This is the shorter version of an essay I presented at the Popular Culture Association conference on Thursday April 9. If you would like the full essay (be warned, it's 20 pages), send me a message.

( “I sometimes think we Sort too soon” - Rehumanizing the Slytherins: How Fandom Gave Humanity Back to a Quarter of the Wizarding World )

My presentation went really well. I got there early to set up my powerpoint (Knight made it pretty, and it's full of cosplay and fanart and some snippets from fanfiction). Good thing I did, due to tech troubles. I went first, as I was listed first in the program. I read my 8.5 page paper with one hand and clicked at the appropriate time with the ( Read more... )

Some of you on my list already know, and for those who are redirected here, I'm off to New Orleans April 8-12 to present at the Popular Culture Association's National Conference. I'm listed in the Science Fiction and Fantasy area, and will be presenting on fandom in Harry Potter, and the treatment of the Slytherins. I am also asking for some help ( Read more... )

I got an email this morning from the Science Fiction/Fantasy panel of the Popular Culture Association 2009 Conference. Here it is:

"Thank you for your submission, and I believe independent scholars can add just as much to the conference as any other scholar. So I am pleased to accept your proposal for the 2009 conference in New Orleans. As soon as ( Read more... )