WoTCon 2024 kicked off with a bang headed by the Master of Ceremonies, Matt Hatch from The Dusty Wheel, and WoTCon’s Operations Director, Nae’blis. Opening Ceremonies featured the esteemed Guy Roberts as this year’s Guest of Honor. With a stellar lineup, including Michael Livingston, Maria Simons, and the talented audiobook duo Michael Kramer and Kate Redding, the stage was set for a remarkable gathering. Throughout the event, the blend of serious discussion, creative exploration, and WoT knowledge created an atmosphere that was inviting and fun. The convention was structured into panel sessions, which were categorized into tracks like Main, TV Show, Games & Fun, Book, and Creative. The track names are a bit clunky, but I appreciated the clarity. Each session was rated for spoilers, ensuring all participants could enjoy without fear of unexpected reveals, a thoughtful touch that highlighted the organizers' commitment to inclusivity for all fans. Panels at WoTCon were a core highlight, offering a variety of topics ranging from in-depth character analyses to speculative discussions about the series’ future. The panels offered a chance to delve deeper into the aspects of The Wheel of Time and encouraged active participation from the audience, making discussions a dynamic exchange. The printed program clearly described each panel, ensuring that attendees could easily follow their interests and engage fully with the content most relevant to them. One of the most anticipated sessions was the Season 3 Speculation & Adaptation panel, where fans shared their hopes and concerns for the upcoming television adaptation. Another fan-favorite was the WoT Ones panel- a Wheel of Timey twist on the viral Hot Ones spicy wing-eating game show. Speaking of favorites and spice- the relationSHIP panel explored potential romantic pairings within the series, allowing attendees to flex their looney theories in a spicy new way. The WoT IRL- Heroes of the Horn panelists speculated which real-life figures might be tied to the Wheel as Heroes, encouraging interesting discussions. The WoT Fantasy Draft turned character analysis into an engaging sport, where participants chose characters as if picking a fantasy sports team, leading to lively debates and strategic thinking. Guests imparted their wisdom with Michael Livingston providing his expert analysis of the Last Battle and content creators providing valuable advice in the Content Creation & How to Do It panel. These were just some highlights, there were plenty more- you can find the full schedule on their website. Panels aren’t the only thing on the program for WoTCon. The con’s nightlife was definitely kicking! Friday night's featured a special dinner for content creators, guests and those who purchased the all-inclusive event ticket. The giant sing-along and all the games in the atrium set the tone for a weekend of celebration and connection. Throughout the weekend, cosplayers showcased their incredible talents, culminating in a vibrant cosplay parade on Saturday. I saw Bear Elayne and also watched Shael give birth right on stage! Visit our WoTCon 2024 Photo Gallery to see more costumes in action. The banquet (this time for everyone) on Saturday evening was a highlight, with Matt and Nae'blis providing entertainment by reading anonymous notes from attendees that ranged from heartfelt thanks to delightfully cringy WoT-themed dad jokes and even a donation challenge. We were also treated to Kate Redding & Michael Kramer's reading of "The Grave is No Bar to My Call" from The Great Hunt. It was easy to see the experience was deeply appreciated by all who attended. Post-dinner, the room transformed into a lively dance party (with a bar!) that lasted all night. We danced so much, we would have made the Tinkers proud. For those less inclined to dance, the atrium hosted a Trivia game and plenty of people to chat with, ensuring there was something for everyone. It wouldn’t be a Wheel of Time convention without badge ribbons and shenanigans. There were badge ribbons (and stickers!) aplenty. Maria was giving out star stickers, which is so appropriate since she is an absolute star. Creator Salts designed some adorable stickers- a sister of each Ajah, Rand, Matt, Perrin, Valda, some other guys and the cutest Mydraal you've ever seen. Callie handed out amazing Ajah-colored bracelets that everyone rocked all weekend. Koala Sedai presented a giant-sized Uno card from her Cards of Time game to Guy Roberts, but not before she got all the backers of her Kickstarter to sign it! The Black Tower held a pinning ceremony where they raised members to Dedicated and Asha’man, including Penny "The Cake Lady" Laspina & Guy Roberts! Roofmistress Leigh-a presided over a ceremony where two Internet besties meeting in person for the first time became first sisters! The con closed with an improv session that perfectly displayed the spirit of community and fun among our fandom. This was a gathering of friends, both old and new, united by their love for The Wheel of Time. As the convention wrapped up, the sense of community lingered. Plans were already being made for next year, with many—including myself—planning to arrive a day early to partake in the pre-con fun. WoTCon was a vibrant celebration of The Wheel of Time, its fans, and the bonds that tie us together. I left Columbus with a heart full of memories and a renewed excitement for the series we all hold dear. WoTCon 2024 was an absolute blast, and I can’t wait to see what next year holds! I’m going to leave you with my favorite photo of the weekend. Sparkles, bubbles, coffee, Maria, Michael, rubber ducks, cocktails, cameras, and smiles all around. It sums us right up!

