second ever Possum Posse meetup, and frankly I picked a shit time: during the parade, in the Westin, where it's hard to get to during said parade. So attendance was a little lower than last year, but I have zero complaints. The fact that anyone, much less multiple anyones would come out just for me? It's mindblowing, and my heart is so, so full. 

Title: Podcasts Networks! Creating your own, or joining others!
Panelists: Bob McGough(M), Stephen Adams, Aaron Reynolds, Jen Lil' Bit Schleusner, Joe Compton, Bethany DJ Kesler

My only moderating spot of the weekend. This was a panel where I really tried to not inject myself. There were some real experts on the panel, and nothing I could add would be better than what they had to offer. I think I did ok with that. 

Title: Urban Fantasy Track Group Signing
Panelists: Bob McGough, Sarah J. Sover, Charlaine Harris, James J. Butcher, Beth Dolgner, Darrin Kennedy

I talk about the sales numbers on the Selling and Signing post. But this was mostly neat just to watch Charlaine's line. I mean, sometimes you can lose sight of just how small you are by comparison when you get to sit on a panel next to someone. But seriously, the entire line just about was for her. James Butcher had a small line, then the rest of us all had about the same number of folks...all folks that started in Charlaines line for the most part haha.

Title: Digital Media Shark Tank
Panelists: Stephen Adams(M), Stoner Gump, Bob McGough, Paul Barrett

I fucking loved this panel. Folks bringing their ideas and getting us 'experts' to help them workshop the ideas? I mean come on, how cool is that? Adams rocked it as host for sure. And as ever I am blown away by how creative folks are. 

Title: Southern Fried Fantasy
Panelists: John G. Hartness(M), Sherrilyn Kenyon, Charlaine Harris, Gerald L. Coleman, Bob McGough

My dream panel topic, moderated by my mentor, and sharing the table with mega titans of the genre? Fuck me what even is life?! I just wish this could have been several hours long.

Title: Making Bank: Multiple Income Streams for Authors
Panelists: J.D. Blackrose(M), Bob McGough, Oriana Leckert, Jennifer Blackstream, Patrick Dugan, Ellie Raine, David Sherrer

This was a panel with honestly a few too many people. I did not envy J.D. having to moderate such a large crew, but damn she did it with such aplomb that it was inspiring. She was the perfect blend of firm yet inquiring, reigning in the long winded, and making sure everyone had space to speak. I teach this as a workshop, so I was trying to be mindful to not hog the mic. I think I did a good job, but feel free to tell me if I didn't, if you were there. 

Title: Be a Podcast Guest Pro: How to Get Booked (and Invited Back!)
Panelists: Clint Hall(M), John G. Hartness, Bob McGough, Darin Kennedy, Jeffrey Nix

I have done some variation of this panel several times, and there is a reason why: it's always a popular panel. And frankly, I would let Clint Hall moderate me on any topic he wanted, because he's one of the best moderators around. Darrin and I both worked in some puns, unable to stop ourselves in anticipation of the Punnery panel that we had right after.

Title: Take Thee To The Punnery An Exploration of Humor
Panelists: Darin Kennedy(M), Dakota Krout, Bob McGough, Henry Herz, J.D. Blackrose

They let me pun for an hour. Nirvana was achieved. Enough said.

Title: Light in the Darkness: Humor in UF
Panelists: R. E. Carr, Bob McGough, Rachel Rener, J. B. Garner, Ben Meeks, Jennifer Morris(M)

I got to panel with Ben, which you all should know how much I love by now. And I got to tell funny stories from my books, and about them, alongside another friend, R.E. Carr. And this was my second time with Jennifer Morris moderating me on the Urban Fantasy Track, and again, she rocked it. 

Title: Crafting or Re-Crafting Your Author Brand
Panelists: Judy Black(M), Wayland Smith, Sarah J. Sover, Bob McGough, Gini Koch, David Sherrer

This was my last panel, and my only Monday panel. Gun to my head, I would have guessed there would be like maybe five people in attendance. It was closer to 100. But this panel was chock full of my friends, and I can't think of a better way to end the con.