Ink-Stained Amazon

 Cross-Posted at GeekGirlCon.com 

One of my most treasured GeekGirlCon memories involves puppets. Okay, several of my favorite GeekGirlCon experiences involve puppets (looking at you, Puppet Joss Whedon – you handsy bastard), but this one in particular involves the spectacular Red Fraggle and her handler, the extraordinarily talented & singularly kind Karen Prell.

Karen had attended our inaugural con in 2011 for a sing-along screening of Labyrinth at the EMP. We’d held a sock-puppet making workshop earlier in the day, led by our Design Team, and she pointed out some key moments for puppet participation. (Seeing happy geek women & girls singing and smiling and waving sock puppets they made themselves packing the JBL theater was SQUEE.)

In 2013, celebrations for the 30^th Anniversary of Fraggle Rock were taking place, and GeekGirlCon was presented with an opportunity to get in on the joy. The Jim Henson Company agreed to loan us Red – but she needed to be flown out with a handler and put up in a hotel. Red was certainly not a diva, and the expense was less than I’d predicted, but more than our entire programming budget.

The Executive Director and I decided it was something too special to not make happen.

So we did.

(Dance your cares away . . . Worries for another day . . . Let the music play . . .)

And it was worth it.

Karen and Red were delightful in their spotlight session, engaging the audience with song and humor and curiosity. During the audience Q&A, a little girl, held up to the microphone by her mother, asked Red if she knew the song, “Twinkle Twinkle, Little Star.” Red replied that since Fraggles live underground, she didn’t know the song because she didn’t often get to see stars – and asked the child if she could teach her the lyrics.

The little girl was shy, her voice nearly inaudible, and all of a sudden, whispered, gentle voices rose up around the room. Twinkle Twinkle Little Star . . .

Everyone in the room came together, collaborated, shared something as a community . . . Up above the earth so high, like a diamond in the sky . . .

It was heart-swelling tears and sparkling magic and quiet beauty. I’ll never forget the feeling and I cherish that experience. I know I’m not alone.

After the panel, Red and Karen enthusiastically posed for photographs for nearly three hours. Then, seemingly tireless, they graciously signed photos that Karen had brought special for the occasion. (THEN, Karen made sure to seek out and say thank you and goodbye to everyone. As I said, singularly kind.)

This story illustrates just one of the many reasons I am GivingBIG to GeekGirlCon on May 3, and I’m hoping that you’ll accept my invitation to help us make magic.

That may be through #GiveBIG, but it may be by buying a pass and coming to the convention. It could be following GeekGirlCon on Twitter, applying for one of our 100% volunteer staff positions, or coming out to one of our year-round events.

Karen Falk, the Head Archivist for The Jim Henson Company, once told me that Henson created Fraggle Rock with the intention of inspiring world peace. The hope was that the show would both entertain as it taught kids about getting along with people who are different from you, and, about sharing your environment. Falk said that it was one of the most important projects he did.

The mission of GeekGirlCon might not be quite so lofty as world peace – but in celebrating and supporting women & girls in geek culture, we are advocating for shared space. Or, at least a space to sing.

The Monday after GeekGirlCon ’13 I posted the following on Facebook:

You know . . . I think I’ve exchanged the words “I love you,” “I’m proud of you,” and/or, “You amaze me,” with more women in the past 72 hours than I have in my entire life so far. It feels really fucking good.

Before GeekGirlCon, I’d never been part of a female community before – even as a self-identified feminist. Being part of this organization with our passionate, committed, and hard-working all-volunteer staff, and the enthusiasm, support, and collaboration of our extended community has been enormously healing for me – as well as a source of personal and professional growth.

This year’s convention event went above and beyond to create an inclusive and diverse experience, both in terms of identity politics and genre or thematic interests. We bridged academia with career advice, nerdlesque with puppet shows, and cosplay with social justice issues. We had gaming, art, science, and crafty-vendors. The design was beautiful, operations kept things running smoothly, and marketing generated enthusiasm while keeping our public informed. The celebrations and the conversations were phenomenal. We had more programming, panelists, and attendees than ever before. Through year-round programming & events, and some damn fine marketing, we increased our audience by 50% over last year’s convention – and actually sold out before doors opened! And knowing my ambitious GeekGirlCon family – we will strive to be ever-better.

* * *

In the past, people have described the experience of GeekGirlCon as “warm,” “safe,” and “inspiring.” And this year these words were repeated again and again.

For GeekGirlCon ’13, here is a select collection of post-event thoughts, wrap-ups, and suggestions for improvement from press, attendees, staff, and contributors.

GeekWire – “GeekGirlCon: Where you can be whatever you want” by Emily Shahan

“In fact, above all else, it seems to me that acceptance is the main focus of GeekGirlCon. This is apparent from the curated panels to types of vendors and artists on display. . . . the classic nerd stereotype is changing as more women, LGBT folks and people of color step forward and claim their space in Nerd-dom. We are demanding that the media we love so dearly reflect its fanbase — that there are more stories to tell than that of the white, male hero.”

ICV2 – “Separate or Integrate: How Can Geekdom’s Minorities Preserve Safe Spaces at Conventions?” by Rob Salkowitz

“Is nerd culture fragmenting along dominant-minority lines? Will underrepresented voices retreat to their own spaces or continue to push the dialogue forward in fandom’s most populous arenas? . . . Though it is oriented toward women as a deliberate strategy, [GeekGirlCon] in practice represents the very opposite of ‘separatist’ fandom and aims to be an inclusive space where geek dads can bring their daughters and geek moms can bring their sons without the implicit biases that color interactions at other kinds of cons.”

“A couple things on my return” by Sigrid Ellis

“I have no insider knowledge of how Geek Girl Con is run. I don’t know any of the organizers. But, damn, y’all, that operates like a finely-run fan convention. It was like a professional media or comic-con, except run by cheerful, enthusiastic, friendly volunteers who all cared enormously about what they were doing. . . The thing I will remember most about Geek Girl Con is how HAPPY everyone was to be there, how HAPPY everyone was to see everyone else and to all be doing this awesome thing, together, at the same time.”

“Three Years, Three Different Experiences: The Magic of Seattle’s Geek Girl Con” by Megan Christopher

“[W]hile it’s still more intimate than many of its established cousins, in its third year, organizers should have considered renaming Geek Girl Con ’Katniss,’ because the ‘Girl’ was on fire.”

GeekMom – “Why GeekGirlCon Is Uniquely Satisfying” by Corrina Lawson

“I went expecting a regular-style con only with more women. What I found was a community basically throwing a huge getaway weekend. Instead of being exhausted at the end, as I feel like at most cons, I left energized and excited about the future.”

Through a City Geekly – “GeekGirlCon: A Geekly Recap”

“The message I heard over and over again as I spoke to attendees was clear: this is a safe space. As women have increasingly become a part of ‘geek culture’, the harassment they face has also increased. And women who want to work in the comic or gaming industries, or, heaven forbid, who want to be scientists? That’s an uphill battle of Sisyphusian proportions. Yes, thankfully, the game is changing and slowly — so, so slowly — the opportunities are starting to emerge. Organizations like GeekGirlCon are part of that solution.”

“GeekGirlCon 2013” – by Anne Bean

“How do I describe GeekGirlCon? Do I talk about the gender distribution: maybe 75% women, 25% men? Do I talk about how much more visible queer geeks, geeks of color, and geeks with disability were than at other cons? Do I talk about the high quality of cosplay, the seriously good panels, or the interesting bits that other cons don’t have, like the DIY Science section or the networking section? . . . There are important conversations about women and race and disability and all kinds of neat things! There’s a lot of rad cosplay! There is actual science! There is a non-creepy vibe! . . . It is a magical place.”

Fangirl Confessions – “GeekGirlCon 2013 Wrap Up”

“The most beautiful thing about cosplaying at Geek Girl Con is that the cosplayers come in all shapes, sizes, ages, colors, sexual orientations, etc. The cosplaying community here is respectful of each other. I felt as if I were a part of something special. . . . I have never felt so included in an event as I have here. I felt as if I had just dropped in on some old friends, even though this was my first Geek Girl Con and I was attending alone. I might have showed up alone, but I am leaving with a ton of new friends.”

