03.14.13 // GeekGirlCon ’13 Programming Submissions

Are you a professional in a geeky industry? An astrophysicist or mathematician? Do you run your own geeky business? Can we learn from you about the history of women in gaming? Do you have a unique perspective to share about being a woman in the sciences, horror, comics, television, film, robotics, costuming, or stunt industries? Are you an artist or illustrator? A pop culture “herstorian” or cultural critic?

GeekGirlCon will feature informative and entertaining programming on topics ranging from geek lifestyle issues to the sciences to popular culture. We are seeking engaging and thought-provoking proposals from professionals for panels and presentations on topics such as, but not limited to:

• Women in science, math, engineering, and technology 
(STEM)
• Women in robotics
• Women characters and creators in comic books, literature, film, and television
• Pop culture scholarship
• Women in gaming 
(Tabletop, Board, Console, PC)
• Women in horror
• Diversity in genre – including race, ethnicity, class, gender, ability, sex, and sexuality
• Crafty or geeky businesses
• Cosplayer or Crossplay
• Women in Stunt Work
• Women writers (and men writing great geeky female characters)
• Women artists and illustrators
• Women in science fiction and fantasy
• Fandom and community
• Women’s history in geeky popular culture, science, and technology
• Women in Anime/Manga
• Women in Pop Culture Publishing
• YA authors with Strong Female Protagonists
• Geek Girl Pioneers in Fandom and Community
• Documentary filmmakers
• Web series producers
• Geeky Charities
• Women mentoring each other and our geeky little sisters
• Hackers and Programmers
• LED/Tech Fashion
• Steampunk
• Kids programming (Puppets, Cosplay for Kiddies, Storytime, Easy Crafts or Illustration)
• Social Justice Issues and Geekdom (Including Cons and Race, Harassment, Gender, visible and invisible disabilities, etc.)
• Geek Lifestyle Topics (i.e. Parenting, Dating, Overcoming Social Anxiety, etc.)
• Sporty Geeks
• Career-focused sessions or talks (How to pitch, negotiate, interview; where to train, how to find a mentor, opportunities, etc.)

Feel free to propose something we didn’t think of! Previous con programming is available for perusing programming sessions we’ve accepted in the past.

To be considered for acceptance, proposal submissions must reflect the mission of the convention – to promote, celebrate, educate, mentor, encourage, and empower the female geek – and should make an effort towards inclusivity.

We are interested in presentations, screenings, readings, workshops, mentoring sessions, and roundtable discussions from women and men in geeky professions. There must be an understanding that these topics be addressed with a women-centric and woman-positive focus and with attention to issues of diversity.

GeekGirlCon is committed to representing women geeks of all ages, races, sexual orientations, gender identities, creeds, physical and mental abilities, and familial statuses. Proposals must reflect a commitment to this as well.

Submissions are open until 11:59pm PST on May 15th. Past participation in programming is not a guarantee of acceptance for 2013. We are looking to diversify our programming from previous years, so be innovative!

If you are interested in proposing a panel or presentation please fill out this form.

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02.25.13 // Join us at Emerald City Comicon

Are you headed to Emerald City Comicon this weekend?

Stop by Raygun Lounge on Friday, March 1, for Excelsior!, a party organized by GeekGirlCon and NW Gay Geeks.

For those who haven’t checked it out yet, Raygun Lounge is a full-service tabletop game lounge where you can geek out and relax with friends. We are thrilled to partner with them to host this event!

What can you expect at this party? Game demos, beer and wine, groovy tunes from DJ PBear, and free mead for the hobbits among us! Please note that the event is for those age 21 and over.

We’ll be joined by some special guests, including Tony Akins, artist for DC Comics’ Wonder Woman, and Chris Lange of the Capitol Hillbillies webcomic. We’ll also raffle off some amazing prizes, with all proceeds benefiting the Lambert House for homeless gay youth.

Please be sure to give Gamma Ray Games, Raygun Lounge, and the Comics Dungeon a big shout-out for sponsoring this event. Because of them, and you, it’s going to be epic.

