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3.73 AVERAGE
3.73 AVERAGE
It has taken me an inexplicably long time to read this book *massive guilt* but after finishing it, my eyes have been opened to a world that I did not know existed. I enjoyed the raw honesty of it and how it masterfully jumped to various things but always came back to telling the main thing which allowed us to get a better understanding of what was being talked about.
Now, it's time to pick up Fandom at the Crossroads!
Now, it's time to pick up Fandom at the Crossroads!
I’m no stranger to fandoms--my first fandom was ‘N Sync, and I just HAD to own all the albums (including import CDs), put dozens of posters on my wall, set the VCR to record all their TV appearances, and go to their concerts every time they were in the Midwest. I remember visiting fan websites and waiting impatiently for pictures to load (back in the dial up internet days). I read fanfiction and even tried writing it once. I bought all kinds of ‘N Sync merchandise, but my most prized item was a towel that I caught when they threw it into the audience. Only my family and closest friends knew the true extent of my fangirling--I tried not to let too many other people see that side of me because I was worried they’d judge me or make fun of me.
Nowadays I am more willing to let my fangirl flag fly. I go to midnight premieres of movies based on my favorite books, I get to book signings so early sometimes that I’m first or second in line, and I even go to my favorite artists’ concerts by myself if none of my friends are free because I don’t want to miss out on the opportunity. Life is too short to be embarrassed about the things you enjoy, you know? (And while I don’t have posters covering my walls anymore, a quick glance at my Pinterest boards will tell you that I still have music, books, TV shows, and movies that I’m very passionate about!)
I was really excited when I first heard about this book. Even though I’ve only seen a few episodes of Supernatural, I knew I could relate to the topic of fandom! Fangasm touches on many aspects of fandom, including reading and writing fan fiction, making fan pilgrimages, attending fan conventions, becoming part of a fan community, and so much more. It examines the negative ways we react to fan behavior, even from within the fandom itself sometimes.
For those unfamiliar with the language of fandom, Fangasm includes a Glossary of Terms so you can learn all the relevant lingo (for example, “shipping” and “OTP”). The authors share some research from the field of fan studies as well as anecdotes from their own experiences as Supernatural fans. While many of their stories made me smile or laugh, they also made me think critically about what it means to be a fan and the relationship between fans and creators. This book challenges fan shame and shares insights from the perspectives of both the fans and the creators. It's also a fun read that a lot of people can relate to.
Nowadays I am more willing to let my fangirl flag fly. I go to midnight premieres of movies based on my favorite books, I get to book signings so early sometimes that I’m first or second in line, and I even go to my favorite artists’ concerts by myself if none of my friends are free because I don’t want to miss out on the opportunity. Life is too short to be embarrassed about the things you enjoy, you know? (And while I don’t have posters covering my walls anymore, a quick glance at my Pinterest boards will tell you that I still have music, books, TV shows, and movies that I’m very passionate about!)
I was really excited when I first heard about this book. Even though I’ve only seen a few episodes of Supernatural, I knew I could relate to the topic of fandom! Fangasm touches on many aspects of fandom, including reading and writing fan fiction, making fan pilgrimages, attending fan conventions, becoming part of a fan community, and so much more. It examines the negative ways we react to fan behavior, even from within the fandom itself sometimes.
For those unfamiliar with the language of fandom, Fangasm includes a Glossary of Terms so you can learn all the relevant lingo (for example, “shipping” and “OTP”). The authors share some research from the field of fan studies as well as anecdotes from their own experiences as Supernatural fans. While many of their stories made me smile or laugh, they also made me think critically about what it means to be a fan and the relationship between fans and creators. This book challenges fan shame and shares insights from the perspectives of both the fans and the creators. It's also a fun read that a lot of people can relate to.
I enjoyed reading this even though I have never seen an episode of Supernatural (although I'm planning to give it a try finally). I used to spend a lot of time in the Stargate LJ fandom groups, and a lot of the same elements were there. The first part of the book, with its more idea-based discussion of why fandom is important to people, was the most interesting. The rest was about their adventures interviewing people involved in making the show and in writing their other, more academic (and expensive) book, and while I enjoyed reading that section as well, it didn't quite live up to what I was hoping for based on the book description.
