Review – Fangasm: Supernatural Fangirls
Anyone out there see The Wedding Singer? The lead character, played by Adam Sandler, is the happiest wedding singer alive. Weddings and the idea of marriage thrill him – until heโs cruelly jilted at the alter by his bride to be. Suddenly, heโs down on everything involving marriage and love. Unfortunately he still has to pay the bills so when he goes to work, he ends up ruining a wedding reception by leading the loners and losers in the room through a biting rendition of โLove Stinks.โ To say the least, it ended up not being a good idea at the time given his head space. It also got him punched.
So why am I bringing up a film whose female lead was almost doomed to the name of Julia Gulia? (My daughter’s name is Julia, so we call her that a lot). Easy, back in October I was going through my own โclouded headspaceโ issues, I did something foolish that in retrospect I should have NEVER attempted. I did a review on a book celebrating fandom at a time when I was so sour on the mere existence of fandom, I was leading the band in the biting rendition of โFandom Stinks.โ I didnโt get punched, but I should have. It was a poorly done review, and not a very fair one.
Whatโs lovely about life though is every once in a while, we get to call, โdo-over!โ I get to do this review over. It comes with a fresher perspective and a new appreciation for not only the Supernatural fandom, but the idea of fandom in general. It really is a phenomenon that changes our lives in many different ways. So settle in and join me in a thorough yet balanced analysis of Fangasm: Supernatural Fangirls.
Review
If I had to describe Fangasm: Supernatural Fangirls in a nutshell, itโs a personal story about celebrating fandom. Thatโs a very crude summary though, and Iโve never been one for crude summaries. After all, anyone whoโs been part of this mind-boggling experience knows that thereโs nothing simple about being in a fandom at all. Especially fans of the TV show Supernatural.
How about, itโs an open, honest, well-written narrative about two women who fell in love with a TV program and found there was so much more to this show than a piece of entertainment that took an hour of their lives each week. By jumping into this roller coaster world of the Supernatural fandom head first, Lynn Zubernis and Kathy Larsen found new identities, formed meaningful friendships, became immersed in the inner circle of meeting and socializing those involved with their favorite show, and experienced some very surreal and profound changes to their personal lives. The entire story reads like a whirlwind and thatโs because it is.
For anyone thatโs ever been involved in a fandom, this book will evoke a myriad of feelings because of the personal nature of their story. Those feelings will be as individual as everyone’s experiences have been. We all can relate in some way to the stories Lynn and Kathy share, even if they arenโt engaged in all aspects of Supernatural fan activities. Itโs enough where it triggers recollections of our own adventures, and helps us celebrate our own feelings of excitement the first time we saw two brothers hit the road in a bitchinโ 1967 Chevy Impala hunting demons and monsters.
The message of the book is not to wave in our faces all of their amazing experiences ever since Supernatural came into their lives (and theyโve had some amazing experiences). Itโs to tell fans that have gone or want to go to conventions, and/or spend countless hours online discussing the show, and/or write fan fiction, and/or make or share fan videos, and/or hang out on places like Twitter, Facebook and Tumblr participating in rapid chatter, etc. that itโs okay to act this way, no matter what your age. Fandom isnโt just for preteens and teens. Although when you engage in all this, you feel like one.
Raise your hand if youโve ever had someone look at you funny when you said you were traveling somewhere for a fan convention – Or when you just had a conversation online about Supernatural or any another show and someone else in the room thought youโd lost your mind – Or when you experienced that pang of guilt because you ignored a household duty or family obligation to finish that Sam and Dean fan fiction. Yeah, thatโs all in there, and much, much more.
Lynn and Kathy are college professors, so there is some academic based dialogue, but itโs mostly the fangirl point of view. It makes for a very interesting combo, but it works. Often times the narrative shares a wild experience and then the psychologist kicks in and explains in detail why the act is okay and even rational. Itโs justification that we often struggle with in our own minds when after staying up late chattering like mad about the latest episode on a work night. It answers the questions, โWhy am I doing this?โ or โWhy canโt I get a real life?โ Trust me, fandom is as real as it gets.
