The Fantastically Fundamentally Functional Guide to Fandom

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Zine
Title: The Fantastically Fundamentally Functional Guide to Fandom
Publisher: Penguin Press
Editor(s): Susan M Garrett
Type:
Date(s): April 1989 (revised July 1989), 1990
Medium: print
Fandom: multimedia
Language: English
External Links:
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This is actually a set of four zines.

The Fantastically Fundamentally Functional Guide to Fandom for Readers & Contributors was published in 1989 and The Fantastically Fundamentally Functional Guide to Fandom for Editors & Publishers was a three volume work published in 1990.

They were comprehensive introductions to zine fandom of the time, written in clear language. They were meant to be both informative and light-hearted, but they were also sometimes a bit cruel. In one essay, Garrett calls a fan who has accidentally sent a fanwork to two different zine editors as being an "indication of limited brain capacity" [1] and fans who don't follow the rules about phone calls are "so brain damaged that such subtleties will not pierce their thick grey cells." [2]

The zines were noticeably inexpensive: the Readers and Writers volume was ~120pp, lg. digest-sized and saddle stapled, for $3. The 3-volume volume for Editors & Publishers was $6, and went into excruciating detail about things like estimating the costs for putting out a zine.

Reprinted in a Letterzine

Much content from "The Fantastically Fundamentally Functional Guide to Fandom for Readers & Contributors" was printed by permission in thirteen issues of the Star Wars letterzine, Southern Enclave between 1995 and 1998.

Some Ads

one side of a flyer for the "Editors & Publisher's" edition
the other side of a flyer for the "Editors & Publisher's" edition

From Media Monitor:

The Fantastically Fundamentally Functional Guide to Fandom for Fanzine Editors and Publishers: "Curious about copyright? Up in the air about selling used zines? Confused and confounded in trying to find new writers and artists for your zine? This second volume of the GUIDE has been written just for you -- the editor or publisher in search of new ways and means to make your zine empire run smoothly. Digest size. 160 pages.

From Media Monitor:

The Fantastically Fundamentally Functional Guide to Fandom for Fanzine Readers and Contributors: "You say your favorite show has been canceled and the midseason replacements are about appealing as month-old bloodwurst? Why not use your spare time and bone up on some helpful hints? You, too, can learn how to write a productive LOC, how to send in a submission that will stand some chance of acceptance, how to deal with recalcitrant editors, and know exactly what your rights are! Buy one for yourself or a friend, help raise the consciousness in fandom! Digest size 60 pages.

The Fantastically Fundamentally Functional Guide to Fandom for Readers & Contributors

The Fantastically Fundamentally Functional Guide to Fandom for Readers & Contributors was published in April 1989 (revised in July 1989) and contains 57 pages.

cover of reader's edition, v.1

The text is by Susan M. Garrett and Ann Larimer was the consultant and artist.

What is this book for?

Over the years, two things have been lacking in fandom: common courtesy and common sense. This book attempts to give some guidelines by which a fan can live a relatively blameless life in fandom and still participate—in other words, if something goes wrong you know it was the other guy’s fault. If fandom were perfect, this is how it would work. Fans would follow the rules, be courteous to others, and generally not act like a pack of rabid wild animals. This booklet is not meant to cover every aspect of fandom, but covers some of the major problem areas. Hopefully, reading this book will be an enlightenment, a guide back to the path of reason. Let’s face it, we’re working for a kinder, gentler fandom.

The Fantastically Fundamentally Functional Guide to Fandom for Fanzine Editors & Publishers

The Fantastically Fundamentally Functional Guide to Fandom for Fanzine Editors & Publishers was published in 1990. It consists of three volumes.

V.1

  • cover of editor's edition, v.1, "The Gathering Storm"

    cover of editor's edition, v.1, "The Gathering Storm"

V.2

  • cover of editor's edition, v.2, "Round and Round the Garden"

    cover of editor's edition, v.2, "Round and Round the Garden"

V.3

cover of editor's edition, v.3, "The Knees of the Gods"

This third issue for fanzine editors and publishers was published in May 1990 and contains 162 pages.

