DragonCon in Atlanta, Georgia: Your Survival Guide
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The Dragon*Con Convention in Atlanta, Georgia
Dragon*Con is a media fandom convention held annually over the Labor Day weekend in downtown Atlanta, Georgia. It is the largest such event on the East Coast, celebrating science fiction, fantasy, anime, comics, gaming, music, film and all things genre-oriented. Every year, tens of thousands of media fans come to Atlanta to revel in the 4-day experience of Dragon*Con and enjoy spending time with like-minded fans, friends - and get some celebrity autographs and photo opportunities while they're at it.
For a new attendee, Dragon*Con can easily be an overwhelming experience. The crowds, the multiple tracks of programming, the countless ways to spend money on cool collectibles, artwork and costuming... Knowing how to prepare for the event is as important as knowing how to best utilize your time - and funds - while there.
Dragon*Con 2012 will take place August 31 - September 3, 2012 and you have plenty of time to buy a membership - or just show up at the door for a one-day pass if you're in the area at the time. This page is my survival guide to making the most of Dragon*Con, based on my numerous years of experience as both an attendee and a vendor in the Dragon*Con Dealers' Hall.
Image: The official Dragon*Con logo. Source: Dragon*Con Press Kit
Please note: All photographs used on this page were taken by me, sockii, except for those in the Flickr photo module. Please do not use them elsewhere without my permission first. Thank you!
For a new attendee, Dragon*Con can easily be an overwhelming experience. The crowds, the multiple tracks of programming, the countless ways to spend money on cool collectibles, artwork and costuming... Knowing how to prepare for the event is as important as knowing how to best utilize your time - and funds - while there.
Dragon*Con 2012 will take place August 31 - September 3, 2012 and you have plenty of time to buy a membership - or just show up at the door for a one-day pass if you're in the area at the time. This page is my survival guide to making the most of Dragon*Con, based on my numerous years of experience as both an attendee and a vendor in the Dragon*Con Dealers' Hall.
Image: The official Dragon*Con logo. Source: Dragon*Con Press Kit
Please note: All photographs used on this page were taken by me, sockii, except for those in the Flickr photo module. Please do not use them elsewhere without my permission first. Thank you!
Contents at a Glance
- Countdown to Dragon*Con 2012!
- Things to Do at Dragon*Con in Atlanta
- What's Your Favorite Part of Dragon*Con?
- Book Your Flight to Dragon*Con in Atlant...
- 2012 Airfare Discount From Delta!
- Host Hotels for DragonCon in Downtown At...
- Map of the Dragon*Con Area in Downtown A...
- Top Guests for the 2012 Dragon*Con
- The Latest Headlines from the Dragon*Con...
How Many More Days Until DragonCon? Not Long Now!
Countdown to Dragon*Con 2012
Dragon*Con 2012: August 31, 2012
Things to Do at Dragon*Con in Atlanta
Guests, Panels, Gaming, Costuming, Music, a Parade and More!
Dragon*Con is a 4-day, 24 hour a day experience. Every moment of the day and night, from the Friday through the Monday of Labor Day weekend, is packed full of activities, events, concerts and discussions. At Dragon*Con, you can:* Browse multiple dealers rooms and exhibit halls for collectibles, art, jewelry, comics, books, videos and costume supplies
* Attend moderated panel discussions on topics from British science fiction television to Steampunk
* Hear celebrity guests speak, get their autographs and pose for photos with them
* Take part in gaming tournaments, drum circles, writing workshops and art portfolio evaluations
* Watch movies, anime and classic television programs
* Explore the juried art show and bid on original artwork to take home
* Hear great musicians and bands perform in late-night concerts
...and perhaps most interesting of all, people-watch! From the annual Dragon*Con parade through downtown Atlanta to the late-night "hotel crawls", people dress up in the most elaborate, creature and sometimes hilarious costumes at Dragon*Con.
