Guests
MEDIA GUEST OF HONOR-KEVIN THOMPSON
Kevin E. Thompson
Born: June 25, 1959
Pasadena, California. USA
Height: 4’5”
Kevin is one of 6 siblings who always stole the scenes and attention since he was born. He performed in school plays and family skits while growing up. He attended Pasadena City College and Los Angeles Valley College studying cinematography while touring with The Original Harmonica Band and The Hollywood Shorties Smallest Sports Team. Along the way he started auditioning and landed a role in the classic sci-fi film Blade Runner (1982) delivering his first on camera line “Home again, home again jiggity jig, Good Evening JF”. Later he would work again alongside Harrison Ford in the Star Wars IV-Return Of The Jedi (1983). He continued in the made for television movies as the Ewok Chukha Truk in The Ewok Adventure (1984) and Ewok Battle For Endor (1985). Kevin appeared in the 80’s cult films Weird Science (1985), Amazing Stories (1985), Twilight Zone (1986), Night of The Creeps (1986), Garbage Pail Kids (1987), Spaced Invaders (1990), Looney Tunes Back In Action (2003) and Epic Movie (2007). Television brought Kevin into your living room with such shows as “Married With Children”, “Growing Pains“, “Boy Meets World“, “Bob Newhart“, “Carol & Company“, “Ally McBeal“, “Charmed“, “Malcolm In The Middle“ and “Dexter“. A memorable moment for Kevin was being in the opera Tales Of Hoffman, sitting on the lap of Placido Domingo and his favorite role was starring alongside his wife Tracey in the television show “The Neighbors”. They auditioned separately and they both landed the roles. The crew saw them visiting in each other’s dressing rooms between breaks. Towards the end of the day they were talking to the crew as if everyone knew they were married. The entire crew burst out laughing once they realized that they had thought something “scandalous” was going on. The crew had just realized they were married. He has been published in the book “The Star Wars Vault” as well as several newspapers and magazines. Kevin has a few trading cards as the character Ali-Gator and his Ewok characters. There is a Ewok toy with a catapult that was made after his character Chubbray in Return of The Jedi. Chubbray the Ewok has a signature white slash across his face with brown fur. Check out his most recent work on the television show “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia”. He recently appeared in Hulu American Horror Stories as well as a few projects that have been under a “non-disclosure agreement”. More to come! Kevin lives by his own quote: “No role is too small for Kevin and Kevin is not too small for any role”.
AUTHOR GUEST OF HONOR – GINI KOCH
Gini Koch. Mt. St. Mary’s Finals.
© Nancee E. Lewis / Nancee Lewis Photography.
Gini Koch writes the fast, fresh, and funny Alien/Katherine “Kitty” Katt series for DAW Books, the Necropolis Enforcement Files, and the Martian Alliance Chronicles. She also has a humor collection, Random Musings from the Funny Girl. As G.J. Koch she writes the Alexander Outland series and she’s made the most of multiple personality disorder by writing novels, novellas, novelettes, and short stories in all the genres out there and under a variety of other pen names as well, including Anita Ensal, Jemma Chase, A.E. Stanton, and J.C. Koch, all with stories featured in excellent anthologies, available now and upcoming. www.ginikoch.com
ARTIST GUEST OF HONOR – THERESA MATHER
Theresa Mather’s artwork explores a wide range of the fantasy bestiary, from traditional fauna like dragons, gryphons and unicorns to unusual versions of the pets lurking within our own homes, keeping their true nature hidden from us.
In addition to her fantasy art, she has also created full sets of replacement scenery paintings for several antique carousels. Best known for her pieces painted on feathers and stone, integrating her paintings with the natural colors and textures of the surface, Theresa draws much of her inspiration from the world around her.
GAMING GUEST OF HONOR – DWAINE BALIUS
Born and raised in Biloxi, Dwaine graduated from Biloxi High and obtain a Computer Engineering degree with a minor in Film Production from USM. After graduation, he started his career at the President Casino working in the IT department as a developer. He moved From the President to International Game Technology where he works today as a process manager. He currently lives with his wife and daughter in Biloxi.
Dwaine was introduced to miniature gaming at CoastCon ’81 by the Jackson Gamers and has never looked back. He plays just about every period of historical wargaming along with Sci-Fi and fantasy, but some of his favorites are Pulp Horror, Napoleonic’s, and Renaissance wars. You often find him running games at most conventions, as he loves introducing new and old gamers to new rulesets and periods. In 1991, he became a founding member of the miniature convention Bayou Wars. Over the last 31 years he has held many positions within Bayou Wars and currently is the Managing Director.