“You’re Welcome Here: Geek Girl Con 2013” by Elicia Sanchez

“[R]ight at that moment, it hit me. That special indescribable feeling of security and safety that comes over you when you realize you’ve just stumbled upon a safe space where you can just be you. . . . A feeling of belonging and acceptance, like a huge sigh of social anxiety relief. It may seem to some as a stretch to equate a sticker photograph policy to an encompassing feeling of acceptance, but it really was just my first reminder that not just women, but all geeks were free to be themselves here without the leering eyes of some creeper trying to gawk at tight or suggestive cosplay or some asshole trying to get a picture of a fat ‘slave Leia’ to make mockery of on Reddit. I immediately realized this may not be your average nerd gathering.”

XOJane – “I SPENT TWO WEEKS ATTENDING TWO WOMEN-FOCUSED GEEK CONS AND IT WAS PRETTY AWESOME” by K. T. Bradford

“There were far more men at GeekGirlCon than I expected and they participated at every level: on staff, on panels, and as attendees. And yet GGC people also spoke of the con as a Safe Space. Again, the idea of what is safe differs depending on what type of woman you are, yet I was pretty confident that there wouldn’t be anyone there saying that they ‘want to buy an umbrella [that comes] with an Asian girl,’ no matter the gender. It’s not about banning or even discouraging guys from coming to the con, it’s about making it clear what is and is not valued that leads to a con women can feel safe attending.

So forget any ridiculousness you hear about how cons that cater to specific or marginalized groups are all about self-segregation. They’re not — not completely. Because if the con has all the elements geeks flock to cons for, it will attract all the geeks. And if these cons can attract geeks away from events that foster a hostile environment, then those other cons (and the media entities that support them) will either have to change or die.”

Burlesque Seattle Press – “Bechdel Test Burlesque” by Paul O’Connell

“To understand GeekGirlCon’s perspective, Jo Jo says that she went straight to the source: Jennifer K. Stuller, Director of Programming and Events for the annual conference. ‘We love strong female characters and we love them even more when they are complex and we believe that performance provides opportunities to tell new, challenging and inspiring stories about our favorite female characters and their allies.'”

Fangirl Blog – “GeekGirlCon 2013: Convention Recap” by Tricia Barr

“Once again this year’s convention was a delight. The staff is friendly, the panels enjoyable and enlightening, and the venue is top-notch.”

Geekquality – “We’re Back from GeekGirlCon!” by Tanya

“At the convention, there were a lot more parents with young children, as well as teenage geeks this year. Many times I overheard kids excitedly discussing their favorite comic book characters or games, and it reminded me just how fun it is to discover your hobbies and interests for the first time. There is something really moving about seeing so many young people in a comfortable space where they can feel at ease, while also bonding with their parents who brought them to the Con. That enthusiastic, playful energy wasn’t just limited to the younger set, as plenty of geeks and nerds of all stripes came to GGC, making it a completely sold out event both days.”

ACLU of Washington State – “GEEKGIRLCON: A PLACE FOR WOMEN WHO HAVE FOUND THEIR OWN VOICES” by Alicia Briones

“It’s amazing to see so many women together, contributing to and creating a woman-friendly environment where people can openly speak about their experiences in their field. Many men come to the Con as well, supporting not only their mothers, sisters, friends, wives, and girlfriends, but also showing support for female-created works and incorporating those pieces into their own lives. There is room for both women and men in all these industries. . . . But most importantly, GeekGirlCon is a stepping stone for young girls looking for their voice by being able to interact with women who have found their own voices already.”

Almost Nerdy – “GeekGirlCon: A Growing Celebration of Female Geeks” by SIERRA HOUK

“The inclusive environment that GeekGirlCon creates is a lovely thing to be a part of. Panels ranged in topics from race, consent, and body image in regards to cosplay, self-publishing tips, how feminism is reflected in nerd culture and what it means to be a female nerd, to craft competitions and a fully improvised parody of classic Star Trek episodes. There was something there for everyone, no matter your gender or fandoms. It was obvious that everyone there wasn’t afraid to hold back, whether they were cosplaying as their favorite Batman villain or singing along with one of the nerdy musicians putting on a ninja gig (see: The Doubleclicks pleasing the crowd at their lobby show).”

The Backup Ribbon Project – “Coming Home: Geek Girl Con 2013”

“At Geek Girl Con, found myself connecting with random people with whom I was standing in line to wait for a panel. People told me their stories, asked for ribbons, and gave me their contact information. It was, in a word, overwhelming to see an entire con — including the staff and con com — committed to making geek spaces accessible for all. . . . In two days at Geek Girl Con, I felt more a part of the geek community than I have in more than 20 years of geekdom.”

WatchPlayRead – “My Adventures at GeekGirlCon 2013! Real Geek Girls, Seriously!!!” by Becky Hansen

“Attending GeekGirlCon gave me a feeling of empowerment, a feeling of respect for my contributions, and those of other females, to the world of geek. One of the greatest parts of the con was seeing women of all ages coming together to stand up for geek girls everywhere. There were girls as young as 5 getting dressed up as their favorite characters. An immense confidence filled every nook and cranny of the convention center.”

PopMatters – “Geek Girl Con 2013 Synthesized Pop Culture, Science, Technology, and Critical Inquiry” By Shaun Huston

“While Geek Girl Con has its roots in the experiences of mainstream comics conventions (see the organization’s About page), the event is not, specifically, a “comic-con”. The convention’s tagline, “The Celebration of the Female Geek”, points to this broader mission, which is to provide a safe and welcoming space for women and girls to share and express their geeky pursuits, whether in the lab, at the X-Box, or in the pages of a comic. . . .Other comics conventions will feature academic panels, even parallel academic conferences, and there are, of course, actual comics studies meetings, but I can’t think of another gathering of academics, practitioners, and fans that places comics alongside not just other pop media, but also science, math, and technology. . . .More importantly, unlike other conventions, which are largely promotional in nature, whether from a corporate perspective or that of individual creators, Geek Girl is rooted in the desire for a critical unpacking, interrogation, and re-construction of the category ‘geek’ in a way that is more open and inclusive than is normally possibly in the predominantly male spaces through which fields like comics, computer programming, and video gaming are defined.”

Suvudu – “GeekGirlCon 2013 Wrap Up” BY THALIA SUTTON

“GGC offers a safe place to discuss issues that women face, but upon attending I found that its programming tackled every highly-visible issue within the geekosphere, including bullying, women’s empowerment and equality, minority issues, portrayal of physical disabilities, geek parenting, geek children, cosplay and fashion, and freelance vs. corporate work, just to name a few. Whereas New York Comic Con the week before was a sink-or-swim atmosphere that continued to carry the apparent flag of ‘industry not issues,’ GGC was the stark reverse, a helping-hand mentality focusing exclusively on “issues within the industry” and what to do about them.”

Geek With Curves – “So, GeekGirlCon was amazing” by Amy Ratcliffe

“I have never been to a more organized, low-stress, and fun convention. That’s the surface level. Beyond that, most every panel felt like it was written just for me and every vendor felt like it was chosen for me. GeekGirlCon offered a comfortable space for all of its attendees, and the attitudes and general moods of others reflected that feeling. I never felt like I had to be on guard, and it was beautiful and so damn relaxing.

GeekGirlCon, you are my favorite.”

Off the Written Path – “GeekGirlCon: Fandom, The Next Generation” by Andrew S. Williams

“But ultimately, the number one reason I say that GGC felt like the next generation of fandom is because of how open, diverse, and inclusive it felt. To me, it felt like how fandom and geekdom could be, once we get past the misogyny and homophobia and various market-driven forces that seem determined to tell us how to be a geek in present times, how certain pursuits and books and games are ‘boy’ or ‘girl’. I was only at GGC for one day, but I still felt that in some sense GeekGirlCon represents the potential for what geek culture could become; hopefully it really is a window into the next generation.”

The Lobster Dance – “Geek Girl Con Recaps #1: Creating Safe Spaces in the Period of ‘Peak Geek’” by Leah

“I attended Geek Girl Con in Seattle over the weekend, and it was beautiful.”