Okay, so the kindest thing I can say is that these authors wrote two books on fandom and I think I picked up the wrong one. I found it for $1 on the last day of the Organization of American Historians a few years ago, shortly after I needed a bibliography of academic thinking on fandom so I pulled this off the shelf and... this is not an academic book and has little to no thinking about fandom. They tricked me with the whole UP thing, but this is... a kinda cringey memoir of two older-than-teenage academics and how they clock their own senses of shame and pride, community and cattiness as dual identity slash fic authors and academics. But it isn't a searching self-evaluation, it's more like pages and pages of journalling about the cons they went to, places they caused tension with their fan friends, and blow by blows of interviews with creators and stars of the Supernatural series where they are brave enough to say over and over again that they think Jared Padalecky and Jenson Ackles are extremely physically attractive. (Honestly, I don't get that either, but I've only seen one episode of the series, so maybe they grow on you.) Apparently their other book is the theory book (they are an English prof and a psychology prof).
It kinda reminds me of how Bust magazine book reviews would often call out dry, difficult and/or academic text as a bad thing, and I would usually be like, oh so this book is shallow and useless. So, maybe someone else out there is looking for exactly this. It was not what I needed.
It kinda reminds me of how Bust magazine book reviews would often call out dry, difficult and/or academic text as a bad thing, and I would usually be like, oh so this book is shallow and useless. So, maybe someone else out there is looking for exactly this. It was not what I needed.
This is obviously a book that will appeal to anyone into a particular fandom, especially Supernatural. But it’s also good for anyone who might be a casual fan or anyone wondering why people become fans and how they can stick with a particular fandom for any length of time.
“The thing is, it’s never a conscious decision: we don’t get to choose a fandom. It chooses us.”
Combining a first-hand account of being fans with interviews of cast members, crew, convention organizers and other fans as well as looking at fan interactions in daily life and online, the authors touch on motivations, appeal and how fans express their love for their favorite show. But considering the high percentage of Supernatural fans who are female, the authors also delve into what it means to find your place in a fandom, to find others like yourself, to find comfort in a community.
“It seems obvious to point out that most of us are fans of something. ... And when we find something we like, we want to share our enthusiasm with someone else who “gets it.””
The book briefly touches on historical fandoms (for Goethe, Byron and others) and the stereotypes. It notes the juxtaposition of fan boys perceived as not sexual enough (virgin in their parents’ basements) and fan girls as hyper-sexual (and shamed for it). There is also a glossary of terminology for both general fandom and things specific to Supernatural.
The authors cover all of the events they attended as a combination of fans and researchers: Comic Con in San Diego, Supernatural-specific cons, even theatre performances in which one of “the boys” was appearing. While they love being able to get so much behind-the-scenes access for their book, the authors walk the line between fans and researchers. At times they worry about other fans discovering they have gotten close to cast members for interviews because female fans especially can be a sensitive bunch, quickly turning on anyone having a perceived “unfair” advantage in the fandom.
Though I enjoyed a lot of the insider information, at times there’s a bit too much “here’s how we wrote the book” and not enough delving into the whys of fandom. A bit more in the way of sociological/psychological discussion would have been good. But generally speaking, this book is not going to disappoint fans of the show, though you may get a bit jealous of the authors’ ability to travel to so many cons.
“The thing is, it’s never a conscious decision: we don’t get to choose a fandom. It chooses us.”
Combining a first-hand account of being fans with interviews of cast members, crew, convention organizers and other fans as well as looking at fan interactions in daily life and online, the authors touch on motivations, appeal and how fans express their love for their favorite show. But considering the high percentage of Supernatural fans who are female, the authors also delve into what it means to find your place in a fandom, to find others like yourself, to find comfort in a community.
“It seems obvious to point out that most of us are fans of something. ... And when we find something we like, we want to share our enthusiasm with someone else who “gets it.””
The book briefly touches on historical fandoms (for Goethe, Byron and others) and the stereotypes. It notes the juxtaposition of fan boys perceived as not sexual enough (virgin in their parents’ basements) and fan girls as hyper-sexual (and shamed for it). There is also a glossary of terminology for both general fandom and things specific to Supernatural.
The authors cover all of the events they attended as a combination of fans and researchers: Comic Con in San Diego, Supernatural-specific cons, even theatre performances in which one of “the boys” was appearing. While they love being able to get so much behind-the-scenes access for their book, the authors walk the line between fans and researchers. At times they worry about other fans discovering they have gotten close to cast members for interviews because female fans especially can be a sensitive bunch, quickly turning on anyone having a perceived “unfair” advantage in the fandom.
Though I enjoyed a lot of the insider information, at times there’s a bit too much “here’s how we wrote the book” and not enough delving into the whys of fandom. A bit more in the way of sociological/psychological discussion would have been good. But generally speaking, this book is not going to disappoint fans of the show, though you may get a bit jealous of the authors’ ability to travel to so many cons.
