The Fangirl's Guide to the Galaxy: A Handbook for Girl Geeks

I was really excited about this title since I've been a geek before I even knew the word, and was active in fandom before the word was even coined. It was the days when the Internet was becoming a thing, when we still had to use dial-up to sign into our AOL accounts ("You've Got Mail!"), and my parents got a second line just so they could get and make phone calls. But I tripped into a listserve called Star Wars Chicks and found my people, never looking back.

So, when I came across a book with the title "The Fangirl's Guide to the Galaxy," I needed it, my precious. Only, I think it needs to be emphasized that this book was not for me. I've been in fandom for nearly two decades, and active. I wrote the fanfiction, went to the cons, did show more some half-assed cosplays, spent late nights on messageboards, etc. And I watched fandom change and evolve. It's no longer the back corners of the internet, and the fans the people that are derided for walking the streets of Atlanta wearing full Stormtrooper get-up at Dragon*Con time. Instead, it's now mainstream. The Avengers broke box-office records. The new Star Trek movies were cool and awesome. People are finding Doctor Who and Sherlock on their Netflix queues.

So, welcome, new fans! Welcome, a new generation of fangirls and geekgirls. This book is for you.

Because, fandom is different and that's awesome. It's bigger, more public, and more inclusive. But at the same time, it saddens me that a large portion of this book features how to deal with gatekeepers, trolls, misogynistic dickweasels, and the like. These people crawled out of the depths of fandom to spew their hate because suddenly girls are invading their boys' club (though newsflash, we were always here!).

As a primer to fandom life, Sam Maggs' guide is pretty thorough. It covers both internet-space to meatspace, and acknowledges the power of finding kindred spirits in those spaces. She lists some media to explore (including some new to me, so yay!) for those who want more books, movies, anime, etc. She covers some feminist geek speak and language, because there is a huge overlap between feminist culture and geek culture for geekgirls. And lists some key websites to peruse, both for info and for geeky swag.

I did worry while reading that the book would get dated very quickly. I've seen fandom change so much (not to mention the internet) in just the past few years that I can see this book being out-of-date after only a year or two. I would love to see new updated editions of this coming out every few years.

Review copy courtesy of the publisher via Netgalley. show less

One of Us!

(Full disclosure: I received a free book for review through Library Thing's Early Reviewer program.)

"A fangirl has no shame: she loves what she loves and she doesn't apologize for it, she doesn't restrain herself, she's not meek. Girls are often told to be quiet little ladies. A fangirl doesn't care about being quiet. She does exactly what she wants, courageously, to celebrate the things she loves." - Beth Revis

"You are a real geek if you feel it in your feels."

The Fangirl's Guide to the Galaxy is a love letter to all the geek girls out there: the cosplayers, the book nerds, the binge-watchers, the slash fic aficionados. Whether you're a Hunter or a Browncoat, a Ravenclaw or a Victor, Sam Maggs wants you to know that you're show more awesome, and you matter.

So. The The Fangirl's Guide to the Galaxy isn't quite what I was expecting, but in the best way possible. Whereas I thought it would be encyclopedic in nature, it's really more of a cunning pocket guide to the wide world of fandoms. Divided into four chapters (plus an intro and list of resources), Maggs offers tips and tricks for fangirling out in the real world; online; at conventions; and in yer feminism (best).

You'll find a wealth of advice: everything from cool events to check out IRL (zombie walks, pub trivia night, midnight screenings, book clubs) to safety tips for being a fangirl (or just plain girl) on the internets (think of everything shared online as a horcrux - part of you, set to roam the world for all of eternity), to how make the most of celeb encounters at cons (pro tip: signings will score you a few more minutes of face time than a photo op).

Maggs rounds out each chapter with interviews of several famous fangirls - I'm talking the likes of Beth Revis and Victoria Schwab (both of whom have books in my too-tall TBR pile) to Jane Espenson and Ashley Eckstein. My favorite soundbites come from Schwab ("You are an emissary, a missionary, converting new people to the fandom wherever you can."), Revis ("[R]eal happiness comes from that deep, honest place within myself that geekdom allowed me to embrace."), and Erin Morgenstern (fangirls are "leveled-up" fans).

ETA: The Fangirl's Guide is packed with inspirational, quotable bits. Maggs is an associate editor for the blog The Mary Sue, and it shows; the writing is trendy and hip, and packed with geek slang. (Don't worry, there are glossaries!) Again, in the best way possible: it kind of feels like you're getting the 411 from an older sister or trusted friend.

But my favorite part of The Fangirl's Guide to the Galaxy is, hands down, its strong feminist foundation. From the inclusion of "trigger warning" in the glossary to the mantra that "cosplay isn't consent," Maggs infuses her celebration of geek girl culture with a much-needed dose of feminism.

