L(etter) O(f) C(omment) or How Am I Doin'?

Meta
Title:	L(etter) O(f) C(omment) or How Am I Doin'?
Creator:	Susan M. Garrett
Date(s):	April 1989
Medium:	print
Fandom:	multifandom, print zines
Topic:
External Links:
Click here for related articles on Fanlore.

L(etter) O(f) C(omment) or How Am I Doin'? is a 1989 essay by Susan M. Garrett.

"A LOC (pronounced 'Lock' or spelled out as 'l-o-c') or letter of comment is one of the useful items in fandom. Not only does it provide an outlet for your opinions and observations on fannish material, but it also gives editors and contributors a yardstick by which they can measure their own success or failure."

The essay was first printed as a part of The Fantastically Fundamentally Functional Guide to Fandom, an instruction manual meant to explain the basics of fandom and fanworks to new fans and to be a reminder to more seasoned fans.

This essay was also reprinted in Southern Enclave #54 (Autumn 1999).

The essay is meant to address careless and rude fans who both create and consume fanworks:

With a little bit of common courtesy and common sense, fans could make fandom a really keen place to work and play. Fans created this playground and only fans can be responsible for their actions.

Some Topics Discussed

• what is a letter of comment
• what is a LOC's purpose?
• when should you write one? - "Ideally, you should write a LOC after reading any zine."
• how do you write one?
• how critical should LOCs be? - "Should I tell an editor that I didn't like something?"
• What format should I use for a LOC?
• What happens to a LOC after it is sent to the editor?

From the Essay

What is a LOC?

A letter of comment is a mini review or letter of appreciation concerning a fanzine, sent by a reader or contributor to an editor. The LOC sometimes appears in the next issue of the fanzine, may be published by the editor in a separate publication distributed to a limited number of interested parties, or may go no further than the editor’s desk, depending on how the editor handles such matters. Thus, the LOC may have as small a readership as one or as large as the audience of the fanzine itself.

A LOC is not an advertisement for the zine, nor is it meant to be a published review of the zine. Think of it more as a report card, an opinion of the quality of contributions and the editor’s presentation of the submissions.

What purpose does a LOC serve?

A LOC encourages contributors to strive for the best effort they can produce, rewards editors with recognition for a job well done, and provides both with constructive criticism as to how those efforts could be improved. A collection of well-written LOCs help writers write better, artists grow in skill, editors produce better zines...indeed, everyone benefits, especially the reader. When the input is good, the output gets better. Working in a vacuum promotes boredom or deterioration, but a kind word in the right place can inspire people to stretch their abilities and talents to even higher levels.

[...]

There are few ways to tell someone how much you appreciate their hard work and ideas in a fannish environment, unless you track everyone down at conventions and buttonhole them. A well-written LOC can do just that without the expense of airfare or interrupting someone's dinner. By sending a LOC, you give editors and contributors the feedback they need to produce a better product, meaning that you make fanzines better, brighter, and more worth the purchase price for yourself and your friends.

How do you write a LOC?

1. While you read the zine, take notes—perhaps only a line or two about an idea that an author handled particularly well, a poem that struck you as interesting, an illustration that did a better job of expressing the idea of a story than the story itself...or something that really annoyed, offended, or embarrassed you. This will help you remember later what you want to say.

2. After reading the zine, flip through it and make additional remarks or comments, remembering to take a look at the presentation.

3. Write your LOC. Simple enough, now that you have the notes. Telling an editor, “I liked this story,” or “I didn’t like this story,” doesn’t say much of anything unless you add the why. Keep in mind:

How was the layout? Was the print legible? How were the contents presented—haphazardly or with a sense of order? Did the artwork make sense or was there no art layout at all? How about the quality of reproduction? Did the editor try anything different or exceptional?

For fiction — is the story consistant [sic] with what you know of that show? Were the characters and dialogue true to the series or were they false and stilted? Was the plot logical or did it hang too much upon coincidence? Did the author have some original ideas, was the story just the ‘same old thing', or was it ‘the same old thing' in a new and vibrant style? Was the tone of the story depressing or cheerful? Did the setting add to the story? Were there any inaccuracies or anachronisms or did the author do his research? Was description good, overdone, or minimal? Did the story have a central idea or point? Did you like it? Did you understand it?

DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT give a complete synopsis of the story. The editor knows what the story is about, the author knows what the story is about, and the readers who aren’t familiar with the story should be able to figure out enough from your criticism to decide whether or not they’d like to read it. In addition, never ever give away a surprise ending!

For poetry — is the rhyme scheme consistant [sic]? Was a free-form poem rambling, or concise? Was there an idea or point to the poem? Did the poem give you a new insight into a character or situation, or docs it have any impact at all? Can the poem be read aloud? Does any part of it stay with you ten minutes later?

For filks — ditto poetry, but add the complication of the music. Does the filk fall into the song it uses, or did the author push it beyond redemption? Did the author simply rearrange or substitute a few words to a previously written song, or did they come up with something new and inviting?

The quality of artwork often rests on the quality of reproduction, but you can still make some comments about whether a realistic or cartoon style was done well. Does the artist have a familiarity with anatomy in action or are they making it up as they go along? Is the layout interesting or dull? Does an illustration assist in understanding the story?

Not every LOC will or should cover every one of these points, but going down this list should help you explain why you liked something or why you didn’t and how it might have been better.

What happens to a LOC after it is sent to the editor?

One of three things will happen: the LOC will be printed in the next issue of the zine with other LOCs, the LOC will be printed in a small booklet that an editor gives to contributors and LOC writers, or the LOC may not go further than the editor. If you know an editor doesn’t normally pass along LOCs, enclose a stamped envelope or two with copies of the LOC, so that they can pass them along to contributors that you really want to reward.

An editor should have the good sense and common courtesy to sent you a note or postcard thanking you for your LOC and confirming its safe arrival. An editor should also make an attempt to get LOCs out to as many contributors as possible. The more LOCs an editor receives, the more likely it is that they’ll put out a next issue.

Other Essays in This Series

• The Seven Deadly Sins of Fandom
• S.A.S.E. or You Want an Answer When?
• Telephone Courtesy OR How to Make Enemies Without Even Trying
• A Buyer's Guide to Fanzines OR How to Not Drop $200 in a Hurry
• Ordering Zines by Mail OR Waiting by the Mailbox
• The Letterzine OR The Gift of Gab
• Research, OR Ignorance is Not Bliss
• Pseudonym
• Simultaneous Submissions, Resubmittals, and Reprints, or, Where I Have I Seen This Before?
• The Fanzine Bill of Rights
• L(etter) O(f) C(omment) or How Am I Doin'?