WPLD FanCon 2025

Justin Castaneda 

Author/Artist

Justin Castaneda is a Filipino-American comic artist and author from Chicago’s south side, best known for his children’s book, Heart. He is the co-creator of the hit all-ages indie comic, Wonder Care Presents: The Kinder Guardians.

whenuwerelittle.art/
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Derelict Books

Author

Derelict Books proudly captures the reimagined myths of author Michael J Adams. From a tooth fairy PI to murderous muses to a 5th grader who farts ghosts, something unique awaits in every book, including the John's Fart Ripping Adventures and the Osseous series.

Derelict Books
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Ewelinko’s Art Shop

Artist

Ewelinko’s Art Shop features an assortment of stationery items with original semi realism pieces by owner and graphic designer, Ewelinko.

Ewelinkosartshop.com

Winston Gambro

Author/Artist

Winston Gambro is a comic creator and designer currently working for Oni Press. His work includes the cyberpunk mystery, Overflow, the comedy-mystery, Gumshoe City, the horror-romance, Haunted House: A Love Story and the alien noir, Lights in the Sky.

Winstongambro.com
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Gene Ha

Author/Artist

Gene Ha is the award-winning writer and artist of the graphic novel Mae, reissued in April 2025 as Mae:The Definitive Edition, which tells the story of a girl who follows her long missing sister Abbie to a world of mad science and mystery. His artwork is featured on titles like Wonder Woman Historia: The Amazons with writer Kelly Sue DeConnick and Top Ten with writer Alan Moore.

Bluesky
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Harte Strings Designs

Artist

Hookin’ & Bookin’ by Jenna, the librarian who crochets. Since 2009, she been crafting everything from amigurumi, to hats and blankets, to home decor, accessories and clothing. Find Jenna’s seasonal garlands as well as decorative drink coasters and mug rugs at WPLD FanCon.

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Emily Hornburg 

Author

Emily is an author of fantasy novels including The Cursed Queens series based on fairy tales and filled with romance, adventure, lush magical worlds, glowing tattoos and dragons.

EmilyHornburg.com
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Lauren Jankowski

Author

Lauren Jankowski is an openly aromantic asexual, disabled, adoptee, feminist author from Illinois best known for her ongoing fantasy series The Shape Shifter Chronicles. She has been writing fiction since high school, when she noticed a lack of strong women, particularly queer women and women from non-traditional families, in the popular genre books.

laurenjankowski.com
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Andrea Jones

Author

Andrea Jones is the author of the Hook & Jill saga, an immersive award-winning series of Neverland novels for adult readers in which humanity through the magical lens of fairy tale is examined.

hookandjill.com
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Bret Juliano

Author/Artist

Bret Juliano is a cartoonist and creator of the all-ages Dust Bunny Mafia comic and is co-author of the Detective Potatoes novels. Bret has published five volumes of Based on a True Story, a mini-comic collection. His dust bunny mobsters known as Mobimals are also on playing cards, shirts and art prints.

DustBunnyMafia.com
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Bill "McSciFi" McCormick

Author

Bill "McSciFi" McCormick is an award-winning and critically acclaimed author celebrated for his vivid storytelling and unique blend of sci-fi, humor and social commentary. His novel, The Brittle Riders, won Best Sci-Fi Novel of 2022 and has been optioned to be developed into a feature film.

BillMcSciFi.com

PlanetDaystorm Studios

Author/Artist

PlanetDaystorm Studios is an art studio dedicated to crafting bold, unforgettable characters and stories that push the boundaries of the superhero genre. Its diverse range of characters—from mysterious and legendary to fearless defenders of justice—are set in the unique fantasy realm of Mythion. Every page is a new adventure waiting to unfold!

Planetdaystormstudios.com

Randomthunk Productions

Artist

Randomthunk Productions is a purveyor of fine art prints, pins, stickers and more, featuring a wide range of subjects from anime to D&D to baseball. Browse and chat with artist Ginger Hoesly, aka, Randomthunk.

Randomthunk.com

Terrence Rex

Vendor

Terrence Rex specializes in comics and comic-related items.

Sapphire Studios

Artist

A collaborative creative space with private artist studios that feature cosmetic and body art, esthetics and laser removal.

sapphirestudiosnaperville.com
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Space Gallery Online

Vendor

Find unique merchandise and original mini-figure sets for super heroes, Star Wars, Avengers, Doctor Who, Anime, Harry Potter and more.

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Steph Stanga

Artist

Steph Stanga is an illustrator with a BFA in Media Arts and Animation who is inspired by nature, animals, animated movies and the fantasy genre overall. Her favorite subjects to draw are weird, “ugly” things or creatures that just need some extra love.

Stephstanga.com
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Whimsical WANDerings

Artist

Whimsical WANDerings by Jessica Trudeau features one-of-a-kind magic wands and fantasy-inspired handmade jewelry.

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Dale Zawada

Author/Screenwriter

Dale Zawada is an award-winning screenwriter and author. His first book, American Graveyard, is a six-story horror anthology featuring various horror subgenres. His feature films A Big Love Story and Halloweed had lengthy theater runs and are now streaming on Netflix and Amazon Prime.

Dale has written multiple one-shot D&D modules available for free at DMsGuild.com.

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The League of Enchantment

Cosplay

The League of Enchantment is a 501c3 Nonprofit with the mission to work with local hospitals and community organizations to bring hope and smiles to kids and make a difference in their lives all through the power of cosplay.

Leagueofenchantment.org/chicago
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Windy City Ghostbusters

Cosplay

Windy City Ghostbusters is a registered 501c3 charitable organization that makes appearances all over the greater Chicagoland area to collect donations to benefit our official charity partner, La Rabida Children's Hospital.

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