Our Special Guests
Peruse the biographies of our distinguished special guests!
Leanna Renee Hieber
Leanna Renee Hieber is an actress, playwright, ghost tour guide and the award-winning, bestselling author of Gothic, Gaslamp Fantasy novels such as the Strangely Beautiful, Magic Most Foul, Eterna Files and The Spectral City series. A Haunted History of Invisible Women: True Stories of America’s Ghosts, co-authored with Andrea Janes, focuses on the intersection of women’s history and ghost stories and was a Bram Stoker Award Finalist for Superior Achievement in Non-Fiction. Leanna is the audiobook narrator for speculative fiction series via Scribd.com including the Time Immemorial and Spirit Suitor trilogies. A 4-time Prism award winner and Daphne du Maurier award finalist, Leanna’s books have been selected for national book club editions as well as translated into many languages. Her short stories have been featured in numerous notable anthologies and her non-fiction essays have been featured in Apex Magazine, The Deadlands and more. She has been featured in film and television on shows like Mysteries at the Museum and Beyond the Unknown, discussing Victorian Spiritualism. She lectures around the country on themes of Gothic fiction, 19th Century history and the Paranormal for prominent institutions such as New York University, Miami University, Bard College and Morbid Anatomy.
Lear more at: http://leannareneehieber.com
Jennifer Noran
Whether you know her as Jennifer Noran, Captain Medea Asherah (She Who Walks Above The Sea), Admiral, or Queen Bee, one thing you can know for certain...she loves Steampunk! Noran started her foray into Steampunk by attending The International Steampunk Symposium in 2015. Since that time, she created The Airship Caduceus out of Lexington, Kentucky in 2016, ran such events as The Victorian Valentine Affair in 2019 and the Steampunkin’ Halloween Hullabaloo in 2021. Noran took over running The International Steampunk Symposium in 2023 and has moved forth from that adventure as the Queen Bee of Queen City Steam! Noran fell in love with the aesthetic and camaraderie of Steampunk. Along with attending and running events, she’s been creating logos and designs for such projects as the Kentucky Steampunk Society, The Chicago Steampunk Exposition, The Atlanta Steampunk Expo, The Traveling Revelers, and her own Airship. Queen City Steam’s goal is to create events throughout Indiana, Kentucky, and Ohio, collaborating with different groups and people to host joint events all over the tri‐state area. Not only will that make planning events easier, but it will give more opportunities for people to attend events all year round and in different locations. Through The International Steampunk Symposium, The Airship Caduceus and crew, Queen City Steam, and the wonderful genre that is Steampunk, Noran hopes that good deeds can be achieved, kindness and friendships can be kindled and creativity can be cultivated, all while having fun.
For more information, visit : https://queencitysteam.com
Paul Koontz
Paul Koontz is a distinguished martial arts instructor and Professor of Arms, hailing from the picturesque landscapes of Central Kentucky. Born with a passion for martial arts, Paul embarked on his journey in 1980, immersing himself in the rich traditions of Asian martial disciplines. In 1997, a pivotal moment occurred in Paul's life when an injury requiring the use of a cane prompted him to meld the use of a cane with his martial arts knowledge.
What sets Paul’s cane methodologies apart is his commitment to preserving historical martial traditions. As a historical reenactor and scholar, he delves into the Victorian and Edwardian eras, drawing inspiration from historical cane fighting treatises. At the core of these teachings is a holistic approach to self-defense tailored to provide practical skills for real-world situations.
With a career spanning over four decades, Paul’s exploration of historical martial treatises and techniques, coupled with his dedication to empowering individuals through self-defense, make him a captivating speaker. Join Paul as he imparts the wisdom of masters from yesteryear, where the fusion of history, tradition, and innovation promises an enlightening and engaging experience for all attendees.
A.S.G.A.R.D. and Lady Wheelsworth
A.S.G.A.R.D. and Lady Wheelsworth are a dynamic duo, and fully immersive character experience. A quirky automaton invented in 1864, A.S.G.A.R.D. is rediscovered in a junk yard by Lady Wheelsworth, the sassy, headstrong owner of Wheelsworth Mechanics.
