Oh, please don't go the way of metafandom

[elspethdixon]

So this link on metanews is interesting, but it doesn't actually have anything to do with fandom, or even with media or publishing in general.

It could have, if the OP had discussed how this shaming-into-silence worked in a fannish context (which they easily could have done - Moff's Law, anyone?) or how this could translate into a publishing context (the way the publishing establishment characterized fans on LJ during Racefail, the responses some agents had to Sherwood Smith pointing out how the YA field discouraged LGBT fiction), but they didn't. It's a generalized post about activism and politics and oppression - in a word, the exact kind of post that slowly took over metafandom prior to its eventual death. It's certainly more interesting and substantial than the 29473462 tumblr post accusing people of oppressing aromantics/asexuals by shipping Enjolras/Grantaire or of homophobia for shipping Enjolras/Eponine, but much though I wish "your pairing is oppressing me by existing" arguments would go away forever, they're a lot more directly relevant to fandom.

Personally, I wish there were an entirely fannish meta link round-up that didn't link extremely academic essays/journal articles or blog posts by professional writers, or articles on news media outlets, but focused only on posts made by fans about topics connected to fandom. As it is, I feel like I can't submit fannish meta links to metanews because they're not "important enough" or polished enough/scholarly enough compared to all the pro media and academic stuff they link.

Comments

[jjhunter]

Dropping by to say - I for one would be very interested in reading posts unpacking how internalized societal pressure plays out in particular fannish or publishing contexts; would you be up for writing them yourself?

Re: metanews, a neat way to sidestep imposter syndrome weasels is to volunteer your journal for following by metanewsmods; let them figure out if your meta meets their guidelines. I suspect you'll find they cast their net broader than your internal critic suggests. :o)

[elspethdixon]

Sorry - I didn't mean to sound like I was criticizing your post (which is a good, thoughtful post).

I don't think I'd be the right person to write about social pressure in fandom, though, because as a white fangirl I haven't really experienced that kind of silencing - I've just seen it happen and heard about it happening to others.