Big Name Fan

Last updated

Among science fiction and fantasy, comic book, and media fans, a Big Name Fan (BNF) is a member of a fandom who is particularly well-known and celebrated for their writings in fanzines, semi-professional magazines and (more recently) blogs; or for other contributions such as art and (in some communities) fanfiction. Some BNFs have also contributed to the franchise itself ( Doctor Who is noted for being primarily written and produced by people who were BNFs of the series before it was brought back in 2005). They may have fans of their own, who praise them and seek out their work.

Contents

BNFs may have their autographs requested at conventions;[ citation needed ] they are often invited as Guests of Honor at conventions, and in some fandoms may be paid to speak as guests at commercial shows which pay for appearances. The term originated in science fiction fandom, and dates to 1955 or earlier. [1] It was recorded in 1955, in Bob Tucker's The Neo-Fan Guide; [2] other early references include 1959's Fancyclopedia II [3] and Donald Franson's 1962 work A Key to the Terminology of Science-Fiction Fandom. [4] In its original sense, 'BNF' referred to "one well known within the world of science-fiction fandom". [5]

Discontinued Hugo Award

When the Hugo Awards were instituted in 1953, one of the categories was "#1 Fan Personality", which has also been referred to as the "BNF Award." This award, which was not revived when the Hugos became institutionalized in 1955, was given to Forrest J Ackerman. (According to an interim report issued by the Philcon II convention committee while voting was still going on, the next most popular candidate at the time was Harlan Ellison; but at the time Ackerman was given the award, he actually physically declined it in favor of Ken Slater, to whom the trophy was later forwarded.) [6]

Connotations and usage

Fans report ambivalent feelings towards BNFs. The title BNF also carries a negative connotation of being arrogant and self-important.[ citation needed ] Accordingly, many people who are deemed BNFs resist being tagged with that designation.

Related Research Articles

First Fandom is an informal association of early, active and well-known science fiction fans.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Science fiction fandom</span> Subculture of fans who enjoy science fiction

Science fiction fandom or SF fandom is a community or fandom of people interested in science fiction in contact with one another based upon that interest. SF fandom has a life of its own, but not much in the way of formal organization.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fan convention</span> Gathering of fans of a topic

A fan convention is an event in which fans of a particular topic gather to participate and hold programs and other events, and to meet experts, famous personalities, and each other. Some also incorporate commercial activity. The term dates back to at least 1942.

Harry Warner Jr. was an American journalist. He spent 40 years working for the Hagerstown, Maryland, Herald-Mail.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wilson Tucker (writer)</span> American writer (1914–2006)

Arthur Wilson "Bob" Tucker was an American author who became well known as a writer of mystery, action adventure, and science fiction under the name Wilson Tucker.

Egoboo is a colloquial expression for the pleasure received from public recognition of voluntary work.

Fanspeak is the slang or jargon current in science fiction and fantasy fandom, especially those terms in use among readers and writers of science fiction fanzines.

The 1st World Science Fiction Convention (Worldcon) was held on 2–4 July 1939 in the Caravan Hall in New York City, United States, in conjunction with the New York World's Fair, which was themed as "The World of Tomorrow". It was later retroactively named "NyCon I" by Forrest J Ackerman.

The 2nd World Science Fiction Convention (Worldcon), also known as Chicon I, was held on 1–2 September 1940 at the Hotel Chicagoan in Chicago, Illinois, United States.

The 34th World Science Fiction Convention (Worldcon), also known as MidAmeriCon, was held on 2–6 September 1976 at the Radisson Muehlebach Hotel and nearby Phillips House hotel in Kansas City, Missouri, United States.

SMOF is an acronym which stands for "Secret Master(s) Of Fandom" and is a term used within the science fiction fan community. Its coining is generally attributed to long-time science fiction fan and author Jack L. Chalker.

The DeepSouthCon (DSC) is an annual science fiction convention, which is hosted in different cities in the Southern United States. Site selection is by vote of the membership of a given DSC, for the convention to be held 2 years in the future. DSC is often, but not always, held in conjunction with an existing annual convention so the time of year varies. Many regular attendees of DeepSouthCon are also members of the Southern Fandom Confederation, but there is no direct relationship between the two organizations.

Philcon, also known as the "Philadelphia Science Fiction Conference", is an annual three-day science fiction convention held at the Doubletree by Hilton Hotel in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. The convention is run by the Philadelphia Science Fiction Society (PSFS).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">9th World Science Fiction Convention</span> 9th Worldcon (1951)

The 9th World Science Fiction Convention (Worldcon), also known as Nolacon I, was held 1–3 September 1951 at the St. Charles Hotel in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">14th World Science Fiction Convention</span> 14th Worldcon (1956)

The 14th World Science Fiction Convention (Worldcon), also known as NyCon II or NEWYORCON, was held on 31 August–3 September 1956 at the Biltmore Hotel in New York City, United States.

The 20th World Science Fiction Convention (Worldcon), also known unofficially as Chicon III, was held on 31 August–3 September 1962 at the Pick-Congress Hotel in Chicago, Illinois, United States.

The 54th World Science Fiction Convention (Worldcon), also known as L.A.con III, was held on 29 August–2 September 1996 at the Hilton Anaheim, Anaheim Marriott, and the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California, United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jack Speer</span> American politician and science fiction fan

John Bristol Speer was an attorney, practicing law for over 60 years; a judge; and a member of the Washington House of Representatives.

Peggy Rae Sapienza, was a science fiction fan, con-runner, and promoter of science fiction fandom. She made memorable contributions to Noreascon III in Boston, the 1989 Worldcon, partnering with Fred Isaacs in conceptualizing the ConCourse, a new feature for Worldcons. A Vice Chair of the 1993 Worldcon, ConFrancisco, she served briefly as Acting Chair after the Chairman died, until a new chairman was appointed. In 1998 she chaired BucConeer, the 56th Worldcon in Baltimore. She served as North American agent for the first Worldcon to be held in Japan, Nippon 2007; in 2010 co-chaired, and 2011 and 2012 chaired the SFWA Nebula Awards Weekends; and was Fan Guest of Honor at Chicon 7, the 70th Worldcon, held in 2012. She co-chaired the 2014 World Fantasy Convention just months before she died due to complications from heart surgery.

Myrtle Rebecca Smith Gray Nolan, known to science fiction history as Morojo or sometimes Myrtle R Douglas, was a science fiction fan, fanzine publisher, and cosplay pioneer from Los Angeles.

References

  1. ↑ Coppa, Francesca (2006). "A Brief History of Media Fandom". In Hellekson, Karen; Busse, Kristina (eds.). Fan Fiction and Fan Communities in the Age of the Internet. Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland & Company. pp. 41–59. ISBN   978-0-7864-2640-9.
  2. ↑ Tucker, Bob (1955). The Neo-Fan Guide. Archived from the original on 14 June 2006. Retrieved 2006-06-22.
  3. ↑ Speer, Jack (1959). Dick Eney (ed.). Fancyclopedia II. Archived from the original on 2001-10-06. Retrieved 2006-06-22.
  4. ↑ Franson, Donald (1962). A Key to the Terminology of Science-Fiction Fandom . Retrieved 2006-06-22.
  5. ↑ Southard, Bruce (1982). "The Language of Science-Fiction Fan Magazines". American Speech. Duke University Press. 57 (1): 19–31. doi:10.2307/455177. JSTOR   455177.
  6. ↑ Mike Glyer. "Ackerman's Hugo." File 770 February 10, 2009
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.