In fact there's so much going on at Dragon*Con, it's important to plan ahead and be prepared for how to deal with the crowds, the schedules, and how easy it is to spend a lot of money. You should check out my 10 Tips for Surviving Dragon*Con for helpful ideas on making the most of your convention experience.
What's Your Favorite Part of Dragon*Con?
A Poll for DragonCon Attendees
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Book Your Flight to Dragon*Con in Atlanta
Cheap Flights to Atlanta, Georgia on Orbitz
Getting to downtown Atlanta from the airport is easy - catch the MARTA train right in the airport to Peachtree Center, all on the red line so you don't have to transfer or worry. Taxis are available but much more expensive. Plan to arrive the Thursday before the convention official begins and fly back Monday late, to not miss any of the action and activities.
Important!
2012 Airfare Discount From Delta!
This year Delta Airlines is offering a special discount rate for Dragon*Con attendees! Click here for more information!
Host Hotels for DragonCon in Downtown Atlanta
Planning Where to Stay During Dragon*Con
Which is the best hotel to stay in for Dragon*Con? The answer will vary depending on who you ask and how you plan on spending the convention - and where you are able to actually get a room!DragonCon takes place throughout currently five host hotels in downtown Atlanta, Georgia: the Hilton Atlanta (255 Courtland Street, NE), the Hyatt Regency Atlanta (265 Peachtree Street NE), the Marriott Marquis Atlanta (265 Peachtree Center Ave - considered by many THE primary hotel and best place to stay, if possible), the Sheraton Atlanta Hotel (165 Courtland Street) and the Westin Peachtree Plaza Hotel (210 Peachtree St.). At this point, all con rate rooms are likely officially sold out, but it's always worth checking back closer to the convention as people cancel or combine room reservations.
You can visit the Dragon*Con hotel page for discount codes at the host hotels and also overflow hotel information. Personally, I usually look for a room via Priceline at one of the overflow hotels in the downtown Atlanta area, or for an inexpensive room in the midtown area instead. Being a little away from the main convention action can actually be nice for a change and a bit of relaxation, and most hotels in midtown are not far from the convention and located just a few stops away on MARTA.
Map of the Dragon*Con Area in Downtown Atlanta
Where is Dragon*Con? Find It Right Here!
Whether you're driving in to Dragon*Con or taking MARTA from the airport or elsewhere, know where you need to go. Here's a map of the area around the main Dragon*Con hotels.
Top Guests for the 2012 Dragon*Con
Who will be on the guest list for the 2012 Dragon*Con convention?
Who will be the top celebrity draw for the 2012 DragonCon? The featured guest list is constantly being updated as new guests are signed on, but right now it's still very early in the planning. From the hottest tv and film actors to top genre authors, Dragon*Con always pulls in some of the biggest names in the industry. So far, this year, announced guests include:
* Star Trek's Nichelle Nichols
* Star Trek: The Next Generations's Patrick Stewart, Jonatan Frakes and Michael Dorn
* Babylon 5's Bruce Boxlietner
* Battlestar Galactica's Richard Hatch
Of course, it is important to know that convention guests are not guaranteed; schedule conflicts, personal matters and travel difficulties can keep a guest from attending at the last minute. Therefore I generally do not recommend a person plan on attending Dragon*Con and traveling long distance to the convention if he is solely interested in seeing just one guest, in case that person cannot make it.
How do autographs and celebrity photographs work at Dragon*Con?
Autographs are NOT included in your Dragon*Con membership. You must pay individually for the autographs you want, and can typically either buy photos from the stars themselves or bring your own items to sign. Autograph prices can run anywhere from $20 to over $100 and cash is typically required. Signings are held at the "Walk of Fame" exhibit hall at Dragon*Con. The Dragon*Con pocket program will give you a schedule of when each guest is scheduled to be signing, generally around the times they are giving a presentation or panel appearance (right before or after) for often a few hours a day.