With JordanCon just around the corner, excitement is building, and so is the need to pack smart! Whether you're a first-timer or a seasoned attendee, having the right gear can make all the difference. Here’s a rundown of the top 10 essentials I pack to ensure my adventure is as smooth as a Tinker's dance moves. VEGER Portable Charger: Never let your device die in the middle of capturing a memorable panel or snapping a selfie with your favorite author. This slim power bank is a lifesaver, with built-in cables for both iPhone and Android devices. Veken Packing Cubes: Stay organized and maximize suitcase space with these handy packing cubes. They come in various sizes, making it easy to find exactly what you need without rummaging through your entire bag. Pedialyte Powder Packets: Hydration is key, especially with all the excitement and running around. These packets are a quick fix to keep hydrated, helping you stay energized throughout the con. Riemot Luggage Cup Holder: Juggling coffee and luggage is no joke. Attach this cup holder to your suitcase handle, and keep your drinks secure while you maneuver through crowds. Two drink slots in case you are a drink goblin like me! Earplugs: Whether you're trying to sleep on a noisy flight, in a room near the party floor, or next to a snoring roommate, earplugs are essential for peace and quiet. I bring my Loop earplugs, which I use year-round to drown out the chaos of the office. Neutrogena Makeup Remover Wipes: Refresh your skin after a long day with these individually wrapped wipes. They're perfect for quick makeup changes between events or before bedtime. Unlike travel packs of makeup wipes, these won’t dry out because they are individually wrapped. This is especially handy if you don’t use these frequently. It will keep the rest fresh for when you do need them. BAGSMART Toiletry Bag: This TSA-approved toiletry bag hangs conveniently and fits all your grooming essentials, keeping them neatly organized and accessible. 14 GRIDS Travel Pill Organizer: Keep your medications and supplements neatly sorted and easily accessible, a must-have for managing health on the go. It is so small, it can easily fit in any bag you choose. Electronics Organizer: An absolute necessity to keep all your electronic accessories like cables, power banks, Apple watches, Fitbits, e-readers, and earphones in one place. No more digging through your bag for a lost charger! Tide To Go Stain Remover Pen: From accidental spills to enthusiastic costume mishaps, this pen will be your best friend. It's compact and perfect for immediate spot treatment to keep your outfits looking great. Packing these items will ensure you're prepared for anything JordanCon throws your way, leaving you free to focus on the fun, the books, and the unforgettable community experience. See you there! *Note- contains affiliate links. Clicking through our links won't cost you any extra, but Dragonmount may get a small commission from Amazon. It's win-win for you and us!

Dragonmount's 2023: A Year of Epic Journeys and Celebrations As the new year dawns, it's time to reflect on the fun times we had at Dragonmount in 2023. From landmark anniversaries to exclusive interviews, 2023 has been a year of unforgettable moments. Celebrations & Events 25 Years of Dragonmount This year marked the silver jubilee of Dragonmount, and the end of an era as founder Jason Denzel passed the torch to our new CEO Kathy Campbell! 10 Years of A Memory of Light The year also marked a decade since the release of A Memory of Light. We celebrated this milestone with joy and nostalgia, honoring Robert Jordan's enduring legacy. Twitch Affiliate You all helped us reach Affiliate status with Twitch, which gives us access to more tools to bring even more content to you. Welcoming the New Social Media Team Dragonmount's online presence was invigorated with the addition of our fabulous new social media team, bringing fresh energy and creativity. JordanCon 2023 At the 15th annual JordanCon, we hosted the Feuding Families gameshow, a highlight that brought our community together for fun and camaraderie. Industry News Navigating Through Strikes This year, the Entertainment Industry experienced strikes with the Writers & Screen Actors Guilds. Though it dampened the launch of Season 2, we were happy to stand in solidarity with the writers and actors fighting for fair deals. Rosamund Pike's Triumph at the Audies Rosamund Pike, the voice that brought The Eye of the World to life, won the 2023 Audie Award for Best Female Narrator. Her captivating narration has been an integral part of our experience and we’re so excited to have The Great Hunt and The Shadow Rising in her voice as well. Year of Sanderson ICYMI Brandon Sanderson blew Kickstarter out of the water in 2022 with his "Year of Sanderson" campaign. It promised monthly boxes of pure awesome and I have to say, we got so much joy from opening our Kickstarter boxes each month. They were filled with goodies and of course, books! Unfortunately, the end of 2023 also means saying goodbye to the Year of Sanderson- but not without one last special surprise from Brandon! He has released a free ebook download of a previously unpublished short story called "Long Chills and Case Dough." Adventures & Exclusives Prague Set Visit CEO Kathy Campbell's visit to the Prague sets offered us an insider's view of the show's production, bringing us closer to the magic behind the camera. An incredible experience to BE in Two Rivers! Stay tuned for some releases from the trip! Connecting with the Cast Our interviews with Daniel Henney, Madeleine