Somehow, somewhere, some way, a hefty contingent of fans became "consumers."
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| Title: | Somehow, somewhere, some way, a hefty contingent of fans became "consumers." |
| Creator: | Carolyn Cooper |
| Date(s): | 1987 |
| Medium: | |
| Fandom: | printed in a Star Wars zine, but applicable to all fandoms |
| Topic: | |
| External Links: | |
| Click here for related articles on Fanlore. | |
Somehow, somewhere, some way, a hefty contingent of fans became "consumers." is a 1987 essay by Carolyn Cooper.
It was printed in From a Certain Point of View #3 and was the second part of the Cooper's editorial.
The subject was fanac, participation, fan entitlement, and money.
The essay does not have an official title. The one used here on Fanlore is an introductory sentence from the essay itself.
The Essay
Somehow, somewhere, some way, a hefty contingent of fans became "consumers. They've begun to look upon the production and publication of zines like the showing of Spring Fashions at Bloomingdales. [1] Instead of actively participating in fandom by producing stories, art, typing, collating or even [writing] LoCs (Letters of Comment) for zines, these fans have come to consider the enclosure of a few dollars to be the end of their commitment to zine fandom.
In some case[s], the enclosure of a SASE is apparently considered some sort of heroic act binding the editor to an unbreakable contract to produce said zine instantly. The result is a decline in the quality of zines overall and a loss of many find editors who come to say "Why bother?"
I consistently hear complaints that zine editors have become too commercial, too interested in the bottom line. Yet these same people rage like the victims of a stock swindle when a $10 zine takes more than 2-3 months to arrive or even if its publication is delayed for several months due to personal problems. Some fans have even instigated legal action over the loss of $14.
A $10-20 financial commitment by a fan is nothing to a zine editor's commitment of literally $1,500-4,000 in going to press. Think about it. What would you do with a spare $4,000? Pub a zine? I have often hear it said that if a zine editor can't afford the printing cost, she shouldn't start production. I say any fan who can't afford the loss or temporary "loan" of $10-20 shouldn't be buying zines.
And it's not like these people couldn't get FREE zines by applying themselves. In the past, impoverished fans supported their zine addiction by contributing. Not just stories, not just art, but themselves. You don't need any particular creative talent to collate, bind, punch or type. If nothing else, you can learn to be a fast, accurate proofreader in exchange for a zine. This is how fandom used to work. Fans helped the editors get the zines pubbed. They didn't call or write in April or May [2] expecting a chatty update on the editor's life. They weren't so self-involved they only saw their own story or art and expected regular updates on when it would appear in print for world adoration. They didn't send notes, particularly form notes that began: "I want... where is... How come you haven't..." without checking with other fans to see if possibly the problem was work, finances, illness, or family.
And when they did write, they lent some support, encouragement, and conversation. It's impossible to stay enthusiastic about skipping vacations, staying up late and inhaling toxic chemicals when you might as well work at Sear's Catalog Department.
For goodness sake's, at least LoC!
I know right now fandom is in a -- well, there's no other apt term -- bitchy phase, when everyone is either supporting this clique and never the twain shall meet... [3]
[snipped]
... if the only way an editor, artist, or writer can judge the merits of their work is in the bottom line, then don't complain if they for for the financial measure of their worth. Each of you help design the scorecards.
In the first issue of BLUE PENCIL, Maggie Nowakowska stated that zine publishing was supposed to be fun. This past year, it wasn't. Not for me, but for several other editors I know. Good editors. Editors who aren't editing anymore or are becoming hard nosed about cost ratios, limiting acceptances or no long seeking open submissions. I, for one, will never published another open submission Trek zine. As one editor put it, she can make money at the art auctions and get free zines by doing art for others instead of illoing and pubbing her own zine.
I implore each of you to honestly ask yourself what you are contributing to fandom and charge each of you who do not like what is happening to write, to contribute, to aid, assist and encourage those who produce the stories, art, and zines that make ou[r] world.
Start in your own area. Start in a small way. Write a letter of support and review to one writer, artist, or zine you enjoy.
Change the scorecard.
And let's keep the presses rolling.
References
- ^ Likely a reference to the fannish practice of zine debuts happening just before MediaWest*Con due to the Fan Q Awards.
- ^ Another nod to the timing of MediaWest*Con.
- ^ possibly a reference to The Luke and Han War