The response from the programming chair (also someone on my flist) was that they can only program what they get proposals for, etc... Maybe next time we'll just have to stir up some major enthusiasm for what we want to see, and try to get people to put those proposals together.

It is a challange, and I know it's always likely to be a mixed bag. Hence why I think I'll probably go the route of a slash conference, and multi-fandom. But in spending too much time thinking about this (as referenced above in my reply to fungus_files), it's that my participation in HP has always been in regards to fanfic. With Tolkien, I fell hook, line and sinker straight into the texts, then fans, then discussion, then costuming, then fanfic, then chat rooms, etc. etc. While the Wizarding world is very imaginative, and that's how I was taken in, it simply isn't nearly as dense, and I haven't been taken in on the same level as Tolkien. But I adore the fanfiction and authors, and looking at how fandom works. I just don't have the same emotional response.

Blah, blah. I just need to go focus on fandom studies, or get this next R/D story out of my head and on paper.

I'm so sorry you didn't get to the pool!! Or the outside whirlpool! I did treat myself to both. ;)

[congrats on your panel sponsorship, BTW. I'll have to look into those comics. One thing that I do find fascinating in HP fandom is the sexuality and self-understanding/exploration of that as being actively experienced by fans (usually writers) that I didn't look for or see in Tolkien fandom. Then again, I was far more naive 3 years ago.]