With just days to go until CONvergence 2023: All Dressed Up, we’re finalizing an amazing schedule of events and panels featuring this year’s impressive slate of guests. As we plan for our next nerdening, we thought we’d look back at what our Guests of Honor from CONvergence 2022: Your Reality May Vary have been up to since August of last year.
Since we last saw them, Evva Karr launched Galaxy Fund, a prototype grant for BIPOC & LGBTQ+ artists offering unrestricted funds focusing on the earliest stage of game development.
After CONvergence 2022, Matthew Kessen began a residency at Bryant-Lake Bowl, running shows that included the First Annual Monster Science Awards. His work with the Hennepin History Museum in time for Halloween was mentioned by news station KARE 11, and he also weighed in on the everlasting debate over whether King Kong or Godzilla would win in a fight.
Photo of Matthew Kessen from reverendmattsmonsterscience.com
As soon as CONvergence 2022 came to a close, Briana Lawrence started working at Crunchyroll as their senior features editor. In 2023 she organized Crunchyroll’s #28DaysOfBlackCosplay campaign, and is managing the Pride Month Manga Reads campaign that highlights LGBTQIA+ manga. Briana also received two book deals—watch for the forthcoming The Essential Manga Guide, to be published by Running Press, and In Search of Superpowers: A Fantasy Pin World Adventure by Andrews McMeel Publishing. Meanwhile, she promises that she’s working on the third book in her magical girl series.
Jessica Walsh has been keeping up with her review blog Well, Are They? and will be releasing a brand-new book this year. After running a successful crowdfunding campaign, Uncertain Aspects will be released this fall. The story is a blend of the supernatural and mystery, exploring the effects the titular Aspects have on the people around them.
Charles Urbach’s year since CONvergence 2022 has been filled with new art, new opportunities, and new products for bookshelves and game rooms. After a few years of quieter events, conventions have come roaring back, and he’s been relishing reconnecting with friends and fans all over the country. Charles can’t wait to return to CONvergence this July to share his new work and catch up with everyone there!
Artwork by Charles Urbach.
Jack Zipes’ panels at CONvergence 2022 inspired him to get to work, and so he has since finished two projects. One was the book The Original Bambi: The Story of a Life in the Forest, and the second was Buried Treasures: the Power of Political Fairy Tales. He has also given talks about fairy tales in the United States and London. He is currently researching in preparation for a novel dedicated to young people.
We’re looking forward to welcoming the 2023 CONvergence Guests of Honor this July and hope you’ll join us in welcoming them, too!
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