Jim C. Hines, Author Guest of Honor:
ICON 34 Author Guest of Honor Jim C. Hines' first fiction sale was a story called “Blade of the Bunny.” Yes, really. That story took first place in the 1998 Writers of the Future competition, and set the tone for much of his career. His latest book is the Locus bestseller “Goblin War.” His goblin books have been called “Too f***ing cool for words” by Wil Wheaton, and “a hilarious piece of work” by John Kovalic of Dork Tower fame. Jim's next book is “The Stepsister Scheme,” best described as a mash-up of fairy tale princesses and Charlie's Angels. Yes, really. He's also the author of approximately forty short stories, which have appeared in places such as Realms of Fantasy, Turn the Other Chick, and Sword & Sorceress. Jim lives in Michigan with his wife and two children, as well as 2 dogs and 2.75 cats.Get to know Jim C. Hines on his Livejournal
Heather Bruton, Artist Guest of Honor:
Biography for an artist, talking about oneself is always kind of difficult. I prefer to talk about my art and let it say what it can about the person that produces it! But I guess my art is a product of my life; my interests and my roots; where I've been and what sparks my interests. So... here goes.
In 1978 I attended my first SF convention and showed my work for the first time. I was flattered to sell it all and win two art show awards. Since then I've garnered over one hundred and fifty art show awards including three WorldCon art show awards. Over the years, I've worked to hone my skills, constantly learning and experimenting. During that time I've produced hundreds of originals as well as both photo and litho prints. In the early '90s, I began to work in the gaming industry, producing art for a myriad of companies.
I love working in the fantasy field and adding my own touches to it. I've often joked that I'm a frustrated wildlife artist, and animals are a big part of what I love most to paint. My two greatest influences are the Czech Art Nouveau Master Alphonse Mucha, and the British romantic J.W. Waterhouse. I also love the work of Robert Bateman, Bev Dolittle, Lawrence Alma-Tadema, Michael Whelan, Brom, Van Gogh, Alicia Austin, Erte, James Gurney, N.C. Wyeth, Stephen Lyman and others too numerous to mention. I love all kinds of art, but have a special fondness for the British Romantics of the late Victorian period.
Most of the time I'm happily ensconced in my living room, listening to way too much TV and sketching, inking and painting. I love what I do, but it is a solitary job most of the time. So I enjoy getting out of the house to attend conventions, to meet folks and other artists. If you see me at a con, feel free to walk up and chat, or if you have some comments about anything you see on this site, please drop me a line on email!
Rusty Hevelin, Toastmaster:
Rusty is an extremely welcome fixture as ICON’s Toastmaster, attending every ICON but one. He’s been in fandom since the early forties.
Robert A. Ashby, Ghost of Honor
Rob was taken from the world too soon on June 11, 2009. ICON 34 honors him this year as our Ghost of Honor. He was a generous, kind, lovely, silly, irreverent man who many will miss forever. We hope that his spirit joins us this ICON to help us all celebrate his life...and our own.