FAN GUEST OF HONOR – CHIP LECHNER
A lifelong native of the greater New Orleans Metro Area, Chip presently lives in Biloxi MS. A graduate of Biloxi High School and Tulane University, Chip has deep ties to the community. Chip is a veteran of the armed forces serving from 1987-1995 in the US Army National Guard and on Active Duty in the US Air Force where he served as a K-9 Handler and Trainer. Currently, Chip works for the Veterans Administration in the Homeless Program working as a Peer Support Specialist. A devoted parent and son, Chip was also a caretaker to his late father for 12 years.
Chip is an avid collector of Jumbo Machinders, Shogun Warriors, Funko Pops, 501 st, and Rebel Legion Merchandise, and all things Star Wars. He is an active member of the Rebel Legion Costume Club (with 4 approved costumes) and the 501 st Legion Costume Club (with 8 approved costumes) he is currently working on 4-5 additional costumes in various stages of completion. As of this writing, he is serving as the Commanding Officer of Dagobah Base (Louisiana and Mississippi) of the Rebel Legion and is presently the Garrison Web Liaison for the Rancor Raiders Garrison (Mississippi) of the 501 st Legion. Chip is also an active member of the Royal Manticoran Navy, holding the rank of Chief Intelligence Mate, and he is the intelligence specialist of the HMS Barbarossa DD-551. A former member of Starfleet, Chip was a proud member of the USS Neptune NCC-75013. He is also an inactive member of the Whovians of the Gulf Coast.
MEDIA GUEST – ANN MARIE CROUCH
At the age of 15 Ann Marie Crouch started her career as a professional model. 20 Countries and as many years later she was given the opportunity to put acting on her resume and jumped right in. She moved to Los Angeles and began her acting career. One of her dreams came true when she was cast as Princess Shayla on the Power Rangers Wild Force television show. After producing a video titled “Being Beautiful Inside & Out” Ann Marie realized her passion for teaching and inspiring others along their journey. She and her family moved back to Florida in 2007 to begin the next chapter in her life. She now teaches the next generation of aspiring actors and models and manages a group of talent to help them achieve their goals in the industry.
AUTHOR GUEST – TRACEY THOMPSON
Tracey is a Native Californian who spent her childhood surfing and running in the sand. She always loved to write to friends and family across the United States. Nothing stood in her way being a stubborn Taurus. She got involved with Little People of America during her teenage years and found the love of her life Kevin. They have been married 35 years and have a son Wyatt. She served on many PTA Boards as well as on the Board for Little People of America. She advocates for Children with Dwarfism and is the Liaison for The Painted Turtle Camp. It is a non-profit camp for children with serious illnesses. Her son Wyatt has the same chutzpah and heart and is a philanthropist as well. She is the only little person in her family ancestry and her son Wyatt stands 6’4″ with no dwarfism. During the Covid pandemic and being housebound she was tired of hearing all of her husband’s stories about his time filming Return of the Jedi and decided to finally sit down and write this book. Hoping this would quiet him down, but to only reignite his love reminiscing about being an Ewok. Not just an Ewok but a tough stunt Ewok. She is an Actor and has been in the Entertainment Industry for 35 years. She has appeared on the television show “Married with Children”, “Passions”, “Growing Pains”, “Night Court”, “Boy Meets World”, “Sabrina the Teenage Witch”, “Raising Hope”, “The Neighbors” and “Crash and Bernstein”. She has appeared on Feature Films such as Space Hunters, Spaced Invaders, and Austin Powers The Spy Who Shagged Me. One of her proudest roles is with The Radio City Rockettes Christmas Spectacular as the Head Dance Captain. She has other book ideas and she hopes to get to write them soon. For now, she plans on riding the wave with Kevin touring Comic Conventions and Celebrations with their #1 Best Seller “My Journey to Endor”. Look for her and Kevin traveling and seeing their fans on book tours throughout the country. Her favorite quote: “Aspire to Inspire before you Expire”.
REGIONAL AUTHOR GUEST – ROB CERIO
Rob Cerio was born at an early age, and has since grown much more hair. As a comedy writer, he denies all rumors of making inappropriate jokes at funerals. He has published four novels, six short stories, and helped author a YouTube web series. He has also won two awards for his writing contributions to his local 48hr Film Festival. He now lives in Metairie, Louisiana with his lovely wife, two adorable step kids, and a small annoying dog named after a large Japanese monster.