  • Dealing with Printers, or, There's An Extra Charge for What?!? (When should an editor first talk to a printer?, How does an editor find a printer?, What should an editor ask a printer?, How many printers should I talk to?, Is the lowest price always the best price?, Can an editor use different printers for different portions of the job?, What should an editor do if they find a printer they like?, Should I give the printer my master paste-up?, Is there anything else an editor should do before leaving the masters with the printer?, What about taking original artwork to a printer?, What does an editor do when the zines are ready?, Is there any reason why a printer would need to keep the masters?, Is there anything else an editor should tell the printer?) (102)
  • Advertising, or, "I Saw Your Ad In..." (How do you advertise a zine?) (107)
    • Flyers (What is a flyer?, What information should be contained on a flyer?, Does it have to be boring?, Should the flyer be a particular size, shape, or color?, Should a flyer be one side of a page or both sides?, Can an editor use portions of a submission from the zine on a flyer?, Should an editor mention in a flyer or ad if the zine has won or been nominated for an award?, If the zine contains reprinted material, should the editor put that information on the flyer?, Can an editor place an order form on a flyer?, When should an editor ask for an age statement?, When should an editor put together a flyer?, How does an editor distribute flyers?, Should an editor print flyers in their zine?, When should an editor update a flyer?, How many flyers should an editor print?) (107)
    • Adzines (What is an adzine?, Why should an editor list their zine in an adzine?, What should be included in an adzine listing?, When should an editor update adzine ads?, When should an editor send in ads?, Can an editor have someone do their ads for them?) (113)
    • Reviews (What is a review?, How does a zine get reviewed?, Does an editor want their zine reviewed?, How should an editor act after a negative review?) (115)
    • Professional Advertising (What is professional advertising?, Should an editor place zine ads in professional publications?, Can an editor get in trouble advertising professionally?) (116)
  • Selling Your Zine, or, Mr. Mailman, Bring Me a Zine..." (118)
    • Mail Order (Where do the orders come from?, Does an editor receive an order from every flyer?, What does an editor do when they receive an order?, What happens if an editor receives orders before the zine is ready?, What about cashing checks?, Should an editor in.sure all zine orders?, How should a zine be mailed?, What if someone receives a zine with an error in it?, What happens if the purchaser wants to return the zine?, What about zines sent outside the U.S.?, How does an editor sell zines by subscription?, What should an editor do if someone asks to buy acopy of one story in a zine?, Can an editor have someone else do mail order for them?) (118)
    • Dealers' Tables (What is a dealer’s table?, Should an editor sell their zine in a dealers’ room?, How does an editor get zines to a convention?, Are there any preparations or materials an editor/publisher should have on hand?, How should an editor set up a dealer’s table?, What payment should an editor/publisher accept?, Should an editor/publisher record sales at a dealer’s table?) (123)
    • Orphan and Agented Zines (What are orphan or agented zines?, How does an editor find someone to agent their zines?, Should anything be sent with the zines?, What about sending zines to an overseas agent?, Can an editor act as an agent for other editors’ zines?, Does an agent have to prepare anything in advance?, How does an agent decide on a fee?, How should return postage be handled?, What should an agent do at a dealer's table?, What should an agent do after the convention is over?, Can a U.S. agent handle overseas zines?, What information has to be collected in agenting a foreign zine?, Does an agent for foreign zines also handle U.S. mail order?) (127)
    • Bootlegging (What is bootlegging?, What about making a copy of an out of print zine for personal use?, Can bootlegging be prevented?, Do all conventions have a policy on bootlegging?, Should an editor/publisher notify a convention that a prospective dealer may bootleg materials?, How does an editor notify prospective readers that a zine might be bootlegged?, What happens if an agent is accused of bootlegging?, Can an editor do anything to make bootlegging their zines more difficult?) (131)
  • What to Do with an LOC, or, The Roar of the Crowds (What is an LOC?, What should an editor do when they receive an LOC?, What does an editor do with an LOC?, Should an editor edit LOCs?, Who should be sent a copy of LOCs received for a zine?) (135)
  • Doing an Adzine, or, There's Gotta be a Better Way (What is an adzine?, Does an adzine ever give out contributor’s copies?, How should an editor arrange the ads?, What should he included in an adzine ad?, Should an adzine editor put together a form for listing submissions?, Should an adzine editor accept flyers instead of listings?, Should ads be sent to editors to proof?, Should an editor edit ads?, Can an editor make decisions about which ads will be accepted and which won’t?, Mow does an adzine editor find contributors?, Is an adzine editor responsible for the accuracy of the zine ads listed in the adzine?, What about reviews?, Where does an editor find zines to review?, What if an editor reacts badly to a review?, How should convention listings be gathered?, Should personal statements be edited?, When should an editor print an adzine?, Should an adzine be sold as a subscription?) (137)
  • Used Zine Sales and Auction by Mail, or, Out with the Old (How can I sell my used fanzines?, What’s the difference between direct sale and auction?, What kind of preparation should I make for selling my zines by mail?, How should I price my zines?, Should I include postage in the price?, Should 1prepare anything else, besides the list of zines with prices?, How do I let people know about my zine sale and/or auction?, What do I do when the SASE arrives?, What do I do when the order form arrives?, In a direct sale or auction, should I not send the zines until the check clears?, What about bidding?, What happens if I receive two identical bids on the same day?, What happens if I do not receive payment from the purchaser?, What happens if prospective buyers bid below the minimum bid or below the sale price I’d originally asked?, Can I sell "lots" of zines?, What do I do if I keep receiving bids or inquiries after the zines have been sold?, Is there an easier way to clean out my collection?) (142)
    • Sample Form - Zine List for Sale or Auction (149)
    • Sample Form -- Order/Bid Form for Sale or Auction (149)
  • Copyright Law and Fandom, or, "Am I Gonna Get Sued?" (What is copyright?, What can be copyrighted?, When an editor copyrights a fanzine, what exactly is copyrighted?, What is public domain?, What cannot he copyrighted?, How long does copyright protection last?, How can copyright be transferred?, What is work for hire?, How do you get a copyright?, Where is a copyright notice placed?, When can portions of copyrighted material be used without permission?, What is infringement?, Can a character be copyrighted?, Is a picture of an actor in costume as a character copyrighted to the actor or the copyright owner of the character?, Does the copyright of a photograph belong to the photographer?, Are fanzines in violation of copyright laws?, Should an editor contact a production company or author to get permission to do a fanzine?, Where can a fan find out more about copyright law?) (150)
  • A Few Words of Caution... (Don't do a fanzine if you don't have healthy finances, don't spend all of your time on fanzines, don't do a fanzine because you want to make money, have a thick skin, don't let your ego be your guide, don't be discouraged by mistakes, create a fanzine for love -- but not too much love) (161)

