Let’s start with the essentials. Looking to share the magic of The Wheel of Time with someone new? Start them on their journey with a copy of The Eye of the World—check your local bookstore. Tickets for community events like JordanCon, WoTCon, and MalkieriCon also make wonderful gifts. Don’t forget about supporting your special someone’s favorite creators! A Patreon membership is a thoughtful way to give them access to exclusive content and help sustain the creators who keep the fandom thriving. Dragonmount has some great merch for you too! Our store is bursting with goodies to show off your WoT pride. Speaking of pride- are you bonded and proud? Show off your bonded status with a t-shirt featuring your favorite color & pronoun option! $28 each. Looking for jewelry? These officially licensed items from Badali Jewelry should do the trick. They're currently on sale in our shop! Perfect time to grab your Aes Sedai ring- it's on sale for $79. The Ajah bracelet, which is typically $259 is on sale for $199. You can score Moiraine's Kesiera earrings for $34! We've got Dragonmount swag too! This large tote bag is perfect to carry around the project your working on with your Knitting Circle, or some of those new books you just added to your TBR pile. Pick up the We Are All the Heroes Notebook to jot down your thoughts and have a daily reminder that you are awesome!! Many of the content creators within our community have merch available as well! Visit your fav creator's site for their links. We've highlighted some of this year's favs for you here: Malkier Talks has released a new Snacc Warders of Time Calendar for 2025! We know next year's calendar will be as great at this year's was! The webstore also has swag for both Malkier Talks and Three Fold Talk.. and even some con merch! If you missed out on the Soundscapes Kickstarter, it's available on the Soundscapes website here. Perfect accompaniment for your re-read! Looking for more T-Shirts? tWoTcast has you covered. They've got tWoTcast designs, and they even have a tWoT Quest design. We are LOVING the Wotionary designs, though! If you (or the person you're shopping for) are Wotionary fans, you need to check these out. If you're looking for more festive merch, head over to KritterXD's shop. She's got some great WoT inspired Ugly Christmas Sweater designs, and since it's Redbubble- you can get them on all sorts of products! This Winternight Wonderland sweater is one of our favs. A Winespring Inn Gingerbread house- are you kidding me? If you're not aware of NewCreationsbyJen, you need to get yourself over there right now because it's basically a treasure trove of fandom merch. While you're shopping for your fam, get yourself the next Frosty Mug for your collection. Or do you collect shot glasses? Pick up Black Tower Podcasts' Taste the Taint shot glass. Maybe your sister could use some fancy new coasters for when she sips tea with the Tinkers. Does your brother have a baby? Get it some baby swag! Surely you've seen editions of the Weekly Wheel News floating around. Those ads are not just for show! There are all kinds of fun designs in here for t-shirts, stickers and more. You can even get Rob's gorgeous WoT map on an insulated bottle so you can gaze at it all day. There you have it! Go shopping, hit those sales, drops some hints to your loved ones, and definitely pick up something for yourself.

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!