As she repairs the broken robot, her history is slowly revealed along with hilarious quirks and an insatiable sense of curiosity.
Join their adventures as they wonder the world to help A.S.G.A.R.D. learn all about life in the human world.
Dr. Mike
Dr. Mike (aka J. Michael Cobb) is the founder, owner, and fearless leader of Dr. Mike's Shaving Emporium. Dr. Mike started Dr. Mike's Shaving Emporium with the idea of bringing the best quality shaving and grooming products made by local and US-based artisans.
Dr. Mike is an international panelist teaching shaving classes as well as barbershop history.
Dr. Mike frequently says: "Shaving is not just for the dapper gentlemen it is for everyone. If a blade touches skin - we can help".
Dana Fraedrich
Dana Fraedrich is a dog lover, self-professed geek, and author of the steampunk fantasy series Broken Gears, which includes the Amazon bestseller, Out of the Shadows. Dana's books are full of secrets and colorful characters that examine the many shades of grey that paint the world. When she isn't busy writing or attending book shows and author conferences, she can be found playing video games and frolicking among the Bookstagram community (the bookish corner of Instagram).
Even from a young age, she enjoyed writing down the stories that she imagined in her mind. Born and raised in Virginia, she earned her BFA from Roanoke College and is now carving out her own happily ever after in Nashville, TN with her husband and dog. Dana is always writing; more books are on the way!
Bret King
Brett is an award-winning steampunk maker, costumer, role-player, and convention organizer who presents fun, interactive panels that mix real history, alternate history, and fantastic props. Brett also teaches prop-making techniques. He is best known for his Arctic Explorer/Troll Hunter character, Gustaf Danielsson, and his work as organizer of AutomataCon, a convention for automata enthusiasts.
Steampunk Xena
Inger Talbot, aka Steampunk Xena, is a fire performer and personality. She has been active in the steampunk community since 2012, since discovering steampunk at Science Fiction conventions. She premiered her Steampunk Xena persona in 2016, and has been updating and modifying it ever since. She started manipulating fire in 2016, joining the Pyrophoric Fire Troupe and creating her own troupe, the SteamFire Femmes. She has performed at venues along the east coast and after recently moving to Michigan has brought her own brand of fire and steampunk shenanigans to the Midwest!
Prof. Horatio Hops
I have spent the past 40+ years as a naturalist, biologist & environmental education specialist for DNR. I have been a brewer for over 20 years with master brewing certification from Cornell university. Along with wife Janette we have spent our lives in pursuit of folktales, legends, stories and everything creepy, spooky and macabre. My wife and I currently run a book store and brewery supply and classroom shop in Southeastern Ohio known as, “Backroads Boo & Brew”
Safiya Nawaar
Widely acclaimed belly dance performer, Safiya Nawaar, is the owner and artistic director of Arabesque World Dance in Lexington, Kentucky. She has hundreds of appearances across the eastern US, and also teaches and hosts shows at her space. This beautiful dancer brings the emotions of music to life through creative movement with a powerful yet delicate style, both on the stage and in the classroom. Her specialties include the traditional and folkloric dances from Lebanon, Egypt, Turkey and Persia. As well, she teaches and performs Theatrical, Interpretive, Lyrical, Tribaret, American Cabaret and ITS.
Her intense love of fantasy pushed her to fuse many of her traditional styles with cosplay/fantasy themes, especially Steampunk. Outside of her traditional appearances on stage and at cultural festivals, she has been a recurring teacher and performer at Lexington Comic Con, Cinci Comic Expo, Imaginarium Con and Galaxy Con.
The Tea Tzar
A connoisseur of Tea and Tisanes, the gentleman known as the Tea Tzar seeks to bring only the best the food and beverage world has to offer to close friends and strangers alike. His unique take on tea blends has resulted in flavors that are experiential and fantastical, working alongside his good friends over at the Ohio Tea company to bring these creations to life. And many a weary con-goer have had their hunger satiated by fresh foods that this "Convention Mom" has served up during many event weekends. Whether you're looking to fuel up on some caffeine or chill out with some herbal infusions you can trust that the Tea Tzar will not only deliver on what you want, but exceed it.