So I gave this book a three for the simple reason I don't think it did what it set out to do, or what was described in the blurb, which was to talk about fandom. Yes there were interviews with both Fans' and the stars' but I honestly think the book should have been regarded as more of "the behind the making of Fandom at the crossroads" or "Fandom as we see it by Kathy and Lynn." I think that is one of the major disappointments the other is because I live in Ireland I had to special order it. I should have known almost at once that I might not like it when within a few pages I felt like K&L were personally judging me as a lesser fan (Couch fan I think they called it) because I don't go to the same lengths as them. I have never been to a con and any Supernatural items I have are usually presents except for the AKF top I saved for and this book which I also saved for. Only near the end of the book did I feel they had any compassion for people who can't afford such things. As for the "shame" I have been a Harry Potter fan for just over half my life and of course I have watched people roll their eye's at me or ask "Isn't that for children?" but I don't let it affect me, I don't allow it to make me a shamed, I am a Potterhead and proud. Having said that I was barely a few chapters in and I started to ask myself "Should I have been more ashamed?". The truth is it's quite a good book I only wish it had of been blurbed right. I had hoped to have a better sense of fandom community by the end but it seemed the book was more focused on K&L getting to make there other book, hence my suggestion that it should have been a behind the making of. They seemed to have tried to multi task the book but in doing so they lost the whole idea of what it was meant to be about in the first place. They seem to have the opposite effect than the one I presume they set out to have.
Pros:
1)The writing is ease to fallow occasionally it has a bit of chop and change.
2)Interviews & photos.
3)FanFic Glossary.
4) Cover art.
5) the truth behind Jim B's slash T-shirt. (just like area 51 the truth is out there lol)
6) proof that even if you think you are obsessed with something there is always someone more so.
7) even people writing a book about others being judged on some aspect of their lives can be also judgemental.
Cons;
1) Misleading blurb and name
2) If you have never felt shame about your fandoms you might just be about to.
Pros:
1)The writing is ease to fallow occasionally it has a bit of chop and change.
2)Interviews & photos.
3)FanFic Glossary.
4) Cover art.
5) the truth behind Jim B's slash T-shirt. (just like area 51 the truth is out there lol)
6) proof that even if you think you are obsessed with something there is always someone more so.
7) even people writing a book about others being judged on some aspect of their lives can be also judgemental.
Cons;
1) Misleading blurb and name
2) If you have never felt shame about your fandoms you might just be about to.
Hilarious, personal, passionate, and honest, this book gave a lot of insight into the early SPN fandom and the slash shippers who found a community there. The SPN fandom is split into two parts, really, and while I had known some about the Destiel side by proxy of being a Tumblr user, this was a fascinating look into older fans of the show (the "bibros"). I loved seeing the passion behind the authors and the way that we are drawn to being known and fangirling over our faves, the cost of it all, and the moral of the story. I didn't expect this book to be as personal and close as it was, and I appreciated that.
Much thanks to my former professor, Professor Larsen, without whom I would have never discovered this book. <3
Much thanks to my former professor, Professor Larsen, without whom I would have never discovered this book. <3
I have the same problem with this book as I did their more academic version "Fandom at the Crossroads."
The authors seem to keep their focus on the more extreme fandom obsessions and fail at showing that they are not ashamed. Like other commenters, I can't help but feel they are trying to convince themselves rather than others that their actions are not shameful.
Besides, what about the fans who just watch the show? Like my friend who got me hooked into Supernatural? What about fans like me who just watch the show and read fanfiction and applaud awesome fanart? Neither of us give more than a passing damn about meeting Jared and Jensen. Surely there are other fans who should have been represented in this book about fans.
As for the fanfiction I read and archive, I think only one is heterosexual. There are a few with no pairings, but the vast majority are Wincest or Destiel. Dean in a same-sex relationship pretty much does it for me. There's also a dozen J2 fics. No shame here.
The authors seem to keep their focus on the more extreme fandom obsessions and fail at showing that they are not ashamed. Like other commenters, I can't help but feel they are trying to convince themselves rather than others that their actions are not shameful.
Besides, what about the fans who just watch the show? Like my friend who got me hooked into Supernatural? What about fans like me who just watch the show and read fanfiction and applaud awesome fanart? Neither of us give more than a passing damn about meeting Jared and Jensen. Surely there are other fans who should have been represented in this book about fans.
As for the fanfiction I read and archive, I think only one is heterosexual. There are a few with no pairings, but the vast majority are Wincest or Destiel. Dean in a same-sex relationship pretty much does it for me. There's also a dozen J2 fics. No shame here.
