I grew up in the hills of Kentucky and doing so taught me how to seek adventures through my imagination. I have always adored fantasy. Some of my greatest memories involve the many hours I would spend just playing with my friends outside, in the hills or valleys and roleplaying the video games we often played. We were LARPing long before we understood what it actually was.
My love for fantasy grew when I was introduced to the wonderful works of J. R. R. Tolkien. Reading the words he had weaved on his pages, helped me to escape to a world of remarkable adventure and I wanted to give that to others, if I could.
I also drew inspiration from Dungeons & Dragons. At first, I was a player, creating a character who would live a life of adventure. From there developed a spark that enticed me to crate my first campaign. I developed a world of mystery, filled it with characters for my friends to interact with, created lore, and watched as they traveled through the land unlocking all the secrets it held.
I wanted to share with the world the imagination I was engaging my friends in. So, I began putting it down on paper. I just wanted to do for others what the great J. R. R. Tolkien did for me, so many years ago. Bring joy.
My love for fantasy grew when I was introduced to the wonderful works of J. R. R. Tolkien. Reading the words he had weaved on his pages, helped me to escape to a world of remarkable adventure and I wanted to give that to others, if I could.
I also drew inspiration from Dungeons & Dragons. At first, I was a player, creating a character who would live a life of adventure. From there developed a spark that enticed me to crate my first campaign. I developed a world of mystery, filled it with characters for my friends to interact with, created lore, and watched as they traveled through the land unlocking all the secrets it held.
I wanted to share with the world the imagination I was engaging my friends in. So, I began putting it down on paper. I just wanted to do for others what the great J. R. R. Tolkien did for me, so many years ago. Bring joy.
Kentucky based artist, Ashton, is the owner and creator of Fox and Brambles has been fine tuning her illustration and graphic design work for the past decade. Focused on the other, Ashton’s work is expressed in movement and textural layers. She has been published in regional magazines and her work has been on display throughout the state and beyond.
Ashton specializes in branding, illustration and graphic design.
Ashton specializes in branding, illustration and graphic design.
We are a mom/daughter team who run the Nerdy Things gift shop. We specialize in making things inspired by what we love: video games, movies and books, and more. We also take commissions. Check us out at https://www.facebook.com/NerdyThingsKentucky/
Joey Weston Webb was born in Hazard, KY on September 11, 1980. He was an avid reader from a young age and showed promise as a writer early. His favorite genres are horror, sword and sorcery and science fiction. He has published six books, two of which are short story collections as well as the four book series "The Blood Brothers Saga." Joey is also a writer/director/actor who has his own show on Roku and he has appeared in several independent productions in Kentucky.
The Henlo Press is an "Artists first" Independent Publishing Company focused on cultivating and encouraging creativity.It is our team’s desire to unite those with a love or the written word, across all genres and encourage an atmosphere that welcomes everyone, in all walks of life. From poetry to fiction, we are working to create a home for independent authors that are looking for an alternative to big publishing companies.
As an author, artist and musician, M. D. Boncher has lead, to paraphrase Stephen King, a "Writer's Life". He has held several careers in many different industries from hospitality to trucking, giving him a wide breadth of experience with the human condition to draw on for his work. He has a passion for history, philosophy, and his Christian faith. His hobbies include such nerdy things as Tabletop RPGs, videogames, camping, gardening and (now) hunting, but most of it is spent in artistic creations. When not creating he's either reading or watching a movie from his extensive curated collection of sci-fi, fantasy, comics, horror, action, comedies, classics literature or film, detective fiction or pulp. An expatriated native Wisconsinite, he relocated during the pandemic and now lives deep in the mountains of West Virginia with his wife, four very fluffy cats and small flock of feisty but naïve chickens.
Ray is a published writer, artist and animator from Central Kentucky,
best known for his
fantasy/action graphic novel Araura. Currently,
Ray is developing and contributing to a number
of comic, gaming and animated projects as an artist and writer
as well as serving as show
runner and producer for the Araura animated series now in production!
best known for his
fantasy/action graphic novel Araura. Currently,
Ray is developing and contributing to a number
of comic, gaming and animated projects as an artist and writer
as well as serving as show
runner and producer for the Araura animated series now in production!
Local bakery. Miss Kitty Bakery started in 2019. Products are handmade from scratch using quailty ingredients. Offering a wide variety of candies, pastries, cookies, cheesecakes, cakes and more.
Dragon Eye Crafts are fantasy themed crafts including hand painted and sculpted jewelry, glassware, and books.
Bryan "Sandman" Sanders is a professional artist and filmmaker from Lexington, KY. He has helped produce several commercials, TV shows, short and feature films over two decades. His artwork has appeared in both local and national print magazines. He was an editorial cartoonist for the local newspaper and radio producer for several FM Kentucky radio stations. He has worked with both the SyFy Channel and Lionsgate Entertainment on several movies over the years. His latest film that he worked on, DEAD ZONE, is streaming NOW on Tubi!