Some guests will allow you to take a snapshot with them, at their table, for a fee of $5 to $10 - so please don't start taking photos without checking their policy first, and DO NOT take random photos of the celebrities if you happen to pass one by in one of the hotels' hallways or restaurants. Professionally staged photographs with some of the guests are available and arranged by "Froggy's Photos". They are not cheap - think $25-50 on average with more for larger group shots or big name guests - but you will get a nice 8"x10" photograph with your favorite celebrity for the price. The photo above of myself with The A-Team's Dirk Benedict and Dwight Schultz is an example of one of these staged photo sessions at Dragon*Con, which I then got signed by each.
The Latest Headlines from the Dragon*Con Newsletter
Re-Capping the 2011 Convention, and Planning for 2012
Here's the latest news straight from the official Dragon*Con newsletter. Click the links to find out more on what to expect at the upcoming Dragon*Con convention.
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byTen Things You Must Pack for Dragon*Con
A Packing List to Prepare for the Convention
Whether you're attending Dragon*Con for the first time, or are a regular attendee, here are things you definitely will want to remember to pack for the convention.
- Your camera. Don't forget spare batteries and/or your charger. You won't want to miss the opportunity to get photos of the incredible costumes, as well as the convention guests (when allowed).
- Cash. ATMs are prone to run out of cash in the immediate area of the convention due to high volume and use. Be prepared with cash on hand for vendors who don't take credit cards or checks.
- Protective photo sleeves or a binder. If you plan on buying a lot of 8x10 photos and getting autographs, be sure you have a way to protect them while walking around the convention and traveling home. A small 3-ring binder, a stiff folder, cardboard and/or photo-sleeves will all come in handy.
- A lariat for your badge. Don't rely on the simple pin-back or clip on your Dragon*Con badge to keep it secure. In heavy crowds, it's easy to lose your badge, and then be out of a lot of money - and wasted time having to buy a new badge.
- A jacket or sweater. Even with the large crowds, convention halls and meeting rooms can get chilly. Bring a jacket, hoodie or sweater you can take on and off as need be.
- A pillow. Sharing a room with multiple people? Be sure there are enough pillows to go around by bringing your own. Make sure it is in a colorful pillowcase or otherwise marked with your name, however, so it does not get lost or "acquired" by the hotel cleaning staff.
- Business cards. You'll likely meet people you want to exchange contact information with during the convention. Be ready with business cards, home printed ones are fine! It's a lot easier than trying to keep notes.
- Vitamin C. Trust me, you'll be exposed to a lot of bugs in the air with so many people at the convention. You'll also likely be running around on low sleep, bad nutrition, and general exhaustion. Keep your immune system up by taking your vitamins during the convention!
- Spare suitcase or backpack. If you buy a lot of stuff at the convention, you'll need a way to get it home. Granted your hotel may be able to arrange shipping for you but the cost may be less to check an extra bag on your flight, train or bus trip.
- Aspirin or other pain medication. Can we say likely hangovers, boys and girls? It's easy to party a little too much at Dragon*Con. Be prepared for the Morning After - so you'll be ready the next day to do it all over again!
Personal Safety at Dragon*Con
An Important Caution to all Attendees
Dragon*Con takes place over several hotels and pours out into the open streets of Atlanta, Georgia. As such, it is not a "closed" convention space, and many non-attendees from the nearby area - or those in Atlanta for other events - often end up intermingling with convention attendees and not understanding the costuming and other aspects of Dragon*Con completely. This can lead to unfortunate situations at times, and indeed the 2010 Dragon*Con ended up being the site of numerous disturbing incidents of sexual harassment and assault. Much of the harassment allegedly was directed at convention attendees by college sports fans who were also staying in the downtown Atlanta area, or those being encouraged on Facebook or Twitter to come gawk at "the freaks".As such, it is important for all convention attendees to be aware of their surroundings at all times and how to protect their personal safety. Attendees need to look out for others who might be in danger or being harassed. While we hope hotel and convention security will be better this year at taking charge of these harassment problems, there is now a volunteer project, Back Up, to encourage convention goers to look out for each other's safety. Visit the Back Up LiveJournal community for more information on the project and how you can get involved.
