Big Idea

[hope]

ok, so bear with me while i ramble and untangle by writing it out...


so, today i was struck with an idea. much like i was struck, liek woah, over two years ago, now. but don't fret - i *won't* be doing another fanfiction zine, hah, but my idea is not entirely dissimilar.

ok, so, where to start? how about my thought processes? well, first i started thinking about zines. then i thought about doing a supernatural fanfiction zine, but then i was like "dude, never again, remember?" and besides, i'm not really in the SPN fandom pie like i was in lotrips.

so anyway. then i think about meta. and, hey, wouldn't it be cool to do a SPN *meta* zine? like, a zine full of meta written by fans on SPN. not an academic journal. so then i was like, meh, that's okay - but it's not like it would have recognition or clout of an academic journal.

but. fans have interesting things to say. things that are more often than not bypassed by academia, by the very anthropologists purporting to be studying fans and fandom - or rather, that's it. they behave like scientists studying a foreign subject.

and the internet complicates things. it's difficult to cite experiences and anecdotes from online sources. and any 'authority' on the subject of being a fan are always at least slightly removed - be it by the academic framework, or something worse, like Trekkies - a 'documentary' that exploits some extreme behaviour to create something sensationalist. even Ringers wasn't about the fans... it was about LOTR.

so, like, i'm thinking - what about a 'publication' about fans, by fans? something concrete, hard copy (though it can be online also). but not necessarily full of fans theorising about fandom...

because the problem with academia/public opinions on fans is that the deductions people make about fans always rely on 'demographic'-type material. like, jenkins' whole "middle aged, middle-class, het housewife" assumption. or even the yaoi/manga-is-for teenage girls thing.

being a fan in fandom has convinced me both of the fact that i'm 'not alone' and there are 'people like me', but also that there is so much diversity here - everyone's experience is different and unique, but also all very valid and relevant.

what academia is missing out on are the nuances and relevances of the individual and shared experiences of fans. so, like, why don't fans take control? produce something that can be read and referred to by those studying fandom, as well as a kind of presentation to the general public on the reality of fandom.

in other words, like a documentary, only in written/published format. and not manipulated for editorial opinion.

so i'm thinking. a collection of pieces, written by fans, about their experiences. personal pieces; not necessarily theoretical - pieces maybe between 700-2000 words each, on fans own perceptions and experiences of fandom. with requirements essentially being eloquence and, well, being engaging.

editorially? possibly an editorial committee would be the best route to go by, but essentially i imagine it would be open to submissions, and the 'committee' would just read and choose the best ones. and as much diversity as possible - so it would require a lot of cross-marketing to as many fandom spaces as possible.

and probably published on cafepress again, something to hold in your hand.

so, um. i realise that's all over the place. but, feedback? thoughts? am i making any sense at all? hit me with your thoughts and ideas.

eta for clarification:

will copy & paste from the comments, because i haven't been clear enough ;) :

but my idea with this was *not* to make it about meta - i don't want it to be fans attempting a form of academia. i wanted it to be fans just talking about their personal experiences. so i don't want "fandom provides a militant feminist space for those bourgeoisie enough to afford it", i want "i discovered fandom because i was looking for more that what tv gave me" - i want personal reflection. be it about a particular fandom you're in, or fellow fans, or how it's affected your life.

for example, were i to write a piece, i'd probably talk about how i was isolated, than i discovered fandom. then i got jobs, friends, travel, partners, a shiteload of confidence and wisdom. i wouldn't be extrapolating, just reflecting.

Comments

[linaelyn.livejournal.com]

I don't see it on your community list, so I'll mention its existence:

metafandom

I think I spelled that right. My good twin, fabu is a moderator over there, and she's the queen of meta. fairestcat is also a frequent meta-poster on my f'list.

Some days it seems like *I* am the only person in fandom who doesn't spend as much time thinking about the ramifications and demographics and subtle nuances of fandom. I just play in the sandbox, pretty much.

