Fandom: Fic Writers, Vidders, Gamers, Artists, and Cosplayers by Francesca Dipiazza
Published by Twenty-First Century Books (CT) on January 1st 2018
ISBN: 1512450499
Pages: 120
Format: Chapter Book Nonfiction
Goodreads

Fandom: Fic Writers, Vidders, Gamers, Artists, and Cosplayers is an overview of fandom and fan culture. Author Francesca Davis DiPiazza examines what a fandom is and some of the various ways that fans contribute to those fandoms including writing stories about characters, creating art and videos, coding games, and sewing elaborate costumes. Unlike many guides on fandom, DiPiazza delivers facts, history, and definitions without falling into a cringy territory of acting like it’s mysterious, new, or strange behavior. The information provided is broad and covers a lot of fandoms and types of fan creations. However, it’s difficult to imagine who exactly this book would be for. Kids who aren’t in fandoms don’t want to learn this way about them and kids who are might be turned off by all of the basic definitions. Adults are unlikely to venture into the youth section to learn about this. Strongly recommended if you have the audience for it, but an additional purchase elsewhere.

Reviewed by Sarah Cropley, Scarborough Public Library.