What's Your Advice for a Dragon*Con "Newbie"?
Tips and Pointers From You!
If you've been to Dragon*Con before, what is your advice to first-time attendees? What would you tell them not to miss, what to do, and perhaps what NOT to do?
Just a local foodie
Lensmaster
Just a local foodie wrote
I would NOT eat at any of the restaurants listed above. You can do much better than that by taking a long walk, marta ride or a short cab ride to:
Augustines or Doc Chey's on Memorial
Inman Park for several good spots: P'cheen, the Albert, Fritti, Parish Highland Bread Co. Serpas or Sotto Sotto are high-end options here too.
Cabbagetown: Milltown Arms, Carroll Street Bakery
Porter Beer Bar or the Wrecking bar in Liitle 5 Points.
Enjoy!!
Posted August 30, 2011
Useful Resources for Dragon*Con Attendees
Dragon*Con Websites, Forums and Communities On-Line
Thinking about attending Dragon*Con? Then bookmark these links. From official sites to fan communities you'll get the latest news and information here.
- Welcome to Dragon*Con!
- Official Dragon*Con website.
- DragonCon LiveJournal
- Community for fans and attendees of Dragon*Con to talk about the convention.
- Rooms for DragonCon Goers
- Looking for a roommate to share a hotel room at Dragon*Con? Here is the place to go. This LiveJournal community is strictly devoted to matching people in search of crash space with those who have it to spare.
- The Dragon*Con Wiki
- An unofficial wiki made by attendees of Dragon*Con.
- Downtown Atlanta | Dining
- List of all restaurants, fast food shops, coffeehouses and bars in the downtown Atlanta area, to make finding a place to eat easier.
Dining Out During Dragon*Con
Nearby Restaurant Options in Downtown, Atlanta
Downtown Atlanta offers many dining options, although a large number of them are national chains. However there are a few more local options worth checking out along with the better chain restaurants. The ones listed below are all restaurants I've been to during Dragon*Con and recommend. Keep in mind, however, that reservations may be strongly recommended if possible because of the huge crowds in the area during the convention. If you have more time, you may wish to take a quick hop on MARTA to nearby Midtown or Little Five Points, which offer more interesting and trendy options.
The Mall at the Peachtree Center also features a large food court, where many Dragon*Con attendees regularly get their meals. Options include sandwiches, Mexican, pizza, hot entrees, wraps, Japanese buffet, coffee, Asian food, and much more. It's best to go slightly off the main lunch hour to avoid long lines and massive crowds.
The Mall at the Peachtree Center also features a large food court, where many Dragon*Con attendees regularly get their meals. Options include sandwiches, Mexican, pizza, hot entrees, wraps, Japanese buffet, coffee, Asian food, and much more. It's best to go slightly off the main lunch hour to avoid long lines and massive crowds.
- Azio Downtown
- A pricey but very good Italian restaurant, offering salads, pizza, pasta, grilled paninis and large entrees.
- Benihana
- The long-running Japanese hibachi restaurant. Good for an entertaining meal with a group of fellow convention attendees. Reservations an almost absolute must unless dining early or very late in the evening.
- Durango Steakhouse
- An affordable steakhouse option - similar in style to Outback with an oak fired grill.
- Max Lager's Wood-Fired Grill and Brewery
- One of my favorite downtown Atlanta hangouts during Dragon*Con. It's a little off the main paths so it doesn't get overcrowded during the con. Better than average bar food, their own brewed beer and a nice selection of unique wines by the glass. Read my detailed Max Lager's review for more info.
- Pacific Rim Bistro
- Spacious restaurant offering pan-Asian cuisine: sushi, Chinese, Thai and fusion dishes.
