Simpson's Paradox

Short recap:  Geek Girl Con was an amazing group of female game developers, science fiction writers, and comic artists, all running into each other to say “I love your dress / hair / blog!” So great.

Long recap:  I spoke with Carly Kocurek, who was a complete rock star, and it was so great to meet her in person! When we were asked about our guilty pleasure games, I answered Everlove and got cheers from other Everlove players in the audience. Afterwards, several of us discussed which Heart’s Home hunk we preferred. Sometimes I love this industry.

Later, I went to another panel on #1reasonwhy, and heard women with more successful and more advanced careers talking about the same concerns I’ve had. The issues of women developing games are the privileged problems of educated, employed, creative women. Sometimes this is raised as a derailing tactic, saying our issues are frivolous when there are people who *insert problem here*, but sometimes we legitimately raise this, asking each other if it’s really so bad. If I’m lucky enough to have a job, should I quit complaining about the problems? I’ve written about this before, and hearing so many other women sharing similar experiences (workplace hostility wrapped in “just a joke, geez, lighten up”,  being considered such a raging, radical feminist for suggesting a couple NPCs be female or that a female character puts some pants on, talked over or shouted down, the pink-it-shrink-it method of developing for women, etc., etc.), was a real reminder that my experience isn’t an anomaly. It really is rough for women making games. But being in a room with so much talent was also inspiring.

I went to a bunch of fun fan talks, including Is Star Trek A Feminist Utopia? and one on YA lit, but my best conversations were random encounters with other writers all weekend.

There were a lot of really amazing costumes at the show! Cosplay is strange, I have zero interest in doing it myself (then again, I’m considering wearing jeans and a sweater to my wedding) but I just love seeing the outfits and accessories people build.

I’m pretty sure Geek Girl Con built this nice quiet reading area for Harold. Actually, Seattle needs an Introvert Alley much less than any other conference I’ve attended. There are so many coffeeshops and little parks in a very walkable city that it’s easy to step out and have quiet time.

I spent a lot of time in the Dealer’s Room and Artist’s Alley. I got these amazing 3-D printed Tardis earrings from Optimystical, they’re perfect for flying my nerd flag around my students, while still looking like someone you’d trust with your teenager.  I pretty much wanted something from every table, but my favorite is an art commission. One of the writers brought her daughter, and the little girl was doing art commissions at the show.  This is me in my garden, wearing my Star Trek skirt, in case you couldn’t tell.

My Star Trek skirt (Not from this show… from the Corsair’s shop at Animazement).

There were so many things I liked about Geek Girl Con (meeting Carly in person! Meeting my internet friends! Buying all the nerd jewelry ever! Talking to other lady game writers! Coffee! Wild cosplay outfits!) but there is something really special about going to a nerd convention that is a safe and welcoming and fun place for young girls.  I’m so proud to be a little part of that.