From fairgrounds to fandom, RisuCon tells a story of creative independence

By Alexander Fernandez

Reporter for Life News Today

Montgomery County, Md., Oct. 4, 2025 - At the heart of Montgomery County’s creative resurgence stands RisuCon, a festival organized by the Montgomery County Comic and Cosplay Club. What began in 2023 as a modest club gathering of fans and creators has grown into one of the region’s most anticipated cultural events. The club, a 501(c)(7) nonprofit dedicated to supporting local artists and fan culture, leads RisuCon as its signature program. The festival remains entirely volunteer run and funded through member dues rather than corporate sponsorship, according to the Montgomery County Volunteer Center listing.

RisuCon’s first public event took place on Aug. 6, 2023, under its original name, MonkeyCon, at Bohrer Park in Gaithersburg. The gathering drew dozens of local artists, cosplayers, and comic fans, bringing the community together beneath the summer sky, according to local news reports. Afterward, organizers decided to change the name following feedback that “MonkeyCon” could be misinterpreted in tone and imagery. The new name, RisuCon, introduced a mascot inspired by the Japanese word risu, meaning squirrel, a symbol of curiosity, agility, and community, according to the convention’s official FAQ.

As the rebranded festival gained recognition, RisuCon began to expand its reach. Partnerships with Montgomery Community Media and the aerial imaging company Dronify DMV helped increase its visibility across social and regional platforms. Organizers built on that attention to add new vendors, workshops, cosplay exhibitions, and independent literature showcases. The Gaithersburg fairgrounds offered a larger and more accessible setting, transforming the event from a small local meetup into a centerpiece of Montgomery County’s creative calendar.

This year’s RisuCon, held on Oct. 4, saw that vision come to life. By midday, the Montgomery County Fairgrounds were alive with color, sound, and movement. A woman adjusted the glowing eyes on her My Hero Academia mask. A man in Mandalorian armor stopped as a child struck a Jedi pose beside him. Across the open field, groups of live action role players acted out choreographed battles with foam swords and shields. Each swing and retreat carried the rhythm of both performance and connection, a shared display of imagination unfolding in real time.

Many of the artists and writers who exhibit at RisuCon embody the expanding movement of independent publishing. A 2025 study published in Publishing Research Quarterly found that rejection from traditional publishers and the desire for creative control remain the two leading reasons authors choose to self-publish, according to the report. The same study noted that financial independence and creative experimentation have become increasingly common motivations among younger creators. Those trends were evident across the fairgrounds, where artists displayed hand-bound comics and digitally printed novels, greeting readers directly in a setting that values independence, experimentation, and personal expression.

Nick Davis, creator of The Teddy Bear Tales, said RisuCon offers independent artists something few other events can provide, a direct link to their readers. “I always wanted to write a comic book,” Davis said. “I didn’t know my stories, which lean more into adult-themed violence, would attract a much younger audience. I have since released a kids’ series and have grown my series into four books, with a fifth releasing very soon.” His experience, he explained, shows how self-published authors can build loyal audiences and expand their creative reach outside the limits of traditional publishing.

Across from Davis’s table sat the Feral Writers Club, a collective of authors and editors who host mentoring sessions and provide critique. Their mission is to help writers progress from first drafts to finished books. Their forthcoming Fitz’s Writing Guide serves as a practical roadmap for structure, editing, promotion, and professional connection in today’s independent ecosystem. The club’s table stayed busy with discussions about layout, fonts, crowdfunding, and social strategies. Author Maeghan Jo-Kimball, known for Burnt and Ashes from the SAPP Trilogy, Incident Zero, and her newly released Beacon of Light, said she appreciates the festival’s growth and accessibility. “It’s wonderful to see how much RisuCon has expanded,” Jo-Kimball said. “This larger venue gives us the space to connect with more writers and readers who are excited about creative independence.”

Nearby, members of DC Conspiracy, a collective of independent comic creators based in the Washington metropolitan area, filled their tables with hand-printed publications, illustrated serials, and experimental works. The group, which promotes collaboration among local artists and publishes community anthologies, brought a vibrant do-it-yourself energy to the fairgrounds. Superhero Causeplay Support, one of RisuCon’s community partners, walked the aisles dressed as comic book heroes, posing for children and raising awareness for local charities. Their presence added a civic dimension to the creative atmosphere, linking art, service and storytelling. Together, these groups helped narrow the distance between creators and audiences, making participation a defining feature of the festival.

The rise of self-publishing has reshaped the modern creative industry. More than 2.6 million titles were self-published in the United States in 2023, a 7.2% increase from the previous year, according to Bowker, a global provider of bibliographic data. The total is more than twice the number of titles produced a decade earlier, showing how independent publishing has evolved from a niche pursuit into a central force in the literary market. That trend was evident across the tables at RisuCon, where authors, illustrators and small presses brought their work directly to readers, bypassing traditional intermediaries and turning creative independence into a shared community experience. The closeness between creators, readers and fans erased the distance often seen in commercial publishing. When someone purchased a publication, they met the author face to face. When a reader asked a question, the illustrator answered directly. When a writer shared a draft page, another creator offered feedback. The fairgrounds functioned as a living exchange of art, conversation and collaboration.

As the afternoon light softened, families gathered near the main stage for the cosplay costume contest. Attendees cheered as performers showcased handmade armor, masks and dance routines, many created by first-time makers. Cameras flashed as friends posed together. When organizers thanked the crowd for “a great show” and confirmed that RisuCon will return on Oct. 10, 2026, at the same fairgrounds, applause spread across the field. The moment felt less like an ending and more like a continuation. RisuCon’s vendor policy reinforces its commitment to inclusion and creative balance. The event’s exhibitor application notes that some submissions may be declined if “too many of any one type of vendor have applied,” a measure intended to maintain a diverse range of offerings, according to RisuCon’s official website.

After three years of growth, RisuCon continues to follow the mission set by its founders. It remains a volunteer-run, community-based festival focused on creativity and accessibility. The event’s continued expansion shows how local initiatives can sustain regional arts culture without major corporate sponsorship. Each year, the fairgrounds fill again with the same purpose, to connect artists, families and fans in a shared space of creative expression.