In 2013, he released his first feature film, PAPERCUT 2 which recently celebrated its 10th Anniversary at the Kentucky Theatre in March. On PAPERCUT 2, he worked with many local and national Hollywood veterans, including people who have done: Ghostbusters, Evil Dead, Sonic the Hedgehog, Duke Nukem, Super Mario Bros., and Escape Plan. PAPERCUT 2 narrative saga spans 1 feature film, 2 short films, and 4 tie-in comic book film adaptations. Chuck's 1976 Mercury Cougar and Rosie's 1994 z28 Camaro from PAPERCUT 2 will be appearing at the Pikeville show!
In 2018, he released a NEW comic book series called, FOUR FREEDOM. FOUR FREEDOM features artists who have worked for IDW, Archie, Red Sonja, Dynamite, Image, and Magic the Gathering. FOUR FREEDOM is currently on it's 3rd Issue with production on Issue 4 currently underway.
www.studiosandman.com
www.papercut2.com
www.freedomfourever.com
In 2013, he released his first feature film, PAPERCUT 2 which recently celebrated its 10th Anniversary at the Kentucky Theatre in March. On PAPERCUT 2, he worked with many local and national Hollywood veterans, including people who have done: Ghostbusters, Evil Dead, Sonic the Hedgehog, Duke Nukem, Super Mario Bros., and Escape Plan. PAPERCUT 2 narrative saga spans 1 feature film, 2 short films, and 4 tie-in comic book film adaptations. Chuck's 1976 Mercury Cougar and Rosie's 1994 z28 Camaro from PAPERCUT 2 will be appearing at the Pikeville show!
In 2018, he released a NEW comic book series called, FOUR FREEDOM. FOUR FREEDOM features artists who have worked for IDW, Archie, Red Sonja, Dynamite, Image, and Magic the Gathering. FOUR FREEDOM is currently on it's 3rd Issue with production on Issue 4 currently underway.
www.studiosandman.com
www.papercut2.com
www.freedomfourever.com
Shawn Wallace owner of Highbrow Hillbilly Studio in Clintwood,VA, has been making art for over 30 years. His work is satirical, with a focus on the culture and folklore of Appalachia and the south. Shawn was awarded Best Illustrator out of the 13 Appalachian states, has illustrated several books and makes art ranging from drawing, paintings to sculptures and woodwork.
Kurt Belcher has been publishing since 2003. He drew miniseries and GNs like ROTTENTAIL, STINK, TRANQUILITY, and DIAL P FOR PEANUTS at Source Point Press. He wrote and drew WINTER WAR for Caliber Comics and THE STARS for Pilot Studios. He edited and self-published the SPIDERS & STARDUST David Bowie anthology. He’s written and drawn for Orange Cone Productions’ CTHULHU INVADES series and Pilot Studios’ ALWAYS PUNCH NAZIS series. He’s also drawn for magazines, covers, posters, and anthologies, and co-wrote a screenplay currently in production. He lives in eastern Kentucky.
XanCon Entertainment is an Appalachian based indie comic book publisher known for "Once Upon A Time In Xanatopia," "DynastyPOP Presents," "The World Ends In Fire," "CAT GOAT DOG," & "Rust to Rust."
JOE MEADE is an eastern Kentucky native with a love for writing, storytelling, and tabletop games, especially in the fantasy genre.
Joe’s company, NOBLE QUESTS, LLC, has produced the “Mystic Forces Second Edition” roleplaying game, along with several adventure modules and sourcebooks. Mystic Forces Second Edition is an in-depth, high-fantasy roleplaying game that is the culmination of 24 years of work and revision.
Joe is also the author of a book of short stories titled, “Troves of Fantasy”.
His fantasy adventure board game, “Omens of Destiny”, is nearing completion and is expected to launch on Kickstarter later this year!
Be sure to stop by and check out the full line of products and gaming accessories, or just come by and chat. To see the full line of Mystic Forces products now, head over to www.mysticforces.com
Also, be sure to join the Noble Quests Discord server for all the latest information on Mystic Forces and Omens of Destiny including announcements, sneak peaks, live streaming of gaming sessions and more. Use www.discord.noblequests.com to join the server!
Joe’s company, NOBLE QUESTS, LLC, has produced the “Mystic Forces Second Edition” roleplaying game, along with several adventure modules and sourcebooks. Mystic Forces Second Edition is an in-depth, high-fantasy roleplaying game that is the culmination of 24 years of work and revision.
Joe is also the author of a book of short stories titled, “Troves of Fantasy”.
His fantasy adventure board game, “Omens of Destiny”, is nearing completion and is expected to launch on Kickstarter later this year!
Be sure to stop by and check out the full line of products and gaming accessories, or just come by and chat. To see the full line of Mystic Forces products now, head over to www.mysticforces.com
Also, be sure to join the Noble Quests Discord server for all the latest information on Mystic Forces and Omens of Destiny including announcements, sneak peaks, live streaming of gaming sessions and more. Use www.discord.noblequests.com to join the server!