Best of the best is the how-to guide for critiquing pop culture. Cue must-know terms like the Bechdel Test; women in refrigerators; Manic Pixie Dream Girl; damsels in distress; sexy evil powers; tokenism/The Smurfette Principle; and romanticizing abuse.

And it should come as no surprise to readers of The Mary Sue that Magg's feminism is intersectional in nature. The super-adorable illustrations featured in The Fangirl's Guide include fangirls of color; racism, ableism, classism, etc. are addressed right alongside sexism; and her starter's guide to "kick-ass female characters you need to know" highlights LGBTQ women and women of color. (My love for Zoë Alleyne Washburne knows no bounds. Also, Gina Torres for all the things!)

The Fangirl's Guide to the Galaxy is just plain shiny. Wonderfully diverse, unabashedly enthusiastic, and positively positive, it's likely to appeal to fangirls (and not a few fanboys) of all ages. (I may be an old lady at 36, but even I learned a few new things!) But I think it's best suited for new or budding fangirls in the twelve-to-eighteen-year-old range - girls who feel alone in their passions, who need a little validation and encouragement and to know that, no matter how obscure or unusual their interests, their people are out there. While sexy times are discussed on occasion (e.g., fanfic), the language is pretty tame overall. Parents, aunts and uncles, family friends, and the like should feel good gifting this book to the awesome young fangirls in their lives.

Bonus points: Hardcover books are generally pretty ugly naked (i.e. sans dust jacket), but this one's positively adorable. Printed on the cover are illustrations of geeky props - swords, superhero masks, Sherlock hats, the Tardis, etc. - on a bright yellow background. It's in the details, yo!

http://www.easyvegan.info/2015/05/13/the-fangirls-guide-to-the-galaxy-by-sam-mag... show less

I first became aware of Sam Maggs when her feminist fangirl statement popped up on my Facebook feed. Imagine my surprise to find out it was part of this charming book. If you are a passionate fan of anything, if you are a woman, and if you want to to feel a little joy in your girlpower, this book is for you.
She basically nails down all facets of being a fan, lays out how to make your nerdiness work in everyday life, and how to embrace and enjoy all things geeky! The most important thing is her call to support other geek girls, and to never let anyone tell you you're not a true nerd because, gasp, you're a girl.
She gives you a guide to attending a Con, lays out when and where to find your fandoms, and fun things to do to make your show more fandoms work for you. This IS the book every fangirl needs! Hell, it's the book you deserve! show less

Almost immediately upon receiving The Fangirl's Guide to the Galaxy: A Handbook for Girl Geeks, I knew that Sam Maggs was someone who would understand me. I knew it because she created this, THE GEEK GIRL'S LITANY, which is right on the back of the book --

I am a geek girl and I am a feminist.
I embrace the word "fangirl" with open arms.
I don't have to prove my nerd cred to anyone ever.
Whether I'm a comics n00b, or a fic writer typing up her next chapter, or a hardcore gamer who sometimes forgets to sleep (not that I ever do that), no one else gets to decide whether I do or do not belong.
From SuperWhoLock to Shakarian I accept all fandoms and ships as equally meaningful and important in our geek girl lives.
Even if your OTP is my NOTP, I show more will still like you (though I may have to unfollow your blog).
I will support empowering, lady-created media and amazing female characters that make me feel like I could be Batgirl, if I just had some yellow Doc Martens and a vigilante complex.
I'm the Doctor, not a companion; Buffy not Bella; nobody's sidekick, love interest or token female.
I'm driving this ship.
I'm a fangirl, a feminist, and a force to be reckoned with.

I've known inside for years that I was a fangirl but I also felt like I was a bit shabby at it. I don't really collect anything besides movies and books. I never write fan fiction or ship any characters. I have never attended a con. I don't have any geeky tattoos. I don't even know half of the acronyms that the twitter-residing fangirls use.

BUT!

Now I have validation from Sam Maggs that loving the things that I do love in the way that I love them is enough. Every kind of fan and geek is authentic, and, if each fangirl and boy everywhere (including me) abides by Sam's rules about being respectful and kind to other fans, we can all live in a great big, beautiful, nerdy world together.

