Well, it’s that time of year again…

Gallifrey one, the Doctor Who convention!

That time of year for those lucky Whovians from all over the world who’ve managed to score tickets decend on the LAX Marriott for a week of fun, costumes, fangirling (and fanboying), and lively and intellectual debate and discussion.

Whether you are someone who spends the year meticulously collecting pieces for costumes or a last minute rusher or a plain cloths fan, the build up to any con is quite a thing to experience – your fangear is a badge of honor you must have down.

And so the day is here (for Lobby-con, at least – the night before con launches where you get to see the first bits of costumes, see your once a year con friends, get a head start on ribbon collection, and say a quick hello to Fraser Hines), but are you ready for it?

In my wanderings this year, I stumbled across this gem of a book for anyone interested in or highly invested in con-life (or fan-life in general): The Fangirl’s Guide to the Galaxy: a handbook for girl geeks by Sam Maggs.

I recommend this super quick read for both boys and girls if you are new to fandom or conventions. She gives a great rundown of how cons work, proper etiquett when dealing with other attendees as well as guests, a what you will need list and just general fun facts of survival. I’m not new to cons but I fell in love with this witty, fast-talking rundown.

Again the book is tiny, so it’s a great quick read.

For anyone afraid of the feminist aspects of the book, first you shouldn’t, it’s all perfectly safe and it’s got a lot of things to think about – really great for teens and preteens getting into fandom. It’s big on respecting others, so even if you disagree with Sam on points throughout (I dmit that i did a few times), you’ll still get a lot out of it.

I’ll wrap up on the book by saying I wish I’d had this years ago before starting my con adventures!

Anyway, as Gallifrey hasn’t started, I can’t give you too much of a rundown, however, I’ve got my Rose and Clara gear preped – as well as my bank account and bugdet! – and I’ll talk to you all in more detail next week. So until then, keep your nerd strong and let your fangirl/boy flag fly.

• Taylor Gallagher

Classic Alice: A Must.

Really this is about the thing that is taking over my life (no really!)

Classic Alice’s pic for World book day; tumblr.

“Classic Alice” is an amazing webseries/transmedia production (which just means the story takes place across different media areas/distributors) about a college girl studying to become a writer who gets a “bad” mark on a paper which included the a harsh critique that she doesn’t identify/empathize with characters and that her writing lacks a sense of creativity. In response, Alice decides to become more in tune with what characters go through in their stories by basing her life choices on those made by the protagonists in classic literature.

Did you get all that?

Basically, Alice is living her life through books; taking every ‘oh no…’ moment you’ve every had while reading a great book and dealing with the consequences—which, for the audience, means many moments spent (just like when reading said books) yelling for the characters to get there acts together (and there are definitely characters who are yelling about it with you!).

Anyway, why is this taking over my life?

1. The series is really just that good.

I’ll be honest, I’ve watched a lot of transmedia series and for good reason. More and more they are gaining quality that is easily comparable to TV; videos are free (YouTube!) and short enough that you can binge watch most in one day; you have a lot of access to the actors as well as the characters they play so you can talk to both, ask questions and just really get involved; and the list goes on and on…

But back to “Classic Alice.”

If you like books, reading, school, or compelling stories, this series has it all and it will hook you. Even if you’ve never read a single book Alice talks about, the characters and their struggles and triumphs come to life in a way that makes you forget that these aren’t just some girl’s vlogs about her life. You find yourself rooting for Alice as if she were a real person—a friend—who you want to see succeed.

2. As someone interested in Women working and studying creative industries, “Classic Alice” is a must!

This show is basically a power house for women creators and if it can keep going, it’s a great example of where these industries can go in way of empowered young women. But don’t just take my word for it, look here for more.

SPOILERS (Just for this bit, jump to 3 to avoid)!!

But besides the women behind this masterpiece, in the second season a major sticking point has been that stories don’t end just because there is a happily ever after. Even if the girl gets the guy, that’s not where her story ends…

3. It has actually become the focus of my dissertation….

Yep, I told you this show has taken over.

After getting hooked on this show, my dissertation topic transformed from analyzing access and self-publishing to transnarrative storytelling and book marketing….

Basically, my paper gives me an excuse to watch these wonderful people over and over again (not that not having an excuse ever stopped me…)

4. They are about to finish their Crowdfunding campaign at midnight tonight (March 6, pacific time).

I don’t know many times a day I’ve checked this page, but it’s the first thing I do when I wake up and last thing I do before dropping off. Again, I chalk this up to dissertation interest, but really it’s that I feel just as excited every time the number goes up as all those who are actually involved in the project.

Over the last two months, I’ve picked up three perks and actually won an extra prize (a personalized signed copy of Lev Grossman’s “The Magician’s Land” –YAY BOOKS)!

And finally,

5. The true proof: this post was meant to be about internship/job interviews….

Oops? Yea, that had been the plan but with the end of the funding taking place and my dissertation proposal all coming together this week, there was nothing for it.

So next week we’ll go for all that interview stuff (including my thought on my own…), but for now—if you haven’t—go check out “Classic Alice” and if there is still time go and give what you can (every dollar counts!).

–Taylor Gallgher

Ps, I’m all about these series so if you have a suggestion of another for me to check out or want a suggestion of what else to watch, leave a comment and I’ll see what I can do.