by Marissa Price

Back in April, I was lucky enough to attend a Supanova convention on the Gold Coast to try selling books. As a teacher, tutor, business owner, mother, wife and writer, there are so many things that demand my attention on a daily basis that I’m often not sure where to start. And even if I didn’t have all of those amazing things in my life, marketing would definitely take the cake as the hardest part of independent publishing. I had no idea what I was getting myself into, and zero clue what Supanova even was. Now that I’ve been, I wonder if I was hiding under a rock. As far as I understand it, it’s sort of like an Aussie version of Comic Con in the United States. We even managed to attract some international guests like Dr Who! The first Supanova was held in Sydney in April of 2002, attracting some pretty impressive overseas visitors right from the get go. To give you context, in 2002 I was in Year 11 and had no idea what sort of life I wanted, or what kind of career I would end up in.

This event was truly a beautiful, messy, wonderful clash of mostly American popular culture icons with Aussie spirit and enthusiasm. I was blown away by the elaborate costuming that would have taken days – perhaps weeks – to prepare, and the flawless characterization of many of the cosplayers. I didn’t even know that people dressed up as their favorite literary and movie characters and attended conventions and events together, and the things I saw absolutely blew my mind. It truly was a visual feast, and a little like Hollywood coming to our own town. The Gold Coast isn’t my hometown—it’s around two hours from my home on the other end of ‘the coasts,’ closer to the Sunshine Coast than Cavill Avenue. The Gold Coast is the home of the Titans (NRL), the Suns (AFL) and many other amazing sports teams, businesses and glittering nightclub strips. Very glamorous compared to my own semi-rural existence, and totally out of my comfort zone.

But there was something even more special, less tangible, but clearly defined and present that caught my attention and sparked my interest: camaraderie. Some might say that walking around Surfers Paradise dressed as Belle, complete with fairy lights, or as an entire team of Avengers complete with body armor is a little crazy, but it truly was safety in numbers. No one felt awkward or out of place, because everyone was getting in on the action and having the time of their lives. It was a little like when you’re doing speeches in a classroom and everyone else gets into their role of acting – it makes you feel less self-conscious, and you certainly enjoy the experience more! The joy on the faces of the children lining the main streets outside the Convention Centre to catch a glimpse of their favorite action hero, Disney princess, Star Wars character or Harry Potter look-alike was infectious.

Throughout the conference, I had the opportunity to discuss everything from the best way to keep a wig in place to the symbolic meaning of costuming with various cosplayers, but one particular theme stuck with me. There was no judgment. If a man wanted to dress as Catwoman in head to toe black Lycra and platform heels, he was embraced with open arms. If a woman wanted to play at Ghostbusters or Star Trek – go for your life. Gender was fluid, with the people attending the convention rarely batting an eyelid at a costume, including full body paint. Enthusiasts in wheelchairs attended with costuming that incorporated their mobility aids, and I saw more than one parent being dragged around by the hand, attached to their overly excited offspring. To say that the experience was liberating is an understatement. I went to sell books, but I gained so much more than that.

Australian culture is a confusing and often contradictory beast. We often laugh at our own expense: poking fun at ourselves before someone else can. We are universally known as bogans who use words like “sheila” and “g’day mate” (thanks, Crocodile Dundee!), but we also have a much deeper side. With the legalization of same sex marriage in December 2017, and the abolition of ‘gay panic’ defense laws in almost every State, we are a much more progressive and tolerant society than we have been in the past. It is interesting to see generations come through middle and senior schooling (12-18 year olds), and to wonder about the legacy they will leave in the world. And boy, will some have an impact. Our current teens are rebelling—not against the traditional authority (although they do that too), but more so, they are rebelling against prejudice. They truly are accepting of people, no matter their race, gender, sexual orientation, religious views or lifestyle choices. They can teach us as much as we can teach them.

While Hollywood may have the actual DC and Marvel superheroes (though there was a rumor Chris Hemsworth was at Supanova – sadly, untrue), Australia has real life heroes, too. As do many other nations across the globe. They are the people who quietly stand beside someone who is suffering, who silently offer a helping hand to people who need it. They are the ones who pitch in and help out just because it’s needed, and make people feel comfortable in their own skin. I went to sell books, but I found a whole new world that’s exciting, fun, welcoming and incredibly talented. I’m planning on doing Supanova Brisbane in November this year, mainly just to see what they have to offer, and I anticipate it will be just as mind-blowing.

I have just one complaint—where were all the Hufflepuffs?

Marissa Price is an Australian school teacher who also runs The Literature Factory, which helps Australian children with literacy, reading and writing. The Lit Factory runs tutoring sessions and workshops, as well as publishing several Australian authors including Marissa and Nicole Bonnelli Madeley. Each publication has its own educational value, making them perfect for the Lit Factory imprint.

Marissa’s book series, Into the Abyss, currently has two books available. Vault of Verona and Scourge of Scotland follow the story of Harriet Hunter, a young Tasmanian woman who discovers that she is able to travel back into the stories of the greatest literary giant the world has ever known – Shakespeare. Harriet runs rampant in Verona during the time of Romeo and Juliet, tasked with the job of stopping the ticking time bomb that will be a double suicide. Her story continues in Scotland with Macbeth’s ambition providing the catalyst for a collision that will change the course of history for generations to come. For more information on the Into the Abyss series or The Literature Factory, visit www.theliteraturefactory.com.au.