A neofan is a new fan: someone who has recently entered fandom and is still learning its language, customs, history, people, and expectations. The word can be affectionate, descriptive, or mildly teasing, depending on how it is used.
| Quick fact | Information |
|---|---|
| Term | Neofan |
| Meaning | New fan |
| Context | Science fiction fandom, conventions, fanzines, clubs |
| Related terms | Trufan, fanac, fanspeak, mundane |
What Makes Someone a Neofan?
A neofan may already love science fiction deeply. The newness is not about taste; it is about entering the social world of fandom. A neofan might be attending a first convention, sending a first letter of comment, discovering fanzines, learning what Worldcon is, or encountering fanspeak for the first time.
Why the Term Can Be Tricky
Like many fan terms, “neofan” can welcome or exclude. Used generously, it names a stage of learning. Used badly, it can become a way to pull rank. Healthy fandom needs neofans because every old tradition survives only if new people can enter it without being humiliated for not already knowing everything.
Good next pages for a neofan include Science Fiction Fandom Glossary, What Is Fanac?, and What Is Worldcon?.
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