iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Cara Marta Messina @caramartamessina.com · 08/06/2026

It's publication week! My book, Critical Fandom: Representations of Race, Gender, and Sexuality in Fan Fiction, is officially out through University of Iowa Press. Use code MESSINA40 for 40% off: uipress.uiowa.edu/books/critic...

Book flyer for Critical Fandom: Representations of Race, Gender, and Sexuality by Cara Messina published through University of Iowa Press. There is a QR code and a discount code, MESSINA40, for 40% off.

23217 32

Cara Marta Messina @caramartamessina.com · 18/04/2026

Love the new piece “Beyond Paying Attention” by @ambuck.bsky.social in Computers and Composition! I hope to see more folks in the discipline take up her call! Thanks for the ARGAI shout out too ❤️

A screenshot from an article that talks about the Alliance for Refusing Generative AI Discord Server.

130 3

Cara Marta Messina @caramartamessina.com · 03/04/2026

My book is almost here! In Critical Fandom, I examine fanfiction trends and author's reflections on their writing. How do fanfic authors critique their fandoms and the media they love (Legend of Korra, GOT, Black Panther, OFMD)? Coming in June 2026 through University of Iowa Press.

Cover for "Critical Fandom" with different images, icons, and textures inspired by fantasy and sci-fi shows and films.

76012 60

Cara Marta Messina @caramartamessina.com · 09/08/2025

I think the feature similar to Snapchat mapping/Find Me on iPhones where your location can be tracked. I already have an IG friend who is allowing for tracking, so I can see exactly where they are. I don’t think it will be automatically turned on, but I also do not trust tech companies 🤷‍♀️

Screenshot of Instagram’s new “who can see your location” feature.

100 1

Cara Marta Messina @caramartamessina.com · 12/04/2025

Wow. Just presented on ARG AI at the refusing Generative AI roundtable at #4C25. A Saturday 11am time slot, one of the worst times. But fifty people showed up. Fifty! This just shows how many of us are craving refusal and resistance. Come join the ARG AI Discord server! discord.gg/fPpdr2fkBp

Photo of a large room with approximately a dozen roundtables, each full of people.

4345 34

Cara Marta Messina @caramartamessina.com · 18/02/2025

Doing a fun little prank in my fandom research methods class today.

A Powerpoint slide. The title reads "Autoethnography." The prefix "auto" is circled and an arrow points to a car. The text reads "Research on car culture. Research sites may include a dealership, online communities, car shows, NASCAR races, and more. Data collected may include field notes from these research sites, interviewing experts in car culture, or archival materials about car culture."

080 8

Cara Marta Messina @caramartamessina.com · 27/11/2024

Revising means leaving sweet notes for myself, like this one.

A screenshot of a Google Drive comment by Cara Messina that reads "Ugly. Change."

3160 16

Cara Marta Messina @caramartamessina.com · 25/11/2024

Finally celebrated hobbit day. 9am-10pm of all three extended edition LOTR movies. Six courses of meals. A perfect day

Home fries, scrambled eggs, and turkey sausage on a plate.

Four cheese danishes on a plate with Lord of the Rings playing in the background.

Soup and lembas bread on the table with Lord of the Rings in the back.

Cara and Denethor from Lord of the Rings eating tomatoes sloppily.

070 7

Cara Marta Messina @caramartamessina.com · 10/02/2024

Babies first conference, 11 years ago.

Screenshot from an eleven year old Facebook post from Cara. The post reads “got accepted into NEWCA!”

260 6

Cara Marta Messina @caramartamessina.com · 29/11/2023

Submitted this chapter on Our Flag Means Death and the first half of the book for my editor to review. AHHH

Frodo at the end of Lord of the Rings trilogy saying "It's over. It's done."

280 8

Cara Marta Messina @caramartamessina.com · 05/10/2023

Please clap at my terrible instagram posts of Logan Roy to show my students how to use Canva

An instagram square of Logan Roy with “I love you all but you are not serious people” in a hear.

Logan Roy quote with the same content, but design nonsense.

030 3

Cara Marta Messina @caramartamessina.com · 29/09/2023

Exciting news! My dog’s baby ears fell off. Can’t wait to see her adult ears grow in!

Isla, a black German shepherd and lab mix, looking at the camera with her ears all the way back.

040 4

Cara Marta Messina @caramartamessina.com · 22/09/2023

Northeastern Uni graduate students voted for a union today AND WON! By a landslide!!! An incredible victory after almost 10 years of hard work ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️