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Posted By: Evo Mar 25, 2004 - 02:46 pm

Howdy all - First time poster, so be nice! ;-)

I've been interested in SFF since I was a wee lad, but have been significantly more involved in the last two years. I co host a SFF talk radio show (http://dragonpage.com) where we interview primarily science fiction and fantasy authors.

I've gotten to know many of these folks quite well, both household names as well as some new to the scene. A few of the big authors have been relaying some stories of the new "anti-fan" and I'm wondering how others feel about this.

The anti-fan seems dedictaed to thrashing particular authors, usually in an area frequented by real fans. I'm not talking someone negatively reviewing work in a review section of a site. Heck, we do that all the time. I'm speaking of someone who goes out of there way to find a community in support of "Joe Author" and then start trolling with negative posts. In a few instances, these anti-fans have taken over to the point genuine fans are fearful of posting.

I've seen it happen twice now with well-known authors. Has this been happening all along, or is it a relatively new phenomenon? Or is it sour grapes from authors who have jumped the shark?

Evo
The Dragon Page Radio Talk Show.

Posted By: Bmat Mar 25, 2004 - 03:37 pm

Welcome to the site, Evo.

I haven't heard of the anti-fan phenomenon, but I believe it.

Posted By: iamume Mar 25, 2004 - 06:37 pm

Welcome aboard, Evo .This is new to me too.Havn't these peaple got better places to put their creative minds? Shame on them.

Posted By: gypsychic Mar 26, 2004 - 06:41 am

I've seen this happen with fans who felt the authors somehow "mistreated" them. I haven't seen it on messageboards, but on panels at conventions. It's very annoying - always sounds whiney to me.

Posted By: Aldan Mar 26, 2004 - 08:05 am

As for me, I know of people who've never gotten out of the highschool mentality of "I'm going to make myself look taller by breaking everyone else's legs," (metaphorically speaking) and it is this sort of person who enjoys creating viruses and also enjoys tearing others' accomplishments apart to help themselves feel better about not accomplishing anything productive themselves...
It's sad that people will do that, and that they feel it's necessary to destroy others' joy in something. Such people need to be sent to a desert island to live only with other such people for 10 years. Those that survive would probably come back as more complete people.