Madden, Marcus Rutherford, Ceara Coveney, Dónal Finn, Kate Fleetwood, and Ayoola Smart provided unique insights and allowed for a fun connection with some of our favorite actors. Artist Spotlight: Marcio Abreu We also had the pleasure of interviewing Marcio Abreu, the talented artist behind the graphic novel of The Great Hunt. Epic Community Engagement Charity Livestream During our summertime charity livestream event, we re-watched all of Season One in an epic marathon #reWoTch where we had contests, gave our prizes and were joined by many WoT content creators as well as Harriet McDougal and Maria Simons. Thanks to your support, we hit our goal of $2000 for the American Red Cross to aid those affected by the Maui Wildfires. Monday Night #reWoTch We love hanging out with you all on Monday nights, watching TV together. #reWoTch this year included Season 1 and 2 of The Wheel of Time (of course) as well as The Last of Us, Rings of Power, Good Omens, and Season One of The Mandalorian. Join us Monday nights at 9pm Eastern for more #reWoTch goodness! Gaming with Thom Thom DeSimone took us on livestream adventures via games like Baldur's Gate and the fan-made Third Age Wheel of Time Board Game. TikToking with Kitty #WoTober was a blast with Kitty, who brought incredible characters to life on TikTok. The Wheel of Time Season 2 We delved into the second season of The Wheel of Time on Prime, engaging in thorough discussions and analyses of every episode via our livestreams and podcasts. We're WoT fans - it's what we live for! WoTaHoliday We ended the year by participating in another successful WoTaHoliday hosted by Malkier Talks, and raising more money for charity. If you missed out on any of the fun we had, read through our blog posts for recaps and look through our YouTube videos to re-live the fun. As we bid farewell to 2023, we thank each and every one of you for being part of our journey. Dovie'andi se tovya sagain! Here's to more adventures and shared stories in 2024!

This past weekend, the Wheel of Time community came together for Malkier Talks’ annual WoT-A-Holiday event, a 24-hour celebration filled with games, stories, and a united effort to make a difference via donations to the Lightweaver Foundation. Dragonmount had the honor of kicking off this fantastical journey, and what an incredible start it was! Our segment began at 8 PM Eastern with the fun filled "WoT A Quote" game show featuring the Wheel of Tones. Hosted by our very own Michael, and featuring contestants Thom, Crystal, and Kevin, the event was a wonderful start to the night. It was filled with a lot of laughter as our contestants read famous Wheel of Time quotes in a variety of tones – from overwhelmingly bored to absolutely furious to celebrity impersonations! The audience participation was strong. Viewers were guessing who said each quote and added as much detail as possible to set the scene- who was the character talking to, what were they doing, what book did this take place in, etc. We also had the pleasure of giving away $25 gift certificates to the Dragonmount store and some Wheel of Time bumper stickers. Congrats to LightBlindedFool and GnomeandGarden for being quick on the draw with their vast WoT knowledge and taking home our gift certificates! Rob, the runner of Malkier Talks and our event host, set an ambitious goal of £10K to support the Lightweaver Foundation, a charity established by Brandon and Emily Sanderson to provide basic needs to those who need them. Thanks to the generosity of our amazing community, the event raised over $10,000 (or £8103) which is the standard they shoot for each year. Not quite the stretch goal set this year, but an incredible achievement for 24 hours of fundraising and it will make a difference! Following our segment, the baton was passed to Talk’aran’rhiod, followed by The Wheel Reads, the Way of the Leaf and so many more content creators. Each brought their unique flair to the event, with activities like trivia, WoTionary, drinking games and collaborative drawing. The diversity of our community's creativity was truly on display. The Way of the Leaf hosted WoTionary, which included some blindfolded drawing and of course, puppets. Joe from tWoTcast and Skeeter drew a lovely holiday scene which included trollocs pulling a sleigh and a Christmas tree decked out with Foresaken themed ornaments. Shout out to DanaLou_Who who actively participated in all 24 hours of the event with NO SLEEP. A special highlight of the event was the unveiling of the art for the 2024 Snacc Warder Calendar. For every 1k raised, they unveiled another picture. It’s a year filled with photos of everyone’s favorite Snacc Warder, Taylor Napier, with re-created poses by various WoT content creators! There were prizes won throughout various segments, but what charity event would be complete without some big fancy prizes? These were won by raffle, based on donation amount. All four Secret Project books donated by Dragonsteel- Jerri Williams A Full Leatherbound collection of Dragonsteel books, donated by Dragonsteel- Jamie Borbon Recording donated by Kate Redding & Michael Kramer- Jay 123. The Eye of the World signed by the cast- Charlotte Edmonds There was a special prize for the person who donated the most money- Roofmistress Leigh-a. £470. She wins a giant canvas print of Rob Christianson’s Wheel of Time map, signed by a plethora of content creators who attended WoTCon. Congratulations to all! "The Wheel weaves as the Wheel wills", and this weekend it wove a beautiful story of camaraderie and charity. Until next year, may you always find water and shade.