- Ted's Montana Grill
- The national steakhouse chain featuring buffalo as well as quality beef. Again, Ted's is a little off the main Dragon*Con drag so it can be a nice escape from convention crowds, but it is popular still so make a reservation if you can.
- Truva
- Mediterranean food - small plates and large - complete with regular bellydancing entertainment! It's a fun place to linger for a while, although it is on the expensive side. You can read my review of Truva for more details.
Dragon*Con Photos on Flickr
DragonCon Images - Past and Present!
What are some of the latest photos to come from Dragon*Con? Check out these uploads from Flickr.
automatically generated by Flickr
For More Dragon*Con Photos
My Photo Galleries from Past Dragon*Cons
For more pictures of costumes, parades and general fun at Dragon*Con, check out my photogalleries on Flickr:
* Dragon*Con 2008 Photos
* Dragon*Con 2009 Photos
* Dragon*Con 2010 Photos
* Dragon*Con 2010 Parade Photos
What Are People Saying Right Now about DragonCon?
Current Blog Posts about Dragon*Con
- One on One: Black Lesbian Authors Skyy and Fionna Zedde
- The geek in me wants to write something that is Comic-Con/Dragon-Con worthy. I've been researching various mythical creatures and folklores because if I do decide to do it I want to do it right, or come up with some completely new species, ...
- Madison Lintz of 'The Walking Dead' Shares How Hard It Was To Keep Quiet About ...
- I went to Dragon-Con and it was a couple weeks after I found out, and it was so hard! My Dad said that I couldn't say ANYTHING AT ALL! At the panel I was so freaked out that I was going to let something slip out. The next convention I went to was the ...
- Fantasti*con!
- My wife and I are several year veterans of Atlanta's Dragon Con and have become friends with many who make their hobby doing the convention circuit. On Dec 1st, 2008 I had a manuscript in hand. It follows Allison Cavanagh, a graduate student and geek.
- Venta de vehículos nuevos en Perú creció 41% durante enero del 2012
- Volkswagen encabezó la lista de ómnibus más vendidos con 74 unidades (36.1 por ciento del total vendido), seguido de Mercedes Benz con 54 unidades (26.3 por ciento) y Golden Dragon con 27 unidades (13.2 por ciento).
Dragon*Con on Twitter
What Are People Saying About DragonCon Right Now?
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- pricier
- Tartas Capetl posted a photo: americancomicon simone dragoncon atlanta 2010 marriott-to-peachtree-center walkway http://t.co/jvq5Fdcc
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- SmarmyJerkface
- Hotel reserved and membership purchased. DragonCon 2012 will now be attended by me.
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- 0kage
- Photoset: a set of wonderful male shep & fem shep (via Back From DragonCon « Evil FX / http://t.co/fQEtsxpE & Fem... http://t.co/SwjZS929
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- tim_stacks
- MT “@VanAllenPlexico I'll be doing @MidSouthCon Memphis, WindyCity Chicago, @PhoenixFest B'ham, @DragonCon Atl, & Archon St Louis” Excited!
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- VanAllenPlexico
- I'll be doing @MidSouthCon Memphis, WindyCity Chicago, PhoenixFest B'ham, @DragonCon Atl, & Archon St Louis this year. See ya there!
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- curoiro
- DragonCon 2011 - 外人のコスプレまとめ (4:23) #nicovideo #sm15751379 http://t.co/1cZiCtY3 クオリティーぱねぇ
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- sidneycarter15
- My blog post: DragonCon 2011... http://t.co/scfRKNhW
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- comicinks
- @LilFerret LOL!! Only a little - the dragoncon blog i never finished had a porny title too #BBBFail
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- amezri
- @tara_oshea @matthewdowsmith There were a few great femme!10s at DragonCon. I'd love to do a Goth Loli version!
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- ravenmist
- I can't look at DragonCon pictures. It's making me sad. What a weird year this will, but I had to make that choice.
