The Feminine in Nerd Spaces
Not just “girls,” but all feminine people and ideas have complicated relationships with the stereotypically male hobbies of anime and video games. I want to explore this relationship in all its facets. The main focus of this project is researched and reported video essays put on Youtube with written works supporting the feminine experience in nerdy hobbies.
Written works
-
Community Beyond Conventions: Locals Create Hotspot for Anime and Cosplay (working title)
Las Vegas rapidly establishes itself as the next anime destination with popular conventions like Lvl Up Expo, but there’s more to Vegas’ anime scene. Dive in for a complete view of the community with cupsleeves, fan service events, and even a cosplay school. [Full disclosure: AI was used in the editing process to assist with brevity to ensure a smoother reading experience.]
(July 2026, feature)
-
Why I Identify as a Gamer, Even Though I Play “Girlie Games”
I write about the complicated history I have with the term “girl gamer,” and how I eventually came to embrace it for myself.
(December 2025, personal essay)
-
Cosplay to Couture: How Steff Von Schweetz Brought Anime Chic from Screen to Vegas Streets
Stephanie, who goes by Steff online, is a professional sewist and cosplayer. The word “cosplay” is a portmanteau of “costume play,” where artists dress as characters from various media. They have taken it much further than simple dress-up and roleplay—it’s now a career for them, beyond cosplay and into the realm of fashion design itself.
(October 2024, profile)
-
A Lifelong Companion
I write about a stable presence in my life that has supported me through all of my trials and tribulations… anime.
(August 2025, personal essay)