RavenCon is an annual American science fiction convention founded in 2006 and held in Richmond, Virginia. The name "RavenCon" was chosen as a tribute to author Edgar Allan Poe, 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, fantasy, military fiction, and other areas of fan cultures.
RavenCon 17 will be held April 26-28, 2024 at Virginia Crossings with editor guest of honor Ellen Datlow and author guest of honor Ursula Vernon, aka T. Kingfisher.
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
2022 R.R. Virdi for The First Binding
2021 R.S. Belcher for The Ghost Dance Judgement
2019 Cass Morris for From Unseen Fire
2018 Chris Kennedy for The Golden Horde
Scheduled events
Programming
As of 2023 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 games, miniature games, collectible card games, role playing games 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
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.
RavenCon 17 also saw the introduction of The Gothic Wonderland Tea Party.
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. 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. The convention took place at the Doubletree Inn at the Richmond Airport in Sandston, Virginia.
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.
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. 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.
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. The convention was held at the DoubleTree by Hilton Following RavenCon 2015, the convention began to identify by the number of years operating rather than the current year.