Jason Stuart will explore the influence of artificial intelligence on the realms of independent publishing, editing, and the broader arts and media landscape. His session delves into the transformative power of AI tools like ChatGPT in the creative process. It offers an overview of the challenges and opportunities AI presents to content creators, shedding light on how these technologies are reshaping storytelling, editorial practices, and media production. The discussion will not only address the practical applications of AI in publishing but also its broader implications for creativity and the future of the arts.

Jason Stuart is the author of several books, including the SledgeHammer: A Rock & Roll Fable series and Raise a Holler.

Steven Harper of TIKIFEZ Comics is back with original comic books and graphic novels for intelligentsia of all ages. From steampunk jungle adventures to the "Spinal Tap"-esque comedy of the Heather and the Monkey King comics, local author and artist Steven Harper puts his pen to paper to create stories for the whole family. In addition, Tikifez Comics features other products evocative of the worlds he creates—Stickers, T-Shirts, Fezzes, Tikis, Original Sketches, and other surprising artifacts from places that never were!

TIKIFEZ Comics is a veteran of HCLS FAN-FEST and has appeared at Coast Con, L.A. Comic Con, and more!

Troy Pierce and Kevin Ammentorp—two seasoned collectors—share a deep-seeded passion for vintage art from comics and movie posters. They both have spent years involved in comic book collecting groups and conventions, curating art exhibits at DragonCon in Atlanta and Pensacon in Florida. Troy has been a member of the Oklahoma Alliance of Fandom (OAF) since the 1970s and Kevin was a founding member of the Hawaii Comic Collectors Club, established in the early 1970s.

CorsPlasticSmores is your one stop shop for all things pixelated! Be it characters from anime, video games, or even pop culture references. And remember, if you can dream it, Cor can bead it! CorsPlasticSmores also takes commissions.

CorsPlasticSmores has appeared at Cyphacon, Mid-City Microcon, Geek’d Con, Louisiana Retro Con, and more!

BEE PLZ is a digital artist specializing in manga and anime styled characters. Stop by her booth for art prints, stickers, keychains, water bottles and more! BEE PLZ creates both fandom inspired and original works.

BEE PLZ has appeared at MobiCon, Geek'd Con, Azalea City Con and more! You can find her Etsy shop online.

Sherri’s Sweet Treats is back with an assortment of pies, dessert bars, chocolate treats, praline bread, amaretto pound cake and more. Take a break from cosplayer spotting and treat yourself!

Sherri’s Sweet Treats can be found in various pop-up markets and festivals. More than just a sweet-tooth satisfier, Sherri is passionate about teaching kids the joy of baking with culinary workshops.

Rebel Legion is a Star Wars costuming group, promoting the the quality and improvement of Star Wars costumes and giving back to the community through volunteering and acts of charity. Come meet local chapter for Louisiana and Mississippi.

Rebel Legion has recently appeared at St. Tammy Toy and Comic Con and MIghty Con.

Art By Artemis Solas is an anime and video game resin artist. The owner, Jessi, makes a variety of things made of resin such as hairclips, earrings, and keychains. She also makes sublimation items and vinyl items like cups, shirts, tote bags, mouse pads, and pencil cases. All of Jessi's items feature video game characters, anime characters, and other various geeky, kawaii, or alternative aesthetics.

Art by Artemis Solas has appeared at Terrebonne Comic Con, Louisiana Retro Con, PeliCon, and more!

AniPirates makes handmade plushies and backpacks inspired by anime, video games, and more. Looking for something unique for your cosplay or home decor? Check out the poseable creatures and real animal bone art. You can find AniPirates online shop on Etsy. Get yer custom handmade awesomeness here!

AniPirates is a returning exhibitor to FAN-FEST and has also appeared at Coast Con.

Calvin Wilson—the creator behind GroundNova—is a digital and traditional artist (and musician, cosplayer, podcaster). Check out his many creations and pick up some original art prints and art books.

GroundNova has appeared at Baton Rouge Mini Maker Faire, Mid City Micro Con, Mississippi Comic Con and more!

We’re All Mad Creations makes Laser Etched Glass Lightboxes, Laser Etched Bitty Lightboxes, Laser Etched Canvas Wall Art, Wooden Keychain, Wooden Earrings, Wooden Ornaments… whatever you might be looking for to brighten your day. All inspired by your favorite characters and fandom universes.

We’re All Mad Creations is a returning exhibitor to FAN-FEST and has also appeared at Louisiana Retro Con, Louisiana Comic Con, Chattanooga Comic Con, and more!

