Professional Fan
Film & Video Appearances
Spotlight on women-run comic store
This short video was shot by a filmmaker who was working on a project featuring women in unconventional roles.
The video features myself and the woman I partnered with to turn her store into a community destination.
She Makes Comics - the documentary
I was approached to appear in a documentary about women in the comic book industry, based on the work my partner and I had done making a comic book store a safe and inclusive space for female comic readers.
This is a short clip that contains the film's introduction and then cuts to the segment where I appear.
My superpower: connecting with fans
Farewell montage from Sideshow
I spent four years producing events and livestreams for Sideshow.com and stepped in front of the camera whenever it best served the needs of the show.
My strength as a host is being relatable and listening to my audience in order to engage in the most authentic way possible.
On my last day, the social team surprised me with a video montage of my time as a Sideshow host.
Convention Panelist
Building Community in Fandom
San Diego Comic Con 2019
I spoke in this panel about the Facebook Group I had created for Sideshow and what made it a thriving community with such a consistently high engagement rate: putting the fans' interests first.
Fangirls Lead the Way
San Diego Comic Con 2015
This panel focused on the impact of female fans and how they are changing Geek Culture from the ground up.
I spoke about the work I had done with my partner at the comic book store to turn it into a haven for female fans to shop and enjoy comics. At that time, it was very rare for females to feel safe, welcome, and comfortable walking into a local comic book store.
Pop Culture Parenting
Stan Lee's Comikaze 2015
This panel focused on the subject of being a geeky parent and raising geeky kids. I spoke about my work with Geek Girls Society, an after-school program for kids to celebrate and learn about fan culture.
Additionally, I brought the prospective of being a geek parent with kids who had entirely different fandoms from mine.
Marketing to female fans
Diamond Retailers Conference 2016
My business partner and I were asked to present a panel based on our success as the only female owned and operated (at the time) Eisner Award-winning comic book store in the world.
I don't have a picture of this panel, but Fight Club author Chuck Palahniuk was there too, and that was pretty cool.
In the news
Leading…by Getting Out of the Way
ComicMix.com By Ed Catto · April 27, 2015
Preview:
Brave New World Comics is a California based store run by two engaging and effervescent women named Portlyn Polston and Autumn Glading. Like most comic shop owners, they are energetic entrepreneurs who work hard to keep their customers happy, attract new shoppers and have a little fun along the way. One thing that sets them apart is their commitment to fanning the flames of geek-focusd interest in women and girls. But as you’ll see, it’s much more than that.
Parents Discuss the Growing Geek Community in Los Angeles
BleedingCool.com by Michele Brittany · Nov. 9, 2015
Preview:
Last weekend at the Stan Lee's Comikaze, held at the Los Angeles Convention Center, I attended a panel I would not have normally have chosen: Pop Culture Parenting with the Geeklings and Parental Units. The panel was moderated by Mark Cronan who was joined by GeekMom writer and founder of Geeklings and Parental Units group Melody Mooney, co-founders of Geek Girl Society Portlyn Polston and Autumn Rain Glading, writer/producer of Parallels and The Lost Room Laura Harkcom, photographer Kendra Jean Moras, and engineer and super dad Sky Craig.
Empowering documentary 'She Makes Comics' explores industry's hidden history
NoMansLand.blog by Lavender Vroman · Oct. 28, 2017
Preview:
As a bonus for SoCal residents, “She Makes Comics” features Newhall comic book shop Brave New World and its former owners, Autumn Glading and Portlyn Polston, who welcomed girls to the store and organized events and programs designed to encourage female comic book readership.
Geek Girls Rule the Earth
Signal SCV by Martha Michael · July 20, 2018
Preview:
The Geek Girls Society in Newhall is a circle of friends who have made a connection through their love of less conventional entertainment choices such as comics, anime and science fiction. It was launched three years ago by Portlyn Polston and Autumn Glading at Brave New World Comics, a store that has merchandise and holds events involving art, film and comic books.
Geek Girls’ Night Returns To Brave New World Comics!
Fanbase Press by Barbra Dillon · July 10, 2014
Preview:
After the success of Brave New World Comics' first-ever Geek Girls' Night earlier this year, the special event will return again on Saturday, July 12th, at the Eisner Award-winning comic book and pop culture shop in Newhall, CA! Geek Girls' Night 2 will be a chance for fans of the female persuasion to let their geek flag fly and enjoy a host of fun activities, panel discussions, giveaways, and more!
