New Orleans
The plan, mentioned in my last post, was to update from New Orleans. However, a combination of poor hotel internet and lack of time meant that I completely failed to do this.
My main reason for going to New Orleans was to attend Phoenix Rising, though meeting lots of friends came a close second. During the conference I presented twice, played as a Snitch mover on the Quidditch pitch, and was [a small] part of the organising staff.
Transformation: From Fan to Fandom
This was one of the keynote presentations, in which Henry Jenkins, Melissa Anelli (of The Leaky Cauldron), Jennie Levine (of The Sugar Quill), Catherine Tosenberger, and myself discussed from both an academic and a practical standpoint, how an individual fan experience is turned into a collective fandom experience through the growth of online fan communities. I am used to presenting in university lecture theatres and hotel conference facilities. Here I got to present in an aquarium! A rather appreciated change. I felt that the panel went well.
You Only Think It’s Magic: Operating a Fandom Website
Amy Tenbrink and myself discussed various operational issues connected with running fandom websites. During this presentation I could not read my notes - not that there were many of them! Amy talked well and I was able to interject with some good points. The audience, though small, asked several interesting and discussion provoking questions.