REGIONAL AUTHOR GUEST – ERNEST RUSSELL
Ernest Russell has written for Pro Se Productions, Beyond the Threshold Studios, and the literary journal Violet Windows. His stories and poetry can be found in All That Weird Jazz, The Further Adventures of Ned Land, and When The Shadow Sees The Sun – all published by Pro Se Productions. Monster Mayhem: An Anthology of Monstrous Proportions from Beyond the Threshold Studios.
He was a content and copy editor for “Tales of The Interstellar Bartenders Guild”- winner of the 2019 Pulp Factory Award for Best New Pulp Anthology, and for “Nightveil: Crisis at the Crossroads of Infinity” winner of the 2020 Pulp Factory Award for Best New Pulp Novel.
Some of his favorite things (besides coffee) are science fiction, horror, steampunk, and fantasy books and movies. His writing splits among those genres. As often as possible, you can find him playing board games, table-top, or an RPG.
You can find him at ernest.russell.com, Facebook, Twitter, and Amazon
REGIONAL AUTHOR GUEST – K. D. WOOD
K.D. Wood lives in north Mississippi with her family, a very spoiled White Waug, one old Goblin, and a princess. She creates love stories and smoking southern erotic romance, but not your mama’s happy ever after. A consumer of chocolate, but not spiders, and is completely composed of liquid awesome. When not in her office pounding the keys she can be found under a blanket, cup of coffee close by with her nose in a book. Her available titles are Unwilling, Unloved, Unboundless (paranormal romance series), and Boys of Fall (contemporary romance) Her catalog of work is available in eBook, print, and audiobook format. Follow her on Twitter at @KDWoodauthor, Instagram at @K.D.Woodauthor, like her on Facebook at www.facebook.com/writerK.D.
REGIONAL AUTHOR GUEST – JULIE WETZEL
Originally from Ohio, Julie always dreamed of a job in science. Either shooting for the stars or delving into the mysteries of volcanoes. But, life never leads where you expect. In 2011, she started writing stories to entertain her sister, deployed with the US Navy. Julie currently lives in Mississippi with her husband and son. She’s a bit of a factotum that’s currently acting as a full-time author and part-time R/C mechanic.
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/JulieWetzelAuthor/
Twitter – https://twitter.com/JulieKWetzel
Website – http://www.juliewetzel.com/
REGIONAL AUTHOR GUEST – J.B. GARNER
Z-tier author/S-class editor, but generally awesome, J. B. Garner has written over a dozen novels across multiple genres, edited hundreds. Born near Baltimore, MD in 1976, she’s seen and done many things in my life, but her true passion has always been the written word. She writes fantasy, sci-fi, and pro-wrestling epics, among other things, and is always out to entertain and amaze!
REGIONAL AUTHOR GUEST – JOHN HOLLAND
Tony Isabella, creator of Black Lightning and writer for Marvel and DC, called my comic A Girl and Her Dog one of the best comics of 2022. Along with that comic I published Alma “What if Buffy was a 72 year old Grandmother?” and Robot Sex “Lots of robots, no sex” through my imprint Die Bold Comics.
In the past I’ve done work with such publishers as Fantagraphics, Innovation, Kitchen Sink, Malibu, Comic Zone and more currently with Its
Alive Comics and Antarctic Press. I wrote the Christmas issue of the comic series based on the original Quantum Leap. Two Tons of Fury is coming out in February starring Herbie, Fatman the Human Flying Saucer and other public domain characters.
In the last year I’ve published over a dozen and a half comics through Die Bold Comics and this year will continue to do so, as well as work with other publishers.
REGIONAL AUTHOR GUEST – DEREK DYKES
Derek is a Mobile, AL native, and terminal Geek. He’s been writing for his friends and family for 25 years, killing characters and bad ideas as needed, and always bringing the need for thought to his writing. Read, think, reflect – and look out; that is the only guide we can offer when reading his work. His overactive imagination is a gift to us all. Pick up his books, and peek into his worlds; you’ll be glad you did.
Derek formally finished his degree at the age of forty. Over the years, he privately continued his studies in art, literature, archaeology, Celtic history, and a cornucopia of other subjects that interested him.
Derek moved home to Mobile, Alabama in early 2008 after living away for almost a decade. His journey home was a catalyst for the foundation of his first novel, MADNESS. In addition to writing, Derek enjoys photography, parenting and using any medium available to bring the creations of his mind to life. More of Derek’s work can be found by visiting www.derekdykes.com