[hope]

yes! i was aware of metafandom, it's something i definitely pay more attention to, at any rate.

but my idea with this was *not* to make it about meta - i don't want it to be fans attempting a form of academia. i wanted it to be fans just talking about their personal experiences. so i don't want "fandom provides a militant feminist space for those bourgeoisie enough to afford it", i want "i discovered fandom because i was looking for more that what tv gave me" - i want personal reflection. be it about a particular fandom you're in, or fellow fans, or how it's effected your life.

for example, were i to write a piece, i'd probably talk about how i was isolated, than i discovered fandom. then i got jobs, friends, travel, partners, a shiteload of confidence and wisdom. i wouldn't be extrapolating, just reflectin. make sense?

[linaelyn.livejournal.com]

Ah, okay, I guess I misconstrued the original post (which I do when reading my f'list during 5am insomnia!)

For me personally, it might be interesting to write about the ways in which the different cultures of LOTR Hobbit!fandom and POTC fandom have supported different aspects of my personal growth.

Then again, it might be scary to have an actual printed book out there with things I might only post under f'lock here on LJ. Bears thinking about.

[thegoldsky.livejournal.com]

i don't want it to be fans attempting a form of academia. i wanted it to be fans just talking about their personal experiences.

you may want to make that a little more clear in the post, as i thought it was still about meta as well until i read this. whoops.

also, i think that it is a really great idea in theory, but i don't know what kind of market there would be for it. like, i would be interested in reading the finished product, but i don't know if i'd be interested enough to PAY for it on cafepress, you know? i'm trying to think of WHO is going to be consuming the final product. fans?

[slashfairy.livejournal.com]

metafandom is cool, yeah. I finally even joined cos I forget to go there and read up: joining is like having it show up in the post every so often.

But having gotten both Lotripping and Just Words, there is something marvelous about having it in your hand, a real book, a cross-section of time and space and so many people's thoughts and feeling and physical work, that transcends any internet experience I've ever had.

Do you ever look at any of ithiliana's fandom stuff? she's all edumated and all.

I'd love to write something for submission, even if it weren't accepted. The practice alone would be satisfying, but further, acknowledging the difference, the enormous delightful difference, of discovering the hugely intelligent compassionate world of thoughtful caring fandom has made in my life would be my offering, like incense on the altar, or some such.

[hope]

I'm familiar with ithiliana too, yup :)

there is something marvelous about having it in your hand, a real book, a cross-section of time and space and so many people's thoughts and feeling and physical work, that transcends any internet experience I've ever had.

indeed! i have similar feelings, especially to produce something concrete - fandom is scattered and diverse, but also strong and sharing common experiences. so often the 'net only reflects the scattered-ness. even if a hard copy something didn't reflect *everyone* equally, it would be a start - fandom taking initiative, yaknow? not just being the Great Brainwashed as so many people seem to think.

The practice alone would be satisfying, but further, acknowledging the difference, the enormous delightful difference, of discovering the hugely intelligent compassionate world of thoughtful caring fandom has made in my life would be my offering, like incense on the altar, or some such.

that's what i'm hoping. if i can get it off the ground, hopefully lots of others will feel the same!

[slashfairy.livejournal.com]

well, i'm on board, baby, jayne hat and all. let me know of anyway, even if it's seemingly mundane, like pimping out a link or soliciting interest. I'm happy to help. Blessings on your head.

[claudia603.livejournal.com]

I have nothing profound to say, but I think it sounds like an interesting idea!

[hope]

would you write something for it? :D

[claudia603.livejournal.com]

It looks very interesting now that I see it's really about personal experiences in fandom and not so much meta (which I would feel intimidated about attempting to write, lol). Sure, if you get it underway, I'd be happy to write something for it!

[stimpson.livejournal.com]

That is a very cool idea - and it especially opens it up for people who might not study in the area or have academic experience or something like it, but might want to write a piece. Would you be looking at a broad selection of fandom, or just fic writers, or what sort of thing?

[scribewraith.livejournal.com]

I'd be happy to write something for it, and i'd offer to be part of the editorial committee but i'll have too much on my plate this semester anyway *pout*

let me know what small things'd be helpful and i'll see what i can do!