Plastic Heroines – “Geek Girl Con ’13 Debriefing” by Wendy

“Summary: Geek Girl Con rocked, and I can’t wait for next year!”

Examiner – “GeekGirlCon 2013 recap, part 1: Uniting all nerds!”

“Fan conventions traditionally bring fans and creators together over shared passions, and at GeekGirlCon panelists repeatedly encouraged audiences to break down the barrier and become creators themselves.”

I Wrote This – “After the Geeks: On Arriving Home from Geek Girl Con” by Rachel Lynn Brody

“I went, I listened, I learned – now what? GGC ’13 gave me a lot to think about, and I’m sure the effects will be percolating and expressing themselves in my work and interactions with others for months to come. I want to look into some of the information from the STEM careers in the humanity – and the acronym STEAM (Science, Technology, Arts & Math, as I learned on Sunday). I have a pile of books to read and notes to parse. I’ve already approached a few artists about cover commissions for upcoming books. I met new people. I had a blast. I’m already looking forward to 2014.”

Black Girl Nerds – Geek Girl Con Podcast

“Attendees Rachel Brody and Jaz will be featured on the podcast to provide us up-to-the-minute information about the event and how important this con is for nerdy girls”

Bitch Media – “Popaganda Episode: Dress Up”

“Costumes have an undeniable power. In this show we examine tomboy fashion with founders of upstart company Wildfang, head to Geek Girl Con to talk with cosplayer Chaka Cumberbatch, and dig into sexy Halloween costumes with Portland fashion designer Adam Arnold and designer/retailer Cassie Ridgway.” [*With Transcript]

Have You Nerd – “GeekGirlCon Photo Roundup” By Terra Clarke Olsen

“This past weekend was GeekGirlCon, and boy was it amazing! Meg and I are both staff members, so we were busy running around all weekend. Happily, everyone seemed to have an amazing time! We’re still both recovering from it, so until we have the energy to give a proper report, here are some photos from the event.”

“GeekGirlCon: The Future Is Very, Very Bright” by Michael Shean

“In the end, what I really saw at GGC wasn’t just a supremely well-orchestrated nerd carnival staffed by immensely caring and motivated people, it was a community women of all ages, races and sexualities claiming their own in a community that in many corners still thinks that a woman in a video game tee must have raided her boyfriend’s closet.”

Heroine TV – “GeekGirlCon 2013: Saturday Panel Recap” by Lucia

“[Y]ou may be wondering, “What is GeekGirlCon?” It is a celebration of the female geek, inclusiveness in fan communities, and a place to discuss gender and race in geek culture. This was my first time attending, and the third year of the convention. Entertaining and informative, GeekGirlCon felt like a hybrid between a fan convention and an academic conference, with a hint of a job fair thrown in. I went as press, and was very impressed with how well-organized, welcoming, and downright calm the whole thing was. Seattle may be full of over-caffeinated people (of whom I am very much one), but everyone was just relaxed.”

Wonder and Risk – “You’re Welcome Here: Geek Girl Con 2013” by Elicia Sanchez

“[R]ight at that moment, it hit me. That special indescribable feeling of security and safety that comes over you when you realize you’ve just stumbled upon a safe space where you can just be you. . . . A feeling of belonging and acceptance, like a huge sigh of social anxiety relief. It may seem to some as a stretch to equate a sticker photograph policy to an encompassing feeling of acceptance, but it really was just my first reminder that not just women, but all geeks were free to be themselves here without the leering eyes of some creeper trying to gawk at tight or suggestive cosplay or some asshole trying to get a picture of a fat ‘slave Leia’ to make mockery of on Reddit. I immediately realized this may not be your average nerd gathering.”

It’s been a long, long time since I’ve updated my blog – and there’s been so much that’s happened over the past year!

Highlights include:

Wonder Women! The Untold Story of American Superheroines – which drew research from Ink-Stained Amazons and Cinematic Warriors (and in which I appear!) – screened on PBS Independent Lens.

(Image Credit: Andy Mangels)

I’ve been speaking about Ink-Stained Amazons, Cinematic Warriors, and Superwomen in Modern Mythology through Humanities Washington at libraries, wineries, and schools across the state – and am bookable for 2014!

I had a blast working in Festival Publications for SIFF 2013 – and loved being a minion for a very special secret Whedonverse screening during the Festival, as well as participating in the forum Sheroes in the Media: From Guerrilla Girls to Women in Film.

Spike, Buffy, and Yummy Sushi PJs

First rule of Secret Screening: We don't talk about secret screenings, only about how they make us feel.

Dr. Amy Peloff, Jo Jo Stiletto, and I talked about Geek Feminism at Western Washington’s VikingCon – and we got to meet the Cigarette Smoking Man.

Geek Feminism

With William B. Davis - aka "The Cigarette Smoking Man"

I contributed a chapter on Lost Girl called, “Choosing Her ‘Fae’te: Subversive Sexuality and Lost Girl’s Re/evolutionary Female Hero” for the forthcoming anthology, Heroines of Film and Television (Edited by Norma Jones; Maja Bajac-Carter and Bob Batchelor).

The anthology I edited and contributed to, Fan Phenomena: Buffy the Vampire Slayer (Intellect) was published.

Fan Phenomena: Buffy the Vampire Slayer

And was celebrated with an epic launch party!

Scoobies FTW (Photo: Guy Eats Octopus)

With the help of my friends, there was a Handsy Puppet Joss Whedon, a Naughty Fan Fic Reading, Trivia, Rupert Giles singing “Behind Blue Eyes”, an Author Signing, Band Candy, and Snoopy Dancing. Drink Specials included “The Class Protector” and “Boinking the Undead.” We had music, limited edition GeekGirlCon buttons, squee-tastic photo ops, costumes, Scoobies and Slayerettes galore!!! Grr. Argh!

More Photos of A Night at The Bronze Here.

I got to talk about comics and gender with some of my favorite people at a Velocity Dance Center Speakeasy Conversation – BOOM! POW! COMICS, GENDER + MOVEMENT.

Boom Pow + Red Boots (Photo: Amy Peloff)

And of course, GeekGirlCon had its third annual convention! We had between 4300 and 4700 attendees – and sold out of passes before we even opened our doors on Saturday. Huzzah!

Plus, I got to make moments like this happen.

Something to Sing About (Photo: AltaStation)

And this – Where I experience Pure Joy.

Red, Karen, and Jen! (Photo by Josh Weiner: GeekGirlCon)

Most recently, Dr. Amy Peloff, Jo Jo Stiletto, and I took our Geek Feminism presentations to the National Women Studies Association Conference in Cincinnati. We were thrilled to have an enthusiastic and engaged audience – especially as we were scheduled at the very end of the conference!

What’s next for The Ink-Stained Amazon? There are a few projects on the table, but unless anything extraordinary presents itself I’ll be taking it easy for the rest of the year. (Though I’m always amenable to extraordinary. So if you think of me for something, let me know.)

Last week I was thrilled to participate in several events surrounding the West Coast Premiere of Wonder Women! The Untold Story of American Superheroines — an inspiring documentary I’ve watched evolve, and helped support, over the past few years.

On Saturday evening, there was a Festival Forum Discussion at the SIFF Film Center at Seattle Center called, “Sheroes in Media: Women and Girls Changing the Game.”

Look at those Sheroes!

Participants included, Kristy Guevara-Flanagan: Director, WONDER WOMEN!; myself: Author, Ink-Stained Amazons and Cinematic Warriors: Superwomen in Modern Mythology and Programming Director for GeekGirlCon; Daniel Tayara: Reel Grrls youth filmmaker; Megan Gaiser, Chief Creative Strategy Officer and former CEO of Her Interactive, and Marta Smith, IGNITE: Inspiring Girls Now In The Technology Evolution and the audience themselves.

Sunday, the film screened at The Egyptian theater with a post-screening Q&A featuring Kristy, Kelcey Edwards, Andy Mangels of the Wonder Woman Museum and Women of Wonder Day (previously known as “Wonder Woman Day”, cinematographer, Gabriel Miller, representatives from Reel Grrls, and moderator Dustin Kaspar of SIFF.

