Last month, I had the pleasure of being a panelist at FanX Salt Lake, a multi-day comic convention of fandom and community among pop-culture enthusiasts. FanX is one of my favorite ways to connect my love of anime, comic books, and cosplay to my work as a dark fantasy author and poet.
Over the course of three whirlwind days, I stepped into a few different roles and spoke on panels that sparked lively conversation, thoughtful reflection, and a lot of laughter.
FanX Day One
I cosplayed as Garrett “The Garbage Man” Garrison from A Minecraft Movie, which turned out to be an unexpected hit. I leaned into the absurdity and had many fun interactions with kids and fellow gamers.
That day, I spoke on two panels: Wicked: Defying Literary Gravity and Trauma and Joy in Schitt’s Creek.
Wicked: Defying Literary Gravity
From a marketing perspective, Wicked is a masterclass in rebranding the villain. I enjoyed examining how the story challenges narratives, expectations, and archetypes. My gothic poetry and dark fiction often blur the lines between hero and monster, making this panel a natural fit.
Schitt’s Creek: Trauma and Joy
This panel explored how the comedy masterfully portrays emotional recovery and queer joy without falling into melodrama or cynicism. As someone who writes about trauma with nuance, I appreciated the chance to discuss the healing power of humor and chosen family.
Day Two: Black Widow and the Bonds Beyond the Journey
Day two saw me cosplaying as Black Widow. Channeling Natasha Romanoff’s strength and complexity brought out my inner action heroine. It’s always a joy to embody a character who balances vulnerability with lethal precision.
I spoke on the Frieren panel, titled Beyond Journey’s End: Relationships in the Aftermath.
Beyond Journey’s End: Relationships in the Aftermath
This panel struck a deep chord. Writing at the intersection of horror and romance, I found exploring how Frieren navigates grief, memory, and deep platonic bonds after a quest felt like home. The series’ soft, contemplative tone mirrors my storytelling style, where intimacy and melancholy often coexist.
Day Three: The Other Mother and Women in Horror
On the final day, I cosplayed as the Other Mother from Coraline alongside publishers Jonathan Reddoch and Elizabeth Suggs. Our group costume was equal parts eerie and iconic. As someone who blends horror and emotional intimacy in my work, cosplaying Coraline’s mother was a perfect visual metaphor for the themes I explore: twisted love, deceiving appearances, and the fine line between safety and danger.
Women in Horror: Scream Queens and Final Girls
I was honored to speak on the Women in Horror panel alongside other women redefining this often male-dominated genre. We discussed final girls, monstrous femininity, and the importance of writing from lived experience, especially when exploring themes like violence, power, and desire.
Merging Fandom and Marketing
FanX wasn’t just fun, it was also a strategic move. As a marketer specializing in storytelling, I constantly think about audience engagement, brand alignment, and emotional resonance. Being on these panels gave me insight into what resonates with fans, how people connect emotionally with stories, and why character-driven narratives leave lasting impressions.
From a professional standpoint, events like FanX provide a unique opportunity to bridge my creative and professional worlds, whether I’m analyzing narrative arcs, participating in genre discourse, or literally stepping into a character’s shoes.
Final Thoughts
FanX reminded me that fandom is more than passion, it’s a space where creativity, community, and identity converge. Whether I’m writing a haunted love story, breaking down feminist horror tropes, or building a marketing campaign that hits the heart, events like this fuel my inspiration.
Hope to see you there next year!
xoxo,
Michaela Rae