We hope to see you on Friday!

QUICK REFERENCE DETAILS

What: Emerald City Comicon party hosted by NW Gay Geeks and GeekGirlCon
When: Friday, March 1, 2013, 8:00 P.M. – close
Where: Raygun Lounge
Cost: Free
Age: 21+ event
Website: Check out all the details on our Facebook event page

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01.31.13 // GeekGirlConnections: Creating a Resume

Hi everyone!

Our Manager of GeekGirlConnections, Terra Olsen, has some fantastic tips in store for the geek on a mission to network and take advantage of a new career! Take a gander at her advice.

Writing a resume, be it your first or your twentieth, can be a daunting task. I have compiled my favorite tips for resume building in the hopes of make it more manageable.

1.) Style Properly
* Use an easy to read font.
* Use a proper format. Chronological formats are popular (experience first, then your education and skills), but it also works well to use a customized format (where you address the job to which you are applying at the top).

2.) Know your Audience
* When building a resume, it is extremely important to know your audience. For example, if you’re applying to a graphic design firm, then it’s appropriate to build a creative resume that stands out. On the other hand, if you’re applying to an engineering firm, then it’s appropriate to have a straightforward and clean resume.
* Try to put only relevant experience on the resume. There is no need to list every single job you’ve ever had. If you’re new to the working world, list the jobs you’ve had, but be sure to make them as relevant as possible for the position to which you’re applying. (more…)

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12.3.12 // Teens Celebrate Art with GeekGirlCon and SAM

Teens 13 to 18:  Join GeekGirlCon and the Seattle Art Museum for an evening celebrating the accomplishments of women in the arts this Friday, December 7 from 7 p.m. – 10 p.m.

Hear live music, watch dance and spoken word performances, play instruments, learn and perform choreography, and create your own works of art at workshops inspired by the new exhibitions Elles: Women Artists from the Centre Pompidou, Paris and Elles: SAM—Singular Works by Seminal Women Artists. Free admission for teens 13-18 (and accompanying adults).

Elles: Pompidou features works of art created by over 75 women artists between 1907 and 2007.

Elles: SAM features works by an additional 30 female artists, including special loans and works from SAM’s permanent collections.

There will be something for visitors of every age at this community celebration! Stop by the GeekGirlCon booth in the South Hall to play a round of “Ten Things I Know About You,” a game about famous female geeks and geekery. Spin the wheel for a topic and then name everything you can think of about it in the next 30 seconds. Surprise yourself with how much you know and maybe even win a prize!

 

Quick Reference Details and Free Ticket Instructions

• What: Activities and performances for teens centered around new exhibitions of women in the arts.

• When: Friday, December 7, 2012, 7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.

• Where: Seattle Art Museum (SAM)  1300 1st Avenue between University and Union Streets

• Cost: Free for teens (and accompanying adults)

• Website: https://www.seattleartmuseum.org/calendar/eventDetail.asp?eventID=24528&month=11&day=7&year=2012&sxID=&WHEN=

Both exhibitions will be on view at SAM downtown from October 11, 2012 until January 13, 2013. Additional works by women artists will be on display at the Seattle Asian Art Museum, the Olympic Sculpture Park, and SAM Gallery Art Sales & Rental.

 

 

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11.27.12 // GeekGirlCon ‘13 Dates Announced – Buy your passes today!

Welcome to GeekGirlCon ‘13!

The staff is busy planning and plotting for the best con event yet. We are happy to announce that GeekGirlCon ‘13 will take place on:

October 19 and 20, 2013 at
The Conference Center in Downtown Seattle

Buy your passes today!

How about passes, discounts, AND fantastic perks? Become an Individual Sponsor of GeekGirlCon. Get the goods, and do good — keep our con running!

Forms for Programming, Volunteers, and Exhibitor and Artist Alley will be arriving on the site after the new year; please check back with us for more soon.

Want to be part of the action? Check out our open positions and apply now.

