I’m returning to Wizard World Chicago for the first time in a long time this year. I’m on two panels, so if you are coming to WWC, I hope you can make it. Image & Info for first panel snagged from @GeekMelange’s post on their own WWC posts.

Saturday, August 22, 2015
So You Want to Be a Nerd Organizer, 3:30-4:15pm, Room 14
#NerdOrganizer
Whether you’re starting a podcast, a meet-up group, an online community, a con, a magazine, or a social movement, being a nerdy organizer of any kind means figuring out a lot of logistics. How do you choose who to work with? Where do you get started? How do you implement rules? How do you choose guests? On this panel, nerd con runners, community organizers, editors, and producers will share their experiences and advice about what’s worked, and what hasn’t.

Panelists include Megan Byrd (Graham Cracker Comics Ladies Night), Sondra de Jong (Nebula Awards), Tanya DePass (I Need Diverse Games), Thomas Glen (ValorCon), Matthew Peters(Mighty Ink Comics), and Michi Trota (Uncanny Magazine).

Sunday, August 23, 2015

THE MOST RACIST PANEL EVER! 1:00-1:45PM ROOM 14

Got your attention now?! So much has changed in our pop culture world- however, there are still many obstacles when it comes to experiencing ethnic or other marginalized heroes in media. Join us for this challenging topic as multicultural nerds discuss the cultural barriers, systemic problems, and the artistic gaps, that keep us from seeing diverse representation in comics, TV, and film.

Moderated by Tony Kim (“Crazy 4 Comic Con” on Con Radio”)
Panelists include Shareef Jackson #ScienceLooksGood, #GamingLooksGood, Spawn on Me podcast, Dawn Xiana Moon RaksGeek & Tanya DePass, I Need Diverse Games

I’m also going to Bit Bash for the first time ever! It’s an altgames fest on Saturday August 22nd, so I’ll be there after my Wizard World panel. Happily I’ll get to see Shareef Jackson, applecidermage and hopefully meet other cool folks. I’ll be wearing my #INeedDiverseGames shirt!

Other stuff under the cut…

I’m working with an amazing group of folks to grow #INeedDiverseGames into more than a blog and a hashtag. Hoping to be able to reveal more soon. But awesome things are happening!

I’ve gotten another moderator for the INDG twitter and tumblr, so that’s a relief. I was so close to burning out, throwing my hands up and quitting. But there’s too much going on and at stake now for me to really do that. I just needed a breather.

I’m working on another article for Paste Games, which should be out in the next couple of weeks (crossing fingers)

ICYMI, Fresh Out of Tokens is now weekly and we’ve got enough episodes in the can to stay ahead of that curve. Also, Patreon supporters of #INeedDiverseGames are getting the podcast early. We’re actually booked with guests through mid-November and will probably take the holidays off.

I’m Programming Co-Chair for Wiscon 40, which is going to be interesting, challenging and probably make me wonder if I ever want to take on Co-Chairing the con itself one year. Hahah ok maybe never cause it looks like a fucking headache and a half but who knows.

I’m also on programming for WorldCon 2016. I need to reply to a bunch of things and get my ass in gear. I’m not going to Sasquan (WorldCon 2015) due to money and vacation time.

Speaking of Conventions, I’m attending GeekGirlCon in October, GaymerX in December and even if I don’t panel, I’ll be at Valorcon since it’s local. Who all is going to these cons so we can meet up?

Published by cypheroftyr

Tanya DePass is the founder and Director of I Need Diverse Games, a non-profit organization based in Chicago, which is dedicated to better diversification of all aspects of gaming. I Need Diverse Games serves the community by supporting marginalized developers attend the Game Developer Conference by participating in the GDC Scholarship program, helps assist attendance at other industry events, and is seeking partnership with organizations and initiatives. Tanya is a lifelong Chicagoan who loves everything about gaming, #INeedDiverseGames spawn point, and wants to make it better and more inclusive for everyone. She founded and was the EIC of Fresh Out of Tokens podcast where games culture was discussed and viewed through a lense of feminism, intersectionality and diversity. Now she’s a co-host on Spawn on Me Podcast. Along with all of that, she’s the Programming Coordinator for OrcaCon, she often speaks on issues of diversity, feminism, race, intersectionality & other topics at multiple conventions throughout the year. Her writing about games and games critique appears in Uncanny Magazine, Polygon, Wiscon Chronicles, Vice Gaming, Paste Games, Mic, and other publications.

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  1. Pingback: A handy dandy guide to interacting with me @ Conventions | The random musings of a 1973 Original

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