Welcome back to Con Culture Podcast. In this episode, we’re joined by J. Reese, a young adult fantasy author whose “origin story” starts in the most hilarious place possible: middle-school “poetry” that may or may not have been… heavily inspired by classic R&B 😅 From there, Jay breaks down how he leveled up into writing novels, how his family shaped his characters, and what it’s really like building a book series while working a full-time. We also pivot into the con world and fandom news, including a wild story about a convention situation involving restrictions around manga, anime, and cosplay. Then we swap con stories from the weekend: Animeverse (anime + wrestling + voice actor fandom energy) and Juan’s unforgettable trip to Vancouver, Canada, where the scenery looks like a video game backdrop and the community warmth hits you right in the feelings. We also talk creator life, getting recognized, why we do cosplay interviews, and how powerful it is to make someone feel seen in a crowded room. Find J. Reese online: Instagram: @Iamjayreace Books: https://amzn.to/3ZXV6bl Subscribe for more convention coverage, creator interviews, and fandom talk. And to everyone who supports Con Culture: thank you. Seriously. We can’t do this without you. 💚