Dave’s Gaming Galaxy is a travelling video game pop-up at Louisiana and Mississippi conventions, swap meets and trade fairs. Dave (Mr. Galaxy) curates video games, consoles, retro toys, adorable plushies, gaming-themed apparel, anime merch, and much more! You can find Dave on Twitch, Discord, and TikTok, and he’s appeared at Mid-City Micro Con, Terrebonne Comic Con, and Nerd Swap (in addition to being the founder of Louisiana Retro Con).

Mark C. Scioneaux is a Bram Stoker Award nominated editor and author behind the horror and thriller publisher October Nights Press. Mark is the author of INFERNO, THE CADAVER CHRONICLES, and POACHER. He is co-creator of the cult hit CANNIBAL FAT CAMP. He also is the author of numerous short stories appearing in various anthologies.

October Nights Press has appeared at Rougarou Fest, Geek’d Con, Killer Con, and more.

Bathin’ Nerdy offers an extensive selection of all-natural bath bombs, soaps, scrubs, and more—all crafted using ethically-sourced ingredients and infused with nerdy themes from science fiction, anime, fantasy, and gaming universes. Find the perfect gift for that special gamer, Trekie, guildmate, or super-fan.

Bathin’ Nerdy has appeared at Louisiana Retro Con, Galaxy Con, Anime Town - Louisiana, Mighty Con, and more!

The Dynamic Duo from the Dirty South is back with a great selection of independent and diverse comics, novels and art. Check out their website for #blerd podcasts, commentary on nerdy pop culture fandoms, and a Twitch stream. Blerd-ish has been interviewing creators and reviewing television, movies, games, etc. for over seven years!

Blerd-ish has appeared at NOLA Fan Expo, Cypha Con, Mobile Bay Anima Festival, MS Anime Fest, and more.

Louisiana Retro Con is a video game-focused convention that celebrates all things within the gaming spectrum. The event also showcases local artists, comic book authors, toy/comic vendors, and many more exhibits relevant to nerd culture. Proudly maintaining a very family-friendly setting, Louisiana Retro Con is a fun event for all age groups.

Get ready for Louisiana Retro Con on March 2nd and 3rd, 2024!

Sotora’s Tabletop gaming hosts play sessions and sell board games, tabletop RPGs, and collectible card games. They also host a Discord an esports team for Gundam Evolution. Sotora’s is run by avid gamers who got into the business because they wanted to do more with what they love.

Sotora’s is expanding their online presence this year, with plans to attend Coast Con and Herbie Fest.

Nerd Brew Coffee & Gifts is the purveyor of hand-roasted coffee and espresso bark. While catching a buzz, peruse some nerdy hand-crafted jewelry and accessories!

Nerd Brew has appeared at Louisiana Retro Con, Geek’d Con, and Terrebonne Library Con.

The Hive is a family-friendly hobby shop that focuses on trading card games, role playing games, and board games. Stop by their booth to find crocheted characters, laser engraved tabletop accessories, hand made dice, tumblers, and more.

The Hive has appeared at Alabama Comic Con, Saint Tammany Collectors Con, and PeliCon.

Adorkable By Design specializes in handmade plushies from anime, video games, and other pop culture fandoms. Her designs are kid-inclusive so that conventions can be enjoyed by all ages. Stop by to try your hand at claw machines that have a plethora of prizes.

Adorkable By Design has appeared at Mississippi Comic Con, Florida Anime Fest, Alabama Comic Con, and more.

Witness the origin story of a brand new con in 2024. Louisiana Cosplay Con will be on hand to share information about their upcoming Houma, LA event that features and celebrates cosplayers!

Bronco Ink Publishing, located on the Gulf Coast, is a local comic book and graphic novel publisher, home of SUPER TEAM INTERNATIONAL, THREADS, and other works of writer, letterer, and publisher Scott O. Brown. Bronco Ink also provides lettering services for a variety of manga series such as BLUE LOCK, VINLAND SAGA, BATTLE ANGEL ALITA, THAT TIME I GOT REINCARNATED AS A SLIME: TRINITY IN TEMPEST, and many others, as well as coloring services for several US publishers. Follow them at www.facebook.com/broncoink.

Bronco Ink Comics has appeared at MobiCon and Gamers n Geeks Cons.

Diddy’s Retro Revive is a reseller of video games for older gaming systems, consoles, vintage board games, action figures, and collectibles.

Diddy’s Retro Revive has appeared at Louisiana Retro Con, Livingston Library Comic Con, and St. Tammany Collectors Con.

The Rancor Raiders of the 501st Legion are a Star Wars costuming group who strives to bring smiles and peace to the galaxy. One of their main goals is to help charities and all members are volunteers who work together for that purpose. Find them on Facebook to learn more about their adventures trooping across the Coast.

