Convention Chair
Way back in 2004, Mike (along with Tee Morris and Tony Ruggiero) came up with the crazy idea of hosting a convention in Richmond, VA. He’s been chairing RavenCon ever since.
In addition to running RavenCon, Mike Pederson is also the publisher/editor/graphic designer responsible for the fanzine Nth Degree. Mike began his career as a writer/publisher in 1988 when his SF short story, “Dust Storm,” won first place in a local writing contest. In the 1990s, he wrote and published the Raven comic book series (with artist Robert Quill) and edited and published Scene, a Virginia-based entertainment magazine. In 2001, Mike was part of the “Best in Class – Master Division” winning presentation (Pre-Emptive Strike) at the Millennium Philcon Masquerade. Two month later he started Nth Degree. In 2007, he wrote a chapter on “Writing for Magazines” for Dragon Moon Press’ Writing Fantasy: The Author’s Grimoire.
Other than RavenCon, Mike has also run programming for Trinoc*coN, been Fan Guest of Honor for ConCarolinas and Mysticon, co-chaired a successful NASFiC bid (with Warren Buff), and served as Master of Ceremonies for MarsCon. Between Nth Degree and his many convention appearances, Mike has become the East Coast’s go-to guy for interviews. He’s interviewed guests for Balticon, ConCarolinas, ConGregate, MarsCon, Mysticon, RavenCon, and StellarCon. In the last few years Mike has interviewed a wide range of writers, gamers, artists, and actors. Those interviews have included Aaron Alston, Kevin J. Anderson, Elizabeth Bear, Jennie Breeden, Terry Brooks, Jim Butcher, Orson Scott Card, Nicki Clyne, David B. Coe, Glen Cook, Larry Correia, Peter David, Peter Davison, Larry Dixon, Sherilyn Fenn, Phil & Kaja Foglio, Charles E. Gannon, Joe Haldeman, Richard Hatch, Jim Hines, D.B. Jackson, Albin Johnson, Sherrilyn Kenyon, Alethea Kontis, Katherine Kurtz, Ellen Kushner, Mercedes Lackey, Sharon Lee, George R.R. Martin, Todd McCaffrey, Steve Miller, Rebecca Moesta, Jody Lynn Nye, Tamora Pierce, Mark Poole, John Ringo, Kim Stanley Robinson, Carrie Ryan, Delia Sherman, Michael Stackpole, Allen Steele, Bruce Sterling, S.M. Stirling, Tony Todd, Lani Tupu, John Varley, David Weber, Connie Willis, Janny Wurts, Timothy Zahn, and too many more to list.
In 2017, Mike was honored with the Rebel Award for his contributions to Southern Fandom.
Yes, Mike is an insanely busy person; if you see him around the con please feed him lots of caffeine and/or beer.
When not engaged in geekish pursuits, Mike is an under-employed graphic designer and lives in Powhatan, VA.
mailto:chair@ravencon.com