Back in the Con Space: My Time at Multiverse Con 2021

We have all missed a lot of things since this Pan’s Labyrinth started. We haven’t been able to hang out with friends as much, partake in events, and just enjoy life with friends. Cautiously, things are (were) trying to move towards life before 2020, and one of the things that I’m excited about getting back to is going to conferences and conventions. (For just a bit of clarification for anyone who might be wondering, there is a difference between a conference and a convention. As an academic in my professional life, a conference is more academic leaning even when discussing topics like pop culture. In fact, there is a Pop Culture Conference I have been to and presented at. Conventions, on the other hand, tend to lean more to the personal hobby/fandom side of things and less academic. However, even saying that, for me, seems to belittle the fact that conventions have so many layers to them, and it’s a place for people to gather and enjoy their shared loves and interests.)

Concepts of Family in Speculative Fiction Panel (LEARN Track): (L to R) K.D. Edwards, Gini Koch, William Lawson, and R.J. Joseph (LEARN Track Director)

And that is what I’m here to share with you all…my adventure into the outside world to attend my first convention in-person since the panorama started. (FYI: You had to show proof of vaccination to participate/attend, and in the panels I attended only the presenters removed their masks. Rooms were also cleaned by a staff member after each panel.) In mid-O…