Among science fiction and fantasy, comic book, and mediafans, a Big Name Fan (BNF) is a member of a fandom who is particularly well-known and celebrated for their writings in fanzines, semi-professional magazines and (more recently) blogs; or for other contributions such as art and (in some communities) fanfiction. Some BNFs have also contributed to the franchise itself (Doctor Who is noted for being primarily written and produced by people who were BNFs of the series before it was brought back in 2005). They may have fans of their own, who praise them and seek out their work.
BNFs may have their autographs requested at conventions;[citation needed] they are often invited as Guests of Honor at conventions, and in some fandoms may be paid to speak as guests at commercial shows which pay for appearances. The term originated in science fiction fandom, and dates to 1955 or earlier.[1] It was recorded in 1955, in Bob Tucker's The Neo-Fan Guide;[2] other early references include 1959's Fancyclopedia II[3] and Donald Franson's 1962 work A Key to the Terminology of Science-Fiction Fandom.[4] In its original sense, 'BNF' referred to "one well known within the world of science-fiction fandom".[5]
Discontinued Hugo Awardedit
When the Hugo Awards were instituted in 1953, one of the categories was "#1 Fan Personality", which has also been referred to as the "BNF Award." This award, which was not revived when the Hugos became institutionalized in 1955, was given to Forrest J Ackerman. (According to an interim report issued by the Philcon II convention committee while voting was still going on, the next most popular candidate at the time was Harlan Ellison; but at the time Ackerman was given the award, he actually physically declined it in favor of Ken Slater, to whom the trophy was later forwarded.)[6]
Connotations and usageedit
Fans report ambivalent feelings towards BNFs. The title BNF also carries a negative connotation of being arrogant and self-important.[citation needed] Accordingly, many people who are deemed BNFs resist being tagged with that designation.
^Tucker, Bob (1955). The Neo-Fan Guide. from the original on 14 June 2006. Retrieved 2006-06-22.
^Speer, Jack (1959). Dick Eney (ed.). . Archived from the original on 2001-10-06. Retrieved 2006-06-22.
^Franson, Donald (1962). A Key to the Terminology of Science-Fiction Fandom. Retrieved 2006-06-22.
^Southard, Bruce (1982). "The Language of Science-Fiction Fan Magazines". American Speech. 57 (1). Duke University Press: 19–31. doi:10.2307/455177. JSTOR 455177.
^Mike Glyer. "Ackerman's Hugo." File 770 February 10, 2009
January 01, 1970
name, among, science, fiction, fantasy, comic, book, media, fans, member, fandom, particularly, well, known, celebrated, their, writings, fanzines, semi, professional, magazines, more, recently, blogs, other, contributions, such, some, communities, fanfiction,. Among science fiction and fantasy comic book and media fans a Big Name Fan BNF is a member of a fandom who is particularly well known and celebrated for their writings in fanzines semi professional magazines and more recently blogs or for other contributions such as art and in some communities fanfiction Some BNFs have also contributed to the franchise itself Doctor Who is noted for being primarily written and produced by people who were BNFs of the series before it was brought back in 2005 They may have fans of their own who praise them and seek out their work BNFs may have their autographs requested at conventions citation needed they are often invited as Guests of Honor at conventions and in some fandoms may be paid to speak as guests at commercial shows which pay for appearances The term originated in science fiction fandom and dates to 1955 or earlier 1 It was recorded in 1955 in Bob Tucker s The Neo Fan Guide 2 other early references include 1959 s Fancyclopedia II 3 and Donald Franson s 1962 work A Key to the Terminology of Science Fiction Fandom 4 In its original sense BNF referred to one well known within the world of science fiction fandom 5 Discontinued Hugo Award editWhen the Hugo Awards were instituted in 1953 one of the categories was 1 Fan Personality which has also been referred to as the BNF Award This award which was not revived when the Hugos became institutionalized in 1955 was given to Forrest J Ackerman According to an interim report issued by the Philcon II convention committee while voting was still going on the next most popular candidate at the time was Harlan Ellison but at the time Ackerman was given the award he actually physically declined it in favor of Ken Slater to whom the trophy was later forwarded 6 Connotations and usage editFans report ambivalent feelings towards BNFs The title BNF also carries a negative connotation of being arrogant and self important citation needed Accordingly many people who are deemed BNFs resist being tagged with that designation References edit Coppa Francesca 2006 A Brief History of Media Fandom In Hellekson Karen Busse Kristina eds Fan Fiction and Fan Communities in the Age of the Internet Jefferson North Carolina McFarland amp Company pp 41 59 ISBN 978 0 7864 2640 9 Tucker Bob 1955 The Neo Fan Guide Archived from the original on 14 June 2006 Retrieved 2006 06 22 Speer Jack 1959 Dick Eney ed Fancyclopedia II Archived from the original on 2001 10 06 Retrieved 2006 06 22 Franson Donald 1962 A Key to the Terminology of Science Fiction Fandom Retrieved 2006 06 22 Southard Bruce 1982 The Language of Science Fiction Fan Magazines American Speech 57 1 Duke University Press 19 31 doi 10 2307 455177 JSTOR 455177 Mike Glyer Ackerman s Hugo File 770 February 10 2009 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Big Name Fan amp oldid 1220013213, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
