>>I don't have a good reason for why you would find a lack of interest
>>in the discussion or critique of fanfic.
>
>I'm gonna put my money on "someone with an outsized influence on panel
>selection really doesn't like fanfic".
>
>-IA.
>
>(really doesn't like the doc is also a possibility)

Oof. Well, that second possibility really upped the paranoia. Perhaps a more reasonable spin on that may be "aw man, this guy's done this panel 14 times, so he MUST be just cruising in for a discounted badge."

I can honestly say that me and my panelists work hard to get things in shape. I fuss over details like the presentation and the handout. I can be like a mother hen when one of my panelists is late.

I wish that more people would understand that writing fanfiction is no less valid an expression of your fandom than collecting merchandise, creating a cosplay, or watching your favorite show alone or with friends. Perhaps it's the fact that fanfiction isn't as flashy as the New Hotness of a show/game, that it'll always be there--and thus, can be ignored for the flavor of the moment.

*sigh*

--Doc