When is it OK to write for free?
Being a freelance writer can be like hurling yourself repeatedly at a brick wall. Every day, I wake up and pitch the best ideas I can think of to half…
Otaku Links: Writers, slackers, bloggers, fighters
Anita Sarkeesian’s first Tropes vs. Women video, on Damsels in Distress in video games, is finally out. I’ve been waiting for this ever since I wrote about the project in June!…
Otaku Links: the gangster life and the freelance lifestyle
I just discovered MC Melody Doll, a Gothic Lolita gangster rapper. Her music videos are definitely tongue in cheek! Bronies might recognize the composer she works with, The Living Tombstone.…
How to interview celebrities at a fandom convention
The first big name I ever got the chance to interview was Nobuo Uematsu. The resulting article, Final Fantasy Composer’s Chocobo Cosplay Wishes, Avatar Scoring Dreams, is probably the reason…
Otaku Links: Friendship is Magic the Gathering
Did you hear the news yesterday? Otakon, the east coast’s largest anime convention, is coming to Las Vegas! There aren’t many details yet except that it’s happening, so I’ll be…
A Q&A with pro anime blogger Humberto Saabedra
Do you dream of getting paid to attend conventions? To have companies send you anime, games, or graphic novels for review, unasked? To make a living out of one of…
Otaku Links: cosplay critiques and Chrono Trigger
It’s ridiculous that in 2012, race in cosplay is still an issue. Here’s Chaka Cumberbatch’s story. I wonder if the racist fans digging in to Chaka’s cosplays realized she’s FUNimation’s…
Should journalists cosplay on the job?
Today’s question comes from Twitter: As press attending an anime con, should I cosplay or not? Any guidelines or advice you have? Short answer: cosplay away! But before you grab…
Otaku Links: Geek valentines and gunpla
Am I the only one who thinks a lot of the merchandise marketed at geeks is really overdesigned and tacky? I think these minimalist Star Wars, Star Trek, and Dr.…
Introducing my latest workbook: Generating story ideas
Late last night, I sent my third workbook, Generating story ideas, out into the world. You can pick it up in the store right now, or you can read on…