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11.14.12 // Help Make GeekGirlCon Happen!

Would you like to help create geeky events to connect with other geeks? What about being a part of the team that puts together awesome GeekGirlCon programming? Do you love creating compelling graphics and designs? Or do you want to flex your social media skills? Are you an accountant with a heart of gold (or a nuclear power source)? Check out GeekGirlCon open staff positions!

After a fantastic GeekGirlCon ‘12 and a little recovery time for our all-volunteer staff, we are kicking things back into gear here at GeekGirlCon. We are already working on plans for GeekGirlCon ‘13 (exciting announcement coming soon!) as well as some great events in the next few months (more announcements coming soon!).

We have also done some restructuring and updating of many of our staff roles, and we have newly opened up some great opportunities to join our staff and help celebrate geeky women and girls. All of our positions are opened up to existing staff and the general public at the same time.

GeekGirlCon is a 100% volunteer team — we are a diverse group, from tech geeks and wordsmiths to Doctor Who fans and those who play too much Zelda on the weekends. Check out our staff page or some of the Geeks of the Month we’ve profiled on our blog. GeekGirlCon welcomes and encourages people of all geekdoms, genders, orientations, ages, races, cultures, ethnic backgrounds, abilities, and skill levels to apply.

Find out if you are a fit for one of our open GeekGirlCon staff positions!

Why Join the GeekGirlCon Staff?

GeekGirlCon staffers get to help make fun geeky events come together, celebrate the contributions of women and girls, work to make the geeky community more welcoming and open, connect with fellow geeks of all stripes, and have a lot of fun doing it. Being on GeekGirlCon staff is a great way to develop your skills, learn new ones, make connections with professionals in a variety of industries, geek out with fellow fans, and find new geeky worlds to explore. Whether you are hoping to gain new friends, new skills, or just expand your geekiness, we need your help to make GeekGirlCon happen!

What to Know Before You Apply

Every staff position is critical to our success; along with all of the fun, we work really hard to make GeekGirlCon happen. Being on GeekGirlCon staff generally requires 5-15 hours a week of dedication, including attendance at our biweekly staff meetings (weekday evening in Seattle), events, and of course our annual convention. In addition, because in-person communication and attendance at meeting and events is critical to our success, candidates should live in the Greater Seattle area.

Help make GeekGirlCon happen!

Are There Other Ways to Be Involved?

If the time commitment is too much, you are outside Greater Seattle, or there isn’t a fit with our open positions, we will definitely have opportunities for you to be involved in future. Keep an eye out for our volunteer signups or a chance to be part of our street team. In addition, we love to see you at our events throughout the year, so look for lots of great opportunities to meet up, hang out, play games, make crafts, watch TV/movies, and much more. Oh, if you’d like to help make those things happen, check out the special events manager staff positions on our open staff positions page…

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08.23.12 // GeekGirlCon Statement

On our blog, GeekGirlCon embedded a YouTube video from one of our panelists that was meant to describe, from her own view, what it means to be a “geek girl.”

Unfortunately, we did not clearly hear the beginning of the video, which made a remark that excluded transgendered people from the conversation. Once members of our community raised their concerns, we re-watched the video and removed it from our blog as it did not reflect our mission statement.

GeekGirlCon was created because we wanted to create a safe, welcoming, inclusive place for all geeks. We still live by this creed every day. All ages, gender identities, sexual orientations, sexual preferences, sizes, abilities, ethnicities, nationalities, races, creeds, religions, familial statuses, etc., are welcome. Our core beliefs also state that both “geek” and “female” are self-identified.

We think it is incredibly important to have a dialogue about people who are misrepresented, under-represented, or not represented at all in geek culture. We both attempt to be proactive and rely on our community to bring these conversations to our attention. To those who watched the video, we are deeply sorry about the pain inflicted from these remarks. Thank you for raising your concerns.

If you’d like to contact us to continue this conversation, please feel free to comment or email us at info@geekgirlcon.com.

