Join us as we chat with Holly Swinyard, author of "A History of Fans and Fandom." Holly dives into the roots and evolution of fandom, sharing insights on how it shapes our culture and personal connections. Whether you're a long-time fan or new to the world of fandom, this episode offers a fascinating look into the communities that celebrate and sustain our favorite stories.

Timestamps:

• [00:00:00] Introduction: Frank welcomes Holly Swinyard to the show.
• [00:00:16] About the Book: Holly discusses the inspiration and content of "A History of Fans and Fandom."
• [00:02:04] Explaining Fandom: The two-audience approach and examples of fandom in popular culture.
• [00:03:13] Types of Fandoms: Comparing sports fandom with other fandoms and personal experiences.
• [00:07:28] Early Communities: Holly shares historical examples of early fandom communities.
• [00:13:11] Fandom Dynamics: How fandoms influence and solidify cultural touchstones.
• [00:16:14] Core Stories in Fandom: The importance of relatability and classic story archetypes in fandom.
• [00:18:02] The Swimming Pool Metaphor: Different levels of fandom engagement explained.
• [00:26:43] Technology and Fandom: The impact of social media on fandom communities.
• [00:34:34] Personal Experience: Holly reflects on how their own fandom journey influenced the writing of the book.
• [00:41:02] Responsibility in Fandom: The role of community leaders in fostering positive fandom spaces.
• [00:47:11] Gene Roddenberry’s Legacy: Discussing the hopeful future depicted in Star Trek fandom.
• [00:50:23] Holly’s Links: Where to follow Holly and find their work.

Links:

• Holly Swinyard's Website: hollyswinyard.com

• Podcast: I'm a Fan of That!
• Buy the Book: A History of Fans and Fandom on Amazon

Tags: Fandom, Pop Culture, Holly Swinyard, Geek Freaks, Podcast, Fans, A History of Fans and Fandom, Community, Culture, Social Media, Technology

Apple Podcast Tags: Fandom, Pop Culture, Geek Freaks, Holly Swinyard, Fans, Community, Culture, Podcast Interview, Social Media, Technology, History of Fandom, Star Trek, Star Wars

Show Notes Created By: Frank Lourence