Afterwards,The Stranger hosted a Superheroine Happy Hour at St. John’s on Capitol Hill — and just around the corner from the Egyptian.

Monday, this Stranger Recommended SIFF pick was featured in a segment on Q13 FOX Morning News promoting Monday’s screening at the Harvard Exit.

In the green room

On the set

Additionally, I was asked by The University of Washington Department of Classics to write a few words on how I got involved with the film and how my experience in the Classics department enhanced my studies at the UW.(Note – The best part of the linked post isn’t what I have to say, but the Tag: “Student Success”)

Check out the Wonder Women! blog for more wonderific photos! Future screenings will also be posted at the blog, lovingly maintained by the film’s Executive Producer, Erin Prather Stafford. (Who I can’t believe I didn’t get a photo with – we’ll just have to get her back to Seattle!)

This is the most phenomenal review of my book yet. It’s an honor and a compliment from someone I’ve only recently *met* online, but someone that I deeply respect.

And, wow, she completely groked my intent. Thank you, Tricia.

‎”The message of the book comes through loud and clear: This is where we were, this is where we are, and here’s my knowledge-base and the brain-trust of a lot of other smart, strong women – now go use it to make things better for all of us. . . .[T]hroughout the course of the book she doesn’t judge women for their tastes or their preferences, or insist that anyone agree with her point by point. Stuller simply lays out her own experiences as a geek girl, ambassador, and historian, then has the bravery to let the reader decide things for herself.”

And it’s accompanied by a thoughtful companion post.

“What Ink-Stained Amazons provides is deep knowledge about past portrayals of women, effective (and not-so-effective) characterization, and the ruts that storytellers get stuck in.

Self-awareness grows as you read the book. Jennifer is very effective at demonstrating the ways that we truly do write what we know in terms of tropes, relationships with our family, and our own internal biases from a lifetime of experience. Once a writer recognizes his or her own bias – yet another form of rut that can trap our storytelling – that is the path to breaking new ground, making the stories better.

Finally, Jennifer’s book reminds everyone that writers must have empathy, for their characters and for their audience. This book should be a must-read for any writer working in genre storytelling. As a resource for women in fantasy and science fiction who are still searching for that sense of who they are, this book will be a big help as well.”

As always – Ink-Stained Amazons and Cinematic Warriors: Superwomen in Modern Mythology is available at Amazon, or your local independent book seller.

We were absolutely thrilled that Jo Jo Stiletto Events brought Whedonesque Burlesque to our inaugural year of GeekGirlCon, and I was personally delighted to be asked to contribute some personal thoughts on Joss Whedon and what the Whedonverse means to me to the program. (Click image to embiggen.)

While I’m still not much of a Tweep (Tweeper? Twitterer?) I was pulled in so many directions over the GeekGirlCon weekend that I missed a lot of content. Thanks to Twitter I was able to catch some of the vibe and response and I am proud to see that we were successful in our mission. You have been inspired, creative juices are flowing, thoughts have been provoked, discussions are continuing, and new friends have been made – we’re feeling it on our end too. Thank you for being part of this and let’s keep with the forward momentum!

Here are some of my favorite tweets from the weekend – from Gail Simone as our incredible cheerleader, to recognition of our hard work and attention to detail, to feminist conversation, to yeah, a little bit of self-promotion. (A girl’s gotta work!)

The Gail
@GailSimone It was lovely to see so many female editors at @geekgirlcon, as well. Smart, funny, talented supportive women. Makes me hopeful.

@GailSimone Dear You People Who Didn’t Attend @geekgirlcon, you have my pity, it was AMAZING.

@GailSimone Hopefully, @geekgirlcon will lead to lots more like it. And there was nothing forced about it, it was an absolute blast, most fun con ever!

@GailSimone @newageamazon I can’t shut up about @geekgirlcon. Everywhere you looked there was music and art and great discussion.

@GailSimone @dcwomenkicknass HA! But it’s true, there’s real art in the design of the con. All the signs and merch for it are stunning and lovely.

@GailSimone Also, it’s a good day when Trina freaking Robbins says amazing things about your Wonder Woman run. Just saying! #happy

@GailSimone @geekgirlcon feels a little bit like being at Woodstock or something–it feels like a game changer, and we’re here to witness it.

@GailSimone This con honestly has some of the best, smartest, and most fun programming I’ve ever seen. It kills me to miss all these panels!

@GailSimone I never want to leave @geekgirlcon.

@GailSimone I want another @geekgirlcon right NOW.

The Ink-Stained Amazons (aka, The “My Publisher Needs to See These”)

@gentlethorns Plane reading: ‘ink-stained amazons and cinematic warriors’. An excellent analysis of female ‘heroes’ in the media (comics, tv + film)…

@lstigerts Fave #geekgirlcon session: “Ink-Stained Amazons & Cinematic Warriors” by @InkAmazon. Insightful. Gave me goosebumps.

@MWSBET Just ordered a copy of Ink-Stained Amazons! Ms Stuller @InkAmazon was one of my favourite panelists at @GeekGirlCon this weekend.

@giasilverman Shout outs to awesome @GeekGirlCon women who blew me away with their talent: @InkAmazon @catehstn @serenangai @geekyjessica Amy Berg

@theonetruebix #GeekGirlCon day two highlights: Batgirls (esp. @kyrax2); Killing Cattiness; @thedoubleclicks, @Molly23, @mariancall ninja gig; @InkAmazon.

@cymerin FANTASTIC presentation by @InkAmazon about Superwomen in Modern Mythology. Can’t wait to read the entire book. #geekgirlcon

@theonetruebix “You’ve all got me teary-eyed. This is such the best audience for this.” – @InkAmazon #GeekGirlCon

@fiainros Media Literacy and Ink Stained Amazon. RT @GeekGirlCon: What were your favorite panels at @GeekGirlCon? #geekgirlcon

@theonetruebix Isis shout-out at @InkAmazon’s panel. #GeekGirlCon #OhMightyIsis

@suzdal Yay, a mention of Olivia from Fringe at the Ink Stained Amazons panel. #geekgirlcon

@geekquality Everyone at Geekquality is reading @InkAmazon ‘s amazing book. “Ink-Stained Amazons and Cinematic Warriors” should be in your hands NOW!
@geekquality @InkAmazon we want your book to be the topic of our first podcast. It’s a great starting point discuss our inspiration for this project!

The Feeling
@bergopolis Really, the whole thing was extraordinary. I’d hate to single out one thing over another. RT @bardic_lady Favourite part of #GeekGirlCon?

@Chrysaora Trina Robbins is fierce! #geekgirlcon

@trinmiller @GeekGirlCon was a safe space to be a geeky girl where you didn’t have to prove your geekiness or be oogled constantly.

@GeekGirlCon Thank you to all the panelists and guests that attended@GeekGirlCon! We truly appreciate the knowledge you shared with us & the attendees.

@Melhowrad I feel like being on staff for such a great and successful con has gave me a new type of confidence. #GeekGirlCon

@heaven4heroes Thanks @GeekGirlCon for a fun time in Seattle. Loved meeting female comic book fans! You are out there!

@lamemage #GeekGirlCon also wins for having the most upbeat lanyards. So yellow!

