Geek Girls Gab with Sam Maggs

Sam Maggs is a writer, geek girl, and television professional, hailing from the Kingdom of the North (Toronto), and making her way to LA. Currently writing for several nerd-culture and entertainment blogs, Sam loves to talk about comics, gaming, and sci-fi TV – and sometimes even dabbles in the cosplay world. You can find out all about her at www.sammaggs.com!

The Nerdy Girlie:  What is your 1st nerd memory?

Sam:  I come by my nerdiness honestly; my parents saw Star Wars: A New Hope over twenty times in theaters when it first came out, so you can blame them for making me this way. When I was in school, my folks used to keep me home whole days so we could marathon the Indiana Jones trilogy, or catch the first showing of a new Harry Potter flick. I became obsessed with Stargate SG-1 when I discovered it at age 12, and I still secretly wish I was Sam Carter. 

It was around that time I also got my N64 (a big upgrade from playing Burger Time on my mom’s old Intellivision). I remember skipping dance classes because I just wanted to get my hat back from that stupid monkey on Tall, Tall Mountain in Super Mario 64. I didn’t get into comics until university, but I’ve become a Marvel fangirl and never looked back.  

TNG:  How and why did you start blogging?

Sam:  I’ve always been a writer; I actually got my Master’s Degree in Victorian Literature when I was just 22. Since then, I’ve wanted to use my writing skills to talk about something that other people might actually find interesting! Because of the amazing and supportive nerd community in Toronto, I was able to get involved with some great local blogs which have allowed me to write about the things I love; for example, Dork Shelf lets me go nuts on comics and video games, and The Televixen lets me talk about TV to my heart’s content. I’ve also recently started writing for LA-based entertainment newsmagazine PopWrapped, so I feel like I’m always right on top of the latest genre news. 

TNG:  YOUR favorite blog?

Sam:  In academia, I always found the intersection between pop culture and gender studies fascinating; I think that really comes out in the way I interact with the nerd world, too. I think it’s probably no surprise, then, that my two go-to blogs are The Mary Sue and Jezebel. Nerd girls rule, and they make it so.

And, hey, The Nerdy Girlie is pretty great too! 

TNG:  What is your favorite thing/things to nerd out about?

Sam:  Though I could probably talk you ear off for days about the Stargate franchise or Joss Whedon, my current geek love is Doctor Who! I write recaps and reviews on the show for The Televixen, and I also recently had the opportunity to take part in a press conference with Showrunner and Exec Producer Steven Moffat (that was so nerve-wracking and exciting). I also cosplay as the TARDIS pretty frequently, and, this year, I’ll be published in a couple of books about Doctor Who too! I’m heartbroken about Matt Smith leaving, but I just have to remember that he did manage to replace the flawless David Tennant in my heart, so who knows.  

TNG:  Any tips for San Diego Comic Con?

Sam:  Sadly, I’ve never been able to go to SDCC! I’m moving to Cali this year, though, so you can bet I’ll be hitting up The Nerdy Girlie next year for all the tips and tricks I need to survive the experience. My general con survival tips would go something like this, though: comfortable shoes (regardless of your cosplay); a water bottle; lots of cash; and patience. 

TNG:  Girlie things you love?

Sam:  Just because you are 100% nerd doesn’t mean you can’t also be 100% girl! I’m obsessed with nail art. I started doing it to quit my terrible nail-biting habit, and not only has it worked, but it’s turned itself into a new and more expensive habit (lucky me!) 

WE FINALLY MEET July 2014!

Sam thank you so much for answering our questions and being so kind to mention lil old me!  I love stumbling upon amazing fan girls organically.  Sam is such a fun lady and I can't wait till she is in my neck of the woods!  Follow her on Twitter: @SamMaggs and visit her BRAND NEW site: www.sammaggs.com.  Look for her first book A Fan-Girl's Guide To The Galaxy out Mid-2015!