The Fantastically Fundamentally Functional Guide to Fandom

Zine
Title:	The Fantastically Fundamentally Functional Guide to Fandom
Publisher:	Penguin Press
Editor(s):	Susan M Garrett
Type:
Date(s):	1989, 1990
Medium:	print
Size:
Fandom:	multimedia
Language:	English
External Links:	cited here
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This is actually a set of four zines. The Fantastically Fundamentally Functional Guide to Fandom for Readers & Contributors was published in 1989 and The Fantastically Fundamentally Functional Guide to Fandom for Editors & Publishers was a three volume work published in 1990.

They were funny and comprehensive introductions to zine fandom of the time. They were also noticeably inexpensive: the Readers and Writers volume was ~120pp, lg. digest-sized and saddle stapled, for $3. The 3-volume volume for Editors & Publishers was $6, and went into excruciating detail about things like estimating the costs for putting out a zine.

In the early '90s, they were briefly online, but the pages were taken down before they could be copied and saved.

Some Ads

From Media Monitor: The Fantastically Fundamentally Functional Guide to Fandom for Fanzine Editors and Publishers: "Curious about copyright? Up in the air about selling used zines? Confused and comfounded in trying to find new writers and artists for your zine? This second volume of the GUIDE has been written just for you -- the editor or publisher in search of new ways and means to make your zine empire run smoothly. Digest size. 160 pages."

From Media Monitor: The Fantastically Fundamentally Functional Guide to Fandom for Fanzine Readers and Contributors: "You say your favorite show has been canceled and the midseason replacements are about appealing as month-old bloodwurst? Why not use your spare time and bone up on some helpful hints? you, too, can learn how to write a productive LOC, how to send in a submission that will stand some chance of acceptance, how to deal with recalctrant editors, and know exactly what your rights are! Buy one for yourself or a friend, help raise the consciousness in fandom! Digest size 60 pages."

Reactions and Reviews

"There's a really wonderful publication out, called The Fantastically Fundamentally Functional Guide for Fanzine Readers & Contributors. I don't know how they mananaged to get the title to fit the cover, but they did. And it's a riot. At three dollars, it's the cheapest date in town. Even as I type this, i can't stop sniggering. Neofans and dinosaurs alike will find T.F.F.F.G.T.F.F.F.R.& C. to be both entertaining (I know I about bust a gut the first time I read it) and informative. Hey, did you knowthere was such a thing as 'Seamail/' Neither did I, till I read the zine. Anyway, if you've got three dollars burning a hole in your Joy Hall of Everything Bag, send it off. I understand that an 'Editor's' edition is due out around May. You'll have to get in line behind me."

"I just loved what you said about readers doing LOC's. So true, so true. Somehow the idea of doing LOC's was instilled in me when I first came into K/S. Remember that little book, The Absolute...Guide to Fandom (something like that)? I read every word and took it very seriously."

"Having been in fandom for over 20 years, I did not read them for myself, but to find out if I could recommend them to neofans. I thought that they were well-written and I would recommend them."

"I received my copy of THE FANTASTICALLY, FUNDAMENTALLY, FUNCTIONAL GUIDE To FANDOM and wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed reading it. I've been aware of fandom for many years and although my participation has been limited and on the periphery, I thought I knew pretty much about all there was to know about the do's and don'ts of zine ordering and contributing. I ordered your pamphlet more out of curiosity to see if there was some kind of "insider" information that I wasn't aware of. The topics were discussed clearly and fairly, like being talked to by an honest friend. I was pleasantly surprised to discover that most of my usual practices were correct, but there were a few aspects of this "hobby" I hadn't considered from a point of view other than my own. I learned a few things and had fun doing it."

"I'm about halfway through it and am a bit overwhelmed with how much I didn't know. After reading this, I doubt if I wiil ever put together a fanzine of my own, but I sure as hell have more respect for those who do."

Reprinted in a Letterzine

Much content was printed by permission in the Star Wars letterzine, Southern Enclave.

• "The Seven Deadly Sins of Fandom" (SE #42)
• "Fanzine Terminology and Types of Zines" (SE #43)
• unknown printed in SE #44
• "Telephone Courtesy OR How to Make Enemies Without Even Trying" (SE #45)
• "A Buyer's Guide to Fanzines OR How to Not Drop $200 in a Hurry" (SE #46)
• "Ordering Zines by Mail OR Waiting by the Mailbox" (SE #47)
• "How to Read an Adzine OR The Old and the Useless" (SE #48)
• "The Letterzine OR The Gift of Gab" (SE #50)
• "Research, OR Ignorance is Not Bliss" (SE #51)
• "How to Submit Practically Anything to Practically Anyone OR Mistakes Have Been Made" (SE #52)
• possibly in SE #53

Gallery of Covers

• 

  cover of editor's edition, v.1

• 

  cover of editor's edition, v.2

• 

  cover of editor's edition, v.3

• 

  cover of reader's edition