So, what else is actually in this book besides validation? Intros to a few fandoms, some slang terms, interviews with geek goddesses, tips about fan fic and cons, and lots more. There's tons of goodness in this tiny book and I highly recommend it to all fangirls and guys, both aspiring and pros.

http://webereading.com/2015/04/upcoming-release-fangirls-guide-to.html show less

So this is going to be a slightly different review than I normally write, because...well I read some of the other reviews of this book and it just made me sad to look at them. Not because people didn't like the book, but because it seems like some purposefully went out of their way to bash a book, because...well...they just seem to be full of anger and hate. Don't get me wrong, I have no problem if people don't like a particular book. Especially if they have well thought out arguments for why they don't like it. Or even if they just say "You know, I just didn't like this book. I couldn't get into it." and leave it at that. But the level of angst and hate hurled at this book? I just...well I don't get it. Even after reading their reviews show more I honestly wonder if they read the book or even realized what the book is really supposed to be about.

So I'm going to try to address some of the criticism's that I saw hurled at this book. Also, I'm going to be a bit more ranty than I normally allow myself to be with a review.

1st: Everything in it is obvious:

...it is? Really? OK I get it, if you've been in fandom or a geek for a while then sure you might know these things. But what if you're just starting out? What if you're 8 years old and for the first time discovering "holy cow! Girls can read comics too??" Or "holy cow! there are other people that think like me?!?" And you might think I'm being over the top with this...but I'm not. We were all newbies once. We all needed a guide to figure things out and to learn how to do things. How to go to conventions, how to find and meet people online or IRL, or just how to be involved in fandom. And that's what Sam and this book provide. A how to get started or to get more in depth in the fan culture around you.

Also stop and think for a moment, it's only in the last couple of generations that women were able to make inroads into the geek kingdom and let their geekiness be free! So...who do they look to for mentors? I mean sure, some people had dads that were glad to show them the way. But all far too often, I'm guessing they had to figure it out themselves. So this guide is a way of helping be a guide for the next generation. Of shouting out to all the young women (and maybe some older ones) "Hey! HEY! Over here. You belong."

And some people are saying "Well why is it just for girls then, huh? What about young geek boys?" Please. I'm not saying that geek boys don't need a guide as well, but seriously? Girls still have to deal with the bullshit crap of "Well, you can't really like this comic because you're a girl. And it's violent." or "Well you must just read Donald Duck and Smurf comics and everyone knows those aren't real comics." So, hence the reason for the guide.

Sam does an excellent job of breaking things down, of saying "OK here are some things that you can be a part of. Maybe you know some of them. Maybe you don't. But here's how to get started." And even offering some pointers of where to go for more information. And this is a great starting place for a fangirl of figuring out how to tell which community they belong to or even just how many communities there are to be geeking out about! Also, one thing I really, REALLY, loved in this book was that while Sam does use the term "fangirl" she makes it clear, that all are welcome to read this book and that everyone can get something from it.

Number 1a: "Why is a guy writing this book?"...Sam is short for Samantha. Please, don't make assumptions without actually looking for answers first.

Number two: EVERYTHING COSTS TOO MUCH MONEY!!!

I..the...wha...did you read the book?!?!? I mean seriously? Throughout the book Sam talks about how you don't need money to be a fan. In fact she goes out of her way in the introduction to say "Hey, ignore those people that tell you that you have to read every Ms. Marvel comic ever to be a fan. Pfff pish tosh. You're a fan no matter what." Seriously. She says that. Well, ok maybe not quit the pish tosh part, but the rest of it. Yeah. And she doesn't backtrack on it at all! In fact she continues to point out that if you can't go to conventions, you can meet people online. You can know them just that way! You find your community and you make yourself a part of it whatever way that you can.

And I saw people pointing out she says things like "if you're in this group your key accessories are: tattoos, talking animals, brown boots!, etc, etc." and saying "SEE! She's saying spend money on this stuff and that's the only way you'll be a fan!" I...the...what? No, just, no. She's saying "Hey, here are some things that help identify your group! You have them, great! No? Also great!" The only way you can get she's saying you need this stuff is you read someone else's book instead of this one and conflated the two.

Yes, the book talks about ways to do things that cost money, like going to conventions. And Sam does an excellent job of providing advice of what to do when you're at one, what to bring, what not to do, and for the love of all fandom how to act around the people you're getting autographs from! And this also falls into the complaint of "this is obvious" and again, I cry foul. A huge foul on that. Because I'd really love to copy some of these pages and give them to some of the people I meet at conventions. Heck, I would have loved to have this list the first time I went to a convention just a few short years ago!

Three: FOCUS! Where's the focus!!

OK this one I do get a bit, because when you read this like a book, then it does wander a bit, it jumps around, it offers different advice to different age groups and blah, blah. It lacks focus. Now you'll notice I say "when you read this like a book" and that's an important distinction here. And yes some of you are going "well duh! It is a book!" Yes, yes, yes it is. It's a GUIDEbook. It guides you along different paths and you don't have to read it in straight order for it to make sense. If you're reading this book expecting a history of geek girls or it to tell the tale of an adventurous geek girl going out into the world!...don't. The book isn't meant to have a plot or be a cohesive thread or have focus on one topic. It's meant to be a guide to help young ones find their way.