@shibuyababy <3 RT @TiredFairy: So #GeekGirlCon was pretty unbelievablyamazingwow. Show sold out, the panels were packed, conversations were incredible. @InkAmazon @GeekGirlCon would not exist without everyone who cares about it - And that includes You. We are making this community together. @1941WonderWoman "@GailSimone: I never want to leave @GeekGirlCon."---Yeah, this will go down as the start of a revolution. #GeekGirlCon @theonetruebix The passion of @kyrax2 is infectious. Long-term, @DCComicsignores her and the demographic she reflects at their peril. #GeekGirlCon @fried_madness "I deal with being a geek by knowing I'm having so much more fun than everyone else" -Belle Holder #geeksraisinggeeks #GeekGirlCon @GeekGirlCon "There are great rewards. And it's amazing what your influence can be halfway around the world." - Stephanie Olge @cinebooks #GeekGirlCon @merismullaley #geekgirlcon may be the most meaningful geek experience in my recent memory. Thank you @GeekGirlCon team!! @lotusfilmgirl @InkAmazon #GeekGirlCon.Witnessed birth of a revolution that'll change media, our daughters & what they'll dare to dream and imagine 4evr.TU! @ComandanteA @GeekGirlCon I loved, loved, loved #GeekGirlCon as the wonderful Trina Robbins said "The time has come" 😉 Congrats to all! @Karowak @GeekGirlCon, Enjoyed Trina Robbins! Didn't realize there were women out there rocking the comic scene since before I was born 🙂 @sarahkuhn Old friends, new friends, BSG ships, bad(ass) karaoke, #CheeseCon, moved to tears too many times to count.@GeekGirlCon, you have my heart. @shibuyababy Stuff we did this weekend: Sold out @GeekGirlCon, didn't sleep, met rad people, bought goodies, smiled, made sock puppets, had interview! @emcgillivray Held back those happy tears all weekend at #GeekGirlCon. Then sat on my couch, read what @ruckawriter wrote in my Batwoman trade & cried @KelseyMWallace Home from #GeekGirlCon! So fun to hang w/ @femfreq @InkAmazon & meet other fun geeks--was able to hide my lack of Dr. Who knowledge too! @sarahkuhn @InkAmazon @emcgillivray You ladies + your team did an amazing job! Smart, focused programming + a real sense of community. #GeekGirlCon @ComandanteA I'm still excited about getting to know inspiring people like @GailSimone, Trina Robbins, @InkAmazon, Jan Van Meter, @FemFreq... Amazing 🙂 @InkAmazon @shibuyababy @KiriCallaghan @GeekGirlCon Woke up at 5am, remembered how happy we made so many people, & gave in to the tears. I'm so proud. @KiriCallaghan At most conventions I always find friends but at #GeekGirlCon, I feel like I found family. @GeekGirlCon @dcwomenkicknass @GailSimone I know how much hard work and enthusiasm went into this and I'm thrilled, but not surprised, it is a hit. Wish I was there. @RaeBeta While I realize it's less than halfway through, I feel comfortable calling @GeekGirlCon a resounding success. #awesome #andhow @ChaseMasterson Nerd. Heaven. Trust me, you wish you were here. @GeekGirlCon @ChaseMasterson I'm telling you, @thedoubleclicks were worth the trip from LA alone.@GeekGirlCon @shibuyababy Turned the page of the @strangersuggest to see mine &@InkAmazon 's smiling faces in a @GeekGirlCon feature!twitpic.com/6wt4os @mirthalia So, now that I'm back I feel free to say that I spent the weekend at #GeekGirlCon and it was amazing. The atmosphere, the panels, everything @WirednWicked After reading the blog post from @GailSimone, I want to save up and take my little sisters & nieces to Geek Girl Con next time it comes. @Julesong @rachelleabellar @shibuyababy Besides which, it was a BLAST to craft something beginning of day & use it to finish the con 🙂 @karenkathryne Awesome #geekgirlcon moment: the rest of the panel's faces as Trina Robbins declared "I HATE J Michael Strazynski" (for his run on WW). 😛 @TheStephThorpe ....and cue #geekgirlcon withdrawals. it was a fantastic 1st year. brava @GeekGirlCon! thank you for bringing us all together. @bergopolis Safe to say that #GeekGirlCon was a game-changer, and I'm incredibly proud to be involved. @melme Still reeling from #GeekGirlCon. I cannot describe how amazing it was to hear from so many inspirational women. Can't wait for next year!! @justjenndesigns Spending time w/ @GailSimone & thrilled she promoted my blog (!) is what #GeekGirlCon is all about. Camaraderie, creativity & support. <3 @LvCherieJewelry #GeekGirlCon was so fun and inspiring that I only slept 3 hours last night. So many ideas and so worth it! @DayAlMohamed Still in Seattle after #geekgirlcon and headed back to DC on Tue. Exhausting but great. Proud to have been a supporter/donor/sponsor. @shibuyababy Me too! <3 RT @greenspyders: Tearing up reading #GeekGirlContweets. So glad people had fun, it makes all of the work & stress worth it. @hopelessjen #GeekGirlCon was splendid. Met people I've admired for years, admire many I just met, caught up w/ friends, learned a ton. Great show. @shibuyababy @KiriCallaghan @GeekGirlCon Aaaand then there go the waterworks. At least now I don't have to worry about screwing up my makeup. 😉 @kyrax2 Thank you to everyone at @GeekGirlCon for making #GeekGirlConan amazing, smashing success. What a positive experience! Thank you so much! @hopelessjen @GailSimone It really does feel that way, doesn't it? I came away so inspired, energized and stirred. @AliciaMcBarron Overheard at #GeekGirlCon "This is the best smelling con I've been to." @sarahkuhn @InkAmazon @emcgillivray You ladies + your team did an amazing job! Smart, focused programming + a real sense of community. #GeekGirlCon @lotusfilmgirl @InkAmazon And what size tiara do you require??? #GeekGirlCon @lotusfilmgirl @TiredFairy You led the way on the perfect ending to a revolutionary weekend! Thank you for your kind and encouraging words!!! #GeekGirlCon @femfreq Watching Labyrinth with a room full of geek girls is the only way to watch it! #GeekGirlCon @rachelleabellar Highlight of my day was Greg Rucka yelling "Awesome!" when we were taking a hench girl photo #GeekGirlCon #HENCH4LIFE @Jennifer_deG I'm sitting next to a sleeping Black Canary. #GeekGirlCon @KiriCallaghan I have nearly cried like 5 times today. The vibe going on is so amazing. Thank you everyone. Seriously. #GeekGirlCon@GeekGirlCon @fivedaysaway Trina Robbins is awesome. #GeekGirlCon @missmodular #geekgirlcon audience question: "i'm Isabella & i'm still in elementary school & I was wondering what I can do to get into real science?" @Melhowrad Ps. To my fellow #GeekGirlCon staff members: you people are amazing! I'm so proud/happy to be apart of the first ever GGC team 🙂 @semanticpoetry I feel like I'm part of something important. #geekgirlcon @RobbOrr @Spaceknight_69 @Nightfly_69 @backthatelfup Thank you for the retweets. MUCH appreciated! GeekGirlCon is an amazing organization. @mariancall OMG @Janeespenson will be at @Geekgirlcon in Seattle? Oh awesome awesome awesome. geekgirlcon.com @LauraBishop Looking over @GeekGirlCon's Saturday programming. Yeah. I'm pretty sure I'm just not going to have time to eat. Or breathe. =D @lolacolleen Looked @geekgirlcon programming. However will I decide? Get ready for some awesome blogging about the panels!! @rachelleabellar Looking at the @GeekGirlCon program booklet and I'm getting misty-eyed! @lookitsjulia Got the October issue of Seattle Met today, and you'll never guess what I found in there. (Hint: it's @GeekGirlCon ) @Brinstar Apparently #GeekGirlCon had ~2000 attendees. Not bad for a first-year convention targeted to geeky women & girls. Well done, @GeekGirlCon @semanticpoetry Looking at some of the photos from Seattle and @GeekGirlCon and feeling a little teary. @GirlInRowB Musings on #geekgirlcon..I found the people who should have been my brothers & sisters by blood & wish I was Trina Robbins' granddaughter. @greenspyders Is it bad that I'm still squeeing over #GeekGirlCon a week later? We did it!!! #GeekGirlConStaffFTW @greenspyders @raidswindmills "The Con Was Organized by Meticulous OCD Ninjas" is definitely one of my favorite quotes about #GeekGirlCon now. @merismullaley Things I want to do now that #geekgirlcon is over: rewatch Buffy, read Wonder Woman for the first time; and change the world. The Feminism
@femfreq Michelle Hu reminds folks that when we bring up privilege we are not talking about individuals we’re talking about systems #geekgirlcon

@RhetoricalTrope If you avoid all the media that’s problematic, you have nothing to consume: critique b/c you care. #geekgirlcon

@femfreq Audience member talks about how exhausting it can be to explain oppressive issues online and repeatedly get attacked for it #geekgirlcon

@femfreq Panelists: It is not the job of a person of colour to teach white folks about privilege, it’s their job to learn #geekgirlcon

@femfreq On the sexualization of women: @GailSimone – characters created to break stereotypes in one decade become stereotypes in next #geekgirlcon

@BitchMedia Just saw some clips from the forthcoming doc The History of the Universe As Told By Wonder Woman! Be excited.#GeekGirlCon

@GeekGirlCon “Find a community you feel secure in and keep that community free of cattiness.” – @mariancall at Killing Cattiness panel #GeekGirlCon

@Jennifer_deG An interesting thing about #GeekGirlCon: Nobody assumes the men are just tagging along. Yay for men who are feminists!

