ThunderCon is thrilled to announce our next guest… someone who may be a familiar face to many of you… award-winning author H. Leighton Dickson!

To us, she’s the Mother of the Con, the Gatherer of Geeks, and someone without whom ThunderCon simply wouldn’t be what it is today. For years, Heather has worked tirelessly behind the scenes to help create a safe, welcoming, and fun place where fans of every fandom can come together and celebrate what they love.

Now it’s our turn to celebrate her.

H. Leighton Dickson or simply Heather, as we know her… because we’re on a first-name basis ;)… is coming off an incredible year with the release of her critically acclaimed novel, Ship of Spells. The story follows military mage Honor Renn, who is slowly being consumed by volatile magic. Rescued by the Touchstone—a legendary, sentient ship filled with outcasts—Honor must work alongside her sworn enemy, the ship’s enigmatic elven captain, to find a cure and prevent a crumbling magical barrier from plunging the world into war. Filled with unforgettable characters, impossible choices, and breathtaking adventure, Ship of Spells will keep you turning pages late into the night.

Heather first made her mark as an indie author with her science fantasy series Rise of the Upper Kingdom, followed by the gothic thriller series Cold Stone & Ivy. She later earned widespread acclaim with her award-winning Dragons of Solunas novels, including Dragon of Ash & Stars: The Autobiography of a Night Dragon and Dragon of Sand & Storm: The Autobiography of a Goddess.

Heather has lived a life almost as adventurous as her characters. She studied Zoology at the University of Guelph and worked at the Edinburgh Zoological Gardens in Scotland, where she was chased by lions, wrestled deaf tigers, and bottle-fed antibiotics to polar bears! She’s been writing and painting since she was five years old and even helped pay her way through university by pencilling comics for DC Comics.

We’re absolutely thrilled to welcome H. Leighton Dickson as one of our featured guests at ThunderCon 2026! Whether you’re an aspiring writer, a fantasy lover, or simply looking for your next great read, be sure to stop by, say hello, and discover why her books have captured the imaginations of readers everywhere.

September 19 & 20, 2026
The Superior Inn Hotel & Conference Centre

Follow H. Leighton Dickson on Instagram: @hleightondickson