The Encyclopedia of Fandom
Fancyclopedia is an editorial reference site for the history, language, people, publications, conventions, awards, and community traditions of science fiction fandom.
Starting points for understanding how fandom became a culture of its own.
A guide to tuckerization, the practice of naming a fictional character after a real person, especially a fan, friend, or auction winner.
A focused guide to the Big Heart Award, the Worldcon-associated fandom service honor, including its origin, meaning, recipients, and community value.
A history of fanzine reviews as a form of fan criticism, community feedback, bibliographic memory, and publishing conversation.
Freshly edited articles from the reference archive.
A refined account of Owlswick Press, George Scithers, and the role of small presses in preserving science fiction, fantasy, criticism, and fannish publishing.
A cleaner profile of Mike McGann, Australian fan art, convention dealing, and the social economy of prints, tables, collecting, and fan networks.
A polished explanation of the convention term gopher, describing volunteer labor, newcomer pathways, operations, and the hidden infrastructure of fan-run events.
A professional overview of Fancyclopedia 3 as a collaborative digital reference work preserving science fiction fan history.
A refined profile of Carl Swanson and the early fan commerce that helped readers find magazines, books, and one another.
A polished profile of Bob Madle as a First Fan, collector, convention participant, and long-term witness to science fiction fandom.
A cleaner profile of Dick Wilson as a bridge between fan writing, professional science fiction, and historical preservation.
A professional overview of Dick Spelman, fan book dealing, convention commerce, collecting, and the material culture of science fiction fandom.
A clear explanation of special awards in science fiction fandom and why flexible recognition matters for service, creativity, and unusual achievements.
A refined explanation of Yngvi as fannish folklore: an in-joke, mystery, and shared reference that shows how fan communities build memory.