Fan Culture: Theory/Practice

‘Fan Culture: Theory/Practice is the first book to consider the evolution of fandom and fan studies in the context of the ever more intimate creative, commercial, educational, and social relationships brought about by Web 2.0 and the rise of social media. Fans anticipated and maybe even invented modes of cultural engagement that have now gone mainstream, and today many of us negotiate multiple identities as artists, producers, consumers, teachers, students, critics, and advocates as well as fans. Katherine Larsen and Lynn Zubernis have brought together a diverse group of scholars to consider the advantages and challenges of performing these complex and overlapping roles, particularly in the classroom. Fan Studies: Theory/Practice is a fascinating and compelling book featuring major new essays by Matt Hills, Kristina Busse and Karen Hellekson, and Paul Booth, among others. To study fandom today is to think about our world as a mashup of creative, commercial, academic, and social practices. Larsen and Zubernis have given us a guidebook to that world.’ –Francesca Coppa, Organization for Transformative Works

‘In a world in which most of us have access to an ever wider array of media content via new technologies, in a world in which choice is the first and most crucial act of media consumption, studying why and with what consequences we become emotionally engaged with given media texts, why and how we are fans, is of central importance. This collection marks the coming of age of the field of Fans Studies by adding to the depth and scope of the study of fans. It embraces the origins of the field in its focus on film and television fandom, while simultaneously inviting us to reflect on the field itself, critically assessing not only the practices of fans but equally those of students and scholars of the field. Fan Culture: Theory/Practice is thus an as insightful as enjoyable read for fans, students and scholars alike and especially to all those who are all three.’ –Cornel Sandvoss, University of Surrey