I will admit, Lynn and Kathy travel way more than the average fan. I wouldnโt have traveled all the way to Dallas to see my favorite TV actor in a play during the showโs offseason. Most of us wouldnโt. But the point is if these two people of seemingly rational and respectable lives go and do something like that, then you shouldnโt feel bad about gleefully sharing photos and videos of the same actor constantly with other fans online for hours. It also says that if you can act on an impulse like traveling halfway across the country on the hope of meeting an actor, itโs not as crazy as you think. Others were there too and everything turned out alright.
For me personally, I related to their stories of the behind the scenes thrill of getting to interview people like creator Eric Kripke, writer Sera Gamble, actors Jared Padalecki and Jensen Ackles, or anyone ever associated with the show. Itโs a profound experience that forces one to balance professionalism with the โscream-your-fool-head-offโ inner fan girl. Sometimes that balance isnโt so easy! Lynn and Kathy discovered (as I did) that the people behind the show are fans just like us and have their own fan boy/fan girl experiences to pool from. These people have managed to make a living from their inspirations and you canโt help but admire that. The interviews shared are very down to earth and offer perspective that the Supernatural cast, producers, and crew are just like you and me. Their stake in the show is as personal as a fanโs, even more so since itโs their creation. Itโs not just a job to them.
Fandom is a volatile thing too, so itโs not all joy and happiness. Waving your fandom flag proudly does come with a social stigma. Lynn and Kathy found that stigma from others at every turn and shared those stories as well. There were some very painful experiences and there is disappointment that comes when being an avid fan. It also had a big impact on their personal lives, both good and bad. Relationships fell apart, and the struggle of being a fan and being true to their families resulted in plenty of conflict and guilt. But they also never felt more thrilled and alive during their experiences. The book title says it all; they found their fangasm.
Lynn and Kathy, despite their years of professional wisdom, were also not prepared for the politics that comes with the entertainment business. Hollywood has a different mentality than the real world and is all about good PR. Certain lines cannot be crossed. When they first jumped into the fandom, Lynn and Kathy settled into that online niche that adored reading and writing slash fan fiction. With a show like Supernatural, the pairing of the two Winchester brothers, commonly called Wincest, is a very controversial and a morally outrageous aspect of the fandom to many. Lynn and Kathy spent a lot of time pushing that envelope though, trying to break through that social taboo which they really wanted to discuss. In this book and in their conversations with people involved with the show, slash and Wincest comes up a lot. As a reader of this book, some will applaud their audacity. Others will find the subject matter very uncomfortable to read. I personally fall in the latter category, but I also understand why they had to go that route. They needed to show fans of all parts of the fandom that they belonged in this community, even those associated with what is considered the โfringierโ elements. Fandom isnโt a cookie cutter, โeverything is just peachyโ phenomenon like Hollywood PR likes to project. It comes with plenty of counter cultural and volatile elements, which makes the identity of a fandom all that more real.
My biggest disappointment with Fangasm is that the story ended right around the time when I first met Lynn and Kathy at the first Salute to Supernatural convention in New Jersey. Theyโve had so many great adventures since then and a deeper, more profound experience with the fandom. Thatโs just a personal disappointment though and one that can be easily rectified by reading their stories through their Fangasm blog and fandom studies publications. We can always hope for a follow-up to Fangasm too!
This book may be geared toward the very colorful (and often outspoken) Supernatural fandom, but anyone thatโs been involved with any fandom will enjoy the stories and can relate. Some will perceive this to be a celebration. Others will feel better about liking what they want to like and doing what makes them feel happy. Others will take it as a cautionary tale. Whatever the reactions we are all better from experiencing at least in part Lynn and Kathyโs wild ride through all things Supernatural.
Fangasm: Supernatural Fangirls is published by the University of Iowa press and can be found at Amazon.com.
Paperback Kindle Edition

Alice Jester is the founder, editor-in-chief, head writer, programmer, web designer, site administrator, marketer, and moderator for The Winchester Family Business.ย She is a 30 year IT applications and database expert with a penchant for creative and freelance writing in her spare (ha!!) time.ย Thatโs on top of being a wife, mother of two active kids, and four loving (aka needy) pets.