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08.13.12 // Central Cinema and GeekGirlCon Invite You to TV Dinner

Attention Whovians and friends! Central Cinema and GeekGirlCon are bringing the Doctor back again for a TV Dinner night you simply can’t miss. Whether you are a dedicated fan of the Time Lord and his show or totally new to Who, join us at the Central Cinema on Thursday, August 30th at 8:00 p.m. for some fabulous British sci-fi and a nice meal.

You wouldn’t want to pass up dinner and a show!

We will be enjoying the classic Doctor Who episode, “City of Death” starring  the Fourth Doctor, Tom Baker, and written by David Agnew.

For some added awesomeness there will also be an intermission show, a Doctor Who-inspired cabaret burlesque act by returning performers, Behind the Blue Door!

 

Details and cheat codes:

• Date: Thursday, August 30th

• Where: Central Cinema (1411 21st AVE, Seattle)

• Time: 8:00 PM (2 hours)

• Who: All ages (BUT there will be a burlesque act performed during intermission. Please plan accordingly!)

• Cost: $5 (goes toward your food voucher)

 

TV Dinner at the Central Cinema located in Seattle’s Central District at 21st Avenue and East Union Street. If you’ve never been to a TV Dinner before, here’s how it works: you pay just $5.00 and it gets you a TV Dinner food voucher to secure your seat. Then order up some snacks* and cash in your voucher with your waiter against your tab. Easy!

*Temporally-altered chicken not guaranteed to be on the menu.

Contact specialevents@geekgirlcon.com with questions or for more information on this event. To find out more about the Central Cinema, visit http://www.central-cinema.com/.

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08.13.12 // GeekGirlCon Thanks You

GeekGirlCon ‘12 is a wrap, and the exhaustion is setting in. But we want to be sure to take a few moments to say thank you.

Thank you to the incredible panelists and guests, who helped us discuss incredibly important topics; geek out about comics, video games, science, technology, and pop culture; and discover how we could jumpstart our futures.

Thank you to our individual and corporate sponsors for helping us expand and grow. Without your support, none of this would have been possible.

Thank you to the amazing professionals who spent time in our GeekGirlConnections room and gave advice to attendees on how to jumpstart their careers.

Thank you to our amazing volunteers, who worked hours upon hours to keep the convention running smoothly — always with a smile on their face. You were so professional, thoughtful, helpful, and sincere. Our GeekGirlCon Agents are the best!

Thank you to the families, who came out in droves. The Zelda Family, the Darth Vader Princess (Darth Makenna), the little Wonder Woman, the robot, and every other outfit that left us “ooo”-ing and “aww”-ing. These young children are truly our future, so thank you for encouraging them to ask questions, think critically, and believe in themselves.

Last, but certainly not least, thank you to all of our attendees. You were willing to brave the traffic, you got up early to ensure you could attend every panel, you asked amazing questions, and you wanted to discuss uncomfortable yet important topics. More than 3,000 people walked through our convention doors each day.

If you were one of these 3,000+, you got to see the world premiere of Season 2 of Husbands, the webseries created by GeekGirlCon ‘12 guest Jane Espenson. Nobody else has seen this yet! You talked about sexism in geek culture in standing-room-only rooms. You connected with women from NASA, some who even had the opportunity to work on the project that successfully retrieved images from Mars. Mars, people!

You also sat on panels that addressed issues of diversity — in comics, pop culture, and the broader geek world. You got to hear from some of your favorite creators, leaders, activists, and entrepreneurs. And you got to enjoy our special events, including a nerdy comedy improv, a GeekGirlCONcert, a “Once More, With Feeling” sing-along, and a screening of Wonder Women! The Untold History of American Superheroines during our closing celebration.

On the gaming floor, you entered gaming tournaments and designed new games through the Mystery Box Game Design Challenge. You learned how to create a superhero mask. You learned how to play new games you hadn’t even heard of.

And, likely, you purchased a lot of adorable, beautiful, awesome stuff at our Exhibitor Hall. From math as art, to board games, to books, to socks, to jewelry, our exhibitors and artists offered a range of amazing accessories for geeks of any type.

