Category: Fandom Culture

A chronological guide to science fiction fandom from magazine letter columns and early clubs through fanzines, Worldcon, media fandom, and the internet.

An alphabetical guide to common fannish slang, including fanac, egoboo, gafia, neofan, sercon, trufan, prodom, faned, and more.

A guide to fanwriter, the fannish term for someone who writes essays, letters, reviews, reports, and commentary within fandom.

A guide to egoboo, the fannish term for ego boost, recognition, praise, and the small rewards that motivate fan activity.

A guide to prodom, the professional side of science fiction culture, and how it differs from fandom, fanac, fanzines, and amateur publishing.

A guide to faned, the fannish word for fanzine editor, and why fan editors mattered to science fiction fandom.

An editorial explanation of what “fan” means in science fiction culture, from private enthusiasm to active participation in communities, fanzines, conventions, and archives.

A refined explanation of Yngvi as fannish folklore: an in-joke, mystery, and shared reference that shows how fan communities build memory.

A refined explanation of Mutation or Death! as an early fan manifesto and a sign of fandom’s political, cultural, and generational conflicts.

A clear explanation of trufan, the fannish ideal of committed participation, authenticity, service, and sometimes playful status anxiety.