@BitchMedia Talking about women in the horror genre at #GeekGirlCon! “How can horror create social change?”

@deirdrakiai Media literacy panel = awesome. Glad they acknowledged that the “if you don’t like it, make your own” argument is patronising. #geekgirlcon

@femfreq Panelists discuss how it’s useful to define words to make sure readers are on the same page especially with race or feminism#geekgirlcon

@femfreq Dierdre Kiai on masculinity in video games: Patriarchy Hurts Men Too #geekgirlcon

@reelgrrls “A lot of problems w/rep. of women in vid games could be solved by including more than 1 woman in each game” -Katherine Cross #geekgirlcon

@femfreq A takeaway from Media Literacy panel: Many of us struggle with the negotiation between enjoying media & criticizing it #geekgirlcon

@GeekGirlCon At the GirlHeroes Panel w/ Trina Robbins, @robertagregory, @inkamazon, @hopelessjen, & @annetimmons! Amazing, strong women. #GeekGirlCon

@femfreq Panelist: I want my girls to be empowered, not necessarily with powers #GeekGirlCon

@femfreq Hello Seattle: Just had a great ride in the @BBDreamHearse and a wonderful conversation about women in comics w/ Trina Robbins #GeekGirlCon

@Brinstar Holy crap. This media literacy panel is good. They actually mention intersectionality, kyriarchy, POC, anti-racism, & ableism. #GeekGirlCon

More wonderful articles, posts, and podcasts featuring GeekGirlCon!

Portrait of an Adoption
“You Have To Hand it to the Geeks,” By Carrie Goldman
“Katie and I just returned from Seattle, where we attended the first-everGeekGirlCon. In case anyone doubts the need for a con devoted solely to the female population, consider the fact that the con was sold out and there were people lined up outside each room before panels began.”

Ape in a Cape
SOME PERSONAL HIGHLIGHTS FROM GEEK GIRL CON, Gail Simone
“Everything felt a little different. Lest you think this con didn’t have geek cred, let me assure you, the superhero/genre panels were absolutely as hardcore nerdy as any I have attended, but it was from a female and safe perspective. As a whole, the con felt more like a festival at times than a con…it was much less aggressive and without that odd hostility that some big cons have acquired. You would walk out of a panel, and there would be female musicians playing awesome acoustic sets. There were artists EVERYWHERE, women doing crafts and cosplay and drawings and paintings and mirror art and stained glass, and just on and on, everywhere you looked was something beautiful.”

Just Jenn
Geek Girl Con 2011, Just Jenn
“More than any other con I came away with a renewed desire to create, to become a better person. For the first time at a con – every single panel topic appealed to me and pertained to my interests. It was small enough to be able to walk and talk with my heroes and my peers and it really felt like the things that I did mattered.”

Critical Hits
I Was a Manchild at Geek Girl Con, by Logan Bonner
“After the concert, I checked out “Ink-Stained Amazons & Cinematic Warriors,” a panel about the book by Jennifer K. Stuller. She appeared multiple times in the Wonder Woman documentary, and I was interested in hearing more from her. Her presentation was great, with a slideshow and video to supplement her lecture/discussion. She broke down the traits typical of heroes, the ways female characters match or defy those expectations, what that says about how female characters are viewed, and the ways their roles have changed over time. This and the Wonder Woman panel were both great, and it seems like this book and that movie could serve as great companion pieces.”

Fangirl Blog
Geek Girl Con Sunday Roundup, by Tricia
“Cattiness has been a hot topic in geek girl circles recently, and the Killing Cattiness and Creating Community panel dove right into it. Just like the SDCC panel, Oh, You Sexy Geek!, this topic was addressed as part of the discussion, and two of the panelists from that discussion were on the dais again – Bonnie Burton and Jennifer Stuller. I think it’s important for geek girls to see all different types of women interacting in a positive manner, even if they don’t like the same things or they hold contrasting beliefs. I’ve witnessed it at two separate cons now, and it’s so uplifting and empowering to watch.”

Gender Focus
Geek Girl Con: Feminism, Race, and Geek Culture, by Jarrah Hodge
“[T]he panel addressed how geek communities, especially online, can exclude women and people of colour. The panelists said they felt like when they or others raised objections to sexist or racist language or behaviour guys would rally to defend the sexist and racist games, attempting to make the argument that somehow criticizing the language or behaviour was against their geek allegiance.”

Geek Wire
What geek guys missed at GeekGirlCon, by Mónica Guzmán
“It was liberating to be one of many women at session after session, if only because you knew you could say out loud some of the things women whisper to each other at other geek events.

In some ways, the geek gender gap had to be part of the conversation, if only to assert the reasons why GGC exists in the first place. But talking about the gender gap alone won’t close it. And to organizers’ credit, their convention was in no mood to whine, ruminate or despair.”

Comics Bulletin
Geeking Out at Geek Girl Con, By Kyrax2
“At Geek Girl Con, women and men came together on an equal playing field. Geeks of all stripes were in attendance. I saw Trekkies and Twihards, Star Wars fans and Harry Potter enthusiasts, coders and gamers and mathletes and science geeks and otaku and yes, even comics geeks. Everyone was welcome. Everyone was treated with respect, regardless of age, gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, physical or mental ability, weight, height, or any other factor.”

A mí, mis comics
Geek Girl Con: primeras impresiones, Alejandra Espino
“It was my first convention of this kind, and I could not have chosen better.”

Lotus Girl Films
1ST ANNUAL GEEKGIRLCON!!!
“The prospect of attending a full-on geek fest devoted to all things SHE was exciting to ponder. The reality has gone so far beyond the expectations, that it all feels a tad surreal.”

Chicks With Crossbows
Geek Girl Con Panels: Steampunk!
“This panel was so popular, they actually had to switch rooms and put it in the larger space. The line wrapped all the way around the hallway.”

Stranger SLOG
Geek Girl Con, by MARY TRAVERSE
“And most importantly there were the nerds themselves: it filled my heart with joy to see women in their 60s as well as teen and tween girls all gleefully letting their geek flag fly. It made me wish I’d had a con like this when I was all awkward and 14 and hiding my obsession with dinosaurs. (Note to teen me: it gets better!)”

Paper Napkins on the Edge of Insanity
Geek Girl Con: Reflections
“I still can’t believe how my girls opened up at Geek Girl Con. I can’t believe how welcome I felt, and I usually am uncomfortable in high female ratio environments. I was so nervous, yet excited before it started, and now I hope next year will bring the same feeling, but more than that. I hope the self confidence that was some how given, inspired, drawn-out of my precious little geeks stays a gift from Geek Girl Con for their lives, making them strong women of the future (whether they stay on the paths of the geeks or not!)”

GeekGirlCon Reflections (a guys perspective.)
“GeekGirlCon benefited from being focused on GeekGirls, but also on the broader geek culture as a whole. It worked very well and there was an amazing amount of content. In addition to the geeky topics I mentioned above, there were panels on ethics, sexism, and gender issues to be sure, but also a refreshing look at academic, science, and STEM careers, geek parenting, working as a coder, game design, and geek crafting (cosplay, craft, and mask making among others). There were often four panels running at once along with signings and craft and game workshops. One person could only see maybe 25% of the Con even if they ran full steam all day long.”

The Inferno
“Reblogging to get the word out. Geek girls are not a small target audience. How long can the media and society ignore that? If GeekGirlCon is any indication, not much longer.”

