Now for something different than my typical blog about writing. Below is an “interview” with one of the main characters in my upcoming YA superhero book SUPERFICIAL, out September 24, 2024! And it’s just in time for Bi+ Visibility Month because this character, Lea Anderson, identifies as pansexual, as well as demisexual, just like me.
Today we are at the WizCon Convention in Philadelphia, covering the event and talking to both fans and the actors at the convention. Let’s catch up with this fan over here.
Hi! Do you have a second to talk to us about who you are and what brought you to the WizCon Convention?
Um, I guess? I was on the way to the bathroom but I can talk to you first.
Great! Let’s start off with the basics. Who are you and what do you do?
I’m Lea Anderson and I just graduated from a high school in Ohio. I’m from a tiny town that I’m sure you never heard of. In the fall I’m going to UCLA to become an archivist.
What was it like growing up in a small town?
It wasn’t too bad but I have to say, our field trips sucked. People from bigger cities go on cool trips to museums or amusement parks. We got to go to a recycling plant. At least we got to wear hard hats.
Being in Philadelphia for the WizCon Convention must be a dream trip come true!
Kind of. This was planned when my best friend Jess and I were secretly together. But then I walked in on her kissing my other best friend and Jess chose them…so honestly I’d rather be anywhere but here but I had a non-refundable plane ticket. But I’m super pumped to see any historical sites or museums while I’m in town. Hopefully I can make that happen.
What made you two want to come to WizCon in the first place?
Jess is totally obsessed with the Brown Recluse, the superhero that can poison people with her fingernails. Jess even dressed like her today. I like most superheroes so I thought it would be fun, plus I’d get to hang out with Jess the whole time. Oh, and right after we booked, The Amazing Boy, aka Jake Johnson, confirmed he was going to be in attendance and then the convention sold out immediately. He’s literally the hottest actor right now.
Like attractive hot?
Opps, I meant like super popular right now. He’s good looking and all but it seems like he’s really a jerk from the gossip sites and only dates models. But whatever he wants to do in his personal time isn’t any of my business. He’s a good actor and his movies are really fun.
We are actually planning to talk to him later on today.
Wow, really? I’ve never met a famous actor before. I wonder what he’s like in real life.
You will have to check out our interview after we speak to him! Well, we have one final question for you. Tell us about who you are dressed up as today.
Um, well, no one really. I just got this gold and white caped costumed from Amazon and added the monogrammed “L” on my chest because I thought it’d be cute. Now that I’m saying it aloud, it’s kind of dumb. But yeah, I’m dressed up as me as a superhero I guess.
We love that! Good for you for being yourself. Thanks for speaking with us today and we hope that you can enjoy your time at WizCon and Philadelphia as much as you can.
Thanks, I will try. Maybe it will be better than I expect…
You can learn more about Lea and her adventures with The Amazing Boy in Diane Billas’ upcoming YA superhero novel, SUPERFICIAL, coming out September 24, 2024! It is available to add to Goodreads and on pre-order.
Diane Billas 