On May 12, I submitted my panel application for FANFIC INTO FICTION with a brand-new blurb and a request for 1.5 hours for the panel, twice as long as last year’s. I wasn’t sure if I was going to get it, with the panel request being so long…

But on May 16, just four days later, I received a notice that my panel got approved for Matsuricon 2026! YES! I’ve never had an approval come in so quickly before and I’m stunned and grateful.

About 35 people or so showed up to FANFIC INTO FICTION last year, and we ran out of time because everyone was really into participating and sharing their stories and opinions. I couldn’t get through all of my slides so I shared the PowerPoint in the Matsuricon Facebook page and hoped people could make use of it.

I’m a little nervous about filling an hour and a half–I struggled filling class time this year at the college–but I think if I just keep things interactive, we should be good to go.

The next question is–will I cosplay? I’ve had materials purchased for over a year to do a Qi Rong cosplay from Heaven Official’s Blessing and I did start sewing it one day…but I think I’d have to spend the entire summer working on it. Like, really throw myself into it while balancing writing on contract for Oliver Heber Books. And I do keep applying to part-time jobs online, so potentially I could have that on top of everything (although it’s highly unlikely I’d get hired. I’ve never been able to find summer work).

Summer is the perfect time to get cracking on projects while there’s not a ton on my plate. So…I should really give this a try.

Anyway, I’ve learned really early that I will be presenting, but the schedule won’t go up for months, so you probably won’t hear me make a peep about the convention for a while, unless it’s to do a cosplay update.

I’m so happy I could share this good news with you!