The First Rule of Fandom: tell no one about fandomWell, authors Larsen and Zubernis just blew that rule right out of the water, using the CW Network show Supernatural to drag Fandom (with a capital 'F') out of the dark, secret corners of the internet into the blinding sun of mainstream Judy Judgmental awareness. I appreciate their heartfelt efforts here to get to the bottom (heh, bottom) of the 'whys' and 'wherefores' of Fandom -- why people do it, who is doing it, and what exactly are they doing when they do it?
This isn't something that started with Supernatural's legions of fangirls -- goodness no. The clannish tribalism and subversive subculture of fanning has been around for a looong time (just ask the Kirk/Spock shippers), but Supernatural does present the perfect opportunity for two brave women to grab the tail of the beast once and for all and showcase the glorious wonders of Fandom -- the good, bad and yes, even ugly, realities (because there is definitely more than one, reality that is).
If it weren't for Supernatural, I probably would have lived the rest of my life utterly clueless that such a thing as Fandom existed. Because really, it takes an extra special push and shove to bring you into its realm. Not just any ole thing is going to open the Fandom door. You grow up, you love bands, you cheer for a sports team, you get movie star crushes, you won't miss an episode of your favorite TV show. That's all great. We all beat our chest when we love something. And that's getting close. But that's not Fandom.
Fandom is a whole other thing unto itself -- an addiction, a compulsion, a consuming force whereby the more you see of it, the more you love it, and the more you love it, the more of it you seek out, willing to look in places that had never once occurred to you before. When you get there, you find out you're not alone, and that brings its own comfort and validation, yet another heady combo to keep you coming back for more. Because really, the very essence of Fandom is community. This isn't something you do by yourself. It's about plugging in, and all the technicolor surround-sound that comes with it - the fanart, the fanfiction, the fanvids - the humor, the drama, the angst, oh so many feels.
So why the big secret? Why the rule of keeping your mouth shut and not talking about it? As the authors very quickly find out, it's the stigma and the embarrassment and sometimes even the shame for starters. The stereotypes are ruthless and unforgiving of the socially retarded Trekkie living in his mom's basement, or the squeeing fangirl -- intellectually challenged, perhaps mentally unbalanced, and overall just sad. Doesn't he/she have anything better to do?
So there's that for starters. One of the things the authors hoped to do with their book is to blow up that stereotype once and for all. To demystify and decloak the average fangirl/fanboy as the person sitting next to you on the bus, the person you work with, maybe even your own sister-in-law. It turns out Supernatural fangirls are moms and lawyers, doctors and librarians, and in the case of the authors themselves, college professors. Regular women with careers and families and responsibilities like everyone else.
But you'll probably never know it. Anonymity is par for the course in Fandom. No one uses their real name and most of the Fandom's reach and activity exists under the radar of 'Real Life'. Rarely do the two intersect and acknowledge each other probably because a lot of what's going on in Fandom is women stretching and redefining their libidos and what they find sexy. Shocking, I know.
The unchecked, full-on female exploration of just about every kink you can think of (and some you can't) is in a very tangible way a sexual revolution. Even the acknowledgement that women can and do objectify men is an impulse that sill leaves many women feeling guilty, that we should somehow rise above such baser instincts and needs. Pfft. Get over it already. It's okay. The world is not going to spin off its axis if you check out some guy's ass (especially if it belongs to Jensen Ackles).
Go on, take a look, I'm not going to judge you for it.
A delightful surprise upon reading this was discovering how aware most of the Supernatural crew is concerning all the internet shenanigans going on around them and how much of a sense of humor they have about it, even how much some of them relate to and understand the compulsion. Jim Beaver (Bobby Singer) offered up a lot of insight in his interview responses that spoke volumes of his sensitivity, curiosity and respect. Even Jensen Ackles -- the super-straight, seemingly good ol' boy from Texas -- concedes that the controversial slash pairing of himself with his co-star Jared Padalecki (otherwise known as J2) is "a hot fantasy". Series creator Eric Kripke has certainly milked Fandom for inside jokes and meta-material, even including references on the show to Wincest.
Despite its best intentions the book does tend to blather and meander in places, and gets a bit repetitive at times, but this in no way detracted from my overall enjoyment and deep appreciation. Did I find myself in some of these pages? Absolutely. Was I living vicariously through the authors many bumbling, costly adventures as they exhausted their bank accounts in order to be front and center at the big conferences? You bet. Did I cheer when they finally breached the inner sanctum and scored one-on-one interviews with co-stars Jared Padalecki and Jensen Ackles? Hells yeah. Was I green with envy? Sick with it.