Thanks for this Alice. I was wondering if I should buy the book on Kindle or just get the print version? If there are pictures I want the print, for obvious reasons! ๐ณ Does anyone have a suggestion for me?
Thanks for this Alice. I was wondering if I should buy the book on Kindle or just get the print version? If there are pictures I want the print, for obvious reasons! ๐ณ Does anyone have a suggestion for me?
Thank you Alice for a great review. I am almost finished reading this and I have not regretted buying it one bit. I just love that Kathy and Lynn shared their experiences as fans then writers in such an honest way. I find myself at times feeling guilty for feeling so much for a TV program and yes I take a lot of flack from family members but it does not stop me from loving this show and the characters. So much so, that I am going to two conventions this year and hopefully more next year. I’ve lived 60 years now and so much I would do over if given the chance but this fandom has given me new life and I’m my happiest when I am doing anything that relates to Supernatural and the people involved in it.
This actually sounds sad as I write it but I don’t know how much longer I may have left in this great life now so I’m taking my thrills and enjoyment wherever I can and this is my happy place. Sorry, didn’t mean to run on here on a personal note but these girls are just so lucky to have had the experiences they have had and I am thrilled they were willing to share it with all of us. Great job Lynn, Kathy, and you too Alice for doing them justice.
Thank you Alice for a great review. I am almost finished reading this and I have not regretted buying it one bit. I just love that Kathy and Lynn shared their experiences as fans then writers in such an honest way. I find myself at times feeling guilty for feeling so much for a TV program and yes I take a lot of flack from family members but it does not stop me from loving this show and the characters. So much so, that I am going to two conventions this year and hopefully more next year. I’ve lived 60 years now and so much I would do over if given the chance but this fandom has given me new life and I’m my happiest when I am doing anything that relates to Supernatural and the people involved in it.
This actually sounds sad as I write it but I don’t know how much longer I may have left in this great life now so I’m taking my thrills and enjoyment wherever I can and this is my happy place. Sorry, didn’t mean to run on here on a personal note but these girls are just so lucky to have had the experiences they have had and I am thrilled they were willing to share it with all of us. Great job Lynn, Kathy, and you too Alice for doing them justice.
[quote name=”Sylvie”]Thanks for this Alice. I was wondering if I should buy the book on Kindle or just get the print version? If there are pictures I want the print, for obvious reasons! ๐ณ Does anyone have a suggestion for me?[/quote]
I would personally suggest buying the book. It is paperback, so not very expensive and it is something you will want to read many times. I also found I wanted to highlight and underline paragraphs that specifically spoke to me about my personal experience.
I absolutely loved this book. Once you start, it is nearly impossible to put down! It is fast paced and very exciting. So many reviewers have said that they read through the night because it was so compelling and personal for them! I highly, highly recommend it.
[quote]Thanks for this Alice. I was wondering if I should buy the book on Kindle or just get the print version? If there are pictures I want the print, for obvious reasons! ๐ณ Does anyone have a suggestion for me?[/quote]
I would personally suggest buying the book. It is paperback, so not very expensive and it is something you will want to read many times. I also found I wanted to highlight and underline paragraphs that specifically spoke to me about my personal experience.
I absolutely loved this book. Once you start, it is nearly impossible to put down! It is fast paced and very exciting. So many reviewers have said that they read through the night because it was so compelling and personal for them! I highly, highly recommend it.
I agree with Nightsky – great read, very enjoyable.I personally enjoy the book for the same reasons that Nightsky does.
I agree with Nightsky – great read, very enjoyable.I personally enjoy the book for the same reasons that Nightsky does.
I love the story in this book its a great read the flying girl fan story was funny. I just started cry just seeing them that’s my freak out And I am going to do it again this year.
I love the story in this book its a great read the flying girl fan story was funny. I just started cry just seeing them that’s my freak out And I am going to do it again this year.
Thanks for the info Nightsky, I kind of figured it would make a good keepsake to add to all my SPN paraphanalia. ๐
Thanks for the info Nightsky, I kind of figured it would make a good keepsake to add to all my SPN paraphanalia. ๐