Fanzines

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A small-circulation magazine created by enthusiasts focusing on a particular subject, often independently produced and distributed
2. A self-published periodical that showcases the interests and passions of its creators, usually centered around fan culture
3. A grassroots publication made by fans for fans, covering diverse topics such as music, literature, or film in a non-commercial manner

Etymology: "Fanzine" is a compound of "fan" and "magazine," clipped together in the United States. The "fan" half is short for "fanatic," a word borrowed from Latin "fanaticus," meaning "inspired by a god" or "frenzied," which in turn came from "fanum," a temple. The "magazine" half comes from Arabic "makhazin," meaning "storehouses," through French and Italian. So the word is a blend of two ideas that were once far apart: religious frenzy and a storehouse of printed matter. The term appeared in the 1940s in American science fiction circles, where amateur publications circulated among readers who wrote, drew, and argued about the genre. Early examples were mimeographed or hectographed, printed by hand on cheap duplicating machines. The earliest recorded use is usually credited to 1940, though exact attribution is uncertain. Over time the word spread beyond science fiction to music, comics, film, and politics, and the printing methods changed from mimeograph to photocopier to desktop publishing. The core idea stayed the same: a non-commercial publication produced by enthusiasts for other enthusiasts.

Synonyms: fan magazines, fan publications