The Rancor Raiders have appeared at New Orleans FanExpo, MS Comic Con, and InfiniCon

Dismay Comics is an indie comic publisher that is home to titles such as The Gallows Man, Dismay Avenue, and Tales From Town's City, all of which are works of writer Brandon Ingram. Check out comics, as well as t-shirts, poster prints, and stickers related to the comics at the booth. Check Dismay Comics out on their podcast and YouTube channel for an inside look into writing comics and geek culture.

Dismay Comics has appeared at Pensacon HalloweenFest, Mobicon, Deep South Para-Comic-Con, New Orleans Fan Expo, and more!

CoastCon is Mississippi's longest-running and largest science fiction, fantasy, and gaming convention. It is the main sponsored event of CoastCon, Inc., a non-profit literary organization. CoastCon, Inc. and its ten-member volunteer board develop events and gatherings to promote reading, education, fellowship, and science fiction, fantasy, and gaming in all formats across the Southern United States, for over forty-six years.

CoastCon has previously appeared at FanExpo, World Con, NOLA Comic Con, MobiCon, and more!

Cursed by a wizard, forced to spend the remainder of his days as a human, ImmortalOz decided to do what he does best: creating monsters. Austin Bell, the artist behind the “weird cartoon art” of ImmortalOz is back. You can find his art on a variety of cool stuff, like art prints, shirts, totes, mugs, and more.

You can find his work displayed at local art pop-ups, online, and for commissions. We’re excited to have him back at FAN-FEST!

Brie Mayfield of Coastal Creations will be bringing her amazing talent to help get you in the cosplay spirit with free face-painting. Stop by from 10 AM o 3 PM and pay tribute to your favorite character.

Brie’s art can be found all over Hancock County and the Coast on area business windows, wall murals, and at art markets.

Volunteers will be on hand to register eligible voters!

Join Michael J. Florio of the Comics ‘n Poptarts podcast for a workshop presentation: Inevitable Comics presents: How 2 Comics. Michael will reveal how he broke into the comics industry and dispel some of the industry's greatest myths to arm those potentially looking to get into the medium. Michael draws from his experience as a podcast host, where he has interviewed over 40 professionals, his time as a comics experience alumni, and his journey into crowdfunding, which helped raise over $500 thousand in funding for over 40+ projects. If you want to know where to start, how to navigate, and what it takes to see your imagination printed to life, then sign, seal, and deliver yourself to this page-turning experience and let the magic of comics come to life. The only way we can comic is—together!

Brandon Necaise is going on an adventure! And you’re invited to come along. Brandon will be hosting a demo of The Red Dragon Inn tabletop RPG game. The Red Dragon Inn lets players pick their favorite character at the adventure after-party—the quest is done, but the fun is just getting started! Find him throughout the day in the tabletop gaming area.

Join Laura Martin and friends for a discussion about Cerroneth—a live action role playing game held in South Mississippi. Cerroneth is a medieval fantasy LARP with many flavors and eras of culture blended in.

Live action games totally immerse you in the game far better than your average table-top game or MMORPG. Here you get the opportunity to garb yourself with fantastic period costuming (and sometimes makeup and prosthetics), pick up your trusty sword (a boffer weapon) and join the battle between hero and villain in combat! For magic lovers, create a mage and join the fray casting powerful sorcery.

Join the Battle. Immerse Yourself.

USS Neptune is the Mississippi Gulf Coast chapter of STARFLEET, the International Star Trek Fan Organization, the oldest running Star Trek fan group in the world. The mission of the USS Neptune is to promote an interest in science and space exploration, share a love of Star Trek and sci-fi fandoms, and have fun while giving back to the community.

The USS Neptune has apeared at CoastCon, New Orleans Fan Expo, and MobiCon.

Nora Childers is the talented artist behind Nono’s Cosplay and Art. Stop by to experience paintings and prints of originals—including an exciting collection of fan art. You can connect with Nono’s on Facebook @NoraChildersArt.

Nono’s Cosplay and Art has appeared at CoastCon, MCFC Memphis, Shadow Con, and many more!

Marie McCurdy is a writer of historical fiction, currently living in New Orleans. Her recently published book The Wolf Queen is set during the “infamous, audacious Battle of the Teutoburg Forest” during the Roman empire. Stop by and meet the author, chat about the book, and view some custom made costuming pieces and ancient coins.

Marie has appeared at the Panama City Beach Scottish Festival, Hot NOLA Author Carnival, and Bella NOLA Author event. You can find her on FB @mariemccurdyauthor and on IG @itsmariemccurdy.