Article contributed by David Allen
A Kid’s Guide to Fandom is a near-perfect introduction to the nerd world!
The internet truly transformed the world. Even a brief 30 years ago, it was incredibly difficult to be a nerd, a geek, a fan. It was perhaps not impossible to find like-minded individuals and bond over a shared love and appreciation of a particular fictional universe. It did feel exceedingly rare, though. As an adult, there certainly were some opportunities to join a fandom and experience a sense of community. For a child, however, the obstacles were basically insurmountable.
Changes in technology, however, have levelled the playing field. It has never been easier to join a fan community. Turning fandom toward an act of creation, including costumes, fan fiction, and podcasts, is literal child’s play. If only there was a simple primer for kids to help them get started. Well, now there is.
Exploring how to “do” fandom
Amy Ratcliffe, writer of A Kid’s Guide to Fandom, knows a thing or two about the world of nerds. Ratcliffe is the author of Star Wars: Women of the Galaxy and serves as the managing editor for Nerdist. Her extensive experience in the world of fandom imbues her newest work with authenticity and authority.
A Kid’s Guide to Fandom sets out to be a primer for children who want to turn their love of a particular fictional universe into action. It is, above all else, about doing something with a fandom, about channelling the love and affection children feel for stories into some kind of creative endeavour. In order to spark this inspiration, Ratcliffe focuses on a few particular areas of fandom: fan fiction, fan art, podcasts, cosplay, gaming, and building communities.
A call to action
Ratcliffe’s treatment of the various ways to “do” fandom is clear and concise. Each section of the book takes its time to explain and encourage. Definitions of fandom-related terminology, such “gatekeeping” and “rule 63”, are sprinkled throughout A Kid’s Guide to Fandom. The book also gathers the various terms at the end of the book in a brief glossary.
In addition, Ratcliffe includes several “History Lessons” throughout. These sections aim to place some of the topics, such as fanzines and eSports, into their proper historical context. These inclusions go a long way toward breaking up the text into manageable chunks for younger readers.
Bring in the experts
Ratcliffe clearly has been a fan herself and has turned her fandom into a career. Still, her book does not treat the author as some kind of ultimate authority. In fact, Ratcliffe includes brief interviews with experts in their fields in each chapter. In her discussion of cosplay, for example, she includes comments from both Akakioga Cosplay and Philip Odango of Canvas Cosplay. These interviews add additional authority. They also allow readers to see that there is a path from fandom to profession.
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Open in new tab Art to capture kids’ imagination
Dave Perillo, a Philadelphia-based freelance illustrator and designer, lends his considerable artistic skill to A Kid’s Guide to Fandom. Perillo has done work for several prestigious clients, including Disney, Marvel, Lucasfilm, and Pixar. His art here focuses on a diverse cast of cartoony, big-eyed children engaging in various fandom-related activities. There is something distinctly retro and charming about his art. It is eye-catching and no doubt appeals to children and adults alike.
Perillo also uses a limited colour palette, which further enhances the retro sensibility of the art. His colour use, focused on various shades of red and blue, spills out into the overall colour design of the book. Text headers and inserts also use various shades of red and blue. A Kid’s Guide to Fandom has a visually coherent style throughout. Perillo’s contribution to the book cannot be overstated.
A great guide not without flaws
As appealing as the book’s content and visuals are, it is not without some flaws. Although Ratcliffe includes mention of various resources kids can use, it is far from an exhaustive exploration or step-by-step guide. The book mentions, for example, the software Audacity as a possible method for recording a podcast. It does not include a clear explanation of how to use it or even if it is the best available option for kids.
This lack of detail is present throughout the book. A Kid’s Guide to Fandom is a great primer for what kids can do to express their love of a particular fandom. It is not, however, a comprehensive how-to guide.
Ratcliffe also strives for age-appropriate writing, and for the most part, she succeeds. She takes great pains to explain terms specific to the world of fandom to ensure her book is as accessible as possible. Still, there are occasional slip-ups; some of the younger readers may struggle with words like “differentiate”, “numerous”, or “faux”. These instances of more advanced vocabulary, however, are few and far between.
The perfect place to start
In the end, A Kid’s Guide to Fandom is simply the best starting point for children looking to take their fandom to the next level. The writing is clear, the art inviting, the interviews interesting, and the advice sound. As a self-professed nerd who only came to fan fiction and podcasting much later, I can only marvel at this book. 10-year-old me would have loved it.
A Kid’s Guide to Fandom is available from Amazon, Book Depository, and other good book retailers, like your local bookstore, as of May 4th 2021.
Will you be picking up A Kid’s Guide to Fandom? Tell us in the comments below!
Synopsis | Goodreads
Help young fans get in touch with their inner geeks with the ultimate guidebook for creating, sharing, and enjoying the world of fandom.
Being a fan is a big deal. Whether it’s comics, video games, podcasts, cosplay, books, films, or something else, there are so many ways to share and celebrate with the things that you love. So, it’s high time for a guide to help young fans navigate the world of fandom and its many flourishing communities—from fan works to cosplay, gaming, podcasting, and more! Filled with history, trivia, tips and advice to getting started, and insight from creators and artists from across pop culture and specializing in a wide variety of mediums, A Kid’s Guide to Fandom is the perfect geeky primer for young fans. Organized by type of fandom medium, each chapter offers a brief introduction, facts, history sidebars, and easy to digest information on how to:
Create Fan Fic or Fan Art
Design and Create a Cosplay
Start a Podcast
Design and Create Games (video games, tabletop, and other role playing games)
Find and Create Supportive Communities
Find and Attend Conventions
Plus, interviews with popular creatives like Alan Gratz, Erin Lefler, Jen Bartel, Daniel José Older, Rose Eveleth, Kat Kruger, Jordan Dené Ellis, Liz Crowder, and more.