Optimystical Studios
GeekGirlCon Round-Up
“First let me give some major props and thank you’s to the astounding crew of GeekGirlCon. These ladies worked their collective butts off to make sure everyone had a good weekend. And it showed. Zaph & I spent some time discussing the con on the drive home, and we both agree that everyone on the crew both knew what their job was and knew to ask (instead of making up an answer) if something wasn’t part of their specialty.”

Look! It’s Julia
GeekGirlCon Links!
“I’ve been reading some of the wonderful things that people are writing about GeekGirlCon online, so I’d thought I’d share some links.”

Defective Geeks
Geek Girl Con 2011: Not Just for Girls: by Space Pirate Queen
“Most of all, a shout out to the women who put the entire convention together. The convention sold out! The entire thing ran smoothly. More so than a lot of conventions that has been around for many years. These girls worked their butts off and I am proud of all of them for following their visions and sticking to what they believed in. They’ve created a platform where we can discuss important topics without fear of getting attacked or misunderstood. I believe that it will change our community for the better.”

THE TERESA JUSINO EXPERIENCE
GeekGirlCon: The Squee-port
“The staff was extremely helpful, the design of the show was great, and all of the programming was actually substantive. There wasn’t a “fluff” panel on the entire schedule. Each one either taught you how to do something, or brought together panelists who were truly knowledgeable and articulate about the topic being addressed. “
. . . and . . .
“[T]he fact that I was sitting on a panel with these ridiculously talented women, and afterwards was treated as if I deserved to be there? Well, that made me feel rather good.”

Ramblings of a Prodigal Goddess
GeekGirlCon review, etc.
“I am writing this review from the point of view as a staff member. I didn’t get to see everything I wanted to see and therefore cannot give an opinion. The review also serves as a reflection on my feelings and thoughts toward the experience that forced me to come out of my shell.”

Possible Impossibilities
It’s the Geek Girls’ World
“GeekGirl Con‘s time had come. Women have had panels thrown to them here and there — with, for the most part, the same topics, the same panelists, and, alas, the same problematic moments — at behemoth geek convergences like Comic-Con International for years. Could they have a convention of their own? Would it be a success?

After the past weekend’s GeekGirl Con, we now know: Yes and yes!”

GeekGirlCon
THANK YOU!
“The first-ever GeekGirlCon was a huge success! The con sold out on both Saturday and Sunday. We saw approximately 2,000 people come through the doors over two days to celebrate the contribution of women in geek culture. Attendees, panelists, guests, volunteers, vendors, artists, exhibitors, sponsors, media, parents, kids, and staff came together to create a safe place for everyone and anyone identifying themselves as geeks this past weekend. We should all be very proud of making this ambitious idea a reality.”

Sliver of Ice
GeekGirlCon 2011: Some Presidential Thoughts and Other Things
“I am pretty much beyond biased about how awesome GeekGirlCon was. Along with my staff, I’d worked since August 2010 to make the dream of GeekGirlCon a reality, and I believe that it truly happened. I fought back happy tears all weekend; only to finally cry Sunday evening after reading what Greg Rucka wrote in my Batwoman trade. (Don’t worry, at that point, I was surrounded by people who care and love me and hugged me.)”

KING 5
‘Geek Girls’ gather at Seattle Center
“GeekGirlCon is drawing hundreds of women and girls to an event centered on gaming, fantasy, technology and science fiction. KING 5 Photojournalist Ron Sanford has the story.”

Chicks with Crossbows
Geek Girl Con Panels: Batgirls! (Or, Women in Comics)
“If you haven’t heard of Kyrax2, aka San Diego’s Batgirl, here’s the deal: She’s a fan of comics. This year at San Diego Comic Con, Kyrax2 went to many of the DC panels and asked questions about the lack of women both in the comics and on the panels themselves. This got various responses although she was booed at least once. Thus, at Geek Girl Con, she hosted a panel, along with DC Comics Writer Gail Simone, to address these issues and discuss the state of women in comics.”

CNN: Geek Out Blog
‘Dammit Liz’ went to Geek Girl Con (and it was worth it)
“It was a panel-centric convention, with panelists like Jane Espenson, Gail Simone, Javier Grillo-Marxuach, Amy Berg and Bonnie Burton emphasizing strong, capable female characters in science fiction, comics, games and pop culture. Over-sexed, stripper-clad female characters were barely mentioned, Smith said.”

Sarah Darkmagic
Geek Girl Con Recap
“Why go? . . .To hear a diversity of viewpoints . . . To see women presented as experts and leaders . . . To learn about some pretty awesome books, movies, and projects I have to admit, I hadn’t heard of Ink-Stained Amazon before the con. I went to the panel by Jennifer Kate Stuller and it was really good and I can’t wait to buy her book, Ink-Stained Amazons and Cinematic Warriors: Superwomen in Modern Mythology. Womanthology also presented at the con. . . . Building networks . . .”

Fleeing Indecision
Safety; or a lesson in geekery from GeekGirlCon.
“Well, how was it? In a word: unbelievable. The atmosphere was warm, welcoming and safe. Every single volunteer had a smile on their face the entire weekend. The panels were informative, varied and fun. The cosplay was some of the best I’ve ever seen. But I’ll repeat myself here and say that the most important thing about GeekGirlCon was its safe and welcoming environment.”

Back That Elf Up
GeekGirlCon 2011 Report
“Basically, I got to see something awesome and be a part of something where I FELT like I belonged. In a lot of settings I can feel left out because there is usually something about me that does not quite fit. Sometimes it’s my gender, sometimes it’s my introversion, sometimes it’s my pastimes and interests and sometimes it’s my race. But I didn’t feel like that GeekGirlCon. Even though I was hawking books I still felt…at home. Which is kind of strange because the types of geeks that were there spanned the universe (almost literally, heh).”

Closet Nerd Network
Geek Ladies in the House: Reflections on GeekGirlCon 2011
“At GeekGirlCon, like many others, I felt like FINALLY here are my people: accepting, joyous, smart and vibrant geeks who are going to be the future of nerdom. We care about issues, we want to make things better, we question what media we’re fed and we want to show the world how awesome being a nerd is instead of closeting our community away! GeekGirlCon has become the exception to the rule of geeks who turn the tables on what they consider to not be “true fans” and have created a safe place where we can get down to brass tacks about how to change fandom.”

Good Game Media
GGM Visits Geek Girl Con 2011
“Last weekend the Good Game crew piled into the GGM Mobile and drove down to Seattle Washington to check out the first ever Geek Girl Con. While we were down there I had a chance to talk to some of the female con goers and ask what they thought of a con just for them.”

Sailor St. Claire
GeekGirlCon 2011
” Lots of great conversation arose about a variety of topics relating to female fandom: objectification of “booth babes,” women in webseries, women in tech, race and technology, and other practical and craft-based panels on steampunk costuming, cosplay, and gaming. “

Stern-Rake Studio
GeekGirlCon at Night
“As the autumn sun set and the younglings were sent off to their suppers, the gears of GeekGirlCon shifted to more adult-themed topics.”

The Girl in Row B
GeekGirlCon:Life on the other side of the registration table
“Thank you to all of our panelists, vendors, special guests and attendees. And a special thank you to all of the people who gave money, time, and/or support to make this convention happen. It was a success and without all of you it would never have happened.”

Archive Six
HOW GEEKGIRLCON CHANGED MY LIFE: A REFLECTION & REVIEW
“In the past, I had wasted so much time and energy trying to conform to society’s expectations that I lost sight of who I really am. GeekGirlCon not only gave me an opportunity to design for a cause I could stand behind, but also welcomed me into a safe community where I could finally let my geek flag fly without having to prove or justify my geekiness, or be judged for my gender identity, ethnicity, sexual orientation, size, or Doctor preference (4th and 11th, for the record). It amazes me how much personal growth I have achieved in this past year alone. It is through GeekGirlCon that I was able to meet and form meaningful and long-lasting relationships with people who I greatly respect and admire, and who inspire me more and more with each passing day. These people have helped me find my voice in this world, and gain the courage to finally speak up for myself and my beliefs.”