Reactions and Reviews

There's a really wonderful publication out, called The Fantastically Fundamentally Functional Guide for Fanzine Readers & Contributors. I don't know how they managed to get the title to fit the cover, but they did. And it's a riot. At three dollars, it's the cheapest date in town. Even as I type this, I can't stop sniggering. Neofans and dinosaurs alike will find T.F.F.F.G.T.F.F.F.R.& C. to be both entertaining (I know I about bust a gut the first time I read it) and informative. Hey, did you knowthere was such a thing as 'Seamail/' Neither did I, till I read the zine. Anyway, if you've got three dollars burning a hole in your Joy Hall of Everything Bag, send it off. I understand that an 'Editor's' edition is due out around May. You'll have to get in line behind me. [3]

I just loved what you said about readers doing LOC's. So true, so true. Somehow the idea of doing LOC's was instilled in me when I first came into K/S. Remember that little book, The Absolute...Guide to Fandom (something like that)? I read every word and took it very seriously." [4]

Having been in fandom for over 20 years, I did not read them for myself, but to find out if I could recommend them to neofans. I thought that they were well-written and I would recommend them. [5]

I received my copy of THE FANTASTICALLY, FUNDAMENTALLY, FUNCTIONAL GUIDE To FANDOM and wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed reading it. I've been aware of fandom for many years and although my participation has been limited and on the periphery, I thought I knew pretty much about all there was to know about the do's and don'ts of zine ordering and contributing. I ordered your pamphlet more out of curiosity to see if there was some kind of "insider" information that I wasn't aware of. The topics were discussed clearly and fairly, like being talked to by an honest friend. I was pleasantly surprised to discover that most of my usual practices were correct, but there were a few aspects of this "hobby" I hadn't considered from a point of view other than my own. I learned a few things and had fun doing it. [6]

I'm about halfway through it and am a bit overwhelmed with how much I didn't know. After reading this, I doubt if I will ever put together a fanzine of my own, but I sure as hell have more respect for those who do. [7]

WHERE WAS THIS THING WHEN I WAS STARTING OUT???????

A LOT of editors, publishers, and writers have been screaming that question since Susan published the FFFGTF in 1989. It is a simple, well written and comprehensive guide on how to properly deal with the fanfic biz. Part One deals with contributors: how to submit your work, how to deal with editors, how to order zines, how to trash...er, review zines, and other "dos" and "don'ts" that every neo writer needs to know {and every old-time writer has no doubt violated at one time or another!) Part Two (actually part one of "For Fanzine Editors and Publishers") talks about the physical composition of fanzines—how to get the beast copied, how to bind it (side staple? velo binding? spiral binding?), and of course, how to get contributors to your masterpiece and let then know what you will and will not accept. Volume II delves further into submissions and zine contents, and how to deal with those capricious critters called writers and artists. (Of course, those of us who both edit and write would NEVER treat other editors in such shoddy fashion, WOULD WE?). The final part talks about Dealing With Your Printer, advertising your zine, selling it, and how to deal with feedback (LoC's and reviews).

There is a reason that when I hear someone talk about wanting to write fanfic or putting out a zine of their own ("After all, it can't be that hard, can it?"), I give them my copies of FFFGTF or Susan's address, whichever is more readily available. BUY THIS MONSTER. It is worth its weight in gold and will save you much grief as you make your way through the wonderful world of fanfic. [8]

References

  1. ^ from Simultaneous Submissions, Resubmittals, and Reprints, or, Where I Have I Seen This Before?
  2. ^ from Telephone Courtesy OR How to Make Enemies Without Even Trying
  3. ^ from Artforum #3
  4. ^ from a LoC in The K/S Press (1999)
  5. ^ from Penguin Press LOC Booklet
  6. ^ from Penguin Press LOC Booklet
  7. ^ from Penguin Press LOC Booklet
  8. ^ from Zine Scene V.2 N.1
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