Links Roundup for 18 November 2011

[otw_staff]

Here's a roundup of stories about fans in the media that might be of interest to fans:

• Australia is launching a comedy television series about fans which "has been compared to The Big Bang Theory", only Outland features a group of gay sci-fi fans. "Outland's producer Laura Waters said: "[Production company] Princess Pictures is proud that closeted science fiction fans will finally have a voice and that a full family of gay Australian characters can go where they never ventured before - prime-time television." (A trailer for the show is available at the link.)


• An increasing amount of media attention is being paid to fan conventions as journalists take part in them. The result of more "insider" type coverage is reflected in this lengthy television segment on Steampunk fandom that provides not just a look at fan cons, but goes farther to investigate the fandom's origins, and explain its creations and its influence on popular culture.


• Some of the increasing news coverage of fans can be attributed to their visibility in the social media that journalists happen to pay attention to, making them more familiar with both fans and fannish practices. The multigenerational fans that were shown in the Steampunk con segment, for example, belie the "loner" label so often used in the past in stories on fans. As this essay by a second-generation U2 fan points out, fandom can be a way of life for many. "I must say that U2 are the most important band in my life. They’ve been the soundtrack of the past several years, and they’ve been there for me through all the toughest times, as well being right along for the good times. "

If you attend fan cons or are part of the Steampunk or Harry Potter fandoms, why not contribute to Fanlore? Additions are welcome from all fans.

We want your suggestions! If you know of an essay, video, article, event, or link you think we should know about, comment on the most recent Links Roundup — on transformativeworks.org, LJ, or DW — or give @OTW_News a shoutout on Twitter. Links are welcome in all languages!

Submitting a link doesn't guarantee that it will be included in a roundup post, and inclusion of a link doesn't mean that it is endorsed by the OTW. Mirrored from an original post on the OTW blog. Find related news by viewing our tag cloud.