Chicks With Crossbows
Geek Girl Con: General Con Report
“The Con Was Organized by Meticulous OCD Ninjas [and] The Panels ROCKED.”

Gender Focus
Geek Girl Con: Media Literacy, Criticism, and Production
“I was particularly excited about this panel because it featured the awesome Anita Sarkeesian of Feminist Frequency as well as Kelsey Wallace and Kjerstin Johnson, who were my editors when I was writing the Revenge of the Feminerd series for Bitch Magazine blogs. The other panelists were Kristy Guevara-Flanagan, director of The History of the World as Told by Wonder Woman as well as Wilson, editor of Smart Pop Books. The panel was moderated by Maile Martinez, programming director at Reel Grrls.”

PopMatters
Comics Needs Women: Why Marvel and DC Should Have Been at Geek Girl Con
“[T]he publishers need girls and women more than girls and women need Marvel and DC.”

Girl Hack
Geek Girl Con 2011 Review
“I am still new to the geek- convention circuit, but Geek Girl Con delivered the most fulfilling con experience I’ve had, as both a geek and a woman.”

Defective Geeks
Geek Girl Con 2011: Feminism, Race & Geek Culture Panel
“I am glad I went to this panel. I wasn’t sure what to expect but I was rewarded with a great discussion with well-spoken women. They touched on quite a few interesting points about female and Asian culture in geek media. What I really appreciated about the way these women approached sensitive issues without having to be defensive or threatening to other people. They even gave great advice on how to deal with negative internet interactions.”

Journal of J
Geek Girl Con Reactions
“Overall this con was a great jolt of inspiration for me, not only as a girl gamer but as someone who hopes to make games. The camaraderie and heartfelt support was palpable, and the issues discussed were thought provoking and important. It was a great start to an awesome new tradition, and I don’t have any doubt that it will be continuing next year.”

Lady Sabre & The Pirates of the Ineffable Aether
NYCC and Geek Girl
“GGC felt practically like a family gathering, and I suppose, in a way, it was just that. The fact is, women remain under-represented and poorly served in so many realms of geek culture; having a convention that speaks to that lack, that attempts to address it, is more than a worthy goal; it may well be a holy one.”

Comics Bulletin: The Squeaky Wheel
Geeking Out at Geek Girl Con: Part Two
“I *got* it. We women subsume our own tastes for fear of being thought ‘too feminine’. We are limited by what people think will appeal to us. We are seen as an amalgamation, as though what appeals to one woman will appeal to all. We push our children to be like us, to like the things we like, never realizing that we are repeating the same mistakes our parents made. We’re told that we have to ‘vote with our dollars’, but when we do choose not to buy something, the action is often ignored or misinterpreted.

And that’s what I learned at Geek Girl Con.”

GeekMom
The GeekMoms Podcast #6 GeekGirlCon, Women of Wonder Day
“Women of Wonder Day, an annual auction and in-store event where you can bid on beautiful art and collectibles in support of domestic violence charity programs. Later I’m joined by fellow GeekMom Cathe Post to talk about her weekend with her husband and daughter at the first ever GeekGirlCon in Seattle, Washington. This new entry on the convention scene drew some big Geek Girl names to help promote a positive attitude toward all geeks, men, women and especially kids. And you’ll also hear how the GeekMoms took a stab at the Google+ Hangout feature and ended up having a chat with Felicia Day.”

Defective Geeks
Geek Girl Con 2011: Arts & Crafts with the GeekGirlCon Design Team
“[T]his was a cute arts and crafts panel hosted by Tammy Vince Cruz and Rachelle Abellar from the Geek Girl Con’s design team. Not only were these two ladies busy churning out all the design collateral for the convention; they also organized a successful, interactive panel that encouraged attendees to drop by and make sock puppets.”

Nerd Appropriate
Geek Girl Con: No I Am Not a Booth Babe : Panel Coverage
“[U]ltimately the message that was delivered by the panelists was that we, as fans, need to play nice and work together towards better representation of women in video games. The trolling on message boards, the flame wars are all counterproductive and detract from the end goal: working to see women presented in games in a positive light. Behind the user names, Twitter handles, there are people. It’s one thing to be critical, to express dissatisfaction over a feature/presentation of a character/level, but making a personal attack does more harm than good and inhibits bringing about the desired change.”

The Intersection of Dykedom and Dorkdom
Geek Girl Con 2011 Report
“The programming had something for everyone – a variety of topics, genres and media, both academic and non-academic discussion, films, science [and] was accessible for younger and older audiences”
…and…
“The Ink Stained Amazons and Cinematic Warriors: Superwomen in Modern Mythology panel: Jennifer Stuller gave a presentation that hit the highlights of her book, discussing female heroes in modern popular culture from the 40’s to the 21st century and their impact during their time and on future heroes. One of the trends she noted was the lack of women training women: in most cases the women are mentored by their father or a father-figure. That’s a trend I hadn’t noticed before, but see frequently now that I’m aware of it –definitely food for thought. Booboo enjoyed the panel enough to buy the book immediately after the panel ended.”

Jewish Book Council Blog
Their (Our) Time Has Come
“GeekGirlCon is for the Rest of Us; maybe not 99%, but definitely 52%, the women who have for so long been shut out of a male-dominated comics industry, and all the related male-dominated industries, like computers and gaming. It’s for us geeky girls who spent our high school years as outsiders, never cheerleaders, never dating the football team (often never dating at all!), but with our noses buried in science fiction or fantasy books or comics. All those geeky girls have grown up into enthusiastic and talented young women who are making great clothes and jewelry, creating wonderful new comics — and with not a superhero in the bunch. The energy level in the rooms was high and optimistic.”

The Official Website of Nancy Holder
Geek Girls are Here to Stay
“One of the best cons so far this year was GeekGirlCon. Girls and boys enjoyed panels on webseries, Science, Math, Technology, Engineering, vampires, and of course, all things Joss Whedon! I am very happy to say that Geek Girls are thriving! And DEFINITELY here to stay!”

Defective Geeks
Geek Girl Con 2011: Women Running Geeky Businesses
“I admire anyone who are smart enough to be able to turn their own passion and interests into a self-sustaining career… but it’s just that much more cool to have these geek girls talk about their own success. It was also a unique panel where the audience heard different success stories from women of all ages and very different career and life choices.”

Photo by semanticpoetry

Wow. I am so filled with joy and pride and love and inspiration. Though we have been building up to this for the past year, I’m still trying to grok all the wondrous experience of the past weekend, and our inaugural convention. To say the least, it was simultaneously the most stressful and most fulfilling event of my life so far.

We had first time con attendees coming out of their shells to make new friends. We had veterans saying it was the best con of their life. Every detail of our collective effort was noticed – from the breadth of programming topics, to our design, to our family-friendly vibe (that didn’t preclude adult programming), to our incredible weekend volunteers, to everyone’s smiles. And everyone was generous enough to say “thank you.”

Wow.

I am so proud of our team. Over the course of a year we have evolved from a “What if?” to a successful organization.

GeekGirlCon began as an idea for a fan con for women – a gathering that honored their obsessions. But now we are continually creating opportunities to bolster self-esteem, as well as foment community, networking and mentor relationships. And make friends. It’s so hard, and so important to make friends.

Props to our team. They are talented, driven people who believe in something and are willing to work for it. We have taken a learn-as-you-go adventure that has at times been as scary and frustrating as it has been rewarding. But we’ve taken it together. Thirteen months of all-volunteer blood, sweat, and tears, over fifty promotional and community-building events, staff changes, more than two hundred panelists and nearly seventy hours of programming are behind GeekGirlCon the convention. But a lot of sisterhood and supported individual growth is embedded in our organization.

I can’t wait to see what we do next.

Oh, wait! I know what we are doing next! Coming up we will be co-hosting a TV Dinner night at Central Cinema. The theme is Geek Girls and Wonder Women. (November 9th) We will also be co-hosting a screening of the documentary Miss Representation at the new SIFF film center with SIFF and Reel Grrls. (November 30th) Stay tuned for details on both.

Finally, I want to say that GeekGirlCon would not exist without everyone who cares about it – And that includes You. We are making this community together. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, and most sincerely, for being a part of something truly special.