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- DaedalusZM
- Drinking Red Bull after midnight makes me miss DragonCon. Sigh.
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- JessicaDwyer
- @ZombieShellHead At some point I need to go to that. That and Dragoncon.
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- TheMabelLabel
- @colinferg Just watched 2010 DragonCon of #Eureka... http://t.co/GsFNgUIv ...(at 3min 50sec) only comment: guess you're now good enough!
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- VHS_PLAYA
- Iron Maiden. WrestleMania. DragonCon.. Things I love @WWE @IronMaiden @DragonCon
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- chris0327
- @adamsbaldwin r u coming to dragoncon?
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- chris0327
- @QuestionAnders hey David. R u coming to dragoncon?
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- kaliwithak
- @MercedesMcNab are you going to #DragonCon this year? Cause I've loved your variety of roles, and It'd be awesome to get to meet you!!
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- Kil1ertofu
- @atc1990 I'm not sure. He didn't take the time off for Comic-Con so I don't think so. But how cool would DragonCon be? It would take a
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- atc1990
- @Kil1ertofu I would totally go to DragonCon!
automatically generated by Twitter
DragonCon on Twitter
Follow the official Dragon*Con Twitter stream!
Dragon*Con Items on Ebay
On Being a Dealer at Dragon*Con
Spending my Dragon*Con Days in the Dealers Hall
Of course, every once in a while there are annoying and frustrating things that happen as a vendor at Dragon*Con, and elsewhere. With large crowds can come a lot of people clueless about how to treat handmade items with care - or who don't understand that yes, us vendors are there to make money, not have our table or booth turn into a social gathering point! I'd like to point people toward my article "Etiquette for Shopping at and Browsing Craft Fairs and Dealers' Halls", all about how to make the shopping experience better for both shoppers and for sellers.
Learn More About Steampunk
One of the Hottest Trends and Genres at Dragon*Con in Years!
Things You'll Need for Dragon*Con
For exploring Atlanta and more
Are You Going to Dragon*Con 2012?
Your Comments Welcome Here!
Thanks for stopping by my Dragon*Con survival page. Please let me know if you enjoyed it and what you think of Dragon*Con!
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webkangaroo
Jan 24, 2012 @ 1:04 pm | delete
- wow, what a scene! I've never been myself buyt I could picture my eldest son having a ball there. Thanks for a really lively lens.
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YVONNE BUMBLEBEAD
Jan 15, 2012 @ 9:54 pm | delete
- I KNOW OF SOMEONE WHO SHOULD REALLY BE A DEALER AT Dragoncon2012!! GOOGLE" TIM BRUMBELOE PICASA" AND LOOK AT HIS GALLERT PHOTOS OF HIS CREATIONS AND LETS SEE IF WE CAN GET HIM A DEALER SPOT. HE WAS INVITED YEARS AGO BUT HEALTH PROBLEMS KEPT HIM OUT. HE HAS BEEN WORKING ON THESE AND MORE CREATIONS FOR TWO YEARS NOW.HELP ANYONE WITH AN"IN" WITH THE POWERS THAT BE!
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sockii
Jan 15, 2012 @ 10:02 pm | delete
- It doesn't take an "in" to be a dealer at DragonCon - it just takes the money to register for a dealers' table or exhibitors booth. Contact dragoncon@dragoncon.org for information.
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Mike
Feb 5, 2012 @ 4:16 pm | delete
- I just saw his booth in the Front Porch of the South in Columbus and the man definitely has talent ... He said he would be at DragonCon this year so look out for him - He has some amazing creations!
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GrammaLinda
Jan 13, 2012 @ 1:14 pm | delete
- I have never been to Dragon*Con, but it looks like fun!
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About the Author
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sockii
2012 will mark my 7th year attending Dragon*Con as a dealer and artist. I've had the chance in those many years to experience just about every aspect... more »
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