Celebrate the Christian storytellers impacting popular culture.
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Realm Makers has trained hundreds of fantastical-fiction creators at its annual writers’ conferences since 2013. Now the Christian-run organization will expand into new dimensions with the first-ever Realm Makers Expo. This fan-focused showcase of books as well as gaming, comics, animation, and audiodrama will join the writers’ conference and the Christian Game Developers Conference for a joint event July 18–20 at DeVos Place in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
“Christian storytellers, artists, game developers, and filmmakers will meet fellow lovers of fantasy, science fiction, games, comics, animation, and beyond,” said Realm Makers CEO Scott Minor. Although the organization is headlined by Christian storytellers and publishers, he added, fans of all ages and beliefs can enjoy the event.
“We’re excited that we can offer so many creatives the opportunity to meet each other and their audiences at the inaugural Realm Makers Expo,” Minor said. “The Realm Makers Expo, Realm Makers Writers Conference and the Christian Game Developers Conference take place at the same time, which allows us to bring all these fans and experts together in one . Attendees will experience a fan convention, a book festival, and an intellectual symposium on Christian storytelling all in one!”
Realm Makers Expo will feature Christian artists in creative media such as:
- fantasy and science fiction novels
- video games and board games
- comics and graphic novels
- animation and anime
- audio drama and voiceover
- film and television
Enclave Publishing and Sky Turtle Press are the event sponsors. Other sponsors include The Salvation Poem Project, producers of the Light of the World animated feature; Brainy Pixel Animation Studio, and the Christian Game Developers Conference.
Confirmed special guests include:
- Mike Nawrocki, co-creator of VeggieTales, voice actor (Larry the Cucumber), and creator of the Dead Sea Squirrels, now streaming on Minno
- Brent Weeks, New York Times bestselling fantasy author
- D. Smith, author of the Green Ember series, performing Green Ember LIVE!
- D. Wilson, author of 100 Cupboards, co-executive producer for House of David
- Tony Bancroft, director of Disney’s Mulan as well as animator of Cogsworth (Beauty and the Beast), Iago (Aladdin), and Pumbaa (The Lion King)
- Katie Leigh, voice actress for roles such as Baby Rowlf in Muppet Babies and Connie Kendall in Focus on the Family’s audio drama Adventures in Odyssey
- Alex “Magnus” Lehmann, director of creative management for MMO R&D at Riot Games (developer of League of Legends)
- Main Street Music Show, a live sketch comedy Christian radio troupe. featuring special guests: Mike Nawrocki and Katie Leigh.
- Sarah Arthur, fantasy author & authority on Madeleine L’Engle and C.S. Lewis.
Realm Makers Expo ticket options
All children aged 11 and younger are free to attend every ticketed event all weekend. VIP tickets for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday cost $150 and include a swag bag, free tickets to two live performances, 10% discount at the Realm Makers Bookstore, VIP only Expo preview hours Friday afternoon and Saturday morning, and front row seating at screenings and panels. Adult weekend passes (Sat. and Sun.) are $40, Youth weekend passes are just $20 and a Family Pass for the weekend is $120 no matter how many children you have. Only your own children though, please. Single day passes are also available for Saturday or Sunday. For tickets, visit Expo.RealmMakers.com.
Rates for sponsors and exhibitors
The event welcomes Christian authors, artists, retailers, and service providers to exhibit.
Author/artist tables cost $200 to $300 depending on location, and 10×10 booths start at $400. For complete sponsorship information, see Expo.RealmMakers.com.
More about Realm Makers
The Realm Makers mission is to support Christian writers and artists who create science fiction and fantasy in their journeys from idea to marketplace. In addition to events, Realm Makers also runs a mobile bookstore, and a physical bookstore called Bookish located in the King of Prussia Mall near Philadelphia. For more information, visit RealmMakers.com.
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Contact:
Scott Minor
Realm Makers
6109066266
[email protected]
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of RNS or Religion News Foundation.