You came in amazing cosplay, proudly representing your favorite characters. We had crossplay Avengers, a few different versions of Carmen Sandiego, and characters from Zelda, The X-Files, Buffy, The Hunger Games, Scooby Doo, and so much more.

Because of you, GeekGirlCon is gaining attention, from a CNN and Reuters article that quickly spread across the Internet, to local stories from KING 5, KIRO, KOMO, The Seattle Times, GeekWire, The Stranger, and so much more.

Because of you, we are continuing these conversations on social media, where you told us you left feeling inspired. You left feeling a part of a community, one where women support other women. You were excited to put together your own panels next year. And you were motivated to take action — whether big or small — to make an impact in the world.

Because of you, we will be able to make adjustments to ensure GeekGirlCon ‘13 is even better. Your feedback is incredibly important to us. So we encourage you to take the time to fill out our post-con survey, which you can find here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/NPZCL5R. Tell us what programming and events you loved, and what you want to see more of next year.

Thank you, once again, for being a part of GeekGirlCon ‘12. For those who were unable to attend, thank you for being a part of our online conversations and for continuing to support GeekGirlCon.

Keep that fire — still burning from this weekend — alive. Don’t let it dwindle, as we’ll be back for GeekGirlCon ‘13 (date TBA). And please be sure to keep an eye on our website, as we will be hosting a number of special events in the greater Seattle area that you won’t want to miss.

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08.12.12 // Live Blog: Geek Girls in Popular Culture

Hey again! Shubz here and I’m back live blogging at Geek Girls in Popular Culture in room 301/302 with Cecil Castelluci, Sarah Kuhn, Sarah Watson, Stephanie Thorpe, and moderator Javier Grillo-Marxuach!

Questions
Why do you think that level of interest in science and mathematical persuits are less desirable in female characters?

Cecil Castellucci (CC): That character is usually designated as a sidekick.

Sarah Kuhn (SK): Is this female protagonist a good role model?

Sarah Watson (SW): I don’t think geekiness and sexiness is separate.

Is the role-model trope restricting characterization?
Stephanie Thorpe (ST): People don’t like feeling stupid in general. When someone comes across as smart, they may put on an air of condescending. We want women to be likeable, adorable, and cute. Smart tends to go with aloof a lot of the time.

Headless Heroine: Has all characteristics that can relate to a wide range of reader.

Nancy Drew as a headless heroine. Many authors have depicted her differently.

Are there any characters that you identify with?
ST: I’m influenced by the X-Files. Dana Scully was that lightening bolt – she’s a skeptic, she’s intelligent, and her scientific background. I want to see more strong characters like her.

SW: I loved the Goonies, Martha Plimpton.

CC: I loved Daria!

Thoughts on editing geek girls
ST: Depends. Sometimes they want more nerdy, sometimes they want less.

SW: I’m more of the middle man.

SK: Not a lot less nerdy notes [in scripts], but I did make notes like, “What does this mean?” Is it a reference?

CC: Made a love story about a Klingon and a Jedi. Writing a geeky character made it easy to have a demand for more geeky media and characters.

Lisabeth Salander
ST: She is a strong female lead. She’s not necessarily someone I look up to or want to be like, but I enjoy spending time reading about her.

Star Trek Characters
CC: It’s subjective. Uhura in classic Star Trek, not a nerd. Uhura in the recent film, language nerd.

Love stories with geek girls
CC: Amidala falls apart when love is threatened.

SW: Hermione is intelligent and a fighter despite her obstacles.

Changing genders in iconic characters
ST: (RE: Elementary’s Watson) If they’re doing it to add a romantic element, I’ll be disappointed.

SW: I’ve seen it and it’s fantastic. Lucy Liu brings a nurturing role to Watson.

SK: There’s a new interest piqued when you introduce new elements or changes.

CC: I’m excited!

Any socially unattractive female geek characters?
SW: In TV, everyone’s really attractive. Books offer you to create what they would look like.

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