I could probably keep going, but I won't. Sam does an excellent job of creating a GUIDE for geek girls new to being a geek. Or just figuring out what type of geek they can be. Or heck just looking at all of the things a geek CAN BE. Also, Kelly's illustrations (which I didn't even really touch on) are super amazingly awesome and fit really well with the book. Gentle watercolor illustrations with just the right amount of umph to them to really sell what Sam's talking about. Also, also, the font. That's right the font. Jon Chad and Luke Howard, two of my teachers at CCS, would kick my butts if I didn't talk about these things. I'm guessing that Kelly created the watercolor light blue font used as subject headings and emphasis points throughout the book because it matches her art style really well and it just helps tie the entire book together.

Also I can't forget there are some awesome short interviews with Jane Espenson, Erin Morgenstern, Kate Beaton, Ashley Eckstein, Laura Vandervoort, Beth Revis, Kate Leth, and many others.

So, if you're new to being a geek girl or just want to increase your geekdom presence check out this book. And if you know young geek girls just starting out, give them this book. And then help guide them through the awesomeness of being a geek.

ARC provided by LibraryThing Early Reviews Program show less

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley. This has not changed my opinion on the book in any way.

I have to be honest, when I first heard of the title - I thought it was a fictional story based on The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, about a fangirl traveling through space or something. I was so wrong. This book is an actual guide for actual fangirls, and I have to say I liked reading it very very much!

The Fangirl's Guide to the Galaxy is meant for beginner fangirls. It explains all about how to become the ultimate fangirl, how to make fangirl friends, how to survive conventions, how to deal with annoying trolls on the internet and so forth. It has pictures, handy tips, links to awesome fangirl websites and lots show more more in it. As a person who has been a fangirl for a long time already, even I found this book interesting - I even learned a couple of things from this book, something I hadn't really expected.

The book has only about five or so chapters, but they are filled with information about each subject and just very nice to read. Between the chapters are interviews with awesome ladies; authors, actors, artists (like Beth Revis, Erin Morgenstern and Victoria Schwab). There is also an entire chapter about Feminism which I enjoyed reading. But I think the chapter I enjoyed reading the most was the one about conventions. (Because I just love conventions, and I love reading about other people's experiences!).

Personally, I agreed with most of the things that were described in this book. There was only one thing that annoyed me a bit, and that is the whole 'Superwholock' thing. Because it will probably make new fangirls think that that's the only option. That you are supposed to like all three shows in order to be 'it'. But that is not true. Yes, a lot of people are fans of all three shows (myself included), but it's okay to like just one or two of the shows. SWL is a thing made up by Tumblr and it's just really really annoying in my opinion. (FYI, Superwholock is Supernatural, Doctor Who and BBC's Sherlock; three completely different shows, which each a completely different fandom).

But hey, I just decided to ignore it, even though it annoyed me, and I still enjoyed the book!

The writing was easy to read, and also easy to understand. There were pages that explained the words often used by fangirls (such as 'feels', 'gpoy', 'canon/headcanon', 'otp' and so forth). I flew through the book at high speed and was kind of sad when I realised it was over already. Unfortunately, because this is an ebook (and an uncorrected proof at that), the awesome images were all cut into pieces and on different pages, which made it impossible to see the full images. (There were also some tiny mistakes in the writing, especially involving the letter 'f', but like I said - ebook uncorrected proof). I am actually planning on buying a physical copy of the book as soon as it's out, because it's a really handy book for fangirls!

So if you are a (beginner) fangirl, and you want to read more about the fangirl world, you should definitely check out The Fangirl's Guide to the Galaxy!

My opinion on this book in one gif:

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The Fangirl's Guide to the Galaxy is an overview of assorted aspects of fangirl life in a chatty, informal style. It briefly introduces the reader to a number of fandoms, provides a quick glossary of some big online terms, and lays out the basics of assorted online tools (how to tell your twitter from your tumblr, basically), among other things. I think the key to understand here is that it's a quick intro into a variety of aspects of geek culture, not a deep dive. I imagine the idea is that if you read something that piques your interest, you can go online (there's a list of fangirl-friendly websites in the back) to learn more. Someone who is already immersed in geek culture might find it a little too cursory for their tastes, but for show more a newbie, it might be really helpful. And I will also say that the section on feminism is first-rate. There's handy glossary of some often-used terms and phrases that breaks everything down in a clear and unintimidating way, with a good sense of humor - if you have ever tried to explain to your dad what cisgendered means, and had him look at you like you are making up words just to mess with him, you need this glossary. show less