This is a sweet, funny story with a triumphant happy ending despite many trials and doubts. Who doesn't love one of those every now and then? For the curious and uninitiated, it's also a small peek into Fandom life. A small peek. If you really want to know, you're just going to have to go look where it lives. Be careful though, you just might like what you find.
A free copy was provided through Netgalley for an honest review
http://ensuingchapters.com/2013/11/29/review-fangasm/
Fangasm: Supernatural Fan Girls
Katherine Larsen and Lynn S. Zubernis
While I enjoyed Fangasm from page one, I have to admit I was confused at first. What I thought would be an academic account of fan culture, particularly surrounding the TV show Supernatural, turned out to be something altogether different.
Two professors—Katherine Larsen and Lynn S. Zubernis—geek out over the hunky stars of their favorite television show, attending conventions, joining an online community and penning racy fan-fic, all the while discussing the book they were going to write.
Unfortunately, this wasn’t that book.
The original output of their research was the 2012 academic study, Fandom at the Crossroads: Celebration, Shame and Fan/Producer Relationships. Fangasm, on the other hand, is the reporter’s notebook of their exploration.
Once I realized this, I settled in and thoroughly enjoyed the ride. Along the way, the authors feed each other’s “squee”; stalk hunky TV stars; and struggle with strained family relationships, their careers and even their friends. It’s a riotous, road-trip affair, and it’s refreshing to see the lighter side of the uptight academic.
But there’s a serious side to the book as well. In exploring fan-fiction, the duo encounters a diverse body politic. A bulk of the viewer-produced literature is sexual in nature—and due to the make-believe subject matter, and the lack of publisher gatekeeping, fan-fic writers often delve into places even pornographers fear to tread. (Hint: the show’s leading men, though not actually related, play brothers on Supernatural—take that ball and run with it.)
Also on the serious tip are the self-esteem issues that arise. Unfortunately, the shaming of fangirls is not limited to the mainstream community. While the conventions can be a refuge for those who otherwise feel displaced from society, there is an internal enforcement of etiquette that can be just as stratified and exclusionary as the mainstream. It’s a dark and curious sociological paradox.
Ultimately, I would have preferred to geek out with the academic text, but hey, there is no wrong way to get your nerd on. While I don’t approach the level of fanboy status held by Larsen and Zubernis, I know my way around a convention, and I’ve spent thousands of dollars on rare books, albums and KISS memorabilia. I can relate to this duo, and I find it refreshing to learn about a pair of obsessed academics letting their geek flag fly.
Fangasm: Supernatural Fan Girls
Katherine Larsen and Lynn S. Zubernis
While I enjoyed Fangasm from page one, I have to admit I was confused at first. What I thought would be an academic account of fan culture, particularly surrounding the TV show Supernatural, turned out to be something altogether different.
Two professors—Katherine Larsen and Lynn S. Zubernis—geek out over the hunky stars of their favorite television show, attending conventions, joining an online community and penning racy fan-fic, all the while discussing the book they were going to write.
Unfortunately, this wasn’t that book.
The original output of their research was the 2012 academic study, Fandom at the Crossroads: Celebration, Shame and Fan/Producer Relationships. Fangasm, on the other hand, is the reporter’s notebook of their exploration.
Once I realized this, I settled in and thoroughly enjoyed the ride. Along the way, the authors feed each other’s “squee”; stalk hunky TV stars; and struggle with strained family relationships, their careers and even their friends. It’s a riotous, road-trip affair, and it’s refreshing to see the lighter side of the uptight academic.
But there’s a serious side to the book as well. In exploring fan-fiction, the duo encounters a diverse body politic. A bulk of the viewer-produced literature is sexual in nature—and due to the make-believe subject matter, and the lack of publisher gatekeeping, fan-fic writers often delve into places even pornographers fear to tread. (Hint: the show’s leading men, though not actually related, play brothers on Supernatural—take that ball and run with it.)
Also on the serious tip are the self-esteem issues that arise. Unfortunately, the shaming of fangirls is not limited to the mainstream community. While the conventions can be a refuge for those who otherwise feel displaced from society, there is an internal enforcement of etiquette that can be just as stratified and exclusionary as the mainstream. It’s a dark and curious sociological paradox.
Ultimately, I would have preferred to geek out with the academic text, but hey, there is no wrong way to get your nerd on. While I don’t approach the level of fanboy status held by Larsen and Zubernis, I know my way around a convention, and I’ve spent thousands of dollars on rare books, albums and KISS memorabilia. I can relate to this duo, and I find it refreshing to learn about a pair of obsessed academics letting their geek flag fly.